SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, April 25, 2006; 9:45 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck

MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Briggs

OTHERS ATTENDING: Ann Scholler, Terry Murray, Bob Misner, Doug Grindall, Dennis Hummitzsch, Susan Congrave, Nancy McHarg, Richard Lehtinen, Eugene and Pat Larson, Larry Arch, Gordy Plasky; Reporters Laurel Beager and Jerry Franzen

2006/04-30 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-31 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes from the April 18, 2006 regular meeting with correction. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-32 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve payment of the Auditor Department claims in the amount of $22,177.19; to approve payment to Johnson, Killen & Seiler in the amount of $1,131.50 for personnel legal services with payment from the 2006 Legal Budget; to approve payment of the Community Service Department’s financial and social service program claims and administrative claims as presented; to approve payment of the Health Department claims in the amount of $15,355.82. Payment detail on file in the respective departments. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-33 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to approve payment from the City’s Sunset Cove Waterline Account as follows: to the City of International Falls in the amount of $1,562.27, to the City of Ranier in the amount of $8,851.55 and additional payment to the City of International Falls in the amount of $282.93 from the County Sunset Cove Waterline Account to cover the shortage of funds from what was collected to what was due in payments. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-34 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper accepting the recommendation of the Assessor to grant the following abatements: Robin and Sandra Hoopman, parcel #21-63-02110 for reduction in value due to split property; David Adee, parcel #13-08-32000 for homestead classification; David Adee, parcel #13-08-23100 for homestead classification on adjoining property. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was provided a recommendation from the Administration Office for the County audit services for the years 2006, 2007 and 2008 due to the second release by the State Auditor allowing the County to seek private audit services. The recommendation was based on first analyzing mandatory requirements and professional qualifications than further analysis was done comparing historical number of hours to complete the service to the hours submitted in the three quotes. Based on the hour analysis, Walker, Giroux and Hahne was recommended for the three-year audit service as the two other quotes provided service hours well under what history shows is needed to provide this service. The Board questioned the process in the sense that firms having no audit experience with counties may never be considered because until they provide the service at least once, they can only estimate service hours. The Board requested that the future RFP process provide more information so firms not having county audit experience have a better idea of the service level required.

2006/04-35 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve a three-year agreement with Walker, Giroux and Hahne to conduct annual County financial audits for 2006, 2007 and 2008 with cost not to exceed $43,000 for the audit year of 2006, $44,000 for the audit year of 2007 and $45,000 for the audit year 2008 and further, authorizing the Board Chair’s signature to the Understanding of Services with Walker, Giroux and Hahne. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-36 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to authorize out-of-state travel to Commissioner Adee for attending the National Association of RC&D Conference in Savanna Georgia from June 18 through June 22 with Laurentian RC&D covering all travel expense and with attendance as an appointed representative of the County Board. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was notified that Tammy Riley was hired as the full time Office Support Specialist with a starting date of April 26, 2006 (referencing the April 18th minutes, Nan Sether’s starting date in the position of Account Technician is April 26, 2006).

2006/04-37 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Community Service Director to fill the part-time Office Support Specialist position. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-38 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper accepting the following Foster Day Care and Day Care licensing recommendations: Lyn Bruce licensing for family day care for six children and Nolan and Jennifer Hargis licensing for foster care for two children. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Community Service Financial Team Leader presented information to the Board on changes for Minnesota Care which will require service at the County level. Effective September 1, 2006 under 2005 legislation, those on general assistance are required to be on Minnesota Care and it is the obligation of county to process these applications and pay the monthly premium for five months for these clients (premium is $5 per month/per person). The Team Leader felt there are about 100 clients that this would impact at a price of about $2,500 for the five-month period. However, this is a continuous renewal and application process so at some level will be an ongoing. The Team Leader stated that the County discontinued servicing Minnesota Care when the choice was provided to counties to service at the local level or let the State handle the service. Most counties chose to discontinue the service, placing a large clientele at the state level to service. The State does not have the staff level to handle this service which causes delays and frustration for those needing the service or information. This new requirement places some of the service level back on the counties.

2006/04-39 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to accept the recommendation of the Land Commissioner to adopt the Sustainable Forest Management Policy and Operational Commitments and to continue participation in the County Sustainable Forest Management Certification Co-Operative and further, to authorize the request for proposals for co-operative third party verification of the counties Sustainable Forest Management System to the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standards. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-40 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to add Long Term Care Consultation to the agenda under Public Health Business as requested by the Health Director. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-41 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to prohibit smoking twenty-five feet from the Forestland Annex entrance ways as recommended by the Public Health Director and to authorize appropriate signage to inform the public of this prohibition with the signage to be paid from the Tobacco Grant received by the Health Department. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-42 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper that under the temporary plan for the County to service home care, authorizing a temporary pay rate adjustment for Home Health Aid Connie Jensen to a B23 ranking for the hours served as an LPN for a specific home care case with this pay adjustment ending when her LPN services for this case are no longer required. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-43 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper transferring Long Term Care Consultation (formerly known as Pre Admission Screening for Care Center Placement) from the Health Department back to the Community Service Department as recommended by both the Health Director and Community Service Director. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/04-44 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck authorizing the Environmental Service Director to extend the current Silverdale Canister Site Attendant Contract with Sharon Knox to Walt King to finish out the contract due to Ms. Knox moving out of the area with exchange of attendants in June, 2006 and with contract ending in November 2006 as recommended by the Environmental Service Director. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Pavleck; absent for vote: Lepper. Motion carried.

2006/04-45 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to approve a service contract with ODC for road side garbage cleanup on Highway 11/71 and County Road 107 caused by transport of materials to the Transfer Station as recommended by the Environmental Service Department. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 As authorized in Board Motion 2006/03-55, the Board Chair appointed Commissioner Pavleck as the County Board representative to participate in the evaluation process of the Northeast Minnesota Sustainable Development Partnership, which will take place on Monday, May 8, 2006.

2006/04-46 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper approving the draft RFP for preparing the County Zoning Ordinance as presented by the Environmental Service Director and Planning Commission and further, authorizing the Environmental Service Director to distribute this RFP to seek professional quotes for preparing the new County Zoning Ordinance. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/05-47 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper adopting the following resolution for application for allocation of Clean Renewable Energy Bonds:

Whereas: Koochiching County is a political subdivision of the state of Minnesota and by definition is a “governmental body” under Section 54(j)(3), a “qualified issuer” under Section 54(j)(4) and a “qualified borrower” under Section 54(j)(5), all such sections being part of the Internal Revenue Code;

Whereas: Koochiching County is considering to own and construct a waste-to-energy facility using Plasma Gasification technology (hereinafter referred to as “RECAP”) and such project by definition is a “qualified project” of Section 54(d)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code;

Whereas: Koochiching County will obtain all necessary federal, state and local regulatory approvals for RECAP;

Whereas: Koochiching County will ensure at least 95% of the proceeds of its Clean Renewable Energy Bond issue be used for capital expenditures incurred by Koochiching County for qualified project RECAP;

Whereas: Koochiching County understands that Clean Renewable Energy Bonds will not have an interest cost to the county and can be issued anytime before January 1, 2008;

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners on behalf of Koochiching County authorizes the Board Chair to apply for and sign the application for an allocation of Clean Renewable Energy Bonds in the face amount of $9,950,000 for RECAP.

That the Koochiching County Board for the record approves this resolution with the understanding that said application does not commit or financially obligate the County to the RECAP Project. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Eugene and Pat Larson are in the processing of platting their property and requested assistance from the County Board on establishment of a road to service the lots in the plat. To date, the property owners have invested heavily in establishing a road to county standards with the understanding the County would take over the road and maintain it. He feels the road is or is very close to meeting County standards and should be accepted as is so that they may proceed with finalizing the plat and selling the property. The Highway Engineer stated that the standards provided Mr. Larson were a 24 foot width and 3:1 in slope and that this is the minimum standard needed for the County’s maintenance equipment. Clarification was also given that adoption of the plat, assuming this road meets County standards, does not automatically make this a County road but that the County has to officially take action to make it a county road, (which also clarified that the park area in the plat does not automatically become public and a County park with adoption of the plat). The Environmental Service Director also clarified that they did not have to make the road to County standards but meet the standards for a throughway road for the plat, which is less restrictive but would remain a private road, probably under the ownership of the plat homeowners association. Mrs. Larson stated that the information they were provided lacked detail as they were not clear on road requirements for plats. Board members understood their position and asked that they continue to work with the Department Heads as they proceed to ensure they are clear on what is required for approval of their final plat. Mr. Larson also expressed his frustration in finding out that his property was also identified as being in the federal floodplain and now he has to deal with these federal requirements. It has become a major task to do what they want with their property.

000 The Highway Engineer submitted a request earlier in the meeting to call for bids for CSAH 24 and CSAH 108 road projects but at the Board’s request, it was deferred until information was obtained on including lighting and tree planting for the CSAH 108 road (airport road). The Highway Engineer stated that additional planning would be required involving an electrical engineering for the lights and additional planning for the trees. It would appear that including this in the plan would take this project out of the letting timetable for this year and would be placed on next year’s project letting. When asked, the Highway Engineer stated that if this project was moved to next year the funding for the project would not be jeopardized and that it was planned this year because the road project list is light this year. Further discussion was held on waiting a year on the CSAH 108 road project including consideration that construction will be occurring at the airport itself with the runway project.

2006/04-48 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to table action on the request to bid CSAH 24 and CSAH 108 road projects until the May 2nd Board meeting. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 12:03 p.m. Gordy Plasky stated that the County should not get involved in purchasing the riverfront property from the developer and felt the Board took the right direction in not acting on the invitation from the City to participate in this venture. Eugene Larson informed the Board of a grass fire (was a permitted burn) that went out of control last week and that there was a point where he felt it could have been contained and couldn’t understand why there wasn’t an immediate response to the fire by the DNR. As it turned out, the fire damaged quite a bit of acreage. The Board asked Mr. Larson to provide written detail of the event and they would review it at an upcoming meeting with the DNR. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment at 12:16 p.m.

2006/04-49 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to adjourn the meeting at 12:16 p.m. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.