SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, April 11, 2006; 10:00 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS PRESENT: Jaci Nagle, Dennis Hummitzsch, Terry Murray, Richard Lehtinen, Shawn Mason, Larry and Elaine Beach, Paul Mielke, Walter Viet, Matt Gouin, Dan McCarthy; Phil Paulbeck; Reporter Amanda Ricker,

2006/04-01 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-02 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes of the March 28 special meeting. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-03 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $42,061.53; to approve payment of the monthly County Board claims in the amount of $8,698.59; to approve payment to Bjorklund Compensation in the amount of $115.00 for job review service with payment from the Administration Budget; to approve payment to Attorney Lyndon Larsen in the amount of $3,978.72 for contracted legal service in the County Attorney’s Office. Payment detail on file in the Auditor/Treasurer’s Department. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-04 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs accepting the recommendation of the County Assessor to grant abatement to Duane Sjoblom, parcel #20-11-32100, for value reduction to reflect proper acreage. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-05 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper accepting the recommendation of the I.S. Manager to revise the service contract with Up and Running Computer Services for the property tax parcel information web site reflecting an increase in price for Error and Omissions Insurance coverage required by the County, with subscription fees to cover the cost of the service contract and contingent on the County Attorney’s review of the revised service contract. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-06 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper accepting the recommendation of the Land Commissioner to grant one year extensions under current policy for extending timber permits to Peterson Logging, Permit #K4068 and Knaeble Timber, Inc., Permit #K4060 and #K4031. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner informed the Board that the Local Trails End Chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association made a donation of $1,200.00 to the Department for the purchase of seed mix to benefit wildlife. The Land Commissioner informed the Board that the sale of timber on a parcel owned by the City and County in the JOBZ/Trade Zone was completed, allocating $50,017 to the KEDA as directed and after the Department retained $1,543 to cover costs.

000 The Community Service Director informed the Board that Lynn Salo was hired as the Accounting Technician II, with a starting date pending the filling of her prior Accounting Technician position.

2006/04-07 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs authorizing the Community Service Director to fill the vacant Accounting Technician position due to a promotion. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was notified that Social Worker Carol Belanger will be resigning her employment on June 5, 2006.

2006/04-08 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Community Service Director to fill a Social Worker position due to an upcoming resignation in June, 2006. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-09 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve an addendum to the ODC DT&H Service Agreement for an approved state rate change as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-10 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve an addendum to the Northland Counseling Adult Foster Care Service Agreement as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-11 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs accepting the recommendation to relicense Jannette Kucera for foster care for three children. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-12 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Board Chair to appoint an alternate for Commissioner Pavleck as the County Board’s representative on NEWAC (Northeast Waste Administrators Council). Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried. (Board Chair reaffirmed Commissioner Pavleck’s appointment and appointed Commissioner Lepper as the alternate and to add the appointments to the County Committee Listing.)

2006/04-13 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson that at the request of the County’s land records departments to authorize the Environmental Service Department to conduct an administrative review under Zoning Ordinance of all proposed property splits prior to going to the land records departments for processing and until such time as the Subdivision Ordinance is revised to incorporate this review process. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-14 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs authorizing the Board Chair to sign the Small Cities Development Program Grant Agreement with the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development for abating the assessment for the Jackfish Bay Sewer for those households qualifying. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director reviewed a request from Wagner Construction to extend the time on the construction contract for the Jackfish Bay Sewer System from November 1, 2006 to August 31, 2007 to allow time for drilling and obtainment of mainline easements. Cost in the construction contract will not change with the time extension but additional cost will accrue in the Project Engineering Service Agreement. Taking into account the additional grant dollars received by the Army Corp, the Project Subcommittee would recommend the change.

2006/04-15 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to approve a time extension modification to the Wagner Construction Contract for the Jackfish Bay Sewer System from November 1, 2006 to August 31, 2007 due to events forcing a delay in completing construction by the original contract timeline. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The City of International Falls Mayor informed the Board that the City took action at their April 3, 2006 meeting to purchase ten-acres of riverfront property adjacent to the City-owned Pat Roche Landing, should the land become available for purchase. Ultimate Log and Custom Homes, LLC is seeking purchase of the entire strip of riverfront property on Highway 11 from Boise. The Developer has offered purchase by local units of government, two ten-acre parcels should they be interested. The City believes purchasing this ten-acre parcel to expand the now public Pat Roche Landing will enhance this public area on the river and provide an expanded area for public events. The Mayor submitted an invitation to the County to partner with them in cost sharing this parcel purchase or purchasing the additional ten-acres available to local governmental entities and submits the invitation on behalf of the Developer. Board members questioned why the County would purchase this property, feeling it may be in the public’s best interest for private business to develop this property and increase the tax base and economic opportunities. The County also questioned their role in assisting cities and communities in purchasing property. The Board was willing to review the situation further, however, and asked two representatives of the County Board to seek more information and present it to the Board to review at a future committee meeting.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:45 a.m. Larry Beach requested a process in which their group could submit questions on the Jackfish Sewer Project for answers. The Board stated that one option is for them to submit their questions in writing and the Board would defer them to the Environmental Service Director to provide responses. Commissioner Pavleck stated that another meeting to provide an update and information to the property owners and the public on the project is being planned and would be another opportunity for this group to ask their questions and receive information. Mr. Beach provided the Board a copy of a newspaper article on the proposed legislation on eminent domain. He also stated his opposition to the sewer assessment being implemented at this time when they do not have sewer yet. Elaine Beach supported another informational session on the sewer project as they need clarification on issues. Paul Mielke handed out and read his position on the sewer project. Dan McCarthy stated his opposition in the County getting involved in the purchase of the riverfront property as it should be left to private development. Walter Veit requested the Board to direct surveying of the section corners around the City of Littlefork to help private development in the Littlefork area. To the extent that the Board felt the taxpayers could afford the service, the County annually invests in the remonumentation of survey corners in the County and that work is based on County priorities and projects. Phil Paulbeck addressed the Board about his concern with what appears to be a lack of support for development in the County and the frustration for those willing to pursue development projects in the County. The questions are should we do it and if so, how do we get it done. Not we shouldn’t do it. The County is in a state of urgency for development to expand our economy and maintain our livelihood. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment period.

2006/04-16 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson to adjourn the meeting at 12:14 a.m. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.