SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, October 12, 2004; 9:50 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper

MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Chezick

OTHERS ATTENDING: Kallie Briggs, Jack Bergstedt, Ann Scholler, Doug Grindall, Dennis Hummitzsch, Eric Norstad, Richard Lehtinen, John Mastin, Laura Smith; Reporters Laurel Beager, Roger Jerome and Jen O’Reily

2004/10-14 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/10-15 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes of the October 5, 2004 regular meeting. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/10-16 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson approving a zero percent increase for the Koochiching County Board’s salary and per diem rate for 2005. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/10-17 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee approving the publication of the 2003 Koochiching County Financial Statement as presented by the Assistant Auditor. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/10-18 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper appointing Jim Palm to the Convention and Visitors Bureau Board of Directors as recommended. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/10-19 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $41,265.47. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Board agreed to have Commissioner Hanson and the County Coordinator work with a representative from the Con Con Citizen Advisory Board to set a date and time where the County Board would attend a public forum in the Birchdale area as requested by the community.

2004/10-20 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee authorizing the Highway Engineer to fill a Heavy Equipment Operator position left vacant by a September retirement. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/10-21 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the Highway Engineer to certify final contract values with Hawkinson Construction Company for the following projects: SAP 36-606-08 in the amount of $490,126.63, SAP 36-625-06 in the amount of $479,447.78 and SAP 36-636-06 in the amount of $149,880.75. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/10-22 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing Board members to attend a forum in Canyon, Minnesota on October 13, 2004 in which Secretary of Interior Gail Norton will discuss sustainable forests and federal funding available for this initiative. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/10-23 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to set the following dates for 2005 County timber auctions: January 14, May 6, August 3 and November 16. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner provided the Board information on the proposed “Kids Fishing Pier Project” at the County Pit located near Rainy Lake One Stop by the Rainy Lake Sport Fishing Club. The use of the area will remain open to the public with the Sport Fishing Club promoting use as a kids fishing pier and that fishing in this pond is regulated under Minnesota fishing laws. Removal of gravel could be done on a limited basis per the DNR without impacting the pond waters and vegetation but care would be needed. The Highway Engineer felt the County could take the stock pile and readily available materials on the west bank now and forego disturbing the pond area at this time. He would want the County to retain right to remove materials from this area in the future should there be a critical need for it.

2004/10-24 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee that Koochiching County agrees to work with the Rainy Lake Sport Fishing Club to develop a “Kids Fishing Pond” at a County pit located in the Plat of Rainy Lake Addition near Rainy Lake One Stop. That the area will be developed and maintained by the Rainy Lake Sport Fishing Club with an access road, parking, walk way, fishing piers, picnic tables and other needed accommodations and that the pond will be stocked with fish by the Rainy Lake Sport fishing Club. The area will remain open to the public and that an agreement be drafted with an out clause for the County should the land be needed for other purposes. The Highway Engineer is also directed to research signage on Highway 11 where kids would need to cross the highway to access the pond. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/10-25 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper approving the repurchase of Lots 5 through 16, Block 4, Second Division of International Falls under County Policy and to authorize the withdrawal of this property, known as Tract #8 on the land sale list, from public auction as recommended by the Land Commissioner. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director informed the Board that the contractor awarded the bid for hauling the County’s MSW to Kittson Landfill, requested time on the agenda to discuss amending his contract for the increase in fuel prices. As of this morning, the contractor was unsure whether he would make an appearance. The Director informed him that because this was a bid service, he anticipated the County Board’s option would be to re-bid the service. The contractor did not show and the Board agreed that they would not open the contract for amendment but would call for bids if the contractor can not perform under the current contract. The Director stated that the contractor is providing good service.

2004/10-26 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee authorizing the Environmental Service Department to seek quotes for engineering firms to assist with the renewal of the demolition permit with quotes to include services from the County Highway Department. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/10-27 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to add discussion of an assessment hearing for the Jackfish Sewer Project to the agenda. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director stated that information is completed for the required assessment hearing for the Jackfish Sewer Project. The Director stated that the consultant hired to perform the assessment work for the Project will be present at the October 19 Board meeting with more information.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 10:45 a.m. Laura Smith of Manko Trucking requested inspection information on the County’s MSW trailers and the Board Chair deferred her to the Environmental Service Department for the information. No other comment was presented.

000 The Undersheriff informed the Board that due to heightened security measures during the presidential election, police forces are being asked to increase security in their area which will increase overtime cost. However, a letter of intent is forthcoming stating that overtime cost will be reimbursed with homeland security funds. In addition, the Undersheriff stated that the grant agreement providing $115,000 for an airboat and related equipment is forthcoming and that upon its execution the Sheriff will contact the vendor to purchase the boat. The cost for the boat is $95,400 and under the grant agreement, the County will need to make the payment and seek reimbursement from the grant. The Undersheriff stated that upon receipt of the grant document for the airboat, he would come back to the Board for approval. The Undersheriff stated that because the County will have to make the payment for overtime and the boat and then request reimbursement, the revenues and expenditures in the 2004 and 2005 Sheriff Budgets might be overstated.

2004/10-28 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee authorizing additional overtime cost in the 2004 and 2005 Sheriff Budgets for additional homeland security contingent on overtime costs reimbursed by federal/state dollars. Motion provides authorization for additional overtime costs from now until January 2005 and that reimbursement of the overtime cost shall be verified in writing from the appropriate state and/or federal authorities. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/10-29 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to adjourn the meeting at 10:55 a.m. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion carried.