Crow Wing commissioners look at drug lab cleanup proposal

The Crow Wing County Board Tuesday looked at a proposed clandestine drug lab and chemical dump site public nuisance ordinance.

The purpose of the ordinance is to reduce people's exposure to chemicals and contaminants associated with the site of an identified clandestine drug lab operation. The ordinance is intended to minimize the cost to the county for cleanup of drug lab sites.

Reports show chemicals used in the production of illicit drugs can condense, penetrate and contaminate surfaces, furnishings and equipment found in the vicinity of the drug site and this produces a health and safety risk to occupants and visitors at the site.

The ordinance establishes responsibilities and guidelines for involved parties to assure people are not unnecessarily exposed to the dangers on the contaminated structure and that the proper steps are taken to remove the contaminants.

The county's Meth Lab Ordinance Task Force has met for several months and one of its goals was to have an ordinance in place in Crow Wing County. Members on the task force are Joyce Mueller, county health department; Lynda Erickson, social services; Kris DeMay, assistant county attorney; Erich Heise, Brainerd School District, a member of the Regional Drug Task Force; and Barb Simon, a member of the Health Advisory Committee.

In other county business, the commissioners:

Established $6,300 in damages to be paid to Ernest and Delores Johnson, who live on Lower Dean Lake Road, from Northern Lakes Co. of Golden Valley as part of a cartway settlement.

Jay Echtenkamp, owner of Northern Lakes Co., a land development company, petitioned the county for the establishment of the cartway, or a private access road, on property owned by the Johnsons. The settlement approved will pay for the property the Johnsons lose for the cartway and damages to their property as a result of the cartway.

The Johnson property is north of Northern Lakes Co. property. Northern Lakes Co. wants to establish a cartway so it can have access to its property.

Both parties by statute have 40 days to appeal the county board's decision.

Took no action on hiring a technical clerk for 24 hours a week for the University of Minnesota Extension Office. The board decided to hold off due to budget constraints and to misunderstandings in the extension office.

Renewed its health insurance rates for 2004 with Blue Cross Blue Shield at a decrease rate of 6.5 percent. The 2004 composite rate for the base plus plan will cost $770 a month or $500.72 for the county's share and $269.28 for the employee's share. The Comprehensive Major Medical plan 2004 composite rate will be $706.50 or $511.06 for the county's share and $195.44 for the employee's share.

Renewed its landfill operators contract with Marvin Stroschein. County Solid Waste Coordinator Doug Morris said the county is getting a fair price in the contract. He said the county will pay $9.33 per month more in the existing work requirements. The new identified work requirements are $475 per month.

Agreed to close its sludge disposal area. The county's sludge disposal area received wastewater treatment sludge from Potlatch from 1974 to 1989. The industrial waste was primary half clay and half wood. After Potlatch closed, the county and Potlatch entered into an agreement to close the sludge disposal area.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency agreed to the closure and will pay half the cost. The county's portion for closing it will be an estimated $10,750.

Approved the 2004 mileage rate for county employees to be 37 1/2 cents.

Will meet at 11:15 a.m. Dec. 30 to hold a public hearing to revoke the county's dog ordinance.

Set the per diem for appointed committee members and county board commissioners at $50 per meeting, the same as this year.

Set its reorganization meeting for 1 p.m. Jan. 6.

Set a goal setting special county board meeting for 9 a.m. Jan. 20.

Agreed to fill a vacant part-time technical clerk in the assessor's office.

Agreed to split the cost for installing a cattle pass structure on Crow Wing County State Aid Highway 36 with property owner John Voller to allow for the movement of his beef cattle from one side of the road to the other.

The county board agreed to the cost right-of-way because without the cattle pass structure there could be a public safety issue. The county's policy on right-of-way is for the county to split the cost.