Commissioners have monthly meeting
The Clearwater County Board of Commissioners met on June 30, 2015 with all commissioners in attendance.
First on the agenda were representatives from the Red Lake Watershed District (RLWD), Myron Jesme, Administrator, and Les Torgerson who is on the Board of Management. Les explained some of the priorities the Watershed is dealing with, mainly water quality. He said big items now are the buffer strip rules; the state wide aquifers, which are showing nitrates and nitrites in them; and flood damage reduction projects.
'This is a big project for the Watershed District. Other projects are to set up rules for tiling and flood damage reduction for the benefit of others downstream.
"The Red Lake Watershed District keeps very good records, then other organizations come in to help do something about the needs," Les said.
"Clearwater County is at the top of the Watershed," Byron commented. "So those down the line are happy to pay for any water retention." They are paid for the land, but can still farm it, though there is a risk at times of flooding.
"There is money available now for flood control. We try to do these projects with the least amount of local money," said Jesme. He said he has been doing this kind of work for 32 years.
Lynn Sebek, Neil Powers, and trainee Blake Knisley came from U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service seeking wetland easement requests, which were approved.
Concerns were expressed about wolves being destructive in the county, with calves being killed, and waterways being dammed up by beavers.
Powers expressed his appreciation for the opportunity to conduct a tour last month of the projects being done in Clearwater County Commissioners Neal Illies and Arlen Syverson said it was a nice trip.
Clearwater County Food Shelf President Becky Colebank, and employee Susanne Moen came to the Board to ask for a donation for the Food Shelf from the County.
Becky said, "The food bank is funded totally by donations. In 2014, $26,780 in donations were received; we had $24,485 in expenses. During 2014, 1,422 families were assisted with food donations, with a total of 61,889 pounds of food.
"These are people that are needy," Becky said. Susanne added, "It is a privilege working there."
Eighteen churches and volunteers are involved in the project, and the Food Shelf has been operating for 14 years from the basement of the Legion building. They are saving for their own building. The food comes from North Country Food Bank, plus local donations from Galen's, Kubiak's, Bagley Bakery, Bemidji and other locations.
Commissioner John Nelson said this request might be considered during the next budget period.
County Surveyor Bob Murray brought an update about the remonumentation progress in the county, with 284 corners done. Next in line to have section corners done are Dudley, Holst and Eddy Townships; but first the south line of Sinclair, Pine Lake and Leon must be established.
A motion was made by Commissioner Chairman Dan Stenseng to accept the proposal of KLD Surveying for the remonumentation of Dudley, Holst and Eddy Townships at a cost of $137,350 for 335 corners. Commissioner Nelson seconded the motion and it unanimously passed.
Funding for this proposal would be $63,000 from Surveying, $50,000 from Recorders Technology and $24,350 from the County Park Fund. The cost of this proposal is less per corner since some of the work is now done in house.
Land Commissioner Bruce Cox received approval to purchase a new air conditioner for the office at Long Lake Park and Campground at a cost of $3,784 including minor electrical updates to install it.
Commissioner John Nelson recently attended an openhouse and flag raising ceremony in Alexandria, Minn. for Prime West Health, owned by 13 Minnesota counties, including Clearwater. He said there was an impressive display of flag poles, one for each of the County's flag. He was given a Clearwater County flag which he displayed with the help of Commissioner Stenseng.
The Inter County Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program Resolution was renewed by the Board for the sixth year.
Commissioners present at the meeting were Daniel Stenseng, Dean Newland, John Nelson, Neal Illies and Arlen Syverson.