Subscribe to Cook County Board Minutes
Cook County Board Minutes 
Government Board of Commissioners Meeting Minutes Commissioner's Minutes - April 17, 2012
| Commissioner's Minutes - April 17, 2012 |
|
MINUTES OF THE REGULAR MEETING OF THE COOK COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
Grand Marais, Minnesota The Board met in regular session this 17th day of April, 2012, at the Courthouse in Grand Marais, Minnesota. HUMAN SERVICES BOARD MINUTES The Human Services Board met in regular session on the 17th day of April, 2012, in the commissioner's room of the Cook County Courthouse in Grand Marais, MN. Sue Hakes, Chair, called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Bruce Martinson made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Jim Johnson and approved all ayes. Bruce Martinson made a motion to approve the March 20, 2012 meeting minutes, seconded by Carla LaPointe and approved all ayes. COMMITTEE REPORTS: Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency: Sue Hakes reported the next meeting is scheduled this week in Virginia. Arrowhead Health Alliance: Sue Futterer reported from the March 30th meeting. Good news, AHA received another HRSA grant to support the Public Health Home Visiting program for pre and post natal moms/babies. There is updated curriculum that will be used. Mental and Behavioral health initiatives that overlap with AHA were discussed. All Joint Powers board members and alternates are invited to attend the strategic planning session May 9. Futterer reported that AHA should know the results from the initiatives with Blue Plus by June. Arrowhead Regional Corrections: Fritz reported from the ARC Retreat that included Department Heads and County Commissioners. They discussed revitalizing the farm at NERC, as an agricultural group wants to rent land. Good discussion on whether they should sell land. They also discussed the possibility of creating an inmate carpentry skills program which would be helpful when inmates are released. Capital improvements of 2.5 million dollars are needed. Short and long term planning was discussed. ARC is low in recidivism rate. County Health Rankings and PH Updates: Futterer referenced report from packet. This is the first year that Cook County has been ranked due to low numbers in previous years. PHHS has nothing to compare to since we were not ranked in the past. Cook County has better health outcomes according to the report. Futterer clarified the lower ranking numbers indicated better outcomes. Futterer reported there will be a joint assessment and regional public health and human service planning process conducted. The actual plan will be written separately for the 3 and 4 county CHB counties. Futterer referenced the "Move It" flyer that was in packets. This is an initiative through SHIP and Active Living Project. Blue Plus Care Coordination Audit (enclosure): Futterer referenced the Blue Plus handout from the packet. Futterer reported this shows what counties are required to have for the audit to document reasons for reimbursement. May 9th is the audit date. Transition care was an issue last audit. 2012 First Quarter Report: Futterer passed out Alternate Work Site Report and informed the board that she desired to continue working off site, but felt it was important for board to know alternate work site was no longer at their personal property in Virginia, MN. According to Futterer the agreement between the county and Futterer for alternate work site is not site specific. Futterer requested permission to discontinue the quarterly reports. Sue Hakes was comfortable with waiving this requirement. Fritz Sobanja suggested cutting down verbage, just prepare the statistical, because he really likes to have the data. Futterer agreed to continue with the reports and incorporate board suggestions. Legislative Updates: Had a few things, but County Commissioners get the AMC updates. Omnibus bill has some issues and a conference committee has to be formed to work them out. Bruce Martinson, made a motion to approve the abstracts and bills, seconded by Carla LaPointe, approved all ayes. Jim Johnson made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 AM, seconded by Fritz Sobanja and approved all ayes. The next Human Services Board meeting will be on May 15, 2012, commencing at 8:30 AM. At 10:20 a.m. the regular meeting of the Cook County Board of Commissioners was called to order. County Board Vice-Chair Martinson led the Commissioners in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Motion was made by Sobanja, seconded by Johnson and carried to adjust the agenda for the meeting as presented. Sam Parker appeared before the Board during the Public Comment portion of the meeting, on behalf of the Citizens for Cook County Committee. Parker encouraged the County Board to conduct a feasibility study regarding the proposed Cook County Community Center. Timothy Nelson, Planning Director/Solid Waste Officer, appeared before the Board. Nelson presented a capital purchase request for a new vertical bailer. Cost for said purchase was $11,794.00 for purchase, shipping, installation, and removal of the old unit, plus possible sales tax. Nelson noted that the 2012 Recycling Center budget provided for $57,000 to replace a different bailer. However, the vertical bailer is failing and needs immediate replacement. Nelson will budget for replacement of the other bailer in another year. Following discussion, motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Sobanja, and carried to purchase the vertical bailer as requested. David Betts, County Highway Engineer, appeared before the Board with several issues. Betts presented a special event permit for the May 6th Ham Run Half Marathon. Sue Prom, race organizer, was present for the discussion. Betts outlined the details of the permit and race plans. Following discussion, motion was made by Hakes, seconded by Johnson, and carried to approve the special event permit for the Ham Run Half Marathon as presented. Betts requested authorization to advertise for bids for contractors to conduct summer maintenance activities on the four subordinate service districts. Motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Sobanja, and carried to authorize advertisement as requested. Betts reported that the County received four bids for S.A.P. 016-605-004, reconstruction of CSAH 5. Ulland Brothers, Inc. was the low bidder in the amount of $662,222.25. Betts noted that Lutsen Mountain Corporation will be sharing in some costs for this road reconstruction project, as the road goes through the ski area. Following discussion, motion was made by Sobanja, seconded by Johnson, and carried to award S.A.P. 016-605-004 to Ulland Brothers, Inc. as low bidder, pending finalization of the cost sharing agreement between Cook County and Lutsen Mountain Corporation regarding the project. Betts reported that the County received three bids for S.A.P. 016-608-012, Devil Track Phase II reconstruction project. Low bid was received from Ulland Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $1,206,450.00. Betts noted that this was almost $800,000 less than the Engineers estimate, as the asphalt prices came in low and the contractor may crush the excavation material rather than haul it out of the area. Following discussion, motion was made by Sobanja, seconded by Johnson, and carried to award the bid for S.A.P. 016-608-012 to Ulland Brothers, Inc. as recommended. Commissioner Johnson moved the adoption of the following resolution and upon seconding by Commissioner Sobanja was adopted by unanimous yea vote of all members present: RESOLUTION # 2012-40 BE IT RESOLVED, that the following claims totaling $ 226,848.83 having been audited and found to be true and correct claims against Cook County, are approved and the Auditor-Treasurer is hereby authorized to draw warrants in payment of said claims: Braidy Powers, Auditor-Treasurer, appeared before the Board. Powers presented an application for an exempt permit for the Cook County ATV Club to hold raffles on June 16, and August 2-5, as a fund raiser. Commissioner Johnson moved the adoption of the following resolution and upon seconding by Commissioner Hakes was adopted by unanimous yea vote of all members present: RESOLUTION # 2012-41 MINNESOTA LAWFUL GAMBLING LC-220 APPLICATION FOR EXEMPT PERMIT BE IT RESOLVED, that the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby approves a Minnesota Lawful Gambling LC220 Application for Exempt Permit from the Cook County ATV Club for raffles to be held on June 16, 2012 and August 2-5, 2012, in Grand Marais, MN. Mark Falk, County Sheriff, appeared before the Board with several issues. Falk presented a capital purchase request to approve a quote from Cassidian/IES to upgrade the current 9-1-1 system. Cost for this upgrade ranges from $164,778.16 to $199,027.51, depending on whether the County wants a one-year, three-year, or five-year contract for support services and upgrades. Falk noted that the current system was installed in 1999, and the replacement would be paid out of existing 9-1-1 funds. Falk further reported that a five-year support service would create a cost savings of approximately $10,000 over the term of the contract. Following discussion, motion was made by Hakes, seconded by Johnson, and carried to approve purchase of the Cassidian/IES Next Generation 9-1-1 upgrade in the amount of $199,027.51, which includes the five-year support service and upgrade provision. Falk presented a Cooperative Law Enforcement Agreement between the Cook County Sheriff's Department and the U.S. Forest Service. The contract is in the amount of $11,500.00 and would be used by the Cook County Sheriff's Office in providing additional summer coverage on Forest Service lands. Motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Hakes, and carried to approve the Forest Service Agreement No. 11-LE-11090903-016 as presented. County Attorney Tim Scannell and County Sheriff Mark Falk appeared before the Board to discuss the Professional/Technical Services Agreement between Cook County and the Center for Judicial and Executive Security, LLC, for Steven Swensen to conduct a security assessment of the Cook County Courthouse. Scannell reported that the contract is in the amount of $5,000.00, and Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers has agreed to be the contact person for the contract. Scannell inquired whether the County Board would want Swensen to assess other public spaces, such as the Community Center and Highway Department, at the same time. Swensen is willing to combine the project, and also possibly give the School District and North Shore Hospital a reduction in cost, if other county properties are assessed at the same time. Following discussion, motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Hakes, and carried to approve the Professional/Technical Services Agreement with CJES as presented in the amount of $5,000.00 to conduct a security assessment of the Cook County Courthouse. Consensus of the Board was that other county buildings could be considered at a later date. Motion was made by Sobanja, seconded by Hakes, and carried to support the assessment of the School and Hospital buildings, if the School Board and Hospital Board are interested, and if other county buildings are assessed at a future date. Brian Silence, Maintenance Director, appeared before the Board. Silence received a quote from Crawford Construction in the amount of $8,000.00 to construct a new office for the Guardian ad Litem in the Court Administration area. Silence noted that he has been working with Crawford Construction on other small projects in the courthouse. Motion was made by Johnson, seconded by Hakes, and carried to approve the Guardian ad Litem construction project at a cost not to exceed $8,000.00. Jeanne Smith, Victim/Witness Coordinator, appeared before the Board and reported that April 22-28, 2012 was National Crime Witness Rights week. Smith requested permission to set up a display in the courthouse foyer, consolidating her material with the information that is currently on display from the Violence Prevention Center. Motion was made by Hakes, seconded by Sobanja, and carried to approve the initiative and display regarding National Crime Witness Rights week. Commissioner Hakes reported that Superior National at Lutsen Golf Course representatives would like to meet with the Cook County Board of Commissioners at the Golf Course in May. Hakes will follow-up regarding potential dates for said meeting. Commissioner Sobanja noted that he attended an Arrowhead Regional Corrections Retreat in Eveleth on April 16, 2012 and also intends to attend the Arrowhead Regional Correction Spring Conference in Duluth on April 26, 2012. Commissioners Hakes and Martinson attended an Arrowhead Counties Association meeting on April 18, 2012. Hakes and Martinson will also attend the business luncheon being held in the Courthouse on April 25, and Hakes will give a presentation regarding County Government. Commissioner Hakes noted that she attended an ITV meeting of the Minnesota Rural Counties Caucus on April 16, 2012. The organization is working to eliminate the 25% match and the cap that is imposed on rural counties when applying for State Legacy Funds. MRCC will be sending a letter to the Cook County News-Herald regarding its position on this matter, and will be forwarding a resolution to County Boards with a request that it be adopted. Commissioners Hakes and Martinson attended a Broadband meeting on April 16, 2012. The project is moving forward and Arrowhead Electric Cooperative is hoping to restart construction in June. Commissioner Hakes presented a proposal from Boreal TV to videotape and post the regular and special Cook County Board of Commissioner meetings that are held in the Courthouse at a cost of $6,000.00 per year. The County Board will discuss this issue again at the April 24, 2012 County Board meeting. Correspondence - Memos: A. Materials for 4/16/12 meeting of MN Rural Counties Caucus. Information. B. Materials for 4/5/12 meeting of Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District. Information.
D. North House email update, 4/6/12. Information. E. 1% Local Option Sales Tax Report through 2/29/12. Information. F. Cook County and Ely Area Lodging Tax Reports through 2/29/12. Information. G. Cook County Board of Commissioner meeting minutes for 3/20/12. Motion was made by Sobanja, seconded by Johnson, and carried to approve the County Board minutes as presented with one correction. H. Materials for 4/18/12 meeting of Arrowhead Counties Assn. Information. At 11:55 a.m. the Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting was recessed. At 1:05 p.m. the Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting was reconvened to conduct a work session regarding the Cook County Community Center 1% Local Option Sales Tax project. Present were Commissioners Hakes, Johnson, Martinson, and Sobanja. Also present were YMCA Representative Chris Francis, ORB Representative Tom Wacholz, ISD # 166 School Superintendent Beth Schwarz, Cook County Steering Committee members Paul Sporn, Gene Glader, Mike Groth, and Jeanne Anderson, as well as nine citizens. Paul Sporn, Steering Committee Chair, appeared before the Board and provided an overview of the process that the Cook County Steering Committee has taken to date to help determine whether and/or where a Community Center should be constructed. Beth Schwarz reported that the School Board is neutral on whether to build a Community Center, but would be amenable to considering having it attached to the School if the County Board is going to go forward with the project. Schwarz presented the resolution that the School Board approved regarding the proposal. Sporn and Wacholz reported that the Steering Committee and ORB would like to start some basic design work regarding the possibility of adding the Community Center to the west end of the School campus. Wacholz noted that some information has already been gathered, as the school site was reviewed in the past. Gale Anderson, citizen, appeared before the Board and inquired how much money was available for the Community Center project. Commissioner Sobanja reported that $12 million was originally designated, but it was reduced down to $9 million, after the Superior National at Lutsen Golf Course received additional funding. Sobanja noted that the $9 million includes outdoor facilities such as hockey rinks as well as FF and E expenses. Commissioner Johnson reported that some members of the Community feel that planning for a new Community Center has been a closed process without public input, but Johnson thought that the process has been very open. Schwarz concurred that citizens have been asked for input and the groups doing the planning have provided a lot of information to the public. Chris Francis reported that the YMCA is very interested in the project, and believes that it would be feasible. The YMCA has extensive experience in designing recreational facilities, including shared facilities with schools, and can offer ideas regarding design and programming. Francis is reviewing the results of the SEER study, but the initial estimate is that the YMCA could possibly manage the Community Center as proposed, with an approximate $170,000.00 annual deficit. This is less that the current deficit incurred at the Grand Marais Municipal Pool. The Group discussed the following issues: YMCA fund raising, the need to begin establishing wants vs. needs regarding programming, what to do with the existing Community Center if a new one is built, reviewing of grounds and outside facilities, the need to establish a hockey rink location for the 2012-13 season, what the school could anticipate receiving in exchange for donating the land for the Community Center, the status of the Burbach Aquatics issue, developing a scope and a budget for the project, and acknowledgement that there are other groups that are also interested in 1% funds who were not on the initial project list. Following considerable discussion, a motion was made by Sobanja, seconded by Hakes, and carried to authorize ORB to move forward with the design concept for a Community Center to be built on the western end of the ISD # 166 School campus, including scoping, estimating, mitigating, and tear out of existing school facilities, with input from the Cook County Steering Committee regarding suggested programming, at a cost not to exceed $5,000.00. Wacholz reported that ORB would proceed with this directive, already has a lot of information on file, and would not involve any outside consultants at this point in the process. The Group discussed some of the details that would have to be addressed if the Duluth YMCA were to become the manager for a Cook County-Owned Community Center that is attached to the ISD # 166 School Campus. Following discussion, motion was made by Hakes, seconded by Martinson, and carried to authorize County Attorney Tim Scannell to begin discussions with the Duluth YMCA and School District regarding a possible agreement for lease and operations of a Community Center on the School site. There being no further business, motion was made and carried that the meeting be adjourned.
|
