Koochiching County Board Minutes

Board Minutes

for

August 25, 2009

REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, August 25, 2009; 9:30 a.m.

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Bob Peterson, Kathy Sikkila, Terry Murray, Pam Bechik, Terry Glowack, Dale Olson, Dennis Hummitzsch, Susan Congrave, Nancy Lee, Wanda Grashorn, Doug Grindall, Mike Brewinski, Rod Otterness, Todd Seller, Paul Sandstrom, Terry Randolph; Reporters Laurel Beager and Sheldon Slaubaugh

2009/08-23 Motion by McBride, seconded by Adee to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/08-24 Motion by Adee, seconded by McBride to approve the minutes from the August 11, 2009 Regular County Board meeting. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/08-25 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to approve payment of the Courthouse claims in the amount of $56,603.67; to authorize the Board Chair’s signature to the July Vendor Payment Listing verifying its review; to approve payment of the Highway claims in the amount of $67,862.72; to approve payment of the Health claims in the amount of $9,752.80; to approve payment of the Community Service Department financial and social service program claims and administrative claims as presented. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/08-26 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee to approve a Minnesota Trail Assistance Program Cross-Country Ski FY 2010 Traditional Grant Agreement in the amount of $3,530.00 for funding to the Polar Poler’s Ski Club for the Tilson Creek Cross Country Ski Trail and authorizing the Board Chair and Auditor’s signatures to said Agreement. Sponsorship by the County requires that a Club/Trail Agreement be in effect (on file in the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office) and that the County is accountable to the State for expenditures charged to the State Grant-In-Aid Program but sponsorship does not require financial support or liability for cost from the County. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/08-27 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to approve a Minnesota Snowmobile Trails Assistant Program Snowmobile FY 2010 Maintenance and Grooming Grant Agreement in the amount of 110,526.00 for funding to the Ridgerunner Snowmobile Club and the International Voyageurs Snowmobile Club for the Blue Ox, Caldwell Brook and Lundstrom Trails and Hagerman, Voyageurs West and Loman Trails and authorizing the Board Chair and Auditor’s signatures to said Agreement. Sponsorship by the County requires that a Club/Trail Agreement be in effect (on file in the Auditor-Treasurer’s Office) and that the County is accountable to the State for expenditures charged to the State Grant-In-Aid Program but sponsorship does not require financial support or liability for cost from the County. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/08-28 Motion by McBride, seconded by Pavleck to approve a four-year Maintenance and Support Agreement with Election Systems and Software to maintain the County’s M100 and Automark voting machines at a cost of $4,542.50 per year, funded by the HAVA Grant received by the County as recommended by the Auditor-Treasurer. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/08-29 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve an Emergency Management Performance Grant with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety in the amount of $14,275.00 with a $14,275.00 county in-kind staffing match as recommended by the Sheriff and further, to authorize the Board Chair and Sheriff to sign said Grant Agreement. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 In response to the City of International Falls request to have a meeting with the County Board to discuss economic development items, a proposed date of September 3rd was given the Board for a facilitated meeting at RRCC. In review of the date, it was determined that the entire Board was not available and asked the Board members working with the City of this issue, to come up with alternate dates.

2009/08-30 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by McBride to approve the 2010 tax levies for the following approved subordinate service taxing districts and to pay the respective 2010 service contract amounts: Littlefork Ambulance Service levy of $46,000, Northome First Responders Service levy of $6,000, and Rainy River First Responders Service levy of $9,900. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/08-31 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper to request the Minnesota Veterans Administration Office to conduct a Koochiching County Veterans Service Office case file audit to assist the new VSO in determining and managing open cases as recommended by the VSO. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/08-32 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper approving the office hours of the County Veterans Service Office from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Monday through Friday as recommended by the VSO and with the VSO to post and advertise the office hours to inform the public. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board received notice that the VFW is hosting the dedication of the County Veterans Memorial on Monday, September 7, 2009 at 2:00 p.m. to include all County VFW Posts, American Legion Posts and Color Guard and with refreshments following at the International Falls VFW Post. The event will include the Color Guard Assembly, Prayer, Pledge, National Anthem, Guest Speakers, God Bless America, Rifle Salute and Taps.

2009/08-33 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to approve an addendum to the Northland Counseling Adult Foster Care Agreement for the required state rate reduction as recommended by the Community Service Director and upon approval of the County Attorney. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/08-34 Motion by McBride, seconded by Pavleck to renew the NEMOJT Supported Work Agreement as recommended by the Community Service Director and upon approval of the County Attorney. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/08-35 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve the purchase of a HP LaserJet P3005x Printer at a cost of $1,153.03 as recommended by the Information Systems Manager with funding in the 2009 Community Service Budget. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/08-36 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee accepting the Community Service Director’s recommendation of the following managed care providers for Koochiching County for Prepaid Medical Assistance, Prepaid General Assistance Medical Care and Minnesota Care: BCBS, Medica and UCare. Further, accepting the following Foster Care, Day Care and Adult Foster Care Licensing recommendations: close home of Trena Glover for day care at the provider’s request; relicense Margaret Winkle for group family day care for ten children; close home of Vickie Bernard at provider’s request. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/08-37 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to accept low quote from Hammel Flooring in the amount of $5,432.60 for vinyl flooring to replace flooring in sections of the Public Health Department with funding in the 2009 Forestland Budget as recommended by the Complex Superintendent. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/08-38 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Adee authorizing the Board Chair’s signature to a letter inviting federal and state legislators to tour the Island View Sewer Project area which will coincide with the planned event to christen the new Park Tour Boat as recommended by the Environmental Service Director with the intent to have legislators experience Rainy Lake to gain an understanding as to why sewer in the lake area is a needed infrastructure for protecting the lake. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner presented the results of the August 5 timber auction: 1 tract remains unsold with 17,579 cords sold for a total auction sale value of $349,611. In review of the sale history, sale proceeds in the last two years have decreased with further decrease anticipated in 2009. The Land Commissioner stated that the next auction will tell the story for 2009 timber revenues. The Land Commissioner informed the Board that the surveillance audit for SFI certification and the closure audit for FCS certification completed with nonconformance items closed or satisfied and a recommendation for the County’s FCS Certification submitted. The County currently has its SFI certification.

000 Public Health staff informed the Board of the Department’s work in Public Health Emergency Preparedness and H1N1 Novel Influenza Planning which go hand in hand for the mandated planning for preparation of a possible H1N1 outbreak. At this time the department is focusing on the general public and schools to educate on preventive measures to avoid getting sick like with any other flu or cold virus. However, it there should be an outbreak, more serious thinking would need to occur to avoid further outbreak such as closing schools, canceling public events, etc. A vaccine is being made and will be dispersed late fall. However, supply is limited so allotments will be reserved for priority groups (more susceptible groups, certain care givers and health/emergency workers) but over time there will be a supply for the general population. The vaccine requires a two dose administration and does not replace the regular flu vaccine. At the same time, the Emergency Preparedness Plan is being reviewed for secure disbursement sites in preparation of an outbreak situation.

2009/08-39 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck accepting the recommendation of the Highway Engineer to award low bid to Neuman Sign Company in the amount of $87,186 for sign face replacement (under the new federal retro reflectivity standards) for CSAH roads in the County with funding consisting of a $13,062 3M Grant and CSAH Funds. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/08-40 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck accepting the recommendation of the Highway Engineer to award low bid to Wagner Construction in the amount of $705,897.86 for SAP 36-677-06 (CSAH 77). Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/08-41 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to table the request by the City of Littlefork to pave a road in their City limits pending a meeting of the Highway Engineer and the City to gain further information on the request. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Highway Engineer again presented the Highway 332 Turn Back proposal to the Board for further review before a formal request is submitted to the Board to accept the $3 million Turn Back proposal from MnDot. The City of International Falls Administrator affirmed that they did receive the letter from the Highway Engineer explaining this proposal and including a request to the City for their position as the Turn Back would require City approval. The Administrator stated that the City’s legal counsel did respond by letter at the direction of the City Council that essentially said for the parties to sit down privately to resolve this Highway 332 issue.

000 The Board was provided a presentation from the Lake of the Woods Water Sustainability Foundation involving U.S. and Canadian interests to protect and sustain water quality for Lake of the Woods. After the presentation, Commissioner Pavleck stated that he would like to seek the Foundation’s support for the extended sewer project for the Rainy Lake area, which serves water quality improvement for both areas. The representative agreed that this would have a common interest.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:50 a.m. VFW Commander Terry Randolph reviewed the itinerary for the September 7th County Veterans Memorial Dedication.

000 The RC&D Laurentian Coordinator provided the Board an update on the organization’s activities and work and support of projects within the County. The Board thanked the Coordinator for the update and also for the support given to Koochiching County.

2009/08-42 Motion by McBride, seconded by Adee to adjourn the meeting at 12:05 p.m. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.