REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, April 20, 2010; 9:30 a.m.

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

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Robyn Sykes, Dale Olson, Laurie Mannausau, Bruce Hasbargen; Reporter Laurel Beager

2010/04-26 Motion by McBride, seconded by Lepper to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/04-27 Motion by Hanson, seconded by McBride to approve the minutes from the April 13, 2010 regular meeting. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/04-28 Motion by Lepper, seconded by McBride to approve payment of the Highway claims in the amount of $62,045.42. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/04-29 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Lepper accepting the Assessor’s recommendation to grant abatement to Sam Hege, Parcel #27-018-11000, for reduction in market value due to building damage. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

2010/04-30 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Hanson accepting the recommendation of the Survey Committee to propose a land exchange agreement with a private property owner which involves the County Point O Pines Beach property in which a 10 foot section of public right of way (public access to the beach) be provided the private landowner to meet the variance setback for their house (requiring road vacation of the described piece of right of way) in exchange for the private land owner not contesting County ownership of a portion of lakeshore property (went to private ownership due to an incorrect plat) by providing the County a quit claim deed to this property; upon the private land owner’s acceptance of the proposal, County legal counsel will proceed with execution of the land exchange agreement with the private landowner. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 MCIT Director met with the Board to provide the annual report. 2009 was the organization’s thirtieth anniversary and the year they revamped their vision and mission based on what service they were actually providing to counties and affiliated members. This included a name change to Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust. The organization is not an insurance company but rather a group of counties and associated members collectively pooling resources to manage risk and reduce the costs for their taxpayers. Insurance is a part of the organization’s service but the primary focus is strong support, risk management and protection of its members. The Director in response to the concern raised by the County stated that Community Action Agencies (CAA) are not being pushed out of MCIT as some of the information circulating would suggest. In 2009 MCIT conducted an assessment of CAA serviced by MCIT and the assessment found that the 22 CAA were not paying their fare share of premium based on their claim exposure. This meant that the other members were subsidizing the cost of the CAA. The MCIT Board will make a determination in May as to how they want to handle this matter but it is not MCIT’s position to exclude the CAA. The Board Chair stated that AEOA provides a much needed bus service for Koochiching County and if their costs increase, it may mean a reduction of services. The Director stated that CAA are recognized as providing needed services in counties but not all CAA are in MCIT. If they were all under MCIT, there is a reason to look at member counties covering some of their cost. The County Board stated that MCIT has been and continues to be a strong and valuable resource to Koochiching County and the organization does a great job in supporting and protecting its members.

000 The Environmental Service Director provided a $765 billing to Mannco Trucking for monies due the County under the MSW Hauling Contract’s fuel escalation clause for #1 fuel requirement in the months of December and January. The contractor used #2 fuel during these two months and does not feel they should have to pay for something they didn’t use. The Board agreed to have the County Attorney review the contract terms to determine if the County Board has any room to move on the issue or has to abide by the contract.

2010/04-31 Motion by Pavleck, seconded by Lepper authorizing up to one acre from Dunnick Lake for wetland mitigation for John Anderson’s property in which the Army Corps issued a violation order based on a grading/filling permit for the property which was issued by Koochiching County. Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.

000 The Administration Director stated that MCIT has taken the County’s claim on BWSR’s appeal of the County’s Hasbargen Wetland Bank decision and will assign legal counsel for the County’s defense. More information will be forthcoming once the claim is established.

2010/04-32 Motion by Lepper, seconded by Pavleck to adjourn the meeting at 11:05 a.m.
Voting yes: Adee, McBride, Hanson, Lepper, Pavleck. Motion carried.