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PROCEEDINGS OF THE MURRAY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MURRAY COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER , SLAYTON, MINNESOTA JANUARY 3, 2006, 9:02 A.M. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Chapter 375.07, the Murray County Board of Commissioners convened with the following members present: Commissioners Alfred Gertsema, Robert Moline, William J. Sauer and Kevin Vickerman. Also present Gary D. Spaeth, Auditor/Treasurer and Paul Malone, County Attorney. Commissioner Lyle Onken was absent. The meeting opened by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Gary Spaeth acted as temporary chairman and asked for nominations for Chairman of the Board for 2006. Robert Moline nominated William Sauer. It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by Kevin Vickerman, and passed that nominations cease and that the Secretary cast a unanimous ballot for William Sauer as Chairman of the Board for 2006. Gary Spaeth asked for nominations for Vice-Chairman of the Board for 2006. Kevin Vickerman nominated Robert Moline. It was moved by Kevin Vickerman, seconded by William Sauer, and passed that nominations cease and that the Secretary cast a unanimous ballot for Robert Moline as Vice-Chairman of the Board for 2006. The 2005 Chairman Alfred Gertsema passed the gavel to 2006 Chairman William Sauer. William Sauer publicly thanked Alfred Gertsema for his year of service to the Board as Chairman. The Chairman asked if there were any additions to the agenda. Several items were added or subtracted. It was moved by Kevin Vickerman, seconded by Robert Moline, and passed to approve the agenda as modified. It was moved by Alfred Gertsema, seconded by Kevin Vickerman, and passed to authorize the Board as a committee of the whole to attend a meeting on wind towers on January 10, 2006 in Lake Wilson. The Board acknowledged an invitation to attend a Sneak Preview of the new outreach/clinic in the remodeled area at the hospital at noon today. The Board began 2006 committee appointments and discussed interviewing of Shetek Area Water and Sewer Commission (SAWSC) applicants. It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by Kevin Vickerman, and passed to hold Board interviews for expiring and vacant terms of the Shetek Area Water and Sewer Commission and Advisory. Jim Reinert met with the Board for his safety report and informed the Board that Steve Robinson, SEH Architects, will be completing his written report on the condition of the grandstand. Jim would contact Steve to attend an upcoming meeting to present the report. Jim reminded the Board that Tuesday, January 10th, would be the final Pandemic Flu tabletop exercise. Jim would contact Caryl Busman regarding the heater that was replaced at the Museum to install it in the new 4-H building exhibit area. Chris Hansen, Dean Salmon, Chuck Pettipiece, and Del Vulcan met with the Board. Chuck distributed and reviewed a handout on sewer assessment assumptions (revised 12/28/2005), which included Relationships and Duties Shetek Area Water and Sewer/Murray County Board and a Pro Forma dated 11/22/2005. Chuck also distributed a project schedule dated January 3, 2006 and indicated that action is needed from the Board by January 17th on approval of plans and setting a bid letting. Concerns were mentioned regarding the assessment hearing being scheduled too early for seasonal residents to be able to attend. Del Vulcan suggested that the County could purchase materials from a sole supplier because of the uncertainty with prices and its potential affect on bids. This would be done after the contract is awarded. At 10:00 a.m. the Chairman called for the opening of bids for publication of proceedings, delinquent tax list and all other notices and proceedings. One bid was received as follows: Murray County Editorial Group $ 9.00 per column inch It was moved by Alfred Gertsema, seconded by Kevin Vickerman, and passed to accept the bid from Murray County Editorial Group for publication of proceedings, delinquent tax list, and all other notices and proceedings, for $9.00 per column inch. The Chairman returned to discussions regarding the sewer project. Chuck distributed a draft resolution that the Board would consider for adoption on June 6, 2006 that would secure the Public Finance Authority (PFA) loan that would finance the project. The first draw of loan funds would be to reimburse Murray County for cash advances that have been made since the formation of SAWSC in 1998. Chuck indicated that property assessments would be certified late in 2006 for taxes payable in 2007. Prepayments prior to certification of assessments would need to be paid back to the PFA. The repayment schedule for the PFA loan would be determined once assessments are certified. Phase IV would be financed and assessed separately. Supplemental assessments would be made for additional lateral connections made during construction. The Board discussed the April 12 assessment hearing and indicated that landowners that would be unable to attend would need to submit their appeal in writing before adjournment of the hearing. Paul Malone indicated that appeals are technical and the courts are very particular with them. The SAWSC will draft a letter on assessment theory at its January 16th meeting. Dean Salmon was directed by the Board to have the SAWSC prepare a recommendation on utilizing a sole supplier method on material purchases prior to the Board setting a bid letting. Randy Groves and Keith Rossow met with the Board. David A. Swenson and Keith Mathiowetz were present. Contractor Mathiowetz Construction deducted the liquidated damages from the payment to its subcontractor, D. A. Swenson Construction on the township bridge project west of Lake Wilson. Randy indicated that the contract would not be finalized until the issue is settled. Randy indicated that it would not be in the County's best interest to make a request to the State Aid engineer and do a change order to extend the completion date. Randy would put to writing Murray County's position and have it send to Mathiowetz Construction. No action was taken. Randy presented a proposal from Duane Hansel, Bolton & Menk, to design a dam structure at the outlet of Fulda Lake at a cost of $5,700. The DNR needs a design before issuing a permit for a dam. No action was taken. The Board discussed acquiring an additional one rod right-of-way (ROW) along County Road 71 on the Nobles/Murray County line for 1½ miles. One landowner would be unwilling to sell his land for the ROW. The Public Utilities Commission has issued permits to allow construction of transmission line along County Road 71. The County does not have plans for reconstructing the road at this time but would face the expense of moving the transmission lines when it would. The cost to purchase the additional right-of-way now is estimated to be $11,000. No action was taken. Kent Shea met with the Board and introduced Larry Mayer and Dave Heibult from G & R Controls. Larry gave a power-point presentation on HVAC operational systems using performance-based financing, which has been allowed in Minnesota since 1990. G & R Controls proposes to analyze the Government Center and Courts/Law Enforcement Center buildings and prepare a no cost proposal in 60 days. Performance-based financing utilizes municipal lease financing with payback from budget savings in 10-15 years. Proposed savings would be guaranteed by G & R Controls. It was moved by Alfred Gertsema, seconded by Kevin Vickerman, and passed to authorize G & R Controls to inspect the Government Center and the Courts/Law Enforcement Center buildings and prepare a proposal of the HVAC operational systems. The meeting was recessed at noon to tour the new Outreach/Clinic. The Chairman reconvened the meeting at 1:21 p.m. The Chairman indicated that the start time for the January 10, 2006 meeting would be changed from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and that applicants for the SAWS Commission and Advisory would be interviewed during the meeting. The Board returned to completing committee appointments. It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by Alfred Gertsema, and passed to reappoint Gerald DeKruif and Duane Spartz to three-year terms on the Murray County Board of Adjustments. The Chairman will make the remaining committee appointments and a complete list will be kept on file in the Auditors Office with today's date. Commissioner Alfred Gertsema offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption: RESOLUTION NO. 2006-01-03-01 A Resolution Setting Minimum Salaries for Offices to be Elected in 2006. WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes 384.151, subd 1; 385.373, subd 1; 386.015, subd 2; 387.2, subd. 2 and 388.18, subd. 2 set criteria for salaries for the elected offices of County Auditor, Treasurer, Recorder, Sheriff, and Attorney, respectively, and WHEREAS, said statutes require that the County Board, at the January meeting prior to the first date on which applicants may file for the said offices shall set, by resolution, the minimum salary to be paid for the term next following. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the minimum salary for the terms beginning in January 2007 for the offices of Murray County Auditor/Treasurer, Recorder, Sheriff and Attorney, be set as follows:
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Murray County Board reserves the right, as set out in the above cited statutes, to set the salary for any or all of the above offices for 2007 at whatever it deems appropriate so long as it is at or above the minimums. The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Commissioner Robert Moline and thereupon being put to a vote all members of the Board voted for its adoption. The Board discussed the possibility of it holding quarterly Retreat or Strategic Planning sessions. No action was taken. The meeting adjourned at 2:17 p.m.
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Commissioner's Meeting Minutes
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