April 24, 2018 – Following are highlights and key priorities covered at the Tuesday, April 24 Board of Commissioners Meeting:

Public Comment Period

No Public Comment.

Consent Agenda

All items on the consent agenda were approved:

A. Claims
B. MN DNR Ski Trail Grant Resolution
C. MN DNR Snowmobile Trail Grant Resolution
D. Donation $750/Sheriff Dept.
E. Boat and Water Grant in the amount of $4,500.00
F. HSEM Regional Mutual Aid Agreement
G. HSEM Loyalty Oath Card
H. Special Road Use Permit, Voyage North
I.  Award Bid, CP 18-02, Liquid Calcium Chloride

Agenda

Lutsen Bridge and Cost Share Agreement 

A. Project Award, 016-605-005, Lutsen Bridge

County Engineer Krysten Foster explained the bidding process. There were three bids submitted with all the specifications laid out. The recommended award is the low bid from S & R Reinforcing, Inc. of Aikin, MN.  This project is in included in the bonding materials, but there is money to pay for this with transportation dollars before the bonding is all set, if need be. The bridge will be closed during the construction. The bid is for $259 per square foot, which is in the ballpark for other projects around the area. Construction is expected to start on May 21, and end mid-August. The motion was made and carried to approve this project.

B. Lutsen Mountain Corp. Cost Share Agreement

Ms. Foster explained that there is a Cost Share Agreement with Lutsen Mountains Corp. in the amount of $67,620.00 to help with the bridge replacement. Motion was made and carried to approve this agreement.

Proposed Septic Ordinance Amendments

Timothy Nelson, Land Services Director and Mitchell Everson, Environmental Health Officer presented a unanimous recommendation from the Planning Commission to adopt the amendments to the Cook County Septic Ordinance #58. Motion as made and carried to approve. 

Arrowhead Electric Cooperative, Inc. (AEC) Rezone Request from LR-1 to LGC  

Bill Lane, Land Services Administrator, presented a unanimous recommendation from the Planning Commission to approve AEC’s request for a zone change from LR-1 to LGC. This change was based pon the AEC desire to centralize its offices and industrial facilities within the immediate Lutsen landscape. Motion was made and carried to approve.

2017 General Fund Budget Review

County Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers presented the review and answered Board. This 4th quarter report includes all four quarters and is an Actual vs Budgeted 2017 General Fund revenues and expenditures comparison. This is a cash basis report which will be adjusted for accruals when reported in the audit. Motion was made and carried to approve. 

Commissioner Concerns:

Commissioner Deschampe talked about the Otis Creek problem. Mr. Cadwell assured the Board that this is on the priority list. 

Commissioner Doo-Kirk will be attending a Regional Health Reform/Governing Housing meeting.

Commissioner Bursheim mentioned that the Cook County Historical Society has a meeting tomorrow and will discussing what their roles are/archival issues. 
Commissioner Sivertson said that the Library Board will be inviting County Administrator Cadwell and City Administrator Roth to their meeting next month.

There was discussion on all the buildings that the County is responsible for. No action.

Next week is the Heart of the Continent meeting May 3 & 4 and Commissioner Doo-Kirk is unable to attend. Commissioner Sivertson said she could attend one of the days and Commissioners Bursheim or Deschampe will try and go the other day.

A big “Thank You” was said to our videographer Patrick Knight, who is joining the City of Grand Marais Staff and will no longer be contracted to provide live-streaming and video footage of 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]