Following are highlights and key priorities covered at the Tuesday, May 8 Board of Commissioners Meeting:

Public Comment Period

Arvis Thompson addressed the County Board.

Consent Agenda

All items on the consent agenda were approved:
A.  Claims
B.  Commissioner Board minutes for April 10 & 24 2018.
C.  Clearwater & Leo Lake Landings Annual Contract
D.  AIS Contract and By-laws Amendment
E.  Addendum to Local Water Plans per The Buffer Law
F.  Hazardous Fuels Reduction on County Parcels
G.  Special Road Use Permit, Tofte 4th of July
H.  Special Road Use Permit, Grand Marais Arts Festival

Agenda

Inmate Transportation Project
Sheriff Pat Eliasen, discussed entering into a contract with other Minnesota Counties for a collaborative initiative for the transport of inmates across the State. Cook County’s share of cost is $102.30 per year. The motion to enter the collaborative transport project was made and approved.

Sheriff Eliasen also introduced the Sheriff’s Office new Deputies. Three of the four Deputies were present: Angelic Homan (Seasonal Grand Marais Patrol), Jamie Green and Andrew Hayes.  Not present:  Matt Estrada (Grand Portage National Park Patrol). The Board welcomed the new Deputies and thanked them for their service to the County and citizens.

Design Services, CSAH 15 Reconstruction (5th Avenue West)
County Administrator Jeff Cadwell presented this topic on behalf of County Engineer Krysten Foster.
The County would like to contract with LHB to provide services as they are part of MnDOT’s TH 61 Reconstruction Project, in addition they are also working with the City regarding utility replacement. This will help in efficiency in design and they are already working in the area.  A quote was received for these services in the amount of $105,690 which could be funded via State Aid Municipal Construction dollars or bond funds. The motion was made and approved.

Playground Approval/Becker Arena Payment
Diane Booth, Community Center/Extension Services Director provided an update on two components of the Community Center grounds plans.

1. Planned playground equipment consists of two components – one area for children ages 0-5-years-old and the other for 5-12-years-old. The quote for the 0-5-year-old playground equipment is from Flagship Recreation in the amount of $36,85.19. The quote for the 5-12-year-old playground equipment is from Midwest Playscapes in the amount of $69,121. Both require a down payment to get on their build schedule. Motion was made and approved to move forward, pending outcome of the County’s Bonding.

2. Removal of the existing rink boards and subsequent installation of new concrete curbs in the amount of $21,247 is recommended with Becker Arena Products. The motion was made and approved, pending outcome of the County’s Bonding. 

Abatements
Todd Smith, County Assessor brought several abatements to the Board. All the abatements were corrected errors in classifications of properties regarding homestead qualifications. The motion was made and approved.

Revolving Loan Approval
Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers brought forth a loan request from Nesgoda Services LLP, Gary Nesgoda & Nick Hingos. They would like to purchase and improve a Cedar Grove Business Park lot and purchase a wood chipper in the amount of $56,000.00.  The motion was made and approved for a 20-year loan.

Tax Abatement Bond Issuance
Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers stated that the Tax Abatement Bonds are slightly higher than the Resolution the Board approved on April 10, which is allowed by 2% of the amount due to higher interest rates without changing the authorizing resolution.

Data Practices
County Attorney Molly Hicken gave a presentation on Data Practices to the County Board. 

Administrative Update
County Administrator Jeff Cadwell provided an update on the following:

1) Budget Committee: Recommending that the Board consider adding five members of the public to the Budget Committee in an advisory role. Each Commissioner will appoint one person from their District; the complete list of members will be approved by the full Board. Motion was made and approved.

2) County Board Meeting Recording/Live-stream: New video equipment to live-stream and record meetings has been installed in the Commissioners room and is use at today’s Board meeting for the first time. We will continue to live-stream Board of Commissioner Meetings on the second and fourth Tuesdays and the PHHS meeting on the third Tuesday, but we are proposing changing the practice of using cameras at work sessions like the Committee of the Whole where decisions are not made. Motion was made and approved.

3) Construction Project Updates:  New roof at the YMCA, improvements to one of the childcare room, window replacements in the Courthouse and LEC, roof repair at the Courthouse. We are hoping to have contractor quotes for the May 22 Board Meeting. 


4) Lutsen Mountain USFA Application: Lutsen Mountains is asking the Board to consider a letter in support of their USFS Special Use application. This will be discussed again at a later date.

Commissioner Concerns
Commissioner Deschampe asked if the Board would consider having someone from the Tribe come to talk and explain about their 1854 Treaty. Deschampe will arrange this for a future meeting.   

Commissioner Doo-Kirk recognized the May employees anniversaries and thanked them for their services. 
 
Full details of Board Meetings are available through video footage, Agendas and Minutes at www.co.cook.mn.us. County Board Meetings are open to the public.

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Contact: Jeff Cadwell, Cook County Administrator, 218-387-3687 or [email protected]