By Jean Ruzicka
jruzicka@parkrapidsenterprise.com
Hubbard County commissioners officially proclaimed April to be National County Government Month, “encouraging county officials, employees, schools and residents to be aware of their county government and all the services provided,” presenting documentation on the assistance rendered in 2014 via a $12.2 million levy.
By department, “general government” provides services for the county’s 20,248 residents, employing 243 on a full-time, part-time or seasonal basis. A total of 6,697 documents were recorded; notices were sent to approximately 24,000 tax parcels; 532 births were recorded; 1,387 death records were issued and 4,949 drivers are now licensed.
The county attorney prosecutes criminals and provides civil representation, including Social Services.
The county provides a “one stop information shop” for business development as well as work force development.
Health and human services responded to 180 child maltreatment reports, provided public health visits via CHI St. Joseph’s and administered publicly funded services.
In November, 12,186 registered voters were served by 225 election judges in 38 precincts and 24 polling places.
Environmental Services provided management of 211 lakes with approximately 650 miles of lakeshore and 250 miles of rivers and streams.
Natural Resources manages 138,000 acres of county administered land, three county parks, 19 public accesses, one swimming beach and a wayside rest.
In addition to operating the Law Enforcement Center, the sheriff’s department provides law enforcement services 24/7.
The highway department maintains 523 miles of County State Aid Highways and County Roads, and maintains and inspects 60 bridges.
Veterans Services provided assistance to 2,200 Hubbard County veterans.
And Heritage Living Center, county owned but independently managed, employs 140, giving skilled and assisted living services to over 250 citizens.
In other action, the commissioners:
n Approve a bid of $1,677,998 from Knife River Materials of Bemidji for highway improvements in the northeast section of the county; $2.1 million had been budgeted.
The project includes bituminous overlay on CSAH 9 between CSAH 45 and the Cass County line in Farden Township; aggregate shoulders and bituminous on Co. Rd. 101 from CSAH 9 to Highway 2 in Farden Township, aggregate shoulders and bituminous on Co. Rd. 98 from CSAHs 9 to 35 on the east side of Lake Plantagenet and aggregate shoulders and bituminous on Co. Rd. 100 from CSAH 16 a half-mile north in Hart Lake Township.
n Denied, at the recommendation of land commissioner Chip Lohmeier, a proposal for a property exchange in Guthrie Township.
Nichole Stinar asked to trade a proportional piece of tax forfeited property to connect family-owned parcels.
But the swap would have isolated 200 acres of county land to the west, the public unable to gain access, as well as timber ground. The county would gain frontage to a trout stream, but the public has access to Kabekona River at other sites, Lohmeier told commissioners
“I see no advantage for the county,” Lohmeier counseled of the exchange.
n Learned the northern long-eared bat has been federally listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act, as of May 4.
The move was prompted by the bat population suffering a dramatic decline due to white-nose syndrome.
Enbridge, aware of the possible listing, has surveyed for bats’ maternity roost trees in counties where the pipeline is projected to be located, nine found in Hubbard County, none in Clearwater County, Lohmeier told commissioners.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has a data base and will provide the county will information on the roost trees.
The listing will preclude cutting of timber within a quarter mile of sites from June 1-July 31, when the bats are in pup stage, Lohmeier said. “And converting mixed hardwoods to pine may be a problem for habitat purposes,” he cautioned.
n Accepted, “with regret,” the resignation of environmental specialist Scott Navratil.
“It will be hard to fill those shoes,” said Eric Buitenwerf, Environmental Services officer.
He cautioned filling the position may be a month-long process, followed by lengthy licensing procedures, unless someone with licensure is found.
n Heard from Tim Flathers, executive director of the Headwaters Regional Development Commission, who reviewed current activities in its five-county area. These include a community lending program, management of Hubbard County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, Akeley’s funding from DEED to rehabilitate 15 owner-occupied homes, Safe Routes to School in Park Rapids and providing technical assistance for SHIP activities.
n Adopted a resolution naming auditor/treasurer Kay Rave supervisor of the county’s driver license services.
She is currently undergoing training for the post.
The board also approved a five-year driver’s license lease agreement with the state for instruction/testing space.
n Approved a one-year agreement with Al Winterberger as the contracted subsurface sewage treatment systems inspector for Environmental Services.
Commissioner Matt Dotta questioned if this should be administered by someone who’s in-house.
Commissioner Cal Johannsen indicated he had “concerns” regarding a possible conflict and other issues. “He’s not doing a bad job. If anything, he’s too thorough.”
Johannsen suggested this be a topic at a work session.
The board learned 210 septic permits were issued last year. A residential permit is $120, 85 percent of which is paid to the contracted inspector.
n Approved $224,801 for Herzog Roofing of Detroit lakes to remove and install a new roof on the courts, probation and old jail.
n Approved an $80,130 quote for pavement marking from Traffic Marking Service of Maple Lake.
n Approved a quote of $18,022 from Houston Ford, Pine River, for a county car to be used by Social Services.
n Approved a bid of $90 per hour from Buness Trucking of Laporte to slash rake 29 acres of a harvested site to replant pine. The amount is not to exceed $12,000.
n Approved a quote of $2,925 for a garage door from Gaslin Garage Door in Tenstrike.
n Approved a quote of $9,877 for signing materials from Newman Signs of Jamestown, N.D.
n Approved a 66-foot easement in Lake Hattie Township for Ramey Abdelkhaleq.
n Approved a $2,000 quote from Ron Husby Concrete for work at the south transfer station.
n Added language to the “Draft Letter of Credit Policy,” setting a due date for payment for timber auction harvests.
Payment for an irrevocable bank letter of credit will be the closing date of the permit or 60 days from the date of establishment, whichever occurs first.
