MINUTES OF THE Government Services Center, Commissioners Room 515 W. Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN 9:30 a.m. Call to Order The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 9:38 a.m. on Tuesday, at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN, with Commissioners John Lindquist, Chairman; Doug Huebsch, and Roger Froemming present. Commissioners Lee Rogness and Wayne Johnson were absent. Approval of Agenda Chairman Lindquist called for approval of the agenda. Motion by Huebsch, second by Froemming, and unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners agenda of January 27, 2015, as submitted. Consent Agenda Motion by Froemming, second by Huebsch, and unanimously carried to approve Consent Agenda items as follows: 1. January 13, 2015, Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes 2. Warrants/Bills for (Exhibit A) 3. Human Services Bills & Claims 4. Human Services Contract Renewals Meridian Services, Inc., Lutheran Social Services, and Some Place Safe Parenting Time Center 5. Final Payment of $29,844.80 for S.P. 056-090-011 to Central Specialties, Inc. 6. Liquor License Approvals for Playtime Sports Bar & Ballroom & Fair Hills Resort AIS Deputy Position Discussion Brian Schlueter, Sheriff, and Stacy Paulseth, Chief Deputy, submitted an Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Enforcement position 2015 budget plan. Bill Kalar, Land & Resource Director, and Bernie Steeves, AIS Task Force Member, were also present. The Sheriff presented two budget options; one being a full-time licensed seasonal deputy position and the other, a full-time licensed year round position. The year round position would focus on AIS enforcement during the summer months and regular deputy enforcement duties the remainder of the year. Licensing and training costs would be similar for both positions. The majority of the cost of the position would be for start-up equipment costs with the total for the first year estimated at $164,600.00. Mr. Kalar and Mr. Steeves briefed the Board on the AIS Grants. Motion by Huebsch, second by Froemming, and unanimously carried to continue discussion regarding an AIS Deputy Enforcement position with the AIS Task Force, Internal Services Committee, and Budget Committee. The motion included a request for a five year budget for the position including use of AIS grant funds. Partnership 4 Health Community Health Board Delegation Agreement Diane Thorson, Public Health Director, requested approval of a Delegation Agreement to allow services to be provided through the four county Community Health Board. Motion by Huebsch, second by Lindquist, and unanimously carried to authorize the appropriate County Officials signatures to execute the Delegation Agreement between the Partnership 4 Health Community Health Board and Otter Tail County as submitted. Accountable Community for Health Grant Ms. Thorson reported that the Community Health Board has been awarded the Accountable Community for Health Grant, in the amount of $370,000 over the next two years. Lake Region Healthcare will be hiring a person funded under the grant for Data Analysis and Otter Tail County will recruit a Project Manager. Ms. Thorson will consider contracting for this work before recommending a County position.
Page 2 ECPN Discussion John Dinsmore, Community Services Director, submitted a handout titled Equitable Cost Sharing for Publicly Owned Nursing Facility Pilot Project Proposal: Lutheran Brethren Homes (LBH) and Otter Tail County. Mr. Dinsmore reviewed the document and provided background information regarding the funding of Nursing Home care. He indicated that Medicaid is a low income program funded about 50% by the federal government and 50% by local non-federal funds, typically paid by the State. This can vary from State to State. By law, Medicaid reimbursement rates and private pay rates do not vary within a nursing facility. A higher reimbursement rate would; however be available for publicly owned Nursing Homes by way of an ECPN arrangement. Attorney, Kent Mattson explained how the Lutheran Brethren Home building assets could be legally transferred to the County, thereby creating an ECPN and allowing the facility to charge higher reimbursement rates. Other facilities have utilized this program and developed a joint relationship with cities or hospital districts. LB Homes has asked Otter Tail County to facilitate a joint venture with them to gain ECPN designation to increase reimbursement rates which could be used to increase salary for direct care employees. John Zwiers from LB Homes spoke about the benefits of this proposed arrangement referred to as a pilot project. Commissioner Froemming asked if the City of Fergus Falls had been approached. Other concerns expressed were 1) supply and demand - if private pay goes up at one Nursing Home, residents may be moved to other facilities with a lower reimbursement rate; 2) the challenges of funding unexpected, long term capital needs if the County owns the building/assets; 3) ECPN designation does not guarantee increased salary to direct care employees; and 4) how are privately owned facilities affected by ECPN. CEOs from Good Samaritan in Battle Lake, Pioneer Home, and Elders Home spoke in favor of ECPN designation; however, spoke against a Pilot Project which could put their facilities at a competitive disadvantage. They requested that the County bring this forward for all facilities in the County by June 1, 2015. Commissioners requested further research and continued discussion at their February 10, 2015, Board meeting. Recess & Reconvene At 11:10 a.m., Chairman Lindquist declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners recessed for a committee meeting and lunch break. The meeting was reconvened at 1:18 p.m. Board Room Technology Tim Brand, IT Director, spoke with the Board regarding a proposed Board Room technology upgrade. Motion by Huebsch, second by Froemming, and unanimously carried to authorize purchase of eight tablets or notebooks for the Board desk. Motion by Huebsch, second by Froemming, and unanimously carried to proceed with a screen and projector as discussed. Courthouse Remodeling Phase I Change Order Motion by Froemming, second by Huebsch, and unanimously carried to approve Change Order No. 14 for the Courthouse Remodeling Phase 1 Project (PN 1119) in the amount of $2,299.27. AIS Task Force Update The Otter Tail County Aquatic Invasive Species Task Force Minutes of January 12, 2015, were provided. Bill Kalar and Bernie Steeves reviewed the minutes and AIS Task Force recommendations. Discussion took place regarding the recommendation to hire ten seasonal AIS Watercraft Inspectors and a full time AIS Coordinator. Commissioners requested that the AIS Task Force put together a four year plan/budget and six year plan/budget taking into consideration the proposed AIS Deputy Enforcement position, Watercraft Inspectors, Coordinator, and COLA projects. Memorandum of Understanding Motion by Huebsch, second by Froemming, and unanimously carried to authorize the appropriate County Officials signatures to execute a Memorandum of Understanding for County Inspections of Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems between the County of Otter Tail and the Otter Tail Water Management District.
COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT Otter Tail County Resolution No 2015-06 OTC Board of Commissioners Minutes Page 3 A motion was offered by Froemming, seconded by Lindquist, and carried with Commissioners Rogness and Johnson absent, to adopt the following resolution: WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (Mn/DOT) proposes to make certain improvements on portions of T.H. 10, 29, 34, 59, 78, 106, 108, 210 and 228 located in Otter Tail County under State Project (S.P.) 8824-124; and WHEREAS, it is the County s desire that the State include, in this project letting, certain improvements to C.S.A.H. 4, 5, 6, 9, 16, 28, 29, 33, 35, 41, 52, 53, 64, 80, 82, 84 and 85 and C.H. 119 and 137 located in Otter Tail County under State Project (S.P.) 056-070-021; and WHEREAS, The Minnesota Department of Transportation Policy and Procedures for Cooperative Construction Projects with Local Units of Government, the County will have a participation in the cost for this work and the County share for this work is estimated to be $269,190.00 to be paid with Federal Highway Safety Improvement Program funds. WHEREAS, Mn/DOT has requested that the County formally indicate its intent to participate in the costs of (lighting), and other improvements requested by the County and in accordance with Mn/DOT s Cost Participation and Maintenance Responsibilities with Local Units of Government dated January 14, 2014; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, following approval by the Minnesota Department of Transportation of plans and specifications for the improvement of said Trunk Highway and County State Aid Highway and County Highway, before a contract is awarded for the construction of said improvements, the County shall enter into an agreement with the State which shall provide that the County shall pay its share of the cost of the requested improvements as determined by the State in accordance with the latest Policies and Procedures for Cooperative Construction Projects with Local Units of Government (a copy of which has been received by the County). Adopted at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, this 27 th day of January, 2015 Dated: Attest: Larry Krohn, Clerk By: John Lindquist, Chair Annual Membership Dues Motion by Huebsch, second by Froemming, and unanimously carried to approve payment of the annual membership fee of Western Association of City County Organization (WACCO) for Calender Year 2015, in the amount of $5,150.00. T.H. 228 Turnback Rick West, Public Works Director, reported that the State is able to turn back Trunk Highway 228 at this time. Mr. West will ask local legislators to submit a bill to accomplish this turnback procedure. Highway 228 would likely become an extension of CSAH 60.
Page 4 Hydraulic Analysis Moebius/Hanson WCA Appeal Mr. West reported that a hydraulic analysis was needed for the Moebius/Hanson Wetland Conservation Act Appeal. Mr. West hired Houston Engineering to complete this work which goes back to 2001 and concerns, in part, a culvert under CSAH 35. The Highway Department will pick up the cost of this engineering work. Bond Package for 2015 Legislative Session Mr. West reported that the bond application for the proposed Perham to Pelican Rapids Trail has been updated and submitted for 2015, as well as, the reconstruction of CSAH 1 from 10 east of 35 which isabout 6 miles. Commissioner Huebsch indicated that the Devils Lake, Little Devils, and Little McDonald LIDS also put in a bond request for their projects. Annexation of Dalton Garage Mr. West and Commissioner Lindquist are working with the City of Dalton in reference to the County garage. The City of Dalton wants to annex it into the City. Motion by Lindquist, second by Huebsch, and unanimously carried to approve the Notice of Intent for Annexation of the County Dalton garage property. Appointment to the OTC Housing and Redevelopment Authority Motion by Froemming, second by Huebsch, and unanimously carried to approve the appointment of Ralph Hemmerlin from Parkers Prairie to the Otter Tail County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Board to fill the term of Janice Palan which will expire on August 1, 2015. Mr. Hemmerlin s term will run from until August 1, 2015. Certify Pay 2015 and Future Tax Rolls for Pomme de Terre River Projects Motion by Lindquist, second by Froemming, and unanimously carried to certify to the Pay 2015 and future tax rolls, Pomme de Terre River Protective Buffer Projects which are Individual Sewage Treatment System Installations. The following project assessments are based on the terms stated in the Note and Septic System Lien Notice: Brian E and Michele L Oliphant 13000210130001 - $5,800.00; Ten Years at 3% - 11/7/2014 Interest Starts as of Monday, December 8, 2014 Alan and Martha Tollefson 13000360228002 - $2,500.00; Ten Years at 3% - 10/31/2014 Interest Starts as of Monday, December 1, 2014 Michael T. Johansen 60000140123000- $3,866.41; Ten Years at 3% - 09/05/2014 Interest Starts as of Monday, October 6, 2014 AMENDMENT/CLARIFICATION TO OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2014 68 Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2015 07 (Payable 2015 Otter Tail County Gross and Net Property Tax Levy) The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Froemming, who moved for the adoption of OTC Resolution No. 2015 07 to clarify Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2014 68: WHEREAS, the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, December 16, 2014 adopted $34,719,706 (excludes levies adopted for Lake Improvement Districts and Otter Tail County Housing and Redevelopment Authority) as Otter Tail County s Payable 2015 Net Property Tax Levy; and WHEREAS, $16,746,644 is designated to assist with the financing of the County s General Revenue Fund activities; and WHEREAS, the operational budgets for Otter Tail County s Land and Resource Department, Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission are a part of the County s General Revenue Fund Budget; and
Page 5 WHEREAS, the operational budgets for the Land and Resource Department, Board of Adjustment and Planning Commission are funded by a combination of general tax levy funds, charges for services and a portion of the Board of Water and Soil Resources 2015 Natural Resources Block Grant; and WHEREAS, the Board of Water and Soil Resources 2015 Natural Resources Block Grant total $105,900 and consist of funding for the following activities: Comprehensive Water Plan - $9,824 Wetlands Conservation Act - $57,729 Shoreland - $17,747 Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems - $18,600; and WHEREAS, the Wetlands Conservation Act and Shoreland portions of the block grant funding requires a local in-kind match equal to the block grant amounts, the Comprehensive Water Plan portion of the block grant funding requires a local property tax levy match in the amount of $20,405 and the Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems portion of the block grant funding does not require either a local levy or an inkind match; and WHEREAS, portions of the Board of Water and Soil Resources 2015 Natural Resources Block Grant and local property tax levy are allocated to the East and West Otter Tail Soil and Water Conservation Districts as noted in a document filed with the 2015 budget; and WHEREAS, Otter Tail County is responsible for in-kind match associated with the Shoreland portion of the block grant funding, Otter Tail County and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts are responsible for the in-kind match associated with the Wetland Conservation portion of the block grant funding and Otter Tail County is responsible for including in the final adopted net levy for Otter Tail County the required local property tax levy for the Comprehensive Water Plan portion of the block grant funding: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners hereby designates $20,405 of the $16,746,644 Payable 2015 General Fund Levy as the local property tax match for the Comprehensive Water Plan portion of the Board of Water and Soil Resources 2015 Natural Resources Block Grant. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Huebsch and carried, with the members of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners voting as follows: Board of County Commissioners YEA NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN Doug Huebsch X Leland R. Rogness X John Lindquist X Roger Froemming X Wayne D. Johnson X Adopted at Fergus Falls, Minnesota, this 27 th day of January, 2015 Dated: Attest: Larry Krohn, Clerk By: John Lindquist, Chair
Page 6 Letter of Engagement Motion by Huebsch, second by Froemming, and unanimously carried to authorize Wayne Stein, County Auditor/Treasurer, to sign the Letter of Engagement to retain Ehlers as Dissemination Agent for Issuer Continuing Disclosure Required under Securities and Exchange Commission (Sec) Rule 15c2-12 (the Rule ). Authority to Write-Off Interest Motion by Huebsch, second by Froemming, and unanimously carried to authorize Wayne Stein, County Auditor/Treasurer to write-off interest charged to the State of Minnesota on the following Ditch Project Assessments as requested in a letter dated January 5, 2015: County Ditch 39 - $63.36 County Ditch 16 - $33.36 RESOLUTION ADOPTING ASSESSMENT ORDER FOR COUNTY DRAINAGE SYSTEM NO. 15/28 Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2015-08 Upon a motion made by Froemming, seconded by Huebsch, and carried with Rogness and Johnsonabsent, the following resolution was adopted: WHEREAS, the County Board of Otter Tail County, acting as the County Drainage Authority, has authorized and approved expenditures directly related to the benefited properties of County Drainage System No. 15/28, and WHEREAS, there were insufficient funds available in the account for Otter Tail County Drainage System No. 15/28 to finance the authorized and approved expenditures, and WHEREAS, inter-fund loans have been made to finance the authorized and approved expenditures relating to County Drainage System No. 15/28 from the County s General Revenue Fund to the County Drainage System No. 15/28 account. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE, that a special assessment in the amount of $20,000 (plus $20,000 for maintenance as certifiedtuesday, January 13, 2015), for the purpose of repaying the outstanding inter-fund loans and to build a maintenance fund, be levied against the benefited properties of County Drainage System No. 15/28, as listed in the most current auditor s tabular worksheet, a copy of which is on file in the County Auditor s office, is hereby accepted and shall constitute a lien against the lands named therein, and each tract of land therein included is hereby found to be benefited by the previously authorized and approved expenditures in the amount of the assessment levied against it. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such assessments shall be payable in an annual installments extending over a period of 3 years. To the first installment shall be added interest, at a rate of 4%, on the entire assessment from January 1, 2015 until December 31, 2016. BE IT ADDITIONALLY RESOLVED, that the owners of any of the benefited properties so assessed may, on or before Monday, August 31, 2015, pay the entire assessment on such property to the County Auditor s office without additional interest. Adopted this 27th day of January, 2015 Dated: Attest: Larry Krohn, Clerk By: John Lindquist, Chair
Page 7 RESOLUTION ADOPTING ASSESSMENT ORDER FOR COUNTY DRAINAGE SYSTEM NO. 25 Otter Tail County Resolution No. 2015-09 Upon a motion made by Huebsch, seconded by Lindquist, and carried with Rogness and Johnson absent, the following resolution was adopted: WHEREAS, the County Board of Otter Tail County, acting as the County Drainage Authority, has authorized and approved expenditures directly related to the benefited properties of County Drainage System No. 25, and WHEREAS, there were insufficient funds available in the account for Otter Tail County Drainage System No. 25 to finance the authorized and approved expenditures, and WHEREAS, inter-fund loans have been made to finance the authorized and approved expenditures relating to County Drainage System No. 25 from the County s General Revenue Fund to the County Drainage System No. 25 account. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE, that a special assessment in the amount of $75,000 (plus $20,000 for maintenance as certifiedtuesday, January 13, 2015), for the purpose of repaying the outstanding inter-fund loans and to build a maintenance fund, be levied against the benefited properties of County Drainage System No. 25, as listed in the most current auditor s tabular worksheet, a copy of which is on file in the County Auditor s office, is hereby accepted and shall constitute a lien against the lands named therein, and each tract of land therein included is hereby found to be benefited by the previously authorized and approved expenditures in the amount of the assessment levied against it. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that such assessments shall be payable in an annual installments extending over a period of 3 years. To the first installment shall be added interest, at a rate of 4%, on the entire assessment from January 1, 2015 until December 31, 2016. BE IT ADDITIONALLY RESOLVED, that the owners of any of the benefited properties so assessed may, on or before Monday, August 31, 2015, pay the entire assessment on such property to the County Auditor s office without additional interest. Adopted this 27th day of January, 2015 Dated: Attest: Larry Krohn, Clerk By: John Lindquist, Chair Adjournment At 2:43 p.m., Chairman Lindquist declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners adjourned until the next County Board meeting at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 3, 2015. Dated: Attest: Larry Krohn, Clerk By: John Lindquist, Chair CB/kd
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