REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, July 24, 2007; 9:30 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Lee Ann Meer, Marty Gordon, Richard Lehtinen, Pam Tomevi, Dennis Hummitzsch, Terry Murray, Susan Congrave, Marie Mettler, Ann Scholler, Arden Barnes; Reporter Lisa Kaczke

2007/07-17 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/07-18 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes from the July 10, 2007 regular meeting. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/07-19 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the Personnel Committee for resolution of a Highway Union Step 3 Grievance for reimbursement of 7.5 hours of vacation in that due to a communication issue between the employer and the employee on scheduling, to credit 4 hours of comp time to grievant Mike Kochaniuk and allow the grievant to make up 3.5 hours of work at straight time to be credited in comp time. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board received notice of hire of part time Correctional Officer Mary Starks on July 11, 2007.

2007/07-20 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to revise the process for reviewing County position descriptions for efficiencies. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/07-21 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck authorizing the Board Chair’s signature to the Auditor’s June vendor payment listing verifying its review; to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $38,647.24; to approve payment of the Highway claims in the amount of $120,428.66; to approve payment of the Health claims in the amount of $23,167.99; to approve payment to Attorney Lyndon Larsen in the amount of $6,721.83 for June contracted legal services for the County Attorney’s Office; to approve payment of the Community Service Department financial and social service program claims and administrative claims as presented; to approve payment of the following burial cases: #260762 in the amount of $1,962.50, #616124 in the amount of $1,146.42, #1182809 in the amount of $1,950.00, #NCN in the amount of $2,287.50. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/07-22 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to approve a two-day 3.2% On Sale Malt Liquor License for Calvin L. Nelson for August 25 and 26, 2007 for the Birchdale Men’s Softball Tournament as recommended by the County License Committee. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Under Board Motion 2007/07-13, the Board Chair appointed Commissioner Pavleck and Commissioner Adee to a Wetland Work Group with a meeting scheduled for August 16, 2007 with the Army Corp and BWSR Representatives.

2007/07-23 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee adopting the following resolution for obtaining and accepting Airport Improvement Project grants as joint owner of the International Falls/Koochiching County Airport:

To appoint and designate the Commissioner of Transportation as the Agent for the County of Koochiching, hereafter identified as the Municipality and Be It Resolved that for the purpose of carrying out federally funded airport improvement projects, the Municipality does hereby appoint and designate the Commissioner of Transportation of the State of Minnesota as its agent and authorizes the Commissioner or the Commissioner’s duly authorized representative: 1) To prepare and submit the Application for Federal Assistance to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA); 2) To accept, receive, receipt for and disburse any monies, either public or private, on behalf of the Municipality, including money received from the United States or from the State of Minnesota, and to deposit such monies with the State Treasurer; 3) To pay to the Municipality any amount of such money received as may become due under the Municipality’s contracts in accordance with federal laws, rules and regulations and applicable laws of this state. The Municipality has reviewed and understands the FAA’s terms and conditions of accepting Airport Improvement Program Grants and that this resolution shall remain in effect until such time as it is revoked by either party. Be it Further Resolved, that the Koochiching County Board approves said grant when issued by the FAA and authorizes the Board Chair and County Attorney’s signatures to the grant documents when received and further, accepts the MnDot Agreement that parallels the federal agreement to allow for the transfer of funds from the FAA to the airport owners. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/07-24 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee accepting the Personnel Committee and Personnel Legal Counsel’s recommendation to deny a LELS Union Step 3 Grievance by Correctional Officer Gary Loop for 3 hours of additional compensation for attending training based on no violation of the labor contract. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Kootasca Director of Community Engagement reviewed the “Project Read” program as one of the goals to build community and end poverty. The Project Read Program is intended to reach children to encourage reading to strengthen their education and future. The Director was seeking support from the County for placing the Project Read magnets on county vehicles to help spread the word. The Board was in support under the discretion of the Car Pool Committee and Departments Heads to review and determine placement of the magnets on county vehicles.

2007/07-25 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson authorizing the placement of Project Read Program magnets on County vehicles to support a county-wide effort to educate children in the County and under the discretion of the Car Pool Committee and Department Heads to review and determine placement of the magnets on county vehicles. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/07-26 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the Highway Engineer to award low bid for the CSAH 24 and 108 Project (Airport Road)
to Wagner Construction in the amount of $564,519.73. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/07-27 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee authorizing the submittal of the Natural Resources Block Grant application for FY 2008 for an amount of $55,822 and to include the County’s local match of in-kind and levy amount of $2,684 as recommended by the Environmental Service Director. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/07-28 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Pavleck accepting the recommendation of the Planning Commission to approve a zone change from O-1 to M-1 for the KEDA on a 25 acre parcel on the west side of the DWP Railroad and the south side of Highway 11 East and described as part of Government Lot 6 and part of the SE ¼ of the SW ¼ all west of the DWP Railroad, Section 30, Township 71N, Range 23W. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/07-29 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs that due to a need by the Sheriff’s Department for an additional transport vehicle based on the increase in the number of transports and in considering funding in the 2007 County Budget for purchase of another vehicle and pending unbudgeted training expense in the Sheriff’s Budget, to accept the recommendation of Administration and the Auditor/Treasurer to reject bids for the selling of the 1999 Dodge Caravan and transfer said vehicle to the Sheriff’s Department as a transport vehicle. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/07-30 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to authorize Board members’ attendance to an International Voyageurs Snowmobile Club meeting on August 21, 2007 at 7:00 p.m. at the Thunderbird Lodge for discussion on snowmobile tourism. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner updated the Board on the 2007 planned activities for demolition and/or clean up of tax forfeited properties and other upcoming projects which if not able to be funded in 2007, will be considered in the 2008 budget. The Land Commissioner updated the Board on Forest Certification under the cooperative. Next week the consultant will be in the office and field to ready the County for the audit. No actual audit dates are set at this time. In response to the question for activating the Land and Forestry Management Review Committee, the Land Commissioner intends on using this committee for the Forest Certification review, and will try to coordinate this with the regular review process. The Land Commissioner reviewed the 2006 Land and Forestry Activities and Income Report with the Board.

2007/07-31 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to renew the Northeast Entrepreneur Fund Non-Financial Agreement for employment and training services as recommended by the Community Service Director and with review of the County Attorney. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/07-32 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to renew the Stellher Professional Services Contract with a 2% increase in rates (non-county dollars) as recommended by the Community Service Director and with review of the County Attorney. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board was notified that Cathy Gordon was hired as a Financial Worker with a starting date of July 30, 2007.

2007/07-33 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee authorizing the Community Service Director to fill the part time Office Support Specialist position, left vacant with the filling of a financial worker position. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/07-34 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson accepting the following recommendations for Foster Day Care and Day Care Licensing: Stacy Horton and Cheryl Graves to close home for day care at provider’s request; Vickie Bernard relicensing for group family day care for ten children; Donna Fairhurst relicensing for family day care for ten children. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Health Director updated the Board on Home Health Care, reporting 39 clients as of July 20, 2007. The Health Educator updated the Board on the Public Health Department’s work and activities to date on emergency preparedness planning with focus on responding to a pandemic influenza and provided notice on an upcoming planning meeting for August 2, 2007 at Kootasca Community Action Building. The Board was informed of an anticipated cut in the federal Health Emergency Preparedness Grant but the details are not known at this time. The Director informed the Board that the ENABL Grant is eliminated as of July 9, 2007, however, the Department intends on providing some of the key components of the program under other similar programs and by seeking alternative funding. The Director reported that the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needed Families) funding is increasing which supports their home visit service. The Director informed the Board that to date, she has worked 60 hours of administrative service for the Tri County Health Agency and is billing the Agency on a quarterly basis. The Director provided information to the Board on the Freedom to Breath Legislation that becomes effective on October 1, 2007 prohibiting smoking in virtually all indoor public places and indoor places of employment (does not prohibit outdoor smoking regardless of distance – this is a local unit of government decision).

2007/07-35 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to approve service contracts with Healthline Home Care, River Oaks Home Health Care and Scenic Rivers Health Care for waivered services effective July 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008 upon review of the contracts by the County Attorney and as recommended by the Health Director. Voting yes: Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck; absent for vote: Lepper. Motion carried.

000 The Assistant Auditor informed the Board of the Duluth Clinic’s decision to end the County medical examiner service agreement under the 30 day out clause, ending the agreement this week and that the request by Administration to extend the agreement for the short term to allow the County more time to find a medical examiner service replacement, was denied. However, the Assistant informed the Board that she was able to secure the support of Dr. Thomas Uncini (Forensic Pathologist) of Lake Land Pathology in Hibbing for interim services until permanent County medical examiner services can be found. It is anticipated that cost will be within the budget set for 2007.

2007/07-36 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Board Chair to appoint and enter into agreement for interim Koochiching County medical examiner services with Doctor Thomas Uncini of Lake Land Pathology until such time as a permanent County medical examiner is found and upon review and approval of the interim service agreement by the County Attorney as recommended by Administration and the County Sheriff. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/07-37 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to send a letter to the International Falls Duluth Clinic Administrator and copied to the Duluth Clinic Board of Directors stating the County’s disappointment in the Administrator’s decision to not extend the current Medical Examiner Service Agreement to assist the County while they find replacement services. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Commissioner Pavleck reported to the Board on his attendance to the July National Association of Counties Organization (NACO) conference in the State of Virginia. The proposed changes to the Federal Clean Water Act to include navigable waters in the definition is a heated topic, with many feeling this change will allow more federal jurisdiction in states. NACO passed a resolution opposing the definition change and any federal efforts to expand the Army Corps authority under the Federal Clean Water Act, which passed with a 30 to 19 vote. He also attended sessions on Green Government which focused on ways to save energy in the operation of government facilities and would like a committee session with the Complex Superintendent to review some of the energy saving strategies. He also attended a session on a national medical prescription card program with Nationwide Insurance Company intended to help the public with the cost of prescription drug costs and would like to see the program explored for Koochiching County.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 12:15 p.m. Arden Barnes in reference to the zone change approval by the Planning Commission for the KEDA property stated it would be helpful to the public and residents of Ranier to explain what M-1 zoning allows so they know what type of manufacturing can take place on this property. With no other comment, the Board Chair closed public comment period.

2007/07-38 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs to adjourn the meeting at 12:20 p.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.