SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, December 14, 2004; 9:45 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Pavleck, Adee, Hanson (absent for the morning session), Briggs, Lepper

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Einar Sundin, Duane Nelson, Ed Oerichbauer, Susan Congrave, Paul Nevanen, Pete Mekowski, Congressman James Oberstar, Dennis Hummitzsch, Richard Lehtinen, Lori Smith, Dale Olson, Merv Mannausau; Reporters Laurel Beager and Roger Jerome

2004/12-01 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-02 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes from the November 23, 2004 special meeting. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-03 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $93,075.78, authorizing Board Chair’s signature to the Auditor’s November vendor payment listing verifying its review, to approve payment of the monthly County Board expense claims in the amount of $5,846.22 and authorizing payment of $5,000.00 to the Historical Society from the 2004 County Budget as a portion of the budget for planning the County’s centennial celebration in 2006. Payment detail on file in the Auditor-Treasurer Department. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-04 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Board Chair and Auditor to sign Grant-In-Aid Trail Permit 144-017-2000 with the MN Department of Natural Resources for the Ridgerunners Snowmobile Club’s existing snowmobile trails Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-05 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the County Assessor to grant abatement to Hugh Long, Parcel #21-56-00170, for homestead credit. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-06 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve the following 2005 Tobacco Licenses as recommended by the Auditor-Treasurer: Lu’s, Sha Sha Resort, Korner Kwik Stop, Y Knot Quick Stop, Rainy Lake Spirits, Country Sampler, Island View Lodge, Woodland Inn, Nelson’s Store, Christiansen Store, Loon’s Nest, Rainy Lake One Stop, 65 Express, The “Y”, Inc.; and to approve the following 2005 Liquor Licenses as recommended by the County Licensing Committee: Sha Sha Resort – On Sale, Off Sale and Sunday Intoxicating Liquor; The 19th Hole – On Sale and Sunday Intoxicating Liquor; Thunderbird Lodge – On Sale, Off Sale and Sunday Intoxicating Liquor; Island View Lodge – On Sale, Off Sale and Sunday Intoxicating Liquor; Rainy Lake Spirits – Off Sale Intoxicating; Korner Kwik Stop – 3.2% Malt Liquor Off Sale; Christiansen’s Store – 3.2% Malt Liquor On and Off Sale; Nelsons Store – Off Sale Intoxicating; Woodland Inn – On Sale, Off Sale and Sunday Intoxicating Liquor; Lu’s - On Sale, Off Sale and Sunday Intoxicating Liquor; Rainy Lake One Stop – 3.2% Malt Liquor Off Sale; Loon’s Nest – 3.2% Malt Liquor Off Sale, The “Y”, Inc. – On Sale and Off Sale Intoxicating Liquor and 3.2% Malt Liquor On and Off Sale. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-07 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs to appoint Marilyn Johnson to fill the position of commissioner on the Board of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority of Koochiching County as recommended. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-08 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing the Board Chair to appoint a Board member to serve on the Arrowhead EMS Board due to the resignation of former Commissioner Chezick. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried. ( Board Chair appointed Commissioner Briggs to serve as the Board’s representative on the Arrowhead EMS Board.)

2004/12-09 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper accepting the responsibility of fiscal agent for the Koochiching County DUI/Substance Abuse Court. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-10 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee that Koochiching County will enter into a cooperative agreement with the Office of Justice Programs in the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for a grant of $100,000 for the calendar year 2005 for the Koochiching County DUI/Substance Abuse Court. Motion further authorizes the Koochiching County Board Chair and Coordinator to execute such agreements and amendments, as are necessary. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-11 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve the 2005 Koochiching County DUI/Substance Abuse Court Budget as Fiscal Agent in the amount of $168,516, covering the $100,000 drug court grant and the required local cash match and ARC’s coverage of benefit costs for the two probation officers assigned to the Drug Court. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-12 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee authorizing the Sheriff to seek bids for two new squad cars to replace existing squads as authorized in the 2005 Sheriff Budget. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-13 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Sheriff to enter into a revised Mutual Aid Agreement with the District Two county sheriffs as recommended by the Sheriff and approved by the County Attorney. Motion further authorizes the Board Chair’s signature to the Agreement. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

000 The Historical Society Director received information that the Grand Mound Interpretive Center will be demolished due to lack of State funds to maintain the building. The Director has placed calls to confirm this information but at this time could not verify the information. The artifacts within the Center have been moved to St. Paul for safe-keeping. The County Board expressed concern with the removal of the Center but noted the County does not have the funding to maintain it either. The Board agreed to make contact with the State Historical Society to find out the plan for the Grand Mound Center in Koochiching County.

2004/12-14 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to contact the Minnesota State Historical Society to find out the plan for the vacated Grand Mound Interpretive Center, including safe-keeping of the burial mounds and artifacts from the Center. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

000 The Health Director reported on the flu vaccine mass clinic exercise performed by the Department as emergency management practice. The exercise went very well and helped the Department identify things they could do better. The Director provided the Board Flu and Pneumonia immunization data comparing 2004 to 2003 and noted that there is still flu vaccine available for those fitting certain criteria. The Director informed the Board that Medicare conducted a survey of their Home Health Care Program and other than 1 deficiency in documentation, the Department received a positive review.

2004/12-15 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee acknowledging receipt of the Professional Advisory Committee minutes of November 29, 2004. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-16 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to renew Interim Health Care Waiver Contract, River Oaks Home Care Waiver Contract, Northern Itasca Health Care Center Contract, and Falls Memorial Hospital Therapy Contract for 2005 as recommended by the Health Director and as reviewed by the County Attorney. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-17 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper approving the 2005 County levy at $3,299,327 (increase over last year of $50,000). The 2005 levy breakdown is as follows: General Revenue - $1,330,996; Community Service - $1,200,000; Public Health - $118,331; Highway - $500,000; Environmental Services - $150,000. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-18 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing the following County Fund designation for the 2005 County Budget: General Revenue Fund designate $4,600,000 for Cash Flow and $335,000 for the 2005 General Revenue Budget; Highway Fund designate $1,000,000 for Cash Flow and $441,000 for the 2005 Highway Budget; Community Service Fund designate $2,000,000 for Cash Flow and $74,000 for the 2005 KCCS Budget; Public Health Fund designate $400,000 for Cash Flow and 0 for the 2005 Health Budget; Environmental Service Fund designate $600,000 for Cash Flow and $74,000 for the 2005 E.S. Budget; County Development Fund designate $25,000 for Cash Flow and $21,000 for the 2005 County Development Budget; Land and Forestry Fund designate $200,000 for cash flow and $10,000 for the 2005 Land and Forestry Budget. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-19 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to adopt the 2005 Budget and Budget Plan in the amount of $17,718,384 plus the 2005 Fund 02 and 13 Supplement Budget in the amount of $1,551,966 for a grand total of $19,270,350. Motion further adopts the following directives, effective immediately, and until such time as amended or terminated by the Board:
a. All hire request to come before the Board except for Temporary Hire. Temporary Hire requests are controlled under County Policy and authorization through approved Department budgets.
b. Board approval required on all capital outlay purchases over $1,000;
c. First half allocations to be paid to outside entities with memo stating second half allocations to be determined in June, 2005.
d. 2005 Budget remains open and subject to adjustments at any time to respond to deficits occurring due to local and/or state economic impacts. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

2004/12-20 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to approve, as fiscal agent, an extension of a service contract with E. Del Smith and Company, Inc. on behalf of the Highway 53 Task Force for lobbyist service on the Highway 53 Four-Lane Project from January 1, 2005 to June 30, 2005 at the same monthly rate and based on the cost share agreement of participating Task Force entities. Motion further authorizes payment under the same cost share agreement, in the amount of $1,000.00 to E. Del Smith and Company for services rendered for the months of September, October and November, 2004. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

000 Commissioner Adee informed the Board that on January 13, 2005 in Warroad, MN a public meeting is scheduled to hear a proposal to allow ATV/OHV usage on only designated trails in State forests located in Lake of the Woods County. He recommended that Koochiching County Board members attend this meeting.

2004/12-21 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing Board members’ attendance to a public meeting in Warroad, MN on January 13, 2005 on a proposal to allow ATV/OHV only on designated trails in state forests as a County Board activity. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Briggs, Lepper; absent for vote: Hanson. Motion carried.

000 U.S. Congressman James Oberstar attended the County Board meeting to state his support of the Pine Island Bog Peat Horticultural Project and other economic development initiatives for the County. The Board members expressed their appreciation to the Congressman for taking an interest in the County’s economy, especially with the recent job loss at the mill. The Congressman than joined the Board for the dedication of the County’s veteran memorial.

000 No one was present for public comment.

2004/12-22 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper authorizing the purchase of Carlson Survey Software with a cost not to exceed $1,505 plus tax from the 2004 Survey Department Budget as current software is outdated and no longer supported. Motion further authorizes a $1,600 budget transfer from 01-101.6291 to 01-101.6660 to cover the purchase of the software. The software purchase was recommended by the Land Commissioner and supported by the Information Systems Manager. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner informed the Board that 21,270 cords for a value of $700,527 was sold at the November Timber Auction with only 1 tract under the Regular Auction unsold. The Land Commissioner reported the results of the 2004 Land Sale. Twenty-five tracts sold at a value of $70,125, twenty-four tracts remain unsold and nine were withdrawn prior to the sale.

2004/12-23 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to rescind Board Motion 2003/12-37 which revised the timber permit extension fee to a flat 10% effective January 2004 and to adopt the previous policy for timber permit annual extension fee as a prorated 10% added to all timber scaled after the expiration date, inclusive of a no fee 30-day period following the expiration date with policy applying to all timber permits including those sold in 2004. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Briggs, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/12-24 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee adopting a no fee 90-day timber permit hauling extension with the 90-day period following the permit expiration date and may be granted upon request in writing to include skidding and hauling. Permits qualifying must have all wood cut prior to the permit expiration date. If more time is needed beyond the 90 days the extension fee will be implemented based on the extension policy which begins on the permit expiration date. The intent of this policy is for a no fee 90-day hauling period for permits under Consumer Sale Agreement (mill scale). The intent is not to cease consumer scale agreement at the end of the 90-day period and encourage requests for a forester to scale unhauled wood on a landing. Policy is not retroactive to permits already expired. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Briggs, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/12-25 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee authorizing expenditure up to $4,000 from the 2004 Environmental Service Budget to purchase a plow for the pickup at the transfer station as recommended by the Environmental Service Director. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Briggs; voting no: Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/12-26 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Environmental Service Department to hire Ceres Environmental to grind the brush pile at the transfer station as recommended by the Environmental Service Director. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Briggs, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/12-27 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson to award low bid to J.D. Trucking for solid waste hauling to Kittson Landfill under a two-year contract as recommended by the Environmental Service Director provided that necessary documentation is received and verified for meeting the terms of the contract, including insurance requirements. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Briggs; voting no: Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/12-28 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson requesting the Highway Engineer to have the County’s MSW trailers inspected as soon as possible and certify the inspection to the Environmental Service Department. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Briggs, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/12-29 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee authorizing the Board Chair to sign a letter to the State Public Facilities Authority expressing continued interest in pursuing loan funds from the State to finance the Jackfish Bay Sewer Project as recommended by the Environmental Service Director. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Briggs, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/12-30 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Environmental Service Director to submit the Jackfish Bay Sewer Project financial plan to the State Public Facilities Authority to allow the County to secure a grant and loan from the State for the project. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Briggs, Lepper. Motion carried.

2004/12-31 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper authorizing Board members’ attendance to the annual Chamber of Commerce event in St. Paul on January 5, 2005 as a Board activity. Voting yes: Pavleck, Adee, Hanson, Briggs, Lepper. Motion carried.