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

The County Board of Commissioners met in the Commissioners' Room at 9:00 a.m. Present were Chairperson Colleen Landkamer, Commissioner Tom McLaughlin, Commissioner Al Bennett, Commissioner Alvis More, County Attorney Ross Arneson and County Administrator Dennis McCoy.

1. AGENDA REVIEW
Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to approve the amended Agenda to include the NSP Ash Placement Agreement; Spraying Agreement with Teryjon Aviation, Inc.; and the resolution proclaiming April 9-15 as County Government Week. The motion carried. 2000-122

2. COMMISSIONERS’ REPORTS ON COMMITTEES
The Commissioners reported on committees they have attended since the last Board meeting. Commissioner Bennett shared an educational video tape titled "Buckle Up" which was designed for young adults encouraging them to wear their seat belts.

3. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Mr. Dennis McCoy, County Administrator, presented the following items for the Board's consideration.

Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to approve the March 21, 2000 Board Minutes. The motion carried. 2000-123

Commissioner More moved and Commissioner McLaughlin seconded the motion to approve the following Bills:

Bills for the Week of March 27-31, 2000
Grand Total $3,994,859.14
Bills for the Week of April 3-7, 2000
Grand Total $647,318.78

4. NATIONAL COUNTY GOVERNMENT WEEK
Ms. Kathryn Nerem-Roth, Public Information Specialist, gave an update on the events planned for County Government and National Library Week during April 9-15, 2000.

5. 2000 PLANNING WORKSHOP
Mr. Dennis McCoy, County Administrator, discussed the County's web site and the Board Agenda format with the Board.

3. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES
Mr. Dennis McCoy, County Administrator continued to present items for the Board's consideration.

Commissioner More moved and Commissioner McLaughlin seconded the motion to approve the following Personnel items:

Employment of George Leary, Land Use/Natural Resource Feedlot Specialist (C41), with a starting salary of $15.73 per hour effective April 10, 2000. (Environmental Service)

Authorization to initiate recruitment for a Land Records Specialist (B22). (Land Records)

Employment of Duane Peters, Medium Equipment Operator (B22), with a starting salary of $11.33 per hour effective April 5, 2000. (Highway)

Mr. Dennis McCoy, County Administrator, reviewed a Draft Wood Chipper Policy with the County Board.

Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to approve I & S Engineers & Architects to stake new grass strips for County Ditches #36 and County Ditch #50. The motion carried. 2000-126

Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to approve the Application for Retailer's (on-sale) 3.2 Malt Liquor License Renewal Application to Kyle Bohks d/b/a Minneopa Golf Course, South Bend Township; Application for Retailer's (on-sale) 3.2 Malt Liquor License to the Blue Earth County Ag Society, Garden City Township; and a Combination Application for Retailer's (on/off sale) 3.2 Malt Liquor License to Larry Blachowske, d/b/a L.B.'s, Garden City Township. The motion carried. 2000-127

Commissioner More moved and Commissioner McLaughlin seconded the motion to approve the following resolution:

WHEREAS, Over 2 million people-66 percent of all Minnesotans-provide a multitude of volunteer services in their communities every day; and

WHEREAS, This commitment of active, engaged citizens around the State ensures healthy, vital communities positioned to solve critical problems and to improve the lives of many; and

WHEREAS, In Blue Earth County and throughout Minnesota, people's lives are touched by caring citizens of all ages from diverse backgrounds who bring our communities together through their involvement and commitment; and

WHEREAS, Blue Earth County volunteers generously step forward to mentor at-risk youth, engage in civic action for local or state government, respond to emergencies and disasters, preserve the environment, perform chores for senior citizens and provide a multitude of services to address serious social problems; and

WHEREAS, The result of this tremendous citizen involvement improves the quality of life for all residents; and

NOW, THEREFORE, The Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners does hereby proclaim April 9-15, 2000 shall be observed as VOLUNTEER RECOGNITION WEEK.

Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to approve sending a letter to House and Senate Appropriations Subcommittees supporting the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) for fiscal year 2001 appropriations. The motion carried. 2000-129

Commissioner More moved and Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion to reassign the NSP Ash Placement Agreement with the new Northern States Power organization. The motion carried. 2000-130

Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to approve the Ditch Spraying Agreement with Teryjon Aviation, Inc. The motion carried. 2000-131

Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to approve the following resolution:

WHEREAS, As we enter the new millennium, it is important to review our past as we look to the future; and

WHEREAS, County governments began as a response to the needs of the early settlers of our country, tracing their roots back to the Anglo-Saxon local government 1,000 years ago and first appearing in colonial America; and

WHEREAS, As our country grew westward, so too did the number of counties. The primary functions of county government during the 1800s and early 1900s involved judicial, roads, law enforcement and other responsibilities where the county acted mainly as an arm of the state; and

WHEREAS, The responsibilities of counties have grown enormously over the last century; and

WHEREAS, Counties today are an important link within the nation's governmental structure with duties ranging from public safety to preserving the environment. They operate programs for the vulnerable and disabled, community development programs, maintain parks and highways and work to solve area-wide problems such as drug trafficking and solid waste disposal; and

WHEREAS, County governments truly support the nation's citizenry, serving as their voice in the State Capital, Congress and the White House. Counties are providing solutions to meet many of the most challenging needs and working to ensure a high quality of life for all;

NOW, THEREFORE, The Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners does hereby proclaim April 9-15, 2000 shall be observed as COUNTY GOVERNMENT WEEK.

6. PUBLIC WORKS
Mr. Al Forsberg, Public Works Director, presented the following items for the Board's consideration. After discussion, Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner McLaughlin seconded the motion to table the sale of excess right of way on CSAH 9 to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in order to obtain public input. The motion carried. 2000-133

Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner McLaughlin seconded the motion to approve the following resolution:

WHEREAS, the County of Blue Earth has obtained the Commissioners approval of the plans for the following County State-Aid Highway Projects within municipalities of less than 5,000 population:
S.A.P. No. 07-676-04     CSAH No. 76
Located in Lake Crystal, Minnesota
Consisting of construction of pavement, sidewalk, curb
& gutter, utilities & lighting

S.A.P. No. 07-655-01     CSAH No. 55
Located in Eagle Lake, Minnesota
Consisting of construction of pavement, sidewalk, curb
& gutter, utilities & lighting and

WHEREAS, said County is proceeding with the construction of these municipal projects through the use of $1,250,000 of regular County State-Aid Highway construction funds to supplement the available funds in their Municipal Construction Account, and

WHEREAS, repayment of the regular County State-Aid construction funds so advanced to the Municipal Construction Account is desired in accordance with the provisions of Minnesota Statutes 162.08, Subdivision 5.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the Commissioner of Transportation be and is hereby requested to approve this basis financing said construction projects and to authorize transfers for the subsequent accruals to the Municipal Construction Account of the County State-Aid Highway fund for said County, within the limitations provided by law at the times and in the amounts as herein indicated:

On or after February 1, 2001, $200,000.00 from 2001 Allotment
On or after February 1, 2002, $200,000.00 from 2002 Allotment
On or after February 1, 2003, $200,000.00 from 2003 Allotment
On or after February 1, 2004, $200,000.00 from 2004 Allotment
On or after February 1, 2005, $200,000.00 from 2005 Allotment
On or after February 1, 2006, $200,000.00 from 2006 Allotment
On or after February 1, 2007, $ 50,000.00 from 2007 Allotment

Commissioner More moved and Commissioner McLaughlin seconded the motion to approve the following resolution:

BE IT RESOLVED that the Chairperson, Colleen Landkamer and County Administrator, Dennis McCoy are hereby authorized and directed for and on behalf of the County to execute and enter into an agreement with the Commissioner of Transportation prescribing the terms and conditions of said federal aid participation as set forth and contained in "Minnesota Department of Transportation Agency Agreement No. 80168", a copy of which said agreement was before the County Board and which is made a part hereof by reference.

The meeting recessed at 12:10 p.m.

7. EDA PUBLIC HOUSING AGENCY PLAN PUBLIC HEARING
Pursuant to publication, a public hearing was held to hear the Blue Earth County Economic Development Authority's 5-year and Annual Public Housing Agency Plans. Present were Chairperson Colleen Landkamer, Commissioner Alvis More, Commissioner Al Bennett, Commissioner Tom McLaughlin and Executive Director Dennis McCoy.

The public hearing was opened for public comments by Chairperson Colleen Landkamer at 1:40 p.m., April 4, 2000.

Mr. Jeff Samuels, Community Development Coordinator with the City of Mankato presented the Plans for review and approval for submission to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

No public comments were made. After discussion, Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner McLaughlin seconded the motion to approve the following resolution:

WHEREAS, The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 (QHWRA) established certain public housing reforms; and

WHEREAS, One such reform measure was published by HUD on October 21, 1999 as a Final Rule in the Federal Register regarding the development of 5-Year and Annual Public Housing Agency plans; and

WHEREAS, The Blue Earth County Economic Development Authority serves as Blue Earth County's public housing authority and has developed a 5-Year and Annual Public Housing Agency Plan in accordance with The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 and the Final Rule as implemented at CFR 24 Part 903; and

WHEREAS, The Blue Earth County Economic Development Authority has reviewed the 5-Year and Annual Public Housing Agency Plan and has met the full public hearing process requirements and has deemed the Plan complete;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Blue Earth County Economic Development Authority hereby approves the content of the 5-Year and Annual Public Housing Agency Plan and further authorizes the submission of the Plan to HUD in accordance with provisions of the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998.

Commissioner Bennett moved and Commissioner More seconded the motion to officially close the public hearing at 1:44 p.m., April 4, 2000. The motion carried. 2000-137

A transcript of this hearing is on file at the County Administrator's Office, Courthouse, Mankato, MN.

The County Board meeting reconvened at 1:45 p.m.

Commissioner More moved and Commissioner Bennett seconded the motion to adjourn the Board meeting at 1:45 p.m. The motion carried. 2000-138

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4-4-2000