Kittson County Board Proceedings Feb. 16 and Feb. 17, 2021

KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
February 16, 2021
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on Tuesday, February 16, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairperson Younggren. The pledge to the flag was given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the agenda.
Meeting with the County Board was Tracee Bruggeman with Brady Martz to present the 2019 Audited Financial Statements.
Meeting with the County Board was Keith Klegstad, Assistant County Engineer. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik to authorize advertising for SAP 035-601-035, 035-601-036 and 035-606-024. After some discussion a motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to amend the original motion by removing
SAP 035-601-035 for further discussion at a later date.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the pest elimination services agreement with Ecolab for cockroach and rodent preventive services at the Hallock Highway shop. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to authorize the Highway Department to make an application for Local Road Improvement Program funding for CSAH 10.
Meeting with the County Board was Jeremy Benson with Kittson SWCD to discuss 1W1P implementation agreement options and buffer law enforcement. After some discussion the Board’s consensus was that the joint powers collaboration implementation framework would be preferable over the alternative, a joint powers entity.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the meeting minutes from January 19, 2021. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the meeting minutes from February 2, 2021.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve payment of the following amounts, with a detailed listing maintained on file in the Finance Office:
Auditor’s Warrants
January 22, 2021 $ 85,229.18
January 25, 2021 $160,949.05
February 2, 2021 $219,790.71
February 8, 2021 $ 70,067.81
February 9, 2021 $107,215.65
Commissioner’s Warrants
February 16, 2021 $150,016.18
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve per diems and expense sheets.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren to adopt the following resolution: #21-04
SUPPORT A ROSEAU RIVER
WATERSHED ONE WATERSHED,
ONE PLAN
WHEREAS the Minnesota Board of Soil and Water Resources has developed policies for coordination and development of comprehensive watershed management plans, also known as One Watershed, One Plan, consistent with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103B.801, Comprehensive Watershed Management Planning Program; and
WHEREAS Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103B.301, Comprehensive Local Water Management Act, authorizes Minnesota Counties to develop and implement a local water management plan; and
WHEREAS Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103D.401, Watershed Management Plan, authorizes Minnesota Watershed Districts to develop and implement a watershed management plan; and
WHEREAS Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103C.331, subdivision 11, Comprehensive Plan, authorizes Minnesota Soil and Water Conservation Districts to develop and implement a comprehensive plan; and
WHEREAS the counties, soil and water conservation districts, and watershed districts within the Roseau River Watershed, as delineated in the attached One Watershed, One Plan Suggested Boundary Map, have interest in developing a comprehensive watershed management plan for this area.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Kittson County Board of Commissioners that Kittson County recognizes and supports watershed-scale planning efforts consistent with Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 103B.801, also known as One Watershed, One Plan; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Kittson County Board of Commissioners that Kittson County supports an application to the Board of Water and Soil Resources for a planning grant to develop a comprehensive watershed management plan.
Voting in Favor: Commissioners Gillie, Kraulik, Olson, and Younggren
Voting Against: Commissioner Johnson
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson to adopt the following resolution: #21-05
COUNTY ENGINEER QUALIFICATIONS
WHEREAS Minnesota Statutes section 163.07 subdivision 1 requires the county board of each county to appoint and employ a county highway engineer; and
WHEREAS pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 163.07 subdivision 2, the county highway engineer must be a citizen and resident of the State of Minnesota; and
WHEREAS approximately 40% of Minnesota counties border adjacent states and/or countries, and Kittson County, in particular, borders both an adjacent state and country, thereby eliminating otherwise qualified individuals from employment as a county highway engineer; and
WHEREAS Minnesota counties are finding it increasingly difficult to compete with private industry for the services of registered highway or civil engineers; and
WHEREAS Minnesota Statutes Chapter 163 does not provide Minnesota counties the same flexibility afforded to other local government units in acquiring the services of a registered highway or civil engineer, though competitive and cost-effective options for contracted engineering services are readily available to make and prepare the surveys, estimates, plans, and specifications as required pursuant to Minnesota Statutes section 163.07 subdivision 1; and
WHEREAS the combination of these conditions and limitations has resulted in direct, negative, impacts to the citizens of Kittson County by increasing property taxes and reducing funding for highway construction and maintenance.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Kittson County Board of Commissioners hereby supports the amendment of Minnesota Statutes section 163.07 subdivision 2 by striking the fourth sentence of the subdivision, thereby eliminating residency requirements for the position of county highway engineer.
Voting in Favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Kraulik, Olson, and Younggren
Voting Against: None
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve a solid waste transportation license for Northern Sanitation.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to authorize hiring Stephanie Anderson as full-time Taxpayer Services Specialist at B22-1 Step 1 effective March 8, 2021.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kraulik, seconded by Commissioner Olson and carried to approve a Telework Policy with Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Kraulik and Olson voting in favor and Commissioner Younggren voting against.
County Administrator Dillon Hayes presented a quote from Marco for two new multi-function printers for Motor Vehicle. After some discussion this item was tabled for further review.
Administrator Hayes presented information regarding a redetermination of benefits on County Ditch 8, including information on a potential viewing team to prepare the necessary viewer’s report.
Administrator Hayes presented information regarding the potential transfer of multiple ditch systems to a new drainage authority, the Two Rivers Watershed District.
Committee Reports were given.
Administrator Hayes presented correspondence from the Northwestern Minnesota Juvenile Training Center, Johnson Controls, and Minnesota Rural Counties.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.
The Board adjourned to February 17 2021 at 1:00 p.m.
Theresia Gillie,
Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Dillon Hayes,
Kittson County Administrator
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KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
February 17, 2021
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on Wednesday, February 17, 2021 at 1:00 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Vice-Chairperson Younggren. The pledge to the flag was given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the agenda.
Meeting with the Board was Gary Weiers, Management Consultant with David Drown Associates Human Resources, Inc. Mr. Weiers provided an overview of the County Engineer search process and discussed related items with the Board.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to set the County Engineer salary range at $110,000 to $140,000.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to authorize reimbursing moving expenses up to $5,000.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to adjourn the meeting.
The Board adjourned to March 2, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.
Loren Younggren,
Kittson County Board Vice-Chair
ATTEST: Dillon Hayes,
Kittson County Administrator
(March 10, 2021)
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