KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS February 15, 2022
KITTSON COUNTY BOARD
PROCEEDINGS
February 15, 2022
The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on February 15, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. All Commissioners being present.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Younggren. 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 additions of information on the Northern County Land Use Coordinating Board (NCLUCB) and Minnesota legislative updates.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the Board minutes from February 3, 2022.
Veteran Services Officer Wayne Jacobson met with the Commissioners and provided an update on 196 local veterans utilizing services provided by the Fargo, ND VA Hospital. Jacobson also shared information on Senate File (SF) 2879 that is be proposed to exempt eligible disabled veterans for paying certain registration taxes, license, license plate fees, title fees, driver license’s and identification card fees and motor vehicle sales taxes. Jacobson shared information regarding the Middle River Veterans Outdoors Fishing Adventure in which Humana increased their sponsorship to $7,000.00 to support this activity.
Andrea Weleski, County Engineer presented an update on the CSAH #1 right of way acquisition. County is currently at 49% of land owners being signed on board. Will continue to work with Commissioners Johnson and Gillie in speaking with the remaining land owners to convince them to approve this road improvement project. Weleski announced that the highway department is advertising for seasonal summer help. Weleski presented The Kittson County Guidelines, Legal Ditch Policy and Legal Ditch Repair Permit for board approval. Board asked to bring the policy and permitting back to a later board meeting to give them time to review the material presented.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the Bills and Meal Reimbursements.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the Per Diems and Expense Sheets.
A complete listing of the bills can be viewed at the Financial Office.
Commissioner’s Warrants
February 15, 2022 $176,559.04
Per Diems $ 330.00
Administrator Buhmann asked the Board to amend the Board minutes from December 9, 2021 as a wrong copy of Resolution #21-35 2022 Ditch Levies was used in the minutes. He explained that the correct Resolution with the correct levy amounts were included in the original Board meeting packet and presented for approval at the meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson and seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously approved the amending of the December 9, 2021 minutes to include the correct Resolution #21-35.
Administrator Buhmann asked the Board to amend resolution #21-35 as it contained a levy amount for Joint Ditch #50 which had been turned over to the Two Rivers Watershed in early August of 2021. As Joint Ditch #50 was no longer under Kittson County authority, we were unable to set a levy on this ditch. Commissioner Johnson made the motion and it was seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously approved to amend Resolution #21-35 to remove Joint Ditch #50.
Administrator Buhmann presented a request to begin the March 1, 2022 Board meeting thirty minutes earlier to allow for the travel plans for members planning to attend the AMC Legislative Conference in St. Paul, MN. Consensus of the Board was to keep the regular 9 a.m. start time and if a Commissioner needed to could excuse themselves from the meeting.
Administrator Buhmann provided updates on a variety of items:
• Shared a spreadsheet of Gas Tax Distribution to Townships for 2022
• Informed Board of Election training for county staff scheduled for April.
• Discussion on tiling of agricultural land which was mentioned in a meeting with Enbridge staff. Shared poster and 811 information. Land owners should call before tiling their fields.
• Discussion held on joining the Northern Counties Land Use Coordinating Board (NCLUCB) who currently are addressing the Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) compensation rates being paid to the northern counties for state owned land. Asked to revisit joining the organization at a later Board meeting.
• Presented Pine to Prairie Birding Trailing information to the Board.
• Legislative updates on bills being tracked by the administrator.
• Reminder of redistricting announcement for voting to occur at noon today.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and approved unanimously to join the Pine to Prairie Birding Trail for $500.00.
Committee reports-were given by Commissioners.
Correspondence-Administrator Buhmann shared a letter of support for Kittson Healthcare for grant funding from the Rural Hospital Capital Improvement Grant and the Rural Hospital Planning and Transition Grant Programs.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to adjourn at 10:30 a.m.
Loren Younggren,
Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Brian E. Buhmann,
Kittson County Administrator
(March 9, 2022)
––––––––––