PROCEEDINGS OF
THE BIG STONE
COUNTY BOARD
October 21, 2008
The Big Stone County Board of
Commissioners met in the Commissioner’s
Room at 8:30 AM on Tuesday, October 21,
2008. Chairman Janssen called the
meeting to order with Commissioners
Athey , Sandberg and Olson present.
Commissioner Tomschin was absent. Also
present were Elsie Perrine, Mike Swenson
of the Ortonville Independent and County
Auditor Michelle Knutson. The Pledge of
Allegiance followed.
Motion by Sandberg, seconded by
Athey and carried to approve the minutes
of the October 7th regular meeting.
Motion by Olson, seconded by
Sandberg and carried to approve the
agenda.
Committee reports were presented.
Attorney Bill Watson and County Engineer
Nick Anderson arrived at the meeting.
Motion by Olson, seconded by
Sandberg and carried to authorize per
diem and related expenses be paid to
Commissioner Athey for attending Board
Leadership Academy training.
Attorney Watson reported that the final
certificate has been filed regarding the
condemnation on the County Road #63
project.
Engineer Anderson reported that he had
received a Public Waters Cease and
Desist Order on County Ditch #2. A brief
history of the ditch and what has been
done was provided. Motion by Olson,
seconded by Athey and carried to begin
the process of appealing the order.
Attorney Watson and Engineer
Anderson left the meeting.
Ortonville Councilman Bob Meyer and
Sheriff John Haukos were present for a
continued discussion on the space needs
of both the City and County. The various
options, as well as bonding, were
discussed.
Discussion was held on the installation
of a keyless entry security system. Motion
by Olson, seconded by Sandberg and
carried to authorize installing the system
for law enforcement and the courthouse as
presented by Sheriff Haukos.
Countryside Public Health Administrator
Liz Auch presented their 2009 budget and
updated the Board on her agency’s
activities.
Following a break, Carolyn
Engebretson, representing the Red River
Basin Commission (RRBC) was present to
request a resolution of support and update
the Board on the RRBC activities. Motion
by Athey, seconded by Olson and carried
to adopt the following resolution:
2008-25
WHEREAS, we recognize that our actions
today impact the legacy we leave the next
generation; and
WHEREAS, we realize that working
together allows us to develop and
implement creative solutions to problems
that work toward the betterment of the
whole basin; and
WHEREAS, the Red River Basin
Commission (RRBC) is a unique
organization that facilitates a cooperative
approach within the basin as a well
established forum for identifying,
developing and implementing solutions to
cross boundary issues; and
WHEREAS, the RRBC has developed the
Red River Basin Natural Resource
Framework Plan (RRB-NRFP) through indepth
basin-wide consultation as a
guideline to help unite the basin in
achieving a collaborative and cooperative
approach to land and water management
within the basin.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Big
Stone County hereby declares support for
the RRB-NRFP in principle as a guideline
for moving forward with a shared vision for
the future.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Big
Stone County will do our part by
implementing projects, programs, and
actions in our area as we are able that will
contribute to this shared vision.
Motion by Sandberg, seconded by
Olson and carried to authorize payment of
the following claims as presented by
Auditor Knutson:
General $39,699.05
Highway 39,018.13
Ditch 102.68
Taxes and Penalties 127.20
State 30.00
Total $78,977.06
Motion by Olson, seconded by Athey
and carried to authorize the following
internal transactions:
General to Highway $5,730.23
Ditch to Highway $2,102.24
CD #2 $124.70
CD #4 $130.51
JD #4 $474.40
JD #7 $ 76.35
CD#10/11 $551.10
CD #12 $ 90.35
CD #13 $592.48
CD #16 $ 62.35
Auditor Knutson reported that Bob
Johnson is willing to also do the snow
removal at the Courthouse and will be
getting back to the County with a price.
Motion by Sandberg, seconded by
Olson and carried to amend the 2001 Joint
Powers Agreement with Pioneerland
Library System as recommended by MCIT.
Due to the annual AMC conference, the
December board meeting dates were set
for December 16th and December 30th.
Motion by Olson, seconded by Athey
and carried to adopt the following
resolution:
2008-26
WHEREAS, the Big Stone County Board of
Commissioners recognizes the importance
of maintaining aggregate resources for the
general economy of the County; and
WHEREAS, the County Board recognizes
that property taxes are an important
consideration as to the viability of the
aggregate industries located in the County;
and
WHEREAS, the State of Minnesota has an
ad valorem property tax system based on
the full market value of real estate or
personal property; and
WHEREAS, the provisions of Minn. Stat. §.
273.1115, Aggregate Resource
Preservation Property Tax Law, grants
special and unique treatment to owners of
land containing aggregate deposits, in
comparison with other property in the
County, therefore shifting the tax burden
on these properties to other taxpayers; and
WHEREAS, the provisions of Minn. Stat. §
273.1115, Aggregate Resource
Preservation Property Tax Law, allow a
county to terminate application of this law;
and
WHEREAS, a county may reauthorize
application of this law by a resolution of the
County Board revoking the termination;
and
WHEREAS, the County Board is required
to hold a public hearing as part of the
process to terminate application of this law;
and
WHEREAS, said public hearing has been
scheduled for December 16, 2008.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED,
that the Big Stone County Board of
Commissioners hereby elects to begin the
process of terminating participation in the
Aggregate Resource Preservation Property
Tax Law in Big Stone County.
County Engineer Nick Anderson
reported that MCIT is no longer handling
drug testing for the counties. Motion by
Sandberg, seconded by Olson and carried
to approve the agreement to perform drug
testing on county employees with the
current provider, First Lab, contingent upon
Attorney Watson’s review.
Motion by Athey, seconded by
Sandberg and carried to authorize
Engineer Anderson to contact Bill Hartman
to remove the garage that is on the trail
right-of-way.
Discussion was held on the possible
redetermination of benefits for Joint Ditch
#4 as a result of a tile permit request from
the Big Stone Hutterian Bretheran. It
appears that an outlet fee will need to be
assessed as some of the parcels affected
are not benefitted into the ditch.
Commissioner Sandberg left the
meeting to meet with representatives from
USDA regarding the Family Services
Building.
Discussion was held on Branch 3 of
County Ditch #13. Board members were
reminded that the petition for improvement
is under the jurisdiction of the Watershed.
Motion by Olson, seconded by Athey
and carried to authorize renting a brush
mower and tractor for ditch maintenance.
Motion by Athey, seconded by Olson
and carried to award the bid for project CP
06-663-06 to Final Touch Excavating of
East Bethel, MN.
Discussion was held on road ditch rightof-
way and buffer strips. Board consensus
was that the initial correspondence to
landowners should come from the
commissioners. Commissioner Olson will
bring a draft press release to the next
meeting.
Motion by Olson, seconded by Athey
and carried to allow part-time dispatchers
to work limited custodial hours at Grade 4
Step 1 as recommended by HR Director
Sue Schultz.
Board consensus was to support the
Department Heads in allowing a
reasonable amount of paid time off work
for employees to go to their local clinic for
flu shots at their own expense.
Motion by Olson, seconded by Athey
and carried to approve Blue Cross’
Alternative Option 2, at a cost of $122 per
month, as the Part D Medicare Drug
Coverage provided to County retirees.
Motion by Athey, seconded by Olson
and carried to approve the 3% contract
increase for preventative system
maintenance with G&R Controls.
Chairman Janssen adjourned the
meeting at 11:25 PM.
Michelle R. Knutson,
Auditor
Howard Janssen,
Chairman
SPECIAL EMERGENCY MEETING
October 27, 2008
The Big Stone County Board of
Commissioners met in the Commissioner’s
Room at 1:00 PM on Monday, October 27,
2008. The purpose of the meeting is to
discuss and act on the cost plus contract
for the work to be done at the Family
Services building. Chairman Janssen
called the meeting to order with
Commissioners Tomschin, Athey,
Sandberg and Olson present. Also
present were Attorney Bill Watson and
Auditor Michelle Knutson. The Pledge of
Allegiance followed.
Steve Grong of Carlson Construction
updated the Board on the work that will
need to be done at the Family Services
building and presented a contract for the
same. Mr. Grong explained the cost plus
contract as this is something new for the
County. With the understanding that
contracts for purchase or repairs may
be made without advertising for bids in
emergency situations as per MS
375.21, motion by Sandberg and
seconded by Olson to approve the contract
contingent upon Attorney Watson’s
approval. Following discussion, motion
carried.
Chairman Janssen declared the meeting
adjourned at 1:35 PM.
Michelle R. Knutson,
Auditor
Howard Janssen,
Chairman
