SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, November 14, 2006; 10:30 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs

MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Pavleck (Other County Business)

OTHERS ATTENDING: Dennis Hummitzsch, Richard Lehtinen, Steve Shermoen, Bruce Budris; Reporter Lisa Kaczke

2006/11-13 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2006/11-14 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes from the November 7, 2006 regular meeting with correction. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2006/11-15 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve payment to Johnson, Killen & Seiler in the amount of $237.50 for personnel legal services with payment from the Administration Budget. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2006/11-16 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper approving a letter to send to the City of International Falls stating the County Board’s reasons for denying the request by the City to meet and confer on the 2006 RFPA billing. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2006/11-17 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs accepting the recommendation of the License Committee to approve a Sunday Intoxicating Liquor License for the Northwoods Y from December 1, 2006 through December 31, 2006. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2006/11-18 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper that due to the recent mill closures which have affected and depressed the Minnesota timber market causing significant hardship, the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners approves the following interim County Timber Policy change to improve timber sale operating conditions for the logging community and timber industry:

A). Grant a one year free extension for timber sales expiring on or before May 2008. The current policy of requiring a timber sale installment payment of 20% of the total sale value, to grant a first year extension, will be postponed for one year. These changes in policy do not include permits sold on, or after, or already in extension, as of November 2006.

B). Forfeited Tract Policy: Any tracts forfeited will have a penalty of loss of down payment. However, the existing Forfeiture Policy of an additional 10% penalty and non bid for two auctions is waived for permits forfeited between November 14, 2006 and January 1, 2007. This exclusion only applies to permits purchased before November 2006.

C). 2007 base prices will be reviewed for adjustment after the 2006 final auction. The County will stay on planned offering of timber per decade, staying in stride with longer planning period goals. The County will consider an amount of sealed bid auction if the logging community expresses interest. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2006/11-19 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve the canister site attendant contracts as recommended by the Environmental Services Department which includes payment of a signing sum to be deducted from their total contract amount as determined by the Environmental Service Director for up front costs. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2006/11-20 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper accepting the recommendation of the Environmental Service Director to accept canister site hauling bids for Big Falls, Mizpah, Ray, Birchdale, Littlefork and Loman and to reject and rebid the Silverdale service. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director and Legal Counsel informed the Board that at this time no further action to proceed with condemnation on remaining easements for the Jackfish Sewer Project is needed. A settlement agreement was presented to the Board which required an easement for the sewer’s main line which requires trenching as directional drilling is not an option on this property. The settlement offer was based on the appraised value of the easement.

2006/11-21 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to approve a settlement agreement with Larry and Peggy Gustafson for a main line easement for the Jackfish Sewer Project as recommended by the Environmental Service Director and Legal Counsel based on an appraised value of $11,172 with payment from the Jackfish Project Administration Budget. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:20 a.m. Bruce Budris thanked the Board for supporting the RFPA. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment.

2006/11-22 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to adjourn the meeting at 11:24 a.m. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.