County Board meeting June 23rd

The Board of Commissioners held their June 23rd Board meeting in the Court room on third floor that allows for  social distance in that space.

All commissioners were present for the meeting (Chuck Simpson, Anthony Flage, Al Remick, Ron Weiss and John Dudycha).

The meeting was opened by Chairperson Remick and after the Pledge of Allegiance, the first item was the expenditures. The bills were looked through and approved with a motion by Flage, seconded by Dudycha, all in favor, carried.

There were two sets of minutes to be approved. The first one was for the Board of Review meeting which was approved by a motion by Weiss and seconded by Dudycha, carried.

A quote from Lenes Sand & Gravel was discussed for the removal of a tank by the Social Services building. It was a fair price and Flage made the motion to accept the quote and Simpson seconded. Carried.

The Travel Policy was discussed in regards to travel during Covid-19. The new assessor is being asked to go to the Twin Cities for a 1 hour meeting. At first the meeting was to be done by Video-teleconference, but now has been asked to drive down. In general traveling through out the state is not a huge issue due to the fact that the Covid-19 numbers are dropping in Minnesota. However, it seemed to the commissioners that it was not a necessary trip considering if she did catch Covid-19 and had to quarantine, it would leave her office unable to do their job. A motion was made  by Simpson, seconded by Dudyca, stating that the Commissioners did not want her to make the trip when the interview can be done over video-conferencing software. Motion carried.

Committee Reports were next with Simpson and Weiss having no meetings to report on.

Dudycha had attended a meeting with Eric Hove in regards to the Oklee Street project. The sidewalks do not meet ADA standards. Hove said there is other money available to upgrade lighting & color to the sidewalks if the City is interested. Hove will present his plan to the City of Oklee at their next meeting. 

Flage went to a AMC District meeting and discussed budget and bylaws. Also learned taht that unless a homeowner or business had specifically purchased riot insurance, many may not be covered due to protester damage. Roseau needs more housing options. All counties are using plexiglass for safety when conducting business. Health insurance from MCIT could have a possible 40% increase due to Covid-19.  Special funding will be needed due to concerns about the election. On average there area approximately 1000 person per each polling place and 78 of 87 counts have at least one vote by mail district. Red Lake County has quite a few mail in voting districts.

Flage also attended a Inter County Nursing meeting and discussion was about their financial status which is fine, extra funding has come in for Covid-19, and they are rotating staff.

Remick had a personnel meeting, Board of Review, Radio Board, and NW Mental Health meetings. NW Mental Health is cutting costs by cutting back rental spaces, mileage, vacation pay and working at home.

Sheriff Mitch Bernstein said they are still monitoring the people coming in and out of the courthouse with Monday and Thursday busy days. A full-time dispatcher has left and he has moved a 1/2 person in to help fill that position. 

Remick said driving road tests are being done in Bemidji and Detroit Lakes for our area.

Bernstein also reported that a drug overdose had occurred about 3 weeks ago, a deputy administered Narcan and saved a life and the Sheriff Dept. has giving him an life saving award. 

The TriCounty Corrections is not wanting low-level crimes person incarcerated at this time due to Covid-19. 

Court is being held every other Wednesday with three judges in the rotation: Remick, Harbott and Rassmuson.

Auditor Bob updated the board on forfeitures. Last item was was a motion to approve step increase for Kurt Casavan, Red Lake Environmental Engineer from a step 6 t  oStep 7. Motion made by Weiss, seconded by Flage, Carried. 

Meeting adjourned at 11:28.