REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, November 18, 2008; 10:10 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Pavleck, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs

MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Adee (Death in the Family)

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Bob Murray, Matt Gouin, David Serrano, Richard Lehtinen,
Dale Olson, Jan Derdowski, Phil Miller, Allen Kruse; Reporter Lisa Kascke

2008/11-08 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/11-09 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes from the November 4, 2008 County Board meeting. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/11-10 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs accepting the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to deny the Courthouse AFSCME Step 3 Grievance pertaining to documentation placed in an employee’s personnel file in finding no violation of Article XIV, Section 4 of the Union Contract as claimed by the grievance. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/11-11 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation of the County Insurance Committee to renew the NE Cooperative Blue Cross CMM Group Plan for 2009 at the rate of $447 single monthly premium and $1,194 family monthly premium and to include the optional VEBA Plan #823 at the rate of $333 single monthly premium and $892 family monthly premium with the employer contribution to continue at the current 2008 cap levels whereas the employer pays 100% of the single monthly premium and $1,078 of the family monthly premium for the Blue Cross CMM Group Plan and $426 for the single monthly premium and $1,078 for the family monthly premium for the optional VEBA Plan #823. That employee’s selection of the CMM Group Plan will require a $116 per month employee premium contribution for family coverage as a pre-tax payroll deduction under the County Flexible Spending Plan. Further to accept the recommendation of the County Insurance Committee to renew the County’s Flexible Spending Plan with Select Account with no change in rates and with the continuing employee-employer cost share of the monthly administration fee for participating employees at a rate of $2 per month. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/11-12 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper approving a zero percent (0%) increase for the Koochiching County Board’s salary and per diem rate for 2009 and approving the 2009 County Board Per Diem/Expense Policy. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/11-13 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve payment of the Highway claims in the amount of $102,368.38, to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $62,263.46 and authorize the Board Chair’s signature to the Auditor’s October vendor payment listing verifying Board’s review. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/11-14 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper authorizing the County Coordinator to request bids for the County’s 2009 publications as required under MN Statute. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/11-15 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Briggs accepting the recommendation of the County Surveying Committee to award the county surveying contract to Murray Surveying, Inc. under a two-year agreement effective January 1, 2009 and further, that due to an issue raised by the other bidder, to ensure that the future contract spec is clear on the work plan for bidding purposes. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/11-16 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to accept the recommendation of the Environmental Service Director to require the current level of insurance coverage for the Canister Site Attendant Contracts based on level of service and risk exposure in maintaining county canister sites and further, to direct the Administration Department to conduct a comprehensive review of contracted services by the County as it relates to the statutory requirement for insurance coverage, risk exposure and cost effectiveness to the County Budget. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/11-17 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to accept the recommendation of the Environmental Service Director to award low bid for canister site attendant and canister site hauling contracts for the Big Falls, Birchdale, Littlefork, Loman, Mizpah, Ray and Silverdale County Canister Sites to include the upfront payment term in the canister site attendant contracts and with the bid awards on file in the Environmental Service Department. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

000 A representative from the Regional Extension/4H Office provided the Board an update on the County’s 4H Program. In addition, the representative stated that talks are occurring with the University in recognizing distance requirements in and outside of Koochiching County for delivery of services from regional and state extension offices. The Board thanked the representative for their continued support of extension programs and services in the County and for the efforts in the County’s 4H Program growth and success.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:45 a.m. The Board recognized District 3 Commissioner Elect Brian McBride.

000 At the County Board’s request, the County Attorney reviewed the City’s statements in the November 18th newspaper alleging conspiracy amongst county and MnDot officials and advised that the County continue to act as they have been in representing their good faith and factual decision in going forward with the Highway 332 Road Project. The County Attorney further stated that with the inflammatory statements made by the City in the newspaper, he could not advise that the County meet at this time as requested by the City in their November 18 letter to the County Board to join them in working together to resolve this road issue. The County Attorney advised to let the Commissioner of Transportation go forward with the decision.

000 The Board Chair deferred the request to revise a VSO Grant Award to the afternoon for review with the VSO.

2008/11-18 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve the 2009 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 2008 and to approve the 2009 NDAC Building Lease with the Occupational Development Center with no change in terms or rates from 2008 as recommended by the Administration Office. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/11-19 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to table action on the request by the City of International Falls to agree to a six-month delay of the Commissioner’s order decision and request a meeting with the County Board to discuss new information on the Highway 332 Road Project. Voting yes to table: Hanson, Lepper, Briggs; voting no: Pavleck. Motion carried.

2008/11-20 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Hanson that by notice of the VSO of a 2008 V.A. Grant award of $2,800 to be expended by April 2009 and another $16,000 V.A. Grant to be awarded in 2009 to support the County VSO Office in equipment and limited operational items, and in review of the VSO’s request to revise the previous board motion to expend the 2008 Grant on a desk rather than computer equipment and purchase computer equipment with the 2009 Grant award, the Board deferred expenditure of the 2008 Grant until 2009 and directed the VSO to get a guarantee of both grant awards before submitting a expenditure plan to the Board for approval due to the uncertainty of state funding as actions are taken to deal with the state budget deficit. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/11-21 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to adjourn the meeting at 1:55 p.m. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.