Although the candles on her retirement cake aren’t even cold yet, Aimee Luick will be back at work again in the Cook County Auditor’s Office. This time, though, it is for a short period so she can train two staff members to do her old job.
On January 12, 2016, the county board rehired Luick so she could work with Courtnee Bernier on preparing tax systems including third period distribution, year-end reporting, preparing tax statements and printing tax statements. Luick will train Rebecca Isbell to do payroll, year-end closing, year-end reporting and W2s.
Auditor/Treasurer Braidy Powers said originally the goal was to hire a payroll clerk in October and begin training at that time, but three unexpected elections kept the office busy with very little time left for training. Isbell was hired in December, about the time Luick retired. Sawbill Trail
Cook County Highway Engineer Dave Betts came forth with a request to bid a portion of the Sawbill Trail for surfacing improvements. The 8.4-mile section will run from Britton Peak to Honeymoon Trail and will include culvert replacements, culvert repairs, bituminous surfacing, putting in an aggregate base and aggregate shouldering. Also included will be a paved pull-off spot for hikers and skiers at Britton Peak, said Betts.
Betts said the estimated cost was about 10 percent higher than the project was scoped out at, “But we will see what the bids come in at.”
He cited lower asphalt prices, noting “oil is constantly dropping like a stone,” as something that might reduce the estimated cost.
Commissioner Ginny Storlie commented, “It’s taken from 1991 to 2016 to get this project going, but as we all know, government is slow.”
Storlie said she was excited about the improvements to Sawbill and asked if there were any plans to extend the pavement further. Betts said he thought it should go to Temperance River, but because there was no more federal dollars this year, that would have to wait until another time.
Commissioner Frank Moe said he was very familiar with the Sawbill Trail and was glad to see it improved. He also mentioned County Road 17 (Mineral Center Road) and asked if that road could have been saved if it had been resurfaced.
Betts said that would have had to occur in the 1970s. Moe reminded Betts to keep County Road 17 “in the queue.”
Commissioners voted unanimously to allow Betts to request bids. Betts said he hopes the work will begin after spring break-up and end some time near the end of August.
. The board approved appointments to a number of committees. Howard Abrahamson and Patsy Ingebrigtsen were both reappointed to three-year terms on the Cook County Community Center Board of Trustees while Bob LaMettry was appointed to his first three-year term. Mary Routh and Tess Baily were appointed to a three-year term on the University of Minnesota Extension Committee.
. County Administrator Jeff Cadwell was appointed to a three-year term on the board of directors for the Northeast Service Cooperative. As the county’s representative, Cadwell will keep the county board informed about changes or insurance options for employees of the county.
. Three copiers, one for the Community Center ($6,786), one for the County Attorney’s Office ($3,357.55) and one for the Law Enforcement Center Dispatch ($3,357.55) will replace old, outdated copiers in those offices.
. At the request of Auditor/Treasurer Braidy Powers and Assessor Betty Schultz a public hearing will be held on Tuesday, January 26 at 10 a.m. to consider possible changes to the county’s Miscellaneous Fee Schedule.
. The board approved a Border Route Hiking Trail lease and maintenance contract with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources at a cost of $391.60 per year. The lease will have to be approved annually by commissioners but as it currently stands will run through 2035.
In exchange for the lease fees, the Border Route Trail Association will keep the four-foot-wide trail maintained and cleared, and will be responsible for controlling invasive species along the trail.
. The board approved a motion to change the race route for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon which begins January 31 in Two Harbors. The new route will now include a stop in Grand Portage and involves the mushers crossing three county roads that weren’t included in the first racecourse.
The Grand Portage Band of Chippewa and Grand Portage Lodge and Casino are both helping to sponsor the race this year.
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