MINUTES & AGENDAS
July, 2015
Commissioner Proceedings
July 14, 2015
The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, July 14, 2015, in the Commissioners’ Room at the Government Center.
Call to Order
Chairman Arnesen called the meeting to order at 9:00 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
Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Beckel and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following additions: Lost warrant, Paul Bunyan Transit Update, and Hoffman, Philipp & Knutson PLLC letter.
Approval of Consent Agenda
Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Beckel and carried unanimously to approve the consent agenda as follows: Christine Hultman to Breezy Point on June 24-26 for AMSSA Conference.
Approval of Minutes
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Beckel and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of June 23, 2015.
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 Moorman and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the county as follows:
Revenue $ 42,334.31
Road & Bridge $108,554.86
County Devel $ 2,050.60
Natl Resc.Enhanc $ 224.90
Solid Waste $ 27,816.89
EDA $ 3,54.56
Sale/Forf Lands $ 91.98
Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants:
June 23, 2015 $ 21,165.40
July 1, 2015 $408,810.02
July 8, 2015 $ 77,626.62
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants Approved On 7/14/2015 for Payment 7/17/2015
Vendor Name Amount
Cenex Co-Op Services, Inc. 11,709.12
Computer Professionals Unlimited Inc 9,519.00
Contech Engineered Solutions LLC 40,271.30
Crop Production Services 18,652.21
Fort Distributors Ltd 23,026.50
Howard’s Oil Company 2,581.91
LOW Highway Dept 5,021.25
Mar-Kit Landfill 14,421.15
Mn Counties Information System 2,561.25
Northwest Community Action, Inc 3,460.00
R & Q Trucking, Inc 3,710.20
Rinke-Noonan 2,264.90
University Of Mn 9,395.85
Voyageurs Comtronics, Inc 2,640.00
Woody’s Service 6,243.96
69 Payments less than 2000 29,099.50 Final Total: $ 184,578.10
Deputy Auditor/Driver’s License Clerk-Election
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson and Human Resource Director, Karen Ose met with the board requesting authorization to hire and to approve grade and step for the Deputy Auditor/Driver’s License Clerk-Election.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to approve the hiring for the Deputy Auditor/Driver’s License Clerk-Election at grade 10 step 1, $17.34 per hour, points 247.
Fiscal Officer
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting authorization to hire and to approve to approve grade and step for the Fiscal Officer. They explained that they would like to have a range, possibility of candidates experience up to step 3.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the hiring for Fiscal Officer at grade 12, up to step 3- points 276.
Lost Warrant
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requoting approval for a lost warrant for Ginger Cargile, dated December 19, 2014 for $14.84.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Hanson, seconded by Commissioner Beckel and carried unanimously to approve the lost warrant for Ginger Cargile, dated December 19, 2014 for $14.80, without furnishing of an indemnifying bond.
2014 Audit -Letter Hoffman, Philipp & Knutson PLLC
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board and informed the board that they received the engagement letter from Hoffman, Philipp, & Knutson, PLLC informing them that they will be auditing the financial statements of the governmental activities, major funds and the aggregate remaining fund information for the county.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Human Resource Director, Karen Ose met with the board requesting authorization to have a DocuShred Container and a mountable mail box for her department.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Hanson and carried unanimously to authorize Human Resource Director to order a DocuShred container and a mountable mail box for the Human Resources department.
Social Services
Claims
Social Services Director, Amy Ballard and Fiscal Officer, Christine Hultman met with the board requesting approval of claims.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Beckel, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to approve the following claims against the county.
Commissioners’ Warrants $ 26,268.01
Commissioners’ Warrants $ 5,672.04
Commissioners’ Warrants $ 32,285.86
Update on Hiring
Social Services Director, Amy Ballard met with the board on the hiring process for the Case Aide position and that just closed; informed the board that in the 2015 Legislative session they mandated and allocated $60,000 per year to hire Child Protection Officer.
PAUL BUNYAN TRANSIT
Social Service Director, Amy Ballard informed the board that she attended the Paul Bunyan Transit meeting which was held on June 24 and stated that the counties are disappointed with the services that they are receiving and that they will be getting together to discuss these issues; service area radius is four (4) miles around Brink Center as defined by Paul Bunyan Transit.
NORTHERN DENTALACCESS CENTER
Northern Dental Access Center Warren Larson, founding member met with the board to seek support for the Northern Dental Access Center for creating a dental home for under service resident of Northern Minnesota. He informed the board that they want to request State Bonding funding to support the construction of a new and larger dental clinic and is requesting a resolution of support.
Resolution
The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously:
Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners Resolution of Support
Northern Dental Access Center
RESOLUTION NO. 15-07-01
Resolution to support the expansion of Northern Dental Access Center to serve people in need, who live in and around Lake of the Woods County, with dental care
WHEREAS; lack of access to dental care is a common challenge among people experiencing poverty and other life challenges; and
WHEREAS; the lack of adequate dental care negatively affects the health of individuals and the overall health of the County; and
WHEREAS; lack of access to dental care contributes to challenges in worker productivity, childhood learning, and social success among vulnerable and at risk people; and
WHEREAS; even though many dentists within the region work to meet the need for dental care by all residents, the growing demand among low income and at-risk people, along with reduced Medicaid payments, there remains a significant gap in dental care access in the region; and
WHEREAS; Northern Dental Access Center has successfully served more than 13,000 people in its first six years of operation, with dental care and the patient support services necessary to address barriers to care; and
WHEREAS; growing demographic projections indicate that the number of low income people who live in and around Lake of the Woods County will number more than 70,000 in the year 2020; and
WHEREAS; the current Northern Dental Access Center facility is housed in a leased facility that has been expanded multiple times with no more capacity to grow in order to adequately meet the growing demand for care. Parking challenges, ADA compliance issues, high energy costs, lack of adequate administrative and storage space, and lack of patient privacy—all contribute to the growing need for a new facility; and
WHEREAS; a new clinic with updated features and room for expansion will provide for greater number of patients served, higher efficiency in the use of public funds, allow for multiple community partnerships to better serve low income families with dental care and access to other resources to improve their overall health.
NOW, BE IT RESOLVED; that the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners supports development of a new facility to house Northern Dental Access Center and its community partners to assure the organization’s long term sustainability and for the purposes of serving greater numbers of low income people in the region with dental care and support services to address barriers to care.
AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED; that the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners encourages adjacent units of government to resolve similar support of Northern Dental Access Center’s.
RECESS
The meeting was called to recess at 9:50 a.m. and reconvened at 9:59 a.m. as follows:
COMMITTEE REPORTS
Commissioner Nordlof- informed the board on the North Land Use meeting
Commissioner Moorman- informed the board on the Montana Institutes training for Prevention Coalition.
OLD/NEW
Beaver- More trappers on the list
Clementson Property- now transferred to county, near future get parks committee together
NWA- Tribal meeting on July 29
RECESS
The meeting was called to recess at 10:30 a.m. and reconvened at 11:00 a.m. as follows:
MEDICAL EXAMNIER
Dr. Maryann Sens, Medical Examiner met with the board to give an update on new Legislative changes on Autopsy requirements, which give families religious objectives to autopsy the right to say no, except for traffic fatalities and drug overdoses.
PUBLIC WORKS
Public Works Director, Tim Erickson met with the board and informed the board that MPC approved the Solid Waste Plan and now he can move on with the SCORE report and other requirements.
City of Williams –School
The board discussed the Old Williams School and the water flow. Tim informed the board that he has not had time to look at this so far.
Markit Landfill
Manager Dale Nelson, from Markit Landfill met with the board to review the new contract for Solid Waste disposal and informed the board that the contract from 1995 will be expiring and the cost per ton has only increased from $45 a ton, to $50 per ton. The contract was placed on July 28, 2015 board agenda for approval.
County Road 17
Public Works Director, Tim Erickson met with the board and informed them that the County Road 17 construction project is moving along.
RECESS
With no further business before the board, Chairman Arnesen called the meeting to recess at 11:45 a.m.
Attest: Approved: July 28, 2015
_______________________ _________________________________
Lorene Hanson, Chairman of the Board, Edward Arnesen
County Auditor/Treasurer
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Commissioner Proceedings
July 28, 2015
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
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 Services Investigation.
Approval of Minutes
Motion
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
Claims
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson 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 claims against the county as follows:
Revenue $ 46,815.69
Road & Bridge $116,569.25
Social Services $ (60.00)
County Devel $ 2,304.00
Natl Resc.Enhanc $ 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
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting authorization for adding signatures for the Motor Vehicle Checking account.
Motion
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 Sales
County 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
Claims
Social Services Director, Amy Ballard met with the board requesting approval of claims.
Motion
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
Social Services Director, Amy Ballard met with the board requesting authorization to advertise and interview for two Social Workers and to promote Jodi Ferrier as the Social Worker Supervisor.
Motion
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
Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund met with the board requesting continuance funding for the Wetland Mitigation. The board requested that when funding is spent on this project that Josh give them updates on the Mitigation process.
Motion
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
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
RESOLUTION NO. 2015-07-02
WHEREAS; 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 ArnesenCounty Auditor/Treasurer