REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, March 23, 2010; 9:30 a.m.

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

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Randy Pozniak, Jenell Feller, Brian Youso, Dennis Hummitzsch, Terry Murray, Susan Congrave, Phil Miller, Jay Squires via telephone, Keith Knaeble, Mark Bloomquist, June Etienne, Dan McCarthy, Arden Barnes, Doug Grindall; Reporter Laurel Beager

2010/03-29 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/03-30 Motion by Hanson, seconded by McBride to approve the minutes from the March 16, 2010 regular meeting. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/03-31 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to approve payment of the Courthouse claims in the amount of $77,054.55, to approve payment of the Health claims in the amount of $11,046.30; to approve payment of the Community Service Department financial and social service program claims and administrative claims as presented; to approve payment of Burial Case #1172522 in the amount of $2,116.50 and Case #1190377 in the amount of $350.00. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/03-32 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to approve On Sale, Off Sale and Sunday Intoxicating Liquor Licenses for the period of May 1, 2010 through November 1, 2010 to Island View Lodge as recommended by the County License Committee. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/03-33 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper accepting the recommendation of the Rural Fire Protection Association to set the 2010 annual service charge for the Rural Fire Subordinate Service Taxing District at a 20% increase over 2009 due to increased service cost: $85 for residential and commercial rates based on the following building valuation ranges: $5,000 up to $20,000 - $120; $20,000 up to $40,000 - $180; $40,000 up to $70,000 - $240; $70,000 up to $100,000 - $300; $100,000 up to $150,000 - $360; $150,000 up to $200,000 - $420; $200,000 up to $300,000 - $480; $300,000 up to $400,000 - $540; $400,000 up to $500,000 - $600; $500,000 up to $600,000 - $660; $600,000 or more - $720; City of Ranier $6,600. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/03-34 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to accept the bid of $150,000 from ODC for the purchase of the County-owned NDAC Facility and real estate and further, authorizing expenditure for legal services to complete the County sale closing. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 A Census update was provided to the Board.

2010/03-35 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper accepting the recommendation of the Sheriff to award low bid to Waschke Family GM Center for replacement of two squad vehicles: $27,437 after trade in for a 2010 Chevy Tahoe 4x4 and $14,675 after trade in for a 2010 Chevy ½ Ton Crew 4x4 pickup. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner presented the results of the 2009 Tax Forfeited Trust Fund apportionment, resulting in a revenue reduction of 36% from the prior year. In reviewing the deferred revenue from wood sold but not harvested, the volume of wood to harvest is there but the demand for buying the wood is down.

2010/03-36 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to renew the Addendum to the AEOA E&T Service Agreement as recommended by the Community Service Director and upon approval of the agreement by the County Attorney. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/03-37 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by McBride to accept the employment separation of Social Worker Janet Bowman effective April 16, 2010. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/03-38 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson that after review with the Community Service Director, to approve filling the vacant Social Worker position under County Policy due to the position earning federal reimbursement and without the position, there would be a funding deficit to the overall Community Service Budget; further that should any cuts be made to the non-county funding for this position, the Director will be responsible to make up the deficit in non-county dollars. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/03-39 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to accept the following Day Care and Foster Care Licensing recommendations: close home for Treana Schultz for day care at provider’s request; relicense Toni Korpi for group family child care for twelve children. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/03-40 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to accept the employment separation of Home Health Aide Terri Zahn, effective March 11, 2010. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/03-41 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper to approve the purchase of a computer and projector for the Public Health Department in the amount of $3,362.99 as funded through the SHIPS Grant as recommended by the Health Director. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/03-42 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to close session at 10:20 a.m. to discuss strategy with the County’s legal counsel for the pending Annexation Administration Process and Hearing regarding Ranier’s Orderly Annexation and the City of International Falls Annexation Petition for the same property. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried. (Present for the closed session: Board members, Administration Director, County Attorney Phil Miller, Attorney Jay Squires via conference call.)

2010/03-43 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to open the meeting at 11:15 a.m. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/03-44 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the employment separation of County Attorney Secretary Les Pullar, effective April 12, 2010. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/03-45 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to approve filling the full time County Attorney Secretary position under County Policy due to this position being the only support staff for the Office and further, to authorize temporary hire under County Policy to cover the vacant position until the permanent hire is made. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Sentence to Serve Regional Supervisor and Crew Leader updated the Board on legislative activity and support to retain the alternative sentencing program as a result of the Governor’s proposal to cut the state funding entirely for the program. The representatives reviewed the numerous services the program does for communities and the county as a whole. In addition, the STS Adult Program saves the County in incarceration cost and the STS Juvenile Program has juvenile offenders performing community service as punishment for their offenses.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:33 a.m. June Etienne inquired on a newspaper article in which AMC’s PACT Proposal recommended that counties take over highway patrol and MnDot’s highway maintenance, stating concern with increased cost to the county as well as the loss of jobs to this area. The County Board members stated that the AMC PACT proposal does not have the full support of its members and Board members felt the information should not have been released. The County Board has concerns with the proposal and will discuss its position at the AMC Legislative Conference which they are attending tomorrow. Dan McCarthy inquired on charging seasonal recreation properties the solid waste assessment fee and inquired on the length of the contract with Markit Landfill. Arden Barnes inquired on what governmental authority should oversee the clean up of human waste left behind on the ice as a result of ice fishing.

2010/03-46 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper authorizing the Board Chair to sign a Nondiscrimination Assurance Form as required by the MN Department of Administration in order for the County to receive federal surplus property stored at the Arden Hills as recommended by the Sheriff and Highway Engineer. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/03-47 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by McBride to adjourn the meeting at 11:45 a.m. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.