Kittson County Board Proceedings January 7, 2020
KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
JANUARY 7, 2020
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on Tuesday, January 7, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. All members were present.
The meeting was called to order by County Administrator Christensen. The pledge to the flag was given.
The County Administrator opened the floor to nominations for Board Chairperson. Commissioner Olson nominated Commissioner Gillie for Board Chairperson with Commissioner Johnson seconding the nomination. A motion was then made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Commissioner Gillie for Board Chairperson. Motion carried.
The County Administrator turned the meeting over to Chairman Gillie who then opened the floor to nominations for Vice Chair. Commissioner Olson nominated Commissioner Younggren for Board Chairperson with Commissioner Johnson seconding the nomination. A motion was then made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Commissioner Younggren for Board Vice-Chairperson. Motion carried.
The agenda was approved as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the minutes from the December 17, 2019 board meeting as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve the minutes from the December 31, 2019 board meeting as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the payment of the following amounts, with a detailed listing kept on file in the Finance Office:
Auditor’s Warrants
November 18, 2019 $ 236,392.73
December 12, 2019 $ 97,710.99
December 16, 2019 $ 64,089.73
December 16, 2019 $ 26,989.20
December 23, 2019 $ 366,360.30
December 31, 2019 $8,772.34
Commissioner’s Warrants
January 10, 2020 $ 91,916.02
Meal Reimbursements: $101.63
Committee reports were given.
Pursuant to mailed notice bids were received and opened for the publishing requirements for 2020 and read as follows:
PROPOSAL FOR AMOUNT FOR STANDARD
“FIRST” PAPER BID ADVERTISING UNIT (1” X 2 1/11” WIDE)
ENTERPRISE NORTH STAR
Includes County Board Proceedings, Public Notices,
and any other publications required by law or submitted
by various county departments (based on 6 point type),
except Summary of Financial Statements $ 2.95 3.50
Cost for each additional week of publication, if needed. $ 2.95 3.50
Any portion which can be Electronic Mail (E-mail) $ 2.95 3.50
Summary of Financial Statement: (one week only)
Any portion requiring type set by the printer $ 2.95 3.50
Any portion which can be reproduced from statements
prepared by the County Administrator determined
by publisher $ 2.95 3.50
Any portion which can be Electronic Mail (E-mail) $ 2.95 3.50
PROPOSAL FOR AMOUNT FOR STANDARD
“SECOND” PAPER BID ADVERTISING UNIT (1” X 2 1/11” WIDE)
ENTERPRISE NORTH STAR
Includes publishing any public notice or other publication
submitted by various county departments in addition to
or other than the Official “First” Paper(based on 6 point
type), except Summary of Financial Statements $ 5.50 4.50
Cost for each additional week of publication, if needed. $ 5.50 4.50
Any portion which can be Electronic Mail (E-mail) $ 5.50 4.50
Summary of Financial Statement: (one week only)
Any portion requiring type set by the printer $ 5.50 4.50
Any portion which can be reproduced from statements
prepared by the County Administrator determined
by publisher $ 5.50 4.50
Any portion which can be Electronic Mail (E-mail) $ 5.50 4.50
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to adopt the following resolution: #20-01
2020 NEWSPAPER
BE IT RESOLVED that the Kittson County Enterprise is hereby designated by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Kittson, State of Minnesota, the newspaper in which shall be published the 2020 County Board Proceedings pursuant to MSA 375.12, Financial Statement for Kittson County for 2019 pursuant to MSA 375.17, the list of real estate taxes remaining delinquent in Kittson County on the first day of January 2020 pursuant to MSA 279.09 and all other legal notices required by the county.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the North Star News is hereby designated by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Kittson, State of Minnesota, the newspaper in which the second publication of the Financial Statement for 2019 shall be published pursuant to MSA 375.17 and all other legal notices required by the county.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Olson, Wikstrom, and Younggren.
Voting against: None
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson and seconded by Commissioner Younggren to adopt the following resolution: #20-02
SETTING PER DIEMS AND MEAL REIMBURSEMENTS FOR 2020
BE IT RESOLVED that the Kittson County Board of Commissioners hereby sets the following per diem and reimbursement rates for 2020:
Per Diems:
Meetings less than 4 hours (including travel) = $60 per day
Meetings more than 4 hours (including travel) = $80 per day
Meal Reimbursement:
Actual cost up to $40 per day with receipts. A $20 meal allowance for overnight trips may be substituted if no receipts available.
Mileage Reimbursement:
Mileage reimbursed at applicable IRS rate
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Olson, Wikstrom, and Younggren.
Voting against: None
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve the following committee appointments for 2020 (1 year terms except as noted):
AMC Delegates: Corey Wikstrom, Theresia Gillie, Darrel Johnson, Leon Olson, Loren Younggren, Kelly Bengtson, Eric Christensen & Kathy Johnson
Consolidated Conservation Joint Powers Natural Resources Board: Corey Wikstrom, Theresia Gillie, Darrel Johnson, Leon Olson & Loren Younggren
Comp. Local Water Plan Joint Powers Board: Leon Olson
Economic Development Authority: Loren Younggren, Leon Olson, Gerald Carlson, Lorna Hemmes, Pete Kautzman, Cindy Christopherson & George Hanson
Environmental Committee: Corey Wikstrom & Darrel Johnson
Extension Committee: 1 Year Terms – Loren Younggren & Theresia Gillie
3 Year Terms – Mark Przekwas & Kris Folland
General Government: Corey Wikstrom, Theresia Gillie, Darrel Johnson, Leon Olson & Loren Younggren
GIS Committee: Heather Bruley, Kelly Bengtson, Eric Christensen, Pat Klegstad, Kristi Hultgren, Scot Olson, Dan Money & Corey Wikstrom
Household Hazardous Waste: 3 Year Term – Corey Wikstrom
Kittson County Land Use & Zoning: Indefinite Term – Heather Bruley
Kittson County Loan Pool: Leon Olson
Law Library Board: Theresia Gillie
Local Board of Health: Corey Wikstrom, Theresia Gillie, Darrel Johnson, Leon Olson, Loren Younggren & Cindy Urbaniak
Local Road Improvement Committee: Darrel Johnson & Theresia Gillie
MarKit Landfill Board: 3 Year Terms- Primary: Leon Olson & Alternate: Corey Wikstrom MN Rural Counties Caucus: Primary: Leon Olson; Alternates: Corey Wikstrom, Theresia Gillie, Darrel Johnson & Loren Younggren
NW Community Action: Leon Olson
NW Emergency Communications Board: Primary: Corey Wikstrom; Alternate: Scot Olson
NW MN Continuum of Care: Kathy Johnson, Theresia Gillie, Jocelyn Hauert, Lindsey Lindgren
NW Regional Radio Advisory Committee: Primary: Pat Klegstad; Alternate: Kelly Kukowski
NW Regional Enterprise Board: Leon Olson
Personnel & Negotiation Committee: Darrel Johnson, Theresia Gillie & Eric Christensen
Purchasing Committee: Leon Olson & Corey Wikstrom
Quin County Health Advisory Board: 2 Year Term – Cindy Urbaniak
Transportation Advisory Committee: Theresia Gillie
Wellness Committee: Shirley Swenson, Keith Klegstad, Mary Olson, Amanda Rynning, Alyssa Gustafson, & Loren Younggren
Association of Minnesota Counties Committees:
Environment and Natural Resources: Leon Olson
General Government: Darrel Johnson
Health & Human Services: Theresia Gillie
Public Safety: Corey Wikstrom
Transportation : Loren Younggren
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson and seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom to adopt the following resolution: #20-03
COUNTY ATTORNEY 2020 REIMBURSEMENT
BE IT RESOLVED that Brink, Sobolik, Severson, Malm & Albrecht Law Office shall be reimbursed at the rate of $4,150.00 per month for 2020 to cover office, staff, equipment and incidental expenses, the County Administrator being authorized and instructed to issue warrants on a monthly basis.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Olson, Wikstrom, and Younggren.
Voting against: none.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to set the reimbursement to townships and cities for Pocket Gophers for 2020 at the rate of $1.00 per gopher.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Younggren to adopt the following resolution: #20-04
2019 Notice of Public Sale of Tax Forfeit Lands
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, That the parcels of land forfeited to the State of Minnesota for non payment of taxes, appearing on the list filed with the County Administrator, which have been classified and appraised as proved by Minnesota Laws, 1935, Chapter 386, as amended, shall be offered for sale by the Kittson County Administrator on WEDNESDAY, April 8, 2020, at 10:00 a.m.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the terms of the sale shall be for cash only.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any individual who has delinquent property taxes on any other property in their name is prohibited from bidding on any tax forfeit property. In addition, an individual prohibited from bidding because they have delinquent taxes may not use another person to bid on the property for them.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That no one who could have repurchased a parcel of tax-forfeited land under M.S. 282.241 (non-conservation land) or M.S. 282.012 (conservation land) may purchase that same parcel of property at a private or public sale for less than (a) the sum of all taxes, special assessments, penalties, interest, and costs due at the time of forfeiture, as computed under M.S. 282.251, plus (b) any special assessments for improvements certified as of the date of sale.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Olson, Wikstrom, and Younggren.
Voting against: none.
County Administrator Christensen presented the County Board with a quote to replace the County’s CAMA assessor software. The County recently pulled out of a cooperative effort to replace the software due to breach of contract. The CAMA software is from Vanguard with an initial cost of implementation of $42,802.50 and annual fees of $11,240. The costs came in about half of what the now cancelled software project would have cost.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve the contract with Vanguard to replace the current CAMA software package.
Meeting with the County Board was Kathy Johnson, Kittson County Social Services Director. Johnson presented a contract with the Northwestern Mental Health Center, a contract with Kittson Healthcare Center, a letter of resignation and an FMLA leave request.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the 2020 contract with Northwestern Mental Health Center for adult and children’s mental health services at a cost of $49,201.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the 2020 contract with Kittson Healthcare Center for home healthcare services and assessments.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve a $32,000 appropriation to Kittson Healthcare Center for 2020 with the source of funding to be reserve funds.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to accept the resignation letter of Melissah Lundeen effective September 30, 2020 with regret.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve an FMLA leave request for Jocelyn Hauert effective December 23, 2019.
Meeting with the County Board was Kelly Bengtson, Kittson County Highway Engineer, to update the Board on maintenance issues and road conditions around the County. Bengtson noted that county roads were in good shape after the most recent weather event. Kittson County was awarded $480,000 in federal funding for a project on CSAH 7 in 2024. The Department has made a request for funding for 30 miles of edge line striping in 2020 and is going to request funding for 8 additional intersection lights for 2021.
Meeting with the County Board was Sheriff Mark Wilwant and Deputy Terry Bayne to present quotes for a new pickup truck. They also provided an update on plans to expand the jail. Currently there is a state requirement that prisoners must have an exercise area. In addition, the Department would like to build a room to relocate the kitchen and laundry areas. They also asked for permission to inquire about financing the project through the USDA. County Administrator Christensen noted that the plan involved taking the entire downstairs meeting room and that the County needs 2 meeting rooms. The County Board will look into what accommodations can be made to keep 2 meeting rooms.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to accept a low quote of $34,574 for a new Ford F150 pickup from C&M Motors. A quote of $35,984 for a new Dodge Ram 1500 was also received from C&M Motors.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to grant permission to explore the possibility of financing a jail expansion.
Meeting with the County Board was Scot Olson, Kittson County Emergency Management Director. Olson presented the final draft of a Mutual Aid Agreement between Kittson County and Pembina County North Dakota for approval. He also noted that a state disaster declaration for fall flooding had been declared, discussed Enbridge’s plans to preposition some materials this spring, and discussed the need for a Public Information Officer to represent the County in the media.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the Mutual Aid Agreement.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to make Commissioner Loren Younggren the County’s Public Information Officer.
The Board adjourned to January 21, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
Theresia Gillie, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST: Eric Christensen, Kittson County Administrator
(January 29, 2020)
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