SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, February 8, 2005; 10:00 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Lee Hervey, Carol Dalton, Rob Polkinghorne, Einar Sundin, Duane Nelson, John Mastin, Bob Peterson, Doug Grindall, Terry Murray, Richard Lehtinen, Marty Cody, J.J. Hasbargen; Reporters Laurel Beager, Jen O’Reily and Roger Jerome

2005/02-01 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/02-02 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes from the January 25, 2005 special meeting with correction. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/02-03 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $54,359.09, to approve payment of the monthly County Board expense claims in the amount of $7,242.44 and to approve payment of the January Board of Prisoner claim in the amount of $2,615.00. Payment detail on file in the Auditor-Treasurer Department. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/02-04 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs to approve a Minnesota Lawful Gambling LG230 Application to conduct off-site gambling to the Rainy Lake Sport fishing Club for the February 27, 2005 Fishing Derby. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/02-05 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to set the 2005 County Board of Equalization meeting dates as follows: Tuesday, June 14 to convene in the afternoon with Assessor’s opening report and appointments; Tuesday, June 21 to meet in the afternoon to continue appointments with intent to conclude work and adjourn; Friday June 24 reserved if more meeting time is needed to conclude work. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board reviewed information since their action taken at the January 25, 2005 to support Roseau County in opposing the DNR’s plan for forest reclassification and road trail designation in the Beltrami Island State Forest. A letter was sent to the Board from the DNR Regional Director outlining the process they will use to engage Koochiching County’s compliance with 2003 legislation relating to Off-Highway Vehicle management and how the County Board and its land managers will be involved in the planning process. The Board Chair stated that our legislators as well as area legislators are aware of our issues with some legislators introducing bills to defend the northern counties position to be included in the state planning process. Commissioner Pavleck stated that NCLUCB adopted a motion similar to Koochiching County in supporting Roseau County and northern counties in this matter. He further complemented the Regional Director for working with the local governments by proactively informing us about the timeline and process for Koochiching County OHV management. He also stated that in looking at what the DNR proposed in the Beltrami State Forest in Roseau County, the land mass in the state forest is massive and their planning restricted ATV/OHV usage to a very small area. Commissioner Lepper stated that the Rural Caucus Coalition is also supporting Roseau County. He also informed the Board that ACA will be presented with a request for the same at its meeting next week. The Board agreed to keep a close watch on this issue and see what the strong support of Roseau County’s opposition will bring about for giving local government’s say in state planning processes to ensure that impacts on the area resources, economy and citizens are considered.

2005/02-06 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper authorizing Board members’ attendance to a public hearing of the Minnesota Environmental Quality Board on proposed rules establishing mandatory EAW and exemption thresholds for certain types of recreational trails scheduled for February 17, 10025 at 2:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. at the Rainy River Community College in International Falls, Minnesota. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Sheriff informed the Board that a $1 million Homeland Security Grant became available to seven border counties with the contingency that the grant would not be simply divided amongst the seven counties but used to improve homeland security in the seven county region. It was the decision of these regional counties that upgrading radio equipment and communication systems would enhance security in the region. The amount allotted to Koochiching County was $157,000 and the County has until March 11, 2005 to submit it’s communication plan to the grant administrator for approval. Requests for communication enhancement varied in each of the seven counties based on what they have and what they need but the counties agreed that all systems would be compatible. The Sheriff submitted a request to the Board to request bid proposals for enhancement of the County’s emergency communication system within the grant amount allocated to Koochiching County. A local vendor stated concern with the bid spec proposed by the Sheriff as it specifically requests a certain type of communication system rather than specifying the need and allowing vendors to provide a system to meet their needs. Board members wanted to ensure a fair bidding process but also that the best system to improve emergency communications in the County and for the region is provided. The Board felt that a neutral party with knowledge in communication systems should be obtained to help guide on direction for improving the County’s communication system and what bid will best meet the County’s needs.

2005/02-07 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Sheriff to request bid proposals for enhancing the County’s emergency communication system with the bid spec to identify areas for improvement and needs but not a specific system. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck; absent for vote: Lepper. Motion carried.

2005/02-08 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to enter into a Grant Agreement with the Division of Emergency Management in the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for the program entitled Emergency Management Performance Grant Assistance Program for October 2004 to September 2005 with a budget of $11,338.00 with the 50% local match covered by the Sheriff’s Salary Budget. Be it further resolved that the Koochiching County Sheriff be authorized to execute and sign such Grant Agreement and amendments as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of Koochiching County. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck; absent for vote: Lepper. Motion carried.

2005/02-09 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing the Auditor-Treasurer to purchase office furniture in the amount of $2,130 from Voyageur Printing with payment from the 2005 Auditor-Treasurer Capital Outlay Budget needed due to office reorganization. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/02-10 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Highway Engineer to purchase a Xerox Work Centre M15i photocopier in the amount of $1,470 with payment from the 2005 Highway Department Budget as recommended by the Engineer due to the need to replace the current photocopier. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/02-11 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the Highway Engineer for award of the annual fuel bids: Courthouse furnace oil – Bergstrom Oil; diesel #1 and #2 for Intl Falls, Transfer Site, Littlefork, Loman, Birchdale and Silverdale to Bergstrom Oil; in-county service station bid to Freedom Value Center for unleaded gas and diesel #1 and #2; Birchdale Store for unleaded gas; out-of-county service station bid to Freedom Valu Center. Bid results on file in the Highway Department. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/02-12 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck accepting the recommendation of the Highway Engineer in prioritizing special projects in Koochiching County for consideration in the Federal Transportation Bill. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board acknowledged and reviewed a petition with 74 signatures solicited by a private citizen for a proposed connection route to the Van Lynn Road from County Road #93 as an option for the County to consider in deciding an alternate route for the lake and Van Lynn areas.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:42 a.m. No comment was presented.

2005/02-13 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to renew a service contract with Raynita Houglum for custody studies with a rate increase as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck; absent for vote: Adee. Motion carried.

2005/02-14 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to renew a service agreement for a State Social Worker assigned to Koochiching County as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Community Service Director informed the Board that under the Governor’s proposed budget for cutting MNCare coverage, 616 clients in Koochiching County as single adult parent/caretaker making over $23,000 and 200 clients single with no dependents would lose health coverage. This coupled with other supporting health care program reductions and eliminations, the County, including health care providers, will be faced with a large number of County residents without health coverage. The Director will keep the Board updated on where health and human service is at in the legislative session.

2005/02-15 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing payment to Attorney Steve Shermoen for Jackfish Sewer Easement work in the amount of $10,241.83 as planned cost for the Sewer Project. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director presented the Board a recommendation report from the Committee of Environmental Effects of Hydroelectric Peaking on the Rainy River. In summary, the Committee set about to examine if hydroelectric peaking of Rainy River impacted the ecology of the river and if so, is the management of the system an adequate balance between the environmental integrity of the system and other uses. After three years of deliberations the Committee was able to agree on recommendations that improved information gathering and sharing but unable to reach consensus on recommendations that impacted operations. In areas of differences, the report includes the positions and rationale as the Committee received them. Report is on file in the Environmental Service Department.

2005/02-16 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee supporting the County’s Management Committee and authorizing the Committee to request a meeting with two Councilors and the Administrator from the City of International Falls to review their information and position for establishing the cost to charge the rural area for fire service. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/02-17 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to close session at 1:45 p.m. to discuss tax court litigation of Aquila vs. 51 Counties and the Department of Revenue with the County Attorney and County Assessor. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried. (Attending the closed session: Full County Board, County Coordinator, County Assessor and County Attorney.)

2005/02-18 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to open session at 1:55 p.m. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/02-19 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck that upon the recommendation of the County Attorney and County Assessor to accept a proposed settlement agreement from the Department of Revenue for Koochiching County in the case of Aquila vs. 51 Counties and the Department of Revenue for a state assessed gas line valuation reduction in Koochiching County resulting in a three-year tax settlement amount of $29,979 plus penalty and interest payable by Koochiching County to Aquila with all taxing authorities levying in Koochiching County and affected by the valuation reduction to be allocated their share of the settlement cost through a reduction in their tax apportionment. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/02-20 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper to adjourn the meeting at 2:05 p.m. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.