Red Lake County reorganization meeting January 5th, 2021

On January 5th, the re-organizational meeting was opened by Auditor Bob Schmitz. Commissioners present was Ron Weiss, Tony Gerardy, Al Remick and Anthony "Chuck" Flage. John Dudycha was absent.

Schmitz asked for nominations for Chairperson. Weiss nominated Flage for Chairperson.  After severals calls for other nominations, Remic made the second and Flage was elected Chair of the board and he took over the meeting.

Nominations were called for Vice Chairperson. Remick made a motion for Weiss to be vice chair, no other nominations, seconded by Gerardy, motion carried. Weiss is Vice Chair.

Other board actions taken for the beginning of 2021 were to approve the official county paper, set the meeting dates and approve the annual county appropriations as established in the budget.

The only bid received for the official county newspaper was from the Oklee Herald. The Oklee Herald bid $3.00 per column inch for all items. Gerardy made a motion to accept the bids from the Oklee Herald, Remick seconded. Carried. The Red Lake Falls Gazette will get the second printing of the Financial page. A motion was made by Tony and seconded by Weiss for the Gazette to print the Financial page at the same rate of $3.00 a column inch, carried.

Meeting dates were set for the 2nd Tuesday and 4th Tuesday at 10 a.m. with a motion by Remick, seconded by Gerardy, carried.

The annual County Appropriations were approves as established in the budget with a motion by Remick, seconded by Weiss, carried.

Expenditures were next and approved for payment with a motion by Weiss, seconded by Remick, roll call vote, carried.

Minutes were approved with a change of who made a motion on an item, it was approved with a motion by Remick, seconded by Weiss, carried.

Brad and Dawn Swenson were next on the agenda, but before they could start, County Attorney Mike LaCoursiere explained that since there was an ongoing investigation in the matter they wanted to bring to the board, they should table it for two weeks so that it could be decided if it was a closed or open meeting item. It was tabled.

Environmental Services Officer, Kurt Casavan needs to have a hearing set up for approval of the new flood plain, but first has to publish the document. This is an important issue as it affects anyone that is in the flood plain. With the new map, many now will not be in the flood plain and will not need to purchase flood insurance. Motion by Remick, seconded by Weiss to go forward with the process to publish, have a hearing to correct flood plain., carried. Kurt will work with the attorney, get in paper and set meeting by the end of January.

Casavan also reported about a trash rack on County Ditch #62 that was installed 10 years ago. It is now is very bad condition and will need to fix or replace. Will have more information later.

Question on if the Courthouse will continue to be locked down, as asked. It was agreed to keep all doors locked except the north door. Masks are required for all persons in the building.

Committee reports were given by Remick only. He had a NW Mental Health meeting. They are working on a name change.

Remick also attended a MRC meeting. Richard Sanders, Polk County Engineer reported that he felt that there will be a 10 - 15% decrease in State Aid Funding. Some of the funds used for roads are not required to go into the roads fund and may be used to areas, mostly due to expenses of Covid. 

The Court Administration would like to upgrade their offices for safety reasons. A plan was put forward and the commissioners after looking at the cost is requesting that the Court System needs to help pay for the upgrades. if they moved forward on it. 

Schmitz said there is more money available: Covid Relief for Businesses. He was instructed to apply for the funds.

 The next commissioners meeting will be on the 4th Tuesday, January 26th at 10 a.m. at the Red Lake County Courthouse.