HomeMy WebLinkAboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 10/12/1999. .:;. . . 0 MINUTES OF THE OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Otter Tail County Courthouse Commissioners' Room, Floor 1-B Tuesday,October12,1999 9:30 a.m. Call to Order The Otter Tail County Human Services Board convened Tuesday, October 12, 1999 at 9:30 a.m. at the Otter Tail County Courthouse with Commissioners Virginia Partmann, Chair; Andy Lindquist, Vice-Chair; Syd Nelson, Malcolm Lee, and Roger Froemming present. Approval of Agenda Motion by Lee, second by Lindquist, and unanimously carried to approve the Human Services Board agenda of October 12, 1999 as mailed. Approval of Minutes Motion by Froemming, second by Nelson and unanimously carried to approve the Human Services Board minutes of September 28, 1999 as mailed. Introduction of Assistant VSO, Tom Figliuzzi VSO, Jourdan Sullivan, introduced new VSO, Tom Figliuzzi, and reported that Mr. Figliuzzi mainly serves veterans in the east side of the county. Mr. Figliuzzi praised the veterans outreach program 0 in Otter Tail County and updated board members on his professional background. 0 Juvenile Restitution Grant Caseload/Workload Reduction Grant Motion by Lee, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to authorize the Chair's signature to execute a grant agreement between the County of Otter Tail and the Minnesota Department of Corrections for the following funding: 1) Juvenile Restitution Grant -the state provides $2,000 and the county matches at 50%, 2) Caseload/Workload Reduction Grant for FY2000 -the state provides $113,349 for FY2000 and $125,332 for FY2001. Otter Tail County Adult-Juvenile Monthly Caseload Court Services Director, Chuck Kitzman, provided monthly caseload statistics. He noted that domestic violence cases are driving the case numbers higher each month. Discussion followed. Community Health Services Plan Public Hearing Diane Thorson, Public Health Director, reviewed the proposed Community Health Services (CHS) Plan. Chair Partmann declared the CHS Public Hearing open at 10:03 a.m. and asked for . comments/input relative to the proposed plan. No one from the public was present. Discussion followed regarding 1) review of the plan by the CHS Advisory Committee, 2) which services listed in the plan are mandated services, and 3) the formula used to calculate CHS funding. The Chair declared the CHS Public Hearing closed at 10:14 a.m. STD Testing Chair Partmann reported that concern had been expressed regarding the elimination of STD testing for youth under 18 by the Public Health Department. She recommended that Ms. Thorson review this with the CHS Advisory Committee. Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners October 12, 1999 Page 2 FDA Annual Plan Agreement -Tobacco Compliance Checks Motion by Lee, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to authorize the Chair's signature O to execute an annual agreement for FY2000 between the Otter Tail County Department of Public · Health and Minnesota Department of Health to provide up to 94 tobacco compliance checks. The county will receive $50 per compliance check completed. Addendum to Contract Approved with Nutrition Services Motion by Lee, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to authorize the Chair's signature to execute an addendum to a contract between the County of Otter Tail and Nutrition Services to increase the cost per meal from $2.75 to $3.30 for the elderly waiver program. Purchase of Service Agreement -Regional Treatment Center Motion by Lindquist, second by Lee and unanimously carried to authorize the Chair's signature to execute an addendum to the Host County Contract between the County of Otter Tail and the Fergus Falls Regional Treatment Center for waivered services for persons with mental retardation. Children's Mental Health Planning Grant Motion by Nelson, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to authorize the Chair's signature to execute a contract between the County of Otter Tail and Success Services subject to the approval of the County Attorney. The funding, in the amount of $21,500 is from the Children's Mental Health Division of the OHS and is provided through the county to Success Services for children's mental health planning. LSS Task Force Human Services Director, John Dinsmore, requested approval to serve on a task force of Lutheran Q Social Services to develop recommendations and plans for the old Wild Rice Home building. County Board members concurred with Mr. Dinsmore's service on this task force as presented. Approval of Bills & Claims Motion by Lindquist, second by Lee and unanimously carried to approve the Human Services bills and claims as presented. Adjournment At 10:40 a.m., Chair Partmann declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Human Services Board adjourned until 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, October 26, 1999. OTTER AIL COUN OARD OF COMMISSIONERS Attest: <~ ~ LJrry Krhn~lerk By:.fLi:.~~~'.......L'i@t12J.~fQ. _____ _ Virg , ices Chair Call to Order The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened Tuesday, October 12, 1999 at 11 :00 a.m. at the Otter Tail County Courthouse with Commissioners Syd Nelson, Chair; Virginia Partmann, Vice-Chair; Andy Lindquist, Malcolm Lee, and Roger Froemming present. 0 • 0 0 Approval of Agenda Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners October 12, 1999 Page 3 Motion by Lee, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to approve the County Board agenda of October 12, 1999 with the following additions: Human Services Coordinator, Karen Lundin, at 11 :35 a.m. -Personnel Issue Hub Hovland at 11 :55 a.m. -Discussion -Junkyard Approval of Minutes Motion by Partmann, second by Froemming and unanimously carried to approve the County Board minutes of October 5, 1999 as presented. Relating to Otter Tail County's Tax Rate Authorization for the Year 2000 Otter Tail County Resolution No. 99 -54 Upon a motion by Lindquist, second by Lee and unanimously carried, the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners adopts the following resolution: WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota has enacted Chapter 243, Law of Minnesota 1999, Article 6, Section 2 requiring a county board to have adopted and filed an authorizing resolution if its county's tax rate turns out to be higher the following year than a theoretical tax rate for the previous year under the law; and, WHEREAS, Otter Tail County prides itself on beginning its budget process as early as possible in the calendar year in order to maximize input by all concerned parties and allow full review of all expenditure items; and, WHEREAS, there are numerous factors that are beyond the control of county boards and they can potentially cause tax rates to rise, including but not limited to: A. Class rate changes by the state on various types of property, B. The economy and its effect on the tax base, including real estate and new construction growth or lack thereof, C. Tax Increment Financing districts created by cities, D. Limitations on what percentage the market value of property can rise each year as set by the state, and E. Unfunded mandates upon local governments and reductions of federal and state aid; and WHEREAS, because of these outside factors beyond control, a county may need to have a higher tax rate for the following year, and if the tax rate has to go up, Otter Tail County wishes to be in compliance with the law with an authorizing resolution adopted and filed; and, WHEREAS, regardless of external factors influencing the tax rate through the years, Otter Tail County has a strong tradition and a record of success in holding down property taxes for the citizens of the county; and WHEREAS, Otter Tail County's property tax levy has been set each year within the levy limitations imposed by the State of Minnesota; and, WHEREAS, even during those years when the state has not enacted levy limitations, Otter Tail County has been very financially responsible when establishing its net property tax levy thereby protecting the interests of the county's property taxpayers: Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners October 12, 1999 Page 4 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that if the tax rate of Otter Tail County for the year 2000 is higher than the tax rate certified by the county auditor under clause (3) of Section 2, Article 6, Q Chapter 243, Laws of Minnesota 1999, the higher tax rate is hereby authorized by the Otter Tail · County Board of Commissioners. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that regardless of outside factors impacting tax rates, the Board of Commissioners remains firmly committed to the delivery of mandated and other important services at a cost within and not to exceed established levy limits in order to hold down property taxes of the citizens of Otter Tail County. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that an official copy of this resolution be filed with the county auditor, who for purposes of this law in Otter Tail County, is the appropriate filing officer. Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 1ih day of October, 1999. Dated: ,Q,+4,. ., I~ /9 'l r Attest ky a Larry Kro n, Clerk Final Plats Motion by Lee, second by Lindquist and unanimously carried to approve the final plat of "Che-Rosa Q .. Beech First Addition" on Pelican Lake (Sec. 12, Twp. 137, R. 43) as presented. Motion by Nelson, second by Lee and unanimously carried to approve the final plat of "Fort Thunder Industrial Park" (Sec. 22, Twp. 136, R. 39, Perham Township) as presented. Motion by Nelson, second by Lee and unanimously carried to approve the final plat of "East Gate" (Sec. 16, Twp. 135, R. 37, Newton Township) as presented. Conditional Use Permit No. 5707 Bill Kalar, Land & Resource Director, requested that Conditional Use Permit No. 5707 (bridges over the Red Eye River) be reinstated. The Highway Engineer reported that the project had been redesigned and after meeting with the Department of Natural Resources alternatives and safeguards were agreed upon and it was decided that an EAW was not required with the change in design. Motion by Nelson, second by Lee and unanimously carried to reinstate Conditional Use Permit No. 5707 for bridges over the Red Eye River with conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission. Minnesota State Transportation Fund Resolution for Construction of County Bridge No. 56J07 Otter Tail County Resolution No. 99 -55 Upon a motion by Lindquist, second by Partmann and unanimously carried, the Otter Tail County Q Board of Commissioners adopts the following resolution: · 0 0 Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners October 12, 1999 Page 5 WHEREAS, Otter Tail County has applied to the Commissioner of Transportation for a grant from the Minnesota State Transportation Fund for the Construction of County Bridge No. 56J07 (Project No. S.A.P. 56-635-29) over the Star Lake/Dead Lake Channel; and WHEREAS, the amount of the grant has been determined to be $39,857.00 by reason of lowest responsible bid. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the County of Otter Tail does hereby affirm that any cost of the bridge in excess of the grant will be appropriated from the funds available to the County of Otter Tail, and that any grant monies appropriated for the bridge but not required, based on the final estimate, shall be returned to the Minnesota State Transportation Fund. Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 12th day of October, 1999. Dated: Ocie:tu,, 19, /9'/9 Attest: ~ ~ LarryKrn, Oerk Minnesota State Transportation Fund Resolution for Construction of County Bridge No. 56J07 Otter Tail County Resolution No. 99 -56 Upon a motion by Lindquist, second by Portmann and unanimously carried, the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners adopts the following resolution: WHEREAS, Otter Tail County has applied to the Commissioner of Transportation for a grant from the Minnesota State Transportation Fund for the Construction of County Bridge No. 56J03 (Project No. S.A.P. 56-612-09) over the Central Lakes Trail (Abandoned Otter Tail Valley Railroad); and . WHEREAS, the amount of the grant has been determined to be $62,500.00 by reason of lowest responsible bid. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the County of Otter Tail does hereby affirm that any cost of the bridge in excess of the grant will be appropriated from the funds available to the County of Otter Tail, and that any grant monies appropriated for the bridge but not required, based on the final estimate, shall be returned to the Minnesota State Transportation Fund. Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 1ih day of October, 1 Dated: {MJ,,,,., l'l !9'M 0. Attest: ~ ~ Larry Kr n, lerk 0 COMMISSIONERS By:--=?-'=-LL!::.F.--=-=-+-.:--:il---:-:::-:--:-------ard Chairman Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners October 12, 1999 Page 6 Closure of Vining Highway Garage Highway Engineer, Rick West, explained that the decision to close the Highway Garage in Vining Q. will provide a more efficient county highway maintenance system and will not reduce the level of service in that area. Motion by Partmann, second by Lindquist with Froemming opposed, to support the decision of the County Highway Engineer to close the Vining Highway Garage. Reallocation of Positions Human Resource Coordinator, Karen Lundin, informed the board that Minnesota Merit updated the job descriptions of the Office Support Specialist positions from the Support and Collections Unit and recommended a reallocation of the positions to the Support Enforcement Aide level based on the gradual assumption of greater responsibilities. Motion by Lee, second by Partmann and unanimously carried to reallocate the Office Support Specialist position to Support Enforcement Aide level; a compensation change from DMG grade 7 to grade 11. The increase for the two individuals currently performing this position is effective October 1, 1999. This will be discussed with the affected bargaining unit. Request for Resort owner, Chris Guck, requested an exemption from the Shoreland Management Ordinance relative to the survey requirement when requesting a Conditional Use Permit for a cluster development. He felt there was no need for a survey in his case because he owns the whole lot and there are no boundary issues. The value of having a survey done was discussed. Commissioner Lindquist noted that the County Board does not have authority to modify the SMO. Q The County Attorney explained that an ordinance could be amended if a change is needed; however, the process is a lengthy process and would require a public hearing. Commissioners recommended that this issue along with others that have been identified in the past be reviewed by the Planning Commission. Discussion -Junkyard Property owner, Hub Hovland, showed pictures of debris on the yard of a contingent property owner, Sheldon's Car Care. He stated that he has been unable to sell his home and feels the reason is because it is located next to a junkyard. Mr. Kalar explained that this is a business of record prior to the adoption of the Shoreland Management Ordinance; therefore, the SMO regulations do not apply and Otter Tail County does not have a junkyard ordinance. He noted that the MPCA might have authority. Discussion continued. Adjournment At 12:27 p.m., Chairman Nelson declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners adjourned until the next scheduled me ·ng on Tuesday, October 19, 1999. Dated: lli-,,.P.,,, LZ /'i9f Attest ~~ Larry Kr n,Glerk CO NTY ~~MISSIONERS unty Board Chairman CB/kd 0