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Kittson County Board Proceedings

KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
December 9, 2021

The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment, on Thursday, December 9, 2021 at 5 p.m. The following members were present; Commissioners Gillie, Younggren, Kraulik, Olson, Johnson and County Administrator Brian Buhmann.
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 Olson and unanimously carried to approve the agenda with noted changes.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the meeting minutes from November 16, 2021.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the bills & meals reimbursements, with a detailed listing kept on file in the finance office.
Auditor’s Warrants
November 8, 2021 $ 75,591.13
November 12, 2021 $ 98,679.53
November 19, 2021 $ 568,076.57
November 22, 2021 $ 6,063.61
November 22, 2021 $ 75,322.03
November 24, 2021 $ 8,888.15
Commissioner’s Warrants
December 14, 2021 $ 180,085.90
5:05 p.m. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to close the Board meeting under MN Statutes 13D.Subp. 03 Evaluation of the performance of an employee who is subject to Board authority Corey Rich. Sheriff Wilwant joined the closed session. 5:20 p.m. A motion was made by Commissioner Kraulik, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously passed to open the closed session.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the resignation of Corey Rich.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kraulik, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the posting of a part-time Sheriff’s Deputy Work Classification of C-43-4.
Andrea Weleski, County Engineer met with the Board of Commissioners and presented a Minnesota Department of Transportation Detour Agreement for a proposed detour of highway 75 for bridge replacement, grading and bituminous mill and surfacing. The state requires a detour to carry Trunk Highway 75 traffic on County State Aid Highway 6, County State Aid Highway 12 and County State Aid Highway 16 and County Road 71 during the construction. State is willing to reimburse the County for the road life consumed by the detour.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the Detour Agreement.
Weleski next presented replacement vehicle quotes for a 2022 F150 XLT AWD and a 2022 Ford Explorer XLT 4WD to the Commissioners.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the quote for the F-150 XLT AWD from C&M for $38,800.00.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the quote for the Ford Explorer XLT 4WD from C&M Ford for $40,500 with a trade in of $13,500.
Weleski shared with the Board that she had passed her civil engineer test to become licensed. Congratulations was shared with her for this accomplishment.
Kathy Johnson, Social Services met with the Board on six items. Johnson presented for approval the Consumer Support Program Coordination Agreement with Polk County. A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the agreement.
Next Johnson presented the 2022 Department of Human Services contract for Children’s Mental Health Screening Grant in the amount of $1,129.00. A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the contract.
2022 MN CareerForce/DEED Employment Services Contract for $12,642.00 was presented. Kittson County Social Services utilizes the Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) funding of $37,974.00 to purchase the services and still retains $23,332.00 for in Home Services. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the contract.
Johnson presented the 2022 contract with Alluma (formerly NW Mental Health Center) for $9,201 for children’s mental health services, outpatient services, outpatient program support and mental health targeted case management clinical supervision. A motion was made by Commissioner Kraulik, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the contract. The Tri-Valley Transportation contract for the transportation of Medical Assistance (MA) clients was presented to the Board by Johnson. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and passed unanimously to approve the contract as presented.
Johnson’s last item was asking for Board permission to use the lower meeting room for the Holiday Helpers during the holidays. A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the usage of the room.
County Administrator Brian Buhmann presented Resolution #21-36 to the Commissioner pertaining to the national Opioids Settlement agreement asking that the County Administrator have permission to sign the documentations which will allow Kittson County to receive the funding for the settlement. A resolution was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the County Administrator to sign the required documents and submit them before the end of 2021. #21-36
Minnesota Opioids Settlement
BE IT RESOLVED that the Kittson County Board of Commissioners has granted approval for the County administrator to sign on behalf of Kittson County to the Minnesota Memorandum of Agreement with the Minnesota State Attorney General’s office and the two ensuing documents with Distributor Subdivision Settle Participation form (Via DocuSign) and the Janssen Subdivision Settlement Participation Form (Via DocuSign).
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Kraulik, Olson and Younggren.
At 5:59 p.m. a motion was made by Commissioner Kraulik, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to adjourn the Board meeting to attend the Truth and Taxation Meeting. At 6 p.m. a motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried Open the Truth and Taxation Meeting At 6:57 p.m. a motion was made by Commissioner Kraulik, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to adjourn the Truth and Taxation Meeting. At 6:59 p.m. a motion was made by Commissioner Kraulik, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to re-open the County Board meeting.
Administrator Buhmann presented to the Commissioners a Resolution #21-35 setting the 2022 Ditch levies for Kittson County. Make the resolution was Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously. #21-35
2022 DITCH LEVIES
BE IT RESOLVED that the Kittson County Board of Commissioners has set the budget and levies for 2021 for the ditches in Kittson County as follows:
County 2022 2022 County 2022 2022
Ditch # Levy Expenses Ditch # Levy Expenses
#1 -0- 1,500 #28 3,000 5,000
#4 5,500 3,000 #29 0 1,000
#8 8,000 8,000 #30 1,000 1,000
#9 8,000 8,000 #31 5,000 3,000
#11 0 500 #33 1,500 0
#12 5,000 0
#13 7,500 7,500 State 2020 2020 #14 2,000 1,000 Ditch # 2020 Levy Expenses
#15 0 2,000 #1 6,000 4,000
#16 -0- 2,000 #48 1,000 500
#17 -0- 1,000 #84 20,000 10,000
#18 -0- 5,000 #85 -0- 6,000
#19 17,500 1,500
#20 3,500 0
#22 2,500 2,500 Judicial 2020 2020 #23 5,000 5,000 Ditch # Levy Expenses
#25 2,500 1,500 #31 11,500 1,000
#26 -0- 1,000 #32 0 0
#27 4,500 1,500
Set by Joint Ditch Boards:
Joint Ditch # 2022 Levy 2022 Expenses
# 33 0 0
#50 0 1,500
#72 3,000 3,000
#90 20,000 10,000
#95 0 0
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Kraulik, Olson and Younggren.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to appoint Paul Johnson to the Board of Managers of the Two Rivers Watershed District.
Administrator Buhmann presented to the Board an update on the Noyes Property Auction, no bidders so the property will now be available for an over the counter purchase on a first come basis.
Board Committee reports were given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 7:17 p.m.
Theresia Gillie, Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Brian E. Buhmann, Kittson County Administrator
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KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
December 21, 2021

The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment, on Tuesday, December 21, 2021 at 9:05 a.m. The following members were present; Commissioners Gillie, Younggren, Kraulik, Olson, Johnson and County Administrator Brian Buhmann.
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 carried to approve the agenda with noted changes.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the meeting minutes from December 9, 2021.
Ryan Erdmann from the Association of Minnesota Counties joined the meeting via Facetime to present the 2021 AMC Achievement Award to Dale Nelson on behalf of the MARKIT solid waste facility. The best example of county partnership as MARKIT is a joint venture with Marshall County.
Tracee Bruggeman from Brady Martz and Associates, presented the 2020 Kittson County Financial Audit Report to the Commissioners. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the 2020 Audit Report and the recommendations from the auditing firm.
Auditor’s Warrants
December 8, 2021 $ 864.75
December 10, 2021 $ 250,842.49
December 17, 2021 $ 762,914.05
Commissioner’s Warrants
December 21, 2021 $ 225,283.43
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve per diems, meal reimbursements and payment of the following amounts with a detailed listing maintained on file in the Finance Office.
Engineer Andrea Weleski presented a request to use funding from a highway department auction ( $34,291.80) and reserves ($4,508.00) from the 2021 highway department to purchase a 2022 F150 4×4 Supercab to replace a 1997 orange pickup in their fleet. The quote from C & M Ford from the last board meeting would be used to purchase this vehicle for $38,800.00. A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the purchase of the 2022 F150 4×4 Supercab.
Weleski lead a discussion on changes occurring to Class A licensing anticipated in February of 2022 of an increase in fees in the $1-5,000 dollar range. There continues to be efforts to try and bring the MNDOT test lab to a more regional location versus sending staff to Eagan, MN for testing. A discussion on bridge inspector training, a 2 week course, and the difficulties of signing staff up to attend the course and the benefits of having a trained staff at the highway department was held.
Kathy Johnson, Social Services Director presented for Board approval of the Kittson HealthCare Contract for care coordination of services paid for through medical assistance. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the Kittson HealthCare Contract. Next contract was with the State of Minnesota for IV-D Contract for Child Support that required an electronic signature. A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the contract. Lastly, Johnson presented the yearend report from the Northwest 8 Local Advisory Council (LAC) a regional advisory council for Adult Mental Health Services. A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to accept the report.
Scot Olson presented a proposal to the Board of the possibility of selling the Emergency Management school bus. Discussion of the initial investment in purchasing and outfitting the bus was discussed as well as the potential on-going expenses to maintain, insure, license and storing the bus. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve advertising for sealed bids for the bus. The state of Minnesota was waiting on FEMA to award funds to the Minnesota counties like Kittson County whose plan expired in 2021. FEMA Region 5 just approved those funds for us this week. The State can now have the Contractor (UMD) begin work on this project with Olson.
A motion was made on Resolution 21-37 by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously approved to set the 2022 Salaries for the Elected Officials. #21-37
2022 ELECTED
BE IT RESOLVED that the salaries paid to the elected and appointed officials are hereby established for the period of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 at the following rates:
Mark Wilwant, County Sheriff $ 95,165.41
Robert Albrecht, County Attorney $ 43,468.69
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Kraulik, Olson and Younggren.
A motion was made on Resolution 21-37A by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously approved to set the 2022 Salaries for the Appointed Officials and Non-Union Employees. #21-37A
2022 Appointed Officials and Non-Union Employees
BE IT RESOLVED that the salaries paid to the appointed officials are hereby established for the period of January 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022 at the following rates:
Brian Buhmann, County Administrator $ 97,559.90
Heather Bruley, County Assessor $ 88,358.40
Kristen Hultgren, County Recorder $ 87,734.40
Andrea Weleski, County Engineer $115,000.00*
Kathy Johnson, County Social
Services Director $97,780.80
Non-Union employees will receive a $0.75/hour salary adjustment for 2022.
*per contract agreement
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Kraulik, Olson and Younggren.
A motion was made on Resolution 21-38 by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously approved to set the 2022 Salaries for the Kittson County Commissioners and the Per Diems. #21-28
2022 COUNTY BOARD SALARY
BE IT RESOLVED that the salary for the County Board of Commissioners for the year 2022 shall be $. 24,507.24
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution shall be published in accordance with Minnesota Statute 375.055.
2021 Per Diem rates are:
Less than 4 hour meeting $60.00
4 hour or greater meeting $80.00
2022 Per Diem rates will be:
Less than 4 hour meeting $60.00
4 hour or greater meeting $90.00
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Kraulik, Olson and Younggren.
A motion was made on Resolution 21-39 by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously approved to set the 2022 Budget and tax levy. #21-39
2022 BUDGET AND TAX LEVY
WHEREAS, Department Administrators presented proposed budgets to the County Board for the year 2022, and
WHEREAS, said proposed budgets have been reviewed by the County Board and amended to a final budget amount for the following funds:
Revenue $ 5,341,780
Road & Bridge $ 6,516,647
Social Services $ 1,547,106
TOTAL $13,405,533
This provides for a tax levy for taxes to be collected in 2022 in the amount of $4,456,954.00
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the budget for 2022 is hereby approved with the tax levy amount as follows:
Revenue $3,471,651
Road & Bridge $1,039,030
Social Services $ 421,412
TOTAL $4,932,093
Less State Paid Aids $ 475,139
NET LEVY $4,456,954
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the budgets are approved with the provisions that no major capital purchase of $2,000 may be made without first obtaining approval from the County Board or Purchasing Committee.
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Kraulik, Olson and Younggren.
A motion was made on Resolution 21-40 by Commissioner Kraulik, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously approved to apply for a VEGA-3 grant for election equipment. #21-40
2022 Application for VEGA-3 Grants
BE IT RESOLVED that Kittson County is applying for VEGA-3 Grant funding to purchase Voting Equipment Grant funds will be used only to purchase (1) an electronic voting system, or any individual component of an electronic voting system as provided I section 206.56, subdivision 8; (2) assistive voting technology; or (3) an electronic roster system meeting the technology requirements of section 201.225, subdivision 2
Voting in favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Kraulik, Olson and Younggren.
Administrator Buhmann announced the Joint Public Hearing with Roseau County to discuss plans for the partial alterations of State Ditch 72 and State Ditch 95 will be held January 11, 2022 at 10 a.m. in the Kittson County Board room 410 5th St. S. Hallock, MN and also at the Roseau County Courthouse, 605 5th Ave SW Roseau, MN. All interested parties may appear and be heard at the time and place set forth above, may file written comments with the Kittson County Administrator or the Roseau Auditor-Recorder. Detailed alterations may be viewed by request. Comments may be sent by email to bbuhmann@co.kittson .mn.us or martie@co.roseau.mn.us
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the Feedlot Agreement with MCPA.
A motion made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to remove Dillon Hayes and add Brian Buhmann to the CD’s that Kittson County has with Prime Security Bank.
Overtime reports were reviewed by the Board.
Board Committee reports were given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:54 a.m.
Theresia Gillie, Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Brian E. Buhmann, Kittson County Administrator
(January 12, 2022)
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