OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
PENNINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JUSTICE CENTER BOARD ROOM
FEBRUARY 28TH, 2023 – 10:00 A.M.
Pursuant to adjournment, the Pennington County Board of Commissioners met in the Pennington County Justice Center Board Room in Thief River Falls, MN, on Tuesday, February 28th, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Members Present: Seth Nelson, Bruce Lawrence, Roy Sourdif, and Neil Peterson. Members present via Zoom: David Sorenson (non-participating).
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Peterson and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The Chairman asked if there were any amendments to the agenda. The County Coordinator noted that Sarah Lefebvre and Kayla Jore of Community Strong have been added to the agenda at 10:15 a.m. Commissioner Lawrence motioned, seconded by Commissioner Sourdif, to approve the Board agenda with the change presented. Motion carried.
Recognition of Citizens: None.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve the Board of minutes of February 14th, 2023, as presented. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Sourdif, to approve the Human Services warrants totaling $290,771.31 and the following Commissioner warrants. Motion carried.
County Revenue $151,869.13
Road & Bridge $ 62,119.96
Human Services Director Julie Sjostrand presented the consent agenda from the February 16th, 2023, Human Service Committee meeting. On a motion by Commissioner Sourdif and seconded by Commissioner Nelson, the following recommendations of the Pennington County Human Service Committee for February 16th, 2023 (detailed minutes on record) are hereby adopted:
SECTION A
I. To approve the January 17, 2023, Human Service Committee Meeting minutes.
II. To approve the Agency’s personnel action as presented.
III. A. To approve the CY 2023-2024 Children’s Mental Health Screening State of Minnesota Department of Human Services County Grant Contract as presented.
SECTION B
I. To approve payment of the Agency’s bills.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sourdif, to accept the resignation of Full-Time Eligibility Worker Trey Kjono effective February 17th, 2023. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Sourdif, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to authorize the Human Services Director to advertise and interview for the position of Full-time Eligibility Worker. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to accept the resignation of Family-Based Service Provider Katrina Fessler effective March 24th, 2023. Motion carried. Ms. Sjostrand noted this position is shared with Kittson County and will need to be discussed with them prior to a decision to advertise.
County Sheriff Seth Vettleson met with the Board regarding the hire of a new employee. Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sourdif, to approve the hire of Sara Timm as Part-Time Corrections Officer, contingent upon a successful background check. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to authorize the County Sheriff to advertise for the positions of Corrections Officer and Dispatcher/Jailer. Motion carried.
Sarah Lefebvre and Kayla Jore of Community Strong met with the Board and presented a program update. Ms. Lefebvre noted that they are taking over the ‘Be The Voice’ mental health awareness event and have lined up a speaker for the 2023 event. They expressed their appreciation to the Board for past financial support and asked if they would again be willing to be a sponsor for the event. Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to donate $5,000 to Community Strong in sponsorship of the ‘Be The Voice’ event in 2023. Motion carried.
Assistant County Engineer Alex Bladow requested authorization for the County Engineer to advertise for bids for the following 2023 projects: road shouldering on the west side of the county, road striping on the east side of the county, and crack sealing in the center portion of the county. Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sourdif, to authorize the County Engineer to advertise for the 2023 projects as stated above. Motion carried.
Mr. Bladow said they hope to have an update soon from Titan Machinery regarding the tractors we have on order.
County Auditor-Treasurer Items: None.
County Coordinator Items:
Motioned by Commissioner Sourdif, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve the hire of Lucas Fornshell as Deputy Auditor-Accounting/Payroll Manager, with an effective start date of March 13th, 2023. Motion carried.
Coordinator Erickson presented an update on the 3rd-floor project at the Government Center. General demolition began on February 6th and resulted in the exposure of some asbestos-wrapped pipes. ACCT Inc. was able to come on short notice and wrap, cut, and remove approximately 150’ of pipe at an approximate cost of $4,000-$5,000. Mr. Erickson noted that an on-site meeting between the Building Committee, the general contractor, and the architect will be held during the week of March 6th to discuss the project, revisions needed, etc.
Mr. Erickson discussed a prior overtime request for Deputy Assessor-Appraiser Ashley Benson that was referred to the Building Committee on February 14, 2023. Commissioner Lawrence stated that the Building Committee revised the request from a maximum of 150 hours to 120 hours to cover the period of March 1, 2023 – May 19, 2023. Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sourdif, to approve the request for overtime pay for Deputy Assessor-Appraiser Ashley Benson as stated above. Motion carried.
The County Coordinator stated that MCIT has contracted with a company for appraisals of county-owned buildings, and they will be on site March 13th, 2023.
Commissioner Lawrence questioned when we can expect the appliances for the newly remodeled 1st floor breakroom in the Government Center. The County Coordinator will reach out to Budget Appliance to check on the order status and when we can expect delivery.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve the purchase of an ‘owl’ camera system in the amount of $1,049.00, as recommended by the Technology Committee and to be used in Meeting Room A of the Government Center. Motion carried.
County Attorney Items: None.
Committee Reports:
Commissioner Peterson – the recent AMC Conference was changed from in-person to virtual Zoom due to inclement weather; a Northern Counties Land Use Board meeting will be held this Thursday in Grand Rapids; Minnesota Rural Counties (MRC) will host a Zoom meeting this coming Monday.
The Board discussed upcoming legislative actions.
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Sourdif, to adjourn the Board meeting to March 14th, 2023, at 10:00 a.m. Motion carried.
ATTEST:
Kevin Erickson,
County Coordinator
Pennington County
Neil Peterson, Chairman
Board of Commissioners
PENNINGTON COUNTY’S
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants Approved On
February 28, 2023 For Payment
March 3rd, 2023
Vendor Name Amount
ACCT INCORPORATED $60,000.00
ACCURATE
CONTROLS, INC $2,717.43
DEERE CREDIT INC. $48,526.49
H & L MESABI $7,200.00
MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS $12,722.40
NORTHDALE OIL INC. $2,697.08
SCHMITZ BUILDERS INC 59,850.00
STONE’S MOBILE RADIO $4,049.20
TYLER
TECHNOLOGIES, INC $5,669.78
36 PAYMENTS
LESS THAN $2000 $ 10,556.71
FINAL TOTAL $213,989.09
