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HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 03/03/2009MINUTES OF THE OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Government Services Center, Commissioners' Room 500 W. Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN Tuesday, March 3, 2009 9:15 a.m. Call to Order The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened Tuesday, March 3, 2009, at 9:15 a.m., at the Otter Tail County Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN, with Commissioners Everett Erickson, Chair; Roger Froemming, Vice-Chair; John Lindquist, Doug Huebsch and Lee Rogness present. Approval of Agenda Motion by Rogness, second by Froemming, and unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners agenda of March 3, 2009, as mailed. Approval of Minutes Motion by Froemming, second by Lindquist, and unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners meeting minutes of February 17, 2009, as presented. Approval to Pay Bills Motion by Lindquist, second by Huebsch, and unanimously carried to approve payment of the County Board bills per Attachment A of these minutes. Committee of the Whole Discussion Commissioner Froemming reported on a recent Township Association meeting. Commissioners Huebsch and Erickson attended a Family Services Collaborative meeting and Commissioner Rogness reported on a Land Use Seminar presented by the Association of Minnesota Counties. County Coordinator, Larry Krohn, handed out several documents including Legislative Update, MRCC Document, and a handout entitled "AMC Talking Points on the Governor's Proposal for 15 Human Service Authorities". Discussion took place regarding how to implement conversations regarding consolidation and reaching out to other entities in the process. Human Services Director, John Dinsmore, reported that the nine-county Region IV human service directors will be reviewing a first draft of an lnteragency Governance Compact similar to an earlier Compact by the nine counties and OHS that guided the relocation of RTC services to expanded community based mental health services. He reported that the Minnesota Association of County Social Service Administrators (MACSSA) has developed legislative positions that offer an alternative approach to the Governor's regional proposal. Mr. Dinsmore stated that the delivery of many Human Services programs and needs are already provided in a regional concept. Discussion of related topics also took place: should consideration be given to consolidation of Family Service Collaboratives with other counties; the inclusion of Douglas County into the Lakeland Mental Health Center Joint Powers Board; and a transition period that is needed for changes the Governor is proposing. Commissioner Lindquist requested updates on ARMER funding. Extension Educator/4-H Update 4-H Coordinator, Janet Malone, reported on the 25th Anniversary of the Emerging Leader Program that her family is involved with and, provided an article from the Journal of Extension. Ms. Malone briefed the Board on how 4-Her's become more connected to their communities, which, in turn provides leaders and contributors to their communities. OTC Board of Commissioners' Minutes March 3, 2009 Page 2 Wind Tower Discussion Aerial Applicator, Bryan Hauschild, expressed concern about the erection of towers within agricultural and ranching areas. His concern is relative to the MET (meteorological) towers used for weather monitoring for possible wind generator sites. Because these towers are less than 200' high and can be constructed in a matter of days, Mr. Hauschild is concerned about the safety of aviation personnel. In Otter Tail County, outside of the shoreland area, there is not a reporting system to identify these towers. Mr. Hauschild wanted the commissioners to be aware of this problem and a method of identifying these towers will continue to be pursued. Commissioners referred Mr. Hauschild to the East & West Otter Tail County Township Officer's Weed meetings on March 19, 2009 to discuss the issue further. Facilities Project Update Physical Plant Manager, Rick Sytsma, reported on the negotiation process with Steve Young & Associates (Architect) and subcontractors regarding the 60 Bed CARE Facility. Mr. Sytsma is hopeful that a solution will be forthcoming and will continue to keep the Board updated. Payment Approvals Motion by Huebsch, second by Froemming, and unanimously carried to approve payment, in the amount of $550.00, from the Government Services Center Debt Service Account to U.S. Bank for trustee administration fees for the period of February 1, 2009 through July 31, 2009. Motion by Rogness, second by Lindquist, and unanimously carried to approve payment, in the amount of $7,207.00, from the General Revenue Fund to MAXIMUS for preparation of the County 2008 Cost Allocation Plan, which is based on 2007 financial information. License Applications Motion by Froemming, second by Erickson, and unanimously carried to approve the following applications for license: Koep's Clitherall Corner 21136 County Highway 5 Clitherall, MN 56524 Wee Villa Resort Ltd Ptsp. Wee Villa Lodge 31126 County Highway 27 Fergus Falls, MN 56537 Tobacco Renewal of Consumption & Display Permit Application for Exempt Permit Motion by Erickson, second by Lindquist, and unanimously carried, to approve, with no waiting period, the LG220 Application for Exempt Permit as submitted by the Ducks Unlimited Pelican Rapids Chapter for an event scheduled for Friday, April 3, 2009 at the VFW in Pelican Rapids. Years of Service Awards Employees' Committee Chair, Karen Cannell and Vice-Chair, Lisa Langston, presented "Years of Service Awards" to recognize County employees who have completed from 5 to 45 years of service with Otter Tail County. The Board thanked employees for their dedicated work. Recess & Reconvene OTC Board of Commissioners' Minutes March 3, 2009 Page 3 At 10:42 a.m., Chairman Erickson declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners' recessed for a short break. The meeting was reconvened at 11 :00 a.m. Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission Information Land & Resource Administrator, Bill Kalar, presented a packet of information and apprised the Board of the differences between the responsibilities of the Planning Commission and the Board of Adjustment. Mr. Kalar discussed the membership and role of each Board. The Board of Adjustment considers variance and/or administrative appeals based on practical difficulties in a case by case situation whereas the role of the Planning Commission is to consider proposed plats and/or conditional use permits based on environmental suitability. The Planning Commission is an Advisory Board making recommendations to the County Board. The Board of Adjustment has final decision- making powers. An appeal would be heard by District Court. Joint Application for Family Planning Grant Public Health Director, Diane Thorson, requested authorization to submit a family planning grant application. The Public Health Department subcontracts family planning services to the Otter Tail/Wadena Community Action Council. Motion by Froemming, second by Lindquist, and unanimously carried to authorize Otter Tail County to submit a joint application for Family Planning Special Project Grant which allows the following: 1. Otter Tail County Public Health may apply for a Family Planning Special ProJects grant from the Minnesota Department of Health. 2. Otter Tail County Public Health can enter into a grant contract with Mid-State Community Health Services and the Minnesota Department of Health. 3. Mid-State Community Health Services and the Public Health Director is authorized to execute contracts as required to implement the organization's participation in the Family Planning Special Projects grant program. Recess At 11 :34 a.m., Chairman Erickson declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners recessed for committee meetings and lunch break. Reconvene in Closed Session At 1 :22 p.m., Chair Erickson declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners reconvened and closed to the public for the purpose of evaluating the performance of Solid Waste Director, Mike Hanan, pursuant to M.S. Chapter 13D.05 Subd. 3. All five seated commissioners were present for the evaluation. A summary of performance conclusions will be provided at the next regular County Board meeting. Recess At 1 :54 p.m., upon conclusion of the Performance Evaluation, Chairman Erickson declared the meeting recessed for a Personnel Committee meeting. Green Acres Law Discussion At 2:20 p.m., Chairman Erickson reconvened the meeting and Assessor, Bob Moe, began discussion regarding the Green Acres law. There are a number of bills that have been introduced in the legislature to amend the law. Mr. Moe agreed with much of the Green Acres law that came out of the 2008 legislature with the exception of some provisions such as the seven year payback, CRP eligibility, and transfer issues. Mr. Moe referred to a land sale list that was provided. He reported about $255 million dollars of value on ag property that is deferred under Green Acres. Total market value of all ag land in the County was reported as about $2.1 billion; therefore, Green Acres deferral accounts for approximately 12% of our ag land value. This year, the Green Acres Law added productive, non-tillable land, which could be pasture land or wood land that is being pastured. OTC Board of Commissioners' Minutes March 3, 2009 Page 4 Estimated Market Value (EMV) on woods is about $2,400 per acre. If people use the land for productive ag purposes and have an approved application, the value under Green Acres is $1,000 per acre. Open pasture land is $1,300 to $1,400 per acre, which is also valued as $1,000 per acre if being used productively. The other classes of property are paying the share of property taxes not being paid by property receiving the Green Acres deferral. Discussion continued on the following related topics: lakeshore valuation under Green Acres; how are families able to pass on their land to their son/daughter, non-productive land; homestead classification; special ag homestead; USDA farm program (EQUIP); contradictory programs; forest management program; sustainable forest incentive act; and grandfather/transfer issues. Retainage Reduction Motion by Rogness, second by Froemming, and unanimously carried to authorize a reduction in retainage from 5% to 2% for SAP 56-599-56 as requested by the contractor, Lakes Paving and recommended by the Highway Engineer. Motion by Huebsch, second by Lindquist, and unanimously carried to authorize a reduction in retain age from 5% to 2% for SAP 056-661-006 & 08: 1328 as requested by the contractor, Lakes Paving and recommended by the Highway Engineer. Final Payment Motion by Froemming, second by Rogness, and unanimously carried to approve Final Payment pursuant to Final Estimate No. 13, in the amount of $95,170.44, payable to Central Specialties, Inc. for completion of S.A.P. 056-667-030. Adjournment Al 3:25 p.m., Chairman Erickson declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners adjourned until Tuesday, March 10, 2009. Dated: _...,a,.,,_3"'+/ .... 1o..._,_./.,,,o_.'t ___ _ OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS syc.(fl)titi-A.~ Everett P. Erickson, Board of Commissioners Chair Attest: CB/kd OTC Board of Commissioners' Minutes March 3, 2009 Attachment A, Page 1 WARRANTS APPROVED ON 3/03/2009 FOR PAYMENT 3/03/2009 VENDOR NAME A & STRAINING A-1 LOCK & KEY LLC A'VIANDS LLC RICHARD AKERMAN AMERICAN INSTITUTIONAL SUPPLY AMERICINN RYAN ANDERSON ARAMARK ATSSA CITY BATTLE LAKE BEYER BODY SHOP INC BLUESTONE TECHNOLOGIES INC BOB'S STANDARD BULK SERVICE BRANDBORG LAW OFFICE BRANDON COMMUNICATIONS INC BRIGGS CORPORATION SANDRA BROWN KAREN CANNELL CELLULAR OUTFITTERS CHARTER COMMUNICATIONS CHEMSEARCH CLAY CO TREASURER COLLEGE WAY AUTO INC CONVERGENT SOLUTIONS GROUP LLC COOPERS TECHNOLOGY GROUP CRANE JOHNSON LUMBER CO DACOTAH PAPER COMPANY DEX EAST DOW ACOUSTICS INC EAGLES CAFE AND CATERING SERVI ELECTION SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE IN ERICKSON ELECTRONICS ES PRECISION AUTO GLASS FASTENAL COMPANY FERGUS ELECTRIC FERGUS FALLS MEDICAL GROUP FERGUS FALLS POLICE DEPT CITY FERGUS FALLS DAVID FIEDLER FLOOR TO CEILING STORE FOTH & VAN DYKE JOE FRAKI FRONTIER POWERSPORTS G & K SERVICES GALL'S INC GODFATHERS EXTERMINATING INC JACOB GRABOW JARED GREFSRUD HANSON'S PLUMBING & HEATING IN MARK HAUGEN PHO LP DAVID HAUSER HAWES SEPTIC TANK PUMPING HEALTHCARE ENVIRONMENTAL SERVI HEWLETT PACKARD COMPANY HOTSY EQUIPMENT OF MN INNOVATIVE OFFICE SOLUTIONS ISSUETRAK INC AMOUNT 2,015.00 46.81 9,555.77 16.16 95.49 821.54 198.15 32.72 190.00 35.00 111.83 19,787.88 73.80 356.25 184.77 250.38 30.00 16.08 161.73 65.56 599.29 1,283.73 42.64 7,158.41 247.04 20.01 701.76 21.00 1,030.00 72.00 958.01 28.14 270.74 2.19 1,644.48 6,503.31 4,143.71 1,319.17 150.00 8,704.15 5,963.17 150.00 78.76 1,589.06 940.45 475.79 199.99 346.88 3,247.97 718.75 129.90 70.00 58.20 602.19 117.52 211.49 750.00 OTC Board of Commissioners' Minutes March 3, 2009 Attachment A, Page 2 JAMES JARMUSKEWICZ MD JOHN'S HEATING & AC INC CASSIE JONAS KARVONEN & SON FUNERAL HOME KELLY SERVICES INC MARCIE KNUDSEN KNUTSON ELECTRIC REBUILDING LAB SAFETY SUPPLY INC LAKE REGION DENTAL CENTER LAKE REGION HEALTHCARE CORP LAKELAND MENTAL HEALTH CENTER LAKES AREA PEST CONTROL LLC LAKES COUNTRY SERVICE CO OP LAKEWAY MARKET LLC LARRY OTT INC TRUCK SERVICE WILLIAM LEE LITTLE FALLS MACHINE INC LOCATORS & SUPPLIES INC M-R SIGN COMPANY INC. MARCO MARCO INC ST LOUIS MARTIN'S PAINTING & MORE MATHISON COMPANY MCCC Ml 33 MCMASTER-CARR SUPPLY COMPANY MEKALSON HYDRAULICS INC STEWART MENSING MID-CENTRAL EQUIPMENT INC THE MIDWEEK MINNKOTA MN ASSOC OF CO OFFICERS MN CO INSURANCE TRUST MN DEPT OF LABOR AND INDUSTRY MOORE MEDICAL LLC NATIONAL ASSOC OF COUNTY ENGIN NELSON AUTO CENTER JOYCE NERDAHL NETWORK CENTER COMMUNICATIONS NMS LABS NORTHERN STATES SUPPLY INC NORTHSIDE WELDING NORTHSTAR TECHNOLOGY GROUP INC NORTHWEST DIVERS OFFICE DEPOT OFFICEMAX INCORPORATED OLSON OIL CO INC OTTER TAIL CO EMPLOYEES COMMIT OTTERTAIL CO TREASURER OTTER TAIL POWER COMPANY OTTERTAIL TRUCKING INC , PAMIDA INC 008 PAULSON LAND CO PENROSE OIL COMPANY PEPSIAMERICAS PERHAM AREA EMS PERHAM CO OP CREAMERY PERRIN MOBILE MEDICAL PERSONNEL EVALUATION INC PETE'S AMOCO 590.00 414.79 16.25 245.00 1,020.30 55.00 370.28 46.94 1,683.00 516.02 3,434.25 79.88 71.89 3,797.06 1,375.00 10.00 3,036.85 194.75 4,473.53 .1,628,90 .. 225.21 1,815.60 96.38 207.08 120.58 963.29 123.45 92.47 40.60 29.00 265.00 7,060.00 100.00 225.32 450.00 36.81 280.00 345.00 303.00 694.40 40,434.85 5,247.97 351.12 119.42 1,347.74 46.58 30.00 1,404.51 20.87 10,744.50 17.00 100.00 2,556.85 692.90 330.00 7,399.27 61.03 20.00 177.86 PITNEY BOWES PRAIRIE IMPLEMENT INC PRODUCTIVE ALTERNATIVES INC DOUG RAPP RDO EQUIPMENT CO FARGO RDO TRUCK CENTERS RECYCLING ASSOCIATION OF MINNE REED BUSINESS INFORMATION VICKI SCHWANKE GARY SENSKE SERVICE FOOD SUPER VALU SEWER SERVICE SIMPLEXGRINNELL LP SOLUTIONS BEHAVORIAL HEAL THCAR SOUTHTOWN C-STORE SRF CONSULTING GROUP INC STATE OF MINNESOTA STEINS INC STREICHERS KELLY THOMAS THRIFTY WHITE PHARMACY TOOL CRIB OF THE NORTH TRI STAR RECYCLING UL TEIG ENGINEERS ULTIMATE OFFICE UNIFORMS UNLIMITED UNIVERSITY OF MN VFW POST612 VICTORY CORPS VIKING COCA-COLA WADENA HIDE & FUR COMPANY WEST PAYMENT CENTER WILKIN CO SHERIFF EUGENE ZEPPER 3 D SPECIALTIES INC '*" FINAL TOTAL .... OTC Board of Commissioners' Minutes March 3, 2009 Attachment A, Page 3 2,443.00 106.56 85.85 15.41 126.77 1,730.20 40.00 221 .40 27.76 28.17 14 07 80.00 644.93 1,500.00 529.80 50,538.04 114.00 3, 185.38 .. 457.75 115.43 17.99 118.18 1,192.32 121.00 99.96 1,796.22 25.00 26.00 525.85 630.55 168.99 618.49 1,177.52 150.00 296.47 $261,199.23 ....