REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, January 9, 2007; 10:30 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck

MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Briggs

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Doug Grindall, Brian Youso, Richard Lehtinen, Glen Wright, Lucy Murphy, John Slatinski, Sr., David Trompeter, Kent Paulbeck, Dan McCarthy; Reporter Lisa Kaczke

2007/01-12 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/01-13 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes from the January 2, 2007 regular meeting. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was notified that Shelly Johnson was hired to the Auditor Clerk’s position with a starting date of January 17, 2007.

2007/01-14 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $162,568.69 and authorizing the Board Chair’s signature verifying review of the Auditor’s December vendor payments. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/01-15 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to reappoint Lucina Phillips to the Arrowhead Library System Governing Board for the term of July 1, 2007 to June 30, 2010. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/01-16 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck authorizing the Highway Engineer to obtain bids for the County’s annual fuel needs. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/01-17 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the Sheriff to award the only and low bid for replacement of two squad vehicles to Wherley Motors: 2007 Ford Crown Victoria bid at $20,853 less trade in of $1,200 for the 2003 Impala for a final bid price of $19,653 and a 2007 Ford F-150 4x4 bid at $20,749 less trade in of $5,000 for the 2000 Chevrolet Silverado for a final bid price of $15,749. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director submitted a request to the Board to contact the MnDot Scenic Byway Commission in St. Paul to obtain information on the procedure and criteria for amending the State Highway 11 Scenic Byway Plan to allow road side signage in the Loman area to assist small business owner Glen Wright. Commissioner Hanson expressed concern that since the last review on this issue and directive by the Board, that no action was taken. Board members questioned whether the scenic by-way designation is supporting the community or causing a hindrance in development and that information should also be obtained on removing the designation. The Environmental Service Director stated that the Chamber of Commerce and the Convention and Visitors Bureau played a part in the designation of Highway 11 in Koochiching County and that they should be consulted before the County pursues undesignation. Commissioner Pavleck stated that the business signage should be allowed under County Zoning, regardless of the scenic byway designation, to protect development in the County and thereafter, handle the issue of road signs in the byway designation. Glen Wright informed the Board that State Highway 11 is designated as a scenic by-way and in certain areas, is also designated as a scenic area under the federal Lady Bird Johnson Highway Beautification Act and that the County’s Zoning Ordinance won’t allow his business sign unless there is a change in zoning rules. Other areas receiving road sign gap areas on scenic byways have designated areas one to three miles out from a town or village and he sees no reason why this can’t happen in the Loman area. He stated frustration with the in-action on his request for assistance in allowing him to place a business road side sign, which he needs to support his business.

2007/01-18 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee directing the Environmental Service Director to contact the St. Paul Scenic Byway Commission to request a representative meet with the County Board to provide information on options available to the County to allow business road side signs in a scenic area/byway designation and to include a review on the hindrance of the designation to businesses in the County and further, instructing the Planning Commission to investigate rezoning in the Loman area under the County Zoning Ordinance, absent the designation of the scenic byway, to allow business road side signs in the area. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director provided the Board a scoping document as the first step in establishing a 2007-2017 Koochiching County Water Management Plan, which will be made available to the public and agencies through a 60-day public review period. This document will be used to develop the final plan which will go through a formal public hearing process. Commissioner Pavleck felt the water plan should speak to wetland management in the County as the scoping document only makes reference to wetlands. The Director stated that the County has a separate County Wetland Management Flexibility Plan and therefore the County Water Management Plan references wetlands under a separate plan. Commissioner Hanson asked for clarification on peaking, which the Director defined as holding water at damns and releasing large amounts at one time to enhance the amount of electric power. That damns on the U.S. side are not doing this practice unless necessary where on the Canadian side it is still a common practice. The concern in doing this is the potential harm to the water habitat and environment and public safety with unexpected release of large amounts of water and that the IJC is reviewing this practice for these reasons.

000 Members of the Ericsburg Reunion Committee met with the Board to request a donation for their 2007 reunion which will also recognize the Community’s 100th year anniversary.

2007/01-19 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to donate $700 to the Ericsburg Reunion Committee to assist in the celebration of the community’s centennial celebration in 2007 with the funds released upon receipt of a written request for the funds and authorizing the Coordinator to determine the appropriate budget in which to pay the donation. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Members of the City Beach Restoration Committee met with the Board to provide them a priority list of needs to improve the City Beach and to request the County’s assistance. Committee members stated that their first priority is to get a camp post in place so there can be a groundskeeper around the clock so restoration efforts and investments to improve the beach are not lost to vandalism. Members stated that the beach has not been kept up for 20 years and this lack of investment is a lost opportunity for the community and economic development. The city beach is a valuable asset of the County and therefore the Committee feels support from the County is justified. In response to obtaining a groundskeeper and needing funding for this priority, the question was asked if the Committee was looking for ongoing contributions from the County to pay a groundskeeper. Committee members stated that their goal is to restore the beach and do not foresee a contribution from the County annually to support a groundskeeper. That their initiative is to get the camp post established to provide a seasonal camper hook up for the groundskeeper. Board members stated that the County may be in a better position to manage the beach as a County park. Board members asked if the Recreation Commission and City will still be responsible to manage the beach and committee members stated that their mission is restoration, and that the City and Recreation Commission would continue to manage the beach. Board members expressed their support to assist in the restoration of the beach and requested the Committee submit a written request for the monetary donation they are seeking from the County and for what purpose it would be used.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 12:05 p.m. John Slatinksi, Sr. stated that the City Beach is an important asset and he would support the County in taking ownership of the beach. Dan McCarthy inquired as to the enabling authority for the State Highway 11 Scenic Byway and Area and in reference to the City Beach felt a study should be done to find out why there has been a decline of interest/usage over the years. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment.

2007/01-20 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to adjourn the meeting at 12:15 p.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.