REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, April 19, 2005; 10:45 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Marty Gordon, Richard Lehtinen, Pam Tomevi, Bob Jamison, Carol Knowles, Melissa Moone, Al Jensen, Tom and Melissa Fuller; Reporters Laurel Beager, Roger Jerome and Mike Freeman

2005/04-28 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck; voting no: Lepper. Motion carried.

2005/04-29 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to approve the minutes from the April 12, 2005 special meeting. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/04-30 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs amending Board motion 2005/04-06 to approve a Minnesota Lawful Gambling Premises Permit Application – LG214 for the National M.S. Society at Island View Lodge located at 1817 Highway 11 East, International Falls, MN for a period of May 1, 2005 through December 31, 2005 as recommended by the Auditor/Treasurer. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/04-31 Motion by Pavleck seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the Assessor to grant the following abatements: Eugene Bolter, Parcel #28-30-00320 for disability credit, Donna Hagerty, Parcel #15-64-00010 and 15-25-00820 for homestead credit. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/04-32 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $31,307.13, to approve payment of the Highway claims in the amount of $51,597.46 and to approve payment to Flaherty & Hood in the amount of $5,144.93 with payment from the Legislative Budget. Payment detail on file in the Auditor/Treasurer Department. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/04-33 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs to defer renewal of the LEC Agreement with the City of International Falls to the Management Committee for review and recommendation. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Commissioner Pavleck, serving as the County Board’s representative on the Arrowhead Regional Corrections Board, reviewed a worksheet proposing a new formula for allocation of costs to the 5 participating counties including administrative and staffing costs and cost based on usage of the AJC and NERC correctional facilities. ARC in preparing for their 2006 budget, felt that the current formula for allocating cost was archaic and has introduced a new formula which results in a cost increase of $188,000 for Koochiching County, $127,000 for Carlton County and reduction in cost for the other three member counties. Commissioner Pavleck stated that this is preliminary at this point and will have more information after the next ARC Board meeting in May. In the meantime he will review the worksheet with the Sheriff and County Attorney to get their opinion as to whether the County’s utilization of ARC facilities is accurately reflected in this proposed formula.

2005/04-34 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to table the request to fill the Sr. Engineer Technician position until the next Board meeting. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/04-35 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee adopting the following resolution for updating the County’s Water Plan and authorizing the Board Chair to submit a letter to the Board of Water and Soil Resources requesting an extension of time from July 7, 2005 to July 7, 2007 to complete the update:

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103B.301, Comprehensive Local Water Management Act, authorizes Minnesota Counties to develop and implement a local water management plan; and

WHEREAS, the act requires that a county update and revise their local water management plan on a periodic basis; and

WHEREAS, the Act encourages that a county coordinate its planning with contiguous counties and solicit input from local governmental units and state review agencies; and

WHEREAS, the Act requires that plans and official controls of other local governmental units be consistent with the local water management plan; and

WHEREAS, Koochiching County has determined that the revision and continued implementation of a local water management plan will help promote the health and welfare of the citizens of Koochiching County.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Koochiching County will coordinate its efforts in the revision and update of its plan with all local units of government within the county, and the state review agencies; and will incorporate, where appropriate, any existing plans and rules which have been developed and adopted by watershed districts having jurisdiction wholly or partly within Koochiching County into its local water management plan.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners authorizes the establishment of a Water Management Advisory Committee with the responsibility of revising and updating the plan and who shall report to the County Board on a periodic basis.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners delegates the Koochiching County Environmental Services Department and the Koochiching Soil and Water Conservation District the responsibility of coordinating, assembling, writing and implementing the revised local water management plan pursuant to M.S. 103B.301. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/04-36 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs accepting the recommendation of the Planning Commission to grant a Conditional Use Permit to Philip Williams for a gift shop/commercial food service facility with property described as Lot 30, Block 1, Lots 1 through 4, Block 2, Plat of Jameson’s 2nd Addition. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Commissioner Adee presented a request by Melissa Fuller that the written material handed out by her at a previous Board meeting on the Jackfish Sewer Project be acknowledged by the Board and requested review with the Board. Board members stated that the documents were laid on the table as no part of the agenda and that they need to see and review the documents before giving the request consideration.

2005/04-37 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper to table the request for acknowledgement and review of written material by Melissa Fuller on the Jackfish Sewer Project until the April 26 meeting to allow the Board time to review the materials before giving consideration to the request. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:25 a.m. Bob Jamison property owner on UT 224 stated he does not like this sewer project being forced on him. Carol Knowles property owner on UT 224 stated her opposition to the sewer. Melissa Moone property owner on UT 224 stated they can not get consistent information on the cost of this project so they do not know what is factual or what isn’t. Tom Fuller property owner on UT 224 stated his anger that someone vandalized a sign opposing the sewer that was on their private property. Al Jensen property owner on UT 224 stated that at the current cost of this project, it would be cheaper for people to install alternate systems and that they have no clue at this time what this sewer will cost them. Melissa Fuller stated that she has spent a lot of time researching this sewer project and that the original target price per household to what they believe the price is today is substantially increased. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment.

2005/04-38 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to adjourn the meeting at 11:30 a.m. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.