All right, I'll call the meeting to order. We'll say the pledge of allegiance. Everyone stand 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. All right. Good morning, everyone. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Nice to see you, Mr. Nelson or Commissioner Nelson. >> We can start now. >> Very good.
>> All right. >> I think this is like the second time and >> Okay, now you need to say that all by yourself. >> Pledge of allegiance. Goodbye. >> All right. Anybody have any changes to the agenda?
>> I don't have anything. >> If not, I will entertain a motion. >> I'll make a motion to approve the agenda. >> We have a motion in a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carried.
Uh, next the minutes. Anybody have any additions or corrections to the minutes? Madam Chair, on page one under the agenda, I think it should read um
motion and second delete number four under commissioners. It was just discussed. >> Which one? >> Well, it says to include with the update to include commissioner number four. Oh, the um
>> it should just read motion that approve the agenda deleting >> number four commissioner. >> Oh, in instead of saying during commissioner report just say >> second to approve the agenda removing >> number four. >> Yep.
>> Okay. >> And on page three of three >> on the motion to um to appoint John Oaken, I would like the dates. It says to a six-year term, but I would probably should read what those dates are because I believe it's
year at the year ending, not six years from that meeting. It's a six-year term, but it's not >> six years from >> Yeah. >> Yep. >> Yep. >> So, I think the terms are ending December 31st. So, it should probably >> they will be read that
>> whatever year that is in six years. Any other corrections? If not, I'll entertain a motion. >> I'll make a motion to approve the minutes with the changes. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. But I have one more
>> Oh, sorry. >> One more thing. Um under highway highway under new page page two number two under highway. Uh motion and second to approve the capital purchase of 22. I think the parenthesis two should be just taken out because it
gets confusing. It looks like two two and a half ton pickups. So there >> Oh yeah, >> just say a two two half ton and eliminate the parenthesy too. >> Yep. >> Okay. >> Yeah, >> good with that. >> Yep.
>> All right. Any other corrections or discussion? All right. All those in favor signify by saying I >> opposed. Motion carried. All right. Anybody want to pull anything from the consent agenda? >> Um, I just have a question and we may
not have to pull it, but number 11. >> Um, I was just going to ask, maybe finance can answer this question. Uh, there's two fe the motion says to go with option A or B. Did you guys discuss that in finance and pick one of those?
We did. >> Okay. Um, let me >> We went with option A, didn't we? >> I I >> three quarters fees. Which option did you go? It's on the consent, but which >> what page is it? >> 39. >> 39, I think.
>> I believe it's a >> I believe it was a, but then >> but then I thought that we were going to put some >> she was going to put some parameters. >> Can we pull 11? Well, let's pull 11. Yeah, let's pull 11. >> Clarification from
>> Where you going to put it? >> We'll put it >> Well, she we got to get her down here probably. So, >> we could put her after the public health. >> Okay. >> Or we could put her under Carrie. I
guess it doesn't matter, >> Madam Chair. I'd probably put her under county administrator number six and then and at >> there she is. Um, >> here she is. >> Or do you could just answer the questions now? And >> do let's just do it right now. >> Susan, we we just have some questions
about the um office fee and which one we There were we were going to have yesterday at finance. You mentioned having some free prints, >> correct? >> And we need Yep. We need to have all of that on there. >> Okay. Yep. >> I believe the
>> Can you pop up 39 on the screen for those? >> We're looking at option A. >> Correct. >> Yep. >> Yep. And then >> let's see. Yeah, if I could see the It's really small.
>> So on I believe it was plan B, we were going to add 50 free prints. Plan >> Oh, we're doing plan A, right? >> I am sorry. I'm looking at um subscription wise option >> A plan B. Yep. Yep. Okay. So then I believe B believe B was going to get 50
free prints, C was 100 free prints and then D with that higher subscription rate was going to have 300 free prints included in that. Okay.
So would that be the um minor what was option A with a few would that be the few minor changes? >> Yes. Okay. >> Yep. >> All right. >> Yeah. >> So I'll make a motion to approve
>> consent >> to move it back to consent. >> It is. Yeah. We didn't move it. So it's still in consent. >> I'll make a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Okay. We have a motion to approve this uh consent agenda. Do we have a second? Second. >> All right. Any further discussion?
>> Just noted that the proposal A with the additional free prints should be noted or >> I wonder if we actually should put that in the um resolution. >> It's consent agenda. Is that a
resolution item? >> Yeah, it is a resolution item >> with with with making sure those are in the resolution. Yeah, I think we can just modify the resolution >> to reflect those. >> Yeah, because the resol the resolution says to option A or B. So, we really should have probably had
>> we didn't know which one we wanted to go with. So, yeah. Yeah, we just should have we should have >> So, the resolution >> should say option A. >> Mhm. >> With the free print schedule of BC and D. >> Yep. Okay. Okay. >> Okay. Perfect. Thanks. Any other discussion?
>> All right. All those in favor say I. I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. Open forum. All right, John, come on up. >> Morning, Commissioners. Carrie, Piggy, >> good kind of good to be back.
Now, >> I just want to share a little history on that 245th and the original landfill and so forth. You know that landfill, excuse me, landfill started back, we started developing that in right around
197077172 range which I was in charge of. And originally when that was bought from Merlin Anderson, we had the fence the whole original 80 acres. We had an eighthoot high fence that went down
along the rideway on 245th and completely encompassed the whole property because uh that was a regular township road. Jeep Monroe lived on the south 60. That was his residence.
lived there for many years and until the county moved on or whatever happened the county purchased that property as the next parcel. Then during that time
I opened that road several times for Detroit Township because their contractor Lloyd Johnson at the time couldn't get through it during the winter. So we took one of the county pows and went down there several times.
But through the transition of everything happening, there used to be a fence on the east side of the right away too going down that road. And we treated it treated it as a township road that whole time I was involved out there. And uh I
know when I had my crew put that gate up. I believe it was just supposed to be temporary till the land owners didn't agree. I even questioned Dan Schlott at the time if he was in favor of this. He
said, "I guess we can use it if we got a key." But things have changed since with his family and so forth. And um again that was created I think as a township
broke Jeep Monroe had his mailbox down at the about where the trees end and his house is off to the west. So in my opinion that was a township road at that time and it virtually
always has been. So I just wanted to give you a little p excuse me past history on the fencing issue and so forth. And I think the fence original fence was taken down. I think when the MPCA came in had to dig up the old
trenches, pilot on up and mound it and so forth. So that's just something I wanted to bring everybody up to speed on. I know I've talked to a few about it, but uh I was involved in that right from the get-go.
and the whole procedure out there. So any I'm hoping for any questions or any >> anybody have any questions for John? >> No, but it's it's nice to have someone that old that can remember all this. >> Oh, thanks Barry. >> But it's No, it's nice to have the the
history on that. I think our decision I think it supports the decision that we made at our last meeting to go ahead and move forward with with securing that with a fence. And while it's not cheap, it's a lot better. I mean, >> you know, buying parcels, making a road
and um it's a >> I think part of it is too when they build household hazardous waste over in the northeast corner and purchase that property to the east is about the time too. They decided probably just put a gate there for the basically
one property owner down there at that time that used as much. But but like I said before, family things have changed and there's new requests out there. So, >> and and as time goes on, I think can always look for other options that are
acceptable to all parties as we move forward. So, >> Madam Chair, John, just one question that maybe is pertinent here, maybe not. Um when when the CND landfill started, I don't know, was that in the '9s? >> The which one? the CND landfill on the
other side of 245th. >> I was trying to >> get a year when that started. >> You know, 93 was in when the MPCA came in. We have some documentation for that. But why why weren't any of these questions figured out, answered, done at that time?
>> Personnel changed, the operators have changed. For a long time, I was operated with a private contractor after the county employees retired. Uh I was there for two or three years as manager
and then uh another opera that came in was a another county employee and then I think it went private to Wald of Johnson for several years and that's when the county took it back and started operating it themselves. So years on
that I like Barry says I'm old but that's kind of a little bit of history about the operation of it and why at one time uh for many years the county
engineers in charge of all that that's why I was involved started with burn cors and went on to few others after that all >> and I wouldn't go so far as mistakes were made. I just it was a solution that remedied the problem at the time and
>> um >> long term it wasn't maybe the best but but >> long that was 40 years you know. >> Yeah. Again, I think you know when put the gate up, I think it was a verbal Jack Murray, I believe, was commissioner
at the time and met with Detroit Town. It was just a verbal agreement if the land owner there a lot of things were handled that way years ago. Nothing written, which would have been a little more clear if it would have been, but just a
gentleman's handshake, so to speak. So, >> nothing else. >> Thanks, John. >> Thanks, John. >> Nice coming up. >> Thanks, John. >> Sticking around uh Minnesota for a while now. Sticking around Minnesota now. For a while.
>> Yeah. >> Jerry, >> Madam Chair, I got a question before now. Does it count to have a quorum of old commissioners here? >> We got a got a room full today. >> Well, that's what I'm getting at.
>> Better be careful. You'll be one of those pretty soon. >> We're watching you guys very close. We could overthrow you. >> It wouldn't take too much to get me to accept that overthrow. >> Okay. Well, I I've been watching this uh
slaughter off uh land thing, as you know, and and dog on it, all I've seen so far is some township officials disrespected. I've seen uh this family abused as this thing has drove on and on and on. My
gosh, I don't know. I don't know what's so precious about the SS Empire. Um, we're so so worried somebody's going to steal a tire, an old used tire. Probably
one I threw away uh last Saturday out uh in the tire amnesty with that's got that's has a hole in it. So, they're not getting much. Well, um the next thing I know, you guys will
probably be uh asked to close 144. So, it's secure out there. I mean, this is getting uh ridiculous. But while I was out in that country with the tire amnesty, I drove around the place as much as I could. I
drove down the on the west side down on uh East Oak Road and that is just a absolute mess. At different times, you've talked about uh cleaning up messes in the county. Hey, start start
in your own backyard. That place has not been taken care of. And then uh and the driving past the front that is pretty ugly looking as well. Um I just want you guys to remember that this is of the
people, by the people, and for the people. Thank you. >> Thank you, Terry. >> Thanks, Jerry. Don, >> last of our former commissioners. >> Makes it a quorum.
>> I don't know if that's good or bad. Well, um I don't have a lot of information like John gave you, but I'm just here to encourage you to get this taken care of, get it done. It's the right thing to do. Um, these township officials have been coming in here long
enough and it's just um, nobody likes to spend money, but I think it's a necessity. So, um, I'm kind of starting to get vibes here that probably it's going to get done today. I hope it does. >> It's on the agenda, I see. So, >> yeah. And anyway, um, one other thing I
wanted to bring up. It's I haven't been here since the last election. I've been gunning to come in about this, but I want to give a shout out to Barry and the crew. They are the most, and I'm sure Richard will agree with me, they're the most professional outfit. They just do a wonderful job. We went through a
recount and that was really interesting. >> It was. >> Everybody should go listen to that once because they looked at every ballot and the machines do a wonderful job, but we had two ballots where they were called over votes, so they threw them
out. Well, they had voted for both of us and crossed out Richard's name. Well, they they have the opportunity then to, you know, use your head and say, "Well," and we both agreed that's what it was supposed to be. So, we I picked up two votes, but but seriously,
um the system is working well because I am so sick of hearing about rigged elections and all this we hear because, um elections need to be run locally. I think they're run locally very well. The last thing we need is a federal government
going to take So, thank you. >> Thank you, Don. >> Thanks, Don. >> And I concur with what you say about Mary's team. >> Yep. >> They do a fantastic job. >> Yep. >> Madam Chair, too, just to just to go on that election thing. I mean, I can't and I've had a couple calls and I can't speak for other states because I don't
know their processes like and I but I I have told the people I I am confident that Becker County >> and I think the state of Minnesota has an election voting machines that that work. I said we have the paper ballots to to verify those numbers. Now, if is there fraud
from people that aren't supposed to vote now that I think locally we can control that pretty well, but I mean that's that's a bigger bigger picture. But the ballots, we have the ballots. We have them and they will they will mark they will check they will balance on what the
computer says and that's what I mean I hope every every state is that diligent. But >> yep, agreed. I think ours is very good and and Mary's office has done a wonderful job and that's such a stressful night for election nights for for the office. So, um thank you Don for
bringing that up and thank thanks everyone up in the all the local election judges that put their time in too and um be another one in this fall. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Okay, Jeff. >> Good morning.
>> Good morning. Uh, I sent you guys an email last Friday in regards to the Prairie Lake CUP gravel mining operation, and I was hoping for an explanation on uh how they can continue working
where the chapter 9 section 4 appeals clearly states an appeal stays underlying proceedings. Madam Chair, um I think we've had a conversation on the phone and I and and I offered the I offered him to say send an email to get those answers and I
think we refer to our attorney in these cases. So, um if our attorney deems it's acceptable, we go with the attorney. Being it's one of those items that um is in the hands of the attorneys, that's who we're going with. We can try to
interpret that but at the end of the day we ask our attorneys advice on interpretation of the ordinance and that's where we will um that's where we will stand I believe as a board. So >> I agree. >> Yep. I agree. >> I don't know if you have if you want to I mean maybe you can state your concern a little bit and and maybe because if
you want to reference a specific you know you you mentioned it but that's where we could be more specific if you have that question and and forward that question specifically again to the attorney to see if that's relevant. But >> yeah, I I guess >> state that state that or the chapter
again and and we will just forward that concern to the county attorney. We you won't get an answer from us. You won't probably get an answer from the attorney. They'll they'll ask again, but um it's it's a question worth asking. Anyway, >> chapter 9, section 4, appeals number F.
clear states an appeal stays underlying procedures or proceedings. Uh yeah, I guess it doesn't make sense to me how you could have an appeal on a
conditional use permit in the works where it's going to go in front of a judge and he's going to make a decision on that appeal. And yet that's not going to happen until December.
And they're allowed to go out there and actually mine gravel while this is under appeal all summer long. And come December and the judge makes a decision and he says, "Yeah, this doesn't meet the the zoning ordinance.
You shouldn't be allowed to mine." And here they've got a whole year of mining. Madam Chair, our our planning and zoning director is here. I was wondering if we could get him to without stepping on any attorney's toes. Uh just give us some
clarity on this. >> I >> I don't know if we want to >> we want to do that. >> Madam Chair, I don't think that's appropriate. I I think the question's been asked. We have to refer to legal counsel at this time. >> Madam Chair, if I may, um this is a this this situation is pending in court. I've
had conversations with our county attorney and we do have outside counsel that this question has been posed to as does um the um the other group. Um so really the recommendation is is that if questions really need to go through the attorney
process. >> Okay. >> And this has been referred. So >> and I and I think it's kind of the same message I gave Jeff over the phone and I and I said to you know the court can issue I mean if they feel that this is wrong the court can make that issue and Their their concern is too they hate to
have to go through a lawyer every time you do something because everything costs money. >> But um with but we will follow our attorney's advice on this. That's all we can do. >> So can you ask your attorney to ask the court if uh their their interpretation
>> well we we have forwarded the question onto our attorney >> for to get the attorney's opinion. >> Correct. I think we would what we would ask is if if the court if our attorneys think that's the supportive supported
supported way that we want to address it. That's all I mean if that's how it's read that's what we're going to have to go with. So >> Okay. Well, it doesn't make any sense to me I guess. And then if there was a zoning change uh amendment
uh that needs your approval and you guys granted it and yet somebody appealed it, would you allow them to change the zoning and continue working while the appeal is still hanging there? It just doesn't make sense to me that
you can work under an appeal. And like I said, it's clearly states in chapter 9. I would recommend or suggest that uh the zoning ordinance committee which I believe is going to be meeting fairly
soon or has met recently. >> Yes, we've been meeting weekly for the last few weeks and we have a meeting on Thursday. >> Okay. that uh you try and clarify your appeal ordinance to so you don't have to ask an
attorney every time if they can do that or not. And uh the other thing is uh for the zoning ordinance review committee, I would uh suggest that for gravel mining uh operations,
you set a larger setback from residential areas. instead of what it is now, uh, 100 ft
from a residence, you can travel. Doesn't make much sense either. >> Thank you for your time. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thanks, Jeff. >> Thanks, Jeff. I'm just jotting those notes down because >> something just for clarification maybe Kyle you can um bring us especially on
the clearing up any language if or if we have that language we could just look at real quick maybe at committee level. >> Okay. Anybody else here for open forum? Anybody else want to speak? >> All right. We'll move on to reports and
correspondence. Who wants to start? >> I'll go first because I got a a lot. But I'll go fast. >> You remember that? >> That might be a lie. Um, so Eric Eric and I had a partnership for health health meeting
in here. Uh, um, we went through the first quarter grants the or the first quarter of the grants and everything's going great. Um, the the guy that the accountant that is assigned to our CHB from Klay County, U, his name is
Brandon. He is awesome. He's sharp as attack. He does a great job of informing us, making sure we know what's going on. And that was kind of one of the problems in the past when when we were with the other two counties. It was real confusing. It wasn't as clear. But
Brandon does a great job. And then also too, um there's a bill that passed in the House and the Senate. It's bill 3402 which allows the expansion of eligible medical consultants from just doctors to
PAs to nurse practitioners to RNs. So because because there in in the medical you know field there's being le becoming less doctors and more of the others. So that and it was getting to be a problem. It was hard to find them. So that was a positive thing for the for our community
health. And then we also went through the food, lodging, and recreational fees um that are that are administered by the by the partnership for health now, which only affects Klay County because in in Becker County, we have the Minnesota
Department of Health that regulates and controls and everything for our our fees. And I and Erica can go into that. I I was a little upset, but that's fine. So, um, and then I I also had a Lakes Country Service Quad
meeting and they we're we're getting to the salary point now and they for uh the for their their their year goes from July to July and so next year they're going to have a 3 and a half% salary increase for their employees. Now, they
don't have any unions. They just have a they just basically kind of try to follow what a lot of the schools do and and be real close to that. the previous year they had a 3%. So right currently right now we're in about the range that everybody is in right currently. So we'll have to look at it. They had a
little bit of an insurance increase. Um they have and they also have very good employee retention because they've done they've been proactive kind of like at our Sunnyside place where we're pro they've been proactive keeping their employees. They do have a level four EBD
um area in in in Lakes Country Service Co-op. EBD is emotional behavior disorder. They're they're kids that have really big problems and and and the area schools that are involved with that send those kids there. So, they do have a turnover rate with their pair
professionals in that area because of some of the stuff that happens. It's pretty pretty nuts if if you can maybe imagine. But anyway, other than that, the we basically was our kind of like our annual meeting and last meeting and so we voted for new uh new um officers
and they're all they were all the same, but I mean it's kind of one of those things. Then I had a historical society meeting and one thing at the historical site that's happening relatively soon is they are going to have the coffee shop up and running. It's going to be the
home sweet bake house coffee shop. uh home sweet I believe they believe they're in phrase is that right? >> Yep. >> So they're and and the tenative date is to start July 1st. Um there is a little issue with some of the permitting, but hopefully it'll be done by July 1st and then it'll be up and running. And I
think it'll be a really positive thing for the museum and for the you know for the community too cuz it it's a there's also if you drive if you drive into that parking lot right in front of the museum there's a little window about this big
that is right in the coffee shop and and and they're planning on at some point to have a drive up area so you can drive up and order stuff. So >> nice. >> That'd be kind of cool. Yeah. or walk up. Either one. >> I I think it I don't know if there's a There might be a sidewalk. There might be a walk up, but >> might be a walk up. >> Yeah.
>> And then also too in June they're having that lumberjack festival at at the fairgrounds. Um that should be pretty cool. They're going to they're going to have I think three shows on a Saturday and two on a Friday. And they're they're do they do all the
lumberjack stuff. They do log cutting and chopping and and they work pretty hard. Whatever they do, I don't know. >> Chopping, >> chopping, >> cutting, >> hammering and pushing and what stuff like that. >> Stuff like that. Stuff like that. Thanks for the help.
>> And then I had a DAC meeting and that swing set, that ADA swing set that we wrote a letter of support for um should be breaking ground pretty soon. Uh we got quotes on on concrete and then there's going to be a rubber pad on it.
And then uh we ordered the we we approved to order the swing set materials and everything for that for that area. And then we also are going to put it in a certain spot where we can also for expansion if we want to ever expand, we'd like to have like maybe
like a basketball court attached to it or or a little more shaded area. Um but I think it'll be really good. So, and that's got to be done by August. Uh, I can't remember the exact date in August, but according from most of the from T-Mobile, the most paying for most of it
with a grant, we're we're picking up some of the fee, but but we're we're looking at concrete. We got a couple bids. We got a one person that has one of the bids, has a client there, so I think it might work out pretty well in our favor. And and anyway, and then we also met with the rural development
people about I think I talked about this the last time. We are going to apply for the loan for the the remodel of our facility through them. They have two programs. They have a direct loan which
is directly um administered and and and everything by rural development. So it's federal funding or they have a guaranteed loan. And the guaranteed loan is basically it works well for nonprofits because a lot of times when a nonprofit when you get a
loan you get a 5-year loan with a balloon payment and then the interest rate can change. So what these guys do is they will guarantee it for like 20 years or 15 years whatever and they'll work with the bank to keep the interest down and to not have that balloon so it
works out as a benefit. And then by them guaranteeing it if something happens the bank is guaranteed to be paid which they're obviously not going to guarantee a loan for an organization that can't financially be suitable for it. So that I mean and and they were very positive.
They thought they obviously they can't tell us anything. They can't tell us what do how to do it but they said yes you should fill out the application and I think it'll work out well for us. Um Commissioner Nelson and I had a courthouse meeting. I think everything was on the consent agenda. Um, and then
I had a Heartland Trail meeting. Um, so we have that $548,000 that we need to spend for by or allocate, I guess, by the by December 31st of 2027. Um, and some of that money is probably
going to go to the trail to Frezy to fix that grading whenever they figure out if they need to use that or not. But we also then when we brought the the the uh uh what was it a few months ago we brought to to this board about the path
we want to take through the >> want to expand the corridor >> so we're going to expand the corridor all the way down to County Road 20 and then it'll go a little bit into Ottertale. So I I talked to Wayne Johnson. He's the commissioner in that area. >> It's not where the trails going. It's just you're going to expand the corridor
for >> Yes. We want to expand the corridor to have the option to go in that area. So, so anyway, Mitch and Jim are going to go out and they're going to come up with three different routes to get from um south of Melissa or or Bucks Mills in
that area through that corridor up to up to Highway 10. And then then we're going to go then our committee is going to get try to get out and drive those routes and see what cuz there's some hills that aren't going to meet the grades probably in some of those areas. And so we're
they're going to do that. And then we would also then then once we figure that route out, it'll come to this board to for for approval. And then we would like to try to get this done by July because the the guy we're working with, Kent Star, at the DNR is retiring in July.
So, it's kind of a boom boom boom process. Hopefully, we can get it on the, you know, get it to us in front of us by June and then see what it looks like. Uh, I had did I get them all?
I believe I did. Oh, I had an EDDD board meeting, which is the economic development district in West Central Minnesota. It's it's with West Central Initiative and there was some a lot of interesting information on farming that I didn't know. I took a lot of those
>> having a quiz. >> No. >> Oh, >> that's mine. No, that's No, but there No, this is not necessarily 100% in our area, but in the guy the the guy that does this in get gathers this information farms in Elbow Lake area and
he also has an office there for his uh for his uh his information. He's a c he uh he's in farm business management. That's what he does. Anyway, so we had some data from last year and
most of and and this is all in Minnesota. Most of the farmers in Minnesota own 30 to 40% of their land and rent 60 to 70% of their land, which I was kind of surprised. I didn't realize that. And then in southern
Minnesota, the rent is extremely higher for renting agricultural land than it is in this area. Mhm. >> And because of that, they have a tendency to lose more money or they have to have higher yields in order to make
money. So in in in West Central area, if you were planting corn, uh the average bushels per acre or 193 that that farmers got and they had to get they had to get two 10 to 220 to break to make money. So most of them lost
money on corn and land rent uh land rent in that area was like 217 per acre. $27 per acre. So that's >> west central. >> In the west central area in the Elbow Lake area and that in that there's a few
counties in Todd County, Douglas County. Uh what else is >> say Eastern Becker County is >> Eastern? Yeah. >> Not quite that high. >> No, no, Eastern Becker County is low. Becker County, the valley area in Becker County is not as high as it is down there. Yeah, correct. >> It's very rocky over in the neck of the woods. >> So anyway, and anyway, I just thought
that was interesting. And then you talked about sugar beats, too. What happened to why sugar beats got destroyed last year. Um, so what happened was is the the sugar beat yield or the amount of sugar beats per acre, bushels per acre were good. The pound
actually they weigh them by pounds. Um, but the quality when they went to get them was bad and they got a lot of rain in that area also. So that affected a lot of the crops plus the sugar beats. And last year the the United States imported a bunch
of sugar cane from Brazil which really drastically affected the market too. >> That the commissioner of agriculture is no longer the commissioner of agriculture that was overseeing all that. I don't know if that means anything. Anyway, I'm done talking. That wasn't too bad, was it?
>> No. Who wants to go next? >> Bill, go ahead. We We have six minutes. I believe we can cut you off it. >> Um, couple things. Um, we're working on a an additional driver for um, uh, the
landfill. Um, we're seeing if a part-time or seasonal can can fit the bill. We're just we're bringing in more recycling. We have to do longer trips to Fargo. Someone got to take to Grand Forks. It's a 7-hour round trip for the transfer station. We're still hauling
over to uh Pum to the incinerator, but uh we're just we're producing more garbage, which probably is a good thing because that means we're in a growing area. Anyway, that's probably coming in the next uh month or so. Uh Sabbath Barry on zoning
ordinance. Just my two cents. Um, we try to come up with something with this zoning ordinance that is simple, which is impossible to do, but easy to understand, which is also pretty impossible to do. Um, it is really hard
to come up to change ordinances to apply to everything in Becker County. Um, we're doing land alterations and vegetation right now, but we can't even think around that table of some of the unintended consequences that we are doing. So, it's really hard. We're trying to be very deliberate. Think
about every situation. It is hard work. And I talked to Barry about it and said, you know, how how will this stand the test of time? And pretty much the conclusion was is these things don't stand the test of time. We we need to adjust them as time goes on. Um but it
it's really frustrating work, but it's work that needs to be done. Um sat on the watershed. We're going to have three appointments come up. That'll be the May 19th meeting. Uh just their terms have expired. Um, all three said they would run again. So, we'll see what happens there. We'll see. We have to public
notice it for a month. So, um, that's why that's taking a little longer. Uh, we're going to be looking at some new leadership at the at the wershed um, as well. And the Westlake Drive project, uh, just super interesting down there. All that's happening with storm water to
make that happen. Um, really, really interesting stuff. and how they're uh making all the water which basically flows toward the lake not go into the lake. So, just really good stuff, good work being done. Uh sat in on a trail alliance meeting from project 412. Uh
Becker County is going to be the landing page for that. They're working on a you know how when you go to your Google maps, it gives you the little blue dot, you are here kind of thing. They're working on something like that, a GPS guided thing for all our trails in in in Becker County. got a couple examples
from out in Connecticut and different places that that do it pretty well. Um, but that that that's going to be a tough lift. Um, but they're they're working on project 412 is working on that right now. Of course, that matches up with our recreational advisory committee. So, we we sit in on that. Um, when I was on
airport, um, we got some apron work beginning in June. How has the work uh already bid and ready to go? That was some of the money that we approved last fall. Um, so that work will be done this summer. Um, construction demolition that
that uh I've been sitting in on that um uh that 10ount CND uh group uh that's going to be coming to an end here in June. So we're putting together the final uh version of it. Costs are going to be
a lot more um the initial thing. Uh they're going to be a lot more. So, but I'll be working with Steve to come up with a final report for what it looks like for Becker County. Um, and uh and we'll we'll get something to you in the next in the next month before June for sure. Um, and then I had another zon
ordinance review committee with with with Barry. Um, one other thing, uh, so we did that tire recycling event and I've got some preliminary numbers in. Um, I mean that is just that's to clean up the county. That's to give our residents something uh for free. This
was this was very good. Um, Friday in Detroit Lakes, we took in 327 car tires, seven truck tires. Richard demanded truck tires, which they're taxpayers, too. So, we took in truck tires and bigger tires. Um, so we collected uh 17
17 ton of tires on Friday. Saturday, 263 car tires. Collected 7 ton that day. Outage 114 car tires. So, I mean, they got the message out there, too. uh for the tire cleanup. Um total for the two days was almost 28 ton of tires.
So I mean that's a service to Becker County. It's a good thing and and people were using it. We added something. We said, you know, how did you hear about this? Um so uh we asked that question at the pay station. Um uh Facebook was the
number one thing. Newspaper was second. Um and then word of mouth was third. So, we did do a more organized plan to get the word out there and we got some feedback as to how people heard about it. So, um, working on that and that worked out well. That's all I got.
>> Can you talk for a little bit longer? >> Why do you ask that? >> Well, because we have to hear >> open the public hearing at 9:00. >> Well, it has can't start before 9. >> Madam Chair, why don't I just do uh NRM with with us a little bit. Okay. And then anything else?
>> Um well, let's I'm going to start with the Lake A Regional Library. The the preliminary budget for 27 is a 7% increase for their budget. Um we are working with a we are trying to revamp the formula because uh if you remember I
didn't think it was appropriate how how it was being the formula was I think Becconia is treated unfairly. So, we are recommending to our full board to pass to change that back to a cost basis um for for that. With that, we are doing a 4-year turnover because it there's a
couple one county in particular is being way under tax and it's a huge jump if we did it in one year. So, we're doing a four-year step. So, with that, we are looking at a 5% increase instead of a 7%. So, it's it's buying that down kind of for four years. We'll be transitioning to that other formula. So,
it's not it's not a massive jump down, but it will be probably that same percentage for four years. So, >> Madam Chair, Commissioner Nelson, um are is the rest of the group agreeable to that or because before they weren't? >> They they are
the the committee is full was fully recommending that. I think the four-year compromise was where we where I representing us said four years. Well, I'm fine with transitioning for four years instead of a one-year cuz one county and would be over $100,000
increase just in that formula plus your additional 7%. So, so anyway, we're at 9:00 and I'll continue after the >> All right. So, at 9:00 we have our public hearing for our EDA housing trust fund ordinance. Can I get a motion to
open the public hearing? Right. I'll move to open the public hearing for the housing trust fund ordinance. >> All right. >> I'll second. >> All right. We have a motion, a second. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed?
>> Motion carried. Is there anybody here to speak to the housing trust fund ordinance? do not mean to >> you don't want to come speak to it. All right. Anybody here? One more time. Anybody else here to speak to the
housing trust fund ordinance? >> You may want to check online. >> Anybody online to speak to the housing trust fund ordinance? >> What page is it? >> Yeah, you can come up >> 41. Maybe while while we're still in open comment period, maybe Cody can just give
a brief uh >> 30 second minute synopsis. So maybe someone would. We have three commissioners here that all have opinions on everything. So maybe >> Well, I did have a really short presentation. Do you want to do that in open form? >> It's up to you. >> Yeah, I think so. We can. >> Sure.
>> It's it's pretty short summary of it. So um >> it's on page 42. No, 41. Yeah. So, you have before you today the uh consideration of establishing a local
housing trust fund ordinance 23. Um, next slide. First, you just look at the statute. That's um the statute defining how it's formed. It's formed through ordinance through statute 462C16
saying that a local government may establish a local housing trust fund by ordinance. Next slide. So then you look at why you would establish a trust fund. Um primarily it's for providing a dedicated flexible funding source to address specific
priority needs uh regarding housing in the community and um local housing trust funds enable local governments to leverage public public private partnerships rehabilitate existing housing stock and develop affordable housing.
Next slide. the elements of a trust fund. Uh pretty much the three primary elements is the administrative element. Um what entity will administer it? In in most cases that's uh housing redevelopment authority or economic development authority. Um some larger entities have
grants division. So they have like a grant supervisor. Um the programming, what activities will be funded, who's eligible, uh the target population, that's primarily dictated by the source of funding that goes into the program. So, if it's a grant, um, if it's a state
funded or federal funded grant and it has income requirements, that would apply to it as well. Um, if it's private donation contribution money, um, that would be treated differently. And that's the third element there, the revenue
sources. Next slide. How do you establish one? Obviously, first you have to have some needs and priorities. I think uh there's pretty wide consensus that home ownership and affordability doesn't get any easier.
So, um that's a high priority need throughout uh most counties statewide if not nationwide. Uh the administrative agent again mentioning there who uh is the primary lead for administering that. In this case, you have a economic
development reauthority with housing and redevelopment powers. Um you have to pass an ordinance per the statute and then uh community engagement, educational opportunities, educational awareness, collaboration with local unit
of governments and uh just making the public aware that the county has one. Next slide. Establishing the programs. Again, it's a it's a large flexible program. So um the law defines you know the broad outline
of how the fund operates financially but uh the day-to-day operations the programs under it everything like that are typically um prepared by you know the administrative staff um and administered through the fund. Go next slide.
These are just some examples of the uh programming that can be utilized under a trust fund. um whether it's emergency rental assistance, rehabilitation programs, demolition redevelopment for affordable housing, uh gap financing and
so forth. Go to the next slide. And then just a couple examples from other counties throughout the state, um how they established and utilized their trust fund. Um, Swift County, they established theirs to back the purchase
of a 16- unit senior um and disabled housing unit to pre prevent the loss of affordable units there. Winona County established and utilize their funds to rehabilitate low-income apartments. Um, Chicago County used theirs to provide
gap financing for workforce development and, uh, Redwood County established theirs and utilizes it for low interest loans. um specifically targeted at redeveloping non-residential structures into residential units.
Next slide. That should be the end of it there. So yeah, and again this was just um it's a non-lapsing revenue account. So all the money that um pools into it goes back into it, interest, that sort of stuff. Loans that are revolved um it doesn't get pushed back out into the
general fund. Um any questions? >> Madam Chair, the um is there any startup money on from the state on this? >> Yes, that's mentioned. Well, it's mentioned in the ordinance for the establishment with the funds that we currently have through the statewide
affordable housing aid. That's one of the um ways you can utilize that money. um in the past it was in 2025 so it's not open this year but there was a state matching grant for 50% uh to establish one um so there there are state programs
um that occasionally do come out to contribute to that >> so so that would help for startup would those programs also we'd be able to put that money in there later on >> yes you continuously >> and look at different uh revenue sources
and grants to put into um you know a private contribution can be an example. >> No. Yeah. I'm just talking specifically talk about the state >> monies that are for housing. Could that be >> it's in the future? >> Yes. >> And the programs the programs that the EDA started a few years back for the um
down payment assistance those funds could come back and put into this fund that when they do come back would probably be best >> Yep. >> best suited to go into this fund. >> Yep. Any funds that are still potentially out there in the form of a deferred loan or something could be put back into it. Correct.
>> All right. >> Any comments before we close the public hearing? >> Going once. Going twice >> online. Anyone. >> All right. I'll entertain a motion to close a public hearing. >> So moved.
>> Second. >> Second. >> All right. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion carries. So now we need to >> we need to approve this ordinance. >> Approve. Well
have a discussion about the ordinance of what we should do >> or vote on the ordinance. >> Vote on the ordinance. Yes. Anybody have any further comments? Otherwise, I would enter entertain a motion to approve ordinance 23 for establishing a local housing trust fund.
>> I'll make that. >> I'll second. >> All right. We have a motion, a second. Any further discussion? All those in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> Opposed. >> Motion carried. Thank you. All right.
Now we'll go back to our reports. Um, see I did Laura. I'll Richard and I had NRM get some notes here. Um, renovations have started on the old
shelter this this week. Um, we received an offer on the on the storage building out there, but it was a low, you know, it was actually a positive, but it wasn't very much. So, we decided not to accept that. We figured that wasn't We had to go through a process if we were going to readvertise it.
>> Madam Chair, which property are you talking about, M? >> Uh, we're out at Dun Locks. Um the the Pelican River old Pelican River Wash building. >> Okay. >> Um we did get an offer, but we felt it had more value sitting at this time and if we do decide to sell it, we'll have to go through a public process again to
reddo that. Um there was has been some use out there over the winter. So um we we got an estimate for a concrete slab in front of of the old building, but we decided we'd wait because we're going to pave that and it could just be paving next year. It was it was about 8700 or
something. It was over 8,000. We just feel felt it probably wasn't worth it at this time. Um there was some quotes for lighting out there. We're going to contact the city. Um
see if they're I don't know. Mitch needs to gather more information from the city. Um we did get a couple good bids, some good bids on that little sugar bush cabin. So that's going to be removed. It was I think we got 15,000 was the was the bid we're accepting. 15,50.
>> Do we have to vote on that barrier or >> No, it's in the consent. >> It was in the consent agenda. >> Oh, it is. >> Yep. >> Um we had North Country Trail in there and um we it's in our budget that that we were going to do we will approve
$2,500 reimbursements upon receipts. That's annually budgeted. Matt Davis presented an opportunity for Becker County to to purchase a chunk of land. um we kind of didn't think that that was by Wanigan Park and and we thought some other agencies might be a better fit for
that because it's a it's a large chunk of land, a large chunk of money and um >> um we could I think we stress that we could be partners but we're not going to be probably be the >> fiscal fiscal person on fiscal organization on that.
um received a 5,000 and continue to receive from Essential Health for um benches, bike racks, fixing stations or or on on the trail. We thought this year would be a nice spot to out on the new Bucks Mills project, put a nice bench out there might be a good being it was
kind of short notice and we had to purchase it very quickly. Um, I think that if you haven't been out on that that site recently, it's it's pretty it's pretty cool out there. And if we can get a walking trail and and uh >> where was that? >> Bucks.
>> Bucks Mills. >> Um, anything to add on that, Richard? So far, >> just that we we're going to we're going to start putting up signs now. We got that $5,000 for the signs for those trails. So, we're going to we've been talking about this for a long time. If you go up on the
on the tax forfeited land and drive those trails, you can get lost up there. I've been lost up there. It doesn't take much to get me lost. But but I and so we're finally going to start putting some signs up there so people have an idea where they are. And >> Jerry won't get lost.
>> Jerry won't get lost. And if you do get lost, >> that's fun. >> Get lost. >> Maybe you were on one of those trails and you couldn't drive through it. >> Uh but other than that, no. I don't have anything else. >> Madam Chair, Commissioner Nelson or Varberg. Um, you guys are talking about Dun Locks. I mean, we're trying to
coordinate some of that parking renovation, not the lighting, not all that stuff, but the parking renovation with when we're going to be doing county 19, right, in the next couple years. So, that's on you guys' as it is for highway. I just want to make sure we can match that up to >> That's what we're looking at just bringing that in and paving that at that
point. And that's why we held off on that concrete. >> Yeah. And that building, too. And we might put a little crush rock there. we talked about where just temporarily where we were going to do that concrete and then that's when we'll decide if we're going to do something with that building. So, it gives us a little time because
>> I think that's 28 when we're >> if we uh decide we need that we're going to keep an eye on the parking and if we decide we need that room, which we might need to get that building out of there. >> Yeah. >> For right now, we're going to leave it there. >> Um we got a a grant grants for some
buckthornne removal out there. Um, actually the highway department put in some numbers that we're going to see if we can work with them and uh for some mechanical removal and then there'll be after that there'll be some herbicidal treatment on that and they won't do that obviously. But uh
got potty potty quotes in front of us. Um we're doing some cross trainining with highway department and environmental service just for some um heavy and light duty equipment. So we hopefully we have if needed we can do we can switch back and forth.
Um Beck DNR is looking at um to purchase some parcels from us for the what's the uh acronym we're looking for E and WR environmentally and what's E and E and WR environment. It's that it's
a specific >> John or Don might be able to help me. It's that um >> the scientific scientific study one. It's the high sensitive area. So >> So there's something that they want >> some property adjoining their properties that they want to they want to purchase.
So >> um we had uh the the tribal represent tribal representative was there and um said they're wrapping up the sugar sugar bush season. Um
they did some burns, some RX burns. Um and we discussed the wild rice bill, >> the sugar bush season, wrapping up the sugar bush. What is that? >> Maple syrup. >> Oh. >> Um >> maple syrup. >> We discussed just briefly the wild rice or the wild rice bill if you're familiar
with that. So to protect some of their their beds. Um I Dave didn't know a whole lot about that and I think Dusty was down actually testifying for that. So, it have been nice to hear a little bit about that a little more. >> Um, they're worried after I heard more
about it, worried about the lake lake um contamination or removal and it's hurting some of those, you know, you're concerned about what what are you unintended circumstances? Are you talking about pesticides just in the water? Are you talking about pesticides outside the water? Um, so there some of
those concerns were were brought up a little bit. Um, anything else to add to that? I think no. >> Madam Chair, Commissioner Nelson or Verberg, you talked about Wanigan land. Um John and I sit on a Wanigan committee. What What land are you guys
talking about that is for sale? >> 750 >> 700 parcel north Wanigan North family wants to sell out there. I can't remember the name of them, but it's it's a large piece of land and there's it had a lot of tree planting on it and
>> but yeah, so it's >> it's adjacent Wanigan Park. >> It's just north of it. >> Just north of it, >> I think. And Phil or Phil and I were on the review committee and I think that was it for me.
>> Okay. um was at Becker County Soul and Water and the tree tree pickup is May 1st and they're they're um that's about all I have to report for them. But pickup of trees, if you order trees, is May 1st coming up and they might have some extra. They're not they're running low this year. Last year
they had a few more, I think. So >> I just got one more thing on the H Heartland Trail real quick. So we are also I forgot. We're we're we're amending we need to amend the master agreement in order to expand the corridor which takes quite a long time.
>> But we can do all we can do pre-engineering and pre and pre-construction in where we where we want you know we can use that funding to do that. We just can't construct until the corridor is approved. Now it and that's why we want to do this before July 1st so that the
DNR supports it and it should be just a it'll be just a formality. Um, but that's I I didn't have that part in my report. >> No, you took us past our time. So, I know. >> Yeah. If you would have said that before, we would >> I we we have been right on schedule. I know. I got it.
>> All right. Richard, do you want to go? >> Yes. Okay. So, I had safety committee. So, people are still slipping and falling down. That's that seems to be our biggest problem. Uh, but we're we're working on that. We have all the EID in
place now. So if somebody needs to be shocked back to life, they can grab one. >> I >> um we are now doing C our own CPR training. So we're going to start training our own people um now coming up and then we'll train some people to
train people. So, um, and then I had EDA with Erica, and we're we're looking at lead paint testing, which has been very expensive. And now we we we finally got some lower prices on it. But now we
found out that maybe in the basement there's some records to show. I wanted to go look in the basement. Mary wouldn't let me um just to find these records. Um, so but that maybe we won't have to do the lead paint after all
testing if we can find the records that it was done. >> Yeah, we found an old letter or minutes that was was sent to HUD and in that letter it stated that it was done in '92 and again in 2004 when we got some
modernization funds um from Minnesota housing. So with those required uh this this lead testing. So we know we did it in 2004. Um and at that time it stated according to this letter that no further
risk assessments were deemed necessary. So it seems like we just need to find that documentation and hopefully we won't need to do it. >> Yeah. We could save a bunch of money. So if we could do that. >> Um I don't know. Do you have anything else on the EDA? That's what I have.
Maybe you want to >> I just had the kind of a housing update of where we were. But but to what Richard said about the the other bid that we received the that bid dug did come in was it 50ish 60ish,000
less. Um so if we do have to do it, what we have found is that it is significantly lower. Um but we just need to verify that this contractor meets all the requirements for HUD. Um and then just for public housing, um we're full. We have 21 people on the waiting list.
Maple Avenue is full. West River Town Homes full. And then we have 46 families out with housing choice vouchers. 246 people on the waiting list. And then they're working on issuing four more vouchers. So, kind of to piggyback off
what um uh Cody said, you know, in the housing um local housing trust fund ordinance, there is definitely a need for some affordable housing in our county. So, did you have any other reports? >> No. >> Okay. Um, one other thing that I just
wanted to add, we did Richard and I also had human services and we spent the the meeting talking about the opioid advisory council or the opioid settlement money, I'm sorry. Um, so but we we have that on the agenda to discuss with in Car's report. Um, I had the
Mahubi senior counsel. Um, we are working with Carla from the the fair board. on our Becca County outstanding senior. Um, and one of those things is we're going to be creating an online submission option this year. So hopefully we can um
get more nominations because that's been a struggle in years past. So um be looking for that. Um tax season also came to an end at at Mahubi. They um do a lot of um filing taxes for seniors especially and they were so busy I don't
have the numbers but they did have three new volunteers join them. So if anyone is interested in joining them next season they're always looking for additional volunteers. Um I had West Central Regional Juvenile Center. Uh so this at this meeting we
went over our year-end budget um and our revenue over expenditures was way down this year um because we had some significant um expenses due to staffing issues where they went very over budget. Um so that
that was a result of you hear us talking about um you know all these mental health like us down at the legislature uh or legislation where they're talking about a lot of shortage for mental health placements. Um, you know, we have the PRTF in Klay County that they're
trying to get bonding for. And really what is happening to these kids is they're often going to these secure units because there's no nowhere else for them to go and this is not the appropriate place for them, but they don't have any there there's no other place for them to go. Um, so what has
happened is they have to have additional staff. Um, the safety safety based separation changes also went into effect. that was uh 2024 legislation. Um so what that requires is much more paperwork and it requires more staff
which is often one-on-one. So you have both of these things that have come together and um have created they weigh underbudgeted um for their staffing. They used 12,200 more 12,220
more variable hours which equaled about $280,000 more than what they budgeted for. Um 6,635 of those hours was used to meet the needs of youth with significant mental health needs and one-on-one requirements
due to the safety based separation. Um so lots um lots of I mean West Central is doing a great job. You know the the safety based separation policy that they have is being modeled around the state
because they they are doing a great job. it has just really resulted in a lot more staffing needs um which will likely result in higher rates for us um in 2027 because um whatever's left over in that
revenues after revenue revenue over expenditures is typically divided up among member counties. So there's going to be significantly less separated this year. Um so that will result in higher us having members having a higher rate.
Um, and also Becker County Juvenile Placements are also trending up. Um, so those that don't know how West Central reviews their or sets their rates, it's a two-year look back. So when we have a trending rate going up, that means that
um our our rates will likely go up. There is also going to be making some adjustments in 2027 budget. Um, we did set the non-member rates. We we raised them pretty significantly I would say
this year. Um we are still um West Central is still one of the lower um juvenile centers, but we I think I think the the rate we raised it was 470, which was a significant raise, but I
don't remember what it which what it was, but we we often have um youth from um you know, Anoka, Henipin, those areas coming up to um attend the programming that they have. So,
any questions on that or anything else? Because that was my last report. So, >> all right, let's bring Cody back up for any question. Any appointments? >> Any appointment?
>> Madam Chair, if I might suggest we do the road before I think we have a lot of people in Sure. could probably just soon move on rather than sit here and listen to us babble on too long. >> Yep. We will I'd rather be anywhere else. >> 245th.
>> Yep. Jump to 245th under car's report. >> All right. Thank you. Uh thank you, Madam Chair. I sat last week um I believe it was Wednesday, Steve and I on a call with the MPCA because as I understand the board meeting that I was not present for, there were some
questions again that were addressed at the MPCA. really what um in summary is really the question of the day was you know what was acceptable as far as securing the landfill and um we at that
time are I presented you know the request of the board of you know the lesser um fencing the le lesser price fencing the three strand fencing and the roll gates um which I believe there's an
estimate in the packet for you to review and we had that had received that previously as well. Um and really um in summary and I know we've I I know a couple of commissioners have also sat on calls previously with the MPCA and
really what we heard is there really isn't any very specific requirements of how to go about securing your landfill. Um they did they did present that you know a lot of money and um a lot of
money has went into this particular um landfill and that you know if we're if the board so chooses to go and secure the landfill you know you are potentially
um taking on some risk of of vandalism or illegal dumping on those types of things. So, uh, the next question that I had answered by the MPCA was if that were to happen, if we go with this, um, lesser plan, if you will, that's what
I'll call it. Um, that basically we would be asked then to address the issues if they arise. So, if we had more issues or higher incidence of illegal dumping or um, those types of things um, then then we would be asked to modify
our plan. Um so that is there any questions with regards to the MPCA? Um I also asked um question as far as what they would need from our end as far as submitt and really what they need is
you know a very specific we're putting fence here which we've talked about and I asked uh the very direct question of the MPCA as presented verbally if that's something that they would approve and really what I was hearing was yes it's
it's a um it's a a minimal um it meets the minimal standard is really what they had indicated as presented. Um and also would need under our permit um operationally on the operation side
you know there's going to be some work that needs to be done about how operations are conducted out there because you open up that road and I think the biggest concern is that people will go down that road and then maybe go down versus going to the pay station first as how it's operation operating
now but again that need will need to be submitted and turnaround time I asked that very specifically of the MPCA was a few days. So, fairly quick and I and I I should say again um when we have or when I have been involved with speaking with the
MPCA, they've been very receptive and and very helpful in answering questions. So, that is where um that conversation started and ended um last week. And so before you, I have uh
brought back forth the resolution that I believe probably was in the packet when I was out on leave um for your consideration to secure the landfill. Um I I do I would say to this board, I think it is time that you make a final
decision on this matter. And um I the other I gave you the estimate for what we were looking at for fencing in the gates. Um, with that said, I had also um, again, if we're talking again, it's
a probably a educational piece. It's a a training piece. It's a different way to conduct business if this is what you choose to do. Um, and I also I don't have pricing, but I do think um, some signage should be put out there if
people go down that road and are trying to dump versus, you know, you need to visit again whatever the operation side is going to look like. um signage that you need to check in over here for uh pre-checks. And I know from the operations side, I know John
and Steve are both here, so if you have specific questions on the operations or how that may impact, you can certainly I know you heard some of that last time. Um but if you do have questions, they are here. Um but this is before you for for action today,
>> Madam Chair. I think for operational wise I think we do this and we figure out I mean I think that's committee work that you analyze and come back to determine I think that portion of it is internal that we can we'll have to hammer out if it changes and if we see
problems we address them as we move forward. >> Madam Chair, Commissioner Nelson John Hockett is here. I would I would prefer to hear from him to see what some of the situations from his perspective are going to be if this does indeed go through. True. I'd like to know what I'm getting into before
we're there and if that is truly the way it goes. >> Well, you know, I'm I'm not sure about people going down. That's just a road. It'll just be marked as a road. The entrance to the landfill is not going to change. Somebody could actually go down that road and find out they're not in
the right spot and turn around. But what's the problem there? That's that's >> that's the reason for the signage. >> We put some signage up. That happens all over America. people go the wrong way and turn around. I don't I don't see that being a problem. And as far as the illegal dumping, they just threw a couch
down out down there on 144. So, if they would have took it closer to the landfill, we wouldn't have to haul it so far. But, I mean, that that's I mean, that's what we're talking. That's where we don't want to I I don't want to take somebody's property rights over some simple little things that And that's
what we're looking at here. We open the gates in the morning, we close them at night. I I can't I I'm I don't want to make a big deal out of nothing. It's important not to take the property rights of this property over little things that we can address as we go.
>> Madam Chair, can we hear from John? >> I don't I guess that's up to him. I don't want to put him on the spot and feel like he needs to, but >> apparently he wants to be on the spot. >> He wants to be on the spot.
>> Yeah. >> John, I'd like to hear some of your concerns other than what we've talked about up here. I mean, you're the guy on the ground that has to do it every day in and day out. >> My biggest concern is the legal dumping. um people coming down that road and
accessing the landfill um without our knowing cuz that will happen. It will happen. Um right now we have a guy that goes back to the landfill about every hour, checks
on what's being dumped back there, pushing up >> the CND land. You mean >> CD landfill? Uh once every hour we are not going to be able to catch everybody. Um I feel if this does get opened up, we're going to
have to have a man posted back there. I want to just I would say that a camera and a sign would stop so many people from doing this. Uh that I I certainly we don't need a man back there. I'm gonna tell
you most people if they see a sign no illegal dumping and a camera and if if you want to catch them and even a trail camera would do it. So I illegal dumping is not that's something that if we can't handle that we're going to be in
trouble. Um I I don't think they're going to do it there. They've been doing it on Weer Lake Road. They've been doing it on 230th and our township has been cleaning up the illegal dumping. That's who's been handling the illegal dumping. So for me, I I think as a county we can
handle illegal dumping. I know cameras are a big thing. When somebody thinks there's a camera on them and you have their license plate, we know if they did. And and so that I I I I really don't see this being a big problem.
Certainly, we would not need a man there. We have we have gates all over. We have stuff. There could be illegal dumping can go on anywhere. They're not going to come and do it in front of a camera. That's, you know, I I I I really hope we don't make up things that really
aren't going to happen. That happens quite a bit in here. People come in, don't want a campground, don't want this. It's my life. >> Um >> I I I think the the concerns are real and I think there that we can address them. I think those are things that we can address in internal meetings and and
and how we handle the the flow on there. And it could be as simple as we change the flow and have an entrance and an exit there and and if if that's where the person the pay pay person is at the exit. And I mean there are things internally that we can review if if how
when problems arise on that. I I think this is I I think it can be handled and we will handle it. Ma madam chair if I may. Um and I was just going to echo a little bit of uh what Commissioner Nelson had indicated and it was pretty clear to me on the
MPCA call that if as issues arise um that they would allow those to be addressed at the time and that the modifications could happen because I asked that question very directly. >> Yeah, I think for for me my my opinion
hasn't changed. I still I still don't believe we should. No disrespect to anybody in this room and I I I hope I have not come across as disrespectful. Um but I I think that this this has been happening for 30 years. My concern is we
are doing the minimal thing now and we will likely be have to in in the future put significant more money in as problems arise if they arise. I mean, I I agree we we can um do what we need to internally to change operations or do
whatever. It doesn't change my opinion. I still um am not for it, but I'm just one person. So, >> Madam Chair, I have a a question on for the township. Where do you anticipate the township road ending? I mean, is it
all the way to the waterfall production area or is it I mean, is that I don't know how far down that goes. I mean, I don't want what I'm worried about is I don't want people coming down that road to access the waterfall production area. >> In the past, we've maintained it up to
Schlatter House line, north line. So if is there >> by one miles is what it is. >> Is there any I mean just so we're clear that that at that line then we can fence that off that that road h did it have any >> area it's already
>> okay but I'm I'm just concerned about the extending that farther down. I we don't want that. I mean I think we all agree we don't want that extending. So, and if there was any legal road that you would look at vacating that end of it if I mean because we don't want access to that down that we don't want hunters
coming down there going down to try to get in in that way. >> That apartment needs to be played. >> Okay. >> That was my concern on on that. >> Madam Chair, just since we're talking about the township a little bit here, just a couple things that if this does go through will need to be addressed.
You know, there's woods uh on the last of that half mile. Is that a township issue to clean up the road if that is going to be a township road? And then the turnaround, are they going to go onto the property to turn around or if just say if a semi goes down there or
somebody with a trailer, how are they going to get turned around? There's 33 feet there. Um is do we have to do an easement to get over to their property? This road runs, remember it's section 17. It's the northwest quarter of section 17 that this runs down. The
property we're talking about is the southeast quarter of 17. How there's going to have to be something that gets them to their piece of land. Is that whether it be an easement or whatever? And then the turnaround is going to be important. How are people going to get turned around down there? Is it on the
Schlatteroff property? Is it on the township road? What I mean, how does that occur? Has this been thought about or we'll figure it out? I mean, I I I don't know, but I think we should figure it out before we get into that.
>> Well, that's not a big deal to make a turnaround. We looked at it down there. >> Who makes it? The township. >> Well, >> it's their property. >> The highway department has already offered to help the township. Yeah. >> If they needed it. We The landfill has equipment there to do it. >> The landfill, the the road, you know, we
we can help them out a little bit. They they destroyed a good part of that road to the south. you couldn't get down there any anywhere anyway. >> Madam Chair, I think also um signage would be a key asset when you put a a no turnaround at at the point where it starts getting woodsy. You put um this
is a minimum minimum maintenance road. No act no turnaround access, no no through access. Um and if and if someone goes down there, they got to back out if if nothing at this time because you're not I don't anticipate a lot of traffic down there. It's too >> back out a half mile. >> It's it's not a half mile.
truckers are really good at backing up >> 51. You just said it was.5 >> to the spot. >> Then that's what they they won't >> I don't imagine they'll do it a second time. >> They probably won't. >> Good point. >> I agree, Phil, that we need to figure some things out because today we're
talking about >> we're going to vote on whether we're secure this or not. >> And my question is to figure something out is >> the the township has made it clear the gate's coming down the 15th. So, what is the plan if we don't secure this
landfill? If we don't vote to secure it, what is the plan when they take that gate down and we're our landfill is not secure and does not meet the agreement that we made. that those are my concerns
and and figuring out and then if we're going to figure anything out, figure out what we're going to do then because everybody here wants to know what what we're going to do when that gate comes down, including me. Um I have a lot of concerns about what we're going to do
when that gate comes down and they've made it very clear they're going to take it down. >> Madam Chair, Commissioner Varberg, uh you're right. who who who incurs these expenses is is this turnaround this easement does that require a survey the trees all of those things I would like
to get answered before I I I I think before >> isn't that important to know that >> well I don't think so we've looked at it it's not a big deal to make that >> madam chair if we have to give an easement to the township for a little bit of a cultist act I don't have a problem with that >> I'm I'm I'm offering you a big problem
madam >> what's going to happen when the gate you're you're acting like this is a big deal. It's not a big deal to go down there and move some dirt around and make a turnaround. That's the easy thing. Easement, easy thing. Hard thing is what happens when the gate comes down and
there's and our landfill is not secure. This >> this commission this resolution is not accepting the quote at this time. Is that correct? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. I did not have the quote >> because so we will have to finalize what we're asking for when we get when we go up for quotes. That was an earlier quote
that I don't think is relevant right now. I think we have to go out for quotes for this fencing job. Correct. >> I I I mean, if we're not if we're not approving the quote today, what are we approving? I mean, we approve we I mean, yes, we we'll be approving the resolution, which we didn't do at the
last time, but how is that any different than what we did last time? >> We're approving. We're approving. This is what we're this is putting it in resolution form that we are doing this and we will ask for quotes on and I think at that time we find out who's liable for the tree cutting or in that
area where there's in that last stretch where there's wood where there's woods and what leng what I think Roy Smith brought up a good question where do you want that fence to be at what at what distance from the center line what width are we I mean because I don't necessarily think that we have to be 33
ft I don't wherever it fits us, we can go onto our property anywhere outside that 33 ft. So, I think there's some things to to hammer out before we accept the the quote. But, I mean, this I thought we I thought we were pass this right now. I mean, we made a motion. I
think we continue with this resolution, but I don't It does not state in here, does it? To to go with that low quote. >> It does not. >> So, I think we come back and we go out for quotes for this. This quote was from April April 13th. >> 13th. Yeah. So, I mean, because it's got
the three strands of barb wire and the number. >> I just did not have this until very recently. This copy. >> Yeah. >> I did not have >> Was this renewed April 13th or was it just >> No, it was >> new. >> It's a new quote. Did you get numerous quotes? >> No, I didn't. Because there's there's
other items in this resolution as you referred to earlier. you wanted more of a package of costs that would be incurred. That'll go back to committee and figure that out, which would be your fencing and other costs you have to incur. But I tell you, the board decides
they're going to go in that direction and do this things. You really don't know. >> Well, I think we need more than one quote. >> Well, that we can get more than one quote. That wouldn't take long to get, >> but I think we need to establish where this fence goes and what distance. I
mean, I don't, you know, where at the end it could be 33 ft where it's going through the woods. We can do minimal tree clearing there wherever it's needed, but up on what's the best and how what distance are the posts and um I think there's some specifics that need
to be included in the quotes. But I would and >> Commissioner Nelson, are you saying are that that was my question. Do we do this work? It's a if it's going to be a township road, is that our responsibility or is that >> I think fence is our responsibility.
>> What about the trees? You said do some clearing. >> There's no tree clearing needed right now. >> I think that last >> maintenance will be done by the township and there's plenty enough space. Steve and I have met out there and there's plenty enough space for a nice turn
hammerhead type turnaround or even a cult and that can be done by the and will be done at the township. That's our road. >> You're talking at the end end of the your the to the property line the the hammerhead >> end of the road >> at the south there.
>> I mean if it's 33 feet I mean a hammerhead takes a lot more than 33 feet to turn around on a hammerhead. So I'm I'm just saying we need to work those things out >> for that Barry. You said if if a easement was necessary from the county you'd grant us easement for that turnaround at the very end. And we can
work those issues out. Those issues are now coming up at the last minute, at the last hour. >> I don't want to kick the can down the road anymore. >> And now look where we stand. >> Okay, I think we need to point of order now. Um I think I'm going to make a
motion to approve resolution 04262E and with that stipulation that we will um finalize pricing through through administrator can direct us through that path. >> Yeah. And >> point point of order, we have a motion to approve the motion. I'll second the
resolution. >> Motion, >> madame chair. Um, also with that, I had indicated I do think we should get some pricing for signage at minimal as well. >> That I think that'll come. >> Yes. >> But I I just want to make note of that. >> Um,
I just have a couple comments. I I thought about this a lot, a whole bunch. And I'm sure everybody's interested in what I'm going to say. Um, I I believe that
things have changed and we have a responsibility to fix this problem. So, I'm going to support this resolution. >> Um, I just want to to to make it clear before we vote where the the funding for where the money for the fencing will
come from. Will it come from levy dollars? Will it come from tipping fees? What what is the plan for funding it? >> Madam chair, I I assume it'll come out of environmental. >> Yeah, we have >> my assumption, but it's for
>> Yeah. And I that I I agree with that. I come on environmental and we might we may end up >> which is >> adjusting our tipping fees. Yes. >> Okay. Any further discussion? >> Uh Madame Chair, just one I didn't have this last time. Last ditch effort. Um,
you guys said you can't build the road for on the south side of the HHW building. I mean, this came from our engineer and construction management guy. If you want to see it, um, it is possible for $30,000. So, >> Madam Chair, just just to reference
that, even if it's possible, if the property owners aren't willing to accept that, it's a mute point. >> Yeah, it is. And it's uh I don't know, you know, if we I'm just going to tell you cuz I talked to Mike Ingam. He couldn't be here. He had a funeral
today, but he he told me that if the gate doesn't come down or if the gate goes back up, the family's going to sue us. And we've been pumping polluted water onto this property, onto their
land for many years. All right, I think we're we're getting off topic here. So, let's >> you start talking about this. I'm I'm He asked me to tell this that that there will be a lawsuit if this doesn't come and I don't I don't want that. Um I
think this should be handled today and done right and and so >> okay, any further discussion? >> I I just want to say I I I support this and the principle that we need to fix this issue because I don't think it was done right. I don't respond. I don't want to listen to any threats because I
don't respond well to the threats. I I I'm supporting it, but I don't want my mind changed by somebody threatening us to do some this or >> Well, it's just it's just the property owners day of that for a year to handle this. And they are threatening because they haven't been
treated right. So now they are now they're they've had it. >> I I think it's important, Madam Chair, if you just vote on this. You have the motion on this. You're done with >> Yes. All right. Roll call vote. >> I >> I >> No. >> No. >> I
>> All right. Motion carries. >> Um I just I just want to say one final thing before we're done is my my issue with this is it has been this way for 30 years. And I I I wish that had this been this big of an issue that the county had
done it wrong as though you say we did, this would have been taken care of long before my time here. Um and that and that it we wouldn't have waited 30 years plus years to fix it. So that's my final thing. Thank you. >> I would like to
>> um this issue should have been taken care of by the county originally. >> Correct. That's what I'm saying. I wish it would have been done long before my time, >> but it was the county. They dropped the ball in getting the township to take a road. They also dropped the ball when my grandparents signed the form saying,
"Yes, we agree to this. It was never filed by the county." So, ultimately, this is the county's fault. So, I do feel it should be mandated. >> Okay, moving on to our next thing.
Cody You guys aren't going to stick around. >> Hey, thanks to the highway zoning and auditor's office. You guys are good hands because of that. Thank you. >> Thanks, Charlie. >> Thanks, Charlie. >> All right. >> Hi, Cody.
>> We didn't get quite as far on this uh so many documents. So, update. Um, >> but we were uh looking at our business subsidy policy for the county. Um, you know, it looks like it hasn't been updated since around 2007, I think the
last draft that was um passed by the board. Um, so there's a lot of outdated language in it. Um, old references to old programs that were through the state um that no longer apply. So, you know, there's some redlinining and stuff to remove some statutory updates. Um but
really we just want to get it updated um to align with you know some of the new information potential priorities of the county. You know recently the county went through the um comprehensive land use process and and and have some updated information there. Um but
ultimately we just want to be in compliance and make it more seamless for you know business subsidy opportunities. You know, right now we currently um we get a lot of inquiries that are related to like gap financing um for business
expansion um equipment stuff like that. And uh it makes it kind of difficult to do some of that without, you know, a clear business policy in place. Um, and then once that's passed, we have some intake applications and and so forth like that that are already prepared that
we could uh uh implement to make it a little more um of a seamless process. Um, but um I guess one thing that's a requirement in order to update that too is to set a public hearing um which you can set at a future date. Um, ideally we
would have been targeting maybe next month sometime, but I'll I'll probably be gone. So, I don't know if we want to push it back a little bit. So, um you could either, you know, set a public hearing date in in in June potentially or we can wait and I can uh you know,
provide an update with a a recommended date at the next commission meeting possibly or maybe have Carrie, you know, propose the the date to set the public hearing or something like that. But um we have the document mostly updated and um so you know we could if we if we did
set a public hearing we' we'd be ready to um present it. So >> should we set the public hearing for um >> May 19th? Well, no. I was thinking the second in June. >> June. >> The second meeting. The second meeting would probably have to be the 16th because then
>> and that's I mean I won't I'll be gone probably through this time uh a little bit of time next month. >> Um >> Madam Chair's on the 21st too. So that'll give kind of one more you know >> EDA committee meeting um to update it
too. So if we set a public hearing potentially on the 16th of June, >> we can do two two weeks of posting in there as well. >> Um so yeah, it again you can ether set it now or we can you know bring a a date for one of the next meetings too.
>> Madam Chair, I was just going to say, you know, without any information in the packet. I'm just I don't think there's anything that's going to be real controversial for us to we're just updating it to include it more. So I don't think we as far as this board personally but um I think you have to
gauge if there is anything significant change that if you we would hear about it then it might be but I don't see anything but I I'm not familiar with it the document. So >> So do you do you think we should set a public hearing now or >> I'm fine with setting it but I I would those that know it know what changes are
being >> we'll say we'll know if there's going to be any >> any concerns that we should see. If there's no concerns, I don't have a problem. >> And you won't be here the 19th. Correct. >> Correct. Yeah, I'll probably >> But but you can you can work on the concern. Sorry, Phil. And then Carrie
can present it. That's fine. >> I can I'm just saying if if you see there's >> if it's just a housekeeping thing, put it anytime you want, but if it's something then I'd like you here. >> I don't think it was significant. >> I agree with Commissioner Nelson. Just work with Carrie. Get it on the calendar for when you're going to be here to if
we have questions >> or not. Or not. Or not if you want. I mean, We want you here. >> A lot of it's like I said, statutory stuff that's outdated. So, a lot of it's just language change. Um, in terms of a subsidy policy, >> it's pretty straightforward. It's it's
it's guided by statute. So, um, unless there was certain restrictions or or something that you wanted to limit even further, you know, decided maybe a a threshold or something like that. Um, even some of that has limits as well. So yeah, it's it's no big surprises.
Obviously, like I said, it's a mostly an update just to get it in compliance with current regulations. So >> So my suggestion is let's set the public hearing for June 16th. Bring it for Carrie can bring it forward at the n May 19th meeting.
>> Um so that we can preview it before the public hearing. If anything changes that we don't feel like we need we should have the public hearing or we need additional changes, we can change it at that time. >> Why don't we just let them work it out and put it on the agenda? >> That's what I just said. >> Yeah, just let them do it.
>> Okay, we'll just let you guys figure it out. >> I guess we'll figure it out >> and put it on the agenda as soon as soon as >> I mean Yeah. And then >> so not set the public hearing until May. >> Well, do we need a motion to set it the hearing? >> Yes. >> Yes. I'll make a motion to set the public hearing for May 19th.
>> No. No. >> June 16th. >> June 16th. >> Sorry, I screwed up. >> 9:00 a.m. >> Second. >> I second. Either one. >> Either one. >> Either one. >> All right. We have a motion for June June 16th at 9:00 a.m. And a second. Any
further discussion? >> Yep. 9 a.m. >> 9:00. >> Yep. >> All right. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carried. >> Madam Chair, can we change the agenda? Can we put the 10:20 right now?
>> Yeah, >> that's a great idea. >> We're going to take a break. >> 10:20. That was yesterday. order. >> That's awesome. >> And we um will welcome Amanda Koopa and Jason McCoy
um for a presentation on tobaccof free grounds. >> Thanks for having us. Well, I'm Amanda. I'm the supervisor here at Becker County Public Health. We met and I brought Jason McCoy here. I'll let you introduce yourself. >> Can I get the next slide?
>> Yes. >> Oh, there you are. >> There I am. Hi, I'm Jason McCoy. I've been here once or twice in the past. Um, I've been working for Klay County Public Health for 11 years. Um, I've worked for our Partnership for Health CHB for all of that time as well. >> Madam Chair, you you filled us in on the
marijuana thing, didn't you? >> Absolutely. Absolutely. And I'll be back later this summer to talk to you. So, that was a great presentation, by the way. >> Thank you. I hope you think the same for this one as well. Um, so yeah, I've been doing this for 11 years. Um, uh, originally I it was Becker, Clay,
Ottertale, and Wilin County. Um, so I've I I've helped with about 34 different ordinances, multiple policies, things like that. So I was asked by our CHB to come and give you guys this information um to kind of help you along with uh making a decision as to how you wanted
to do this. Um, let's do next slide. So along the way, I've kind of uh learned to put my presentations in a little bit of a different format. I want to start today with spirit kind of talking about why we might want to think about doing something like this. Um,
next slide. >> Oh, okay. Let me back up for a second. >> We'll give you we'll give you a background. So, um, as part of our SHIP, uh, uh, funds that come through our CHB, uh, one of the things that was a priority was to pass a tobaccofree
grounds on every county. Um, as background beyond that, um, as far as the state is concerned, there's only 10 counties right now left that don't have a full tobaccof free grounds policy. So, >> that was a state >> as far as our entire state of Minnesota. >> That was a state goal. >> Yes. Yeah. And so, it's through through
our SHIP funds. One of the requirements to get those SHIP funds was to work on this. Um, it doesn't say that specifically that we have to pass it or we lose the funds. So, I want to make sure that I'm not fear-mongering here. Um but just so you know that it is something that through that program they
want us all to be working on. So when we think about this um reasons for um we want to realize first of all nicotine dependence is real right that whenever a person is addicted to nicotine that's a hard thing to work on to work through um we don't want to be harsh about that. We
want to actually help. So we wanted policy to to actually support people to move towards health as opposed to penalizing them for something that they might have made a choice to do. Um, we want to make sure that there's support available for those who are looking for help to quit. Um, one of the most fun
things I've had in Klay County when we passed ours was the number of people who told me how hard it was. They wanted to quit, but they just hadn't made it there, right? Their smoking was what they would do, go outside and do, right? They would get together at the smoker's pit or whatever, and that was their uh form of conversation. and they had
wanted to quit and whenever we were able to go tobaccof free grounds and they realized that they would actually have to walk off of county grounds that they were going to smoke again. It helped them actually be able to quit and m be to maintain that, right? Because a lot of times you'll quit and you'll still
have uh uh cravings that kind might bring it back on. Right. >> Madam Chair Jason, are we spending money on prevention if if if people never start, you don't got to get them to quit? It seems like that'd be a more effective or absolutely use of money. Is that is that happening as well? >> Absolutely. I this just this school year
I've actually been at Detroit Lakes High School. I've trained um from your 7th to 12th graders. I've been uh out at Frezy. I've been at uh Lake Park as well. So I've been doing a lot of the prevention education and going forward my my position is morphing into a way where I can actually provide more of that
partnership um to our schools uh to our colleges as well. So yeah, absolutely. We're trying to spend as much because we realize every >> So it's all of the above basically. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Yes. So okay. Um so okay so let's go to the next slide.
Um so what this means for you for your workforce ultimately to kind of sum it all up is a healthy workforce can show up for work. There's less uh less days that are missed. There is uh less dollars spent on health care. Um we have
a healthier healthier workforce that can actually do the job that we hire them to do and do it more effectively. So that's that's really the the financial reasons behind it. Um but most importantly, I just uh I I just want to put forth that the idea is not to make this a hardship.
More I want to celebrate the fact that I know you guys want all of your employees to be healthy. You care about the people that work for you. Clearly just sitting in your meeting, I can tell that you guys have real passion for the people here in Becker County. Next slide.
So specifically, um I don't know if anyone would have brought this up, but I wanted to address it anyway because we are are sitting right next to the White Earth Reservation. Um that this does not cover sacred tobacco, right? So we will not be impinging on anybody's rights, anybody's religious beliefs. Um so
sacred tobacco specifically mostly is usually red willow bark. Um there's not nicotine included in it. It's not hurting anybody. Um and so therefore, we don't want that as part of the policy. So, just want to make sure to make a a statement on that quickly. Next slide.
Um, the science behind this. Next slide. What we're talking about cigarettes, right? Right now, you have a policy that indoors a person can't smoke or vape. That's that's state law, right? State law. Clean indoor air says that that exists. What we're talking about is including other tobacco products as well
and stepping outside of the building to the grounds that you actually cover and own. Um, so we're talking about cigarette cigars, you know, smokeless uh tobacco is is constantly changing. Uh, vaping and hookah use. >> Madam Chair, uh, Jason, that vaping that's come on the scene in the last
decade or so. Is that smoke that comes out of vaping, is that as bad as nicotine or cigarette smoke? >> Absolutely. At this point in time, so it's it's been around for about 15 years. Um, and yeah, it science is saying it's about 50/50 as to which one's worse. In my personal opinion, I
think vaping is worse because you can intake it faster than you could smoke. For as example, um I I work with kids that they start vaping and they they they might go through an entire cartridge in a weekend after having started for like a week. To put that in perspective, that would be like saying
they managed to smoke four to six packs of cigarettes after just starting a week ago. >> And it's just as addictive every bit. It's more so because so much more uh nicotine can be packed into one cartridge. So yeah, um, next slide.
Zen is the new product out there. Um, just to let you guys know, and if you ever want me to come and and and actually cover specifically, I have a presentation that just kind of delves deep into this, but Zen is the new product. They're nicotine pouches. Just like vaping is the new smoking. Zen is the new chewing tobacco. Um, they'll try
to tell you that they're that they're not tobacco products because they're made out of synthetic nicotine, but research has already proven that they're every bit as addictive. And every one of those pouches has as much nicotine as three to six cigarettes. So that that's quite a bit of nicotine that gets taken
in at a single time. Next slide. I talked about that one already. So next slide. Sorry, jumped ahead. Um, so how does the tobacco industry uh keep bring more people, right? Because that might be your question. I can remember talking 10 years ago to individuals who were like, "Hey, we're gonna age out of the
smoking problem. this won't be something we even need to worry about. Well, advertising, it gets spent so much on social media nowadays. And it's mostly uh product placement, right? We all know how that works. We all have people that we like to look at on social media or follow on TV or whatever. And we watch
what they do. We watch what they wear, what they what they listen to, you know, and and this really affects our kids and affects our young people that are coming into the employment market. Um, so, uh, the tobacco industry spends about a million dollars an hour on reported
advertising, right? >> They can't advertise on TV though, can they? >> No, they're not allowed to. But product placement wise, they can. I mean, I I I asked this. I I just presented to 500 middle schoolers yesterday and and I asked them, "How many move how many of you seen movies that have smoking in it?" Every single hands up, right? How
many have you seen with vaping in it? Almost all the hands went right back up again. Right. So, it's product placement. It's influencers. >> Sea store. I mean, they're eye level in every >> Absolutely. >> Absolutely. Right. So, the advertising is there while they still keep telling the exact same lies that the tobacco
industry was sued for, right? They still try to tell us that nicotine is not addictive, that it's not harmful, that it's not going to be addictive. Um, but I keep asking the question, if they spend $23 million a day to tell us that something isn't hurting us, why do they
need that much money? Right? Okay. Next slide. Um, nicotine and mental health is really my biggest concern after having a career in this uh this arena. Um, there's a a lie. I'll just call it out. There's a lie that nicotine is going to cure
mental health. Most of the teens that I talk to, they started because of anxiety and depression. The reason why they start is because they start self-medicating, right? They see a doctor, they're given a prescription, they go home, they try it, they don't like the side effects. I mean, I understand this. I I've had anxiety
myself. I've I've tried some of this stuff. My daughter has goes through this situation as well. Whenever you're not wanting to use the pill and you said set that aside, there's always someone willing to tell you, hey, this is going to fix the problem. This is going to make you feel better. And what I what I
challenge kids when I talk to them about it is if we have to take a drug like this to make ourselves feel good, is that actual happiness that you're bringing into your life? Right? and and and I don't have time to to
delve deep into that science, but uh addiction um nicotine addiction will make them higher if that forgive the expression, but it will make them happier is how I describe it because of the dopamine center that it hooks into than um than
just anything else in their life for about 15 minutes and then they crash and they crash lower and that's the reason why the person reaches for that next cigarette, that next vape, right? We call it nickfits, right? Nick addiction. Um they they think that they're helping
themselves and in as they as they move through that the addiction gets deeper. Whoops. Next slide. >> I don't know what happened here. >> Not me. >> Did somebody take over our computer?
>> Judy, the the industry heard me. It's the big company, >> right? >> Big brother. >> We're not getting down, >> Judy. >> I got booted out. >> I think it's the Marbor man.
>> Marorrow man or Joe the Camel. >> Joe Camel. Yeah, >> Joe camel. >> Think of how that has changed. >> Yeah, I talk about that a lot. >> All the Marorrow and >> All the Marorrow miles. >> Yeah. Your doctor says that marboral is better than >> Yes. I show some of those old
advertisements um to kids like the and I picked four of them on purpose. One of them is a a dentist telling you that to take care of your teeth, you should smoke. The one of them is a doctor saying that if you want better health, you should smoke. One of them is a doctor telling you if you have asthma,
you should smoke a cigarette to for your And then my favorite. >> Was that JFK? >> No. No. Um but my uh that's an interesting we could we could talk about that on another time. >> But uh >> but the other one is uh how they would
target moms and parents and and and it says that if you want to be a better parent, you'll be calmer if you're smoking. You know, things the things and the kids laugh and I want them to because that's old school advertising that they can't do anymore. But nowadays, this is how they chase them, right? They chase them with influencers
and they chase them thinking that this is going to uh to cure their their anxiety and mental and and depression and mental health. Uh next slide. So ultimately what we find um with with the research and we've got you know just
decades of this uh to to go off of is that uh the addiction actually brings on more anxiety, brings on more uh depression. It makes it worse for some people who haven't um who didn't have anxiety to begin with. It it starts coming around, right? Because if if these cravings keep hitting you on a
time when you can't reach for what your your addiction is, you have to find ways to make that that that uh craving get fulfilled. Next, um just a quick I talked to you guys about cannabis before, so I'm glad that
you remembered. Um just a uh just a quick uh update on that. Um the law hasn't changed really as far as um what it what it means here on uh on county grounds, excuse me. Um you still can't uh smoke uh cannabis or use cannabis while you're uh just like clean the door
air. Um, as far as use, um, the as a county, you can't tell your employees, most of your employees that they can't use. But if they work with uh, youth or adults that have that uh, that have
disabilities, they're not if they use a firearm, they're not allowed to use it. If they need a CDL for their for their job, you can't they can't use it. Um and uh yeah, those those different ones also also federal grants if they're working like for myself, if there's a federal
grant passing through, they can't use it as well. So those are the the the individuals who absolutely have to abstain outside of that. We're not allowed to just randomly drug test people, but if if there's a reason why
someone's job performance has fallen and there's a reason to think that that's what's going on, then it is lawful to actually ask for a drug test to see if that's going on. So, that's it got protected a little bit more. Cannabis got protected a little bit more than tobacco did whenever the law was put
into place. Any questions about that real quick? I'll pause. >> I got a lot, but >> I bet >> not for now. It's it it's a growing okay and and feel free. I'm I'm your resource. Go ahead. Next next slide, please. >> Um so action. How do we make this happen? Next.
>> Um process. Um the process for this is actually really really simple. Um I'll start off by saying that I never recommend passing this kind of a policy without giving it um some lead time, some some lead time. Um, I recommend at least six months because if there's
people, and let's let's be honest, there's probably people that work for Becker County right now who use tobacco products. We don't want to tell them that, hey, tomorrow you have to quit like or you can't do this here. We want to give them time and encouragement to quit and we want to provide those
cessation services along the way. >> So, Madam Chair, uh Jason, just where we're going here, we're one of the 10 counties that don't have a tobaccofree grounds. Correct. So that's the endgame here. >> Yes. >> Oh, okay. I didn't I didn't know that. >> I I should have led with that a little stronger.
>> We're here to present this and then you will make the final decision. >> Got it. Okay. Yes. All right. Yes. >> And to clarify, this is for employees. This wouldn't be for >> visitors like for our parks and things like that. We wouldn't be putting signage up for visitors saying this is a
tobaccofree grounds. This is for employees. >> Yes. Yeah. We wouldn't want people to to still to be to be smoking or vaping on on our grounds, but we I would never ever ask law enforcement to cheat be chasing a smoker through a park. That's just we have way more things to do. Um
>> I'd like to see that. >> What what we want instead what we recognize with most tobacco control is that um that signage that that the policies work. Most people want to follow through on the policies, but specifically this is to help the health
of our people of of the people that we employ. >> Jason, so okay, so I walk outside the courthouse and you got a sign right there that says no smoking, but you got an employee that's smoking. They have to go out and the I see them in their coats and just freezing, but they got to get that next
hit. Yeah. >> So, we're saying, "Okay, don't do it." You know, and I get people walking in the doors and the smoke wafting around. You don't want to, but uh I mean if people smoke, they're going to smoke. We just want to do them off off county grounds. Is that what we're shooting for? >> That that is the goal. And and it feels
simplistic, but what we find is that actually helps support them. Data shows us that out of every smoker, six out of seven of them want to quit at any given time. Right. So, >> so this is an incentive. >> This is an incentive. Absolutely. It's a it's a positive way to move forward.
It's like shock therapy, >> except we're not telling them that they can't smoke. Just don't do it on county grounds. So, I I will be just straight up with you. We have people at Klay County that will just walk off of county grounds to be able to smoke, right? Because some people, you're you're
correct. Some people the addiction is that strong, but I've had equal number of people who have quit because of this policy and it helps them be reinforced with an area that redefes their health, right? And and helps them. So ultimately, if we look at it from the
perspective that we're trying to help people, that's good. If we if we think that we're doing this to people, then we feel like the villains, right? So I I can't tell you which direction you want to think about this, but that's the direction that we're that that I personally am headed. So okay. All
right. So as far as a a procedure, um if you are ready to move on something like this, um what happens is we we draft a policy. We bring it to the wellness committee. We start working with our supervisors to train them. What is this going to look like? We start communication so that every employee
knows this is coming. It will not be a shock to anyone. That's why also I say a lead time of six months, eight months, whatever you want to set it up for. It gives people time to work through this. Next, >> and Cody is online and I did talk to him and we don't have a wellness committee
right now, but we could bring it through safety committee. Correct. >> Yeah. Richard, you want to handle that? >> I do. I want to I want to see get working with the sheriff and chase these people. >> Madam Chair, Amanda, do we know how many people we have at
the county that smoke? >> I don't think so. >> Can we ask that question or do we >> I don't think so. We at human services we have a handful, but I wouldn't know exact number. >> Yeah. >> As far as uh policies are concerned, the
nice thing is is you don't have to pay anybody for a policy. We already have them. They're written by third parties by American Lung Association and folks like that have really uh good handbooks that can walk us through that that we can obtain for free. Next, um best practices in include all the
tobacco products. Um you don't want to leave otherwise you just take somebody's addiction and move it from one product to the other. Um >> that includes chewing tobacco. >> Yes. Yeah. um you if you apply it to your leased buildings, grounds, uh
company vehicles, it makes it uh >> go all the way across uh all all in an equal way. Um as far as enforcement is concerned, I always recommend you don't handle this differently than anything else. If there's if you have a disciplinary uh
measures that you use for anything, use it that way. um you don't want to pick one thing like say smoking as we were just joking about chasing them around like you don't want to handle it in a different way right so if there's if there is something if there's a way that you handle someone who's tardy to work
or if you handle someone who's um otherwise being obnoxious um in the workplace right handle it the same way um we want to promote the sessation right we don't want to again we're not trying to hurt people next well if you're not trying to hurt me as
a smoker. I'm not a smoker, but right then leave me alone and let me do my business. That's that's what they'd say, right? >> That is what they would say quite often. Um, it depends on on where we want to stand at that point in time, right? >> Well, okay. So, where do we want to stand? Are we calling Sheriff Glander to
come out the front door and >> or HR? >> I I will I will tell you this at at the other three uh counties that I've helped pass these policies, we've never had to chase anybody. So, the signs are up. the po the we we went through walking through giving them the six months time
we have the signage which by the way we have that for free as well. Um so once that's up our people just didn't use that. If every once in a while if we saw an employee who was uh smoking we might just mention hey you know there's a policy and they adapted right we didn't
have to worry about this never became something that someone was fired about. It became very easy. On a side note, um one of the people who actually liked this the most was one of my biggest opponents in the beginning was our grounds maintenance uh supervisor and uh
he he was worried that this was going to cause problems that you know people are going to react negatively and so trash was going to end up all over the place and he's like you know what you guys made my job 50% easier like I don't have to sweep up cigarette butts anymore. We don't have tobacco trash all over the
place. So it made things a lot easier for him. Um, as far as advanced, uh, like I said multiple times now, advanced notice, we want that steady drum beat of messaging. We want people to know this is what we're doing, so it's not a surprise. Um,
you know, I always, we're talking about nicotine, but I always think about coffee, for example. I mean, it's the legal drug of choice, right? We most people like their coffee, and if we tried to tell people that they couldn't drink coffee, that would be a big problem. Um, if we took it away from them on the day of, that's okay. You can
laugh if we took took him away the day of that would be a problem. Tobacco 21 if you guys remember about 5 years ago now. Um tobacco 21 was passed overnight like on June or sorry on December 30th. So there were people who went to bed
thinking that they could go buy smokes the next day after their New Year's Day party or whatever and they woke up and they weren't able that that wasn't the right way to pass these kind of laws. Um we want to give that time. Um, for supervisors, we can train them on how to handle the conversations. All of these questions that you guys are asking, um,
we would want them to be prepared to answer because we don't want to put them on the hot seat. Um, and quite honestly, we need them to be supportive of the policy as well. Next, so um, communication assistance, like I
I'll say this over and over again, free, free, free, free, free. We I can help with this. We have people that can help. We have people that can help with signs. We have people that can help with the the communication, with the posters, all these things. It should count cost Becker County 0 to pass this policy and
to enforce this policy. Next, um, yep, here's an example of the signs that we have that we can provide. Next, there are bad actors, right? There will be some folks that will try to try to push the envelope and see what can happen. And all it needs is a reminder.
Um, again, we don't want to um we don't want to make this something that is an HR issue. We don't want to make this a law enforcement issue. This is a policy for the good of the people. And if and if we get behind it together, that's where change actually happens. If we
don't believe in it, then our employees won't believe in it. But if we believe that that we actually want our employees to be as healthy as possible and we approach it from that perspective, that is how it's received. Next, cessation support is free as well. Here
in Minnesota, we're blessed that we have the quit partner services. They've been around for six years now. Before that, they were quit um plan uh for about a decade. Uh they're very good at what they do. They're free. Um you can either text them, you can call them. They will provide free nicotine replacement
therapy if a person wants it. So, let's say the person doesn't want to stop smoking or doesn't want to stop vaping, they can get free n uh patches to wear while they're at work and then the minute they are off off the job, they can do whatever they would like to off county grounds. Um, this oftentimes
helps county insurance when this kind of policy is passed. Makes it if you have a tobaccof free grounds, it actually helps uh insurance providers provide better rates for us. Um, and just to have understanding for the people as we're going forward. 11 years ago, I was
raised that addiction is hard, right? And we all deal with things. So, we want to try to help as much as we can. Next. Okay. And bringing this together. Uh, next. I just whenever I thought about this, I thought about the chance that I thought
about all these jokes. have thought about all the all the push back we can get all this concept of like oh we're doing something to others every single time we pass an ordinance pass a policy we're doing something to someone but we're usually and hopefully always doing these in a way that we want to help
people that we want to actually provide the healthiest Becker County that we can believe that you guys want that even if you say no to this I believe that you want that um this policy aligns with a commitment to helping our employees be as healthy as they poss possibly can.
Um, we support them. We create a consistent, healthy work environment. Um, and it reflects the values that you guys have right there on your seal behind. Right. We want the most beautiful and healthy Becker County that we can have. Next,
so again, we change the dialogue. We don't think of this as things we're doing to people. We think of this as helping everyone because as much as we think about the few who might smoke, we should also think about the 99% who
don't, right? And their health as well. Um, we can change our norms to be health. Becker County is is synonymous with health. We think about Detroit M. We think about the biking, the hiking, the trailblazing, all the awesome things going on here. This is one more thing
that should just be part of that package. next. And again, most people will comply. We have not had to call down anyone. It was funny because in my job, it was originally thought that I was the tobacco police. That that's what my job
was. I've only had to talk to two people in 11 years. And that conversation was just like, "Hey, remember we got a policy." And they're, "Oh, yeah. Sorry." And they took it off county grounds. It was that easy. So, it wasn't something that became a big problem or a hardship.
Next. So, I kind of went through this already, but just as a reminder, I mean, we can as Partnership for Health, we can do all of the things for you. All we need is is your leadership to move forward. Um, we can provide anything from the technical
advice to signage to navigation as as to how this works and how to make this move forward for you. Next questions that you guys might have for me. >> I asked all mine. >> That's fair. I I appreciate that.
>> Jason, I know a question would be how about employees that would go to their car and smoke. Is that considered their own property? >> The way that it's been handled is so yes. Yes. I mean, obviously that's our car, but the way that we handle this, if you're going to roll your windows all the way up and leave them rolled all the
way up, okay, then that is your ground. Otherwise, you are still on county ground. You're you're still affecting everybody else around you as well. >> So, if they park in a leased parking lot, >> Yep.
>> is that considered county grounds? >> Yes, because the county is leasing that at this time. >> Okay. These are questions that are put forward from employees that I have to ask. >> Yeah. >> Feel like we're doing a podcast now. >> You mean
>> How about if you're out hunting on the tax forfeit land? >> Does Ber County own that land? >> That would be >> That would be an employee. >> That would be employees. >> Employees during work. >> Yeah. So, if they're hunting during work, are are they is that okay?
>> Well, you didn't you didn't specify it was work hours only. So yeah. >> Yeah. This doesn't affect the person when I said that uh if they're off of county grounds and they're on their own time, that is that that's completely their life. >> They're off of county if they're on county grounds on
>> on their own time >> their own time. >> On their own time, then that would depend on how you you phrased your policy for sure. >> So for example, if I showed up, let's just make this real. If I showed up at Klay County and I was smoking and I was out in the parking lot, but I was
smoking, I would still be in our tobaccof free grounds area. So, if I wanted to smoke, I would have to step off of county grounds to smoke and to be compliant with the policy >> on a day off or on a >> even on a day off. Absolutely. >> Yeah.
>> But you're saying that we would not >> like if community members can go smoke out in the grass out there. >> Yes. But not in place. >> Yes. >> So then what's the point in making it tobaccof free if you're going to let other people do it? >> Well, you would have the signage. So
hopefully send a good example follow that. I mean >> Yeah. >> Yeah. But if you're going to set a good example, then make the whole I mean like the schools are back and free. >> Yeah. And I agree you can do that as well. So that and that's why I would say like because to go to go back to Commissioner Nelson's question. Um first
of all, why am I on county grounds? If we're talking about my workplace, why why am I there off my hours on my time? Um, if we're talking about parks, um, then I would say yes, it's it's great to keep them tobaccof free. It's good for
the kids. Um, I didn't even delve into that. Um, but when we talk about tobaccof free parks, it definitely becomes a really important thing because uh the number one uh most piece most littered item is cigarette butts, right? Our kids tell me this all the time. like you would not you not believe. I I' I'd
urge you go look at their swing sets. Go look at the the you know all the playgrounds and see how many cigarette butts and how many tens of copenh hanging or whatever you see just discarded around there. It's definitely being uh infecting the environment. And what we know if we want to com we want to take care of our environment is that
the chemicals in a lot of these these products they have half lives of up to a century. So we're definitely polluting the ground with that. But I'm getting off off topic. Madam Chair, how do we move forward with this? >> I think if this is something we're interested in, we would probably, like
Amanda said, bring it to our safety committee. I don't think we vote on anything today. >> Yeah. >> Um, I think we can start gauging the interest of, you know, see if that Well, I guess first we can say, is this something that we as a board want to do? >> Barry, Commissioner Nelson. Well,
there's a lot of specifics that I would have to have answers to before I could I mean, I'm not going to blindly say yes, I support this completely. I support work I this building smokefree and I support that there shouldn't be anyone smoking outside the doors, but when you
start expanding it to um the fair or or parks or public beaches that we I mean there I'm I'm gray and I need to learn more information before I could support anything. I guess I' I'd like to learn more, too. But I, you know, 77 other counties have done it. You've got third
party stuff. Uh, it's not going to be a cost. Is it the right thing to do? I think maybe it comes down to that. And I I'd like to learn a little more, I guess, or uh get schooled up a little bit, but I'm I'm not opposed to it at this point. Um, with everything I've heard here. >> Yeah, I would agree.
>> That helps anybody. >> I don't want anybody sitting in their car with windows rolled up. >> No hot boxing. >> So, I don't know what to do about that. I think Richards should handle this at safety. >> Yeah, we'll talk >> come back with a recommendation. >> See what they say. >> I'll I'll I'll get with co I'll get a
draft policy from >> Sure. >> Jason and the American Heart Association >> lung association >> and then get it to Cody and bring it through to the safety committee for discussion. >> Yeah. >> And to be clear, you can make this your
policy. If you want to leave the beaches off, if you want to leave the parks off, you could. You couldn't make it just around county buildings. You can you can include vehicles. You can not include vehicles. So, I was I I've been speaking to the highest form of the policy, but
as you guys know with ordinances, everything is very uh functional depending on how you want it to look. >> Okay. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Okay. >> Back to you.
>> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I wanted to acknowledge we I believe all of all of uh the board members had received a message from the sheriff with regards to the week of April 12th through the 18th was National Public
Safety Telecomuters Communicators Week. So, I just wanted to read uh out loud what was written and I thought it was well well written. We would like to, this is from the sheriff, um, we would like to thank our communications officers who have
dedicated their lives to serving the residents of Becker County while answering all emergency and non-emergency calls. You dispatch and monitor all law enforcement, fire departments, ambulance, and first responder services within the county,
most of the time sim simultaneously. You are truly the lifelink for many. Thank you for all your diligence and commitment to public safety. So, I just wanted to acknowledge that. >> Thank you for that.
>> Yes. Um just a few updates. Um I've had some um preliminary communications with a few of the unions. We're again I'm very much trying to stress we would like to get started with our union contract negotiations sooner
than later. um hoping to have information as we go through budgeting cycles. Um I haven't had any um bites yet on actual dates, but I keep any opportunity I have with business agencies. I bring that up and try to get
them to commit to >> Chair Carrie. Yes. >> Is that for all the unions or are there just We have 11 different unions. Is that right? Is that for all of them? >> Yes. All of our contracts expire this year. Does that answer your question? Yes.
Okay. Um I've been in communication with Kelsey from the city. Um the question or if you recall, and I did mention this to the sheriff as well, the lease on um the sheriff's equipment, I believe it's July that the lease runs. We did sign a
one-year lease. So, I had inquired and I think that's something that we can work on going monthtomonth since we don't really know uh with the Mstate and timelines on that. And I've also been in communication with them and I'll go back I think I had shared with you with the
board earlier that uh the initial pricing on that was pretty high probably more than well not probably it was more than what we are currently paying so I will continue to have those conversations um and I have not heard yet from them that they have started the appraisal
process but that's really as my understanding I know you had went to the meeting that they had uh when I was out on leave um that they were looking at doing an appraisal. >> And I went to the meeting and they said nothing happens until they get that appraisal. That's what they said. >> And that's what I understood.
>> They said when and >> I don't think we've received kind of a time. I have not received a timeline >> and I don't know what what difference it makes for renting, but >> yeah, I don't know either. Right. >> Um I've had a few meetings with our probation officer, our probation unit
here locally and still continuing on uh you know evaluating the community corrections model that you are all familiar with and whether or not that would be um something that we would want to move forward. So that is in progress. Um yesterday the veteran service officer
and myself met with the um county coordinator from Norman County, they had reached out. They have a half-time well no that's not true a full-time veteran service officer but that individual does many other duties other than just serving vets and that individual is
retiring. So, they were looking at potentially um reaching out to uh counties to see and gauge interest to see whether or not um there would be any interest in contracting our services and they would pay on a contract. So, it's
something that we're exploring and and to see if it would make uh sense. Um you know, obviously there's many kinks that would have to be worked out with that >> and potentially, you know, adding a halftime staff that they would you know, potential. Again, there's they've got
budget money for it. It's just a matter of and uh you know, our veteran service officers have been very successful in claims and and different things that they have done. >> They're they're really busy, too. >> That's that was my question is >> I don't think they could do it just with
the two of them. No. >> And I I >> So, we don't have the capacity then. >> Yeah. That's >> but if we're enter into a contract I think again structurally we could look at some things you know whether that's uh >> sure >> assistant are they both stay back here
>> yes >> so anyway it just we're just exploring the option we're not committed uh by any means >> and what else do I have um we had a department head meeting yesterday and um
we are focused on uh a few things um some of the topics that we had discussed. Um there's been um a higher number of data requests and different departments are managing that a little bit different. So we have had some conversations if we should um and human
services also offered to update some policies and fee schedules to make sure they align with the appropriate statutes. You know, different departments have different statutes that they follow about what they can release and what's public and what's private and etc. So that was uh a conversation
yesterday with with department heads. Um a couple of other topics that I know this board was interested in. Um they want to as department heads review appointments to different committees and tracking and trying to standardize, you know, some of that.
>> And I know Peggy tracks some of that. But I I don't think I told you yet, Peggy, but they're going to pull you into that meeting. >> Thank you. I'm busy that day. um as well as a couple of other items that were uh discussed yesterday.
You know, I know you've referenced the organics pro uh organics program that is rolled out in the county and I have stated to department heads and and again, um I I think it's very important that as a county we also support this
program and make sure that within our buildings that we are um participating in the organics program as well. So that is we've got the bins and you know we want to be you know model what what we're asking others to do. So
we were just uh between uh uh Brent and Steve they were going to work out you know the formalities of that and training custodial staff and some of those things. >> Yeah. I think our third floor meeting room we just have a garbage up there. We don't have a recycle thing. So I mean there are Yeah.
>> Good point. Thank you. >> So yes. So, department heads were all um brought into the loop on that yesterday. The last item um we talked about was um the budget process and and trying to start that. I would like to see us to start do some preliminary work on
budgets in May here and I did speak to department heads about that. Um, and I'm going to start working on a schedule uh preliminary so we can start start that process as well as you know um preparing department heads to be able to provide
additional information and specific line items to justify um amounts and things that they have in there. So they um again that was uh information that was provided to them as well. All right. Any questions on that? Was a
lot of topics. >> No questions. >> No questions. Good. Good. Good. Good. All right. So, the other thing that I had, um, legislative update, um, I went and, uh, I'm still trying to get my feet back under me. So, I should say thank
you for everybody that was covering for me for a couple weeks when I was out, including the administrative staff and department heads. Um, so I I was just really trying to track, you know, where where are some of these legislative things that we've been watching and I I would have to say
probably in summary, not a lot has happened. >> I would agree. >> You know, everything's kind of out there. Uh, deadlines are coming. I think they're in session for three more weeks. Um, and you know, uh, the governor does have a a budget that funds some of these
unfunded mandates potentially, but nothing has passed. >> And especially in the house with I believe it's 67 to 67, it doesn't seem like much of anything is uh, moving forward. So, um, we'll I guess we'll see what happens. um and try to
>> what that means for bonding I think especially >> well and I did have some a little bit of information on bonding again if you watch some of the news you know it talks about them wanting to do this bonding >> but I you know there's they're talking about dollar amounts
that would be available for bonding but then >> there's over five times as much in requests of what they're even talking so what that looks like >> so then they have to decide Correct. So I Yeah.
>> Um Yeah. And and again, those things that are on our radar legislatively, you know, with the SNAP and the administrative fees that go along with that and um uh error rates and reviews
and um system mon um the systems that have been talked about uh that continues to be talked about, but no decisions um have yet to be made. And again, what that really looks like and how much money that's going to take, I don't
think anybody's committed to that yet, as as far as I could tell. >> Um I did um I did reach out on the I know at our work session, we did have some discussion on
or the request was, you know, what do other counties do with this uh with the opioid uh funds that we do receive? And I did put out the question to other administrators. I did have some counties that had responded and of those responses, I didn't get a lot of them,
but um of those responses um really there are other counties that do utilize it internally for their own programming and don't do an an external RFP process to um you know community partners. And then there are some that do it similarly
to how we do it. I didn't really find I know that was kind of floated around as far as you know maybe we as a county you wanted to explore the option of setting aside a portion of that money and then the other goes out for RF RFPs to
outside entities. I I didn't see or hear from any counties that split it. It was really all or none >> is really what I was finding. So that's the information. Madam Chair, um as one of the things
that you worry about with giving big grant monies and these funds going out, then we really have no no way to track any of those funds that go out. I mean, it's it's we hope it's doing a good job. I I have a I mean, with the with the fraud that's happened at the state level and the federal
level, you just you just want to make sure how do how do we protect these going into what you want? And I was started wondering would it again I'm just thinking out of the box is would it be better for us to finance the individual that needs
treatment than to finance a place that they're want to go to than a place to go to because now they still can't afford it if it's not court ordered. I'm just wondering >> that was one of the projects that was um awarded for our I believe it was for
outpatient for them if they didn't have insurance that that they would pay for that. So that was where part of it went. Um I don't I don't recall if we used all that funding. Um, >> but I'd almost I'd almost rather have >> if and not not necessarily
court-ordered, but if it's voluntary, I mean, I I that's where I think would be the best. And I just worry about big nonprofits or, you know, they're getting paid well, those that work there. I think I shared the article that stated
it was $150,000 salary or it's like is it I just >> well that's just a little bit different what we than >> Madam Chair I mean that I'm not defending them but that's a cheap amount if we're getting the results. I I would like to be very resultsoriented if
>> that's one person though. It's >> well but they're what they they're dealing with 75 people in our county that are they making a difference? That's the result I want to I want to see I guess. >> Yeah. And and and >> and it is very subjective.
>> There there is a county that has said they don't want any to go out for that reason be because they don't want to be held liable for >> Yeah. I did hear from one county someone that had said that. Yes. >> So I mean it it is a real a real issue.
Um but I don't know. I don't know. I don't know what to think. >> Do do we have a check in balance now? like we got to give a grant to so and so organization. >> Do they have to? >> Yep. They have to report back to the the opioid advisory committee. >> Do they audit them though? >> Is are they audited by any other outside
agency or state agency, >> a nonprofit? >> Um I I I can't say for sure, >> Madam Chair. Audited for what? For results or they used the money for >> to show where the money went. >> They have to report back what they did. Um here Denise. >> Here's Denise. >> Maybe she can answer that.
Madam Chair, if I could just provide some input as far as um what's required once we establish a contract and that's approved through the opioid funds. Once that is approved, um, every
anything that's in their um, proposal, um, for funding gets approved and they're set up with line items exactly where what where they stated they'd spend the money, whether it's treatment, prevention, or other. And then they are
required to spend those amounts and then provide us proof uh of some kind of um the whether it's salaries, equipment, they provide invoices to us and we reimburse them. >> Okay. >> In addition to the requirements to come
to um the uh advisory council and report on quarterly progress and what has been ma done and um how many individuals they've served and things like that. Madam Chair, if we're if we're authorizing purchase of equipment
through grant funds, who owns that equipment after they don't receive grant anymore? >> They do. The the nonprofit, if it's equipment such as a van, I I believe we've purchased a van. Is that correct? Am I think right one?
>> Yeah. Yes. >> So, that would be the organization's van. Well, I don't think we have anything any action item today. >> We don't. I just said I would bring an update of what I had learned. Uh because really the question was getting some
information on other counties and and how they go about with this. If there's something different that you want me to um bring to this board, I certainly will. Um >> so, Madam Chair, we're we're we're deciding here whether
we want to use Denise's board to do this or we want to do it a different way. Is that the decision we're going to have to make? >> I I don't know that I wasn't asking for any decision today. I was just bringing back some updated information after we
had our discussion on our work session. >> But that's the decision we're expected to make down the road. >> Well, I don't think we have to make a decision. >> We can keep going the way we are in place. you want to change it then yeah we have to make >> if you want to change the process yes >> I think we need to I think
>> I think we can see if if our internal organizations get funding I I would say though if we can't fund our own internal organizations then we need to redo the the formula >> that's my opinion if we are not going to we're not going to
>> offset some of our costs for for >> mental health for for nursing at the jail I then we're then we're I think we need to be doing that. And if we're not going to be doing that through this program, we need to adjust the program. That's my opinion.
>> Okay. If this program works for that and we can and we can find solutions through the program as it exists, I'm fine with that. But if we're if if the jail doesn't get any funding from opioid settlement, then I then I need to then I will support changing the whole program. I think we have to be careful to say to
say it that way because we can't >> too late. >> Yes. As it is now, it's as it is now, Madam Chair. It's a competitive process. >> Yes. >> And we go by the scoring >> um internal as well as external and
that's how they've been chosen in the past. >> If if if >> so they're based on merit. If ours doesn't rise to that merit and we can't give relief to our county taxpayers, I think we need to bring it all in house. That's my statement and
>> go with it. >> Okay. >> Okay. I don't think we have to make any decisions today. You know, >> n that was just I just wanted to provide you some additional information and there you go. We will continue the conversation as we move forward and um especially in the budgeting process when
we we get to that point where we will need to make a decision and it's going to take some time. We're going to have to notify the advisory council. We're going to have to >> I just remembered we have pending six more opioid um settlements from six more
companies. we need to get authorization to elect someone or any of us to sign on that behalf because I'm getting emails and and it's we've and I have had some issues with this. >> Um so I would like you like to offer a motion to authorize
>> um Carrie myself or or the board chair >> to sign on behalf. I'm I'm listed on they're sending it to me because I think I was probably the board chair when it happened. So authorize I think we should have a motion authorizing any of the
board or Carrie to sign on behalf of Becker County. >> Can we make a motion when it's not on the agenda? >> Well, it's under opioid opioid >> and it's not it's just specific to authorized to sign on behalf. I don't know. I mean >> it's an acceptance >> an
>> acknowledgement acceptance >> or or Denise I mean we just need to we just need to >> somebody needs to sign it. >> We need to have authorized signers. Is that to receive the funds from those >> being and I think we've included we've been included in this >> we're included in it. We just need to sign that
>> sign it acknowledgement >> acknowledgement to receive the funds >> or to be involved in this part of the settlement. So, is that a a motion to allow Carrie or the board chair >> or Denise
>> or Denise to accept a >> be the authorized signer on ex on on >> or or like like for example though if if it comes to Barry because he used to be the board chair. I got some of that stuff that came to me last, you know, because I was the board chair. They
can't they won't change it. That's what they have. I tried to change to authorize anybody rejected it. It rejected it because it didn't match. >> Yeah. So, I had to sign it. >> So, so I think that's fair to say >> that if you receive it,
>> as a current board member, >> as a current board member, I think you just need to then forward it on and bring it to the board >> or is it is it time sensitive that you can't >> It's time sensitive. >> I tried signing it and putting Car's
name and email. That's probably what threw it off >> and it kicked it out and said it's not >> and I do have documents here brought with just >> say the board chair or the administrator >> but it's in my name >> but it's but it's whomever gets the email >> the person that's sent to >> six remnant defendants participating
form received >> this what I thought I had it done and then it kicked out because >> it's a national opioid settlement and we're involved in that we've accepted to be part of we just need to sign that yes we are >> so I think the motion is the motion
could be for the board member that receives it to accept it and bring it to the next board meeting >> or well I mean you you it's under report I wouldn't put a stipulation on I mean I just want to keep it plain simple to because I didn't really feel too
comfortable that I asked Carrie at a meeting and said should I sign this because it's in my name it's >> the same problem >> um I think we just say authorize any board member Denise or Carrie to sign off on the um six remnant defendants opioid form receives seal I mean
>> and any future ones received >> in order to meet the timelines >> in order to meet the timelines. >> All right. Is that a motion? >> Motion. >> I Yes. Uh >> I'll second motion. >> All right. We have a motion and a second.
>> Um as long as that is appropriate with regular rules and regulations, I guess I don't have a problem with it accepting money on behalf of the county, but I just want to make sure we're doing that right. I understand your dilemma, but there's got to be a way to
>> um if you want to go for um the other option is I know I got some your rejection. If I can get it changed over to a point person, which I think should probably be me. If I can get it everything switched over to me, I will certainly do that in place of
>> No, that's that she's included. I just we just want to make sure that you just want to include every >> You can get it changed over to you. Perfect. and I'll let you know that >> and I tried to do that with >> I think I find I I remember with with when you were board chair I it took me some time to get it switched >> okay
>> so I just so >> if anyone >> All right we have a motion to second any further discussion >> all those in favor >> I oppose >> all right motion carries >> u madam chair the last item I have which was included in your packet we did
receive the a letter from Klay County really what they're asking is a letter support a letters of support for the non-secured juvenile facility on their behalf uh for bonding money. Um I did have Peggy just put in a couple of our
representatives. I don't know that we'll specifically send it to them. I was going to reach out to Klay County and ask if they just want us to do a blanket one and then they are collecting them. I wasn't clear and I haven't had a chance to ask. But the ask of this board from Klay County is
>> um letters of support which they provided umam templates. We just put them on our Yeah, we just put them on. We have signed it previously and I believe >> to make just to be clear this is for their non-secure because they have
received >> funding for to to make the their nonsecure PRTF >> some >> but in order in order for them to be able to make their nonsecure a PRTF they need to have >> a non-secure facility so correct
>> motion to approve support for the nonsecure juvenile in Klay County. >> Second. >> All right we have a motion to second. Any further discussion? >> Authorize the board chair to or carried to sign on our behalf. >> So amended or >> Okay. Any further discussion? All in
favor? >> I >> opposed. Motion carries. >> And I believe that's all I have. >> All right. >> Didn't we want to touch base on that 245th Avenue? Oh, >> no. >> No. Okay, Jim.
Morning madam chair, commissioners. >> Morning. >> Three items for your consideration today. First is a bid award for our batuminous materials used in seal coat operations. Um we had uh one responding
uh bidder, Flint Hills, which has been typical in the past. They're the only players in town. Um prices have gone up about 5% this year. But we're recommending award in the amount of $68 per ton. >> Move to approve resolution 4262A.
>> I'll second. >> All right. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Motion carried. >> Second award is for dust control. Uh we receive quotes from three vendors and
the low bidder was Corbin Excavating Sabika. They were our contractor from last year. Um again, uh we've seen a slight increase in prices on this. Uh but we are recommending award to Corbin
excavating at the amount of $131 some odd cents for per gallon. Madam chair, move to approve resolution 4262B. >> I have a motion. Do I have a second? >> Uh any further discussion? Uh just so you know if you're looking at the numbers there, the calcium chloride and
magnesium chloride, it takes more of one than the other to put down. That's why the gallantage is a little bit different. But if you if you did happen to look at that. >> All right. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. >> I. I.
>> Opposed? Motion carries. >> And the final uh request for uh our weeding quote. Um, our contractor L&M provided us a quote with no other quotas uh where our last year's contractor uh
at the mount of $139 per hour. >> With there being no other quote, do you feel that's reasonable? >> Yes. Yeah. >> Did you reach out to other >> is there any other agencies that pass given quotes for them?
I can't remember just from experience though on what some of the townships at least where I live and and then around here it's >> he does have the townships in Becker County. >> No, he doesn't. No, >> sure he does. >> Oh, >> this guy.
>> Oh, yes, he does. Yeah. >> Yeah. This Binowski. >> Yeah. >> L&M pretty much. Yeah. >> He did a few years ago. He did most other one other vendors uh around. I I'm not aware off the top of my head, but yeah, it is consistent
with what we've been seeing. >> Okay. Entertain a motion for >> 4C or 2C. >> I'll move to approve 426 2C. >> Second. >> All right. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carried. All right. Thank you. Thanks, Jim. >> Thanks, Jim.
>> Sorry for making you wait so long. We're only a half hour behind. >> Speaking of waiting a long time. >> I'm last. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Madame Chair, members of the board, I have one one item which is a purchase
request for squad car equipment which in includes the installation. The total cost is 126,4570. Motion to approve. >> All right, we have a motion to approve. Do we have a second? >> I'll second. >> Any further discussion?
>> The one discussion we did have just at finance yesterday was we'd like to or I I would like to see anyway of you know when we purchased these squads last fall. I thought that this was all included in that and I didn't know that. That that's not my fault or your it just didn't come up. I need to ask more questions. But
>> no, you don't. Well, this is a county work. I mean, this is 126,000. I just >> I know I try to ask them outside of this meeting, but >> but yes, it it that's normal
by the vehicle like lousy by the plug by the >> and there is some you know 25 26 carryover that you know that we're we're dealing with. But um what we talked about at um finance is really the
importance of us. Let's I think the sheriff's department is a great candidate to start some capital planning um so that when we do have those carryovers that need to happen, they do actually carry over and it doesn't zero out and go um into the general fund. So
>> yeah, a lot of this is we depend on the, you know, when we order and when the equipment comes or the vehicles come in and and that has not been >> Yeah, that's out of our control and it's not been the best. Well, I don't disagree with you, Erica, but we we're
as long as we understand that that's going to happen in the sheriff's department. We I mean, >> well, I think from an audit perspective is that >> Maryud audit and budgeting >> it I mean it would be good for us to >> that makes sense
>> and understand that it's going to happen right up to the point of raising the levy more than we didn't expect. I mean that's the hard question at the end of the day the budget with budgeting I think anyway >> that we want to make sure that we're not over loving >> gets them handled or I do anyway I know I'm not the I'm the youngest person here
but >> well you're not the youngest >> or the best looking >> question that either >> any further discussion we have the motion a second any further discussion all those in favor say I
>> opposed motion carries >> thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Todd. >> Oh, yes. We're adjourned. I I always forget that. >> Okay.