Sheriff's department will use old Wensman building

The Wadena County Board of Commissioners talked about the tornado debris management site and discussed property tax relief for storm-damaged properties at its regular board meeting July 6 and emergency board meeting July 9.

Property tax relief for damaged or destroyed structures

The Minnesota Department of Revenue released a fact sheet about the Wadena County storm damage, allowing for possible property tax abatement for property taxes payable in 2010 and property tax credits for taxes payable in the year following the tornado, 2011.

It is the responsibility of the property owner to request the abatement or credit, however.

According to the Minnesota Department of Revenue, property owners should visibly inspect their property and makes notes of the damage; if possible, document damage with photographs, as photographs may be valuable proof in the future if you disagree with the amount of damage the assessor determines your property has sustained. Property owners should contact their county assessor's office, which will provide them with an application to begin the process of applying for property tax abatement or credits. Information can also be found at www.taxes.state.mn.us .

Tornado debris management site at old airport

Mike Hanan, Wadena Solid Waste Director, updated the board about the solid waste/debris management sites.

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) approved Wadena and Otter Tail Counties, along with the city of Wadena to continue to operate the temporary tornado debris management site at the Old Wadena Airport property.

The MPCA and the counties/city agreed that the operation has progressed beyond the emergency phase and into the cleanup phase, and therefore must be more restrictive regarding loads accepted at the temporary site.

Items must be sorted as follows:

• Tree waste, only includes tree branches, trunks, stumps and related brush

• Scrap metal, includes metal sheeting, metal piping, metal fencing, metal building parts and items primarily made of metal

• Masonry products, includes concrete, brick and block building materials

• Furniture, includes sofas, chairs, tables, dressers and other household and business furniture

• Demolition debris, includes only those portions of the walls, ceilings, floors and roofs of buildings damaged by the tornado.

All appliances and other household items not identified in the five categories above, must be brought to the Wadena County Transfer Station. All loads will be inspected at the gates and any loads not properly sorted will not be accepted and must be taken to the transfer station, where posted rates will apply.
Sheriff Department storage building destroyed

Prior to the June 17 tornado, the Wadena County Sheriff's Department used a building at the fairgrounds for storage of some vehicles and equipment. The building and most of the property stored in the building was destroyed. Prior to the meeting, Board Chairman Bill Stearns and Wadena County Sheriff Mike Carr met to discuss options for using other existing buildings for storage. After discussing different options, it was decided that the old Wensman building would provide adequate storage space for the department's needs.

The building would need some minor remodeling and repairs before it could be used for storage. The board unanimously approved the recommended repairs to the building at an estimated cost of $12,150.00.

Other regular Board Meeting Action Items:

• Approved authorization for Public Health Director to sign contract with Otter Tail Wadena Community Action Council Early Head start for $8,065.00, effective July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.

• Approved authorization for Public Health Director to sign contract with Johnson Group Advertising & Design for Chemical Health Grant for $20,000 effective July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.

• Approved authorization for Public Health Director to sign contract with Craig Hillier for Chemical Health Grant for $1,771 effective July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.

• Approved authorization for Public Health Director to sign prevention marketing contract for Chemical Health Grant with Lamar Companies in an amount not to exceed $9,096 effective July 25, 2010 to July 24, 2011; Tri-Art Inc, in an amount not to exceed $4,100 effective July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011; Calm Computers in an amount not to exceed $2,090 effective Oct. 2, 2010 to Oct. 1, 2011.

• Approved authorization for Public Health Director to sign youth adviser contracts for Chemical Health Grant with Menahga Public School in an amount not to exceed $5,000 effective July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 and Wadena Deer Creek Schools in an amount not to exceed $5,000 effective July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.

• Approved authorization for Public Health Director to sign contracts for alcohol and tobacco compliance checks with City of Wadena Police Department in an amount not to exceed $900 effective July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 and Wadena County Sheriff's Department in an amount not to exceed $1,000 effective July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.

• Approved agreement for Wadena County Recorder's Office to continue to operate as a satellite office for the state of Minnesota.

• Approved transferring $10,000 to Wadena County Ag Society for operating cash.

• Approved advertising for bids for SAP 80-598-15 and SAP 80-598-16, both bridge replacements.

• Approved low quote for tandem plow truck from Maney International in the amount of $193,188.50.

• Approved overage of compensation and extension of vacation time for several county employees.