. Cook County Highway Engineer Dave Betts received permission to purchase a 2018 Mack GU7 Single Axle Dump Truck at a cost of $208,481. “This will replace a 17-year-old truck that is well beyond its years,” Betts said, adding that his department had budgeted $213,000 for the replacement of the old dump truck.
Next Betts asked commissioners to approve a resolution for a bridge priority list that must be submitted by the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
“As part of the process for applying for Local Bridge Replacement Funds, counties are required to pass a bridge priority resolution setting the priorities on bridge replacement in the county,” Betts said. “After the resolution is passed, we can then apply for funding for the replacement of these bridges.”
Ten bridges are scheduled for replacement or repair between 2018 and 2022. Junco River Bridge topped the list. It is scheduled for repair in 2018. Other bridges included are Brule River, Cross River, Seagull Creek, Otis Creek, Carlson Creek, Two Island River, Alfred Creek, Sawbill Creek and Spruce Creek.
Last, the board approved the bid by LHB Corp, subject to review by Cook County attorney Molly Hicken, to design the County Road 45 (Pike Lake Road) reconstruction project for an estimated $557,097. The work will be completed in August 2018.
Funds to pay for the design work will come from the Transportation Sales Tax, said Betts. . Commissioners approved a Special Event Permit for the Lutsen 99er Bike Race contingent upon the following: Race organizers must submit a detailed traffic plan that has been approved by the Cook County highway engineer and sheriff; a permit detailing road closures on Highway 61 must be approved by MnDOT; formal approval of event closures and event routes must be approved by the Sheriff ’s Office and race sponsors must agree to pay all costs associated for traffic control, including county for personnel expense.
Lutsen 99er bike races will be held June 24. Last year more than 1,500 riders took part. . Northland Foundation granted $4,000 for the Cook County Taxes VITA Support Program offered at Cook County Community Center. The money will be used to purchase a printer and computer for the volunteers who help people do their income taxes. Commissioners voted to authorize board chair Jan Sivertson to sign the grant agreement so the money can be transferred electronically form Northland Foundation to the county. Any money not used to purchase the printer and computer will be returned to Northland Foundation. . Commissioners approved a resolution request by Norpine Association so it can apply to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for a federal Recreation Trail Program grant. If awarded, Norpine would like to purchase a Kubpta BH77 backhoe attachment and front mounted winch for Norpine’s Kubota L3800 tractor and winch for Norpine’s 2002 Polaris Sportsman 700 Twin ATV. The equipment is used to groom cross country ski trails. Cook County will match 25 percent of the grant award. . The county board approved a three-year agreement with the Esri Small Municipal and County Government Enterprise that will allow the county access to Esri term license software. Cost of the contract is $38,250 but it was in the 2017 budget and will not affect the 2017 levy.
“Based on Esri’s work with several organizations similar to yours, we know there is significant potential to apply geographic information system (GIS) technology in many operational and technical areas within your organization,” wrote Esri’s Joe Araiza. . Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen came before the board with a request to use 911 funds to purchase new Records Management/ Jail Management/Civil software for operations at the Sheriff ’s Office.
Cost of the system is $146,295, with annual maintenance fees of $22,921. The sheriff ’s department pays $21,041.35 in annual maintenance fees for its system now to St. Louis County.
Eliasen said Carlton County Sheriff ’s Office, Cook County Sheriff ’s Office, Lake, Koochiching and Pine (CCLKP) sheriff ’s offices had joined to request vendors’ proposals for the public safety software system.
Current software used by Cook County sheriff ’s department is 12 years old, said Eliasen. The new software is completely integrated with one database, provided by one vendor. IT Director Rena Rogers, who was with Eliasen before the commissioners, said the new system was far more efficient than the old system and would save her department a lot of “fix-it” time, be cheaper in the long haul, and she recommended the purchase. . When asked about funding, Eliasen said 911 funds could only be used for a few certain things, and purchasing new software was one item covered under use of the money. Commissioners voted unanimously to allow Eliasen to upgrade his department’s record management system, computer-aided dispatch and jail management systems. . Cook County experienced zero voter fraud in the last election, reported Steve Simon of the Minnesota Secretary of State Office.
Also approved was the final plat for the Sobanja W 40. . Cook County Ridge Riders received permission to hold a raffle at South Shore of Devil Track Lake after the fact. The raffle was Feb. 4. The Cook County Ridge Riders also received permission to hold a raffle at Gunflint Lake on March 4.
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