Red Lake County Commissioners Minutes

RED LAKE COUNTY

Regular Meeting Held August 13, 2019

Pursuant to adjournment of its regular meeting the Red Lake County Board of Commissioners duly met in regular session at the courthouse in Red Lake Falls, MN on August 13, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.  Chairman Weiss called the meeting to order.  All Board members were present.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  

Commissioner Flage moved to approve the agenda with the addition of the County Fair Board.  Motion seconded by Commissioner Simpson and carried unanimously.

Jim Trojanowski, Director of the NW Regional Library in Thief River Falls, was present to discuss the 2020 proposed library budget.  Trojanowski reviewed budgets from 2017 through 2019 and provided a P&L overview for the current year.  The Regional Library Board is asking for a 3% increase or an additional $802.00 allocation from the county for next year.  The county currently contributes $26,732 per year as mandated by State Statutes to the regional library system.  Chair Weiss informed that the County Board will consider the request when preparing the 2020 county budget.

Cheryl Reese, Treasurer of the Red Lake County Fair Board, met with the board to provide an income/expense summary from the recently completed County Fair.  Reese provided a breakdown of the various activities and special events.  Reese asked that the county increase its annual contribution for 2020.  Chair Weiss informed that the request will be considered when reviewing the 2020 county budget.

Charity Brault, Director of the NW MN HRA in Mentor, met with the County Board to review the annual report of the organization.  Also present were former Director Lee Meier and John Lerohl the county’s representative to the HRA Board.  Brault and Meier provided information of the several projects under management of the HRA.  Meier reported that legislation was approved in 2019 to extend levy authority for the HRA another 5-years.  The maximum levy as authorized by state law is up to 25% of 0.0185% of the county’s taxable market value.  The levy dollars are used to provide funding for public and private sector investments in housing rehab and economic development in NW Minnesota.  Brault mentioned that the City of Red Lake Falls has received a grant to rehab 12 homes and 6 commercial properties in the city.  Meier informed that he will be completing his duties as a HRA consultant before years end.

Commissioner Flage moved, seconded by Dudycha and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of the regular board meeting held on July 23, 2019 as presented.

Commissioner Simpson moved, seconded by Flage and carried unanimously to approve the following expenditures for the period:

Vendor Amount   

Counties Providing Technology $ 3,676.00

Kruse Backhoe Service, LLC   2,999.86

Magnum Manufacturing, LLC 18,750.00

Red Lake County Co-op 23,783.20

Thief River Ford   4,528.22

Tyler Technologies, Inc.   3,605.01

Vatthauer Farm Supply   2,219.70

Ziegler Cat 240,837.24

66 Vendors less than $2,000.   22,332.74

TOTAL $322,731.97

The motion includes the following added expenditures:  $66.12 expenses and $210.00 per diem to John Dudycha; $8.12 expenses and $140.00 per diem to Allen Remick.

Commissioner Dudycha moved, seconded by Flage to approve payment to Ken’s Electric in amount of $505.00 for replacing the ventilation fan on roof of Social Service building.  Voting aye: Commissioners Simpson, Flage, Dudycha and Weiss.  Abstain: Commissioner Remick.  Motion carried.

The following Commissioner/Committee reports were shared:

Commissioner   Meeting/Report

Simpson: None.

Flage: Attended an Inter County Nursing Service meeting.  The Nursing Service is advertising for open RN positions.  Currently the Nursing Service Director is doing home health visits due to lack of staff.

Dudycha: Attended meetings of the County Fair Board and Tri-County Corrections.  The inmate population at the Corrections facility is down and there were no juveniles from the county in the facility; financials also reviewed.

Remick: LELS negotiations meeting and attended a SWCD meeting discussing the Ditch Buffer program, erosion issues, and financials.  SWCD was not at the County Fair this year.

Weiss: Attended a Tri County Corrections meeting in Crookston, a LELS negotiations session, and a Roads Committee meeting with the County Engineer.

Auditor Schmitz presented a request from Veterans Service Officer Kurt Ellefson for the “Operational enhancement Grant Program” requesting funding in amount of $7,500.00 through the MN Department of Veteran Affairs. The grant funds must be used to provide outreach services to the county’s veterans.  

Commissioner Simpson moved, seconded by Dudycha and carried by unanimous vote to approve 

Resolution No. 08-01-2019 “CVSO Operational Enhancement Grant” as presented.  Chair Weiss was authorized to sign the agreement.

Chair Weiss mentioned that a former resident contacted him about grant funding available through the  Minnesota Historical Society for signage at the county park at Huot.

Auditor Schmitz informed that the state is amending the current Election Grant Agreement to extend it  from August 31, 2019 to March 31, 2020. Grant funds not used by the March 31st deadline must be  returned to the state.  Commissioner Remick moved to approve the Election Grant Amendment as presented.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Simpson and carried by unanimous vote.

HR Director Lundeen mentioned that since the new wage structure will be implemented January 1, 2020 is how to determine when long-time employees that are not on the chart will make step changes. Several ideas were discussed. Lundeen asked that the board take time to consider all the options presented and continue discussion at a future meeting.

Commissioner Flage moved, seconded by Simpson and carried by unanimous vote to close the regular board meeting at 12:20 p.m. to discuss LELS Union negotiations.  The regular board meeting was re-opened at 12.55 p.m. The next negotiation meeting was scheduled for August 16, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.

The board acknowledged correspondence from RSVP recognizing the participating retired and senior volunteers in NW Minnesota. 

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned to August 27, 2019 at 10:00 a.m.

Attest: ____________________

Robert Schmitz, County Auditor

__________________________

Ron Weiss, Chair, 

Board of Commissioners

O24C