HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 08/01/2017
MINUTES OF THE
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Government Services Center, Commissioners’ Room
515 W. Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN
August 1, 2017
8:30 a.m.
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 1, 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 Rogness, second by Froemming
and unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners Agenda of August 1, 2017, with the
following additions:
Request for Eagle Lake Donation Resolution
Broadband Discussion
Consent Agenda
Motion by Froemming, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve Consent Agenda items as
follows:
1. July 25, 2017 Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
2. Warrants/Bills for August 1, 2017 (Exhibit A)
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Wetland & Habitat Easements
USFWS Representatives appeared before the Board and requested certification of two waterfowl and one
habitat protection easements. Documentation was previously submitted regarding the requests. After
County Board approval, the easement requests will be considered by the State Land Exchange Board.
The owner continues to be responsible for maintenance and taxes on the property. Motion by Froemming,
second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve certification for the USFWS to secure the
following waterfowl and habitat easements:
Olesen, John M. – Waterfowl Protection Easement:
T. 132 N., R. 39 W., 5th P.M.
Section 34, E½NE¼ and Section 35, NW¼NW¼
Lineburg, Diane J., et al – Wildlife Habitat Protection Easement:
T. 131N., R 39 W., 5th P.M.
Section 1, part of the W½SE¼ and part of the E½SW¼ to be determined by a survey
Section 2, part of the E½SW¼ to be determined by a survey
Lantana, LLC. – Waterfowl Protection Easement:
T. 132N., R 41 W., 5th P.M.
Section 4, NW¼NW¼ (also described as Government Lot 4) except the East 6 rods thereof.
T. 133N., R 41 W., 5th P.M.
Section 33, the SW¼SE¼ and the part of Government Lot 7 lying South of the Burlington Northern
(Northern Pacific) Railroad
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
August 1, 2017
Page 2
Council on Local Results & Innovation
Administrator John Dinsmore presented the “2017 Performance Measures for Otter Tail County – Final
Report” which includes Otter Tail County as part of the statewide performance measures group. This
information could be incorporated into the County’s mission statement that is being developed.
Mr. Dinsmore briefed the Board on the twenty-six (26) Otter Tail County performance measures that have
been identified. Discussion took place about how much direct impact Otter Tail County has on these
measures, which are also affected by state and federal funding, rules and regulations, and the economy.
Behavioral Health Services & Jail Population
County Officials met with the Board to discuss the difficult jail population with severe mental health needs.
Lengthy discussion took place regarding the issues and some solutions/programs that other counties are
trying. Commissioners requested the following County Officials to form an ad hoc committee and report
back to the County Board at their September 5, 2017 meeting, with a progress report and budget proposal.
Sheriff, Brian Schlueter Chief Deputy, Barry Fitzgibbons
Jail Administrator, Jim Stewart Human Services Director, Deb Sjostrom
Administrator, John Dinsmore County Attorney, David Hauser
Health Inspections for Resorts
Dave Thompson, Owner of Fisherman’s Village Resort, provided a history of his lodging establishment
inspections by the County many years ago, then by the Minnesota State Department of Health (DOH) and
now, the County, who recently took over the Environmental Services (Inspection) program. At issue is the
regulation (M.S. 4625.0900) that requires 60 square feet of usable floor space per occupant for every room
occupied for sleeping purposes which was intended for hotel lodging restrictions. Many resorts in Otter
Tail County cannot meet this requirement and the State decided to give the resorts a verbal variance rather
than establish specific rules for resorts. With regard to Otter Tail County’s recent inspection of
Fisherman’s Village Resort, in a letter dated July 25, 2017, a variance was documented to Mr. Thompson;
however, the variance would not be transferable with change of ownership. Mr. Thompson expressed
concern for resort owners as they choose to sell resorts for their retirement. The County Administrator will
put together a group of County Officials and Resort Owners to work on a solution to this issue.
Otter Tail County Veterans Service Officer
Motion by Rogness, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to reappoint Charles R. Kampa as the
Otter Tail County Veterans Service Officer effective August 1, 2017, for a four (4) year term.
Final Plat
Motion by Froemming, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the Final Plat of Park
Region Agency, Inc. titled “Swenson’s Beach Third Addition”, which is a three (3) lot subdivision located in
Government Lot 3 and the NW¼SE¼ of Section 7 in Nidaros Township, Clitherall Lake (56-238).
ACCEPTING DEDICATED DONATION TO SUPPORT I-LIDS
FOR AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES PREVENTION
Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2017 - 53
WHEREAS, Eagle Lake Lakeshore Association has offered to donate funds in the amount of three
thousand dollars ($3,000.00) to the County of Otter Tail on behalf of the Land & Resource Office to assist
in funding an Internet Landing Installed Device Sensor (I-LIDS); and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute §465.03 requires the County to accept the gift by resolution expressed in
terms prescribed by the donor in full; and
WHEREAS, the acceptance of the funds in accordance with the donor’s terms is in the best interest of the
County of Otter Tail.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
August 1, 2017
Page 3
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners does accept
the above-described funds from Eagle Lake Lakeshore Association, and extends its grateful appreciation.
Upon the motion of Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Lindquist and passed on a 5-0
vote, the above resolution is hereby adopted by the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: ______________________
By: __________________________________ Attest: _______________________
Doug Huebsch, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
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 10:17 a.m.
Highway Project Bid Awards
S.A.P. 056-684-002 & Etc:
Motion by Rogness, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to award resurfacing, curb & gutter, and
storm sewer work on CSAH 84 to the lowest bidder, Central Specialties, Inc. of Alexandria, MN, in the bid
amount of $1,814,578.42, contingent upon the approval of the City of New York Mills.
S.A.P. 056-599-062:
Motion by Lindquist, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to award bridge (No. 91556)
replacement in Carlisle Township over the Pelican River to the low bidder, Riley Bros. Construction, Inc. of
Morris, MN, at the bid price of $287,627.70, as recommended by the Public Works Director.
Broadband Discussion
External Relations Director Nick Leonard provided an update on the broadband feasibility study. Public
outreach regarding countywide broadband will begin in early 2018. A project steering committee and
provider group will be established. Motion by Froemming, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to
designate the Public Works Committee to serve on the Otter Tail County Broadband Steering Committee.
The motion included two (2) seats for each District on the Broadband Steering Committee. Commissioners
will begin searching for candidates willing to serve in this capacity.
Ditch #70 Final Pay Request
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve Final Pay Request No. 8 to
M & M Contractors, LLC, in the amount of $22,951.22, for the completion of C.P. 16:Ditch 70, as presented
by the County Auditor-Treasurer.
Devils/Little Devils Lake Improvement District Drainage Project
Motion by Johnson, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to authorize payment of the following
temporary and permanent easements from the Flood Hazard Mitigation Grant as requested by Jeff Langan
of Houston Engineering, Inc. for the Devils/Little Devils Lake LID drainage project:
OWNER NAME PARCEL ID TEMPORARY
EASEMENT PAYMENT
PERMANENT
EASEMENT PAYMENT
Kimberlea Baarstad 30000320208002 $2,140.54 $39,660.00
Lee J. & Karen L. Omberg 51000990449000 $4,769.82 $1,914.17
David L. & Deborah L. Guck 51000060072003 $227.34 $388.07
Peter M. & Patricia A. Irvine 51000060072900 $252.73 $355.34
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
August 1, 2017
Page 4
Patrick J. Lehman 30000330211001 $979.00 $946.00
R.D. Offutt Companies
30000280175000
30000330211000
30000330214000
30000330212001
30000320205002
30000330212001
30000320209000
30000320208006
51000050070005
$19,124.75
$18,734.50
Total $27,494.18 $61,998.08
Grand Total $89,492.26
Minnesota Licensing and Registration System (MNLARS)
License Center Manager Cyndi Abbott spoke with the Board regarding some of the challenges with the
new Driver and Vehicle Services (DVS) division MNLARS software intended to replace a 30-year-old
computer system used for motor vehicle transactions. Because many of the transactions are not getting
through the system, customers are being turned away without a solution. The State is authorizing an extra
21 day period for dealers to get new vehicle licenses. Administrator John Dinsmore will write a letter to
local law enforcement to ask for discretion as it relates to vehicle licensure due to the software issues as
the State works through the unexpected glitches.
MN Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Motion by Johnson, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to authorize Commissioners attendance
at the MN Public Utilities regulatory meeting at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 17, 2017, at the Kennedy
Secondary School in Fergus Falls, MN.
Adjournment
At 11:17 a.m., Chairman Huebsch declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
adjourned until 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 22, 2017.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated:
By: Attest:
Doug Huebsch, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
CB/kd
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
August 1, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 1
WARRANTS APPROVED ON 08/01/2017
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
August 1, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 2
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
August 1, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 3