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

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Terry Murray, Kathy Howdahl, LeeAnn Meer, Doug Grindall, Jack Walls; Reporter Lisa Kaczke

2007/04-15 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/04-16 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes from the April 3, 2007 regular meeting with correction. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/04-17 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson approving the employment separation of Home Health Aide Arlyce Moody as of May 1, 2007. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/04-18 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee that upon the Bureau of Mediation Unit Clarification Order determining the supervisory status of the Collection Services Supervisor and Financial Assistance Supervisor positions and under the County’s Hiring Policy, to transfer Kathy Howdahl to the C41 Collection Service Supervisor position as of April 10, 2007 thereby vacating and eliminating the Support & Collections Specialist/Lead Worker position and further, authorizing the filling of the C41 Financial Assistance Supervisor position and upon hire, eliminate the Financial Assistance Specialist/Lead Worker position as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/04-19 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck authorizing Board members’ attendance to a MCIT “Making Solid Land Use Decisions” Seminar in Duluth on April 27, 2007 as a County Board activity. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/04-20 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve payment of the 2007 Laurentian RC&D dues in the amount of $400.00 with payment from the 2007 County Board Budget. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 A representative of Kootasca informed the Board the Agency is again applying for federal funds for the Family Homeless Prevention Program in Koochiching County in the amount of $400,000 for the 2007-2008 biennium to assist eligible families and individuals in rental assistance and mortgage foreclosure and other related services to keep them from becoming homeless. As part of the application process, the County must authorize Kootasca as the agency to administrate the funds. The request is made every biennium with the 2005-2006 allocation at $250,000.

2007/04-21 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs WHEREAS, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, State of Minnesota, has been authorized to undertake a program to provide Family Homeless Prevention assistance; and WHEREAS, KOOTASCA, Inc. has developed an application as an Administering Entity for the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, for the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program; and WHEREAS, KOOTASCA, Inc. has demonstrated the ability to perform the required activities of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for the Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that KOOTASCA, Inc. is hereby authorized as an entity to be charged with the administration of funds made available through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency for Family Homeless Prevention and Assistance Program in the County of Koochiching. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/04-22 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs to accept a donation from the Rainy Lake Sport Fishing Club in the amount of $5,000.00 to the Highway Department to pay for dredging work to accompany the Highway Department’s plan to install a larger culvert through CSAH 94 to reestablish the lake’s water flow which was inhibited with the construction of the County road to connect mainland to islands in that area. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Commissioner Pavleck informed the Board that the potential of the Jackfish Sewer System being extended to the Tilson area looks favorable and that in discussing this potential with the Sewer Committee, it was suggested to look at installation of sewer pipe along the Rainy Lake Houseboat Access Road which is planned for reconstruction. The thinking is that installation of the pipe would be cheaper as part of the road reconstruction and that even if the municipal sewer system is not extended that far, the pipe could service a multi-property waste water treatment system. The Committee would like to further pursue the idea with the Highway Engineer and the sewer project engineer to determine the feasibility of installing the pipe for future purposes.

2007/04-23 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee authorizing the Highway Engineer and the Jackfish Sewer Committee to look at the feasibility of installing sewer pipe during the reconstruction of the Rainy Lake Houseboat Access Road for future wastewater treatment systems but that any funding needed in determining feasibility would require further consideration of the County Board. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:32 a.m. Jack Walls inquired as to the plan when looking at the feasibility of extending sewer and the position of the property owners affected. Commissioner Pavleck stated that the cost to public benefit and impact to property owners will continue to be a part of the process, whether looking at municipal or other waste water treatment systems for the lake area.

2007/04-24 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to adjourn the meeting at 11:38 a.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.