REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, March 13, 2007; 10:00 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Richard Lehtinen, Doug Grindall, Gail Rognerud, Rod Otterness, Steve Johnson, Bruce Sampson, Terry Murray, Kate Miller; Reporter Lisa Kaczke

2007/03-07 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/03-08 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes from the March 6, 2007 regular meeting. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/03-09 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson acknowledging the employment separation of Larry Keep. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/03-10 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to renew the County Group Life/AD&D Insurance Plan with MN Life Inc. effective April 1, 2007 with a renewal rate of $2.60 per month as recommended by the Insurance Committee. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/03-11 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to table action on a budget adjustment for replacement of the motor on the Sheriff’s boat until the Board meets with the Sheriff to discuss the replacement need. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/03-12 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck accepting the recommendation of the Assessor to grant abatement to William and Maryellen Vedaa, parcel #93-20-08240, for relative homestead credit. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/03-13 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the License Committee to approve On Sale and Sunday Intoxicating Liquor and Tobacco Licenses to the Falls Country Club located in International Falls, MN for the period of April 1 through October 31, 2007. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/03-14 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee to amend Board Motion 2007/03-04 allowing the Board Chair to appoint two Board members and an alternate to the Trunk Highway 11 West Task Force. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried. (The Board Chair appointed Commissioner Hanson and Commissioner Briggs to the Task Force with Commissioner Lepper as the alternate.)

2007/03-15 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee allowing the Board Chair and Coordinator to schedule an informational public meeting in Birchdale at the request of the River Valley Development Association. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Commissioner Pavleck reported on his attendance to the National Association of Counties Organization (NACO) Conference held in Washington D.C. Among global warming and homeland security, the proposed change in the Federal Water Act with regards to the definition change of waters is a priority topic of NACO. Commissioner Pavleck noted that the Act itself is very credible but the change of the water definition expands the water systems under the Act to include such things as ditches and ponds, which for Koochiching County with its vast amount of wetlands, is of great concern. Commissioner Pavleck upon returning from D.C., testified in St. Paul on the proposed changes to the State’s Wetland Conservation Act and he and other northern representatives felt that they made progress in educating legislators as to why flexibility was granted in the first place to counties with a large amount of wetlands and that the proposed changes to the WCA, should not be considered until a comprehensive study determines that there is a need. Commissioner Hanson testified in St. Paul on proposed changes to the ATV/OHV trail legislation and in response to Senator Chaudhary’s bill (S.F. 1538). The bill overall proposes some positive things but the concerns are designating the majority of state forest as traditional areas whereas no usage is allowed and also applying it to tax forfeited lands. The DNR’s position is to allow the trail designation under current legislation and after this process is completed, see if further changes are needed. Commissioner Hanson stated that there seemed to be support to remove the management of tax forfeited land under this bill.

000 The Environmental Service Director submitted a request to rent the county-owned house obtained under the property purchase for the Jackfish Sewer storage tank site for a period of 90 days and after obtaining the appraisal put the house on the market allowing the renter the option to buy as well as advertising the property to seek other potential buyer interests. The Board was unanimous to obtain an appraisal and put the house on the market and not enter into any rental agreement.

000 The Highway Engineer presented a recommendation from the Highway 53 Gateway Project Committee for enhancements to the CSAH 24 and CSAH 108 (Airport Project) road project which included edge striping , planting vines, trees and shrubs, running underground power lines and overhead lighting which the Engineer estimates the project total at $770,000 (from $550,000) and funded by CSAH dollars. The option of ornamental lighting was discussed and City representatives stated that this type of lighting is more expensive in purchase price and in maintenance because this type of lamp requires more electricity, more frequent bulb changes and also has a higher potential of damage due to weather conditions. Discussion was held on moving the power lines underground and a representative from MP&L provided information to the Board. For maintenance purposes, lines above ground are preferred as when lines are underground, you have to find the problem, in comparison to seeing a broken line on a power pole, and after determining there are no other utility lines in the area and if so conducting the proper notification, digging up the area to repair the line. There is no doubt that hiding the power lines looks nicer but it comes with a higher price. The Power Company recommends where there are underground power runs, those impacted have a good power backup as again, it takes more time to repair a line underground. In the case of this project, the Airport power backup system needs to be considered. Board members supported the aesthetic enhancements but expressed concern with consideration of the ornamental lighting due to the increased cost and also the impact to property owners along the route if underground power lines are used. It was noted that three houses along the route would be impacted in addition to the Airport. City representatives stated appreciation of the Gateway Committee for their work in presenting this proposal and the need to make this project successful as an incentive to continue beautification projects for Highway 53 and requested that the overhead lighting be coordinated with the newer overhead lighting put up by the City in this area so there is consistency. Commissioners stated that the Airport is also looking to upgrade their parking lot so lighting would also need to be coordinated with this project. The Board agreed to defer this issue until after lunch to allow the Board members to look at the site before making a decision on the enhancement recommendations.

2007/03-16 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Highway Engineer to fill a vacant Engineer Technician position. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/03-17 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs accepting the recommendation of the Highway Engineer for the 2007 CSAH Construction Program to include work on CSAH 1, 8, 15, 17, 24, 94, 108 and 102 for an estimated total of $6.1 million. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair opened public comment at 12:15 p.m. VNP Superintendent Kate Miller informed the Board of the National Park Service’s Centennial Challenge Program which is intended through partnerships, to bring national parks to a higher level. The program will provide funding from $50,000 upward for signature projects inside or outside the national park and they have until this Thursday to make their list for presentation in the program and she asked the Board members to present her their ideas for consideration. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment period.

000 The Board was informed that that Susan Thorstad-Salmi was hired as the Family Based Service Provider with a starting date of March 9, 2007 and Jennifer Stevens was hired as the Case Aide with a starting date pending filling of her former position.

2007/03-18 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee authorizing the Community Service Director to fill the vacant Case Aide and part time Office Support Specialist positions due to promotions. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/03-19 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the Gateway Committee for added enhancements to the CSAH 24 and CSAH 108 (Airport) road project with the County Engineer to work with the City of International Falls on the lighting plan. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/03-20 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to adjourn the meeting at 2:15 p.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.