The Cook County Board of Commissioners begins every meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance, a time for public comment, and now, acceptance of routine matters— such as approving payment of invoices, setting public hearing dates, accepting grants for various programs, and other matters listed as consent agenda actions—in one motion.
On Tuesday, August 26, the board discussed adding routine property tax abatements to the consent agenda. Assessor Betty Schultz brought forward an assessment for Schroeder property owner Marvin Fabyanske. During an on-site inspection it was determined that the prior square footage of the property was incorrect. Schultz’s report stated that the property valuation was based on 1,456 square feet when in fact it was only 936 square feet. The requested rebate totalled $670 for taxes paid in 2011- 2013.
After the board passed a unanimous motion to approve the abatement, Commissioner Sue Hakes asked if abatements of that size could be added to the consent agenda. County Administrator Jay Kieft said it was up to the board what sort of action items were listed.
Commissioner Garry Gamble said he agreed something as straightforward as the day’s agenda item could go on the consent agenda, but added, “…If it’s something we need more clarification or information on, it could go on the regular agenda.”
Kieft said the purpose of the consent agenda is to handle matters with “no real level of complexity, when they appear to be noncontroversial.” He added that consent agenda items could be moved forward at any time in a meeting.
One item on the consent agenda was approval of the purchase of a new vehicle for the county fleet, to allow the rotation of a higher mileage vehicle to Public Health and Human Services (PHHS) and adding a new vehicle for countywide fleet usage. The oldest vehicle, currently used by PHHS will be sold at auction. The board unanimously approved the purchase of a 2014 Dodge Avenger at a cost of $18,752.60.
Assessor Schultz also appeared before the county board to request authorization to hire a contract person to fill the vacant property assessor position in the assessors’ office for up to eight weeks. Schultz said her office must still meet the state quintile requirements, which require a county to asses at least 1/5th of its parcels each year. Schultz said that means the office needs someone to fill in until advertising, interviews, hiring and the employment verification process is completed.
Schultz recommended contracting with Judy Shire, who has worked with the county in the past. Shire will work from her home. Schultz said Shire comes to the position with over 29 years of assessment experience and could “hit the ground running.”
Commissioner Garry Gamble asked how the proposed $6,510.72 to hire a contract employee compares to an actual employees’ wages. Schultz said the expense was about the same. In her written request, Schultz said meals and lodging for Shire would be provided by her.
Commissioners passed a unanimous motion to authorize hiring Judy Shire to temporarily fill the position, from September 1 to October 18. To Schultz, Commissioner Gamble quipped, “Thanks for being a B&B!”
In other business on August 19 and 26
. The board set a date to have a final public meeting to consider adoption of the revised Cook County Water Plan. The plan, which was approved by the Northeast Board of Water and Soil Resources in July, can be seen on the county website at co.cook.mn.us/index.php/ conservation-planning.
. Commissioners discussed a request from the Cook County ATV Club to support a proposal to open some U.S. Forest Service forest roads to all-terrain vehicle traffic, in keeping with the county ATV-Road Ordinance, which was enacted in 2009. The board agreed to send a letter asking the forest service to open its forest roads to ATV traffic which would bring those roads into the same use as county roads.
. The board agreed to participate in hosting a Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Emergency Management Institute course in Cook County on March 2-5, 2015 in July.
. The board approved an event permit from the Superior Cycling Association for the Sawtooth Challenge Mountain Bike Race on September 7. The event requires the closure of Broadway Avenue for the start of the event and brief closures of County Road 7 and County Road 12.
. The board scheduled a hearing to consider changes to miscellaneous fees on September 23, 2014.
. The board passed a resolution to accept a Homeland Security and Emergency Management grant of $16,557l for operations of the Cook County Emergency Management Office.
. The board passed a resolution approving an agreement to provide a County Veterans Service Office (CVSO). The office, operated by Pat Strand, will receive $7,500 for 2015.
. Replacement of two multifunction printers in the assessor and Public Health & Human Services offices was approved at a cost of $17,324. Information Services Director Rena Rogers explained that the replacement is part of the regular replacement schedule.
. A proposal was accepted from LaBoda Grading to grade, add gravel, and repair a cable installation trench on the Tower Road in Hovland. The cost of the project is $3,000. IS Director Rogers explained that the repairs were promised to homeowners on the road two years ago after work was done to install county radio equipment.
. A request for a Microsoft Surface Pro Tablet and accessories was requested for County Administrator Jay Kieft. The equipment will allow the administrator to work remotely as if he were in the office. Funding had been set aside in the county’s budget to purchase tablets for county board members. The board approved the request to purchase the tablet at a cost of $1,495.
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