REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, February 21, 2006; 11:00 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Richard Lehtinen, Dennis Hummitzsch, Larry and Elaine Beach, Jack Walls, Mark Trompeter, Paul Mielke; Reporter Shawn Gilmore

2006/02-44 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/02-45 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson to approve the minutes from the February 14, 2006 special meeting. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/02-46 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to approve payment of the Highway claims in the amount of $89,406.70, to approve payment to Flaherty & Hood in the amount of $460.89 for legislative services with payment from the 2006 Legislative Budget, and to authorize out-of-state travel to Commissioner Adee for RC&D Laurentian business in Washington D.C. for the purpose of claiming per diem expense as an appointed representative of the County Board. Payment detail on file in the Auditor/Treasurer Department. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/02-47 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority to appoint Jim Palm to the vacant Board of Directors seat (as advertised for person living outside but in proximity of the City of International Falls). Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/02-48 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to send a thank you letter to U.S. Senator Coleman for his continued efforts to maintain the Medicaid funding for Targeted Case Management to assist counties in providing preventive services for keeping children in their homes (reduce out of home placements). Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director informed the Board that starting in January, Minnesota Power will bill for electrical service for lighting the maintenance shed and the Jackfish Sewer Storage tank and that until the system is constructed and turned over to the East Koochiching Sanitary District for management, the Department will pay the bill. The Board questioned the amount of the January service bill as the amount seemed high for just lighting in and around the maintenance shed and storage tank. The Board also wants the cost tracked as a chargeable expense to the Project.

2006/02-49 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to set aside $91,000 for timber and resource development reserves and $30,000 for park development reserves from the 2005 Trust Fund income as approved in the 2006 Land and Forestry Budget and as recommended by the Land Commissioner and to set aside $4.00 per capita from the 2005 Trust Fund income for promotion as allowed under MN Statute with allocation as follows: allocate forty percent of the promotion funds to the cities within Koochiching County with allocation ratio to be the same as in previous year and with a letter to accompany the checks stating what the funds can be expended on and when they have to be expended and to allocate sixty percent of the promotions funds to the Koochiching Development Authority to be held and utilized for the promotion of tourism, agricultural and industrial development as defined in MN Statutes. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/02-50 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Land Commissioner to obtain quotes and execute contracts for two park attendants to provide site management at County administered river access points for the Rainy River early fishing season and to request a funding contribution from Lake of the Woods County. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:30 a.m. Larry Beach stated that repeated requests for the list of persons who have not signed their Jackfish Sewer easement have been made and resulted in nothing more than being given the run around. He wants the list of persons who have not signed their easements. The Environmental Service Director stated that there is no complete list at this time as it is being compiled as the project moves forward. Mr. Beach asked if he could get the original (old) list than and the Director stated that this was available. Board members expressed that release of any information first be reviewed by legal counsel to ensure it is public data under law and is accurate information. Elaine Beach, in talking with her neighbor, was informed that his road was blocked by sewer construction for a short period of time and wondered if property owners on their little service road will be given advanced notice should construction block usage of their access road. Jack Walls in reference to Mr. Beach’s information request stated that if the list of names can legally be provided the Board should direct their attorney to provide a current list to the Environmental Service Director for distribution. If the information can not be made available, the requesting party has the right to be told and the reason why the information can not be released. Mark Trompeter stated that spring is coming and construction of the sewer will again proceed and was wondering when the County plans on obtaining all the easements. He also informed the Board that the Crane Lake Sewer System is a mechanical nightmare and that he will start bringing in information to the Board on what is happening with this system. He is concerned as the County’s sewer system is much bigger than Crane Lake’s system and more financial help will be needed. Paul Mielke reiterated Mr. Wall’s statement that if the list of names is public information, the list should be given to Mr. Beach. Continually he and others have asked for a legal description and map of the easement route on their property and believes that if they have a plan to put the sewer system in the road, they know where the sewer line routes are on private property. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment at 11:47 a.m.

2006/02-51 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to adjourn the meeting at 11:47 a.m. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.