Commissioners discuss need for Second Amendment Resolution
Wed, 02/19/2020 - 10:05am
admin
By:
Karen Edelbach
The Clearwater County Board of Commissioners met on February 11, 2020 to discuss a number of pertinent issues, including protection of gun rights with a resolution being considered for Clearwater County; new limits for easements by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; Environmental Services; and upcoming road projects in the county.
Second Amendment Sanctuary Resolution Note:
At the time this article was written the Board of Commissioners had NOT yet voted whether to pass a Second Amendment Sanctuary Resolution or not. Due to newspaper deadlines, the results will be published the following week. Results can be obtained from your District Commissioner after vote at the Board Meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 18.
A resolution or an ordinance for Clearwater County is being considered. A committee consisting of Sheriff Darin Halverson, Commissioners Dean Newland and Neal Illies, Attorney Al Rogalla, Sam and Caren Smith was appointed to determine what is the best approach to this issue and whether or not to proceed with the passing of a resolution.
The Feb. 11 Board meeting discussion concluded that the U.S. Constitution already guarantees the Second Amendment right to bear arms.
Community members in attendance were Bill Stoller, Clearbrook Legion Commander, Leroy Sundbom, Terry Maddy, and Sue Titera.
"Our Second Amendment right to bear arms is already protected by the constitution, and we swear to that when we take our oaths of office as commissioners to support the Constitution," Commissioner Illies commented.
"The Governor also swears to that," said Leroy Sundbom.
"More gun control legislation is expected to come," it was reported from Steve Green.
See separate article regarding committee meeting results on the back page.
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Easements: The Commissioners discussed setting a limit on how many easements, either wetland or habitat, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service should be allowed to secure in light of previous issues on this matter, one being the perpetual nature of the easements.
Commissioner John Nelson proposed allowing up to five easements in a year; however, for lack of a second to his motion, the motion failed.
Commissioner Dean Newland stated that a consensus among the commissioners on the issue should be reached.
Chairman Neal Illies made a motion that Clearwater County allow U.S. Fish & Wildlife to bring forward two wetland or habitat easements per year. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Mark Titera. Three yes votes were made by Commissioners Neal Illies, Mark Titera, and Dean Newland; with no votes by Commissioners John Nelson and Mark Larson. Therefore, the motion passed, resulting in the limit of two easements per year.
"It should be the landowner's choice," stated Commissioner Nelson. Commissioners Newland and Larson indication they are not in favor of the perpetual easements.
Commissioner Illies indicated that there may be affects on land values, which Commissioner Nelson said is speculative.
Library LINK Reminder - "We are open!" Karen Stormo, who manages the Gonvick Library LINK, wants to remind the public that they are open, with no expectations of closing. Hours of operation are Monday 9-11 a.m., Wednesday 3-5 p.m., and Thursday 4-7 p.m. They had the 2nd highest circulation of all LINK sites in 2019, and are located in the Community Center. Look for more about the Link and other services they offer, as well as the special celebration planned for their 15th Anniversary!
County Engineer, Dan Sauvé received approval for payment of the Clearwater County Highway Department bills as presented in the amount of $83,917.
He said the whole proposal for upcoming construction work is on the County web site. Clearbrook will take two years, as they are replacing water and sewer in 2020-2021, which is managed by the city.
Land Commissioner Bruce Cox was authorized for the sale of a State Tax Forfeited parcel of land located in the City of Bagley in Lots 4, 5 and 6. The Clearwater County Board approved the sale in the amount of $200 plus fees and tax, for a total of $278.65.
Environmental Services Director, Dan Hecht received authorization to accept the proposal dated Feb. 3, 2020 from Wenck Associates, Inc. for engineering sand consulting services related to the demolition landfill in the amount of $7,500. This motion also rescinds the motion dated Nov. 12, 2019 to approve a task order from Terracon Consultants in the amount of $4,990, for a hydrogeologic work plan related to the demolition landfill; the new motion authorizes the task to be done by Wenck at an estimated cost of $4,500, a one time cost.
The tasks to be performed are for regular annual professional groundwater monitoring evaluation and reporting items that are ongoing expenses.
"I am pleased with how this worked out," he said. The motion made by Commissioner Mark Titera an seconded by Commissioner Mark Larson was passed, adding that the total contract cost is $7,500 annually.
Sheriff Darin Halverson brought a motion to authorize the Board Chair Neal Illies to sign the 2019 Emergency Management Performance Grant in the amount of $15,849 and to have the Clearwater County Sheriff co-sign the agreement.
"The 2019 Grant has been extended to March 31, 2020," said Sheriff Halverson.
County Auditor-Treasurer Allen Paulson discussed the upcoming election costs.
"We will be reimbursed later," he said.
"In the primary election, voters have to declare whether they are Republican or Democratic," Commissioner Dean Newland stated, "and people don't want to do that."
Auditor Paulson clarified that in the General Election voters can choose from either party candidates.
He informed the Board that there is still a Union Contact to settle for the Registered Nurses. The Commissioners approved the Collective Bargaining Agreement between Clearwater County and Minnesota Nurses Association Home Health Care Registered Nurses. Salary schedule increases are as follows: New Scale and .50% increase for 2019; 2.50% for 2020; and 2.50% for 2021.
The Social Workers Contract will be done in March.
He was authorized to pay the submitted invoices of $153,064 for the County Revenue Fund and $52,202 for the Nursing Service Fund.
All commissioners were present at the meeting: Neal Illies, Mark Larson Dean Newland, John Nelson, and Mark Titera.