HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 10/01/2019
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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
October 1, 2019
8:30 a.m.
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 9:00 a.m. Tuesday, October 1, 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.
Approval of Agenda
Chair Huebsch called for approval of the Board Agenda. Motion by Johnson, second by Rogness and
unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners Agenda of October 1, 2019 with the following
revisions:
Addition of Summary of Wetland Delineation and Reporting Services West Segment – Perham to Pelican
Rapids Regional Trail
Consent Agenda
Motion by Lindquist, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to approve Consent Agenda items as
follows:
1. September 24, 2019 Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes as amended
2. Warrants/Bills for October 1, 2019 as amended (Exhibit A)
3. Approval of Issuance of a Tobacco License to Gary Wilde dba Elizabeth
General Store
4. Approval of Final Payment to DM Enterprises – S.A.P. 056-030-003
Veterans Service Officer Position
Veterans Service Officer Charlie Kampa discussed with the Board his intention to resign his position as the
appointed Veterans Service Officer and requested that he be reassigned to the Assistant Veterans Service
Officer position in New York Mills at 0.8 Full Time Equivalency (FTE). The Assistant Veterans Service
Officer position in New York Mills is currently vacant and he expressed his desire to advocate for the
veterans served in the New York Mills office. Mr. Kampa will remain in his current position until a new
Veterans Service Officer is appointed. The Commissioners thanked Mr. Kampa for his service and
willingness to assist with the transition.
Fraud and Collections Support Position
Motion by Lindquist, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to approve one (1) Full Time Equivalent
(FTE) Fraud and Collections Support Specialist position. The upcoming retirement of the Lead Investigator
will provide for restructuring, which will include replacing the Lead Investigator position with a Fraud and
Collections Support Specialist and contracting with local law enforcement to provide additional support to
the unit.
Opioid Litigation
County Attorney Michelle Eldien and Internal Services/Human Resources Director Nicole Hansen advised
that the county received notice that it has been named in a class action federal lawsuit as a plaintiff in
prescription opiate litigation in a matter to be heard in federal court, N.D. Ohio. The notice provides an
opportunity to opt out of the litigation, but it is recommended that the county remains in this class action.
The Board revisited its previous determination to refrain from individually suing opioid manufacturers and
distributors and does not plan to change their decision.
Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
October 1, 2019
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OTTER TAIL COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT
Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2019 – 71
Be it resolved that the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office enters into a grant agreement with the Minnesota
Department of Public Safety, for traffic safety enforcement projects during the period from October 1, 2019
through September 30, 2020.
The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office is hereby authorized to execute such agreements and amendments
as are necessary to implement the project on behalf of the Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office and to be the
fiscal agent and administer the grant.
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Johnson, duly
seconded by Commissioner Rogness and upon vote being taken thereon, the resolution was adopted
unanimously
I certify that the above resolution was adopted by the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners of Otter
Tail County, Fergus Falls, MN on October 1, 2019.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Date:_______________________________
By: _______________________________________ Attest: ______________________________
Doug Huebsch, Board of Commissioners Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
Recess & Reconvene
At 9:37 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 9:43 a.m.
MFIP Biennial Plan
Motion by Murphy, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to certify that effective October 15, 2019,
the Otter Tail County Human Services 2020-2021 MFIP Biennial Service Agreement has been prepared as
required and approved by the County Board under the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 256J. The
notice is posted under the news section on the Otter Tail County website.
Avenue Tax Software
Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to terminate the agreement between the
County of Otter Tail and Avenue, a property tax software company. The county has been working with
Avenue for several years with little progress and was given until October 16, 2019, to make a decision to opt
out without incurring additional costs.
Liquor License
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve the application and permit for
a one (1) day to four (4) day temporary on-sale liquor license as submitted by Sustainable Farming
Association Lake Agassiz Chapter for an event scheduled for October 12, 2019 at Milt’s Barn located at
47000 180th Ave, Pelican Rapids.
Approval of Payment
Motion by Lindquist, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to approve payment in the amount of
$3,605.55 to Sanford for costs incurred under the provision of Minnesota Statute 609.35.
Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
October 1, 2019
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Tobacco License
Motion by Johnson, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to approve applications for a tobacco
license to DG Retail, LLC dba Dollar General Store #15641 (Battle Lake) and #17996 (Henning).
Release of Funds
Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve the release of funds to North
Country Food Bank in the amount of $50,000.00 as appropriated at the March 26, 2019, County Board
meeting. The Board requested the Administrator to follow up with a progress report from North Country Food
Bank.
Public Hearing for Eagle Lake LID
Pat Prunty, past president of the Eagle Lake Lakeshore Association and Kelly Hepper, current president of
the Eagle Lake Lakeshore Association presented their intentions of forming a Lake Improvement District
(LID) for Eagle Lake at the September 24, 2019 Board meeting. County Attorney Michelle Eldien will
communicate with Mr. Prunty a date for the public hearing which will be set at the October 15th Board
meeting.
Recess & Reconvene
At 10:17 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 10:20 a.m.
MN Manufacturing Week Proclamation
Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2019 – 72
Whereas: Manufacturing is a dynamic and robust industry, crucial to the health and strength of Minnesota’s
diverse economy; and
Whereas: Manufacturing added $52.7 billion to Minnesota’s economy in 2018, representing the second-
largest contribution (14 percent) to the state’s gross domestic product by any industry; and
Whereas: Workers took home over $200 million in wages from Otter Tail County manufacturing jobs as part
of the $21.6 billion in total wages from all Minnesota manufacturing jobs in 2018, the second-largest total
payroll among private sector industries; and
Whereas: Manufactured exports brought $21 billion into the Minnesota economy in 2018; and
Whereas: Manufacturing in Minnesota pays an average annual wage of $67,098, which is 15 percent higher
than the state’s overall average wage; and
Whereas: Manufacturing provides 4,200 highly skilled, well-paying jobs or eighteen percent of the total jobs
in Otter Tail County and 322,000 jobs throughout Minnesota, which significantly contribute to Minnesota’s
high standard of living and economic vitality.
Now, therefore, I, Douglas Huebsch, Chair of Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners do hereby proclaim
that the week of October 1 to October 7, 2019 shall be observed as MINNESOTA MANUFACTURING
WEEK in the County of Otter Tail on this 1st day of October, Two Thousand and Nineteen.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Date:_______________________________
By: _______________________________________ Attest: ______________________________
Doug Huebsch, Board of Commissioners Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
October 1, 2019
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Highway Projects
Phelps Mill County Park Master Plan:
Motion by Rogness, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the professional services
agreement between the County of Otter Tail and SRF Consulting Group, Inc for the Phelps Mill County
Park Master Plan.
Perham to Pelican Rapids Trail – East Segment S.A.P. 056-090-013:
Motion by Johnson, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to approve engineering services for base
and bituminous plans for the east segment of the Perham to Pelican Rapids Trail, S.P. 056-090-013.
Perham to Pelican Rapids Trail – West Segment:
Motion by Johnson, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to approve a summary of wetland
delineation and reporting services for the west segment of the Perham to Pelican Rapids Trail.
Sustainable Living Future
Commissioner Wayne Johnson briefed the Board regarding Sustainable Living Future. The organization is
made up of local agriculture women leaders who organize discussion groups that are open to the community.
The group requested that a commissioner provides introductions at the October 24th meeting.
HRA Board Appointment
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried for the County Administrator to send
Robert Bigwood a letter of appreciation for his years of service on the Otter Tail County HRA Board. Mr.
Bigwood’s term expired August 2019.
Motion by Lindquist, second by Murphy and unanimously carried with Rogness abstaining to appoint
Commissioner Rogness to serve a five (5) year term as a member on the Otter Tail County HRA Board.
Recess & Reconvene
At 10:42 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 11:00 a.m.
AMC Annual Conference
Public Information Officer Shannon Terry and External Communication Director Nick Leonard informed the
Board that Otter Tail County will be presenting at the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) annual
conference in December 2019. AMC’s Education and Training Committee accepted a proposal from Otter
Tail County’s communications team regarding best practices used for social media and external
communications in Otter Tail County. The county explores opportunities to build engagement by
documenting what is happening within the county to inform the public what they are doing as an organization
with tax supported resources. In the month of September, the county had approximately 24,000
engagements on their Facebook page compared with 2,000 a year ago. Otter Tail County Rural Rebound
Initiative Coordinator Erik Osberg and Public Information Officer Shannon Terry will be presenting “Writing
your own narrative” at the AMC annual conference in December. To subscribe to news and event updates
visit https://ottertailcountymn.us/subscribe-to-updates/.
Legislative Updates
Sara Psick with Psick Capitol Solutions updated the Board regarding 2019 legislative initiatives. She
discussed the processes involved with the facility at 1174 Western Avenue and the Perham to Pelican Rapids
Trail. The Board expressed concern regarding dark stores and the impact on counties if big-box retailers
contest six (6) years of tax assessments. The Board informed Ms. Psick of issues that could potentially be
brought to legislature in the upcoming year.
Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
October 1, 2019
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Adjournment
At 11:42 a.m., Chair Huebsch declared the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners meeting adjourned.
The next Board meeting is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 15, 2019, at the Government
Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: ___________________
By:__________________________________________ Attest:___________________________
Douglas A. Huebsch, Board Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
October 1, 2019 (Exhibit A)
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Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
October 1, 2019 (Exhibit A)
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Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes
October 1, 2019 (Exhibit A)
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