Commissioner Proceedings

February 9, 2016

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, February 9, 2016, in the Commissioners’ Room at the Government Center.

Call to Order

Chairman Moorman called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners Buck Nordlof, Tom Hanson, Patty Beckel, Ken Moorman and Ed Arnesen.  Also present were:  County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson, Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Janet Rudd and Woody Fiala.

Approval of Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Beckel and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following additions:  Copy machine, Deputy Sheriff, Joint Housing meeting.

APPROVAL of Consent Agenda

Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the consent agenda as follows: Jodi Ferrier to attend Leadership Core Series in East Grand Forks on March 24-25, April 21-22, May 26-27, June 23-24 and December 1-2;

Approval of Minutes

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of January 26, 2016.

AUDITOR/TREASURER

Claims

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting approval of claims.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the county as follows:

Revenue                      $ 21,535.82

Road & Bridge           $ 15,413.35

                                                Solid Waste                $ 17,801.73

EDA                            $     817.93

                                      55,568.83

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 2/9/2016 For Payment 2/12/2016

Vendor Name                                        Amount

Cenex Co-Op Services, Inc.                              6,518.23

Computer Professionals Unlimited Inc           3,693.00

Howard’s Oil Company                                      3,125.67

Mar-Kit Landfill                                                  11,809.00

Mn Rural Counties Caucus                               2,100.00

Wallwork Truck Center                                      2,240.36

Woody’s Service                                               2,275.39

57 Payments less than  2000    23,807.18

Final Total: 55,568.83

    Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants:

                                                January 28, 2016                    $    2,233.60

                                                February 3, 2016                   $   85,960.20

                                                $ 88,193.80

County Credit Card

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting approval to issue a County credit card to Appraiser Trainee, Whitnie Reasy.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to authorize Appraiser Trainee Whitnie Reasy a County credit card for official county business.

Liquor License

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting approval for an On-Sale/Sunday Liquor license and 3.2 off sale malt liquor for Flag Island Resort LLC.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Hanson and carried unanimously to authorize County Auditor/Treasurer to issue an On-Sale/Sunday Liquor license and 3.2 off sale malt liquor for Flag Island Resort LLC, effective January 1, 2016 thru June 30, 2016.

MCCC Service Agreement

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting authorization to enter into a Professional Service Agreement with MCCC.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the Professional Service Agreement between Lake of the Woods County and MN Counties Computer Cooperative and Trimin Systems Inc. for maintenance and support for the IFS effective January 1, 2016 thru December 31, 2018.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Social Service Director, Amy Ballard met with the board requesting approval of claims.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the following claims:

                                                            Commissioners’ Warrants $ 18,497.25

                                                            Commissioners’ Warrants $ 24,337.85

Timber Contract

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously  to amend the agenda and add closed session at 9:40 a.m. pursuant to MN Statute §13D.05, subd. 3(b), Attorney Client Privileges to discuss Timber Contract.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to close the closed session and open the regular meeting at 9:50 a.m.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to authorize Chairman Moorman to sign the Timber Contract with Levasseur Timber Sales, Project Number 4521.

HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR

Human Resource Director, Karen Ose met with the board and informed the board that the MIS department’s job descriptions were reviewed by MRA. The IT Tech job description was graded at step 10, points 238 and a salary range between $17.94- $22.38 per hour; GIS job description was graded at step 12, points 283, and salary range between $20.05- $25.04 which included working with various departments for GIS responsibilities, (at this time, this position has been unable to do these duties). MIS Directors job description was graded at step 19, points 435, and salary range from $29.72 to 37.23, increased points by 20 due to adding the duties of Maintenance Supervisor to this job description.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the MIS Directors job description at Grade 19, points 435, step 3, $31.09 per hour, effective January 12, 2016; if the Maintenance Supervisor duties leave the MIS Directors position, the grade will revert back to grade 18, points 415; if another positon is hired for IT Tech, the MIS Directors step will move to step 4, $31.77 per hour effective of date of hire.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Hanson and carried unanimously to approve the IT Tech position at grade 10 , points 238, salary range from $17.94- $22.38.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Hanson and carried unanimously to leave the GIS grade at 11, when the duties of the GIS changes with GIS responsibilities, MIS Director will need to come back to the board for changes of duties.

Employee Performance Review

Human Resource Director, Karen Ose met with the board to review the Employee Performance Review form. The consensus of the board was that the form was acceptable.

LAND AND WATER PLANNING

Land and Water Director, Josh Stromlund met with the board requesting a colored copy machine for his department due to the change in his office area.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to enter into a lease agreement with Marco for copy machine for the Land and Water Planning Office.

SWCD Position

Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund met with the board to discuss the SWCD positon which would blend with the county’s Public Works/Land and Water and NRCS with help with drainage, county road ditch systems and surveys. Grant funds are available at this time thru SWCD for two years. If funding gets cut, Josh asked if the County would consider partly funding this position. The consensus of the board was that they support SWCD board’s decision of hiring this position.

MIS/SHERIFF

MIS Director/Maintenance Supervisor Peder Hovland and County Sheriff, Gary Fish met with the board to discuss Law Enforcement complex and long term planning. The consensus of the board was for them to proceed with long term planning of the Law Enforcement Complex.

COUNTY SHERIFF

County Sheriff, Gary Fish met with the board requesting approval to move Deputy Sheriff, Russ Platz to full time at forty (40) hours per week as long as a Deputy Sheriff serves on the Task Force; once a Deputy Sheriff no longer serves on the Task Force, this position would move back to 30 hours per week.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Beckel and carried unanimously to approve Deputy Sheriff, Russ Platz to full time at forty (40) hours per week, effective February 14, 2016 as long as a Deputy Sheriff serves on the Task Force; once a Deputy Sheriff no longer serves on the Task Force, this position would move back to 30 hours per week.

ADRIANS RESORT

Brian Ney, representing Adrian’s Resort met with the board to discuss winter road access that the resort has provided for 25 years. Brian explained that they previously went  out at Wheelers Point area and were asked many years ago by a previous Commissioner to move to the current access that they are at now due to the congestion at the other access. The board indicated to continue as is for now to allow them time to research prior actions and research the property lines and options available.

PUBLIC WORKS

Public Works Director, Tim Erickson met with the board to discuss County Road 33 storm sewer. Tim explained with the Wheelers Point Sanitary District construction in progress that this would be a good time to place a storm sewer in that area.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Hanson and carried unanimously to amend the five year project plan to include CR 33 storm sewer.

JOINT HOUSING MEETING

Commissioner Beckel was asked if the County Board would be interested in holding a Joint Housing Meeting with the City of Baudette and the EDA. She will get back with the board when the dates are finalized.

Recess

With no further business before the board, Chairman Moorman called the meeting to recess at 12:45 p.m.

Attest:                                                                                                 Approved: February 23, 2016

__________________________________                                        ______________________________

Lorene Hanson, County Auditor/Treasurer                                        Kenneth Moorman

                                                                                                          Chairman of the Board

================================================================================================

Commissioner Proceedings

February 23 2016

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, February 23, 2016, in the ITV room at the Lake of the Woods School.

Call to Order

Chairman Moorman called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners Patty Beckel, Thomas Hanson, Ed Arnesen, Buck Nordlof, and Ken Moorman.  Also present were: County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson, Deputy Auditor /Treasurer Janet Rudd, County Attorney, James Austad and Woody Fiala.

High School Social Studies teacher, Mr.  Don Krause

Mr. Don Krause thanked the Commissioners for meeting at the School so his students could attend and participate in the meeting.

Introduction

Chairman Moorman gave a brief description of the duties of County Commissioners.

Approval of Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following additions: Lake of the Woods International Arena and Pequana Play House flyer.

Approval of Consent Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the consent agenda as follows: Heather Blodgett to St. Cloud on February 22-23 for MN Choices Mentor Meeting; Leah Larson to Minneapolis on March 15-18 for MSSA Conference; Christine Hultman and Jodi Ferrier to St. Cloud on May 17-18 for SSIS MAPCY Training; Craig Severs to St. Cloud on June 10 for MN County Attorneys Association Child Support Conference;

Approval of Minutes

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of February 9, 2016.

Auditor/Treasurer

Claims

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting approval of claims.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the county as follows: Revenue $ 21,284.98, Road & Bridge                    $23,319.74, Co. Develop $ 800.00, Solid Waste$8,218.66,EDA$ 1,782.00.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 2/23/2016 For Payment 2/26/2016

Vendor Name                                                    Amount

Information Systems Corporation                                   6,923.00

John Deere Financial                                                       2,419.13

Levasseur/Steve                                                                  2,150.62

Little Falls Machine, Inc                                                     3,907.47

R & Q Trucking, Inc                                                           3,107.60

Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc                                           2,845.62

Ziegler, Inc                                                                        14,929.80

51 Payments less than 2000       19,122.14

Final Total:   55,405.38

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: February 10, 2106 $11,698.77, February 16, 2016 $130,654.70, February 17, 2016 (125.80), February 17, 2016 $5,958.19, February 17, 2016 $31,278.17.     

Schrandt Cartway

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting approval to set a public hearing for continuance for the Shrandt Cartway.

Resolution

Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Hanson and carried unanimously to set the Continuance of a Public Hearing for David and Mary Schrandt Cartway for March 22, 2016 at 11:00 a.m.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Hanson and carried unanimously to authorize Chairman Moorman to sign the Order/Notice for Continuance of Public Hearing for David and Mary Schrandt cartway.

MN Department of Administration

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting approval for signatures for the MN Department of Administration to allow purchase through the Fleet and Surplus Service Division.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Beckel and carried unanimously to authorize Chairman Moorman, County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson, Public Works Director, Tim Erickson, Social Service Director, Amy Ballard and County Sheriff, Gary Fish to sign the signature card for Federal and /or State Surplus Property.

Set-Up License

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting approval for a Consumption and Display Permit for Ships Wheel Resort.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Beckel and carried unanimously to approve the Consumption and Display Permit for Ships Wheel Resort effective April 1, 2016 thru March 31, 2017 issued by the State of Minnesota.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Social Service Director, Amy Ballard met with the board requesting approval for claims.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Hanson and carried unanimously to approve the following claims against the county as follows: Commissioners Warrants: $10,358.00 and $5,427.97.

SWCD

SWCD Resource Technician, Mike Hirst met with the board to review the 2015 Feedlot Program Report.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Beckel and carried unanimously to approve the 2015 Feedlot Program Report from January 1, 2015 thru December 31, 2015 and authorize Chairman Moorman to sign.

HUMAN RESOURCE DIRECTOR

Human Resource Director, Karen Ose met with the board requesting approval of the Data Practices Policy for Members of the Public and Data Practice Policy for Data Subjects. Karen explained that IPAD developed sample policy guidance to meet the new requirements in Minnesota Statutes, section 13.05, subd. 5, which is to include a model policy, related to ensuring appropriate access to not public data.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to adopt the model policy that IPAD created for Policy of Members of Public and Data of Subject and authorize Chairman Moorman to sign the notice of Adoption of Model Policies.

MIS DIRECTOR

IT Technician

MIS Director, Peder Hovland met with the board requesting approval to advertise, interview and hire for an IT Technician.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Beckel and carried unanimously to approve the MIS Director, Peder Hovland to advertise, interview and hire for an IT Technician position at grade 10, step 1, $17.34 per hour, points 238.

Mail Boxes

MIS Director, Peder Hovland met with the board requesting approval to purchase 20 additional mailbox licenses.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Hanson and carried unanimously to authorize MIS Director, Peder Hovland to purchase 20 additional mailbox licenses in the amount of $1,556 from the MIS budget.

DNR

Baudette Area Wildlife Supervisor Scott Laudenslager and Red Lake Area Wildlife Manager Gretchen Mehmel met with the board and reviewed the past accomplishments and current projects in Lake of the Woods County.

HEADWATER REGIONAL DEVEOPMENT CENTER

HRDC Economic Development Director, Ryan Zemek met with the board to discuss the Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) which is a new way to finance energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades to buildings of commercial property owners. Ryan explained that state law allows local units of government to enter into joint powers agreement to create a PACE program. The board requested that Ryan meet with County Attorney, James Austad and County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson to discuss and review the joint powers agreement.

FRIENDS OF ZIPPEL BAY PARK

Tom Heinrich, representing Friends of Zippel Bay Park met with the board to discuss the possibility of the “Friends of Zippel Bay Park” to assist in grooming the ski-trails. Chairman Moorman received information from Acting Regional Manager, NW Region –Parks and Trails Gary Hoeft in regards of a Memorandum of Understanding to allow the Friends Group to work under the umbrella of the Lake of the Woods County to allow them to groom the trails at Zippel Bay State Park. County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson explained to the board that these volunteers would not be eligible to be under the counties workers compensation; however they would be covered by general liability coverage.

GREAT NORTHERN TRANSMISSION LINE

Project Manager, Jim Atkinson met with the board and informed them that the preferred blue route was approved. The next step will be the right-away field activities to land owners and engineering designs for field surveyors to access property owner’s lands. Project completion date is June 1 2020.

RECESS

The meeting was called to recess at 11:55 a.m. and reconvened at 12:40 p.m. in the Commissioners Room as follows:

TOWARD ZERO DEATH PRESENTATION

Public Works Director, Tim Erickson, District State Aid Engineer Lou Tasa and Lieutenant Brad Norland met with the board and presented a power point, pictures and information on the Towards Zero Death Task Force.

PUBLIC WORKS

Vehicle Purchase

Public Works Director, Tim Erickson met with the board requesting authorization to purchase a pickup for the highway department and informed the board that he is looking into a cell booster for the highway department.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Beckel and carried unanimously to approve the purchase of extended cab pickup in the amount of $27,618.50.

Highway 11 Update

District State Aid Engineer, Lou Tasa discussed the upcoming State Highway 11 construction with the board.

RECESS

The meeting was called to recess at 2:10 p.m. and reconvened at 2:24 p.m. as follows:

CLOSED SESSION

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to close the regular meeting at 2:30 p.m. and open the closed session pursuant to MN Stat. § 13D.05, Subd. 3(b), Attorney Client Privileges to discuss Wetland Mitigation. The following were in attendance: Commissioners Arnesen, Nordlof, Hanson, Beckel and Moorman. County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson and County Attorney, James Austad. Wetland Mitigation Attorney, John Kolb via conference call.  SWCD board members: Russ Hansen, John Sonstegard, Roger Krause, Frank Sindelir and Nancy Dunnell. SWCD Staff, Mike Hirst and Josh Stromlund.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Beckel and carried unanimously to close the closed session and open the regular meeting at 4:00 p.m.

JERRY AND SHARON KROHN

Land owners Jerry and Sharon Krohn met with the board and informed them that back in 1969 that the Legislatures passed a law to include there land within the designated Zippel Bay State Parks Boundary. They attempted to get this land removed from within the park boundary in 2014, but at that time the Parks Division of the DNR refused their request. Krohn’s asked the board for support on having their parcel of land deleted from the legislative boundary.

The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously the following resolution:

Resolution No. 15-02-01

DELETE LAND FROM LEGISLATIVE BOUNDRY OF ZIPPEL STATE PARK

WHEREAS, in 1969 Legislature of the State of Minnesota enacted Chapter 85.012.61, History Item 1969  C 879 S 1,  State parks;  Subdivision 1. Acquisition of lands. The lands described in this section are added to the boundaries of the designated state parks, waysides, and recreational reserves and the commissioner of administration for the commissioner of conservation is authorized to acquire by gift, purchase, or if expressly authorized by law, by condemnation proceedings the lands as described. Any land which now is or hereafter becomes tax-forfeited land and is located within the described park boundaries is hereby withdrawn from sale and is transferred from the custody, control, and supervision of the county board of the county to  the commissioner of conservation, free from any trust in favor of the interested taxing districts. The commissioner shall execute a certificate of acceptance of the lands on behalf of the state for such purpose and transmit the same to the county auditor of the county for record as provided by law in the case of tax-forfeited land transferred to the commissioner by resolution of the county board for conservation purposes. Any lands within the herein described boundaries which may be owned by the United States and managed by any of its agents may be acquired by land exchange, direct transfer, or purchase as federal laws may prescribe. The lands acquired pursuant to this section shall be administered in the same manner as provided for other state parks and shall be perpetually dedicated for such use.

WHEREAS, Subd. 13. Zippel Bay Recreation Reserve, Lake of the Woods County; states all of the Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 10; all of Government lot 3 of Section 11; all of the South Half of the Northwest Quarter and the Northwest Quarter of the  Northwest Quarter of Section 14; all in Township 162 North, Range 33 West;

WHEREAS; all of the Northwest Quarter of the Southeast Quarter of Section 10 was sold to the State of Minnesota in 1961; all of Government Lot 3 of Section 11 was sold to the State of Minnesota in 1971; all of the Northwest Quarter of the Northwest Quarter of Section 14 was sold to the State of Minnesota in 1973; all in township 162 North, Range 33 west;

NOW THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners, upon request of current Land Owner hereby request the State Legislators delete all of the south half of the northwest quarter of section 14, Township 162 North, Range 33 West located in Lake of the Woods County from the boundaries of the Legislative designated Zippel Bay State Parks reserve.

CORRESPONDENCE

The boards acknowledge the following: Pequana Play House and Lake of the Woods International Ice Arena.

Recess

With no further business before the board, Chairman Moorman called the meeting to recess at 4:25 p.m.

Attest:                                                                                     Approved: March 8, 2016

_______________________                                                  _________________________________

Lorene Hanson,                                                                       Chairman of the Board, Ken Moorman

County Auditor/Treasurer