HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 12/11/2018
MINUTES OF THE OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Government Services Center, Commissioners’ Room 515 W. Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN
December 11, 2018 1:00 p.m.
Call to Order The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 1:05 p.m. Tuesday, December 11, 2018, at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN, with Commissioners Wayne Johnson, Chair;
Doug Huebsch, Betty Murphy and Lee Rogness present. Commissioner John Lindquist was absent Approval of Agenda Chairman Johnson called for approval of the Board Agenda. Motion by Rogness, second by Huebsch and unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners Agenda of December 11, 2018, as presented. Consent Agenda Motion by Huebsch, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to approve Consent Agenda items as follows: 1. November 27, 2018, Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes 2. Warrants/Bills for December 11, 2018 (Exhibit A) 3. Human Services & Public Health Bills & Claims (Exhibit A) 4. Human Services Contract Renewals 5. Approve LG220 Application for Exempt Permit submitted by Stalker Lake Sportsman’s Club for an Event on June 14, 2019 6. Approve the issuance of 2019 Tobacco License to: Bluffton Oil Company, Big Chief, Inc., Battle Lake Standard, Lakeland General Store & Crossroads Convenience Center 7. Approve On-Sale Liquor & Sunday Liquor License for Bells Resort Bar and Grill (frmly Galaxy Resort & Restaurant) Conditional Use Permit – Brian & Renah Meyer: Motion by Rogness, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to deny, as recommended by the Planning
Commission, a Conditional Use Permit for an after-the-fact request to remove tree stumps and steps. Reasons for denial include that an engineer’s plan was not provided as previously requested at the June 20, 2018, Planning Commission meeting and the work was completed without a permit. The proposal is located on Lot 14 Blk 1 of Lenius Beach 1st Addn., Section 03 of Edna Township; Little McDonald Lake (56-328), General Development (GD). Final Plat Extensions Motion by Huebsch, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to approve extensions to file the following Final Plats: “Rush Lake View”, Rush Lake– extension to file Final Plat from December 2018 to Dec. 1, 2019 CIC No. 74, “Eitreim’s Fjord”, Eagle Lake – extension to file Final Plat from Dec. 31, 2018 to Dec. 31, 2019 Reappointment - Planning Commission Member Motion by Johnson, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to reappoint Brent E. Frazier to the Otter
Tail County Planning Commission effective January 1, 2019, for a three-year term. 150th Anniversary Update Chris Schuelke, Historical Society Executive Director, submitted a document titled “Otter Tail County 150th Anniversary Summary”. He reviewed the events that took place throughout the County and noted the success of community involvement. Mr. Schuelke thanked the Planning Committee members and the County for their support.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes December 11, 2018 Page 2 Closed to the Public – Negotiation Strategies At 1:29 p.m., a motion was offered by Rogness, seconded by Murphy and unanimously carried to declare the Board meeting closed to the public for purposes of discussing labor negotiation strategies regarding four
(4) Teamsters Local 320 unions as follows: Human Services Professional Unit, Human Services Support Specialists and Public Health staff, Public Health Professional Unit of Nurses, and Facilities Maintenance Unit. Present were Commissioners Huebsch, Johnson, Murphy and Rogness; Attorney Michael Rengel; Internal Services/HR Director, County Attorney, County Administrator, and Board Secretary. Upon completion of the closed session, at 1:50 p.m., Chairman Johnson opened the Board of Commissioners’ meeting to the public. Teamsters Local 320 Collective Bargaining Agreements Motion by Rogness, second by Huebsch and unanimously carried to authorize the appropriate County Officials’ signatures to execute Labor Agreements, effective from January 1, 2019 through December 31, 2021, between the County of Otter Tail and MN Teamster’s Public and Law Enforcement Employees’ Union, Local No. 320. The labor agreements represent the following unions:
Human Services Professional Unit Human Services Support Specialists & Public Health Staff
Facilities Maintenance Employees Public Health Professional Unit of Nurses Personnel Rules Internal Services/HR Director Nicole Hansen presented proposed amendments to the Otter Tail County Personnel Rules under Sections 8.40 Lodging and Expense Reimbursement and Section 9.10 Vacations. The amendments increase meal reimbursement when employees are out of the County and vacation time for employees in years 17-19 and 19-26. Motion by Rogness, second by Huebsch and unanimously carried to approve the amendments to the County Personnel Rules effective January 1, 2019, as presented by the HR Director. Recess & Reconvene At 1:55 p.m., Chair Johnson declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners recessed for a short break. The meeting was reconvened at 2:05 p.m.
Public Hearing – Establishment of an Economic Development Authority (EDA)
Chairman Johnson opened the Public Hearing for establishment of an EDA. In addition to County Officials, the following individuals were present: Jeff Gaffaney, HRA Executive Director Mikel Olson, HRA Rehab Specialist Andrew Bremseth, City of Fergus Falls Administrator
Nick Leonard, Communications and External Relations Director, reviewed the requirement to establish a Community Development Agency governed by a nine-member board with at least two members being County Commissioners. At 2:08 p.m., Chairman Johnson opened the meeting for public comment. No comments were offered. ENABLING RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE OTTER TAIL COUNTY ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTIONS 469.090 THROUGH 469.1082 Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2018 – 83 WHEREAS, the County is authorized pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.090 through 469.1082 (the "Economic Development Authority Act"), to establish an economic development authority for the County; and
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes December 11, 2018 Page 3 WHEREAS, a committee formed under Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.1082, Subd. 2, has issued a report under Section 469.1082, Subd. 3, and has recommended the organizational option set forth in Section 469.1082, Subd. 4, clause (1), which provides for the establishment of a county economic development
authority to operate under the Economic Development Act; and WHEREAS, the Otter Tail County Housing and Redevelopment Authority has given its consent to the County to enable the County Board to adopt an ordinance under Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.095, which would transfer certain housing and redevelopment powers under Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.001 to 469.047 to the county economic development authority; and WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners desires to establish a county economic development authority in order to promote certain economic, commercial, housing, and/or industrial development and redevelopment goals and objectives; and WHEREAS, the County has caused notice of a public hearing on the establishment by the County of an economic development authority to be published in a newspaper of general circulation in the County once
each week for two consecutive weeks; and WHEREAS, pursuant to such notice, a public hearing on the proposal has been held by the County on the date hereof, at which hearing all persons desiring to present their oral or written comments on the proposal were given an opportunity to do so. NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED: 1. Pursuant to the Economic Development Authority Act, the Board of Commissioners hereby establishes an economic development authority for the County to be known as the Otter Tail County Community Development Agency (the "CDA"). 2. The CDA shall be governed by a board of commissioners thereof consisting of nine members, at least two of whom shall be members of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners. Each Commissioner of the CDA, who is also a member of the County Board of Commissioners, shall cease to be a CDA Commissioner effective at such time as he or she is no longer a member of the
Board of Commissioners, and a successor Commissioner shall be appointed pursuant to the Economic Development Authority Act to serve the remainder of the applicable term so vacated. 3. The CDA shall have all powers given to an economic development authority pursuant to the Economic Development Authority Act, as well as any other powers granted by County Board by ordinance pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.094.
Upon the motion of Commissioner Huebsch, seconded by Commissioner Rogness and passed on a 4 -0 vote, with Commissioner Lindquist absent, the above resolution is hereby adopted. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: _________________________
By: __________________________________ Attest: _________________________ Wayne Johnson, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk Public Hearing – Creation of Ordinance to Divide Powers between The County HRA and County Economic Development Authority At 2:11 p.m., Chairman Johnson opened the Public Hearing for the creation of an Ordinance to divide the powers of the County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and the County Economic Development Authority (EDA). In addition to County Officials, the following individuals were present:
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes December 11, 2018 Page 4
Jeff Gaffaney, HRA Executive Director Mikel Olson, HRA Rehab Specialist Andrew Bremseth, City of Fergus Falls Administrator
Nick Leonard, Communications and External Relations Director, briefed the Board regarding the HRA’s
special meeting on November 28, 2018, and HRA Resolution No. 124 consenting to the adoption of an Otter Tail County Ordinance dividing economic development powers. He presented a revised proposed Ordinance. At 2:20 p.m., Chairman Johnson opened the hearing for public comment. No comments were offered regarding this hearing. Mr. Johnson opened the hearing for comments from Commissioners. Discussion took place regarding the revised language in the proposed Ordinance and the dollars requested from the County for the HRA 2019 budget. The public hearing was closed at 2:29 p.m. OTTER TAIL COUNTY ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING POWERS OF THE COUNTY EDA AND COUNTY HRA Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2018 - 84
Otter Tail County has determined to establish a County Economic Development Authority (the “EDA”) and to transfer some of the powers of the existing County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (the “HRA”) to the EDA. NOW, THEREFORE, the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners does hereby ordain as follows: SECTION 1. TITILE. This ordinance shall be known as the Otter Tail County Economic Development Authority and Otter Tail County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Powers Ordinance. SECTION 2. EDA POWERS. As authorized by Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.094, the EDA shall have, and there is hereby transferred from the HRA to the EDA, all of the powers of a housing and redevelopment authority under Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.001 to 469.047 (the “HRA Powers”), but solely in connection with market rate housing programming activities. In the case of any specific ongoing programs
or projects affected by such transfer of powers, the County Board shall observe the requirements of Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.094 in order to preserve continuity in the administration of the programs or projects and may provide for the retention by the HRA of otherwise transferred programs or projects. SECTION 3. HRA POWERS. The HRA shall retain all of its powers to establish and manage low income housing projects, Section 8 programs and other income restricted programs and projects and such other ongoing programs or projects as the County Board may determine in the interests of continuity, as well as all HRA Powers in connection with redevelopment activities. SECTION 4. SPECIAL BENEFITS TAX. The power to levy special taxes under Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.033, Subdivision 6, may be exercised by the EDA for the purposes of the HRA Powers transferred to it and by the HRA for the purposes of the HRA Powers retained by it, subject to a combined limit of the tax permitted to be levied under Minnesota Statutes, Section 469.033, Subd. 6, or successor law. Each of the
EDA and HRA shall follow the budget procedures required by that section for the exercise of its HRA Powers and the County Board may by resolution establish limits for each in order for the combined limit to be observed. SECTION 5. EFFECTIVE DATE. This ordinance shall be effective January 1, 2019.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes December 11, 2018 Page 5 A motion was offered by Commissioner Rogness and seconded by Commissioner Huebsch to adopt Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2018 – 84. Chairman Johnson called for a roll call vote:
Board of County Commissioners YEA NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN
Doug Huebsch X Wayne D. Johnson X John Lindquist X Betty Murphy X Leland R. Rogness X Adopted this 11th day of December 2018 OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: ________________________ By: __________________________________ Attest: _________________________ Wayne Johnson, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District Nick Leonard briefed the Board on the City of Battle Lake’s intention to create a redevelopment TIF District pursuant to M.S. 469.175 Subd. 2(5). The public hearing for the creation of the TIF District is scheduled at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 11, 2019. Recess & Reconvene At 2:43 p.m., Chair Johnson declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners recessed for a short break. The meeting was reconvened at 2:54 p.m. Glendalough State Park Boundary Expansion Jeff Wiersma, Glendalough State Park Manager, and Chuck Carpenter, District 1 Supervisor, met with the Board and submitted a map outlining a potential statutory boundary change for Glendalough State park. They indicated that a property owner approached the State about acquiring approximately 140 acres of land
to add to the park on the northwest side of Blanche Lake. Glendalough State park is currently about 1,931 acres with about 1,000 acres of water acquired in 1924. In order to acquire the property, the State needs to increase the statutory boundaries. Discussion followed regarding Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) and potential uses for the additional park property. Commissioners expressed support for the expansion and development of RV sites and overnight camping. New York Mills Childcare Nick Leonard briefed the Board regarding grants for the New York Mills childcare project. He stressed that there needs to be local commitment from the community for the project moving forward. When completed the project will serve 40 – 50 children. Chemical Addiction Recovery Enterprise (C.A.R.E.) Building Nick Leonard and Administrator John Dinsmore continue to work on the sale of the former C.A.R.E. building
located on Western Avenue in Fergus Falls. It is anticipated that a commercial appraisal will be completed by December 13, 2018 and bid specifications for the sale of the building will follow. Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Annual Conference Chairman Johnson reported on the recent AMC Annual Conference. He reported on the U.S. Farm Service Agency dollars for rural development, demographics and workers, and the increasing costs of health insurance and education which will be a drain on the State general fund. He reported on counties who are dealing with citizens who are in and out of jail regularly, by helping them with their mental health issues instead of placing them in the jail/corrections setting. Otter Tail County officials indicated that they have started conversations regarding a more appropriate, less costly process for these citizens.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes December 11, 2018 Page 6 SPONSORING AGENCY RESOLUTION Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2018 - 85
Motion by Commissioner Huebsch to offer the following resolution: BE IT RESOLVED THAT: Otter Tail County agrees to act as sponsoring agency for a “Transportation Alternatives” project identified as Perham to Pelican Rapids Regional Trail – Phase 2 and has reviewed and approved the project as proposed. Sponsorship includes a willingness to secure and guarantee the local share of costs associated with this project and responsibility for seeing this project through to its completion, with compliance of all applicable laws, rules and regulations. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT: Charles Grotte, P.E., County Engineer is hereby authorized to act as agent on behalf of this sponsoring agency. Commissioner Rogness seconded the motion which passed on a 4-0 vote to adopt Resolution No. 2018 – 85.
Adopted this 11th day of December 2018
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: ________________________ By: __________________________________ Attest: _________________________ Wayne Johnson, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk AGREEMENT TO MAINTAIN FACILITY Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2018 - 86 Motion by Commissioner Huebsch to offer the following resolution: WHEREAS: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires that states agree to operate and maintain
facilities constructed with federal transportation funds for the useful life of the improvement and not change the use of right of way or property ownership acquired without prior approval from the FHWA; and WHEREAS: Transportation Alternatives projects receive funding; and WHEREAS: the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) has determined that for projects implemented with alternative funds, this requirement should be applied to the project proposer; and WHEREAS: Otter Tail County is the sponsoring agency for the Transportation Alternatives project identified as Perham to Pelican Rapids Regional Trail - Phase 2. THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT: the sponsoring agency hereby agrees to assume full responsibility for the operation and maintenance of property and facilities related to the aforementioned Transportation
Alternatives project. Commissioner Johnson seconded the motion which passed on a 4-0 vote to adopt Resolution No. 2018 – 86.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes December 11, 2018 Page 7 Adopted this 11th day of December 2018 OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: ________________________
By: __________________________________ Attest: _________________________ Wayne Johnson, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk 2019 Budget Overview Administrator John Dinsmore submitted a County budget overview and timeline for completion of the budget each year. He indicated that County officials have reduced the requested budget to meet the 3.9% proposed net property tax levy and provided levy increase comparisons with other counties. Reappointments - Board of Adjustment Members Motion by Rogness, second by Murphy and unanimously carried to reappoint the Board of Adjustment members for CY2019 as follows: Stephen Schierer, Douglas Larson, Thomas Lee, Darren Newville, and
Kenneth Vorderbrugen.
Adjournment At 4:14 p.m., a motion was offered by Rogness, seconded by Murphy and unanimously carried to adjourn the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners meeting. The next Board meeting is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, December 18, 2018, at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated:
By: Attest: Wayne Johnson, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk CB/kd
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes December 11, 2018 Exhibit A, Page 1 WARRANTS APPROVED ON 12/11/2018
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