HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 10/10/2017
MINUTES OF THE
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Government Services Center, Commissioners’ Room
515 W. Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN
October 10, 2017
9:30 a.m.
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 10, 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 Rogness
and unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners Agenda of October 10, 2017, as submitted.
Consent Agenda
Motion by Rogness, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to approve Consent Agenda items as
follows:
1. October 3, 2017 Board of Commissioners’ Meeting Minutes
2. Warrants/Bills for October 10, 2017 (Exhibit A)
3. Human Services Bills & Claims
4. 2018 Tobacco License Applications for Battle Lake Cenex, Dent Oasis,
Ottertail Oasis, Perham Oasis and Wagon Wheel One-Stop as Submitted
Phase II Highway Safety Plan Presentation
Derek Leuer, MnDOT Engineer and Howard Preston, CH2M Safety Consultant, briefed the Board and
shared a PowerPoint presentation on the Otter Tail County Phase II Highway Safety Plan. Mr. Leuer
explained the role of state and federal government in highway safety planning. The data shows most crashes
occur on county roads. The County Roadway Safety Plan (CRSP) identifies priority safety concerns and
suggested infrastructure improvements. The goal of CRSP is to support the statewide initiative of moving
Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths (TZD) through continued reduction of fatal and serious injury crashes on
county roadways.
Mr. Preston reviewed the Systemic Risk Analysis which includes an analytical approach to identify risk
factors and prioritize safety road solutions on at-risk locations. This systemic approach leads to
implementation of low-cost safety improvements through the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP)
and County State Aid funding.
Otter Tail County has completed Phase I of the CRSP which included about 60 lighted rural intersections.
Public Works Director Rick West will work with CH2M Safety Consultants to identify projects for Otter Tail
County’s Phase II Highway Safety Plan. The draft plan/document will be available this winter.
Recess & Reconvene
At 11:00 a.m., Chair Huebsch declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
recessed for a short break. The meeting was reconvened at 11:08 a.m.
Little MacDonald Kerbs & Paul (LMKP) and Devils & Little Devils (DLD) Outlet Project
Public Works Director Rick West reported that bids for the LMKP/DLD Outlet Project came in favorably. Both
Lake Improvement Districts (LIDs) have reviewed the bids and have voted to proceed. Right of way
acquisitions need to be finalized as well as resolving a utility permit issue.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
October 10, 2017
Page 2
LMKP/DLD Outlet Project Continued:
Motion by Rogness, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to award the LMKP and DLD Outlet project
to the low bidders as follows, contingent upon the successful completion of right of way acquisition and
permit approvals for the project:
For LMKP Lake Outlet Project:
• Geislinger & Sons, Inc., Watkins MN Contract A $1,397,000.00
• Sellin Brothers, Inc., Hawley, MN Contract B $2,791,048.25
For DLD Lake Outlet Project:
• Crow River Construction, LLC, New London, MN Complete Project $3,578,431.15
Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to authorize the appropriate County
Officials’ signatures to execute the contracts for the LMKP/DLD Outlet Project.
Fort Juelson
Cliff Knutson, Spokesperson for the Friends of Fort Juelson, updated the Board on the Fort Juelson site and
submitted a book titled “Fort Juelson and the Indian Scare of 1876”. He requested that Otter Tail County
take responsibility for the electricity bill to light the flag at the site. Discussion followed. Chairman Huebsch
referred this request to the Public Works Committee.
VETERANS SERVICE OFFICE OPERATIONAL ENHANCEMENT GRANT PROGRAM
Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2017 – 70
BE IT RESOLVED, by the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners that the County enter into a Grant
Contract with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) to conduct the following Program:
County Veterans Service Office Operational Enhancement Grant Program. The grant must be used to
provide outreach to the County’s Veterans; to assist in the reintegration of combat Veterans into society; to
collaborate with other social service agencies, educational institutions, and other community organizations
for the purposes of enhancing services offered to veterans; to reduce homelessness among veterans; and
to enhance the operations of the County Veterans Service office, as specified in Minnesota Laws 2017,
Chapter 4, Article 1, Section 38, Subdivision 2. This Grant should not be used to supplant or replace other
funding.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners that the Board Chairman
and the County Administrator be authorized to execute the corresponding Grant Contract for the above-
mentioned Program on behalf of the County.
The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Johnson,
duly seconded by Commissioner Lindquist and, after discussion thereof and upon vote being taken
thereon, the following voted in favor:
Commissioners Huebsch, Johnson, Lindquist, Froemming and Rogness
and the following voted against the same: None
Adopted this 10th day of October 2017
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated:
By: Attest:
Doug Huebsch, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
October 10, 2017
Page 3
Broadband Update
Nick Leonard, Communications & External Relations Director, updated the Board on the status of the
Broadband project. Finley Engineering and CC&G are the partners working on the Broadband project. In
November, Finley Engineering will meet with RGIS and representatives from the power companies to look
at long term build out. They are currently reaching out to phone and telecommunications companies. In
early 2018, upon completion of financial modeling, the consultants will present the existing broadband
conditions and financial modeling for the project. At the same time, a broadband consumer committee will
be established.
Discussion took place regarding the process used in selecting the consultants for the project. Mr. Leonard
indicated that Finley Engineering and CC&G were selected after phone calls and interviews of several
agencies. CC&G and Finley offered services, specifically financial modeling, that other vendors could not
offer. Mr. Leonard had conversations with officials at the Blandin Foundation who recommended CC&G and
Finley based on their success in the past. It was also important to develop an independent plan not
connected to local providers.
Website and Communications Plan
Communications Director Nick Leonard briefed the Board on website analysis work being completed by
Onsharp, a website and mobile app designer. On October 18, 2017, Onsharp will provide a presentation.
They will identify a recommended platform and a plan for redesign of the County’s website which will start
early 2018. Mr. Leonard indicated that the redesign should align with the County’s 150th Anniversary.
Chemical Dependency (CD) Annual Report
Human Services Supervisor Margaret Williams provided the 2016 Chemical Health Unit Annual Report and
reviewed the assessment and case statistics. Discussion took place regarding the lack of local outpatient
CD services/programs. Concerns were expressed regarding the Substance Use Disorder (SUD) Reform
Legislation.
Payment Approval
Motion by Froemming, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to approve payment, in the amount of
$1,907.16, for costs incurred under the provisions of Minnesota Statute 609.35 as those costs relate to Case
No. 17026512.
Ditch 8 and Ditch 29 Amended Property Owners’ Reports
Motion by Johnson, second by Rogness and unanimously carried to approve the Amended Property Owners’
Reports for County Ditch No. 8 and County Ditch No. 29 Redetermination of Benefits, as submitted by the
Treasurer-Auditor. The Amended Property Owners’ Reports will be attached to the respective Order and
provided to property owners.
Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) Project 164-C
Motion by Johnson second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to authorize the Chairman’s signature to
submit a letter of support for Better Futures Minnesota Project 164-C. Better Futures Minnesota has
demonstrated the ability to prevent building waste from going into landfills which creates a safer environment
while also providing employment opportunities and economic stimulus.
Legislative Agenda
Commissioners discussed the need for a legislative agenda. A luncheon meeting is scheduled Tuesday,
October 24, 2017, for this purpose.
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
October 10, 2017
Page 4
Adjournment
Commissioners discussed the need to assemble a legislative agenda. At 12:48 p.m., Chairman Huebsch
declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners adjourned until 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday,
October 24, 2017.
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated:
By: Attest:
Doug Huebsch, Chair John Dinsmore, Clerk
CB/kd
OTC Board of Commissioners’ Minutes
October 10, 2017
Exhibit A, Page 1
WARRANTS APPROVED ON 10/10/2017