Kittson County Board Proceedings March 5, 2020 meeting
KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 9:15 a.m. All members were present.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Gillie. The pledge to the flag was given.
The agenda was approved as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the minutes from the February 18, 2020 County Board meeting as presented.
Meeting with the County Board was Mark Wilwant, Kittson County Sheriff. Wilwant discussed the department’s plan to replace the existing secondary paging system with a new “Active 911” system. The new system will increase functionality and allow for the tracking of first responders. The system has the benefit of being cheaper than the existing system.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the payment of the following amounts, with a detailed listing kept on file in the Finance Office:
Commissioner’s Warrants
March 5, 2020 $113,141.71
Meal Reimbursements: $77.13
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the per diems and expense sheets for February.
Committee reports were given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the new Federal Procurement Policy as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve the 2020 fire contract for Klondike Township with the City of Lake Bronson in the amount of $1,578.85.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to adopt the following resolution: #20-10
WAGON WHEEL RIDGE INC LIQUOR LICENSE
BE IT RESOLVED that the Kittson County Board of Commissioners hereby grants a one-year (1) on-sale intoxicating liquor license to the Wagon Wheel Ridge Inc in the amount of $300, for license year ending March 31, 2021 and recommends that said license be approved by the Minnesota Liquor Control Director.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Olson, Johnson, Wikstrom and Younggren.
Voting against: none.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren and seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom to adopt the following resolution: #20-11
Two River Golf Club Inc Liquor License
BE IT RESOLVED that the Kittson County Board of Commissioners hereby grants a one-year (1) on-sale intoxicating liquor license to the Two Rivers Golf Club Inc in the amount of $300, for license year ending March 31, 2021 and recommends that said license be approved by the Minnesota Liquor Control Director.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Olson, Johnson, Wikstrom and Younggren.
Voting against: none.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson and seconded by Commissioner Johnson to adopt the following resolution: #20-12
Lancaster Riverside Golf Club Liquor License
BE IT RESOLVED that the Kittson County Board of Commissioners hereby grants a one-year (1) on-sale intoxicating liquor license to the Lancaster Riverside Golf Club in the amount of $300, for license year ending March 31, 2021 and recommends that said license be approved by the Minnesota Liquor Control Director.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Olson, Johnson, Wikstrom and Younggren.
Voting against: none.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve raising the bounty on beavers from $50 to $75 each.
Meeting with the County Board was Keith Klegstad, Kittson County Assistant Highway Engineer, to update the Board on maintenance issues and road conditions around the County. County roads are icy from the blowing snow/melting. The Bobcat kid steer loader is at the dealership and waiting on attachments before delivering. Engineering is working on a project on CSAH 1 from CSAH 10 to CSAH 7. The planned project on CSAH 7 from CSAH 1 to CSAH 23 may have to be put off. Three employees will be attending bridge inspection training in December.
Quotes were received for a new motor grader as follows:
Ziegler Cat Cat 410M3 $256,015.00
RDO JD 770G $240,420.00
RDO JD 770GP $259,387.00
No action was taken
A summary of bids received for equipment rental was presented to the County Board. The Board Board discussed whether to accept a late bid as a part of the process.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to accept the late bid with the caveat that this is a one-time occurrence.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to accept the equipment bids as received. The bids are on file at the Kittson County Highway Department.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom and seconded by Commissioner Younggren to adopt the following resolution: #20-13
2020 KITTSON COUNTY ROAD RESTRICTIONS
WHEREAS, Because of rain, snow, frost and usual spring climate conditions, public roads may be seriously damaged unless restrictions are imposed as to weight of vehicles to be operated thereon; and
WHEREAS, As per Minnesota Statutes, Section 169.87, Subd. 2, no person shall operate any vehicle or combination of vehicles upon any county highway or county state aid highway where the gross weight on any single axle exceeds 10,000 pounds (defined in Minnesota Statutes, Section 169.83) during the period concurrent with the placement of restrictions on Trunk Highways in the area.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED That given the optional power under Minnesota Statutes, Section 169.87, Subd. 1, the County Engineer shall erect and maintain signs imposing the cited weight restrictions, during the period determined by the Engineer. If signs are erected, the restrictions as indicated on the sign shall govern. If no signs are erected, the 10,000 pound gross weight provision per axle shall apply to all gravel roads.
Exceptions to the 10,000 gross weights per axle restrictions are the following roads, which will be posted to 10,000 pounds, 14,000 pounds and 18,000 pounds:
9 TONS
C.S.A.H. No. 1 from T.H. 11 to C.S.A.H. 7
C.S.A.H. No. 1 from C.S.A.H. 7 to N. Jct. of CSAH 10
C.S.A.H. No. 1 from N. Jct. CSAH 10 to T.H. 75
C.S.A.H. No. 1 from T.H. 175 to C.S.A.H. 8
C.S.A.H. No. 2 from Marshall County Line to T.H. 11
C.S.A.H. No. 4 from C.S.A.H. 1 to C.S.A.H. 6
C.S.A.H. No. 4 from T.H. 75 to CSAH 1
C.S.A.H. No. 4 from T.H. 75 to C.S.A.H. 16
C.S.A.H. No. 4 from T.H. 59 to 5 Miles East
C.S.A.H. No. 5 from Marshall Co. Line to T.H. 11
C.S.A.H. No. 5 from T.H. No. 11 to T.H. 59
C.S.A.H. No. 6 from C.S.A.H. 12 to C.S.A.H. 16
C.S.A.H. No. 6 from C.S.A.H. 16 to T.H. 75
C.S.A.H. No. 6 from T.H. 75 to C.S.A.H. 1
C.S.A.H. No. 6 from Jct. C.S.A.H. 1 to T.H. 59
C.S.A.H. No. 7 from C.S.A.H. 1 to T.H. 75
C.S.A.H. No. 7 from 1 Mi. W. of Jct. C.S.A.H. 20 to T.H. 59
C.S.A.H. No. 7 from T.H. 59 to C.S.A.H. 14
C.S.A.H. No. 8 from C.S.A.H. 1 to T.H. 59
C.S.A.H. No. 9 from T.H. 59 to East County Line
C.S.A.H. No. 10 from T.H. 59 to East County Line
C.S.A.H. No. 10 from C.S.A.H. 5 to T.H. 59
C.S.A.H. No. 10 from N. Jct. of T.H. 75 to RR Tracks
C.S.A.H. No. 12 from C.S.A.H. 6 to T.H. 75
C.S.A.H. No. 14 from Marshall Co. Line to T.H. 59
C.S.A.H. No. 16 from T.H. 175 to C.S.A.H. No. 6
C.S.A.H. No. 16 from T.H. 75 to 2.3 Mi. North
C.S.A.H. No. 18 from 0.8 mile South of T.H. 11 to T.H. 11
C.S.A.H. No. 19 from T.H. 11 to C.S.A.H. 7
C.S.A.H. No. 20 from South County Line to T.H. 11
C.S.A.H. No. 20 from T.H. 11 to C.S.A.H. 7
C.S.A.H. No. 22 from T.H. 75 to C.S.A.H. No. 5
C.S.A.H. No. 22 from C.S.A.H. 5 to T.H. 59
C.S.A.H. No. 27 from C.S.A.H. 6 to T.H. 59
C.S.A.H. No. 28 from T.H. 59 to the grain elevator entrance
C.S.A.H. No. 29 from 4th Avenue to T.H. 171
C.S.A.H. No. 31 from C.S.A.H. No. 9 to T.H. 11
C.S.A.H. No. 33 from T.H. 75 to C.S.A.H. No. 1
C.S.A.H. No. 34 from C.S.A.H. 1 to T.H. 175
C.S.A.H. No. 35 from C.S.A.H. No. 29 to T.H. 171
Co. Rd. No. 73 from Fourth Ave. in St. Vincent to West corporate limits
(Red River of the North)
7 TONS
C.S.A.H. No. 4 from 5 Miles East of T.H. 59 to Jct. C.S.A.H. No. 25
C.S.A.H. No. 7 from T.H. 11 to Jct. C.S.A.H. 1
C.S.A.H. No. 7 from T.H. 75 to S. Jct. C.S.A.H. 19
C.S.A.H. No. 7 from S. Jct. C.S.A.H. 19 to N. Jct. C.S.A.H. 19
C.S.A.H. No. 7 from N. Jct. C.S.A.H. 19 to 1 Mi. W. of Jct. C.S.A.H. 20
C.S.A.H. No. 7 from C.S.A.H. 14 to T.H. 11
C.S.A.H. No. 14 from T.H. 11 to N. Jct. of C.S.A.H. 7
C.S.A.H. No. 15 from C.S.A.H. 10 to C.S.A.H. 4
C.S.A.H. No. 19 from C.S.A.H. 7 to C.S.A.H. 10
C.S.A.H. No. 20 from C.S.A.H. 7 to T.H. 59
C.S.A.H. No. 28 from the grain elevator entrance to entrance of Lake Bronson State Park
C.S.A.H. No. 28 from C.S.A.H. 10 to Entrance of Lake Bronson State Park
C.S.A.H. No. 32 from T.H. 11 to C.S.A.H. 14
C.S.A.H. No. 36 from T.H. 59 to C.S.A.H. 15
C.S.A.H. No. 37 from T.H. 75 to T.H. 175 in Hallock
BE IT RESOLVED: If conditions indicate failure, some of the above referenced axle weights may be reduced.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Olson, Johnson, Wikstrom and Younggren.
Voting against: none.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve a band and grade increase for Victor Camacho from B21-2 to B23-2 effective January 1, 2020. The increase is a result of obtaining his boiler license.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve increasing the working condition for Keith Klegstad from WC-2 to WC-3 effective March 8, 2020. This is the same working condition as the rest of the engineering staff.
The Personnel Committee addressed the requests from some long time employees for step increases. The Committee presented a possible plan to deal with all current and future requests at one time. The plan would involve set steps based on length of employment for employees with 15 years or more of employment. No action was taken.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve entering into an agreement with Roseau County to share a County Engineer on an as needed temporary basis with a contract price not to exceed $150 per hour.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve advertising for a new County Engineer.
Meeting with the County Board was Cindy Urbaniak with Kittson Healthcare. Urbaniak presented the hospital’s plan to deal with the coronavirus should a local outbreak occur. The plan is based on Kittson Healthcare’s existing plan created in response to the H1N1 (Swine Flu) outbreak in 2009.
Meeting with the County Board was Scot Olson, Kittson County Emergency Management Director. Olson presented an emergency action plan for review. He also noted that getting approvals for the mutual aid agreement with Manitoba was still ongoing. There will be training for dealing with pipeline protestors. More 800 MHz radios have been acquired for county schools and first responders. A grant has been applied for that would replace the sirens in Karlstad, Kennedy and Lancaster. He closed by noting that hazardous household waste pickup dates will be June 6 in Hallock and Kennedy, August 4 in Karlstad, Lake Bronson and Lancaster, and July 18 in Hallock for ag pesticides.
County Administrator Christensen informed the County Board that the 2020 tax ranking from Smart Asset has been released and Kittson County has the 2nd lowest tax burden in the state. The County had received a rating of the lowest tax burden in the state from 2016-2019 but slipped one spot in the latest ranking.
Christensen also presented the 2019 Property Tax Services report from the Minnesota Department of Revenue. The report scores the performance of the Taxpayer Services and Assessor’s offices and showed County scored passing marks in all areas. Christensen noted that this is especially remarkable when you take into account several medical leaves, retirements and training of new employees that occurred during the year.
The Board adjourned to March 17, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
Theresia Gillie, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST: Eric Christensen, Kittson County Administrator
(March 25, 2020)
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