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PROCEEDINGS OF THE MURRAY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MURRAY COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER SLAYTON, MINNESOTA MAY 18, 2004 9:02 A.M. Pursuant to notice, the Murray County Board of Commissioners convened with the following members present: Commissioners Alfred Gertsema, Steve Johnson, Lyle Onken, Kevin Anderson and William J. Sauer. Also present Gary D. Spaeth, Auditor/Treasurer and Paul Malone, County Attorney. The meeting opened by reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. The Chairman asked if there were any additions to the agenda. Several items were added. It was moved by William Sauer, seconded by Lyle Onken and passed to approve the agenda as modified. It was moved by Kevin Anderson, seconded by Alfred Gertsema and passed to approve the minutes of the May 11, 2004 meeting. A motion was duly made by Kevin Anderson, seconded by Alfred Gertsema, and carried that all claims as presented were approved for payment. The Chairman was authorized to sign the Audit List dated May 18, 2004 with fund totals as follows and warrants numbered 97399 through 97497:
Marcy Barritt met with the Board to request authorization for Deputy Assessor Pamela Friesen to attend a weeklong training course in August 2004. It was moved by Alfred Gertsema, seconded by William Sauer, and passed to approve overnight stays for Pamela Friesen to attend Course J - Basic Income Approach to Valuation on August 16-20, 2004 in Roseville, MN. Jim Reinert met with the Board and requested signatures for the Emergency Management Performance Grant application. It was moved by William Sauer, seconded by Lyle Onken, and passed to authorize the Chairman to sign the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Emergency Management Performance Grant application for local emergency management program standards. Jim requested authority to sign applications for Homeland Security. It was moved by Alfred Gertsema, seconded by William Sauer, and passed to authorize Emergency Management Director Jim Reinert to sign Homeland Security grant applications. Jim reported that he would be attending a meeting this morning with Rick Morrow from IES, Gene Burch from CAD Consulting, and Sheriff Steve Telkamp to discuss 911 issues. Jim informed the Board that he would be disseminating information to the public regarding cell phone users that will be visiting Murray County during the summer months. Emergency calls placed with cell phones from Murray County need to be made to the Sheriff's phone number of 836-6168 rather than calling 911. Jim informed the Board of three Garvin First Responders who live on the West Side of Lake Shetek and who have been approached about being simultaneous members of the Shetek First Responders. Jim requested that Murray County pay half of the $200 cost to have pagers re-coded for these Responders. It was moved by Alfred Gertsema, seconded by Lyle Onken, and passed to approve paying half of the $200 cost to re-code pagers for three members of the Garvin First Responders who reside on the west side of Lake Shetek to be simultaneous members of the Shetek First Responders. Jim gave a report on sirens located around lakes with the one north of Slayton on Highway 59 being repaired by Slayton Electric. Jim and Alfred Gertsema will look into a notification problem between the Sheriff's dispatch and the Hospital during a severe thunderstorm on Sunday. Apparently the Hospital was not notified of severe weather conditions so that patients could be moved to safety. Commissioner William Sauer offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 2004-05-18-01
A Resolution Supporting the Efforts of the Southwest Regional Development Commission WHEREAS, Murray County has demonstrated by its actions that it is committed to improving the economic conditions and quality of life of its people; and WHEREAS, Recent year have brought instability to agriculture, scarce capital for investment and shrinking markets have seriously aggravated the already critical economic problems; and WHEREAS, The current serious economic distress requires immediate and direct attention and action to assist area residents in their pursuit of economic independence and to assist area business persons towards successful competition in the business climate of today; and WHEREAS, The Southwest Regional Development Commission has been instrumental in the creation of employment opportunities, the retention of existing opportunities, and the dissemination of information that provides assistance to industry and business in the achievement of these objectives; and WHEREAS, The continued designation of the Southwest Regional Development Commission as an Economic Development District will expand and enhance the Regions' opportunities to diversify and strengthen our economy; THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That Murray County supports the efforts of the Southwest Regional Development Commission and wishes to continue to actively participate in the activities of the Economic Development District; to contribute towards the Goals and Policies as described in the Overall Economic Development Program for the region; and to promote the redevelopment implementation strategy for the nine counties comprising the Southwest Regional Development Commission. The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Commissioner Alfred Gertsema and thereupon being put to a vote all members of the Board voted for its adoption. Kevin Anderson read an excerpt of the minutes of the February 3, 2004 meeting regarding the waiving of Demolition Landfill fees for the January 12, 2004 explosion in Lake Wilson. Kevin indicated that Murray County should sunset the action taken on February 3, 2004 on June 15, 2004 to waive the fees. The Permit-by-Rule site will be closed as of July 1, 2004. It was moved by Kevin Anderson, seconded by William Sauer, and passed to Sunset the motion from the February 3, 2004 meeting to waive the Demolition Landfill fee for property owners that have no insurance for the Lake Wilson explosion on June 15, 2004. Alfred Gertsema and William Sauer will look into a location for the FFA greenhouse on the Fairgrounds and will report back later in the meeting. Joe Biren from Murray County Central School met with the Board in March and received approval to place the greenhouse on the Fairgrounds. The Board discussed the old horse barn and the steel roof that was offered to anyone interested in taking down the rest of the building. The only interest shown was on the steel roof. Each Board member will contact the individuals that have expressed interest. No action was taken. Chuck Schwartz PE, Bonestroo & Associates met with the Board to report dates for a bid letting by the Shetek Area Water and Sewer Commission (SAWSC) and for improvement and assessment hearings that need to be held by the Board for a sewer project. Chris Hansen and Karen Onken, Dean Salmon, SAWSC Secretary, and several individuals from the Shetek Area Water and Sewer District were also present. Chuck will begin advertising the first week of June, with the design to be finalized by the end of May. The bid letting dates would be July 15 for Phase One and July 22 for Phase Two and Three; at 11:00 a.m. at the Murray County Government Center. The specifications will allow 180 days for awarding a contract. The completion date is anticipated to be the end of 2005. The consensus of the Board was to hold the improvement hearing on August 5, 2004 and the assessment hearing on August 7, 2004. If an order were not made to accept the improvement, the assessment hearing would be cancelled. Design work on Phase Four would begin after an improvement order on the first three phases. Schreier's by Shetek Campground and three new subdivisions (Autumn Blaze, Dylan's Lookout, Keuhl's Subdivision) will be part of Phase Four, which is primarily the treatment facility. Curt Christiansen inquired whether the designers considered an alternate route for the main pipe bypassing Keeley Island. Chuck responded that the current design is the most cost-effective route. No action was taken. Randy Groves met with the Board for his semi-monthly Highway Department report and presented a proposed resolution and dust control policy. Commissioner Alfred Gertsema offered the following resolution and moved for its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 2004-05-18-02
A Resolution Adopting the Murray County Highway Department Dust Control Policy WHEREAS, The County of Murray receives many requests for the application of dust suppressant material on aggregate surfaced County and Township roads; and WHEREAS, Some Townships within the County of Murray have expressed interest in participating in a dust control program; and WHEREAS, The County of Murray does not currently have a formal dust control policy to specify how to apply and the type of dust control material that can be used on aggregate surfaced roads; and WHEREAS, It is desired by the County of Murray to have a written dust control policy and program that would enable residents across the entire county to participate, subject to a dust control policy. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, That the County of Murray hereby adopts the Murray County Dust Control Policy, dated May 13, 2004 and allows the County Highway Department to administer the dust control program. The foregoing resolution was duly seconded by Commissioner William Sauer and thereupon being put to a vote all members of the Board voted for its adoption. Randy requested authorization for overnight stays for the 2004 Spring County Screening Board Conference at Cragun's on June 2-3, 2004, to which he is a delegate. It was moved by Kevin Anderson, seconded by William Sauer, and passed to approve overnight stays for Randy Groves to attend the 2004 Spring County Screening Board Conference at Cragun's on June 2-3, 2004 in Brainerd, MN. Robert Klingle met with the Board along with Randy Groves, to present recommendations from the Personnel Committee for changes to the Murray County Pay Scale. It was moved by Lyle Onken, seconded by Kevin Anderson, and passed to make the following changes to the Murray County Pay Scale: 1. Convert the Parks Maintenance Classification, currently on a seasonal scale, to the standard 13 Year scale with the starting wage at $9.02 an hour based on 144 points. 2. Change the points of the Highway Department Survey and Highway Department Weed Sprayers Classifications from 82 to 144, leaving them on a seasonal scale but changing the start to $8.36 an hour. It was moved by Alfred Gertsema, seconded by William Sauer, and passed to place Clarence Lamp and John Wagley on the Parks Maintenance Pay Scale at the appropriate Step based on hours accumulated since dates of hire to that position. It was moved by Lyle Onken, seconded by Alfred Gertsema, and passed to place Fred Knorr, Mary Knorr, Duane Mitchell and Donald Anderson on Year 4 Step at $9.16 an hour on the new seasonal scale for the Murray County Highway Department Seasonal Weed Sprayers. It was moved by William Sauer, seconded by Kevin Anderson, and passed to hire Jeffery Cooley as a Highway Department Survey seasonal employee, and to place him at Year 1 Step on the pay scale at $8.56 an hour, based on previous service. Mike Gillette, City of Slayton, met with the Board regarding a parcel of land the City acquired from the State of Minnesota on a Use Deed in 2001. Mike presented a copy of the Deed along with a map and inquired regarding what can be done to change a restrictive covenant that is preventing the City from using the property for anything except for a public park with facilities for campers. Paul Malone will contact the Slayton City Attorney and report back. No action was taken. The Board reviewed a Spraying Agreement that was distributed earlier, from Teryjon Aviation Inc. The Agreement is the same one Teryjon has with other counties to spray drainage ditches. Paul Malone indicated that paragraph (9) is confusing and he does not understand its intent. A telephone call was placed to John Holmberg in St. Peter to review the Agreement with him. He was placed on speakerphone and indicated that it made no difference to him if the paragraph were removed from the Agreement. The Board also reviewed with John the price per acre, which is $19.78 per acre, plus chemical cost and sales tax, for a total price per acre of $29.56. It was moved by William Sauer, seconded by Lyle Onken, and passed to authorize the Chairman to sign a revised Spraying Agreement, dated May 18, 2004, with Teryjon Aviation, Inc. to spray drainage ditches in Murray County. The Commissioners gave their committee reports. Lyle Onken reported on Sewer and Water Commission April 26 and May 10, Ditch Meeting May 11, Hospital Finance and Personnel May 14, Sunrise Terrace Advisory May 17, Hospital Meeting May 18. Lyle left the meeting at this time to meet with Chuck Schwartz. Kevin Anderson reported on Ditch Meeting May 11, SWCD May 13, Hospital Meeting May 18. Alfred Gertsema reported on Shetek Medical Services April 21, RSVP Recognition (Donated) May 10, Ditch Meeting May 11, RSVP (Donated) May 12, Sunrise Terrace Advisory May 17, Hospital Meeting May 18. Steve Johnson reported on RCRCA April 26, RC & D April 28, Ditch Meeting May 11, Sioux Valley Summit and Planning & Zoning May 12, Hospital Finance May 14, Minnesota River Basin and RCRCA May 17, Hospital Meeting May 18. William J. Sauer reported on Hospital Meeting April 20, SMOC April 26, Judicial Ditch 20 and Seven Mile Lake/ Lime Lake Parks April 27, Hospital Building May 30, Ditch Meeting May 11, Sioux Valley Summit May 12, Hospital Meeting May 18. It was moved by William Sauer, seconded by Kevin Anderson, and passed to approve the Commissioner Vouchers. The meeting recessed for lunch at 11:47 a.m. The Board reconvened at 3:03 p.m. following the Hospital Board meeting. Alfred Gertsema and William Sauer gave a report on the greenhouse on the fairgrounds and stated that it will be located on the grass area east of the school parking lot and west of the 4-H and that a lease with Murray County Central will need to be prepared. It was moved by Alfred Gertsema, seconded by William Sauer, and passed to authorize Murray County Central FFA to place a greenhouse on the Fairgrounds immediately to the west of the 4-H building. The meeting adjourned at 3:12 p.m.
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Commissioner's Meeting Minutes
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