11-19-2001 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--November 19, 2001 2384 in the future. Mr. Berndt said he is not aware of any other situation like this in the county. r--- Concerning the future use of the land without additional access, Mr. Berndt said the agreement could include language whereby the owners would waive any rights for further action against Cass County. Mr. Meyer said this would satisfy any concerns he had about the future of the property, and Mr. Wieland was in agreement. MOTION, passed Mr. Wieland moved and Mrs. Schneider seconded to approve the agreement regarding land in Section 13 of Maple River Township, and authorize the chairman to sign the settlement agreement. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 11. ROAD DEPARTMENT, Weed suoervisor oosition chanae Keith Berndt submitted a request on behalf of Darwin Hinrichs, Weed Control Officer, to increase the weed supervisor's position from part-time (75%) to full-time employment. He said the person in this position currently works 40 hours per week for nine months of the year, and he collects unemployment compensation the other three months. Mr. Berndt said he supports this request and recommends Commission approval, provided the weed supervisor obtains his commercial driver's license (CDL) and is available to operate highway equipment during and following snowstorms. He would serve as a back-up for other equipment operators during illness and vacations. -- Mr. Hinrichs addressed the board and said the weed supervisor could repair spray equipment during the winter months, take needed supervisory, safety and technical training, learn new reporting requirements and certify weed-free hay, which is a new duty of Weed Control Officers. Mrs. Schneider asked if this is something the Weed Officer was considering at the time the County Commission was holding meetings on the 2002 budget, which was just completed on October 1 st. Mr. Hinrichs said he mentioned the difficulty he has in getting someone to return each year as a supervisorfor Vector Control, and the weed supervisor has been supervising 22 employees working throughout the county on both weed and vector control duties. Mr. Wieland asked if this would mean Mr. Hinrichs would not be hiring a vector control supervisor, however, Mr. Hinrichs said he would still like to hire someone for that position. r--- Mr. Wagner asked about funding if the weed supervisor position is increased to full time, and Mr. Hinrichs said there is money in the weed budget for those duties. Mr. Berndt said funds could be paid from the seasonal/temporary line item in the Highway Department budget when duties are performed for his department. Mr. Berndt said unemployment expenses have been about $1,400-$1,600 in the last two years for the three winter months when the weed supervisor hasn't been working. Mr. Wieland asked if the Weed Control Board has had an opportunity to review the request, and Mr. Hinrichs said they agreed to support it at their meeting last week. MOTION, passed Mr. Wieland moved and Mr. Wagner seconded to approve the change in status of the weed supervisor position from 75% FTE (full-time equivalent) to full-time status. On roll call vote, the motion carried with four members voting "Aye" and Mrs. Schneider opposing. 12. FLOOD BUYOUT UPDATE, Buv-out oroaram to continue with several orooerties Michael Montplaisir, County Auditor, prepared a letter to the Board of Commissioners dated November 13, 2001 ,concerning the remaining properties under consideration for flood buyouts.