REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, April 6, 2010; 10:30 a.m.

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

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Brian Youso, Doug Grindall, Susan Congrave; Reporter Laurel Beager

2010/04-01 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/04-02 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve the minutes from the March 23, 2010 regular meeting. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/04-03 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to approve payment of the monthly County Board expense claims in the amount of $10,826.52 and to authorize the Board Chair’s signature to the March Vendor Payment Listing verifying its review. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/04-04 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to accept the recommendation of the Personnel Committee that as one means to control cost until the full impact of the State Budget Deficit to the County is known for both Calendar Years 2010 and 2011, to implement a County Hiring Freeze in which all vacant county positions will be froze for a period of six months before a request to fill the position will be heard; that should a Department Head submit a request to fill a position prior to the six month period, an absolute need to immediately fill the position must be demonstrated and must include the Department Head’s consideration of temporary options. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Lepper, Pavleck; voting no: Hanson. Motion carried.

000 The Board received an update on the census. A second mailing of census applications along with house visits are being conducted to reach the households that have not returned a census application to date.

2010/04-05 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson to set a Special County Board Meeting for Thursday, April 29, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. to act on any results of the Mediation Session on the Contested Annexation involving the City of International Falls, City of Ranier and County of Koochiching to be held on April 28, 2010 in Duluth. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/04-06 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to approve a 2010 Boat and Water Safety Grant Agreement with the State of Minnesota allocating funds to Koochiching County in the amount of $6,141.00 on a reimbursement basis and authorizing the County Sheriff and Board Chair signatures to said Agreement. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/04-07 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck adopting the following resolution supporting the Federal Border Interoperability Demonstration Grant Application submitted by the North East Regional Radio Board for improving radio interoperability within our border counties and on our International Borders with Canada:

WHEREAS, there is a Public Safety need to provide radio communication interoperability within our border counties and along our county borders with Canada; and

WHEREAS, the Federal Government has made available a demonstration grant called the Border Interoperability Demonstration Grant Program (BIDP): and

WHEREAS, the BIDP grant will allow us to develop a means of communication interoperability between Minnesota and Canadian public safety agencies along our International Border, at our International Ports, and within our border Counties: and

WHEREAS, the Regional Radio Board has worked with the State of Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the Counties within its Regions and the jurisdictions within the Counties to complete a comprehensive application for this grant.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners hereby supports this Grant application as needed and necessary for the Citizens of our Region and the Public Safety Agencies serving those citizens.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Koochiching County Board of Commissioners is committed, upon approval of this grant, to assist the Regional Radio Board with the management and implementation of this grant. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 A letter was received from the River Valley Development Association requesting bituminous overlay of a section of CSAH 4, which was submitted at this time due to contractors being in the area with the State Highway 11 reconstruction. After reviewing the request and the roads in the area, the Highway Engineer stated that the section of CSAH 4 requested for overlay was done in 2003 and therefore does not warrant overlay at this time. However, he would recommend two other sections of CSAH 4 and County Road 82 for resurfacing and are within the 2010 Highway Budget.

2010/04-08 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Hanson authorizing the Highway Engineer to call for bituminous overlay bids for County Road 82 and sections of CSAH 4 from Birchdale to 1.7 miles west and from Frontier to Border as recommended by the Highway Engineer. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/04-09 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to accept a $15,000 Blandin Grant for restructuring of the Northome Resource Center as recommended by the Health Director. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/04-10 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper to approve a service contract with Kathy Elhard for coordination of the Northome Resources Center effective upon the County Attorney’s approval of the contract and with 100% of the contract cost covered by a $15,000 Blandin Grant and $5,000 Family Collaborative Grant as recommended by the Health Director. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:30 a.m. No comment was provided.

2010/04-11 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper to adjourn the meeting at 11:30 a.m. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.