HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 08/13/2019
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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
August 13, 2019
8:30 a.m.
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 8:29 a.m. Tuesday, August 13, 2019, at the
Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN, with Commissioners Doug Huebsch, Chair; Lee Rogness,
Vice-Chair; Wayne Johnson, John Lindquist and Betty Murphy present. At 10:49 a.m., Commissioner Wayne
Johnson was absent.
Approval of Agenda
Chair Huebsch called for approval of the Board Agenda. Motion by Lindquist, second by Rogness and
unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners Agenda of August 13, 2019 with the following
addition:
Battle Lake Daycare Center – Unveiling of Donor Wall Invitation
Consent Agenda
Motion by Rogness, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to approve Consent Agenda items as
follows:
1. August 6, 2019 Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
2. Warrants/Bills for August 13, 2019 (Exhibit A)
3. Human Services & Public Health Warrants/Bills for August 13, 2019 (Exhibit A)
4. Request for Credit Card for Community Development Director, Amy
Baldwin
5. Request for Approval of Final Payment to Central Specialties Inc., - S.A.P.
056-684-002
6. Request for Approval of Final Payment to DM Enterprises – CSAH 6 Cattle Pass
Repair
7. Request for Approval of Final Payment to DM Enterprises – CSAH 44 Culvert
Replacement
1174 Western Avenue Tax Abatement
Motion by Rogness, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to authorize appropriate County Officials
signatures to execute the agreement between the County of Otter Tail and Northstar Behavioral Health for
the lease of the facility at 1174 Western Avenue Fergus Falls, MN.
Motion by Johnson, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to authorize a public hearing for tax
abatement at 1174 Western Avenue on August 27th at 1:30 p.m., to be held at the New York Mills County
Offices.
Motion by Lindquist, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to authorize the County Auditor-Treasurer
to utilize a portion of the $500,000 received from the Legislature during the 2019 session, up to
$2,000,000.00 from the Human Services Fund Balance account, and any other funds identified by the County
Auditor-Treasurer to prepay or set aside cash for the remaining tax-exempt bonds owed on the building at
1174 Western Avenue in Fergus Falls. The full amount borrowed from the Human Services Fund Balance
account shall be repaid by revenues generated by leasing or selling the property.
OTC Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2019
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County Administrator Retirement
Motion by Rogness, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to accept the County Administrator, John
Dinsmore’s, letter of retirement. Mr. Dinsmore plans to retire January 31, 2020.
Closed to the Public - Negotiations
At 8:50 a.m., a motion was offered by Lindquist, seconded by Murphy and unanimously carried to declare
the Board meeting closed to the public for purposes of discussing labor negotiations regarding the following
contracts: Government Technical Unit, Highway Maintenance Unit, Essential Licensed Deputies Unit,
Essential Licensed Supervisors Unit, Essential Non-Licensed Supervisory Unit, and Essential Non-Licensed
Jailer/Dispatchers Unit. Present were all five seated Commissioners, County Attorney Michelle Eldien,
County Administrator John Dinsmore, County Board Secretaries Tara Bakken and Kathy Domholt, Internal
Services/Human Resources Director Nicole Hansen, Attorney Michael Rengel and Attorney Joshua
Heggem. The closed session was concluded at 9:25 a.m.
Recess and Reconvene
At 9:25 a.m., Chair Huebsch declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners recessed
for a short break. The Board of Commissioners meeting was reconvened at 9:29 a.m.
Abatement for Accrued Penalty
Motion by Johnson, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to approve the request of Mr. Michael
Rieken for the abatement of accrued penalty in the amount of $137.28. This request meets the requirements
of the Otter Tail County Policy which speaks about a death.
Next Chapter Technology
Motion by Murphy, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to authorize appropriate County Officials
signatures to execute the contract between the County of Otter Tail and Next Chapter Technology. This new
system is an expansion of an electronic document management system utilized in the Human Services
Department and will create a reduction in paper along with a more efficient process.
Managed Care Procurement Discussion
Human Services Director Deb Sjostrom briefed the Board regarding the Managed Care Organizations
chosen for Otter Tail County. The contracts approved by the MN Department of Human Services (DHS)
would require all individuals on public health care programs to choose a new plan. Ms. Sjostrom expressed
concerns of significant change and potential confusion for those currently on public health care programs.
She is also concerned about the impact to work functions for staff and is requesting mediation with DHS to
understand the decision factors behind the chosen Managed Care plans for Otter Tail County.
Motion by Rogness, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to Authorize Human Services Director,
Deb Sjostrom and Public Health Director, Jody Lien to pursue the mediation process with DHS regarding
the Managed Care contracts to understand the decision behind the chosen plans for Otter Tail County.
Discussion regarding Medicaid Waiver Program Concerns
Jackie Langner briefed the Board of her concerns with the Human Services Department regarding the
Medicaid Waver Program. She also provided documents to the Commissioners outlining obstacles her family
has encountered. County Administrator John Dinsmore suggested to solve this matter at an administrative
level and any unsolved items can be brought back to the Board. Ms. Langner was requested to provide
written documentation in a bulleted format of her requests of the Commissioners.
Solid Waste Management Contract with Todd County
Solid Waste Director Chris McConn and Public Works Director Rick West reviewed with the Commissioners,
a Solid Waste Management agreement between the County of Otter Tail and Todd County. The
Commissioners offered suggestions regarding the proposed rates.
Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve a Solid Waste Management
contract with Todd County with revised rates and language as recommended by Commissioners. A final
draft of the agreement will be presented at the August 27, 2019 County Board Meeting.
OTC Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2019
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County HRA and the County EDA Amended Ordinance
At 10:31 a.m., Chair Huebsch opened the public hearing to amend the Otter Tail County Ordinance titled
“Establishing Powers of the County EDA and the County HRA”. Community Development Director Amy
Baldwin briefed the board of the modifications made to the Ordinance including all powers are shared
between the 2 agencies as defined by state statute and limiting activity of the EDA from the items listed. The
following documents were submitted:
Original Ordinance Establishing Powers of the County EDA and County HRA with tracked changes
Revised Ordinance Establishing Powers of the County EDA and County HRA
At 10:33 a.m., Chair Huebsch opened the public hearing for comments from the public. No comments were
offered.
At 10:33 a.m., Chair Huebsch declared the public hearing closed.
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to adopt the modified Ordinance titled
“Establishing Powers of the County EDA and County HRA”.
Battle Lake Child Care Center Invitation
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to authorize Commissioners to attend the
Battle Lake Child Care Center Unveiling of the Donor Wall on August 18, 2019.
Roberta Downing Visit
Motion by Johnson, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to authorize Commissioners to meet with
Assistant Commissioner for External Relations Roberta Downing from the Minnesota Department of Human
Services on August 15, 2019. The purpose is to provide input of what is working well for Otter Tail County
and to discuss opportunities.
Long Range Strategic Planning Update
Public Works Director Rick West updated the Board regarding Long Range Strategic Planning (LRSP). He
provided a document titled “OTC Long Range Strategic Plan”. A series of public open houses were held to
present the work of the 4 focus groups around Otter Tail County and gain input from the public. An online
survey was also distributed to gain comments on the 6 element goals listed on the document which
includes Resilience, Economy, Land Use, Public Infrastructure, Natural Resources and Parks and Trails.
The drafted goal statements under each element represents a summary from the comments and
suggestions received throughout the focus groups, public meetings and the online survey. A Plan Review
Committee meeting will be held August 22, 2019 at 6:00 p.m. in the Otter Tail Lake Room.
Highway Projects
Bid Award - S.A.P 056-689-001, Reconstruction of CSAH 89 & Various Battle Lake City Streets:
Motion by Rogness, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to award the reconstruction of CSAH 89 &
various Battle Lake city streets project to Sellin Brothers, Inc., Hawley, MN in the amount of $5,859,874.30
as recommended by the Highway Engineer. The CSAH share of the work for CSAH 89 municipal and rural
is $1,772,151.74 and $271,520.54 respectively for a total of $2,043,672.28.
Contracts & Bonds – S.A.P. 056-646-008:
Motion by Rogness, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to authorize appropriate County Officials’
signatures to execute the contract between the County of Otter Tail and Mark Sand and Gravel for the S.A.P.
056-646-008 project on CSAH 46 from the Canadian Pacific Railway in Parkers Prairie to the east County
line.
OTC Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2019
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Adjournment
At 11:00 a.m., Chair Huebsch declared the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners meeting adjourned.
The next Board meeting is scheduled at 11:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 27, 2019, at the New York Mills
Offices in New York Mills, MN.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: ___________________
By:__________________________________________ Attest:___________________________
Douglas A. Huebsch, Board Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
OTC Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2019 (Exhibit A)
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OTC Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2019 (Exhibit A)
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OTC Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2019 (Exhibit A)
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OTC Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2019 (Exhibit A)
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OTC Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2019 (Exhibit A)
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OTC Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
August 13, 2019 (Exhibit A)
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