Commissioners approved RLF Grant resolution on April 10th

On April 10th, all commissioners being present held their Commissioner meeting.

Angie Lundeen, Human Resources, was asked to be added to the agenda. The agenda was approved with the addition.

Bills were looked at and approved with a  motion by  Commissioner John Lerohl, seconded by Commissioner Chuck Simpson, carried. Auditor Bob Schmitz presented two additional bills for training sessions held in the county. This was for refreshments during the training sessions which is not typically allowed and needs a special approval. Lerohl made a motion to approve with Commissioner Anthony “Chuck” Flage making the second. Approved.

The Red Lake County Soil, Water and Conservation District (RLC SWCD) requested a resolution be made for a BWSR requirement on a resolution adopted on June 12, 2017 by the RLC SWCD. Commissioner Ron Weiss made the motion, seconded by Flage, carried.

The minutes from the last meeting were approved with a motion by Lerohl, seconded by Simpson, carried.

Barry Glienke from Bolton Menk, Inc. and Red Lake Falls Mayor Allen Bertilrud came before the commissioners, asking the county to be the agent for the LRIP Grant (Local Road Improvement Program) for the City of Red Lake Falls. 

RLF has a project to do utility work and road work and have received a loan from the Clean Water act and a grant from the MNDot LRIP grant plus some city funds for this project. In order to receive the LRIP monies, the county has to be the agent for the City of Red Lake Falls. The project is expected to come in around 7.5 million and will affect a number of households during the project. 

There were some concern from County Engineer Corky Kleven with the utility work and the time line the City of Red Lake Falls has in place. Kleven recommended that the City not tar the streets right away and let them settle over winter to compact before finishing. He also had concerns about signing off on the plans as he had not gotten the Engineers Estimates of the plan yet. Glienke said he would have the Engineers Estimate by the end of the day.

The sewer system in RLF is in serious need of replacement and probably should have been done 30 years ago, according to Bertilrud.

Red Lake Falls needs the County Commissioners to agree to be the LRIP Grant agent for the City of Red Lake Falls. The expenses up to the amount of the grant that will be used for the projects. After some discussion and a explanation of the plan and the fact there is no liability to the county, the County Commissioners agreed to be the agent with a motion by Weiss and seconded by Lerohl, carried.

Committee reports were given. Simpson had none to report. Weiss had attended the Tri County Community Corrections  (TCCC) meeting with Commissioner Dave Sorensen and they reported there were 13 new admits for Red Lake County, with 6 in jail, no RLC juveniles at this time and the per-diem paid from other counties use of TCCC is down. Other items discussed at their meeting was that the probation offices in East Grand Forks will be moving to a new location soon and visitation of inmates will have additional modes of visiting with video calls at $5.95 for a 20 minute visit being set up. TCCC is also finding it hard to find a psychologist. And Polk County has started transporting juveniles with their vehicles for a fee to their court appointments,  which the other counties using the juvenile system in Red Lake County are pleased about.

Flage had attended the RLC SWCD meeting and learned about the projects planned for the summer, the Long Lake sponsorship for two students to attend and reported that RLCC School sends three teams to the Environthon at Rydell, and Red Lake Falls doesn’t send anyone. 

Lerohl had attended a NW Regional Commission meeting and that they have hired a new accountant. 

Catherine Johnson from Inter County Community Council had given Lerohl a copy of the annual ICCC report.

Lerohl also reported that a Letter to the Editor had been sent to newspapers regarding the Enbridge issue and that he heard that Enbridge hasn’t gone to court yet on the issue. Neil Ilies from Clearbrook getting a meeting with the governor or chief of staff and asked if Lerohl could go and he said yes, he should be able to, but if not, someone from the county board will be there. Also, Line 3 is pumping less and the effects are that refineries are short product and prices at the pump are going up due to this.

Sorensen reported that he had attended meetings that discussed broadband issues, stating that Red Lake County is lucky compared to other counties and sale of land to Dept. of Natural Resources and PILT payments.

Angie Lundeen had two items to discuss with the Commissioners. First was concerns that the County Attorney, Mike LaCoursiere had about the office he is in causing issues with his allergies and that he would no longer be attending any commissioners meetings but will answer any concerns and research issues they need to have answered.

Second item has to do with  Union Employees and the issue will be discussed during negotiations.

Meeting was adjourned. Next meeting April 24th at 10 a.m. in the Courthouse, Commissioners meeting room.