REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, October 9, 2007; 10:30 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: James Palm, Hunts Wagner, Terry Murray, Richard Lehtinen, Dennis Hummitzsch, Doug Grindall; Reporter Lisa Kaczke

2007/10-14 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/10-15 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes from the October 2, 2007 regular meeting. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/10-16 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee authorizing the Board Chair’s signature to the Auditor’s September vendor payment listing verifying its review; to approve payment of the Auditor’s claims in the amount of $37,250.08 and to approve payment to Attorney Lyndon Larsen in the amount of $3,864.74 for contracted legal services for the County Attorney’s Office. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/10-17 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs to approve the 2008 Forestland Leases with the Community Services Department, Health Department, Falls Hunger Coalition, and the Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency with no change in terms or rates from 2007 and to approve the 2008 NDAC Building Lease with the Occupational Development Center with no change in terms or rates from 2007 as recommended by the Administration Office. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 A property owner in the Loman area, requested the support of the County Board to put together a team of state and county natural resources agencies to assess and create a plan to restore a bay of the Black River where it connects to the Rainy River. It was stated that this particular bay once had a dam for a log loading area, which has long since been taken down but pilings and other materials still remain in the water. Over the years, these remaining materials have helped create a large build up of silt which has stopped the majority of water flow in this area. He has already contacted representatives from the DNR, MPCA and Soil and Water District who have stated their willingness to look at the situation but they would like the request to come from the County.

2007/10-18 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck to request the MPCA Rainy River Basin Coordinator along with other natural resources agencies, to assess the blockage of water flow from the Black River into the Rainy River due to silt build up and establish a water flow restoration plan and further, to contact property owner James Palm for more information and assistance in the project. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/10-19 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs to approve the 2008-2009 Koochiching County MFIP/CCS Biennial Service Agreement as required by the State for funding assistance and as recommended by the Community Service Director. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.
2007/10-20 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee certifying special assessments on commercial and exempt properties for their delinquent 2006 solid waste service fee plus a ten percent penalty to the Auditor/Treasurer for collection on the 2008 tax statements. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/10-21 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Pavleck to adopt the following resolution to approve the expansion of the East Koochiching Sanitary Sewer District to include Lots 1-3, 6, 8-12 of the Plat of Raven Wood:

WHEREAS, the East Koochiching Sanitary Sewer District Board has recommended adding lot owners in the Plat of Raven Wood, if they request to be in the District, to the EKSSD, and;

WHEREAS, lots 1 – 3, 6, 8 – 12 have requested to be added to the District and Lots 4, 5 and 7 have declined to be added, and;

WHEREAS, at its September 20, 2007 meeting the EKSSD Board voted to accept the annexation of the Plat of Raven Wood, Lots 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12, and;

WHEREAS, on June 26, 2007 the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners (Board) authorized the expansion of the EKSSD to include those lot owners in the Plat of Raven Wood that have petitioned EKSSD to become part of the sewer district.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that owners of Lots 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 be annexed to EKSSD conditioned upon the extension of the sewer collection system to the Plat of Raven Wood pursuant to plans and specifications developed by Benchmark Engineering, Inc. and approved by the EKSSD Board at no cost to the EKSSD, which collection system shall be sold to EKSSD for the sum of one dollar ($1.00) upon completion;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this extension of the current Jackfish Bay sewer project shall be constructed by Wagner Construction, Inc., in conformance with the plans and specifications developed by Benchmark Engineering and approved by EKSSD. Koochiching County and EKSSD shall cooperate with Wagner Construction, Inc., in obtaining the necessary permits, but all costs associated with this expansion shall be borne by the participating property owners within the Plat of Raven Wood. Upon acceptance into EKSSD after completion of construction, the property owners will be subject to all the rules, regulations and fees of the EKSSD. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/10-22 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation of the County Survey Committee to set the rates for the 2008 Surveyor Contract at $45.90/hr and $37.15/hr for the Surveyor and Technician respectively. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/10-23 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs accepting the recommendation of the Land Commissioner to set the following dates for the 2008 Timber Auctions: January 16, May 7, July 30 and November 12. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/10-24 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs adopting the following resolution approving a partnership agreement with Mn/Dot to allow for collaborative work on road projects:

Whereas, The Minnesota Department of Transportation wishes to cooperate closely with local units of government to coordinate the delivery of transportation services and maximize the efficient delivery of such services at all levels of government; and

Whereas, Mn/DOT and local governments are authorized by Minnesota Statutes sections 471.59, 174.02, and 161.20, to undertake collaborative efforts for the design, construction, maintenance and operation of state and local roads; and

Whereas, the parties wish to be able to respond quickly and efficiently to such opportunities for collaboration, and have determined that having the ability to write “work orders” against a master contract would provide the greatest speed and flexibility in responding to identified needs.

Therefore, be it resolved that the County of Koochiching enter into a Master Partnership Contract with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, a copy of which was before the County Board and that the County Highway Engineer is authorized to execute such contract and any amendments thereto.

Be it further resolved, that the County Highway Engineer is authorized to negotiate work order contracts pursuant to the Master Contract, which work order contracts may provide for payment to or from Mn/DOT, and that the County Highway Engineer may execute such work order contracts on behalf of the County without further approval by this County Board. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:25 a.m. No comment was presented.

2007/10-25 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson to adjourn the meeting at 11:25 a.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.