Lake of the Woods County Commissioner proceedings (0909)
Commissioner Proceedings
July 28, 2015
pursuant to MN. Statute 331A.01, subd. 10
the published material is only a summary and the full text is available for public inspection
at the lake of the woods county auditor/treasurers’ office
or by standard mail or electronic mail or lake of the woods county
website –www.lake-of-the-woods.mn.us
The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 28, 2015, in the Commissioners’ Room at the Government Center.
Call to Order
Chairman Arnesen called the meeting to order at 9:04 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners Ed Arnesen, Buck Nordlof, Ken Moorman, Patty Beckel and Tom Hanson. Also present were: County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson, Deputy Auditor /Treasurer Janet Rudd and Woody Fiala.
Approval of Agenda-Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following additions: Great Northern Transmission Line, City of Baudette Resolution for housing.
Approval of Consent Agenda-Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to approve the consent agenda as follows: Leah Larson to Walker on September 9-10 for Adult Protection Service Investigation.
Approval of Minutes-Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Beckel and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of July 14, 2015.
auditor/treasurer-Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the county as follows: Revenue $ 46,815.69 ; Road & Bridge $116.569.25; Social Services $(60.00); Co. Devel $2,304.00; Natl Resc $16.00; Solid Waste $675.54, Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants:
July 14, 2015 $362,248.85; July 17, 2015 $ 35,462.60; July 21, 2015 $ 12,135.76.
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants Approved On 7/28/2015 for Payment 7/31/2015
Vendor Name Amount
Arrowhead Library System 33,118.02
Beckel/Todd 4,624.00
DLT Solutions, Inc 2,092.74
Esri 3,900.00
Tri-City Paving Inc 104,753.59
Widseth Smith Nolting&Asst Inc 2,880.00
44 Payments less than 2000 14,952.13 Final Total: 166,320.48
Motor Vehicle Checking Account-Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to authorize County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson and Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Erik Tange to sign the Motor Vehicle checking account effective August 3, 2015.
Health Insurance Quotes-County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson informed the board that she will be requesting quotes for the 2016 Health Insurance rates.
County Land Leases/Timber SalesCounty Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board to discuss county land leases and informed the board that the county has a request to rent some land from the county for farm use. The board requested that the Land Leases be placed on the next agenda with the current value of land, and to discuss county timber sales.
Social Services-Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the following claims against the county, Commissioners’ warrants $ 20,721.27, Commissioners’ Warrants $ 22,315.21
Paul Bunyan Transit-Social Services Director, Amy Ballard updated the board on the last transit meeting and informed them that it went well and the passes are working fine. They will be meeting this week to discuss expanded service area.
Approval to Advertise and Interview/Hire-Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Hanson and carried unanimously to authorize Social Service Director, Amy Ballard and Human Resource Director, Karen Ose to advertise and Interview for two (2) Social Workers.
Motion-Motion was made by Commissioner Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Beckel and carried unanimously to hire Jodi Ferrier as the Social Worker Supervisor effective August 3, 2015, at grade 18, step 1, $27.49, points 406.
Case Aid Position-Social Service Director, Amy Ballard informed the board that they will be interviewing for Case Aid Position on July 30, 2015 and asked for approval to hire. The board requested that she place this on the next agenda for approval.
BRINK CENTER-Arvid Jaranson, Ex-Officio board member met with the board requesting funding from the Senior Nutrient Fund for the Lighting and Ceiling Project at the brink center.
Motion-Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to release $1,967.72 to the Brink Center from the Senior Nutrient Fund. (Note, this was the remaining balance of the Senior Nutrient reserve account).
GREAT NORTHERN TRANSMISSION LINE-Chairman Arnesen informed the board that the Great Northern Transmission Line will be holding a Public Hearing on August 6, 2015 at 11:00 a.m. in the matter of the application of Minnesota Power for a Route Permit for the Great Northern Transmission Line Project. Motion-Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof to appoint Commissioner Hanson as the Lake of the Woods County Board representative for the Great Northern Transmission Line.
PUBLIC WORKS-Public Works Director, Tim Erickson met with the board and requested authorization to enter into a Solid Waste Agreement with Markit Landfill. Tim informed the board that next week Knife River will be in to tar some roads; Heavy Equipment Operator interviews will be next week; Building Committee to meet on August 4 to look at remodeling the offices for Social Service and Auditor/Treasurers offices; and to discuss the Buildings budget for 2016.
Motion-Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to enter into the Solid Waste agreement as presented with Markit Landfill effective January 1, 2016 and expiring December 31, 2025, and authorizes Chairman Arnesen, County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson to sign.
Paint Care Contract-Public Works Director, Tim Erickson met with the board and informed them that the Paint Care Contract is due and the Household Hazardous Waste Joint Powers decides if they want to enter into this contract.
LAND AND WATER PLANNING-Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the continuance funding for the Wetland Mitigation process and authorize County Auditor/Treasurer to release those funds as needed.
RECESS-The meeting was called to recess at 10:35 a.m. and reconvened at 10:45 a.m. as follows:
WATER ISSUES-Chairman Arnesen welcomed the area farmers and residents to the meeting. Other staff present: Public Works Director Tim Erickson, Assistant County Engineer, Boyd Johnson, Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund, County Attorney, James Austad and County Sheriff, Gary Fish.
Chairman Arnesen informed the group that all comments are to be directed to him. Chairman of the Board informed the group that since the last meeting they have addressed the issue of Judicial Ditch 28 and met with Contracted Ditch Attorney, Kurt Deter, explained that the ditch has been inactive for years and Judicial Ditches are restricted of non-use of public funds for any maintenance or repairs. Chairman Arnesen informed the group that the County Board is the Ditch Authority and they give direction to other departments of what they need. Requested that County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson and Public Works Director Tim Erickson explained where their office is in the process of Judicial Ditch 28.
County Auditor/Treasurer- Lorene informed the group that her office is working on assessments and setting up the original ditch beneficiaries and updating the parcels in the benefited area. Once that is completed they will be able to apply the agreed upon assessment to the beneficiaries. Public Works Director, Tim Erickson informed them that his department is gather information on outlets, other lateral and natural drainage course. Chairman Arnesen opened the floor for comments and concerns of water issues. Issues that were addressed were: Judicial Ditch 28, outlets blocked; ditches that need to be cleaned out; cost share program for ditch cleaning; permitting, and concerns of County Road 214. The board discussed long term goals- Judicial Ditch 28 assessment completed; Short term goals- access individual ditches and plan out scheduled weekly ditch cleaning. RECESS-The meeting was called to recess at 12:10 p.m. and reconvened at 1:00 p.m. as follows: PUBLIC HEARING-Schrandt Cartway-Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Beckel and carried unanimously to close the regular meeting and open the Public Hearing at 1:04 p.m. Pursuant to MN Statute 164.08 to establish a cartway. County Attorney, James Austad asked Attorney Nora Crumpton for affidavit of mailing for the affected land owners, Attorney Nora Crumpton presented the affidavit of service and return of service from Polk County Sheriff’s office served to Gary Pulkrabeck. County Attorney James Austad asked if the notice was posted. Attorney Nora Crumpton said that it was done by her office but not sure where it was posted and felt that notification was enough. Gary Pulkrabeck and David and Mary Schrandt were in attendance at the hearing. County Attorney, James Austad stated that the Petition seeks to establish a cartway pursuant to Minnesota Statute 164.08. The description of the proposed cartway is: The West two (2) rods of the Northeast Quarter (NE¼) of Section Two (2), Township One Hundred Sixty (160) North, Range Thirty-three (33) West; and the West two (2) rods of the Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter (NW¼ SE¼) of said Section Two (2), Township One Hundred Sixty (160) North, Range Thirty-three (33) West. The description of the individual tracts of land over which the proposed cartway would pass are: The Northeast Quarter (NE¼) of Section Two (2), Township One Hundred Sixty (160) North, Range Thirty-three (33) West; and the Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter (NW¼ SE¼) of said Section Two (2), Township One Hundred Sixty (160) North, Range Thirty-three (33) West.
Attorney Nora Crumpton acknowledges that the property is at least 5 acres and is land locked. Nora explained that back in October 22, 2013 the petitioners did not want the cartway that was chosen, they wanted the one they chose and only want access by four wheeler ; would only bring in heavy equipment in the winter time, and want a Private cartway and not a public. The board reviewed the cartway request and viewed Ariel photos. The board reviewed alternate routes. The board did not feel comfortable making a decision at this meeting for they are looking at alternate routes and the route they are looking at would include land owned by Paul Pederson, and since he was not served and not present they want to continue the Public Hearing on September 8, at 1:00 p.m. Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to close the public hearing at 2:10 p.m. and to set the continuance of Public hearing for September 8, 2015 at 1:00 p.m.
CITY OF BAUDETTE-Housing –Chairman Arnesen presented a resolution of support for the City of Baudette for transfer of ownership of the Coast Guard housing units to the City of Baudette.
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-07-02WHEREAS; it has been determined that there is a housing shortage in the Baudette Community; and WHEREAS; the Lake of the Woods Economic Development Authority has completed a housing study to identify the needs of the community with regard to housing needs; and WHEREAS; the housing study identified a significant need for workforce and student housing; and WHEREAS; it is the goal of the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners to address the housing shortage; and WHEREAS; there are four vacant housing units located on Hamilton Avenue; and WHEREAS; the housing units are located in an affordable housing development; and WHEREAS; the Coast Guard no longer has a use for the housing units; and WHEREAS; the units are sitting vacant and slowly deteriorating; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED; Lake of the Woods County and surrounding community could utilize the units to address the housing shortage; BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; that the Lake of the Woods Board of Commissioners supports the transfer of ownership of the Coast Guard housing units to the City of Baudette. RECESS With no further business before the board, Chairman Arnesen called the meeting to recess at 2:20 p.m.
Attest: Approved: August 11, 2015
_______________________ _________________________________
Lorene Hanson, Chairman of the Board, Edward Arnesen
County Auditor/Treasurer
