HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 06/06/2017
MINUTES OF THE
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Government Services Center, Commissioners’ Room
515 W. Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN
June 6, 2017
9:30 a.m.
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, June 6, 2017, at the
Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN, with Commissioners Wayne Johnson, Vice-Chair;
Roger Froemming, John Lindquist and Lee Rogness present. Chairman Doug Huebsch was representing
Otter Tail County and Prairie Lakes Municipal Solid Waste Authority at a meeting in St. Paul.
Approval of Agenda
Vice-Chair Johnson called for approval of the Board Agenda. Motion by Froemming, second by Rogness
and unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners Agenda of June 6, 2017, as presented.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Lindquist, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to approve Consent Agenda items as
follows:
1. May 23, 2017 Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
2. Warrants/Bills for June 6, 2017 (Exhibit A)
3. Approval of Joint Powers Agreement with DOC for Work Release
Services for FY2018
4. Approval of Solid Waste Hauler’s License for Wilke Environmental, LLC
(formerly DL Disposal)
5. Approval of Liquor License Applications
6. Approval of Payment to Lake Region Healthcare under M.S. 609.35
Excellence in Corrections Award
Probation Director Desta Lutzwick and DWI Court staff briefed the Board on the Otter Tail County DWI
Court program. The program has served 115 individuals including 78 graduates for a success rate of 87%.
Lengthy discussion took place regarding the benefits of the program for participants and collateral benefits
in restoring healthy relationships with family and friends. A study completed by NPC Research found the
DWI Court program had a total cost savings of $11,386 per OTC-DWI participant. Commissioners
congratulated the group on their recent “Excellence in Corrections Award” for the success of the Otter Tail
County DWI Court program presented at the 60th Annual Minnesota Association of County Probation
Officer’s State Conference.
Approval to Purchase Culverts – State Bid Contract #89585
Motion by Rogness, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to approve purchase of Culverts from
TrueNorth Steel, Inc. of St. Paul, MN, as requested by the Assistant County Highway Engineer.
Amendment to Houston Engineering Agreement – Bridge No. 91556
Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to authorize the appropriate County
Officials’ signatures to execute an Amendment to Engineering Services Agreement with Houston
Engineering for the Bridge Replacement project (SAP 056-599-062) in Carlisle Township.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
June 6, 2017
Page 2
Phelps Mill Fish Passage
Assistant Highway Engineer Chuck Grotte and representatives from the MN Department of Natural
Resources and USFWS spoke to the Board regarding a DNR public meeting held May 5, 2017, regarding
a proposed Phelps Mill Fish Passage project. Discussion took place regarding a transparent process to
inform the public about project options, history of the project, condition of current structures, past meeting
summaries, funding sources, and timeline. In order to be as transparent as possible, a motion was offered
by Rogness, seconded by Froemming and unanimously carried to establish an area on the County website
where all information regarding the proposed Phelps Mill Fish Passage project will be communicated to the
public. All comments on the project will be managed by the Assistant County Highway Engineer.
Discussion took place regarding the need for a resolution to approve some type of Phelps Mill Fish
Passage project to secure the federal funding that has been set aside for the project. After additional
research, a resolution will be presented to the Board at their June 27, 2017, Board meeting.
Purchase Agreement
Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to authorize the appropriate County
Officials’ signatures to execute a Purchase Agreement for 1013 E. Fir Ave, Fergus Falls, MN, which
includes a $2,000 deposit.
Recess & Reconvene
At 9:20 a.m., Vice-Chair Johnson declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
recessed for Committee meetings. The Board meeting was reconvened at 10:15 a.m.
Assistant Finance Director Position
Motion by Lindquist, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to approve an Assistant Finance
Director position as submitted by the Human Resources Director and contingent upon the Auditor
designating funds for the position for the remainder of CY2017.
Decision on Need for Environmental Impact Statement
Attorney David Hauser provided M.S. 4410.1700 titled “Decision for need for EIS”. He referred to Subp. 6
and Subp 7 which outline the responsibility of the Responsible Governmental Unit (RGU) and the criteria to
consider to make a decision on the Need for an EIS for the proposed Star Lake Casino/Resort project.
Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT) 2017 Report
MCIT Risk Management Consultant Jane Hennagir submitted a report titled “2017 MCIT Report to Otter
Tail County”. She discussed MCIT and Otter Tail County Workers’ Compensation and Property/Casualty
claims and shared statistics from the past five years. Discussion followed regarding workers’
compensation experience (mod factor) and how Otter Tail County compares to other counties.
Lake Association and Lake Improvement District Meetings
Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to authorize attendance by
Commissioners to Lake Association and/or LID meetings during CY2017.
Board of Adjustment Appointment
Motion by Rogness, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to appoint Chris McConn to the Otter
Tail County Board of Adjustment representing District 5.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
June 6, 2017
Page 3
Adjournment
At 11:32 a.m., Chairman Huebsch declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
adjourned until 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 13, 2017.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated:
By: Attest:
Doug Huebsch, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
CB/kd
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
June 6, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 1
WARRANTS APPROVED ON 6/06/2017
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
June 6, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 2
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
June 6, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 3
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
June 6, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 4