Clearwater County Board approves DNR purchase of Bert’s Cabins
Tue, 08/21/2018 - 11:32am
admin
By:
Karen Edelbach
DNR personnel Gary Heoft, the DNR Manager, and Rita Albrecht, Regional Director, NW Region, were on the agenda to complete their request for County support to purchase the Bert's Cabins property. Clearwater County Board of Commissioners met on August 14, 2018.
“We are excited for the owners to leave this legacy for the people of the State of Minnesota,” Rita said.
Engineer Dan Sauvé was present for the discussion and said there is a County access road, which is a public road, maintained there. He said it is a County Aid road.
The property, owned by Dave and Pat Evenwoll, is located in Itasca State Park and includes 20 acres of land, which will be included in the State Park System. The Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to give their support for the purchase; however it was emphasized by Commissioner Dean Newland as to the need for the DNR to pursue a land swap.
“We have to look in fairness regarding a land swap as previously discussed,” he stated.
Rita said they will be looking into it and have some ideas they hope to pursue when more time is available.
Gary mentioned there is an 81 year old museum on the property as well.
Commissioner Neal Illies asked for comments from Representative Steve Green at the previous meeting at which he was in attendance: “DNR sales in trade hardly ever happen, and the sale can't be final until the other property is sold,” he said. “Sales don't generally happen unless they are part of the deal.”
U. S. Fish & Wildlife personnel Lynn Sebek and Alisha Haken, Deputy Project Leader, US Fish & Wildlife Service received approval for wetland easements in Clearbrook, containing 59 and 14.9 acres in Eddy Township. Agricultural use is permitted, the properties remain in their ownership, and they will continue to pay property taxes.
During the comment/discussion period, Commissioner Newland repeated his objection to the perpetual part of these easements. Also that people in the area have been solicited by Neil Powers (previous project leader at Tamarac) to put land into wetland easements.
“I have a real problem with that,” he stated. “In my area a group of people received encouragement to do so. We don't have a right to tell people what to do.”
Ms. Haken said she is going to look into that, and said she didn't realize that he did that.
Director of Nursing Marissa Hetlund received approval to advertise for the position of a part-time School Health Para.
“This position is something we have contracted for, and the past para has retired,” she said, explaining the need for filling the position.
Land Commissioner Bruce Cox said the tornado warning alarm for the park has been obtained, and needs to be installed.
Commissioner Neal Illies asked about the radius of the alarm.
“It will be best at the park and lake, and then depends on which way the wind blows,” Bruce responded.
He was given approval for the purchase of a duplex water softener system to replace the failing system at the County Park. A new system will be obtained from Ecowater Systems for $3,300.
“This system is budgeted and is a capitol improvement,” he said.
County Veterans Service Officer Hutch Hutchens was authorized to execute the grant contract with the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct the County Veterans Service Office Operational Enhancement Grant Program.
“The grant must be used to provide outreach to the county's Veterans; to assist in the reintegration of combat Veterans into society; to collaborate with other social service agencies, educational institutions, and other community organizations for the purposes of enhancing services offered to veterans; to reduce homelessness among veterans; and to enhance the operations of county Veterans service office,” as specified in Minnesota Statutes.
A question about flag protocol at cemeteries was asked by Commissioner Dean Newland, who is in charge of five cemeteries. It will be discussed at a later date.
County Engineer, Dan Sauvé received approval for payment of County Highway Department bills as presented in the amount of $37,610.
County Auditor Allen Paulson was authorized to pay the submitted invoices of $200,991 for the County Revenue Fund and $49,028 for the Nursing Service Fund.
The Treasurer's Office will now be changed to the Auditor-Treasurer's Office in the Clearwater County Personnel Policy.
All Commissioners were present at the meeting: Daniel Stenseng, Dean Newland, John Nelson, Neal Illies and Arlen Syverson.