REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, December 2, 2008; 10:20 a.m.

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

MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Susan Congrave, Bob Peterson, Brian Youso, Richard Lehtinen,
Arden Barnes, Terry Murray; Reporter Lisa Kascke

2008/12-01 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/12-02 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes from the November 25, 2008 County Board meeting with corrections. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/12-03 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve a revised 2009 Per Diem and Expense Policy due to Administration’s omission of the adjustment of per diem for regular county board meetings per the County Board’s position in setting the 2009 County Board salary and per diem. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/12-04 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs to approve payment of the monthly County Board expense claims in the amount of $6,983.63 and to approve an Auditor warrant payment for a missed Environmental Service Claim to Earl Boyum in the amount of $778.71 for work done on one of the Transfer Station trailers as recommended by the Environmental Service Director. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/12-05 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper that under the County Road Vacation Policy to set a public hearing for Tuesday, January 27, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. to receive public comment on the request of Joe Jessop to vacate a portion of Pine Street, all of Spruce Street, and all of Second and Third Avenue with said roads within Auditor Plat 15, located in Ray, Minnesota. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/12-06 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs submitting the following directive to all Department Heads that no Department shall exceed their set county budget as provided by the County Board through the adopted County Budget without express authority of the County Board for a budget change and further, that any infractions of this policy shall be reported to the County Board by Administration through the Budget Reporting process and dealt with by the County Board in the manner necessary to ensure the Department’s compliance. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/12-07 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson to approve a 67 day temporary hire of a Home Health Aide to service two County Home Care Clients in Northome beginning in 2009 to replace sending current aides from International Falls to service the clients as recommended by the Health Director. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/12-08 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve a 67 day temporary hire of a LPN beginning in 2009 to add a fifth position to the roster for serving the County’s private duty nursing case as recommended by the Health Director. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/12-09 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee to approve a Joint Powers Agreement between the Minnesota Office of the Secretary of State and Koochiching County for reimbursement of cost for the mandatory recount of the U.S. Senate Race as recommended by the Auditor/Treasurer. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Briggs; absent for vote: Lepper. Motion carried.

2008/12-10 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper accepting the recommendation of the County Sheriff to set a public hearing for Tuesday, January 20, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. to receive public comment for the adoption of the final Koochiching County Hazard Mitigation Plan which recently received approval by FEMA and is a required for receiving FEMA assistance. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/12-11 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Briggs adopting the following resolution accepting the City of Ranier’s request to turn over to Koochiching County the responsibility for the administration of the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) in their City:

WHEREAS, the City of Ranier adopted the rules and regulations for WCA within the legal boundaries of the City; and

WHEREAS, the City of Ranier recognizes it lacks sufficient staff to perform the technical duties associated with WCA administration; and

WHEREAS, the City of Ranier requests to delegate administration of the WCA within the city limits over to the proper authorities in Koochiching County; and

WHEREAS, the County Board of Commissioners accepts the City’s request for help in the administration of WCA.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners delegates responsibility of WCA administration in the City of Ranier to the Environmental Services Department contingent on the agreement with the Koochiching County Soil and Water Conservation District to provide technical assistance and expertise for County wetland matters. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/12-12 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper to approve a consulting service agreement with Costin Group, Inc. as presented at a cost of $1,000 per month plus expenses for the purpose of assisting the County in securing funding for the proposed Rainy Lake Basin Sewer Project with funding for the service agreement to come from the Environmental Trust Fund at a cost not to exceed $15,000. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.

2008/12-13 Motion by Briggs, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Environmental Service Director to request proposals for engineering firms for a final engineering plan for the proposed Rainy Lake Basin Sewer Project. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.
000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:25 a.m. Arden Barnes was provided an explanation on the difference between requesting proposals and requesting bids.

000 The KCCS Director requested a review with the Board regarding the funding contribution of $5,000 to Friends Against Abuse as he would like to explore a service contract with them for some of the required social service family visitations after first reviewing the idea with the Judge and social service staff. If the contract works, it would reduce the workload of Social Service staff and he could leverage the $5,000 of county dollars with other social service revenue sources and/or expenditure savings to offer a $15,000 service contract to Friends Against Abuse for family visitation services. The County Board was very supportive of the idea and appreciated the Director coming forth with a possible collaborative resolution to meet the needs of both agencies. The Board requested the Director to propose the service contract idea and report back with the outcome.

2008/12-14 Motion by Adee, seconded by Briggs to adjourn the meeting at 11:40 a.m. Voting yes: Pavleck, Hanson, Adee, Lepper, Briggs. Motion carried.