REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, May 8, 2007; 10:00 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs

MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Pavleck

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: JJ Hasbargen, David Johnson, Julie Silvers, Jennifer Heppner Long, Shelly King, Nan Sether, Kathy Howdahl, Terry Murray, Cindy Steinberg, Anne Lauer, Dan McCarthy, Einar Sundin, Jack Walls; Reporter Lisa Kaczke

2007/05-15 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs. Motion carried.

2007/05-16 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs to approve the minutes from the May 1, 2007 regular meeting. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs. Motion carried.

000 The Board received notice of the hire of Todd Langevin as the Information Systems Technician with an employment starting date of May 21, 2007.

2007/05-17 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $41,285.32. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs. Motion carried.

2007/05-18 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson to donate $500 to assist in the cost of bringing the “Wall that Heals” Vietnam Veteran Memorial to International Falls from June 28 through July 1, 2007 which is sponsored by the VFW Post 2948 and with payment from the 2007 County Budget Contingency. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs. Motion carried.

2007/05-19 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee adjusting the 2007 Community Service Budget for final totals based on the set County dollar amount for this budget:
Increased Revenue Adjustment: State Food Stamp Enhancement & M H Adult Combined Grants for a total of +$19,045; Increased Expenditure Adjustment: $6,000 for MFIP and $13,045 for Regional Treatment. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs. Motion carried.

2007/05-20 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to adopt the following resolution for the application of Budget FY 2008 IRRRB funds:

WHEREAS, the County of Koochiching (hereafter the “Applicant”) is a governmental subdivision, organized and operating under the laws of the State of Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, the Applicant has a need for a grant to assist with economic development authorities as permitted under Laws of Minnesota for 1987, Chapter 182; and

WHEREAS, the Applicant is submitting its request for application to the IRRRB for Budget FY 2008 grant funds.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Applicant’s organization hereby authorizes and approves making application to the IRRRB for FY 2008 funds to assist in economic development.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Applicant’s Board Chair and County Coordinator are hereby authorized and directed to sign and submit application for the said grant monies and all applicable contracts, documents and agreements associated with the grant or the application for it. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs. Motion carried.

2007/05-21 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs accepting the recommendation of the County Assessor to grant the following abatements: Nancy A. Jackopich, Parcel #s 01-14-12000 and 01-14-21000 for relative homestead credit; Joseph Sutherland, Parcel #07-31-00120 for homestead credit; Northern States Power Company, Parcel #99-98-00003 for a valuation reduction per State Order. Further, accepting the recommendation of the County Assessor to add the following omitted transmission line property valuation per State Order: Minnkota Power, Parcel #99-98-00002 adding $70,900 and MN Power, Parcel #99-98-00001 adding $12,500. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs. Motion carried.

2007/05-22 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee approving a State Grant for the International Falls/Koochiching County Airport in the amount of $39,000 for grade correction to the glide slope area due to installation of instrument landing equipment and further, authorizing the Board Chair’s signature to said Grant Agreement for reimbursement of cost for said project. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs. Motion carried.

2007/05-23 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee that due to the supply of County Plat Books being diminished, directing the Coordinator to contact the Land Commissioner to provide a report on the process and cost of supplying county plat books and to provide a recommendation to re-supply the County Plat Books working with the I.S. Manager, County Assessor, and Highway Engineer. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs. Motion carried.

000 Under an approved plan by the County Board in filling the vacancy in the Office of County Attorney, the Board was provided the recommendation from the Screening Panel of finalists for further evaluation by the County Board for appointment to the vacant Office. In summary, eight resumes were submitted and two did not meet the minimum qualifications for the position. Six were further evaluated with the three finalists’ recommended based on qualifications for the position. The finalists recommended were Lake of the Woods County Attorney Phil Miller, Attorney Joe Boyle and Attorney Lyndon Larsen. Continuing under the plan for filling the vacancy, the next step is for the County Board to set up interviews and select a candidate for appointment (appointment required under law). After reviewing schedules, the Board agreed to set up interviews for the three finalists for the morning of Tuesday, May 15 and move the regular County Board meeting to the afternoon.

2007/05-24 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee to set up interviews of the three finalists being considered by the County Board for appointment to the Office of County Attorney for Tuesday, May 15, 2007 starting at 9:00 a.m. and further, to move the regularly scheduled County Board meeting to the afternoon. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs. Motion carried.

2007/05-25 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee that to cover the Office of County Attorney until a permanent appointment is made, to appoint former County Attorney David C. Johnson for an interim period beginning May 11, 2007. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs. Motion carried.

000 Staff from the State Department of Human Services (DHS) provided a report to the County Board on the results of the assessment of the Koochiching County Child Support Unit’s performance under required federal measurements. Under federal requirement 25 counties are selected annually for performance (outcome) and self assessment (timeline) evaluation by the State’s Department of Human Services. The results of the evaluation of Koochiching County’s Child Support Unit were excellent. Of the eight measures, Koochiching County exceeded federal measures in seven areas and exceeded the state measures for the remaining category. In some categories Koochiching County achieved 100%, being the only county of the 25 counties selected to get this rating. This success is due to having good policy and procedures and team work in the Unit. This success means excellent customer service and success in getting resources and benefits to children. Commissioner Lepper inquired as to the status of funding at the federal and state level for child support services due to targeted funding reduction in the Federal Deficit Reduction Act. A DHS representative stated that though funding is targeted for reduction at the federal level, work is being done at both the federal and state levels to move funding for child support services in a positive direction. Commissioner Hanson, addressing the Child Support Unit staff at the table, thanked them for their efforts and hard work in this achievement, recognizing the difficulty of a Child Support Officer’s job. The Unit Supervisor stated that the increase in the number of child support officer positions greatly helped the Unit in achieving this success. Board members recognized that the success of the Unit in getting financial resources to parents to make them self sufficient will reduce the need and therefore the cost of assistance programs. The Board commended the staff for the great job.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:15 a.m. Dan McCarthy stated his position on the process being used for selection of the County Attorney and questioned his billing for rural fire protection. Einar Sundin reported on the status of the plan from the County 911 Signage Committee. Jack Walls inquired as to the funding plan for the county-wide 911 signage project. The Board Chair stated that the process is for the Committee to provide a plan and cost to the County Board, which the County Board will then consider options for funding the project. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment period.

2007/05-26 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee to adjourn the meeting at 11:30 a.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs. Motion carried.