Buffer Law Resolution passed; new Chief Deputy appointed

Public Affairs Senior Consultant for Enbridge Pipeline, Jennifer Maleitzke was on hand for the presentation.

“Thank you for all your support regarding the pipelines, including Sandpiper. I love Clearwater County,” she expressed to the Commissioners, to which the Commissioners responded with their thanks from Clearwater County to Enbridge as well. 

She discussed right-of-ways, impact on the economy, and the Enbridge safety efforts through continuous maintenance carried out on their pipelines. 

“Despite criticism regarding the use of crude oil and the environment, it's still gorgeous here and there is a lot of vegetation along our right-of-ways.” (See article regarding Enbridge presentation.)

Nick Phillips of Soil and Water Conservation District received approval of a Resolution regarding the Election of Jurisdiction for the “Minnesota Buffer Law”. He said the County can opt in or out. It is still to be decided who will have jurisdiction to carry out the law, which may be delegated to the SWCD. 

“If the County wants us to do it, we will,” he said. 

“There are still things that have to be ironed out,” Commissioner John Nelson said.

Sheriff Darin Halverson was authorized by the Board to appoint Vern Wittenberg to the position of Chief Deputy effective July 2, 2017, and was introduced to the Commissioners. He is authorized to sign bills and time cards in the absence or direction of the County Sheriff. 

The Sheriff was authorized to purchase a 2017 Polaris 570 ATV from Bagley Motor Sports for $6,495 partially using funds from the State of Minnesota Off Highway Vehicle grant which would have expired soon if not used. New grant funds available in August will cover the balance.

Environmental Services Director, Dan Hecht reported that Polk County capacity is for 100s of years because of land they have acquired for landfill. This allows Polk County to offer smaller counties to access their services.

He was given approval for the Resolution Ending the Leafy Spurge Eradication Project dated July 11, 2006, to be signed by the Board Chairperson. 

County Engineer Dan Sauvé brought Judicial Ditch 5 Resolution to address “restoration and acceptable future operation parameters the Road & Bridge Department can live with, considering the safety and damage to CSAH 2.” The Resolution was passed, with one “no” vote from Commissioner John Nelson. 

This resolution is regarding the ditch being raised without authority in 1998 or 1999 by Dudley Township when they raised a culvert under their township road on 233rd Ave. The Resolution states: “... the County has sustained damages to our County State Aid Highway 2 (CSAH 2) as a result of the elevated water...” requesting the Red Lake Watershed District resolve this matter by providing for flood relief to CSAH 2. The County Board of Commissioners is demanding through this resolution “... that the outlet to the legal ditch system be immediatety restored to the outlet elevation it was when the ditch system management was given to the RLWD and prior to the ditch outlet being illegally raise...” 

The County supports future efforts to convert the ditch system into a perpetually managed flood reduction project by the RLWD, to be identified within 180 days of receipt of this resolution to avoid legal action.

The Engineer received approval of a Master Partnership Contract between Clearwater County and the Minnesota Department of Transortation. This authorizes the County Engineer to negotiate work orders, provide for paymet to or from MnDOT, and execute such work orders on behalf of Clearwater County without further Board approval.

County Auditor Allen Paulson stated that the County Revenue Fund was at a negative $114,000 last year, and is at a positive $15,000 now.

He was given authorization to pay the submitted invoices of $78,800 for the County Revenue Fund and $13,578 for the Nursing Service Fund.

Commissioners present at the meeting were Daniel Stenseng, Dean Newland, John Nelson, Neal Illies and Arlen Syverson.