SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, June 27, 2006; 9:30 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Bill Gray, Ann Scholler, John Mastin, Ed Oerichbauer, Dennis Hummitzsch, Doug Grindall, Terry Murray, LeeAnn Meer, Richard Lehtinen, Einar Sundin, Dan McCarthy, Jack Walls; Reporters Laurel Beager and Jerry Franzen

2006/06-37 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/06-38 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs to approve the minutes from the June 20, 2006 regular meeting and the 2006 County Board of Equalization meetings. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/06-39 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs authorizing the Personnel Committee to handle pay and benefit settlement with the non-union employee groups and elected officials as recommended by the County Board. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/06-40 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $36,163.06, to approve payment of the Health Department claims in the amount of $31,733.57 and to approve payment of the Community Service Department financial and social service program claims and administrative claims as presented. Payment detail on file in the respective Departments. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 After considering the public comment received at the hearing held last night on the proposal to create a taxing district for rural fire protection and the proposal submitted by the Rural Fire Association (RFA) that they would continue to bill the property owners for rural fire protection on a flat fee basis and provide the dollars to the County to pay the City of International Falls under their proposed service agreement, the Board felt the RFA flat fee resolution was better than creating a taxing district. The Board agreed that service contracts with RFA and the City would be needed as the next step, with the City already submitting a draft for the County’s consideration.

2006/06-41 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to table the establishment of a taxing district for rural fire protection services as proposed at the June 26, 2006 public hearing. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/06-42 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to empower the County’s Management Committee to meet with the RFA to draft a rural fire service agreement based on their proposal and also to work with the City of International Falls to finalize their service agreement for providing rural fire protection with the Committee to recommend final agreements with both parties to the County Board for approval. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/06-43 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper accepting the recommendation of the License Committee to approve an On Sale, Off Sale and Sunday Intoxicating Liquor License for Milette Properties Inc. d.b.a. Sha Sha Resort for the period June 30, 2006 through October 10, 2006. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/06-44 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve the County Board members’ attendance to the June 30, 2006 Drug Court graduate ceremony for participants who have successfully completed the program. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/06-45 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper that Koochiching County Sheriff’s Office enter into a grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Office of Traffic Safety, for the project entitled SAFE & SOBER COMMUNITIES during the period from October 1, 2006 through September 30, 2007 and that Undersheriff John Mastin is hereby authorized to execute such agreements and amendments as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of Koochiching County and to be the fiscal agent and administer the grant. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/06-46 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson proclaiming Koochiching County’s One Hundredth Anniversary:

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes state that government is instituted for the security, benefit and protection of the people, in whom all political power is inherent, together with the right to alter, modify or reform government whenever required for the public good;

WHEREAS, Koochiching County was established on December 19, 1906 and assumed its role as an administrative agency of the State of Minnesota, performing assessment of property, record keeping of property and vital statistics, maintenance of rural roads, administration of election and judicial functions, maintaining peace in rural areas and poor relief;

WHEREAS, the year 2006 marks the One Hundredth Anniversary of the establishment of Koochiching County.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT PROCLAIMED that the members of the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners take this opportunity to commence the celebrations honoring the One Hundredth Anniversary of Koochiching County and to recognize the service of its employees and residents, both past and present, for their many memorable achievements.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that these ceremonies will continue until December 19, 2006 when the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners will meet and recognize the One Hundredth Anniversary of Koochiching County. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/06-47 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs to authorize the Historical Society Director to obtain the services of McDonald & Mack Architects at a cost not to exceed $6,500 to provide cost estimates for painting of the courthouse historical interior corridors on the first, second and third floors and further, authorizing the Director on behalf of the County to submit a grant application to the State Historical Society to seek funding for the painting project from the State’s Capital Projects 2006 Grant Cycle. Motion further authorizes a budget transfer of up to $6,500 from the 2006 Budget Contingency to the Building Project Budget after such time it is determined if surplus funds from the Cornerstone Project could cover this cost. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/06-48 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to transfer a 1997 4x4 Ford pickup with towing capability from the Land and Forestry Department to the Highway Department with the Highway Department agreeable to pay the Tax Forfeited Trust Fund the book value of $3,900.00 as recommended by the Land Commissioner. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was informed that Vance Larson was hired to the part time position in the Highway Department on June 21, 2006.

2006/06-49 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Highway Engineer to sign a contract with ARDC to update the County’s road base map in a Mn/DOT compatible GIS format as part of a larger coordinated effort of the counties participating in the NE MN Area Transportation Partnership as recommended by the Highway Engineer. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/06-50 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson authorizing work by the Highway Department for two loads of gravel for the Littlefork Fair Grounds and a culvert and one load of gravel for the veterans section of the Falls Cemetery and further, to cancel billing for the work in addition to billings to departments for county map request from ARDC as recommended by the Highway Engineer. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/06-51 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Pavleck that the Koochiching County Board retains its original position as stipulated in Board resolution 2006/02-15 supporting passage of the proposed amendment to the Minnesota Constitution dedicating all motor vehicle sales tax revenue to transportation with at least 40% of the revenue for public transit assistance and not more than 60% of the revenue for highway purposes. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Commissioners Briggs will carry the Board’s position on the Motor Vehicle Sales Tax Constitutional Amendment to MRCC, Minnesota Chamber and the Transportation Alliance at the request of the Highway Engineer.

2006/06-52 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to approve a joint powers agreement with the State of Minnesota, acting through its Commissioner of Human Services, for processing MinnesotaCare applications at the County level as recommended by the Community Services Director. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/06-53 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson to authorize out of state travel for Social Worker Jean Anderson to attend training for Family Drug Court in Chicago with travel cost paid by the Drug Court and as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was notified that Jennifer Stevens was hired to the part time Office Support Specialist position effective June 13, 2006.

2006/06-54 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve the following burial case payments: #208066 in the amount of $1,962.50, #534762 in the amount of $735.47, and #306483 in the amount of $2,992.25. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/06-55 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck accepting the following Foster Day Care and Day Care Licensing recommendations: Randy and Shannon Arnold licensing for foster care for three children, Robert and Barb Byman closing home for foster care for a specific child as child is no longer in the home, Melissa Fuller licensing for family day care for ten children and Pamela Rognerud relicensing for family day care for twelve children. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Circles of Support Coordinator met with the Board on behalf of the MFIP Grassroots Committee to request the County’s support in getting legislative change for two areas of the State’s assistance program entitled the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) to remove barriers for low income people trying to work their way out of poverty. The goal of the Circle of Support Program is to help remove barriers for low income people trying to work their way out of poverty and the state supported welfare system. Some of the barriers can be rectified locally, some can not. Under the State’s MFIP a client is only allowed to attend college for one year and at the same time required to work 20 hours per week. The Circle of Support Program feels this is too restrictive and seeks legislative change in this area as the overall goal should be to allow for more post-secondary education as a means in which people can get themselves off the government system and become self sufficient. The second barrier identified in MFIP is the speed that assistance stops for a client when their income begins to increase. If a family works harder and earns more income, the assistance stops quickly often throwing them right back into the financial situation they were in before. A family can actually be worse off after getting a raise at work because they may earn too much and lose their medical insurance, food support and child care. In addition, it was learned that the MFIP amounts that are paid out have not been increased for 20 years. The Circle of Support Program seeks legislative change to increase the transitional support for MFIP participants and that annually MFIP standards are reviewed. CAP Agencies will be carrying the request for change to the legislature in the next session. The Community Service Director reiterated that the program does consist of barriers that actually hinder those making strives to improve their household income. The Board stated their full support and suggested that when the legislative session starts up next year, to contact the County Board again to see what more the County can do in sending support for this legislative change.

2006/06-56 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs providing the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners full support to the Circles of Support and Minnesota Family Investment Program Grassroots Committee for legislative change in the State’s Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) specifically removing the post-secondary education limit to allow participants to advance their education/skills to compete for higher paying jobs and secondly, to provide more transitional support for MFIP participants to ensure that their progress towards a self supporting income is not hindered by an immediate loss of their assistance benefits and finally, that MFIP be reviewed annually to maintain current standards for the program. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/06-57 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Environmental Service Director on behalf of the County Board to submit a letter of support for a road construction project and grant for the Mar-Kit Landfill of which the county utilizes for disposal of their waste. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director presented a recommendation from the Solid Waste Advisory Committee (SWAC) to charge $12 per TV, computer or other items with cathode ray tubes to cover the cost of disposing of these items due to legislation prohibiting the disposal of these items in landfills as of July 1, 2006. SWAC believed their break even cost is $15 but weighed charging a little less as an incentive for people to dispose of them in the proper forum. A coupon will be establish and ready for public purchase the early part of July. The Director stated that these items will need to be stored under cover at the transfer station and transported to a facility for disposal. The Committee is aware of at least one vendor that for 45 cents a pound will transport and cover disposal. At this time these items are being taken at the transfer station as part of the price of regular waste. As of July 1, 2006 these items will not be taken until the $12 coupon is in place. There is no indication at this time as to how many cathode ray tube items will be brought in. The Board questioned whether disposal would be cheaper if the cathode ray tubes were removed, disposing the rest of the item as MSW and doing special disposal of just the cathode ray tubes. It was also suggested to check with Canada to see what their disposal requirements are for these items and whether they can be of assistance to Koochiching County. The Director stated that because something had to be in place by July 1 (late start as it was anticipated that the Legislature would resolve the unfunded mandate for counties in the 2006 legislative session but nothing resulted) but could use the $12 coupon recommendation as a trial period to see what comes in, how things are working, monitor the cost and give time to explore other options. Board members felt strongly that the Legislature imposing the cathode ray tube landfill restriction, should have gone further and established a funding source, believing the funding should come from an additional charge on the purchase price at the manufacturer or retail level.

2006/06-58 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck that due to legislation prohibiting items containing cathode ray tubes to be land filled as of July 1, 2006 to accept the recommendation of SWAC to implement a temporary $12 coupon fee for disposal of items with cathode ray tubes with an anticipated coupon implementation date of July 6, 2006 and further that said coupon system will sunset in 60 days in which SWAC will recommend to the Board long term options for disposal of the cathode ray tube items. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director informed the Board that four proposals were received from consultants to work with the County in creating a new zoning ordinance. Three of the firms were interviewed, one was not available. After reviewing the proposals and conducting interviews, the Planning Commission recommends CR Planning at a cost not to exceed $45,000.

2006/06-59 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs accepting the recommendation of the Planning Commission to accept the proposal of CR Planning at a cost not to exceed $45,000 to assist the Planning Commission in creating a new County Zoning Ordinance anticipating a one year process to begin about August 7, 2006 through the end of July 2007 and further, authorizing an adjustment in the 2006 Environmental Services – Zoning Budget increasing expenditures for this service by $20,000 and increasing fund reserve spending by the same amount to cover the additional expense (remaining contract amount to be handled in the 2007 Budget). Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:50 a.m. Einar Sundin again addressed the Board about the need for county-wide 911 signage. Dan McCarthy with regards to creating a new zoning ordinance felt it was necessary that the public is well informed during the whole process and felt that the County’s survey remonumentation program needs to be stepped up as the survey corners play an important part in zoning. Jack Walls referencing the cathode ray tube appliances felt that if appliance I.D. numbers could be easily tracked to the purchaser it would hinder people from disposing of items in the ditches and woods. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment at 12:00 p.m.

2006/06-60 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to adjourn the meeting at 12:00 p.m. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.