‘Land values threatened by wide use of wetland easements in the county,’ Commissioners say
Tue, 11/20/2018 - 3:08pm
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By:
Karen Edelbach
The Clearwater County Board of Commissioners met on November 13, 2018, with all commissioners in attendance, and newly elected Commissioners, Mark Larson and Mark Titera.
Lynn Sebek, Realty Specialist from U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service received Board approval for five wetland easements located in Dudley, Bear Creek, and 3 in Holst Township, but not without consternation from the Commissioners.
Commissioner Dean Newland has been a long-time opponent of the easements which are perpetual and irreversible.
“I only approve them because I don't think I have the right to tell landowners what they can do with their property,” he said. “What bothers me also is that property owners were being solicited for wetland easements.”
Commissioner Neal Illies and Chairman Dan Stenseng said they believe that the wetland easements will drag down land values, believing it could affect all taxpayers at some point.
“How much are you paying these people for the easements?” asked Chairman Stenseng.
Lynn did not have any definite answers, but thought some were $500. Chairman Stenseng heard some were offered $1,700 per acre.
“The wetland easements have become very popular,” Lynn said.
On checking with the Recorders Office, Brenda Knable provided two examples of wetland easements. One recorded easement (Nov. 1, 2018) located in Sinclair Township is in the amount of $27,350; the second (Oct. 20, 2017) located in Eddy Township is in the amount of $102,525.
With their concern for the effect on land values, and the disagreement with solicitation for such easements in the County, Lynn was asked to direct their concerns to other personnel at the U.S. Fish & Wildlife and possibly suggest a visit to a future Clearwater County board meeting.
County Engineer, Dan Sauvé was given approval for payment of Highway Department bills as presented in the amount of $59,603.
The Municipal Contracting Law allows the Highway Department to make contracts below $175,000 by direct negotiation and obtaining two or more quotations. With the two quotes to place 88,000 pounds if crack sealer next year, the lowest from current contractor Asphalt Surface Technologies Corp. at $1.18 per pound, they have agreed to include the extra work into the Highway Department's existing contract, in the amount of $103,840.
Chester Powell, Program Technician of Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) was on the agenda to discuss the new Aerial Imagery being considered for the County.
“Is it a value for the Highway Department?” Commissioner John Nelson asked Dan Sauvé.
“It is a better resolution, with $5-10,000 worth of value to us. It is a huge engineering tool,” the Engineer commented on the pending plans to implement a new system.
Commissioner Illies said it is easier to see layers.
“The resolution will be much better, and the public access to the website is increasing a lot more. I am willing to do leg-work to see what value the various departments place on it,” he said.
Most likely to benefit are the Assessor's Office which could see all sides of a building, Environmental Services to see around lake shores and the Land Department.
Red Lake Watershed District, Soil & Water Conservation District, and the Wild Rice Watershed District have agreed to contribute as well, leaving the County with the need to provide $42,000 which would be contributed from various departments according to their benefit. Much time has also been furnished by the SWCD.
Chester Powell reported that the deadline for the project to proceed is Dec. 14, when a plan must be ready to go. The Commissioners have agreed to give an answer at the next board meeting, whether or not they approve proceeding with the project.
AIS: Funds for an Aquatic Invasive Species ad campaign for the coming year was discussed. The Commissioners felt the $8,572 funds could be better used for local needs, and will be designated instead for an additional inspector and needed equipment.
“We had 11 inspectors last year at $12 per hour,” Chester said. “It is hard to keep them motivated to stay for the whole summer and the weekend hours,” he said of the challenge for this position. The SWCD has access to all inspections that are done.
Sheriff Darin Halverson was authorized to advertise for the position of full-time Sentence to Serve Crew Leader to fill the vacancy left by the resignation of Erick Thoresen.
Commissioner Neal Illies explained the ratio of workers has gone down from averaging five to only one or two. So, often it leaves the crew leader working in many other departments.
The Sheriff was authorized to purchase a 2019 4 Stroke Ski Doo Skandic 600 snowmobile from Bemidji Sports Centre in the amount of $9,944, which will come from the Emergency Management account.
County Auditor-Treasurer Allen Paulson received authorization to pay the submitted invoices of $281,161 from the County Revenue Fund, and $41,010 from Nursing Service.
The Commissioners approved the appointments of Amanda Haugen to a partial term through Jan. 31,2020, and Devin Aakre to a partial term through Jan. 31, 2022 to the Clearwater County Housing and Development Authority.
County Recorder Brenda Knable received approval to move Rodney Knutson, County Recorder Abstracter to full-time status.
“We are down on staff, and he's good at what he does. It's in the budget, too,” Brenda said.
Commissioner Dean Newland voted against the full-time status as a matter of principle, as he expected the part-time position might become full-time. It was explained that there were three part-time personnel doing the job, and now there are only two. So, nothing has really changed.
Commissioners present at the meeting were Daniel Stenseng, Dean Newland, John Nelson, Neal Illies and Arlen Syverson.