HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 07/25/2017
MINUTES OF THE
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Government Services Center, Commissioners’ Room
515 W. Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN
July 25, 2017
8:30 a.m.
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, July 25, 2017, at the
Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN, with Commissioners Doug Huebsch, Chair;
Wayne Johnson, Vice-Chair; Roger Froemming, John Lindquist and Lee Rogness present.
Approval of Agenda
Chairman Huebsch called for approval of the Board Agenda. Motion by Froemming, second by Johnson
and unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners Agenda of July 25, 2017, as presented.
Lakeland Mental Health Center Board Update
Consent Agenda
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve Consent Agenda items as
follows:
1. July 11, 2017 Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
2. Warrants/Bills for July 25, 2017 (Exhibit A)
3. Human Services Bills & Claims
4. Approve Reappointment to Otter Tail Water Management District
Board of Directors
5. Approve Tobacco & Off Sale 3.2 Malt Liquor License to Lakeland
General Store
Engineering Services – Culvert Crossing
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to authorize the appropriate County
Officials’ signatures to execute an engineering design services agreement between the County of Otter
Tail and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for replacement of the culvert crossing on Crane
Lake Dr. between Crane and Clitherall Lakes. Otter Tail County will design the project and the State will
pay for the project which will be a fish friendly passageway.
LMKP and DLD Lake Improvement District Agreements
Motion by Johnson, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to authorize the appropriate County
Officials’ signatures to execute the Project and Grant Allocation Agreement between the Little McDonald,
Kerbs, and Paul LID and the Devils and Little Devils LID, and the Project Agreement between the County
of Otter Tail and the Little McDonald, Kerbs, and Paul LID and the Devils and Little Devils LID as
presented. Otter Tail County will be the fiscal host for the project.
LMKP and DLD Lake Improvement District (LID) Project
Mike Opat from Moore Engineering provided an update for the Little McDonald, Kerbs, and Paul (LMKP)
LID and the Devils and Little Devils (DLD) LID outlet project. Otter Tail County is acting as the contracting
agent for the project. Mr. Opat discussed right-of-way purchases and permits. Final permits for the project
are expected this September. He requested that the County Board advertise for bids for the project with
the condition that Public Works Director, Rick West, review the agreement prior to the project moving
forward. Discussion followed regarding completion date and the need for finalized purchase agreements
before the project begins. Motion by Rogness, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to give
conditional authority to the Public Works Division to review the LMKP and DLD LID outlet project, follow
the project and provide updates to the County Board.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
July 25, 2017
Page 2
Purchase of Property for Future Highway Project
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve purchase of the property at
1013 E. Fir Ave, Fergus Falls, MN, at the total cost of $163,295.57, for a future round about project to be
paid out of the Highway Department budget.
Highway Construction Contract – S.A.P. 056-672-005 & Etc.
Motion by Froemming, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to authorize the appropriate County
Officials’ signatures to execute a Highway Construction Contract between the County of Otter Tail and
Mark Sand & Gravel Co. of Fergus Falls, MN, for work on CSAH No. 72 from TH 78 to CSAH 83.
Lakeland Mental Health Center Update
As a committee member on the LMHC Board, Commissioner Roger Froemming provided an update on the
organization/management of the center.
Assistant County Attorney Position
Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to authorize an additional Assistant
County Attorney position which is part of the transitional planning for the County Attorney’s office.
Benefit Strategy and Funding
Jessica Nikunen, Health and Welfare Consultant, provided health insurance strategy and funding
documents dated July 25, 2017, and briefed the Board on additional options to fund the County’s benefit
package. Lengthy discussion followed regarding the assumptions used in the models and the need to
change the County’s funding structure to be more equitable and bring families back into the group.
Commissioners requested further work on process and education.
Detention Center Remodel Project
Motion by Johnson, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to approve Change Order #2, in the
amount of $2,083.00, payable to TF Powers Construction, Inc. for the holding cells and elevator project
(Architect Project No. 41573) as recommended by the Facilities Manager.
Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to authorize the appropriate County
Officials’ signatures to execute an Amendment to extend the original agreement with the Detention Center
Project Manager, Marland Hoff, to August 31, 2017.
Recess & Reconvene
At 9:57 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 10:00 a.m.
Public Meeting – Glen & Craig Olson Farm
Chairman Huebsch opened the County Board meeting for public comments regarding the construction of
three 60’ x 560’ total confinement turkey barns with total animal units of 527.58 at the following location:
Glen & Craig Olson, 54711 Co. Hwy 136, Parkers Prairie, MN
NW¼ of the SW¼ of Section 32, Elmo Township, Otter Tail County
The public meeting was held according to M.S. 116.07, Subd. 7(l). The MN Pollution Control Agency
(MPCA) is responsible for issuing a permit for the proposed project. The County provides a local forum for
the public to express their opinions regarding the project. Documents explaining the project were
previously submitted and notice was provided to surrounding property owners. One person from the public
spoke in favor of the project. There were no concerns expressed by the public at the meeting or in writing.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
July 25, 2017
Page 3
Public Meeting Continued:
Commissioners thanked Anez Consulting, Inc. for providing notice to surrounding property owners in
advance of the public meeting. Due to the advance notice, the barns were repositioned on the site.
Mr. Olson spoke about the benefits of new technology that will be utilized in the new barns.
Commissioners spoke in favor of the project and requested a tour of one of the new facilities with the
Economic Development Committee.
Long Range Strategic Planning
Craig Vaughn and Lance Bernard from SRF Consulting Group presented a Long-Range Planning
powerpoint and briefed the Board on types of land use planning tools, comprehensive plans and
corresponding state statutes. The planning tools the County could develop include Long-Range Plans,
Strategic Plans, Financial Plans and Implementation Tools. The different requirements of a
comprehensive plan and strategic plan were explained. A Long-Range Strategic plan can target specific
land uses such as feedlots, parks and trails, highways and tourism. Many of the County’s current land use
ordinances and highway master plans can be incorporated into a Strategic Plan. Lengthy discussion
continued. Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to refer land use long-range
planning to the Public Works Committee to develop a recommendation for the framework to move forward
with a vision of growth for Otter Tail County in the future.
Recess & Reconvene
At 10:57 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 11:05 a.m.
Planning Commission Recommendations
Preliminary Plat – “Canterbury Sands Second Addition” / Ken & Sandy Enstrom and Barry Fabian:
Motion by Lindquist, second by Froemming and carried, with Rogness abstaining, to approve a Preliminary
Plat titled “Canterbury Sands Second Addition” consisting of twelve (12) single family residential non-
riparian lots as presented. The project is located in Pt GL 2 Bg NEly Cor Lot 19 Blk 1 Canterbury Sands
S… (25.01 Acres), Section 28 of Everts Township; Silver Lake (56-302), RD.
Conditional Use Permit – Middle Leaf Pleasure Grounds Assoc. / Kurt & Trish Fischer:
Motion by Froemming, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to approve a Conditional Use Permit
to add a patio to the property as presented. The proposal is located in CIC #43 Middle Leaf Pleasure
Grounds, Unit #6 of Middle Leaf Pleasure Grounds, Section 22 of Leaf Lake Township; East (Middle) Leaf
Lake (56-116), RD.
Lamplight View Plat Request
A letter was received requesting a change to the Lamplight View Plat conditions to: 1) apply the motorized
vehicle restriction to the complete property; and 2) implement a 10’ setback from the property lines for any
lakeshore access. Lengthy discussion followed regarding the approved boardwalk and ATV access to the
lake through the wetland during dry conditions. Land & Resource Management Director, Bill Kalar,
indicated that that there is no law prohibiting 4-wheelers in a wetland area unless it results in draining,
filling or excessive destruction of the wetland. The MN Department of Natural Resource (DNR) has
enforcement jurisdiction in this case. Commissioners requested that Mr. Kalar forward this to the DNR
Conservation Officer to be sure there is no violation of the Wetland Conservation Act (WCA) rules.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
July 25, 2017
Page 4
Final Plat – “Prosperity Point”
Motion by Johnson, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to approve the Final Plat titled
“Prosperity Point” located in Section 10 and Section 15 of Candor Township; Trowbridge (Leek) Lake
(56-532) and Ida Lake (56-534) as presented by the Land & Resource Director.
Compliance Inspection Policy
Motion by Rogness, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the Draft Land & Resource
Management Compliance Inspection Policy dated June 27, 2017, as presented.
Certificate of Correction to Plat
Motion by Johnson, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to authorize the appropriate County
Officials’ signatures to execute the Certificate of Correction to Plat for the Final Plat titled 1912 Foursquare
Addition.
One Watershed, One Plan Discussion
Brad Mergens and Darren Newville, Soil & Water Conservation District (SWCD) Managers, and Bill Kalar,
OTC Land & Resource Director, submitted a document titled “One Watershed, One Plan Operating
Procedures” from the MN Board of Water & Soil Resources (BWSR) dated March 23, 2016. Mr. Mergens
indicated that One Watershed, One Plan will replace the comprehensive County Water Plan which is valid
through 2019. MN BWSR is changing water planning on a County basis to planning around the State’s
major watersheds, to be accomplished over a ten year transition period. Otter Tail County has ten (10)
watersheds, many with a small percentage of land area in the watershed. BWSR will fund the research
and development of One Watershed, One Plan for the Pomme de Terre, Buffalo-Red River, and
Mistinka/Bois de Sioux Watersheds. Discussion followed regarding committees, representatives and
voting for the various Watershed District Boards. Updates will be provided to the County Board of
Commissioners as the plans are developed.
Recess & Reconvene
At 12:00 p.m., Chair Huebsch declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
recessed for committee meetings and lunch. The Board meeting was reconvened at 1:40 p.m.
Examiner of Titles
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to authorize a fee increase from $750.00
per year to $1,000.00 per year for Attorney Robert Russell, Examiner of Titles, as requested by the
Recorder.
Public Health Reimbursement Fees
Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve increases for public health
services effective July 1, 2017, as approved by the legislature and presented by the Public Health Director.
The document for the fee increases is titled “Updated Public Health Charges for 2017” dated 07/11/2017.
Pictometry Demonstation
Dean Larson, Pictometry District Manager, presented a powerpoint to demonstrate the benefits of aerial
photographs used in a multi-purpose computer software program to give the County tools to survey land
quickly and efficiently for uses e.g. ditch inspection, highways, land uses, property assessments,
emergency management and economic development. Discussion followed regarding ownership of the
data, the importance of an authoritative source of information and cost and licensing of the software.
Motion by Johnson, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to purchase the pictometry software
package at an approximate cost of $88,000 per year for three (3) years with annual renewal after three
years of $88,000, from Pictometry International Corp. of Rochester, NY, as recommended by County Land
Services Managers. The Recorder’s Technology Fund will be used to pay for this software.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
July 25, 2017
Page 5
Vulnerable Adult Program
Members of the Human Services Vulnerable Adult Unit briefed the Board on the 2016 program, statistics,
caseloads and guidelines for prioritizing reports for investigation and provided corresponding documents.
Expense Reimbursement
Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to reimburse Deputy Ryan Brasel for his
out-of-pocket transport costs, in the amount of $161.56, as requested by the Sheriff.
Addendum to Arbitrage Monitoring Services
Motion by Rogness, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to authorize the County Auditor-
Treasurer’s signature on the Addendum Contract for Arbitrage Monitoring Services for the following
obligation:
$1,335,000 General Obligation Improvement Bonds, Series 2017A dated June 1, 2017
Forgiveness of Tax Penalty Requests
Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to deny the request of Pelican Lake
Properties, LLC for the forgiveness of accrued penalty, in the amount of $622.96, as of June 30, 2017, on
parcels in Dunn Township. The denial is based on the fact that this issue of non-payment of taxes was
due to logistics not health and therefore, does not qualify under the County’s tax forgiveness
policy/guidelines.
Motion by Lindquist, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to approve the request of Sam Katz for
the forgiveness of accrued penalty as of June 2017, in the amount of $116.81, on Parcel 30-000-99-0390-
000, because the reason for late payment falls under the County’s tax forgiveness policy/guidelines. The
property is listed under the name of Jona Katz.
Credit Card Balance Increase
Motion by Lindquist, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to increase the credit card balance
from $2,500 to $5,000 for Transport Deputy, Ryan Brasel, as recommended by the Sheriff.
Dead Lake Township
Commissioners acknowledged receipt of a letter from Dead Lake Township requesting financial assistance
for the upkeep of 385th Street. Motion by Rogness, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to refer
the letter to the Public Works Division.
Adjournment
At 3:10 p.m., Chairman Huebsch declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
adjourned until 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 1, 2017.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated:
By: Attest:
Doug Huebsch, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
CB/kd
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
July 25, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 1
WARRANTS APPROVED ON 7/25/2017
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
July 25, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 2
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
July 25, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 3
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
July 25, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 4
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
July 25, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 5
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
July 25, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 6