April 10, 2018 – Following are highlights and key priorities covered at the Tuesday, April 10 Board of Commissioners Meeting:

Public Comment Period

Arvis Thompson appeared before the board with two questions. First question was about the current and proposed county debt load and debt service payments. The second was about the possibility of adding citizen representatives to the county budget committee.

Consent Agenda

All items on the consent agenda were approved.

A.  Claims

B.  Cook County Board Minutes of March 27, 2018

C.  Ad for Bids, CP 18-01 Aggregate Stockpile

D.  WLSSD Agreement Approval

E.  Special Event Application, 2018 Lutsen 99er

F.  Support Jim Ericson to the Governor’s Council on Minnesota Coastal Program   

Todd Smith, Assessor

There were three abatements brought to the Board. All were approved.

• Coyer, Martin PID # 20-202-2465; changed to reflect a undivided half interest
• Coyer, Martin PID # 20-202-2470; changed to reflect a undivided half interest
• Tormonden, Dale and Rachel PID # 25-014-3385; error changed to 203-0 but should have been 203-1 and stayed homestead.

Public Hearing/Fee Schedule

Some of the changes were approved and others were put on hold.  Proposed changes for Sheriff’s Office and Auditors Office were approved. Changes for Planning and Zoning and Emergency management were held for review along with a needed ordinance review.

Krysten Foster, Highway Engineer and Lisa Sorlie, Highway Accountant
Final Payment for SAP 016-602-019 for Sawbill paving was approved. 
The Board reviewed the 2017 Annual Report for the Highway Department presented by Lisa Sorlie and Krysten Foster. 

Public Hearing/Capital Improvement Plans and Bonds
Bruce Kimmel from Ehlers reviewed the Capital Plan and the Capital Bonds identified as Series 2018A.

A.CIP Resolution:  Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Cook County, Minnesota, approving the capital improvement plan and stating the intent to issue general obligation capital improvement bonds under Minnesota Statutes, Section 373.40.  Motion was made by Doo-Kirk, seconded by Sivertson.

B. Capital Equipment Notes Resolution: Resolution of the Board of County Commissioners of Cook County, Minnesota, Declaring Official Intent for the Issuance   and sale of General Obligation Capital equipment notes. 
Motion was made by Doo-Kirk, seconded by Sivertson.

C. Resolution providing for sale of 9,545,000. Motion was made by Doo-Kirk, seconded by Sivertson.

D. Resolution Proving for sale of 1,600,000 Tax abatement. Motion was made by Doo-Kirk, seconded by Bursheim.

Jeff Cadwell, Administrator
Jeff addressed Arvis Thompsons question about the County’s debt load and source of debt service by saying that a short summary of current and proposed debt could be developed and made available.

Jeff also addressed the issue that Patrick Knight, Good Measure Media, has taken a full-time position with the City of Grand Marais and that the County will need to identify another solution for recording/broadcasting commissioner meetings.

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.

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