HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 04/04/2017
MINUTES OF THE
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Government Services Center, Commissioners’ Room
515 W. Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN
April 4, 2017
9:30 a.m.
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 4, 2017, at the
Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN, with Commissioners Doug Huebsch, Chair;
Wayne Johnson, Vice-Chair; John Lindquist, and Roger Froemming present. Commissioner Lee Rogness
was absent.
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Huebsch called for approval of the Board Agenda. Motion by Froemming, second by Lindquist
and unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners Agenda of April 4, 2017, with the
following additions:
Discussion Regarding Public Meetings for the State Pollution Control Agency (PCA)
Exempt Gambling/Raffle Permits
Consent Agenda
Motion by Johnson, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to approve Consent Agenda items as
follows:
1. March 28, 2017 Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
2. Warrants/Bills for April 4, 2017 (Exhibit A)
3. Renewal of Consumption and Display Permit for Ye Olde Schoolhouse Bar
& Grill
4. Application for Exempt Permit for Event on 08/27/17 at the Finn Creek
Open Air Museum
Buffalo-Red River Watershed District Update
BRRWD Administrator Bruce Albright and Otter Tail County Representative Peter Fjestad, updated the
Board on the 19th Annual Red River Basin Flood Damage Reduction Workgroup Conference. Discussion
took place regarding an overview on drainage activities, buffer strips and enforcement of buffer strips.
A new public drainage manual has been completed and is available on the website. After the workgroup
meeting, the Red River Watershed Management Board Conference focused on some organizational
issues. They are working with consultants to assist them in identifying their role in the Red River Basin
and how they interact with the other water management organizations in the Red River Valley. The
BRRWD is expecting 1.9 million dollars from Lessard funding for a project in Clay and Wilkin counties. A
Level II Performance Review completed by the Minnesota Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR)
dated March 28, 2017, was submitted. The BRRWD is also currently working on 1 Watershed, 1 Plan.
BRRWD Meeting
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to authorize Commissioners to attend a
meeting with the BRRWD and landowners at Breckenridge City Hall on April 11, 2017. The purpose is to
educate landowners on a study that has been completed regarding the Otter Tail River from Orwell to
Breckenridge.
Stepping Up Network
Human Services Director Deb Sjostrom and Supervisor Margaret Williams reported on their research
regarding the Stepping Up Program. This program is a national initiative to reduce the number of people
with mental illnesses in jails. They spoke about the challenges and possible solutions.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
April 4, 2017
Page 2
Public Hearing Notice
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to waive receipt of the Public Hearing
Notice 30 days in advance of publication of the hearing regarding the proposed modification of Municipal
Development District No. 1 and the establishment of Tax Increment Financing District (Housing) No. 2-9 in
Pelican Rapids. The motion authorizes the appropriate County signatures to execute the waiver. The
Public Hearing is at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 9, 2017, at the Pelican Rapids City Hall.
Recess & Reconvene
At 10:02 a.m., Chair Huebsch declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
recessed for a short break. The Board meeting was reconvened at 10:13 a.m.
Economic Development Presentation
Economic Development Director Nick Leonard spoke about the Rural Rebound Initiative, a collaborative
effort between several regional entities and foundations, with the goal to improve the County’s ability to
recruit residents with needed skills into our region. This is accomplished through marketing, program
development and understanding the research around workforce and employee recruitment. Mr. Leonard
shared the new Otter Tail Lakes Country Association website and magazine. RRI Coordinator Erik Osberg
briefed the board on how social media is used to gain interest in moving to Otter Tail County because it is
a great place to live, work, dine and play. The goal is to create engaging content to reach as many people
as you can and inspire, inform, educate or entertain them. This is tourism marketing that leads to
destination living and working.
Public Meetings for the MPCA
Discussion took place regarding the current process for Public Meetings held on behalf of the Minnesota
Pollution Control Agency related to feedlots. The County Attorney and County Administrator will research
this issue further.
Exempt Permit for Raffles
Commissioner Johnson asked about a specific raffle event and how the event is permitted. Auditor-
Treasurer Wayne Stein indicated that the event is being held in the City of Dent and is permitted through
the City.
County Ditch Systems
County Ditch #2:
Ditch Inspector Kevin Fellbaum reported that the Abandonment Petition for Ditch #2 included signatures for
54.7% of the property within the Ditch #2 Drainage System; therefore, the petition submitted is valid.
County Ditch #45:
Motion by Froemming, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve the Hollatz Brothers to
place about 700’ of 12 inch perforated tile replacing an open ditch with a tiled ditch on the upper reaches of
a branch of Ditch #45. The Hollatz Brothers will pay for the cost to perform this work.
County Ditch #41/65:
Motion by Johnson, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to approve the Spring 2017 clean out
on a portion of County Ditch #41/65 and the removal of beaver dams to the east of 510th Avenue as
presented by the Ditch Inspector.
County Ditch #63:
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve backfilling and leveling dirt to
fill sink holes on Gary Wilde’s property that resulted from work completed in Ditch #63 last fall.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
April 4, 2017
Page 3
County Ditch #58:
Motion by Froemming, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to place two existing 48” culverts at an
elevation that matches the original documented culvert location and elevation and to clean 1500 to 2000’ of
drainage ditch to restore flow at an approximate cost of $3,000 to $5,000.
County Ditch #55:
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to build a temporary dam downstream of
Long Lake with a 12” culvert set at the Ordinary High Water Level (OHWL) for Long Lake in Ditch #55.
After the temporary crossing is built, the beaver dam will be removed to allow the lake to lower through the
temporary crossing as presented by the Ditch Inspector.
County Ditch #63:
Mr. Fellbaum reported that Lee Uhlig had obtained permission to perform work in County Ditch #63 to
improve drainage off of his property. The US Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) has halted the project and
maintain that they have 22 acres of wetland to protect that they purchased through their 1960’s easement.
Discussion took place regarding the location of their wetland acres, a County Drainage Ditch Easement
that was already in place, the 25 year rule, and competing interests. The Ditch Inspector will do some
further research with the County’s wetland experts. Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and
unanimously carried to request a map from the USFWS showing all wetland easements they own in Otter
Tail County.
Public Hearing Dates
Motion by Froemming, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to accept reports submitted by the
Auditor-Treasurer for the following County Ditch Systems and to establish the corresponding Public
Hearing dates:
County Ditch #8 June 12, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Deer Creek Community Center
County Ditch #48 June 19, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Operations Center in Ottertail
County Ditch #29 June 26, 2017 at 7:00 p.m. Operations Center in Ottertail
Recess & Reconvene
At 11:20 a.m., Chair Huebsch declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
recessed for committee meetings and the “Years of Service” recognition lunch. The Board meeting was
reconvened at 1:14 p.m.
RESOLUTION TO SUPPORT INCREASE FOR FAMILY HOME VISITS
Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2017 - 23
WHEREAS, The Community Health Board of Otter Tail County recognizes that Minnesota’s local public
health departments are a primary provider of family home visiting for at-risk women and families
throughout Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, Family Home Visiting is a voluntary, strength based service provided in the family’s home
environment beginning prenatally and continuing through the early years of a child’s life; and
WHEREAS, Family Home Visits provide parenting support and social, emotional, and health-related
education to families and connects families to appropriate community resources; and
WHEREAS, 85% of brain growth occurs before age 3, and brain growth is impacted greatly by a child’s
early experiences. Nearly 200,000 Minnesotan children under the age of 6 are at risk of poor physical and
mental health outcomes; and
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
April 4, 2017
Page 4
WHEREAS, the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Legislative Policy Positions support stable,
flexible state-funding and public policy to support healthy families and supports additional state funding for
county-delivered maternal and child health services, such as evidence-based home visiting programs; and
WHEREAS, The Local Public Health Association of Minnesota (LPHA)’s 2017 LPHA Legislative Priorities
recognize that “family home visits are an effective way to prevent child maltreatment, promote healthy
childhood development and foster self-sufficiency among Minnesota’s most at-risk families- all of which
help reduce health care and public program costs” and that “the current minimum MA reimbursement rate
falls far short of covering the cost of services,” leaving counties to rely heavily on local tax levies to fill the
gaps; and
WHEREAS, LPHA’s 2017 Legislative Priorities support “increasing the minimum MA reimbursement for
family home visits in order to provide needed resources to maintain and strengthen family home visiting
programs that lessen the negative impacts of poverty and improve outcomes for children of our most at-
risk families”.
NOW, THEREFORE IT BE RESOLVED, that the Otter Tail County Community Health Board is submitting
a Letter of Support for increasing the minimum MA reimbursement rate for all public health nurse family
home visits, as proposed in HF1385/SF1143; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Otter Tail County Community Health Board authorizes its chair to
sign on its behalf a Letter of Support for increasing the minimum MA reimbursement rate for all public
health nurse family home visits, as proposed in HF1385/SF1143.
Motion for the foregoing Resolution was made by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner
Lindquist and upon a vote being duly taken thereon, the following voted in favor:
Commissioner Huebsch, Johnson and Lindquist
and the following were against: None
and the following were absent: Commissioner Rogness and Froemming
WHEREUPON, the Resolution was declared duly passed and adopted the 4th day of April 2017.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: ________________
By: __________________________________ Attest: _______________________
Douglas A. Huebsch, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
Adjournment
At 1:23 p.m., Chairman Huebsch declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
adjourned until 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2017.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated:
By: Attest:
Doug Huebsch, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
CB/kd
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
April 4, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 1
WARRANTS APPROVED ON 04/04/2017
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
April 4, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 2