REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, March 16, 2004; 10:16 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Chezick, Lepper, Adee, Hanson

MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Pavleck (Other County Board Business - ATV Legislation Hearing in St. Paul)

OTHERS ATTENDING: Einar Sundin, Richard Lehtinen, Susan Congrave, Brian Nelson, Walter Leu, Craig Gilbertson, Bryan Anderson, Doug Grindall; Reporters Laurel Beager and Roger Jerome

2004/03-25 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Chezick, Lepper, Adee, Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/03-26 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes of the March 9, 2004 special meeting. Voting yes: Chezick, Lepper, Adee, Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/03-27 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the Highway bills in the amount of $56,501.33 and authorizing Board Chair’s signature to the Auditor’s February 2004 vendor payment listing verifying its review. Voting yes: Chezick, Lepper, Adee, Hanson. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service and Public Health Directors met with the Board on behalf of the County’s Public Health Nuisance Committee to report on a public health nuisance at the Old Kirvan Truck Line property. It is estimated that 1,500 tires are on the site and have been there for many years along with other junk such as old equipment and vehicles. There is also the possibility of soil contamination but would have to be determined through soil testing. The Committee to date has not taken formal action under the County Public Health Nuisance Ordinance but has been trying to work with the property owner to clean up the site. The Board placed the item on the agenda due to the danger it poses for airport operation and the public’s health should the site catch fire and these tires burn. The Committee received a quote from a local hauler with a cost of $20,000 to $25,000 to dispose of the tires. A member of the audience felt the cost was more like $80,000 to $100,000 due to labor, freight (nearest tire disposal site is in the twin cities) and tipping fee. The Board again expressed their concern with this public hazard and directed that the clean up happen at a faster pace and to pursue action under the County’s Public Health Nuisance Ordinance to get it done. The Board stated that any cost borne by the County to clean up this site will be assessed to the property and that violation of the order by the property owner under the County’s Ordinance needs to be pursued.

2004/03-28 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee directing the Public Health Nuisance Committee to initiate legal action against the owner of the Old Kirvan Truck Line property under the County’s Public Health Nuisance Ordinance to clean up his property of junk materials and old tires with priority given to cleaning up of the tires and that if the property owner does not comply with the order, to pursue charges against the property owner and assess clean up cost to the property. Voting yes: Chezick, Lepper, Adee, Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/03-29 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to add discussion of the transfer station to the agenda. Voting yes: Chezick, Lepper, Adee, Hanson. Motion carried.

000 Commissioner Lepper informed the Environmental Service Director that this past weekend he visited the transfer station to find the facility in a real mess as all the MSW trailers were full (one was broken so could not use) so the garbage was all over the floor. The Director was asked to check into the MSW hauling and/or as to why there were no empty trailers for garbage at the facility.

000000 MnDot representatives met with the Board to present the annual ATP Report and review the process for selecting projects for funding. Funding at the federal and state levels are not increasing even though the cost of road projects are, leaving MNDot and local governments with eroding ability to fund future projects and preserve what they have. On this note it was stated that due to pavement breakup on TH 53 and I-35, reconstruction projects had to be deferred to allow funding to take care of these immediate safety issues. Priority was also given to TH 53 congestion by Miller Hill Mall. Again it was stated that due to road funding not keeping up with replacement needs and cost, we are at the point of going backwards with maintaining our road systems. The list of ATP projects recommended for funding was reviewed with the Board which included TH 71 paving from Margie to Big Falls. A list of enhancement projects recommended for FY 2007 funding for non-traditional road projects was reviewed. Fourteen applications were submitted with seven approved for funding, consisting mostly of trail projects. The Voyageurs National Park Bike Trail was one of the fourteen applications, however, due to the uncertainty of a local match at this time the project was not on the list of recommended projects. A list of six FY 2005-07 projects proposed for Koochiching County was reviewed and the Board was informed of a public meeting on Monday, May 3, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. in the Koochiching County Courthouse boardroom to review the 2008-2030 NE MN Long-Range Transportation Plan. The Board expressed their appreciation to the MnDot and ARDC representatives for meeting with them to discuss area transportation matters.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:45 a.m. No comment was provided.

2004/03-30 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to adjourn the meeting at 11:45 a.m. Voting yes: Chezick, Lepper, Adee, Hanson. Motion carried.