Koochiching County Board Minutes

Board Minutes

for

November 3, 2009

REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, November 3, 2009; 9:30 a.m.

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Cindy Jaksa, Julie Lepisto, Dale Olson, Dennis Hummitzsch, David Serrano, Jim Palm, Peggy Olson, Bob Ewald, Aarden Barnes; Reporters Laurel Beager and Sheldon Slaubaugh

2009/11-01 Motion by McBride, seconded by Adee to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/11-02 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to approve the minutes from the October 27, 2009 Regular County Board meeting. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/11-03 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Adee to approve payment of the monthly County Board expense claims in the amount of $9,372. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/11-04 Motion Adee, seconded by McBride to approve 2010 Forestland Lease Agreements with no change in terms or rates from 2009 for Community Services, Public Health, Falls Hunger Coalition, and A.E.O.A. as recommended by Administration. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/11-05 Motion by Adee, seconded by Lepper adopting the following resolution proclaiming November as Family Caregiver Month:

Whereas one in four households in Minnesota is currently involved in providing help to older family members ranging from occasional help to intensive daily assistance; and

Whereas studies show that sixty percent of family caregivers are juggling jobs and caregiver responsibilities equal to another half-time job; and

Whereas the President of the United States for the past twelve years has declared November as “Family Caregiver Month”;

Therefore the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners declares November 2009 as “Family Caregiver Month” in Koochiching County and encourages citizens to help a care giving family they know in some specific way. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/11-06 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride adopting the following resolution to authorize a Grant Agreement with MnDot for the International Falls/Koochiching County Airport maintenance and operation:

It is resolved by the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners on behalf of the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission as follows:

1. That State of Minnesota Agreement No. 94877, Grant Agreement for Airport Maintenance and Operations, at the Falls International Airport is accepted.

2. That the County Board Chair is authorized to execute this agreement and any amendments on behalf of the International Falls-Koochiching County Airport Commission. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2009/11-07 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to accept the recommendation of the County Insurance Committee to renew the NE Cooperative Blue Cross CMM Group Plan for 2010 at the rate of $469.00 single monthly premium and $1,254.50 family monthly premium and to include the optional VEBA Plan #823 at the rate of $350.00 single monthly premium and $937.00 family monthly premium with the employer contribution to continue at the current 2008 cap levels until such time as employee group settlements are finalized and cap adjustments are known (2008 employer contributions has the employer paying 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 and that employee’s selection of the CMM Group Plan will require a $176.50 per month employee premium contribution for family coverage as a pre-tax payroll deduction under the County Flexible Spending Plan under 2008 employer contribution caps). 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 $1.83 per month. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 A representative from Kootasca and a representative from the Koochiching County Assessment Steering Committee presented the Board with a final report representing a county-wide assessment of health and human services needs, which representatives stated truly represents the whole county and what people feel is needed to better provide for the citizens of the County. The report is being provided to governmental entities in the County with the request to use the report in government service analysis and planning for meeting citizens’ needs in the county. The Board requested a bound copy be filed in the Administration, Health and Community Services Departments and agreed to request the I.S. Unit post it on the county website. Board members agreed they would review the report and use it as a document in County strategic planning efforts. The Kootasca representative stated that the County’s service referral system needs to be updated and be more accessible to the public as the study found many people do not know what services are available and who to contact. The Board thanked Kootasca and the Steering Committee for their work.

000 The Environmental Service Director informed the Board that the Army Corps is scheduled to meet with the County Board at 1:30 p.m. on November 24th for the purpose of discussing wetland policy as it relates to the County’s concerns with cost, project delays and differences in BSWR and Army Corps positions in working on wetland matters. Board members were requested to get any specific issues and questions to the Director to establish the Board’s outline for the meeting.

000 The Environmental Service Director and the Land Commissioner presented preliminary information on the 13,000 acres of White Cedar Stands on tax forfeited lands in Koochiching County which in review with BSWR, preservation of White Cedar Stands under the WCA can be used as a wetland credit bank. Based on preliminary information this would mean for every 8 acres of White Cedar placed in a conservation easement the County would get 1 acre of wetland credit. At the going rate of $15,000 per acre for wetland credits, this would provide a needed and new revenue source for the County as well as support development in the County. The Land Commissioner stated that because the acreage is on tax forfeited land, revenue would go to the Trust Fund for apportionment through state statute. In addition, the Land Commissioner stated that careful management planning needs to be considered in the easement agreement to ensure White Cedar sustainability in the County. Normally, when White Cedar is removed by harvest or natural causes, it is replaced by something else. But with a good management plan, the tree can be reproduced. David Serrano, working with the City of International Falls on their wetland mitigation plan, stated that for the City this would be a benefit as the City has limited land and wetland mitigation options and would need to look outside the City for credit mitigation. The Environmental Service Director stated that first the County will need to get the Army Corps to agree on the banking, and then select the area proposed for the wetland bank, establish the County’s term for the conservation easement and make application for the wetland bank. Board members agreed that this will be a topic of discussion with the Army Corps on November 24th and thereafter form a committee to work on this application with the hope of establishment by next year.

000 The Environmental Service Director stated that as part of the BWSR Remand Order for the Hasbargen Wetland Bank Plan, a public hearing is required which will be scheduled on November 24th when this matter was planned to go back in front of the County Board for a decision.

000 The Land Commissioner provided the Board the proposed Tax Forfeited Land Sale List, noting that the City of International Falls removed Tracts 26 through 35 from the list. He is recommending the sale date of December 1, 2009. The Board Chair stated that he was contacted by residents in the Loman area with concerns of selling Tract 6 which is adjacent to the Loman Church and is a substandard lot. They are concerned as to what the property will be used for and how it will impact the church property as stated by Jim Palm, Loman resident. The Board Chair requested the parcel be withdrawn as the District Commissioner representing the Loman area.

2009/11-08 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to approve the 2009 Public Auction of Tax Forfeited Lands to be held on December 1, 2009 and to approve the land sale list from the Land Commissioner with the removal of Tracts 26 through 35 by the City of International Falls and Tract 6 (Lot 22 Auditors Plat 17) by the Koochiching County Board. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner informed the Board of the receipt of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Certificate to Koochiching County and that with this certification, Koochiching County now holds dual certification under two International Standards of Forest Management, making our wood internationally marketable.

000 The Housing Redevelopment Authority Director and Board member met with the County Board to inform the County that due to a reduction in HUD Administration Fees, the Agency is struggling with meeting its expenditures and requested the County Board to assist the Agency by paying a portion of the payroll. The biggest factor leading to the revenue shortage is HUD making the decision starting in 2008 to handle the new construction program which took revenue away from the Agency. The Board Chair stated that more information is needed on the Agency’s programming and financing and instructed the Administration Director to look into the matter and provide further information and recommendation to the County Board.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:40 a.m. Bob Ewald suggested that the County establish an Ambulance and Fire Protection Taxing District to incorporate the City of Intl Falls and operate it as a County Emergency Service District to end the conflict with the City and get everyone working in a positive direction. Aarden Barnes stated her support to RFPA for finding an alternative to rural fire protection service since they are not able to deal with the City for a mutual agreement.

2009/11-09 Motion by Adee, seconded by Pavleck to adjourn the meeting at 11:55 a.m. Voting yes: Hanson, McBride, Adee, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.