HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 04/22/19970
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Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Human Services Board convened Tuesday, April 22, 1997 at 9:32 a.m. at the Otter
Tail County Courthouse with Commissioners Malcolm Lee, Chair; Syd Nelson, Andy Lindquist, Bill Stone,
and Virginia Portmann present.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Lindquist, second by Portmann, and unanimously carried to approve the Human Services
agenda of April 22, 1997 as amended.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Lindquist, second by Nelson, and unanimously carried to approve the Human Services minutes
of April 8, 1997 as presented.
RTC Update
Regional Treatment Center CEO, Mike Ackley, and DD Program Director, Bill Dorholt, briefed board
members relative to the DD Division. The DD Division is currently moving into the communities in the form
of group homes. A potential for a DD home in Parkers Prairie was discussed. Mr. Ackley stated that
there are many issues involved when developing a group home and that Otter Tail County has been very
cooperative in dealing with the issues. Mr. Ackley discussed a preliminary plan to propose constructing
another bedroom and a crisis bed as an addition to the group home located on Fir Avenue in Fergus Falls.
Discussion continued. Mr. Ackley reported that there has been requests for flood victims to be housed at
the RTC and the RTC staff is in the process of receiving authority to send MH professionals to the Grand
Forks area to assist at the military air base.
Rural Minnesota CEP, Inc.
Director of Rural Minnesota CEP, Larry Buboltz, presented a handout detailing the history of the CEP
program, current and future services offered to the county and statistics relative to the programs. CEP has
been in the employment and training business for 29 years working to place unemployed adults, dislocated
workers, summer youth and operating the STRIDE program. Mr. Buboltz briefed board members on
potential affects of welfare reform. Lengthy discussion followed.
Juvenile Restitution Grant
Motion by Lindquist, second by Portmann, and unanimously carried to authorize appropriate county
official's signatures to execute the Juvenile Restitution Grant Program agreement for fiscal year 1998
between the State of Minnesota, DOC, and Otter Tail County. The agreement provides $2,000 from the
State of Minnesota with an in-kind match of $2,000 from Otter Tail County.
Legislative Update
The Court Services Director updated the County Board regarding bills for the Community Justice Act and
the privatization of the Sauk Centre facility. Mr. Kitzman reported an expectation that the CJA bill will be
delayed for further study. Mr. Kitzman has contacted area legislators regarding Otter Tail County's
opposition to privatization of the Sauk Centre facility and will apprise board members of action orinaction
regarding this bill.
Free Tetanus Shots for Flood Volunteers
Motion by Portmann, second by Lindquist, and unanimously carried to waive the $5.00 fee for tetanus shots
for anyone volunteering in the flood areas. The Public Health Director stated that a press release will
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
April 22, 1997
Page2
convey this information to the public and that the Public Health personnel would consider going to specific
sites if large groups of people need tetanus shots.
Health Reform Task Force
Ms. Thorson reported on a recent Health Reform Task Force meeting. Commissioner Lee requested that
minutes be taken at these meetings and distributed to individuals involved with this Task Force.
PMAP Satellite Conference
Motion by Stone, second by Nelson, and unanimously carried to participate in an AMC satellite conference
regarding county wide purchasing for the proposed Prepaid Medical Assistance Program and to allocate
$150 towards the cost of this conference. The satellite will be an overview of county purchasing
responsibilities and approaches. This is a series of satellite conferences with the first conference on May 1,
1997 at 10:00 a.m.
Pelican Rapids Update
Family Services Collaborative Coordinator, Frances Eggen, reported that the Office of Refugee
Resettlement will not be making a decision and notifying Otter Tail County regarding the status of a grant
for Pelican Rapids until May 1, 1997. If an earlier decision is made, the County would likely hear about the
decision through Collin Peterson's Office. Ms. Eggen reported that interpretation needs are so great that
she has been spending time with the schools to identify what type(s) of interpretation needs are required.
Discussion continued. Commissioners requested notification of dates and times of future Collaborative
meetings.
Local Collaborative Time Study Fact Sheet
Ms. Eggen presented a Local Collaborative Time Study Fact Sheet. A time study is a process to document
time spent by staff on various work activities. The commissioners requested time to study the LCTS
proposal. Discussion continued regarding restrictive regulations for Day Care Centers and other entities.
The idea of proposing a waiver to the State Intervention Board in certain circumstances was discussed.
Commissioner Lee requested Ms. Eggen to look into the possibility of proposing waivers when appropriate.
Ms. Eggen explained that a waiver would need to be applied for with other groups involved in a
collaborative effort.
Bills & Claims
Motion by Lindquist, second by Portmann, and unanimously carried to approve the bills and claims as
presented.
Statewide Electronic Benefit Transfer
The Social Services Director advised the board that state wide implementation of electronic benefit transfer
will be the new system used to distribute cash and food stamp benefits to recipients throughout the State of
Minnesota if authorized by the Minnesota legislature. The Director will keep the board apprised of the
potential implementation.
Parent -Child Visitation Monitoring Agreement
Motion by Partmann, second by Stone, and unanimously carried to authorize signatures of appropriate
county officials to execute the Parent -Child Visitation Monitoring Agreement-between the County of Otter
Tail and the Region IV Council on Domestic Violence for renewal of the "Safe Exchange" program.
Adjournment
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At 11:25 a.m., Chairman Lee declare_d the meeting of the Otter Tail County Human Services Board r, __
adjourned until 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 1997. 'wti,,/
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Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
· · / April 22, 1997 /£ /1 .·· Page3 -✓/. / -~ By ef' ~,_,,.,.~-';{~-.,.,_
Thomas M. Fawcett, Social Services Director
By ~q{,i ,Da'w\4Jts
K~ hyD holt, Recording Secretary
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened Tuesday, April 22, 1997 at 1 :00 p.m. at the
Otter Tail County Courthouse with Commissioners Andy Lindquist, Chair; Syd Nelson, Bill Stone,
Malcolm Lee, and Virginia Portmann present.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Lee, second by Portmann, and unanimously carried to approve the County Board agenda of
April 22, 1997 as amended.
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Portmann, second by Nelson, and unanimously carried to approve the County Board minutes of
April 15, 1997.
Public Event at Phelps Mill Park
Chris Schuelke, Historical Society Executive Director, requested permission to use the park for an event on
June 7, 1997. Motion by Portmann, second by Nelson, and unanimously carried to approve use of the.
· Phelps Mill Park for an event on June 7, 1997 as described by Mr. Schuelke subject to the Otter Tail
County Historical Society securing all necessary permits and licenses.
Bid Opening -C.P. 97:Bituminous Crack Sealing
At 1 :05 p.m, after previously advertising for bids, Highway Engineer, Rick West, opened the following bids
for C.P. 97:Bituminous Crack Sealing:
ASTECH Corporation
St. Cloud, MN
Bergmann Companies, Inc.
Eau Claire, WI
Northwest Asphalt Maintenance, Inc.
Goodridge, MN
Tenson Construction, Inc.
Big Fork, MN
$51,411.42
$70,774.19
$51,252.35
$64,979.58
Bid Opening -S.A.P. 56-600-17 & Etc. -Bituminous Overlay
After previously advertising for bids, Highway Engineer, Rick West, opened the following bids for S.A.P.
56-600-17 & Etc., Bituminous Overlay, Stalker/Long Lake and West Courthouse Parking Lot projects:
Central Specialties Inc.
Alexandria, MN
Mark Sand & Gravel Acquisition Company
Fergus Falls, MN
$555,991.41
$563,190.10
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
April 22, 1997
Page4
Mr. West will review the bids and return to the board in two weeks with a recommendation for award.
Chairman Lindquist directed the Highway Engineer tci bring only the recommendations for award to County
Board meetings in the future. The Highway Engineer and County Coordinator will draft a county wide bid Q
opening procedure.
FEMA Information
Larry Krohn, County Coordinator, reported that a FEMA officer recently visited Otter Tail County to request
the county to pass information including an 800 number to the public via news and radio communication.
The 800 number is for citizens with flood damage on their primary residences and some small businesses.
Mr. Krohn reported that individuals could be eligible for grants and/or low interest loans and the applications
will be taken via the 800 number. A FEMA team will visit the county at a later date to address
infrastructural damage (roads and bridges) and also a separate FEMA team to address ag losses.
Assistance in Flood Areas
Motion by Lee, second by Partmann, to recommend that if employees are directed to assist in flood
conditions, the time will be "county time". Discussion followed. The motion was amended to read that if
Public Health Department employees are directed to assist in flood areas by their Department Head, they
will be compensated in the usual manner by Otter Tail County and further to announce that tetanus shots
for these individuals will be free of charge. Chair Lindquist called for a vote. Motion passed unanimously.
Human Services Professional Unit Contract
Motion by Lee, second by Partmann, and unanimously carried to authorize the Chair's signature to execute
a Labor Agreement between the County of Otter Tail and the Minnesota Teamsters Public and Law
Enforcement Employees' Union, Local No. 320, representing the Human Services Professional Unit for the
period of January 1, 1997 through December 31, 1999.
Liquor License Renewals
Motion by Nelson, second by Stone, and unanimously carried to approve the following applications for
license:
HiWay Park Ballroom
Thomas and Alice Volberding
Henning, MN
Wee Villa Lodge
Marilyn A. Heit
Fergus Falls, MN
Spankys Stone Hearth
Brenda Minge
Frazee, MN
Consumption and Display Permit
Consumption and Display Permit
Off-Sale Non-Intoxicating Malt Liquor License
Payment Approval
Motion by Lee, second by Partmann, and unanimously carried to approve payment, in the amount of
$206.72, to Sverdrup Township from the Ditch 21 fund for a 26' by 15' culvert at the Steve Nelson field
approach.
Forgiveness of Penalty and Interest Approved
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Motion by Partmann, second by Lee, and unanimously carried to abate accrued penalty, interest, and
costs, in the amount of $139.17, on property owned by Robert G. ·Peterson Jr. (parcel No. 74-000-99-0154-Q
000) for the second half of 1996 taxes because of an error made by the Postal Service whereby a correctly
addressed envelope had been returned to the sender.
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Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
April 22, 1997
Page5
Update -Extension Educators
· Ag Educator, Bob Stommes, updated the board on recent ag programs and seminars. Several handouts
were provided. Commissioner Lee questioned a new IRS ruling about farmers not being able to carry over
profit. The Chairman directed Educator, Denzil Cooper, to draft a resolution to address this issue and
return to the board.
Snowmobile Grant-In-Aid Trail Systems Resolution
Otter Tail County Resolution No. 97-26
Upon a motion by Lee, second by Stone, and unanimously carried, the Otter Tail County Board of
Commissioners adopts the following resolution:
WHEREAS, Otter Tail County has sponsored Grant-In-Aid Trail Systems in the past; and
WHEREAS, acceptance of the Grant-In-Aid Trail Systems proposed extensions are subject to the review
and approval of the County Attorney;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Otter Tail County shall continue to sponsor Grant-In-Aid Trail
Systems as they exist for Otter Tail Country Trail Association and proposed extensions of Grant-In-Aid
Trails with the aforementioned condition.
Adopted this 22nd day of April, 1997.
Dated: &y Z /77 7 OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOA COMMISSIONERS
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Attest:
Proposed Turkey Feedlot -Maplewood Township
Bill Kalar, Land & Resource Administrator, presented a letter dated April 10, 1997, from Mr. Paul Hoff of the
MPCA. The letter requests a response from Otter Tail County regarding the county's future zoning plans
and the county's thoughts on the proposed turkey feedlot location in Maplewood Township. Chairman
Lindquist stated that the Otter Tail County Board has already expressed that these issues should stay on
the state level and requested that Mr. Kalar pass that information onto Mr. Paul Hoff. Additionally,
Commissioner Lee stated that Maplewood is a state park and the state should speak to the issue of the
location of the proposed turkey feedlot relative to Maplewood State Park. Otter Tail County does not have
jurisdiction/control over a state park.
Conditional Use Permit -Rolf Sumstad
Mr. Kalar briefed the board on a Conditional Use Permit application of Rolf Sumstad on West Battle Lake
which was previously tabled because of snow conditions. Mr. Kalar presented two letters from neighbors in
the area. Chairman Lindquist read the letters for the record. Both letters expressed no objection to
installation of a mound system. Commissioner Stone viewed the property and spoke in favor of the mound
system. Commissioner Lee expressed concern regarding the type of soil and requested statistics on a perk
test. Bill Kalar relayed perk test information and stated that the soil in the area was coarse texture type soil.
The Planning Commission had approved this request as presented.
Motion by Stone, second by Nelson, to approve a Conditional Use Permit for Rolf Sumstad on West Battle
Lake (Sec. 33, Twp. 133, R. 39) as presented. Motion failed.
Conditional Use Permit -Lyle Kackelmeyer
Bill Kalar reviewed the Conditional Use Permit application of Lyle Kackelmeyer on Marion Lake. The CUP
application is for approval of three approaches. The Highway Engineer documented concern that, as
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
April 22, 1997
Page6
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proposed, there is not 300 feet between each approach. Commissioner Nelson and Stone viewed the
property.
Motion by Nelson, second by Stone, and unanimously carried to refer the Conditional Use Permit Q
application of Lyle Kackelmeyer on Marion Lake back to the Planning Commission because of the problem
with distance relative to a proposed approach.
Letter Dated April 10, 1997 From MPCA
Commissioners expressed dissatisfaction with the connotations made in the letter received from Paul Hoff
of the Environmental Planning and Review Office of the MPCA dated April 10, 1997. The commissioners
directed Land & Resource Administrator, Bill Kalar, to draft a letter to convey their opinions and send the
letter to MPCA Commissioner, Peder A. Larson, and a copy to Senator Cal Larson.
H.F. 1693 and S.F. 1074
Commissioner Lee reported that a bill to consider dispatchers as essential employees is currently before
the senate and house. The bill is sponsored by the Sheriff's Association of Minnesota.
Motion by Lee, second by Nelson, and unanimously carried to direct the County Coordinator to draft a letter
on behalf of the board in support of H.F. 1693 and S.F. 1074 and directed that a copy also be sent to AMC
District IV Director, Bob Stevenson.
Sale of Can Densifier
Mike Hanan, Solid Waste Director, and owner of Sigelman Steel and Salvage Company, Mark Opatz,
appeared to discuss an issue arising from miscommunication during a bid process and sale of a used can
densifier from the Recycling Center. Mr. Opatz stated that it will cost an additional $800 -$1,000 to
.upgrade the electrical so the can densifier will work. Q
Motion by Lee, second by Portmann, and unanimously carried to approve a reduction in the sale price of
the can densifier from $6,000 to $5,500 to assist with the extra electrical costs to enable the operation of
the can densifier. Mr. Opatz agreed to issue a check to Otter Tail County for the reduced sale price of
$5,500.
Utility Tax Legislation
Assessor, Bob Moe, reported that the Utility Tax Reform bill may be included in the Omnibus Tax bill.
Individuals watching this bill predict that it will be studied more closely this session and action may be
delayed.
True County Assessing System
Bob Moe reported on the number of parcels assessed by Otter Tail County and those assessed by local
assessors. Mr. Moe spoke in favor of a True County Assessor System and provided handouts including
several reasons to consider the true county assessing system. Discussion followed. Mr. Moe was directed
to return in two to three months after further study in this matter.
Request for Forgiveness and Interest
Treasurer, Steve Andrews, appeared to request forgiveness of penalty and interest, in the amount of
$334.33, for Magnar Tenold, parcel no. 18-000-99-0386-000.
Motion by Portmann, second by Lee, and unanimously carried to deny the above request because the tax
payment had been mailed late. ·
Performance Evaluation Summary
Motion by Portmann, second by Lee, and unanimously carried to authorize the Chair's signature to approve
the positive performance evaluation summary of Bob Moe, County Assessor, and further, to direct that the
summary be placed in his personnel file.
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Adjournment
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
April 22, 1997
Page 7
At 3:08 p.m., Chair Lindquist declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County
adjourned until 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 1997.
Board of Commissioners
Dated: -.L..~"-"""'<l-----'4+r _,/.....,f_,<?_.7'---
Attest: -~Ja=~=. -+--<"'-+"-~~--Lar~ Clerk
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OTTER TAIL COUNTY BO