REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, April 3, 2007; 10:00 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: J.J. Hasbargen, Terry Murray, Dennis Hummitzsch, Richard Lehtinen, Paul Nevenan, Bob Goede, Rod Otterness, Jack Walls; Reporter Lisa Kaczke

2007/04-01 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/04-02 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve the minutes from the March 27, 2007 regular meeting. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The County Board was notified of the following temporary hire of secretarial service in the County Attorney’s Office: Leslie Pullar and Mary Nelson.

2007/04-03 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck acknowledging the resignation of J.J. Hasbargen from the Office of County Attorney effective May 11, 2007 as she was offered and accepted a position as Assistant Attorney in the Office of the Minnesota Attorney General. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/04-04 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the Personnel Committee and the County Attorney that in assisting the County Board with their requirement to appoint a person to the vacant Office of County Attorney for the remainder of the unexpired term, to solicit resumes of interested and qualified persons through the Association of County Attorneys and local advertisement with a committee to select and interview finalists for further consideration by the County Board. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/04-05 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson to approve the county employment separation of LPN Elizabeth Bacon as of March 6, 2007. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/04-06 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs authorizing the temporary transfer of Financial Worker Val Long to the Financial Team Leader position effective April 3, 2007 for up to thirty days with further review pending the timeline for filling a Financial Supervisor position as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/04-07 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson that in following up on Commissioner Pavleck’s request of the County Board to support Anoka County for no change in the State Wetland Conservation Act, to empower Commissioner Pavleck to represent the Koochiching County Board’s position to support Anoka County and other counties that it is premature to amend the State Wetland Conservation Act when the data is inconclusive to support any amendment. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Commissioner Adee informed the Board that federal funding to support RC&D Programs is targeted for reduction yet again and under this funding reduction, RC&D programs will be reduced to one RC&D Council per state, rather than the current state regional system. RC&D Programs provide assistance for rural development and are a catalyst for federal, state and local governments to work together to help communities protect their natural resources and to improve local economies, environment and living standards. The centralization of the program to one program per state causes concern that services and support for local and regional projects will be reduced significantly. Commissioner Adee requested the County provide a position to federal and state legislators to retain the current funding and structure of RC&D Programs, which provides valuable support and resources for rural community development.

2007/04-08 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Board Chair to send a letter to federal and state legislative delegates for their support in retaining the current structure and funding of RC&D programs and further, request support from NACO for the same with Commissioner Pavleck, as the County representative, to carry the request on behalf of the Board. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/04-09 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $21,943.32, to approve payment of the monthly County Board expense claims in the amount of $8,520.46 and to approve payment to Flaherty & Hood in the amount of $3,007.69 for lobbyist service with payment from the 2007 Legislative Budget. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 At the request of the Board, the Land Commissioner provided information as to the request by Lake County to have Koochiching County and other counties join them as intervener in the lawsuits filed against the National Forest Service. When the Forest Service develops a plan for activity/projects in an area of the forest, they present the plan through the public process and during this process, it is very common that groups challenge the plan and file lawsuits to block any further action. At the time Lake County submitted its request to the County, it was to join them as intervener on the law suit filed on the Tomahawk Project but the timeline has now past. However, it is anticipated another lawsuit will be filed on the upcoming plan for the Echo Trail Forest Management Project and counties are encouraged to support the Forest Service against challenges to stop projects. The Land Commissioner stated that this type of challenge to stop development/forestry plans affects all of the northern counties. Though supportive, the Board questioned the liability and financial cost the County would occur as intervener in the lawsuit. The Land Commissioner stated that prior to the County filing as an intervener the County Attorney should review the County’s position and recommend a course of action.

2007/04-10 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to send a response to Lake County of Koochiching County’s intent to support as intervener in lawsuits against challenges to hinder development and forestry projects of the National Forest Service upon the review and recommendation of the County Attorney. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director provided the Board the invitation to the annual Mar-Kit Sanitary Landfill Meeting on April 11, 2007 in Roseau for an update on the landfill operation in which the County disposes of their solid waste.

2007/04-11 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs authorizing the payment of $3,500.00 to Nelson Salvage for brush grinding service at the transfer station and further, authorizing the Environmental Service Director to negotiate a service contract for future service. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The KEDA Director provided the Board a resolution to approve a land swap with property owners Ron Peterson and Rhonda Spotts for approximately 25 acres for the Business Park/Foreign Trade Zone, for property jointly owned by the County and City. The land proposed for trade provides road access to the business park, provides better access to utilities and arranges the park site for better development. The cost for the land swap consists of the cot of preparing and recording documents. The Director informed the Board that the City of International Falls approved the land swap and would require the County’s approval as joint owner of the property.

2007/04-12 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck adopting the following resolution for developing a Railway Economic Development Park:

WHEREAS, THE Koochiching Economic Development Authority (KEDA) works with all governmental agencies to foster economic development throughout Koochiching County;

WHEREAS, Koochiching County (County) and the City of International Falls (City) own the NW¼ of the NW¼ and the NE¼ of the NW¼ both in Section 31, Township 71, Range 23 West;

WHEREAS, KEDA has planned and worked to develop a business Development Park with Foreign Trade Zone status and railroad access to the Duluth Winnipeg and Pacific Railway (DW&P);

WHEREAS, Ron Peterson and his daughter Ronda Spotts have offered to trade the South 600 feet of Government Lot 6 and the South 600 feet of the SE¼ SW¼ West of the DW&P both in Section 30, Township 70, Range 23 West with the County and City for that part of said NE¼ NW¼ East of the DW&P Railway; both parcels being approximately 25.1 acres;

WHEREAS, Ron Peterson and his daughter Ronda Spotts have offered to donate the North 70 feet of the South 670 feet of the West 460 feet of said Government Lot 6 to the County and City to provide better roadway access;

WHEREAS, said transfers will provide an initial site for an economic development park with railroad access and said development will be in the public interest.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that: (1) The County of Koochiching accepts, trades and transfers said property as described herein. (2) KEDA will incur the expenses of abstract and appraisal costs for the traded parcels along with reasonable legal, closing, and recording costs and continue the planning and other efforts to develop said Park. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/04-13 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs accepting the recommendation of the Carpool Committee as follows: accept the 2007 Ford Fusion final bid of $11,782 after trade in of the 1997 Ford Taurus (plus applicable taxes and license); accept the 2007 Dodge Durango final bid of $21,187 (plus applicable taxes and license) which will replace the 1999 Dodge Caravan; authorize the Highway Engineer to call for bids to sell the 1999 Dodge Caravan with the bid opening to be established later this spring and results presented to the County Board at the next meeting following the bid opening; and authorizing the Board Chair to appoint two Board members to the Carpool Committee. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried. (The Board Chair appointed Commissioners Pavleck and Adee to the Carpool Committee.)

000 MCIT Representative Bob Goede reviewed the annual Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust report which provides risk management and self insurance programs for 81 Minnesota counties for general liability, property and casualty and workers compensation coverage. The report provided an overview of programs, finances and claim data overall and specific to Koochiching County. The Board thanked Mr. Goede for the report.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:37 a.m. City Administration Rod Otterness provided the Board the City of International Falls response to the report provided the Minnesota Legislature on the future of the Grand Mound Historic Site, stating their rejection to the conclusion that the site be permanently closed as they, like the County, feel the site should be open for public interest as a historical and educational site. The County Board thanked the City for their support and efforts to garner support to overturn the recommendation of permanent closure and allow more review of the matter. Jack Walls inquired as to the name and information on the tribe in which members are buried at the Grand Mound Center and was deferred to the Historical Society Director for this information. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment period.

2007/04-14 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to adjourn the meeting at 11:45 a.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.