Koochiching County Board Minutes

Board Minutes

for

March 27, 2012

REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Held on Tuesday, March 27, 2012; 10:00 a.m.

OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Brian Jesperson, Terry Murray, Dennis Hummitzsch, Doug Grindall, Walter Leu, Terry Randolph, Deb Bowman, Arden Barnes; CFOB Reporter Randy Thoms and Journal Reporter Laurel Beager

2012/03-16 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Ecklund to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes: McBride, Hanson, Ecklund; absent for vote: Adee. Motion carried.

2012/03-17 Motion by Ecklund, seconded by Hanson to approve the minutes from the March 6, 2012 regular meeting. Voting yes: McBride, Hanson, Ecklund; absent for vote: Adee. Motion carried.

2012/03-18 Motion by Ecklund, seconded by Hanson to appoint Undersheriff Brian Jesperson as County Sheriff effective June 1, 2012 at which time the position of County Sheriff will be vacant. Appointment includes 100% of the salary and health insurance benefit afforded the elected County Sheriff position. Further, to approve a County Unpaid Leave of Absence for Undersheriff Brian Jesperson effective June 1, 2012 through December 31, 2014 at which time the 2014 election of County Sheriff and its chief deputy appointment will be determined for the term of Office beginning January, 2015. Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

2012/03-19 Motion by Adee, seconded by Ecklund authorizing the appointed County Sheriff to fill the vacant Undersheriff position. Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

2012/03-20 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Ecklund to award low bid to Wherley Motors for two 2012 Dodge Ram 1500 Crew ST 4x4 Pickups for the Sheriff’s Department at a cost of $39,922 after trade in (1999 Ram Extended Cab 4x4 Pickup, 2006 Ford Expedition, 2008 Ford Crown Victoria, 1993 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme, 1990 Plymouth Acclaim) as recommended by the Sheriff. Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

2012/03-21 Motion by Adee, seconded by Ecklund to approve a Grant Agreement with Friends Against Abuse to reimburse the County’s cost in allowing County Sheriff Department Law Enforcement and Dispatcher staff to attend Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Prevention Training which is scheduled for April 4 and 5, 2012. Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

2012/03-22 Motion by Ecklund, seconded by Adee approving the extension of time to allow Brenda Alverson to continue to fill the part time A11 Jail Cook position as an emergency placement due to medical leave of absences for the time period of March 17 to May 1, 2012 (reference Board Motion 2012/02-30). Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

2012/03-23 Motion by Adee, seconded by Hanson to approve the employment separation of Assistant Custodian Terry Shoquist effective May 1, 2012. Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

2012/03-24 Motion by Adee, seconded by Ecklund to ratify the payment approval under Board Motion 2012/03-04 of the March Courthouse claims in the amount of $32,060.57 and Highway claims in the amount of $101,238.71; to approve payment of the Courthouse claims in the amount of $32,015.78; to approve payment of the Health claims in the amount of $8,826.18; 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 #491811 in the amount of $1,400.00. Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

2012/03-25 Motion by Ecklund, seconded by Adee to approve On Sale, Off Sale and Sunday Intoxicating Liquor Licenses for Opp Hagemeister Management Inc., DBA Island View Lodge, for the period of May 1, 2012 through November 1, 2012 as recommended by the County License Committee. Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

2012/03-26 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Ecklund authorizing Board members’
attendance to the April 27, 2012 Ribbon Cutting Ceremony for the new NOvA Far-
Detector Building at Ash River Trail as a County Board activity. Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

000 The Community Service Director updated the Board on the status of the Northland
Counseling Contract for provision of Children’s mental health services.

2012/03-27 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee accepting the following licensing recommendations: to relicense Toni Korpi for group family day care for twelve children; to relicense Hallie Swenson for group family day care for fourteen children (change of premise). Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

000 The Land Commissioner reported the final 2011 Tax Forfeit Trust Fund net receipt apportionment and reported on the sold volume of County timber in 2011 with a comparison to the other timber producing counties, with Koochiching County having the highest volume sold on a total timber acreage comparison.

2012/03-28 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Ecklund to approve an easement to Koochiching County of tax forfeit land in accordance with M.S. 282.04, subd. 4 to provide for public road access with the easement being part of the South ½ of the SE ¼ of the SW ¼, Section 6, T63, R25 (final legal description to be determined by survey) as recommended by the Land Commissioner and as will be required by County Land Sale legislation to Great River Energy. Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

2012/03-29 Motion by Ecklund, seconded by Adee to authorize an easement to Koochiching County of tax forfeit land (allowing for utilities) to define public right of way, per M.S. 282.04, subd. 4 and subd. 5 (forestry road) located in Section 2, T69, R23 as recommended by the Land Commissioner. Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

2012/03-30 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Adee authorizing the County Engineer to call for bids for hired trucks and culverts with results to the County Board on April 17, 2012 as recommended by the County Engineer. Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

2012/03-31 Motion by Hanson, seconded by Ecklund authorizing the County Engineer to call for bids for rock blasting and crushing from the proposed County Rock Quarry between Indus and Birchdale as recommended by the County Engineer. Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

2012/03-32 Motion by Adee, seconded by Ecklund authorizing the County Engineer to call for bids for crushing the County’s stockpile of blasted rock from the Harbor Lane Project with project cost limited to $100,000 as budgeted and as recommended by the County Engineer. Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

2012/03-33 Motion by Adee, seconded by Ecklund to approve a five-year Mn/DOT Lease No. 36015 Agreement allowing the County to stockpile gravel material on state property located on the south side of TH 11 East (opposite C.R. 131) with the lease period beginning April 1, 2012 as recommended by the County Engineer. Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.

000 MnDOT District State Aid Engineer reviewed the Area Transportation Partnership (ATP) process for allocation of federal dollars to transportation projects and the proposed projects for District 1 to include Koochiching County for 2013 to 2016. In reference to the 2012 ATP projects planned in Koochiching County, the representative reviewed the Jackfish Bay and Tilson Bridge Replacement Project. Due to having to allow for the spawning season, the work will begin July 1, 2012 and planned for completion in October. The Contractor will work on both bridges at the same time and there will be single lane traffic with controls. Regarding the Highway 53 Four-Lane work planned this year to Cook, it is most likely the delay in the Corps Wetland Permitting will push the bid letting to August, thus delaying the project for a year. The MnDOT representative recognized Koochiching County for their involvement and commitment to ensure that Koochiching County’s transportation needs are heard and represented. The Board in turn recognized MnDOT staff for their work and support.

000 The Board Chair called for public comment at 11:30 a.m. VFW Commander Terry Randolph requested County Board consideration on behalf of the County Veterans Officer and County Veterans, to increase the Veteran Service Officer’s work hours to full time (presented letters of support to the fact) as the part time hours are not enough to accommodate all the service needs of the County veterans. Deb Bowman commented on various organizations out there that also assist veterans. Arden Barnes inquired with the MnDOT representative and County Engineer on plans for signal lights on CSAH 155 (train signal lights to be installed in July) and whether there has been any further consideration of warning lights on State Highway 11 East that the train is crossing in Ranier (nothing planned).

2012/03-34 Motion by Adee, seconded by Ecklund to adjourn the meeting at 11:50 a.m. Voting yes: McBride, Adee, Hanson, Ecklund. Motion carried.