REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, May 22, 2007; 10:30 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck

MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Briggs (Other Business)

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Ed Oerichbauer, Rod Otterness, Susan Congrave, Dennis Hummitzsch, Terry Murray, Einar Sundin, Terry Glowack; Reporter Lisa Kaczke

2007/05-40 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-41 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes from the May 15, 2007 regular meeting with correction. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board received notice of the temporary hire of Jody Reller in the Health Department as a Breastfeeding Peer Counselor.

2007/05-42 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $41,572.77; to approve payment to Flaherty & Hood for contracted April lobbyist services in the amount of $4,437.32 with payment from the 2007 Legislative Budget; to approve payment of the Health Department claims in the amount of $14,082.88; to approve payment of Burial Case #896145 for an additional payment of $200.00. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair stated that the committee putting together the county-wide 911 signage plan needs input as to what the Board would be considering for funding options. The Coordinator stated that a meeting is tentatively set for July 10, 2007 for the Sheriff and members to update the Board on the plan, at which time estimated costs should be known to help in the discussion of funding options. The question was asked if an ordinance was needed to implement 911 address signs. The Board requested a copy of the ordinance template being used by the committee for a guide in establishing the plan.

000 The Historical Society Director presented the final 1909 painting design for the historic interior of the Courthouse which needs Board approval (painting planned for this summer). The painting scheme was investigated and designed by the Architect. The total project budget is estimated at $54,000 for all costs with $25,000 funded by a State Historical Society Grant. The project falls under the adopted Courthouse Historical Master Plan. The next step would be to bid the painting job, requiring the bidder to be certified in historical restoration.

2007/05-43 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee accepting the final 1909 painting design for the historic interior of the Courthouse and authorizing the Historical Society Director, working in conjunction with the Architect and the County’s Historical Committee, to bid the painting project for completion in 2007. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Commissioner Hanson informed the Board that representatives from the City of International Falls, KEDA, along with himself and the Historical Society Director have been looking at ways to get something moving in a positive direction for the Grand Mound Historical Site and are suggesting at this time a letter from the County Board to the State Historical Society as to why the U.S. Department of Interior quit working on the nomination of the site as a National Historic Landmark because ownership was in question. The State has owned and managed the Grand Mound as a historical site and state park for years so why is there a question of ownership.

2007/05-44 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck authorizing the Board Chair to send a letter to the State Historical Society with the attached letter from the Department of the Interior to request a response as to why there is a question of ownership of the Grand Mound Site, which has stopped work on a National Historic Landmark nomination. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-45 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee acknowledging the minutes from the Professional Advisory Committee’s May 16, 2007 meeting as presented by the Health Director. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Health Director reviewed the Department’s Quarter 1, 2007 Financial and Statistical Report with the Board.

2007/05-46 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve the application request by the City of Big Falls for conveyance of tax forfeited land described as the North ½ of Lots 13, 14, and 15, Block 7, Robinson’s Addition to Big Falls for the purpose stated in the application and as recommended by the Land Commissioner. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-47 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to renew the following service contracts effective July 1, 2007 with no financial increases and with contract language transferred to the State’s required service contract template for inclusion of performance standards as recommended by the Community Service Director and upon review by the County Attorney: Boyle’s Foster Care Contract; Decker’s Family Care Contract; Houglum SILS Contract; Ita-Bel-Koo DAC Contract; Littlefork Jackpine Chateau Contract; Lutheran Social Services Supported Living Contract; Mattison’s Foster Care Contract; Northland Counseling Adult Foster Care Contract; Northome Supported Living Services Contract; Occupational Development Center Day Training/Habilitation Contract; Occupational Development Center Waivered Services Contract; Olsen’s Foster Care Contract; PJ’s Foster & Waivered Services Contract; Rainy River Waivered Services Guardianship Contract; Rainy River Waivered Services MR/RC Contract; Rainy River Waivered Services Contract; REM Supported Independent Living Services Contract; REM Supported Living Skills Contract; Ridgeview LLC Contract; Segar’s Foster Care Contract. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was notified of the following hires in the Community Service Agency: Social Worker Bradley Kokesh effective May 3, 2007; Case Aide Tammy Jo Crawford-Braaten effective 5/7/07; Part Time Office Support Specialist Cathy Gordon effective 5/14/07; and promotion of Valerie Long as the Financial Assistance Supervisor effective May 15, 2007.

2007/05-48 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck authorizing the Community Service Director to fill the vacant Financial Worker position due to a promotion. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-49 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee authorizing the Community Service Director to RFP for MI Adult Foster Care Home waivered services. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-50 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to approve an Addendum to the Northland Counseling Adult Foster Care Contract to allow for a rate adjustment until the RFP process is completed and a determination can be made for continued service to the MI Adult Foster Care Home. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-51 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck accepting the following Foster Day Care and Day Care Licensing recommendations: Noland and Jennifer Hargis to renew child foster care license for two children and Brian and Judy Keeney to renew child foster care license for six children. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-52 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to approve payment of the Community Service Department financial and social service program claims and administrative claims as presented. Voting yes: Lepper, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:45 a.m. Einar Sundin, referencing earlier discussion on conference costs, stated that his past experience in attending conferences held at resorts is it is more costly and that he was glad to see the 911 signage project moving forward. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment period.

000 The Complex Superintendent informed the Board that cement work at the Forestland Annex and the LEC Annex was needed due to safety concerns for trips and falls. In addition, the repair work at the Forestland Annex will improve handicap access. With regards to the LEC Annex, a walkway for a west access door needs to be repaired also due to a trip and fall situation and would propose to pave the entire area which would correct the safety concern and allow for an additional parking area for squad cars. Estimated cost is $6,100 for the Forestland project and $3,800 for the LEC project. The Complex Superintendent would recommend reallocating the $6,500 in his budget for replacement of tile in the LEC and the balance of the cost from the Sinking Building Account.

2007/05-53 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation of the Complex Superintendent to approve the concrete work at the Forestland and LEC Annexes due to safety reasons and to include the recommendation for the LEC project to provide for an additional squad parking area and further, authorize the reallocation of $6,500 in the Complex Budget to said projects with the balance of the cost to come from the Sinking Building Account. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/05-54 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to adjourn the meeting at 11:55 a.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.