Wabasha County Board of Commissioners

Meeting of March 4, 2014

The Board of County Commissioners of Wabasha County, Minnesota, convened in Regular Session at the Wabasha County Courthouse, in the City of Wabasha, Minnesota on Tuesday, March 4, 2014 at 9:00 a.m.

The meeting was called to order by Board Chairman Springer.

The following Commissioners were present:  Springer, Wobbe, Hall, Harms.   Absent:  Roschen

WOBBE - HARMS

Motion to approve the agenda after moving the Commissioner Reports and Board Concerns prior to the closed session.

Adopted Unanimously

SPRINGER – WOBBE

Motion to recess for the Regional Rail Authority meeting.

Adopted Unanimously

WOBBE – HARMS

Motion to adjourn Regional Rail Authority meeting.

Adopted Unanimously

HALL – WOBBE

Motion to re-open regular Board meeting.

Adopted Unanimously

WOBBE - HALL

Motion to approve the consent agenda including the following:

Claims

Meal Vouchers

Per Diems

SSIS Claims

Minutes: February 25, 2014

Donation of $100 from Beverly Poncelet to the Youth Link Mentorship Program.

Adopted Unanimously

WOBBE - HALL

Resolution No.: 2014-086

Whereas, Minn. Stat. 375A.46 subd. 4 allows the County Board to assign duties to the County Administrator,

Whereas, the Wabasha County Board of Commissioners wishes to have the Interim County Administrator serve as clerk of the County Board thereby releasing the County Auditor from the responsibility of performing such duties;

Therefore, Be It Resolved that the Interim Wabasha County Administrator shall serve as the clerk of the County Board starting March 4, 2014.

Adopted Unanimously

By consensus, the Board set the date of May 6, 2014 to adopt a resolution to reclassify tax-forfeited land from non-conservation to conservation.

WOBBE - SPRINGER

Resolution No.: 2014–087

Whereas, the Commissioner of Natural Resources of the State of Minnesota has made application under authority of M.S.A. Section 282.01, subd. 1 on behalf of the Department of Natural Resources, a state agency, for release of the following described lands from the trust in favor of the taxing district:

PID # R07.00177.00

Tax Description:  5.00 acres, Section 22 Township 109 Range 013, SW1/4NE1/4 AUD LOT 12, DOC # 263060

Full Legal Description:   Commencing one hundred and twenty rods (1980.00 feet) south of the quarter section stake on the north line of Section Twenty two. Town one hundred and nine North. Range thirteen West: thence running thirty one rods (511.50 feet) east: thence twenty six rods (429.00 feet) south: thence thirty one rods (511.50 feet) west: thence twenty six rods (429.00 feet) north to the place of beginning- being in Section Twenty two.

Whereas, it appears that there is need for such lands and the applicant desires to obtain such lands for conservation purposes:

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved that the petition of said Commissioner of Natural Resources of the State of Minnesota, be granted and that the above described lands be and hereby are released from the trust in favor of the taxing district To The State of Minnesota, Department of Natural Resources.

Adopted Unanimously

HALL - HARMS

Resolution No.: 2014-088

Whereas, David and Elizabeth Edwards have applied for a Conditional Use Permit to allow for the construction of a permanent crossing located in the floodway of the White Water River located in the SE ¼, Section 32, Township 108 North, Range 11 West; and

Whereas, The Wabasha County Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on February 24, 2014  to provide an opportunity for the public to present any testimony related to the request; and

Whereas, The Wabasha County Planning Commission discussed the matter and with a vote of 5-0 recommends to the Wabasha County Commissioners the request be approved.

Now Therefore Be It Resolved, the Wabasha County Board of Commissioners approves the Conditional Use Permit for David and Elizabeth Edwards without conditions as recommended by the Planning Commission.

Adopted Unanimously

HALL - HARMS

Resolution No.: 2014-089

Whereas, John Behrns requested a Conditional Use Permit to allow for the manufacturing of purses and apparel out of an existing building on parcel 05.01335.00 located in the NW ¼, Section 9, Township 110 North, Range 10 West, Town of Greenfield (17505 667th Street, Wabasha); and

Whereas, The Wabasha County Planning Commission conducted a public hearing on February 24, 2014  to provide an opportunity for the public to present any testimony related to the request; and

Whereas, The Wabasha County Planning Commission discussed the matter and with a vote of 4-1 recommends to the Wabasha County Commissioners the request be approved with conditions.

Now Therefore Be It Resolved, the Wabasha County Board of Commissioners approves the Conditional Use Permit for John Behrns with the conditions as follows:

1. There shall be no retail sales on the property.

2. A new septic system for the business shall be installed within one year from the date of approval by the County Board.

3. The CUP shall automatically be terminated if for any reason Kelly McDonald is no longer the sole owner of the manufacturing business.

4. All exterior illumination shall utilize downcast lighting fixtures.

5. Manufacturing hours of operation shall be limited to 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

6. Maximum number of employees shall be 20 FTE.

Adopted Unanimously

WOBBE - SPRINGER

Resolution No.:  2014-090

Whereas, the Wabasha County Human Services Board has previously agreed to participate in an Electronic Document Management System (EDMS), hosted by Winona County, with Goodhue, Houston, and Fillmore counties participating in the same system; and

Whereas, the Wabasha County Department of Social Services has allocated $200,000 in reserve funds to develop this system; and

Whereas, the Wabasha County Department of Social Services has recently completed the initial phase of this project by implementing the system for the Income Maintenance Unit; and

Whereas, the Director of Social Services recommends continued participation in EDMS and moving to the next phase of the project which includes implementing the system for the Child Support Unit;

Now, therefore be it resolved that the Wabasha County Board authorizes the Director of Social Services and the Human Services Board Chair to execute necessary documents with Winona County, DataBank, OnBase Software, and Northwoods to develop and implement the Electronic Document Management System for the Child Support Unit in collaboration with Winona County.  Estimated cost is at $76,790.00.  Approximately 60% of this expense will be reimbursed through administrative procedures.

Adopted Unanimously

Commissioners reported on meetings they attended.

HARMS - HALL

Resolution:  2014-091

Whereas, Minn. Stat. §13D.01 subd. 1(a) permits closing a County Board meeting for the purposes of discussing labor negotiation strategy;

Whereas, the County Board desires to consult with its attorney regarding the best course of action to take during the upcoming labor negotiations.

Whereas, the County Attorney has advised the Board that it is not possible to fully discuss strategy and the options available to the County in a public meeting that may be attended by the opposing party

Whereas, without such a meeting the County will have to make decisions without the full benefit of consultation with counsel, and is concerned that in such a situation, it could make poor or uninformed decisions, exposing the County and its taxpayers to liabilities and costs that could be avoided by fully informed decision making available only in a closed session with counsel.

Whereas, certain phases of the negotiation strategy may be impaired if every discussion is available for the benefit of opposing parties;

Whereas, the County Board wishes to meet with its attorney to discuss the pros and cons, and strategy regarding the labor negotiations, and finds that such a discussion cannot be had in public session.

Whereas, based upon the foregoing the Board finds there is an absolute need for confidentiality of this matter.

Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved a closed meeting of the County Board addressing the labor negotiation strategy will be held with the County Attorney and other County staff. No subject matter other than the foregoing shall be discussed at said meeting.

Adopted Unanimously

HARMS – HALL

Motion to close the regular Board meeting.

Adopted Unanimously

SPRINGER – HALL

Motion to open Labor Negotiations closed session.

Adopted Unanimously

HARMS – HALL

Motion to close Labor Negotiations session.

Adopted Unanimously

HARMS – HALL

Motion to open regular Board meeting.

Adopted Unanimously

HALL - HARMS

Motion to recess to the Wheelage Tax public meeting being held March 4 at 7:00 p.m. at the American Legion, Millville.

Adopted Unanimously

Video 1 of 2 (Direct)

Video 2 of 2 (Direct)