SPECIAL MEETNG OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, September 28, 2004; 9:30 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Kallie Briggs, Richard Lehtinen, Doug Grindall, John Mastin, Susan Congrave, Nancy Lee Schafer; Reporters Laurel Beager and Roger Jerome

2004/09-49 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2004/09-50 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve the minutes from the September 21, 2004 regular meeting. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2004/09-51 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $58,496.47, to approve payment of Community Service financial and social service program claims and administrative claims as presented and to approve payment of the Public Health claims in the amount of $14,972.16. Payment detail is on file in the respective departments. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2004/09-52 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to set a public hearing for October 19, 2004 at 11:00 a.m. to receive public comment on a road vacation request by Richard Peterson described as a part of County Utility Road #27615, marked as “Lane” on the plat of Crystal Point, lying east of Lot 17 and south of Lot 16. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2004/09-53 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee acknowledging the letter from the Town of Fort Frances informing the County that they will no longer require recycling services with Koochiching County as they are now shipping their recycling to Winnipeg and further, directing a letter of recognition from the Board to Environmental Service staff for their hard work in keeping up with the extra demands at the transfer station due to the taking of Fort Frances recycling. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

2004/09-54 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the Highway Engineer certifying final value to Gladen Construction, Inc. in the amount of $290,842.71 for SAP 36-718-01. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

000 The Highway Engineer informed the Board that two of the bidders for beaver removal in the county are not available at this time to provide the service and the Engineer recommended assigning the contract to other interested parties until the service is bid again next March. The Board agreed.

2004/09-55 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to add discussion on gravel resources at the County Pit near Rainy Lake One Stop to the agenda. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper; absent for vote: Chezick. Motion carried.

000 The Highway Engineer reported that there is usable gravel and sand materials at the County Pit and is looking at options and costs to excavate the material. The Engineer requested direction as taking this material will disrupt the pond and surrounding area, impacting the immediate establishment of a kids fishing pond as requested by he Rainy Lake Sportfishing Club. Board members stated that they had already received calls on this matter and were informed that the pond will not support fish stock for at least three years if this material is pulled from the ponds. It was agreed that the Highway Engineer, Land Commissioner and Sportfishing Club members meet to discuss the sand/gravel resources found in the pit so that the group can decide what options are available.

000 The Undersheriff resubmitted the proposal to place 8 bunks in the County jail to increase capacity when it is needed. As stated previously by the Sheriff and Undersheriff in budget reviews, it is not their intent to keep the jail at maximum capacity (30) but rather have the extra beds when needed as there are times where they have no choice. The need for the bunks is regardless of the short-term offender transfer from state prisons as the increase in jail time for local offenders is mostly what they deal with. Through jail time scheduling, home monitoring, sentence to serve and other alternative programs, most of the time they can manage jail capacity but there are times when circumstances fill the jail. The Undersheriff stated that extra money was put in the budget to bring in part time staff when the jail capacity requires. Based on the high cost with paying stays at other facilities and in transportation, they feel this is the best option available. Again Board members expressed concern that if the beds are installed, the jail will increase the time it is at full capacity and again stated issue with the State sending short term offenders to the County jails, shifting state cost and responsibility to counties having local jails.

2004/09-56 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing expenditure for installing eight bunk beds in the County Jail as recommended by the Sheriff with the Complex Budget funding $1,500 and remaining cost taken from the Sheriff’s Zero Tolerance Account and Jail Budget. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper; voting no: Pavleck, Chezick. Motion carried.

2004/09-57 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee acknowledging receipt of the Professional Advisory Committee minutes from their meeting of August 31, 2004. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Public Health Director informed the Board that under emergency preparedness, a draft regional plan has been submitted to the Center of Disease Control for review and that the Health Department has completed their draft for incorporation in the County’s Emergency Management Plan. The Director stated that the Healthy Beginnings Program is very well received and that more resources will need to be put in the program. The Director provided the Board reported diseases in the region and locally from 2003. A report was provided on the local immunization program. The goal is to have 90% of children immunized, which is met in all areas except Hepatitis B which is normal as the immunization is time and need sensitive. When asked, it was stated that parents can refuse immunization for their children but they are required to submit a signed statement to the fact.

2004/09-58 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to renew a service contract with School District 363 for the ENABL Program as recommended by the Public Health Director (county attorney has reviewed the contract). Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Public Health Director submitted proposed fee increases, changing skilled nurse and home health aide visits based on Medicare adjustments and a list of fee adjustments for vaccines.

2004/09-59 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee approving the following fee changes for the Public Health Department as recommended by the Public Health Director: skilled nurse visit $102, home health aide visit $50, MNVac $10.00 (adm fee), Flu $15.00, Hepatitis B $35.00, Mantoux $10.00, Meningococcal $80.00, Pneumonia $30.00, Td $15.00. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Public Health Director reviewed a draft outlining the six essential local public health activities created by a state task force on which she serves. The Director also provided a letter from North Country Home Care and Hospice Services stating they are no longer able to provide service in the southwestern portion of the County, however, the Director stated they have another provider under contract providing services in this area.

2004/09-60 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to adjourn the meeting at 11:03 a.m. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.