Kittson County Board Proceedings
KITTSON COUNTY BOARD
PROCEEDINGS
December 29, 2020
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 9:00 a.m.
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.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the meeting minutes from December 15, 2020.
Meeting with the County Board was Environmental Services Director/ Emergency Manager Scot Olson to present information on the hazard mitigation planning process. An update on the construction of Enbridge Line 3 and COVID-19 was also provided.
Meeting with the County Board was Social Services Director Kathy Johnson to present the 2021 contract for the Rural Transportation Collaborative volunteer driver services. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve the contract.
Meeting with the County Board was County Assessor Heather Bruley to present valuation changes for approval. A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the changes as presented. Assessor Bruley also provided an update on the valuation conversion process for both agricultural and city properties, and Board of Appeal and Equalization training for 2021.
Meeting with the County Board was Assistant County Engineer Keith Klegstad to present final payments on multiple projects from 2020 for approval. A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve final payment on SP 3508-28. A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve final payment on SAP 035-607-022 and SAP 035-607-023. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve final payment on SAP 035-614-008 and SAP 035-614-009.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Johnson 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 27, 2020 $ 770.70
November 30, 2020 $ 124,559.54
December 1, 2020 $1,099,592.61
December 15, 2020 $ 315,666.12
December 15, 2020 $ 100,612.54
December 21, 2020 $ 12,454.88
December 23, 2020 $ 73,569.51
Commissioner’s Warrants
December 31, 2020 $ 334,063.61
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the per diems and expense sheets.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the professional services agreement.
Meeting with the County Board was Zoning Administrator Lane Nordin to present the 2021 AIS Plan for approval. A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the 2021 AIS Plan as presented.
County Administrator Dillon Hayes presented updates to the Kittson County Personnel Policy for approval. These updates included the incorporation of longevity pay language to match that which was already approved in the two collective bargaining agreements, the prohibition of extensions to probationary employment, and requiring department heads to file individual department policies with the County Administrator following approval by the County Board. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the Personnel Policy changes as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to approve the 2021 Ambulance Service agreement with the correction to the year noted in the second paragraph from “2020” to “2021”.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve assessing delinquent garbage bills certified by the cities on the taxes payable in 2021.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to authorize the County Administrator to amend the 2020 budgets as needed.
County Administrator Hayes provided an update on the new business grant program for COVID relief established by the State of Minnesota for administration by the counties. After some discussion a motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to administer the program in-house and include utilization of a committee to review applications.
County Administrator Hayes provided an update on the expiration of FFCRA and EFMLA programs established by the Federal government in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Administrator Hayes noted that a number of options exist to address the expiration of these programs, including an independent extension of the FFCRA terms, allowing employees to go “in the hole” with their sick leave if sufficient time was not banked, or simply letting the FFCRA expire and revert to existing policies. A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to direct Administrator Hayes to draft a policy for approval at the subsequent meeting in order to allow employees to go “in the hole” with their sick leave for up to two weeks.
Notice of an outlet petition hearing on County Ditch 10, committee appointments and vacancies, a Certificate of Excellence from MCIT, and correspondence from the Minnesota Campaign Finance Board were presented for information.
A motion was made by Commissioner Wikstrom and seconded by Commissioner Olson to adopt the following resolution: #20-43
AUTHORIZE PARTICIPATION IN
PLANNING PROCESS & EXECUTION OF AGREEMENT
WHEREAS, the County of Kittson, State of Minnesota is participating in a hazard mitigation planning process as established under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000; and
WHEREAS, the Act establishes a framework for the development of a multi-jurisdictional hazard mitigation plan; and
WHEREAS, the Act, as part of the planning process, requires public involvement and local coordination among neighboring local units of government and business; and
WHEREAS, the County will lead the planning effort with the assistance of consultants and the State of Minnesota mitigation staff; and
WHEREAS, the County will provide staff and resources from departments related to mitigation, will facilitate participation of jurisdictions within the county, and provide quarterly reporting on plan progress; and
WHEREAS, the plan must include a risk assessment including past hazards, hazards that threaten the county, maps of hazards, an estimate of structures at risk, estimate of potential dollar losses for each hazard, a general description of land uses and future development trends; and
WHEREAS, the plan must include a mitigation strategy including goals and objectives and an action plan identifying specific mitigation projects and costs; and
WHEREAS, the plan must include a maintenance or implementation process including plan updates, integration of plan into other planning documents and how the county will maintain public participation and coordination; and
WHEREAS, the draft plan will be shared with the State of Minnesota and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for coordination of state and federal review and comment on the draft; and
WHEREAS, approval of the all hazard mitigation plan will make the county eligible to receive Hazard Mitigation Assistance grants as they become available.
NOW THEREFORE, Be it resolved that the Kittson County Board of Commissions will enter into an agreement with the Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management in the Minnesota Department of Public Safety for the program entitled Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) for the update of the Kittson County Hazard Mitigation plan.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT, Scot E. Olson, Emergency Management Director, is hereby authorized to execute and sign such agreements and any amendments hereto as are necessary to implement the plan on behalf of the Kittson County Board of Commissions.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Wikstrom, Gillie, Johnson, Olson, and Younggren.
Voting against: None
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Wikstrom and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.
The Board adjourned to January 5, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
Theresia Gillie,
Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Dillon Hayes,
Kittson County Administrator
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KITTSON COUNTY BOARD
PROCEEDINGS
January 5, 2021
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on January 5, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. All members were present.
The meeting was called to order by County Administrator Hayes. The pledge to the flag was given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the agenda with the addition of Item 17 related to the business relief grant program.
Administrator Hayes opened the floor to nominations for Board Chair. Commissioner Younggren nominated Commissioner Gillie for Board Chairperson with Commissioner Johnson seconding the nomination. A motion was then made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Commissioner Gillie for Board Chairperson. Motion carried.
Administrator Hayes then turned the meeting over to Chairperson Gillie, who then opened the floor to nominations for Vice Chair. Commissioner Gillie nominated Commissioner Younggren for Board Chairperson with Commissioner Olson seconding the nomination. A motion was then made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Commissioner Younggren for Board Vice Chairperson. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve updated committee appointments for 2021.
Pursuant to the mailed notice bids were received and opened publicly for publishing in 2021. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the following resolution: #21-01
2021 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 2021 County Board Proceedings pursuant to Minnesota Statute 375.12, Financial Statement for Kittson County for 2020 pursuant to Minnesota Statute 375.17, the list of real estate taxes remaining delinquent in Kittson County on the first day of January 2021 pursuant to Minnesota Statute 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 2020 shall be published pursuant to Minnesota Statute 375.17 and all other legal notices required by the county.
Voting in Favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Kraulik, Olson, and Younggren
Voting Against: None
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the following resolution: #21-02
2021 PER DIEMS & MEAL REIMBURSEMENTS
BE IT RESOLVED that the Kittson County Board of Commissioners hereby sets the following per diem and reimbursement rates for 2021:
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 of $0.56 per mile.
Voting in Favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Kraulik, Olson, and Younggren
Voting Against: None
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the following resolution: #21-03
COUNTY ATTORNEY 2021
REIMBURSEMENT
BE IT RESOLVED that Brink, Sobolik, Severson, Malm & Albrecht Law Office shall be reimbursed at the rate of $4,275.00 per month for 2021 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, Kraulik, Olson, and Younggren
Voting Against: None
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to set the Board meeting schedule for 2021, with meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to set the pocket gopher rate for 2021 at $1.00.
Sheriff Mark Wilwant presented a recommendation to hire Randall Masloski as a full-time Dispatcher/Jailer at B-23-4 Step 1, and hire Rustee Weleski and Genevieve Holm as part-time intermittent Dispatcher/Jailers at B-23-4 Step 1. A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the hiring of the three individuals as presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the amended COVID-19 Response Plan.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to authorize the concurrent posting of the Deputy Assessor and Assessor Trainee positions, with only one of the aforementioned positions to be filled, dependent upon the applications received.
Administrator Hayes provided an update on the business relief grant program. The Board discussed the appointment of a committee to review applications and the proposed maximum award amount of $15,000.
Committee reports were given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to adjourn to January 19, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
Theresia Gillie,
Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Dillon Hayes,
Kittson County Administrator
(January 27, 2021)
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