CHISAGO COUNTY

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS

Wednesday, August 25, 1999

The Chisago County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 25, 1999 in the Board Room of the Government Center with the following Commissioners present: Delaney, Gustafson, Vande Kamp, Thorn and Montzka. Absent: None

Chairman Delaney convened the meeting and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance; he called for a moment of silence to honor the late Senator Janet Johnson of North Branch.

Commissioner Vande Kamp offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:

RESOLUTION NO. 990825-1

HONORING THE LIFE AND PUBLIC

SERVICE OF SEN. JANET JOHNSON

WHEREAS, Janet Johnson brought to the lives of her fellow community members a dedication to principles and a work ethic which served as a model for all of us; and

WHEREAS, Janet’s devotion to her family, her business and her life as a public servant demonstrated the depth of her caring, nurturing demeanor; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of Chisago County, Senate District 18 and the State of Minnesota will miss the leadership and energy which Janet gave unselfishly for 9 years as a Senator who was always available to hear and to assist all of us, but particularly those whose voices would not otherwise be heard.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Chisago County Board of Commissioners, upon the occasion of her untimely death, offers to Janet’s family its heartfelt sympathy and prays that the coming days and months of healing from this tragic loss will be less a burden for the family because of the knowledge that our community shares that burden; she now rests in peace in the arms of her Creator.

Commissioner Gustafson seconded the resolution and, upon being put to vote, was unanimously adopted.

Ms. Connie Marceys, representing the Initiative Foundation (formerly the Central Minnesota Initiative Fund) of Little Falls, presented a summary of the Foundation’s annual report. With her was Tom Koplitz of the Partnership for Youth and Families, one of the local grant recipients. The Chairman noted that, for year 2000, the budget process has included an appropriation in like amount to previous years.

HRA Director Mark presented two issues for Board consideration; MHFA programs and a draft policy for subsidy award programs.

Commissioner Thorn offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:

RESOLUTION NO. 990825-2

AUTHORIZING APPLICATION FOR

MHFA REHABILITATION LOAN PROGRAM FUNDS

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, State of Minnesota, has been authorized to undertake a program to provide loans to property owners for the purpose of housing rehabilitation; and

WHEREAS, Chisago County Housing and Redevelopment Authority has developed an application as an administering entity for the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Rehabilitation Loan Program; and

WHEREAS, Chisago County Housing and Redevelopment Authority has demonstrated the ability to perform the required activities of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Rehabilitation Loan Programs.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Chisago County Housing and Redevelopment Authority is hereby authorized as an entity to be charged with the administration of funds made available through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Rehabilitation Loan Programs, in the County of Chisago.

Commissioner Vande Kamp seconded the resolution and, upon being put to vote, was unanimously adopted.

On motion of Vande Kamp, seconded by Montzka and carried the Board called for a public hearing on the proposed Chisago County HRA Business Subsidy Criteria Policy; said hearing to be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, September 15, 1999 in the Board Room of the Government Center.

The Commissioners offered reports of their respective committee assignments.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Chuck Raabe presented a request to increase staffing for the jailers by revising budget allocations for 1999.

On motion of Gustafson, seconded by Thorn and carried the Board authorized the addition of 1.0 FTE jailer’s position in the Sheriff’s Department effective this date; the costs of said additional position will be funded from current unspent 1999 personnel allocations.

Environmental Services Director Marion Heemsbergen presented an overview of the request for an amendment to the county’s comprehensive plan and rezoning of property in Chisago Lake North Township as requested by Bob Jennissen on behalf of Security State Bank of Marine; said request was tabled at last week’s meeting, at which time the Board had received the report that the Planning Commission was unable to make a recommendation on the request.

The Board discussed several legal and administrative aspects of the above rezoning request, and requested County Attorney guidance on the issue.

On motion of Gustafson, seconded by Vande Kamp and carried the Board denied the request of Security State Bank of Marine for the rezoning of certain properties in North Chisago Lake Township, said application heard by the Planning Commission at its August 5, 1999 meeting; if the applicant waives, in writing, the 60 day decision period required by the County Zoning Ordinance, upon receipt of said waiver the matter will be referred to the Planning Commission for its further consideration with the expectation that a report and recommendation to the County Board will consider this Board’s concerns.

Leon Johnson, Lent Township, presented information relative to the processing of his request for the platting of his property in said township.

On motion of Thorn, seconded by Gustafson and carried the Board approved the Administrator’s Consent Agenda as follows, including the revision to the minutes of the Board meeting of August 18, 1999:

A. Authorize payment of Commissioners’ Warrants and miscellaneous bills: 1.) Miller Law Office Trust Account $20,019.50 (purchase of HHW Facility Land); 2.)Wendy Stenberg, Victim Witness Assistance Coordinator, MGCVC Annual Meeting, $25.00; 3.) Commissioner Delaney mileage reimbursement, $115.94.

B. Approve Minutes of August 18, 1999 meeting.

C. Personnel Actions: Approve step increase after completion of Performance Review for: Phillip Chock, Maintenance Assistant, Maintenance, Top of Scale; Randy Paulick, Custodian, Maintenance, Gr. 10-5 to Gr. 10-6; Gina M. Schield, Public Health Nurse, Health & Human Services, Gr. 22A-6 to Gr. 23-7; Lora Koepp, Registered Nurse, Health & Human Services, Gr. Gr. 22A-7 to Gr. 23-8. Approve Application for Leave of Absence for: Randy B. Paulick, Custodian, Maintenance, effective 8/4/99 through 8/20/99. Approve Telecommuting/ Extended Workplace Agreement for: Laurie Karp, Health and Human Services; Amy Shaleen, Health & Human Services. Approve paid Administrative Leave of Absence for Deputy Paul Ebert effective August 23, 1999 until further notice of Administrator.

D. Grant final approval of the following plats: 1.) Eichten’s Hidden Acres, Shafer Township; 2.) Lundsted Acres, Shafer Township.

E. Adopt Resolution declaring Environment Week.

F. Adopt Resolution authorizing VSO to participate in Operational Improvement Grant process.

G. Approve abatement requests of: 1.) Kenneth & Judy Carlson, Parcel #02.00196.00, Chisago Lakes Township, Homestead classification for taxes payable 1998 and 1999; 2.) Wayne & Therese Eussy, Parcel #15.00608.48, Lindstrom, Homestead classification for taxes payable 1999; Victoria Angellar, Eric Hemme, Michele Thorne, Parcel #20.00410.00, Taylors Falls, Homestead classification for taxes payable 1999.

H. Approve Application for on-Sale Non-intoxicating Malt Liquor License: Chisago Lakes Sportsman Club, Chisago City.

Commissioner Thorn offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:

RESOLUTION NO. 990825-3

DECLARING ENVIRONMENTAL

AWARENESS WEEK OCTOBER 3-9, 1999

WHEREAS, all of Chisago County, with special emphasis on the Chisago Lakes-Taylors Falls areas, is blessed with a very special abundance of natural resources: lakes, streams, wetlands, woods and fields; and

WHEREAS, the citizens of the county and visitors to our area appreciate the importance of these natural resources to the quality of our lives by virtue of their aesthetic appeal and intrinsic social and economic value; and

WHEREAS, we recognize that society must be aware of the potential forces which can deteriorate the quality and quantity of these special natural resources and therefore negatively effect our quality of life; and

WHEREAS, we recognize that “we are all in this together” as we work to protect our environment, and that cooperative involvement of citizens is the best deterrent to erosion of these special natural resources.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Chisago County Board of Commissioners hereby declares the week of October 3-9, 1999 to be celebrated as Environment Week in Chisago County in order to promote the awareness and appreciation of our environmental assets;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chisago County Board of Commissioners supports and encourages the active participation of our citizens in the events programs that are part of this special week.

Commissioner Gustafson seconded the resolution and, upon being put to vote, was unanimously adopted.

Commissioner Thorn offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:

RESOLUTION NO. 990825-4

AUTHORIZING VSO TO PARTICIPATE

IN OPERATIONAL IMPROVEMENT GRANT PROCESS

BE IT RESOLVED that James G. Halstrom act as the legal sponsor for projects contained in the County Veterans Service Officer Grant Application submitted on August, 1999 and that the County Veterans Service Officer is hereby authorized to receive grant funds from the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs for funding of this project on behalf of Chisago County.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that James G. Halstrom has the legal authority to apply for financial assistance, and the institutional, managerial, and financial capability to ensure adequate construction, operation, maintenance and replacement of the proposed project.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Chisago County has not violated any Federal, State or local laws pertaining to fraud, bribery, graft, kickbacks, collusion, conflict of interest or other unlawful or corrupt practices.

Commissioner Gustafson seconded the resolution and, upon being put to vote, was unanimously adopted.

On motion of Vande Kamp, seconded by Gustafson and carried the Board approved the appointment of Commissioners Thorn and Montzka to the Tax Forfeited Property Classification Committee in order to work with the County Auditor and Assessor in the determination of value and classification of tax forfeited properties in the county.

On motion of Gustafson, seconded by Thorn and carried the Board authorized the Administrator to work with the County Wellness Committee to initiate a process to seek proposals for the provision of food services at the Government Center through a private vendor as part of the operation of the lunch room.

On motion of Gustafson, seconded by Vand Kamp and carried the Board adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

_________________________________________

Thomas J. Delaney, III, Chair

Attest: ____________________________________

James Thoreen County Administrator

Clerk, County Board