County joins River Corridor Pennington County Board becomes Red Lake River Corridor participant by Scott DCamp Reporter The Pennington County Board of Commissioners held its final meeting of 2003 on December 30. By a 3-1 vote the Board elected to become a participant in the Red Lake River Corridor (RLRC) Joint Powers Agreement. Commissioner Charles Naplin was the lone opposition of Penningtion County joining the RLRC Joint Board. The RLRC Joint Powers Agreement currently includes Red Lake Falls, Crookston, Thief River Falls, Fisher, The Red Lake Watershed District, Red Lake County and Polk County. According to the signed agreement, "The participants have in common the power to provide programs and projects that improve the livability of their communities or region by enhancing economic, educational and recreational opportunities for residents. It is determined by the participants that the protection, restoration and enhancement of the Red Lake River's natural corridor will maintain and improve the quality of life and enhance economic, educational and recreational opportunities within the Red Lake River region. Minnesota Statutes, Section 471.59, authorizes the joint exercise of powers common to the participants providing such service or function is authorized to provide for itself, even in the absence of commonality of powers." Commissioner Naplin disagreed with the motion due to his previous experiences with joint powers agreements and the financial burden they may take on as participants. He stated that there could be local funding involved and budgets are tight. Included in the motion, Commissioner Naplin agreed to serve as Pennington County's representative on the RLRC Joint Board. Dale Nelson, the current chairman of the Red Lake Watershed District Board, was present at the December 30 meeting to accept reappointment as Pennington County's representative on the Red Lake Watershed Board. Nelson told the Board about some of the things the Watershed is currently working on and how they tie into the Watershed's 10-year overall plan. The Watershed also wrapped up the Parnell operating deal this summer which included SWCD. The plan included construction of two holding areas along Judicial Ditch 60. Jan Kaspari of the Minnesota Extension Service addressed the Board as to what their expectations were of her as the administrator of the county's Shoreland and Septic Ordinances. County Commissioner Chairman Oliver "Skip" Swanson, responded in reference to some of the current issues over septic tank regulations and potential legislation. "Over the years Howard Person has been our liaison for these things, basically I think I can speak for the board saying that we are pretty much on the same page. We like less state interference rather than more. I feel like some of these things are basically local issues. If the state wants to throw money at it they can sponsor grants. There are so many kinds of soil in the state of Minnesota. There are counties that are all lakes and some counties like Pennington have no lakes and that's a big difference in septic tank issues. Septic tanks are a local issue." Later in response to a question posed by Vice Chairman Bob Carlson as to which issue, shoreland or septic ordinance would be potentially more controversial when dealing with the public, Kaspari said it could go either way. She did say that while working with Pennington County and Soil and Water Conservation District, all home owners along the river have been very cooperative. The Board carried a motion accepting the redetermination of County Ditch 41. The redetermination includes the consolidation of CDs 49, 51 and parts of 38 that drain into CD 41 into one ditch system. The motion includes sending a letter of commendation to each of the viewers putting in time on the redetermination. The Board approved the Human Services committee's consent agenda as presented by Ken Yutrzenka. The agenda included previous minutes, personal actions which were taken under consideration, purchase agreements and approval to upgrade some furniture in work stations. County Engineer Mike Flaagen, Assistant Engineer George Broadwell and St. Hiliare Mayor Larry Kruse presented the Board with a potential plan for the transfer of municipal and county land. The transfer was deemed necessary to construct a county road connecting Water Avenue to Pennington County Highway 3. No final action was taken on the plan and Kruse agreed to look into using municipal aid. Flaagen told the Board that the Motor Grader, which was ordered in October from Ziegler's of Crookston, would be complete in mid January. Flaagen sent a letter to Ziegler's following the December 16 meeting, informing them of a $100 per day penalty the county will be assessing. The Board carried a motion allowing free cleaning of driveways for families with overseas military. The motion includes the winter season of 2004. Flaagen also presented a potential plan that may be enacted by the State of Minnesota that would create a system of 10-ton highways, using existing 9-ton and trunk highways. No action was taken. Other Items The Board approved medical leave for Mary Jo Wolter beginning December 10. The Board approved the resignation of Ilene Bergerson from the Inter-County Nursing Board and approved the nomination of Kim Swanson as her replacement. The minutes from the two previous meetings, Nov. 25 and Dec. 16, were approved. County Auditor Ken Olson presented a ditch spread sheet showing 2004 needs. The Board approved the adjusted levies and projected 2004 balances. The board approved a 3.2 liquor license for Kruse In of St. Hilaire. The Board approved a 2.5 percent wage increase and longevity benefit for non-union county employees. The increase was already included into the 2004 budget. The site for the new public safety radio was approved by the board, with Chairman Swanson abstaining. A motion was carried to pay the bills. Commissioner Don Jensen was renominated and approved as Pennington County's representative of Minnesota Rural County Caucuses. In the December 24 edition of The Times it was mistakenly reported that $2,500 of a $6,000 grant awarded to Glenice Johnson was to be donated to the Pennington County Fair Board, to be used for hiring labor. The statement should have read that the $2,500 from the grant would be used for the Minnesota Extension Service to hire a summer assistant for services during the Fair. The Pennington County Board of Commissioners met on January 6 as required by Minnesota State Law. The next meeting of the Pennington County Board of Commissioners will be January 27.

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