HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 04/11/2017
MINUTES OF THE
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Government Services Center, Commissioners’ Room
515 W. Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN
April 11, 2017
9:30 a.m.
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, April 11, 2017, at the
Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN, with Commissioners Doug Huebsch, Chair;
Wayne Johnson, Vice-Chair; John Lindquist, Roger Froemming and Lee Rogness present.
Approval of Agenda
Chairman 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 April 11, 2017, as presented.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Froemming, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve Consent Agenda items as
follows:
1. April 4, 2017 Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
2. Warrants/Bills for April 11, 2017 (Exhibit A)
3. Human Services Bills & Claims
4. Christopher Watson Appointment to the Probation Advisory Board – Fourth
District
5. Approve Seasonal On-Sale Liquor and Sunday Liquor License - Elks Point
Bar & Grill for May 1–Oct. 31, 2017
6. Approval of Final Payment for SAP 056-628-013, Midwest Contracting, LLC
7. Request for Approval of West Central Ag-Air, Inc. Authorization Letter
St. William’s Living Center Building Project
Tim Kelly, St. William’s Living Center Administrator, presented a renovation project at St. William’s Living
Center consisting of a 14 skilled care household with new entry, dining room, lobby space, conference
room, spa and therapy rooms as well as infrastructure replacements and upgrades. St. William’s Living
Center has filed an application for financial assistance with the USDA Rural Development Agency. Motion
by Rogness, second by Froemming and unanimously carried, to fully support the St. William’s Living
Center building project as described. The proposed project will provide needed services and will have no
adverse impact on other facilities providing similar services.
Adult Mental Health Reports
Margaret Williams, Human Services Supervisor, presented the BCOW (Becker, Clay, Otter Tail, Wilkin)
Adult Mental Health Initiative 2016 Annual Report. The 2016 grant allocation of $1,181,263 was divided
into aftercare services, housing supports, crisis services, social clubs and other supports. An AMHI
Reform Workgroup has been established whose essential goal is to effectively communicate to the
legislature and stakeholders the benefits AMHI grant dollars provide serving adults with mental health
needs in our region.
Ms. Williams reviewed the County’s 2016 Adult Mental Health Program report. The programs are
developed to keep people out of institutional settings and to provide them the best quality of life possible
living independently within the community. The number of cases and individuals served were about the
same as in CY2015. There is a movement by the State Department of Human Services (DHS) to
consolidate mental health and chemical dependency service planning and funding.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
April 11, 2017
Page 2
MAY IS MENTAL HEALTH MONTH PROCLAMATION
Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2017 - 24
WHEREAS, the U.S. Surgeon General states that mental health is fundamental to health and
indispensable to personal well-being, family and interpersonal relationships, and contributes to community
and society; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Surgeon General confirms that mental illness affects one in five Americans every
year, regardless of age, gender, race, ethnicity, religion or economic status; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Surgeon General has found that a range of treatment exists for most mental
disorders and the efficacy of mental health treatments are well documented; and
WHEREAS, Otter Tail County has made a commitment to community-based systems of mental health care
for all residents and has appointed Local Mental Health Advisory Committees for children and adults; and
WHEREAS, the guiding principles of community mental health care have always been
comprehensiveness, cost-efficiency, effective management and high-quality and consumer responsive
services, and these principles are now being adopted by private and public healthcare payers; and
WHEREAS, the National Mental Health Association, the National Council for Community Behavioral
Healthcare and their national partners, the National Alliance for the Mentally Ill and their local affiliates
observe Mental Health Month every May to raise awareness and understanding of mental health and
illness.
THEREFORE, we, The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners, by virtue of the authority vested in
us as County Commissioners of Otter Tail County, do hereby proclaim May 2017 Mental Health Month
in Otter Tail County. As County Commissioners of Otter Tail County we call all citizens, government
agencies, public and private institutions, business and schools to recommit our community to increasing
awareness and understanding of mental illness and the need for appropriate and accessible services for all
people with mental illness.
Motion for the foregoing Resolution was made by Commissioner Lindquist and seconded by Commissioner
Froemming and upon a vote being duly taken thereon, the following voted in favor:
Commissioners Huebsch, Johnson, Lindquist, Froemming and Rogness,
and the following were against: None
and the following were absent: None
WHEREUPON, the Resolution was declared duly passed and adopted the 11th day of April 2017.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: ________________
By: __________________________________ Attest: _______________________
Douglas A. Huebsch, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
April 11, 2017
Page 3
Human Services Department Annual Report
Deb Sjostrom, Human Services Director, submitted the Human Services 2016 Annual Report. She
summarized some Otter Tail County 2015 statistics as follows:
• 14,543 residents received publicly funded health care benefits (CY2015) known as
Medicaid or Medical Assistance benefits which is about 25% of the population
• 3,404 recipients received food support – Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
(SNAP) which is about 5.9% of the population
• 189 families received the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) or Diversionary
Work Program (DWP) which is about 1% of the population
• 618 adults and adolescents completed chemical dependency assessments which is about
1% of the population
• Statewide, families and children in MN Health Care Programs (Medical Assistance and MN
Care) make up 64% of the enrollment but only 26% of the cost
• Statewide Elderly and people with disabilities in MN Health Care Programs make up 17%
of the enrollment but 58% of the cost
Recess & Reconvene
At 10:10 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 10:15 a.m.
Public Hearing for Revisions to the E911 Ordinance
At 10:15 a.m. Chairman Huebsch opened the Public Hearing for revisions to the Otter Tail County
Enhanced 911 Ordinance. County Attorney David Hauser explained the language revisions to the original
Ordinance adopted in 1999. Commissioner Lindquist requested an addition to the definition of Purpose in
Section I.D. to include “all emergency services” not just emergency medical care. Tere Mann discussed
the language regarding the replacement of 911 signs. Discussion followed. With no further comments
offered, at 10:23 a.m., Chairman Huebsch closed the Public Hearing.
Motion by Johnson, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to adopt the revisions to the Enhanced
911 Ordinance as presented with an addition to Section 1.D. as described above.
Transportation Update
Commissioner Wayne Johnson reported that the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) is traveling
around the State and interviewing with the media regarding the need for transportation funding in both the
metropolitan and rural areas throughout the State. Mr. Johnson recently interviewed for the Wilmar
Tribune with the AMC.
Request for Forgiveness of Tax Penalty
Motion by Johnson, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to deny the request for forgiveness of tax
and penalties by Xiaoyong An O’Neal because the reasons cited are outside of the County’s guidelines for
consideration. The property is located at 117 1st Ave NW in the City of Pelican Rapids.
Highway Project Bid Awards
S.A.P. 056-601-064 & Etc:
Motion by Johnson, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to award the County Wide Seal Coat
Project to the low bidder, Morris Sealcoat & Trucking, Inc., at the bid amount of $1,818,849.27.
S.A.P. 056-606-012 & Etc:
Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to award Overlay Projects on Highways
located in the southeast side of the County (CSAH 6, 16, & 129) to the low bidder, Tri-City Paving, Inc. of
Little Falls, MN, at the bid amount of $2,623,528.68.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
April 11, 2017
Page 4
S.A.P. 056-610-015 & Etc:
Motion by Rogness, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to award Overlay Projects on CSAH 10,
24, & 11 to the low bidder, Knife River Materials of Bemidji, MN, at the bid amount of $4,376,401.02.
Tumuli Township work is contingent upon their approval.
RESOLUTION DESIGNATING COUNTY STATE AID HIGHWAY LOCATION
County State Aid Highway No. 72
Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2017 - 25
Upon a motion by Rogness, second by Johnson and unanimously carried, the following resolution was
adopted:
WHEREAS, it appears to the County Board of Commissioners of the County of Otter Tail that the highway
right of way required for County State Aid Highway No. 72 under S.A.P. 056—672-005 should be
accurately described and located by a highway right of way plat.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the County Board of Commissioners of the County of Otter
Tail that the Board of County Commissioners for the County of Otter Tail is hereby designating the definite
location of County State Aid Highway No. 72, from State Trunk Highway No. 78 Westerly and Northerly in
Section 9, Township 133 North, Range 40 West of the 5th Principal Meridian to the North line of Section 9
as shown on the single page of the REPLAT OTTER TAIL COUNTY HIGHWAY RIGHT OF WAY PLAT
NO. 20, SHEET 5.
Adopted at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, this 11th day of April 2017
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: ____________________
By: __________________________________ Attest: ___________________________
Douglas A. Huebsch, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
Recess
At 10:55 a.m., Chair Huebsch declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
recessed for committee meetings and a Joint Lunch meeting with the Board of Adjustment and Planning
Commission.
Joint Meeting
At 12:10 p.m., Chairman Huebsch opened the joint meeting with Commissioners Huebsch, Johnson,
Lindquist and Rogness, Planning Commission members and Board of Adjustment members. Introductions
took place. There were twenty signatures on the sign-in sheet for the meeting.
This meeting was convened to collaborate and listen to opinions and/or concerns in the process of growth
and protection of resources for the future of Otter Tail County.
Land & Resource Director Bill Kalar updated the group on the latest Shoreland Management Ordinance
changes and work being completed to update the Setback Ordinance and Subdivision Controls Ordinance.
Commissioners and Mr. Kalar indicated that these Ordinances will be reviewed periodically, often annually.
They asked the group to keep track of concerns or areas of the Ordinances that don’t necessarily protect
the natural resources or are perceived to be burdensome to the public.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
April 11, 2017
Page 5
Other items discussed are summarized as follows:
1. Should a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) be required when there is a conversion from a mobile
home to a Recreational Camper Unit (RCU) that decreases in septic requirements and sq.
footage?
2. Discussion took place in favor of the County completing a Comprehensive Plan. Ideas regarding a
Comprehensive Plan included:
• Need public engagement
• Takes several years to complete & requires Public Hearings
• Requires a Consultant
• Provides a manual to abide by to protect the lakes and other resources and can be a blueprint
for how you want your County to look in 5, 10, 15 years
• Important to engage Townships
• Comprehensive planning is not the same as countywide zoning
• The reason for zoning is for the health, safety and welfare of County residents
• Check with other counties for examples of Comprehensive Plans
3. Concern was expressed about increase in After-the-Fact CUP requests
4. CUPs being issued but not followed
5. The need to do a better job educating the public regarding the difference between comprehensive
planning and zoning
6. Better communication could go to the Coalition of Lake Associations (COLA) and/or to individual
lake associations
County Attorney David Hauser reported that Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust (MCIT) provides land use
training. A training seminar is scheduled next September. The County Attorney encouraged those at the
meeting to attend and added that anytime the Planning Commission and/or Board of Adjustment makes a
decision, findings for the reason(s) for the decision should be communicated.
Chairman Huebsch thanked the group for their attendance and closed the meeting.
Adjournment
At 1:50 p.m., Chairman Huebsch declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
adjourned until 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, April 25, 2017.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated:
By: Attest:
Doug Huebsch, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
CB/kd
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
April 11, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 1
WARRANTS APPROVED ON 4/11/2017
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
April 11, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 2