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KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS June 2 and June 9, 2020

KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
June 2, 2020
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. All members were present.
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Gillie. The pledge to the flag was given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the agenda as amended.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the minutes from the May 19, 2020 County Board meeting as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve the minutes from the May 26, 2020 County Board meeting as presented.
Meeting with the County Board was Heather Bruley, Kittson County Assessor. Bruley asked for board approval of the proposed agenda for the June 16, 2020 County Board of Appeals & Equalization (CBAE) hearing.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the County Board of Appeals & Equalization (CBAE) hearing agenda.
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
May 28, 2020    $654,892.09
May 15, 2020    $  96,235.52
May 20, 2020    $    9,999.13
Commissioner’s Warrants
June 5, 2020    $  74,983.94

Meal Reimbursements:    $0.00
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the per diems and expense sheets for May.
Committee Reports were given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to not continue participating in the AMC HR Technical Assistance Program.
The County Board discussed the resignation of Kim Johnson from the NW Regional Library Board of Directors. The Commissioners agreed to search for someone to appoint.
County Administrator Christensen updated the County Board on the status of union negotiations. A consensus had been reached on most issues except a request to change the County’s health insurance contribution amount for non-single coverage from a fixed amount to a percentage. The union proposal was to have the County pay 70% and the employees 30%. Currently the County pays all of the single portion of the premium and a fixed amount in addition for dependent coverage. The average County contribution is currently 58% of the premium. The County Board instructed Christensen to propose 65%/35% as a counter offer.
The County Board reviewed proposals from David Drown Associates and Hue Life for an executive search to fill the County Administrator position. The Board felt that the proposal from David Drown best fit what the Board was looking for.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously carried to hire David Drown & Associates to conduct the search for $21,000.
Meeting with the County Board was Keith Klegstad, Kittson County Assistant Engineer. Klegstad provided an update on the status of the 2020 construction projects. All 2020 projects are scheduled to begin no later than June 22. Klegstad also updated the County Board on the status of the search for a new County Engineer. Klegstad has lined up an interview with the one remaining candidate who meets the eligibility requirements. He also noted that the sharing agreement with Roseau County had expired and that the proposed renewal agreement would be for a fixed number of hours per month at $12,000 per month. The County Board took no action.
Meeting with the County Board was Scot Olson, Kittson County Emergency Management Director. Olson provided an update on this spring’s flooding and disaster reimbursement efforts. Olson noted that the County and 11 townships have disaster claims. The claims are expected to be 75% reimbursed by the State of Minnesota.
County Administrator Christensen updated the County Board on the 2nd Amendment Sanctuary Resolution request. Once the Governor’s stay at home order had expired, the committee tasked with looking at the matter was able to meet.     Ultimately, the committee agreed unanimously that a resolution was not needed. The committee consisted of County Administrator Christensen, Commissioners Olson and Johnson, Chief Deputy Matt Vig (in place of Sheriff Mark Wilwant) and former Sheriff Kenny Hultgren. The committee sited 3 reasons for their conclusion. First, all county elected officials have taken an oath to defend the Constitution of the United States already and so their duty to defend the 2nd Amendment has already been established. Second, the committee did not want to elevate part of the Constitution to a higher level of importance than the rest of the Constitution. The committee felt that the oath to defend of the Constitution applied to the entire Constitution as a whole. Finally, the committee noted that the County does not have a say in what is considered constitutional. That is the responsibility of the Supreme Court and should the Supreme Court become more liberal and change its view on gun laws, the County would be required to enforce them as they would be considered constitutional. The County Board unanimously accepted the committee’s recommendation and no action was taken.
Commissioner Johnson brought up the matter of a township dike located in North Red River Township which requires repairs. Since the township is unorganized, the County will have to budget for the repairs on behalf of the township.
The Board of Commissioners also discussed what the travel policy should be for employees during the summer with the Covid-19 threat still around. Commissioners did not want to be telling employees where and how they can travel but recognize the risks of bringing back Covid-19 to other staff members. The County Board agreed to define the expectations at the next meeting.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.
The Board adjourned to June 9, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
Theresia Gillie, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:        Eric Christensen,
Kittson County Administrator
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KITTSON COUNTY BOARD
PROCEEDINGS
June 6, 2020
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met in a special session, pursuant to adjournment on Saturday, June 6 2020 at 9:30 a.m. All Commissioners were present via GoToMeeting.
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Gillie.
The pledge to the flag was given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously approved to approve the agenda as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously approved a sharing agreement with Roseau County for County Engineer services through June 30. The contract is $12,000.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously approved to adjourn.
Theresia Gillie, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:        Eric Christensen,
Kittson County Administrator
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KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
June 9, 2020
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on Tuesday, June 9, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. All Commissioners were present.
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Gillie.
The pledge to the flag was given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the agenda as amended.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to hire Hope Sele as the Extension Office Clerk at band and grade B21-1 Step 1 effective June 22, 2020.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to move the start time for the June 16, 2020 County Board of Appeals & Equalization/County Board Meeting to 6:00 p.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to abate $283.57 in taxes and penalties on parcel 36.0026200 belonging to Tamara Devore. The parcel should have been entitled to a full homestead classification but only had a half homestead credit.
County Administrator Christensen provided an update on the executive search. Christensen confirmed meeting times for the commissioners to meet one on one with Gary Weiers of David Drown & Associates. He also passed on Mr. Weiers request for a salary range for the position. Christensen asked the County Board have some idea of the range by the time they meet with Weiers.
Christensen, along with Finance Officer Shirley Swenson, also presented a proposal to provide IT services to the County after he is gone. The proposal, from Corporate Technologies, would provide contracted tech support to the County. Both Christensen and Swenson noted that the quoted price was less than they had expected. The County Board instructed the two to get additional proposals/quotes. No action taken.
Assistant County Engineer Keith Klegstad provided an update on the search for a highway engineer. The temporary arrangement with Roseau County is good through the end of June. An interview with a prospective candidate had to be postponed due to flooding issues the department was dealing with. Klegstad also provided an update on the flooding issues.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the hiring of 4 seasonal employees for the Highway Department.
Correspondence from Bollig Engineering & Environmental was presented. The firm was looking for County input on a plan to build a new airport near Karlstad. Commissioners were instructed to view the project on the City of Karlstad’s website.
The meeting was adjourned until June 16 at 6:00 p.m.
Theresia Gillie, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST:        Eric Christensen,
Kittson County Administrator
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