Kittson County Board of Commissioners May 17, 2022

The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on May 17, 2022 at 9:05 a.m. Commissioner Johnson absent from the meeting.
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 Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the Board minutes from May 3, 2022.
Personnel Committee
• Sheriff Deputy posting- Motion made by Commissioner Gillie, second by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to advertise the position.
• Approval of AFSCME Union Contract- Motion made by Commissioner Olson, second by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to approve the 2-year contract with AFSCME 3205 bargaining unit.
• Reappointment of Highway Engineer – Motion made by Commissioner Gillie, second by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to appoint Andrea Weleski to a four-year term as County Engineer.
• Welcome new taxpayer specialists- Introduction of Tracy Larson and April Klecker, Taxpayer Specialists in the Taxpayer Services Department.
• Appointment of Auditor/Treasurer- Motion made by Commissioner Gillie, second by Commissioner Olson and passed unanimously to appoint Brian Buhmann as the County Auditor/Treasurer.
• Part-time Janitor position- Motion made by Commissioner Gillie, second by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to advertise the position.
Heather Bruley-County Assessor presented to the Board for their consideration a revised Kittson County Abatement Policy for their review and consideration with the intent to have the policy approved at the next Board meeting.
Scot Olson- Environmental Services EMS Manager- requested approval of the Homeland Security and Emergency Management for Region 3 grant. Motion made by Commissioner Gillie, second by Commissioner Olson and approved unanimously to approve grant funding. Olson also shared information:
• Created new ID cards for Hallock and Kennedy Fire Departments
• Plans to move forward in selling of school bus at auction
• Sky warn class scheduled for May 19, 2022 at 6:30 p.m.
• Household hazardous collection planned for:
o June 9th 9-12p.m. Hallock Ice arena 1-2 p.m. at Kennedy school
o August 2, 2022 in Lancaster 9-11a.m. city shop; 11:30-12:30 p.m. city shop Lake Bronson, 1-3p.m. southside of school Karlstad.
Olson and Buhmann presented a request to make an addendum to the ambulance contracts for both Kittson and Tri-County Providers as there were issues raised in catchment service areas and personnel language in providing services in a countywide emergency. Motion made by Commissioner Olson, second by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to make the addendum to the contracts.
Patty Swanson-Kittson County Hospice introduced Macyn Lofstrom, the new incoming Hospice director. Swanson presented a presentation on the utilization of hospice services in Kittson County. This is the only fully volunteer supported program in the nation.
Commissioner’s Board meeting was recessed at 10:20 a.m. to allow for the video meeting hook-up for the scheduled Joint Ditch Authority Boards of Kittson and Roseau Counties to meet on the selection of an engineering firm for the Klondike Impoundment Project which includes State Ditches 72 and 95.
Joint Ditch Authority meeting began at 10:35 a.m. and lasted until 10:50 a.m. Boards approved the hiring of Houston Engineering, Erik Jones, MS, PE as their vendor.
Andrea Weleski, County Engineer requested approval
• Drainage Guidelines-tabled from last meeting-asked to be remain tabled to June 7, 2022 meeting
• Legal Ditch Policy-tabled from last meeting-asked to be remain tabled to June 7, 2022 meeting
• Approval of Re-gravel Bid – Thygeson Construction $213,651.73
Budget $191,250.00

A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, second by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to approve gravel bid from Thygeson Construction.
• Approval of Aggregate Production Bid (will be submitted on Monday) –
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, second by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to accept the RJ Zavoral & Sons.
• Updated culvert pricing, eliminate Culvert Purchasing Policy (has been incorporated into culvert pricing sheet) A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, second by Commissioner Gillie and passed unanimously to update pricing and eliminate the purchasing policy.
• Master Partnership Contract with MnDOT Resolution (attached)
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, second by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to approve the Resolution #22-16 the Master Partnership Contract with Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT).
• Update on CSAH 1 construction – Road closed May 18th, detour will start
• Reposting motor grader position.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve the bills and meals reimbursements.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the per diems and expense sheets as submitted.
A complete listing of the bills can be viewed at the Financial Office.
Commissioners $96,127.18
Auditors $1,078.25
Administrator Buhmann provided updates on a variety of items:
• Shared an update on the inspection and future repairs to the courthouse elevator
• EDA- presented resignation letter of George Hanson from the EDA board. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the resignation. A motion was made by Commissioner Younggren seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the appointment of Jay Friedt to the EDA board.
• Shared the IRS announcement of the increase for the Health Savings Accounts (HSA). The maximum contribution for an individual with self-only coverage under a high deductible health plan (HDHP) for 2023 will be $3,850, up from $3,650 for 2022.
• Shared information on the schedule webinar on the AMC Opioid settlement legislation that was passed. June 6 at 2 p.m.
Committee reports were given by Commissioners. Included updates on NCLUCB-carbon credits, AMC futures which touched on Tribal relations, Tri-Valley, Dancing Sky, Senior Center and Social Services and Commissioners meeting to discuss transportation for Kittson County. Markit meeting, personnel committee, Northwest Community Action- hiring new director. EDA meeting updates and the leadership training that AMC is presenting which Commissioner Gillie is participating in.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to adjourn at 11:30 a.m.
Loren Younggren,
Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Brian E. Buhmann,
Kittson County Administrator
(June 15, 2022)
––––––––––