REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, October 19, 2004; 10:30 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Kallie Briggs, John McCarthy, Terry Murray, Walt Whitbeck, Paul Mielke, Elaine Beach, Richard Lehtinen, Richard Peterson, Bob Peterson; Reporters Laurel Beager, Roger Jerome and Jen O’Reily

2004/10-30 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/10-31 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes of the October 12, 2004 special meeting. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/10-32 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Chezick to approve payment of the Highway claims in the amount of $38,978.68 and authorizing Board Chair’s signature to the Auditor’s September vendor payment listing verifying its review. Payment detail is on file in the Highway and Auditor Departments. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Community Service Director informed the Board that Shelly King was hired to the full-time Office Support Specialist position on October 19, 2004.

2004/10-33 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing the Community Service Director to fill the part-time Office Support Specialist position left vacant from the full-time Office Support Specialist hire. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director provided an update to the Board on the process and plan for setting the assessments for the Jackfish Bay Sewer Project. The initial plan to approve the sewer assessment and begin collection in 2005 (placed on property tax statements) was not recommended by the Auditor as the certification date for placing the assessment on the 2005 tax statement is fast approaching, that the work necessary to establish the assessment and prepare it for the tax rolls may not meet the tax preparation deadline and that the assessments would have to be abated if the project does not go forward due to the pending court case. For these reasons he recommended the assessments begin in 2006. The Consultant hired to conduct the assessment work for the project, talked with the State and after further consideration, the State agreed that the assessment hearing could be delayed to early 2005 (to start in 2006) so the determination of whether the project will proceed can take place (pending court decision in December). This agreement with the State was necessary to retain the state loan (at 1% interest rate) and grant funds for the project. The State will be sending letters verifying their position on the assessment hearing and the requirements needed to secure the state funds for the project. The consultant will be present at the October 26, 2004 Board meeting to provide further information to the Board on the assessment process for the project.

2004/10-34 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Adee to add Board members attendance to a meeting to unveil a NE MN Sustainable Tourism Development Plan for Rainy River to the agenda. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/10-35 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper to authorize Board members’ attendance to a Northeast MN Sustainable Tourism Development Team meeting on October 19 at 1:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn in International Falls where the Team will unveil their plan on how to better develop and promote Rainy River. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair opened a public hearing 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. The Coordinator informed the Board that the Highway Department is requesting a small portion be retained by the County to use for equipment turnaround for road maintenance in that area. Coordinator informed the Board that no written comment was received. The Board Chair called for public comment. Paul Mielke and Elaine Beach requested more information on the location of the road and portion to be vacated and after being provided more information on its location, had no objection to the request. No other public comment was provided.

2004/10-36 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Lepper to close the public hearing at 11:11 a.m. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/10-37 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to table action on the road vacation request so that the Board is provided proper wording for a motion to approve the road vacation that would ensure the County retains a portion of the road for Highway equipment turnaround. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:12 a.m. Paul Mielke reviewed a letter received by property owners in the proposed Jackfish Bay Sewer District from the Attorney handling the easements for the project. He questioned the accuracy of the information contained in the letter about the water quality in the Jackfish Bay area. He also informed the Board that an article in the Timber Jay reported that the Crane Lake Sewer Project was stopped by the Department of Health because the grinder stations were too close to wells and asked that this issue be reviewed with the Engineer as some property wells are in line or very close to the sewer line proposed. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment at 11:16 a.m.

2004/10-38 Motion by Chezick, seconded by Adee to adjourn the meeting at 11:16 a.m. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Chezick, Lepper. Motion carried.