PROCEEDINGS OF THE MARTIN

COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

TUESDAY, MARCH 4, 2003

@ 9:00 A.M.

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Gerald Boler at 9:00 a.m.

 

Those present were Commissioners Jack Potter, Steve Pierce, Steve Donnelly and Dan Schmidtke. Also present were Terry Viesselman, County Attorney, Kevin Peyman, County Engineer, Scott Higgins, County Coordinator, Doug Landsteiner, Veterans Service Officer, Jim Forshee, Auditor/Treasurer and members of the public.

 

Motion by Commissioner Schmidtke, seconded by Commissioner Donnelly to approve the Agenda with the following additions: (1) Discuss Courthouse Lawn and Removal of Trees (2) GIA ATV Trail Agreement Resolution. Carried unanimously.

 

Motion by Commissioner Schmidtke, seconded by Commissioner Donnelly to approve the February 4, 2003 with corrections. Carried unanimously.

 

Doug Landsteiner, VSO for Martin County, reported on Potential State budget impacts of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

 

Terry Viesselman, County Attorney, had no report. Viesselman asked the Board if they had any questions for him. There were none.

 

Peyman updated the Board of the four-way stop sign at the Bixby Corner and recommended that the four-way stop sign be pulled from the intersection. Peyman stated that the STOP sign had been in the intersection for a period of time and requested that it be removed.

 

By consensus of the Board approved the removal of the four-way stop sign.

 

Peyman requested approval to hire Richard Olson as the Cedar-Hanson Park Caretaker effective, April 1, 2003 through September 2003. This is a seasonal position and Olson is to receive compensation for work at $2,000 per month and no benefits.

 

Motion by Commissioner Donnelly, seconded by Commissioner Potter, Be it Resolved that the Martin County Board of Commissioners approve the request of the County Engineer to hire Richard Olson as the Cedar-Hanson Park Caretaker effective April 1, 2003 through September 2003 at a salary of $2,000 per month for a total of $12,000 for the 6 month duration, contingent upon a completion of a criminal background check. Carried unanimously.

 

Peyman recommended that Gary Shumski, current shop mechanic for the Martin County Highway Department, to fill the position of Maintenance Worker I position at Grade 10, Step 1 (12.97/hour), effective date to be determined.

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Schmidtke, Be it Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners, on the recommendation of the County Engineer, approve the hiring of Gary Shumski as Maintenance Worker I. to Grade 10, Step 1, and starting date to be determined. Carried unanimously.

 

Peyman requested to approve filling the vacancy of Shop Mechanic Position.

 

Motion by Commissioner Donnelly, seconded by Commissioner Pierce, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners hereby approve filling the vacancy of Shop Mechanic position at the Martin County Highway Department. Carried unanimously.

 

Connie Noble-Walters, from the Fairmont Workforce Center, was on hand to provide information to the Board regarding the Community Work Experience Program. Noble-Walters stated that the CWEP Program is designed to provide unemployed workers with an opportunity to enhance job skills and to facilitate reentry into the workforce. Noble-Walters further stated that if the County would be able to provide opportunities for those who are receiving general assistance but are eager to work to notify the Workforce Center in order to place these individuals in the work place.

 

After further discussion, the Board thanked Noble-Walters for her presentation.

 

Higgins presented the tentative agreement for Law Enforcement Labor Services (LELS)

Local #136 (Deputies/Sergeants). After review of the tentative agreement,

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Donnelly, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the tentative agreement with LELS #136 Deputies/Sergeants Union, contingent upon clarification regarding insurance, usage of compensatory time, and posting of schedules; the clarifications to meet the approval of the Employer. Carried unanimously.

 

Higgins presented the Resolution to purchase two Transit buses for the Martin County Express public transit system.

 

R-#12/03

 

 

R E S O L U T I O N

 

 

AUTHORIZING THE PROCUREMENT OF TWO TRANSIT BUSES AND SELECTING MINNESOTA BODY AND EQUIPMENT COMPANY:

 

WHEREAS, Martin County operates a public transit service in conjunction with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, Office of Transit, and;

 

WHEREAS, it is desirable and necessary to acquire two buses according to the established vehicle replacement schedule, and:

 

WHEREAS, funding for the acquisition of this bus will be accomplished jointly with the assistance of the Minnesota Department of Transportation and the County, and;

 

WHEREAS, transit staff have reviewed the vehicle options offered by approved multiple contracting vendors, and;

 

WHEREAS, it is desirable to acquire the vehicle from Minnesota Body and Equipment company to maintain fleet uniformity and to allow for vehicle familiarity,

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Martin County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the purchases of its two transit buses from Minnesota Body and Equipment Company in the approximate amount of $93,250.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Potter and unanimously carried this 4th day of March 2003.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MARTIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

 

_________________________________

Gerald Boler, Chair

 

 

ATTEST:____________________________

Scott Higgins, County Coordinator

Roll call AYES: Commissioners Potter, Schmidtke, Pierce, Donnelly and Boler

NAYS: None

 

Passed and approved this 4th day of March 2003.

 

Commissioner Pierce stated that it is time the County builds a garage facility for the transit buses.

 

Higgins responded that the County has been working closely with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) Office of Transit to obtain funding for a garage facility for the transit buses for the last three years. MNDOT will provide 80% of the construction cost.

 

The County GIS Committee was on hand to request approval for awarding a contract for the development of the parcel layer map for the proposed GIS System.

 

Jim Hallstrom, County Assessor, provided the information to the Board and requested that the Board take action to determine if they wish to move forward with the GIS Project and that the Committee fully realizes the potential impact of the State Budget deficit and its effects that it will have on the County Budget.

 

Hallstrom requested that if the Board does not choose to move forward that the RFPs would be kept in confidence until such time that the Board determines to move forward with the RFPs received for the GIS Project.

 

Commissioner Schmidtke stated that this would be a good system for the County to have in place but this is not the time now to spend dollars for the project. Schmidtke further stated his concern for the State Budget deficit and the impact that it may have on the County.

 

Commissioner Pierce stated his concern for what will county departments be doing less of when they develop this type of information system.

 

Hallstrom responded that the GIS System pulls all information together that each office handles to one place.

 

Kay Wrucke, County Recorder, responded that the GIS System is an enhancement of all the systems put together.

 

Commissioner Donnelly inquired about the $90,000 for a GIS Coordinator and requested clarification.

 

Hallstrom responded that the $90,000 was over a three-year period for the GIS Coordinator.

 

Commissioner Pierce stated that the Board wrestles with staff replacement and providing additional staffing for other offices to maintain systems such as rural addressing and that with the proposed addition of GIS staff, now is not the time to move forward with the project. After further discussion,

 

Motion by Commissioner Donnelly, seconded by Commissioner Pierce, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners reject all Requests For Proposals (RFPs) for the parcel layer map for the proposed County GIS System and that the Committee issue a letter to the vendors to request that they hold their proposals until July 1, 2003 for future board consideration. Carried unanimously.

 

The Board thanked the GIS Committee for their work.

 

Commissioner Boler inquired if there was other work that needed to be done until the Board could consider the proposals again.

 

Hallstrom responded that there is still some background work that needs to be done in scanning parcel maps into electronic form.

 

Higgins presented the Letter of Engagement for Engineering Services from Bolton and Menk for a quality engineering study on the Fox Lake Improvement District, proposal for a central collection sewer system.

 

Higgins further stated that the amount for the services proposed by Bolton and Menk would not exceed $7,800.00

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, to approve the Letter of Engagement with Bolton and Menk to do a quality engineering study on the Fox Lake Improvement District Central Sewer Collection System.

 

The Chair asked for a second, the motion died for lack of second.

 

Since it was after 10:00 a.m. for the continuation for the consideration of a Resolution to Order Improvement for the Fox Lake Sanitary Sewer System Project, the Chair opened the matter for Board discussion. After discussion,

 

R-#16/03

 

RESOLUTION ORDERING THE FOX LAKE SANITARY SEWER PROJECT

DIRECTING THE ENGINEER TO PREPARE

DETAILED PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS

 

WHEREAS, The County Board of Commissioners held an Improvement Hearing on the Fox Lake Sanitary Sewer Project Improvements to consider the making of sanitary sewer improvements on the East End of Fox Lake to provide for a Sanitary Sewer Collection System, pursuant to M.S. 429, and

 

WHEREAS, said was held on December 3, 2002 at 7:00 oclock PM, and

 

WHEREAS, The Board of Commissioners did not take action at the Hearing and announced that the matter would appear on the Regular Meeting Agenda;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED By the County Board of Commissioners of the Martin County, Minnesota as follows:

 

1.      The Fox Lake Sanitary Sewer Project Improvements are hereby Ordered as described in the Notice of Public Hearing dated November 19,2002;

 

2.      DeWild Grant Reckert and Associates Company, Consulting Engineers, Rock Rapids, Iowa is hereby appointed Project Engineer and authorized and directed to prepare detailed plans and specifications for said improvement.

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner

Schmidtke dated this 4th day of March 2003.

 

___________________________

Gerald Boler, Chairman

 

ATTEST:____________________________

Scott Higgins, County Coordinator

Roll call vote: AYES: Commissioner Schmidtke,

NAYES: Commissioner Boler, Donnelly, Potter and Pierce.

 

Resolution failed, this 4th day of March 2003.

 

Mike Smith, Department of Corrections Sentence to Service Division, was on hand to request approval for a two-year contract for Sentence to Service (STS) in Martin County. Smith also presented 2002 statistical report for services provided by the three STS crews in Martin County for the 2002.

 

Smith stated that the contract is for $195,000 over a two-year period. After further discussion,

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Donnelly, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners, approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Sentence to Serve (STS) Service Agreement for $195,000, effective July 1, 2003- June 30, 2005. Carried unanimously.

 

Sheriff Brad Gerhardt was on hand to request approval for appointment of Bradley Hady, as Chief Deputy effective March 24, 2003.

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Potter, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners hereby approve the recommendation of Sheriff Brad Gerhardt to appoint Bradley Hady as Chief Deputy for the Martin County Sheriffs Department effective March 24, 2003, at Grade 18, Step 4 at $25.74 per hour; eligible for full time benefits according to the County Personnel Policy. Carried unanimously.

 

Gerhardt reviewed Sheriffs Department update with the Board.

 

The Board recessed at 10:44 a.m.

 

The Board reconvened at 10:55 a.m.

 

Deb Mosloski, Drainage Specialist for Martin County, was on hand to request approval to combine ditch accounts.

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Donnelly, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners acting as the Drainage Authority for Martin County hereby approve the combining of the Ditch Accounts as presented.

Carried unanimously.

 

Mosloski informed the Board that the Improvement Assessment on J.D. #3 in the amount of $3,864.10 has never been collected and stated that she had checked with the Countys Drainage attorney and stated he recommended that the Board determine how they want to handle this issue. After discussion,

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Donnelly, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners acting as the Drainage Authority for Martin County, direct the Drainage Administration staff to collect the outstanding assessment for J.D. #3 subject to County Attorney approval. Carried unanimously.

 

Commissioner Schmidtke informed the Board that he had received a bill for a repair to a private tile that was cut during the installation of a private water line and that the work was done by Rosburg Construction in the amount of $475.00 and stated that the bill needed to be paid.

 

Mosloski recommended that the bill be paid out of the General Fund since it was not related to a county Ditch system.

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Schmidtke, Be It Resolved that the Martin County Board of Commissioners hereby approve the payment of a bill from Rosburg Construction in the amount of $475.00 for work done for the repair of a private tile due to the tile being cut on during the construction and installation of a private water line; and to direct the County Attorney to send a letter to the appropriate parties for collection and reimbursement to the Revenue Fund. Carried unanimously.

 

Harry Jenness, Environmental Service Director, was on hand to present the final draft of the Martin County Comprehensive Land Use Plan. Jenness stated that after many public hearing throughout Martin County and a public hearing conducted by the Martin County Planning Commission on the proposed Martin County Land Use Comprehensive Plan, that The Planning Commission has approved the Plan and recommended adoption by the Martin County Board of Commissioners. After further discussion and consideration,

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Donnelly, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the proposed Martin County Comprehensive Use Plan as presented with the following revision: Page 45, # 1 to strike the words Which the County can support however the list of recommended approvments is more comprehensive than the County Board would like.

Carried unanimously.

 

Commissioner Schmidtke inquired of issue dealing with shoreland concerning the replacement of wells, septic tanks and lot sizes and recommended that this needed to be addressed in the future through the County Ordinance.

 

Commissioner Schmidtke also inquired about the 200 ft set back from the centerline of the road and that if this will be for all buildings.

 

Jenness responded that it would be for all buildings.

 

Jenness requested direction from the Board regarding increasing of permit fees for the Department.

 

After discussion, it was determined that Jenness would develop a fee structure for the Board to review at a future meeting.

 

Amy Shogren, Coordinator for the Three Rivers RC & D reviewed the 2003 year-end report for the agency with the Board.

 

After the presentation, the Board thanked Shogren for the update.

 

Higgins presented a revised resolution for covered employees under the Workers Compensation coverage through the Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust and noted that the revision included the exclusion of the County Coroner and the Deputy Coroner from Countys Workers Compensation Coverage.

 

Revised 3-4-03 R-#14/03

R-#5/03

 

 

R E S O L U T I O N

 

 

REAFFIRM THAT OFFICIALS HAVE BEEN COVERED FOR WORKERS COMPENSATION PURPOSES AND CONTINUE TO BE COVERED:

 

WHEREAS, the Martin County Board of Commissioners does hereby resolve that, pursuant to the requirements of Minnesota Statute 176.011, subd. 9 (6, that all officers of Martin County who are elected or appointed to a regular term of office, or to complete the unexpired portion of a regular term, shall be included within the definition of employee as that term is defined in Minn. Stat. 176.011, subd. 9 for purposes of coverage under the Workers Compensation Laws of the State of Minnesota, except coroner and deputy coroner.

 

IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution recognizes that Martin County has in the past included said officials in all Workers Compensation reports and audits and that this resolution is intended to meet the statutory requirements and confirm and existing practice, not to establish a new practice.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Schmidtke, seconded by Commissioner Donnelly and unanimously carried. Dated this 4th day of March 2003.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MARTIN COUNTY, MN

 

_______________________________

Gerald Boler, Chairman

 

ATTEST:______________________________

Scott Higgins, County Coordinator

AYES: Commissioners Boler, Potter, Pierce, Schmidtke and Donnelly NAYES: 0

Adopted and approved this 4th day of March 2003.

 

Higgins presented the AFSCME Library Unit Tentative Agreement for 2003-2004 and recommended approval.

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Potter, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners, hereby approves the Tentative Agreement with the AFSCME Library Unit as presented. Carried unanimously.

 

Higgins presented the Resolution for the name change of Minnesota River Basin Joint Powers Board to the MN River Board. After discussion,

 

Motion by Commissioner Donnelly, seconded by Commissioner Potter,

 

R-#15/03

 

R E S O L U T I O N

 

To Recognize, Endorse and Integrate the Minnesota River Basin Joint Powers Board Name Change to Minnesota River Board:

 

WHEREAS, the Minnesota River Basin Joint Powers Board has undergone a revitalizing process in the year 2002; and

 

WHEREAS, an Organizational Task Force and Legislative Task Force were formed to review, discuss and make recommendations to the full board on the organizational structure and legislative actions to be taken; and

 

WHEREAS, both the Organization Task Force and the Legislative Task Force made separate and independent recommendations to the full board to shorten the name; and

 

WHEREAS, on January 27, 2003 the full board voted unanimously to shorten the name of the Minnesota River Basin Joint Powers Board to the Minnesota River Board; and

 

WHEREAS, there is a desire by the full board to have each member county be informed of the name change and to endorse this decision by signing said resolution; and

 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Martin County hereby signifies by signature that it is aware of the change and fully endorses the name change of Minnesota River Basin Joint powers Board to the Minnesota River Board.

 

Signed this 4th day of March 2003 at the Martin County Board Meeting.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MARTIN COUNTY, MN

 

 

 

________________________

Gerald Boler, Chair

 

Attest:_____________________________

Scott Higgins, County Coordinator

 

AYES: Commissioner Boler, Pierce, Schmidtke, Donnelly and Potter. NAYES: 0

Adopted and approved this 4th day of March 2003.

 

Higgins presented the MRCI Janitorial Contract for the Security Building, Courthouse and Library for $915.49 per month plus sales tax; effective March 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003 and recommended approval. Higgins informed the Board that the contract has been reduced $5,000 from the previous year.

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Schmidtke, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners hereby approve and authorize the Chair to sign the MRCI Janitorial Contract in the amount of $915.49 per month plus sales tax; effective March 1, 2003 through December 31, 2003. Carried unanimously.

 

Higgins presented the resolution for the Application for Maintenance Funding for GIA ATV Trail System in Martin County. Higgins stated that the total request through the DNR funding was $21,621.00. This is a pass through grant money and recommended approval.

 

R-#13/03

 

R E S O L U T I O N

APPLICATION FOR MAINTENANCE FUNDING FOR GIA-ATV TRAIL SYSTEM:

 

WHEREAS, Martin County, Minnesota desires to apply for maintenance funding of GIA-ATV trail system and

 

WHEREAS, the maintenance of these trails are funded through Minnesota trail assistance program grants issued with the approval of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources; and

 

WHEREAS, said Martin County will contract with the all Season Wheelers ATV Club to apply for this funding to maintain said GIA Trail System.

 

Now, therefore be it resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners approves the application for funding for the GIA-ATV Trail, and that the Board-Chair and the County Coordinator be authorized to sign all documents relating to the program.

 

Motion was made by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Donnelly and carried this 4th day of March 2003.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MARTIN COUNTY, MN

 

__________________________________ Gerald Boler, Chairman

 

ATTEST:________________________________

Scott Higgins, County Coordinator

 

AYES: Commissioners Boler, Schmidtke, Donnelly, Potter and Pierce NAYES: 0

Adopted and approved this 4th day of March 2003

 

There was discussion regarding the two large pine trees at the East Entrance of the Courthouse. The Board directed the Coordinator to gather ideas from courthouse staff regarding potential landscaping around the Courthouse for Board consideration at a future meeting date.

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce to remove the pine trees as determined by the building committee. The Chairman asked for a second. The motion died lack of a second.

 

Jim Forshee, Auditor/Treasurer, presented a Subordination Agreement and requested Board approval and that in the future the Auditor/Treasurers be authorized to process and sign the Subordinations Agreements as they are received.

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Potter, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners hereby authorize the Martin County Auditor/Treasurer to process and sign Subordination Agreements as necessary and to approve the Subordination Agreement for Christinas Addition Lot Four (4) City of Fairmont. Carried unanimously.

 

Commissioner Pierce requested that a meeting be facilitated between the SWCD, County Highway Department, Prarieland, and Billeye Rabbe, Extension Educator for the use of the compost from Prarieland for Highway projects.

 

Higgins responded that he would contact the various agencies in order to set a mutual meeting.

 

Higgins stated that the Martin County Historical Society has asked the Board to attend a luncheon meeting at the Martin County Historical Museum for a presentation and tour, March 18, 2003 at 12:30 a.m.

 

The Board reviewed their calendars and reports of previous and upcoming meetings.

 

Motion by Commissioner Donnelly, seconded by Commissioner Schmidtke, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes perdiems and expenses for the following workshops, AMC Legislative Conference, County Day at the Capitol, and the Minnesota Association of Drainage Inspectors, and Agricultural Drainage Design Workshop (March 17, 2003) Carried unanimously.

 

The next County Board meeting of the Martin County Board of Commissioners will be March 18, 2003 at 9:00 a.m. in the Martin County Commissioners Board Room.

With no further business to wit, the Board adjourned at 12:17 P.M.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MARTIN COUNTY, MN

 

______________________________

Gerald Boler, Chair

 

 

ATTEST:______________________________

Scott Higgins, County Coordinator