Roseau County (MN) Board Proceedings (October 22, 2019)

åSUMMARY PROCEEDINGS OF THE OCTOBER 22, 2019 ROSEAU COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
The Board of Commissioners of Roseau County, Minnesota met in the Courthouse in the City of Roseau on Tuesday, October 22, 2019.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Board Chair Jack Swanson. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Commissioners present were Roger Falk, John Horner, Jack Swanson, Russell Walker and Daryl Wicklund. Others present were Jeff Pelowski, Joleen Kezar, Kristy Kjos, Martie Monsrud, Steve Gust, Brian Ketring, Daryle Dahl, Ryan Murray, Sue Grafstrom, Simon Kern, Jen Kern, Larry Kern, Tracy Halstensgard, Torin McCormack, Jason Braaten, Erik Magnusson, John Frislie, Elle Frislie, Emily Straw, Pete Beito, Sally Beito, Ardell Magnusson, Rodney Sikorski, and Randy Prachar.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Coordinator Pelowski requested adding a wage negotiation summary/discussion to County Board Items, which may require the Board to close the meeting pursuant to MN Statute 13D.03; Assessor Lund requested adding an update on a potential lawsuit to County Board Items, which would require the Board to close the meeting pursuant to MN Statute 13D.05, Subd. 3(b); and, Auditor Monsrud requested adding acceptance of payment for sale of certain tax-forfeited properties, and a request to repurchase tax-forfeited property to the Department Reports. The Board approved the amended Agenda.
COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Auditor Monsrud noted that the Joint Ditch meeting scheduled for Thursday, October 24, 2019, has been relocated from Rock Harbor Lodge to The Hawk in Roosevelt. Attorney Kjos requested to move the Water Surface Use Ordinance item to the Spring of 2020 due to current workload. Commissioner Swanson noted that the AMC District Meeting III is this Thursday in Fosston, MN.
APPROVE BILLS
The Board approved the payment of bills totaling: $1,383,594.52
In addition, the Board approved one forthwith payment to Mark Beito in the amount of $200.00 for beaver trapping on Ditch 23.
DELEGATIONS/BOARD APPOINTMENTS/PUBLIC COMMENTS:
Randy Prachar, MnDNR – Roseau Lake Rehabilitation Project – No Net Loss Policy Variance Request
The MnDNR is requesting a variance to the County’s “No Net Loss Policy”, as there are approximately 330 acres of privately owned land the State would like to purchase for the project. He stated that a variance would be warranted due to the fact that the project will provide significant flood damage reduction benefits to the County, and that this is a joint project between the State and the Roseau River Watershed District. Following discussion, the Board approved the following Resolution:
2019-10-02
Resolution requesting approval of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to acquire parcels of land for inclusion in the Roseau Lake Wildlife Management Area:
WHEREAS, the Roseau Lake Rehabilitation project is a multipurpose project that will provide substantial wildlife habitat and flood damage reduction benefits, and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Roseau River Watershed District are partners on this project, and
WHEREAS, selected private land parcels that exist within the project footprint are needed in order to efficiently develop and operate the project, and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has identified 2 such parcels with willing sellers, and
WHEREAS, these parcels are described as follows:
1. SW1/4 SW1/4 in Sec 21 T163N R40W (40 acres), and
2. NE1/4 SE1/4 in Sec 23; NW1/4 NE1/4; N1/2 SE1/4; and that part of the S1/2 SE1/4 that lies north of the river, all in Sec 26 T163N R40W; and SW1/4 NW1/4 and that part of the NW1/4 SW1/4 that lies north of the river, all in Sec 27 (approximately 250 acres); and
3. All of the above is with Roseau County, Minnesota, and

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources requests that the Roseau County Board of Commissioners approve acquisition of the above parcels for inclusion in the Roseau Lake Wildlife Management Area,
THEREFORE, be it resolved that the Roseau County Board of Commissioners approves of the acquisition of the above listed parcels on this 22nd day of October 2019.
County Road (CR) 7
Jennifer Kern, and other Township residents, met with the Board to discuss CR 7 in Unorganized Township 162N, Range 44W (Juneberry) that has been washed out due to flooding, and a detour has been set up as the road is currently impassable. They commented on the road condition and the inconvenience/disruption the detour is having on those living in that area. Engineer Ketring commented that CR 7 is a State Aid Road and would need funding from the State to permanently repair the road. In addition, he stated that the County is attempting to get the road in useable condition as soon as possible. Commissioner Swanson suggested adding a long-term plan discussion for this road to the next Highway Committee Meeting Agenda.
CONSENT AGENDA
The Board, by adoption of its Consent Agenda, approved the October 8, 2019, Board Proceedings; authorized Treasurer Gregerson to remit 32 unclaimed warrants to the State of Minnesota Department of Commerce Unclaimed Property Section, in the total amount of $350.51; and approved a request to apply for a grant to fund the Next Generation 911 GIS Data Collection Project.
DEPARTMENT REPORTS
Auditor
Sale of Tax-Forfeited Properties
Auditor Monsrud requested the Board approve the payments from the City of Warroad and Moranville Township for the sale of tax-forfeited properties to those entities. Following discussion, the Board accepted the payments for those properties.
Tax-Forfeited Property – Re-Purchase Request
Auditor Monsrud met with the Board regarding a request to re-purchase tax-forfeited property. It was noted that the County has received payment to pay off the unpaid taxes associated with this property. Following discussion, the Board approved the re-purchase of the property and authorized Auditor Monsrud to submit the required paperwork to the State of Minnesota.
COUNTY BOARD ITEMS
Wage/Benefit Agreements
Coordinator Pelowski provided a summary of the current status of the wage/benefit negotiations with Teamsters 320 (Law Enforcement), Highway Department Group, and the Non-Union employees. The Board approved a three-year agreement with Teamsters 320 on October 8, 2019, and the Wage Committee has made a tentative three-year agreement with both the Highway Department Group and the Non-Union employees. Following discussion, the Board approved Labor Agreements with the Highway Group, Non-Union employees, and appointed Department Heads. (Note: The Labor Agreements are on file in the County Coordinator’s Office)
Commissioner Committee Reports (October 8 – October 22, 2019)
Commissioner Falk reported on the following committee(s): Wage Committee; Roseau River Watershed Board – Norland Impoundment; DNR LUP Meeting; Social Services Board; Northwest Community Action Committee.
Commissioner Horner reported on the following committee(s): Warroad City Council; Social Services Board; Lake Township Board.
Commissioner Swanson reported on the following committee(s); Wage Committee; Roseau Community Education Advisory Council; LifeCare Medical Center – Valley Medflight Contract; Northwest Emergency Communications Board; Statewide Emergency Communications Board Finance Committee; Team EPIC; Roseau River Watershed Board – Norland Impoundment ; Social Services Board; Public Health Committee; Roseau Convention and Visitors Bureau – 125th Anniversary Committee; Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Board of Directors; AMC Policy Coordinating Committee; Roseau School Board.
Commissioner Walker reported on the following committee(s): Roseau River Watershed Board– Norland Impoundment; DNR LUP Meeting; Social Services Board.
Commissioner Wicklund reported on the following committee(s): Emergency Flood; Social Services Board; Land of the Dancing Sky Committee; Quin County.
Unfinished Business
Engineer Ketring provided an update on road projects. County Road (CR) 9 project has had two 7” rain events and over 40” of rain since June. The paving is complete and they are working on shouldering this week. The remainder of the project will be completed next spring. It is hoped that the State of MN will declare a State of Emergency as the County has numerous roads and other infrastructure in need of repair due the severe flooding that has occurred this Fall.
Potential Lawsuit Update
The Board closed the meeting pursuant to MN Statute 13D.05, Subd. 3(b). Assessor Lund provided an update to the Board concerning a potential lawsuit. Following discussion, the Board re-opened the Regular Board Action. There was no Board action taken.
Upon motion carried, the Board adjourned the meeting at 10:30 a.m. The next Regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 8:30 a.m.
(November 20, 2019)