KITTSON COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS December 8, 2022

KITTSON COUNTY BOARD
PROCEEDINGS
December 8, 2022

The Kittson County Board of Commissioners met, pursuant to adjournment on December 8, 2022 at 5 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Younggren. The pledge to the flag was given.
A motion was made by Commissioner Johnson seconded by Commissioner Olson and unanimously carried to approve the agenda with the addition of Kathy Johnson and removing Scot Olson.
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously carried to approve the Board minutes from November 15, 2022.
Kathy Johnson met with the Board and presented contracts:
• Joint Powers Agreement with the State of Minnesota/Career Force out of Thief River Falls to provide employment and training service to Kittson County residents who qualify for MFIP/DWP. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously passed to approve the agreement in the amount of $12,385.00.
• Alluma Inc contract in which Kittson County Social Services agrees to purchase services for Adult Mental Health Substance Use Disorder, through co-occurring services in clinics, community, schools or other co-occurring locations. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously to approve the contract.
• Acceptance of Department of Human Services Grant of $4,335.00 and contract for Child Welfare Mental health screening and access to mental health services. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie and seconded by Commissioner Olson and passed unanimously to approve the contract.
• After consulting with the Personnel Committee, Johnson lead a discussion on posting an opening for an anticipated opening for an Income Maintenance Worker.
Administrator Buhmann presented a resolution pertaining to a request from the Northwest Minnesota Multi-County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (NWMMHRA) to re-appoint Marilyn Gustafson as Kittson County’s representative to their Board for a five-year term. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and passed unanimously to re-appointment Gustafson to the NWMMHRA Board.
Administrator Buhmann presented a request for Family Medical Leave for Rustee Weleski through January 29, 2023. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and approved unanimously to approve the leave.
Matt Vig Sheriff-elect presented his recommendation of Dave Thompson as Chief Deputy and to start Thompson at Grade C-51-12-4 at $39.74/hour. Administrator Buhmann presented information from the County Personnel Policies on the promotion which if followed, would place Thompson at Grade C-51-10-4 at a wage of $38.29/hour. After discussion, a motion was made by Commissioner Johnson and seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously approved to place Thompson on Grade C-51-10-4 at the wage of $38.29/hr. Matt Vig asked if he could deliver/present a memorandum of agreement between the Law Enforcement Labor Services, Inc (LELS) on behalf of Thompson’s new position as chief deputy. Administrator Buhmann informed the Sheriff-elect and the Board that we could not accept the Memorandum of Agreement until we had the document reviewed by our labor attorney. The agreement can be presented at a later Board meeting.
Keith Klegstad- assistant to the Highway Engineer presented to the Commissioners the recommendation from the Personnel Committee to hire Ryan Johnson as the new motor grader operator at Grade B22-3, Step 3 for a wage of $22.35/hour. Start date of December 13, 2022. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and approved unanimously the hiring of Johnson. Klegstad presented the following quotes for approval:
• From Swedebro-Hallock office- floor covering of three coats, full flake epoxy coating system at a cost of $40,825.00. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie and seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously approved to approve the flooring project.
• TrueNorth Steel for culverts at a quote of $155,549.82. Planned delivery at the end of May, 2023. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously approved to purchase culverts at the quoted price.
Administrator Buhmann presented a request for an unpaid leave of absence for Ryan Swenson, following the Minnesota Statutes 3.088 which permits a public employee elected into a governmental position to take a leave of absence. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and passed unanimously to approve the leave of absence.
Kittson County Assessor Heather Bruley requested for approval of granting a grade increase for Alyssa Gustafson and Jenny Koskela, as they both have achieved their Senior Accredited Minnesota Assessor (SAMA) certification. As outlined in the AFSCME Collective Bargaining Agreement. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and was approved unanimously to move both to Grade B-32-2 Step 4, $27.01/hour.
At 6:00 p.m. motion to recess the Board meeting to go to the Truth and Taxation Public Meeting was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and passed unanimously.
At 7:05 p.m. a motion to re-open the Board meeting was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and passed unanimously.
Administrator Buhmann presented Resolution 22-32 Setting the Ditch Levies for 2023. A motion made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and approved unanimously Resolution 22-32.
Administrator Buhmann presented the proposed salaries for the elected Department Heads:
Andrea Weleski,
Highway Engineer $122,120.00
Brian Buhmann,
County Administrator $115,119.90
Kathy Johnson,
Social Services Director $114,233.60
Kristi Hultgren,
County Recorder $102,689.60
Heather Bruley $ 89,918.40
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson approved unanimously the salaries as presented.
Buhmann next presented the proposed salaries for the Elected officials:
Matt Vig Sheriff $87,750.00
Robert Albrecht
County Attorney $44,772.96
Discussion was held regarding starting salary for Matt Vig by the Commissioners with Commissioner Johnson making a motion, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and approved unanimously to set the Sheriff’s salary at $95,200.00.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Younggren to set the County Attorney’s salary at $44,772.96 and approved unanimously.
Administrator Buhmann presented the recommendation for the Commissioner’s salary being held at the current rate of $24,507.24. He shared that a three percent increase would place the salary at $25,242 or a $735 increase. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Younggren to increase the Commissioner salaries to the $25,242 amount. On the question there were two ayes-Gillie and Younggren and three nays-Johnson, Olson and Kraulik and the motion was defeated. A motion made by Johnson and seconded by Gillie and passed unanimously to keep salary at the current rate of $24,507.24.
Buhmann presented the recommendation for the 2023 Per Diems as:
• Less than 4-hour meeting $60.00
• 4-hours or more meeting $90.00
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie and seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously approved to keep the Per Diems rates as presented.
Buhmann presented two candidates for re-appointment to the Two Rivers Watershed Board, Daryl Klegstad and Gerald Olsonawski for a three-year term. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously passed to approve appointment of the candidates. There is still one opening on the Two Rivers Watershed Board to be filled.
Buhmann presented a resolution to re-new a joint powers agreement with the State of Minnesota to allow access to the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension records and resources for the Sheriff and County Attorney’s Offices. A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Gillie and unanimously passed to renew the joint powers agreement.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Kraulik and unanimously approved to approve the Bills and Meal reimbursements.
Commissioners $169,399.04
Auditors $306,645.10
Meal Reimbursements $203.41
A motion was made by Commissioner Olson, seconded by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously passed to approve Per Diems.
Per Diems $880.00
Buhmann briefly discussed:
• Truth and Taxation meeting held earlier this evening.
• Shared the Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust Dividend of $27,000, slightly less than the 2021 dividend.
• Discussed the attendance of the AMC Annual Conference
• Requested a date and time for the last Commissioner meeting of 2022. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, second by Commissioner Johnson and unanimously approved to set December 28th at 9 a.m. as the meeting date.
Committee reports- Commissioner Gillie attendant a meeting with Soil and Water planning the livestock providers supper planned for the evening of December 20, 2022 in Lancaster. Discussed the resignation of the CFO from Alluma. She shared the sessions she attended at the AMC Annual Conference. She attended the Joint Ditch meeting with Roseau County with Commissioners Kraulik and Olson. Commissioners Olson, Kraulik Younggren, Johnson no report.
Correspondence- Buhmann shared a letter from the County Attorney concerning reimbursements for expenses being occurred outside of the normal activity routine of his office. Buhmann was asked to bring back the requests and to invite the County Attorney to the next Board meeting to discus the expenses. Commissioner Gillie shared that she has been approached by the local Hospice asking for an increase to the proposed allocation for 2023. A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Johnson to increase the 2023 allocation an additional $5,000.00 to the amount of $15,000.00. Motion passed unanimously.
A motion was made by Commissioner Gillie, seconded by Commissioner Olson to adjourn the meeting at 8:05 p.m.
Loren Younggren,
Kittson County Board Chair
ATTEST: Brian E. Buhmann,
Kittson County Administrator
(December 28, 2022)
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