Buffer Ordinance hearing to be held at regular Board meeting on December 12

 

The Clearwater County Board of Commissioners met on Nov. 21, 2017, covering topics from Environmental Services, Soil & Water Conservation District, Nursing Service, and the Auditor.

Environmental Services Director, Dan Hecht said there will be a public notice placed in both local papers regarding the Buffer Ordinance on Nov. 27 and Dec. 4. A public hearing for the ordinance adoption is scheduled for the regular Board meeting on Dec. 12. 

Commissioner Neal Illies commented that the dumpster sites are in good shape and are staying clean. 

Director Hecht said the Roadside Spraying Contracts will be on a four-year rotation. 

County Ag: An MDA $300,000 grant is available to do weed control. 

“This could be used for Meadow Nap Weed control,” Director Hecht said. “They used to do an annual report, which fell by the wayside.” This annual reporting is to be reinstated. They will be moving to on-line testing, which shows immediate results. 

He informed the Board that Polk County is buying a drone to oversee spraying of ditches in the area, which is to be split three ways. He said they spend a lot of time spraying. 

Regarding the motion discussed at the last meeting requiring Board motion for purchases over $1,000, the Board said if it is part of normal maintenance for the department needs, they do not need Board approval for that. However they wish to be kept informed. 

“The departments should carry on as before,” Commissioner Dean Newland said.

“If it is something new, we need the information,” Commissioner Illies said. 

“We need to know what is going on,” Commissioner Dan Stensing added. 

The 2004 Chevy Silverado pickup which was damaged in a recent accident will be retained as salvage by the County, and the County will be paid $7,422. The trailer will be replaced, and the County will be paid $1,251.

Nathan Nordlund, District Manager of Soil and Water Conservation District discussed the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Plan and Budget. A motion to approve the 2018 plan and Budget for Clearwater County was passed. 

“There is a need for another inspector at Lake Itasca Park. Last year there was only one at the lake. Hours were 10-6. Usual hours are 8-8. But the overall budget will not be raising,” he said. “Tim Terrell cut their part to $9,000 this year.”

The cost with an additional inspector will double from $6,300 last year, to $12,600 there this year. The second inspector will be at Elk Lake during the weekend, and at Lake Itasca during the week. 

Commissioner Illies said that since the money comes from the State and there are no local dollars involved the additional cost was acceptable. 

Director of Nursing, Marissa Hetlund received Board approval to hire Edith Dickinson as a Home Health Aid and Homemaker on a part time basis (more than 1040 hours per year).

County Auditor, Allen Paulson was authorized by the Board to pay the submitted invoices of $63,853 for the County Revenue Fund, and $6,469 for the Nursing Service Fund. 

Commissioners present at the meeting were Daniel Stenseng, Dean Newland, John Nelson, Neal Illies and Arlen Syverson.