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PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNTY BOARD OF JACKSON COUNTY, MINNESOTA

April 3, 2018

The County Board of Jackson County, Minnesota met in regular session, in the Jackson County
Courthouse Board Room, 405 Fourth Street, City of Jackson, Minnesota, on April 3, 2018. The
following members of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners were present: Don Wachal,
Catherine Hohenstein, James Eigenberg, Kim Hummel and Scott McClure. County Coordinator
Steven Duncan and Trish Schulz, Human Resources Technician, were also in attendance.

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Wachal called the meeting to order at approximately 9:03 a.m. and led the Pledge of
Allegiance.

Motion was made by Commissioner Hummel and seconded by Commissioner McClure


to adopt the agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

CONSENT AGENDA

Motion was made by Commissioner Eigenberg and seconded by Commissioner Hohenstein


to approve the consent agenda. The motion carried unanimously.

Board Action 18-091: Approve the March 20, 2018 Board of Commissioners regular meeting
minutes.

Board Action 18-092: Approve all Commissioner disbursements in accordance with Minnesota
Statutes 130.01, subd. 4(b), recorded on warrants numbered 84563 through 84684 in the amount
of $149,196.94. For the following funds: Revenue, $49,998.50; Road & Bridge, $81,302.76;
Ditch fund, $868.08; Agency, $2,428.50; Library, $7,101.62 and Forfeit Land, $7,497.48. A
detailed list of claims paid is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office upon request.

Board Action 18-093: Approve acceptance of Jackson County Attorney’s Office 2017 Annual
Report.

Board Action 18-094: Approve 2017 County Feedlot Officer Annual Report and supplemental
information page.

Board Action 18-095: Approve joint agreement with Prairie Ecology Bus Center and the City of
Lakefield to demolish buildings in Sparks Park.

FAMILY SERVICES NETWORK

Motion was made by Commissioner McClure and seconded by Commissioner Wachal


to adopt Board Resolution 18-014: Proclaiming April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in
Jackson County. Motion carried unanimously.
County of Jackson )
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) SS.
State of Minnesota )

RESOLUTION 18-014
APRIL AS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, child abuse is an issue that affects all members of our community and
finding solutions depends on involvement among people throughout the community;

WHEREAS, child abuse prevention works when partnerships created between parents,
practitioners, schools, faith communities, health care organizations, law enforcement agencies,
and business community;

WHEREAS, family-serving, youth-focused prevention programs offer positive


alternatives for young people and encourage parents and youth to develop strong ties to their
communities;

WHEREAS, all citizens need to be more aware of child abuse and neglect and its
prevention within the community, and be involved in supporting parents to raise their children in
a safe, nurturing society.

NOW, THERFORE, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners hereby proclaim


April as Child Abuse Prevention Month in Jackson County and call upon all citizens, community
groups, religious organizations, medical facilities, and businesses to increase their participation
in efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect, thereby strengthening the community in which we
live.

Passed and adopted by the Board of Commissioners of the County of Jackson, Minnesota
this 3rd day of April 2018.

_________________________________
Don Wachal, Chair
Jackson County Board of Commissioners

ATTEST:

_______________________________ (SEAL)
Steven J. Duncan
County Coordinator of Jackson County, Minnesota

FAIR ASSOCIATION
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Motion was made by Commissioner Hohenstein and seconded by Commissioner Eigenberg
to adopt Board Action 18-096: Approving a grant of funds up to $25,000, from Wind Production
Tax Revenue funds, to the Jackson County Fair Association for use on building projects related
to painting buildings, replacing doors and a roof repair on the “DNR” building. Motion carried
unanimously.

PUBLIC HEARING & AMENDMENTS TO ORDINANCE #105 SUBSURFACE SEPTIC


TREATMENT SYSTEM LOAN PROGRAM

Motion was made by Commissioner Eigenberg and seconded by Commissioner McClure to open
the public hearing to approve or deny amendments to the Subsurface Septic Treatment System
Loan Program Ordinance #105 at 9:37 a.m. Motion carried unanimously.

Land Management Director, Andy Geiger, and Water Resources Technician, Karen Pressley,
provided information regarding the request to amend the Subsurface Septic Treatment System
Loan Program Ordinance #105 to increase the maximum loan amount to $15,000, the term
length to 10 years, increase the Estimated Market Value (EMV) threshold to $17,550 and
changing references from Environmental Services to Land Management. They explained the
current Ordinance #105 has a maximum loan amount of $8,000 and a minimum EMV of
$15,000. The average cost of installing a new system has increased to approximately $10,000.

No other persons asked to speak or file their views on the proposed amendments to Ordinance
#105.

Motion was made by Commissioner McClure and seconded by Commissioner Eigenberg to


declare the public hearing closed at 9:41 a.m. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion was made by Commissioner Hummel and seconded by Commissioner McClure


to adopt changes to Ordinance #105: Approve amendments to the Subsurface Septic Treatment
System Loan Program Ordinance #105. (Amendments include increasing the maximum loan
amount to $15,000, the term length to 10 years, increasing the Estimated Market Value (EMV)
threshold to $17,550 and changing references from Environmental Services to Land
Management.) The motion carried with four “ayes’, no “nays” and one “recuse” (Commissioner
Hohenstein recused herself). Amended Ordinance #105 reads as follows:

COUNTY OF JACKSON
STATE OF MINNESOTA

ORDINANCE NUMBER 105

AN ORDINANCE REGULATING A SUBSURFACE SEPTIC TREATMENT 
SYSTEM LOAN PROGRAM.

WHEREAS, the Jackson County Board of Commissioners finds that a need 
exists for the creation of a public loan program that assists property owners to 
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finance site evaluation, design, installation, repair and replacement of Subsurface 
Sewage Treatment System (SSTS);

WHEREAS, the County incorporates the state SSTS statute, Minn. Stat. §§ 
115.55 & 115.57 (2010), et. sec., and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency 
(MPCA) Rules, Chapter 7080, by reference into this ordinance;

WHEREAS,  the purpose of this ordinance is to provide for the creation of a 
public loan program that assists property owners to finance the site evaluation, 
design, installation, repair and replacement of individual sewage treatment 
systems; and

WHEREAS, such a public program promotes the public health and welfare by
furthering the policy of the state of Minnesota to prevent, reduce, and eliminate 
water pollution,

THEREFORE, Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes, section 375.51, the County 
Board of Jackson County ordains:

SECTION 1 ­ DEFINITIONS

Improvement ­ means the site evaluation, design, installation, repair, or 
replacement of individual sewage treatment system. 

Municipality ­ means a township, city, county, or any other governmental 
subdivision of the state responsible by law for the prevention, control, and 
abatement of water pollution in any area of the state.

Property owner ­ means the owner or owners as recorded on the tax roll of the
county where the real property on which the individual sewage treatment 
system is installed, repaired, or replaced is located.

In addition to the above definitions this ordinance incorporates by reference 
all of the definitions found in the Jackson County Development Code.

SECTION 2 ­ ELIGIBILITY

201 ­ Individual Eligibility

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All property in Jackson County is eligible for this loan program.  All 
individuals having an ownership interest in the parcel must sign the required
documents for this loan application.

202 ­ Property Eligibility

To be eligible for this program the property must meet the following 
requirements:

(1) prove ownership of the property;
(2) be in compliance with all applicable ordinances; 
(3) have appropriate permits and fees paid;
(4) all owner’s property taxes for all county parcels must be current;
(5) the parcel must not have any state or federal tax liens;
(6) the property must lie within Jackson County;
(7) an existing SSTS on the property which is failing or non­complying 
which is being replaced by a complying system.  A system for a new
home which is not replacing an existing non­complying system is 
not eligible for this program;
(8) this program shall not be used to refinance or payoff an existing 
septic system; 
(9) the estimated market value of this property must be equal to or 
exceed $17,550; and
(10) applicants must provide an accurate & recorded legal 
description of the parcel at the time of the application.  If the parcel
has been sold, split, divided, contracted for deed or transferred any 
portion of the parcel; the applicant must provide a new, accurate, 
legal description of the parcel that will contain the SSTS at the 
time of the application.  The applicant may split a parcel, so long as
the applicant retains the portion of the parcel containing the SSTS.

SECTION 3 ­ CONTRACTOR REQUIREMENTS

(1) The contractor must be licensed by the Minnesota Pollution Control
Agency (MPCA) for the planned work and must not start work on 
the project until after the qualified borrower has received written 
notice of approval from Jackson County.
(2) The County incorporates the standards of MPCA Rule 7080 by 
reference and all work must conform to MPCA 7080 construction 
standards.

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(3) No work shall be done before the applicant obtains County loan 
approval.

SECTION 4 ­ LOAN APPLICATIONS

(1) No eligible applicant shall be selected or rejected on the basis of 
judgments as to personal character or life­style.
(2) Applications will be rated on a first come first serve basis as per 
date of completed application.
(3) Letters of rejection will be issued by Jackson County Land 
Management Office to applicants who are not selected stating the 
reason for rejection.
(4) Applications must be accompanied by a site evaluation and system 
design which have been completed and signed by an individual 
licensed by the MPCA to complete that work.
(5) All fees must be timely paid.  Fees include site inspection fee and 
site evaluation fee.  Fees paid for services are non­refundable if the 
application is rejected.

SECTION 5 ­ LOAN TERMS

(1) Maximum amount of the loan shall be $15,000 which can include 
site evaluation, engineering, inspection fees and installation costs.  
All related costs which exceed the $15,000 will be the responsibility 
of the property owner.
(2) The interest rate shall be 3%.  Regardless of the date when the loan
funds are disbursed, interest will commence on January 1 of the 
year of disbursement.  Interest will be calculated annually and will 
be due and payable on the same dates as property taxes for the 
parcel are due in the following year.  If the entire principal balance 
is paid no later than December 31st, the interest for the current year
will be forgiven. The principal balance remaining at close of 
business on December 31st will be used to calculate the interest due 
in the following year.
(3) Loans shall be paid over a 10 year time period although the 
property owner will be allowed to pre­pay the loan without a 
penalty.  The loan principal will be amortized in equal yearly 
payments.  In the event of a partial pre­payment of the principal, 
the remaining balance will be amortized in equal yearly payments 
for the balance of the years remaining in the original 10 year term 
of the loan.
(4) Principal and interest will be collected as a special assessment on 
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the property taxes and will be reflected as such on the real estate 
tax statement.  Objections to this special assessment will result in 
the loan becoming payable in full.
(5) The applicant must pay the recording fee plus the current mortgage
registration tax for each dollar of the loan amount.  Upon payment 
of the loan a fee for the satisfaction of mortgage is due.
(6) The loan is not assumable.
(7) The loan is not eligible for subordination.
(8) Following the approval of the septic system design and the loan, 
Jackson County Auditor shall notify the qualifying borrower in 
writing of the following:
a. the amount to be specially assessed against the property.
b. the right of the property owner to prepay the entire 
assessment.
c. the public official to whom prepayment must be made.
d. the time within which prepayment must be made without 
the assessment of interest.
e. the rate of interest to be accrued if the assessment is not 
prepaid within the required time period.
f. the period of the assessment. 

SECTION 6 ­ FUND DISBURSEMENT

Following the completion of the installation of the system and the 
completion of the final inspection by the county, the borrower must 
bring an itemized statement from the contractor to the Land 
Management Office. Upon approval by the Jackson County Land 
Management Office a check not to exceed $15,000 shall be issued to the
contractor by the Jackson County Auditor/Treasurer.  At that time a 
notice will be sent to the borrower showing the payment schedule for 
10 years along with a statement that there is no penalty for early 
payment.

SECTION 7 – APPLICABILITY

This ordinance applies to all areas of the county other than cities or 
towns that have adopted ordinances that comply with Minn. Stat. § 
115.55 and are as strict as the applicable county ordinances.  

SECTION 8 – VARIANCE AND DEVIATION PROCEDURE

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The Jackson County Board of Commissioners reserves the right to 
grant variances and deviations from this ordinance by resolution of ¾ 
of the board members. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after April 3, 
2018.

Jackson County Board of Commissioners

_____________________________________
  Don Wachal, Chairman

Attest:

__________________________
Steven Duncan
Jackson County Coordinator

PUBLIC WORKS

Motion was made by Commissioner Eigenberg and seconded by Commissioner Hohenstein


to adopt Board Action 18-097: Approve acceptance of quote to perform Robertson Park
electrical upgrade to Ron’s Electric in the amount of $37,254.00. Motion carried unanimously.

There was a report on plow routes/practices and snow removal costs accompanying handouts.

JACKSON COUNTY ASSESSOR

Information was provided by Jackson County Assessor, Jason McCaslin, regarding the
implications of fractional homestead maintenance as now being required by the Minnesota
Department of Revenue.

COUNTY COORDINATOR

Motion was made by Commissioner McClure and seconded by Commissioner Eigenberg


to adopt Board Action 18-098: Approve creation of Emergency Management Director (Full
time/32 hours) position with approval of the applicable job description/assignment to the
Sheriff’s Office and authorize the County Coordinator to fill this position. Motion carried
unanimously.
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BOARD REPORTS

Commissioner Wachal reported on meetings/events involving Southwest Regional Solid Waste


Commission and Rural Minnesota Energy Board.

Commissioner McClure reported on meetings/events involving a County Ditch (CD) No. 3


informational meeting, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) J turn presentation in
Heron Lake and a Final Hearing for County Ditch No. 13.

Commissioner Eigenberg reported on meetings/events involving MnDOT J turn presentation in


Heron Lake, Heron Lake Watershed District Board and CD No. 3 informational meeting.

Commissioner Hohenstein reported on meetings/events involving the Historical Society and


Southern Prairie Community Care.

Commissioner Hummel reported on meetings/events involving the Local Radio Board.

ADJOURN

Motion was made by Commissioner Hummel and seconded by Commissioner McClure


to adjourn the meeting at 11:11 a.m. The motion carried unanimously.

JACKSON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

_____________________________________________
Don Wachal, Chair

ATTEST: _______________________________
Steven Duncan, County Coordinator

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