HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 07/08/19971
Minutes ofthe •
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
Otter Tail County Courthouse
. Commissioners' Room, Floor ·1-e
Tuesday, July 8, 1997
9:30 a.m.
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Human Services Board convened Tuesday, July 8, 1997 at 9:30 a.m. at the Otter
Tail County Courthouse with Commissioners Bill Stone, Aeling Chair; Syd Nelson, Andy Lindquist, and
Virginia Partmann present. Commissioner Malcolm Lee was absent.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Partmann, second by Nelson, and unanimously carried to approve the Human Services agenda
of July 8, 1997 as presented with the following addition: Election of Officers
Approval of Minutes
Motion by Partmann, second by Nelson, and unanimously carried to approve the Human Services minutes
of June 24, 1997 as presented.
Election of Officers
Acting Chair Stone called for nominations for Human Services Chair. Nomination by Partmann, second by
Nelson, and carried with Stone abstaining, to elect Commissioner Bill Stone as Chair of the Otter Tail O County Human Services Board for fiscal year 1998.
Chair Stone called for nominations for Human Services Vice-Chair. Nomination by Partmann, second by
Lindquist, and carried with Nelson abstaining, to elect Commissioner Syd Nelson as Vice-Chair of the
Otter Tail County Human Services Board for fiscal year 1998.
Chair Stone called for nominations for Human Sevices Secretary. Nomination by Partmann, second by
Nelson, and carried with Lindquist abstaining, to elect Commissioner Andy Lindquist as Secretary of the
Otter Tail County Human Services Board for fiscal year 1998.
Vacation Leave Granted
After an explanation of an employee's extenuating circumstances, a motion was offered by Partmann,
seconded by Lindquist, and unanimously carried to approve a three day vacation leave for a Corrections
Agent as recommended and approved with conditions by the Court Services Director.
Adult -Juvenile Monthly Caseload
The Court Services Director provided monthly corrections caseload statistics. Discussion followed.
Family Services Collaborative
Frances Eggen, Family Services Collaborative Coordinator, informed the board of a teleconference on
July 17, 1997, at 9:30 a.m. regarding Welfare Reform in Minnesota to be held at the RTC.
Ms. Eggen noted that with changes to the budget for the grant proposal recently submitted, the
partnership will receive $25,000 from the McKnight Foundation. Chuck Kitzman reported communication
'r yith state officials regarding the collaborative grant dollars. Discussion followed relative to confusion with
~ow money is to. be allocated from the collaborative grant so that no single agency benefits
disproportionately .. Public Health Director, Diane Thorson, stated that an lnteragency Agreement is now
being worked on to obtain the
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
July 8, 1997
Page2 ..
full support of each agency within the collaborative on how the collaborative will operate. Commissioner
Lindquist reiterated that the board initially supported the collaborative with the understanding that no 0
county dollars will be put into the program. Commissioner Partmann referred to the collaborative goals "-'
and vision to send money where it is needed without duplication of services and stated that the
lnteragency Agreement must be completed before additional money can be granted for programs.
Meeting Scheduled
Ms. Thorson reported that Mary Sheehan of the MN Department of Health has informed the county of a
meeting on Wednesday, July 30, 1997 at 2:30 p.m. regarding the Environmental Health Delegation
Agreement. Commissioner Lindquist requested that the Budget Committee be informed of the date and
time of this meeting. The meeting will be held at the county offices on Cavour Avenue.
Prepaid Medical Assistance Program
Diane Thorson, Public Health Director, reported on a recent PMAP meeting held in St. Cloud. Literature
regarding PMAP as well as a bulletin describing requirements of the preliminary plan that must be
submitted is available from the meeting. Lengthy discussion followed regarding the positive and negative
aspects of the county's two options for providing medical care to MA and GAMC recipients 1) Enhanced
PMAP administered by the State, or 2) county wide purchasing. Commissioners questioned whether or
not the premiums for reinsurance if the county decided to enter into county wide purchasing could be
taken from administrative funds for the program. General consensus of the board is to proceed by
sending a letter to every provider located in Otter Tail County, hold a special meeting, and obtain the
providers' opinions as well as their willingness to share the risk with the county if county wide purchasing is
pursued. The Social Services Director and Public Health Director will schedule and hold the special
meeting.
Bills & Claims Q
Motion by Nelson, second by Lindquist, and unanimously carried to approve the Human Services bills and
claims as submitted.
Social Services lnfonmation
Tom Fawcett, Social Services Director, reported on acceptance of the Minnesota E-Mail Welfare Refonm
plan for Temporary Assistance to Needy Families.
Mr. Fawcett reported that the 1997 child support enforcement legislation (1997 Laws, Chapter 245) has
been signed into law.
Mr. Fawcett reported revisons of the county's grant awards for adult community-based mental health
services for the period of January 1, 1997 through December 31, 1997. The 1997 State Legislature
appropriated additional funding to provide cost of living adjustments to these grant programs.
Energy Programs Grant Agreement
Motion by Partmann, second by Lindquist, and unanimously carried to authorized the appropriate county
officials' signatures to execute the Energy Programs Grant Agreement between Otter Tail County and the
State of Minnesota.
West Central Area Agency on Aging
The WCAAA provided an estimated budget request for 1998.
Request for Two New Cubicles Q
The Social Services Director requested $5,500 for two new cubicles in the secretarial area of the 505
Court Street building. Motion by Nelson to authorize the expenditure of $5,500 for two new cubicles as
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
July 8, 1997
Page3
requested. Motion failed for lack of a second. The board recommended that the money come from the
'-.)Captial Improvement Budget, and therefore, does not require action by the County Board.
Adjournment
At 11:15 a.m., a motion was offered by Lindquist, seconded by Partmann, and unanimously carried to
adjourn the meeting of the Otter Tail County Human Services Board until Tuesday, July 22, 1997 at
9:30 a.m. ._ E --1" / 4~
By ~tld¼ By ~~, ~u.J:T
Bl Stone, Cha"ersotl Thomas M. Fawcett, Social Services Director
By ~~'ef)~
Kathy() holt, Recording Secretary
Dated --~~u ... Pa1'!-:,......::d...,,:,;a,........,.IL..L..'1"l,...7L.-____ _
Call to Order
The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened Tuesday, July 8, 1997 at 1 :01 p.m. at the
Otter Tail County Courthouse with Commissioners Andy Lindquist, Chair; Syd Nelson, Bill Stone, and
Virginia Partmann present. Commissioner Malcolm Lee was absent.
Approval of Agenda
Motion by Stone, second by Partmann, and unanimously carried to approve the agenda of July 8, 1997 as
presented with the following addition: Personnel Committee Meeting
r \ Approval of Minutes
.._,,,Motion by Portmann, second by Stone, and unanimously carried to approve the Otter Tail County Board of
Commissioners minutes of July 1, 1997 as presented.
EOTSWCD Program Update
Jeff Norby, SWCD Manager, introduced the EOTSWCD Board members. Mr. Norby briefed the
commissioners on the district's activities during 1997. The programs discussed included the tree program,
watershed improvement project, RIM program, irrigation, and education projects. EOTSWCD Board
member, Carl Annalora, reported on water testing of area wells. Discussion followed.
SWCD Board member, John Blashack reported that an agreement with the BWSR reduced the district's
fine from $73,000 to $60,000 with a seven year term. Mr. Blashack thanked the County Attorney for his
assistance with this case.
Approval of Contract-S.A.P. 56-599-04 &.Etc.
Motion by Nelson, second by Stone, and unanimously carried approve the Chair's signature to execute a
contract between the County of Otter Tail and Landwehr Construction, Inc. for S.A.P. 56-599-04 & Etc,
Bridge Replacement in Otto & Deer Creek Townships, as recommended by the Highway Engineer.
Final Payment-C.P. 96:128B & Etc.
Motion by Nelson, second by Stone, and unanimously carried to approve final payment, in the amount of
$13,991.62, payable to Central Specialties, Inc. for C.P. 96:1288 & Etc., Aggregate Base, Bituminous
Surface & Aggregate Shouldering.
Approval of Road Closure for Hay Days Celebration
C:,,..\Aotion by Partmann, second by Nelson, arid unanimously carried to approve the closure of a portion of .
CSAH No. 10 in Elizabeth on July 19 and 20, 1997, for the annual "Hay Days• Celebration subject to
approval of the Sheriff's office and that Otter Tail County is held harmless in reference to potential liability.
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
July 8, 1997
Page4
Forgiveness of Penalty & Interest
Treasurer, Steve Andrews, requested abatement of penalty and interest in two cases because of the 1997
•
~~ 0
Motion by Portmann, second by Nelson, and unanimously carried to approve forgiveness of penalty as
follows based on the county's flood policy:
Robert Thiel, Grand Forks -Parcel No. 34-000-07-0049-000
34-000-08-0055-000
34-000-08-0055-001
34-000-17-0112-000
34-000-18-0122-000
46-000-99-0919-000
Diane Nelson,·Grand Forks -Parcel No. 17-000-06-0073-021
17-000-99-0703-000
Quadrant Agreement
Motion by Stone, second by Nelson, and unanimously carried to authorize the Chair's signature to execute
a contract between Otter Tail County and Quadrant, managed by Mid States Development, Inc. effective
until December 31, 2,000. The contract provides for disposal of acceptable municipal waste at Quadrant
at a cost of $40 per ton and disposal of ash at the NE Landfill at a cost of $43 per ton.
Estimated 1998 Tax Levy Information
Wayne Stein, County Auditor, presented information concerning Otter Tail County's estimated levy limit for
property taxes payable in 1998.
Appointment -Otter Tail Water Management District Board
Motion by Partmann, second by Stone, and unanimously carried to appoint Robert Young, Battle Lake, to
a four-year term on the Otter Tail Water Management District Board as recommended. Mr. Young will be
replacing the board position previously held by Mr. Morris Heyen.
Request from Wensman Seed Company
A letter from Wensman Seed Company requesting an economic incentive in the form of a tax abatement
to assist with a proposed expansion of their seed treatment and processing facility in Compton Township
was presented for consideration by the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners. Wensman Seed
Company is requesting an abatement of 75% of the new taxes associated with the expansion project for a
period of seven years. A 1997 law authorizes political subdivisions to use limited tax abatements for
economic development. After much .discussion and consideration, the County Auditor was directed, by the
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners, to communicate to Wensman Seed Company that at the
present time Otter Tail County is not interested in participating in economic development through a tax
abatement program. It was suggested that .such a program should not be ruled out completely, however,
planning and policy decisions must be made before beginning a tax abatement program.
State Board of Equalization Changes ·
Bob Moe, Assessor, provided the State Board Changes of Real and Personal Property Values for 1997.
Murack Classification
0
Motion by Portmann, second by Nelson, and unanimously carried to deny an abatement to a seasonal
classification for 1996 for Ms. Mary Ann Murack based on county policy as read by the Assessor. Q
1998 Assessment Rates
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
July 8, 1997
Page 5
Motion by Nelson, second by Portmann, and unanimously carried to approve the same assessment rates
uper parcel for 1998 as were in effect in 1997.
Utility Reform Legislation
Motion by Stone, second by Nelson, and unanimously carried to authorize the County Assessor to
continue to follow the utility reform legislation and to authorize two payments for lobbyist services,
approximately $214 payable during the summer and $612.75 payable during the next legislative session.
Recess
At 2:50 p.m., Chairman Lindquist declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners'
recessed until the Ditch No. 41 meeting scheduled for 7:00 p.m. this evening in New York Mills.
Ditch No. 41
The recessed meeting of the County Board reconvened for the purpose of conducting a hearing
concerning Ditch 41. The hearing was held following a request by the City of New York Mills, seeking to
connect a portion of the city's drainage system to county ditch 41. The hearing was held at the County
Office Building in New York Mills and began at 7:00 p.m. with the following in attendance: Commissioners
Virginia Portmann, Andy Lindquist, Sydney Nelson, and Bill Stone. Staff present included County Attorney
Wally Senyk, Ditch Inspector Sheldon Holm, County Auditor Wayne Stein, and County Coordinator Larry
Krohn. Others in attendance were Bob Sonnenberg and NYM Maintenance Superintendant Al Holtberg.
Chair Lindquist began the hearing by requesting Wally Senyk to review the process that lead up to this
hearing. Mr. Senyk stated that the notice for the hearing was published in both the Fergus Falls Daily
Journal and the New York Mills Herald and that Minnesota Ditch Law has specific requirements that cover
r\ this type of request. He stated that the original request from the city included a map of the proposal rather
~than a plat and that the plan of the actual connection between the city drain and county ditch 41 was not
shown.
Wayne Stein was contacted earlier in the day by Engineer David Grinager of Larson, Peterson and
Associates, who stated that he had just received notice of the deficiencies in the original request and that
the necessary details would be forth coming. Mr. Grinager went on to say that the city's drain would flow
northward into a wetland, then to a control structure and into the road ditch of State Highway 10 ending in
county ditch 41. The elevation of the control structure would be established in conjunction with Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources.
Sheldon Holm commented that Minnesota Department of Transportation has ditch blocks in the ditch of
State Highway 10 which they will allow to be removed.
Al Holtberg said that this proposed connection would have limited usage, and in most years, there
probably would be little if any flowage. Elevations of the area were just recently established and it is yet
unknown whether the overflow from the wetland would be along the north or south side of State
Highway 1 o. Mr. Holtberg also stated that the wetland involved was not classified by the Department of
Natural Resources.
Sheldon Holm commented that the intersection of the proposed flowage and county ditch 41 does not
appear to need alteration.
Wally Senyk stated that the establishment of this connection will be of benefit to the city. The County
r>3oard will need to review the current benefits and either a proportional determination or a redetermination
'i,..,lof benefits for the entire ditch will be needed. Ditch Inspector Sheldon Holm and the ditch viewers will
make a recommendation to the Board. Discussion followed regarding the impact that State Highway 10
Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners
July 8, 1997
Page6
will have on the flowage volume and whether or not the Minnesota Department of transportation would
benefit from this proposal.
The city's engineer will need to make an estimation of the additional flowage volume that will be added to
county ditch 41 from the city's drain and provide details of the connection between the city's drain and
county ditch 41. It was suggested that the city's engineer contact Wally Senyk and County Engineer Rick
West to determine the standards to be met involving the hydrological dynamics.
With no other comments, the hearing was concluded at 7:30 p.m. The Chairman declared the meeting of
the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners adjourned until Tuesday, July 15, 1997 at 9:30 a.m.
Dated: fl~ IC /o/9 7 OTTE TAIL COUNTY A OF COMMISSIONERS (/ }
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