New election equipment for county

By Karen Edelbach

The Clearwater County Board of Commissioners met on July 9, 2019, discussing new election equipment, Land Department, Environmental Services, Recorder, and other departments on the Agenda.

Auditor-Treasurer Al Paulson explained the need for the county to enter into an agreement to purchase 16 of the new model election equipment to be available for the 2020 Presidential Primary. The Commissioners approved the agreement and purchase.

"Our equipment is 17 years old," said Auditor Paulson. "We have to use this new equipment to conduct the election, and we want to move on with technology."

Our election equipment grant from the State of Minnesota will pay $53,882 of the total cost of $87,020 with this agreement. The direct cost to Clearwater County will be $33,138. 

The Commissioners wanted to know if fraud was an issue in the elections, and also whether mail-out ballots will be used. 

"We are not so much worried about fraud as whether voters (especially those out of town) are registered voters. Actually there is a better turn out with mail-out ballots," he said. They will know before the Primary Election in March of 2020 whether or not mail-out ballots will be used, he stated.

Recorder Brenda Knable received approval from the Commissioners for the hiring of Lori Lewis as Junior Recorder Clerk in the Clearwater County Recorder's office, effective July 15 at a wage of $12.57 per hour. 

Land Commissioner Bruce Cox reported that the department needed to replace their previous lawn mower.

"There are 10 years on the last one, and now it is not reliable," he stated. "This is the only one at the park. The old one will be kept for a back up."

He received approval to purchase a new lawn mower from Wilberg's Auto Center for the discounted cost of $2,565 with tax to be used at the County Park.

He went to the park to warn the people there about the weather during the recent storm. The siren went off and is very loud. 

"Though there was a lot of rain the storm turned out to be a 'non-event' there," Bruce said. 

Commissioner Mark Larson stated that he has had comments about the difficulty to  launch any sizable boat at Lindberg Lake because there is so much mud. 

It is shallow," Bruce responded, "but boats up to 14-16 feet are okay. Over that size are difficult  because it is too shallow."

Environmental Services Director, Dan Hecht discussed the potential of installing security cameras at the land fill shop because of past thefts there and vandalism at the land fill that have caused the need for improved security. He has checked with County Attorney Al Rogalla to establish whether it might help to have camera footage to get convictions in the case of theft. There has been a trailer stolen, and a roll of fencing in recent years for examples. 

He said he wants to monitor during open hours of operation also because some visitors to the landfill who are "shopping" use unsafe practices.

"A camera is a start," it was stated. However Commissioner Neal Illies pointed out that there are possibly better systems that could do much more for less cost. Internet is needed for better systems. Commissioner Larson felt there was no reason to do this without internet. 

"Without internet it is only a recording," he said.

Chairman John Nelson said it is not worth the time or cost to monitor

"I put security as a budget item every year," Mr. Hecht stated, "and I am making the recommendation to purchase the camera out of budget. My goal it to get some kind of prosecution if there is an incident." 

Since there is not internet available there at this time, he will check into what would be the costs of this type of system, installation, and ongoing costs with Garden Valley before considering bringing a motion in the future.

He received approval to purchase a pickup truck which is a budgeted item for this year in the solid waste collection account, coordinated with the Assessor's Office. It is a 2019 Dodge Ram from State contract vendor Mike Motors in Ely, Minn. for $24,347. 

Engineer  Dan Sauvé opened the only fuel bid for supplying fuel for county vehicles from Bagley Co-Op Association in Bagley. The total approved is their bid of $128,607 with a 9 cent markup.

He received approval for payment of the Clearwater County Highway Department bills as presented in the amount of $23,965.

SWCD Chester Powell, Program Technician, new Program Technician Briell Prokosch, and Lori Buell are hosting a One Watershed One Plan meeting on August 2, which they have invited the Commissioners to attend. Due to the conflict with the County Fair on that date, they will not plan to attend.

There is a Wild Rice One Watershed One Plan meeting on July 22 in Ada, a "kick-off" event, which some will plan to attend.

Chester reported that there are enough inspectors this year, and things are going smoothly at the lakes where inspections are done for aquatic invasive species. 

"I think the public is used to it now, and everything is going well," he stated.

Director of Nursing Marissa Hetlund received approval to hire Karen Harris as a full time Registered Nurse, working over 1040 hours per year. A "Letter of Justification" was included, showing Ms. Harris to have five years of home care experience, and an additional five years in Assisted Living care.

"Her experience in home care will be helpful and decrease training time," the statement from Director Hetlund said. Based on experience, her wage will be $30.10 per hour.

The Commissioners passed a Resolution accepting the Prime West Health proposal that provides managed health care services for Clearwater County.

County Auditor-Treasurer Allen Paulson was authorized to pay the submitted invoices of $120,235 for the County Revenue Fund and $10,849 for the Nursing Service Fund. 

All Commissioners were present at the meeting: John Nelson, Neal Illies, Dean Newland, Mark Titera, and Mark Larson.