Kittson County Board Proceedings

Kittson County Board Proceedings
June 7, 2022

The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on June 7, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Younggren. 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.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the Board minutes from May 17, 2022 with corrections.
Jamie Osowski and Jeremy Benson -Kittson County Soil and Water Conservation presented:
• Resolution #22-24 asking to extend the Kittson County Water Plan. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously carried to approve Resolution #22-24.
• A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the yearend review for the Kittson County Feedlot grant.
• Jamie Osowski presented a formal request for additional office space to the County Board. Several informal requests have been made to the Board to make them aware of the need for space over the past few years. Time and space are now a greater priority. County Board will explore options available to them.
Heather Bruley, County Assessor presented a tax abatement policy at the last Board meeting and through Resolution #22-19 is asking the County Board to adapt the policy.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve Resolution #22-19.
Andrea Weleski, County Engineer presented:
• Drainage Guidelines- Tabled from May 3, 2022 to next meeting.
• Legal Ditch Policy -Tabled May 3, 2022 to next meeting.
• Updated that the bridge work in Lancaster should be finishing up by the first part of July
• A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve a utility permit for Enbridge for work on CSAH 13 & 23.
• An update on CSAH 1 construction going full speed, reclamation, milling of pavement, responding to land-owner requests for larger driveway approaches.
• Presented Permit Fee schedule-asked to bring back additional information for the next meeting.
• Received eight applications for the open motor grader position. Will be interviewing candidates and bringing back a recommendation to the next Board meeting.
• Reported that there are still roads under water and a true damage assessment has not been conducted however an estimate of $1.8 million or more is being predicted for the repairs of the road once the flood waters recede.
Administrator Buhmann presented a request for Family Medical Leave for county employee Jocelyn Hauert. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously carried to approve the Family Medical Leave request.
Administrator Buhmann presented the bids for the demolition of tax forfeited structures. Bidding on the project were Green Way Environmental- Total bid of $34,000.00 and Anderson Brothers Construction-Total $25,125.00. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve the low bid of $25,125.00 from Anderson Brothers Construction.
Administrator Buhmann presented Resolution #22-20 Authorizing a County Absentee Ballot Board. This will eliminate the need for election judges to perform the technical and time-consuming task of accepting or rejecting returned Absentee Ballots and UOCAVA ballots to Kittson County on election day and can begin the process 46 days prior to an election. A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve Resolution #22-20.
Administrator Buhmann presented Resolution #22-21 Authorizing a County Uniformed & Overseas Citizen Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) Ballot Board. This will eliminate the need for election judges to perform the technical and time-consuming task of accepting or rejecting returned UOCAVA Ballots to Kittson County on election day and can begin the process 46 days prior to an election. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve Resolution #22-21.
Administrator Buhmann presented Resolution #22-22 Supporting the Application for Gambling Activities for the Karlstad Eagle’s Club for the time period of June 15-June 19, 2022. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve Resolution #22-22.
Administrator Buhmann presented Resolution #22-23 Renewal of Liquor License for Far North Spirits, Inc. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve Resolution #22-23.
Administrator Buhmann revisited the 2022 ambulance contracts for Kittson County Ambulance and Tri-County Emergency Medical Service and the approved addendum voted on by the Board at the May 17, 2022 meeting. A simple one-page addendum could not be authored for the contracts, so Buhmann re-wrote the contracts and is presenting the new contracts to the Commissioners for their approval. Administrator Buhmann did ask that the Board to void the action that they had taken in approving the contract presented to them on May 3, 2022 and the additional Addendum at the May 17th, 2022 Board meeting. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to rescind the contracts and addendums approved by the County Board from the May 3, 2022 and May 17, 2022 meetings. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve contract with Kittson County Ambulance. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously carried to approve contract with Tri-County Medical Service.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously carried to approve bills and meals as presented.
Commissioner’s $460,028.80
Meal Reimbursements $205.19
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Younggren and unanimously carried to approve per diems and expense sheets.
Per Diems $300.00
Administrator Buhmann provided an update on the 2022 Elections. A statewide primary is schedule for August 9, 2022. Locally, Kittson County will have a primary election in District 5 with three candidates filing for Commissioner Johnson’s position.
Administrator Buhmann provided the Board with a briefing on the courthouse elevator Otis Elevators were on site to lift the elevator car from the lower level to allow access for measurements in ordering equipment. Preliminary reports show that the connect/disconnect panel for the elevator isn’t grounded and that we will need to have an electrician in before the repair work to ground the panel.
Administrator Buhmann provided a briefing on the courthouse generator. During the monthly checks, a on site June 8 to address the situation.
Administrator Buhmann described the 2022 State legislative Session as “nothing passed “as most of the bills that would benefit the counties were side-lined with the non-action of the legislators to pass their tax bill. Minnesota counties lost out on an increase in County Program Aid, PILT payment increase, and matching state funds to be used to secure federal funding for transportation projects. If there is a special session it would occur well after the deadline for the election filing for state offices.
Commissioner Gillie provided an update from the Transportation Advisory Committee. MNDOT shared their 5 year project plan, discussion on Towards Zero Death activities to focus on nineth grade students within the Marshall, Kittson, and Roseau county school districts. The Commissioner also provided updates on Alluma mental health, and board member changes due to a member becoming a peer counselor. Shared her experiences of attending the Alluma Night Event held in May in Crookston, MN-A family-friendly space to experience different ways to heal, cope and care for your mental health.
Discussion held on local vendors who provide transportation refuse to transport due to the high fuel cost severely affecting their business.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik to adjourn the meeting at 10:37 a.m.
Loren Younggren,
Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Brian E. Buhmann,
Kittson County Administrator
(July 6, 2022)
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