Journal Staff Report

The Koochiching County Board is scheduled to meet with a representative from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources to review road and trail designation in state forests in Koochiching County when it meets Tuesday.
The regular board meeting is scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. in the courthouse boardroom.
In committee at 1:30 p.m., the board is scheduled to meet with Jim Rupert, DNR project leader for a road and trail designation project the DNR has been conducting in the county the since January.
The DNR was ordered by the Minnesota Legislature to assess each trail within the state forests to determine whether they should be open or closed to all-terrain and off-highway use. The Legislature was prompted by reports of damage to state forest trails by inappropriate trail use.
Also during the afternoon committee meeting, the board is scheduled to meet with a representative from the Minnesota Scenic Byways Commission to discuss areas along Highway 11 west of International Falls that could be considered for billboards. As a result of the highway being designated a scenic byway, billboards are only allowed in “gaps” that are identified by the state. The state has recommended three areas for gaps on Highway 11 — Birchdale, Pelland Junction and International Falls east of County Road 106.
During its regular board meeting, the board is expected to adopt the Subsurface Sewer Treatment Ordinance. The board is scheduled to consider adoption of the ordinance during Environmental Services Department business at 10 p.m.
A public hearing on the ordinance was held Aug. 12, when the board made several changes to the ordinance. The board then agreed to wait until Tuesday’s meeting to adopt the ordinance to give the public time to comment on the changes. The state requires that the ordinance be adopted by the county board by Sept. 1.
Also during Environmental Services business, the board is expected to approve a proposed billboard north of Ray advertising the Kabetogama area to tourists traveling south on U.S. Highway 53.
The board is scheduled to discuss concerns about Canadian National trains blocking a township road in Ericsburg Aug. 20 during Highway Department business at 10:30 a.m.
During county business at 9 a.m., the board is expected to schedule a public hearing on a road vacation request from the Northwoods Bible Church in Ray. The church is requesting the vacation of a portion of Unorganized Township Road 179 that is abandoned and plans to use it for a church parking lot.
The board is expected to award bids for a courthouse roof project at 9:15 a.m., followed by auditor business at 9:20 a.m. At 9:25 a.m., the board is expected to approve a revised acceptable use policy for the county’s computer systems. The board is expected to approve several contracts during Community Services Department business at 9:30 a.m. Public Health business is scheduled to follow at 9:40 a.m.
The board is expected to reconsider a cartway for the Jacobson property at 11 a.m. A cartway allows access to a piece of property through another piece of property with separate owners. The petition was filed by Thomas Jacobson. Property owners involved are Ronald and Delphine Nelson, Kenneth and June Henrikson and Milo and Kay Larson. The board did not find in favor of Jacobson during a cartway petition hearing July 22.
A public comment period is scheduled to follow the Jacobson cartway reconsideration.