MARTIN COUNTY BOARD OF

COMMISSIONERS MEETING

OCTOBER 7, 2003

@ 9:00 A.M.

 

The meeting was called to order by Chairman Gerald Boler at 9:00 a.m. Those present were Commissioners Steve Pierce, Steve Donnelly, Dan Schmidtke, and Jack Potter. Also present were Scott Higgins, County Coordinator, Kevin Peyman, County Engineer, Jim Forshee, Auditor/Treasurer, Christine Rupp, Fairmont Sentinel, Rod Halverson, KSUM/KFMC and members of the public.

 

Motion by Commissioner Schmidtke, seconded by Commissioner Potter, that the Agenda with the following addition: (1) Consider the Request from the Fairmont Police Department for change of office space is hereby approved. Carried unanimously.

 

Motion by Commissioner Donnelly, seconded by Commissioner Pierce, to approve the minutes of the September 16, 2003 Board of Commissioners meeting is hereby approved. Carried unanimously.

 

No County Attorney report.

 

Kevin Peyman, County Engineer, presented a resolution to authorize Northrop Stop Sign.

H-#3/03

 

R E S O L U T I O N

 

In order to control, safeguard and expedite traffic on county and township roads in Martin County, and upon recommendation of the County Engineer, the County Board of Commissioners deems it advisable to make the following resolution:

 

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the following intersection to and hereby is designated as a STOP INTERSECTION and the County Engineer be and hereby is instructed to cause the installation and maintenance of STOP SIGNS there at:

 

The intersection of County Road 145 (Bridgeman Street) and Twp. Rd. 154 (170th Street) will be a STOP INTERSECTION. South bound traffic on County Road 145 (Bridgeman Street) will stop.

 

Upon Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Potter, and carried said resolution was duly passed and adopted this 7th day of October, 2003.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MARTIN COUNTY, MINNESOTA

 

_____________________________________

Gerald Boler, Chairman

 

ATTEST:______________________________

Scott Higgins, County Coordinator

 

 

AYES: Commissioners Schmidtke, Boler, Donnelly, Potter and Pierce. Adopted and approved this 7th day of October 2003.

 

Peyman presented the Final Contract voucher for C.P. 03:08 Maintenance Gravel. Peyman stated that the Contract amount was $57,218 and that the certified amount is $59,228.56. After discussion,

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Schmidtke, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners and upon the recommendation of the County Engineer hereby approves the Final Contract voucher for C.P. 03:08; that the work certified is in the amount of $59,228.56; that the County Engineer has certified that the contract has been completed and that the entire amount of the work shown in the final voucher has been performed accordance with the terms of the contract. Carried unanimously.

 

Peyman requested approval to take sealed bids for the 1972 Oshkosh Snow Plow- Unit #12 of the Martin County Highway Department.

 

Motion by Commissioner Potter, seconded by Commissioner Donnelly, Be It Resolved,

that the Martin County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the request to obtain sealed bids for the 1972 Oshkosh Snow Plow-Unit #12, at the Martin County Highway Department. Carried unanimously.

 

Peyman informed the Board of the cleanup that needed to be done by the Red Rock Rural Water Association installing water lines throughout the county.

 

Higgins stated that the Martin County Express public transit System has received two replacement buses and requested approval to declare two 1998 Ford Champion, 16 passenger buses with wheel chair lift as excess property and to advertise for sealed bids.

Motion by Commissioner Schmidtke, seconded by Commissioner Donnelly, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners hereby approve an authorize the sale of two 1998 Ford Champion 16 passenger buses with wheelchair lifts and to advertise to for sealed bids. Carried unanimously.

 

Higgins presented the revised resolution for Agriculture Best Management Practices and Countywide Individual Sewage Treatment System and Well Loan Programs for Martin County.

 

Revised-R#45/03

 

R E S O L U T I O N

 

 

AGRICULTURAL BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND COUNTYWIDE

INDIVIDUAL SEWAGE TREATMENT SYSTEM AND WELL LOAN PROGRAMS:

 

 

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Agriculture has made low interest loan funds available to counties, Soil and Water Conservation Districts and Joint Powers Organizations through the Agricultural Best Management Practices Loan Program and the Countywide Individual Sewage Treatment System; and

 

WHEREAS, Welcome State Bank has agreed to act as the local lender, administer the lending agreements with individual borrowers, and guarantee repayment to the state; and

 

WHEREAS, Martin County has identified a need for low interest loan funds to encourage agricultural best management practices, repair of Individual Sewage Treatment Systems and sealing of abandoned wells that prevent or mitigate nonpoint source pollution; and

 

WHEREAS, many agricultural best management practices, repair of individual sewage treatment systems and sealing of abandoned wells are identified as high priorities in the Martin County Comprehensive Local Water Plan.

 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Martin County approves the application, authorizes it=s submittal, and designates the County Board Chairperson to be the authorized representative, and hereby grants the County

Board Chairperson the authority to sign the 2001 application loan agreement and all other correspondence or

documentation necessary to implement the AgBMP Loan Program and Countywide ISTS Loan Program on behalf of Martin County; and that Martin County designates Martin SWCD to be the applicant contact and the certifying authority for the Agriculture Best Management Practices Loan Program.

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the current County Board Chairperson, or in their absence, the County Board Vice Chairperson, is the authorized representative for all prior Agricultural Best Management Practices Loan agreements and are granted the authority to sign all correspondence and documents to carry out all prior loan programs on behalf

of Martin County; and

 

BE IT RESOLVED that all prior designations of the authorized representative by Martin County for the Agricultural Best Management Practices Loan Program and Countywide ISTS Loan Program is hereby rescinded.

 

Motion by Commissioner Donnelly, seconded by Commissioner Potter, said resolution was duly passed and adopted this 7th day of October 2003.

 

 

_______________________ ___________________________

Gerald Boler, Chairman Scott Higgins, County Coordinator

 

 

Ayes: Commissioner Boler, Schmidtke, Potter, Pierce and Donnelly. Adopted and approved this 7th day of October 2003.

 

Higgins presented the Notification and Approval for the Reduction in Force and to Implement Layoff Procedures for Certain Classifications.

 

 

R-#46/03

 

R E S O L U T I O N

 

Notification and Approval for the Reduction in Force and to Implement Layoff Procedures for Certain Classifications:

 

Whereas, due to decreased state aid and limitations of the County in obtaining additional revenue, Martin County has identified a budgetary need and have determined layoffs as one necessary action in order to meet its financial and organizational obligations, and

 

Whereas, on September 16, 2003 the Martin County Board of Commissioners directed the County Coordinator to issue layoff notices to the following classifications- Environmental Services Director, Environmental Technician, Administrative Secretary (ESD), and

 

Therefore Be It Resolved, on a motion by Schmidtke, seconded by Potter, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners hereby approve the reduction in force and to implement layoffs of the aforementioned classifications, effective October 13, 2003.

 

Adopted and approved this 7th day of October 2003.

 

____________________________

Gerald Boler, Chair

 

Attest:___________________________

Scott Higgins, County Coordinator

Ayes: Commissioner Boler, Potter, Pierce, Donnelly and Schmidtke. Passed and approved this 7th day of October 2003.

 

Higgins informed the Board that there was a needed change order for the Courthouse/Security Building remodeling project located in the proposed new Boardroom. The walls will need to be furred out as well as sheet rock applied to the walls.

 

Higgins stated that I & S Architects and Engineers have not sent a cost estimate. Higgins also informed the Board that there would be an added cost of approximately $250 in order to stain the new corridor doors in the Security Building to match the other doors located in the building.

 

Commissioner Boler stated that there should not be any additional cost to match the corridor doors and should be part of the project specifications to match. After further discussion,

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Donnelly, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners hereby authorizes the necessary change orders discussed for the remodeling project. Carried unanimously.

 

Higgins presented the recommendation of Chief Deputy Brad Hady, Martin County Sheriffs Department, to hire Sherri Keck as part-time Communications Officer for the Martin County Sheriffs Office, starting at $14.56 per hour contingent on the results of a physical examination and psychological evaluation as well as background checks.

 

Motion by Commissioner Pierce, seconded by Commissioner Donnelly, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners, upon the recommendation of the Chief Deputy Brad Hady, hereby approve the hiring of Sherri Keck, as part-time Communications Officer, contingent on the satisfactory results of a physical examination and psychological evaluation as well as a background check at $14.56 per hour. Carried unanimously.

 

Higgins informed the Board that open enrollment meetings for all employees will be held on October 24, 2003 and that the Board will need to determine employee contributions for 2004 health insurance premiums. Higgins also stated that there will be another county insurance committee meeting held Thursday, October the 9, 2003 to discuss other alternatives plans to help reduce and stabilize insurance premium cost for the future.

 

No action taken by the Board.

 

Bryan McCormick, Martin County Library Director, introduced the delegation of six Librarians from Russia to the Board.

 

The Board welcomed the Russian delegation. The Board introduced themselves, gave brief presentation of their responsibilities, and wished them all well in their visit.

 

The Board recessed at 10:03 a.m.

 

The Board reconvened at 10:09 a.m.

 

Chairman Boler opened the meeting of the Final Hearing on Impoundment of a Portion of J.D. #20, Section 28-101-30.

 

Darrin Newville, SWCD Technician, and Deb Mosloski, Drainage Specialist for Martin County were on hand.

 

Newville presented and reviewed the petition to abandon H 1 of J.D. #20 and to restore it to a wetland basin. Newville asked if there were any questions or clarifications needed for the Board. With no questions, Chairman Boler opened the hearing for public input.

 

There was none.

 

Motion by Commissioner Schmidtke, seconded by Commissioner Potter, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners hereby acting as the Drainage Authority for Martin County and after due consideration and public hearing held October 7, 2003, hereby approves the Impoundment of a portion of J.D. #20, Section 28-101-30 to abandon H-1 of J.D. #20 and to restore area to a wetland basin. Carried unanimously.

 

Commissioner Boler inquired if there will be more Impoundment projects coming before the Board soon.

 

Newville responded in the affirmative. Newville further stated there are a total of fifty-two projects and eleven of them have been completed.

 

Sheriff Gerhardt provided an update on the Sheriffs Office.

Gerhardt informed the Board that he has contacted the Sheriff in Nobles County to formulate some sort of Board of Prisoners Agreement to house prisoners in Nobles County and that this would be a good option for Martin County. Gerhardt stated that representatives of the National Institute of Corrections (NIC) will be in Martin County on October 28, 29 and 30th to conduct a study (PONI ) on the Countys jail facilities. Interviews of various staff members of the county including two Commissioners, and staff of the countys courts will be held on October 28, 29th. A Community Meeting will be scheduled for the morning of the October 30th.

 

Gerhardt stated that Chief Broslma is asking for change in office space in the LEC. The request is to obtain the current Juvenile Interview room in the basement of the LEC and to use as an office for the Fairmont police detectives. Gerhardt informed the Board that the County vacated the Juvenile license with the Department of Corrections in 2000 and that he did not foresee a problem with the Police Department changing office space.

 

Gerhardt stated that he has informed the Chief Brosmal that if there were any additional costs such as remodeling that the City would have to incur those costs.

 

The Board gave their approval and that any cost incurred for remodeling would be covered by the City of Fairmont.

 

Gerhardt informed the Board that Charles Patsche went beyond the call of duty to aid in saving the life of Alicia Trueblood of Sherburn, MN. and that one of the Deputies intends to nominate him for the Martin County Sheriffs Office Outstanding Citizen Award. Gerhardt stated that Ms. Trueblood and her wishes to share her story with the Board at the next regular meeting.

 

With no further report. The Board thanked the Sheriff for the update.

 

The Board reviewed the letter from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) pertaining to feedlot facility in Martin County in violation of hydrogen sulfide emissions standards and action taken by the MPCA.

 

Commissioner Schmidtke stated his disappointment that the MPCA stated that it is too late to conduct further monitoring of the feedlot facility. After further discussion,

 

Motion by Commissioner Schmidtke, seconded by Commissioner Potter, Be It Resolved, that the Martin County Board of Commissioners hereby approve and authorize a letter be sent to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency concerning the feedlot facility in question and expressing the Boards disappointment in the delayed action by the MPCA in getting the matter resolved. Carried unanimously.

 

Jim Forshee, Auditor/Treasurer, informed the Board that he has received a letter from the Office of the State Auditor confirming that the State Auditors Office will not be providing audit services to Martin County for the next three years ending December 31, 2003 through December 31, 2004 and December 31, 2005. Although, the State Auditors Office will conduct the audit for the year ending December 31, 2006. Forshee further stated that it is the Countys responsibility to ensure that audit requirements are met and that the State Auditor will issue guidelines pursuant to Minn. Stat 6.65, which prescribe minimum procedures and the audit scope for county audits performed by private CPA firms.

 

The Board directed the Auditor/Treasurer to draft a request for proposals for audit services for the years ending 2003 through 2005.

 

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

 

No action taken on the Revised Resolution Lily and Center Creeks-Blue Earth Watershed Project.

 

The Board recessed at 11:11 A.M.

 

The Board reconvened at 11:23 A.M.

 

Higgins reviewed information and instructions for nominating a public health nurse for the Barbara OGrady Award Excellence in Public Health Leadership Award. This award is to honor and recognize a public health nurse in Minnesota for outstanding leadership and contributions to public health.

 

Reginold Edwards, Region 9 Executive Director, was on hand to discuss the action taken by the Region 9 Commission last month pertaining to the JOBZ Initiative.

 

Edwards gave an overview of the actions taken by the Region Nine Commission concerning JOBZ. Edwards further stated that Region 9 did not intend to create competition within counties of the Region by completing the JOBZ application for communities outside the Region.

 

Commissioner Boler stated that Mr. Edwards inform the R9 Commission that Martin County is not happy with the action taken by the Commission and that it was not in the best interest of Region Nine to complete the JOBZ application for communities outside the Region 9.

 

Commissioner Pierce stated that Region 9 did not look at it from the Regional concept and acted hastily. After much discussion, the Board thanked Edwards for his presentation.

 

With no further business to wit, the meeting adjourned at 12:27 P.M.

 

The next Martin County Board of Commissioners meeting will be October 21, 2003 at 9:00 AM, Extension Meeting Room, Martin County Courthouse.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

MARTIN COUNTY, MN

 

_____________________________

Gerald Boler, Chair

 

 

ATTEST:____________________________

Scott Higgins, County Coordinator