Government Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes Commissioner's Minutes - June 15, 2010
| Commissioner's Minutes - June 15, 2010 |
| Wednesday, 11 August 2010 08:50 |
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Grand Marais, Minnesota The Board met in regular session this 15th day of June, 2010, at the Courthouse in Grand Marais, Minnesota. HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MEMBERS PRESENT: STAFF PRESENT: MEMBERS ABSENT: The Human Services Board met in regular session on the 15th day of June, 2010, in the commissioner's room of the Cook County Courthouse in Grand Marais, MN. Robert Fenwick, Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Fritz Sobanja made a motion to approve the agenda for the meeting, seconded by Jan Hall and approved all ayes. Jim Johnson made a motion to approve the May 18, 2010 meeting minutes, seconded by Jan Hall and approved all ayes. COMMITTEE REPORTS: B. Arrowhead Health Alliance: Bob reported from the last meeting. Blue Cross Blue Shield continues to move forward. 4 initiatives have been identified. They discussed applying for a sizeable grant and how they would use the funds. Discussion was to invest in technology. C. Arrowhead Regional Corrections: Jan reported that at the last meeting they went over financials, received a comprehensive report from Tony Manchero, St. Louis County Maintenance Director, regarding building needs. Fritz added that between AJC and NERC, it will cost 2.1 million dollars for maintenance improvements. Sentence to Serve vote was approved for the County contribution to increase to 75% and the State to decrease to 25%. D. Community Health Board: The next meeting is July 26th. E. Public Health/Human Services Advisory Committee: The next meeting is in July. F. Health Care Planning Committee: Introduced new worker from HDC, Kayla O'brien. Reviewed upcoming events, and that the ambulance and hospital are busy. There was a discussion on GAMC and how it will affect our hospital. G. Interagency Services Committee: Jan reported they likely will not meet again until the fall. H. North Shore Collaborative: The next meeting is in July. I. Region 3 Human Services Redesign: Met at the end of May. Went over suggestions from staff. Income Maintenance area was chosen by the staff as the most universal and workable area as a region. Discussion on how to set up the governance around it and how to communicate. St. Louis County currently uses a "Compass Program" through E-connect to case manage. The Region is looking into possibly doing that. They set up a list of criteria to determine priorities. They could go forward without having a Joint Powers in place. Contracting may need to be in place. Bob added that the Compass program is a way to communicate with other counties and have the option to apply to all Income Maintenance programs. The meeting was positive. Family Home Visiting Program - Amy Lacina, RN (Attachment #1) Amy goes into the parents homes and offers education on nutrition, development while pregnant, healthy choices, resources, safety with car seats and the home environment. Amy reported being able to do physical assessments on the Mom and baby. She also has a tool to conduct post partum depression screenings. This allows her to identify high risk needs and refer to the clinic or HDC when necessary. Amy said the program is geared toward a minimum of 1-3 visits, but can be increased due to need. She has also helped one family find a crib. She receives referrals from the Sawtooth Mountain Clinic, Duluth hospitals, social workers and financial workers. She also attends WIC monthly trying to connect with moms and dads there. Amy receives reports from MDH when there is a high risk birth and attempts follow-up with the family. Amy currently has 15 cases. Sue added that Amy has done a fantastic job starting up this program. Amy and Jan both noted the assistance they have received from Carlton County to get the program up and running. May 2010 Financial Report - Jan Parish, Income Maintenance and Fiscal Supervisor Director's Report - Sue Futterer, Director of Public Health and Human Services B. Upcoming Program Audits: PHHS is having a Food Support and MSHO Blue Plus Audit this week. In July there will be a United Behavioral Health Audit for the CD program. This is a good thing as PHHS is trying to become a provider. In August there will be a CD Audit looking at how we use federal funds (CCDTF). C. CCDTF Legislative Changes: Maintenance of Effort has been eliminated and will be replaced by 16.14% of total cost by Counties. Rate reduction for any program above cost had 5% rate reduced, 46.80 to 44.46 an hour, includes our outpatient program. D. Other Legislative Changes: CD pilot program was passed. This will allow more flexible use of funds. MACSSA and LPHA websites have effects of legislative changes if the board wants more information. Children in out of home placement, who are receiving services 6 months prior to 18 can continue to receive services until they turn 21 at the county cost. No cuts to SHIP grants but CCSA funds were reduced. Jan is going to Fiscal Supervisor meeting next week and will get more information on that. Jim Johnson made a motion to approve the abstracts and bills, seconded by Bruce Martinson and approved all ayes. Jan Hall made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 9:45AM, seconded by Diane Fitzgerald and approved all ayes. The next Human Services Board meeting will be on Tuesday, July 20, 2010, commencing at 8:30 AM. At 10:00 a.m. the regular meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners was called to order. County Board Chair Sobanja led the Commissioners in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion was made by Hall, seconded by Fenwick, and carried to approve the agenda as amended. At 10:04 a.m. a motion was made by Fenwick, seconded by Hall, and carried to close the regular meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners for client/attorney privilege to discuss a real property issue. Present for this discussion were all five commissioners in addition to County Auditor-Treasurer Powers, County Attorney Scannell, and Personnel Director/County Board Secretary Simonen. At 10:25 a.m. a motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Fenwick, and carried to end the closed session and reopen the regular meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners. Mark Falk, County Sheriff, and Duane Ege, Communications Contractor, appeared before the Board. Falk presented a fiber optic cable installation contract between Cook County and Jay Carlson Excavating, LLC. This contract would provide for the installation of fiber optic cable between the Cook County Law Enforcement Center and the Maple Hill State Patrol Radio Tower. Ege noted that this would create a dedicated fiber link for Law Enforcement Center and ARMER system use for public safety purposes. County Attorney Tim Scannell was present for the discussion and noted that several details regarding the work to be performed and the amount of materials to be used must still be determined. Following discussion, motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Fenwick, and carried to approve the fiber optic cable installation contract as presented, authorizing County Sheriff Falk and County Attorney Scannell to fill in the remaining details of the contract prior to signature. Falk presented a contract between Cook County and the State of Minnesota regarding a State Home land Security Program Grant in the amount of $17,451.00, which would assist Cook County in completing a preliminary implementation plan for the transition of the Cook County Public Safety Communications systems onto the ARMER network. Falk also presented a contract between the State of Minnesota and Cook County for a public safety interoperable communications grant in the amount of approximately $26,000. This grant would provide for the purchase of communications equipment that is capable of operating on the ARMER system. Motion was made by Fenwick, seconded by Hall, and carried to approve both grant agreements between Cook County and the State of Minnesota as presented. Mary Black, Cook County Assessor/Land Commissioner, and Luana Brandt, Nor'wester Lodge, appeared before the Board to discuss commercial boat permits for Leo Lake. Black reported that she inspected the improvements made to the Leo Lake landing, and that four commercial boats could continue to be moored at the site, subject to County Board approval. Black and Brandt recommended that the County establish a commercial boat permit process for resorts that would like to moor a boat at the Leo Lake landing. The County Board discussed the length and cost of said permits, and whether the three existing businesses who have operated boats on the lake for a number of years should be given first opportunity to obtain a permit. Following discussion, motion was made by Martinson, seconded by Fenwick, and carried to establish a maximum of four commercial boat permits for the Leo Lake landing, at a cost of $50 per boat for a maximum 10 year length of time, giving first options to Nor'wester Lodge, Hungry Jack Lodge, and Windigo Lodge, who currently operate commercial boats at the site. Sally Nankivell, Charles Skinner, and Scott Harrison appeared before the Board on behalf of the Cook County Visitor Bureau. Harrison provided a history of lodging tax that has been collected within Cook County. Skinner provided a review of the current state of the tourism economy in Cook County. Nankivell provided an overview of the advertising and marketing efforts that are being conducted to encourage visitors to come to Cook County. Skinner noted that other areas in Minnesota are out-spending Cook County in marketing efforts, with visible results, and reported that additional funding for tourism and marketing efforts within Cook County is needed. The County Board discussed various factors that are affecting the Cook County tourism economy. Nankivell reviewed the Cook County Events and Visitors Bureau budget from July 1, 2009 through May 30, 2010. Nankivell reported that the Bureau would also like to change their fiscal year to run from May 1st through April 30th, to better reflect the annual tourism season. Following discussion, motion was made by Fenwick, seconded by Johnson, and carried to approve a change in fiscal year for the Cook County Events and Visitors Bureau to May 1st through April 30th , as requested. Motion was then made by Fenwick, seconded by Hall, and carried to approve the Cook County Events and Visitors Bureau budget as presented. Brian Silence, Maintenance Director, appeared before the Board. Silence requested permission to obtain quotes to purchase a new vehicle for the county fleet. Silence has been trying to get by with two fewer cars, but there is a greater need for vehicles. Consensus was to have Silence obtain quotes for the purchase of a new trip car and present them at the June 22, 2010 County Board meeting. Commissioner Hall reported that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is putting in a safe harbor facility at Horse Shoe Bay, and will be removing the existing old dock. The Hovland community would like the old dock moved to Chicago Bay, to create a better boat access site. Hall stated that the DNR would move it to the site if the County Board agrees, and if the County Highway Department would assist with some site preparation work. The neighbors and Hovland Community are all in support of the proposal. Following discussion, motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Fenwick, and carried to approve the installation of the used dock at Chicago Bay, using the County Highway Department equipment and crew to assist in the installation, subject to written confirmation from Minnesota DNR staff representative Thomas Peterson. Commissioner Martinson moved the adoption of the following resolution and upon seconding by Commissioner Johnson was adopted by unanimous yea vote of all members present: RESOLUTION # 2010-41 BE IT RESOLVED, that the following claims totaling $ 51,771.14 having been audited and found to be true and correct claims against Cook County, are approved and the Auditor-Treasurer is hereby authorized to draw warrants in payment of said claims: Commissioner Johnson reported that the Cook County Events and Visitors Bureau has requested that the fees for parking at the Saganaga Boat Landing be waived for designated attendees coming to the Chik Wauk grand opening on the 4th of July week-end. Motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Martinson, and carried to waive fees for parking at the Saganaga Boat Landing for the designated Chik Wauk attendees only. Commissioner Fenwick reported that he was appointed to the Federal U.S. Forest Service Regional Advisory Committee that will work to allocate Title III funding for Secure Rural Schools. The first meeting will be held on June 11, 2010. This is a two year commitment. Consensus was to place this committee on the regular meeting list of County Commissioner Appointments. Commissioner Fenwick provided an update of Community Center planning activities. A steering committee consisting of sixteen representatives have begun meeting. They will be requesting a proposal from Randy Laskey of Northspan to serve as the facilitator to take the county up to the construction phase for a new facility.
Correspondence-Memos: B. Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District meeting minutes for 6/6/10. Information. C. Cook County/Grand Marais Economic Development Authority meeting minutes for 5/11/10. Information. D. Materials for 6/14/10 Cook County Historical Society Board meeting. Information. E. Letter from Grand Marais Public Library, 6/9/10, re: Library expansion project. Information. F. 2009 Annual Report of the Cook County Highway Department. Information. G. Memo from Cook County Maintenance Director Brian Silence, 6/8/20, re: Highway Dept. fuel station. Information. H. Cook County Board of Commissioner meeting minutes for 5/18/10 and 5/25/10. Motion was made by Fenwick, seconded by Martinson, and carried to approve the County Board minutes as presented with one correction. I. Letters from U.S. Dept. of Interior Bureau of Indian Affairs, 6/7/10, re: Fee to Trust Acquisitions. Information. The County Board reviewed a National Association of Counties 2010 credentials (voting) identification form. Consensus was to have County Board Chair Sobanja sign the form so that Commissioner Johnson can serve as a voting representative when attending the NACo Annual Conference on July 16-20, 2010. Commissioner Johnson reported that he attended a recent Parks and Trails Legacy (Lessard) planning session. Johnson stated that land acquisition was not part of the original intent for use of the Lessard funds, but it was raised as part of the discussion regarding the planning process for use of funding. No action was taken regarding this issue. There being no further business, motion was made and carried that the regular meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners be adjourned at 11:30 a.m. At 6:30 p.m. the 2010 meeting of the Cook County Board of Appeal and Equalization was convened. The following members were present: Commissioners Fenwick, Hall, Johnson, Martinson, and Sobanja as well as Cook County Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers. Also present were Cook County Assessor Mary Black and Assistant County Assessor Allison Lowe. Mary Black, County Assessor, reported that the Board of Equalization and Appeal was an opportunity for tax payers to appeal their 2010 property value and/or classification. Black noted that Lutsen and Tofte Townships have their own Boards of Equalization and Appeal. Property owners in those Townships must have first gone to those meetings before coming to the County Board of Equalization and Appeal meeting. Black reported that there were minimal real estate sales in Cook County in the past year. Black reviewed information from sales ratio studies, and also reported that the State Board of Equalization made no orders or directives regarding Cook County. The County Assessors conducted extensive work in the Gunflint Trail area and noted many properties that had missing information or incorrect assessment data. Black also reviewed recent legislative changes that have been implemented by the State. Mary Manion Bick appeared before the Board to discuss the valuation of her cabin located on Poplar Lake (parcel I.D. # 52-460-3140). Bick thought that the current assessment is higher than the value of the property and the construction cost that went into it. Black stated the need to conduct an interior review of the cabin before any decisions are made, noting that the property was last reviewed in a complete fashion in 1997, before an addition was built on to the property. Consensus of the Board was that the Board of Equalization and Review would recess at the end of the evening until June 22, 2010 to allow the Assessor's Office to review the Bick property, as well as any other properties that may need further research. At 7:20 p.m. Commissioner Martinson left the meeting. Rosalee Schaefer appeared before the Board regarding her cabin on the South Shore of Devil Track Lake (parcel I.D. # 53-230-3355). Schaefer thought that the assessment for the older portion of her cabin was too high, as the grade of construction is marginal. County Assessor Black indicated the need to conduct an inside inspection before any decisions can be made. Consensus was to conduct a review and report back at the June 22, 2010 meeting. Black presented a list of properties that were being appealed, highlighting the changes that the Assessor's Office is prepared to make. Black noted that the property belonging to Phillip Krause (parcel I.D. # 53-119-3420) should also be added to the list as the owner is contesting its valuation. Following review of the unresolved issues, motion was made by Fenwick, seconded by Johnson, and carried to recess the 2010 meeting of the Cook County Board of Appeal and Equalization to Tuesday, June 22, 2010 at 1:00 p.m. in the Cook County Courthouse.
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