REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, May 2, 2006; 10:15 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: John Mastin, Terry Murray, Richard Lehtinen, Amy Loiselle, Steve Blair, Eugene and Pat Larson, Don Frank, Jack Walls, Elaine Beach; Reporters Laurel Beager and Jerry Franzen

2006/05-01 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/05-02 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve the minutes from the April 25, 2006 special meeting. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/05-03 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to approve payment of the monthly County Board expense claims in the amount of $6,060.55. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board deferred from the last meeting, the request by the Highway Engineer to call for bids for the CSAH 24 and CSAH 108 road projects, (one road serving the Falls Airport and the other connecting to the Airport road). The purpose for the deferral was to gather more information for considering lighting and tree planting in the project plan for the main road serving the airport and to allow more time to consider the pros and cons of delaying this project for one year. The Board was informed by the Highway Engineer at the last meeting he would not be available for today’s meeting. Commissioners Pavleck and Lepper were in support of delaying the project for one year. The funding is not in jeopardy to delay it one year and that construction will begin this year on the Airport runway, which should be completed before work is done on the Airport service road. The downside for the Highway Department is the Airport road project would better fit the 2006 road construction plan since there are only two other road projects planned where in 2007 the road construction plan consists of two bridge projects and two major road projects.

2006/05-04 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to defer the CSAH 24 and CSAH 108 road projects to the 2007 construction season. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/05-05 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to approve a five-year mutual aid agreement with Voyageurs National Park as recommended by the Undersheriff with the understanding there will be an annual review of the agreement by the parties and contingent on the County Attorney’s review of the agreement. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board received notice that Grant Debenedet and Darrin Kittleson were hired as part time deputies.

000 The Board received notice that Lara Strlekar was hired as a Social Worker with a starting date of June 5, 2006 following a retirement in June, 2006.

2006/05-06 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs to approve an addendum to the Rainy River Waivered Service Agreement to provide services under the State CADI Waiver as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/05-07 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper adopting the following resolution proclaiming May as Foster Care Month:

WHEREAS, the family, serving as the primary source of love, identity, self-esteem and support, is the very foundation of our communities and our State; and

WHEREAS, in Koochiching County there are 40 children and youth in foster care being provided with a safe, secure and stable home along with compassion and nurture of a foster family; and

WHEREAS, foster families, who open their homes and hearts and offer help to children whose families are in crisis, play a vital role helping children and families heal and reconnect and launching children into successful adulthood; and

WHEREAS, dedicated foster families frequently adopt foster children, resulting in a greater need for more foster families; and

WHEREAS, there are numerous individuals, public and private organizations who work to increase public awareness of the needs of children in and leaving foster care as well as the enduring and valuable contribution of foster parents, and the foster care “system” is only as good as those who choose to be part of it.

NOW THEREFORE, I, Commissioner Kevin Adee, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Chairman of Koochiching County Board of Commissioners, do hereby proclaim May as FOSTER CARE MONTH in Koochiching County and urge all citizens to change a lifetime by sharing their hearts, opening their homes, and offering help to children in foster care, foster parents and the child welfare professional staff working with them during this month and throughout the year. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/05-08 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson that under the County’s Travel Policy, to approve out of state travel for Social Worker Kathy LaFrance to attend a National Drug Court Conference in Seattle, Washington from June 21 through 24, 2006 (travel cost paid by the Drug Court). Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director updated the Board on the Jackfish Sewer Project. Construction has been halted until the spring road limits are lifted but the Contractor expects that the construction timeline will begin hooking households to the sewer as early as June of this year. By mid to late May the appraisals of the first 8 condemnations should be completed and will provide from the appraiser’s viewpoint, what these easements are worth. The Department sent a letter to all households being assessed for sewer encouraging people to sign the easement and to inform them of the State approved assessment abatement grant for qualified low income households. Lastly a public informational meeting on the Jackfish Sewer Project is schedule for Tuesday, June 27th at 6:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn.

000 To provide additional information to the Board and public on FEMA requirements for the 100 Year Floodplain, Amy Loiselle, a DNR Hydrologist met with the Board to provide an overview. In the late 1960s due to extensive flooding in the nation, the federal government through FEMA established the National Flood Insurance Program, creating for the nation a map establishing potential flood areas based on a one time per 100 years probability a flood will occur in the areas identified. Though the areas were estimated, it was understood that over time the maps would be updated based on actual data as it became available. The intent of the program was to get structures out of or prohibit structures in areas where there is a probability of flooding. In 1969 the State of Minnesota adopted the State Floodplain Management Act managing flood plains through State standards (State uses a one percent probability of a flood in one year period as its synonymous definition of the federal 100 year flood term) with the program administered through the DNR. Then in 1989 Koochiching County adopted the Floodplain Ordinance. The floodplain management system has an appeal process built in since the original maps were based on estimates. Though many will argue that there is no record that floods occurred in some areas on the map, it is insufficient information to revise the map and remove an area from the floodplain. It requires actual elevation surveys to amend the original map if the data verifies the area is outside the floodplain area. This data can be provided through individual surveys or if available, from previous floodplain determinations on nearby properties. The Environmental Service Director stated that at the time a building permit application is submitted, a review is done on the property as to whether the map places the property in the floodplain and if it does, the Department does what it can to assist the property owner with any data they may have to prove it is outside the floodplain. However, in many cases data is not available and becomes a frustrating situation and cost to the property owner to appeal the floodplain determination. Again, the fact that a flood hadn’t occurred in the area in the last 100 years is not sufficient data to appeal a floodplain determination. Discussion was held specific to the size of new subdivisions and whether the property owner is responsible to survey elevations for floodplain determinations. Discussion was also held on the County’s river plans/ordinances and whether they identify areas on the rivers by the high water mark or floodplain and how the various County ordinances work with the floodplain requirements. Ms. Loiselle offered her services to review the County’s plans and ordinance structure in this regards. The Board thanked Ms. Loiselle for providing the overview.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:45 a.m. Don Frank informed the Board that the paging system for the Loman Fire Department was recently found to be inoperatable and that it had been that way for some time. Mr. Frank stated that this system needs to be managed by the County to ensure it is operational at all times and that in the unforeseeable event it should go down, the County immediately notify the Fire Department so their back up call system can be put in place. As it was the Fire Department did not know the paging system was not working. Mr. Frank intends to talk with the Undersheriff about the matter. Board members were already aware of the problem and stated that the Undersheriff is taking action to correct the problem in the short term and for the long term. Mr. Frank asked the Board if he could work with the Health Department to get information out to people using oxygen tanks for health reasons for seeking authorization to carry oxygen tanks on aircrafts. The Board encouraged him to do so. Jack Walls informed the Board that Life Screening Medical Services was scheduled to arrive in International Falls today to provide medical screening at a low cost for those signing up and when he attended his morning appointment, he found that the service cancelled all morning appointments because of travel delays as they did not know where International Falls was located. This made him question who was overseeing this service coming to town as it did not seem to be affiliated with any local medical service. Elaine Beach hoped at the June 27 public meeting on the Jackfish Sewer Project there would be updated route maps. The Environmental Service Director stated that with directional drilling opportunities, field decisions on routes, in consultation with the property owners, are being made as the project proceeds and that the final route map will not be done until the project is completed. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment period.
2006/05-09 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to adopt the following resolution to support funding for the State Airport Fund:
Whereas, the membership of the Minnesota Council of Airports met in Willmar on April 19, 20, and 21, 2006, to discuss current aviation issues; and
Whereas, in 2003, the Governor and the Legislature transferred $15 million from the State Airports Fund to the General Fund to assist with the shortfall in the General Fund; and
Whereas, all revenues to the State Airports Fund are “user” taxes; and
Whereas, the current balance in the State Airports Fund will severely reduce the Minnesota aviation program; and
Whereas, action by the Governor and Legislature are necessary to resolve this problem.
Now therefore the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners supports the membership of the Minnesota Council of Airports and respectfully requests that the Minnesota House of Representatives, the Senate and the Governor take action to transfer a minimum of $3 million from the General Fund to the State Airports Fund not later than July 1, 2006. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.
000 Commissioner Briggs informed the Board that as part of the Chamber of Commerce, she has been invited to the Governor’s mansion on May 16, 2006, having the opportunity to talk with the Governor and that she would like to be able to represent County issues if the Board agreed. There will be no cost to the County for her attendance at this event. The Board felt it was an opportunity for the County and supported the request.
2006/05-10 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper authorizing Commissioner Briggs’ visit with the Governor on May 16, 2006 as a County Board activity. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.
2006/05-11 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to adjourn the meeting at 12:09 p.m. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.