Ordinance action regarding camping approved and the CSO resigns
Tue, 11/17/2020 - 3:12pm
admin
By:
Karen Edelbach
Commissioners and department heads attending the November 11 Clearwater County Board of Commissioners meeting welcomed a new face in the room, that of Trudi Alberg of Bagley as the new Board Coordinator. She takes over for Emily McDougall.
Camping Ordinance: Board Chairman Neal Illies asked that the commissioners take action based on the "Minnesota Administrative Rules" to create an ordinance regarding camping on county managed lands. With a motion by Commissioner Illies and seconded by Commissioner Mark Titera, they proceeded to pass the ordinance.
Commissioner Illies said that the intent isn't to prohibit, but to have some control over communal type camping in groups and any other occupancy. Mark Titera will be the commissioner appointed to it.
"We could make persons who make a mess liable, or if a person decides to become a squatter on county-owned lands they can only stay a limited amount of time," the Chairman stated.
Extension 4-H Program Coordinator Kayla Nyegaard presented a motion to hire Julie Moe as the part time Extension Administrative Specialist for up to 1040 hours at Grade 8 Step 2 with a starting date of November 16.
Kayla explained that the part time position does not offer vacation and benefits, and the wage would be $14.77 per hour. Her experience includes working at the fair, which will be very helpful.
Environmental Services Director, Dan Hecht reported on the planned removal of the solid waste collection site located in Pine Lake Township at the request of the landowner who wishes it to be removed from his land.
A motion to approve of removing the site, along with the estimated cost of cleaning it up, was approved after a motion by Board Chairman Neal Illies, and seconded by Commissioner Mark Larson.
"The estimated cost for removal and site cleanup is $1,500," Dan said.
Commissioner Dean Newland asked what the time line for the next site would be, and whether it would be a purchase of land. Dan said word has been out about the need for a new site for two years, and that he has been in discussion with area landowners and some contacts have been made.
"I want to get land secured before winter, and hope for it to be a purchase," he said.
Environmental Services received approval for hours to extend beyond 1,040 hours for two part-time workers.
"They will run out of hours earlier this year due to more activity at the dumpster sites and at the landfill. I can blame this on covid, as more people seem to be doing remodeling due to being off work," Dan stated. The extra hours, will likely be covered by the Cares funds. One will be over by about 150 hours, and the other by about 100 hours by the end of the year.
Other motions for expenditures that were approved using Cares Funds as follows:
Public Safety Committee in the amount of $21,696 to Northwestern Minnesota Juvenile Center, by Dean Newland a member of that Board, seconded by Mark Titera;
Equipment, Supplies and IT Committee in the amount of $18,040, by Neal Illies, member of the committee, seconded by Mark Larson;
Cares Act Public Health and Human Services Committee in the amount of $47,832, by Mark Larson, member of that committee, seconded by John Nelson;
Cares Act Business Assistance Program Committee in the amount of $142,000, by John Nelson, a member of that committee, seconded by Mark Titera.
One expenditure from the Public Safety Committee was tabled until next week, as it appeared very costly to pursue training and licenses necessary from the FFA for use by Search and Rescue for a pilot and drones.
"It could be useful also to the Environmental Services and Highway Department for aerial photos at times," Commissioner John Nelson said. "I've been on the Board a long time, and experience shows that free money often costs us more than the free money."
He thought there may be some more effective use of the money and this could be hired..
Al Paulson made a comment that the Cares money is going fast, and the County has just $117,360 remaining.
Chester Powell and Briel Prokosch, Program Technicians of Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) presented a motion for the submission of the Wild Rice-Marsh River One Watershed One Plan Comprehensive plan to the Board of Soil and Water Resources regional committee for approval.
"This motion is to keep the ball rolling with the One Watershed One Plan," Chester Powell stated.
Another motion from the SWCD was for the approval of the 2020 Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Budget for Clearwater County in the amount of $109,210.
"The budget includes as raise from $12 we are paying now, up to $13 per hour for inspectors as there are reductions in some areas of the budget which would allow this. This raise is so we can get those guys back, and the goal is to get inspectors a better wage. Bemidji is paying more."
"We have 9 inspectors this year," Chester said. "With the wage increase we hope to get more. How many is based on whether they are full or part time. (Amount of hours always stays the same). We hope for less people who work full time."
Both motions received Board approval.
County Engineer, Dan Sauvé received approval for payment of the Clearwater County Highway Department bills as presented in the amount of $34,669.
The Engineer stated that Enbridge is required by State Statute to pay the county $500 per mile for the county to have a County Inspector for the Line 3 Enbridge pipeline project.
"I will act as the liaison between the landowner and Enbridge," Dan stated. "If a landowner has an issue, I would step in as a mediator to help resolve the problem and deal with anyone who has questions. Enbridge has always been easy to deal with in the past."
"I want to thank Dan for what he has done," stated Commissioner Nelson.
A motion by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Newland to designate the County Engineer as County Inspector for the Line 3 construction project was passed.
Regarding use of a rumble strip on highway projects, while some hate them, others feel they are necessary as a safety feature. Consensus of the Board members is to use them.
County Auditor Allen Paulson was authorized to pay the submitted invoices of $180,045 from the County Revenue Fund and $7,898 from the Nursing Service Fund.
The Board accepted the resignation of Lindsay Lamwers, Veteran Service Officer effective November 18, and authorized the County Auditor to advertise for the position.
"She has done an excellent job. We have heard a lot of positive comments about her," Board Chairman Illies said.
A motion to hire Trudi Alberg as Auditor/Treasurer Clerk and Board Coordinator was approved by the Board. She is hired at Grade 12, Step 1 for $16.82 per hour.
All Commissioners were present at the meeting: Neal Illies, Mark Larson Dean Newland, John Nelson, and Mark Titera. Commissioners Newland and Nelson were present via telephone.