REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, February 9, 2010; 9:30 a.m.

MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck
MEMBERS ABSENT: None

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Quay Whitbeck, Bob Peterson, Dale Olson, Dennis Hummitzsch, Aarden Barnes, Einar Sundin; Reporters Laurel Beager and Sheldon Slaubaugh

2010/02-17 Motion by McBride, seconded by Hanson to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/02-18 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes from the February 2, 2010 regular meeting. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/02-19 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to approve payment of the Courthouse claims in the amount of $30,610.11; authorizing the Board Chair’s signature to the January Vendor Payment List verifying its review; to approve payment of the 2010 Laurentian RC&D dues in the amount of $400.00 with payment from the 2010 County Board Budget. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/02-20 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck adopting the following resolution in support of county administered child support programs:

WHEREAS, the Governor’s Office and the State Department of Human Services have received an independent study conducted by the Deloitte Firm regarding the Minnesota State Child Support Redesign and that this study has recommended that the State Department of Human Services assume the administration of child support services from Minnesota Counties during a multi-year phase in process; and

WHEREAS, Minnesota is ranked third in the nation with regard to total dollars collected per open case according to the 2009 Minnesota Child Support Performance Report issued by the State Department of Human Services; and

WHEREAS, the top three states in the nation with respect to total dollars collected per open case are Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Minnesota, which are county administered systems, according to the 2009 Minnesota Child Support Performance Report issued by the State Department of Human Services; and

WHEREAS, local county offices provide efficient child support services to county residents whereas a state assumption of child support service would limit availability to local residents;

WHEREAS, there are many ways the Child Support System can be improved without a state assumption of the Program; specifically by redesigning an improved software program as PRISM is outdated and inefficient.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners supports strong performance measures for all Minnesota counties with special state assistance for low performing counties and further, through the use of borrowing the best parts of Pennsylvania’s and New Jersey’s county administered system, and through the use of pilot projects, strengthen and build upon Minnesota’s strong tradition of county administered child support programs. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/02-21 Motion by McBride, seconded by Hanson to accept the recommendation of the County Board representatives assigned to work with parties to find a resolution to the rural fire protection service, to set a 30 day window period effective February 10, 2010 for RFPA and the City of International Falls to finalize a contractual agreement between the two parties and to provide the contract to the County for further recommendation from the County Board representatives. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 Commissioner Hanson and the Auditor/Treasurer updated the Board on the plans for the 2010 Census in Koochiching County. Currently testing is being done for census workers and promotional materials are being distributed to stress the importance of resident’s participation. The Census affects every aspect of the County in federal and state funding to local units of government and CAP agencies; federal and state legislative representation; and even in economic development planning. It is especially important that snowbirds fill out the survey for Minnesota. The Census Survey has been reduced to 10 questions and will be mailed to those with a physical address. For those with Post Office boxes, they are working on locations where surveys can be picked up and/or the census person would come door to door. April 1st is the official start of the census.

2010/02-22 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve a revised service contract with Gary Cerkvenik for the Island View Sewer Project revising the contract amount from $15,000 to $21,000 and the timeline to June 30, 2010 with the funding to continue through the Environmental Trust Fund as recommended by the Environmental Service Director. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner reported on the January 19 timber auction: 12 of the 13 tracts sold at the Intermediate Timber Auction and all 11 tracts sold at the Regular Timber Auction for a total sale of 20,380 cords at a value of $397,075.09. The Land Commissioner also reviewed the 2009 total timber sold and the year end Trust Fund results.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 10:05 a.m. Aarden Barnes inquired on the County’s taking of the Tourist Information Center for the Historical Museum and Einar Sundin commented on the Rural Fire Protection matter.

2010/02-23 Motion by McBride, seconded by Pavleck to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 a.m. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.