Cook County lost a good sheriff ’s deputy with the retirement of Julie Collman on May 9, 2019. Collman served as a deputy for 16 years. Her position will be posted and advertised for a full-time deputy.
Cook County Sheriff Pat Eliasen lauded Collman’s career, saying, “Deputy Julie Collman began and ended her law enforcement career with the Cook County Sheriff ’s Office. Julie brought a vast knowledge of the Gunflint Trail and the BWCA wilderness with her, which was integral during times when the CCSO needed to respond to these areas.
“She was also the sexual assault investigator and brought many cases to conclusion which helped to seek justice to those who had been victims. I want to commend Julie on her years of service to the Sheriff ’s Office and to the citizens of Cook County and wish her well as she moves on in her next chapter of life,” said Eliasen.
In other county business, low bids for summer maintenance for grading and gravel contracts were awarded to Mike Rose Excavating for Evergreen Road; Laboda Grading, Inc. for Voyager’s Point and Mile-O-Pine; and Edwin Thoreson, Inc. for Rosebush Hill and West Rosebush Lane.
Auditor-Treasurer Braidy Powers presented the board with a letter sent from the state auditor’s office which describes the audit procedures to be used, the responsibilities of the county, including to provide accurate information and design adequate internal controls and the limits of the audit, including providing reasonable assurance rather than absolute assurance regarding audit matters.
The board approved the AIS assistant coordinator Service Agreement to hire Jessica Carlson to work with the Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Plan for the county through June 2020. The position is funded through grants.
Motions approved
. The temporary closure of the Tofte Park road was granted for the Tofte July 4 parade and fireworks.
. Cook County Highway Engineer Krysten Foster requested a resolution granting her authority to let bids for the bridge replacement over Two Island River.
The job requires replacing deteriorated steel culverts at Two Island River with two side-by-side concrete culverts. Work must be completed every September 15 to minimize potential impacts to fish spawning season. Traffic will be maintained during construction via one-lane bypass.
Foster asked commissioners to pass a resolution that would authorize the interest free advancement of 2020 state-aid funds in an amount up to $954,220.35 for 2019 construction projects. The money will be used for both the South Shore Drive job and the Two Island bridge replacement.
“The specific amount of this prospective advance will not be determined until Cook County opens bids for both projects. The resolution will hold this amount of state-aid funds for Cook County’s use if needed, and the highway department notifies the State of Minnesota whether or not additional funds are required for 2019 projects after bids are opened,” said Foster. If the resolution wasn’t passed, Foster said the county might have to reject all bids for one project or the other in June. . Commissioners passed a resolution authorizing the Minnesota Department of transportation airport maintenance and operation grant contract for the Grand Marais-Cook County Airport. . Approval was given to purchase a new copier for the county attorney’s office at the cost of $7,039. . Auditor/Treasurer Braidy Powers asked for a partial release of a mortgage on the Highway 61 project for land owned by Peter and Dena Schliep. The property is known as property 73 within the Highway 61 right of way.
The mortgage stemmed from a DEED grant, managed by AEOA, given to the owner for business rehabilitation. A 10-year mortgage was placed on these properties to discourage the quick sale of the property. . Next Powers asked to extend the Revenue Recognition Policy for payment in lieu of taxes (PILT) which is considered available if received within 120 days of the date of the financial statement. Powers said this means that if the county gets the Thy- Blatnik/BWCA payment by April 30, it will be included in the correct financially statement period.
Because the county has already exceeded the 120 days for the BWCA payment and it is believed the cash will come in the next couple of weeks, the extension is needed.
In the past, the county would receive the PILT payment in January, said Powers, adding that if the amount is not included in the correct year it “significantly distorts our financial statements.” . Commissioners approved a donation of $1,000 made by Marcia Lang for the K9 program. . Candace Danielson was awarded the contract to take care of the Clearwater/Leo Lake landing sanitary facility during the fishing season from May-October for $80 per week. . Special use road permits were approved for the Voyage North 5K/10K and for the Tofte July 4th parade and fireworks. . Knife River Corporation- North Central of Sauk Rapids was the low bidder for the liquid calcium chloride used to keep the dust down. The contract calls for the purchase of 170,000 gallons of liquid calcium chloride to be used on various county gravel roads. . TNT Aggregates, LLC of Grand Rapids, Minn. was the low bidder for crushing and stockpiling 18,000 CY of Class 1 in three pits. Cost for the entire project is $139,000 and will be paid from the county highway’s gravel budget. . County Assessor Todd Smith presented a tax abatement to the county board. Great River Energy won a tax court case for personal property owned in the Lutsen, Schroeder, and unorganized territories. Great River Energy asked the county to adjust their property values to the fees ordered by the court.
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