HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 02/25/2020
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MINUTES OF THE
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Government Services Center, Commissioners’ Room
515 W. Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN
February 25, 2020
8:30 a.m.
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 8:32 a.m. Tuesday, February 25, 2020, at the
Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN, with Commissioners; Lee Rogness, Chair; Betty Murphy,
Vice-Chair; Wayne Johnson, John Lindquist and Doug Huebsch present.
Approval of Agenda
Chair Rogness called for approval of the Board Agenda. Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and
unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners Agenda of February 25, 2020 with the following
changes:
Addition: West Central Initiative Census Grant
Addition: MCIT Informational Meeting
Addition to Public Works Committee: Salt Shed/Glass Pile Update
Consent Agenda
Motion by Huebsch, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to approve the Consent Agenda items as
follows:
1. February 11, 2020 Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
2. Warrants/Bills for February 25, 2020 (Exhibit A)
3. Human Services & Public Health Warrants/Bills for February 25, 2020
(Exhibit A)
4. Approve an LG240B Application to Conduct Excluded Bingo as
submitted by the Friends of the Perham Area Public Library for an event
scheduled for Monday, March 29, 2020 at The Cactus located at 43521
Fort Thunder Road in Perham Township
2020 Legislative Priorities
County Administrator Nicole Hansen submitted a document titled “2020 Legislative Priorities” that will be
provided at meetings with legislators during the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Conference in
February. Top priorities include Economic Development, Community Services and Transportation and Trails.
Non-Licensed Essential Supervisory Labor Agreement
Motion by Johnson, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to accept the Non-Licensed Essential
Supervisory Labor Agreement for 2020-2022.
West Central Initiative Census Grant
Motion by Murphy, second by Huebsch and unanimously carried to accept the West Central Initiative Census
Grant in the amount of $500.00. The grant will be used for the Census Grant project.
Open Forum Discussion
County Administrator Nicole Hansen requested input from the Board on how to improve the agenda and
meetings to meet and promote the needs of the county as well as the public while staying within their
authority. She summarized the roles and responsibilities of the County Commissioners and reviewed a
document titled “Public Comments at Board Meetings” which includes language regarding the Minnesota
Open Meeting Law. Ms. Hansen suggested the addition of an open forum prior to each regularly scheduled
Board of Commissioners’ meeting to allow the public to address the board while following established rules
or guidelines.
OTTERTAIL
COUNTY - MINNESOTA
Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2020
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Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried for staff to establish a dedicated time for
the public to address the board regarding county business as recommended by MCIT. The open forum would
be informational only and would not be part of the regular Board meeting. Staff will develop a proposed Open
Forum Policy for review at the March 3rd, 2020 meeting.
Redeye 1 Watershed 1 Plan (1W1P) Update
East Otter Tail County Soil and Water Conservation District Manager Darren Newville provided an update to
the Board regarding the Redeye River 1W1P. The program and plan are voluntary and aligns water planning
along watershed boundaries while enhancing existing county water plans. Mr. Newville reviewed key focus
areas and goals as well as a timeline of the plan approval process. The plan is currently being reviewed
internally and the Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) approval is planned for September 2020
followed by local adoption.
Buffalo-Red River Comprehensive Watershed Management Draft Plan
West Otter Tail County Soil and Water Conservation District Project Manager Aaron Larsen submitted the
Buffalo-Red River Comprehensive Watershed Management draft plan to the Commissioners on February 6,
2020 for internal review. He provided a brief summary of the plan to the Board and requested approval.
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve the Buffalo-Red River
Comprehensive Watershed Management draft plan as presented and submitted to the Commissioners. The
motion also recommended the draft plan to be submitted to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for
approval.
Otter Tail County (OTC) Coalition of Lake Association (COLA) Survey
OTC COLA Administrative Assistant John Kruse shared with the Board the results of an online survey that
has received 1,057 responses thus far. The survey requested input from lake and river shoreland property
owners regarding the OTC Shoreland Management and Septic Ordinances. The survey was promoted on
the Otter Tail County Facebook page, OTC COLA website, COLA E-Newsletter and 15,530 post cards were
mailed to property owners.
Board of Adjustment Appointment
Motion by Murphy, second by Huebsch and unanimously carried to appoint Terry Marthaler from District 4
to the Otter Tail County Board of Adjustment serving a one-year term.
Land Use Administrative Ordinance
Motion by Johnson, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to authorize a Public Hearing regarding the
Land Use Administrative Ordinance on April 7, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the Government Services Center in
Fergus Falls, MN.
Clean Water Partnership Program
Land and Resource Director Chris LeClair requested approval from the Board to submit an application to the
Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for the Clean Water Partnership Loan Program . This program allows
property owners to apply for a loan with the county to upgrade their septic systems. Payback for the loan
would be applied to the applicant’s property taxes over a 10-year period at a 0% interest rate and would also
be available to commercial establishments.
Motion by Lindquist, second by Murphy and unanimously carried, with Johnson abstaining, to authorize the
Land and Resource Director to apply for a grant with the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency in the amount
of one (1) Million dollars to assist with funding of the Minnesota Clean Water Partnership program.
Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2020
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Amended Plat – “Old Town Townhouses”/ CIC#26
Motion by Huebsch, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the amended plat known as
“Old Town Townhouses” Common Interest Community #26 located in Section 12 of Clitherall Township;
Clitherall Lake (56-238).
Penalty Forgiveness
Motion by Johnson, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to deny the requested penalty forgiveness
in the amount of $590.75 to Matt and Bridget Cullen. Failure to update mailing address does not meet the
requirements of the Otter Tail County Policy for penalty forgiveness.
Ditch 45
Motion by Johnson, second by Huebsch and unanimously carried to authorize a Public Hearing regarding
the finalization for redetermination of benefits for Ditch 45 on March 30, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. at the Parkers
Prairie Event Center in Parkers Prairie, MN.
Sale of Property
Motion by Huebsch, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to reaffirm the public sale of a one -acre
parcel (27000230155001) located in the Northeast quarter of the Southwest quarter of Section 23 in Folden
Township. The tract is adjacent to the west side of County Highway 65 and is surrounded on the North, West
and South sides by property owned by Joerger Land LLC.
State Auditor Engagement Letter
Motion by Lindquist, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to authorize the Otter Tail County Board
Chair, County Administrator and County Auditor-Treasurer to sign the 2019 Audit Engagement Letter with
the Office of the Minnesota State Auditor.
MCIT Meeting
Motion by Johnson, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to authorize Commissioners to attend the
MCIT informational meeting on February 27, 2020 at 8:15 a.m. at the InterContinental Hotel in St. Paul, MN.
The meeting is being held in conjunction with the AMC’s Legislative Conference.
Closed to the Public
At 10:20 a.m., Chair Rogness declared the Board of Commissioners meeting closed to the public for attorney
client privileges to discuss matters regarding threatened litigation concerning claims of Kameron Boudin
involving an incident on December 13, 2018. The closed session is authorized under M.S. 13D.05, subd.
3(b). Present were Commissioners; Lee Rogness, Chair; Betty Murphy, Vice Chair; Wayne Johnson, John
Lindquist, Doug Huebsch, Board Secretary Tara Bakken, County Administrator Nicole Hansen, County
Attorney Michelle Eldien and County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons.
The closed session was concluded at 10:43 a.m.
Out of State Travel
Motion by Huebsch, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to authorize the Probation Director to attend
the Orientation for Probation and Parole Chief Executives in Aurora, CO May 5th-7th, 2020. The Orientation
focuses on presenting core competencies and their related skills and behaviors. All expenses will be funded
by The National Institute of Corrections.
ENACTING RESOLUTION FOR THE PARKS AND TRAILS ORDINANCE UNDER MINNESOTA
STATUTE SECTION 375.51, SUBDIVISION 2, AND 398.34
Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2020 - 18
WHEREAS, the County is authorized pursuant to Minnesota Statues, Sections 398.31 to 398.36, to establish
a Parks and Trails Ordinance; and
Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2020
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WHEREAS, the Parks and Trails Ordinance will secure the quiet, orderly and suitable use and enjoyment of
public park and trail properties; and
WHEREAS, the Parks and Trails Ordinance will guide the primary duty of the acquisition, development and
maintenance of parks, trails, wildlife sanctuaries, forest and other reservations and providing the means for
public access to historic sites, lakes, rivers, streams and other natural phenomena; and
WHEREAS, the statutes provide that the County is granted full power and authority to acquire and establish
parks and trails and to operate, maintain, protect and improve a park and trail system and conduct a
recreational program; and
WHEREAS, the County has caused notice of a public hearing on the Parks and Trails Ordinance published
in the official newspaper and other local weekly newspapers of the County with at least three weeks’ notice
given; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to such notice, a public hearing on the proposal has been held by the County on
February 11, 2020, at which hearing all persons desiring to present their oral or written comments on the
proposal were given an opportunity to do so; and
WHEREAS, the adoption of the Parks and Trails Ordinance vacates the Ordinance Relating to Prohibition
of Alcoholic Beverages at Phelps Mills Park previously passed by the County on or about August 10, 1977;
and
WHEREAS, the adoption of the Parks and Trails Ordinance vacates the County Park Ordinance previously
passed by the County on or about July 15, 1980.
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED:
1. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Sections 398.31 to 398.36, the Board of Commissioners hereby
enacts a Parks and Trails Ordinance.
2. The Ordinance Relating to Prohibition of Alcoholic Beverages at Phelps Mill Park is vacated.
3. The County Park Ordinance is vacated.
Upon the motion of Johnson, is seconded by Lindquist, and passed on a 5-5 vote, the above resolution is
hereby adopted by the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners.
Adopted at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, this 25th day of February 2020:
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: ______________________________
By:___________________________________________ Attest:_______________________________
Leland R. Rogness, Board of Commissioners Chair Nicholas Leonard, Deputy Administrator
Phelps Mill County Park 2020 Fee Schedule
Motion by Johnson, second by Huebsch and unanimously carried to approve the Phelps Mill County Park
2020 Fee Schedule as presented effective March 1, 2020. For a full list of county fees visit
https://ottertailcountymn.us/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Otter-Tail-County-Fee-Schedule.pdf.
Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2020
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Amended CSAH 34 Engineering Services Agreement
Motion by Johnson, second by Huebsch and unanimously carried to accept the requested amendment to
the current fee for engineering services for the Perham to Pelican Rapids East Segment S.A.P 056-634-011
and S.P. 056-090-013.
Adjournment
At 10:56 a.m., Chair Rogness declared the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners meeting adjourned.
The next Board meeting is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at the Government Services
Center in Fergus Falls, MN.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated:______________________________
By: ____________________________________________ Attest: ______________________________
Leland R. Rogness, Board of Commissioners Chair Nicholas Leonard, Deputy Administrator
Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2020 (Exhibit A)
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Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2020 (Exhibit A)
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Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2020 (Exhibit A)
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Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2020 (Exhibit A)
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Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2020 (Exhibit A)
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Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
February 25, 2020 (Exhibit A)
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