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OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, BLUE EARTH COUNTY, MINNESOTA


August 5, 1997

The County Board of Commissioners met in the Commissioners' Room at 9:00 a.m. Present were Chairperson Lin Barnes, Commissioner Leon Tacheny, Commissioner Colleen Landkamer, Commissioner Al Bennett, Commissioner Alvis More, County Attorney Ross Arneson and County Administrator David Twa.

1. AGENDA REVIEW
Commissioner Tacheny moved and Commissioner Landkamer seconded the motion to approve the amended Agenda to include the Nichols Building Purchase Agreement, improvements on County Ditches #36 and #77. The motion carried. 97-294

2. COMMISSIONERS' REPORTS ON COMMITTEES
The Commissioners reported on committees that they have attended since the last Board Meeting.

3. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Mr. David Twa, County Administrator, presented the following items for the Boards consideration.
Commissioner Tacheny moved and Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion to approve the July 22, 1997 Board Minutes. The motion carried. 97-295
Commissioner More moved and Commissioner Landkamer seconded the motion to approve the following Bills:
Bills for Week of July 28 - August 1, 1997
Grand Total $5,114,707.21
Bills for Week of August 4-8, 1997
Grand Total $4,856,525.25
The motion carried. 97-296
Commissioner Landkamer moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to approve the following Personnel items:

Request from Sarah Stoddard, Public Health Nurse (C42), for an educational leave of absence for one year starting September 18, 1997. (Human Services)

Employment of Jennifer Syverson,as a Social Worker (Adolescent Services Case Coordinator) (C42), with a starting salary of $14.34 per hour effective August 18, 1997. (Human Services)

Employment of Teresa Koetke,as a Senior Account Clerk (B22), with a starting salary of $10.36 effective August 19, 1997. (Human Services)

The motion carried. 97-297
Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to approve the Minnesota Valley Action Council's Blue Earth County Housing Report. The motion carried. 97-298
The June Financial Report was presented as an informational item.
Commissioner Landkamer moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to approve a contract to provide Readjustment Counseling Services for Vietnam Era Veterans and to eligible veterans as directed by VA Medical Center, Minneaplis, MN for the period October 1, 1997 through September 30, 2000. The motion carried. 97-299
Commissioner Landkamer moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to approve the Joint Powers Agreement for participating in the Mankato Area Growth Management and Planning Study (MAGMAPS). The motion carried. 97-300
Commissioner Tacheny moved and Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion to approve a $10,000 grant awarded from the Bureau of Justice Assistance Local Law Enforcement Block Grant (LLEBG) to reduce crime and improve public safety. The grant will go toward the purchase of Mobile Data Terminals (MDTs) for patrol vehicles. The County must contribute a cash match of $1,112.00. The motion carried. 97-301
An update on legislative changes on the licensing of retail sales of tobacco products and how this will effect Blue Earth County was discussed.
Commissioner Landkamer moved and Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion to approve a grant proposal to continue funding for the next three years of The South Central Seniors' Agenda for Independent Living (SAIL) Project. The motion carried. 97-302
Commissioner Tacheny moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to authorize the Chairperson and County Administrator to sign the Nichols Building Purchase Agreement. The motion carried. 97-303

4. U.S. FISH & WILDLIFE SERVICE LAND ACQUISITION

Mr. Steve Durkee, Senior Realty Specialist; Mr. Tom Kerr, Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge and Mr. Ken Stradtman, landowner, presented the following item for the Boards consideration.
Commissioner More moved and Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion to certify the acquisition:
CERTIFICATION OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

In accordance with a Procedural Agreement between the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, dated May 23, 1962, certification by the County Board of Commissioners for acquisition of lands by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is requested.
Representatives of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service met with the Board of Commissioners of Blue Earth County, State of Minnesota, on August 5, 1997, and informed the Commissioners that a purchase agreement has been secured from Kenneth L. Stradtman and Eileen L. Stradtman, husband and wife, of St. James, Minnesota, on the following-described lands:

T. 106 N., R. 26 W., 5th P.M.
Section 23, The north 10 acres of the east 20 acres of the N-1/2 NW-1/4, and the N-1/2 NE-1/4 less the east 50 feet.

The County Board of Commissioners considered the above request for acquisition by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Board's decision is as follows: Certified for Acquisition.

The motion carried. 97-304

5. PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. Al Forsberg, Public Works Director, presented the following information for the Boards consideration.
Mr. Chad Surprenant, I & S Engineers, presented options in designing County Ditch #36 improvements. After discussion, Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to authorize I & S Engineers to draw up designs for the preferred option and advertise for the project. The motion carried. 97-305
Mr. Forsberg, gave an update on the Blue Earth County Transportation Plan.
The meeting recessed at 11:50 a.m.
The meeting reconvened at 1:30 p.m.

7. COUNTY DITCH #86 FINAL HEARING ON
BRANCH #1

Pursuant to publication, a Public Final Hearing was held on the petition from Mr. Blaine Phillips and others for the Improvement of Branch #1 of County Ditch #86. The Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners, acting as the Drainage Authority pursuant to M.S. 103E.005, Subd. 9, held the Final Hearing, Pursuant to M.S. 103E.261 at the Blue Earth County Courthouse on August 5, 1997. The public hearing was opened for public comments by Chairperson Barnes at 1:30 p.m.
Officials present included County Attorney Ross Arneson, Attorney Kurt Deter, County Administrator/Acting Land Records Director David Twa, Ditch Manager Jerry Kallheim, and Engineer Doug Parrott. A listing of others present is included as part of the record. The proceedings were tape-recorded.
Mr. Doug Parrott, Engineer, gave an update on the project.
Mr. Jerry Kallheim, Ditch Manager, reported that the DNR Commissioners's Final Report has been submitted and filed.
Mr. Earl Colstrom, Albert Lea, gave the Ditch Viewers Report and a copy of the report has been filed.
Public Comments were heard from: Mr. Merril Hoppe, Mankato; Mr. Ervin Kaduce, Mapleton; Mr. Lawrence Kramer, Mankato; Mr. Gerald Hoppe; Mr. Blaine Phillips, Mankato; Mr. Wayne Pestka, St. Clair; Mr. Kurt Deter, Attorney; Mr. Arvid Wendland, Attorney representing the petitioners for the extension; Mr. Lowell Ross, Ditch Viewer; Mr. Harold Phillips, Mankato; and Mr. Dan Reuter, Mapleton.
After discussion, Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to give the petitioners the option to get another bond of $20,000, to cover costs that have incurred, so that the Engineer can research other options and
continue the hearing on September 23, at 1:30 p.m. in the Courthouse, Boardroom. If no bond is posted by August 19, 1997, the petition will be dismissed. Chairperson Barnes closed the public hearing at 3:00 p.m. The motion carried. 97-306

3. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES CONTINUED
Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to appoint Commissioner Landkamer to the AMC Membership Services Committee and the Minnesota Health Improvement Program Committee (MHIP). The motion carried. 97-307
Commissioner Tacheny moved and Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion to raise the required amount for ditch bonds from $10,000 to $20,000. The motion carried. 97-308
Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner Landkamer seconded the motion to appoint Ms. Cindy Hertling, Lake Crystal, to the Recycling Education Committee. The motion carried. 97-309

8. COUNTY DITCH #88 - INFORMATIONAL HEARING ON REPAIR/IMPROVEMENT

An Informational Hearing was held at 3:30 p.m., August 5, 1997 on proposed repairs/improvements to County Ditch #88. Commissioner More updated those present on the project.
The meeting recessed at 4:00 p.m.
The meeting reconvened at 7:00 p.m.

9. RURAL ADDRESSING SYSTEM - PUBLIC HEARING
Pursuant to advertisement, a public hearing was held in regards to the proposed Rural Addressing Plan for Blue Earth County. The public hearing was opened by Chairperson Barnes at 7:00 p.m., August 5, 1997. Mr. Charles Berg, Information Services Director, presented the proposed Rural Addressing Plan for Blue Earth County. Mr. Alan Forsberg, Public Works Director, made additional comments on the plan.
The public hearing was opened for public comments by Chairperson Barnes. Those speaking were: Mr. Dan McGowan, Mankato; Sheriff Brad Peterson; Mr. Jon Kutz, Lake Crystal; Mr. Tom Miller, Eagle Lake; Mr. Ken Javens, Mankato; Ms. Jody Swanson, Mankato; Mr. Jack McGowan, South Bend Township; Mr. Mike Schwartzbauer, Lime Township; Mr. Ken Mead, Mankato; Mr. Larry Brandenburg,Lake Crystal Fire Department; and Mr. Fred Meyer, Mankato.
Chairperson Barnes thanked those present for their input and informed the public that the comments will be considered at a future Board Meeting. The public hearing was closed at 8:40 p.m.
Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to adjourn the Board Meeting at 8:45 p.m. The motion carried. 97-310