REGULAR MEETING OF THE KOOCHICHING COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Tuesday, May 17, 2022 9:30 a.m
MEMBERS PRESENT: Commissioners Pavleck and Adee
MEMBERS PRESENT VIA TELECONFERENCE: Commissioner Skoe and Sjoblom
MEMBERS ABSENT: Commissioner Murray (Medical)
OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE: Dave Reimer, Trent Nicholson, Len Peterson and KCCTV reporter Darcy Sullivan
2022/05-16 Motion by Adee, seconded by Skoe to approve the agenda with additions and deletions. Voting yes by roll call: Sjoblom, Adee, Pavleck, Skoe. Motion carried.
2022/05-17 Motion by Sjoblom, seconded by Adee to approve the minutes from the May 10, 2022 regular meeting. Voting yes by roll call: Sjoblom, Adee, Pavleck, Skoe. Motion carried.
000 Sheriff Hedlund updated the Board that National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in Duluth is predicting there will be another rise of 10 – 13 inches over the next seven days on Rainy Lake and still expecting an additional rise after the seven days. We are projected to exceed the 2014 flood levels. Namaken is expected to rise 12 – 16 inches over the next seven days and that drains into Rainy Lake. The Bigfork and Littlefork basins are declining so they hold the level as Rainy continues to rise. St. Louis County has also declared a State of Emergency due to flooding. We are producing an average of 12,500 – 13,000 sandbags a day. The DNR will be here to assist on Wednesday. The state knows we need help, at this point we don’t know if the National Guard will come in. We must exhaust all our resources before they will send us any assistance. There is no guarantee, but Hedlund feels we will get to Federal level of damage and FEMA will be called in. Hedlund has ordered two bagging machines that will require skid steers to operate, the Highway has two skid steers, if more are needed, they will reach out to local municipalities. The Sheriff warned that if you were affected in 2014, you need to sandbag. The sandbagging operation is going well but could use more volunteers. The high school brought some students over yesterday and will be back today; they were a big help. We have brought Loman area sand and bags; they are off to a good start. Public Health/Human Services, Red Cross and Salvation Army have shown amazing support as community partners.
000 Len Peterson thanked the County Board for their support of the flooding emergency.
000 Chair Pavleck thanked the Community and County staff for their work on the flooding emergency.
000 It was decided to move the County Committee List temporary appointments to the May 24th meeting.
2022/05-18 Motion by Adee, seconded by Skoe to approve the changes to the May and June meeting calendar. Voting yes by roll call: Sjoblom, Adee, Pavleck, Skoe. Motion carried.
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2022/05-19 Motion by Adee, seconded by Sjoblom to approve the final tax court settlement with LSREF4 Bison, LLC at $559,000 as recommended by the County Assessor. Voting yes by roll call: Sjoblom, Adee, Pavleck, Skoe. Motion carried. 000 The Board Chair called for public comment and Carol Pavleck gave an update on Commissioner Murray. He still has trouble communicating but is learning words and small phrases. His physical therapy is coming along very good, and he is making great strides every day in all his therapies. He will be transferring to Sanford rehab in Fargo, which is close to his son Josh. That could happen as early as today.