REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, September 5, 2006; 11:00 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Jaci Nagle, John Mastin, Richard Lehtinen, Dan McCarthy, Jack Walls; Reporter Laurel Beager

2006/09-01 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Briggs; absent for vote: Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/09-02 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson to approve the minutes from the August 22, 2006 special meeting. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Briggs; absent for vote: Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/09-03 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs to approve a Minnesota Lawful Gambling LG215 Lease for lawful gambling activity at the Woodland Inn, 4660 Highway 53, International Falls, MN, sponsored by the Voyageur Trail Society, Inc. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Briggs; absent for vote: Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/09-04 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson to approve the 2007 Forestland Leases with the Community Services Department, Health Department, Falls Hunger Coalition, Occupational Development Center and Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency with no change in terms or rates from 2006 and to approve the 2007 NDAC Building Lease with the Occupational Development Center with no change in terms or rates from 2006 as recommended by the Administration Office. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Briggs; absent for vote: Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/09-05 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve a B25 Network/GIS Specialist position description as recommended by the Personnel Committee and I.S. Manager. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/09-06 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs authorizing the filling of the Network/GIS Specialist position as requested by the I.S Manager. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Undersheriff informed the Board that Vicky Lucca was hired as the part time Jail Cook but also informed that she submitted her resignation due to other employment with a separation date of September 8, 2006.

2006/09-07 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson accepting the employment separation of Vicky Lucca as the part time Jail Cook with a separation date of September 8, 2006. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/09-08 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Undersheriff to fill the vacant part time Jail Cook position. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director informed the Board that the MPCA has decided to deny the reissuance of the Tier I Water Quality Cooperative Permit which was issued some time ago to support a pilot effort for the planning and design of alternative discharging sewage systems through a cooperative and that the cooperatives included in this permit are the Headwaters Rural Utility Association, Inc. and Rainy River Rural Utility Association, Inc. The MPCA feels the permit is confusing and a source of conflict with the cooperatives, local units of governments and ISTS permitting rules and regulations. Denial of this permit, however, does not prohibit a cooperative from further permitting. Board members expressed disappointment with this decision as much effort has been put in to establishing a base for a water quality cooperative in Koochiching County to manage waste water systems within defined areas. The Board believes the pilot cooperative has merit in Koochiching County and does not see the harm in reissuing the original permit. Further, the Board believes the cooperative supports the State’s position for performance based waste water treatment systems that can be managed and monitored. The Board requested the Environmental Service Director to send a letter to the MPCA, copied to the County’s state legislators, requesting the renewal of the water quality cooperative permit as it is the County’s intent to resubmit its funding application to the LCMR for this project (the LCMR approved funding to Koochiching County for this cooperative project but due to state budget problems, the Governor reallocated the LCMR dollars to fund deficits in the state budget, therefore cutting the project funding).

2006/09-09 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Environmental Service Director to send a letter to the MPCA stating the County Board’s request to renew the Tier I Permit for the Water Quality Cooperative Project as the County continues to pursue funding to initiate the project. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/09-10 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper adopting the following resolution requesting the State Legislature lift the ban on Cathode-Ray-Tubes from Mixed Municipal Solid Waste until a suitable funding source is implemented:

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute 115A.9565 prohibits disposal of Cathode-Ray-Tubes (CRTs) in Mixed Municipal Solid Waste (MSW), and

WHEREAS, SCORE funding presently covers less than 50 percent of Koochiching County’s cost to recycle; and

WHEREAS, manufacturing or upfront recycling fees have not been instituted to pay for CRT recycling; and

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Koochiching County regards the prohibition of land filling CRT’s by Statute to be an unfunded mandate.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Koochiching County requests the Minnesota Legislature reconsider its ban and implement the recommendation of the “Task Force”, which would address the revenue shortfall created by this unfunded mandate; or, that the ban on CRT’s from MSW be lifted until such time as a suitable funding source has been implemented. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair opened public comment at 11:45 a.m. Dan McCarthy again expressed the importance of survey remonumentation in the County and the need to increase efforts to accomplish this. Jack Walls inquired as to the Benchmark Contract (engineering contract for the sewer project) as the Board at the last meeting deferred the issue to today’s meeting. Commissioner Pavleck provided information on the status of the contract. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment.

2006/09-11 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper to adjourn the meeting at 11:55 a.m. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.