REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, June 21, 2005; 9:30 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Einar Sundin, Rod Otterness, Becky Aitkin, Julie Schumacher, Richard Lehtinen, Doug Grindall, Barb Dory, Sunny Dorow, Jan Derdowski, Mardi Harder, Bob Peterson, J. J. Hasbargen, Attorney Susan Tindal via conference phone; Reporters Roger Jerome, Mike Freeman and Laurel Beager

2005/06-40 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/06-41 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes from the June 14, 2005 special meeting. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was informed that Ruth Skogstad resigned as temporary help at the Transfer Station and that Donald Zaren was hired to replace her and that Edward Rognerud was hired as a part time Correctional Officer.

2005/06-42 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to adopt the following resolution for enrolling County employees in the Community Services and Public Health AFSCME Union in a Post Employment Health Care Savings Plan:

Whereas, it is the intent of the Koochiching County Board to adopt a policy for implementation of a Post Employment Health Care Savings Plan for AFSCME Council No. 65 LOCAL UNION NO. 510, representing County employees in the Community Services and Public Health Chapter (hereinafter, the "Eligible Employees).

Whereas the Union has submitted a Letter of Understanding to facilitate implementation of a Post Employment Health Care Savings Plan Policy for Eligible Employees to invest 100% of vacation (including bonus vacation) and vested sick leave accumulations at time of employment separation.

Now therefore, be it resolved that the Koochiching County Board hereby approves the Letter of Understanding with the AFSCME Local Union No. 510, Community Services and Public Health Chapter to facilitate implementation of the Post Employment Health Care Savings through adopted Policy with the Minnesota State Retirement System for Eligible Employees of the Community Services and Public Health Union.

Further, that implementation of the Post Employment Health Care Savings Plan for Eligible Employees is effective upon Board approval and execution of documents with the Minnesota State Retirement System for enrolling Eligible Employees. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/06-43 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $35,436.80, to approve payment of the Highway claims in the amount of $93,997.58 and to approve payment to Johnson, Killen & Seiler in the amount of $1,172.50 for personnel legal services with payment from the Administration Budget. Payment detail on file in the Auditor/Treasurer Department. Voting yes; Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/06-44 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs to adopt a revised County Road Vacation Policy as recommended by the County Survey Committee. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 International Falls City Administrator informed the Board that the task force of City and County representatives met as stated at the June 14, 2005 County Board meeting to recommend an agreement for the City and County to support the Alexander Baker Housing Project and local participation. In weighing the factors to support the project, the task forced looked at the City and County responsibility should the facility be demolished for nonuse and compared that to saving a historical building and creating needed housing. In weighing project cost, the $500,000 local participation request was small in comparison to the total project cost of $4,612,000 and the developer’s investment in the project. To meet the local participation amount, the Task Force would be working towards financing $200,000 through a Tax Increment Financing District and splitting the remaining $300,000 between the County and City as a favorable low interest loan to the developer. In addition, the Task Force would recommend the City waive the fee for the building permit and provide zoning assistance where needed and the County waive the demolition fee capped at $14,000. The Task Force recommends the Housing Project in the Alexander Baker Facility and the local participation as outlined.

2005/06-45 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee that the Koochiching County Board is in support of the Alexander Baker Housing Project as presented and recommended by the City/County Task Force and authorizing the Board Chair to sign a letter to the MN Housing Finance Agency supporting the Developer’s application for affordable housing tax credits and stating the joint effort by the County and City of International Falls to provide local participation. Motion further retains the Board Chair appointment of two Board members to the City/County Task Force to continue to represent the Project for the County. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/06-46 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs adopting the following resolution supporting Aitkin County’s membership to the Northern Counties Land Use Coordinating Board (NCLUCB):

WHEREAS, Aitkin County has applied for membership to the Northern Counties Land Use Coordinating Board (NCLUCB); and

WHEREAS the Northern Counties Land Use Coordinating Board has voted to recommend and accept the application establishing Aitkin County membership.

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with the Northern Counties Land Use Coordinating Board Agreement, Koochiching County hereby ratifies Aitkin County’s application for membership and agrees to amend the Agreement to include nine counties, namely Aitkin, Cook, Koochiching, Lake, Lake of the Woods, Marshall, Pennington, Roseau and St. Louis. Motion further authorizes Commissioner Lepper, the Koochiching County Board member appointed to the NCLUCB, to sign the amended Agreement on behalf of Koochiching County. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/06-47 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to approve CUP 0411 for the Littlefork Gun Club to establish a shooting range on a site to be leased from Koochiching County described as parts of the NW ¼ of the NE 1/4 and the SW ¼ of the NE ¼ in Section 30, Township 68N, Range 25W with the conditions set in the County lease agreement to be the conditions set for the Use Permit as recommended by the Planning Commission (additional reference 2005/05-08). Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/06-48 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to approve the preliminary Plat of Rolling Acres, PLT 0501 for EuGene and Pat Larson as recommended by the Planning Commission. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/06-49 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to approve the services of Benchmark Engineering for engineering/inspection of the Jackfish Bay Sewer Project at a cost not to exceed $249,200 and further, to authorize the Board Chair’s signature to the service contract with Benchmark Engineer as reviewed and recommended by Project Legal Counsel. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/06-50 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to approve a Vacant Land Assessment Deferral Policy for the Jackfish Bay Sewer Project as proposed by Environmental Financial Group as a result of the Jackfish Sewer Assessment Hearing with the Policy deferring special assessment on vacant land which are on the Project assessment roll until such time as the property owner builds on the property. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/06-51 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper to approve a Guest Cabin Assessment Exemption Policy to define guest cabin dwellings for assessment in the Jackfish Sewer Project as proposed by Environmental Financial Group as a result of the Jackfish Sewer Assessment Hearing. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/06-52 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to approve a New Construction Assessment Guideline for accommodating new construction in the assessment program for the Jackfish Bay Sewer Project as proposed by Environmental Financial Group as a result of the Jackfish Sewer Assessment Hearing. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/06-53 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee authorizing Board members’ attendance to a Minnesota Resort Forum with the first session scheduled for July 14 in Duluth, which is being hosted by St. Louis County to review the loss of Minnesota resorts and to seek relief from the State to help retain resort operations for Minnesota tourism. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/06-54 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs authorizing the Highway Engineer to call for bids for CSAH 15, CSAH 41 and a turn lane for the Northome Industrial Site contingent on the Highway Engineer holding the bid call until further direction is provided from the County Board regarding the Biomass Plant Project. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was informed that in May 2005 the Railroad closed the snowmobile trail across the railroad tracks in the Moonlight Rock area. The Highway Engineer was contacted by the Snowmobile Club to assist them in looking for other options and one option presented was a bridge attached or close to the existing Highway 11 bridge. The Highway Engineer stated his willingness to assist the Club in looking at options and to see if a proposal could be submitted for ATP funding.

2005/06-55 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Highway Engineer to work with the Snowmobile Club to find an alternative railroad track crossing around the Moonlight Rock area due to the closure of the current crossing by the Railroad Company. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Highway Engineer provided the Board information on gravel unit prices in the State. Koochiching County’s Class 5 gravel unit price is $7.24 compared to Lake of the Woods County at $4.68 and Beltrami County at $5.05. In further review of the information, it was determined Koochiching County has the highest gravel unit price in northern Minnesota and a comparable price is not found until the metro area and southern Minnesota.

000 Kootasca representatives provided the Board an overview of their strategic plan and agency mission. Community action agencies such as Kootasca are provided federal funding to support local communities in addressing poverty. Kootasca is a community action agency represented by Koochiching and Itasca Counties with the main office housed in Grand Rapids and associate directors and staff assigned to each county agency. Board members from both counties serve on the Kootasca Board of Directors. The Agency has concluded its two year planning process which helped identified where their services made a difference and where modifications were needed to better meet goals to reduce poverty with the focus on families and seniors. The Board was informed that 537 kids in Koochiching County exist in poverty level environments. Representatives stated that the Agency can not fight poverty alone and has to count on other agencies, organizations and volunteers to reach those wanting or needing help. The Koochiching County Board stated their appreciation for the efforts to assist those in poverty and will provide the County’s assistance where possible to help strengthen their programs and services for the citizens of the County.

000 Local 4-H Program and Extension Service representatives met with the Board to provide an overview of 4-H program in the County. Membership to the 4-H Program continues to increase and in fact, the Northome Program increased membership to the extent they earned a trip to the State Fair. The Representatives reviewed the many programs offered to 4-H youth in adventure trips, after school programs, the GIS Club and the annual county and state fair activities. The program is fun for the youth and provides learning and leadership opportunities. The Koochiching County Board stated their appreciation to the staff and many volunteers that make this program successful for the youth of the County. The Board was informed that a meeting with Dean Casey is scheduled in July for local representatives to address Extension services.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:30 a.m. No comment was presented.

2005/06-56 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to close session at 1:33 p.m. for current and ongoing litigation discussion with legal counsel on the Jackfish Bay Sewer Project. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried. (Present for the closed session were the full County Board, County Attorney, Environmental Service Director, County Coordinator, and Attorney Susan Tindal via conference call. The County Attorney left the closed session at 1:59 p.m. for a court appointment.)

2005/06-57 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to open session at 2:05 p.m. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2005/06-58 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper to adjourn the meeting at 2:05 p.m. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.