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The county board’s March 9 meeting was highlighted by virtual meetings with State Senator Tom Bakk (O3, I) and Rep. Rob Ecklund (O3A). Due to the length of their comments and limited space this week, we will highlight that exchange in the next issue of the paper.
County board business:
– Commissioners approved the resignation of Michaela Clingman with regrets. Michaela worked as a conservation technician with the Cook County Soil & Water District. Her last day was March 19.
– Regine Meissener, a Master Naturalist and Master Gardener, was appointed to a three-year term (with the option of renewing the term for another three years) on the University of Minnesota Extension Committee.
– Judy Sivertson’s temporary employment as the main entrance screener at the courthouse for those coming into the building was approved until September 1, 2021. Sivertson’s position has been covered under FEMA. County Administrator James Joerke said that with the county getting vaccinations for COVID-19, he hopes the county won’t have to staff that position beyond the six-month extension.
– The county board approved the Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway Sign Policy as presented by Cook County Highway Department Engineer Robbie Hass. The policy, said Hass, was developed by his staff and the Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway Committee. Goals of the policy are to “create and implement Gunflint Trail standards for highway signs and guardrails.”
– County Human Resources Director Pamela Dixon appeared before the board and requested a change to the resignation and hiring process. Dixon said that when a person resigns, the department head requests that the board of commissioners approve the resignation and post the position both internally and externally. Once the selection process is complete and an offer has been made, the department head requests that the board of commissioners approve the candidate and salary. Dixon said the process works well for upcoming retirements, but not so well for departments who lose an employee who gives short notice. The position remains unfilled for a length of time which can stress the department’s other workers who have to pick up the tasks once the employee has left. Dixon asked if potential openings could be advertised immediately without the approval of the county board to speed up the hiring process. The county board voted to approve that change to the policy.
– Next, Dixon told commissioners a job description was completed with revisions for the Auditor Accountant Financial Coordinator and the committee changed the grade from 170 to 180, which will result in a small increase in pay. The board approved the new classification for the Auditor Accountant Financial Coordinator.
– Auditor/Treasurer Braidy Powers requested the board approve a motion to submit an application to the Minnesota DNR for a Firewise Community grant of $71,700. The grant will cover the period from June 1, 2021 through November 30, 2022. The grant includes money for 300 level two assessments, 50 brush disposal site cleanups, 10 brush pickups,
10 cost-share projects, demonstration events, education and a field trip. A fifty percent match, which can be cash or in-kind and a $10,000 cash match for cost-share projects is required. Powers projects that the in-kind match will make up most of the required county match.
– Powers also asked the board to send a letter of appreciation for the work done by outgoing Firewise Coordinator Todd Armbruster for his service as coordinator of the Cook County Firewise program for the past six years. Armbruster left to take another job in Duluth. Powers noted that Armbruster had taken the goals of the program and developed them into a set of practices that give the Cook County Firewise community a strong foundation for the future.
– Powers asked the board to approve a motion to set April 27, 2021, as the date for the Miscellaneous Fees Public Hearing, which the board approved.
– County Administrator James Joerke asked the board to approve the CCEA, LELS and 49ers contracts for 2021. The contracts call for a two percent cost of living (COLA), an 80/20 heathcare cost share, and longevity pay for 10, 15 and 20 years. Joerke noted that negotiating contracts through a global pandemic was difficult, especially when it was expected that the county would be in deficit. When that didn’t turn out to be the case, the negotiations shifted to a more normal track, and one of the union contracts approved at a 1.6 COLA, was adjusted to reflect the same two percent COLA as the other two union contracts.
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