SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, March 22, 2005; 9:30 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Einar Sundin, Mike Kochaniuk, Duane Nelson, John Mastin, Dennis Hummitzsch, Terry Murray, Jan Higgins, Jan Cooper, Doug Grindall, Walter Leu, Mike Kamnikar, Richard Lehtinen, Mark Trompeter, Dwayne Skaro, Melissa Fuller, Tom Fuller, Raoul Lufbery, Paul Mielke, Walt Whitbeck, Bob Jamison, Susan Congrave; Reporters Laurel Beager, Roger Jerome and Mike Freeman

2005/03-41 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-42 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs to approve the minutes of the March 15, 2005 regular meeting. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-43 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $38,753.98, to approve payment of the Health Department claims in the amount of $12,221.41, to approve payment of Community Service Department’s financial and social service program claims and administrative claims as presented and to approve the following burial case payments: case #841852 in the amount of $2,937.25, case #233377 in the amount of $3,192.25, case #175623 in the amount of $2,701.50, case #423987 in the amount of $1,147.00 and case #NCN in the amount of $1,641.50. Payment detail on file in the respective departments. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-44 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper authorizing out-of-state travel for Commissioner Adee to attend the Regional RC&D Conference in Iowa as the Laurentian RC&D Board Chair (RC&D to cover travel expense). Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-45 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the Personnel Committee in response to the request of the Environmental Service Director to permanently retain the team leader position at the transfer station that recognizing the new employee will require training, that the summer/fall busy season is fast approaching and the fact that the long standing vacancy created backlog at the transfer station and within the Environmental Service Department, to retain the team leader responsibility at the transfer station until January 1, 2006 at which time the position would end. That employee Greg Williams will continue to perform the duty as team leader until January 1, 2006 at which time the duty would end and he would return to the position of transfer station operator and pay. That should Mr. Williams vacate the position sooner the team leader position would be eliminated at that time. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-46 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee accepting the report and recommendation from the Personnel Committee that as directed by the Board to review the validity of the County’s Hiring Policy and process for the hire of the transfer station operator that no violation of the County’s Hiring Policy by the Environmental Service Director in filling the transfer station position was found thereby validating the hiring decision by the Director. The Committee further recommended revision of the Hiring Policy for clarification purposes, to include a Data Practices Guide in the Hiring Policy Information Packet for release of hiring data and to end the practice of department heads informing the Board of their hire decision before all the pre-employment requirements are met. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-47 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing Board members’ attendance to the annual meeting of the Associated Contract Loggers held in Biwabik on April 14, 2005 as a Board activity. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Commissioner Pavleck, Board’s representative on the ARC Board of Directors, reviewed Koochiching County’s probation case load statistics provided in a report from ARC. Currently there are two probation officers for Koochiching County with a caseload of 476 per the report. As being reported through out the state correctional facilities are not able to handle the increasing number of offenders sentenced to serve jail time and is why alternative sentencing programs are needed. The County took the right step in implementing the County Drug Court as an alternative sentencing program.

2005/03-48 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs authorizing the Sheriff to fill two vacant part time deputy positions, which are funded in the Department Budget. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-49 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee adopting a resolution of support for HF 1438 and SF 1326 whereas the DNR is proposing legislation allowing a process for State Forest Road designation with an amendment allowing a similar process for County Forest Road designation as recommended by the Land Commissioner. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-50 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to approve a Temporary Permit to Construct to MnDot for replacement of a culvert under State Highway 6 with a formal easement acquisition to follow and with the contingency that any timber damage be prepaid as recommended by the Land Commissioner. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-51 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Land Commissioner to seek quotes and authorize service contracts for summer seasonal attendants for the County parks with information on the contractor hires to be provided to the Board. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-52 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee approving a grant application that in collaboration with Friends Against Abuse and the Koochiching County Sexual Assault Program to provide for supervised children visitations. The grant application requests a two-year planning grant of $60,000 for each year with the intent of receiving future implementation funding to support the program. Any grant match would be covered by in-kind services of Friends Against Abuse and the grant application and program are recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-53 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to approve an addendum to the Lutheran Social Services SLS Service Agreement with a rate increase per month/per client as recommended by the Community Service Director (service paid by waiver dollars). Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried

2005/03-54 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs authorizing the Community Service Director to fill a Child Support Enforcement Aide position (vacancy a result of a return of an employee in a probationary period to their previous position). Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-55 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee accepting the following Foster Day Care and Day Care Licensing recommendations: case# 05580 relicensing for group family day care for 12 children, case #20215 licensing for family day care for ten children, case for Kelly Mattsen licensing for family day care for six children, case #69758 closing home for day care services at provider’s request. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-56 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing the Highway Engineer to call for culvert and hired truck bids. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-57 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs authorizing the Highway Engineer to seek quotes for an auctioneer for the County’s annual surplus auction. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 MnDot representatives met with the Board to present the annual ATP Report and review the process for selecting projects for funding. Funding at the federal and state levels is not increasing even though the cost of road projects are, leaving MnDot and local governments with eroding ability to fund future projects and preserve what they have. A list of six FY 2006-08 projects proposed for Koochiching County was reviewed along with federal aid project candidates for FY 2008. The Board discussed the need to have a representative on the District 2 ATP Committee since the County shares Highways Six and Eleven with this District. The Board Chair asked representatives where MnDot finds its gravel sources for roads. The Board was informed that MnDot use to have crews whose job was to prospect for road material and than MnDot would acquire leases. However, due to budget cuts these crews were cut and now contractors are finding their own materials and leasing sites. MnDot was forced to cut back where they could to put more money into transportation projects. Per MnDot representatives fiscally constrained is being $11 million short to preserve what we have now and that this is before any planning for 2008 projects. Unless new dollars are invested in transportation, the priority will continue to be preserving roads and bridges that are in place now, understanding that as costs go up, there will be less and less dollars for preservation. The Board expressed their appreciation to the MnDot representatives for meeting with them to discuss area transportation matters.

2005/03-58 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to file a petition submitted to the Board with 14 signatures from property owners on UT 224 not wanting the centralized sewer system known as the Jackfish Bay Project proposed for this area. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board received a request to approve a notice to proceed to the contractor for the Jackfish Bay Sewer Project, which per the contract must be issued by the end of the month or release the contractor. The Environmental Service Director stated that they anticipate the Army Corp signature to the $600,000 federal grant for the project by month end and would limit the notice to proceed to this amount until state funding is provided. The Director indicated that there are nearly 100 signed easements at this time and upon a survey conducted by the committee, about 51 stated they would sign an easement, 46 will sign with a route change, 16 could not be contacted and 13 would not sign. The Director was asked the impact if the property owners on UT 224 were dropped from the project. The Director stated his opinion that the project would have to be re-engineered and rebid as a new project and probably require re-application for the funding. The Director stated this area was reviewed previously at the property owners request but the position affirmed at that time was “all in or all out”. The Director when asked stated that easement cost is now in the project budget of $50,000 and if the cost goes beyond this amount, the County can recoup the cost by adding it to the project cost and fees. When asked, the Director stated that if the Board does not approve the notice to proceed, than the contractor would be released and to expect an increase in price for a new contract as the cost of materials has gone up since the project was bid due to increased fuel prices.

2005/03-59 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs authorizing a Notice to Proceed to Wagner Construction for the Jackfish Bay Sewer Project under the schedule submitted by the Contractor for the initial $600,000 of project work with the issuance of the Notice contingent on the Army Corp’s signature to the $600,000 Project Grant Agreement. Voting yes: Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck; voting no: Adee. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:30 a.m. Mark Trompeter stated he contacted Becky Sabie from the Department of Employment & Economic Development and was informed that the state funding for the project could not be used to purchase easements and that the Federal Uniform Location Act must be followed for acquiring the easements. Dwayne Skaro was just informed that this project plans to install a storage tank on his property and stated that he would not support it. Melissa Fuller stated that more than 13 will not sign an easement as 14 property owners are on UT 224 opposing the project alone. Paul Mielke informed the Board that their appeal to the court was for procedure followed under M.S. 116A as they feel the figures and information on this project are not accurate. Tom Fuller stated that if this project goes through, they will need to move out of their home. Raoul Lufbery stated that the sewer project is a good project and good for the lake. Walt Whitbeck stated that no one can get straight numbers as to what this project is going to cost them. Bob Jamison is a property owner on UT 224 and they do not want the sewer and if it is forced on them, it should be forced on everyone. With no other comment the Board Chair closed public comment at 12:15 p.m.

2005/03-60 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to add extension of the Northome Resource Center Coordinator contract to the agenda. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Health Director informed the Board that Radon Kits are now available at the Northome Resource Center and the Health Department. The Director reviewed homecare clients and revenue since the decision in 2003 to discontinue County direct home care service.

2005/03-61 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee acknowledging receipt of the first quarter 2005 and 2004 annual Professional Advisory Committee minutes. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board recognized a letter of appreciation from the MN Department of Health Director to the Koochiching County Health Director and staff for their excellent work in ensuring the high-risk public received the influenza vaccine during the vaccine shortage. The Health Director informed the Board that staff attended an Isolation and Quarantine Training Session under Emergency Preparedness Planning and that a table top session is scheduled for April 19 on strategic national stockpile of which Board members are invited.

2005/03-62 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to renew the service contract for 2005 with Women’s Health Center for family planning contingent on review by the County Attorney and as recommended by the Health Director. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-63 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs to approve a service contract with Itasca Medical Care for 2005 for I.M. Care contingent on review by the County Attorney and as recommended by the Health Director. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-64 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing Board members’ attendance to a Clandestine Drugs/Meth Informational Seminar held at RRCC on April 21, 2005. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Health Director informed the Board that with the collaboration of the Family Planning Task Force they are working to implement the SAGE Program in Koochiching County providing pre-cancer screening services for low income women.

2005/03-65 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs authorizing a 2005 Health Department Budget adjustment increasing the budget by $27,790 for family planning which will be funded through deferring unspent family planning grant dollars from 2004. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-66 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to extend the Northome Resource Coordinator contract with Kathy Elhard until June 30, 2005 as recommended by the Health Director and the Family Collaborative. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/03-67 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to adjourn the meeting at 2:22 p.m. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.