HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 05/05/2020
MINUTES OF THE
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OTTERTAIL
COUNTY· MINNESOTA
Government Services Center, Commissioners' Room & Via Livestream
515 West Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN
May 5, 2020
8:30a.m.
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 8:30 a.m . Tuesday, May 5, 2020, at the Government Services
Center in Fergus Falls, MN and via Webex Meeting. Commissioner Lee Rogness, Chair; and John Lindquist were present
in the room . Commissioners Betty Murphy, Vice-Chair, Wayne Johnson, and Doug Huebsch were present via Webex
Meeting. The meeting was held via Webex Meeting and was available to the public via livestream due to the health
pandemic and declared emergency in accordance with Minn. Stat. Sec. 13D.021 Subd . 1 (1 ).
Approval of Agenda
Chair Rogness called for approval of the Board Agenda. Motion by Huebsch, second by Lindquist to approve the Board
of Commissioners' agenda of May 5, 2020 . After discussion, the motion to approve the agenda passed on a roll call vote
as follows :
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS YEA NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Doug Huebsch X
Wayne Johnson X
John Lindquist X
Betty Murphy X
Leland Rogness X
Consent Agenda
Motion by Lindquist, second by Johnson to approve the Consent Agenda items as follows:
1. April 28, 2020 Board of Commissioners ' Meeting Minutes
2. Warrants/Bills for May 5, 2020 (Exhibit A)
3. Acceptance of NG9-1-1 Grant Call Premise Equipment (CPE) Federal Grant Funds
After discussion, the motion to approve the consent agenda passed on a roll call vote as follows:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS YEA NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Doug Huebsch X
Wayne Johnson X
John Lindquist X
Betty Murphy X
Leland Rogness X
Supported Housing Development
Human Services Director Deb Sjostrom briefed the board regarding a proposed supported housing development in the
city of Fergus Falls and introduced those involved in the project. Liz Kuoppala with MAHUBE-OTWA provided a brief
overview of supported housing and the onsite services that are planned to be available to residents. Kate Coughlin with
Lutheran Social Services discussed the importance of onsite services and the ability to provide supports to those
experiencing mental illness and housing instability. Mikel Olson with the Fergus Falls Housing & Redevelopment
Authority (HRA) shared the proposed site plan with the Board and provided a brief overview of the building design. Joe
Rizzo with Beyond Shelter, Inc., a non-profit affordable housing developer, discussed funding options and the application
timeline process. The project is not a part of local tax dollars and an application for Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
infrastructure bonds will be made. The county supports the opportunity to provide services to residents and if the project
is awarded funding, construction is planned for 2021 .
Page 1 of?
Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2020
Adult Foster Care Licensing Cooperative Agreement
Motion by Huebsch, second by Murphy to authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures to execute the agreement
between Otter Tail County, Douglas County and Sourcewell for the performance of administrative functions and activities
pertaining to adult foster care licensing. Outsourcing adult foster care licensing provides the county with more
opportunity and staff time to focus on child foster care licensing recruitment and retention. After discussion, the motion
passed on a roll call vote as follows:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Doug Huebsch
Wayne Johnson
John Lindquist
Betty Murphy
Leland Rogness
YEA
X
X
X
X
X
NAY
Otter Tail River 1 Watershed 1 Plan
ABSENT ABSTAIN
Motion by Lindquist, second by Huebsch to appoint Wayne Johnson as the primary and Betty Murphy as the alternate
for the Otter Tail River 1 Watershed 1 Plan . After discussion, the motion passed on a roll call vote as follows:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS YEA NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Doug Huebsch X
Wayne Johnson X
John Lindquist X
Betty Murphy X
Leland Rogness X
Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS) Loan Application Fee
Motion by Lindquist, second by Murphy to approve a $100.00 loan application fee for the SSTS Loan Program to assist
with internal administration costs. The program is available to everyone and applicants that do not qualify for the
program will receive a refund of the application fee. After discussion, the motion passed on a roll call vote as follows:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS YEA NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Doug Huebsch X
Wayne Johnson X
John Lindquist X
Betty Murphy X
Leland Rogness X
Spitzer Lake No Wake Zone
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist to establish a 30-day no-wake zone for Spitzer Lake effective May 23, 2020 as
authorized and outlined under M.S. 6110.3700. The motion includes a request that an application for extension until the
end of summer 2020 be submitted to the DNR Commissioner to provide relief to property owners on Spitzer Lake . After
discussion, the motion passed on a roll call vote as follows:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS YEA NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Doug Huebsch X
Wayne Johnson X
John Lindquist X
Betty Murphy X
Leland Rogness X
Page 2 of?
Board of Commissioners ' Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2020
Legislative Updates
Deputy Administrator Nick Leonard briefed the Board regarding legislative updates and the Board 's desire to
communicate with local representatives regarding several concerns. He recommended and summarized items of
importance to Otter Tail County that he plans to include in the letter to Legislature and requested authorization from the
Board to submit.
Motion by Johnson, second by Murphy to authorize the Deputy County Administrator to submit a letter to Legislature
identifying items of high priority to Otter Tail County, as recommended , and encouraging support and efforts to resolve
these requests . After discussion , the motion passed on a roll call vote as follows :
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS YEA NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Doug Huebsch X
Wayne Johnson X
John Lindquist X
Betty Murphy X
Leland Rogness X
Recess & Reconvene
At 9:42 a.m ., Chair Rogness declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners recessed for short
break. The Board of Commissioners meeting was reconvened at 9:48 a.m.
Economic Tax Development Abatements
Motion by Johnson, second by Murphy to forgo acting on the remedies of default for failure to timely pay real property
taxes for all economic tax development abatements until May 15, 2021 . Dependent upon the length of the COVID-19
pandemic, the Board may readdress in 2021 . After discussion, the motion passed on a roll call vote as follows :
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS YEA NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Doug Huebsch X
Wayne Johnson X
John Lindquist X
Betty Murphy X
Leland Rogness X
Sale of Property
Motion by Huebsch, second by Johnson to award the sale of the following described parcel to the highest and most
responsible bidder, Joerger Land, LLC C/0 David Joerger in the amount of $1,000.00 plus other costs and fees as noted
in the published and posted notice of sale :
Parcel No. 27-000-23-0155-001
Legal Description
Beginning Thirty-Three (33) feet West and Six Hundred (600) feet South of Northeast (NE) corner of the Southwest Quarter
(SW¼), Section Twenty-three (23), Folden Township (Township One Hundred Thirty-Two (132) North, Range Thirty-Eight
(38) West; running thence South 217.8 feet; thence West 200 feet; thence North 217 .8 feet; thence East 200 feet to point
of beginning. Containing 1 Acre . Subject to any and all existing easements of record and to a 60' right-of-way easement
as measured from the centerline of County State Aid Highway 65 .
After discussion, the motion passed on a roll call vote as follows :
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Doug Huebsch
Wayne Johnson
John Lindquist
Betty Murphy
Leland Rogness
YEA
X
X
X
X
X
Page 3 of?
NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2020
Motion by Huebsch, second by Johnson to award the sale of the following described parcel to the highest and most
responsible bidder, Helle of a Hunt LLP C/O Stephen Helle, in the amount of $3,000.00 plus other costs and fees as noted
in the published and posted notice of sale:
Parcel No . 38-000-16-0104-002
Legal Description
Beginning at the Northwest (NW) Corner -Section 16 -Township 134 North Range 41 West, thence Easterly along the
north line of said Section 16 for a distance of six hundred feet (600'), thence Southerly parallel the West line of said Section
16 for a distance of four hundred fifty feet (450'), thence Westerly parallel the North line of said Section 16 for a distance
of six hundred feet (600') to the West line of said Section 16, thence Northerly along section line four hundred fifty feet
(450') to the point of beginning. Subject to any and all existing easements of record and to a 60' right-of-way easement
as measured from the centerline of County State Aid Highway 35.
After discussion, the motion passed on a roll call vote as follows:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Doug Huebsch
Wayne Johnson
John Lindquist
Betty Murphy
Leland Rogness
Bid Award -S.A.P. 056-601-070 & Etc.:
YEA
X
X
X
X
X
NAY
Highway Projects
ABSENT ABSTAIN
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist to award the full depth reclamation for S.A.P. 056-601-070 & Etc. to Anderson
Brothers Construction Co., Brainerd, MN in the amount of $4,727,488.62 as recommended by the County Engineer. The
award excluded the resurfacing of park road and driveways for the Phelps Mill County Park. After discussion, the motion
passed on a roll call vote as follows:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS YEA NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Doug Huebsch X
Wayne Johnson X
John Lindquist X
Betty Murphy X
Leland Rogness X
County Wide Traffic Marking-C.P. 20:TM:
Motion by Johnson, second by Huebsch to award the 2020 county wide traffic marking to Traffic Marking Services, Inc.,
Maple Lake, MN in the amount of $424,254.57 as recommended by the County Engineer. After discussion, the motion
passed on a roll call vote as follows:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS YEA NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Doug Huebsch X
Wayne Johnson X
John Lindquist X
Betty Murphy X
Leland Rogness X
County Highway Right of Way Brush Control:
Motion by Lindquist, second by Johnson to authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures to execute the contract
between Otter Tail County and Carr's Tree Service of Ottertail, MN for the county highway right of way brush control.
After discussion, the motion passed on a roll call vote as follows:
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Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2020
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Doug Huebsch
Wayne Johnson
John Lindquist
Betty Murphy
Leland Rogness
County Highway Right of Way Weed Control -East:
YEA
X
X
X
X
X
NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Motion by Lindquist, second by Johnson to authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures to execute the contract
between Otter Tail County and Carr's Tree Service of Ottertail, MN for the county highway right of way weed control -
East. After discussion, the motion passed on a roll call vote as follows:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS YEA NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Doug Huebsch X
Wayne Johnson X
John Lindquist X
Betty Murphy X
Leland Rogness X
Resolution Revoking County State Aid Highway
Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2020 -42
WHEREAS, it appears to the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners that the highway hereinafter described should be
revoked as a County Aid State Highway under the provisions of Minnesota Law; and
WHEREAS, the County of Otter Tail and the City of Pelican Rapids are jointly pursuing the reconstruction of County Aid
State Highway No. 100 under project S.A.P . 056-700-003 ; and
WHEREAS, the County of Otter Tail has agreed to fund the County's share of the reconstruction project's cost through
Wheelage Tax Revenue as outlined in the Agreement for Repair and Replacement of County State Aid Highway No. 96
and County State Aid Highway No. 100 dated February 27, 2019 .
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners that the road described as follows,
to-wit:
County State Aid Highway No. 100: From the intersection of US Trunk Highway 59 and SW 3rd Avenue in the City of Pelican
Rapids then west on SW 3rd Avenue to the intersection of SW 3rd Avenue and SW 1st Street then south on SW 1st Street to
the intersection of SW 1st Street and SW 5th Avenue then east on SW 5th Avenue to the intersection of SW 5th Avenue and
US Trunk Highway 59 a distance of 0.28 miles.
Be, and hereby is revoked as a County State Aid Highway of said County, subject to the approval of the Commissioner of
Transportation of the State of Minnesota.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the County Board Clerk is hereby authorized and directed to forward two certified copies
of this resolution to the Commissioner of Transportation for consideration of revocation of said road or portion thereof.
Motion by Johnson, second by Murphy to approve the foregoing resolution. After discussion, the motion passed on a roll
call vote as follows:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Doug Huebsch
Wayne Johnson
John Lindquist
Betty Murphy
Leland Rogness
YEA
X
X
X
X
X
NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Page 5 of?
:
Adopted at Fergus Falls , Minnesota , this 5t h day of May 2020 .
Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2020
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Date : _______________ _
By: ______________ _ Attest _______________ _
Leland R. Rogness, County Board Chair Nicole Hansen, Clerk
Road Project Updates
County Engineer Charles Grotte provided a brief update to the Board regarding road projects. CSAH 1 from 0.2 miles East
of CSAH 10 to CSAH 35 has resumed paving and has a scheduled completion date of June 12 , 2020 . CSAH 1 from 0.8 miles
East of CSAH 14 to TH 78 in Ottertail has a start date that is yet to be determined and a scheduled completion date of
September 18, 2020. Resurfacing of CSAH 35 from CSAH 1 to CSAH 41 is scheduled to bid May 6, 2020 and has a scheduled
completion date of August 28 , 2020.
Precious Plastics Use Agreement
Motion by Lindquist, second by Murphy to approve the Precious Plastics Use Agreement between Otter Tail County and
Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management. The Pope/Douglas Solid Waste Management contributed $2,000 .00 towards
the purchase of the precious plastics equipment in exchange for six (6) weeks of use of the equipment per year. After
discussion, the motion passed on a roll call vote as follows:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS YEA NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Doug Huebsch X
Wayne Johnson X
John Lindquist X
Betty Murphy X
Leland Rogness X
Public Health Update
Public Health Director Jody Lien reported that Otter Tail County has 19 lab confirmed cases of COVID-19, of which 10 no
longer require isolation, and no COVID -19 related deaths. These cases have been reported throughout the county
ranging from teens-60 's and the majority are caused by community spread. Minnesota has 7,234 lab confirmed cases , of
which 4,212 no longer require isolation , and 428 deaths. The increased lab confirmed cases are due to an increase in
testing in Minnesota and local healthcare providers have also been provided with increased capacity. The importance of
preventative public health measures was discussed, and concerns were expressed regarding the utilization of face
coverings when in public. The Minnesota Department of Health (MOH) engaged with local public health to discuss the
ability and interest locally to participate in contact investigation . Ms . Lien expressed the importance of detail within the
task and plans to provide a proposed recommendation to the Board once more details are available . The Public Health
Department Operations Center (DOC) continues to focus on providing guidance and information to the public and are
strongly encouraging the public to begin or continue using face coverings in public settings to slow the spread of the
virus . Ms . Lien discussed antibody testing and provided a brief overview of the functions of the Public Health DOC. The
DOC plans to create a dashboard on the county website to provide easy access to basic data and updated case numbers
regarding COVID-19 in Otter Tail County.
Emergency Operations Center (EOCl Update
Emergency Management Director Patrick Waletzko provided a brief update to the Board regarding the EOC and reported
that they continue to support the needs identified by Public Health including mental behavioral health. Personal
protective equipment (PPE) continues to be an essential component, however, the urgency for PPE has decreased locally.
He reported an increased utilization of food shelves and concerns were expressed regarding producers and processors
and the anticipated shortage of products due to destroyed resources .
Page 6 of?
Board of Commissioners ' Meeting Minutes
May 5, 2020
Business Community
Deputy Administrator Nick Leonard discussed the unfairness of the policy allowing for certain businesses to reopen and
has been in communication with various state and local partners to voice his concerns . He summarized the challenges of
reopening the hospitality industry and plans to focus on the shortage of disinfectant supplies and resources to support
businesses as they reopen . Community Development Director Amy Baldwin highlighted topics of conversation from
various subcommittees related to COVID-19 and plans to focus on local business support and providing a safe work
environment for employees as they return to work. She continues to monitor unemployment and reported that 4,387
individuals have applied for unemployment insurance since March 15 , 2020. The number of applicants includes those
who have returned to work and Ms. Baldwin plans to capture the actual number of unemployment and report at a later
time.
Stay at Home Order
County Administrator Nicole Hansen reported that the Minnesota Governor extended the stay at home executive order
20-20 until May 18, 2020 and that county operations will continue as they have been since the order was put in place .
Internal Operations and County Planning
County Administrator Nicole Hansen provided a brief update to the Board regarding internal operations and county
planning . She is working with department heads to develop a plan to reopen county buildings while following Centers
for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines and taking necessary precautions to ensure the safety of the public as well
as staff. Ms . Hansen briefly discussed budgets for the remainder of 2020 as well as future years and anticipates that the
levy will decrease. Proposed budgets are expected to come to the Board end of August or early September.
Cancelation of Special Meeting
Motion by Johnson, second by Huebsch to cancel the May 8, 2020 special meeting . After discussion, the motion to passed
on a roll call vote as follows:
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Doug Huebsch
Wayne Johnson
John Lindquist
Betty Murphy
Leland Rogness
YEA
X
X
X
X
X
NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Adjournment
At 11 :35 a.m., Chair Rogness declared the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners meeting adjourned. The next regular
Board meeting is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 12 , 2020 and will be available to the public via live stream.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
By: ________________ _
Leland R. Rogness, Board of Commissioners Chair
Page 7 of?
Dated: ______________ _
Attest: _______________ _
Nicole Hansen , Clerk
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