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KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS March 15, 2022

KITTSON COUNTY BOARD
PROCEEDINGS
March 15, 2022

The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on March 15, 2022 at 9:05 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 Olson and unanimously carried to approve the agenda.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the Board minutes from March 1, 2022.
Julie Huber, Enbridge Consultant met with the Commissioners and provided an update on the Enbridge project Line 3, renamed now to line 93 which is carrying product through the pipeline since October of 2021. This was a $9 billion private investment to construct the new pipeline. Huber presented a plaque to Kittson County in thanks for its support during the construction of the new line. Huber also shared information on 811, call before you dig to locate utilities.
Jeanna Kujava, Public Health Director presented an update on COVID-19 numbers which are trending down and provided free home test kits to persons present at the meeting. Kits are available by contacting Public Health.
Scot Olson presented Resolution #22-07 Declaring a State of Emergency due to Spring Flooding. Motion made by Commissioner Gillie, second by Commissioner Johnson and approved unanimously Resolution #22-07. Olson also shared information on the threshold for qualifying for state and federal flood disaster aid.
Andrea Weleski, County Engineer requested approval to advertise for the following maintenance contracts:
-Equipment rental
-Mowing
-Striping
-Re-gravel
-Aggregate Production
-Crack Filling
Bids turn-in date is April 14, 2022, contracts will be approved at the April 19, 2022 Board Meeting. A motion was made to approve the advertising made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and approved unanimously. Weleski stated that with the warmer weather that there is a need to set road weight restrictions. A motion by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and passed unanimously to set Road Weight Restrictions as outlined in Resolution #22-08 2022 Kittson County Road Restrictions.
Weleski shared with the board the resignations of two employees, Kris Thoriacius, 33 years and Shawn Anderson 37 years. With deepest regrets, Commissioner Gillie moved to accept the resignations, seconded by Commissioner Olson and approved unanimously. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik to approve the advertising of the two openings was passed unanimously.
The Commissioners offered a big thank you to the county highway snowplow crews for their dedication and work during this snow event filled season.
At 10:05 a.m. a motion was made by Commissioner Kraulik, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously carried to open the Public Hearing on the County Commissioner Re-Districting Plan. County Administrator Brian Buhmann presented the 2022 County Commissioner District Plan. Though the County lost 326 people from its county wide population, the change was not large enough for Kittson County to change or move any of the current boundaries for the County Commissioners Districts. This public hearing was held to meet the state requirements seeking public input even though there will be no changes. The Commissioner will be asked to approve the Re-Districting Plan at the April 19, 2022 Board meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously carried to close the Public Hearing at 10:08 a.m.
Administrator Buhmann presented two applications for solid waste management licenses for approval, Anderson Construction and Sanitation Services and MarKit Landfill. A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve re-licensing applicants.
At 10:15 a motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Olson to open the Public Hearing on the revision of the Kittson County Ordinance on tobacco sales. Administrator Buhmann presented that the ordinance was being revised to comply with State law which increased the legal age to purchase tobacco products or electronic delivery system of tobacco-based products to reflect the legal age of twenty-one (21) years old. The Public was encouraged to make comments to the changes before the County Commissioners approved the revision of the ordinance which is scheduled to occur at the April 19, 2022 Board meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to close the Public Hearing at 10:18 a.m.
Administrator Buhmann presented the contracts for fire protection to the Townships of Klondike and North Red River as provided for by the City of Lake Bronson Fire Department in the amounts of $1,578.85 for Klondike and City of Hallock $3,545.94-North Red River. Commissioner Olson made the motion for approving the contracts, and it was seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously approved the contracts.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously carried to approve the 2022 liquor license for the Wagon Wheel Ridge establishment.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the Bills and Meals Reimbursements. No Per Diems and Expense Sheets were submitted.
A complete listing of the bills can be viewed at the Financial Office.
Auditor’s Warrants
January 11, 2022 $ 110,189.00
March 2, 2022 $ 835,799.15
Commissioner’s Warrants
March 15, 2022 $ 344,938.78
Mark Wilwant, Kittson County Sheriff presented for Board approval remodeling bids to address the need in the current 911 server room. Bid for construction project is $2,800.00 and the electrician bid of $1,510.00 for a total of $4,310.00. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the bids for the remodel project in the 911 room. Sheriff Wilwant also requested from the Board permission to post for a full-time deputy. Sheriff Wilwant was asked to meet with personnel committee regarding his request and the committee will bring back a recommendation at the April 5, 2022 Board meeting.
Administrator Buhmann provided updates on a variety of items:
• Shared that administrator is monitoring which Townships have posted their checks from their Gas Tax Distribution 2022.
• March 7, 2022 attended the Kittson County Township Officer’s meeting and presented County updates to the members.
• Legislative updates on bills being tracked by the administrator.
HF 2821/SF 2670 ARMER radio grants
HF 3073/SF 2793 Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT)
First deadline for bills to be heard March 18, 2022. We’ve reached the midpoint of the legislative session.
Committee reports-were given by Commissioners.
Correspondence-Newspaper from the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) were passed out to the Commissioners. Of note was the article outlining the AMC County Achievement Award given to MarKit.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to adjourn at 10:41 a.m.
Loren Younggren,
Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST:
Brian E. Buhmann,
Kittson County Administrator
(April 13, 2022)
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