KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS JULY 21 AND JULY 28, 2020

KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
July 21, 2020
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on Tuesday, July 21, 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 Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the minutes from the July 7, 2020 County Board meeting as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve Deb Costin as Clerk for County Board.
Meeting with the County Board was Keith Klegstad, Assistant County Engineer.  Klegstad gave an update on 2020 Engineering Projects, all projects are on schedule. Project SP 3508-28, Canola Plant frontage road, grading work has begun, but wet conditions have slowed production. Also, flood cleanup has been an ongoing situation from all the rain. The first cutting on roadside mowing is complete. Five Year Road Plan was discussed but no action was taken.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve Interim Engineer Agreement with Marshall County for the month of August.
Meeting with the County Board was Kathy Johnson, Kittson County Social Services Director. Johnson discussed the status of 2nd Qtr Fiscal Report, MN DHS 2019 County Reporting, MN Children’s Defense Fund, Staff Service Average Cost Comparison and MN Blue Plus Care Coordination Audit Results. For the MN Blue Audit, since this is 2 years in a row that the audit was 100% compliant, there will be no need for an audit in 2021. We commend Diane Younggren on the great job on this year’s audit with 100% compliance with BCBS.
Johnson reported to the Board that she continues to look into the possibility of sharing a Family Based Worker with a regional county. She is in contact with Pennington County to see if this is something they may be interested in.
Meeting with the County Board was Housing Redevelopment Authority (HDR), representing HDR were; Charity Brault, Executive Director, Heather Harbott, Financial Manager and Marilyn Gustafson, Kittson County HRA Board Member. They discussed last year financial activities and a copy of a HRA resolution passed stating approval of a levy up to 25% of .0185% of taxable market value for the purpose of leveraging additional funds for housing and economic development activities in Kittson County. Also, HRA stated that Kittson County residents can contact them if they would qualify for any programs they are offering.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson and seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom to adopt the following resolution:     #20-28
ELECTION CARES ACT GRANT
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Pandemic requires additional efforts to make the election process safe, sanitary and effective; and
WHEREAS, the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State is currently soliciting grant applications from counties for grants pursuant to Laws 2020, Chapter 77, section 4 and the federal CARES Act; and
WHEREAS, grants will be provided to each county pursuant to a formula set forth in Section H of the  grant application provided by the Office of the Secretary of State; and
WHEREAS, the funds provided by the Office of the Secretary of State are provided for the purpose of the uses set forth in the federal CARES Act and as further restricted by Laws 2020, chapter 77, section 4, subdivision 4; and
WHEREAS, those purposes are primarily for the protection of persons involved with the election process including voters, as well as certain other purchases set forth in law; and
WHEREAS, the county will work with the municipalities within the county to determine a fair, equitable, and mutually agreeable allocation of the funds within the County and between municipalities, and if an agreement cannot be reached, the funds will be distributed pursuant to the OSS identified default allocation as determined by the Secretary and provided in Section G of the grant application; and
WHEREAS, the grant application is to be completed by the staff of the auditor and other staff responsible for the administration of elections in this county; and
WHEREAS, the grant application must be completed, certified by a county official, typically the chief county election official, returned to the Office of the Secretary of State and a grant agreement executed prior to the receipt of the funds to which the county is entitled pursuant to Section H of the grant application; and
WHEREAS, Laws 2020, Chapter 77, section 4 requires a 20% match for the grant, with a 25% match for electronic roster purchases; and
WHEREAS, the grant agreement will reflect the grant application for each county; and
WHEREAS, additional assistance may be forthcoming later in this election cycle from state and federal funds, particularly those funds appropriated for these purposes by the Legislature; and
WHEREAS, there are continuing needs throughout the election cycle for both COVID-19 and election security efforts and concomitant costs; and
WHEREAS, time is of the essence;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the grant application in the form presented to this board and to be submitted to the Office of the Secretary of State is hereby approved; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Board hereby appropriates the required match amount as indicted in the application for the purposes set forth in the grant application; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chief elections officer of the County and staff are directed to submit this approved grant application at the earliest opportunity; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that when the grant agreement is provided to the chief elections officer of the county, that person is delegated the authority to execute that agreement and return it to the Office of the Secretary of State without further approval by this Board; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the chief elections officer of the county is hereby authorized to apply for any additional funds made available by the state for the defrayment of costs of efforts to combat COVID-19 in the election process and for the enhancement of election security, and to execute any grant agreements required to access those funds from this date until the general election on November 3, 2020.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Olson, Wikstrom and Younggren.
Voting against: None
Meeting with the County Board was Scot Olson, Kittson County Emergency Manger. A discussion was held on COVID-19 if the County needed to have a policy in place for employee and the public for entering the courthouse. It was the consensus of the board to keep doors open, but continue to practice safe distancing procedures. Also to approve Resolutions Declaring Kittson County Flooding Disaster.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom and seconded by Commissioner Olson to adopt the following resolution:    #20-29
Declaring a State of Emergency In Kittson County
WHEREAS, the rain events between June 23 and July 3, 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 23 thru July 3 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 21st day of July, 2020, to be effective until such time as the Board of Commissioners has determined that the State of Emergency and threat of summer flooding has passed.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Olson, Wikstrom and Younggren.
Voting against: None
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom and seconded by Commissioner Olson to adopt the following resolution:         #20-30
Declaring a State of Emergency In Kittson County
WHEREAS, the rain events between July 15-17, 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 July 15-17 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 21st day of July, 2020, to be effective until such time as the Board of Commissioners has determined that the State of Emergency and threat of summer flooding has passed.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Olson, Wikstrom and Younggren.
Voting against: None
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom to accept Shirley Swenson, Interim Administrator Resignation. Payroll is to reduce her additional pay until the personnel committee and Shirley meet to determine her job duties further.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Olson to approve the Contract from Local 49ers.
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:
Commissioner’s Warrants
July 21, 2020    $170,766.18
Meal Reimbursements:    $13.76
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson to adopt the following resolution:            #20-31
VETERAN’S OPERATIONAL ENHANCEMENT GRANT
BE IT RESOLVED by THE KITTSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS that the County enter into the attached Grant Contract with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA) to conduct the following Program: County Veterans Service Office Operational Enhancement Grant Program. The grant must be used to provide outreach to the county’s veterans; to assist in the reintegration of combat veterans into society; to collaborate with other social service agencies, educational institutions, and other community organizations for the purposes of enhancing services offered to veterans; to reduce homelessness among veterans; and to enhance the operations of the county veterans service office, as specified in Minnesota Laws 2013 Chapter 142 Article 4. This Grant should not be used to supplant or replace other funding.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Kittson County Board of Commissioners that Wayne Jacobson, the
Kittson County Veterans Service Officer, be authorized to execute the attached Grant Contract for the abovementioned Program on behalf of the County.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Olson, Wikstrom and Younggren.
Voting against: None
Committee Reports were given.
A discussion on the managed IT position, it was the consensus of the board to stay with Wikstrom Telephone Co at this time.
A discussion regarding the office of the County Administrator’s to the County Board room, so the new County Administrator would be more available to the public. No action was taken at this time.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren to continue with weekly board meetings.
Budget meeting will be held on Tuesday, August 4, 2020 at 8:00 a.m.
LELS Union Meeting is scheduled for July 28, 2020 with the time to be determined.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstom, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.
The Board adjourned to July 28, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
Theresia Gillie, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST: Debra Costin,
County Board Clerk
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KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
July 28, 2020
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on Tuesday, July 28, 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 Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the agenda for 7/28/20.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the Quin Community Health Board Joint Affiliate Data Sharing Agreement.
Meeting with the County Board was Scot Olson, Kittson County Emergency Manger. A discussion was held on COVID19 regarding employees not wearing a face mask. Scot stated he has face shields if an employee doesn’t want to wear a face mask for personal reason or due to medical reason. Scot will draw up employee requirement notice and email to all employees. Scot and the department head will talk to the employee(s) if they continue to not wear a mask. Kathy Johnson, Social Services Director, wanted to know relating to payroll procedures how COVID19 rules will apply when the school year begins and what to do if we have employees that need to stay home due to spouse may be infected.
For CARES ACT, Theresia stated she would like to form a committee to go over the grants. Commissioner Younggren, Commissioner Gillie, Scot Olson volunteered. And also the need to contact a school and hospital representative and Shirley Swenson, financial officer.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the Primary & General Election Recount Agreement with Sec of State.
Deb Costin, Payroll Benefits Adm, informed the County Board on the process of the new Payroll Software Demos conducted by MnCCC.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.
The Board adjourned to August 4, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
Theresia Gillie, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST: Debra Costin,
County Board Clerk
(August 12, 2020)
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