SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, January 25, 2005; 9:30 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSNET: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Einar Sundin, Walt Whitbeck, Sam Hege, Lee Lutgen, Mike Fairchild, Bob Peterson, Susan Congrave, Richard Lehtinen, Ron Laurion, Paul Mielke, Mark Trompeter, Terry Murray, Dennis Hummitzsch, Lori Smith; Reporters Laurel Beager and Roger Jerome

2005/01-36 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-37 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes from the January 18, 2005 regular meeting. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-38 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $143,294.16, to approve payment of the first half of the 2005 NCLUCB dues in the amount of $2,500.00 from the 2005 County Board Budget, to approve payment of the Public Health claims in the amount of $36,233.98 and to approve payment of Community Service Department’s financial and social service program claims and administrative claims as presented. Payment detail on file in the respective departments. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-39 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper to reappoint John Siats for another five-year term on the Koochiching Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board as recommended. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-40 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to table action on a funding request by the Koochiching Housing and Redevelopment Authority to cover Board per diem expense pending a meeting with the Authority representatives to provide a program overview. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Representatives from the Littlefork Ambulance Service and City of Littlefork provided the County Board a request for $40,000 to assist with funding for the immediate replacement of their 1986 ambulance as the unit is not dependable for rescue operations. The Association priced a 2005 four-wheel truck ambulance for $95,000 and has $55,000 in its account to put towards the purchase. The Association would be able to repay the County $10,000 yearly so would be looking at a four-year loan with pay back starting in 2006. The Board received information that homeland security funds were not available for ambulance purchases, that the Coordinator would view this as a loan and not expenditure of County funds therefore not requiring a County Budget adjustment nor a public hearing, and that in weighing public safety versus a loss in interest revenue on the $40,000 loan, the Coordinator assumed the Board would consider an interest free loan. In looking at justifying this loan request, the Coordinator stated that an immediate need exists to replace this emergency vehicle and there is a guaranteed repayment funding source through charge for service fees and through the ambulance service taxing district. The Coordinator stated that if approved, $40,000 would be paid from the County Agency Fund account set up for collection of tax dollars from the Littlefork Ambulance Service taxing district, which would put the account in the red. Then, through the annual loan repayment and any surplus tax revenue in the account, the County will receive its money no later then the fourth year.

2005/01-41 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper authorizing an interest free loan to the City of Littlefork for up to $40,000 to replace an ambulance for the Littlefork Ambulance Service with a four-year pay back period of $10,000 a year starting in 2006 and with the County to apply any surplus tax collection revenue from the County Agency Fund Account for the Littlefork Ambulance Service taxing district and adjust the last year loan payment to the remaining balance due the County. The loan document to be reviewed by the County Attorney. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-42 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing the following 2005 County Budget adjustment due to unanticipated expense in the 2005 Election Budget: transfer $1,400 from the 2005 County Budget Contingency to the 2005 Election Budget and further, authorizing the Auditor to pay charges to ESS for 2005 voting machine maintenance and to Inter Tech for Quarter 4, 2004 and Quarter 1, 2005 voter registration notification charges. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-43 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs to renew a service agreement with First Plan Blue for 2005 as recommended by the Health Director. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-44 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs authorizing the Environmental Service Director to contribute $500.00 to the annual ManOMin Conference held on March 31, April 1 and 2, 2005 in Ft. Frances and further, to authorize attendance at the conference by County Board members as an approved Board activity. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-45 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck that based on the recommendation of legal counsel and the financial consultant for the Jackfish Bay Sewer Project, to delay setting the date for the assessment public hearing to allow further review of case law concerning whether the gross developable area ultimately to be served by the sewer improvement requires assessment. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-46 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to renew service agreements with A.E.O.A. for employment and training and advocate services as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-47 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to renew a service agreement with A.E.O.A. for volunteer driver services as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-48 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to renew a service agreement with the NE MN Office of Jobs and Training for employment and training service as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-49 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve a revised service agreement with Pineview Extended Care POS and Pineview Primary Care for 2005 with no rate increase (previous contract approved in December with 1% rate increase which was not allowed under state rate guidelines) as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-50 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to approve a revised service agreement with Rational Alternatives for 2005 with no rate increase under state rate guidelines as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-51 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to approve the following service agreements for supported living assistance with adjustments in service rates under state guidelines as recommended by the Community Service Director: LSS, LSS Northome, REM and Rainy River Waivered Service. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-52 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to accept the following foster day care and day care licensing recommendations: case #06842 relicensing for family day care for ten children, case #18330 relicensing for family day care for ten children, case #55505 closing home for foster care services and case #61642 relicensing for foster care for three children. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-53 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper authorizing the purchase of nine printers for the Community Service Department at a price of $5,247.11 from the 2005 Community Service Budget as recommended by the Community Service Director and Information Systems Manager. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-54 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to set aside $110,000 for timber and resource development reserves and $30,000 for park development reserves from the 2004 Trust Fund income as approved in the 2005 Land and Forestry Budget and as recommended by the Land Commissioner and to set aside the maximum of $4.00 per capita from the 2004 Trust Fund income for promotion as allowed under MN Statute with allocation as follows: allocate forty percent of the promotion funds to the cities within Koochiching County with allocation ratio to be the same as in previous year and with a letter to accompany the checks stating what the funds can be expended on and when they have to be expended and to allocate sixty percent of the promotions funds to the Koochiching Development Authority to be held and utilized for the promotion of tourism, agricultural and industrial development as defined in MN Statutes. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-55 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Land Commissioner to obtain quotes and execute contracts for two park attendants to provide site management at four County administered river access points for the Rainy River early fishing season and to request a funding contribution from Lake of the Woods County. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner reviewed the results of the January 2005 timber auction. All tracts sold in the intermediate and regular auctions at a total auction value of $595,315.

000 The Board reviewed a request from the City of International Falls for assistance in determining abandoned and/or tax forfeit properties in the City limits for rehabilitation through the Kootasca redevelopment program. The Land Commissioner stated he could assist with review of tax forfeited properties but stated that a review of delinquent properties should also be done for possible options.

2005/01-56 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs requesting the County Auditor to set a meeting with the Intl Falls City Administrator and include the Assessor and Land Commissioner to discuss the City’s request for assistance in identifying properties in the City limits that would meet the criteria for the Kootasca rehabilitation program and discuss processes for taking title of the properties. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:25 a.m. Einar Sundin asked for clarification on whether the Housing and Redevelopment Board was requesting funding for mileage reimbursement. The Board stated that the request was to provide funding so Board members could receive a per diem for their required monthly meetings. Paul Mielke provided an email from one of the property owners in the proposed Jackfish sewer district stating concern with the date for the assessment hearing based on not having the easement document to see the proposed route through his property and the fact that many are out of the area for the winter and the person felt the hearing should be later to accommodate those returning to the area in the spring. Mr. Mielke stated his issue on the assessment of properties was addressed earlier by the Environmental Service Director but advised the Board to think about if case law stands and the district has to include vacant properties, will the sewer system capacity be able to handle these future hookups. Lori Smith provided the Board a copy of a Board motion from December 2004 that would have the Highway Department inspect the MSW trailers and questioned what the Board’s intent was. The Board Chair stated that the Highway Engineer informed them that the Department can not conduct certified inspections and gave information to the Environmental Service Department on the inspector they use for certified inspections. The Board Chair did not know the status of the inspection or whether Highway should conduct and log an uncertified inspection and would discuss the matter with the Highway Engineer and Environmental Service Director. No other comment was provided.

000 The Board was provided a resolution and letter from Roseau County strongly opposing the DNR’s plan for forest reclassification and road trail designation in the Beltrami Island State Forest as they are home to Polaris Industries and the restriction and closure of roads in the State Forest to ATV/OHV and highway-licensed vehicles will have devastating effects on both their economy and way of life in Roseau County. The Roseau County resolution went so far as closing all roads in unorganized townships in the County to DNR vehicles and machinery unless specifically posted open or a permit is obtained. In addition the Board received resolutions from the Lake of the Woods County supporting Roseau County in their opposition to the DNR’s trail designation plan in the State Forest. The Board Chair informed the Board that he had been in discussion with commissioners from these counties and would like Koochiching County to offer their support as issues of ATV/OHV trail designations and restrictions will also be an issue for Koochiching County. Board members discussed the frustration for local governments and the public in being asked to provide comment and than not having the local comment and input considered. The plan is said and done at a state level before it is presented to local governments and the local public for comment. The Board Chair stated that Roseau County legislators as well as Koochiching County legislators are aware of our frustrations and are following the natural resources issues at the legislature very closely for northern counties. They are also willing to support legislation. The Board Chair noted that in talking with officials from Lake of the Woods County, it was stated that the DNR forestry division would not issue loggers timber permits if road access was denied them.

2005/01-57 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee that the Koochiching County Board understands and supports Roseau County in taking a strong stance in showing its opposition to the MN DNR’s action to close access to public land under their State Forest management plan. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-58 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck that it is extremely important in state resource management planning that local governments have a say to ensure that impacts on the area resources, economy and citizens are considered; that there seems to lack recognition on the part of the state to see the importance of local government involvement in the decision making process; and that due to concern that the same locally unrepresented process done in Roseau County will be done in Koochiching County, whether through ATV/OHV, wetland or other resource management planning of the State, the Koochiching County Board is willing to take a strong stand with Roseau County to demonstrate the need for local government say in state planning processes. The Roseau County resolution closing roads to DNR vehicles and machinery unless posted open or a permit is obtained will be considered by the Koochiching County Board at its next meeting. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/01-59 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to adjourn the meeting at 12:25 p.m. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.