Kittson County Board Proceedings
KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
June 16, 2020
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. Commissioner Johnson was absent.
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Gillie. The pledge to the flag was given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve the agenda as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the minutes from the June 2, 2020 County Board meeting as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve the minutes from the June 6, 2020 Special County Board meeting as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the minutes from the June 9, 2020 County Board meeting as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to recess the regular board meeting and to convene the 2020 Kittson County Board of Appeals & Equalization Meeting at 6:03 p.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to adjourn the 2020 Kittson County Board of Appeals & Equalization Meeting and to reconvene the regular board meeting at 7:03 p.m.
Meeting with the County Board was Kathy Johnson, Kittson County Social Services Director. Johnson asked for permission to reduce the working hours for Beth Seed from 37.5 hours per week to 34 hours per week.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve changing Beth Seed to a 34 hour work week effective June 15, 2020.
Meeting with the County Board was Scot Olson, Kittson County Emergency Manager. Olson requested that the County adopt a disaster resolution for the recent rain event.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom and seconded by Commissioner Younggren to adopt the following resolution: #20-24
Declaring a State of Emergency In Kittson County
WHEREAS, the rain event of June 7-9, 2020 has caused a significant amount of public property damage in Kittson County; and
WHEREAS, the Kittson County Department of Emergency Management requests the Kittson County Board of Commissioners to declare Kittson County in a STATE OF EMERGENCY for the June 7-9 rain/flooding event of 2020;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Kittson County Board of Commissioners declares Kittson County in a State of Emergency in order to prepare and perform advance measures to protect the County from this flooding event.
Adopted by the Kittson County Board of Commissioners this 16th day of June, 2020, to be effective until such time as the Board of Commissioners has determined that the State of Emergency and threat of spring flooding has passed.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Olson, Wikstrom and Younggren.
Voting against: None
Meeting with the County Board was Keith Klegstad, Kittson County Assistant Engineer. Klegstad provided an update on the status of the 2020 construction projects as well as cleanup efforts from the spring flooding. The box culvert job was complete and the projects on CSAH 14, CSAH 7 and at the canola plant were all scheduled to be underway soon weather permitting. Klegstad also updated the County Board on the status of the search for a new County Engineer.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom 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
June 10, 2020 $ 26.00
June 12, 2020 $ 68,762.11
June 10, 2020 $ 98,109.57
June 5, 2020 $ 685,440.07
June 2, 2020 $ 29,309.03
June 2, 2020 $ 77,254.46
Commissioner’s Warrants
June 16, 2020 $ 399,962.09
Meal Reimbursements: $41.07
Committee Reports were given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to appoint Charlie Lindberg to a 3 year term on the NW Regional Library Board.
County Administrator Christensen provided an update on the executive search process. Gary Weiers with David Drown Associates was in town to meet with commissioners and department heads. Next step is to complete the position profile and advertise.
County Administrator Christensen informed the County Board that they had received 3 proposals for IT services so far with one more expected. They should be ready for board action by the next meeting.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the following committee appointments:
Extension Committee Indefinite Term Shirley Swenson
MN Counties Computer Coop Indefinite Term Shirley Swenson
Personnel Committee through 12/31/20 Shirley Swenson
The County Board addressed the Covid-19 travel restrictions that were put in place at the beginning of spring. The Board felt that it was time to lift the restrictions.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to lift the travel restrictions on employees and to ask employees to travel wisely to avoid putting coworkers at risk.
The 2019 Kittson County Hospice Annual Report was presented for information.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.
The Board adjourned to June 23, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
Theresia Gillie, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST: Eric Christensen, Kittson County Administrator
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KITTSON COUNTY BOARD of APPEAL and EQUALIZATION
June 16, 2020
The Kittson County Board of Appeal and Equalization met Tuesday, June 16, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. The following members were present: Commissioners Gillie, Olson, Wikstrom, Younggren and County Administrator Christensen. Also in attendance was County Assessor Heather Bruley, Finance Officer Shirley Swenson, and Deputy Assessors Alyssa Gustafson and Jennifer Koskela.
The meeting was called to order by County Administrator Christensen. The Oath of Office was taken.
County Administrator Christensen called for nominations for the position of Chairperson. A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to cease nominations and appoint Commissioner Gillie to serve as Chairperson to the Board of Appeal and Equalization for 2020.
Commissioner Gillie then called for nominations for board clerk. A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to cease nominations and appoint County Administrator Christensen to serve as Clerk to the Board of Appeal and Equalization for 2020.
No appeals were presented to the Board of Appeal and Equalization by the County Assessor’s Office.
Two valuation changes were presented to the Board of Appeal and Equalization by the County Assessor’s Office. The first was for parcel R32.0052800 belonging to Scott Sjostrand. It was the Assessor’s recommendation that the value of the house be reduced from $37,800 to $20,600 after an inspection of the interior of the home was performed. The second was for parcel R35.006880 belonging to Samantha Wesner. The property was valued with 2 buildings on it that had been removed prior to January 1, 2020. The Assessor’s recommendation was to remove the $1,100 in value attributed to the buildings.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the County Assessor’s recommendations and reduce the values on parcels R32.0052800 and R35.0068800.
No change orders from the State of Minnesota were presented to the Board of Appeal and Equalization by the County Assessor’s Office.
County Assessor Bruley reviewed and presented a number of charts and graphs showing the average tillable land values per section and values of bordering counties; average tillable and values per township; estimated market value comparisons for 2019 and 2020 and new construction and destruction by township and city.
County Assessor Bruley presented the new construction, destruction or moving and homesteads for the unorganized townships of Klondike, Peatland, McKinley and North Red River.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to accept the assessments for the unorganized townships of Klondike, Peatland, McKinley and North Red River.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to accept the 2020 Assessments for Kittson County as presented to the County Board of Appeal and Equalization by the County Assessor’s Office.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Ollson and unanimously carried to adjourn the 2020 County Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting at 7:03 p.m.
Theresia Gillie, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST: Eric Christensen, Kittson County Administrator and Clerk,
Kittson County Board of Appeal and Equalization
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KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
June 23, 2020
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on Tuesday, June 23, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. Commissioners present were Gillie, Johnson, Olson and Younggren. Commissioner Wikstrom was present by GoToMeeting.
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Gillie.
The pledge to the flag was given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the agenda.
Approve June 16, 2020 County Board and Kittson County Board of Appeals minutes tabled until the July 7, 2020 meeting.
Meeting with the Board was Kittson County Social Services Director Kathy Johnson. Johnson requested approval of the amended contract between Kittson County and MN DEED for the purpose of providing MFIP and DWP. This contract was originally signed in November 2019. A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the signing of the contract.
Assistant County Engineer Keith Klegstad provided an update on the search for a highway engineer. An interview with a prospective candidate took place on June 22, 2020. References will be called, with the information presented at the June 30, 2020 meeting. Klegstad will also present quotes for options to replace the current arrangement with Roseau County that expires on June 30, 2020.
Interim Administrator Shirley Swenson updated the County Board that she is compiling the IT quote information that she will present at the July 7, 2020 meeting. No action taken.
Swenson requested the appointment of 2 Board members to the Election Canvassing Board for August 14, 2020. Commissioners Gilllie and Younggren were appointed.
The meeting was adjourned until June 30 at 9:00 a.m.
Theresia Gillie, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST: Shirley Swenson, Interim Kittson County Administrator
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KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
June 30, 2020
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on Tuesday, June 30, 2020 at 9:00 a.m. All Commissioners were present, with Commissioner Wikstrom meeting remotely.
The meeting was called to order by Chairperson Gillie.
The pledge to the flag was given.
Chairperson Gillie informed the Board of the untimely death of longtime County Commissioner Joe Bouvette. She stated how much the County appreciated his service to the County for 32 years. Chairperson Gillie then asked for a moment of silence in Commissioner Bouvette’s memory.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the agenda as amended.
Meeting with the County Board were Assistant County Engineer Keith Klegstad along with Lon Aune Marshall County Engineer and Assistant County Attorney Jeff Hane to discuss and get approval for the agreement between Marshall County and Kittson County for engineer services. Commissioner Johnson questioned how many hours are provided in the agreement. Engineer Aune stated the agreement is for 70 hours per month. The agreement is on a month to month basis until Kittson County can hire an Engineer. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve the agreement with Marshall County, effective July 1, 2020.
Commissioner Olson informed the Board that the County’s lawnmower is in dire shape. Two quotes were presented from Johnson Oil, one for a 38” Simplicity with a bagger in the amount of $2,984.00 and one for a 48” Courier with a bagger for $4,248.00. After discussion about the time savings of a larger deck mower Commissioner Wikstrom made a motion to purchase the 48” Courier, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously carried to approve the purchase.
Chairperson Gillie then addressed Attorney Hane about the completion of the email account services contract between the County and resigned Administrator Christensen. As of this time no contract has been prepared. After discussion Commissioner Younggren made a motion to remove Christensen from servicing the County’s email account, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried.
A motion was then made by Commissioner Younggren to appoint Interim County Administrator Shirley Swenson as the administrator of the County’s email seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried. Administrator Swenson will contact the company and get the account changed.
The meeting was adjourned until July 7, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
Theresia Gillie, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST: Shirley Swenson, Kittson County Administrator
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