HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 10/03/2017
MINUTES OF THE
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Government Services Center, Commissioners’ Room
515 W. Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN
October 3, 2017
9:30 a.m.
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 3, 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 Lindquist and
unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners Agenda of October 3, 2017, with the following
additions:
Central Minnesota Radio Board Discussion
Buffalo-Red River Watershed District Road Tour
Consent Agenda
Motion by Froemming, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve Consent Agenda items as
follows:
1. September 26, 2017 Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
2. Warrants/Bills for October 3, 2017 (Exhibit A)
2018 Benefit Enrollment & Funding
HR Director Nicole Hansen presented a proposed benefit funding structure moving from a compensation
employer contribution to providing a defined benefit employer contribution. The Insurance Committee has
been working with the Gallagher Consulting agency and identified goals throughout the process including;
1) valuing tenured employees while making family health insurance coverage more equitable, 2) providing a
sustainable employer contribution funding solution, 3) keeping the health insurance cost-neutral,
4) maintain/improve the County’s ability to recruit and retain employees, and 5) consider employee morale
issues. Discussion followed. Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve
the defined benefits plan for non-union employees beginning January 1, 2018, as presented. The supporting
document can be located on the County website at http://www.co.ottertail.mn.us/AgendaCenter, within the
Oct. 3, 2017, Agenda Packet.
Contract for Legal Services
Administrator John Dinsmore and County Attorney David Hauser submitted a Contract for Legal Services
for Children In Need of Protection or Services (CHIPS), Permanency, and Termination of Parental Rights
(TPR) cases. Discussion followed. Motion by Johnson, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to
authorize the appropriate County Officials signatures to execute an updated Contract for Legal Services for
CHIPS, Permanency, and TPR court cases. The term of the Contract is from July 1, 2017 through
December 31, 2017, at a rate of $3,000 per month.
Highway Projects
Proposal for Mix Designs CSAH 35 & 67:
Motion by Rogness, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to authorize the appropriate County
Officials signatures to execute an Agreement (proposal QTB065887) between the County of Otter Tail and
Braun Intertec Corporation for geotechnical and pavement evaluations for CSAH 35 and CSAH 67 projects.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
October 3, 2017
Page 2
Proposal for CSAH 27 & CSAH 88:
Motion by Johnson, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to authorize the appropriate County
Officials signatures to execute an Agreement for additional geotechnical evaluations for the CSAH 27 and
CSAH 88 projects.
Proposal for 2018-2020 Transportation Plan:
Motion by Rogness, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to authorize the appropriate County
Officials signatures to execute an Agreement between the County of Otter Tail and SRF Consulting Group,
Inc. for Professional Services for the 2018-2020 Transportation Plan Implementation and Pavement
Consulting Services, as submitted by the Public Works Director.
Proposal for Strategic Long Range Planning:
Public Works Director Rick West discussed a proposal for long range planning from SRF Consulting Group,
Inc. Discussion took place regarding changes in the contract that would facilitate the scope of long range
planning in Otter Tail County to align with priorities identified by the public. Motion by Johnson, second by
Rogness and unanimously carried to request that SRF Consulting Group revise the Agreement
(SRF 11025.PP) for Professional Services for Otter Tail County Strategic Long-Range Planning.
Final Plats
Common Interest Community (CIC) Number 81:
Motion by Lindquist, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to approve CIC Number 81 resort
conversion owned by Steve and Debra Heidenson known as Battle View Resort located in Section 33 of
Girard Township, West Battle Lake (56-239).
Common Interest Community (CIC) No. 78:
Motion by Lindquist, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to approve CIC No. 78 resort
conversion owned by Kathy Thompson known as 3 Lakes Resort located in Section 6 of Everts Township,
Deer Lake (56-298).
Snowmobile Agreement
Motion by Johnson, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to authorize the appropriate County
Officials signatures to execute an Agreement between the County of Otter Tail and MN Department of
Natural Resources (DNR) for pass-through funding for the snowmobile grant-in-aid program which provides
FY2018 trail maintenance and grooming.
Radio Board and Watershed District Update
Commissioner Lindquist updated the Board on concerns about ongoing emergency related expenses for
radios and other technology for the small fire departments and rescue squads throughout the County. He
briefed the Board on the recent Buffalo-Red River Watershed District road tour.
Annual Probation Tour
Motion by Froemming, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to authorize Commissioners to attend
the Probation Tour Monday, October 30, 2017.
Emergency Preparedness
Motion by Lindquist, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to close the Government Services Center
(GSC) in Fergus Falls, MN, on Friday, October 13, 2017, from 12:30 – 4:00 p.m. for emergency procedures
training exercises. Emergency Manager Patrick Waletzko will be speaking at the East Otter Tail County
Township fall meeting on Tuesday, October 24, 2017, at the Deer Creek Community Center.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
October 3, 2017
Page 3
Adjournment
At 10:45 a.m., Chairman Huebsch declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
adjourned until 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 10, 2017.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated:
By: Attest:
Doug Huebsch, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
October 3, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 1
WARRANTS FOR 10/03/2017
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
October 3, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 2
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
October 3, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 3