Koochiching County Board Minutes/title> <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1"> <script language="JavaScript" type="text/JavaScript">  </script> </head> <body bgcolor="#FFFFFF" text="#000000" onLoad="MM_preloadImages('../../../panel/orangeNews.gif','../../../panel/orangeDept.gif','../../../panel/orangeServ.gif','../../../panel/orangeHist.gif','../../../panel/orangeLinks.gif')"> <table width="765" border="0" cellpadding="3" cellspacing="0">  <tr> <td width="135" height="370" valign="top"> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="2"> <tr> <td height="192" valign="top"><a href="../../../index.html"><img src="../../../pic/klogo2.gif" alt="Click here to return to Main Page" width="124" height="188" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="26" valign="top"><a href="../../newsmain.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('news','','../../../panel/orangeNews.gif',1)"><img src="../../../panel/greenNews.gif" alt="Click here for County News" name="news" width="127" height="22" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="26" valign="top"><a href="../../../dept/deptmain.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('dept','','../../../panel/orangeDept.gif',1)"><img src="../../../panel/greenDept.gif" alt="Click here for a list of Departments" name="dept" width="127" height="22" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="26" valign="top"><a href="../../../serv/servmain.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Serv','','../../../panel/orangeServ.gif',1)"><img src="../../../panel/greenServ.gif" alt="Click here for County Services" name="Serv" width="127" height="22" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="26" valign="top"><a href="../../../history/histmain.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('History','','../../../panel/orangeHist.gif',1)"><img src="../../../panel/greenHist.gif" alt="Click here for County History" name="History" width="127" height="22" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td height="26" valign="top"><a href="../../../links/linksmain.htm" onMouseOut="MM_swapImgRestore()" onMouseOver="MM_swapImage('Jobs','','../../../panel/orangeLinks.gif',1)"><img src="../../../panel/greenLinks.gif" alt="Click here for Links to other Websites" name="Jobs" width="127" height="22" border="0"></a></td> </tr> <tr> <td valign="top"> </td> </tr> </table></td> <td width="1" rowspan="3"> </td> <td width="611" rowspan="2" valign="top"> <div align="center"> <p> </p> <p><strong><font size="+7">Board Minutes</font></strong></p> <p><strong><font size="5">for</font></strong></p> <p><font size="5">January 27, 2009</font></p> </div> <p align="center"> </p> <p align="center">REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS<br> Held on Tuesday, January 27, 2009; 9:30 a.m.</p> <p>MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck</p> <p>MEMBERS ABSENT: None</p> <p>OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Joel Maggert, Susan Congrave, Aarden Barnes, Terry Murray, Dennis Hummitzsch, Brian Youso, Richard Lehtinen, Steve Blair, Rick Adams, James and Jessie Jessop, David Serrano; Reporter Lisa Kaczke</p> <p>2009/01-32 Motion by Adee, seconded by McBride to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.</p> <p>2009/01-33 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes from the January 20, 2009 regular meeting. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.</p> <p>2009/01-34 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to approve payment of the Auditor claims in the amount of $57,006.68; to approve the 2009 NCLUCB membership dues in the amount of $5,000.00 with one half payment now and the second half to be paid on July 1, 2009 subject to further consideration for anticipated 2009 Budget shortfalls; to approve payment of the Health claims in the amount of $52,080.93; to approve payment of the Community Service Department financial and social service program claims and administrative claims as presented; to approve payment (in February) of the first half 2009 County Budget allocations for Libraries, Fairs, AB/Backus, Soil and Water, Historical Society, Humane Society, Airport Commission and Intl Falls Ambulance and to approve quarterly payments under the UOM Agreement for the 4H Program Coordinator; and under Board Motion 2005/02-32 to pay $2,000 to the Koochiching Housing and Redevelopment Authority for per diem expense. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried </p> <p>2009/01-35 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to set the 2009 County Board of Equalization Meetings: Tuesday, June 16 to convene at 2:00 p.m. with Assessor’s opening report and appointments; Tuesday, June 23 at 6:00 p.m. to continue appointments with intent to conclude work and adjourn after 7:00 p.m.; Friday, June 26 is reserved if more meeting time is needed to conclude work (the County Board of Equalization must adjourn by June 29) Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried</p> <p>000 The Board reviewed proposals for space in the Northome newspaper for the purpose of County advertising and publication of minutes due to the Northome area being remotely removed from services of the County’s legal newspaper located in International Falls. The Coordinator provided financial information for 2006 and 2007 when the Northome Record was in operation stating the County was spending on an average $2,600 a year in advertising cost. This cost did not include any payments received by the Northome Record from the Daily Journal under the joint legal newspaper bid agreement. Though the County would continue to use the Northome paper for its advertising, publication of the minutes is discontinued due to the paper not being qualified to jointly bid with the Daily Journal. Based on the proposal by the Northome Newspaper for the County to reserve a ¾ page per paper, two times a month at $100 per paper for advertising and minute publication, total cost to the county would be less in comparison to 2006 and 2007. The owner stated that the paper would manage the space for the County printing minutes or minute summaries and giving space priority to any County advertising needs and requirements. The Coordinator stated that because there is not a joint bid for 2009, cost from the Daily Journal under the legal bid agreement should be down to accommodate funding in the Departments printing and advertisement budgets to cover cost in the Northome paper and this agreement allows county information to once again get to this part of the county. The coordinator recommended, however, this be done on a one year trial basis with the hope that a joint bid situation will occur again for the future. The owner stated they would submit one billing to the Administration Office but itemize the allocation of space based on each Department’s advertising request so budgets can be billed accordingly. </p> <p>2009/01-36 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by McBride to approve county publication and advertising space in the Northome Newspaper for a three-quarter page at $100 per paper to be published twice a month for an annual cost not to exceed $2,400 and to approve under a one year trial period; further billings will be submitted to Administration with a break down of department cost for payment from the respective department budgets. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried</p> <p>000 Commissioner Lepper informed the Board that a recent fundraiser event was held to support work being done to bring dialysis services to the County. Prior to this event, the County received $7,000 in donations and has been contacted by others willing to make large contributions to get this service here. Some are optimistic this will happen but others feel our numbers are low to support the service. Though there is no firm numbers yet, they are working towards capitalization and start up cost with the belief that service would be fully supported thereafter by user’s health insurances. When asked, Commissioner Lepper stated that the local care facilities have been very supportive in this endeavor. </p> <p>2009/01-37 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to renew the Northland Counseling Center Contract for mental health services and non-consolidated fund chemical dependency services with a change in services and cost as recommended by the Community Service Director and upon approval by the County Attorney. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried</p> <p>2009/01-38 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to renew the Pineview Recovery Center and Pineview Recovery Detox Contracts with no change as recommended by the Community Service Director and upon approval by the County Attorney. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried</p> <p>2009/01-39 Motion by Adee, seconded by McBride to renew the Philips Lifeline Contract for home and community based services (KERP units) as recommended by the Community Service Director and upon approval by the County Attorney. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried</p> <p>000 The Community Service Director informed the Board that after meeting with the Mortuary to further review their rate increases for County burials, the Director was informed they have not increased their rates since 1998 and adjusted rates to break even on costs understanding the County’s burial mandate and budget concern. The Director was informed that in St. Louis County they are not doing a full fledge funeral but rather having the service at the cemetery to reduce cost. The Director stated that in comparing the County burial rates to the region, the rates are low and would recommend accepting the adjusted mortuary rates as of January 1, 2009. The Board requested the Director to provide more information on the cemetery service option for further review. </p> <p>2009/01-40 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck accepting the recommendation of the Community Service Director to approve the adjusted mortuary rates as of January 1, 2009 for County burials. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried<br> <br> 2009/01-41 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee accepting the following Foster Care, Day Care and Adult Foster Care Licensing recommendations: license Trena Glover for family day care for ten children and relicense Jennifer Walls for family day care for ten children. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.</p> <p>000 The Community Service Director informed the Board that the case load per Financial Worker is well over the DHS case load standard with the increase being a sign of the failing economy. He wanted the Board to be aware of the pressures on the financial unit and to be aware that the large case loads are causing processing time lags. The Board Chair appreciated the efforts of the financial unit staff and acknowledged the situation but until more information is known on the direction the state budget will take the county, the Board is in no position to consider any change at this time. </p> <p>2009/01-42 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to transfer $4,000 from the 2009 Sr. Solution Budget to Community Services as Fiscal Agent for the Senior Solutions Committee to provide for the annual Senior Companion and Senior Wheels Programs as recommended by the Sr. Solutions Planning Facilitator. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.</p> <p>2009/01-43 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to set aside $5.00 per capita from the 2008 Trust Fund income (approximately $70,800) for promotion as allowed under MN Statute with allocation as follows: allocate forty percent of the promotion funds to the cities within Koochiching County with allocation ratio to be the same as in previous year and with a letter to accompany the checks stating what the funds can be expended on and when they have to be expended and to allocate sixty percent of the promotions funds to the Koochiching Development Authority to be held and utilized for the promotion of tourism, agricultural and industrial development as defined in MN Statutes. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper, Pavleck; voting no: Adee. Motion carried.</p> <p>2009/01-44 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck authorizing the Land Commissioner to seek bids to replace a forestry truck due to an accident with the bid specs to include the option of trade in of the Department’s spare forestry truck and with $6,500 insurance reimbursement to offset the replacement cost as recommended by the Land Commissioner. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.</p> <p>2009/01-45 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to authorize the Land Commissioner to request proposals from qualified consulting firms to prepare a Management Plan for Koochiching County Administered Lands with a contract and funding recommendation to come back to the County Board for approval as recommended by the Land Commissioner. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.</p> <p>000 The Land Commissioner informed the Board that the DNR Commissioner approved the recommended Managed OHV/ATV Trail Designation Plan for Koochiching County based on North of Highway 2 OHV/ATV Legislation. The Land Commissioner stated that the County received notification of the SFI Forest Certification and is waiting on notification for the FSC Certification. The Land Commissioner requested direction on demolition of the old Theater Building on Main Street in International Falls as the project will require knowledge in separating buildings and demolition of a three story building. The City stated they would help with hauling of the demo but did not want to do the demolition. The Land Commissioner felt this was not a typical demolition project in that it requires separation from an adjoining building and is a three story brick building on main street. The Board inquired whether the County Highway Department could do the demolition once the building separation was complete and it was agreed to have the Engineer review the project and provide a response. Thereafter the Board directed the Land Commissioner to come back with plan options and costs for demolition of the building this winter. </p> <p>000 At the request of the Land Commissioner, the County Board scheduled a Woods Tour with Land and Forestry staff for March 6, 2009.</p> <p>2009/01-46 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to authorize the Sheriff to seek bids for one squad car and one squad truck with the bid specs to include the option of trade in of three vehicles and to assist with the budget, to transfer to the General Revenue Fund the proceeds from an upcoming auction of forfeited vehicles in possession of the Sheriff’s Department as recommended by the Sheriff. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried</p> <p>2009/01-47 Motion by McBride, seconded by Adee accepting the recommendation of the Planning Commission to approve Conditional Use Permit #0807 to Minnesota Towers, Inc. (agent for AT&T Mobility) for a 300 foot communication (cell) tower located at 5748 Highway 11 (PID 28-031-11000) on property owned by Dean and Carrie Erickson. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried</p> <p>000 The Board Chair opened a public hearing at 11:15 a.m. to receive public comment on a road vacation request by Joe Jessop. The Board Chair acknowledged receipt of written comment submitted on the request and opened the hearing for further comment. James Jessop representing the petitioner stated the reason for the road vacation is to allow full utilization of the property for farming purposes as currently, any permanent use on these various undeveloped public accesses is prohibited. In addition there appears to be no public purpose for the County to ever develop these roads since the majority of the land around them is owned by the petitioner. The Petitioner does not see the vacation of these undeveloped roads having a negative impact to the Ray area and does not impact the other adjoining properties’ accesses. In response to the Board’s inquiry, the Highway Engineer stated that a portion of Pine Street and Second Avenue is recommended to be retained for road maintenance purposes and that the public notice on the road vacation describes the road vacation request less the portion to be retained by the County. A motion by Commissioner Lepper to approve the road vacation died for a lack of a second. Board members stated they received inquiries from adjoining property owners not able to attend the hearing wanting assurances that the road vacation does not negatively impact their properties and Board members would like more time to review the matter. In identifying and reviewing all the adjoining properties on the map, staff pointed out that there is no impact to their current accesses and all properties abutting the roads to be vacated, will gain property which was viewed as a benefit, not a negative, to these property owners. </p> <p>2009/01-48 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper to approve the road vacation request by Joe Jessop described as: all of Third Avenue; that portion of Second Avenue lying westerly of the northerly projection of the west line of Lot 1, Block 4; that portion of Pine Street lying northerly of the easterly projection of the north line of Lot 9, Block 1; that portion of Spruce Street lying northerly of the easterly projection of the south line of Lot 12, Block 3; and all of the alleys located in Blocks 1, 2, 3 and 4 all within the Plat of Ray; and an extension of Spruce Street between Lot 8 on the east and Lots 9 and 64 on the west in Auditor’s Plat 15. That a portion of Spruce Street and Second Avenue will be retained by the County for county road maintenance purposes described as the portion of Second Avenue lying easterly of the northerly projection of the west line of Lot 1, Block 4, Plat of Ray and a portion of Pine Street lying southerly of the easterly projection of the north line of Lot 9, Block 1, Plat of Ray. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Lepper; voting no: Adee, Pavleck. Motion carried.</p> <p> 000 The Highway Engineer provided information to the Board on the requirement to bring road signs up to the new federal retro reflectivity standards. The county is required to have a time table established by 2012 with sign faces replaced by 2015. However, 3M announced its grant program to assist counties with this work by providing up to 50% of the cost for the sign sheeting, estimating 25 to 33% of the total sign cost for the county. The Engineer estimated 2000 to 3000 signs on roads under County jurisdiction for replacement and about 33% of them are on CSAH roads where state aid funds could be used. The Engineer estimated total cost of $90,000 with about half the cost in county dollars after considering CSAH and 3M Grant dollars. Otherwise, the original plan was to do sign replacement on a year to year basis based on annual funding allotted in the budget. The Board directed the Engineer to complete the sign inventory and provide detailed plan options for the Board to consider in meeting this public safety requirement. </p> <p>000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:45 a.m. David Serrano, d.b.a. ARRO of the North, LLC, just found out that the County was requesting proposals from engineering firms for a plan to extend sewer to the lake area and that his firm provides land surveying and engineering services. It was verified that no notice was put in the newspaper but that solicitation was done by notifying known engineering firms in the region. The Highway Engineer stated that he was not aware that ARRO of the North provided engineering services. After confirmation that RFPs had not been opened, the Board informed the Engineer that no RFPS will be opened and reviewed until ARRO has the opportunity to submit its proposal within a timeline established by the County. </p> <p>2009/01-49 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to adjourn the meeting at 11:50 a.m. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried<br> </p> <p align="center"> </p></td> </tr> <tr> <td width="135" height="1050"> </td> </tr> <tr> <td height="25"> </td> <td width="611" valign="top"> </td> </tr> </table> <p align="center"><a href="../../../index.html">Main</a> <a href="../../newsmain.htm">News</a> <a href="../../../dept/deptmain.htm">Departments</a> <a href="../../../serv/servmain.htm">Services</a> <a href="../../../history/histmain.htm">History</a> <a href="../../../links/linksmain.htm">Links</a></p> </body> </html>