KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
December 29, 2021
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment, on Wednesday, December 29, 2021 at 9:00 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 Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the agenda with noted addition.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the correction of meeting minutes from December 9, 2021.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the minutes from December 21, 2021 with the addition of the Agenda approval being a motion by Olson, seconded by Johnson and carried unanimously to approve the December 21, 2021 agenda.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kraulik, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the bills and meal reimbursements and payment of the following amounts with a detailed listing maintained on file in the Finance Office.
Auditor’s Warrants
November 18, 2021 $ 98,679.53
November 30, 2021 $ 78,737.02
December 27, 2021 $ 42,377.70
Commissioner’s Warrants
December 30, 2021 $ 106,881.63
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the payment of the Per Diems and Expenses.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to amend Resolution 21-37A to reflect the corrected salary amounts for:
Heather Bruley, County Assessor $ 88,358.40
Kristen Hultgren, County Recorder $ 87,734.40
Kathy Johnson, County Social Services Director $ 97,780.80
Engineer Andrea Weleski presented a resignation of Patrick Sobolik, motor grader effective January 1, 2022. A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to accept the resignation.
Weleski recommended offering the position to the next available candidate from the interview pool, Easton Fossell, Grade B-22-3, $21.60/hr. A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the hiring of Easton Fossell.
County Administrator Brian Buhmann presented four county owned property that will be made available for a three year lease:
Parcel Minimum Bid
P 03.0603500 Part SW1/4 lying S of Roseau River $ 900.00
Sec 34-164-45 approx 55 ac (Caribou)
P 03.0603520 Part of SW14 lying N of Roseau River $1,184.00
Sec 34-164-45 approx 90 ac (Caribou)
P 06.0605730 NW1/4SE1/4 & NE1/4SW1/4 Sec 34-159-46 $1,168.00
approx 80 ac (Deerwood)
P 21.0604380 E1/2NE1/4 Sec 35-164-48 approx 80 ac $1,132.00
(Richardville)
Current renters will be contacted by mail and the properties will be listed in the Kittson County Enterprise with their minimum bid requirements.
A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to approve any last minute year end bills. The list of bills will be shared with the Commissioners.
Board Committee reports were given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and passed unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:30 a.m.
Theresia Gillie, Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Brian E. Buhmann, Kittson County Administrator
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KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
January 4, 2022
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on January 4, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. All members were present.
The meeting was called to order by County Administrator Buhmann. 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 with the addition of Item 9 Highway Resolution to acquire Land for Highway Project SAP 035-601-035.
Administrator Buhmann opened the floor to nominations for Board Chair. Commissioner Gillie nominated Commissioner Younggren for Board Chairperson with Commissioner Johnson seconding the nomination. A motion was then made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously carried to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Commissioner Younggren for Board Chairperson. Motion carried.
Administrator Buhmann then turned the meeting over to Chairperson Younggren, who then opened the floor to nominations for Vice-Chair. Commissioner Gillie nominated Commissioner Johnson for Vice-Chairperson with Commissioner Kraulik seconding the nomination. A motion was then made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously carried to cease nominations and cast a unanimous ballot for Commissioner Johnson for Vice Chairperson. Motion carried.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the updated committee appointments for 2022.
Pursuant to the mailed notice bids were received and opened publicly for publishing in 2022. A motion was made by Commissioner Kraulik, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the second legal newspaper for Kittson County as the North Star News. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the following resolution:
#22-01
2022 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 2022 County Board Proceedings pursuant to Minnesota Statute 375.12, Financial Statement for Kittson County for 2021 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 2021 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 Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the following resolution: #22-02
COUNTY ATTORNEY 2021 REIMBURSEMENT
BE IT RESOLVED that Brink, Sobolik, Severson, Malm & Albrecht Law Office shall be reimbursed at the rate of $4,402.50.00 per month for 2022 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 Gillie and unanimously carried to approve the following resolution: #22-03
WHEREAS The Kittson County Highway Department proposes to reconstruct and improve a portion of CSAH 1 known as SAP 035-601-035, located between the Jct. of CSAH 7 and the north Jct. of CSAH 10,
WHEREAS the improvements consist of grading, culverts, base and bituminous of said roadway as herein determined necessary to provide for ultimate safety of the traveling public, and
WHEREAS in addition to the existing highway easement, certain lands are required to provide for reconstruction, and
WHEREAS Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, the Kittson County Highway Department has prepared a right of way plan. The plan is on file at the Engineer’s Office at 401 2nd Street SW, Hallock, MN 56728 and made a part of hereof, and which lands are more particularly described therein as follows:
SAP 035-601-035 Parcel Number and Names
1 Mike Thies and Janet Sedenquist Thies 18 Gary and Margerette Dahlgren
2 Chris and Pam Swenson Randy and Christine Dahlgren
3 Terry and Joan Osowski 19 Paul and Mary Kay Bernstrom
4 Jason and Susan Cadieux 20 Darrel and Jodi Johnson
5 Jon and Kristi Kegel 21 Peter and Polly Johnson
6 Darrel and Jodi Johnson 22 Peter and Polly Johnson
7 Mary L. Lear Living Trust 23 Peter and Polly Johnson
8 Kelly and Karen Erickson 24 Phillip and Jenelle Bengtson
9 S. & O. Beet Farms, Inc. 25 Gary and Carol Johnson
10 Paul and Mary Kay Bernstrom 26 Terry and Joan Osowski
11 Kelly and Karen Erickson 27 Darrel and Jodi Johnson
12 Scott and Sherri Klein & Kevin and Sonja Klein 28 Terry and Joan Osowski
13 Janice Holmquist Klein 29 Richard and Dawn Lindegard
14 JWL Living Trust David and Julie Lindegard
The Anderson Family Trust Joel and Lisa Lindegard
William Arthur Priebe 30 Robert and Sue Albrecht
and Susan Mary Priebe Trust Katheryn Anderson
15 Kevin and Sonja Klein 31 Ira and Frances Pankratz
16 Kevin and Sonja Klein
17 Kelly and Karen Erickson NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED That the County Board of Commissioners hereby authorize the County Engineer to proceed to acquire the fee simple absolute over said land in accordance with Minnesota Statutes.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED That the Kittson Count Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the acquisition of said land by eminent domain and to take title and possession of that land prior to the filing of an award by the court appointed commissioner, pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, and
BE IT FURTHER RESOVED That those lands as described herein, which cannot be acquired by direct negotiation, shall be acquired by eminent domain and the County hereby request the County Attorney to file the necessary petition therefore and to prosecute such action to a successful conclusion or until it is abandoned, dismissed or terminated by the Count or Court.
Voting in Favor: Commissioners Gillie, Johnson, Kraulik, Olson, and Younggren
Voting Against: None
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to set the Board meeting schedule for 2022, with meetings on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 9:00 a.m.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to set the pocket gopher rate for 2022 at $1.50. Administrator Buhmann to research about a county coyote bounty.
County Administrator Buhmann reviewed errors found in Resolution 21-35 and the date corrections made to the Resolution. A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the amended Resolution.
County Administrator Buhmann shared options for correcting the salaries listed in Resolution 21-37A for two employees, Kathy Johnson and Kristin Hultgren who are eligible for a longevity rate. Board discussion was held on the defining what the new base hourly rate as being the rate of pay after the eligible employee(s) received their initial longevity pay increase. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to set the employees base rate for
Kathy Johnson $53.95/hour
Kristin Hultgren $48.40/hour
Effective with the January 19, 2022 payroll
Committee reports were given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the Bills and Expense sheets.
Commissioners January 4, 2022 43929.13
Correspondence- Administrator Buhmann shared a letter he had received from Koochiching County Commissioner Sjoblom inviting Kittson County to participate in a Northern Coalition Regional Charging Network. Seeking funding to place Electronic Vehicle (EV) charging stations in the northern counties of Minnesota. Board directed Buhmann to express and initial interest to hear more about the coalition.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to adjourn to January 18, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.
Loren Younggren, Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Brian E. Buhmann, Kittson County Administrator
(January 26, 2022)
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