MnDOT-hired consultant to meet with Township officials

The Clearwater County Board of Commissioners met on September 13, 2016.

County Engineer, Dan Sauvé reported that 12 township officials are expected at the Township Sign Replacement Meeting to meet with a MnDOT-hired consultant to explain the maintenance program and an evaluation regarding signs. 

The meeting is Wednesday, September 21 at 4 p.m. At the Highway Department building.

A plan will be established including bids for sign prices with installation. The goal is to reduce the number of signs in the Townships by 20%. This is a cost-shared program, with the Federal Government to pay 80% of the cost, and the other 20% paid locally.

Commissioner John Nelson stated that some signs are for specific local concerns. 

“It is important that the officials come to the meeting to make sure these signs remain in the plan, as the Township has the right to have them up,” said Engineer Sauve`. “The problem is that some 30 mph signs are not authorized in residential areas without a study.” 

Bridge construction in Minerva area is starting this week. The Greenwood Bridge is awaiting the move to the Pioneer Farmers.

He received approval for payment of the County Highway Department bills presented in the amount of $27,954. 

DNR Land Sale was discussed by the Commissioners. Commissioner Dan Stenseng restated the County’s “No Net Loss Policy”. The DNR is selling parcels of land in the County to off set tax on other purchased lands. They have no requirement to establish an access, as the County does. 

“The legal access is required to a public road. I think it is important that the public knows ahead of time that the DNR doesn’t need to provide such an access,” stated Commissioner Dean Newland.

Land & Forestry Commissioner Bruce Cox said that it is only required if property is being sub-divided. 

“This is a Township issue,” he said. “There are no old roads, and the only way to get to it is if there is a private agreement, or go to the Township.”

Commissioner Stenseng stated that this is just simply an auction sale of the DNR land.

Environmental Services Dan Hecht brought a motion to appoint Ken Brein to the Clearwater County Planning Commission, Board of Adjustment, and Solid Waste Advisory Board. The Commissioners passed the motion, effective immediately. Dan Hecht and Commissioner John Nelson highly recommended Mr. Brein based on past knowledge of his experience. 

Mr. Hecht said he plans to attend the AMC (Association of Minnesota Counties) as a rotating delegate in December at St. Paul. 

County Sheriff Darin Halverson brought a motion to authorize Jason Forte to exceed 1,040 hours effective Aug. 28, 2016 which the Board approved. 

Assessor Jamie Freeman received Board authorization to hire Eric Beier as Clearwater County Deputy Assessor, increasing his hourly rate to $18.23. 

She received Board approval to advertise for a Senior Assessor Clerk with a pay range starting at Step 1 of Grade 10 in the amount of $13.87 per hour.

County Auditor-Treasurer Allen Paulson received authorization to pay the submitted invoices of $112,666  for the County Revenue Fund, and $6,675  for Nursing Service.

Wage increases were approved for Maintenance Supervisor Steve Faldet, to an hourly rate of $28.44; and Assessor Jaimie Freeman, to hourly rate of $32.72. 

The County Board recessed temporarily in order to conduct the Unorganized Township Board Meeting for 2016, which was overseen by Commissioner Dean Newland.

Business conducted for the unorganized townships included the 2017 Unorganized Township Budget, submitted by the County Auditor-Treasurer Allen Paulson. The Board of Commissioners passed the budget for blading, $400; Snowplowing, $600; and road maintenance and gravel, $400, for the Unorganized Townships and the County. 

The Board approved the application for the 2017 seasonal beer and wine license for Douglas Lodge located at Itasca State Park  for the Unorganized Township meeting and the County.

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