REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, May 3, 2005; 10:45 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck

MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Briggs (attending a funeral)

OTHERS ATTENDING: Terry Murray, Dennis Hummitzsch, Mel Gaetzke, Richard Lehtinen, Larry and Elaine Beach, Paul Mielke, Bob Jamison, Jim Stavseth; Reporter Laurel Beager

2005/05-01 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/05-02 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to approve the minutes of the April 26, 2005 special meeting. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/05-03 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $$22,217.43, to approve payment to Johnson, Killen & Seiler for personnel legal services in the amount of $713.00 with payment from the Administration Budget and to approve the monthly County Board expense claims in the amount of $9,647.65. Payment detail on file in the Auditor/Treasurer Department. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/05-04 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck accepting the recommendation of the Assessor to grant abatement to Jill Hall, parcel #21-12-32100 for a dwelling value reduction. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board received the following update on the Sheriff’s part time deputy roster: hired Mike Lee and Mike Bjorkquist as part time deputies.

2005/05-05 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee authorizing the Board Chair and Auditor’s signatures to the MN Trail Assistance Program Supplemental Grant Agreement for the purpose of facilitating an increase from $24,000 to $29,850 of grant-in-aid for the Blue Ox/Caldwell/Lundstrom Trail for the Ridgerunners Snowmobile Club. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board acknowledged a letter from the MN DNR requesting an inventory of equipment on the county-owned tower in Kabetogama and that after an inventory is conducted, the DNR will review the site lease agreement with the County to determine if any adjustment in fee is necessary.

000 The Board received notice that Social Worker Linda Stiles submitted her resignation effective May 13, 2005.
2005/05-06 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Community Service Director to fill the vacant social worker (child protection) position due to the resignation of Linda Stiles. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/05-07 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee acknowledging a donation of $1,400 from the MN Deer Hunters Association, Trails End Chapter, to the Land and Forestry Department for seeding of trails and log landings after use to benefit wildlife and to send a thank you letter to the Association on behalf of the County for their donation and efforts to benefit wildlife in the County. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board received notice that Tom Toratti was hired to the vacant forester position with a starting date of May 6, 2005.

2005/05-08 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper authorizing a Tax Forfeited Land Lease Agreement for a public shooting range with the Littlefork Gun Club on property described as parts of the NW ¼ of the NE ¼ and the SW ¼ of the NE ¼, in Section 30, Township 68N, Range 25W contingent on approval of the shooting range plan by the Planning Commission. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/05-09 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee authorizing direct sale of a used Land and Forestry vehicle to the City of International Falls at the Kelly Blue Book trade-in value of $1,300 with sale funds deposited in the Tax Forfeited Trust Fund and the City to pay all title transfer/transaction costs with sale pending the approval of the County Attorney. (Vehicle taken off County’s Surplus Equipment Auction for direct sale to another governmental unit for public use.) Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director submitted a contract with Ayres Associates for construction administration and observation services for the Jackfish Bay Sewer Project with a cost over the amount set in the project budget for this service of $21,400. The Director informed the Board that legal counsel reviewed the service contract and had concerns with some of the contract terms for the County so recommends tabling action on the contract until a recommendation is provided.

2005/05-10 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to table the contract with Ayres Associates for construction administration and observation services for the Jackfish Bay Sewer Project. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair opened public comment at 11:30 a.m. Larry Beach informed the Board that before his property is assessed for the cost of the sewer he wants his easement settlement completed. He still has concerns with the location of his and other easements in his area and feels the area needs to be surveyed to find property lines. Paul Mielke again stated that the easement document provided him for his property is ambiguous and that he understood an agreement was made for the Morrison Point area at a previous meeting with property owners from this area of where the sewer lines would go. He is still waiting on an easement document that would legally describe where his line will be located on his property. He also supported Mr. Beach’s position that his easement settlement needs to be completed before his property is assessed for the sewer. He questioned why Commissioner Pavleck’s name was not on the proposed assessment roll. Bob Jamison stated he was not financially able to afford this sewer. The Board informed him that at the assessment hearing tonight the Environmental Service Director would talk about financial assistance programs to help those with low income pay for the sewer cost. Elaine Beach questioned why the cost of the sewer has to come in two separate billings (property (assessment and charge by East Kooch). Jim Stavseth thanked the Board for supporting the sewer project. He installed a mound system per State requirements and the system is inadequate. He stated that the sewer is the right direction to go and that the fighting needs to stop and people need to start acting like human beings again. With no more comments, the Board closed public comment at 11:40 a.m.

2005/05-11 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to adjourn the meeting at 11:40 a.m. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.