Got to wait. It's still good morning, but we can't do anything. Okay. All right. Let's stand for the pledge. I pledge allegiance 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. Agenda. Do we have any additions, corrections to the agenda? Deletions. Or deletions. Yeah, that too. I don't corrections.
Uh, Mr. Chair, I don't have anything. Okay. Anybody? All right. I'll entertain a motion to approve the agenda. So moved. All right. Motion by Erica. Do we have a second? Second. Second by Phil. All right. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. All right. Motion carries. All right.
Minutes of the August 5th meeting. Do we have any additions corrections to the minutes? I don't think so. But in highway, I'm just curious. The pup trailers, we just were going to sell those at auction. We didn't There was no trade in. It was I think it was in sheriffs where we were
talking about a possible trade in. Yep. That was the pup trailer. No, they're just going to sell them. I don't have any. So, I had one question. I don't know if it's a correction under EDA page three of six.
Um where where it says the the motion under EDA where it says county bike partnership. Is it a county bike partnership because it's or is it I mean I know most of the stuff's going to be used for bike equipment and bike things but it's it's for the it's for stations
of stuff like on the Artland trail. That is what it is called it financial. Okay. All right. I was just just to clarify. I wasn't sure. It's uh Yeah, that that is what they called it when they I believe it was the letter. Okay. Okay. Does any anybody else have
anything? Good job, Piggy. Yeah. Yeah. Awesome. I mean, I looked through it twice. I couldn't find anything. All right. I'll entertain a motion to approve the minutes. So moved. Second. All right. So, we have a motion by
Erica, second by Barry. Any discussion? All right. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. Right. Motion carries. All right. Now we get some good news about our Becker County drug court. So please come up, Crystal. Yeah.
Good morning, council members. Uh I don't know if you remember me. My name is Crystal Cedri. I am the um treatment court coordinator for veterans and uh drug court here in Becker County. I'm also the seventh and eighth district supervisor for um all treatment court
coordinators. So I kind of operate um in multiple counties as well um working towards implementing new courts. Um I just kind of wanted to give you uh just a short brief update. I know my um document that I sent you was a little bit longer um but to uh just for
edification um there were two graduates in our drug court um in Becker County this year. Both secured employment, their driver's license in stable housing. one purchased a home. Um, we've been working on evidence-based incentives, sanctions, and service adjustments that reduce recidivism and
build long-term stability. Um, so that's another part of what we're working towards um with the national conference. Um, and the national system is doing a an updated second edition for best practices in treatment courts. Um, so we're working towards um updating our
manual and our handbook to align with those best practices. Um we have an operational tuneup that's scheduled this fall in Klay County with that's free um that the national conference will uh which is called allrise will come um for
free to help train us and to do a tuneup on these best practices. Um I just went to one and um I just went to one last week with Judge Lawson for the Becker County DWI court and I already have ideas uh percolating in my head. Um, in veterans court, we had two graduates
this year with significant life changes having employment, sobriety, housing, community connections. Um, at this point, we don't have any current active participants in veterans court, but now we're working with the new um veteran service officers to try and um discuss some referrals and and try and get that
moving along again. Um, some trainings that we have done. So, as I mentioned, we did a again another free training in October for incentive sanctions and service adjustments. And we made some changes to um our incentives kind of
giving a a a little bit more um evidence base shows that the more you can um provide incentives to participants, the more that they are successful. So providing them like motivational stickers um we give them um small wristbands when they move phases. Um
obviously we give them cake. Some of you have been to our graduations. We we we celebrate their graduations or commencements. um um and those tend to be really uplifting um experiences and and we give them a plaque when they graduate. Um so the Becker County DWI
court program completed a um last week a tuneup. So hopefully we'll make some they'll be making some changes as well to their manual and handbook. Um statewide there's a new strategic plan that calls for equal access to treatment courts. That was a two-page long draft
that I have in my documents. Unfortunately, it was a draft because when I sent it on Wednesday, it hadn't been approved. Um, as of Thursday, it was approved by the judicial council. So, now that is part of the strategic plan for treatment courts. Um, and in
fact, um, Judge Lawson was a co-chair for that uh, strategic plan committee for treatment courts. Um, the state county administrator's office has expanded staff. So, I outlined some of those staff members to help um support local courts with training, um help us
with grants, data, and any route outreach. Um uh and and just to note what our strategic plan for treatment courts is for the state of Minnesota. Um we want to expand access, so ensure equitable participation statewide, including some
rural and unrepresented communities. There are currently in the seventh district four counties that don't have treatment courts. And so that's one of my goals this year is to expand treatment courts so um we can have equal representation for all um in the seventh district. Um we are working towards then
uh as like I said best practices. We want to um provide participant- centered services while allowing flexibility for local needs. Um we want to provide awareness and collaborations. So we want to strengthen our partnerships with justice programs and community partners
and increase that public support. Um just so some working plan highlights to note. Uh we are developing a statewide training plan for judges, staff and partners. We're updating a funding formula for um the next bianium to better support the existing and new
courts. The original bienium or the original funding formula is quite outdated and obviously as we know um fund funding needs grow. Um so when that funding formula stays stagnant that that that can be kind of difficult. um we
want to implement statewide performance measures um that's still in a work in progress um and to update those standards that will also align with our national best practices. And again, I think last year I came and said I'm hoping I'll have that data this year. Um we're still working towards that. Um
once that's been approved, I can provide that data to you. Um we want to create a research framework to identify treatment court policies. Um, and we want to launch a statewide outreach plan and produce an annual report highlighting our successes. Um, I just want to note
why the funding, why your funding and why your support matters. Um, treatment courts save county money, counties money by reducing jail and prison costs. I'm working also with um the SEO team to try and get that data more accurately
reflect reflected. um data seems to support back from 2014, it was roughly somewhere between $4,000 per participant that it saved in jail costs. And um I think it's really hard to quantify all the things that we don't end up paying
for um because we just don't know how that jail is very easy. We can say, okay, we save 30 days of jail time. That's how much this person would have cost if they sat 30 days in jail or prison time. but it's hard to quantify when they get their license, um when
they get employment, when they um maybe get off services, when they don't have their children um out of home. Um that's a really big those are things that are hard to quantify because we don't have those things. So, I'm hoping I can try and figure that information out so we can get a better amount of what it
really saves counties and saves the state. Um, but those are just some of the things I I want you to recognize that those are some quantified things that are hard to um figure out because they're they're saved costs that we can't quantify. Um, and I just want to
also note continued county investment ensures that the Becker and Clay County Treatment Corp program leaders um are successful that we follow our evidence-based programs that directly strengthen our community. So today with the successes we've seen in Becker
County and I kind of provided you with some of where our success rates are of how our graduates have performed um it's clear that these programs save both money and lives. Um we continue to build on that success and make sure that we don't fall behind as the state continues
to expand treatment courts. So um myself and Judge Tilony, she's on via Zoom. Um would ask the county to provide that additional support. Um, the investment will directly reduce incarceration c costs, strengthen public safety, and help more people in our community
achieve long-term recovery and stability. And I'm open for any questions or thoughts or Mr. Chair, Crystal, uh, I'm I'm new. I'm a new uh, commissioner. Uh, how is this different than probation? How is your program different? It's
treatment. Doesn't pro doesn't our probation do that as well? So yes, our probation has become pretty active in this last year. Um by adding on that F5 project, which is an additional resource, we are probably the highest um base probation status. Um you
know, we they're being tested twice twice a week when they start in the program. They're highly supervised. They have um support from treatment providers. So we're a multidisciplinary team that works together in the treatment court program. So, it's a high
um so with people that are accepted into treatment court, they're high risk to reaffend or to be unsuccessful on regular probation and then they have a lot of high needs. So, they typically cover a severe or moderate um substance
abuse disorder. Um, when it comes to veterans, it's usually some sort of mental health disorder as well that might be um, allocated with that that um, they actually need extra services that probation won't be able to provide. Um, and then we as a team work with
these participants. Um, the judge sees them every two weeks once they get later in our phases. Um, we see them monthly. Um and then once they finally are commenced, we have an um that then they're able to move out into the community typically um having a longer
period of sobriety. Um they typically are able to they're required to get their driver's license, they get their GE. But Crystal, are are the same people is there overlap between the probation people and the treatment people? Is it the same group of people?
Yep. We have a group of people that are both treat we have team members on our team that meet every two weeks um and then we we email each other as if so that's your collaboration with the probation people but are are you guys Chris I think I think what he's asking is this the the clientele that you're
dealing with this program keeps them out this is they can either do traditional and go to jail most likely or do the program I mean that's is that clear in some cases and in some cases they may um they may end up not going to prison, right? Um
might be one of one of some of it's not your habitual ones. It's your you know earlier ones that that aren't, you know, I mean this is people that that through their um through their resources can say that these we can probably help these people. So that
you're trying to they're taking these this group that qualify for this program um that may just otherwise serve their 30 days or serve their you know eight months or whatever in jail and and doing this intensive kind of monitoring and and I and I think like like she like um
Crystal said they they appear in front of the judge every two weeks. They're tested much more vigorously. they're they're they're held accountable for their actions and and for in those short time frames. I think we've seen here that
um obviously by the numbers it seems to be seems to be working. Um, I don't know if you want to expand on is that is that a fair assessment that these we're trying to take these people that would probably just be going to jail and have probation afterwards, but this is more
in intense and and monitoring and and uh I think it's maybe taking a little bit from uh like the tribal tribal inner circles or the circle um treatments that they have um or that they used to have. I know they used to hold people bring them in their group and hold them accountable and say these are the people
you affect and this is what happens. But the I know someone that graduated from drug court and he said that the the best thing that he got was he had people that actually cared about what happened to him and when you go to jail they don't
feel like that. And so this program is awesome. I mean, can I It's the success rate is so much better when people feel like they're important. You know, Crystal, do you have any like personal or maybe Judge Gillimony has an individual that shared with you that
you know this really did I mean this turned me? Is this that have you had any of those personal experience where someone's actually said this this probably you know and of course with alcoholism it's it's always it's a constant battle. All of a sudden it's not just you're fixed. It's it's
alcoholism and drugs. So I can tell you personally that um every single participant that we have maybe not at their commencement but at some point they say this has changed my life. Yeah. Uh but quite quite frequently that that does happen with commencements
and again good morning commissioners. I'm sorry to interrupt. I I apologize for not being there today. I'm not feeling well so I didn't want to come in person. Um uh on that line and on that question I wanted to add uh just
anecdotally it's uh just last two weeks ago I had a person who was previously in our drug court and uh they contacted me through court administration to um and it was they were done with treatment
court in 2020 and um they contacted me to um they actually came to the courthouse and I was not there that day. I was out of training and they wanted to see me and say how how good they were doing. So, you know, we do have those stories, those individuals who have done
a great job and are coming back and wanting to show, you know, be proud of the changes that they've made and um just, you know, for her to check in with me and uh, you know, tell me all of that, that was just an amazing story. And I have others that I keep in touch
with um over the years. And so it's really uh been very successful for many people. So um and so Commissioner Hansen again uh for as to your question, it is more enhanced supervision. It's uh you know when people are placed on probation in the in district court uh it's a
different animal depending on what type of crime they're there for and their criminal history that there's a a scoring so to speak whereas that shows how often they have to meet with probation. Sometimes that's once every 3 months. So, you know, and that's that's those are tested probation principles
and they can speak to that otherwise, but these are individuals who need more intense and um you know, um enhanced supervision and that's why I think that this program is is better for individuals of that nature. Thanks, Dimoney. Just also want to add
that I think I think programs like this are really important for those struggling with whether it's substance abuse or alcohol because really they need support. You know many of them don't have support outside of their support system are those that they used
to use with or drink with. So I think it is important for us to have programs like these um so that we can help them to be successful and I'm proud to be a part of it from here. So thank you both Mr. chair and this is their choice. They choose they can choose this. It's not
and it's not automatic for everyone. It's not it's not uh an option for all all individuals. So, correct. It's a I I agree. This is a great great program and um it would be great to have have 100% but uh we know that's not never going to be possible when you have
100% non-resid recitiz. Close enough. You know what I mean? Yes. I'm not a spelling champion either. Mr. Chair, uh, a couple more things. Just, uh, district 7, is that the legislative district 7 or I see it's
just C or a Clay in Becker County. Is that the seventh district? So, the seventh district, um, is a the judicial branch district. Um, so it's a judicial district. I have, um, I handle I actually handle 23 counties as part of my supervisory position. Um, but the
Clay Becker program is combined um, based on the number and the size in Becker County. Um, Becker County would probably not be able to do a standalone treatment court. Um, based on the the numbers that the fed funding formula that we have requires about 25 is our
average and Becker County wouldn't wouldn't get there all by themselves. So, that's kind of why we combine with Clay. Okay. Uh, second question. Um, you mentioned mental health. You brought it up. We've talked about alcohol and and drug problems, but mental health with our sheriff and our jail, I mean, it's a big issue,
right? Is there collaboration you can do with the sheriff's department on that kind of We do. We collaborate with the sheriff. We'd work on the mental health as another part of it. I can tell you that with the our veterans program that is a little bit more colle um more of a
higher priority. We working with the VA. Um obviously mental health part of our drug court, mental health is very much a part of it. Um quite frankly now when you go into treatment court you are go into treatment you would be um subject
to co-occurring disorders and so they would also deal with your mental health as an assessment. Um so we are working on making sure that we have a diagnostic assessment quite quickly following once they come into our program. So we are working on both the chemical health and their mental health.
All right. I won't ask any more questions. Thank you. That's great. I appreciate it. Thank you. So, we have a we Does anybody would anybody like to make a motion to approve the So, move support for $15,000. So, we have a motion by Erica. Do we
have a second? Mr. J, I'll second for discussion, but this is part of our budgetary items. I don't think we need a motion. Oh, we don't need a motion. Okay. To to I don't we just This is just a report and and All right. So, I'll if you want to remove
withdraw. Yep. All right. Perfect. Sorry. I mean, this is Yeah, we I think we just can say is this a good program and for that that amount is a bargain for us. So, perfect. No, not saying we want to raise judge. A bargain.
I'm not making that request. Thank you very much. And thank you for everything you do for all the people. Thank you for your support. Thanks for crystal. Thanks, Judge Tony. Yep. Thank you very much for your support, commissioners. All right, let's move on to the consent
agenda. Um, is there any items that anybody would like to pull out of the consent agenda? Mr. Chair, I don't want to pull it, but I would would like and maybe during reports you can maybe uh expand on the home start homework starts program.
Um, it's a it's a re um renewal renewal. It's I I Becker County doesn't offer the services. I believe they're just a I mean it just in your report just give an update on it then I just let like the
Yep. And then I I had just one item. I don't want to pull it either. I just want to make a comment on number eight under the the tables the tables for the schools. So they're go they were p through this is through the uh organics grant and
they're going to they're they're big they're steal stainless steel tables. They have sort uh sorting garbage. They have organic garbage can. They have uh recycling in there. There was a picture in the There's a picture. Yeah. And it's uh I think it's going to work out really well. I mean, it's going to
Do you have to have your your products in the triangle shape and the round shape of the box? You have to make them you have to make them into a triangle or they won't fit cuz all they're all they're shaped. So, it's like how do we make these shape? I know. I saw I I saw that, too.
I'll move to approve the consent agenda. All right. Do we have we have a motion by Phil? Do we have a second? Second. All right. Second by Barry. Any more discussion? All right. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. All right. Commissioners open forum. You
I I I would like to have ask a question. Do we I mean does everyone like I kind of like the open forum before consent agenda. I you know like Sure. I'm okay with it. Huh. Yeah. That's fine. I mean, I don't know is is I mean, for future, I'm just Is that We probably are just following the
format that's always Yeah, we Well, we never had a consent agenda, so it That's true. We could do that. So, there wasn't I mean, I don't know. I just It's always been right away. And yeah, I don't know. It just Yeah, I'm good with that. Yeah. I don't know. I just It kind of like
that in case there's something on the consent agenda that's being discussed. I don't know. Yeah, that's a good point. Yeah, I I don't have a problem with that. We can we'll try let's try it next meeting and go we probably won't have anybody talking for them then but all right so we have a
couple we have Willis Matson Mr. Chairman, members of the board, I'd like to speak to the item on the GNR land acquisition if you allow comment. We we'll do we we'd like to do it now if that's okay with us. Yeah. Okay. Is this on
the green light? Green lights. There we are. Mr. Chairman, members of the board, my name is Willis Matson, uh 42516 State Highway 34 Osage. I'm here to speak in favor of the um approval of the DNR's
acquisition of the Toad Lake property that was before you as a consideration as a county uh facility some time back. And the Isaac Walton League that I'm representing is the nation's oldest conservation organization over 100 years
old and has its chapter formed here in Becker County in 1945. and we've always stood for the protection of air, water, land, and and natural resources. Um, as was mentioned during the discussion of the possible acquisition
of this property for by the county, this parcel is is unique and it has features that are warrant its long-term preservation and management. As an ecologist, I can testify to the fact
that this piece of property has the most uh the highest biological diversity of plants and animals um anywhere in the county and quite frankly is a rival for anything on the planet because it sits
in the middle of three significant ecological biomes. A prairie, a hardwood forest, and a boreal forest. And because these three ecosystems are so close together, this this piece of property has plants and animals on it that are uh
resident of all of those kinds of environments. So if the DNR does in fact uh succeed in uh acquiring this property, uh we're going to work the Isaac Walton League will work handin glove with them to identify these kinds
of characteristics. um protect those and restore the part of the property that uh was altered when it had visions of becoming a ski resort. Um so we would hope that the
board recognizes this value uh sees that its ownership in and um um public ownership and management for these values is uh important and would would support this um this acquisition by the DNR. Further the property that is
proposed for the wildlife management area is excludes a large portion of the waterfront. that has a portion of it, the undeveloped portion, but as you recall, there's some building structures and whatnot on a on the land portion. Uh, it had been proposed that the
property um become a a state park that would then have a water-based recreation component and that it would include that property. So, we're going to try to work for and hope we would have county support for that kind of a facility that
would um recognize the waterfront value um addition to the the larger piece of property and um so we may be back before you uh with that kind of proposition if we should be successful. the DNR um
parks and trail people looked at it but saw the value did not have the funding available to do that as I understand it. So we may be looking for special appropriation something like that to make that a larger um u facility that
has a greater water base and a a greater variety of of uses for the public. So, we encourage you to to support this um this resolution when it comes before before you later in the agenda. Thank you for the time to be able to speak in support of this
idea. Any questions? Thank you. Thank you. And then and then also I believe Clark Lee is on line and would like to speak too. Is he on there? Okay.
I think he's the phone number on the bottom left. I think I see Jessica's online. Congratulations, Jessica, on the big uh victory over the weekend. Great. Thank you. Uh uh my name is Clark Lee uh
20552 County Road 117 Oage, which is Big Toad Lake. And uh first of all, Chairman Meyer and fellow commissioners, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you in the open forum via the telephone this morning. I would like to encourage
uh that the resolution that is on page 58 of your packet this morning be adopted. Uh we had a uh township uh meeting a week ago last night. Um Eric Thorson, who is the area wildlife supervisor from Park Rapids, and
Commissioner Jeepson were there. So, uh, Erica would know that or Erica could confirm that there was unanimous approval of what the DNR is looking at doing with Toad Mountain. Um, the issue of uh, picking up the additional uh, uh,
waterfront, if you will, that Willis is talking about that would be a whole separate issue. This is dealing mainly with just primarily what what the drawing will show in your packet. But we think that that would be a real positive for the county, for the state, for
everything. Uh Willis outlined very well some of the strong advantages of that property or unique characteristics, I guess I should say. So I would like to encourage the uh the resolution be passed. And I know that I'm not only
speaking about the um the atmosphere of the township meeting, but also I've talked to a lot of people on the lake and a lot of people that don't live on the lake uh as recent as yesterday. and everybody seems to be very much in support of this uh instead of it being
as we looked in the past a county park that could require considerable expense to uh the Becker County because it's my understanding that once this has uh if it goes through and everything goes as planned that the uh the trust buys it
then turns it over to the DNR. the DNR is not only responsible for taking care of it, but that the tax base that we would lose as a county and as a township will be more than replaced. And Commissioner Meyer, uh, you had a word when we talked last night. I I can't
remember what the word is, but it's not that they pay a tax, they do something else that I think you probably are all aware of. But the bottom line is there won't be any loss of tax revenue uh if you pass this resolution. I thank you. Any questions? Thanks clerk.
Thanks clerk. Mr. Chair, just just to point out something though, the PILT payment payment in lie of taxes is not a guaranteed dollar. I mean this is legislatively set either by the state or feds depending on who you're paid for.
Now I don't see it ever ending, but just in this last governor's proposal was significantly cut PIL payments. So to say that this is guaranteeing a revenue source for, you know, is is not 100% accurate, but currently it is. And I I don't see it ever going away for these
type of pro this type of land because there's many different categories of PI payments, school trust payments, uh tax forfeit pil payments. So um but eyes wide open, that's not a guaranteed revenue forever either. So
thank thank you. All right. So, let's move on to reports and correspondence. Who would like to go first? I can go. A or go ahead.
No, go ahead. I actually don't have that much to get to. Um, thank you. That was a good question. Oh, you're done. All right. On the 7th, uh Kyle and I went to a conference navigating land use issues.
Um very informative. Uh the one of the speakers or actually one of the first speakers was about uh building a record, the public hearing details and finding a fact which in our last meeting were very important. So, it was really nice to
have had what happened last meeting and then have it uh have the facts of how we were supposed to run the meetings and how we did it. And there's a few details we could have done a little better at, but we did it according very we did it very well um of of going through the
process, I thought anyway, according to the way you're supposed to build your record and and finding a fact. Um, we also talked about data centers in the Fargo forum this morning. Uh, they're building a new, uh, data center up there. Um, they talked about billion
dollar Yeah. $3 billion data center. Yeah. They're there. They they talk about um, uh, there's already statutes in place in Minnesota, but you can be, I think, more restrictive as a county um, if you want to. Um, but these data centers are are
coming about there. There's they need significant electrical capacity and water, isn't it? And water. Yep. And the reason they like to do them up north is uh No. You got eight months of natural cooling. Um except for places like Chat GBT,
all your artificial intelligence. Yeah. This is where these data centers Yeah. are are tapping into and coming from. So, um we also talked about uh wind and solar, like those kind of plants and and what you should be thinking about as county commissioners. So, um those were the two big things
that came out of that were really really useful. So, thank you for letting me go to that meeting. And again, the wind and solar though, they get to a certain point, we don't have any control over them. And it's state once it's so big. It's so big. Then it's public utilities commission. Okay. Um I had the rack uh on the 11th.
Uh we're doing some strategic planning. We're trying to send all our members out to other recreational groups in the county so that we know what's going on. So if there's areas we can collaborate, um you know, just to make sure what's going on. Project 412. Um, we're going
to have representation for the the trail study going down to Shoreum and eventually on to Bucks Mills. So, we just want to make sure we're represented. We know what's going on. The county, the rack should be the place where all of that comes together because we're the county is is the biggest
portion of that as I see it. Um, so we're setting out priorities and and how we're going to go about that and and trying to get that recreational advisory committee up and up and running to a better level than we're at before. Um, yesterday we had a joint powers uh
concerning the the extr territorial thing with it's actually between Lake View Township and the city. Uh, they they've got an agreement drawn up and it's tentative. Uh but that might be happening uh probably will happen here uh be signed uh the the county it's kind
of complicated but it'll be a joint powers between the city and the township for a certain area not the whole two-mile extra territorial. So um complicated issue if you want to know more I can let you in on that. That's all I had. Barry
I can go next. Just a couple things to add to the rack committee. Um we we've had just in the discussions with um a property on little Sugar Bush Lake that I believe is tax forfeited. Um so I'll be attending the um Sugar Bush or Sugar
Lake Town Boush Town Board meeting. I don't know why that was hard for me to say. Um in December to discuss the park. It sounds like there's a lot of interest in it becoming a park that that's a area that a lot of people used to um frequent when
they were growing up. It sounds like there may be some volunteers to help maintain it. So, I'm going to the the town board meeting just to I know what they want. No, but I mean that's good. Well, it sounds like Yeah, it sounds like they um I learned my lesson.
We've all learned lesson. Um, I also attended an Osage Township meeting for us to um discuss the the Westside or the Restside Park um just to see if that is something that they would want to collaborate with the county on.
Um it sounds like they're willing to do it. We also talked about the H Heartland Trail going through Osage. Uh just a reminder, there is a public hearing for the H Heartland Trail study on 8:25 at the P pavilion from 4:30 to 6:30. And as of August 11th, they had 80
comments um associated with that study. So that was a good turnout so far. um human services. Um just wanted to point out and I think we've talked a little I think Carrie sent it out but there there was question about how much
of their budget is payroll and 60% 66% of their budget is payroll. Um as far as the what was it homework the one that was on um uh the consent agenda that's really um
homework starts with home. Homework starts with home. It's it's a homeless prevention um organization I guess and really that the county's duty in it is just to make referrals and I believe that there a funding go through like that's the funding goes
through the county but we don't provide any funding for it um in this area those services are provided by Mahooi. So any other questions? No it's it's just how important home life is for children growing up. I mean, um, in fact, one of the the meetings I'm on
the planning and um, planning committee for Mahubi and one of the we talked about homework and what could we do to improve that was one of the needs that were identified in their um, community needs assessment and I said to get rid of it because really kids shouldn't have to sit in school all
day. And I think that's that's kind of the I mean there isn't many there's not as much homework as there used to be though. I mean, they're trying to reduce homework to to finish it in school, but Yep. Um um couple other things on human services. One thing, um they were
recently notified by United Healthcare um that t typically they they provide care coordination to the residents of Becker County through their um for it's primarily senior services. Um and United Healthcare changed it this year that you
had to submit an RFP to be able to provide care coordination. Um Becker County provides care coordination for about 400 residents. Um so it's not a guarantee that they will be able to continue to provide it. Um they find out they will find out by the end of the
year. Um I did ask about revenue um because we get paid to provide care coordination and I believe we had a position um that we approved based on that. Um they they did assure us that they still there will still there are other healthcare plans that they can
provide care coordination so so it should not affect the budget but um they will continue to keep us informed and let us know hopefully they should know by the end of the year if they can continue that. So, anything else in human services, Richard?
The one thing I wanted to mention too in the in the homework, um, the it mentioned homelessness and, um, you know, I think they just changed the definition of homelessness for students, you know, within the last couple years. And
it gets to be, I mean, it gets a much broader um, net is thrown out if you include what they are now including. You don't have to be currently homeless. you just have to be homeless in the last year and you even if you just moved to a stay at grandma and grandpa's
friends or relatives would qualify you as a homeless. So I mean it's like some of those numbers I think are a little bit higher than what they mean really. I found that out too when I was working at the school like we have this many homeless kids know if they're staying somewhere right
and it seems like now our society and parents are okay with their kids moving to some other home. I mean, and I'm, you know, when we grew up, that was never heard of. You you knew no matter what you're She got kicked out. I mean, living with grandma and grandpa, they are still homeless,
right? They don't have they don't have a home. Yeah. Well, but by definition, yes, but they they don't have a they have a home to stay in, but they don't have a home necessarily to call their own. But um we Barry and I
had benefits committee um just where we reviewed three policies for health insurance uh we're looking at a 18 to a 20 20.4% increase depending on which company is chosen. Medicica, which is the one that we're currently in, they
provide an 18% cap on year two and they are the only company that provided a cap on year two. And I think we meet again the end of this month to hopefully make a decision on I think what company to go with. I think we just Carrie just informed me too, but we just got an email this
morning cuz we asked a question about the second place or the second Mhm. one and they came they had a program that was cheaper and um we'll have we'll have to look into that and Carrie said she reviewed it a little bit earlier and
said it was had some promise to be considered. So um if the employees think that plan is acceptable and and if it's cheaper then we can possibly look at look at that as a group and come back to the board and
uh then I had our EDA housing subcommittee on Friday. We reviewed the RFP for the work the project on our Maple Avenue renovation. Um we made a recommendation for that as well as uh we
reviewed the MMCDC board uh contract for our housing services and um both of those will go to the full full EDA board this week and then come to the board for approval. And then we also had a EDA strategic planning meeting where we
identified areas of need for our EDA. Um the the really the two top priorities that we identified were housing and child care. Um business development, while we think it's important, it's tough for us to try to bring new businesses in if we don't have housing and child care to
um take care of those employees. So um we are going to continue the conversation. We haven't finished it, but we've also discussed collaboration with the smaller cities in Becker County such as Lake Park, Otaban, Frezy of what can we do um to help guide them through
the process of housing. Um and we just discussed what our role is as far as providing resources and there was some discussion of tiffs. So, Mr. Chair, Commissioner Jebson, did the Maple Hills Apartments did that
are the proposals did they come in on? Little higher. Little higher than expected. Mhm. Yep. But they should, but the project should be completed yet this year. Do you have a dollar amount? Um, did you accept it?
I don't think we formally accepted it yet. It has to go through the EDA. Okay. Yeah. Thank you. Anything else? Nope, that's it. All right. Who would like um Commissioner? No, as Erica said, we had the um benefits
committee. Um I think I don't think there's anything to add to that. Richard and I had u um natural resources. If Richard add I'm looking at the my notes here. If you want to add in anything, just chime in.
Um obviously the Dunton lock structure is about complete. Um the watershed building um has we have set removal deadline for um April 15 26 and we're going out for some bids. Um
the Nordic Ski Club was up was there to talk about um No, that's not on our agenda, is it? So um they're requesting us to consider um helping them purchase a um ski groomer. I mean a cross country
ski groomer. Um they want like a like a piston bully big big one to pull their their um to create the the trails. Um they had a he um Lynn presented and showed where the
funding their request was 20,000 from the county I think wasn't it? I think that's right. Um, and we currently give them 7,500 annually for um, that was a five-year agreement that we entered into them. And I think we're on our fourth year maybe of that. Um,
anything to add to that? Let me see. They actually want to haul snow. They're going to they're going to make snow cuz we've been short of snow. He said we lost a month of summer. I don't know if that's or a month of winter. I don't know. do.
So, they want to haul snow into the trails. Well, they have a they have a they they have a spot by Detroit Mountain where they'd have a loop. So, they want to they want have a snow making machine in the middle and this is one of the thoughts and then groom with that snow
this what was it a mile mileong loop or something. Yeah. Um so they have for training and and exercise. So yeah. um anything to add to the group? So, but anyway, we we looked at it and thought
maybe we said we'd consider options on funding maybe shorter. Um we'll we'll have some discussions probably in our budget hearing a little bit about that. Um Heartland Trail uh construction of the old Highway 10 is
finished. Um, we had some parking lot expansion quotes. Um, and our wonderful highway department came in and said they could do it for about $4,900. Um, looking at uh the fog sealed on the
bike path and that was 3,400 from D by Dun Locks. Uh we're doing the trail routing study and I've received um and I forwarded to Carrie and Steve support from Lake Ununus Township, Cormmont Township and there's some some really people are wanting to help support that
and get that moving down in that area. So, if there's anything that we can need and Steve, I haven't responded to your email yet because I um still gathering some info from a couple people, but um
let's see what else do we have. Um seasonal staff, they have a vacancy. Um would like to fill that with a green space employee. Um the current current green green core green space green core, sorry. Um Anything
else? You want to have anything, Richard? Have the truck trucks on the agenda? Um, look at we looked at brushing costs and tractor quotes um for moving forward. Um, Tim and we had uh
two gentlemen from the um the tribe, White Earth Tribe fire department or fire crew and they it was really interesting because they travel. I mean, we, you know, I didn't realize their forest forest management fired and they travel um all over the country. Um
yeah, to to other reservations and sometimes on non-res fires, too. And they Yeah, that was that was very interesting. It's but sounded like a really interesting job, but it didn't sound like you'd be home very often. No, you have to be uh very
um we did discuss the the future of the ashbor. you know, that's certainly coming into our area and and I think Mitch said we don't have a lot of ash stands that we could manage real well to to help with that. But, um, something that that everyone's got to watch. Now,
um, one thing that they talked about with was, um, that I found the most interesting was the blueberry burns that they have. So they're burning down old stands of blueberry and there's they're gathering those and then they come they get rejuvenated and gather and um they
said they have they had a guy that's really the top expert in that and helping them grow these. So a sustainable existence with these blueberry patches that um and I guess that would be that was just a real interesting discussion we had then.
Yeah, I agree that something I'd never heard of that before. Um, I also had anything else to add to that one? Um, had a Lake Agassy Regional Library meeting just this last week. Uh, the the main topic on that one was um discussion
if and we agreed on a lease with the city of Morehead and we agreed for $18 a square foot. Um, and that includes all, you know, amenities. Um I I argued that that was high for a building that was paid for by, you know, taxpayer dollars
and through sales tax. Um um we did have a motion to amend that to lower it. Um Ben Grimsley and that ended up to it was a tie vote. So as a tie in an amendment, it fails because you don't have majority. So then it went back to vote for the original and that passed. So, um
I I you know it's a going to be a a great fit for both, but I think I think we are paying a little bit more than we should be paying for that on that. But, um we're splitting at some point you're splitting hairs on on what's right and
what's wrong. And um and anyway, um then the only other thing I wanted to discuss was the was the and Jim's here and I sent Carrie and Jim an email yesterday. I'm not real satisfied with the progress in the Lake Park um project on the on
the sidewalks. Um are they have pulled out now and we are sitting with driveways that aren't paved. They're and the sidewalks are dropping off at those sidewalks. There's no I mean and then it turns to gravel. Um we have the main on
the corner of our main street to going to the school. I got a picture of it. It's a it's a no sidewalk. it just drops and there's, you know, it is the it is the poorest excuse for a sidewalk development in the whole city. It's been
terrible. And I, Jim, I don't know, I don't know what is in our contract with this company, but it is it is not good. They left another our Lake Park out. They left Lake Park so they could go do sidewalks in another town because their school is starting. Our schools aren't
starting. I mean, I got a picture. This is our main street, Jim. and I sent you the picture. It's our main street to our main to this school and it's completely not finished. I don't know what I don't know how you can justify leaving it like that. That was terrible.
Is there intention to come back before school starts like in the next week or so? That was Yeah, they said they It has been kind of a a challenging job uh as far as project management and keeping
everybody on schedule. They have had some legitimate delays due to weather and that and but I I think maybe it's more work than it they thought it was and turned out to be but they did they had as you know contractors build bid
multiple jobs and then that's this is the sidewalk coming off Main Street which the bridge we have one bridge comes down here so anyone walking has to come to this sidewalk to go to school and we just put a brand new crossing right across that so they could get on
the sidewalks from the other side of the street to cross to get on this sidewalk. There's not a sidewalk on the opposite side of the street. This is the only sidewalk going to the school. And to leave to leave us like this is not acceptable. This and and driveway after
driveway and dirt's piled everywhere, cones up everywhere. And it's it look like this is a third world country that we're going through all summer long. And now they leave us like this right before school starts. I'm just not sad and I and I want to withhold payments until
this job. No, I mean this I don't think it's acceptable. So yeah, I I can't disagree and um I did speak with the city council. They shared very similar thoughts and um we're putting pressure on where we can. Um
yeah, we we don't have any teeth in the contract to say that contractors can't, you know, leave if they have other work or whatever. date. We just have kind of final deadlines, but they are supposed to be back here um next week. Um that's what I'm make trying to get confirmation
on that and hopefully everything's going well at their other job. But um that gives them a week to clean up these uh sidewalk areas and that. Um in the meantime, we've asked the prime contractor to start cleaning up the streets. We can kind of address these
areas. Um some of those driveways um you know we we've ramped and and they have gravel in them and we're going to have to address we can fill in areas and ramp up those areas where the sidewalk is missing as well. Um but our hope is that all the sidewalks will be done
before school. Otherwise they'll have to do extra work to make sure everything's passable. Um, we do have the teeth of whatever they they have to provide this temporary pedestrian route if the sidewalks are closed. So, we'll make sure those are up. Um, but yeah, it is a
it has been a not a pretty job. And I tell you what, if this was in Detroit Lakes, this room would be full of people. This this is I mean, there's people that not, you know, it's not just kids walking. You're talking about parents with younger kids in strollers and trying to navigate these streets.
It's been I mean this just I mean they go from one side of the street to the other side of the street. I mean all summer long it's been a hodgepodge. It seems like there's no there's no direction. It's it just you just go and you keep minding. Our Legion has canled
lunches or suppers at night because it it's just they just can't people can't get to the buildings. So, I just I you tell them that the I would hope that the board supports withholding any payments to them till till we get a resolve on this. And and
I I just I just think this is I mean, you kind of tolerate it. You tolerate now it's like we're at school time and now we're here. It's just not acceptable in my opinion. So, I said my piece. Um, I hope we I
hope we withhold payments and um make sure we get a product and then I mean I think there should be some penalty for for this job done. So I was saying too if we're spending resources and time in in making it temporary so people can actually drive
over it to their driveway, they should be charged for that. I would think I mean that should be a deduction of how much we paid we had to pay for that. Jim, we we've already got a contract. It's already says what it says, doesn't it? I mean, we can't change something now about the contract, right?
No, we just hold them to the contract. Make sure um they have to do a little this extra work though to maintain access and stuff like that. We feel they're not doing the access. I mean, where do you see the access point going to? Correct. Where where can you see access going on
that on that picture? They're not doing their job. There's no access to that sidewalk. They can't. It's broke up after the side. We can't get to the road if you're in a wheelchair or stroller without going through gravel pit.
So, I Thank you. Thank you, Jim. Sure. And I know And I know Jim is Well, Jim's probably too nice for some of this. You need We need guys like Richard on it. Thanks, Barry.
Mr. Chair, switching gears and to get Jim off the hot seat here. Uh, Commissioner Nelson, concerning the the Dunlocks trail study. Uh, just so everybody knows, I mean, there's three alternative routes from Dunlocks back up to County 6 down Highway 59 or down
County 22 or the one we'd really like is through we somewhere, but I talked to Houston Engineering yesterday and and I think their uh desired route is along Highway 59. Um, that may be the path of least resistance, but I think going through we is going to be a much better
path. And if they do go along Highway 59, um, Dunlocks is going to be a stub. And I really I mean, we've got a lot of money into that place out there. It's a beautiful place. Um, I I I've talked to the engineer and and everyone and did my comments about
trying to get through Wefest there. And Wefest is receptive. Um, I've heard both that it can be a public trail and go through Wefest and it can't be a public trail if Wefest wants to shut it off for three or four days during WeFest. So, I cannot be there on Monday. I've got
another previous obligation, but if somebody can be at the pavilion on Monday night, I know our rack committee will be there. Um, if you can be there, um, more support the better for for Houston engineering. Um, and I just wanted to point out that I I don't want Dun Locks to become a stub. It's too
beautiful of an area uh to not pass through as people go down Highway 59 and don't go to Dun Locks. Well, when you when you make these bike trails, I mean, I can't imagine that if it's along a major highway, it's going to be as attractive to go to as if it's, you know, through
some forested or, you know, you're going to try to find those areas that are more natural and and enjoyable to view when you're biking, unless you're just out there for racing. But Houston's got a contract, and I I think their path of least resistance is is the best way, they're saying, because
it's the least amount of work. And I just in in this respect, I think we should I think they should uh exhaust all we uh routes before we go highway 59. If we
have to do Highway 59, then that's it, I guess. But, um I'd like to see them work a little harder at it, getting through WeFest because Wefest is receptive. Uh they said, "Yeah, what's your plan or how does that work?" And and they've got some restrictions with with Wefest and I don't know about this public
bike trails have to be open all the time because it's public or if you can shut them down a couple days so they can do their event. I don't know how all that works, but I try to get some answers. I don't even know who to ask who can answer that question. So, well, would the bike trail need to be shut down during weekend?
Yeah, that's what they've said. Yeah. Yeah, that's the problem. You can't shut down this trail. Well, I mean I because you p public funds to support it. So, I mean I I don't I I guess if we it's we fest property so but um the way they the
way they check bracelets I mean you can't I mean you can come and go from the lake access all you I mean you can get to the we campground without without um going through gates you can just be dropped off there. So, I mean, you're
not it wouldn't be adding any access. I mean, more than what you could already do already, I wouldn't think. But I guess that's their decision. I mean, I can understand it if they don't want that going through there, but anyway, just want to bring that up. Thanks, Jim.
The only other meeting I went to was the uh um one for you. Yeah, the partnership for help. And I get my minutes here, but the only thing, you know, there was there's a couple things. Partnership for Help is obviously going through a change with Ottertale leaving um Partnership for Health
and welcome to it. Um so that will be a change. Um one thing the Klay County director made a mistake at our for funding in that one for the for a funding grant um and it was wasn't a mistake. we could do what we did, but they wanted to
go back to the kind of the pre previous year's funding formula, which we re we received then $2,000 less than what we what the your board what you guys approved the meeting before. Um Wilin County got $16,000 less, which was
significant, but still they received a $9,000 increase from the previous year. Um so they they were we were kind of joking that they um they agreed though we want to continue with the previous formula funding mechanism rather than changing it. So, and that
was what was intended, but it wasn't presented that way. Yeah. So, other than that, there was All right. And Richard, you have uh the only other thing I got is safety committee. Uh we're working on a new
emergency action plan. That's fire lockdown and weather uh drills and locations where people would gather. Um, we did have facility walkth through by a company called Safe Assure and they went
through all of our buildings. Should OSHA ever come here, they come they come through and show us what we're what what's wrong. And we we had some small things, some nothing serious, but lot some small things that we had to change.
Um, you know, maybe garbage can in front of a fire extinguisher, some of this kind of stuff. So, uh, but actually we're we're correcting all that stuff now and we should be in good shape for, uh, if OSHA was to Mr. Chair, Commissioner Vberg, was that
for the entire all of our facilities or just for this building? No, all of them. All of them. Okay, good. So, that's all I got. Okay. I have a couple. I'll just go quick here. Um, so at a historical society meeting and uh they we are the historical society is
actually acquiring they weren't going to have an exhibit over the winter in the fall and the winter this year, but they this kind of fell into their lap. It's a butterfly odyssey exhibit and they have no place for it to go. So instead of paying storage, they basically we're paying a minimal fee
like a fifth of what it would cost. I mean it's like a $100,000 exhibit and I think we're getting it for 5,000 bucks. And it's going to be there. It's less than a fifth. He's not a mathematician. Whatever. Less than the fifth. You probably know a
lot about fifths. I split 5%. Um, so anyway, so uh this exhibit will be there in October. And there's also they're also trying they also haven't found any place to go for go for the rest of the winter be from October to January. So, it probably will be there
till March because they would rather not pay storage than have us keep it. So, and anyway, a butterfly Odyssey exhibit is like interactive maze where you can you can go through the life so see the life cycles of both wild and farmed butterflies and you can you can crawl on
it. You can climb through it. You can go through like a tunnel that looks like a worm. I mean, there's it's kind of cool. Um Yeah, I know. It's for science nerds. I get it. Oh, well I'm just thinking I'm picturing you crawling. Oh, it's about this big around. You're good. So anyway, and it's uh and it
talks about the life cycle of the it shows all the life cycle of butterflies and it also talks about how butterflies are crucially important for rain for rainforest areas and and and so it's ecosystems and it's really good. So anyway, um, also I had a DAC building
meeting and we talked about what we want to possibly have our building addition look like. So we kind of changed gears from before and we're looking at expanding to the east into that bigger lot area. So they're going to have the architect come and obviously a lot of it
will depend on the price if it's if it's possible. Um, I also had a Lakes Country Service Co-op meeting and we met at the Lakes Country Academy in Fergus Falls and that academy is is basically a level four EBD place for kids. But anyway,
that academy building used to be the old armory, National Guard Army. So, it's very interesting how it's set up there. There was a shooting range in there, too. So the walls are like like concrete like 2 ft thick in the shooting area and it was kind and the hallway is really
narrow because it was and they made rooms obviously in there. But it was just kind of interesting how it is and they have they've made all of the rooms in this building were made small because when you have level four EBD kids, you don't want a lot of them in a room at a time because the smaller the better. So
it's really kind of cool. And they have a then they have and all armories that were created have um gymnasium. So they have a gymnasium slash uh eating area and that for for for the people that are there. So anyway, it was just really interesting. They also are having the
same issues that we're having with insurance because they're they're an insurance provider and they're looking at 18 to 22%. Some some more depending upon usage at some of their places. So yeah, I think the lowest one was 18 I think. So it's a
it's a it's an issue. Um also I had a dancing sky meeting. Um, basically all we did, we went through all of the grant applications for 2026 and we approved approved them and and they're not made public yet, so I can't tell you what we
did. Um, but anyway, just just but so that'll be through. And then uh Richard and I had actually had a we Richard Kerry and I had a we committee meeting. I just thought of that. So there just a few things. Um we it was with uh Chairman Fairbanks uh uh Hanks
and Lorley Lurley. Yeah. Uh it went really well. I mean it was great. Uh they they would like to have more voting pop-up sites obviously. Mary um they also would like to have some of their people
trained to run those sites. I mean that that's I makes sense to me. I I mean I get it. Um then they'd like maybe just a couple more days. they thought to uh make it easier. They they want their people to vote. That's their number one concern, I think. And then also they are
building what was it? Eight tiny homes, dynamic homes. I think it was eight. Yeah, I can't remember the number. They've already had some. Yeah, they've had some built. They're building they're increasing. I think I think they're having dynamic homes built. I think they're they're like 16 by 80. So
they're when I I used to live in a 16x8 mobile home, but I don't seem like a tiny home. Yeah, I know. No, I lived in I lived in a 14 by 50 mobile home apparently. One bedroom. Um and then so anyway, and then also the cell tower on Rat Lake Trail, I believe,
but it's one of our things on the agenda. Are those are those um tiny homes then? Are they going to be independently owned or is the tribe going to own them and just let people stay in? I think the tribe I think they're for elders. The elders for elders. The tribe is going to own them.
The tribe's going to own and the elders are going to live there. that their they their biggest concern right now they said was their was housing for their elders. Yeah. Yeah. I mean and and that that would work for that but you know home ownership is kind of I think the ultimate goal for individuals if they you know do
Yeah. They want them to own homes. They want their Yeah, they do. And then all the one of the other things we talked about was the OGMA DMV. We had some questions on that and they are supposedly working on an arrangement with the state to be able to do um you know driver's license and tribal
licenses in the same place because that's that's kind of what their goal goal is to So we just found out that was a tribal request. No, I don't know if we did we just find out or I don't know. Well, I don't know that we had it confirmed. I don't think we had it confirmed. Until we asked them till we asked them. Yeah.
Yeah. It was it was kind of assumed. I think we Well, we were wondering, but they they wouldn't allow any information about that. Yeah, the state wouldn't allow any information, right? Yeah. I don't think the tribe was I don't think they were trying to keep it a secret. I don't know. Uh there was anything else, Richard, we
did there. No, I don't think so. I I think the other thing to add on that meeting was um there was a request by them to you know the way we have it structured right now with environmental services where they have representation from the tribe coming you know is there
any um on environmental or NRM NRM sorry um you know other departments where we could you know mimic that collaboration in other departments as well with the county. So they did ask did they have any suggestions? Um, you
know, we they talked about human services, they brought up public safety. Um, highway was brought up. Are are I got to ask this, are we invited to any of their committees and have input on any of theirs? I don't know that we asked that
question, but but but we you're up there. Yeah. Yeah. We were talking about future meetings. I we didn't ask that specific question, but that's certain I certainly can. That's a fair question. That's a fair question. Um,
I'll I have another topic that I'll if we're done with this one. Yeah, I'm I'm I actually have no more meeting. So, go ahead. I I just think that I think uh the public the public health I think when we transition I think we could have two commissioners on that. Every other
county had two commissioners there on the partnership. We we talked about that. So, we talked they're going to we're going to have a meeting also to determine that. But we we talked about But I mean I think we used to have two representatives. Yes. I think I think uh we decided that we need two from Clay and two from Becker.
Because right now we have one and an alternate and we everyone brought alternates to the meeting. Yeah. And they did and Denise wasn't at that meeting. Aunt Amanda was, but I was hoping Denise would be at that meeting as we're transitioning especially when it's held in Becker County.
Yeah. Yeah. But I I agree. We should have two commissioners that go to those meetings. Um, when we get to appointments, should we consider that? Yeah. Yeah. Are we at appointments yet? We are at appointments right now. And unless anybody else
Are you interested? I I think you would be the natural fit. Okay. So, you want to make a motion? Um, I would make a motion that we we add Erica as the second commissioner and for with two partnership for health. um for
those previous reasons stated. Do we do we want to do we want to add it immediately? I would the the only thing is is um well I could be the alter. You made a motion. Oh, I'm sorry. We have we have a motion. Do we have a second? I'll second.
Um I can thank you. So the so discussion um what I my motion was was just for you to attend meetings. If if your organization makes it a voting member, then that wouldn't change anything. Yes, currently right now it wouldn't be an alternate
but when we switch over it you would have voting. Okay. So that's what I was going to say. I was just making a motion for you to get a pium and and your bylaws in that meeting would change make you a voting one. Correct. All right. So we have a motion in a second. Do we have any more discussion?
The only other discussion then if if one of you can't make a meeting, you can choose one of us to go to that. Yeah. as your alternate and then we would also have voting and we're if we're taking your spot we have voting rights if you go as an alternate you don't have voting rights till they're correct till their bylaws change
all right so as far as vote voting rights we can unilaterally at this meeting decide that we have voting rights for an outside or no no they're by understanding they're we are sending two commissioners under for us to be able to
get pdeium and mileage okay that's all we're doing at their meeting, they will have to allow this the vote. They're changing their as we transition from when Ottertale and Wilin are leaving. So, they're voting will change. They want two commissioners
to have voting rights from each county rather than one. So, and that'll that that'll that'll be changed after this this first year. It'll be when Wil and Otter leave. Okay. Yeah. It'll it'll be done before that, but it'll be changed officially on
January 1st. Yeah. All right. So, we have a motion, a second. Any more discussion? Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries. All right. Let's go move on to or do we have any other appointments? All right. Let's move on to our county administrator.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. I just wanted to go back to the safeure that uh Commissioner Barberg um had talked about. The last walkthrough that we did was 2023. So this was uh overdue and we do have the reports and there's work being done on making those corrections
with the departments um along with facilities manager as well. So he's been involved with that process as well. Do you have a question? Mr. Chair, could we maybe do the um proposed DNR land acquisition? We have a public hearing at 9:30 that we should probably hear at 9:30. So let's go. Let's move down to Sorry to
interrupt. Yeah. No, you're I agree. We're move down to number two. Okay. Yes, please come up. Good morning, Chair Meyer and commissioners. I am Nick Banks with the Trust for Public Land. I have with me
Eric Thorson, the area wildlife manager from the DNR. We're here just to um present some information about the proposed land acquisition that we're seeking approval via resolution from the commissioners on. Um, last time we were in front of you or I was in front of you was last fall when we were looking at
acquisition of Toad Mountain as a potential regional park. We've since worked with the uh the seller after that to try and to continue to preserve the property while opening up to the the public to um enjoy and experience and
went and had communications with the DNR about possible interest in this as a wildlife management area and they were interested in taking the property on as a as a wildlife management area and adding it to the portfolio of their lands that they manage in Becker County. Um I think you have a map in front of
you of the acquisition. Yep. Um it is a little bit different than what you saw the first time we were here. Um we're looking to acquire out of the 253 acres 250 acres. So we're cutting out about 3 acres which is essentially constitutes the cabins and
the garage that are in the lakes lake uh part of the property east of um I think it's uh to lake drive and so essentially that infrastructure that's there in that red exclusion area is cut out from the acquisition. Um, but we would be acquiring the the remainder of the
property, including some of that sensitive lake shore um that you can see jutting out in the peninsula there that's not developable currently. Um the uh the I'll let Eric speak to the the uses of the property as a wildlife management area, but generally it would
be open for um use to the public for things like hiking, hunting, wildlife observation, things of that nature. Um but not things like camping, um horseback riding. Eric, maybe correct me if I'm wrong there. Yeah, would also be open for trapping,
um fishing from the shoreline, um and just access um you know to to those lands. There's quite a network of trails there from the um existing land owners already. Um and we would intend to maintain those trails as hunter walking trails, which are multi-use trails that could be used in the summer or the
winter. Um and so there's excuse me, did you say hunting trails? hunter walking trails. Um so that's a fairly common thing in like the Smoky Hill State Forest, Two Inlet State Forest, we maintain hunter walking trails on state forest lands and we also do it on on wildlife management areas.
Um so th those are uh information on those are on our DNR website and we try to maintain those annually um with mowing and trail clearing and those would also help for things like management of the property longterm too as well as just access for the public. Um, one other thing to note just
to to bring to the the public record is there will be uh uh when we purchase this and sell it to the DNR, there will be payment in lie of taxes on this parcel. And based off of the um the assessed and the appraised value, the the PIL payment in 2026 would be nearly
double what the current tax revenue is from 2025. So, uh, last year in 2025, the property tax was just over $6 and $6,900. Um, the estimated pill payment would be,
uh, just below $12,500. And if commissioners have any questions, we'd be happy to answer them. Does anybody have any questions for them? I don't have any questions, but I do just want to note that um Eric and I did tend the um Toad Lake Township as
Clark had noted in the open forum and there was um you know a couple of the people that were there that had previously been opposed to to it and um when the county was considering um acquiring it, but everybody at that
meeting was um in support of it, including former commissioner Larry Kudson. was also there. Um but they did agree that this was a good a good um next step for the mountain. So
Mr. Chair, um I sat through some of those meetings in the fall just kind of roughly paying attention before I became commissioner. I know it was contentious. Can you bring me up to speed of why were the residents so adamant at not at at this not being a county property?
because they um did not want the county they believed it would cost the county too much money between purchasing it and maintaining it. Okay. But you said now the residents around there are more receptive the township is receptive because it's going to be a DNR property.
I think one of them was loss of revenue for the county tax revenue for the township and and with the PIL payments now that won't be a loss. It will actually be an increase at least um in the short term. And the other the other thing was I think there's more limited recreation activities on the DNR land
than there is on the what county what the county could have done because there was a lot of talk about campgrounds um camping and that's and horseback you know um there's actually some horse riding facilities and that would that's not part of the DNR's plan. So um less
okay less things. Mr. Chair Eric, if this goes forward, what will the relationship be or what do you anticipate the relationship will be with the county and the DNR concerning that property? Um, we certainly take input, you know, if there's some desires um for um you
know, facility um development on the property or uh different uses so it can be involved in the um planning and for the management of the unit. Um, but generally we would have pretty limited facilities, probably a parking lot on on the east and the west side to help the public access the property and have
gated trails to keep uh, you know, ATVs and other motorized um, vehicles off of the trails so they're open for for um, walking. Um, you certainly can have some input on, you know, the vegetation management plan for the unit there. It would be available for timber harvest.
um probably be a limited amount of that that goes forward, but through the state planning system um and and done in a sustainable manner. Um but certainly would take input on the planning um going forward on that this new WMA that's proposed. The one thing I would like like to see
is up on top, not a not a dwell or not a structure to, you know, to cover, but just a photographic opportunity because that is such a unique spot up there to I mean, I I can see um, you know, high school pictures or or, you know, engagement pictures being being it's
just a nice setting for um and have some sort of archway to to just capture that and visit Becker County, Detroit, you know, um, #up there or something. Mhm. Yeah, I certainly could look into an observation platform or something like that. That'd be a good term for it.
Observation platform. Mr. Chair, Eric, so uh you were saying it fast. You said uh no camping, no horseback. I mean, there was horseback facilities. There's some old buildings and stuff where they had it that that would there would be that would that area would be cleaned
up. Um so it would be restored back to natural habitats there. Um so that you know um be sight cleanup um related to those um structures there at the kind of the base of the mountain. So so you had said hunting and hiking on there would be the Yep. Hunting, trapping um primarily, you
know, hiking, crosscountry skiing, um you know, you know, wildlife observation, um trapping, fishing, you know, all that is basically um any form of non-motorized outdoor recreation. Are ebikes allowed? That's a gray area,
I think. Um, so I think the state is working through that. You know, how you define what a motorized bike is. So, Mr. Chair, Eric, uh, where is the next nearest facility within Becker, within the region where these activities you'd
be able to do? Um, probably the closest one would be the Hubble Pond, um, WMA, um, which is right on, um, State Highway 34, um, next to Tamarak Refuge. Um we don't have any WAS in the eastern half of the county. So this would would be a unique kind of
management unit um for the eastern half of the county. So that's the area that um is managed out of the Park Rapids work area. The western half of the county is managed out of the Detroit Lakes wildlife work area. So this would be our first wildlife management area in the eastern half of the county. Does anybody else have any any more
questions for Eric or Mr. Chair? I'll make a motion approve resol resolution 08252D. We have a motion for 2D. Do we have a second? Second. We have a second by Erica, motion by Barry. Any more discussion? Okay. All in favor signify by saying I.
I. I. Opposed. All right. Motion carries. All right. Thanks for coming in. Thanks, David. Thanks, Jay. Let's So, Carrie, we're going to move on to the public hearing and go back then we'll come back to you. All right. All right. So we we are now I got
to get my page here 65. Thanks AC. Are you making a motion? Yes. I need a motion to I'll entertain a motion to have a public hearing for the reclassification of part
of parcel 09.7154.0000. So moved. Okay. Second. Okay, we have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All right. Motion carries. So, the public hearing is open. The public hearing is now open.
Everyone, we that my motion was everyone except Jerry. He got his car stuck on another trail. Anyway, I said that. All right. Are you going to ask if anyone Yeah. Is there anybody here that would like to speak towards the reclassification of the part part of the
parcel? Is that is that uh the Toad Hill? No, no, it's Rat Lake Trail. It's Rat Lake Trail. All right. So, I'll ask in Is there anybody that would like to speak to the Mr. Chair, could you uh Mary just give a little update on what it what is why we're doing this?
Great. Um Okay. So, basically what we're doing is we're going to split off 2 and a half acres of land for a cell tower on the north side of Rat Lake Trail to provide uh cell service east of town. This property actually has been
forfeited since the 40s. It was put into conservation and I think it was the 50s and basically it takes a public hearing to remove land from conservation. Currently, it's just considered part of our natural forest.
Um the 2 and 12 acres of land would then be leased um to the tower company. the county has to purchase the property from the state in order to do the lease. So that's the plan. Mary, correct me if I'm wrong, but we brought this this was discussed at NRM
and the tribe actually was very very supportive. Yeah, they are very supportive. Yes, we have state approval. We have township approval and tribal. Yeah, they have a cell tower by by Natawash and they're they're looking super crazy forward to having some more
service out there. Yeah. Yeah. Yep. That's the way to put it. All right. So, I will uh do we have no no more any more comment? I will make a uh I need I'll entertain a motion to close the public hearing. I'll make the motion to close public
hearing. Do I have a second? Second. All right. So, motion by me, second by Erica. All in favor signify by saying I. I. I. I. Motion carries. All right. Now we got to go now move down to resolution 082252A which is the resolution for
reclassifying the parcel. I'll entertain a motion to approve resolution 2A. So moved. Motion by Erica. We have a second. Second. Second by Phil. Any more discussion? Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries.
Thank you. All right. You bet. Thanks, Mary. All right. Back. Let's go back to Carrie's finishing her report. back to try to regular schedule programming. I try to remember where I left off. Um I was talking about safe assure and uh the last walkthrough was 2023. So we'll
continue to uh work with department heads and facility manager um to make some notes and do some corrections. So that is in process and my hope would be in 30 days we'll have a a good update on those on those reports.
Um I met uh or actually there's a meeting scheduled with myself and human services county attorney and court administration to review um what or andor how we could potentially get reimbursed for our chips petitions that
we pay retainers on. There's a 4 funding that's available. We just don't know the amount and so we're just reviewing the process and that's something that Commissioner Jeepson had asked about. So that is in process. Um we did meet yesterday uh for our first round of
negotiations with our elected officials here at the county and as well as one of our appointed officials as well to look at negotiations for salaries for 2026. Um, I've continued to meet with uh tribal
officials and uh Manomomen County administrator just on any um to better the communication as well as if there's any uh joint collaboration or efforts that uh need to move forward. I also last, I believe it was last week,
I met with um two of the um uh court judges along with Steve Skoo and probation to start talking about uh staffing for better futures and to utilize uh those individuals that are out on probation to bring, you know,
awareness to the option and and really their function within the county and the staffing. And the hopes is to um increase the staffing for better futures. That's that mattressing recycling that is done in the county as well as hoping in the future with the
new program for um early not early release pre-sentencing release of inmates to see also if that's a pool of uh individuals that also can be tapped into as well for uh you know a paid job. Um a lot of those individuals struggle
with the housing and then also with having the criminal background. So this may be option. Um and we got positive feedback from the judges. They were quite and probation. They were quite excited about you know looking at u moving moving this forward. Um also met
I know there was some prior discussion prior to us getting started today about blight properties. there was an internal meeting um and really just trying to look at an approach to those properties and a collaborative effort uh really between you know human services, law
enforcement, environmental services and planning and zoning. Um several properties that have come to probably some of your attention as well as staff's attention were talked about and really I would say the consensus was is that you know they're similar but yet
they're quite different circumstances. So probably can't come up with a blanket policy to address all of them the same but having those discussions and coming up with next steps of how to uh address those. So that is in progress as well.
Uh interesting I got some information just across counties. I know we've talked quite a bit about uh paid family leave and that this board did approve us going with a the private company MetLife and it's I don't know that I've seen anybody going with the state plan uh
counties which I thought was interesting. I think the majority are going with a private company. Interesting. Yeah. So there was some discussion with Yeah. How are they going to fund 400 employees on that? So I I just found that interesting. I I think the majority of the counties are
going going private. So um and then I had one point of clarification just regarding um the homework starts. We talked about the funding. It is we are not a pass through. Oh the the grant is managed
outside. Yes. We're just a collaborating uh party and and uh resource for them. I just want to clarify. Thank you. So um and I think that's all I have. M Mr. Chair Carrie, we had talked about that AMC leading on purpose that
Aweek thing with with uh Julie Ring had sent that out. Did you guys all get that? Yes. Okay. What do is that something we want to do want someone to do or what? I was hoping to have a a conversation on that. Sorry, I forgot to bring that up.
So I did the information that I did get uh basically it is a um was a national leadership academy that was I think in the past probably provided by no. So the state of Minnesota is really kind of mimicking that model. So it is I believe
8 weeks um weekly online meetings and then um you're broken into as I understand it again it's kind of a work in progress uh smaller groups and there's discussion points probably I don't want to say homework but maybe homework in between uh the meetings.
I think Richard should be doing it. Barry, what have these things been like in the past or what have they? I mean, I'm I haven't been one on like this, but uh I remember Jerry and I went to a leadership training up and I that AMC put on. I I thought it was really good. I'm not interested in in this one.
I But I mean that what was it like a two-day meeting? I mean, they brought in a a really good speaker. I mean and and I mean you will it I don't know if you gain anything in long term from it but I thought it was really a good good
meeting at the time. Um I did have a flat tire and Jerry drove by me and didn't help me but well and I and I remember he did stop. I I think it's uh important to note that I think this as I understand this training it's more of an interactive
practical versus you know having an instructor. It is there is a cost to it. I saw was they 500 bucks. Yes. The I think they said the other cost when they did all virtual. It is all virtual. They did I did confirm that virtual and
starts in October. Does anybody have an interest in doing it? Barry, you said you don't. Erica, um I would have to look at the dates. Yeah, I same here. Richard, would you have an interest in something? I've been told that I'm not trainable, so you're wasting money. I I I'd have to
know when the dates are and when the meetings are before I can commit because I' I've looking there's there's no I see the schedule here but there's no starts yeah October 20th but um as I the last information that I had is that they were looking at doing weekly from that point going forward
that that's that's what I I mean when I think time it would really be if someone's looking at advancing AMC also I mean if you if you want to be more involved with the AMC I think would be valuable. Um,
so I mean I guess if if if someone's interested in attending those, I think the county would support that or I would support that through the county. The doesn't there wasn't a registration deadline though. Because I tell you, the the more involved you I mean,
it's like we were going to discuss a joint meeting or a meeting with uh um Michelle Fishbach assistant, you know, we were talking we should because those relationships do help. I mean, anytime and and this this
could this could bring, you know, networking to whomever goes to it and and collaboration. So, I mean, I'm I if someone wants to do it, I I certainly will support it. I'm It didn't Well, Mr. Chair, and Carrie, I think there's three of us that are interested,
but we need more information about about the virtual times, I guess. So, if we could get that that would and I don't I don't know if they've set them, but I can certainly Matt I believe Matt Cassid's number is on here. Yeah, there it is. Yeah, he's he's the reach out. He's the contact. I
may call Julie, too, as well. Yeah. And I did have a call with uh there were EMC members on their own last Friday. As of last Friday, they did not have the dates confirmed. Okay. And and maybe they're waiting for interest. I mean, but it's kind of reversed. So people maybe want I can
certainly um ask again, but those times I I said you said they said weekly starting October an hour weekly virtual is what I was being told. Weekly virtual October 20th I believe is if it overlaps with another scheduled meeting, I wouldn't be able to do it. So yeah, that's the problem. Yeah.
Well, if you could get some more information maybe and then Well, and I I should maybe say too that again this is my understanding as of Friday. Um because it's not the whole group, you know, they break you into smaller groups. So, it may as I understood it
perhaps you would have the consensus of the small group of how to set your own schedule and times and there's not many meetings that you can't change the time of other other meetings. So, I mean your county meetings we change. So, that may give more Yeah. flexibility.
Um, Mr. Chair, it would it be appropriate to authorize um a member to any member, any commissioner that wants to attend these to pay the registration fee and if if if Carrie if authorized Carrie to or authorize her to
approve that. Yes, I'll second that motion. Thank you. Yep. All right. So, we have a motion and a second. We have any more discussion? U Mr. Chair, with that you'd have a pdeium pdeium. I was just going to with that but I with no with no travel. With no travel that would be my next so
that okay with both of you. Okay. All right. So we have a motion second. Any other discussion? Yeah. All in favor signify by saying I. I. All right. Motion carries. Then as a reminder um the policy conference is uh in September. So please
let Peggy know so she can get rooms if you are going and for her to register. I think MRC is on Wednesday night. I believe it is. So could I I just piggy I just want a room for Wednesday night, not Thursday. Okay. You want
confidence ends Friday? It does. Correct. And I Wednesday and Thursday. I've already I've already got You've already communicated. Okay. I think I might have too. You already got your room? Yeah, you like two months ago. Yeah, you did. Oh, I think you might have got my room, too. Did you already get I thought you already got
Oh, I already did. You're right. She just need to remind you. She must have forgot she did it. Okay, we probably are ahead. We're probably ahead of this. So, right, never mind. Good. Mr. Chair, uh Barry brought it up. Uh the the Michelle Fishbach, we all got
that email. Um those some of us got some the only important ones that I think we should at least respond as a group or or do something. I I don't know what that answer is. You're talking about connections and just invite them in or I mean
I I don't know what to do, but we should do something. Well, see what works for for his schedule and say, you know, we we are we are excited to to meet and and um I think it would be a good group group meeting, you know, because and maybe an informal group, maybe an informal work session if we can
get something scheduled with the board and just have that discussion. I can certainly try to coordinate that. Yep. Okay. At the But we need enough lead lead time to to um make it a public meeting if we're all going to be there. Correct. Yeah. Correct. I mean, you know, maybe just more informal, too. Maybe just go
out, I instead of a, you know, work session here, just go out for, you know, because he even stated in there that maybe just go out for, you know, bite to eat or coffee or something. It's fine. Um, okay. I think those informal settings are sometimes nicer to get out of this setting. Okay. I will reach out and
uh you did forward me the email, so I will reach out and see what they have available. But whatever works. I mean, could meet here for Okay. 45 minutes. All right. Okay, I will follow you at that. Yeah, that sounds good. And Mr. Chair, that's all I have. Okay. All right. So, let's move on to
our land use environmental services. Stephen Mitch. Who's Stephen? Steven Mitch. Ste. That's Steve. And that's Mitch. Steven. Oh, yeah. That's right. Thanks, Mitch.
Thanks, Stephen. Mitch. Okay, Barry's all excited because you got the email, didn't you? Uh, good morning, Commissioners, Carrie, Peggy. Uh, before you, there's a request to purchase a half ton pickup for NRM
department. Um, my request, this is an updated quote prices as requested from finance committee. Um, the total cost has, from what I can tell, it has everything built into it that we would request or need for like a steel skid plate, um, bed liner, etc. And also has
in there whether it's there's a rebate or an incentive with that that deal. So, obviously the the lowest quote is, um, from Steel Park Rapids with that 7250 rebate. Um, my request is up to purchase up to
$50,000. um it doesn't need to be that can be lower. I just want to make sure with registration and all that other costs that get built into that um I have enough budgeted or enough approval for that. So yeah, I think this came uh this was a
no-brainer when you see the crew cab compared to a double cab. Crew cabs much better. Um, obviously the Z71 package has some underneath skid plates that would be desirable, but I think you can if you need those, you can probably get those added on afterwards.
Mr. Chair, Mitch, this seems like kind of a surprise out of nowhere. I wasn't expecting this. Is what what happened? Did we Are we replacing a pickup? Are we buying another one or county board has already approved to dispose of the 2016 old truck we have? So, once get this going, put that on auction
block or whatever public surplus. So dispose of that. Okay. So no additions, just replacing one. Do I have a motion? I'll make a motion to approve. I'll second up to 50 pref with the preference of the low quote. Second. I'll second.
Okay. So we have a motion second. We have any more discussion. Okay. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Motion carries. Thank you. I do have one more thing here. It's just a timber sale contract in formal that if
I could have carry and and the chair sign. Was that in consent? That was in the consent. Okay. Yep. All right. Let's move on to highway with Jim.
Now, commissioners, I have one item for your consideration today. It's a purchase request for some software, uh, for us to use in our our work management of maintenance activities, uh, equipment, and things. Um, we didn't get
to talk one-on-one personally with our highway department, but we did our committee, but we did communicate, uh, through emails. Um this had kind of come up uh recently. Uh we had been in the market for doing getting some sort of organization
to our our our um you know complaints with citizen or road issues to help us uh track the work that's going on and making sure it's completed and then having it all documented. So, you know, if should we ever have a
accident or somebody has a request that shows that we had followed through with it and that um but we looked at this uh particular company uh we thought it provided the best value. Uh we did look at another company that haded more
packages more geared towards you know had some asset management of road pavements and signs and stuff. if we already have that. But basically what this does, it's a it's a geographically based software that uh we can input our
work requests or work orders um based on location. Uh it's unlimited seats, so all our employees can use it. So if there's a maintenance worker or myself or anybody out there that sees an issue that needs to be addressed on the road,
they can quickly enter it with a tablet or their phone and that then it's documented, then it's created into a work order, then it's tracked until it's completed. And I said also there's a uh a customer request module to this where
if we get calls on road issues um down trees, deer kills, potholes or anything, you know, customers can instead of calling us up and and trying to reach the right person to get that uh answered, they could go right online and
fill us out and then that work order is recorded. uh then when we go and follow up with it uh when it's finished we checked is finished and then that uh resident is then informed that the work has been completed. Um it could work for
you too if you have uh request or receive issues you could easily do it online and or you know if we have people that come in or call that we're not there um a receptionist could even enter it. So, it's it just provides great tracking and then it allows for us to
for Jonah, our superintendent, to kind of lay out work for our workers and then they can instead of Jonah wondering if something's completed by always asking uh it can be entered and and showed up uh that it's been uh completed anyway.
So, m Mr. chair gym. So like if you're out spraying road ditches, let's say for instance, you don't do that, but let's say you are and you notice a pothole, you could go into this and you could mark that so you know that that's a pothole that needs to be fixed. Correct. Yep. And it's location based. So like say
during seal coat, you know, we're all focused on that. we could have some work orders pile up and then we get we see all these requests or uh that show up and then they can look at the map and they can guide the work and the most efficiently to complete it or get those
priority areas. But I think it's something the department uh you know used to do long ago but they did it by paper uh to create their document trail. And we really haven't what we do now is you know we we put schedules in like our
outlook or something which really isn't built for that or we have a spreadsheet of you know activities that we normally do and we just check off when they're done. But um I think it just would help with our overall management of you know maintenance issues and and it can even
work for equipment and that and then it also you can track inventory with it so we know like if we have to clean a culvert or replace it um we input you know our time and our equipment usage and the the materials so we we have that all
documented so know what each of these events have cost us. Mr. Sure. Uh Jim, how do you roll this out to the public? How do you let the public know? Is that just they call into Pam and you say, "Hey, go on to this site and and put it in the culvert's plugged or something like that." Yeah, we'll it'll be set up. It'll be on
our our department's web page and, you know, we could have it, you know, on the the homepage, you know, uh showing that it's a new uh area for people to just click on and go to and, you know, fill out a form. I think once people get used to it, it's similar to maybe like what
zoning does with addresses being assigned and things like that. You know, they go on and and uh sign up to get address assigned to a new property or whatever. I know when finance we also talked about there might be other uses for other departments on this. We're going to kind of explore on it as well.
Mr. Chair, um Mike, do you think that this will reduce the time put in I mean will aid in doing the annual report? Um I think maybe it could. Uh we do pretty uh we do have our own accounting
software. Uh so that most of that work our work in that annual report is drawn out of that. But this might be a good shortcut for like you know for audits and inventory. we could track it through this um instead of um you know maybe
going out and vis well we we will still have to go out and visually inspect to verify um you know product on hand but it will show us you know when our inventories depleted and when we have to then go reorder again.
Well, you know, in in these times when we're trying to cut things, this will be an ongoing expense of $4,000, but I really do trust Jim and the highway department as being very conservative in their spending. So, if Jim believe that this will aid us, not
in customer only in customer service, but um I think there will be some efficiencies in this also. So, I for that for the minimal price increase. I think Jim, if you're sold on it, I Well, we we were happy with the price
and cuz we did look at others that are over $25,000 and there's a lot of these out there. Um, but this one thing we thought that was neat about this, they kind of look at population base on determining what our subscription is and
stuff. you know, it's obviously if they they got to service a large city, I'm sure their their network or software has way more complaints and requests. So, it's kind of geared based off of our population and that. So, I think that
was makes it attractive, too. And then if we get this done, what was the date? August 29th. We they they well they did have a little incentive for us and um you know when we talked to them and I'm sure it's maybe part of the the sales, you know, they want to put a
carrot out there. We do get half off of our uh implementation. So that saves us $1,300 and they are providing us with a tablet that we can give to our one of our maintenance uh lead workers, you know, so he would have something to put his
uh entries into. Did you coordinate with it? We have not discussed with it. This is web based um through the um the Amazon service. I think I saw Judy here. But I think that's typically what they do. It won't
reside on our network. Uh it'll just be that one thing I would like when you get when any department has anything you know want to propose I I would like it in it early. So sure. I mean, because they're gonna if if you're asking to ask them now to um
have a link to those sites, I mean, it it will affect it. But I'm sure they've been accommodating. Mr. Chair, I'll I'll move to approve the uh request amount of 5,300 for the I
work management software up to $5,300 for this request. Okay. So, we have a second. I have a motion by Phil, second by Richard. Do we have any more discussion? Mr. Chair, Jim, just my fear about this
is that it sits on the shelf and doesn't get used. So, I you know, I'd like a follow up in a year to see how it's how it's working and how it's being used and and especially if the citizens can use it and learn to use it and be directed to this because I I think this could be super
valuable um if if it's used. Um so, yeah, I didn't know this kind of stuff was out there. So, thanks for bringing it forward. All right, so we have a motion, a second. Um, all in favor signify by saying I. I. All right, motion carries. Thanks, Jim. Thank you.
We have anything else for the good of the order? All right, we are Do we adjourn or do we just are we in budget? So, we keep going. We're jjourned and we're taking a break and then we're coming back. Yeah. Hey, are we The budget the budget session was
work session. The work session is