SPECIAL MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, December 12, 2006; 10:55 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS ATTENDING: Terry Murray, Doug Grindall, Dennis Hummitzsch, Richard Lehtinen, Steve Shermoen, Mervin Mannausau, Dan McCarthy; Reporter Lisa Kaczke

2006/12-01 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-02 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs to approve the minutes from the November 28, 2006 special meeting. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-03 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson whereas the Sheriff Elect has submitted his intentions to the County Board that in the best interest of the Sheriff’s Department and County in transitioning the change of management, he will begin the duties of County Sheriff upon taking his elected term on January 1, 2007 and upon such time, will appoint a new Undersheriff and place the current Undersheriff into the Big Falls Deputy position; Be it resolved that the Koochiching County Board in supporting the Sheriff Elects intentions for transitioning the management change in the Sheriff’s Department will allow the interim plan for management of the Sheriff Department established under 2006/01-04 and supported by 2006/01-33 and 2006/01-34 to continue for the remainder of 2006; Be it further resolved that the Koochiching County Board supports the Sheriff Elects intent to transfer current Undersheriff John Mastin to the Big Falls Deputy position as of January 1, 2007 at which time the Elected Sheriff will appoint his new Undersheriff with notice of the hires to the County Board at their January 2, 2007 meeting. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-04 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs to approve a Collection Services Supervisor position description and a Financial Assistance Supervisor position description for the Community Services Department contingent on the two positions being excluded from the Bargaining Unit as supervisors as recommended by the Community Service Director and County Coordinator. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-05 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs to ratify contract settlements with the Koochiching County Highway Department Bargaining Unit represented by IUOE Local 49 for 2006 through 2008 as recommended by the Board’s Negotiation Committee. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.
2006/12-06 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson to ratify contract settlements with the Koochiching County Community Services and Public Health Bargaining Unit represented by AFSCME Local 510 for 2006 through 2008 as recommended by the Board’s Negotiation Committee. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-07 Motion by Hanson, seconded Lepper approving the 2007 County gross levy at $3,466,273 (2% increase over last year of $67,966). The 2007 proposed levy breakdown is as follows: General Revenue - $1,516,273; Community Service - $1,200,000; Public Health - $100,000; Highway - $500,000; Environmental Services - $150,000. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-08 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper authorizing the following County Fund designation for the 2007 County Budget: General Revenue Fund designate $4,600,000 for Cash Flow and $279,000 for the 2007 General Revenue Budget; Highway Fund designate $1,000,000 for Cash Flow and $439,077 for the 2007 Highway Budget; Community Service Fund designate $1,900,000 for Cash Flow and $263,671 for the 2007 KCCS Budget; Public Health Fund designate $350,000 for Cash Flow and $50,000 for the 2007 Health Budget; Environmental Service Fund designate $600,000 for Cash Flow and $170,000 for the 2007 E.S. Budget; County Development Fund designate $25,000 for Cash Flow and $21,000 for the 2007 County Development Budget; Land and Forestry Fund designate $200,000 for cash flow and $20,000 for the 2007 Land and Forestry Budget. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-09 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to adopt the 2007 Budget and Budget Plan in the amount of $26,958,742 plus the 2007 Fund 02 and 13 Supplement Budget in the amount of $1,799,226 for a grand total of $28,757,968. Motion further adopts the following directives, effective immediately, and until such time as amended or terminated by the Board: 1) First half allocations to be paid to outside entities with memo stating second half allocations may be subject to adjustment; 2) 2007 Budget remains open and subject to adjustments at any time. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-10 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson to approve a Memorandum of Agreement between the UOM and Koochiching County in which County funding in the amount of $33,300 is provided for a local 4H Program for 2007 through the UOM providing a .5FTE 4H Program Coordinator and operating budget. Motion further authorizes the Board Chair’s signature to said Agreement. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-11 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson designating the Auditor-Treasurer and/or the Assistant Auditor to approve claims requiring County Board approval for processing year end payouts with all Board claims approved under this authority to come before the County Board at the first Board meeting in 2007 for ratification. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs; absent for vote: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-12 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve payment of the monthly County Board expense claims in the amount of $7,490.76, to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $41,139.54 and to authorize the Board Chair’s signature to the Auditor’s November vendor paying listing verifying its review. Payment detail on file in the Auditor-Treasurer Department. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-13 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation of the Assessor to grant abatement to Dale A. Foyt, parcel # 93-27-05250 for a structure valuation reduction. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-14 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck accepting the recommendation of the County’s License Committee granting the following 2007 Liquor Licenses: Christiansen Store, 3.2% On/Off Sale Malt Liquor; Opp Hagemeister Mgmt Inc, DBA Island View Lodge, On/Off/Sunday Intoxicating; Sandbeck, Bruce D. DBA Loon’s Nest, 3.2% Off Sale Malt Liquor; Northwoods Y Inc, DBA The Y, On/Off/Sunday Intoxicating; Blais, Diane DBA Korner Kwik Stop, 3.2% Off Sale Malt Liquor; T-Bird Lodge Inc DBA Thunderbird Lodge, On/Off/Sunday Intoxicating; Lindberg, Steven G DBA Rainy Lake One Stop, 3.2% Off Sale Malt Liquor; Rainy Lake Spirits LLC, Off Sale Intoxicating License; Nelson, Ralph D & Joy M DBA Nelson’s Store, Off Sale Intoxicating License; McAuley, Malcolm & Becky DBA Woodland Inn, On/Off/Sunday Intoxicating Sales; Roadhouse Night Club Inc, On Sale Intoxicating; Milette Properties Inc DBA Sha Sha Resort, On/Off/Sunday Intoxicating Sales; Guderian, Daryl & Terri DBA Country Sampler & Saloon, On/Off/Sunday Intoxicating Sales; LBC Enterprises Inc DBA Lu’s, On/Off/Sunday Intoxicating Sales; 19th Hole Inc, On Sale and Sunday Intoxicating Sales. Motion further accepts the recommendation of the County’s License Committee granting the following 2007 Tobacco Licenses to: Christiansen Store, Korner Kwik Stop, The Loon’s Nest, “Y” Knot Quick Stop, Woodland Inn, Island View Lodge, 65 Express, Nelson’s Store, Rainy Lake Spirits, Thunderbird Lodge, Rainy Lake One Stop, Country Sampler Bar and Restaurant, Northwoods Y, Inc., Lu’s, Road House Night Club, Sha Sha Resort. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-15 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to reappoint Commissioner Wade Pavleck to the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission’s Board of Directors as of January 18, 2007, the start of the next term. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Commissioner Hanson informed the Board that Beltrami County is submitting a request to the Secretary of State for appointment of one of their County Board members to serve in one of the three County Commissioner seats on the MN BSWR Board and Commissioner Hanson felt Koochiching County should support the appointment to ensure representation for northern MN counties. Commissioners unanimously agreed a representative from northern counties needs to serve on the BSWR Board but felt the appointee needs to actively represent the northern counties concerns and interest and recommended Commissioner Pavleck as he has already been asked by northern counties to represent their concerns and interest with regards to the recommended changes submitted to BSWR in the State Wetland Conservation Act.

2006/12-16 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper that the Koochiching County Board submits a request to the Secretary of State to appoint Koochiching County Board member Commissioner Pavleck to serve on the MN BSWR Board to represent northern counties. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-17 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper adopting the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Koochiching County is interested in building, owning and operating a renewable energy gasification facility located within the county in or near the City of International Falls, Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, in the initial phase of the project Koochiching County is interested in obtaining funding for technical assistance, feasibility study and preliminary design for the proposed renewable energy gasification facility; and

WHEREAS, Koochiching County is interested in providing technical assistance and training to help communities reduce the solid waste stream; and

WHEREAS, Koochiching County is willing to apply for a Solid Waste Management Grant by filing an application with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Rural Development office.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Koochiching County shall apply to the USDA Rural Development office, Solid Waste Management Grant program to provide technical assistance for the proposed renewable energy gasification facility. Further, that the Koochiching County Board authorizes Board Chair Kevin Adee to requisition grant funds by executing the Solid Waste Management Grant Application for the USDA Solid Waste Management Grant Program. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-18 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson authorizing bids for two new squad cars for the Sheriff’s Department as funded and planned in the 2007 Sheriff Budget. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-19 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck accepting the recommendation of the Highway Engineer certifying the final contract value for SAP 36-641-01 with Wagner, Construction, Inc. in the amount of $255,450.73. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-20 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson adopting the following resolution supporting the City of Littlefork’s Transportation Enhancement Project:

WHEREAS, the County of Koochiching has in the past sponsored Federal Enhancement Project applications for cities under 5,000 in population, and

WHEREAS, the Enhancement Project for the City of Littlefork merits sponsorship, and

WHEREAS, said project does not require funding or maintenance by Koochiching County;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT REOLSVED, that the County of Koochiching shall agree to sponsor said project for the purpose of securing federal funding. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-21 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve a repurchase of forfeited lands for Claude G. Rex with property described as Lots 23 through 30, Block 6, American Suburbs Company’s East Side Addition per County Policy and as recommended by the Land Commissioner. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-22 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation of the Land Commissioner to sell approximately 6,000 yards of pit run granular material to the MN DNR at the rate of $1.25 per yard for improvement of a forestry road in addition to any timber related damages to be assessed. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner informed the Board that the application for a Clean Water Legacy Grant for three shoreline stabilization projects was denied. The Land Commissioner informed the Board that 12 sales have been turned back since the limited revision to County Policy for forfeiting timber permits was put in place and that 10 of these permits will be put up for sale at the January 2007 timber auction. With regards to the financial picture, wood continues to sell and County permits are being opened so revenue projections are still holding for 2007.

2006/12-23 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Pavleck to approve the 2007 Natural Resources Block Grant Agreement with the MN Board of Water and Soil Resources in the amount of $55,822 and further, authorizing the Board Chair’s signature to said Agreement as recommended by the Environmental Service Director. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director informed the Board that within the next couple weeks construction on the sewer project will cease and begin again May 1, 2007. As of today, there are three more property owners in which authorization to proceed with condemnation is needed. There are 16 property owners without easements, 7 have verbally agreed to an easement, 9 have not. 6 of the remaining 9 are already under authorization from the Board to proceed with condemnation. Further board action on the remaining 3 will be needed. The Board agreed to defer the request to the December 19 Board agenda.

2006/12-24 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper authorizing Board members’ attendance to the January 4, 2007 MN Chamber of Commerce Session Dinner in St. Paul, MN as a County Board activity. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-25 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs to add the Board’s position on the charging of fees to cover the cost of border inspections to the agenda. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2006/12-26 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Board Chair to send a letter to federal delegates opposing the recommendation of charging fees as a means to fund border inspections and further, to notice concern on the lack of public notice provided on this fee recommendation. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair informed the Board that at next Tuesday’s Board meeting, a proclamation will be read at 3:00 p.m. in the third floor Courtroom as the final recognition of the County’s centennial, pointing out that next Tuesday’s meeting date of December 19th is also the official formation date of Koochiching County.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:42 a.m. Mervin Mannausau asked if the Board planned to review their concerns with regards the solid waste hauling contract and the Board stated the concerns would be reviewed with the Environmental Service Director during the afternoon committee session. Dan McCarthy inquired with the Environmental Service Director as to the appraisals for the sewer easements, as to a blasting incident with a cabin in the sewer district area and the continued need of the Survey Department for the sewer project. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment at 11:50 a.m.
2006/12-27 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson to adjourn the meeting at 11:50 a.m. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.