FARIBAULT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS MARCH 6, 2007
The Faribault County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at the Courthouse in the City of Blue Earth at 9:00 a.m. on March 6, 2007. The following members were present: Butch Erichsrud, Bill Groskreutz, Barb Steier, Tom Loveall, and Tom Warmka, Commissioners. Central Services Director Brenda Ripley and County Attorney Brian Roverud were also present.
The meeting was called to order Chairman Warmka. The pledge of allegiance was recited.
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Groskreutz/Loveall motion carried unanimously to approve the synopsis and official proceedings of the February 20, 2007 regular meeting.
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Erichsrud/Steier motion carried unanimously to approve amended agenda of March 6, 2007.
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The calendar was updated. Committee reports were presented.
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No member of the public appeared during public comment.
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Treasurer Dave Frank met regarding ISTS business.
Steier/Erichsrud motion carried unanimously to approve an ISTS loan of $8,520 to Kenneth and Sheila Ripley of Blue Earth for Parcel No. 07.012.0501.
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Patty Biesterfeld, Traverse Des Sioux interim director, met regarding the TDS library system. Faribault County Library Services Director Pauline Siem, Faribault County Library Board members Mary Bielke and Ellen Katzke also attended. Discussion was held regarding the distribution of funding and restructuring of libraries.
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Central Services Director Brenda Ripley met regarding personnel business.
Warmka/Groskreutz motion carried unanimously to hire Diane Kahl of Kiester for the park caretaker position at Pihl’s Park effective April 1, 2007.
Steier/Loveall motion carried unanimously to hire Jim Tonn for the shop foreman position in the Public Works Department effective April 1, 2007.
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Steier/Groskreutz motion carried unanimously to adopt Resolution 07-CB-09 requesting the 2007 Legislature to appropriate sufficient funds to reimburse the 55 participating counties for the full 50% of the cost of their probation officer salaries. Commissioners Erichsrud, Groskreutz, Loveall, Steier, and Warmka voted yes.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 244.19 subdivision 6 outlines a process for State reimbursement to participating counties for 50% of the cost of their probation officer salaries, and
WHEREAS, 28 County Probation Officer counties and 27 Department of Corrections contract counties participate in this process, and
WHEREAS, appropriations from the State have steadily decreased from 50% in 1996 to as low as 38% in 2004, and
WHEREAS, the 55 counties participating in this process have been forced to make up the deficit in the reimbursement funding for their probation officers, and
WHEREAS, the 2007 Legislative Session will be setting and passing the FY 08 and FY 09 appropriation for probation officer salary reimbursement for these 55 counties, and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers has been working with the Department of Corrections and legislative staff to ensure that an accurate FY 08 and FY 09 appropriation amount is determined, and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Faribault County Board of Commissioners strongly requests the 2007 Legislature to appropriate sufficient funds to reimburse the 55 participating counties for the full 50% of the cost of their probation officer salaries.
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Loveall/Groskreutz motion carried unanimously to approve the settlement, release, and confidentiality agreement between NAZCA Solutions, Inc. and the Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative entered into February 2007.
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Loveall/Groskreutz motion carried unanimously to approve the 2007 amendment to Minnesota Counties Insurance Trust drug and alcohol testing program participation agreement.
Steier/Erichsrud motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 07-CB-10 implementing the Federal Transit Administration regulations on drug use and alcohol misuse. Commissioners Erichsrud, Groskreutz, Loveall, Steier, and Warmka voted yes.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, Faribault County has an obligation to ensure that its employees perform their jobs safely, efficiently and in a professional manner.
WHEREAS, Faribault County recognizes that alcoholism and other drug dependencies has a significant potential for causing safety hazards for Faribault County employees.
NOW THEREFORE, the purpose of this document is set forth as the Drug and Alcohol Policy regarding urine drug testing and breath alcohol testing for safety- sensitive positions in accordance with the terms of 49 CFR Part 655. We further certify that the employee training conducted under this part meets the requirements of 49 CFR Part 655.
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Erichsrud/Groskreutz motion carried unanimously to approve advertising the position opening of shop mechanic in the Public Works department.
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Steier/Groskreutz motion carried unanimously to close the meeting to discuss upcoming tax hearing with the Kerry Group. Present at the meeting were the full board, Central Services Director Brenda Ripley, and County Attorney Brian Roverud.
Meeting was re-opened and Chairman Warmka recapped the closed meeting discussion.
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03-06-07 -26- Public Works Director John McDonald met regarding office business.
Groskreutz/Erichsrud motion carried unanimously to accept a bid from Flint Hills Resources LP of Savage for bituminous material and asphalt for $266,164.22. One other bids was received from Jebro Incorporated of Sioux City IA for $269,050.05.
Loveall/Groskreutz motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 07-CB-11 supporting the passage of a comprehensive transportation funding package in the 2007 Minnesota Legislative session. Commissioners Erichsrud, Groskreutz, Loveall, Steier, and Warmka voted yes.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, all Minnesota communities benefit from a sound, efficient and adequately funded transportation system that offers diverse modes of travel; and
WHEREAS, transportation analysts in consultation with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) estimate Minnesota will have to invest an additional $1.5 billion per year in transportation infrastructure for the next ten years in order to meet identified needs; and
WHEREAS, the recently approved constitutional amendment that phases in dedication of 100 percent of the motor vehicle sales tax (MVST) for transportation purposes will address a fraction of the transportation funding needs in Minnesota, and total MVST revenues are not meeting projections; and
WHEREAS, transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvement costs significantly contribute to rising property taxes; and
WHEREAS, lack of state funding has delayed regionally significant road construction and reconstruction projects across Minnesota; and
WHEREAS, local cost participation requirements for trunk highway projects are onerous and are contributing to strains on local budgets; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota’s transportation system is failing to meet the capacity needs necessary to sustain population growth and promote economic development; and
WHEREAS, congestion, inefficient transportation systems and lack of transportation choices lead to greater dependence on foreign oil, increased environmental degradation, and economic disadvantages for Minnesota’s businesses and residents; and
03-06-07 -27- WHEREAS, many rural roads are not built to modern safety standards and are not meeting the needs of industries that depend on the ability to transport heavy loads; and
WHEREAS, current funding for roads and transit systems across all government levels in Minnesota is inadequate, and this under-investment hinders Minnesota’s progress as a national business, economic and civic leader;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT Faribault County requests that in 2007 the Minnesota Legislature pass a comprehensive transportation funding package that permanently increases dedicated funding for highways and transit in both Greater Minnesota and the Twin Cities Metropolitan Area and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Faribault County requests that in 2007 Governor Tim Pawlenty allow a comprehensive transportation funding package that permanently increases dedicated funding for transportation that is passed by the Legislature to become law; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT Faribault County supports funding options including, but not limited to, the following:
An increase in the gas tax; Indexing of the gas tax, Increases in vehicle registration taxes (a.k.a. license tab fees); Trunk highway bonding, provided the Legislature implements reasonable restrictions on the amount of debt service the state will incur and provided the Legislature appropriates funding to assist with local costs related to projects funded with trunk highway bonds; General obligation bonding for local roads and bridges, particularly for roads of regional significance and to assist with local cost participation requirements pertaining to trunk highway projects; Sales tax exemptions for state and local transportation construction projects; and New local funding tools, such as local option sales tax authority, expanded wheelage tax authority and/or street utility authority; and
Erichsrud/Loveall motion carried unanimously to direct that quotes be obtained for a motor grader.
Erichsrud/Loveall motion carried unanimously to authorize bids for the Huntley waste water project.
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03-06-07 -28- Steier/Erichsrud motion carried unanimously to authorize payment of the additional $2,500 on the cost of the Housing and Redevelopment Agency (Minnesota Valley Action Council) audit. Final total cost of the audit is $4,000.
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Loveall/Groskreutz motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 07-CB-12 for the annual Boat and Water Safety agreement for January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008. Commissioners Erichsrud, Groskreutz, Loveall, Steier, and Warmka voted yes.
R E S O L U T I O N
WHEREAS, that the Annual County Boat and Water Safety Agreement for the County of Faribault for payment by the State of Minnesota in the amount of $932 for the period from January 1, 2007 through June 30, 2008, is hereby approved and Faribault County Sheriff Mike Gormley, Chairman of the Faribault County Board of Commissioners Tom Warmka, and Faribault County Auditor John Thompson, are hereby authorized to sign said agreement between the State of Minnesota, acting by and through the Commissioner of the Department of Natural Resources and the County of Faribault.
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Loveall/Groskreutz motion carried unanimously to approve a liquor license for Riverside Town & Country for April 1, 2007 through March 31, 2008.
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Erichsrud/Steier motion carried unanimously to approve request from S. Linde and B. Meyers to attend a three-day Special Operations Training Association conference in St. Cloud; T. Campbell to attend a three-day Governor’s Homeland Security and Emergency Management conference in Brooklyn Park.
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Steier/Loveall motion carried unanimously to pay bills totaling $190,251.63 as follows:
COUNTY REVENUE FUND $ 109,601.05
PUBLIC WORKS FUND 78,467.69
FORFEITED TAX SALE FUND 25.00
COUNTY LIBRARY FUND 1,434.40
03-06-07 -29- DITCH FUNDS 723 .49
$ 190,251.63
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The meeting was adjourned to March 20, 2007.
______Tom Warmka, Chairman Brenda Ripley, Central Services Director
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