REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, February 26, 2008; 10:30 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Terry Murray, Richard Lehtinen, Doug Grindall, Ryan Heinen, Susan Congrave, Nancy McHarg; Reporters Lisa Kaczke and Jerry Franzen

2008/02-39 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Adee to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/02-40 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes from the February 19, 2008 regular meeting. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/02-41 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $27,389.85, to approve payment of the Health claims in the amount of $12,980.69; to approve payment of the Community Service Department financial and social service program claims and administrative claims as presented and to approve the following burial payments: case #603262 in the amount of $1,045.00 and case #375604 in the amount of $2,287.50. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/02-42 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper to table acceptance of the resignation of long standing member Tony Mueller from the East Koochiching Sanitary Sewer Board as recommended by the East Koochiching Sanitary Sewer Board. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Community Service Director reviewed the State DHS Report on Human Services Performance under 23 measures for evaluating financial assistance, child support and social service programs. The County’s Community Service Agency ranked above State average for all measures but two, which the Agency is working on outreach options to inform the targeted population under these two program areas. The Community Service Director also provided notice to the Board that the Agency’s Program Improvement Plan for Child/Family Review has been approved by the State.

2008/02-43 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee accepting the following recommendations for Foster Day Care and Day Care Licensing: relicense Kelly Jo Mattsen for family day care for ten children; relicense Kim O’Loughlin for group family child care for twelve children; license Jennifer Walls for family day care for ten children. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2008/02-44 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper accepting the recommendation of the Community Service Director to terminate the following non-mandated service agreements to pull needed resources back into the Agency: Stellher Human Services, Social Worker in School District 361 and Raynita Houglum Custody Studies. Voting yes: Lepper, Hanson, Adee, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director provided options he believed existed with regards to the Army Corps stand on determination of wetland credits for the County Dunnick Lake Wetland Bank. From all indications, it does not appear the Corps will change its determination of the 8.28 acres of the created 19.42 acres but the County Board could meet with Army Corps officials to further discuss their determination. Or the County could take the Corps position of 8.28 acres, reject it entirely or evaluate the site for creating more wetlands that the Corps would improve. Board members questioned why the County should have to do the project twice when the original 19 acre site was approved by BWSR. The County should not be penalized for the Corps failure to make a determination at the time the site was established. The Highway Engineer stated that part of the reason the Corps will not approve credits in today’s standards is because of the water depth. In his estimate, filling in this large area to lessen depth will be costly and limited to what equipment can reach. The Soil and Water Technician stated that in addition to the depth, the other determinations made by the Corps for non-acceptance of wetland credits is due to lack of vegetation conducive to wetlands and the steep slopes. The credits accepted for the site are classed Type 4, which is not the typical wetland areas replaced in the County. The credits can be used for other wetland type replacement but more Type 4 wetland credits have to be used. The County could consider using the 19 acre bank for projects not involving the Corps since BWSR accepted the original wetland bank. However, the reality of a project not involving federal funding or Corps jurisdiction is minimal. Having no wetland bank in the County, the Board agreed to look at the cost of establishing more wetland credits at the site that would be acceptable by both BWSR and the Corps which will be needed for development projects in the County. It was agreed to allow the County Wetland Technical Advisory Committee, where all parties are represented, to look at the feasibility of doing work on the Dunnick Lake site to increase the number of acceptable wetland credits with a report and recommendation to come back to the County Board.

000 The Health Department reported that for the most part, the impact of the Freedom to Breathe Act on Koochiching County after one year went well. A review was provided on the 2007 Health Department’s Statistical and Financial Report and information was provided on reported diseases to the public health system in 2006 for Northeast Minnesota. The Director reported on the work group looking at bringing dialysis services to the County.

2008/02-45 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to acknowledge receipt of the minutes from the Professional Advisory Committee meeting on November 19, 2007. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 12:00 p.m. No comment was presented.

2008/02-46 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to adjourn the meeting at 12:00 p.m. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.