HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 01/02/19960
0
Minutes of the
OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Commissioners' Room, Floor 1-B
Otter Tail County Courthouse
Tuesday, January 2, 1996
9:30 a.m.
STATUTORY MEETING
Pursuant to Statutes, the Board of County Commissioners of Otter Tail County, Minnesota
convened Tuesday, January 2, i996, at 9:30 a.m.
CALL TO ORDER
CHAIR AND VICE-CHAIR SELECTED
County Board Clerk, Larry Krohn, called the meeting to order with Commissioners
Bill Stone, Virginia Partmann, Andy Lindquist, Harley Windels and Malcolm Lee present.
Motion by Stone, seconded Windels and carried, with Partmann and Lindquist abstaining,
to appoint Virginia Partmann as Chair and Andy Lindquist as Vice-Chair of the Otter Tail
County Board of Commissioners for the year 1996.
Commissioner Partmann assumed her duties as the Chair.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion by Lindquist, seconded Lee and unanimously carried to approve the minutes of
December 26, 1995, as submitted.
REQUEST TO CARRYOVER FUNDS -SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT
Mark Morris, Chief Deputy, requested a carryover of $10,000 from the 1995 Sheriff's
Department budget to 1996 line budget 6680 for required computer changes which were not
completed in 1995 as anticipated.
Motion by Windels, seconded Lee and unanimously carried to approve the $10,000 carryover
request as outlined by the Chief Deputy.
County Attorney present at 9:37 a.m.
AGENDA SUBJECTS
OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 96-01
Upon motion by Lindquist, seconded by Lee and unanimously carried, the Otter Tail County
Board of Commissioners adopts the following resolution:
WHEREAS, the meetings of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners are open to the
public, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes 471.70Si and
WHEREAS, in order for the public to meaningfully participate in the open meetings, they
must be aware of the subjects to be discussed; and
WHEREAS, the County Coordinator, in his capacity as Clerk of the County Board, prepares
an agenda for each meeting, which is posted and distributed to media representatives in
Otter Tail County prior to the meeting; and
1· \, V
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
January 2, 1996
Page 2
WHEREAS, the County Board is better able to prepare for discussions and decisions
their meetings if they are informed in advance of the subjects to be addressed; and
at
WHEREAS, on infrequent occasions, circumstances create an urgent need to aUdress a
matter without advance notice.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:
1. That the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners shall consider and discuss at
each regular open meeting, only those matters which are listed on the prepared
agenda for the meeting. The agenda shall include the topic to be discussed and the
names and/or titles of any individuals scheduled to appear before the board.
2. That a matter not listed on the agenda may be considered only if a majority of
the board members present agree that there is an urgent need to address it
immediately.
Adopted this 2nd day of January, 1996.
OTTER TAIL CQUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
By d ~~-~~~ ~,, ..... J
Virginia P6rtmann, Chair
TRUTH IN TAXATION MANDATE
OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 96-02
Upon a motion by Lee, seconded Windels and unanimously carried, the Otter Tail County
Board of Commissioners adopted the following resolution:
WHEREAS, in 1989, the Minnesota Legislature introduced a new truth in taxation hearing
requirement for local government units to approve an annual budget and levy; and
WHEREAS, prior to 1989, the procedure for local government approval of an annual budget
and levy involved a requirement of publication of the proposed budget in one or more
local newspapers with notice of a public hearing at which the budget would be considered
and approved, a procedure which afforded individuals the opportunity to be informed and
to comment; and
WHEREAS, in 1995, the truth in taxation procedures cost Otter Tail County approximately
$25,000.00 for the purchase, preparation and mailing of parcel notices with incomplete
and often confusing information, as well as the cost of conducting the special hearing,
all of which resulted in only ten persons in attendance at the truth in taxation
hearing; and
WHEREAS, the cost and resulting attendance have been similar or worse for each previous
year under the truth in taxation hearing requirements and during those years, the most
frequent comment from individuals attending the hearing has been a complaint about their
property valuation, which is not an appropriate item for discussion at the hearing; and
~HEREAS, this legislatively mandated truth in taxation procedure accomplishes so little
as ·to constitute a disgraceful waste of taxpayers' dollars at a time when increased
efficiency is demanded.
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
January 2, 1996
Page 3
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners hereby
requests that the Minnesota Legislature abolish the truth in taxation hearing process in
order to end the waste of limited taxpayers' resources.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board of Commissioners also requests that the
legislature authorize a return to the more efficient and cost effective procedure of
publishing the budget in local newspapers along with a notice of public hearing to
discuss the budget prior to its approval.
Adopted this 2nd day of January, 1996.
Dated:~ 'll"""''"''""" ... ~..19t-1[.i.q_,_q "'l,,'----LJ cf I OTTER TAIL C?UN~Y ~OARD OF COMMISSIONERS
t/.??9jt-•• :, '~ By v Virginia Partmann, Chair
rohn, Clerk
POCKET GOPHER BOUNTY
OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 96-03
Upon motion made by Stone, seconded by Lee and unanimously carried, the following
resolution was adopted:
'··\, \ .,..,, RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Otter Tail County, Minnesota, that
()
the sum of thirty cents ($.30) be paid out of the Revenue Fund of the County for every
pocket gopher killed in said County during the year 1996 in cases where the township in
which the pocket gophers were so killed shall provide for the payment of at least
additional bounty of forty cents ($.40) for each pocket gopher so killed.
RESOLVED further that said payment of such county shall be made by the County Auditor
upon certificates executed by the Chairman and/or Clerk of the Town Board of said
Township setting forth that the township had issued and delivered to each claimant a
payment for at least seventy cents ($.70) for each pocket gopher so killed.
Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 2nd day of January, 1996.
Dated: 1a.,..,.~.,.. 9, <!'
TAX FORFEITED LAml SALE APPORTIONMENT
OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 96-04
Upon motion made by Lee, seconded by Lindquist and unanimously carried, the following
resolution was adopted:
RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Otter Tail County, Minnesota, that
I
\ "-i..
->--"",...,,., ....... ~,~.,,..:-• ~~··-~
0
u
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
January 2 , 19 96
Page 4
WHEREAS it is provided in Minn. Stat. 282.05 for the apportionment of proceeds from the
sale of tax forfeited lands, and
WHEREAS, the County Auditor shall apportion the tax sale proceeds to the taxing
districts pursuant to Minn. Stat. 282.08, and
WHE.REAS, Minn. Stat. 282.08(4) (b) provides that the County Board may set aside 20% of
the proceeds remaining after the value of public improvements, special assessments and
bond issues levied on the property have been paid, for acquisition and maintenance of
county parks and recreational areas, and
WHEREAS, Otter Tail County has a park and recreational area which would benefit by such
an apportionment.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the County Auditor retain 20% of the proceeds from
t~e sale of tax forfeited.lands for acquisition and maintenance of parks and
recreational areas from the proceeds to be disbursed according to law.
Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN, this 2nd day of January, 1996.
OTTER TAa.~Y.BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
By ~'J#« ,•, £,,,,,__;
Virginia P26'rtmann, Chair
Larry Kohn, Clerk
DELINQUENT REAL ESTATE PARCEL ASSESSMENT
Motion by Lindquist, seconded Windels and unanimously carried to set the cost assessed
to delinquent real estate parcels, that are published in the Delinquent Tax List, at
$19.50 per M.S. 279.092.
1996 ANNUAL APPROPRIATIONS
Motion by Windels, seconded Stone and unanimously carried to authorize payment of the
following 1996 annual appropriations:
Otter Tail Country Tourism Association
west Otter Tail Fair Association
East Otter Tail Fair Association
MN Red River Valley Development Association
West Central MN Initiative Fund
West Central MN Housing Partnership
COUNTY BOARD OF EQUALIZATION DATES SET
$ 5,000
$12,000
$12,000
$ 900
$25,000
$ 2,000
Motion by Lindquist, seconded Lee and unanimously carried, to convene the County Board
of Equalization on Monday, June 17 1 1996, at 9:00 a.m. and to reconvene the County Board
of Equalization for final action on Friday, June 28, 1996.
1996 ASSOCIATION OF MINNESOTA COUNTIES DUES
Motion by Stone, seconded Lee and unanimously carried to approve payment, in the amount
of $12,175, to the Association of Minnesota Counties for the 1996 AMC Dues.
0
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
January 2, 1996
Page 5
LIQUOR LICENSE
Motion by Lindquist, seconded Windels and unanimously carried to approve the following
application for licenses:
Pelican Supper Club
Donald H. Johnson
Pelican Rapids, MN'
On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor
Sunday Liquor and Off-Sale
Non-Intoxicating Malt Liquor
1996 PRINTING AND PUBLISHING BIDS
Wayne Stein, Auditor, having previously advertised for bids to be received for printing
and publishing of the county board minutes, legal notices, delinquent tax list and
county's annual financial statement, proceeded to open bids which were found to be as
follows:
Legal Notices, Publications and Commissioners' Minutes:
The Daily Journal
Annual Financial Statement:
Parkers Prairie Independent
Review Enterprises, Inc.
Delinquent Tax List:
The Henning Advocate
The Henning Advocate
1st Publication
2nd Publication
$7.85 per S.A.U.
$8.25 per S.A.U.
$8.25 per S.A.U.
$8.25 per S.A.U.
$4.86 per S.A.U.
Motion by Lee, seconded Lindquist and unanimously carried to award publishing and
printing for the year 1996 for Legal Notices, Publications and Commissioners' Minutes at
$7.85 per S.A.U. to the Daily Journal.
Motion by Lindquist, seconded Stone and unanimously carried to award publishing and
printing for the year 1996 for the Annual Financial Statement at $8.25 per S.A.U. to the
Parkers Prairie Independent for first publication and the Review Enterprises, Inc. for
the second publication.
Motion by Stone, seconded Windels and unanimously carried to approve 1996 publishing and
printing for the Delinquent Tax List at $8.25 per S.A.U., first publication, and $4.86
per s.A.U.1 second publication, to the Henning Advocate.
PAYMENT AUTHORIZATION
Motion by Lindquist, seconded Lee and unanimously carried to authorize Department Heads
to approve advance payments for budgeted expenses, without additional Board approval,
for expenses which do not exceed $500.
TRANSFER -TRACTOR/LOADER
Motion by Stone, seconded Lee and unanimously
( ·,,Model 2404 IHC Tractor/Loader from the Highway
~ as recommended by the Highway Engineer.
carried to approve the transfer of a 1966
Department to the Solid Waste Department
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
January 2, 1996
Page 6
FIVE YEAR HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM MEETING
Rick West, Highway Engineer, requested a change from four public information meetings
held throughout the county to one meeting centrally located for public comment regarding
the 1996 -2001 Highway Improvement Program.
Motion by Stone, seconded Lee and unanimously carried to approve the above change and
set the public information meeting at the Ottertail City Community Center at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, January 31, 1996, with provisions for an alternate date in case of inclement
weather.
STREET LIGHTING COST PARTICIPATION
Rick West, Highway Engineer, discussed with the board the Highway Department's past
practices policy regarding street lighting. The county has not participated in street
lighting costs in the past. The Chair directed the Highway Engineer to prepare a
written policy and return to the board next week.
STATE OF MINNESOTA SPEED LIMITS
Rick West, Highway Engineer, provided board members with a news article explaining how
the State of Minnesota will address speed limits. A public meeting will be held
January 8, 1996, for public testimony on speed limits. Written correspondence will be
accepted for speed limit comments at this meeting. Chair Partmann directed Mr. West to
write a letter for this public meeting with the general consensus of the board to leave
the speed limits as they are currently, except to raise the speed limit on 4-lane
divided, non-interstate highways to 60 mph.
LAW & RESOURCE DEPARTMENT FEE SCHEDULE
Bill Kalar, Land & Resource Administrator, presented the current Land & Resource
Department fee schedule as follows:
FEE SCHEDULE Effective February 5, 1992
Cleaners License $ 20 Plus $5,000 Bond
Installers License $ 20 Plus $5,000 Bond
Appeal Fee $ 25
Conditional Use Application $ 75*
Sewage System Permit $ 35
Site Permit $ 50
Subdivision Filing Fee $ 75 Per Subdivision
Variance Application $ 45*
AFTER-THE-FACT-PERMIT $250
*Includes the $19.50 Recording Fee
Motion by Stone, seconded Windels and unanimously carried to eliminate the Cleaners and
Installers licenses and bonds from the fee schedule effective January 2, 1996.
Motion by Lee, seconded Stone and unanimously carried to authorize continued work under
the 1995 Cleaners & Installers licenses through March, 1996, subject to extension of
individual bonds until that date.
Motion by Lindquist, seconded Lee and unanimously carried to approve the following Land
& Resource Department fees which will remain the same as recommended by the Land &
Resource Administrator effective January 2, 1996, as follows:
;;;
u
Q
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
January 2, 1996
Page 7
Appeal Fee
Sewage System Permit
Site Permit
AFTER-THE-FACT-PERMIT
$ 25
$ 35
$ 50
$250
Motion by Windels, seconded Stone and unanimously carried to increase the Conditional
Use Application fee from $75 to $90 effective January 2, 1996. (The fee includes $19.50
recording fee. )
Motion by Lee, seconded Lindquist and unanimously carried to increase the Subdivision
Filing fee from $75 per subdivision to $100 per subdivision effective January 2, 1996.
Motion by Lindquist, seconded Windels and unanimously carried to increase the Variance
Application fee from $45 to $60 effective January 2, 1996. (The fee includes $19.50
recording fee. )
1996 MEETING DATES SET
Motion by Stone, seconded Windels and unanimously carried to establish Tuesdays as
regular meeting days for the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners during the year
1996 to conduct county business, with the full day's meetings commencing at 9:30 a.m.
and the afternoon meetings of the County Board commencing at 1:00 p.m. The County Board
will not meet on the fifth Tuesday of the month and three meeting dates have been
changed due to schedule conflicts as follows:
Full Day Morning: Human Services
Regular Board Afternoon: Regular
January 2 & 16 9 & 23
February 6 & 20 13 & 27
March 5 & 19 *13 & 26
April 2 & 16 9 & 23
May 7 & 21 14 & 28
June 4 & 18 11 & 25
July 2 & 16 9 & 23
August 6 & 20 13 & 27
September 3 & 17 10 & 24
October 1 & 15 8 & 22
November 5 & 19 12 & 26
December *4 & 17 10 &*23
*March 12 changed to Wednesday, March 13 due to Annual Township Meetings.
December 3 changed to Wednesday, December 4 due to Annual AMC meeting.
December 24 changed to Monday, December 23 due to Christmas Holiday.
RECESS & RECONVENE
Board
At 10:50 a.m., Chair Portmann declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of
Commissioners recessed for ten minutes to reconvene in open session at 11:00 a.m.
CLASSIFICATION
Diane Thorson and Kevin Newborg, Classification Committee members, discussed a policy to
classify new positions using the DMG system of classification and converting that salary
range to the existing 1996 non-union salary scale by comparing comparable tasks. The
following new positions and corresponding salary ranges were recommended:
Q
/'..
0
I ~1
r~~•:
j '\;
I p
,,.._~ Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
January 2, 1996
Page 8
Clerk/Typist III, Court Services
Family Services Collaborative Coodinator
Assistant Jail Administrator
Engineering Technician III
Fraud Prevention Specialist
Range 11
Range 16
Range 16
Range 16
Range 14
Motion by Windels, seconded Lee and unanimously carried to accept the above salary
ranges for the positions as listed above as recommended by the Classification Committee.
COUNTY EXTENSION COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Chair Partmann appointed Commissioners Andy Lindquist and Bill Stone to the County
Extension Committee for 1996.
Motion by Windels, seconded Stone and unanimously carried to reappoint Carol Retherneier,
Perham, and Harold Thoennes, Vining, to the County Extension Committee for three year
terms effective January 1, 1996, subject to notification and acceptance of the
reappointments.
COMMUNITY PARTNERS COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
JOINT POWERS COMMITTEE APPOINTMENTS
Chair Portmann made the following appointment~ for 1996:
Community Partners
Joint Powers Board
CLOSED TO THE PUBLIC
ADJOURNMENT
Commissioner Lindquist
Commissioner Lee
Commissioner Lindquist
Commissioner Lee
At 11:26 a.m., Chair Portmann declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of
Commissioners closed to the public for purposes of discussing labor negotiation
strategies regarding a grievance filed by the Local 320 Teamsters Law Enforcement Unit
for compensation relative to the closure of the courthouse due to blizzard conditions on
December 8, 1995. At 11:38 a.m., Chair Portmann declared the Otter Tail County Board of
Commissioners' meeting adjourned until 1:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 9, 1996.
By
Virginia Pdrtmann, Chair
CB/kd