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Boreal Community Media

May 22 Board of Commissioners Meeting Highlights

May 22, 2018 02:53PM ● By Editor


May 22 Board of Commissioners Meeting Highlights

May 22, 2018 – Following are highlights and key priorities covered at the Tuesday, May 22 Board of Commissioners Meeting:

Public Comment Period  
No one came forth.

Consent Agenda

All items on the Consent Agenda were approved.
A.  Claims/Auditor’s Office - bills
B.  Maintenance Department Credit Card Authorization/Auditor’s Office for Maintenance Department
C.  Resolution for Gambling Permit/Auditor’s Office – Gunflint Mail Run Jan 4-7, 2019
D.  Project Award, CP 18-01 Aggregate Stockpile/Hwy Dept. Low bidder TNT Aggregates, LLC of Grand Rapids, MN


Agenda

Final Payment for SAP 016-607-025 and CP 016-999-001

Krysten Foster, Highway Engineer, reported work has been completed and final inspection has been performed on two projects, with the final payments for SAP 016-607-025 to Ulland Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $214,850.63 for CSAH 7 Rehabilitation. The original cost was $1,838,720.81. There was an overrun of $99,886.54 due to additional catch basin work near the hospital and poor gravel once the old pavement had been removed. The final construction cost was $1,938,607.35. CP 016-999-001 to Ulland Brothers, Inc. in the amount of $24,337.30 for Maple Hill Pit Road. The original cost was $60,913.19.  There was an overrun of $20,761.45 due to additional material needed for the roadbed through swampy areas.  The motion was made and approved. 

2018-2019 Employee Handbook
Judy Hill, HR Generalist, stated the current Cook County Employee Handbook was approved in 2013. An update has been completed and incorporates individual policy changes since 2013, updates from a legal review of human resources, and updates resulting from the 2016 Keystone Classification & Compensation Study. It is anticipated that the Handbook will be reviewed and updated on a semiannual basis. The motion was made and approved. 

Trailer Purchases for Recycling Program
Timothy Nelson, Land Services Director, stated there is a need for two semi-trailers for the Recycling Program; one of which would be placed at the new drop-off site established at the Hovland Highway shop, and the other would be a replacement for an existing aging trailer. There are sufficient funds set aside for Transfer Station development, and rather than having an adverse impact on the budget with this unanticipated purchase, would like to utilize those existing funds for the purchase of two used semi-trailers. The motion was made and approved.

Condition Use Permit (CUP) for employee housing at Cascade Lodge
Bill Lane, Planning & Zoning Administrator, recommended the approval of a Conditional Use Permit application. Cascade Lodge and Restaurant, Jameson Grace Hospitality, LLC, is requesting a CUP to install two permanent modular homes, and one temporary RV to provide housing for their seasonal work force. This request is significant in that it addresses one of the difficulties business owners face in Cook County, adequate staff housing. Thomas and Jelena McAleer identified this issue in their application for the CUP, “We propose to solve the housing issue for our small Mom and Pop resort operation at Cascade Lodge and Restaurant, by installing adequate housing on-property to provide affordable housing for up to 12 additional staff members.” The motion was made and approved. 

General Obligation and Abatement Bond Sales

Bruce Kimmel, Ehlers Inc., provided an update of the Bond Sale Openings held on Monday, May 21, for both the General Obligation (GO) Bonds for capital improvements and for the Abatement Bonds for the EDA One Roof Housing Lutsen Project. The Capital Improvements Bonds came in at a better than expected interest rate of 3.23% versus the expected rate of 3.41%. The Abatement Bonds came in with an interest rate of 4.13%, which is about what was expected. The competitive rates are the result of Standard & Poor’s (S&P) affirmation of Cook County’s AA bond rating. The S&P rating summary identified the local economy, strong financial management, and the maintenance of healthy reserve funds as reasons for the positive financial rating.

Resolutions for Issuance & Sales of GO Bonds
Braidy Powers, Auditor-Treasurer requested the Board approve a resolution for the issuance, sale and delivery of $9,545,000 General Obligation Bonds, Series 2018A; for capital improvement plans for the years 2018-2022: Road and Bridge Improvements with engineering costs for CSAH 42-45 and CSAH 5, improvements to CSAH 17 and CSAH 5 Brule Run Bridge replacement, and improvement to County 71 Carlson Creek Bridge. County Courthouse improvements, roof and windows. Law Enforcement Center improvements, windows. Public Works Facility in Hovland with a new facility, and facility located on East Fourth Avenue in Grand Marais. Improvements to the Community Center Outdoor Park, and lighting upgrades in County facilities. The motion was made and approved. 

Resolution Approving Issuance & Sale of Abatement Bonds
Braidy Powers, Auditor-Treasurer, requested the Board approve a resolution providing for the issuance, sale, and delivery of $1,630,000 taxable General Obligation Tax Abatement bonds, series 2018B, creating a construction fund and debt service for the County, EDA, One Roof development of a 16-unit workforce housing project to be in the Town of Lutsen. The motion was made and approved.

Resolution Approving Workforce Documents
Braidy Powers, Auditor-Treasurer requested the Board approve a resolution approving documents relating to a Workforce Housing Project in Lutsen between the County and the EDA, Disbursing Agreement between the County, the EDA, One Roof and North Shore Title L.L.C. and the Pledge Agreement between the County, the EDA and One Roof for the 16-unit workforce housing project to be in the Town of Lutsen. The motion was made and approved.

Overview of the Bonding Projects List

Jeff Cadwell, Administrator, reviewed the list for projects to be completed with the Capital Improvement Bonds:

  • CSAH 17 bidding and construction is awaiting confirmation from the Army Corps of Engineers before moving forward with final project permitting and construction bidding.
  • CSAH 5 Bridge replacement at Brule Run has begun and is expected to be complete in August. The other Highway projects are expected to be completed in 2018.
  • The capital projects for roof and window replacement will exceed the limit which requires competitive bidding, therefore, we are asking the Board to approve the contract with Wold Architects to facilitate these repairs.
  • The Community Center and the Hovland Public Works Facility Projects are being managed by the Meyer Group. Bids for the Community Center projects have been rescheduled to be opened on June 7, for consideration by the Board on June 12. It is anticipated that the Hovland project will be on schedule for a June 21 bid opening with an award on June 26.

Architectural and Engineering Services
Jeff Cadwell, Administrator, requested approval of the Architectural and Engineering Services Contract with Wold Architechs and Engineers, in the amount of $18,900 to review existing site conditions and confirm final design solutions, develop final design drawings, specification and bidding requirements, and provide full construction administration for roof replacement at the courthouse and windows replacements at the courthouse and LEC. The motion was made and approved.

Architectural and Engineering Services YMCA
Jeff Cadwell, Administrator, requested Board approval of Architectural and Engineering Services Contract with ARI in the amount of $18,000 to provide schematic design, design development, construction documents, bidding and construction administration for projects at the YMCA related to roof replacement, toilet facilities in the daycare facilities and sidewalks in the parking area. 

Commissioner Concerns
Commissioner Sivertson took a moment to acknowledge the amount of work and time that has gone into several of the day’s action items, including the bonding for housing and capital projects.

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]