SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, November 28, 2006; 10:20 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Shawn Mason, Len Millard, Dennis Hummitzsch, Terry Murray, Susan Congrave, Donita Ettestad, Chris Pfeifer; Reporter Lisa Kaczke

2006/11-31 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/11-32 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson to approve the minutes from the November 21, 2006 regular meeting. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/11-33 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper that in acknowledging the Sheriff Elects right and intent to appoint a new Undersheriff and transitioning the current Undersheriff to the Big Falls Deputy position, the Koochiching County Board authorizes the filling of the full time Big Falls Deputy position. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/11-34 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to approve for the elected County Sheriff, County Attorney, County Recorder and County Auditor/Treasurer positions for 2007 a 2% salary increase and health benefit to include as of January 1, 2007 the premium cap for paid family health insurance by the County at $980 per month (not to exceed) with 100% of premium paid for single health coverage remaining. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.
2006/11-35 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper accepting the Insurance Committee’s recommendation to renew the current County Group Health Plan with BC/BS through the NE Cooperative for 2007 at a rate of $382 per month/single coverage and $1021.50 per month/family coverage with funding from the employer’s cap for payment of premium for single and family coverage and thereafter, $42 per month for each family contract from the County’s Group Health Account. Further, accepting the recommendation of the Insurance Committee to renew the current Flexible Spending Plan with BC/BS SelectAccount for 2007 with no change in fees. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.
000 At a previous committee session, the County Board discussed donating its half ownership of the Iltis Indian Statue to the Historical Society whose mission is to restore and preserve historical artifact but to notify the City of International Falls as the other half owner of the statue and the Historical Society Director of the Board’s intent. After hearing from interests including the Mayor who informed the Board the City would gladly take full ownership of the statue, the majority of the County Board felt the City should have ownership and that the statue should be displayed. It was also noted that the Iltis Indian Statue was an artifact from the City’s main street. Commissioner Pavleck though not opposing it go to the City, had concern about its preservation as the statue is in fragile condition. The Mayor stated the City’s plan is to display the statue in the Public Library in which a suggestion box would be placed to hear from the public as to its long term placement. Len Millard, founder of the Statue after its’ leaving International Falls many years ago, felt it should go back on main street and explained a weather proof encasing that could be used to keep the statue out of the elements.
2006/11-36 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to donate the County’s half ownership of the Iltis Indian Statue to the City of International Falls as the other half owner. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs; voting no: Pavleck. Motion carried.
2006/11-37 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck authorizing the Board Chair to appoint a County Board member to the Historical Society Board. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.
2006/11-38 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to appoint Commissioner Kevin Adee as the Koochiching County Township Official on the ARDC Commission. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.
000 The Land Commissioner reported on the results of the November 15, 2006 timber auction. The auction included 42 tracts, two which did not sell but were small and resale tracts so were of no consequences to the overall auction. It was a large sale of 25,121 cords sold for a total value of $644,678. 15 of the 40 tracts sold at appraisal price, the rest sold above the appraisal price with aspen prices still holding. The Land Commissioner provided additional information from Beltrami, Itasca and Clearwater Counties with regards to changes in their timber policy due to mill closings and the impact to the market.
000 The County Board was asked to submit a letter supporting an application to the USDA for federal funding for a Phase II Conservation Easement in the Forest Legacy Program with Forest Capital for another 76,546 acres in Koochiching County. The application process for this federal funding is lengthy with the application due tomorrow and if approved, funding would not be allocated until 2008 or 2009. The Phase II Easement is strongly supported by the State of Minnesota/DNR and that any support that can be attached to the application, greatly helps in the consideration process. The Land Commissioner did not see an issue with the County supporting the letter of support.
2006/11-39 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Board Chair to submit a letter of support for a USDA funding application for a Phase II Conservation Easement in the Forest Legacy Program with Forest Capital for 76,546 acres in Koochiching County at the request of the MN State Trust for Public Land as the applicant. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.
2006/11-40 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to submit a request for a presentation by the Forest Legacy Outreach Coordinator with the County Board to learn more about the Forest Legacy Program. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/11-41 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to renew the AEOA Employment and Training Contract, Kootasca Senior Coordinator Contract and Rational Alternatives Contract as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.
2006/11-42 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to approve the following burial case payments: #217458 in the amount of $1,832.50 and #429368 in the amount of $2,312.50 and to approve payment of the Community Service Department financial and social service program claims and administrative claims as presented. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/11-43 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper accepting the following Foster Day Care and Day Care Licensing recommendations: Ann Coulombe to license a home for foster care of one specific child; Tim and Jennifer Myles to license a home for foster care for two children; Tracy Gunnerson to relicense a home for family day care for ten children; Michelle Koenig to license a home for group family child care for twelve children; Charlene Swanson to close a home for day care licensing per the provider’s request; LuAnn McBride to relicense for group family day care for ten children. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Community Service Director informed the Board that the Foster Care Plan is providing great results. He informed the Board that the Department went through a Waiver review by the State in July of 2006 and other than finding a few minor issues, the review was good overall. The Agency also went through a Child/Family review by the State and though the final report is not completed, those involved in the review stated Koochiching County was a model service. The Director then informed the Board that the Agency’s 2006 Budget will be over in county dollars and at this time it is $66,000. This is due in part by the unexpected and unbudgeted cost for interim placement of the sexual offender until the Court decision was made and partly due to the placement of children in regional treatment centers of which the County has to pay half the cost. He stated the Agency just received a bill for $60,000 for about one month of placement in a regional treatment center for one child in which the County owes one half. The Director stated he will take a stand on this charge and that work is occurring on finding an alternative placement.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:40 a.m. Chris Pfeifer requested information on the County’s insurance carrier and to inform of his complaint, possible claim, on the handling of a matter in social services. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment period.

000 The Board was provided an overview of the ENABLE Program conducted in the County through the Public Health Service Department. The Health Director informed the Board that Flu Clinics continue to be scheduled by the Department and that there is plenty of vaccine. The Department’s 3rd Quarter Financial and Statistical Report was provided. The Director updated the Board on the interim and long term administrative plans for Tri-County Health Services and that the County did not receive its next year of the Tobacco Grant dollars and that the dollars remaining, will be spent on anti-smoking advertisement.

2006/11-44 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to approve payment of the Health Service Department claims in the amount of $36,641.50. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/11-45 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve a 2006 through 2008 non-union hourly pay and benefit settlement to include 3% pay increase for 2006, 2% for 2007 and 2% for 2008, continue support of Board Motion 0097/02-21 setting certain benefits for this period at the same level as the respective department bargaining unit contract, and to improve a Vacation and Sick Leave Earning Policy for part time employees. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/11-46 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs to adjourn the meeting at 12:12 p.m. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.