By MaryHelen Swanson

On the administrator's agenda at the June 27 county board meeting were three items relating to the use of recreation fields owned by the county.

Policies regarding the use of certain ball fields in the county were adopted May 16.

But there were some concerns expressed by commissioners at that time over the narrow scope of the policies, such as not including all ball fields or all sports.

County Administrator John Moosey said he tried to improve the policies addressing those concerns and presented new policies to replace the ones adopted in May.

The Chisago County Ki-Chi-Saga Ball Field Scheduling Policy was to be replaced with a Chisago County Scheduling Policy for Ball Fields and Other Use Areas Within Chisago County Parks.

The Chisago County Annual Ki-Chi-Saga Ball Fields Memorandum of Agreement was to be replaced with Chisago County Annual Ball Fields and Other Use Areas Memorandum of Agreement.

The Ki-Chi-Saga Ball Fields Standard User List was to be replaced with the Standard User List for Ball Fields Located in Chisago County Parks.

Immediately when the policy changes came on the table, Commissioner Bob Gustafson voiced his objections.

He asked to table the items.

Commissioner Ben Montzka asked assistant county attorney Kristine Fuge if Gustafson should abstain from discussion and vote on the policies because of his involvement with a recreation program in the county.

Fuge said the county attorney's office would advise that any commissioner step down on such an issue.

As the discussion continued, Moosey said it was evident that more work was needed and he had no problem with tabling the item.

Commissioner Mike Robinson, reminding all of the issues with the auditor's office over the ballfield situation, asked Moosey if the state was happy with the county's most recent actions on policies.

Moosey said the county has done everything the state has asked. The new policies, he said, were an attempt to improve the policies.

Gustafson's objections included the request for a $100 deposit for use of the restrooms at the fields. The policy says that the deposit will be returned at the end of the season if there is no damage to the buildings. If there is, or the restrooms are not properly locked during the season, the damage deposit will be applied toward the repair expenses.

Gustafson said he believes you don't pass a law you're not going to enforce. He wondered how the county was going to know who did it if there was any damage.

Moosey said the county can and will address enforcement.

He again reminded the board that the state auditor's issues went beyond financial, and that the intent of their concerns was that there be no special preferences on use of public facilities, allowing for fair access for everyone, not for some.

Gustafson noted that he had already turned scheduling of the fields over to the county parks department. "What benefit do I have that nobody else has?" he asked.

Moosey agreed with him, but said the new policies were just to make it fair for all.

"Where's the conflict of interest?" Gustafson asked.

Moosey said with these new policies there is no conflict of interest.

Commissioner Lynn Schultz agreed with Gustafson that if the county makes things too cumbersome, they can't be enforced, such as requiring portable toilets.

The new policy guidelines says portable toilets are the responsibility of the field user.

Schultz asked if every team has to provide a portable toilet, and who pays for it?

Fuge said comments from the commissioners on the ball field subject have created a complex product (policy) on complex issues.

The board moved to table the action until Sept. 26, Commissioner Montzka abstained.