REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, March 21, 2006; 10:00 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Ed Oerichbauer, Don Parmeter, Jaci Nagle, Avis Crosby, Ann Scholler, Steve Blair, Carl Brown, Doug Grindall, John Mastin, Walter Lieu, Bill Pirkla, Richard Lehtinen, Glen Wright, Della Warren, Susan Congrave; Reporters Laurel Beager and Jerry Franzen

2006/03-23 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/03-24 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson to approve the minutes of the March 14 special meeting. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/03-25 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation of the Insurance Committee to renew the group life/ad&d coverage with MN Life Inc. with no change in rate for the employer provided life insurance coverage and the extra life insurance coverage paid by the County Health Account and further, to cancel the group dental coverage paid by the County Health Account, all effective April 1, 2006. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/03-26 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs approving the following 2006 County Budget adjustments as recommended by the Coordinator: transfer $2,166 from the Budget Personnel Contingency with $1,200 to the Assessor’s Budget for operating expense for added staff and $178 to the Complex Budget for electrical work and $788 to the Telephone Budget for phone service due to added staff in the Assessor’s Office; transfer $6,400 from the Elected Retiree Insurance Budget to the Budget Contingency due to changes in insurance rates and coverage; add $29,300 to the Environmental Expense Budget to cover a 2005 Markit Landfill service claim, increase coupon revenue by $4,000 for the increase in fees and increase reserve spending by $25,300 to cover the remaining increase in the expenditure budget. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/03-27 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to approve payment to Johnson, Kilen and Seiler in the amount of $6,969.50 for personnel legal services with payment from the Legal Budget, to approve payment to Flaherty & Hood in the amount of $5,258.45 for legislative services with payment from the Legislative Budget and to approve payment of the Highway claims in the amount of $114,966.64. Payment detail on file in the Auditor/Treasurer and Highway Departments. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/03-28 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper accepting the recommendation of the License Committee to approve an On Sale Sunday Intoxicating Liquor License for the International Falls Country Club from April 1, 2006 to October 31, 2006. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 A resolution was presented to the Board from the Historical Society Director requesting support to seek state funding to assess the historic, cultural, natural and economic potential of the Grand Mound Interpretive Center. The Grand Mound is the largest Indian burial site in the nation’s mid-west and a very important historical landmark for recording this area’s heritage. Due to state funding cuts, the Center was closed a few years ago and remains closed to date. Board members agreed that the County needs to take the initiative to move the State to support a planning process to ensure the preservation of this burial site and to open the Center as a historical visitors’ site in the State.

2006/03-29 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck that the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners supports a legislative appropriation of $250,000 for the internationally significant Grand Mound Interpretation Center. That the funds shall be used for an assessment and evaluation of the historic, cultural, educational, natural and economic potential of the Center to Koochiching County and the State of Minnesota. That the assessment shall include an economic development plan for the Center comparable with the historic, cultural and natural characteristics of the area. Finally, that the funds shall be administered by Koochiching County with the assessment conducted in cooperation with other appropriate government and non-government agencies. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/03-30 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper accepting the recommendation of the Information Systems Manager to purchase nine personal computers for the Community Services Agency with a cost not to exceed $11,100 with funding in the I.S. and Community Service Budgets. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/03-31 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper accepting the recommendation of the Information Systems Manager to purchase five laser printers for network printing in the Health Department with a cost not to exceed $2,600 with funding covered in the I.S. and Health Department Budgets. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 At the direction of the Board (reference Board motion 2006/03-08), the License Committee presented a revised draft of the County Liquor License Ordinance to allow bar/club establishments serving alcoholic beverages to remain open until 2:30 a.m., liquor served until 1:00 a.m. and alcoholic beverages remove from the tables by 1:30 a.m. The business owner requesting the revision of the Ordinance to allow operation beyond 1:00 a.m., stated his opposition to this proposal as staff would not be able to clear the alcoholic beverages by 1:30 a.m. but could by 2:00 a.m.

2006/03-32 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs to amend direction in revision of the Liquor License Ordinance to have establishments closed at 2:00 a.m., keep serving time until 1:00 a.m. therefore allowing the establishments to clear alcoholic beverages and have their lights out and doors locked by 2:00 a.m. Voting yes: Briggs, Pavleck; voting no: Adee, Hanson, Lepper. Motion failed.

2006/03-33 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck authorizing the Highway Engineer to call for bids for seasonal requirements for metal culverts, aluminum coated or aluminum culverts and reinforced concrete culverts and bids for hired truck rental for county-wide gravel hauling with results provided to the Board on April 18, 2006. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/03-34 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to authorize the Highway Engineer to enter into contracts for consulting services for cultural, historical and archaeological review of the UT 488 and relocation of .6 miles of TH 332 road projects. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Highway Engineer presented a draft resolution to the Board at the request of the Snowmobile Club to legalize snowmobile operation in the ditch/right-of-way sections of any county and township road. The draft resolution establishes controls to protect the public, its roads and the County’s liability risk to the extent it can and still provide usage. Use of CSAH roads for snowmobile operation is controlled under state law. The Board questioned how a snowmobile operator will know if they are operating on a county road or CSAH road with regards to following the rules/laws governing operation on the road. The Undersheriff stated that most operators are conforming already as to where they should travel on the roads and that this measure makes travel on county road right-of-way legal, where currently it is not. Commissioner Pavleck stated that in addition, it should reduce the complaints from property owners where snowmobiles are running in their yards and will also provide alternative routes in unsafe ice conditions, poor trail conditions and/or where trail usage is discontinued. The Board asked if the resolution was reviewed by legal counsel. The Engineer stated that it had not and since the season is pretty much at a close, there is time to conduct a legal review.

2006/03-35 Motion by Lepper, seconded Pavleck to table action on the resolution to allow snowmobile operation on county roads until a legal review is conducted by the County Attorney and risk management review is conducted by MCIT to provide further information to the Board. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/03-36 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to revoke the following county state-aid designations as they were accepted by the State of Minnesota in 1976-1977 and are presently designated as Trunk Highway 332: County State Aid Highway 102 between State Highway 53 and State Highway 11/71 and County State Aid Highway 114 between State Highway 53 and County State Aid Highway 24. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 MnDot Representatives from District I and District II met with the Board to review the ATP process and proposed projects for the Koochiching County area for 2007 to 2010, noting that project timelines are based on receipt of the high priority funding which comes in 20% allotments. The federal bill allocating funding ties it to specific projects so funds can not be reallocated to another project. Board members discussed with the representatives the need to lessen the state road standards to better conform to community/area identities and to better preserve natural settings, which would also reduce the cost of road projects. MnDot representatives stated that state standards are meant to preserve a road for 40 to 50 years but agreed that under today’s development standards, there is more of a need to conform roads to fit the identity of an area. Board members discussed the poor condition of Highway 11 east and an area on Highway 71 from the county line to the Margie area. The District II representative was aware of the problem section of Highway 71 and that repair work will be done this year with a longer term fix planned for about 2011. In addition, a review of the work planned for Highway 11 east to make a ten ton road was provided. In 2006 five box culverts will be replaced, 2008 work will begin on shoulder widening and overlay and a new deck on the Clementson Bridge, with more work in 2010 and by 2012 will continue road work east. It was noted that since detours are very limited on this highway, there will be traffic delays. The Board stated their appreciation of the MnDot crews for their work and dedication to keeping the roads safe. MnDot representatives informed the Board that there has been a large decline in staffing positions in both Districts I and II due to state funding cuts. The Board thanked the representatives for coming and providing information on road projects for the area.

2006/03-37 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Board Chair to sign a letter of support requesting NRCS to hire more staff to speed the process for completing the County’s soil survey. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was provided written information on the Housing Grant approved for abating the sewer assessment for low income households. In a survey conducted of households in preparation of the grant application, 39 were identified as low income but the grant application was submitted for up to 50 households. Property owners in the sewer district will again be notified that this funding is available should they meet the household low income threshold and how to submit an application for consideration. The Board thanked the Environmental Service Director for taking the initiative and doing the work to provide this funding opportunity for low income households in the sewer district.

2006/03-38 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs accepting the recommendation of the Planning Commission to deny without prejudice the rezoning request by KEDA, REZ#0601 for property east of County Road 144 for a proposed foreign trade zone (denial based on lack of information provided on the project to the Planning Commission). Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Under County Board direction a review of allowed signage on Scenic Byway Highway 11 was conducted through the Planning Commission. Under the scenic byway designation, no business signage is allowed unless gap areas were approved. During the process of designating Highway 11 as a scenic byway, the only gap area identified was the City of International Falls and for whatever reason, no other gap areas were requested or designated. The Environmental Service Director stated that the next step is to find out if gap areas can still be applied for and it was suggested to work through the Committee that worked on establishing Highway 11 as a scenic byway. Outside the gap issue, the Director stated that Mr. Wright’s business sign under the County’s Zoning Ordinance fits that of a billboard and that commercial zoning is needed for placement of billboards. The area in which the sign is now located is not commercial zoned. Commissioner Pavleck though supporting the needs of businesses supported the Planning Commission to control the placement of roadside signs to keep roadsides attractive. Commissioner Hanson agreed but feels there has to be an avenue for these small businesses to advertise and direct customers to their business and would like to see the Planning Commission pursue the gap designation on Highway 11 to accommodate Mr. Wright and other business owners in this area. Mr. Wright felt that the Loman area would meet the definitions of commercial zoning as the post office and other businesses are in this area and therefore should support his business sign. He informed the Board that he has until the end of May to remove the sign under a directive given him from MnDot that signage is not allowed on the scenic byway.

2006/03-39 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper directing the Environmental Service Director through the Planning Commission to expedite the investigation of establishing signage gaps in the Scenic Byway Corridor of Highway 11 to support directional and advertisement signs for businesses along the corridor. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/03-40 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck accepting the recommendation of the Planning Commission to approve the proposed editorial amendments for the Big Fork River Plan. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 12:25 p.m. No comment was provided.

000 The Board was informed of a collaborative effort to look at the problem of underage drinking in Koochiching County as a result of underage drinking being identified at the federal level as a leading youth health problem. A town hall meeting is scheduled for March 28, 2006 at 7:00 p.m. at Backus Auditorium to present the facts to the community and that a panel will be established of local leaders to identify the affects of underage drinking in the community and work toward preventive and intervention resolutions.

2006/03-41 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs to extend the temporary Home Care Plan for delivery of services by the County Health Department until June 30, 2006 with another reevaluation in May as to the status as home care providers in the County. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/03-42 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Health Director to fill a full time public health nurse position to assist in home care service delivery with funding for the position covered by home care revenues. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/03-43 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to renew a service contract with SMDC Clinic for medical consultation for 2006 and 2007 as recommended by the Health Director. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/03-44 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to table the request by the Undersheriff for a temporary hire for transport services, authorizing payment of services already rendered. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was notified by its lobbyist and MRCC that a bill is being heard in the Senate Environment Committee on Friday, March 24 to repeal the ATV Language for state forests north of Highway 2 and that the Board should consider sending someone to make an appearance at the hearing. The Board agreed to have Commissioner Hanson attend on the Board’s behalf and to contact Senator Saxhaug for more information.

2006/03-45 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to adjourn the meeting at 3:05 p.m. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.