REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, May 20, 2008; 10:10 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Terry Glowack, Richard Lehtinen, Dennis Hummitzsch, Adam Coe, Doug Grindall, Jaci Nagle, Ed Oerichbauer, Mike Fairchild, Tom O"Connell, Einar Sundin, Arden Barnes; Reporter Lisa Kaczke

2008/05-15 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/05-16 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes from the May 6, 2008 regular meeting. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/05-17 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to deny the Step 3 Grievance filed under the LELS Bargaining Unit Contract for claim of compensation due to the employer not using seniority in two events where employees were called in for work. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

000 The Board received notice of the temporary hire of Hannah Schrock in the County Recorder's Office for record automation work.

2008/05-18 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to ratify payment of the May 13, 2008 Auditor claims payment of $43,653.95 as authorized under Board Motion 2008/05-06, to approve payment of the Highway claims in the amount of $168,937.45 and authorizing the Board Chair's signature to the Auditor's April vendor payment listing verifying its review. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/05-19 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve a Minnesota Lawful Gambling LG215 Lease for lawful gambling activity at the Northwoods Y at 5536 Highway 11, International Falls, Minnesota and Lu's at 3796 Highway 53, International Falls, Minnesota for the International Voyageurs, Inc. with the term of the lease agreements to be concurrent with the premise permit issued by the Gambling Control Board as recommended by County Administration. Voting yes: Adee, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2008/05-20 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to adopt the following resolution for the application of Budget FY 2009 IRRRB funds:

WHEREAS, the County of Koochiching (hereafter the "Applicant") is a governmental subdivision, organized and operating under the laws of the State of Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, the Applicant has a need for a grant to assist with economic development as permitted under Laws of Minnesota for 1987, Chapter 182; and

WHEREAS, the Applicant is submitting its request for application to the IRRRB for Budget FY 2009 grant funds.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Applicant's organization hereby authorizes and approves making application to the IRRRB for FY 2009 funds to assist in economic development.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Applicant's Board Chair and County Coordinator are hereby authorized and directed to sign and submit application for the said grant monies and all applicable contracts, documents and agreements associated with the grant or the application for it. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/05-21 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs to approve the June through August, 2008 County Board Meeting schedule as presented by the County Coordinator. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/05-22 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to send a letter to State Veterans Administration Commissioner Clark Dyrud recognizing State Programs and Services Director Reggie Worlds for his interest and assistance to the County Board in selection of the new Koochiching County Veterans Services Officer. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/05-23 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to approve the space renovation plan presented by the Complex Superintendent to relocate the Courthouse mail and photocopy room to a portion of the Treasurer's Office and Boardroom closet to allow for the expansion of the Assessor's Office with a cost not to exceed $15,000 and authorizing a 2008 Budget adjustment transferring $15,000 from the Budget Contingency to the Building Projects Budget as recommended by the County Board's Department Review Team. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

000 The Environmental Service Director provided a scope of work proposal for the Rainy Lake Water Quality Study to be conducted by St. Cloud State University. In deciding the scope of work, the University did consider the County Board's request to test in several island areas of Rainy Lake. However, based on what could actually get done within the time period given, the scope of work will consist of only 9 site study areas with one being an area around Grindstone Island. The Environmental Service Director stated that the water quality testing work is complex and will sample a large number of elements. The proposed scope of work is at $10,800, less than the original proposal.

2008/05-24 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper that in further reference to Board Motions 2008/03-28 and 2008/03-34, to approve a Scope of Work Agreement with the St. Cloud State University as recommended by the Environmental Service Director at a cost of $10,800 for a Rainy Lake Water Quality Condition Assessment for an area from Tilson Creek to Dove Point. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner provided the results of the May 7, 2008 Timber Auction: all tracts sold resulting in 21,161 cords sold for a total auction sale value of $505,404. The Land Commissioner updated the Board on the Forest Certification process through the multi county consortium and the intent of the Department to conduct its own mock audit to check their status for certification. Lastly, he reviewed a letter from the Blandin Foundation stating their continued commitment to assist the consortium in the certification process. The County Board requested that a letter be sent to the Blandin Foundation from the County Board thanking them for their support.

000 The Good Samaritan Care Center Director reviewed the proposal for a new care center with the intent to attach their facility to the new medical campus (combined hospital and clinic development) in International Falls. The current facility is old and does not meet the needs of the residents now and those to come in the future and is more expensive to operate. For a care center to survive, the facility needs to change and they propose a reduced facility of a 48 bed care facility along with an assisted living facility, which will provide long term care and provide living options. Having the care center and hospital attached now has been beneficial for both the hospital and the care center for shared services and exchange of services and it is believed that the clinic would also benefit from this design. The next step is to conduct the feasibility study and design the plan in time to submit a request for the State Moratorium Exception Grant, assuming there was no change to the funding as a result of the 2008 legislative session. If this funding is awarded it would provide 75% of the facility construction cost (December 2008 is anticipated timeline in knowing the award). They will also start a major funding campaign for the remaining facility construction cost and start up cost. They are hoping to do all of this within the timeframe of the plans for the new medical campus facility. To that end, the Director is looking for the County's general support for the new development and specific to wetland mitigation as needed and elderly waiver funding contracts for the assisted living services. In response to the question, the Director stated that Alzheimer's units are a consideration in the new facility but the cost of a separate locked unit with separate staffing has to be weighed with utilization to break even. The Director stated that they intend to conduct this study. Though the Board members were in support of the new development as a needed service for the County, members were uncomfortable committing to elderly waiver contracts until they reviewed the request with the Community Services Director.

2008/05-25 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to authorize the Board Chair to submit a letter of support from the Koochiching County Board to Good Samaritan Society for their proposed care center/assisted living facility in International Falls as needed service and infrastructure. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/05-26 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to authorize the Highway Engineer to offer pay for the Senior Engineering Technician hire at 100% of the pay scale per Union Contract and authorize the starting pay of the Assistant Engineer at 100% as requested by the Highway Engineer which was needed for recruitment purposes. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/05-27 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper to reappoint Douglas Grindall as the Koochiching County Highway Engineer for a four-year term. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/05-28 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson accepting the Highway Engineer's recommendation to award low bid to Redstone Construction Company in the amount of $3,158,033.85 for SAP 36-601-08, CSAH 1 Bridge Replacement Project. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008.05-29 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to adopt the following resolution for the Agreement to State Transportation Fund (Bridge Bonds) Grant Terms and Conditions:

WHEREAS, Koochiching County has applied to the Commissioner of Transportation for a grant from the Minnesota State Transportation Fund for construction of Bridge No. 36528; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Transportation has given notice that funding for this bridge is available; and

WHEREAS, the amount of the grant has been determined to be $ 1,397,579.55 by reason of the lowest responsible bid;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that Koochiching County does hereby agree to the terms and conditions of the grant consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 174.50, subdivision 5, clause (3), and will pay any additional amount by which the cost exceeds the estimate, and will return to the Minnesota State Transportation Fund any amount appropriated for the bridge but not required. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/05-30 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper accepting the Highway Engineer's recommendation to award low bid to Jaak, LLC for E911 signs and installation for the unorganized areas of the County as described in the Phase I Rural Addressing Plan and to include the City of Mizpah for a total bid of $134,542.48 and further, with the City of Mizpah to reimburse the County for the final cost of the signs and installation within the City upon completion of the project. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/05-31 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to authorize the Highway Engineer to purchase 300 additional E911 sign posts with a cost not to exceed $3,000 to be stored at the County garage and made available for sign installation through the E911 Address/Sign Permitting process. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/05-32 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the E911 Rural Addressing Committee for the administrative process and $100 application fee for assigning a rural address and erecting a 911 sign for new property development or other property requests outside the Phase I Project. Further, directing the Coordinator to establish an account for revenues and expenditures for the 911 Rural Address Program. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 12:00 p.m. Ed Oerichbauer, Tom O'Connell and Mike Fairchild, representatives of the Northern District Fair Board, informed the Board that they have explored all options for a carnival event for the fair this year and for various reasons were not able to find a carnival. However, they have found an air-filled obstacle attraction to replace the carnival and will increase the number of games and food and beverage stands. Also due to cost, they will not hold the rodeo and replace this event with a horse barrel racing event. They have hired Twilight Zone Company to host an outside movie event following the mud races. All in all the Fair Board believes this year's fair will be more eventful than in past years. Historical Society Director Ed Oerichbauer informed the Board that the Courthouse historical painting is completed and provided a letter of certification from the Architect. When costs are finalized and paid, he will submit a request for the $20,000 State Historical Society Grant on behalf of the County. Einar Sundin thanked the Board for implementing rural address signage and Arden Barnes acknowledged the work of Ed Oerichbauer in all his community work and as Mayor of Ranier.

000 With no further business, the Board Chair adjourned the meeting at 12:10 p.m.