Roseau County (Minn.) Commissioners Proceedings

SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS OF THE
MAY 12, 2020 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, May 12, 2020.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 8:30 a.m. by Board Chair Roger Falk. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Commissioners present
were Roger Falk, John Horner, Russell Walker, and Daryl Wicklund. Jack Swanson attended through WebEx. Staff present were Joleen Kezar and Rich
Gross. Others attending through WebEx were Jeff Pelowski, Martie Monsrud, Brian Ketring, Sue Grafstrom, Pam Grand, Diane Gregerson, Kristy Kjos,
Karla Langaas, Liz Lund, Chris Stauffer, Cindy Tangen, and Sandi Weiland.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
The Board approved the Agenda.
COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Coordinator Pelowski reminded the Board that the Special Board Meeting is scheduled for May 19, 2020, 9:30 a.m., following the Social
Services Board Meeting.
APPROVE BILLS
The Board approved the payment of bills totaling: $120,971.39
CONSENT AGENDA
The Board, by adoption of its Consent Agenda, approved the April 28, 2020, Regular Board Proceedings; and, approved the May 5, 2020,
Special Meeting Board Proceedings.
COUNTY BOARD ITEMS
Tax Court Advisory Committee
Assessor Lund requested the Board form a Tax Court Advisory Committee consisting of two Commissioners, County Attorney Kjos, and Assessor
Lund. Commissioner Falk and Commissioner Walker agreed to serve on the Committee. The Board approved the appointment of Commissioner Falk,
Commissioner Walker, Attorney Kjos, and Assessor Lund to the Tax Court Advisory Committee. Assessor Lund requested that the Committee meet on
Tuesday, May 26, 2020, to go over information obtained from the upcoming appraisal exchange.
COVID-19 Situation Update
Emergency Manager Grafstrom provided an update for the Board; including Governor Walz rolling out a five-point plan for long-term care facilitieslast week; MDH presented a process for contact tracing, and for training as many people as possible to conduct the tracing; and, the Governor’s “Stay-at-
Home” order sunsets on May 18, 2020, so updated information will be forthcoming. Commissioner Walker asked about housing alternatives for positive cases, and their families if necessary, and how that housing will be managed to meets the needs of their clientele. EM Grafstrom responded that Northwest
Community Action is taking the lead on the housing issue, and will manage this on a case-by-case basis. Social Services Director Langaas responded that the County would help families work through problematic situations that arise as well.
Coordinator Pelowski updated the Board regarding the County Resolution passed last week urging the Governor to re-open all County businesses.
There has been no response from Governor Walz to-date; and, he noted that the Department Heads are working on a Preparedness Plan should the County facilities be allowed to be re-opened to the public.
Commissioner Swanson noted that the Association of MN Counties (AMC) Blue Ribbon Governance Task Force, of which he is a member, has asked the Governor’s team to explain the rationale used to justify keeping small businesses closed, but have also not received a response to their request.
Temporary Employee Policy: A revision and/or extension is needed as the existing policy is scheduled to sunset on May 13, 2020. Coordinator Pelowski stated that no changes, other than extending the policy until June 10, 2020, are being proposed. The Board approved the revised Temporary Employee Policy.
Commissioner Committee Reports (April 28 to May 12, 2020)
Commissioner Falk reported on the following committee(s): Special County Board; Roseau River Watershed Board; Highway Department Leadership Meeting; Magnusson Land Meeting.
Commissioner Horner reported on the following committee(s): Special County Board; Warroad City Council.
Commissioner Swanson reported on the following committee(s): Roseau Community; Roseau Economic Development Authority; Emergency Management Stakeholders Meeting(s); Jadis Township Board; Roseau City Council; Special County Board; Community Justice Coordinating Committee; AMC Blue Ribbon Governance Panel.
Commissioner Walker reported on the following committee(s): Special County Board; Joint Powers Natural Resources Board; One Watershed
One Plan (1W1P); MRC Executive Committee.
Commissioner Wicklund reported on the following committee(s): Special County Board; Northwest Regional Development Commission;
Magnusson Land Meeting; Land of the Dancing Sky Committee; Highway Department Leadership Meeting.
Upon motion carried, the Board adjourned the Regular meeting at 9:25 a.m. The next Special meeting of the Board is scheduled for
Tuesday, May 19, 2020, at 9:30 a.m., and the next Regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at 8:30 a.m.

SUMMARY PROCEEDINGS OF THE
MAY 19, 2020 ROSEAU COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING
The Board of Commissioners of Roseau County, Minnesota met in Special Session held at the Courthouse in the City of Roseau on Tuesday,
May 19, 2020.
CALL TO ORDER
The meeting was called to order at 9:30 a.m. by Board Chair Roger Falk. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Commissioners present
were Roger Falk, John Horner, Russell Walker, and Daryl Wicklund. Jack Swanson attended through WebEx. Others attending through WebEx were
Jeff Pelowski, Joleen Kezar, Kristy Kjos, Brian Ketring, Martie Monsrud, Sue Grafstrom, Pam Grand, Diane Gregerson, Martin Howes, Karla Langaas,
Liz Lund, Pam Shaw, Chris Stauffer, Cindy Tangen, Renae Hamilton, Brenda McMillin, June Wensloff, Sandi Weiland, and Mike Trinka.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Commissioner Horner requested the addition of a discussion on the Highway Maintenance Facility to County Board Items. Commissioner
Wicklund requested the addition of a discussion concerning the intersection of County Roads 4 & 7 in Greenbush to County Board Items. The Board approved the amended Agenda.
COMMENTS AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
Commissioners Horner, Swanson, Walker, and Wicklund stated that they have been contacted by constituents concerning a citizen’s committee that has been formed to urge Governor Walz to re-open Roseau County and the State of Minnesota. Coordinator Pelowski received a
“Property Owners Report” from the Roseau River Watershed District Board in advance of the June 3, 2020, Ditch 16 Public Hearing. Board Chair Falk stated that Norfarm Seed Company has discontinued the land spreading of seed screenings.
COUNTY BOARD ITEMS
County Veteran Services Office (CVSO) – Donation
CVSO Howes stated that he has received a donation of $2000.00 from the Warroad VFW Post 4930 for the betterment and support of our local Veterans and their families in their time of need, for the purpose of fuel cards, food cards, or anything deemed necessary by the CVSO. The Board approved accepting the donation.
COVID-19 Pandemic – Situation Update
Emergency Management Director Grafstrom provided an update; including, a discussion regarding possible FEMA and CARES Act funding to reimburse COVID-related expenses; continued work developing the COVID-19 Mitigation Plan for Contact Tracing; and, the Marvin Companies started drivethru testing for their employees in Warroad.
Coordinator Pelowski stated that the Department Heads have been working on Preparedness Plans to get ready for the possible re-opening of County facilities to the public. As Governor Walz has ended the Stay-at-Home Order, effective May 18, 2020; the Preparedness Plans have not been finalized to-date;
AMC is holding a webinar on May 21, 2020, to provide guidance for re-opening County facilities; and, we are continuing to provide our usual County services,
the Department Head’s recommendation to the Board is to establish the goal of re-opening County facilities to the public by June 1, 2020. Board consensus
was to concur with the recommendation.
County Recorder Position Discussion
On April 14, 2020, the Board unanimously approved a Resolution establishing the Appointed Office of County Recorder. Following passage of the Resolution, there is a 30-day appeal period consisting of the ability to file a petition signed by greater than 10% of the registered voters in the County. If a petition is filed within 30 days (by May 14, 2020), the Resolution approved on April 14th would be null and void. No petition was received by May 14th; therefore, the County Recorder is now officially an appointed position. Coordinator Pelowski provided a handout summarizing the three options previously discussed by the Board concerning an appointed Recorder. Following discussion, Commissioner Swanson made a motion to promote Deputy Recorder Renae Hamilton to the Recorder position, effective May 23, 2020, at a pay grade 9, step A. The motion died due to a lack of a second. Following discussion, the Board approved combining the Recorder office duties with the Auditor’s Office, effective May 23, 2020. In addition, the Board authorized the re-evaluation
of the Deputy Recorder job description. Finally, as a part of this discussion, the Board approved to set a Public Hearing for June 23, 2020, at 9:00 a.m., to
consider public input concerning the establishment of the Appointed Office of County Auditor.
Roseau County Highway Maintenance Facility
As a follow-up to previous Board meeting discussions concerning the potential location of a new Highway Maintenance Facility, Commissioner
Horner made a motion to purchase 3 lots located in the City of Roseau Industrial Park for $50,000.00, seconded by Commissioner Walker, and failed by a 1 –
4 vote, with Commissioner Horner voting yes, and Commissioners Falk, Swanson, Walker, and Wicklund voting no. Board consensus was to defer this item to the next Highway Committee meeting.
Intersection of County Roads 4 & 7 in Greenbush
Commissioner Wicklund requested information from Engineer Ketring regarding lighted signage at the intersection of County Roads 4 & 7. He stated that it is up to the County Board to make the decision concerning installation of lighted signage at that intersection. It is a State Aid intersection, so MnDOT would install the signs. Commissioner Walker noted that there is also a safety issue at the intersection of County Roads 5 & 12 south of Warroad.
The Board approved to install lighted signs on both the intersection of County Roads 4 & 7 in Greenbush, and the intersection of County Roads 5 & 12 south of Warroad.
Upon motion carried, the Board adjourned the Special meeting at 11:10 a.m. The next Regular meeting of the Board is scheduled for Tuesday, May 26, 2020, at 8:30 a.m.
(June 1, 2020)