REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, May 15, 2007; 1:30 p.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Brian Jespersen, Doug Grindall, Dennis Hummitzsch, Richard Lehtinen, Terry Stone, Rod Otterness, Kathleen Przybylski, Kate Miller, Susan Congrave, Philip Miller; Reporter Lisa Kaczke

2007/05-27 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-28 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs to approve the minutes from the May 8, 2007 regular meeting. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-29 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to approve payment of the Highway claims in the amount of $29,348.55; to approve payment to Attorney Lyndon Larsen for contracted April legal services for the County Attorney’s Office in the amount of $6,610.74; authorizing the County Board Chair to sign the Auditor’s April vendor payment listing verifying its review. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-30 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee to accept the recommendation of the County Assessor to grant abatement to Signe Skoglund, Parcel #20-01-42100, for homestead credit. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-31 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs to approve the County Fee Schedule with the following changes: remove the parcel information service fee authorized under prior board motion; adjust mileage rate per IRS schedule and increase uncertified copies of marriage certificates to $9 as set by the State. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-32 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to approve the County Board meeting schedule for the summer months as presented by the Coordinator (June through August). Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-33 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to accept the employment separation of Correctional Officer Lynn Rogers effective July 1, 2007. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-34 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee authorizing the Sheriff to fill the full time Correctional Officer position left vacant by an employment separation. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-35 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee authorizing the Sheriff to fill two part time Correctional Officer positions with one due to an employment separation and the other to accommodate a current part time worker’s request for a work schedule reduction with said hires having no additional cost to the budget. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-36 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs accepting the Highway Engineer’s recommendation to award low bid for a concrete box culvert for the CSAH 94 culvert replacement project to Wagner Construction in the amount of $129,937.00. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Highway Engineer requested direction on the Lindford Bridge Replacement Project planned for construction this summer as the 2006 Legislative Session did not pass the Bridge Replacement Funding Bill, which would have provided $1 million of funding for this project. The Highway Engineer stated a request to advance CSAH funding for the project could be done but this would be dependent on if funds are available and would take from future CSAH road projects. The Board agreed that though they would like to see this project proceed, the project needs to be delayed until funding is secured for the project.

000 The Land Commissioner presented the Board the results of the May 2, 2007 Timber Auction –all tracts sold for a total of 32,538 cords for a total auction sale value of $784,874. In addition, the Land Commissioner shared an email from the MN DNR regarding proposed restrictions for Cook, Lake and St. Louis Counties as the first tier for restricting ATV usage and logging activity due to the very dry conditions and forest fire danger. The second tier would include Aitkin, Carlton, Itasca and Koochiching Counties. The Land Commissioner felt the county should consider precautionary measures to prevent forest fires and if and when the time comes to seek guidance from the DNR. The Land Commissioner agreed to keep the Board informed as to the risk levels and proactive measures being considered to prevent forest fires.

000 Members of the International Falls Area Gateway Corridor Task Force met with the Board to present the draft plan for enhancing the corridor to Voyageurs National Park including enhancements to promote the park and to create a tourism friendly culture. The draft plan is out for public comment with the Task Force to meet after the closing of the review period to consider the comment received for incorporation into the plan. Upon the plan’s approval, the design phase will begin to move the project forward, recognizing that funding will need to be secured as work moves forward on design and development. Commissioner Lepper suggested application to the ATP Enhancement Program for the portion of the plan targeting enhancement to the bike trail from International Falls to the Park Center. The Highway Engineer stated that due to this plan, the Airport Road Project included streetscape enhancements. The VNP Superintendent thanked everyone for all the support and work to develop this idea. In response to the question as to whether the plan supports business front development, it was explained that this plan was specific to access including roads and trails. However, the City Administrator stated that the City does have a small business development program that could provide some assistance to the businesses for this purpose. Commissioner Pavleck felt the plan is achievable and a good step in promoting the park and would like to see it go further. The Environmental Service Director stated that it is his hope as well as those on the task force that the working relationship continues to do more to promote the community and the park.

2007/05-37 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee (referencing Board motion 2007/02-20 and the review session of May 8, 2007) to accept the recommendation of the Health Director that in order to service the existing clients under the County’s Home Care Service Program, to authorize staffing levels of up to 6 part time Home Health Aide positions with the current client number as reported by the Director at 56; to approve 4 part time LPN positions for private duty nursing to one specific client; allocating 1.5 FTE of existing Public Health Nursing positions to supervise the program; that the Director will provide the County Board on a quarterly basis the current number of clients under the County Home Care Program; that the County Board reserves the right to reconsider the County’s position as a direct provider of home care service should financial and/or other conditions occur causing a need to reconsider the County’s service level; further that the County Board will schedule a review session with providers of home care for Koochiching County every six months until otherwise directed to keep the Board abreast of home care delivery in the County. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 2:55 p.m. No comment was presented.

2007/05-38 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs that under Minnesota Statute that requires the County Board to appoint to fill the vacancy in the elected Office of County Attorney, to offer the appointment of Koochiching County Attorney to Attorney Philip K. Miller, currently serving as the Lake of the Woods County Attorney, as the most qualified candidate for the position with said offer of the Board and acceptance by the candidate submitted in writing to execute the appointment to Office. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck; voting no: Hanson. Motion carried.

2007/05-39 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to adjourn the meeting at 3:15 p.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.