CHISAGO COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
Wednesday, March 31, 2004
The Chisago County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at 9:00 a.m. Wednesday, March 31, 2004 in the Board Room of the Government Center with the following Commissioners present: Montzka, Robinson, Olseen, Gustafson, Walker. Absent: None
The Chair called the meeting to order and led the assembly in the Pledge of Allegiance.
On motion of Gustafson, seconded by Olseen and carried unanimously the Board moved to approve the Agenda for the Board of Commissioners meeting as presented.
At 9:01 a.m. the Chair relinquished the gavel to Vice Chair Walker, who presided over the monthly meeting of the Health and Human Services Committee of the Whole. HHS Director David Sainio presented the agenda for the day. The Committee adjourned at 9:58 a.m. The Board recessed for a short break and reconvened at 10:03 a.m.
At 10:03 a.m. the Chair opened a public hearing on the proposal of the Chisago County HRA-EDA to establish a Redevelopment Project Area in connection with establishing new libraries in Chisago Lake Township and the Cities of North Branch and Wyoming, and the acquisition of an existing library in the City of Rush City. Chisago County HRA-EDA Director Chris Eng provided a brief overview of the Redevelopment Plan and distributed maps highlighting the applicable areas. There being no citizens present to offer comment the Board closed the hearing at 10:07 a.m.
On motion of Olseen, seconded by Gustafson and carried unanimously the Board postponed for consideration adoption of the Redevelopment Project Area and Plan until April 7, 2004 to obtain approval from the Chisago County Planning Commission.
At 10:30 a.m. the Chair opened a public hearing on the proposed tax abatement request of the City of Wyoming, related to Polaris Industries, Inc. Present to provide information and to answer questions were: Chisago County HRA-EDA Director Chris Eng; Lynn Koalska, Wyoming City Council Member; Travis Stottler, Wyoming City Attorney; and Jill Teetzel, Wyoming City Administrator. There being no citizens present to offer comment the Board closed the hearing at 10:35 a.m.
Commissioner Olseen offered a resolution approving property tax abatements in connection with the Polaris Project. The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Gustafson. Following discussion Commissioner Montzka offered a friendly amendment to add a condition that the abatement would be subject to approval by the City of Wyoming. The motion maker and second declined the friendly amendment.
Commissioner Olseen offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 040331-1
RESOLUTION APPROVING PROPERTY TAX ABATEMENTS
IN CONNECTION WITH THE POLARIS PROJECT
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Board (the "Board") of Chisago County, Minnesota (the "County” ), as follows:
1. Recitals.
(a) A request has been made to the County to abate the County 's share of all property taxes to be generated for fifteen (15) years (specifically, with respect to the payable 2006 through 2020 property taxes) on the following Tax Parcel Numbers:
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R10.00141 |
R10.00263 |
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R10.00146 |
R10.00265 |
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R10.00149 |
R10.00266 |
|
R10.00154 |
R10.00274 |
|
R10.00157 |
R10.00275.10 |
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R10.00262 |
|
|
|
|
(the "Property") to be acquired by the Company and the construction of a 95,000 square foot research, design and engineering facility (the AProject@) located in the County on the following PID numbers:
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R10.00141 |
R10.00263 |
|
R10.00146 |
R10.00265 |
|
R10.00149 |
R10.00266 |
|
R10.00154 |
R10.00274 |
|
R10.00157 |
R10.00275.10. |
|
R10.00262 |
|
The abatement (the "Abatement") for the fifteen (15) year period is estimated to be a future value of $1,764,506 and a present value of $1,143,156.
(b) On the date hereof, the Board held a public hearing on the question of the Abatement, and said hearing was preceded by at least 10 days but not more than 30 days prior published notice hereof.
(c) The Abatement is authorized under Minnesota Statutes, Sections 469.1812 through 469.1815 (the "Abatement Law").
2. Findings for the Abatement. The County Board hereby makes the following findings:
(a) The Board expects the benefits to the County of the Abatement to at least equal the costs thereof.
(b) Granting the Abatement is in the public interest because it will increase or preserve the tax base of the County, help retain and expand commercial and industrial enterprise in the County, and provide employment opportunities in the County.
(c) The Board expects the public benefits described in (b) above to be derived from the Abatement.
(d) The Property is not located in a tax increment financing district.
(e) In any year, the total amount of property taxes abated by the County by this and other resolutions does not exceed the greater of ten percent (10%) of the current levy or $200,000.
3. Terms of Abatement. The Abatement is hereby approved. The terms of the abatement are as follows:
(a) The Abatement shall be for fifteen (15) years and shall apply to the taxes payable in the years 2006 through 2020, inclusive.
(b) The Abatement shall be for 100% of the County 's share of the ad valorem property taxes generated by the Property which are attributable to the Project.
(c) The abatement may not be modified or changed during the term set forth in (a) above, except with the prior written consent of the County and Authority.
(d) The Abatement shall be subject to all the terms and limitations of the Abatement Law.
(e) In order to be entitled to the Abatement, the Company shall not be in default within the County of any of its payment obligations respecting any taxes, assessments, utility charges or other governmental impositions.
(f) Waive 10 year maximum for tax abatement assistance for this project due to the City of Wyoming needing additional assistance to cover the cost of the debt service payments for the sanitary sewer pipeline.
Commissioner Gustafson seconded the resolution and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted:
IN FAVOR THEREOF: Gustafson, Walker, Montzka, Olseen, Robinson
OPPOSED: None
Whereupon the resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
Chisago County HRA-EDA Director Chris Eng presented information regarding a tax abatement request from Branch Manufacturing.
On motion of Olseen, seconded by Gustafson and carried unanimously the Board, under provisions of M.S. 469.1812 to 469.1815, called for a Public Hearing on the request of Branch Manufacturing of North Branch for a tax abatement on the construction of a 13,000 sq. foot addition to their existing facility at 6420 Pine Street, Tax Parcel #16.00179.00, in an amount not to exceed $30,000 for up to 10 years; said hearing to be held at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, April 28, 2004 in the Board Room of the Government Center.
On motion of Olseen, seconded by Gustafson and carried unanimously the Board approved the Administrator’s Consent Agenda as follows:
A. Authorize Payment of Commissioners Warrants and Misc. Bills
B. Approve Minutes of March 17, 2004 Meeting
C. Personnel Actions: Approve step increase after completion of performance review for: Mathew Campbell, Engineering Technician Intermediate, Public Works, Gr. 22-8 to Gr. 22-9, effective 03/12/2004; Scott Sellman, Corporal, Sheriff, Gr. 24 top of scale, effective 02/09/2004; Bruce Brandenburg, Deputy, Sheriff, Gr. 23-3 to Gr. 23-4, effective 03/10/2004; Keith Hoppe, Lieutenant, Sheriff, Gr. 27 top of scale, effective 03/30/2004; Sandra Swanson, Intake Deputy, Court Administration, Gr. 13 top of scale, effective 03/15/2004. Approve voluntary resignation for: Lois Borgen, Intake Deputy, Court Administration, effective 04/09/2004. Approve new hire for: Julie Bocklund, Zoning Support Specialist, Zoning, Gr. 14-4, effective 03/31/2004; Jennifer Hallberg, Public Health Educator, HHS, Gr. 22-3, effective 04/12/2004; Debra Olson, Secretary, Public Works, Gr. 14-3, effective 03/29/2004.
D. Approve Boat & Water Safety (Water Patrol) Grant Agreement for 2004; $20,635.00
E. Resolution Approving Application to Conduct Annual Off-Site Gambling by the Stacy Lions Club at the Lent Town Hall; Raffles: April 24 & April 25, 2004
F. Resolution Approving Submission of a Gaming License (Pull Tabs) for the Shafer/Franconia Firemen’s Relief Association
G. Approve Abatement Requests for:
1. Charles & Heather Adam; 19.00129.50; Homestead; Payable 2003
2. Joseph & Tami Miller; 02.00531.00; Disaster Credit; Payable 2003
3. Daniel S. Henderson; 21.00715.50; Homestead; Payable 2002 & 2003
RESOLUTION NO. 040331-2
APPROVING SUBMISSION OF AN
APPLICATION TO CONDUCT ANNUAL OFF-SITE GAMBLING
(RAFFLES) FOR STACY LIONS CLUB
BE IT RESOLVED that the Chisago County Board of Commissioners hereby approves and authorizes submission to the Minnesota Gambling Control Board Application to Conduct Annual Off-Site Gambling by the Stacy Lions Club at the Lent Town Hall in Lent Township.
RESOLUTION NO. 040331-3
APPROVING SUBMISSION OF A GAMING LICENSE (PULL TABS)
FOR THE SHAFER/FRANCONIA FIREMEN’S RELIEF ASSOCIATION
BE IT RESOLVED that the Chisago County Board of Commissioners hereby approves and authorizes submission to the Minnesota Gambling Control Board application for a Gaming License (pull tabs) for the Shafer/Franconia Firemen’s Relief Association at the Country-Side Golf Course in Shafer Township.
On motion of Gustafson, seconded by Olseen and carried unanimously the Board approved the request to advertise for Season Park Employees.
On motion of Gustafson, seconded by Olseen and carried unanimously the Board granted final approval to the plat of Connie’s Place, 1 lot, Rushseba Township.
Commissioner Olseen offered a motion to grant final approval to the plat of Johnson Land, 2 lots, Chisago Lake Township. Motion was seconded by Gustafson and upon a vote being taken thereon, the motion carried as follows: IN FAVOR THEREOF: Gustafson, Montzka, Olseen, Robinson OPPOSED: Walker.
On motion of Olseen, seconded by Gustafson and carried unanimously the Board granted final approval to the plat of Sioux Deaux Ranch Acres, 4 lots, Shafer Township.
On motion of Olseen, seconded by Montzka and carried unanimously the Board awarded Contract S.A.P. 13-598-06, CP 13-70-03 to Dresel Contracting in the amount of $128,880.00 for CR 70 Rural Reconstruction: Grading, Aggregate Base, Bituminous Base, Surfacing & Shoulders, Culvert Replacement.
Commissioner Gustafson offered the following resolution and moved its adoption:
RESOLUTION NO. 040331-4
ADOPTION OF JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT
FOR PLANNING, CONSTRUCTION, AND OPERATING
WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITIES
WHEREAS, the Chisago County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved of the terms of the Joint Powers Agreement for Planning, Construction, and Operating Wastewater Treatment Facilities hereto attached,
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Chisago County Board of Commissioners:
1. The proposed Joint Powers Agreement, a copy of which is attached and made a part hereof, is hereby approved.
2. The County Board Chair and County Administrator are hereby authorized and directed to execute the attached Joint Powers Agreement.
3. The Board Clerk shall immediately provide an executed copy of the Joint Powers Agreement, together with a certified copy of this Resolution to Mark Walcott, Chairperson of the Chisago Lakes Joint Sewage Treatment Commission.
Commissioner Olseen seconded the resolution and upon a vote being taken thereon, the following voted:
IN FAVOR THEREOF: Gustafson, Walker, Montzka, Olseen, Robinson
OPPOSED: None
Whereupon the resolution was declared duly passed and adopted.
On motion of Montzka, seconded by Gustafson and carried unanimously the Board approved the use of the County Board Room for the following meetings:
Board of Review – Chisago Lakes Township: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 at 9:30 a.m.
Board of Review – Center City: Tuesday, April 13, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
Board of Review – North Branch: Tuesday, April 20, 2004 at 7:00 p.m.
On motion of Montzka, seconded by Olseen and carried unanimously the Board approved the expenditure of up to $250.00, from the MICS budget, to purchase the necessary equipment to video tape the County Board Meetings for public convenience. The video tapes will be forwarded to local cable stations and will not be retained by Chisago County, nor will the video tape be considered any form of public record.
Commissioner Olseen wished to discuss correspondence received from the Town of Chisago Lake regarding support of the resolution from the Chisago County Historical Society to save the Moody Farmstead and establish Heritage Park at that location.
Board consensus was to forward a copy of the letter to Park Director Laird Mork and request that he meet with the Township of Chisago Lake regarding the issue and report back to the Board at a later date.
Water Planner Mary Schmitz, DNR Area Hydrologist Mike Mueller and Soil & Water Conservation Director Craig Mell met with the Board to discuss their proposal(s) for a Shoreline Restoration Project at the Government Center.
On motion of Olseen, seconded by Walker and carried unanimously the Board approved the request to carry out a Shoreline Restoration Project at the Government Center as funds allow; said funds will be derived from the sale of a county vehicle and the insurance premium refund.
Several Commissioners offered reports of their respective committee assignments.
Commissioner discussed at length the rules of conduct for board meetings, specifically the citizen’s forum portion. No change was made at this time.
On motion of Montzka, seconded by Olseen and carried unanimously the Board at 11:47 p.m. closed the meeting under client/attorney privilege in order to consult with the County Attorney Katherine Johnson regarding: Gregg Radefeldt v. Chisago County.
On motion of Olseen, seconded by Gustafson and carried unanimously the Board at 12:02 p.m. re-opened the meeting to the public.
Commissioner Gustafson offered a motion to approve the revised preliminary plat by Gregg Radefeldt “Kost Meadows” with the following conditions: 1.) 6 lots will be reduced to 5 lots 2.) Removal of the road 3.) All other conditions as previously approved by the Planning Commission. Motion seconded by Olseen and upon a vote being taken thereon, the motion carried as follows: IN FAVOR THEREOF: Gustafson, Olseen, Robinson OPPOSED: Walker, Montzka.
On motion of Walker, seconded by Gustafson and carried unanimously the Board adjourned at 12:05 p.m.