Do it. All right. Good morning everyone. We'll stand for the pledgece to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice
for all. Oh, I didn't get my paper copy of my All right. Uh, do we have any additions or changes to the agenda? Not for me. Anybody else? All right. I'll entertain a motion to approve the agenda. So
moved. Motion by Erica. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Barry. Do we have any further discussion? Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All right. Motion carries. Okay. Minutes from the last meeting, September
16th. Holy cow. Do we have any corrections to the minutes? Nope. I did not have any. Neither did I. I have just one. Uh, the administrators reported his works sessions.
How did they miss that? I want to bring up work sessions. What page is it on two? Oh, yes. October works sessions for budget. Wow, that's a good one. All right. Do we have any other
corrections or additions to the minutes? All right. I'll entertain a motion to approve the minutes. So moved. Motion by Erica. Do we have a second? Second by Phil. Any more discussion? Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All right. Motion carries. Consent
agenda. Do we have any items that anybody would like to pull out of the consent agenda? Um could I just ask a question? Is the trying to see if it's in the I can't remember. Is that is the bailing machine
in the consent? Nope, it is not. Okay, we're learning from you what to put in or what not. Good. It is not in the motion. Approve consent. All right, I'll uh motion by Barry. Do I have a second to approve a consent agenda? I'll second. Second by Erica. Any more discussion?
Um just yeah, one one thing in the consent agenda under uh the Becker County cash comparison. I mean, as you look at those numbers, I mean, the big one with road and bridge. I mean,
we need to have some talk about I mean, it was last year was uh August 24 was $4 million and this year it's $3 million underwater. I mean, those things kind of should float to the top at hey, what's going on here? Uh questions. So, and I
know we got some big bills. I know they all come in at the end of the year, but those kind of things stand out to me. So, I just wanted to make that that that point that we we need to be looking at those things close closer. Okay, that's all I got. All right. Uh, so we have a motion and a second. Any
more discussion? Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All right. Motion carries. Um, commissioners, open forum. I don't believe anybody's on there. All right. Reports and correspondents.
Who would like to go first? I'll go first. Um I had Becker County Extension just uh update at our previous extension meeting, we had asked that the extension members go while they're at at attending the fair look at the transit building to
kind of assess what what their thoughts were on um moving extension out to the the transit building. And um the overwhelming consensus was the building would not fit. And their
concern was that um it would take a lot of money to get the building to where for it would take they were their concern was the amount of money that it would take to make the building fit for their programming. Um there they also
had concerns about um accessibility and you know making sure everybody knows there which I think we can I mean with signage that's that's not as much of an issue. Um but my my and my my concern also is that how much money are we going
to put into that building to make it work for them to be out there? So, less than what we would get for the sale of the current building if we would sell the current building. Are you talking about the workshop? No, I'm talking about the um
the current extension. The workshop? Yeah. Well, I don't know. I I Well, I walked through that building at the fair and I thought it was a lot It's a lot bigger than I thought. than when we talked about it at our previous
extension meeting. Mhm. It's a lot bigger and they could have an archery range in there and and they said no. Well, I can guarantee you you can have an archery range in there for the distances that they shoot at at the they could have an archery range
15 yard range is it? And you could you could probably take two stalls and make and make uh so I I mean I don't I I think the cost would be significant. Um I I don't know you would know that if
it's a a $50,000 or $100,000. I mean I don't know what it would cost to to make an more of a meeting area where what the first bay is. Mhm. But that's all you'd need, one more uh meeting area. Mr. Chair, I always thought that uh you
know, the community center over there would be a good location for what they're trying to do. I mean, they're trying to reach out to to to youth and kids and I always thought that would be a good connection, but you know, what community center? Trey Lakes Community Center. The DLCC. Yeah. Oh,
DLCCC over here. Um you know, extension is more than just 4, but I I know that. Mhm. But I mean, it's teaching. It's Yeah. And that that they always wanted a a public location. This building did not work well for them. I was told I thought that would be
lots of traffic over there. Maybe do some kind of a deal with the museum, something. Could that be a possibility? And I got the same answer that you did this building. So I mean at some point I mean it is ultimately it is ultimately up to our board what what to do but I
just wanted to make sure that that committee I I raised their concerns. Um well the biggest concern that we or the biggest hurdle we have is we have to find a use for that transit building. We can't sell it. We can't
I mean I think that's spoken to with board. Yeah, I think that that's a conversation to have with a fair board because I mean you we could understand it's going to be theirs. Well, they they want they would like a use that complements the fair board.
Mhm. So whether that whether they receive whether it's a gift to them and they they don't want to manage it. Mhm. So, what they would like is I suppose if if if we're not going to use it, we should be renting it out and then getting out of there the week of the
fair. That's the only stipulation that that that week of the fair would have to use. Whatever is in there would have to move out. So, Yep. But, yep. Keep working. Yep. You know, to be determined. this
could, you know, we could we could put that on the way back burner and and if that move ever happens, it could be two to five years from now. I mean, we don't have to decide anything now, but I think what we have to look at what's EDA, what's the goal of that building? Mhm.
What's the goal of transit building? Maybe we just look at transit, but put a two-year lease on, you know, rent it to someone for two years. You have to vacate it at this week. Not maybe not the office space, but you have to vacate this part of it. But I think we have to get with the fair and and we have to do
something with it. And if we can get some revenue, if we're not going to do anything, then get some revenue off it and share it with the fair board. And Yep. Yep. Okay. Other um extension updates. They had summer programming this year. Um they had an intern that was the first um
that we've had for I think it was the first intern that we've had since we've only had one um 4 educator. And through that um the 4 program grew by 40 members um and they were able to um make some more connections throughout the
community. Um they also um provided an update on the fair and how many people they um they had go down to the state fair. They had two people go down to the state horse show. Um, eight go to the state
dog show, which I didn't realize that they had a state dog. They had a state dog show, but um, 41 went to the state fair livestock livestock exhibits. 18 went to the general exhibits. Um, but they had 171 overall animal science exhibitors um, at
the Becker County um, fair. So, um, there's that. And then I just wanted to cover a couple things for the master gardeners. Um, we got this uh flyer on the Becker County Master Gardener Volunteer Program with
some statistics from 2024. So, in 2024, there were 26 master gardeners that provided 1,368 volunteer hours, which reached 754 clients. Um, just some things that they do, um, they have the meals on wheels flower. So, they send
flowers with all the meals on wheels. They have a community garden, pumpkin days. They provide educational presentations, plant and pest clinic, answer garden questions. They have monthly li library talks. Um they have a family resource fair and they also go um
to the Becker County Fair and I don't know those that were out there this year. They have the grow your own food display was what they had out there. So, I think that Oh, and then just an update. Um, for the livestock auction, I
believe Kevin said this was a record, but for the livestock auction, they raised $114,000. Um, so it was $104,000 um for the market auction and then just just a touch under $10,000 at the end
when they do the the donation. So I think that's pretty spectacular for a and just so you know I think it's I think it's 90% of the 4 market auction goes back to the the the individual and the 10% goes back to
breakfast uh not not the 4 program I think that goes to the the donation I think goes to the 4 the donation but the 10% goes to the to the livestock committee which promotes and has that breakfast and some
of the marketing stuff. So, pretty impressive. I think it was really Mr. Chair, Commissioner Jeepson, do we have any numbers on the fair like uh people like attendance and stuff for the Yep. They they didn't talk about that.
Just that up down. It was down this year. Down. They didn't but they didn't have the number. Yeah, I don't think we had give us the numbers. Yeah, but it was down. Yeah, it was down this year. Um, but they had a lot of competition this year.
They the PUM had a fair at the same time and every like seven years the PUM and the uh or the East Beck the East Ottertale fair which is in Pum and the Becker County Fair are at the same time because of the scheduling of the the uh
uh rides. Um and that was another thing in the fair too is the ride. They they were short what five or Yeah. didn't they were supposed to have more rides but they didn't because again the midway was double booked. They had one in perm and they were supposed to bring additional ones but then didn't.
And then and then and what those guys do those people that do the rides the companies they share each other's rides they like lease them from each other. So he was supposed to have three come or and he got one I think. Yeah. Like what is an average number of fair attendance and what do we have this year?
I don't know that we we were given the attendance numbers. said it's down down from what? How? The revenue. The revenue was down. Yeah. Yeah. And the the the attendance was down in the uh grandstand area for the events because there wasn't was this there's
wasn't as many people. Yep. Yeah. We did also have a lot of conversation um that about the demo derby this year and like you know because because there was a tragic event this year of you know what we what could be done differently and um so you know Yeah. So, they're they're going to work
on on the safety portion of that. They're going to revise some of the rules. They're going to do more. They're going to try to be more strict with um making sure when they come in, they when they come into the gate and they check the stuff, they're going to make sure that, hey, you got to fix this.
Well, now we're going to they're going to do some kind of card system or whatever or ticket where you have to give that ticket now back to the judge and they have then they'll look at it again to make sure that you change what we told you had to change cuz they're they're probably some of those people probably aren't changing some of those
things and and then they're just and they're going the law some of the drivers are going to help them with the rules and they're also going to try to increase the prize money so that more people will register for the derbies and then the drivers that came in to talk to him also said that if you do
that then it's very re very realistic that you should raise the price of the entry fee too. So I think it I think they'll get it figured out and I think it'll work cuz to be honest with you the reason why the fair is is doing the as well as the fair is doing is because of
the Friday and Saturday derbies. That's where they make money. Yeah. Yeah. They don't want to not have the derby because the I mean obviously there's way more other things at the fair than just that but that supplements everything else at the fair so they can do all those other things. Mr. Chair, could I just request I mean
what I have no concept of who goes through the fair and what the revenue is. Could you guys pull those numbers for the last few years? Do they have them? Yeah. I just like to see just we can we did tell them at the the last fair board that they need to come in and and give a report. They haven't for the
last couple years. They did it last year. They haven't done it this year yet. No. Okay, perfect. So, we'll we will request that that they come in and they know that, too. So, okay. Yep. And that'll then you can get all your questions answered. Oh, no. He won't.
That That wasn't a very nice job by him. Um then the only other we obviously had the fair board also. The only other meeting I think that I had was the EDA. Um, we continue to have conversations about the housing contract. Um, the recommendation was for the housing
committee to go back and really get more of a a breakdown of the cost of a cost analysis of really what we're getting for MMCDC. Um, you know, we did look at what it would cost to bring in house and, you know, we're looking at
potentially three um three employees, which really is it's going to it would be a wash. Like, we're not going to we're not going to save likely save any money. Plus, we would need to also um hire a maintenance person. So really, we
just um we're still going to continue to to look at what but yeah, but it might we might they're not doing the best job there. Correct. And I was always thinking that we should
just leave it the way it is. But we we might we could do it would not take a lot to do a better job. Yeah. you know, with with the maintenance, you know, we get paid that
that is we pay those mainten maintenance costs above and beyond our contract and I think we're paying $65 an hour for that. Um, so we could well that that could if we could piggyback that with a employee to do
some maintenance, you know, parks and reck maintenance. Yep. That help with that. We we budget part-time for that already, I think. or seasonal. And I believe we we determined that what we paid per hour
um in maintenance last year wouldn't be equivalent to a full-time maintenance person. Okay. Um so I mean so there there is that you know the other issue is where do we put them and where you know maybe we put
them in the work transit building. Commissioner, Mr. Chair, I mean, maybe Commissioner Jeepson, when does our contract run up with M? End of this year. So, calendar year. Yep. Yep. And so, we're going to have a special meeting
and we'll we'll have to vote on that, right? Right. Yep. We the the EDA approves it, makes a recommendation to to the full board. Um, so more to come. You know, we're we're we'll see. We have a housing
meeting um coming up this Friday where we'll discuss it more. So um just a couple housing updates. Um we have 32 people on our public housing waiting list. There are two homes, so they're working on getting them um
turned over and take a couple of them applicants off that waiting list. Uh we currently have 53 families with vouchers as well as two that are out there searching for house um withund uh 175 applicants on the waiting list. So 53
families currently getting the assistance to have the voucher are out searching for housing so that they can get it. And then 175 applicants on the waiting list waiting for um their turn to come up, I guess. And then
we have u Maple Avenue Apartments. I believe we will have one um tenant leaving there that will be vacated. Uh the as far as the RFP for the Maple Avenue project that we it was determined
at our last board meeting that we would wait until spring in hopes to get some more local um biders that hopefully that will bring the cost down. And then we have the 12 units at West River Town Homes that um
we have the 12 of the housing voters are allocated to that property. They just a reminder they do receive um uh case management services through Mahubi, but they're I believe there is currently one opening, but that they
typically get filled up quite fast. So, and that's all I have for EDA. Anything else that you can think of, Richard? No. All right, that's all I have. I think I might have more as we go if I remember.
All right. Who uh who'd like to go next? Um I was at MRC yesterday and that's the annual business meeting basically to decide what our top three priorities were to be for for for lobbying. Um a lot of discussion but overwhelmingly the
technology updates for human services were our number one. Um and they recommended that bring your legislators in to human services and show them the wheel of death. Um that that spinning wheel that SSIS Yeah. SSIS. But there's also Maxis and
MMIS that Maxis and MMIS don't have the spinning wheel of death because they all have but they all have to the spinning wheel of death. The concern, the talk was they all have to they all have to be able to work together and if and if that can happen I
mean that needs to happen because with all the new requirements and and workloads especially for Maxis you know Maxis I don't know if you know this Barry but you can't even use a mouth mouse mouth mouse well you can't use your mouth either but you can't use a mouse you have to actually tab to get
across the screen it's that old oh but but anyway that's that was by far the number one priority And that's I think AMC's number one priority. But um with with all these new and I think that's you know they got a they got what was it 35 million last
year towards that um that it just has to be done and done right. So that's that's the biggest push. This is just me on my soap box. I I agree with you, but I also don't um
rushing it can also cost more knowing how other um states have done it um with the sea whis rushing it can also end up costing a lot more money. Um I think that the biggest thing we need to remember with Minnesota which they talked about at the AMC policy conference is Minnesota likes to
complicate policy. So when we have complicated policies, um it's hard to get your technology to work with those complicated policies, which is is really what some of the issue is, right? I'm not I I just think we have to
get the funding to start this because it it's it's a couple year project. It's not and it started Mhm. it's not anything that's going to happen quickly, but um the second one was mental health bed for adult and juvenile. And then the third one was uh solid waste um construction and demo
landfills. So that was the three priorities and it um of course you put a room full of that many commissioners in it goes for a while without discuss getting a whole lot done but um Lakeland Mental Health very you know have some we're just we're
just at budget which is or just at zero there's not a profit but I mean so we're looking at Alex has been a kind of a a negative point for us for a couple years now they haven't had a they haven't had cash flow for a I mean to and the in the they're in the red the last two years.
Um this year the the road construction right in front of was a major you know major construction. So that was kind of where they're leaning on. But um we're saying that has to change or some something's going to change. Um and that's a really beautiful site down there. But um the high, you know, one of
the positives is Detroit Lakes. Our psychology psychiatry in Detroit Lakes is up in the in the positive which is a rarity. So, Detroit Lakes is doing very well. Um, and I think I've talked about some of their some of those new um
things that they're doing with the what was it the um what's the term I'm looking for? EMDR. No. Um anyway, with with treating people with with the um
um post PSD posttraumatic PSD. Yeah, I think that's EMDR. Is it okay? Were they eye movement desensitation? Yep. And creating the event how it you would have liked it would happen. I guess that's that's really really goes well. Um other than that I was at Sunnyside and
we had an amazing amazing year. We are it's just incredible how well they're doing for for a small we are just one of the gems in the state for a small nursing home. And I think that's leadership and staff that makes that. Um, we also talked about and I touched
base with Mary, we have a we have a loan with this with this county to pay for our um, building. We would like to pay that probably pay that off. Um, we have 2.8 mill 2.8 million in reserves here at the county that the
county manages and takes all the profits. We're paying a monthly payment. So, we would just probably we're looking at just paying that off and not having that monthly fee monthly or quarterly. I don't even know if it's monthly or quarterly. Semi. Yeah.
Mhm. Take care of that. Okay. Well, yeah, we just had our meeting and and I talked to um mini mini and I asked him if there was any benefit for us to have a balance, you know, is there any grants or anything and and he said no, there
wasn't. So, we'll probably and I don't think this board I mean, I just want to make you aware that we're just going to probably pay that off and continue with the cash balance here what's left. Y um that'll help ease cuz the requirements and some of the things coming up um for nursing homes are not
positive. They are just like they're not going to be human services. They're not they're there's some concerns in the future. So, but um coming next year, there is a requirement for pay to be increased the the state for the staff. Yeah. There's a minimum the minimum wage
has increased for the nursing home. So yeah, we we've we've pretty much we got just one we have only have one position. There's a couple positions that are that need to be raised, but we we've been proactive. Yeah, but that's I think the be the CNA is 19
starting at 19. Yeah, that's crazy. That's the lowest wage out there considering what I started out. I low in the kitchen. I think we're still low in Yeah. And but that so but anyway um very good very good report. Um Dave and I had the
sheriff's committee. Um most of it's on our agenda. We did move forward with the the Taho. Um we we expressed that we feel the Tahoe will will carry us more mileage and and further. Um we share the
concerns that it's not just the vehicle, it's the equipment that has to be taken in and out when you change vehicles. So, um, we we can, in my opinion, we can expect those to last longer and that I think they agreed, but they're going to probably try to transition them out into other um pe other areas of the law
enforcement to use them for transit or ones that aren't out on the road the road. Yeah, like the the jail ones are starting to be very expensive to operate. So they are going to replace those three vehicles with the
we approved also the the traffic safety grant. We had a large huge discussion on on what that was and that's basically just paying for overtime hours. I mean it's it's not um and it's designated for different
areas and I and I stress that we don't want to burn our employees out for this either. I mean we don't want them to work mandate. They're not mandated overtime hours, but if someone wants overtime hours, that's where they can get them. Um, anything else for sheriff? I think most of it's Nope.
Mr. Chair, Commissioner Nelson, where are we at with uh the new building or the storage building that we're renting from the city? I mean, we were going to that was a short-term fix till next July. What What What we didn't even touch base on that or
haven't touched base on that a couple We don't want to continually rent that, right? I mean, that was a short-term gap to cover a year and then we were going to come up with a plan right before next summer. What were we going to do?
I mean, I think the plan is to look at an impound lot and storage building built. These are why we have to have these work sessions. I think I mean it is a bigger it probably is a bigger question, but I think we need to we need to solve that, right? I think the question too, Carrie, maybe
you can ask the city, what is the what is their long-term plan with that building? I mean, how long can we be in that building or that that would um make it a little bit more urgent
decision-m or not? Mhm. Well, I mean, I think I think in my opinion it is urgent in that we're spending what we're spending for nothing other than storage when we could be potentially having our own building. That's, you know, because what
are we pay 2,000 a month? 2,000 24,000 a year. Yep. So, but I guess makes sense for us to make a decision on it. Mr. Chair, we I mean this is what we need to decide. We can't just keep
kicking this can down the road. Carrie, can we put that on our road tour that we're going to talk about a little later because I'd like to see all that stop mean as a highway on the highway road tour? Yeah, I would just stop. Well, I'd like to see how it's operating
and and working and or or to stop at the storage shed. Which do you mean? I mean over on 8th Street where we're renting. I want to stop at You want to stop there and look at it? Okay. Yeah. Gotcha. Do you are you have anything else, Barry?
Um we had a Laurel meeting and I and Liz is here to discuss. She's on the agenda later so we can talk about that later. I think that was it. Did did we have NRM was up before that? So
yeah, I don't have anything on NRM. So, I think yeah, that we already All right, Phil, if you Sure, Mr. Chair. Uh, so we had transit. Uh, we're looking at a $93,000 budget. Um, Kevin, I I I he really knows his
numbers well and and told me and Dave about some of the shortcomings with the state and federal dollars. So, we asked Jim Joy to come in and he sat down and met with us and and listened to some of the the complications with this transit. Um he's going to meet with the state and
regional representative the third week of October third week of October. Um for now we have reduced our routes and no Saturday pickup so we can meet the budget for that they have given us for this year. Um so that's what's happened
with transit but hopefully something going forward can be resolved. Kevin does a good job, but his hands are tied in a lot of places. And Jim Joy heard that and he's on transportation committee, so he's going to go back and hopefully we can get something resolved.
Prairie Lakes, the incinerator, just talking about drier fuel. Um, our tonnage was down this year. We need to get that back up. They know that. Um, 24th, me and Erica had planning and zoning. Um, uh, there's a, and it'll be coming
before us, another cannabis, uh, not retail, but, uh, uh, wholesale cultivation. Um, and then I didn't know this, but, uh, you can be buried on your own property. Uh, we have a cemetery. You can you can you can do I did not know
that. You got to be fenced, right? You need a monument, a marker. So, we're going to be asked to approve that, too. And I was shocked that you can be buried anywhere on your own property. I didn't know you could even do that in
Minnesota, but evidently you can. Um, the last thing, uh, solid waste environmental. So, I don't know if you guys saw these in the in the packet. Yep. These sheets we we this is the CND, the the the
construction demolition study. It's nine counties. We're doing a study on it. Um, Richard is of the feeling that, you know, let's just take care of our own. This is a regional study. Uh, if we can do better, I want to hear what they have to say. If we can do better as
a regional group, you know, I I want to see if we can do better and and maybe that is the way to go. But we we kind of disagree on that. Richard, well, there'd be more control from the pollution control agency. They would have more control over our landfill. we
would grow that I'm fail so and probably more employees more equipment what is the benefit to us and I'm not I can't see a benefit to us it it could be a benefit to somebody else but to us
there I don't see a benefit and I I'm I don't want any more control from the police pollution control agency I don't I don't I don't think we need that and I'd have to see how how it can be better for us and I I I can't see that happening. So just just with that and we've had
several conversations about this. We are still doing the study but it's going to come down to you know what do we want to do and it's going to come down to a vote. So I don't know if it's going to look like the the Prairie Lakes thing. I have no clue. But they did this study and I'd like you guys to fill this out
and see what you think of this and then get back to me and Richard so we can carry it forward. I mean, what these questions in here will inform how we move forward and how they put the study together. So, right now, it's probably not that big of a deal, but we are going
to be asked to vote on something that is a big deal next year. And so, who are you talking when you say Stantech? These are the nine counties. This is the survey they sent out to everybody. So, I'm asking you guys to fill it out. I filled it out. Is this
survey is the survey is public information then to for Minnesota pollution control but I need to know and Steve needs to know how we're going to present you know what our where we're going to stand in
with this regional study. Richard and I both kind of we don't see quite eye to eye. So I mean and I don't disagree with a lot of things Richard says. Um but I want to go forward and see if there's a better way we can do this. he doesn't want more input from the MPCA. Well, to
me, that's already happening. I I don't know how we can get around that. Um, but well, they there would be more control from them if we if we do this. They would have more control over our landfill. And I don't like the control they've gotten now.
I don't know if they'd have more control. They can exercise that. I mean, if they want to come in, they can come in anytime. um they might have more I can see if you have a larger facility they might be onsite or monitoring
more but I think the rules and the laws will be the same whether whether you're with a group Steve did mention more control that's what he that's what he told us I guess I I'm not sure well we would be part of a group and we wouldn't be making our own decisions it would be more of a yeah nine so yeah he's right but like they
the questions they ask what's working well you know we've got concrete, shingles, organics, recycling going. What isn't working well? Well, the sustainability. Eventually, we're going to run out of room. Now, remember, this isn't for municipal solid waste. This is only for construction and demolition,
which we have a site up there where we are taking it in now. So, I'm just saying I don't want you guys to be surprised down the road when you're asked to make a big decision because these things are happening at a very granular level, but they're going to elevate and they're going to be more important. So I will keep you informed
as much as I can. The changes coming along in net or in environmental are huge. They are coming whether you like them or not. And I and I don't like some of them. I mean I I'm adamantly opposed to
what some of the direction that some of the state lobby groups and and some of the state legislators are looking. I mean I I mentioned they would like to close all the incinerators in the state bar none. I mean there's a group I'm not
saying it's majority but that's the end goal of some I mean I think that's ridiculous. I mean that's I mean that's waste to energy. Now if you didn't have the waste that's the best solution. You don't have waste that's the best. But I mean that's not de that's not that's
kind of a different than what this study is for. This is but but those changes are I mean it's significant and and reduction of waste is going to be I mean that's the solution reduction of waste but what do we do with the waste that we do
have so I just like you guys to know that this is coming if you want to take this little survey get back to me so I can represent this group well to the regional group to Stantech they're the engineer who's doing this that would be great so like question number three a path towards zero landfilling it probably should read
for demo and construction, right? Well, it is only for I mean that's construction and demolition. That's what this is for. But the first page is what would you like? Well, everybody would like zero landfilling. The second page is how much money are you willing to put towards it? Well,
once you get to the money page, everything the money page, your your numbers change a little bit, you know. So, no, we we need to do something because we do waste is getting more and more expensive and like you trucking it is
we're trucking it all the way to Grand Forks. Um, so, you know, and I don't know how you would do it, but recycling, I hate to say it, would probably be if if we could somehow, we do have a recycling program, if we could do more of that.
Well, I you know I wasn't even aware too much of the organics that you can put like food contaminated pizza box pizza boxes. Now is that paper filament is that part of can you put that in there? The wax paper. It depends on how I asked Steve that because it depends on how
thick it is. The problem too with with all of us is that we don't take the time to sort properly. No, you go to the blue bins and you look at some of the stuff people and it's like seriously people this if you're not going to do it right it's better if you don't do it. I mean if you
just throw garbage in here you're hurting you're hurting us. So yeah and there there so there's an education thing and we're talking about that and somehow we need to educate the public on this and hope that educating is the cost has to go up to
get rid of it. Maybe it's already going up. We're going to be coming to you. State has passed some laws that will be in effect in the future that some of the packaging has the packaging has to change. I mean I mean it it's ridiculous. And I catch myself buying individual packs of beef
jerky, you know, those little for the kids, you know, to bring to school. But there's like three chunks in this bag, you know, it's like I'm like seriously we need a why are we doing this? And um when we were over in Sweden, you know, a couple years ago there, you know, you look go to the hotel rooms and their
garbage is recycled, two recycle things and then a garbage and the garbage is like this big. I mean, they just they they're just not we're behind times. Well, we're just a different society. We do better. We're for people who do recycle. I My
wife is a big recycle person. It's amazing how small her garbage is. Yeah. and and so yeah, that's probably the way that we have to start going that way. The problem is is people have to accept
it. Yeah. If they're if people aren't going to accept it, I mean, it's it's we have to change it like smoking, like smoking in cars or in I mean, it's society has to accept this change. And if they're not going to, we
don't want burn barrels at every farm or every, you know, rural resident. We can't go backwards. So, um, it's it's a gentle direction. It's not a I I just very cautious on trying to push too much on people. So, anyway, this getting back to the CND
study, the con uh construction demolition, I would appreciate if you guys would take that get that back to me and then tell me what I mean, I know me and Richard are on the subcommittee, but if you guys have any input, please give it now. Um, we also are doing another study uh to see if we can expand our our
solid waste facility. We need more on a tipping floor. We need to get that uh those uh we need to get it sprinkled. Um so and we've included a few other things in there. We needed some additions to our uh uh our MURF there. So we don't know. Uh we're putting it together now.
Then we're going to propose it. I we've had Coupec and Joy out there to show what we want to do. Study isn't complete yet. Um but uh we would need state help to do that. But we need to be ready if something does come in that we can uh go forward with that. Um
NRM, we we talked briefly with NRM and I want who's on NRM? Barry and who? Richard. Richard. So uh we talked Oh, good. Because we talked briefly about the a mowing tractor. Yeah. Uh so somehow this is going to be a collaboration between NRM and Solid
Waste. I don't want that snuck through and someone thinks someone else is doing I I I just want to hear more. But that got floated in our in our meetings. So, I think it could be used for both, but let's just stay on top of that one. Uh
and then um I didn't realize that October 15th was a deadline for solid waste assessment to change that. We are asking to change that a little bit. that we'd go from like $60 to $68 on your solid waste assessment fee on your your
taxes, right, Mary? Is it 60 to Well, it's on points, but that would the average on the average house what you're talking about. Correct. I wanted the dollar amount, but it would be we'd go to 12 to 13 in points. Well, it's five points and then it' be $2 a point.
Mary, did you have anything to add to that? Yes. financed either $13 or $14 discussion right now. You're done. 14. Yeah. 13 or 14.
Okay. So 65. So it' be 65 at from to go to 12 to 13 for the points. Okay. All right. That's I think that's what we're going to Right. We'll get to that later. Um and also just tip, you know, Prairie Lakes, uh they
went up with their cost, so we're going to have to be addressing tip fees, which are probably going to be bumping up a little bit, too. We'll address that probably next month or at the next meeting. So, it is what it is. Um, last thing, the e-waste recycling that we did
first few days of October had a couple hiccups, but for the most part, it went well. We received, you can see it here, uh, um, so it broke down. We had 138 screens over 27 in and 615 screens under
27 in. And then we had 473 keyboards, towers, mouse, all that kind of stuff. So, I think it was a success. It's not in our ditch. We've got it out at the It was very well attended. We had some problems with checking out. There were 30 cars in line a few times. So, it's a
good problem to have. People were used it, I guess, is what I'm saying. So, it was a good test run on the electronics. Um hopefully we can be revenue neutral on this. So, it isn't going to cost a lot by the time we transport it out, but we'll see. That's still That's good numbers.
Yeah. Yeah, that was good. Um that's all I got. One thing I wanted to say back to your transit, Phil, is one thing I think that's really important for us to consider moving forward is the um the act that's coming forward on 11127, the Minnesota
African-American Family Preservation Child Welfare Just before. Oh, you say it just because you know it. But no, no, but this is this one of the the big issues that is coming out of there is the need for transportation. um because one of the things that comes with the act is the child welfare will
be required to provide transportation. So I just think that that is another important thing for us to keep in mind as we're advocating for additional funding for trans transportation is um the state is requiring us to do this for the act. I think we need to um hold them
to it for transportation also. We do and and Kevin meeting with Jim Joy was a big thing and he's meeting with a regional and state representative here and and that's a big deal because Kevin run he knows his numbers. He runs it really well. He tries to save money where he can. What was happening was the state and federal looking at his numbers say,
"Oh, you don't need it here. He was trying to save it so we could put an account to buy our next bus, which we have a bus down right now." Well, they take it away from they don't give it to him if he's doing a good job. They're rewarding people who aren't doing a good job. and to him, you know, he's like,
"What's why should I do a good job of managing this?" So, there's really some inconsistencies with the way that that program is ran. Uh but but yeah, I and the transportation cost for the act is going to hit rural counties the most because, you know, you go to the more
metro area, they have a robust transit system. They have a city bus that, you know, parents can take wherever they need to for visits and appointments where here we don't. Yeah. So, I think it's we we can't be cutting down routes when or we're cutting down
routes when we should be adding them, you know, with the with the act coming about. Kevin can explain that very well to the state and hopefully they hear. Yep. Yep. Hopefully they listen because yeah, it's a problem. Mhm. Richard, uh, ED or Erica covered everything on
EDA, but back to environmental, we were also talking about education and advertisement and Sandy over there in the corner is going to maybe help us with that. And so that's where as I think that's
probably the key to recycling is to somehow educate people and I think educate and making it easier. Make it easier. I mean that's that's that is people aren't going to do it if it's so that's something we are single screen
going to be one that's so that's all I got. I I just got a couple so I'll be quick. Uh Barry covered sheriff uh transit. I got one thing to add just to that bus. We did have a bus that is the the engine I don't know went down. I don't know
what what that means. It doesn't. So anyway, there's some issues with mileage and insurance company stuff. So there but it'll get figured out. Um so right now we are using our spare bus. We don't have a spare bus. Um and we're going to go on our road tour. So we might want to
figure that out. Um because they probably aren't going to have a bus. Maybe we can get a ride from the sheriff's department or something. We have a van. We could take a but we don't want to go to jail. So anyway, I just brought that up. And
then also I had at the fair board there's one other thing that we um some of the the fair board does a lot more than just put on the fair. They also help the community. Um, so they are having a tractor pole for the Red River Valley Tractor Pole Association on June
13th and all the proceeds are being donated to the Patriot Dog Program. So, so we at our last fairboard meeting, we had a couple members from that organization that came in to see if they could do this tractor pole and we told they told them how much does it cost and
then somebody made a motion on the fair board to donate the use of the grounds to that. So that they do a lot of those things the fair board does and people don't always understand that they donate their facilities, they donate their time
to all these organizations, nonprofits, church organizations. So they do do good things like that and and it's important to them to do that. Um so I just wanted to put a plug out for that. And then we will get with uh Travis and and uh Carla
and we'll get that we'll get them come here and and then talk about revenues and talk about numbers at the fair and so forth. Give us an update. And then I also had a DAC meeting. Um, we are we did some improvements to the north end
of our parking lot and actually we added to the north end of our parking lot and we are also we went out there and looked at it the other day and we realized that part of the we didn't part of the parking lot we didn't do is in really rough shape. So, we're we're we're having another meeting next month and
we're going to figure out what the process is for that. It probably won't happen till next spring, but but anyway, the person that did the part the paving um did it very inexpensively because they have a client at our DAC. So, it I don't think I don't I think it was right
around cost or maybe just a little bit more just maybe just to pay the couple employees that did it. So, that that's a nice thing to have. And then also we received the so that we talked I think I talked about this last time where we received that grant from
T-Mobile for the the one that we supported for the calming swings and then the little recreation area that we're going to establish in the in the in on the the space that we have over there. Well, last on the 25th they presented one of those big fake big fake
jacks and to to to the DAC. So, it was pretty cool event that was happening in the park by the in that park area by the pavilion and stuff. So, it was it was actually a good deal. So, that was good. And then also, our executive director
resigned on the 30th of September. So, I just wanted to make sure and we we've sent out letters to all the clients stating that things are going to be good. We're going to not nothing's going to be affected by this. We're we are our our facility is run well by the by the three managers that are currently there.
one of them has stepped up to be the interim director. So, um I just wanted to make sure that we say publicly that we are we are just fine. We're going to be great. Um it it was she just felt like she needed to do something else. So, we're uh we're going to be good. So,
just wanted to make sure that anybody that's listening to this knows that. Um, and then the last thing I had uh I had a Lakes Country Service Co-op meeting and I'll just there's just two things I want to talk about. The
insurance they they are a provider for insurance and their average rate is 18% increase. So we are at what we were at 8 N 8 and a half. So we're in good shape. That's a good thing
to probably have. They are also probably about average, but they're a lot lower than other some other provider organizations, too. So, that's it. Does anybody else have any other reports or correspondents? All right, let's move on to
appointments. Is there any appointments? Mr. Chair, were we had a planning and zoning appointment, didn't we, or is that still in the works? That's still in the works. Yeah. Yep. Still in the works. Hopefully, we'll have that at our next meeting. Okay. All right. What What district is that from? Fine. District one.
District one. All right. So, let's move on to our county ministry. And I see we have Liz Lynch from Lake Agassy. Could you come up, Liz, and tell us who you are and then and tell us some information? All right. Well, thank you. Is this Is
this okay? Can you hear me? Yep. Yep. Okay. All right. Right. Well, uh, good morning and thank you so much for letting me be here today to talk about Lake Agazy Regional Library and to answer any questions that you might have regarding services operations and the budget
request for 2026. So, I'll just start out by mentioning Lake Agaze Regional Library provides public library service in a 7count service area. Within those seven counties, we have 22. We provide public library service in 22
communities. Even though we have 13 public libraries and nine link sites, we really operate as one library. We have one collection of materials, one operating budget, and one set of policies that governs our system for
maximum efficiency and effectiveness. In Becker County, we are proud to provide library service, of course, at the Detroit Lakes Public Library, which is our second largest location, and in the communities of Corrant, Freyszy, and
Lake Park through our link site model. Each link site has approximately 500 items for checkout by the public. They're open about 6 to9 hours a week. They also provide access to a public computer, a printer, Wi-Fi, internet
access, uh photocopier and other basic office equipment for and that's all for public use. They are called link sites because they are a link to the larger regional library system. And through a requesting and
delivery system, any materials, including books, Wi-Fi hotspots, DVDs, book discussion kits, and much more, are available for delivery and pickup at any link site. So, we have a courier that actually travels around our region and
stops at the link sites one time a week. As indicated in the handout on the screen, um there are approximately 11,500 Becker County Library card holders um who check have checked out over 130,000
items in 2024. Those are pretty robust numbers. And of course, the Detroit Lakes Public Library has an excellent reputation provide, excuse me, for providing a variety of events for people of all ages. They are
literally providing events for our youngest customers at age zero through age 100 and more. In addition, Lake Agazy Regional Library provides community programming and events at all of our Becker County locations and link
sites with funds received from the Minnesota Legislature through the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund. The attendance at public events in the four Becker County locations in 2024 was over 13,000.
The residents of Becker County love their local libraries and link sites and will tell you that public libraries are vital to the preservation of health, happiness, and quality in their communities. Regarding the Lake Agaze Regional
Library budget request, um Lake the Lake Agaze Regional Library Board has kept signatory requests over the years steady yet reasonable. Unfortunately, that has resulted in an environment where frontline staff have been severely
underpaid and positions have been very difficult to fill. The Lake Agazy Regional Library Board has been working on increasing wages over the past 10 years or so, but have not kept close at
all with um keeping up with inflation. And in 2024, we did have a salary study that was conducted by Robert Bjorkland which confirmed what we had thought. In 2024, we had union negotiations
and the Lake Agazy Regional Library Board approved a significant increase to frontline staff for the years of 2025, 2026, and 2027. The most significant increase in pay to
staff occurred this year in 2025 with a 10% increase bringing wages up to $1449 for library assistance and 1781 for our librarians.
Lake Agazy Regional Library used reserves to cover this first year of cost, this largest um increase. And um we wanted to keep the signatory requests low for 2025, but unfortunately using
reserves is not sustainable. As you can see from the Laurel budget request for 2026, we are requesting an additional $40,790. And the way in which we arrive at this number is by determining how much we
need to operate. And this is to just maintain services. Next, we apply a formula that we call the 801010 to determine how much we will ask for from each signatory. 80% is based on where the library card
holder resides. 10% is based on population and 10% is based on property value. During this process, the city of Detroit Lakes's data is subtracted from the
county data so that um the city is paying for those who reside within the city who are using the library services and then the county is only responsible for those who reside outside the city limits who are using the um library
resources. According to the joint powers agreement, if the budgetary request is not met, we would have to reduce hours in Becker County dollar for dollar. This of course is not a desirable outcome for Lake Agaze Regional Library
or for the residents of Becker County, but I would like to sincerely thank Becker County for your long-term investment in Lake Agaze Regional Library as we continue to work together to support the information, education, and enrichment needs of the Becker
County residents. I'm happy to answer any questions that you might have about the budget, services, or operations. So for the link the library link sites that we have in Becker County, what are or maybe it's the same for all link
sites, but what how often are they open and what are the hours? Sure. So the hours vary. Um they're usually open a couple of days a week and then they are open six and seven hours. Couple of them are open six hours, another one is open seven I believe. Okay.
Mhm. So that's per week. Six hours per week. three hours a day, two days a week. Corant is open two days a week, se seven hours total. How do you how do you um explain how you
calculate which county and city pays what percentage of the increase of the signator request? Um like I said, it's based on that 801010 formula. Why is Becker County paying a higher percentage than city of Morhead? about it.
Um, well, I can say I was looking at Becker County numbers versus Klay County numbers and was wondering why Becker County was paying more than Klay County. Um, and the city of Morehead is picking up the bulk of they have the bulk of the
population of Klay County. And so um and Becker County has so it um when you do the math, Becker County has more population than Klay County once you subtract.
My question specifically is what the percentage of change for this year. Why Becker County's change is 9% and city of Morheads is 5%. Oh, um I'm sorry. I can get back to you, Barry.
You don't have that answer? No, because the city of Morehead has increased hours that's included in this budget. Correct. Oh, correct. Yes. So, how many So, so part of their budget increase, so their percent change in is including adding hours to their library.
Correct. Sunday hours, correct? Yes. So, that brings their percentage of this increase probably under under 5%. So, their increase is under 5%. We're at what? 9% eight I don't know the math.
Eight and a half% eight and a half%. So why why is that why are those numbers different? I understand your funding formula for Becker County specifically, but why is that why are we at a higher percentage than other entities?
Um, I'm just thinking of the basic the formula that I've that I've mentioned working off of the previous year. I'm sorry that I don't understand your question. Do you understand that Morhead's incre
the percentage increase when you subtract that is 5%. Okay. Do you understand that Becker County's increase is 8 and a half%. Is that I mean can you see the two or why why isn't every county and city's percent percent change the same
because of the way the formula is applied to the um total revenue. Okay. So you explain the formula specifically to the county. So you're saying and the city as well. So you're you're saying that that formula goes Laura wide.
Yes. Districtwide. Yes. Not just specific county. Right. Correct. What what in the in the you said in the formula that it's based on property value. What is one of the why is that a why is that part of the formula?
Um that has just been a part of I that has those are the factors that have been worked with since I for many years. I think you're deal we're dealing with two two different sets of formulas here. There's a formula
that Laurel has to to divvy out the increases. That's what that's what Liz is talking about. There's also a formula that start way back that set sets the minimum standard and what your So there's two there's two different formulas and one
got us high in our dollar amount because of values. But now we're getting now we're getting hit percentage-wise because of the formula Lake Agazy has to increase when they have a signator requesting increase. We're getting hit
harder because of the other formula put escalated us up to a higher rate which isn't which isn't fair. I I we're getting hit because of that. this the laurels increases which I'm sure the board members at the time thought this was a fair and equitable but when we
were escalated so high from the other formula I don't think it's fair I don't think Morehead should be getting less percent increase than Becker County when they get Sunday hours how many hours a you know what is it 12 hours a month
more or 12 hours a four hours more a week so 24 hours a want more. Um, Mr. Chair, Commissioner Nelson, um, you know, maybe it's time for a new formula. What What do you think the factors What
What should the factors be? Usage, population? I don't know. But I want to start out by saying the budget request is not the librarians have been underpaid. So there's no way that
there's no way that that I mean I am part of that recommendation that we went with this dollar amount for increase of the overall um I don't like the formula. I don't think I think I don't think it's it's fair to Becker County. I I've always
argued it's not this isn't really fair to Becker County because we're paying we're being over overburdened with how much we're paying compared to Klay County or you know our percentage wise in my opinion. We we were m go ahead. Yeah. Um we did look back at
some numbers and because we've we we know that this has been a concern for Becker County and um our finance director did find that when this formula formula was first put into place many
many many years ago the city was paying for 50% and the county was paying for the other 50% of the um usage of uh the Detroit Lakes Public Library. So, it started out probably a little higher
than some of the other signitories. Now, that's d that's way back. I guess that is way back. I I just I I look, and this may be the wrong way to perceive it, but I look at $477,000
and I see that we're paying for three satellite sites that are open 6 hours a week. That's hard to swallow. Mhm. That's tough. When you look at other counties such as Norman and I get like we probably have more usage, but they're they have three
sites also likely the they're receiving the same amount of services for their money, right? So, and they're paying their they're proposed for 2026 is 125. So that's
$350,000 less than what Becker County is paying for three sites for the same amount of hours. So that that's where where I go. I think I agree. We it's it's a great resource for our county and it's obviously used widely, but we're not getting any
more services for what we're paying for. And when you look at the other um counties and the services that they're getting, they're getting the same services as we are. We're just paying way more. So I think
and the so much of the formula is based on library card holders and so you're paying to support your library card holders. You can think of it as supporting the people versus the locations. Um,
but I'm but but the people aren't getting any more. They're not getting additional hours for the the increase that we're getting. They're not getting additional services. The the card holders aren't getting additional services for the money that we're we're
paying. So, I agree. We we have a lot of card holders and and we are providing those services for for them. But what additional services are they getting for the large amount of money that that the Becker County because the Becker County
residents are paying it, right? It's it's not us paying it. It's it's the taxpayer payers that are paying it. So what additional services are they getting um for for what they're paying for? That is my thought.
Mr. Chair, Commissioner Nelson, would this would there be capacity at the group to come up with a new formula that is more fair? I mean, we talk about a formula that was probably created how long ago? Many years ago. Yeah. Been is there anybody left who knows why that formula was created? And
could there is there is there Well, how long ago was the 801010 for the That's just for the increases now for the for the ongoing increases. That's not the original formula. So my my argument is I we got stuck we got
stuck at a high amount early. I mean then we've been going up ever since. I think Carrie you've you've researched what our minimum contribution would be? 286 is accord according to Minnesota statute.
Our statutoily required contribution is how much? Oh you're going to test my about I thought it was 286 but I don't know. Pretty close. 286ish. Mhm. Did has anyone heard about Bel Tramy about what they found out on them going
down to their minimum. Have you I have not heard I didn't hear yesterday at MRC what can you tell me again what the 80 so 80% is the library card holders the number 10% is property value what was the other 10% population thank you
and um regarding the the amount required by statute the maintenance of effort um that amount was frozen it's 90% of what counties were paying in 2011 and so if
we were to only receive that funding, we would no longer exist. And I'm not proposing that we go down to 286. That that's not at all what I'm proposing. It's just it's I think it's just important information for everybody
to know is that this we are for one statutoily required to to provide funding for the library but we are paying you know $190,000 more than what what we are statutoily required which is a lot in
times are tough right now for counties. So, well, what's what's really what's really kind of disturbing to me is we're we're having a $40,790 increase.
And we've get we get we have three link sites. A link site annually costs about $15,000. 15,000. So we have $45,000 worth of services and we're pouring paying $477 for the request. So it's hard to I mean
if you say well you know we'll we want to increase some but we think we think an 8 and a half% increase a little bit strong. We're going to reduce that to a 5% increase or a 6% increase. and you cut and you cut proportionally, you're
cutting 30 40% of our services and a you know and if that happens then we just then we just cut it all. You know, you may as well cut it all and not ever go up or do you do you have numbers for you know we have the three link sites and
they're open six to seven hours a week. What is do we know the numbers of people that come in person and utilize those services, check out books from those link sites, whatever. How how
we we do track those numbers. I'm sorry I don't have those with me, but I could definitely share that with you. Yeah, I would like to see those numbers. We should have them by next week before budget. Yep. Can you send them to Liz? Can you send them to me? Yep.
And I just want to be clear like I I think you provide a great service. Like I I don't sure libraries are wonderful wonderful service. I use them. Lots of people in Becker County use them. So I think they're they for sure are something that we need to continue. It's just it's hard
to to look at the what we're what Becker County is paying compared to how many hours a week is is Barnesville open? Barnesville Library. Um, probably 32 32 hours a week. Yeah. How about uh Holly? About the same. So Klay County has two libraries, not
including Morehead, that they're paying 32 hours a week that you that Lake Agassy is paying the salaries of those 32-hour week. Mhm. I I it just it's just unfathomable to me that we have three link sites and we're paying we're ask 477. Klay County has
two libraries on a link site and they're asking 362. It it just doesn't matter. That's crazy. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. And again, it's about it's about the card holders and the people who are using the services. Then why are why don't we have
a library where there's more card holders? Why doesn't why isn't corrant a library system that has 32 hours a week? When you when you look at the So I can answer where the card holders are. I think I can answer that. Uh because back in the day she said with the formula we were paying for half of the
Detroit Lakes library. So that's where we started at. That's why we're higher. So I don't know how to fix that. But I agree with you. We should not be paying that much more than Klay County because we don't have a we don't physical library. Yeah. What do you cut if we if two years in a row and the request is 40 and 40? If we
say no, we're not having we're having a zero increase this year and you cut all three of our link sites to nothing. What are you going to cut next year? I guess we go on to Detroit Lakes. Well, then you start to cut Detroit Lakes. you don't start to ask Clay to pay more. It would be a board decision. I I can't
answer that. I didn't mean to put you on the spot. I'm sorry. Well, she put herself on the spot by saying that Detroit Lakes would be cool. Mhm. Yeah. I I just like I said before, I I support libraries. I think they're important. My mother went to that library over there daily and was on the
board. Um but I $477,840 is wow for three link sites. Wow. That's That hurts. So, I I think for you and for Barry who's on the board, I think I I do think it's a conversation to take back to the
board. I'm sure other counties don't want to because they're getting one heck of a deal. Um, so they probably don't want to look at at re at changing up the formula, but um I mean I think I think it's something that needs to to
be looked at versus um cutting services, you know, looking at a more equitable maybe maybe 80% of the formula for library card holders is is too high if
we're not going to be providing services for those library card holders. You know, if we're only going to 80% of the formula is is determining the funding, but it's not ter determining the
services. So, you you you're charging us based on the number of card holders, but you're not providing the services to the county based on the number of card holders. So, well, let's look. Is there more? So, since we have more card holders, is there more librarians
here? Is there more? No, we're getting six hours. So, I mean, and Detroit Lakes as well because count uh county residents are using the Detroit Lakes Public Library. Yeah. Well, but Detroit Lakes is paying
271,000 and pay for the building, right? But you Yes. So, what are the numbers for not including Morehead, what are the numbers for for users in Klay County compared to Becker County, not including the city of Morhead and and the city of Detroit
Lakes users? I don't know that that off the top of my head, but I could. But I think that number I mean, if that number shows that Klay County has more users than Becker County, then we see it's it's not fair. If Becker County is higher, then we see then we can justify
the 40. But if Klay Countyy's numbers are higher than Becker County's numbers with their two libraries and their other and their link sites, when you subtract the residents in Detroit Lakes and the residents of Morhead, do then we then we have an issue in my opinion.
And I don't know if it if we don't have any more employees here to pay. If we just have more people using it, the cost of that building and the cost of those employees, the building is the cities. The building Yeah. And that's separate. Yeah. So, whatever it is, it I this is
not a fair way to to do this. I'm I'm just But I think I think the key here for me is that that number if Becker County outside of the car card holders in city of Detroit Lakes. If Becker County has more people using the library system than Klay County outside the city of
Morehead, then we should be then we can justify paying more. But if Klay Countyy's numbers are higher, then it's not fair. I can justify paying more if we're if if we are getting if we would have a library in Cormron that we would be paying for.
Yeah, they we don't have a physical library in Portbeck. Yeah, but you can look at Manomomen County. Manomomen County doesn't have a library outside of Manomomen. I mean, so you it's a give and take on it, but I I I think the formula need if
Morehead if Klay County has more users outside of Morehead than we have outside of DL, then we have a problem. If their if their usership is higher than what we are or equal, then that that those are the then it will show the inequities of
usage because I mean they must if they are justifying a library in Holly and a library in Barnesville. I shouldn't speak without having the data in front of me, but Becker County has more library card holders than Klay County, but I will
find those numbers just to be sure. But I think that's that's kind of where you if you're want to agree with us, that's where you'd hang your hat is that we do have the users or we do have the usage, but we don't have to pay for the staff because we don't have any really any. I
mean we have some but they have two libraries that but that's the formula that you're working off from. Those are the those would be the those would be numbers outliners that you would say this this is not right because this that's the formula started off
incorrectly and just adding to it as we move on if it's incorrect to start with doesn't is only magnifying the issue. Yep. I mean, I think I think the formula formula needs to consider the services
that the county is getting somehow, you know, that we're we we've been supplementing every other budget is what we are. All right. So, if we can get if you can get us that I'm sorry, if you can get us
all that information. Sure. We have a we have a work session next Tuesday for budget, so we can discuss it more there. Yep. Absolutely. Yep. So, thank you very much for coming in. Yep. Thanks for your time. Thank you. All right, Carrie, let's move on with
You got You got six minutes. Hurry up. Six. Oh, okay. I'm just kidding. All right. Um I had attended uh several community events. I attended the North Country Trails annual meeting in Fiz and the Project 412 wave maker appreciation
event at the pavilion as well as the kickoff at probation for the F5 program. So was busy uh doing some community events. I also was at the Macka Macra conference in Dearwood last week for for um three days and topics were um was
quite heavy on uh leadership presentations and training. They talked quite a bit about um the roll out of paid family medical leave. Um the state was there for the state program from DED. I one interesting point I heard was
that they're staffed at 125%. Yeah. Um and their turnaround uh for those that they're going to serve, if you recall, we are on a private plan. We're not doing the state plan is still two weeks uh for turnaround for approval of
leaves and they're staffed at 125%. I found that interesting. Um we also did a lot of discussions about um preliminary levies and legislative priorities. AMC was there giving some updates and asking you know and and doing um some questions
about priorities and they align quite closely with the rule um the rule uh group as well. Um the technology is at the top of the list for um SSIS um mental health beds and um the
environmental. So it aligns. Um I had a meeting if you recall we had represent representatives here from I believe it was Fox Lake Association talking about um restrictions of wakeboats andor activities. There was
some confusion about the process. So I chose to have a meeting with uh there was like three lake associations there. The DNR was there. Kyle was there. The sheriff also attended for part of that as well. And really it was to talk about what is the process to clarify so
everybody there understood what the process because it was a bit confusing about different people and how they um understood the process. Mr. Chair Carrie what were the three locus lake associations that were um big sugar bush uh Fox Lake and
Pickerl Yep you are correct. Good. So those were the three that were there and represented. So we talked through the process and uh there was you know again just to reach um a consensus of what the process really were was and I it I walked away from there with the
understanding that really the confusing part was who submits the information and the packet that the DNR provides questions and those things and who at what stage does that go back to the DNR for consideration and then for final
back to the board. So again, where the confusion came in is ultimately the responsibility of submission of that packet to the DNR is the county board's responsibility. Now, you can have a collaborative effort if you so choose with lake associations or what have you
um in collection of the information and and such that they're asking for, but ultimately it is up to the board to submit the packet. So that's where the confusion was coming in with the back and forth. Mr. chair then so we would have to
approve I mean I I would suggest that we need to make a motion or decision whether we agree with it or not before we send it to the state and that is exactly what I told the group um to collect their information as a collective come before the board to make sure uh and a decision needs to be
made of this board whether or not to proceed or not to proceed. So you're saying we would decide before we waste the state's time and resources and anybody's that's collecting the information that's needed for but you were talking about process. So
I it it's all within the process. My suggestion again because it's um the because of the process you really want to get if this were to proceed buy in from you know your local your townships your lake associations etc. And they've done some of those steps. However,
coming here again, it got confusing. So, my suggestion to the group was to get their information together, come before this board before anything, and then you can have the discussion and vote whether or not to move it forward to the DNR or not. That's where we Mr. Chair Carrie. Yes.
The Fox Lake guy that was here presenting a couple meetings ago, Yes. he had said there's one lake in Minnesota that has already went through the process and and and said no no wake boards on their lake. um they must have had to follow a process too. Would it be
prudent to reach out to them and see how they Well, everybody was at this meeting including the DNR. So again, all the players were at the table and I purposely structured it that way so everyone could hear the same information. Okay. We did it here. You know, no motorized
traffic on St. Clair Lake. Okay. Which is similar. It's a it's a it's a surface restriction. Mhm. There's a web you can go on the DNR website and you can I mean you can look at every lake restriction lake on that
in the state and there's a few um few restrictions on lakes around not a lot but there's a few. Do we know if the three the three lakes are looking for the same restriction? Are they? They are. Um, and what I heard from them is what they would propose if it gets to
that point before the board is not necessarily banning uh wakeboats, but the activity on these lakes that don't meet that, you know, the depth and the size, etc. What was that? Don't put in lakes at most.
Oh, correct. Yeah. Any basically any of the activities, not necessarily the boat itself. So again, I I thought it was a really good and productive meeting and everybody heard the same information and we got clarity about what the true process was and and again as we talked
about it again everybody walked away with the same information which was the goal of the meeting. So um any other questions about that? So that'll come up in the future. Did the DNR have anything to say about what they see and they're have they
studied this? Did they give they're pretty silent on this issue um because it was even um some suggestion was perhaps this issue belongs at a higher level state and to evaluate that came up as far as which
lakes are you know um should not be um accommodating wakebo activity and not and they are they're just not taking issue. They're neutral. I'll just say neutral. That sounds like them. Well, but but
that topic did come up. So, there's money involved, so they're not going to say anything. And yeah, that's they're right in their pollution control agency and the DNR. It seems like that's the way it all goes. So, another update. Um, our STS crew
leader had has resigned from that position and I know we've had some discussion about that. Um, so there has there's some work being done through Steve's department and forestry that will uh work on doing the final work before winter pulling docks and access
um work that needs to be done before freeze up. So that and then we'll have to we'll probably during our work session have some further discussion about structure and you know what's what's needed. Mr. Chair, organizational structure of all of that topic recreation
to STS to Okay. Well, this is probably a good time to do it then. To EDA, what? To EDA maintenance. Yeah. So, uh, Mr. Chair, so I mean, we have to be able to roll this out next spring when
we got to start cutting all the lawns at the accesses and stuff. So, I mean, our people are aware that we're down one person and somebody else is going to have to pick up the SL. Okay. All right. Very good. And so with that also after finance um we had some discussion
because as if you recall our STS crew andor or the leader as well as if there were available crew from the jail they also provided some community support and work. So we I did reach out and the sheriff did as well to those community partners just letting them know that
this service is no longer available because there was some regular usage of that out in the community as well. So they can have some heads up on that and make other arrangements. What was that, Carrie? What the food pantry, uh, fairgrounds? Missing a couple of
the museum, the boys club. Yes, there you go. There's the four. Those are the four that we reached out to. And Mr. Chair, I think the community has in the past has relied on this STS work group to do a lot of projects and the and and unfortunately the STS work group was no longer I mean the the
the crew the change in the the release of some prisoners has made this not not viable candidates to to do this anymore. I mean and we don't and the sheriff's is is picky on who you know you don't want to bring violent criminals in the into the
area doing some of these things. So you there the the number of qualified people that would qualify for SDS are not there anymore. So that the program is basically at an end in my opinion. Um and I think those are the discussions
that we should have at a work session. You know, the other um difficulty that this uh creates is you have your MURF and your IQquick crew out there and you have a state leader or excuse me, a state crew leader that is working overtime with no backfill. Now, the
sheriff's department and Steve have worked, you know, providing a correctional officer. Um but again, the jail staffing right now is down and they're trying to hire. Um, so that's a whole another area as well with the intent of, you know, the state with
theQUIC crew. It's required that whomever is going to oversee that crew is trained as a a correctional officer or um some type of law enforcement training because we were looking at other options for supervision of the
EQUIT crew such as you know supervisors that were out at the Murph station and and I suppose we could get creative and perhaps put them through some correctional officer training you know that's been kind of kicked around but we're going to have to look at options because There is no backup currently for
that equa crew for um Roger Bolter that is still working there. Um we have started our initial meetings with uh paycom and our um roll out of our payroll and our his system. That's just we've got a bunch of meetings on the book. So that will be that will
begin. And I think that's all I have for my report. Uh moving on to resolution 1A. This is the recommendation from the finance committee with regards to the recorder salary. Um this is I believe the second
goround where um the salary has been requested to be negotiated. I've outlined in this resolution what the recommendation from the finance committee was and um so I would um request uh a motion on this.
Do we do we have a motion for one uh 1A? I'll make a motion to approve 1A. Do we have a second for 1A? I'll second 1A. Do we have any further discussion? All right. All in favor of mo approving
motion 1A signify by saying I. I. All right. Motion carries. Um the next topic and um Commissioner um Hansen has uh alluded to this and I just wanted to keep this on everybody's radar
um with going forward we do have a budget work session um next week and that's out at the highway first of all reminder for that. Um however um I I think again we we keep tossing kind of topics into potential
further work sessions. So, I guess I'm posing it back to this board of how you would like that structured so that people can um either I can schedule them or not, I guess, is the question
additional sessions or Well, I think with this year's budget and our levy and our hefty goal of trying to lower it, I do think it's going to take more than one. Yeah, I do too. One um budget session or work session. Well, I think there's been some other um
topics that have come up as well, you know, um organization. We have the STS crew um that position and parks and wreck, you know, funding or what we want to do or don't want to do with that. We we um talk uh off and on about space
needs and structure and priorities and um I haven't yet brought back before this board, you know, the capital planning andor budgeting that's still kind of on hold until we get through some of these. So, I think there's numerous topics as that have been brought to me.
Um yeah, I I just made up a a quick list here where we need some direction. I mean, I talked a little bit about solid waste. We need some direction. and I need to know that you guys are on board with what we're doing because there's some big things in the hopper. Um, but as far as I'm concerned, I think we should do work sessions from now until
the end of the year on the off Tuesday. Uh, because we've got plenty to talk about. We got to get back to those nuisance properties, uh, strategic plan, budget with the levy. I mean, that's probably the priority. Um, organizational structure, recreation, especially now that we have a a
resignation. uh recreation, um funding outside entities, uh space needs. You've talked about that. We talked about that a little bit this morning with the uh you know, the sheriff's uh place that we're renting. So, I mean, I' I've got enough myself to take us till the end of the
year. I'm just looking for direction. We ain't I'm not coming in every other Tuesday till the end of the year, especially until the ground freezes for sure. And I agree that we have to have some discussions on this stuff, but I I don't know that it's going to take that
long. Well, let let's start with the first one next week. Can we do that? What What do you want to go to 8:15 out at highway for an hour and a half? Can we do that? I thought we I thought we were planning till noon. Can do that, too. I mean, maybe we could
get a Do we want us Do we want to Do we want it to be one topic or do we want to cover a couple or I think you put all topics on there. I've got a Yeah, I've got a running list of topics and we'll get to what we get to and then we see what we need to do after that. You will you will touch on a topic and get more want more information overflows
into other things. Yeah. And a lot of it has to do with budgeting. Okay. Yeah. Okay. So, I can certainly bring my my list 8:30. Yeah. So, can we say budgeting? And I would like to get into organizational structure too. Is there anybody? Well, I think I think with the
organizational structure is going to happen affect the budget. Absolutely. Yeah. Correct. Okay. So, those will be the two main topics and they can go sideways too and go and just just to clarify our off Tuesday, we don't have very many off
Tuesdays left where we actually, you know, November we have Veterans Day and deer hunting. Um, and then December we have AMC. You know, many of us will be down at AMC and then towards I mean
then we're at the end of the year. So, um, so I mean I think well let's do it in OPE planning. I mean it I mean I think that's that's what we I I don't disagree. The best thing we can do is have one, see what we get accomplished and
schedule another. I'm okay with that. I do. Um, Mr. Chair. Yeah. Can I back up a little bit on resolution 1A? Yeah. Um, I was just a little bit confused on the wordage on the second paragraph. Let me look at it.
Recorder will receive a cola for 2026 of three and a half. I I I don't want to mix those numbers up. So you we get a cola increase, whatever that dollar amount is, but then it says later that there's a the
longevity is included in there. So I think you should have that afterwards just the rearrange it. Is that a true? Well, because if you go off if you go off from next year, then if what number you're going off from your 7% in it just it's it's messy.
I I wonder if for the cola increase to that and the anniversary we have the base what the base rate is going to be. Not including the and then Yeah. And then what not including the longevity till after the fact, you know. Yep. I think Yeah, I see what you're
saying, Barry. So for the what the 2026 3.5% dollar should be what the base dollar is before the longevity longevity in that and then and same thing with the anniversary step and then and then the wage increase it's clear just because it's it gets messy now if
you go off from next year's number does that include longevity or I mean it's yeah and I my point in putting in the longevity was just to state that she's eligible for longevity that was my intent but I can certainly clean up the language so But that dollar amount includes the longevity
the the the hourly does it. I'm I'm questioning it does. It does. It does. Okay. So remove that and say plus longev or if that's follow the longevity. I think it's just clarifying what we've approved. Mr. Chair, should should we resend this
motion and and do this over again? Yeah. Because we motion passed already. It's just a clarification of the I think it's the dollar amount's going to be the I know it is, but it's after we've already The thing with Robert's rules is you do what works for you. I mean, this there's
no We're all in agreement. It's the same. It's not There's It's not Do we need to It's just clarifying how that word is. The 7% is just say the seven It says 7%'s included in there. Just just put it Nothing's changing. Nothing the amount's not changing. We're
just going to add another number that you're just clarifying the language is what I'm hearing. Yeah. Correct. So I don't think we need another motion. But if we were changing the number, everything's the same. It's just putting the correct number there and saying it and and it include and then include 7%.
Okay. All right. We good. Don't study that book too hard because we'll be do we'll be you know that that it's it's the first the first rule of Roberts is do what works for your organization and if you have a friendly amendment.
Can we send it? Okay. All right. Um the next item that I have on on the agenda is the resolution 1D. This is for additional purchases of AED machines. Um the shock heart machines.
Um this has been vetted through and you sit on the safety committee. Um this has been vetted through the safety committee. So what we did uh as a joint effort through the buildings um did an inventory of uh AAD machines and what we
have what we believed we were short um there's some county buildings specifically out there was a lot of discussion out at the um environmental the campus you know the buildings are quite far apart and I think only there weren't enough out there there isn't one
in the shop at Osage so um again adding up the number Um and the recommendation from the safety committee to add these additional AEDs um for purchase and then installation. There were two quotes in the pack and the recommendation was to go um with the one that I have in my
resolution. And the reason for that is the main difference in that one is because that particular brand you don't have to change out the pads between pediatric and adult. It uh adjusts the shock within. So that was the and the
similar price. And then I believe the the one that was recommended as well there was a discount for for ordering and this and they were also including the box that they the mounting box that's which the maintenance um had um
this money I have money in my administrative budget under professional tech services that I had indicated it could come out of that budget. Um so that is my recommendation. Mr. Chair Carrie, is there uh did we check into any grants out there to get
this seems like something that's very grantable? Um there is some safety grants and uh I was asked that question yesterday and in finance and um there is a I think it's a maximum of $10,000 safety grant but it's quite competitive and actually I sent
that our county would be eligible for one grant. I did send that information actually out to Steve Skoo because he had some safety updates um within his building after we had the walkthrough. It seemed to be uh more fitting there versus equipment.
So it seems like with the addition of the AEDs that when we did the safety walkth through that $10,000 would go to meet the other safety concerns that were uh that were addressed were identified report. Yes.
because you have the information to um back that up and it seemed to be the better data. Sure. Um I should say with the AAD um also um human services is on board um with with this as well for a trainer. They have
come up with the money out of their budget to have u Vanessa over there to become a trainer for the county um to train others on CPR as well as a D machine. I would expect in the future um a policy to come forth um specifically
to the AEDs once we're getting them installed because there's been some suggestion or recommendations from the safety committee as well that Narcan should also be within um the AD and where the locations of those are as well. But I I believe we would want a
policy specific to that as well. Mr. Chair, is that something that's required or necessary? Well, we have a grant and we have it available and um what was vetted through the safety committee is making it accessible to the public. Um it's um widely known that um
people are potentially especially in public are going to sometime in your lifetime encounter somebody that's overdosing. Are you talking about the art narcan or the the Narcan? You're talking Narcan, right? I was talking Narcan. Isn't that something that is for people who are on
drugs? Yeah. Overdosing. So, are we talking about our employees? Yes. Or people of the public? Don't we drug test our employees? But we have a grant for it. So, I mean, it it's there. The money's there for the Narcan is already I think I think
it's more than just our employees, though. It's the public. I mean, human services, somebody could come in and be over overdosing and it's it's there. you go over to the landfill and somebody could be so but then we'll have to train somebody
to administer that as well or is it a pill? I don't no I think it's nasal spray, isn't it? It was shots and they moved to nasal spray but that's a probably a bigger discussion. I'm just bringing that up that that's the work session work session. I don't need that. I don't know that we need a work session for
Narcan, but No, I I just preface that because as we uh identify locations for AEDs, it could potentially serve the locations for Narcan as well. That's the only reason I bring it up. All right. So, I'll entertain a motion to approve 1D.
I'll make a motion. So, motion by Richard. Do we have a second? I'll second. Second by Phil. Do we have any discussion? Okay. Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Right. Motion carries.
And the last item that I have on uh for a reminder, we've talked about the road the highway road tour. Um and I did reach out to Jim. You were saying third or fourth potential weekend. Yeah. Come up here, Jim. Yeah. Typically, we hold it the the fourth
week. So, I mean, any of those days would work. in your schedule. I mean, if all those are booked, we can look back into the third week um as well. So, the fourth week, you're thinking like the 20 week of the 27th, correct? Yeah. Okay.
Monday morning. I can't I can't. Is that what you said? 29th is out. Wednesday. We're Okay. 28th is two for me. So is the So is Friday. Thursday. Thursday. What's the date? 30. We got
environmental in the morning. Can change that, can't you? Oh, do you want to go right away in the morning or do you want to go? Yeah. Richard, can can you change environmental for the third month in a row? I I have crowing water shed the 30th.
See this road tour in November? On the 29th, I suppose nobody wants that. I would be fine with November. November's fine. Okay. Would No. Good. Saturday, November 8th
at 6:00 a.m. Well, it can't be Monday or Tuesday, I suppose. What about when How about Wednesday? That's deer hunting week all week through the 12th. We could bring rifles. I believe Hey, we could open the eth.
The sheriff's vehicle, we'd have a turret on top. There we go. Opening deer hunting is the eighth. Yeah. So if we would do it the fifth, it's before getting deer hunting ready week. Getting deer hunting ready week. So the opening is the eighth. I could do that. I can do the fifth. Okay. Fifth,
Barry. Okay. What day of week? What day? Wednesday. It's a Wednesday. Okay. Do you want to go right away in the morning? Yes. I would prefer morning. Y. Okay. All right. So we'll get You mean right away as in 6 or right away as an 8:30? When it gets light.
Yeah. When it gets light out. It might be 8:30. So you can see. Okay. So 8:30 and and maybe that bus will be fixed by then too. So I haven't been on one of these before. So do we put in what we want to see? Does Jim come up with the agenda? You have to bring donuts.
Rookie. So are you going to put this together, Carrie? Um typically we see the you know roads that we've completed but if you have ideas we'll you said we can easily stop over at the uh the storage facility. But if there's Yeah, if there's
you mentioned forest trails, uh that's out a ways, but if there's something close that you want to see. Yeah, we went to tow mountain last year. The problem is that, you know, we do have a pretty goodiz county and you can't do this in one morning. I mean, you can't go
Lake Park and number seven and then get out to the trails and I mean, you just physically can't do it in that time frame. So, you kind of have to highlight where where you want to go. Well, certainly issues that we're going to be dealing with in the next year. I mean, we want to maybe look at those.
So, but if half the county this year and the other half next year, it's fine. If you have some more ideas by the work session, too. You know, it's flexible. I'll bring that question. I can make a list. Jim, do you have an update on on completion of Lake Park? Yeah, they should uh they're going to be
paving tomorrow. The driveway, there's a few Dway aprons that the patuminous portion going back into the yard. There's um two some dirt piles and final cleanup and then there's two
water stops and some open holes due to that for concrete work and that's scheduled for Friday this week. I think pretty much it should be wrapped up and then we still have some striping to do. I will say from what it looked like the
week before, it got relatively good for the pumpkinfest weekend for in Lake Park. Um, but it still wasn't complete. There's still piles of dirt. Catholic Church parking lot entrance wasn't
finished. I mean, um, I think there should be some monies withheld and for those reasons of the incomplete job by deadlines. So, I would ask, do we have that in our contract? Ask your committee to review that
for a recommendation. I don't know if we can if we signed a contract, but we can if it extends past. If it extends past, then we can. So, if it's in the contract, Yeah. that it says that. I think the finish date was September
20. What? That was the Thursday, but um we did extend it uh based off completion of everything for the pumpkin fest when we had a walk through with the city over there and what they wanted all completed and they knew that those driveways were
not going to be completed. But the road is essentially has been open to traffic which is what determines kind of the completion date of the the project. If it's not complete, it's not complete. It's not complete. There's piles of dirt in the street. I just was through there
this week, Friday or Saturday, and there's six foot tall pile of dirt in the street still. The there's right coming into town, the sidewalks got dirt piles on the neighbors lawns. That's it's not complete. So, I ask you to withhold some funding
and they're going to pass it on to the people because that's who held everything up. The concrete contractor. Yeah. the cont they're the ones that delayed and it was ter it was a terrible project sidewalk part the paving went in fast
that's and it's but I'm asking that we withhold some of the funds okay at least at least uh a minimal amount I mean I'm not saying it's but it has to be when they do such a poor job it should and they don't meet the
requirements I think there should something. Um, Mr. Chair, before we move on, I do have just two quick items. Okay. And then Do you want to do a break after that? Yes. Okay. Okay. Um, I just uh when I Thanks, Jim. Thank you. Thank you, Jim. When I was at um the conference last
week, they did put in another pitch if there's anybody from this board and I did send it out to the department heads as well for the leadership training that the AMC is sponsoring. Um, so I said I would bring it back up again to see if there's any additional interest. Mr. one too, the leadership training for the tribe.
That starts at October 20th, correct? Yes. The first So, me and you are doing the leadership training, right? Yes. I'm still Richard. I'm still thinking about it. I don't know if I have time. It's by the way, they did come up with a dates. They're Fridays at noon, I
believe. Noon to 7:00, isn't it? Oh, thanks. Um, and then they're also going to be offering an additional training. I believe it's in February. uh nuts and bolts in the boardroom uh for commissioners specifically. So
I think I did that one. It's the same one they did last year. I think I did that. Was it? Yeah, it's relatively new. I wasn't sure if they did it last year. I think that's the one that was a Zoom one and I think I did it last year. So I think that's one we just got emailed a
couple days ago. Yeah, potentially. I think it was November 5th was one of those training dates, one of those Zoom dates. Maybe not this one, but yeah, we just scheduled over it with our road tour. So, okay. All right, that is all I have.
Okay. Uh, let's take a 5m minute break. So, we'll be back at 10. We'll take a 6 minute break. 10:13. um to Becker County. It'll be a loss of $60,000 for the seven parcels. We will also have to pay 4% interest. So, we're
recommending the board to approve um for us to issue this refund to Minnesota Energy Resources. And and what's the total amount Mary with the interest I have with the interest is 62
$330 62330 it's total tax including interest or yes including interest total tax amount is yeah 59 5993 interest is 62330 so yeah 62330 would be the total for the
tax court so do I have a motion to approve the abatements with the interest for a total of 6233. Can you can you give an example of the parcels of the state? I mean because the state
does this for the state does this lines distribution lines. These are these are not right. I'm just I'm just want to is it is it railroad? Is it is it Minnesota energy resource? These are transmission and distribution lines.
Power lines. So, when this changed, did the state ever put up a a bank? Weren't they talking about putting up a a fund for for some of these things they made? Or was that just a one-time deal when they when we had that tax court? How
many years ago was that with um it was the railroad and we got I think the state came in and because it's the state setting this the state's responsibility. It's not the county. Yeah. just one year and then they said next county year. I think the railroad I mean this
was massive in the state and I I think they came up and but it's interesting that we have to pay the interest too when it when we have when they it wasn't us but and the state ordered it through court. Yeah. It's a so we have to No, there's we don't have any options.
It's just is there a funding for the state? So not unfortunately you know other than the top two it's the school districts and townships lose money on this also which is 68 and zero. So that's basically what we're approving. So with the where I mean that's what we
have control but I want to I just want to make it clear or explain it that this is a state assessed properties and the state set them they lost in tax court and we have to pay the bill pay the overt taxation back to these
entities whether it's what transmission lines for electricity or pipelines for Mr. Chair Commission Nielson, we're not paying it back. We're just not collecting it. Correct. We have to do a refund because they've already paid. They paid in May. Oh, this is a refund.
So, they won't pay the They won't pay in October. All right. So, do we have a motion to approve the 62330 for the abatements and the interest? Reluctantly, yes. So, motion by Phil, second by Barry. Any further discussion?
Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All right. Most and just just to note these aren't we don't have a budget line item for this. No. No we don't do not. So that's another thing we should talk about in budgeting too. Abatements. Yes. Yeah.
All right. Tiara for human resources. Do you see? Thank you. Very nice of you, Mr. Chair. The motion and second also included the um yes the two the two abatements that we had the abatements that correct values in 26
and the 68 and zero right? Yep. Yep. Okay. All set. Yes. Yes. Okay. Uh, first thing I just want to remind all of you that we do have our
wellness fair next Tuesday, um, October 14th, and it's from 10:00 a.m. to 400 pm. So, we'd love to see you guys making your rounds through the, uh, wellness fair. We'll be here. I was going to say cuz we we have the boardroom booked.
Okay, perfect. That's who did it. Sorry. I have the boardroom and the third floor. Sorry. Um then the first three items that I have in the packet are the three memorandums of agreement for the 50/50 split of PFML for the
three teamsters unions. I'll make a motion to approve the memorandums of agreements for the three unions. So we have a motion by Erica. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Barry. We have any further discussion?
Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I I your motion carries and the last item that I have is resolution 10251C. This is the resolution to set the um cash and l amounts for 2026. So as you can see in the resolution
there are two separate groups of unions that get one cash and loo and then another group that does get the additional contribution for their health insurance for E+1 and family. This started last year, so you did see it last year, but um those amounts for the
non-union and anyone that just gets the single contribution goes from 73415 per month to 71914 per month. And the other groups that get the additional contribution for those health insuranceances, um they're single or if
they wave coverage goes from 73415 to 71914. or if they do elect the E plus1 or the family coverage then those amounts go from 70416 down to 68913. Motion to approve 1C. All right. So motion by Barry. Do we
have a second? Second. Second by Erica. Do we have any more discussion? Okay. Is there go ahead? So cash in l is that just you taking the money instead of taking the insurance? Is that what that means basically? So it's not your traditional cash and loo. That's what we call it in the
county but really it's an insurance allowance. Um, so it's employees are getting it regardless of if they are taking medical coverage or if they're waving it all together. They do still get that um insurance allowance amount. So it doesn't change anything. It's just
there are those different contributions for those other groups. Okay. Do we have any more discussion? Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries. Thank you. Thank you. All right. Let's move on to Steve.
and land use and environmental services. Barry, that that BOR wasn't in there. We could back that was in the Was it in the consent in there? Good morning. It's that grant. Yeah, there was a go back. Yeah, we got I don't think it was a
four items in the consent agenda. Yeah. Did we put the balor in the consent agenda under that waste reduction? that shouldn't we need to redisuss that or repull that there was as part of the application it
was my fault there's a uh resolution that MPCA wants you to submit with it and basically what it is I didn't realize where that just says I don't need to see it
so we're it it was not an approval to purchase no the bor to approve the application grant application. But this is a he needs a motion to motion to move forward if granted.
Mhm. The grant. Oh, my only question is, isn't this just metals? Pardon? Wait, isn't this bailing just metals? It would be. It's for rolling up mattresses, the the box springs.
Yeah. If it's just metal, why don't we just recycle it as metal? We do. We do, but when we ship out the the metal now, you throw this in a trailer and mattresses don't compress much, so you don't get very You need more weight to it if you get weight with it. And
so, basically what it is is it's a machine that you hook these mattresses. I saw it. I saw put a nice little cylinder. I'm just wondering, we don't have a compression truck that would No, you don't. Bouncy. It needs to be wrapped. needs to be that's what it
would do where when it when it gets to the place. So you ship it like that. What do they do with it? They just throw it in a a vat to melt it then. No, no, no, no. So when we ship out scrap now, they those big gondola
trailers you see that go down the road, we load those up with appliances, scrap metal, mattresses, everything that we can that we take as scrap. So right now that's that's how we ship them out. Those get thrown in the bottom of the trailer and we try to put as much as we can on top of it. But there's some
redundancy in those so you don't get good weight on those loads. And that's what this would do is it would do two things. One is it minimizes how much handling you have and then you'd get better weights on those trailers as they're going out. I'm I'm I understand that. I'm just thinking
is a is this a good option or would it be better to get one of those big crushers, you know, that you watch the videos of that are really cool to watch. You throw a cylinder and then there these big drums go in and they shred it into shredding stuff. They've tried to use the shredders. So
really where this goes is it goes to auto shredder. That's where all scrap metal of Minnesota goes to the auto shredders and then they run it through them and they rip it up. It's just much bigger um process like you're talking about at either Crowing or Northern Metal. You
can buy smaller shredders and what they do is they shred it, but then you get about 10,000 fish hooks that come out of that process. And when they do it that way, they've tried it with other places as far as with mattress springs trying to shred
them and then you try to recover more. But it doesn't work well unless you take out the metal or the take out the fabric and the foam like we're doing now. Right. But we're taking So we're just ending up with the the springs and you can't put those in one of those big shredders and that would work better.
We don't have a shredder though, Barry. I know. So we're sending it to the shredder. We're just trying to get more compact. So the transportation costs were carrying more. Right. I understand that. that I'm asking. One of those shredders that you're talking about, they run from about 750,000
to about a million dollars. We've had them. We've demoed them out at our transfer station. They They do work. Don't They're just way more expensive. Yeah, they're very expensive. And And you could look for a smaller one maybe, but then they'd be stationary. You wouldn't
Well, I was just wondering, would it work for everything then? For our stoves or, you know, Yeah. would it? And there's basically two ways you could do this. You could either get something like this that it's going to compress
that for that that unit. Or you can get a compactor where you would basically stuff it in there maybe with appliances, other things too. And then you would try to crush that all together and then throw that. I mean, car crusher. Yeah. No, not even a car crusher. They
make them they almost look like a rolloff box. And that's one thing that we looked at before. We could I mean we don't have to apply for this grant. It's not I I just had the question. I mean I Yeah. No, that's a good question. What this grant is specifically for the BOR.
You can't we could change it the grant request and and look at because I have pricing for compactors as well. We could look at a compactor. Would Would the grant would they give us would they grant us that enough money
for a compactor? Oh yeah, it would be a little different machine, but we could look up and add that. Just change the device is what you'd be looking at. It would be probably less expensive. Is there a a deadline for this grant? 4:30.
Oh, well, shoot. No, I I That's a good question. And that's not that's not hard. I could change that. It's just that the if you did a compactor, it would probably have to be located outside of the building. You wouldn't put it inside just because of the size of the unit.
I I don't know. I It just question me. You're You're wrapping this for the next person to unwrap it to I what they do with it when you wrap it all up like this, it would just go right into the shredder the way it is. We wouldn't change where it's going. Yeah. It helps us with transportation cost.
It is pretty much transportation issue. I I would understand I'm just wondering if if it's if we're doing what correct me if just so I make sure I'm understanding you correctly Barry is a compactor would we would be able to use it for more
things than just mattresses. Yeah. how that or you know if we yeah if we can use it for other things and if it's I mean when I when I look at that if that something happened to one of those wraps it's going to
bust open pretty I I would think it might have some significant recoil like a garage door spring and and what are they dangerous if they did pop I don't I guess I don't I don't really know that you're compacting it into
And there's I only can imagine there's a lot of pressure going out. Something happened that that's a good point. I I think when they're rolling it that whole frame then the ax is a little more like your twine. I mean because you bend the frame itself is going to stay compressed. It's this it's the box
spring. It's the springs that if you break that open go every direction. But the I I think the intent is there or the when it does it the frame well if we had a compactor we could we could we could crush everything you know all the appliances everything I
mean maybe that is better I don't know because maybe that would save us even more money in terms I'll have to lean on the committee and Steve's recommendation but I just had some questions on Mr. Chair, Commissioner Nelson. No, I mean, we didn't consider it compact. I mean, I I I didn't even think about
that. So, you know, if if you wish, I can meet with Steve afterwards. We could we could hold off on that, but the the sliding bed thing that is a good thing. It's not a big amount. Your chances of getting approved maybe would go up with a smaller amount and we just
had submit it just for the sliding bed part and then come back. There's not a grant right now, but these grant rounds do come around quite frequently through the greater Minnesota solid waste. I'm fine with moving forward however you
want. I'm I just Mr. Chair, Steve, do you think a compactor would be a wiser use of this grant application or you know, when we originally put together the the MURF expansion, that was what that's what we were looking at originally
compact was a compact. So, do would it be all right if we change this to a compactor instead of just change the amount? Yeah. And I would I'd have to make a phone call to get a price for one. That That's not a problem. But you got to have it in by 4:30 though, right? We could make We can make a motion to do that.
Committee or Carrie sign off? Would the Would the compactor be more useful and more It's more versatile. Yeah. Yeah. But I I it doesn't tie them up quite as tight as you would with the something like this as far as the box springs themselves. But you tie up more things. You would
compact more. You could make it more versatile. That's correct. And you could, you know, so the bigger items would you could smash them down to wash or dry. I those larger appliances you could get compact. So they would weigh more per square foot than
That's That's true. Yeah. So you're so we might even say you wouldn't gain as much for the box springs, but you'd gain more. Mr. Chair, Commissioner Varberg, is that okay with you? You know, it's really up to him because we didn't we didn't talk about a compactor, but you know, I don't have a
problem if that if that's whatever works for you, Steve. Well, we can make a motion. Uh, how do we how are we going to move? So we could make a motion to do we have do we do we have to do anything with what we've already approved
you want you need this this is what this is what you really need okay I need a resolution number for that because this does not say there's not a dollar amount or anything it just says that if we're awarded one will okay I will move just Mr. chair. Okay.
Um, so this was actually in our consent agenda. Now we're going back to Robert Schules. Now we're changing things in and it was approved in our consent agenda. So yes, we might on this one. We might want to resend. We need to resend resendation
and and and change it or amend it. We can amend it. We can amend it. We can amend it to a previously. So we we're not going to wait for you to read that book. Well, I got the page. So, we can amend we can amend the
consent agenda motion to add to include this resolution to include this resolution with the stipulation that it would be either a compact compact amend. Yep. So, and then people that So, Barry, you
made the amendment. You made the motion for the consent agenda and Erica, you I don't think that matters. I think now we make a motion. Get an amendment to the amendment to the to the Okay. motion. Make an amendment to the consent agenda motion.
Correct. No, we did all of those. We did all nine of those together. Yeah. We're we're going to add this. We We're amending it to add this. We're only amending one item of the consent agenda. Consent agendas are dumb.
But my understanding would be that we're amending this motion to go to into the consent agenda with the consent agenda. Amending to put this motion in there. So we're actually it's already How about if we amend the consent agenda
to remove the 2026 MPCA grant application and then we do a separate motion. Okay. For the MPCA grant. All right. So I'll is that a motion?
I will. Yes. So we have we have a motion to remove to amend the consent agenda. To amend the consent agenda to remove you can't you can't make a motion to remove it. You've already approved it. So you have
to resend that. We have to resend the consent agenda motion. You have to resend that item. I resend the consent agenda motion. Item item four, the MPCA application grant.
The MPCA the MPCA grant application which is number nine. Okay. So we have a motion to resend to remove number to rescend the resend or is it is it is it rem
or is it re uh resend and remove is the same? No, but there's another term but break out the book. Why don't we just I would make a motion to resend the entire consent agenda. That's what I was going to suggest. Well, that is what I said. Okay, then you guys told me I was wrong.
I'll second that. Okay. So, we have a motion to resend the consent agenda by accepting the consent agenda. Yep. And then we redo the consent agenda. Yeah. Then and then we um we have a second. So, we're rescending the consent agenda. We have a motion second. Do we have any more discussion? Okay. All in
favor signify by saying I I All right. Now, we need to now we will take number nine off the consent agenda. So, we do have a motion. So, we have a motion. I think we need a motion to remove
consent agenda and removing number nine. I make a motion to approve the consent consent agenda removing number nine. So, do we have a second? Second. Okay. So, any more discussion? What's your motion? No. So, we we are we are making a motion to then accept the consent agenda and
remove number nine. Remove number nine. Okay. And then we have a motion by Erica and a second by Phil. So, any more discussion? Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All right. Now, we're back to Steve. Now we're back to the MPC number. We are reconsidering item nine now.
Yep. I think that's I think I think that's the right way. It's how it works best for our So just to be clear the motion I'm just reading up it. You move to resend the motion to approve the consent agenda. Yes.
All in one. Yep. Yep. And then and then we remove number nine. Then we accept the consent agenda by removing removing number nine separate. So now back to onee. Yes. Yep. Are we
are we approving it based off of the balor or based off a compactor? Doesn't matter. We just have to the MPCA and then we can figure that out before 4:30. Yep. And you'll trust. So maybe you want to put that in your motion. Judgement. Motion to approve. I'll make a motion to
approve onee, the 2026 MPCA grant application to include um as listed or a BOR if the committee deems more appropriate with the appropriate dollar amount for that balor or compactor or compact
that's in the motion that's in the that's in the grant application already. So I just added the option to include the compactor compact the bor alternate compactor. Y so we have a motion by Barry. Do we have a second? I'll second it. Okay. So, we have a motion by Barry,
second by Phil. Do we have any further discussion? Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. And just to be clear that with the grant application, it should be well. The the motion included this. Yes.
Acceptance if awarded and the and the appropriate There's kind of two things. the appropriate item, the items to be applied for and this motion to accept if we are awarded. That's right. And and also you added signed off by
carry too. I didn't add that. Didn't you? Thank you. A committee. Committee. Okay. Mr. Chair, Steve, what do these grants typically are these 50/50 7525? 7525. It requires a 25% local.
We're we're 25. Okay. Okay. Uh this the next thing is resolution 10251B. There is a recommendation recommendation in finance to reduce the uh proposed
rate per point for the solid waste assessment from 13 12 to 13. No, we need to That's what I'm saying there. Yeah, we moved it down to 13. So there but from 12 to 13 though, correct? Okay.
But the resolution says the resolution says 13, right? Third and a half. So we need to amend that or fix that. We'll just change it when we make the resolution when we'll just So I'll I'll move to approve resolution 10251B
uh with the amendment of changing from $12 per point to $13 per point instead of $13.50 per point. Yeah. All second. Okay. So, we have motion by Phil, second by uh Richard. Do we have any more discussion? Okay. All in favor signify by saying I.
I. All right. Motion carries. The solid way strategic planning survey. Oh, yeah. We talked about that. And so, how do I bring that forward? Can you just put a copy in our mail? Each of our mailboxes. It's in the
It's in the board. I can give you a hard packet. Do you want a hard copy? Yes. To fill out to fill out we need or or just email just email me a hard copy separate so then it's proper formatting otherwise I split pages here I think. Yeah that or if you could put a hard
copy in I don't have a printer that worked well. Do you have hard copies with you Steve? I got two of them right here. Um cuz I Or do I Did we get one yesterday? It's in your It's in the packet. Thanks, Peggy.
Peggy will do it for us. Perfect. Okay. And then on that can how soon can I get them back? We We can And do you need them by Well, they've already 4:30. So, they've already kind of went
I'll do the check marks anyway. So what they're doing, they're using that to provide guidance on or to put proposals forward on how they want to look at alternative structures on how they're going to handle
demolition materials in the future. So you'd go from ranges of from considering a a district solid waste district or joint powers or each county acting on their own then where you might locate future investments. So that that's what
that's so so as far as so Steve and I and Richard we had this conversation. So as far as when you need it back as soon as possible they wanted Steve and us to kind of fill it out and send it back. I said no this is a bigger issue. This is strategic planning future planning for the county. this is a much bigger thing.
That's why I wanted you guys to all be aware of this. This is important stuff. Um, if if it comes down to it, and it will. So, that's why we just recommended you guys all look at it so you're not surprised when we come to a vote next
year on something like this. So, that's why I suggested that we bring it to the whole board and that's why Steve put it on this board session. So, we're already they've already collected the information from the other counties. So, thank you for filling it out.
All right. So, thanks, Steve. We'll Anything else? No. Thank you. Yep. All right. Let's go to planning and zoning. Kyle, good morning, Mr. Chair. commissioners who have planning commission recommendations for your consideration
from uh September 24th. The first being um a request for CUP for cannabis cultivation, manufacturer and wholesale with the recommendation to approve. Hold on, let me find it.
It's the first application for cannabis that we had zero opposition. And this applicant had already been approved. He already had his license through the state, right? Preliminary. Yeah. Yeah. Preliminary. He'd already been chosen or approved or
whatever the first step. Now he'll have to go back. But yeah, there was no um no opposition was actually a short application. So I will make a
motion to um approve the application or go along with the concur with the planning and commission. We have a motion by Erica. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Barry. Do we have any
discussion? How big a track is this? How of land? Yeah. I thought it was 40. 40. I thought it was was it 40 or I thought it was I can tell you in one second I'm trying to connect to the internet
it's fairly good size but I can look at my I got it here 55 55 so there's no issues with setback stuff and neighbors would be easily able to figure
that out question. Call a question. There's there's there's no issues with setbacks. No, we won't. We discussed that with them. Okay. Neighbors. Okay. All right. So, do we have any more
discussion? So, all in favor signify by saying I. I. I'm opposed. No. Okay. All right. Motion carries. Uh, second item. Um there's a request for a private cemetery
a recommendation to approve. I would just suggest that it's conditioned that the individual plat the property which he's very aware of. Um but that he has to do that. That's state statute. Yeah. Unrecorded. Yes.
Motion to concurren with that those stipulations. Second. Okay. So motion by Barry. We have a second by Erica. Do we have any discussion? Um, just Mr. Chair, uh, I I had no clue that this was you could even do this. Is
this something if anybody comes in, we have to approve it or we're going to approve it or we've approved one or two in the It is. Yeah. I just Yeah. I I guess it's just shocking to me that
that's possible. I I I didn't know that. And Okay. Nobody has Yeah. I I guess to me it's going to reduce your if you ever if your kids or grandkids ever go to sell it, you're going to it's going to reduce the value of your property. You can't remove it. Maybe somebody wants a cemetery. Some people are
Hey, it's it's land rights. I guess it's your land. You can do whatever you want with it. I guess you never know. That's true. Well, they can remove it and change. And there was a cemetery across from down by the pit 611 and uh that church is no longer and they basically just took hallowed ground. I
mean, they couldn't even find some of the bone. You know, there was nothing left in some of the cases, but they were markers. They dug them up. St. Peters, sold the lot and now someone's building a house. I don't I wouldn't want to live there. I don't know. Maybe not.
All right. All right. stuff. So, we have a motion and a second. Do we have any more discussion? Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All right. Motion carries. Um, the second item I have for your consideration is a uh memorandum of understanding between Becker County and
Pelican River wershed. Uh, would replace the previously entered in uh agreement in 2024, basically a shoreline management program. Um this is happening um due to the fact that they changed
some of their rules in March. Um so basically what this is is Becker County will be responsible for shoreland alterations. Um I guess within the shore impact zone or bluff impact zones where
previously the watershed was um in charge of that. We're gonna kind of jointly manage storm water um just depending on case by case. Um if it's commercial or exceeds 25% and certain amount of square footage on the lot then
the waterershed will be involved. Um otherwise for just residential um impervious surface coverages the county will still be involved. Um then there was some uh surface drainage um
projects that they'll be in charge of and and public drainage. This agreement would be um permanent unless terminated by both parties. Um Brian has seen it. Didn't have any concerns.
So Mr. Chair, Kyle, so you're you're you're okay with this agreement the way it is now. Um, is this going to be do you anticipate as BMPs change and stuff that this will be a malable document? Not resend it. I mean, just like you work
with it if there's issues, you you you'd change it if you absolutely. Okay. And so far, I mean, this summer, I mean, a lot of people were concerned about workload and things of that nature, and it really didn't change.
Hasn't been an issue? No, absolutely not. Okay. All right. Do we have a motion to I'll move to approve the uh permitting memorandum of understanding between the Pelican River Wershed and uh the county. So, do we have we have a motion by Phil?
Do we have a second? Second. Second by Barry. Do we have any more discussion? Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All right. Motion carries. Um Mr. Chair, just a couple questions as long as I got Kyle here. Um, Bladed
Properties, where are we at with working on that? What's happening there? Um, we've I sent, I believe, three of the properties to Brian. Um, he's going to follow up with them with a letter. Um, if there's no action there, then he'll proceed through the courts.
Okay. Um, so that would be Stewart property on I call it the roller coaster road, but it's 335th Avenue. Okay. Um, the Brown property um in Commissioner Jeepson's district and then
um Brandy Yes. Okay. Um the tech panel for retaining walls, where we at with that? I was gone. We were going to reschedu. Yeah, I haven't I haven't did that yet. I can I can get with you. And
um I noticed um uh the gravel mine out by Corat. Uh I noticed that there's some roads going in out there. Did the permit start already? Because we lowered it from 5 years to three years. Is the
permit going or does that only start when they start removing gravel? Right. So they they got a subdivision a preliminary approval from Lake Ununice Township in August. So all the work that's being done out there right now is incidental to that subdivision only. They've not begin mining or
to the road development. Yes. So so the the permit that we issued nothing has happened on that yet. So and that that that begins once they start removing gravel. So just cuz they're doing work out there doesn't mean that that permit has started. No, it's not that that hasn't commenced.
Okay. Um, one question just happened in our meeting this morning. Um, uh, do we have a policy on VBOS's from the county? We do. Mhm. Okay. Yep. Okay. There's a permit required annual.
Okay. And then the last thing last thing, um, district one planning and zoning, um, where we need a new, uh, planning and zoning coordinator that's being applied for. Do you have any input into that or does that Nope, that's all me. Okay, that's you. Okay. I mean, it's all it's not all me.
Stewart district, but it's Let me rephrase. I make a recommendation and then the board can choose. District. Okay. Got it. Okay. So, there you didn't make an appointment yet. No. No. So, is there anything else for the good of the order?
All right. Thanks, Kyle. We are journ. Um, we need to get copies of that. If we're gonna if we're going to fill them out and remember it, we better do it right