Eight officials take Oath of Office in Clearwater County for the new term
Tue, 01/15/2019 - 12:51pm
admin
By:
Karen Edelbach
The first meeting of the Clearwater County Board of Commissioners on the 8th of January, 2019 started with administering of the Oath of Office for elected County officials. The eight individuals agreed to uphold the Constitution of the United States, the Constitution of Minnesota, and to endeavor to fulfill the duties of their office.
After the Pledge of Allegiance an election by their peers was held to assign the positions of Chairman and Vice-Chairman for the year. Commissioner John Nelson will serve as Chairman of the Board, and Commissioner Neal Illies will be the Vice-Chairman.
New dates for Board, Department Head, and work session meetings in 2019 were approved, along with regular business procedures, paying of bills, designating Farmer's Independent as legal paper, etc.
Citizens wishing to meet with the Board to discuss business or some issue should contact the Commissioner of their district, who then will obtain approval from the Board Chairman. It takes a week to get an item on the agenda for an upcoming meeting.
Appointments for the Boards and Committees for the 2019 year will remain the same, except for the new Commissioners will take the assignments for the Commissioner they are replacing in most cases.
Sanford Health Administrator Rob Belanger and Nursing Manager Stephanie McKnight were on the agenda to discuss obtaining another Minnesota Capital Improvement Grant for improvements at the hospital, which would bring about $42,000 from the County, a 25% match which will make the grant total $167,000. Last year's grant was used for air conditioning, new windows and shades, and preparations began for a move of the Rehab Center from the Clinic to the Hospital.
The new grant would be applied to the continuation of those preparations including physical and occupational therapy.
“The wing available at the Hospital more than doubles the space for Rehab Services, and will combine with the gym there,” Administrator Belanger said.
Commissioner Illies made a motion, which was seconded by Commissioner Mark Titera and passed, to proceed with the application for the grant and for further information to be brought to the next board meeting. Ms. McKnight will bring additional information to the next meeting.
County Engineer, Dan Sauvé brought the Highway Budget and explained the new budget for 2019 in the amount of over $1.9 million.
A five year plan will be presented at the Roads & Bridges meeting in March. The 2019 budget was passed by the Commissioners.
Commissioner Nelson asked what determines where they buy fuel.
“Whatever is closer,” the engineer responded. “We do not pay tax in Bagley, but there is a lot of paperwork connected with getting reimbursed.” He will look into that regarding fuel purchased in Clearbrook.
Many construction projects are scheduled for 2019. The Engineer is authorized to advertise for County Highway Projects on the County Website.
Chester Powell, Program Tech of Soil and Water Conservation District brought the new AIS Budget for 2019.
“We staff 11 public access inspectors at the highest access and traffic locations,” he said. “Those lakes are Clearwater, Pine, Big LaSalle, and Lomond. In the past we worked with Mississippi Headwaters.
“We use the geo-fencing, which counts traffic that comes through, and sample for Zebra Mussels and other AIS species. The money all comes from the State, and is based on the Legislation, but there is no foreseeable end to the funds coming. This started in 2014 with $100,000 each year. We have about $100,000 left and used $23,000 for the Aerial Imagery.”
He mentioned one of the biggest promotions has been for “Clean-Drain-Dry” to bring awareness of the importance of boat owners to follow this routine. Also, they advertise regarding the value of our resources, and are working on the One Watershed One Plan. Total budget for this year is $121,144.
MIS Technical Director, Stuart Lien received authorization to advertise for a full time permanent Information Tech Specialist to fill a vacancy.
A motion was passed to pay the cost of annual dues for IT leaders. It has risen to $1,198 from the $300 it used to be since a lobbyist has been hired through Association of Minnesota Counties to work at the legislation.
Motion was passed to cover major computer replacements and technology upgrades in 2019 in the amount of $72,000; and another to handle computer and software maintenance upgrades and support agreements not to exceed $60,000.
This year they are updating 32 PCs and two servers. Commissioner Mark Larson asked if this is in line with spending last year.
Mr. Lien said this is a managed spend so that is does not fluctuate as much.
“We are usually under budget unless something comes up (unexpectedly),” he said.
Director of Nursing Marissa Hetlund said Nursing Service will no longer be able to use the Park View Apartment meeting room free of charge for the foot clinic every other month as they have done in the past. Park View now wants to charge $50 each time. They are looking for a new space.
Lyn Riggs will be retiring in March. Valerie Reichert was approved to be hired part time as an account clerk-secretary beginning September.
Chairman Nelson asked several Department Heads to explain various aspects of their budgets and other business discussed. He said they did a good job of explaining things and it was very helpful.
There was a discussion about the need to include items that can be planned ahead. It was stated that they should be included in a budget.
County Auditor Allen Paulson was authorized to pay the submitted invoices of $230,081 for the County Revenue Fund and $52,132 for the Nursing Service Fund.
Board Chairman Nelson was authorized to sign amended lease with the Department of Corrections for a period of five years commencing March 1, 2019 through Feb. 29, 2024.
The 2019 Ditch Fund Budget was approved with total Revenue of $28,580; and Total All Purposes of $49,402. Motion was made by Commissioner Illies and seconded by Commissioner Mark Larson.
All Commissioners were present at the meeting: John Nelson, Neal Illies, Dean Newland, Mark Titera, and Mark Larson.