REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, September 21, 2004; 9:30 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Doug Grindall, Richard Lehtinen, Paul Mielke, Sharon Kennedy, Duane Nelson, John Kalstad, Dennis Hummitzsch, Terry Murray, Rodney Otterness, Sam Woods, Kallie Briggs, Bill Ham; Reporters Roger Jerome and Laurel Beager

2004/09-33 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/09-34 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes of the September 14, 2004 special meeting. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/09-35 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the Highway bills in the amount of $82,035.73, to approve payment to Johnson, Killen & Seiler in the amount of $414.40 for personnel legal services with payment from the Administration Budget and to approve payment of the following burial cases: #79038 in the amount of $2,121.00, #290667 in the amount of $2,346.50 and #969842 in the amount of $2,021.50. Payment detail on file in the Highway, Auditor and Community Service Departments. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/09-36 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee accepting the employment separation of John Murray as Heavy Equipment Operator in the Highway Department due to retirement with a separation date of October 1, 2004. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/09-37 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick to table the request to fill a vacant Heavy Equipment Operator position due to an upcoming retirement for further review in committee. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/09-38 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation of the Planning Commission to deny a request for CUP 0409 for a one unit resort for Dan and Crystal Weiland at 2814 Town Road 273, Plat of Morrison. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/09-39 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper accepting the recommendation of the Planning Commission to deny a request for CUP 0410 and REZ 0405 for a zone change to RR-1 and a use permit to use an existing cabin and add additional units in the future for a resort type rental for Donna Hagerty at 2388 County Road 136. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/09-40 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to file a petition provided to the County Board from residents of Morrison Point opposing a resort business in their area as a response to the CUP requested by Weliand (County Board accepted Planning Commission’s recommendation to deny the request). Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/09-41 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee approving a grant agreement with the Department of Homeland Security/Emergency Management in the amount of $50,000 (no cash match) for the purchase of equipment and provision of training and further, authorizing the County Sheriff to sign documents on behalf of Koochiching County to execute the grant agreement. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/09-42 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee approving the following fees as recommended by the Sheriff for storage of vehicles detained by the Department: $10.00 each day for the first 15 days, $5.00 each day for the second 15 days, and $2.50 for each additional day thereafter. In addition to collection of the fees, other charges incurred by the Department for impounding the vehicle will be collected before the vehicle is released with the Auditor/Treasurer Department to collect the revenue and deposit it in the Sheriff’s Zero Tolerance Account. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner informed the Board that the State Rice Lease land exchange process as directed under legislation was cancelled by the Commissioner of Natural Resources and that there was one site in Koochiching County on which work was completed and forwarded to the State for action. The Land Commissioner felt the County should be reimbursed for its cost into this project.

2004/09-43 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing the Board Chair to send a letter to the appropriate State Department requesting reimbursement of the cost borne by Koochiching County to prepare its sites for the State Rice Lease land exchange process, directed by legislation, and later cancelled by the Commissioner of Natural Resources after work had begun. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/09-44 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper setting the County Tax Forfeited Public Auction Land Sale for October 28, 2004 at 6:30 p.m. as recommended by the Land Commissioner. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Board was informed that Shelly King was hired as the part-time Office Support Specialist in the Community Service Department with a starting date of September 20, 2004.

2004/09-45 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to renew the Littlefork Jackpine Chateau Service Agreement as recommended by the Community Service Director with no change. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick; absent for vote: Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/09-46 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to renew the Northstar Specialized Services Agreement as recommended by the Community Service Director with no change. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick; absent for vote: Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/09-47 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Adee to approve an addendum to the Northome SLS Service Agreement for addition of a client as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick; absent for vote: Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Community Service Director informed the Board that through the MN Department of Human Services, a Food Support Program management evaluation was conducted on the Agency, which is federally mandated to ensure that the Food Support Program is being administered in compliance with federal regulations. The report provided to the Board commended the Agency for its diligence in proving excellent service for its customers and for taking an active role in the ME process and that over-all, the findings are that the Agency provides first class services to customers. The Board commended staff for their work.

000 The City of International Falls Administrator presented a proposal to the County Board to support legislative change in the Annexation Law to give the County authority in the absence of townships in Koochiching County. Though the City has two other means under annexation law to annex property, orderly annexation allows authorities to negotiate and secure an agreement as to how the annexation would take place. However when researching law, it was found that annexation authority was not automatically transferred to the County when it dissolved its townships. The state recognizes this not as an oversight, but the intent of the law. Therefore in order for the City to approach the County with an orderly annexation proposal, legislation would need to grant the county authority. The proposed legislation change would focus on counties that are completely unorganized. When asked by County Board members, the Administrator stated that at this time there is no specific plan for annexation. With regards to the request to change the law, the Administrator stated it would put a tool out there to be used but doesn’t force any party to participate. The County Board felt that without knowing what the City is thinking, it is hard for the Board or the public to put things in perspective. The Administrator stated that the City is a long way from an annexation plan and felt the first step was to begin discussion with the County. Commissioner Chezick stated that a large annexation of property by the City, regardless of what method is used, needs to consider the change in population which may impact ward and commissioner district boundaries. He also made a motion to have the County Attorney research session law to see if the County was granted all powers of the township boards when they dissolved their townships, however, the motion failed for a lack of a second. A resident of the City of Ranier stated that there are cultural and population diversities to consider and stated concern with Ranier providing water services to areas outside their city limits and felt Ranier should be part of any discussion on the best ways to provide services. It was agreed the City Administrator would present the County with a draft of the legislation proposed to change the annexation law allowing the County authority in the orderly annexation process.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 10:50 a.m. Bill Ham, candidate for District 3A provided his party and platform information to Board members. No other comment was presented.

2004/09-48 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to adjourn the meeting at 10:57 a.m. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.