SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, October 24, 2006; 9:30 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Jaci Nagle, Susan Congrave, Terry Murray, Doug Grindall, Richard Lehtinen, Raoul Lufbery, Steve Shermoen, Ranier Mayor David Trompeter, Beth Slatinski, Jim Weikum, Terry Randolph, Mic Kuryla, Jack Walls; Reporter Laurel Beager

2006/10-21 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/10-22 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson to approve the minutes from the October 17, 2006 regular meeting. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/10-23 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $37,038.15; to approve payment of the Health claims in the amount of $39,702.01; 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.

2006/10-24 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve a one-day 3.2% On Sale Malt Liquor License for the Cingmars Farmers Club for the November 4, 2006 Deer Hunters Dance as recommended by the County License Committee. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board opened session to welcome the Indus School’s 8th Grade Civics Class, which had scheduled a tour of the County facilities and operations. The Board introduced themselves and provided the class background as to the functions of the County Board, its relation to the State of Minnesota and the commissioner districting and election process. In addition, history of the County and its courthouse were provided. The Board thanked the class for taking an interest in their county government.

2006/10-25 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to approve a Nondisclosure Policy for the County’s Information System Unit as recommended by the I.S. Manager and County Coordinator. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/10-26 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper to approve expenditure of up to $10,200 from the 2006 IS/GIS Capital Outlay Budget for GIS hardware and software and authorizing the following 2006 I.S. Budget line item adjustment to cover the purchase: $8,410 transferred from the GIS data processing budget with $2,100 to 01-060-064.6665 and $6,310 to 01-060-064.6666; and further that the GIS Budget cost sharing with the Land and Forestry and Highway Budgets apply to this purchase. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/10-27 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to approve a Memorandum of Intent between the Koochiching County Health Department and the University of MN/Extension for supporting the Extension Service’s Nutrition Education Program in the County with the County Health Department providing in-kind services as the County’s match for the program as recommended by the Health Director. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Health Director informed the Board that part of the flu vaccine for the County has been received and they anticipate receiving the full supply in the near future and will then start up their flu vaccine clinics. In the meantime they will provide the vaccine based on need.

2006/10-28 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to add renewal of the Range Mental Health Service Contract to the agenda as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Community Service Director reviewed 21 service contracts which totaled about $1.3 million and of which about $300,000 is funded by county dollars. Some of the contracts presented were for renewal for 2007 with no change, some follow the State’s fiscal year and required a state mandated rate increase and two were provided for change because of required rate increases for specific clients. The Board and Director than discussed the problem counties are facing with the reduction of federal funding for human service programs and the exploding cost of out of home placement. The Director and the Board are scheduled to meet in the near future to discuss this issue for preparation for the 2007 legislative session.

2006/10-29 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve the following service agreements as recommended by the Community Service Director: Addendum to Lutheran Social Services SLS Agreement, Addendum to ODC Waiver Service Agreement, Addendum to Northland Counseling AFC Service Agreement; Renewal of AEOA Congregate Meals Service Agreement; Renewal of AEOA Home Delivered Meals Service Agreement; Renewal of the AEOA Volunteer Driver Service Agreement; Renewal of Brenda Crowe’s Service Agreement; Renewal of Consumer Directions Fiscal Service Agreement; Renewal of First Call For Help Service Agreement; Renewal of Sharon Frank’s Service Agreement; Renewal of Raynita Houglum Service Agreement; Renewal of Minnesota Chippewa Tribe Non-Financial Agreement; Renewal of Northland Counseling Clubhouse Service Agreement; Renewal of Northland Counseling Center Service Agreement; Renewal of NEMOJT Service Agreement; Renewal of ODC Supported Employment Service Agreement; Renewal of Pineview Detox Service Agreement; Renewal of Pineview Extended Care Service Agreement; Renewal of Pineview Primary Care Service Agreement; Renewal of Summit Fiscal Service Agreement; Renewal of Range Mental Health Detox Service Agreement. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/10-30 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve the following burial case payments: #81766 in the amount of $3,192.25 and #427162 in the amount of $1,944.14; and to accept the following Foster Day Care and Day Care Licensing recommendations: Deberrah McEldowney and Peter Larson licensing for a foster home for two specific children, Gayle and Danny Haugland licensing a foster home for two specific children, Ann Coulombe licensing a foster home for one specific child, David and Pam Franko relicensing for foster care for three children and family day care for six children, Mary Jo Keeney licensing for family day care for ten children, Carole Schulz relicensing for group family foster care for fourteen children and Treana Schultz relicening for group family day care for ten children. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/10-31 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck authorizing the Highway Engineer to call for bids for the Bridge Replacement Project on CSAH 8 (over the Nett Lake River) with the bid opening on November 20 and results presented to the County Board on November 21 as recommended by the Highway Engineer. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Commissioner Pavleck informed the Board that the Bridge Replacement Project for Highway 65 at Silverdale is approved. In regards to the State Highway 53 Four Lane Project, the federal funding is earmarked for the project and that the Highway 53 Four Lane Task Force needs to get to work to get the state dollar match. Commissioner Pavleck then stated that the wording for the November MVST referendum as some are reading it questions whether it would secure funding for highway purposes (as currently proposed, the referendum would read: amendment to the Minnesota Constitution dedicating all the 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).

000 The Environmental Service Director informed the Board that the appointment of Raoul Lufbery and Dave Austin representing the Jackfish Bay Sewer Area on the East Koochiching Sanitary Sewer District Board is activated now that part of the sewer system is completed and under the management of the East Kooch Sanitary Sewer District Board. The Director stated that to date, 120 are connected to the completed sewer system. The Director also informed the Board that no action is recommended today to proceed with any further condemnations as work is continuing in a positive direction for reaching agreement with the remaining property owners.

000 The Ranier Mayor and one member from the City Beach Committee met with the Board to update them as to the work being done to improve City Beach. The Committee consists of 12 members, representing the City of International Falls, the County and the City of Ranier. The consensus of the Committee at this time is to fix up the beach to include cleaning up the area, fixing the beach erosion areas, fix up the concession stand and bathroom/dressing room facilities, look at sewer and water hook up as a means to support a full time site attendant and to get the public bus service back for transportation to and from the Beach. The Beach is an asset to the community and signage to the beach along with brochures in hotels would advertise a point of interest for those visiting the community. When asked, members stated that overnight camping is on the list but way down the list and is not conclusive. The idea with camping is to have a presence at all times to deter vandalism. Also the concession stand is on the list but they are not sure if it will be self supporting. When asked, they stated that the neighboring properties have and continue to provide input in the process. The Committee will next establish a tentative work plan for 2007 which will be distributed among the community to seek contributions and donations. The County Board agreed they would look to see what the County may contribute to this cause.

000 The Arrowhead Library System (ALS) Director met with the Board to request the County’s support for legislative change to increase the State’s Regional Library Basic System Support Funding, which has remained unchanged since 1992. In addition to the State funding, counties are required to fund the Arrowhead Library System based on a statutory formula, with the County’s share for 2007 being $53,705 (with 1/3 going to the Falls Public Library and 2/3 to the ALS). They are seeking support from all their member counties.

2006/10-32 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to adopt the following resolution in support of an increase in the Regional Public Library System Basic Support Appropriation:

Whereas the regional public library systems in Minnesota have contributed to both improvements in library operation and efficiencies in providing services to the entire population of the State of Minnesota and,

Whereas the State’s contribution to Regional Library Basic System Support has not increased for more than a decade, and,

Whereas the funding for regional public library systems has increasingly fallen on local property tax dollars.

Be it therefore resolved that the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners hereby requests its legislative representatives and the Governor to place a high priority on a substantial increase in the Regional Public Library System Basic Support appropriation during the 2007 legislative session.

Be it further resolved that the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners hereby requests that the Association of Minnesota Counties join the Minnesota Library Association (MLA) in lobbying the Legislature for this increase during the 2007 Legislative session. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair opened public comment at 11:30 a.m. VFW member Terry Randolph informed the Board that the “Wall that Heals” will be coming to International Falls during the 2007 All Class Reunion (June 28 through July 1) which memorializes those who died in the Vietnam Conflict. The County Board stated their willingness to assist in bringing this veteran’s memorial to the County. Mic Kuryla asked for a response to his request for a change in the public comment process at County Board meetings. Also he stated that regardless of the outcome of Highway 332 Project, the County should secure agreements to use private roads as an escape route for those in the lake area during an emergency and Board members agreed it would be in the public’s best interest to ensure these roads are available in emergency situations. A Board member stated that the public comment period will be looked at but there is no commitment the Board will change it. Jack Walls inquired as to the Minneonto System and the Fox Channel due to the loss of broadcasting over the weekend. Satellite systems were broadcasting the Fox Channel but cable and the Minneonto System were not. The Board was not able to verify the reason for the problem. With no other comment, the Board Chair close public comment period.

2006/10-33 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to adjourn the meeting at 11:45 a.m. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.