Koochiching County Board Minutes 1-17-06

Board Minutes

for

November 13, 2007

REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, November 13, 2007; 10:40 a.m.

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Ann Scholler, Joe Boyle, Paul Nevenan, Dennis Hummitzsch, Terry Murray, Brian Youso, Richard Lehtinen, Susan Congrave; Reporter Lisa Kaczke

2007/11-01 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-02 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson to approve the minutes from the October 23, 2007 regular meeting. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-03 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation of the Personnel Committee for a revised C42 Public Health Nurse Position Description. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board received notice that Sherri Owen was hired as a part time Correctional Officer on October 9, 2007.

2007/11-04 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs to approve the employment separation of part time Correctional Officer Mary Starks on November 5, 2007. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-05 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee authorizing the Sheriff to fill a vacant part time Correctional Officer position due to an employment separation. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-06 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs to approve for the elected County Sheriff, County Attorney, County Recorder and County Auditor/Treasurer positions for 2008 an adjustment in salary reflective of a 2% salary increase over 2007 and paid health and life insurance benefits to include as of January 1, 2008 100% of health insurance premium paid for single health coverage and $1,078 per month (not to exceed) paid for family health coverage. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.
2007/11-07 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of 29,792.31, to approve payment of the monthly County Board expense claims in the amount of $8,885.09 and to authorize the Board Chair’s signature to the Auditor’s October vendor payment listing verifying its review. Further, to adjust Auditor Warrant #252720 in the amount of $200.00 to reissue payment to the Estate of John Gieser as recommended by the Auditor/Treasurer. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-08 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs to approve a Tobacco License for the period of December 1, 2007 through December 31, 2008 for the Arrowhead Store located at 3797 Highway 53, International Falls, MN as recommended by the Auditor/Treasurer. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-09 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson that it will be the standing policy of the Koochiching County Board that the Board Chair or Acting Chair is authorized to execute on behalf of the County, as a joint owner of the Falls International Airport, any grant agreements issued by the Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Aeronautics for airport improvements, equipment purchases, maintenance and operations, or any other airport development purposes, following acceptance of the grant by the County Board as a whole. Signatures on federal Airport Improvement Grants will be those required by the Federal Aviation Administration. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-10 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs accepting the recommendation of the Convention and Visitors Bureau to appoint Betsy Jensen to a vacancy on the Board of Directors due to the resignation of Christa Heibel. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-11 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson adopting the following resolution supporting the Minnesota Rural Caucus Coalition to engage AMC to support the National Association of Counties (NACo) in their opposition to changes in the Federal Clean Water Act:

WHEREAS, The Congress of the United States has taken up measures to broaden the scope of the jurisdiction of the nation’s Clean Water Act (CWA); and

WHEREAS, one change being sought through federal legislation will remove from the act the term “navigable waters’ and replace it with the term “waters of the United States”; and

WHEREAS, said change in language will negatively impact local units of government in that the US Army Corps of Engineers will be forced to review projects and applications for permits in greater numbers, which may also cause delay of permitting to local agencies; it is noted that the Corps already faces a national backlog of 30,000 permits under present definition of waters; and

WHEREAS, the National Association of Counties (NACo) opposes any federal efforts to change the definition in the CWS from “navigable waters,” to “waters of the United States”;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners strongly supports the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) in endorsing NACo’s opposition to federal efforts to change the definition in the CWA from “navigable waters” to “waters of the United States.” Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-12 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Pavleck that Koochiching County as a member of the National Association of Counties (NACo) to join the NACo Prescription Discount Drug Program offering discounted prescription drug prices to the public from participating pharmacies resulting in cost savings to the pubic as a whole and for the underinsured and uninsured in Koochiching County. Motion further authorizes the Board Chair to sign the NACo Managed Pharmacy Benefit Service Agreement upon the County Attorney’s approval and authorizes Administration staff to set in motion a plan to distribute the Prescription Discount Drug Cards and Program information to the public at large with authorization including expenditure for advertising and distribution. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-13 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Briggs to adopt the following resolution designating the County Officials authorized to sign on the County’s behalf for executing an Exclusive Easement to the Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific Railway Company:

WHEREAS, the County of Koochiching has agreed to provide an Exclusive Easement to the Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific Railway Company for a described parcel of tax forfeited land being part of the Bedell’s Addition to International Falls as previously authorized and legally described in County Board motion 2007/07-10;

WHEREAS, it is necessary for the County of Koochiching to execute an Exclusive Easement to the Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific Railroad Company;

WHEREAS, Charles Lepper, Board Chair, and Robert E. Peterson, County Auditor/Treasurer, are authorized to execute documents on behalf of the County of Koochiching.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Koochiching County Commissioners authorize Charles Lepper, Board Chair, and Robert E. Peterson, County Auditor/Treasurer, to execute an Exclusive Easement on behalf of the County of Koochiching. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-14 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to adopt the following resolution designating the County Officials authorized to sign on the County’s behalf for executing agreements for the sale of property to the Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific Railway Company, previously authorized in County Board motion 2007/07-09:

WHEREAS, it is necessary for the County of Koochiching to execute a Warranty Deed, a Seller’s Certification Under Foreign Investment in Real Property Act, and Affidavit Regarding Corporation to accomplish this property sale;

WHEREAS, Charles Lepper, Board Chair, and Teresa Jaksa, County Coordinator, are authorized to execute any and all documents on behalf of the County of Koochiching necessary to accomplish this sale.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Koochiching County Commissioners authorize Charles Lepper, Board Chair, and Teresa Jaksa, County Coordinator, to execute any and all documents necessary to accomplish this property sale, including, but not by means of limitation, a Warranty Deed, a Seller’s Certification Under Foreign Investment in Real Property Act, and Affidavit Regarding Corporation on behalf of the County of Koochiching. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-15 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to approve the employment separation of Social Worker Connie Kalar due to retirement and authorizing the Community Service Director to fill a vacant social worker position due to an employment separation. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-16 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Pavleck that upon the final closing and payment to the County for the property sale and exclusive easement to the Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific Railway Company, the Coordinator and Land Commissioner are authorized to reconcile monies due for the easement and property sale and adjust the Trust Fund and KDA Funds accordingly. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-17 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to approve a Tax Forfeited Land Repurchase Application for property described as Lot 7-A, Block 6, Plat of Hadler & Linstens Addition to International Falls per County Policy and as recommended by the Land Commissioner. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-18 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson that under an approved regional ARMER Border Grant for Interoperable Communications Equipment, authorizing the Sheriff to purchase equipment as approved in the grant with expenditure up to $8,142.88, the County’s share of the regional grant and to be reimbursed to the County upon submitting the necessary documentation to St. Louis County, applicant for the grant. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-19 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson that in accordance with the MN Emergency Management Local Emergency Operations Planning Policy, the Koochiching County Board has reviewed and determined that the County’s Emergency Operation Plan adequately addresses local emergency planning and state and federal planning requirements and therefore authorizes the Board Chair to sign the Local Emergency Operations Plan Review Document finding that the local plan adequately addresses planning requirements. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-20 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to revise County Board Motion 2007/10-42 to authorize an internal budget line item adjustment of $8,000 from 12-391-.6351 to 12-395.6670 after further review of available funding in the 2007 Environmental Service Budget for the recycle trailer purchase. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-21 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to accept the resignation of Susan Baratono from the Planning Commission and appoint Joel Maggert to the vacant seat as recommended by the Environmental Service Director. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-22 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to defer action on the City of Littlefork’s request to waive demolition fees for demolition of four structures in the City limits to the November 20 County Board meeting in order to obtain more information from the City on their request. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-23 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee to approve an addendum to the First Plan Blue Care Coordination Contract for expansion of services as recommended by the Health Director and upon review by the County Attorney. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-24 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to approve a Waiver Contract with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota for the Senior Companion Program as recommended by the Health Director and upon review by the County Attorney. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-25 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper (Chair to Commissioner Hanson) to deny the request from Extension Services to utilize county staff to perform office support work for the Extension Nutrition Education Program. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-26 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs that due to the need of the public for local services and the dangers presented to those having to travel for dialysis, authorizing Commissioner Lepper in representing the County Board and in conjunction with the Health Director, to look at the feasibility of locating dialysis services in Koochiching County and further, to consider forming a County Task Force to assist with the mission. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-27 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs authorizing Board members’ attendance to a legislative forum on long term care on Monday, November 19 at 4:00 p.m. at the Good Samaritan Care Center as a County Board activity. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2007/11-28 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to adjourn the meeting at 12:30 p.m. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.