KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS February 3, 2022

KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS
February 3, 2022

The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on February 3, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. Commissioner Johnson attended via video and Commissioner Gillie being absent.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Younggren. The pledge to the flag was given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kraulik, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the agenda with the additions of advertising for CSAH 1 Project and a resolution with MNDOT for Hwy 75 Detour agreement.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the Board minutes with corrections from January 18, 2022.
Leah Hasson and Randi Reese Northwest Community Action, presented to the Commissioners the Blue Plus Vehicle Repair Program. Northwest Community Action received $40,000.00 from Blue Plus to offer low income clients help with vehicle repairs. Hasson and Reese are approaching each participating county requesting $10,000.00 to add to the initial grant. Social Services Director Kathy Johnson was in attendance and confirmed that there was funding in her budget to contribute to the request. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the request for $10,000.00.
Heather Bruley, County Assessor presented the findings of the annual state review of the Assessor’s Office by the Department of Revenue. Bruley explained areas needing future follow-ups for state compliance. Discussion with the Board included anticipated increases in property valuations for agricultural land, commercial property and residential properties in 2022 payable for 2023. Bruley explained that state standard for county assessors is to have property valuations placed between a range of 90-105% of the estimated market value. Currently many of our properties fall well below this range, some are valued as low as 25% of estimated market value.
Kathy Johnson, Social Services Director presented Minnesota Merit guidelines for EEO/AA for the County to adopt. A motion made by Commissioner Kraulik, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously approved to adapt the guidelines as presented. Johnson also shared information on a shared staff position with Pennington County for a Family Based Worker. Katrina Fessler is a Pennington County employee who will provide approximately 30% of her time working with Kittson County clients.
Andrea Weleski, County engineer presented for information only four options for County Ditch #13:
Option #1- Leave ditch and pipes as is. Ditch bottom will eventually silt back in and will create positive drainage to the legal ditch grade. Culverts will control the hydraulic flow from the increased slope-No cost
Option #2- Relay culvert on Twp. Rd. 161 to legal ditch grade. Raise inlet 1.6’ and raise outlet 0.5’. Meet with township to agree upon split cost of culvert replacement. Allow ditch to silt in to allow for positive drainage. Required-County Drainage Permit. Estimated costs-$23,750.00- 84î CMP, 88 ft.
Option #3- Add additional pipe at legal ditch grade. This requires a hydraulic capacity study on the ditch system and approved permits from the watershed. (*optional relaying of existing pipe). Requires-County drainage Permit, Watershed permit. Estimated costs: $10,000.00 Hydraulic
$ 1,400.00- 40’ of 24î CMP w/ bands, aprons (Twp. Rd. 161)
$ 2,200.00-65’ of 24î CMP w/ bands, aprons (CR 65)
$ 1,600.00-Labor
$15,000.00
Option #4- Lay new culverts at Twp. Rd. 161 and CR 65 along the current grade. Petition for a ditch improvement (103E.215). This requires a hydraulic capacity study. The improvement process is conducted by the Watershed. Estimated costs for a single pipe is $23,750.63, and estimated costs for a double pipe is $33,660.32.
County Commissioners are to review and research the options before the next Ditch Board meeting.
Weleski updated the Board on the CSAH 1 Right of Way process. At this time only twenty-six (26) percent of land owners have signed on to the agreement for land purchase. Weleski, Commission-er Gillie and Johnson are in discussion with remaining property owners. Weleski asked to advertise the following for bids:
SAP 035-601-035 from CSAH 1 to N. Jct. of CSAH 10/Grading, Culverts, Base and Bituminous
SAP 035-601-037 from CSAH 1 to N. Jct. of CSAH 10/Mill and Overlay
SAP 035-619-009 from T.H. 11 to S. Jct. of CSAH 7/Mill and Overlay
SAP 035-619-010 from N. Jct. of CSAH 7 to CSAH 10/Mill and Overlay
The last three are the backup projects if Kittson County cannot move forward with 035-601-035. A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Olson unanimously approved to advertise for bids for project SAP 035-601-035. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson and seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously approved to advertise for projects SAP-035-619-009 and 035-619-010. The Board asked for additional information on the SAP 035-601-037 and will be discussed at the next meeting.
County Administrator Buhmann added a request from Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT). At the December 9, 2021 Board meeting, a motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the Detour Agreement. MNDOT is requesting to have a County Board Resolution in addition for the Detour Agreement for the 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. The State is willing to reimburse the County for the road life consumed by the detour. Commissioner Olson motioned for the Resolution and Commissioner Johnson seconded and the resolution passed with four 4 ayes-Younggren, Johnson, Kraulik and Olson. Commissioner Gillie was absent.
Weleski led a discussion regarding going to a single bid for heavy equipment. She spoke of the efficiencies of streamlining the stocking of parts for repairs and addressed employee safety when using equipment that the employee is familiar with instead of using different back-up equipment when their equipment is in for repairs.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the Bills and Meal Reimbursements. There we no per diems to take action on. A complete listing of the bills can be viewed at the Financial Office.
Auditors
January 1, 2022 $252,275.09
January 27, 2022 $249,037.29
Commissioners $54,504.85
Administrator Buhmann presented information to the Board on updating the computer software to Office 365, which includes a suite of Office programs. Funding for this upgrade would come from the American Rescue Plan Funding. Quote from Marco to install the software throughout the county departments is $28,000.00 and an annual fee of $12,000.00. A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren and seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously approved the software quote.
Administrator Buhmann presented a resolution #22-04 for the county to set the minimum salaries for the elected officials per MN Statutes 387.20 Subd. 2. and 388.18 Subd.2. For Kittson County this is for the County Sheriff’s position and the County Attorney’s position. Commissioner Johnson made the motion for the resolution and it was seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously approved to set the minimum salary for the County Sheriff’s Position and for the County Attorney’s Position. This is to set the minimum salaries, the Board is allowed to increase the salaries based on experience. This allows any potential candidate running for the offices to know what the minimum salary for the positions could be. #22-04
Kittson County Board of Commissioners:
Setting Minimum Salary for Elected Officials for Term Next Following
Whereas, under Minn. Stat. § 387.20 Subd. 2. (b) at the January meeting prior to the first date on which applicants may file for the office of the county sheriff, Kittson County Board of Commissioners shall set by resolution the minimum salary to be paid to the county sheriff for the term next following; and
WHEREAS, under Minn. Stat. § 388.18, Subd. 2., at the January meeting prior to the first date on which applicants may file for the office of the county attorney, Kittson County Board of Commissioners shall set by resolution the minimum salary to be paid to the county attorney for the term next following.
NOW, THERFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the minimum salary as set by the Kittson County Board of Commissioners for the elected positions for County Sheriff and County Attorney shall for the next term following be:
Sheriff $55,000.00
County Attorney $25,000.00
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve advertising for bids the demolition of structures on the following tax forfeited properties:
Parcel #035.0047600 Karlstad
#034.0013300 Humboldt
#034.0007600 Humboldt
Administrator Buhmann presented Resolution #22-05 Notice of Sale of 2021 Tax Forfeit Lands. Public auction to be conducted in the County Administrator’s Office on April 13, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. to sell properties listed on the resolution. A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren and seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve Resolution #22-05
2021 Notice of Public Sale of Tax Forfeit Lands
BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED, That the parcels of land forfeited to the State of Minnesota for nonpayment of taxes, appearing on the list filed with the County Administrator, which have been classified and appraised as proved by Minnesota Laws, 1935, Chapter 386, as amended, shall be offered for sale by the Kittson County Administrator on WEDNESDAY, April 13, 2022 at 11:00 a.m.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the terms of the sale shall be for cash only.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any individual who has delinquent property taxes on any other property in their name is prohibited from bidding on any tax forfeit property. In addition, an individual prohibited from bidding because they have delinquent taxes may not use another person to bid on the property for them.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That no one who could have repurchased a parcel of tax-forfeited land under M.S. 282.241 (non-conservation land) or M.S. 282.012 (conservation land) may purchase that same parcel of property at a private or public sale for less than (a) the sum of all taxes, special assessments, penalties, interest, and costs due at the time of forfeiture, as computed under M.S. 282.251, plus (b) any special assessments for improvements certified as of the date of sale.
2021 Tax Forfeited Properties for Sale
City of Karlstad
1. 35.0047600 **
Lot 11 except S 30ft of W 190ft & Sly
16ft of Lot 12 Blk 1
Minimum bid $300.00
City of Kennedy
1. 36.0045600
Lots 3 & 4 Blk A
Minimum bid $100.00
City of Hallock
1. 32.0033800
Lot 1 & S1/2 of Lot 2 Blk 6
Minimum bid $100.00
City of Lake Bronson
1. 37.0016800
W 270ft of Lot 17 & N 15ft of W 247ft lot 18 Blk 12
Minimum bid $1,500.00
City of St. Vincent
1. 39.0027000
Lots 1 & 2 Blk 89
Minimum bid $200.00
2. 39.0012400
Lots 7 & 8 Blk 89
Minimum bid $300.00
City of Humboldt
3. 34.0013300 **
Nly 30ft of lots 1-4 Blk 8
Minimum bid $200.00
4. 34.0007600
SE1/2 Lots 19 & 20 Blk 3
Minimum bid $200.00
5. 34.0011600
Lots 22-24 Blk 5
Minimum bid $200.00
** Dwellings will be removed by County
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the Snowmobile Safety Enforcement grant for 2022. The grant is used for safety training to the public by the Sheriff’s Department in the amount of $3,034.00.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the Off Highway Vehicle Safety Grant grant for 2022. The grant is used for safety training to the public by the Sheriff’s Department in the amount of $2,871.00.
A motion was made by Commissioner Kraulik and seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to publish the 2022 Kittson County Summary Budget in our designated newspapers.
Administrator Buhmann shared information from the Veteran’s Services Office of a special state commemorative coin being available to Gulf War and War against Terrorism veterans who served in the armed forces after 9/11.
Committee reports-Commissioner Younggren highlighted the MN Extension Committee that the County Administrator and he attended.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to adjourn at 11:30 a.m.
Loren Younggren,
Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Brian E. Buhmann,
Kittson County Administrator
(February 23, 2021)
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