PROCEEDINGS OF THE MURRAY COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
MURRAY COUNTY GOVERNMENT CENTER – SLAYTON, MINNESOTA
JULY 15, 2008 – 8:00 a.m.

Pursuant to notice, the Murray County Board of Commissioners convened with the following members present:  Commissioners John Giese, Gerald Magnus, Robert Moline, William J. Sauer and Kevin Vickerman.  Also present Heidi Winter, 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 John Giese, seconded by William J. Sauer, and passed to approve the agenda as modified.

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by Gerald Magnus, and passed to approve the minutes of the July 8, 2008 meeting.

A motion was duly made by Gerald Magnus, seconded by William J. Sauer, and carried that all claims as presented were approved for payment.  The Chairman was authorized to sign the Audit List dated 7/15/08 with fund totals as follows and warrants numbered 115827 through 115936: 

County Revenue Fund                       77,823.91
County Road & Bridge Fund               27,123.45
Sunrise Terrace                                  3,032.43 
County Ditch Fund                                   69.32
Hospital Maintenance                          8,640.02

Total                                             120,573.95

Heidi Winter presented the following petitions for repair: County Ditch 56, and Judicial Ditches 3 and 20.

A motion was made by William J. Sauer, seconded by John Giese, and carried that the Commissioners appointed as Inspectors in and for the County of Murray, are hereby instructed to examine and inspect that portion of the foregoing described County and Judicial Ditches, lying within the County of Murray, for the purpose of determining what repairs are necessary, and if deemed necessary, to prepare either a cost estimate of said repair, or order said repairs to be made, with a report to be given thereon at a Murray County Board of Commissioner’s meeting, held in the Commissioners Room of the Murray County Government Center, Slayton, Minnesota.

Nancy Andert and Ronda Radke gave a personnel committee report with the following action required. 

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by Gerald Magnus, and passed  to hire James Gertsema for the Medical Emergency Services Director position, at the pay scale of 367, to be housed at the ambulance garage on Broadway Avenue, effective August 4, 2008. 

Jeff Salmon met with the Board to discuss the aeration lines in the lake next to his property.  He distributed copies of pictures taken as recently as July 14, 2008 showing lines that are protruding through the water and posing a grave safety concern.  He asked that the matter be addressed immediately requesting the following specific action: 
1. That the aeration lines be bored in immediately
2. That the shore land be restored to its original condition
3. That he be compensated for the destruction of his property
4. That the County pay him rent for storage of aeration materials on his property
5. That his sons be paid for work they have done to move aeration lines. 
6. That the County rewrite the easement for access to the aeration shed and system so that it is phased out and removed in a reasonable time frame.
7. If above expectations are not met, he will see to it that the lines are removed and the easement cancelled and will be prepared to file a law suit.

The Board, by consensus, stated the following: 
1. The Salmon lot must be cleaned up of by July 18, 2008.
2. The item will be placed on the July 22, 2008 agenda to discuss boring costs and other aeration options.
3. The County will work with the Salmons on shore land restoration once decision on how the lines will be installed is made.
4. Set September 1, 2008 as a goal to have the issue resolved.

The Murray County Cohort Group presented the first draft of the county wide newsletter, The Murray County Messenger. 

It was moved by William J. Sauer, seconded by Robert Moline, and passed to approve the first draft of The Murray County Messenger for printing and distribution. 

Open Forum/Public Comment:
• Rick Miller (via speaker phone) discussed concerns with making the proposed ordinance for ATV and golf carts usage too stringent for agricultural use.  The Board assured him that the ordinance does not apply to ATVs currently licensed through the State of Minnesota. 

Earl Linder met with the Board to discuss the zoning of his lake lot.  He has one substandard lot contiguous with another lot, which according to Murray County ordinance, Minnesota Statute and Minnesota Administrative Rule state that the property must be combined and can not be sold separately.  Mr. Linder requested that the Board direct him on how to split the lots.  The Board directed him to file for a variance with the Board of Adjustments for consideration.  Commissioners Robert Moline and Kevin Vickerman stated that they would be there for support at the hearing. No Board action taken.

Brian Christiansen, NRCS met with the Board to give an update on the rain garden

Jean Christoffels met with the Board to request that they waive the zoning fee for the Lake Shetek Area Improvement Association to remodel the gazebo/fish cleaning station at Marsh's Landing.

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by William J. Sauer, and passed to waive the zoning fee for the Lake Shetek Area Improvement Association to remodel the gazebo/fish cleaning station at Marsh's Landing.

Randy Groves met with the Board for his semi-monthly board meeting

As follow up to the July 1, 2008 meeting Groves brought elevation shots on the CSAH 2 ditch clean out, which showed no violation of road plan.  Howard Konkol determined that the spoils put on the banks need to be removed from wetland and instructed that rip rap needs to be placed at the bottom of the culvert at the end of the ditch. 

Groves gave a construction project update. 

Heidi Winter presented a Memorandum of Understanding for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program for consideration.  The MOU is between Murray County and the Joint Powers of RSVP for a one-time per capital allocation to maintain current services, obtain necessary directors and officer insurance and move the organization to a positive future.  The MOU would commit Murray County to a one-time payment of $3,207.75.

It was moved by Gerald Magnus, seconded by William J. Sauer, and passed to authorize the Board Chair to sign a Memorandum of Understanding for the Retired Senior Volunteer Program between Murray County and the Joint Powers of RSVP, committing Murray County to a one-time per capita payment of $3,207.75.

Chris Hansen met with the Board to discuss the County Septic System Loan Program.  He asked if the original intent of the program, which is assisting residents with septic system upgrades, would extend to residents in the Shetek Area Water and Sewer District for hooking up to the centralized sewer system.   

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by John Giese, and passed to allow residents to use the Murray County Septic System Loan Program to pay for the line assessment from their grinder station to the main line in place of the assessment.  After discussion, Commissioner Robert Moline withdrew the motion, Commissioner John Giese withdrew the second, and the Board directed Hansen to tighten up the language to make sure that it can be used only when no other program is available. 

Commissioner John Giese gave the building committee report:
• The upgrade to stamp and stain the Dinehart/Holt House patio will be an additional cost of $1,400.

It was moved by Gerald Magnus, seconded by John Giese, and passed to upgrade the paving of the patio at the Dinehart-Holt House to a concrete stamp design for the total cost of $2,000 ($576 original quote plus $1,424 upgrade cost).

Commissioner John Giese continued with the Building Committee report:
• The Draft Horse Association requested collaboration for funding.  The Board directed the EDA to look into this. 

Kevin Vickerman reminded everyone of the SMOC Annual Meeting on July 28, 2008. 

The Board recessed for lunch 12:28 p.m.

The meeting reconvened at 1:16 p.m.

Dean Larson of Pictometry, Inc. met with the Board to discuss and do a presentation on Pictometry software and technology.   Various Departments Heads attended the presentation. 

It was moved by John Giese, seconded by Robert Moline, to earmark $60,000 of the Recorder’s Contingency Fund to explore the option of purchasing PIctometry technology, visiting with the all other cities and townships in the County to help fund the purchase. 

It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by Gerald Magnus, and passed to approve a rough draft of the ATV/Golf Cart Ordinance and present it for a public hearing on August 19,  2008 at 10:15 a.m.

The Commissioners gave their committee reports. 
 
It was moved by Robert Moline, seconded by John Giese, and passed to approve the Commissioner Vouchers.

The meeting adjourned at 3:10 p.m.