--------- It's 3 o'clock. We'll start the Belami County work work session. And first item is introduction of new employees. Do we have any new employees? Does not look like it. So we'll move on to identify future work meeting
topics. Have anybody have any future work meeting topics? Commissioner Summer. Uh Mr. Sure. Maybe um uh an update from our lobbyist down in St. Paul sometime whenever they uh when they
officially get done. That's a that'd be a good idea. Thank you, Commissioner Sar. Anybody else? Not seeing any. And I had one, but it slipped my mind, so I'll have to come back to it if I think of it. All right.
Minnesota Department of Corrections Department update. I think Trisha is going to give us an update. So, good afternoon. I'm Trish Hansen with Department of Corrections and I'm with the field services division, which I want to make sure is not confused with inspections and enforcement that you
folks so fondly like to deal with. So, um, my primary tasks are around probation, supervised release for Bel Tramy and Clearwater counties. And so, I Oh, great. I put a packet together for you all to look through. And I'll kind
of burn through the stats really quickly. If you any of you want more specifics, my phone number and email is at the end, and I'd be happy to sit down and talk through it more thoroughly if you'd like to. So, um, the next
slide or can I click it? Thank you. There we go. So, this slide represents we have two primary tasks at the Department of Corrections and that's investigations and supervision. So, when we talk about investigations, it's
usually our pre-sentence investigation reports or what we would call a predispositional report for a juvenile. And those reports take roughly 6 to eight hours for our staff to put together. And then we also have Minnesota sentencing guidelines worksheets that are completed on all
adult felony level matters and those can be quite complicated depending on criminal history for individuals. And we also do bail studies as directed by state court administration and that's a statutory obligation as well. And then when we talk about supervision, it's
probation. And then we also have supervised release or what we most commonly refer to as parole. Um, and we also offer pre-trial supervision in domestic violence cases and then other cases that the court might assign randomly to us as
well. And so, not to get too far into the weeds, but this is all the data on our investigation functions. So, if you look at the top left slide, those are all of the present investigations that we did in each of those years. Um, the
dark blue is our felony PSIs. The green is our misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor DWIs. So, most of those are going to be domestic related offenses. And then you'll see that small kind of grayish spot and those are PSIs that we did in
conjunction with a felony or a gross misdemeanor. So, we call them tracking. Um, you'll see the bail studies on the right. And if you go to the far right column, in 2004, the bail study process changed a bit. And so that's why you'll
see that addition of that light blue color and that was called the MINPAT R which is the Minnesota pre-trial assessment tool revised and state court administration changed a little bit about how we did bail studies and so that's why you'll see that difference there. You'll also note that when we
talk about juveniles on the bottom left, we don't do a whole lot of predispositional reports. And part of that is we have a good relationship with the Belrammy area service collaborative and they do what we call um some conferencing kinds of things where families come together and come up with
a solution to the problem and then that's presented to the court in lie of that. So that's been a great process too and better outcomes I might add. And then the bottom right are the pre- plea worksheets that we talked about. And so what I would note is those worksheets are worksheets that we did
prior to anybody entering a plea for their offense. And so then we would redo those worksheets for all of those PSIs in the top left felonies because that's when they come to sentencing after they've pled and what they plead to might have changed since we did the
worksheet. So those would be duplicates in almost all of those cases. Commissioner Carlson, another question. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh Trish, sorry to interrupt. I just fine noticing kind of a trend here. That looks like a good trend. If if if the least or if how do I
want to say this? If you're doing less of these, that must mean there's less crime. Is that true or not true? Well, I would defer to law enforcement in terms of how much crime they're seeing because this is only what's been sentenced in the court. So, there could be a whole another group of offenses out there that we're not seeing yet. I
haven't made it to my office yet. Yeah. So, I'd have to probably defer to law enforcement on that one. System slow down process. And and to that point, um I would say that if you look at 2023, you'll see
that spike in felony PSIs. My assumption, and I'm looking at Mr. Hansen is that that's likely when we were trying to get out of the backlog of COVID and so you saw everybody trying to shuffle through all of those cases. Is
that fair to say? Thank you. Yep. Um so now if we talk about clients under supervision, this is the supervision portion of the work that we do. And on on the lefts with all the number graphs, that's your hard data. And then the graphs or the pictures are the ones in
the top right there of course. But um when you look at this, this is clients, not cases. So this is the total number of clients open to my office on January 1st of each of those years. So it's a point
in time count. And then the other thing you'll notice is on the bottom right you'll see it says um special supervision Baji office bel county. And we also have what's called an intensive supervised release unit. You might hear it referred
to as ISR. And those um individuals are supervised by a team of agents that work 24/7 because those are our highest risk individuals coming out of a Minnesota correctional facility or prison. So they are under intensive supervised release.
And if you look at that 5-year average, on average we roughly have just a little over a thousand clients under supervision for that time period. And now compare that to cases. This is the number of cases we supervised. So over the course of that
same 5-year average, we had um just under 1,500 cases that we supervised for a little over 1,000 individuals. So, just to give you a quick snapshot of that, if you look at the adult offenses, drug offenses are what we have the
highest volume of. Um, followed by domestic assaults, DWIS, um, and then general assaults. So, those would not be household or family member assaults. And then at the lowest there, our fifth top highest is criminal sexual conduct. And if you look in the graph to
the left, those are the raw numbers. So, you can see the actual numbers that we're talking about. Sorry to interrupt there. You've got drugs and DWI and my understanding is a lot of the DWIS are actually drug DWIS.
Yes. Is is that are is that separating those or the drug the DWIS are drug DWIS for the most part. So it's a lot of drugs is the problem. Correct. Yep. So if you look at those drug cases, the codes that we use, those would be crim u controlled substance crimes first
through fifth degree roughly composes the bulk of that drug category. And then if your DWI was drugreated, it would still be reflected in the DWIs. Thank you. Good question. Um and then the juvenile offenses are at the bottom. And so what's interesting always to me is we
don't see any drug offenses for the juveniles, which is interesting. And that's generally been the case even when I was a juvenile agent way back. We rarely saw controlled substance one through five in the juvenile world. Doesn't mean that we didn't see those kids testing positive, but we're not
seeing them possess in the ways that the adults were. Um, and so their highest category is assaults. A lot of those I would bet my last dollar occur in the school settings typically. Um, we have criminal sexual conduct followed by some property damage, disorderly conducts,
and some domestic assaults. So it kind of gives you a picture of what we're supervising in Belrammy County. And then when you think about violations and the outcomes for violations, this is a lot of data here, but the high points are that when you
look at the 5-year average of violation reports, and remember we supervise on a 5-year average about a thousand people, we were submitting roughly about 715 violation reports a year for that population. And so when you it's broken
down by supervising location on that top right. So that brown bar at the top is your intensive supervised release violations. And this is what's interesting to me. If you look at 2021, I think they had roughly 23 people under
supervision on January 1st of that year. And yet they had 52 violations submitted that year, which makes sense, right? You're supervising somebody at a high intensity, you're likely to catch a lot more of those violations as well. And then the bulk of those in the middle, those light blue colors, um those are
felony violations. And so the highest number of individuals we supervise are felons. So it would make sense that that's where you're going to see the highest number of your violations. And then the graph at the bottom really just looks at 75% of our
violations were submitted on individuals that were considered high or medium risk, which again makes sense. and about just under just over rather 20% were submitted on low-risk individuals and then discharge information. So I want to be careful
when we talk about discharges because people are discharged for a whole variety of reasons. Um but when you look at the outcomes you'll see successful and in two 2024 you'll see 368 individuals were successfully discharged. That doesn't mean they
didn't have violations during their term of supervision. It simply means that at the end of their supervision when they either expired or were discharged early that they were doing well stable housing um employment and they were in compliance with their conditions of supervision. And those that were
unsuccessful, of course, are represented in those dark blue lines. And that typically is going to mean that they executed a sentence, they went to prison, they served their local jail time, those kinds of things. And then when you look at revocation information again, if you look at the
bottom left graph, you'll see we had in 2020 there were 607 individuals. Um, and of those 607, most 551 for example, were probation clients and 56
were supervised release clients. So, what I take from that, if I'm all of you, is a good thing that most of our clients are probation clients and not individuals coming out of prison. And then if you look at the top right, those are outcomes. And so most
often, whether it's probation or supervised release, they typically have multiple chances at um supervision. So you might see, so there was 490 cases that were not revoked despite our office submitting a violation. And
that could be for a variety of reasons. We don't always ask for every case to be revoked. But of that year, 72 cases were revoked and 490 were either reinstated or what we would call restructured on supervision. So basically giving them
additional chances to be compliant. And then below we broke out ISR. So you can see kind of the difference between our intensive supervised release work and our regular um adult probation pearl work. And then to kind of get you out of
the stats if you're not a stats person, these are all the different projects that we um collaborate with um our local stakeholders within the criminal justice system and also within our community. So the duly involved youth project is a collaboration with the county attorney's
office with Belrammy County Health and Human Services and also with Red Lake and Leech Lake child protection. We have a number of specialty courts in Belrammy County. We have a domestic violence court, a DWI court, and a drug court. And all of
those specialty courts create um take a lot of time, energy, collaboration with all of our county stakeholders, criminal justice stakeholders, and a lot of our treatment facilities in our area as well. We also have a housing grant with the HA
and we have two agents that provide enhanced sex offender supervision and they collaborate with core psychological services who comes to Bel Tramy County to offer sex offender treatment programs and our staff sit in those sex offender treatment programs with the offenders
and with the treatment staff so that there's no splitting, there's no manipulating, everybody knows the same information and then we can make decisions about what needs to happen from there as a team. We also have ISR leased housing and what that means is Department of
Corrections leases rental property in Belrammy County so that individuals coming out of prison that are our highest risk have a place to land because we know that if they are homeless it increases um recidivism and so we also want to know where they are
and so we provide housing for a limited period of time till they can get out and get on their feet. We also offer a grant to the Northwest Indian Community Development Center in the amount of $250,000 a year to provide re-entry services for individuals coming
out of prison and also our probation clients too. And what you guys will like to know is DOC also pays the county a lease um and as of fiscal year 26, it will actually be just above $72,000 a year. So that's a a benefit for the county as
well. And so just to give you a quick picture of all of the staff that we have here, um the staff that are highlighted in yellow are multicounty or shared staff. So for example, my time is highlighted
because I also spend time in Clearwater County as a supervisor and Cody Underdall supervises the northern half of the state for intensive supervised release. And so his support staff and those team of agents are the team that provides ISR supervision to Belrammy
County. They also provide it basically in the north um east side. So they've got, you know, Grand Rapids, Hubard, Itasa, Clearwater, Belrammy, kind of all that that east side of things. Um and then
the rest of the agents of course are providing different services depending upon their case load. And so in all total, if we're talking about FTEES, you've got about 1.3 supervisors, 17 agents, and four support
staff that are dedicated to Belrammy County. And the big thing is, what do you pay for that? My budget for this year is proposed to be about $380,000 for the year minus the 72,000 I'm going to give you back for the lease
is really quite inexpensive for the number of staff that you receive and the services. So, just wanted to point that out. The other thing I would say is the state does provide three of the four cars that we have um for agents to get out in the field and do their supervision and home visits and all of
that. We also provide body armor, phones, the computers, all the IT um and all the HR functions, so hiring, firing, discipline, all of that kind of stuff. And the state takes on all the liability for the county for whatever our agents
do or don't do as well. So, that is all I have unless you guys have questions or if it's more detailed, like I said, you can certainly feel free to reach out and schedule some time. Commissioner Ringer, I have one. Um, sure. Gotten some phone calls from some
family members. Um, sure. Of people who are were arrested for the similar charges they'd had before. They were on probation and uh they were out again in a day or two. and the families are really frustrated because they want them
to get some some kind of something to stop them from continuing. Sure. Um, who should they be calling? Who could who should I tell them to call? They can certainly call me directly. Okay. The hard part of course is as you know that for example, last night I made an arrest
at 3:30 this morning. My bet is that person's out today, right? So it's kind of once they go to court, it's out of our hands and it's up to the judges to make those decisions. And in supervised release cases, of course, it's up to the hearings and release unit. But I can certainly take those calls. I don't mind having that conversation. And what I
would say is the calls that I have typically gotten are really from family members who have loved ones that are addicted and they are terrified they're going to overdose and die and in some cases really want them to be in jail because it's where they know they're safe, which is kind of sad. Probably
getting the same phone calls from the same people. I would bet so. But certainly you can give them my number. Yeah. Thank you. Anybody else? Thank you, Trish. That was very informative. Thank you. Great. We'll move on to the behavioral
health task force update. Jeff, good afternoon, commissioners. Thank you for having me. Uh, I think I'm going to start by saying we call ourselves a task force, but we could just as easily be a work group or a collaborative or any other any other
number of names. Um, I think what's important is it is a group of people that's been working together since this the the initial I'll kind of get it. First of all, who's at the table? Um, right now we have the sheriff's office, we have the police department, we have
social services, we have a county commissioner. Scott Winger is is a member. Um we have the county attorney's office. We have uh Jim Ais from NAMI which is the National Association for mental illness I believe. Um jail
administration is at the is at the table. Sanford Health. Uh probation. Um Trish Trish is at the table with us there. ISTD31 has recently started attending with us. Uh and Red from Red Lake we have Selena Beasley. And then we
have Mindy O'Brien coming from the Northwest Juvenile Center. Um, this wrong way. There we go. So, historic the history of this of our task force really started in back in
2016. Now, the current iteration is it started in 2019, but back in 2016, there was a group of us that got together. It wasn't that entire group that I just mentioned, but it was law enforcement, county attorney's office, uh myself, um
and at that time it was Becky Secur, and uh we had some local uh group home providers and Sanford Health. The reason that we got together is we had this this circular action happening. Um an individual that was living in the
community, whether they were at a group home or they were generally in the community, would be causing a ruckus. Law enforcement would be called, they'd get picked up, they would get taken to the emer the center for an emergency room. They would be having a mental health breakdown of some sort that
turned into behavioral challenges. Um, and then they'd be at the at the uh at the emergency room and we're looking at where do they go next? Do they go to jail? Sometimes they go to jail and sometimes they'd go back to the emergency room. Sometimes they'd go back
to their uh their group homes and then they'd turn around and come back to the emergency room and it was this circle that was going round and round and none of the entities really they were everybody was frustrated with what each other was doing or what each other was not doing or at least perceived to not be doing. So we got the group together,
we sat down, we kind of worked through some of these things. There continues to be an eb and flow. Um sometimes people don't like the way law enforcement responds. Sometimes they don't like the way the the emergency room responds. Sometimes we don't like the way um the group homes are maybe calling law
enforcement and so on and so forth, but generally there at least there's a spot for people to get together and talk through the challenges that we are that we're seeing. So that started in 2016. Um things did improve. I like I say there continues to be a bit of an eb and flow u but generally speaking things are
better because people are talking and that's what this is really about. So in uh about 2017 2018 myself and Sheriff Hodap were at a meeting in St. Paul and some of these same things were being talked
about but it was really the biggest thing that was being talked about at that meeting was the fact that our jails were becoming the largest mental health facilities in the state of Minnesota. So they're looking at how do you where can you intervene? How can you
stop their recidivision? Well, we started talking about the fact that we were already working on some of these issues. We were at the forefront of it. Um, that caught the attention of Senator Goodwin, who was a senator from southern Minnesota. I think some of you I think Tim, you were probably on the board at
the time. Um, and I'm not sure who else may have been at that time. Uh, but Senator Goodwin uh came up at the invite of Sheriff Hod Hodap to Belrammy County to sit down with us and kind of walk through what are we doing here? What are the challenges? and um she ended up
going and going to the legislature requesting money for Belrammy County and that ended up being the prime west center uh that is over on the Sanford on the Sanford complex over there. Um and that was the first major mental health
program that we residential program that was brought here into uh Bel Tramy County. That's aside from the the CBH which has been here for many years. Um so we were working on these on these cycling these people cycling through the systems and program and uh we were ahead
of the game. We got these these dollars the facility was built. Um we then continued working on other issues other things forward here. So the process is collaboration. We identified issues. We
identified possible solutions. Uh we look at financial viability. tend to create a plan, try and execute the plan. The key is try because oftentimes it has to do with the money that is or is not available from the legislature. Um then we hopefully come up with a solution and
we celebrate our solution, move on to the next issue. So some of the things that have been brought forward some of the ideas that started in this group um was the ACT team which is the oh community treatment
um can't remember the first assert of community treatment. So what that is is when you have a uh an individual who has a number of different challenges and issues, the ACT team, they get they get referred to the ACT team and then the
ACT team kind of surrounds them with services and programs. Those services and programs um might be therapy and counseling, might be med management, uh might be regular medical issues that they have, could be sud um there's a case manager that might be working on
housing issues with them. So they're they really get surrounded with wraparound services. It's a great program. Um Sanford started that. I think that one started back in 18 or 19. Um and has been going since
then. It's a wonderful program. We're we're very lucky to have it. It's also a program that is well thought of. It it is it's a program that in many communities they have these same types of things. We didn't have it here. Um then we put together the reset program
which you are well aware of. We've talked about that on many occasions. Um then more recently back in 2013 the new crisis center and impath was opened by uh Sanford. So that was another thing that was talked about through this
through this task force and worked on through this task force. Some of the things that have happened is we we come up with ideas and then Sanford when I I talk about Sanford in this because they've been the biggest player um outside of county and state agencies. The reason they've been the biggest
player is because they have the most money. They're the biggest they're the biggest um health care provider in northwestern Minnesota at least that I'm aware of. So they're able to access funding to come up with an idea. they they come up with rendition with architectures renditions and then
they're we happen to um hear about money coming down the pipe from the legislature and you already had a project ready that was able to go forward with that. So that's how we ended up getting the the empath and the crisis the current crisis center which
also is a psychiat a full psychiatric hospital now um shorter term but it is a sort of psychiatric hospital now in 23 the youth act was put forward by um by Sanford that is now uh it's under the
CCBHC so it's not called youth act anymore but it's the same concept where you have services surrounding the individual doing wraparound services and programs. Uh and then more recently back in in 24 the Ember program which we've been which has been worked on and talked
about for several years um has finally started functioning at the end of 24. So those are the things that we've done throughout the past. Then as we look to the future, um we're looking now towards there's always going to be mental health issues we need to look adult mental
health issues that we need to look at and continue addressing and continue providing programming and searching for new ideas because those things are still out there. Uh but children's mental health is coming to the forefront right now. Um one of the things that we're looking at is the age of delinquency. Uh
that is going to be changing next year. Uh, and so children under the age of 13 are not going to be able to be charged are not going to be able to be u charged with delinquency, delinquent behaviors, they'll they still may have those behaviors, but they're not going to be
charged criminally for that. Um, so when those kids who have sometimes assaultive behavior, sometimes there might be sexually um assaultive behavior, different things like that, when they come to us, what are we going to be able to do about that? because they can't now go to Northwest Juvenile Center. They're
not going to be able to go to most of the facilities that we currently use for housing these individuals. Um my concern is they're going to end up in our county buildings because we're not going to have programs available for them. That being said, one of the things we're
working on, that's why Mindy O'Brien from Northwest um is talking with us. She's she is open to to coming up with different ideas. Not at the center because they're not going to be able to be at the center, but there might be some options available with the support
of of Mindy and Northwest um to provide some services and programs there. We would likely be reaching out to Evergreen. We'd be doing a number of different things to try and address this issue as we as we move it forward. Uh the other thing of course is I don't
suspect the legislature is going to be giving us hundreds of millions of dollars this year. Uh I worry that we're going to be looking at how do we provide services with less. We'll be addressing these types of things in this as well. And are there
other entities, other agencies that can help support our our local um residents as they are suffering from mental health issues? And then the other thing that that we're also looking at working on is the 11:15 waiver, which I think we've talked about a little bit before. That
is where it would allow us to provide would allow the county to uh be would allow for MA to services to be delivered in the jail. So there might be some mental health programming available, there might be some sed programming
available that would be paid for by MA, which would of course support our our county functions as well. Um, in conclusion, while there while there continues to be a great need for mental health services here in our community, the collaborative efforts between all the parties involved uh and and all the
parties involved with our mental health task force has made has made a difference. We've created services. Uh we continue to look towards the future and what services may be necessary. Um I think that this community and the collaboration that happens within this
community is why we are able to get things done. Um we are not big enough to be Minneapolis St. Paul and have all the services and programs that they have available and we are not small enough um to some like some of our other neighbor neighboring counties that may or may not have some of the same issues we do. So
we need to collaborate. We need to work together to come up with solutions. Any questions? Carson. Thank you, Mr. chair. So, Jeff, is are you are we seeing um an increase year after year after
year in mental health issues or has it stabilized at all or do we have a handle on that? We are seeing increases right now um in our in our commitments that we're doing. I I it's hard to speak to I can speak to
the highest end. Um and I I probably could have pulled numbers, but I believe we are up right now. Um we're going to be seeing if things continue the way they have through the end of the year. Um we will likely see the highest number of commitments than we've ever had. Um,
I can also tell you that our our um child protection programming and child protection investigations, last month we tied a record for the highest number of investigations and inter interventions that we've ever had had. We had 50. Um, we're well on our way this month doing
the same. So, those numbers are all rising. I think the stressors that we are seeing um in our community are are causing a lot of different things to happen. It's it's causing mental health issues. Um it is causing uh our the
parents in our community to be more challenged. Um I think we're seeing a lot of different things going on that are contributing to it. So when you talk about stressors, what are the stressors that you're talking about? Uh I think financial I think um frankly what we see
in the frustrations regarding um some of the political challenges from both ends of the spectrum and the stresses that sometimes happen when when people are angry. There seems to be more anger uh
out there on all sides. Um so I think all those things contribute to it. uh the instability uh across the world I think contribute to it. I think there's so many contributing factors and that's that's the challenge is how do we how do
we help people um work through these challenges. I would also say that the SUD issues that we have been dealing with um and that's substance use disorder uh that we've been dealing with for the past 20 years, they all come
home to roost. When you see those things happening over the years, um those children that may have been affected many years ago are now young adults. Um and those are those are precipitating
factors I think as well. So your group, your collaborative, your task force, um do you look at instead of just looking at ways to um treat the problems? Is there do you
work on how do how do we eliminate some of these problems so that it uh reduces we well that's part of the reason that we have ISD31 at the table now because if we can get to kids and we can serve
children the hope is we won't have to serve them as adults. Okay. So we we're trying um the the challenge is money is short all across you know as we all are well aware um and we're serving as well
as we can. Thank you. Thank you Mr. Chair. Uh Jeff, you mentioned um the Medicaid. Yes. And is medical assistance covered by Medicaid?
it. Yes, they're all kind of one and the same. One is one um Medicaid, I believe, is a federal program. Medical assistance is a program run by the states. I would probably look to answer for that. Um that that's the state's iteration of of Medicaid. Well,
I was just kind of curious uh because with a lot of uncertainty, you know, from the federal government and the state government when it comes to health insurance, um are we going to be impacted by any
cuts to uh Medicaid or or Medicare or or anything like that? Well, I don't think we know that yet. Um, I'm likely not the right person to ask that question of that would probably be Kurt would have a better would have a better understanding of that and where we're at with that.
So, I don't know, did you want to jump in for a second? Sorry to put you on the spot, but uh, Commissioner, as uh, as Jeff had mentioned, we're still waiting to see actually what happens at the federal level to know how those cuts affect. We
still haven't gotten some of the final results from the state legislature either in regards to where the state medical assistance what it can and cannot fund. So, we're still kind of on hold still waiting that to to be able to
really see how or what those effects are to our citizens here in uh within Bel County. So are are there any plans in place for if or when these cuts happen? We are we are staying in
contact with the state um and they have a leadership meeting to kind of they're helping uh the different counties uh well providing a meeting and a form to be able to talk about this and to see
where we go. Um, again, it's it's going to be a joint venture based off of what happens at the federal level between both the state and then how it's implemented here at the county. Uh, Mr. Chair, so with the 11:15 waiver,
which is uh covering medical assistance and if there's some sort of medic Medicaid part to it, how would that affect the waiver? Well, f first of all, the the 1115
waiver is something that the state had to request from the federal government. Uh that was granted um but it is granted uh there the state was looking for five localities as partners. Now if that has
all come out yet, I'm not sure if their requests for that have come out. I thought they had, but I'm it's some of the stuff that's coming from the state's a little fuzzy right now. Um but so when they when they find these pilots, they'll set up these pilots and see how
things go with it. They'll look at what the costs are. They'll see what the what the outcomes are and see whether or not something can be pushed out statewide. That's my understanding of Okay. Uh thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Anybody else any questions for Jeff? Thanks for the update, Jeff. You bet. Thank you. Next up, we've got the 2025 allocation of opioid settlement dollars to discuss. You ready? All right. Good afternoon, commissioners. Amy Bulls,
your public health director and community health uh services administrator. In uh January 2025, an RFP was released for the intent of allowing community agencies in Belrammy County to apply for
Belrammy County opiid settlement funds. The funds are awarded on a yearly basis to support the work of organizations and to help expand or improve services provided throughout Belrammy County. The opiate steering committee is recommending funding be distributed to
the applica applicants listed in exhibit 8. However, before I move on into the recommendation portion, I would like to remind the board that on February 18th, I came before you to present our year-to-ate spending report. During that
presentation, I updated this board on the account balance based on the monies received and money spent. In addition, we reviewed the allocated funds, investing funds, state required remediation uses, and since that update, we have received and spent additional
funding. So, our current balance on May 1st was $731,56867. So, with that update, I'd like to turn your attention to exhibit A. Um, exhibit A is the opiid steering committee's recommendation that the Belrammy County Commissioners approve
distribution up to $70,50 of opiate settlement dollars to support the RFP applicants. Do we do you need me to read off those and review those with you or do you have any questions about the exhibit A? M Mr.
Carlson. Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. So Amy, how many um applicants were there total this round? We had nine. Had nine. Okay. Um and what what criteria did the committee use
to disqualify someone that had put in a request for some money? Was there anything particular that caught the attention of the of the committee to say, "Nah, that we're not that's not going to work or Yep. We had a scoring criteria." So, um applicants could score
up to 100 points on their application on the meeting the remediation uses um following the all of the necessary forms that we uh requested them to fill out. So, asking questions like um how do you plan to use this funding? What is your
project for? What's the history of your organization? Um, we didn't score individuals for requesting money last time, but we did make note of that when we were reviewing that process. Of the nine applicants, two applicants were uh
recipients of funding from 2024's allocation. So, is there any services provided by Del Tramy County that would qualify to take advantage of some of these dollars? And so we do um if you
remember when we first came before you um as a steering committee with our recommendation to the board, we set um a budget of $140,000 a year because what we did is we don't know how much money we are actually going to get over the course of
18 years. It is assumed that we will get $2.8 million. If you take that 2.8 8 divide it by um the 18 years on average we would get about $140,000 a year. And so we made that our our ballpark budget and 70,000 stays
within county services and 70,000 is distributed out into community um services through the RFP process. I appreciate the reminder. I know that we've been through this before, but it's like a how do we it's hard to remember. Hopefully that was a gentle read. Is there um is
there is there laws? Uh is there some um directives in the appropriation of that money that it has to be could 100% go to the county? Is that possible? Um board of commissioners decided to do we sure could do that. The
recommendation in the um theou from the state is to work with uh law enforcement, public health, and then community uh municipalities to um try and determine like best use to bring partners to the table. And so that's why
we formed the the steering committee with two components. We have one component that we meet every month. It's the county based employee um committee. And then once every other month the community members join us and that's where we have nine individuals working
um within our community whether they're working in harm reduction, they're working in prevention services, they're a um they have lived experiences, they're working in uh the criminal justice system or um any of the
different areas that are supported through the mediation uh remediation uses. So the reason for my question is that with given given the budget crisis that we're going to be facing this year with the reduction in
state funding and cost shifts. Um I'm just wondering if if this isn't some in some way that could be helpful for the county if we weren't distributing outside the county. It's a it's a valid question. It's a
valid question there. There is no doubt in my mind that if the county chose to allocate the funds to programs and services that um meet the remediation uses of the
state's it would benefit county funding. I would ask the commissioners to consider um the unintended consequences of not working with community partners that already struggle just as much if not more than
the county does. So because for example while we have a health and human service agency of 160 employees rough estimate right we are funding we are recommending to fund face it together which is a much
smaller organization but reaches sometimes just as many people as we do in a different or not as many people but reaches people in a different capacity than we have the ability to do. So I would look at it as we are distributing
money to county services but in a different way in which the county doesn't have the ability to do so. And and then final one final question thank you Mr. chair is um I I see that for most of the requests they were reduced
uh and one was awarded 100% and I it just seems like how does someone get 100% and the other some get a third you know that just seems I don't know if that seems very fair. So we base the funding off of what they put in their
budget request. So, if somebody requested funding for something that wasn't a remediation use, um then we took that funding that amount out of their um the proposal that we're submitting to you. Okay. Thank you.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Commissioner, other commissioners questions? Uh Mr. Chair? Yep. Mr. Uh not not a question, but I just want to remind the board that uh both the uh county
employee committee and the citizen committee uh do a lot of great work when it comes to uh reviewing these applications. I know that uh these applications aren't uh uh just a a
one-page, you know, uh request. So they do their due diligence and and uh have you know tough conversations and discussions about how to you know fairly uh distribute you know these um this
funding. You know, I I I agree, you know, with with Commissioner Carlson that maybe, you know, it would be nice if if the county could, you know, utilize the entire 140,000, but I I understand that these
outside organizations are also having a a tough time financially and uh you know, the county isn't the only ones that were suffering, you know, from this opioid uh crisis that we we're experiencing. And I think uh you know if we were to to hoard the
money entirely for the county that that wouldn't uh look good in the community um I can imagine you know we'd have this uh our boardroom you know full with with uh concerned citizens uh because uh the
opiate uh crisis uh knows no boundaries. Um it affected everybody u not just uh you know our county but you know the organizations as well. So, uh, I just want to, you know, commend the the committees for for their work and their
due diligence on on this process. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Sumar. Um, Amy, I I listening to Commissioner Carlson and Commissioner Sumner, I can see both sides of it. Um I I do find it with the amount of money that this is
that we I mean for you know a lot less money than this and a community development fund we we all go through and and review all of the information that's been submitted all the RFPs if you will and and we each commissioner
puts in their their two cents so to speak as to where that money should be allocated. And um it just seems like we could do the same thing with this and um make a determination based on what we feel the need is uh as a county board um versus having the separate committee go
through it. Um I think that um I don't know last year was the first year that they received any money these outside agencies. Correct. So, it's not like they should be counting on on this for their their budget or their funding with it being
brand new last year. Um, so I I think that it's something that should be up for discussion given the circumstances that we're getting put in under with the the budget this year. And and to Commissioner Sumar's point, uh yeah, there could be people that would be upset from us not funding um a
particular agency or agencies outside the county, but there are going to be a lot of people upset with the tax increase that they're going to see. Um and you know, yeah, it's not a lot, but this at $70,000, you know, that's close to that's a quarter over a quarter of a
percent tax increase. So that's my thoughts. Anybody else have anything? So just a a suggestion, but since the board had already approved um and that that you can't undo what you approved,
but approved of the uh 140 per year for our budget and the 70 to be distributed uh once a year to the community and they already put forth the effort and a lot of resources went into the individual's um time of putting forth the application. maybe considering the
unspent allocated money if there's room for you know I did mention that our at the beginning of my presentation that we we do have a a pretty good budget u or pretty good balance and so maybe moving forward we want to reconsider the board might want to think
about like how the funding as it comes in um how that might be allocated um in the direction that you recommended uh commissioner guest yeah it's not necessarily a recommendation. It's just a matter of the the budget committee
this year. We don't know for sure what situation we're going to be in, but um every every we're telling our department heads to to be prepared basically and to start looking for revenue sources as well as cuts and so on because we know that we're it's not
going to be good. And I see this as a potential revenue source. you know, it's everybody's going to feel pain, I think, in the budget this year. So, um I I just uh thought I'd echo what Commissioner Carlson was saying.
All right. Thank you, Amy. So, um before the board, I've presented a proposal that would either need to be brought to the consent agenda or to the It's on the consent agenda, correct? Currently. Yep. Just wanted to make sure. Yeah, it's all
I had. But however, Mr. Chair, I'm going to when we get to that item, I'm going to ask that to be removed to the regular agenda. Okay. So, you need me to that Scott? Sorry. That's okay. Thank you, Amy. Yep.
All right. That brings us to quarter quarterly health and human services client supports and Ann is coming up for that. Good afternoon, commissioners. Ann Lindsef, director of health and human services. Thank you for listening. Today
we want to bring forward some support stories that Health and Human Services provides to our community members on a daily basis. We had planned to do this quarterly and so this is our second quarter report to the board and we have three of our um leadership staff here
today to share three stories with you. So first I'm going to call up Kurt Anderson, our economic assistance division director. Thank you. Welcome, Kurt. Good afternoon, commissioners. Uh, and, uh, Commissioner Sumar, you might have kind of already
preempted a little bit as far as what my support story is going to be about because it's going to be about medical assistance. Um, the support story I will be providing you today highlights the importance really of of your Menure call center and how it is able to assist and
answering questions for clients and and potentially open up programs that our county residents are eligible for. Um, we received permission to use the following story as long as we didn't identify the client by name. So, I just wanted to preface that uh upfront. um
this uh county resident had to undergo treatment for cancer. Uh when the individual was first treated, they did not get any referral to medical assistance from any of the providers that they were being seen by. So, as you can imagine, going through a cancer type treatment, even if you have regular
insurance um or employer based uh insurance, there is going to be bills that have to be paid out of pocket. Um, unfortunately when you are undergoing cancer treatment, if you're worried about the bills, you're not really focused on healing quite as much as
you're trying to find a way um to pay those bills, and that causes a high amount of stress. Now, this resident uh ended up um actually receiving what is called our medical assistance for breast or cervical cancer uh coverage because on
the second goound there was a call to the county and this time our menure teammate Robbie Kendall was able to explain that they may be eligible for this program medical assistance for breast or cervical cancer and kind of helped explain the application process.
Now what I what I think is important about this program and it's and it's not uh a program that is maybe well known or or uh or publicized is that there is no you know traditionally this client uh would not be eligible for medical
assistance due to their income and employer healthcare coverage. However, this program has no income or asset limits to be eligible for it. To be eligible for this program, the person must be screened by the Minnesota Department of Health Sage Screening
Program or by the American Indian Cancer Foundation Screen Our Circle program. They also need to be in treatment of further diagnostic services for breast or cervical cancer, be 64 years of age or younger, and have no insurance coverage for this particular treatment,
and of course, be a US citizen and Minnesota resident. So now this resident is receiving that uh coverage. Uh they did get some help u again with the application process uh through our Belrammy County Healthcare teammate
Steph Lauderball and they are receiving no cost treatment for their cancer for the length of their treatment through this program. This is providing a massive relief to their stress level and allowing them to focus really on healing versus medical bills. So, thank you for
the opportunity to highlight the support services that is provided by your economic assistance team, commissioners. Anybody have any questions for Kurt? Thank you, Kurt. Good afternoon, commissioners. Amy Bulls, your public health director. Um,
thank you for the opportunity to share a brief story that highlights the vital role of our wick services in protecting the health of our youngest residents. And I also have changed uh omitted names and I'm just using uh him as a gender preference and making the ease of uh
reading my um staff's story. So, a 9-month-old infant was brought into the WIC clinic by his mother for a routine scheduled appointment. As part of a standard wick protocol, he was weighed, measured, and had a hemoglobin screening. A simple but crucial uh check
that helps identify iron deficiency anemia early. His hemoglobin level came back critically low, less than eight. For context, we a aim for a minimum of a hemoglobin of 11 to be considered within
a healthy range. His only source of nutrition at the time was breast milk and his mom had not yet introduced solid foods that contained dietary iron. Immediately our wick nutrition educator Sheila provided tailored education to the mother. She explained the importance
of iron rich foods at this low age, how infants nutritional needs change as they grow and the interaction between calcium and iron absorption. And then she recommended a healthy feeding schedule that still included breastfeeding but
with an emphasis on introducing solids. Due to the severity of the anemia, our clinic properly notified the children's pediatric provider. A lab was drawn or followup to um to confirm the need for medical intervention and then
the child began both both oral um iron supplements and iron infusions. It's important to note at most pediatric clinics, hemoglobins are not routinely checked until a child is 12 months old. Without the wick screening, this case of
severe anemia might have gone undetected for several more months, potentially resulting in long-term developmental impacts. At his one-year wick follow-up, his hemoglobin had returned to a healthy range. His mother was now incorporating
ironrich foods into every meal and snack, and he was continuing with supplements. By 18 months, he was thriving. He had weaned from breastfeeding and had a good appetite, and his iron levels remained within normal limits. He now receives routine Venus draws every six weeks to monitor
his progress. This story is just one example, but it underscores the critical role of wick in early detection, intervention, and parent education. It also highlights the importance of continued investment in the public health programs that work in
coordination with pediatric providers to fill gaps and prevent avoidable health risk at our youngest and most vulnerable populations. Our team thanks you for your continued support of the wick program. Amy, so was the was the mother also was
she tested then to see what her hemoglobin was? Um, that I didn't ask. Yeah, I would cuz I I would think it would be logical that she probably was deficient as well if her if she wasn't able to give breast milk that that had that. I'm not a doctor obviously, but I
would I would just, you know, question whether or not she was able to be helped in that way as well. But yeah, I don't know if they tested to see if it was like a genetic thing or if it was just simply related to the child wasn't getting enough iron in his diet cuz the mom consuming food, she may have been
getting enough iron. Yeah. Yeah. Great. Good question though. Well, thank you. Yeah. Any other questions? Doesn't look like it. Thanks. Uh, good afternoon, commissioners. My name is Josh Bham. the finance manager at Health and Human Services. I was asked to bring a support story um
regarding our non-emergency medical transportation program and I uh this this position is co-managed by me and Kurt. So, we work very diligently to help clients be able to get to medical transportation or get transportation arrange so they can get to their medical
appointments. The success story I wanted to share involves us at Health and Human Services and Prime West. So, just to take a step back is prior to 24 um we used to set up all transportation for our clients to get to these medical appointments. In 24, Prime West stepped in and said, "Hey, how can we support
our clients and how can we do a better job of that?" Um there's been some uh challenges on their behalf, but as we continue to work forward, we as the county have always partnered with Prime West as much as we possibly can. Uh, Prime West was dealing with some cost effectiveness of how to get these people
to their medical appointments and how they could do it more cost-ffectively. We've partnered with them to help give them access to the Paul Bunan Transit bus and be able to help with that. Um, extremely cost- effective at $150 per ride. We've also partnered with them to
help get volunteer drivers to help pick up clients at their houses and and bring them to their appointments. Um, one success story I just or support story I wanted to share is we had a client that so we generally require a 5-day notice
for medical appointments. That's why it's not emergency medical transportation. We often have clients that um are waiting for different specialized treatment that they get a call from the doctor 3 days in advance and it kind of doesn't fit within our criteria. But we work our butts off to
be able to help those clients be able to get to those medical appointments. Um, one success story is is we had a person that was on Prime West that was in dire need to get to a um an eye procedure that was extremely critical for her to maintain vision in her eye. Prime West
was unable to find a driver that was able to to get this to get this person to their appointment. Um, within three days they contacted us and said, "Hey, we don't have anyone. Can you can you help us out? Uh Christina, our non-emergency medical transportation
specialist, worked many many calls with the provider um with Paul Bunion Transit to get a volunteer driver lined up. Our volunteer drivers are not supposed to assist people from the car to the actual door. That's against the regulations
there. She worked directly with the provider and said, "Hey, we can get this person here, but we're going to need somebody from your provider, from you guys to come out, assist that client to the appointment, and then also assist them back to the car when the appointment's done." I just uh really believe in my heart that that was above
and beyond what we were required to do, but we were able to do it. we were able to get the the individual to their medical appointment and it was just a really big success story for that client because they were able to go through that procedure and now is going to be able to maintain vision within her eye
because of all of that. So, it's a partnership we continue to work with Prime West very closely with and uh try to provide the most cost-effective options for both Prime West and for ourselves as a county to be reimbursed from the state and federal government for these rides as well. Gosh, was that
a local eye appointment or was it Fargo or somewhere or you know? I believe it was a local eye appointment, but I believe the person did live up in Blackduck. So, it was a bit of a a a distance I guess to travel for someone. Great. Thank you. Anybody have any
questions for Josh? No. Great. Thank you, Josh. Yeah, thank you guys very much. I just want to thank the commissioners for listening. This is our dayto-day and we have many, many more examples of how we support the community and we appreciate your time. Thank you, Anne. Highway project grant updates.
Bruce is on deck. Think you got the next several here, Bruce. Yeah, I got a fluid topics and decisions for you guys today. I'm going to give you the good stuff first. Okay.
Uh the Belrami County recently received uh two grants. Uh the first one is for our project on CASA 20 north side of the lake. It's an existing project that we've got going underway. Uh we received a state park road account grant of
$375,000. Uh that specific grant is for access to uh public recreational areas. And so being that the end of this project is the Biji State Park, uh we were eligible uh applied and got some funding for it. So, we got some money to
go towards that project. That project now is just about twothirds of the way funded with grant dollars. We estimate that project to be about 3 million. Our cost with this 375 and 1.5 million in a local road improvement program. Um,
we're moving towards getting that project um mostly funded. The second uh grant that we recently received is uh funding for another bike trail. Uh this would be phase three of the bike trail. Uh phase one the city is conducting or
constructing next year from in town out to Jefferson. Uh phase two would be from Jefferson out to the high school. And then this would be phase three from the high school to Gene Dylan. And so that would be a nice uh uh wrap up to that that project if we can when we get that
one completed. That was 100% funded. Correct. That is $770,000 for 100% funding for that project. said it's a very similar to phase two. Um there's those two grant options out there. One is at active
transportation which is what's funding phase two. Uh this is uh the other pot of money that's 100% funding and this is the safe routes to school infrastructure grant. That project that project
is yeah that would be a next year project. All right, on to the next item. I got three kind of similar items here. Um, the first one is some excess
rightway along 30. Uh, back in 1986, CASA 30 was relocated from along the lake to where its current location is right now. Uh during that process, uh the county bought uh a large parcel uh that the new road was going to go
through the existing road. And in this location here, um there's some excess property from that larger parcel um that we were looking at uh what we could do with it and kind of far as divesting or
getting rid of it. the land committee um and NRM and the highway department we've been working on uh on divesting of this property. Uh when we looked at it, we thought the best use would be to um grant this rightway or sorry give put
this rightway with the existing uh platted lots alongside the lake. Uh so we would combine um split this parcel up and combine them with those those platted lots. Uh had a meeting with those land owners. Uh they
were interested supportive of it. Uh we told them that there would be a cost to this property. Um initially we were thinking that it would be the costs of because there the big cost is surveying the cost of surveying and then there's a bunch of uh fees to divide and combine.
And anyways, there's a bunch of costs that were with that. Uh they were supportive, so we went ahead and got the certificate of survey done to come up with those parcels and then now it's here in front of the county board to make sure that we want to proceed with
that devestment. However, uh even since I drafted this uh agenda bill and putting that resolution together, uh there were a few things that I wanted to, I guess, clarify and make sure uh that we were following the right process. I checked with the county
attorney and also with the county assessor. Uh with the attorney, it was making sure we were using the right uh process. Uh for counties, there's a statute that covers um acquiring and getting rid of uh assets. So, real estate Um the second option is for
roads. Uh you can vacate or revoke it to a township. But uh so those were really the two processes. When we started this we were thinking it was more like a road vacation. Um we'd be granting it to the neighboring land owners but we're going to require them to pay the costs.
However, the proper statute is the one where we are selling the property. That is actually what's in that resolution. Um, so that part is correct. Uh, but there are a couple other things that we would need to update with this draft resolution if the board wants to move
ahead with it someday. Uh, one is the price. Uh, that statute says that there's a minimum price that you have to set and that's based on county assessor and so I have uh asked Caleb to look at that and he's given me what the prices would be. So that would be one thing
that would be changed in this draft resolution. And the other would be uh mineral rights. That statute says that the county needs to keep mineral rights on that property. If we've got them, we need to keep them. So that was another small uh point that we would change. But
I guess initially this isn't uh for the board decision today, but I guess uh I wanted some direction if we should continue with along this process and and bring it forward to the board for a decision later. Any questions or comments for for Bruce
or generally in favor of it? Get any head nods? Well, Mr. Chair, I I believe we've already got some money into some surveying and some other things. So, I guess it would behoove us to get some money back and so that would be selling,
getting rid of it in whichever matter is the right way to do it. Yeah, I would be in favor of it. Looks like looks like we've got consensus to move forward with it. Um the additional I would assume the costs are going to go up for the land
owners uh from what they showed in this resolution and uh hopefully they will still be agreeable to whatever the cost ends up being by statute. Yeah, it's you know one's 800 higher, another
one's 1300 higher, but I mean they are the value of it, but yeah, it it's a fair amount that it would be going up. Yeah, I mean that's if you read through that resolution Yeah. the the process when we were talking about doing this
and even talking with the land owners. Um we're going to be splitting this parcel up. In order to do that, each one of those parcels has to be acquired. We cannot have one of those to not be acquired. So if a landowner says, "Nope, I don't want that. I'm not going to pay
this dollar amount." Um the next step is the two neighboring land owners would be offered that. So then you know it would connect into theirs. So again to so it could be combined. If they say no then the whole thing drops because again we
cannot create one of those small non-conforming parcels out there. And so they're aware of that and so that again that process kind of stands. Is that is that actually separate land owners right there in that area
there? That's not the Charo property. Correct. Okay. There was like uh six six seven land owners there. Okay. So, looks like move forward with that one and come back to us when you have
everything all the ducks in a row. Okay. Uh the next one, that one got more complicated now too compared to what I turned in last week. Um, so this again, same parcel that was bought when when the road was relocated,
1986. This was part of that larger parcel that was bought. Um, however, back in 2007, uh, the county board approved a resolution to vacate a portion of this alongside uh, again outside of the 66 that we
wanted for the rightway. there's a long sliver in front of um is the white white birch resort. Um and so the county board vacated it it at that time. Um,
however, like we just talked about on that previous one, it is not it is actually not proper to vacate a larger parcel like that since it was never uh the vacation statute comes into play
when you're getting rid of an old road. And this was never an old road. This is just more excess rightway. So, it's excess property. So, it should be it should fall through the the selling of property. However, again,
the board back in 2007 vacated it. The landowner has been using it ever since that time. I even checked Caleb thought they've been paying taxes on it since that time. Um, the technicality is is the board, the county never handed over
the de the deed to that property. Again, we would have purchased that whole parcel. Uh there was never a deed, quick claim deed or anything like that that granted that property over to the to that landowner. So we've kind of got a complicated mess here now with um Tony
Boyd vacating not um providing the deed for the property um but then now finding we should probably follow a different statute. Um, so, uh, rightfully, uh, the property should
be sold underneath the proper statute, but again, uh, as the landowner that thinks it's theirs and paying taxes on it, they're going to squawk if they're going to have to pay for it. So, kind of looking for some direction on uh, potentially how we might want to handle
this one. I have not talked to Caleb about this one, about what that value is on this property. Um, but again, it might be that I don't know two to four or $5,000. I don't know. There is another one with
the same property owner that we're going to be talking about next. That's the third topic. And so that potentially if we I don't know if it'd be legit for us to to bundle them together as far as one payment or something like that maybe. Um
because I think you he is going to probably want the other piece. Um and so mind. Yeah. Yeah. Maybe if I could jump into that. Sure. Kind of combine the two topics. So again, same parcel bought in ' 86 and uh however this one has a
township road on it. It is North Point Lane and in 1989 the county reverted the road to the township. Um, but the same thing as the last discussion, we never handed over the property, never did a deed, and so
the underlying owner is still the county. Uh, but it's been a township road since 1986. Um, this one, um, where it gets uh, potentially complicated, kind of like Commissioner Gosfig just brought
up, is this is a really oddshaped uh, parcel. It is not a simple 66 foot corridor or 100 foot corridor where the township road was. Um it's more shaped like a boot in my mind. And so it's kind of got some uh different
uh widths. And so there is um more or potentially better use of that property um if it were to be granted to the neighboring land owner which happens to be the same land owner as the previous
topic that White Birch Resort. Um they have all of these two last topics are coming up um uh recently because they're looking at changing their ownership status to a CIC and kind of making sure they got all their ducks in a row and
found that these these uh two areas were not uh you know properly deeded or or in whose hands? They're still in the county's hands. So they were trying to help clear it up. We would like to help clear it up. And so again, kind of a
similar situation where we need to uh hand over or should hand over property of the the deed to that property. Uh with this one here, this third one, we could give the township all of it. We give the township corridor a width and
then sell the excess uh to the to the neighboring land owner are a couple of the options there. So yeah, it uh going back to this the previous topic, maybe there's a combined value or a wish there too.
Commissioner Winger, you have a Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I have a little problem with some of this stuff just because this all took place a long time ago and now we're talking about charging them what these values are today when it really should
have been done correctly in the first place, which sounds like our problem. And he's going to have to pay more because of that. And that doesn't seem right to me. Um, I think the value should be based on what it was at the time. That's my opinion, you know,
because that's when it should have taken place. That's a good very good point. You know, that if he would have if it would have been been done correctly, he would have paid whatever the land value was 40 years ago, which would have been a lot
less. So, um so that that gives us some some leg to stand on with regard to that sliver piece. And uh that the other piece was never his property. and that um and that actually does have some um access. His road actually dips into that
I believe or the road that he accesses down by the beach. Um and um you know he actually had some some uh buildings or like covered shed things or something um that was actually encroaching on that
property and um and so on as you know because we discussed this in the with the CIC thing in the planning commission and so he does have interest in wanting that piece of property. only two people that we could or two things we could
either sell it to him, sell it to the township or or give it to one or the other. uh I don't think especially in our financial position that we should be giving anything away um you know that we have B title ownership in and uh so my
opinion would be that we would um get the uh the give the the right of weight for the road like was originally intended for the North Point Road and and that to the township and then um offer up for bids to both the township
and to the land owner for that piece of that boot shape, as you called it, piece of property between the township and the land owner to put it up for for sealed bids and see who uh who wants it more because I know the township does have interest in it as
well. So, I don't I don't other thoughts. Go ahead. So, Mr. Chair, I I agree with Commissioner Winger with regard to the piece that was to have on the north end up on 30. that there's no way that we should charge any more than they could that we should have charged to begin with. I
don't I think that's a that's a no-brainer. But I I but I like your other idea on the on the rest of it. Right. Commissioner Ser, what are your thoughts? It's in your district. Yeah. I mean, I I've heard from the uh neighboring landowner uh on multiple
occasions. Um but I agree with that discussion that's been said. So, have you talked to to both the the land owner and the township uh through emails? And that's not directly with the
land owner, but with a surveyor that's helping them. Okay. And yeah, they've both expressed interest in it. The township would like to take the whole thing. Um, right. The selling part that's that's new as of again last
late last week. So, um, the landowner did realize there would be a cost or a price to it. Y, so you know, they they know that they're not just being granted the property, right? Yeah. And I just think it uh out of fairness to the to the township that we should offer it up
to to both and and uh whichever whichever one wants it can put the they'll they should we should be able to come up with a minimum value from the assessor's office and and then just say here's a minimum bid and see who wants
to to buy the property. I know the township has concerns and interests there as well. So maybe we let them work it out as a local government unit. That's my thought. I don't know if it'd even be
legal for us to just to just offer it to the the land owner. No, but then I'm thinking, well, how much money does the the township have, you know, compared to this uh to this individual? I don't know that the township's super rich. I mean,
so yeah. Are they at a disadvantage? I I don't know. Yeah. I Yeah. I don't know that it would be a, you know, a deal that would get probably too out of hand for moneywise unless personalities got in in the
way. But, uh, I don't I think I just, you know, I would defer to the county attorney to see what, you know, if he says that we, you know, legally have to offer it to both or if we what we can do. Um um Attorney Hansen, um in this
scenario that we're talking about right now, if we're talking about um the potential of selling this excess rightway, um we've got the the land owner on one side and the and the township on the other side. Um are we
required to offer it to both under like a sealed bid scenario or or or what's uh what would legally be our our options there? I will get you the answer to that. Uh, Mr. Guzme, I do have one of my assistant county attorneys, uh, Miss
Dailyaly, working on this project, so I'm not as familiar with it as myself. I'm aware of it, but um, Bruce, maybe we can email that question to her. Um, I think it Yeah, again, I don't have the statute in front of me, but I think it does say adjoining land owners. I would
I would intuitively think so because that's what I thought. It's, you know, we're talking the minimous parcels. We're not talking large swath of land. This is the correct boundaries and stuff like that. So that's usually the law allows, you know, like just straight up
adjoining to just, you know, buy over the counter, but again, I don't know the answer off the top of my head on that one. Okay. Let us know on that and then we can break through that and bring it Yep. through you the proper method. Okay. Great. Thank you.
Any anything else on that, Bruce? Or those topics? So, you got uh clear as mud on what you need to do. It's directing. All right. Thank you. More work. Thanks,
Bruce. All right. We We do not have an administrator's report because we don't have an administrator tonight. He's uh got a little PTO. Um, other business items, uh, review the agenda. So, um, you got the change on
the agenda. Are there any other changes to the agenda? We're pulling item 7H to we putting that to 11A. Is that what you're calling it? Okay.
Any other changes to the agenda, Mr. Chair? Yep. Commissioner Gold. I believe it's 7J and 7K, the recycling site items. Public Works Highway Division approval of the resolution and permit to
enter into contract with Mindot and theOU with the the city for the the Fern Street What about those? What was the first one you said? You said 7J. That the
No, it' be 7K and 7 L. Oh, okay. And what you're wanting to to move those also? Yeah. So 7K and 7 L. We'll just call it B and C or 11 B and 11 C. Mhm.
You got that, Scott? Okay. Any other changes? Hearing none, then we uh will recess until 5:00. Got a longer than usual break. Part: 2
You'll call the Belrammy County Board meeting to order and please stand for the pledge of allegiance. 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. No comments from the chair. I would just uh say thank you to the egg association farm bureau for providing the great beef burgers that we were able to take advantage of since we had a break in between the work
session. Thank you. Um citizens addressing the board, anyone wishing to address the county board on an item not on the agenda may come forward at this time to be recognized by the board chair. Please state your name and address for the record. Comments are limited to 5 minutes. A personnel complaint against an individual county employee may not be heard initially at a
board meeting. Personnel complaints may be submitted to the board in writing through the county administrator's office. A person addressing the board may not use profanity or vulgar language. Is there anybody wishing to address the board? Nobody online, I assume. Diane.
Oh, okay. We will move on then to the approval of the agenda. Mr. Winger, do you have a recommendation there? Yeah, I move to approve the agenda with these additions. Move item
7 H to 11A and 7K to 11B, 7 L to 11 C. We have a motion by Commissioner Winger. Second. Second by Commissioner
Carlson to approve the amended agenda. Any discussion? All in favor say I. I. I. Any opposed? All right. The agenda is approved. Five to zero. The cons the revised ag consent agenda. Do I have a
motion to approve the revised consent agenda? So moved. Motion by Carlson. I hear a second. Second. Second by Gould. Any further discussion on the consent agenda? Hearing none. All in favor say
I. I. Any opposed? The consent agenda is approved. 5 to zero. On to the regular agenda. Our first item is the public hearing for the shoreland management ordinance update. And at this time, I'd
like to request a motion to open a public hearing for our shoreland management ordinance update. Do I hear a motion to open up public hearing for that? So move. Commissioner Gould moves that. Do I hear a second? Second. Second by Commissioner
Carlson. All in favor? I. Any opposed? All right. We are in open open hearing. We will open the hearing. Um I don't know. Do we have staff comments? Uh yep. Brent. Yep. I'm Brent Rune,
environmental services director. I have a short presentation. It's um essentially the same presentation I gave uh roughly a month ago, just covering kind of the highlights of um what the shortland ordinance amendment includes and the next the process for next steps.
Um so just again this is a smaller focus than previously looked at. Some of you remember the the last kind of round when we did a public hearing and there was a lot of comments and it was complicated. It was hard to understand and hard to digest at all. Um this is just taking a smaller bite and uh tackling some of the
smaller or a smaller number of issues in the ordinance and um a lot of it is geared around making it easier to use and understand um making it more user friendly just in general. Um just kind of the process. Uh the planning
commission met um many times and discussed the ordinance language. Um really worked on tailoring the draft at the planning commission level and then um we held a public hearing on April 7th at the planning commission. We revised the draft slightly based on comments received at the public hearing. There
was several good comments received there and then um April 28th the planning commission voted to recommend approval to the county board. So the next step then is county board to hold a public hearing which we're doing tonight. and then at a later date we'll ask the board to take action on the ordinance. Um we
are still waiting for the the DNR official conditional approval they'll give. Um I did get a voicemail from the DNR staff person I've been working with and he did send me an email with some questions and we need to have a conversation about what some of the stuff means and how it'll be
implemented. We haven't finalized that yet. Um so once that gets finalized then then we'll bring that to you guys. And then the last step I guess would be townships would need to look at their ordinances to ensure they're not less restrictive than the county. Um just kind of a here's a summary of the
changes that are proposed. Um definitions, we amended several definitions. Here's kind of the bigger ones, highlights of maybe some more meaningful definition changes. The added definitions, we aren't really adding standards for those. It's just we talk about them and we deal with them and
there is no definition in the ordinance. So adding those and then amended definitions for the bluff and top of bluff. Um making it easier and simpler for property owners. The deck and patio really the change is um changing the height that defines the difference
between a deck and a patio. Um changing it from 12 in to 30 in. Um 30 inches is more in line with like building code on when railings are required and things like that. um changing the definition of a resort a little bit to make it um more palatable
for the people that are renting their cabins out in the non summer season. And then added a couple things to the structure definition. Um some of these changes that'll look big in the ordinance, there's a lot of scribbles and crossouts, but they're really fairly minor like the lakes and river tables.
Um, we take all of the lakes and rivers and combine them into one alphabetical sorted table. That's much easier for people to look through and figure out what their lake is classified. We aren't changing classifications in here. Um, it's just organizing. Um, this is what the new one looks like. It's all
alphabetical order. Um, the the short story is right now if somebody wants to know what lake their or what classification their lake is, they need to look in the shoreland ordinance for it. But the Shorland Ordinance is sorted by lake classification and it's not
alphabetical. So if you don't know what lake classification your lake is and that's why you're looking it up, you have to look through all of the different lists to find your lake. This is a good change. Anyway, so um and the use table is kind of similar. The use
table has several different sections and which section really applies to what things and we're combining it all into one use table and consolidating some things that can be consolidated. Um there there are a few small changes to what's allowed where. The biggest one
that I would call out is um we're adding a line in the use table that um basically says commercial use is not listed. And so if somebody has a commercial use in the shoreline that they're going to propose, they can propose it to the planning commission. The planning commission then would have
to decide if that's reasonable or not and a good idea or not. Currently, the way the ordinance reads, if it's not specifically listed in the use table as being permitted or conditional use, it's just simply not allowed. They can't even apply for a conditional use permit to do it. So it opens up the door to more
things. Um lot sizes, there were a couple of um minor lot size changes. The the first one that I'll call out is we we are proposing to increase the GD lot size from 20,000 to 30,000 square feet. For us, this really only applies on Upper Red Lake. We have a lot of wetland
up there and we're finding with the shoreline erosion and the wetlands, 20,000 square feet is really tight to put in a house and a septic and a well. 30,000 would be a little bit more reasonable. And then we that yellow ones, we just added those. We added those specifically for Northern Township
because Northern Township intends to sewer around Lake Bamiji and there's in the Minnesota DNR standards, they allow for smaller lot sizes in areas around the lakes that are sewered. And so this would really apply to northern township and help them out. This is what they're looking
for. Setbacks. The big change there is we're proposing uh a Minnesota DNR harbor setback that's half of the normal setback required. Again, this would mostly um help us out in Upper Red Lake where we've got series of canals that
are considered DNR harbors. Um the the building setbacks on those properties overlap. They can't do anything anywhere. Um so we're we're propos we give variances for those things on a fairly regular basis as long as they're reasonable proposals. And we're we're
going to go half of the required setback and that will help out a lot of those properties where they can actually do something without a variance up there. It won't help them all, but it'll help a good majority of them. Um, guest quarters is something we talked about quite a while ago. Um, but proposing
changing the minimum height to 20 ft from 15 ft and then removing some unnecessary language. It dictates that like the septic system has to be shared with the main house and stuff like that. Um, patios and platforms were adding to the ordinance. uh they currently don't
really exist in there and it's um it's very um unclear to land owners what they can do, what's allowed and so we're trying to make it clear here's here's what's allowed, here's what you can do, here's what you can't do, um how many square feet you can have within the
building set back, um how many you know what what the regulations are outside of the building set back, things like that. Uh solar collectors, we're adding some language in there. We're seeing more and more solar collectors for residential use on lakeshore properties.
Um the first questions we usually get is can we put it down by the lake because that's where it's open and especially on the north shore of a lake facing south and uh everybody agreed it's not a good idea to line the lake shore with a whole bunch of solar collectors. So there's some standards there that are in the
ordinance now. Um and then septic system standards are taken out of the ordinance. We have a county septic ordinance. So rather than try to keep two ordinances up to date, we're referencing the county septic ordinance for that that one. Um earth moving, there's some changes, basically
clarifying when a permit's required and what type of permits required for some of those large projects, we're going to require conditional use permit. Um I think like 200 cubic yards outside the building set back is, you know, if they're moving over 20 dump trucks of dirt, don't they're going to need a conditional use permit to do that and
probably a some sort of a plan of what they're going to do. um resorts are creating a new section for resorts uh changing the way the density is calculated. Um the intent here is to um increase allowable density and to help
resorts better plan for their future because the way that the density is calculated right now is pretty convoluted. Um it it essentially gives you a different standard based on your average livable area of your like cabins. And so as a resort remodels or
adds onto a cabin, then their density calculation changes. And if if they want to know what they can do, you have to know what they've already done and what they're planning to do. And every time you make one change, it changes the whole formula and everything. We're simplifying that and hopefully making it easier for people to use. Hey Brent, one
to that point and I know that you you've had some conversations about that, but that's something that um it it appears that that is going to allow them to have a more density if they go up. But because it's not taking into account the
livable space anymore, it's just structures. You know, if they have a big swimming pool, that's not considered livable area in the current density um in a say in the lodge. But if they have, you know, in the new way it is. So even though we're slightly adjusting the percentage of density up from seven and
a half to eight, I believe, um, in tier one, um, it actually is a reduction in the amount of density unless they build up. So existing resorts, it seems like it's penalizing existing resorts from I actually talked to the owner that called you and talked to. Yeah. And it's not
going from seven and a half to eight. It's going from like four to eight in tier one. In tier one. Um, it's so that four or seven and a half, it all depends on what their average livable floor space is to get that number. Okay. The seven and a half I think is allowed if
their average cabin size is over 1500 square feet. Okay. But their average is like 900 square feet which gets them down to like 0.52 I think is the number there on that particular one. Um, and it will increase their total square footage
allowed in that tier one. Um, and it'll be a the that particular resort has a like a 8,000 square foot lodge. So, that one is There was actually another one that I I had on the Mississippi Headarters board recently where we just had a thing and they were talking about
um taking the swapping cabins. Yeah. popping cabins around, but the the lodge and the pool and making it an outdoor pool and so on and and so just concerned about that we don't go backwards on what we're, you know, so we don't penalize current resorts from being able to
they're having a tough enough time with our taxes increasing and everything else to make it, you know, to be a viable business. And so I don't want to penalize existing resorts. Those are good good points because um I just go ahead if you have Commissioner Winger I one question on the same line. It's
these are resorts you're talking about, but what about the resorts that are selling the cabin? Um, is this going to apply there the same way? There is a conversion section in the ordinance. There always has been about what happens when a
resort converts to residential. There um so commercial densities are much higher than residential densities are allowed. So, when a resort does convert to a residential development, excuse me, they'll have to comply with that section of that ordinance that talks about some
of those buildings may have to be removed. Um, some of the inconsistencies just have to be identified and the planning commission would have to determine if or how many cabins would be removed. Um, I've only seen one recently and they just made a proposal that was
very reasonable and they were all allowed to stay. But yeah, um so back to Craig's kind of comment, I talked to that resort owner for about an hour just um this afternoon and uh when we started going through the details of it, he was
good with the numbers and kind of made sense and we've got some plans on how we can work with stuff because it gives him so much density in tier two. That's really where he's planning on adding. um he might still be over his allowable density in tier one slightly, but I assured him that we're not going to be
requiring anything to be removed or taken away. He could replace, you know, if a cabin burns down, he could replace his cabin and we would we would work with him on the square footages on um you know, if he wants to take out a shed and add it to a cabin or something like that. We're
very flexible in the application of everything that we possibly can be. Yeah. that particular one with a huge lodge that he has, it just um eats up a ton of his because of the change in the livable area to the square footage, it it it eats up all of his density. And so
yeah, and I don't recall exactly without looking at the numbers, but I think he's at his maximum density in the current standard as well. Yeah. So without it being changed. So I don't I don't think it hurts or helps him in the tier one, but it really helps him in tier two. Okay. So yeah. Um, and
we'll before it's brought back to the board though, we're him and I are going to have some more conversations about how that really works. So, yeah. And, you know, might want to talk to you about, you know, looking at some other examples, too, not just that one. And just make sure that we measure twice and cut once on this. Agreed. All right. Go
ahead. Yeah, thank you. Y um I think this might be the last one. Um, permits. Um, currently all of our land use permits are valid for one year and people call us up and ask us if we can extend them and we deal with some three-month extensions or things like that. We're proposing to just make all
of our permits valid for two years. Um, that should help out with a lot of people having to go through an extra step of administrative burden trying to get rid of those where we can. Um, and then I'm just calling out next steps. So, tonight we're here to take public comments into consideration. um provide
any feedback that you feel pertinent to the to me, the environmental services director, and then we'll be asking the county board at a future meeting to take action on it. We're going to wait for making sure that we've got everything buttoned up, measured twice, cut once before we bring it back for approval, and we'll we'll need DNR approval, too.
So, that's all I have. Commissioner Carlson. Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Brent, tell can you tell me or tell I guess maybe tell the public how does this shorland ordinance work in conjunction or instead of or or with the Mississippi
Headwater Board requirements? Sure. Um just kind of an overview. Yeah. No, that's a good question. The Mississippi Headarters Board has a comprehensive plan, the comprehensive land use plan. And so essentially our county shoreland ordinance applies in all the shoreland
areas in Belrammy County and any place anything that's in the Mississippi headarters comprehensive plan that's more restrictive than our county ordinance would be the standard that we would apply for there. So when when our staff is working with a land owner in the Mississippi headarters area, we're looking at two separate rules to make
sure that they're compliant with both essentially. So the most restricted rule applies. Wanted to make sure the public Yeah. Yeah. No, that's a great question. We get asked that fairly often. Yep. It's an overlapping and they do have to get approval from both entities. And that's so if they're applying for a
variance or conditional use permit, they do for regular building permits and stuff. It's just the just our office. But yeah, if it's a variance scenario, then they do end up having to go to in some cases probably possibly three for the township too. Yeah.
The city. Yeah. So, yeah. the city stuff avoids our we don't we don't then apply it but yeah some of the townships would potentially go with both. Yeah. So any other questions for Brent? Okay. Well, thanks Brent. I don't know
we have anybody online Diane? No. Okay. Well, I'll I'll call for public comment once. call for public comment twice and the final third time asking for public
comment. And hearing none, I'll bring it back to the board. Um there any any other comments that the board would like to make? Seeing commission I was just going
to say, Mr. Chair, the land commission did a nice job of going through all that and cleaning it up. and Brent, thank you and your staff for for trying to uncomplicate something that was probably overly complicated. So, thank you. Good job. Thank you, Commissioner Carlson. Commissioner Sumar. Yeah. Uh Brent
provided a slide for a future meeting to approve. Is there a suggested date? Well, we don't have a date yet. We're waiting for the DNR to do their um to weigh in on their stuff. So, okay. I thought we approved and then it gets
sent to the DNR for their approval. Yeah. So, we are waiting for the DNR to give conditional approval before we have the county board take action on it. Um, what I'm trying to avoid is just a scenario where the board adopts an ordinance, the DNR doesn't and then we have to make go through another public
hearing process and change the ordinance. I appreciate for the DNR to do it. So, trying to streamline it as much as we possibly can. So, so you'll let us know. Yeah. I'm anticipating that it'll be at the next one or two county board meetings. Um I don't I know my conversations with the DNR have been um
they're pretty close to having a they they do have some questions about um some topics in there. I'm assuming we can work through those details and get that taken care of and then get a letter of conditional approval sometime here soon. Great. Thank you, Brent. Thank you, Commissioner Summer. Any other
final comments? Okay. I would look for a motion to close the public hearing at this time. Motion by Commissioner Carlson. Do I hear a second? I'll second. Second by Commissioner Winger to close the public hearing. All
in favor of closing the public hearing say I. I. Any opposed? All right, we public hearing is closed. Any further comments or debate on the issue? Kind of a hurry up and wait to
hear back from the DNR and then we'll have our we'll bring it up at a future board meeting. So, hearing none, we'll we will uh let's see. We're not going to vote on that. So, we'll move on to the resolution for the county state aid
highway 20 right away. Bruce is on his way up right away for our CASA 20 project. Uh this is the project of North Side Lake. Um it is to reconstruct the road and to include a multi-use trail
sections from 21 uh to the state park uh entrance. This project was first put into the five-year plan back in 2018. We've been working on this project for for quite a few years. Um and recently the kind of the delays are working with
the township. uh they're producing the handling a sanitary sewer project and um as you're aware of or reading in the newspaper the the city is also expressing some interest in providing services there too. So that topic is
kind of beside what we're doing outside of what we're doing. Uh we're busy with uh uh developing our road and road plans and part of that was uh determining what rightaway we had. Uh again, initially we thought we had it all uh in the clear,
but after doing researching the recorded documents, uh there was some areas that we did not have the underlying uh fee title to. And we approached it a couple of different ways, uh or could approach it a couple different ways, but the one we chose was to go out to the land
owners and say, "Hey, we'd like to clear up this rightway. Uh get it recorded properly for what we've been assuming that we've had for over a hundred years." and we were successful. Uh we did uh acquire all the rightaway from the land owners on the north side of the
road in this area where we had uh an issue. However, we still have the south side of the center line. Um that still belongs to the underlying developer back in 19 what did I have on there? 1920s
when they relocated the road from alongside the lake to where it is now. uh the developer granted the property. Uh they did an auditor's plat combined the the lots uh towards the lake. Uh and even in that plat shows the road and the
rightway but similar to topics that we talked about earlier today the underlying land was never deed over to the county. So, uh, that was just found when we started looking at this project, but we've assumed we've had that right away since that time. Been using it,
giving permits, uh, utility permits, had our road there. Um, and so it's, uh, we've got, uh, use by prescriptive use. We've been using it for a while, but again, to get nice clear title, um, we
we would like to get that cleared up. Um, and so what I'm here to ask the board to do is uh to authorize using condemnation to help clear that up. Again, it's a 1920s landowner and the easiest way for us is to go through the
courts to get clear title to it and then the courts can then decide, you know, who the heirs are from that 1920s landowner. And so the resolution that I have uh included uh is the sample resolution that Ricky
Nuna, the law firm suggests that we uh utilize. Uh that resolution itself says or authorizes uh us to utilize them as the to represent us. Um and so that's again kind of goes through it lists the
parcels that we're looking to uh use the eminent domain on. Again all of them are that original arene that original land owner that developer's name. Um the last thing is I have provided updated
exhibits. Uh the exhibits that I provided in the draft here were uh uh uh sorry in the resolution were draft exhibits and so they weren't signed by the surveyor or myself. Um,
and so they're now they've now been uh signed and recorded. And so it's just the exhibits in that resolution that I'm I'm changing to signed the signed ones. So it's the same same ones. It's just now they're signed. It's what's actual recorded. So want to use the proper
proper ones that we can. [Music] And yeah, guess I guess I'm here asking for the board to approve this resolution authorizing using condemnation to help clear up the
rightaway for that project. Mr. Chair, yes, Mr. Gold. Uh, I wonder if we shouldn't table this resolution. Just, uh, stepping back and looking big picture at everything that's going on in our county and city and neighboring townships. Um, I've never had a good
feeling about this road project, uh, since the start of it. Um, you know, I never been a big fan of eminent domain and condemnation and, you know, I just
think this is government overreach and too much bureaucracy and we're opening up oursel for uh yet another lawsuit with this. So, um I'm going to vote against the resolution if it comes to that. Uh but um I think we need to at least step back
and take some time to re-evaluate and table this resolution. Well, I'll look for a motion to to either uh approve the resolution or to table a resolution. I make one. Yeah, go ahead, Commissioner
Winger. I mean, we've got potential for discussion on the if we make a motion to to approve it. We've got discussion capabilities. I just wanted to clarify the condemnation part. This isn't removing anybody from a home or anything like that. So, I just wanted to clarify that for anybody listening.
Yeah, it's it's the existing rightway. we've been using since the beginning. Yeah. Yeah. It's just to clear up ownership of it. Yep. Yeah. I'd be looking for a motion one way or the other. I'll move the table. We have a motion at
table. We have a second. Allen. Why want me to do a roll call vote? The Commissioner Carlson? No. Mr. Chair. Yes. There's no discussion on a tableling. Does it require a vote? Yes. Commissioner Gold,
yes. Commissioner Winger, no. Commissioner Sumar, yes. And I vote no. So, the T motion to table fails. Look for a motion. Look for a motion to approve the resolution.
I'll make a motion. Motion by Commissioner Winger. I'll second. Second by Commissioner Carlson. And we do a roll call vote on this as well. or any further discussion prior to that? Well, Mr. Chair, Commissioner, again want to echo what
Commissioner Winger said and what Bruce has been telling us. This is this is a a couple of parcels of land, a few parcels of land that aren't owned by any existing land owners. All the existing land owners have already agreed to
transfer over their property. Um, this is not government overreach. This is resolving an issue that's been ongoing for over a hundred years just because someone forgot to file a title. So, it's not taking any land that we didn't
already have and use for the last hundred years. Thank you, Commissioner. I see that right. Correct. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, Commissioner Gold. Um, what about all the public comments
and emails uh that we've been receiving uh mostly your constituents, but I've been getting them um from Northern Township folks that have completely felt left out of the process and you know, we can blame COVID and consultants and
stuff like that, but um you know, to me this this warrants a a public hearing on its own. I mean this is a serious issue that is going to last another hundred years uh depending on
the decision that we make uh today and regarding this road. So I just I think we need to think a little bit longer about this. Okay. Thanks for your comments. Any other discussion prior to the
vote hearing? None. Commissioner Carlson? Yes. Commissioner Gold? No. Commissioner Winger? Yes. Commissioner Sumner, no. And I vote yes. Motion passes 32. Thank you, Bruce. Move on to the public hearing for the
solid waste ordinance. You've got a suggested date, huh? I've got that item, too. Yes. Yeah. We would like to set a a date to have a public hearing on the solid waste ordinance update. And the recommendation, it's in the packet. I
believe it's June 3rd. June 3rd. I don't know if it's in the packet or not, but it's June 3rd is what was recommended, I believe. So, yeah. And that was u basically it's just a change the update is just a change in the way that the commercial hauling is
being built. Is that accurate or Yeah, correct. the the quickest summary is is instead of tracking businesses and getting reports from the haulers on how much that business uh produces and that they're bringing in and then we're
assessing the businesses. This is looking at uh just what the hauler brings in and then they're paying by the weight and they can charge the businesses accordingly. And so that's the big change um is really getting us out of the tracking business uh business
um and just tracking waste. And so it really is going to uh simplify our our process on how we're how we're doing um we're tracking the waste that's coming in. It is really hard in a large county like this to keep track of what business starts up and and quits and relocates
and and so this this would really simplify our process for us. And it's put us at a, you know, at the mercy of the hauler um and kind of botted us in the middle between what they estimate that they're doing at each business. Now it's just between them and and the business and we're out of the middle.
Correct. Yep. And it is it is a industry standard. Yep. Be matching what everybody else is doing. So, do I hear a motion to set a public hearing for June 3rd for the solid waste ordinance update? I'll make a motion. Motion by
Commissioner Winger. I hear a second. Second. Second by Commissioner Carlson. Any discussion on that? All in favor say I. I. Any opposed? That carries. Five to zero. On to item 11. Thank you, Bruce. Item 11 A
is the approval of the 2025 allocation of opioid settlement dollars. I'll make that motion to approve. Second. We have a motion and a second. Now, further discussion. Uh, uh, Commissioner Carlson, you had requested, I think, to pull this from the consent agenda item.
Yep. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um, generally, I'm would be in favor of following a committee's recommendation. We typically do that. Um, I did still have a a couple questions and I don't I didn't find that there was necessarily
an urgency to do that this week. I I would really love to table this until next meeting so we get a little bit more opportunity to see uh because I'd like to get I'd like to see a couple I'd like to see those uh proposals between now
and then. Um I think generally I'm going to be in favor of it, but I just I really would like to have that twoe period to to do that. So I'm going to move to table. I think there's a motion. Yeah, we're in discussion. There's a motion as second.
So, can we do a motion or move to table in the middle of a motion? No, we're in discussion. No, because the last one, the the rightway, we voted on that, but but I don't I don't think we can. Attorney Hansen, if
we're if we have a motion in a second, can you still have a motion to table? Okay. Date certain, which is in two weeks, you can table indefinitely. Yeah. uh you still need to pass the motion to table which there is discussion on the motion to table. So there's been a motion to table. I don't know if there's
been a second. Um if there's been a second on that you just need to vote on that and then the only clarification would be is that tableabling to a date certain or tableing indefinite. Okay. Thank you. So to to the next meeting. So we have a motion by Commissioner Carlson to table that this until the next
meeting yes we have a motion and a second. We're in discussion. We have to vote on this motion before we do anything. This is not up for discussion. The motion the table is not discuss discussable and we were just told by our attorney that we Mr. Chair that's out of order at you are
out of order at this point. Well, we if we have we don't if we do not get a second to the motion to table then we move forward with the previous motion. That's wrong. And if the motion table does not vote on the motion first, Mr. Chair, I thought we didn't need to vote on the motion first. No, that's not what
we were just told by our county attorney. Hope you I have it right here, too. Well, Mr. Chair, to the motion at hand, what's up? To the motion at hand, I believe we're comparing apples and oranges here. Um,
we're not experts in mental health and drug addiction. Um, it's one thing for us to take a look at applications for economic development grants for businesses and organizations in the community. It's a whole another thing to look at these grants, these proposals.
There was a committee of experts from the community, from Health and Human Services, from the sheriff's department. You know, we should not invalidate their work. Um, I did the math quick. This would be
0.000070% of our overall budget. Um, our budget is $100 million. Um, a lot of these organizations budgets are $50,000, $100,000. So, this money is more important to them than it is to us.
These are people that are hurting in our community as as you know. Um, these are services that are needed that the county does not provide. These are other organizations that can provide services that the county doesn't provide. Right now, Mr.
Chair, a motion to table takes precedent. Yes. At any time during a discussion, at any time, whether there's a second or not a second, motion to table always takes precedence. Am I correct? And I I'm looking it up as we speak. Robert's rules. So, point of
order would take precedence over a motion to table. I'm interpreting what Commissioner Carlson is bringing up as a point of order to the chair. Um, a motion to table can supersede an actual
motion, right? And so there is a motion on the table to approve this or deny this. I can't remember what the motion was. It's been seconded. You were in discussion. A motion to table has been made. Was there a second to the motion
to table? Not. Yeah. So, so now it's the chair's prerogative to invite the group to either second the motion to table. If there's no second, the motion to table dies for lack of second, and you continue discussion, correct? If there
is a second to the motion to table, you then take a vote. Shar's prerogative, whether that's roll call or or voice vote. Um, if it's tabled, you're done. If the if the tableabling fails, you go back to discussion on the primary motion. That's what I thought. Thank
you, county attorney. So, do I hear a second on the motion to table? I'll second that. Seconded by Commissioner Winger. We'll do a roll call vote. Commissioner Carlson, yes. Commissioner Gold, no. Commissioner Winger, yes. Commissioner Sumar, no. I
vote yes. So, the motion is tabled until the next meeting. Thank you. Mr. Chair, point of information. Yes, Commissioner Gold. Um, I'm wondering what Commissioner Carlson's intent is with uh tableabling the agenda
item and and uh what possible options are for the next meeting with this. Well, perhaps you were sleeping when I said I I I said I No, you know, I wasn't. So, don't be facitious. I said I wanted to take some time to look at the proposals and that and I would do that between now and the next
meeting and I said also that I'm generally in favor of doing what a committee recommends but I just wanted to take a little bit of time. Mr. Chair, Commissioner Ser, can you remind me when packets are sent out? Typically Thursday prior to the meeting and that's how
we typically normally receive our information is the Thursday. So, how many days is that between when we receive and our actual board meeting? Commissioner S, I believe the information that Commissioner Carlson is talking about is the actual information that we did not receive which are the
actual RFP documents. Well, we can we can request that information in between from when we receive our two days basically Friday and Friday and Monday and and and I I think we have some good staff that would be able to get us that information if we request it.
Point taken. All right, we're on to item 11B, which is uh Commissioner Gould had requested that we pull item 7K, which is item 11B, and item 7 L. Now, these are the uh solid waste department approval
of for the Fern Street Recycling Site. Commissioner Gould? Yeah. So, I have concerns about these uh lack of community input. There wasn't a survey done. I know I wasn't kept informed of
um the proceedings on moving this recycling site from the from the uh old Target site to to this new proposed location. Um, I know we want to potentially develop the land behind target, but
um, you know, until there's a business or housing or something there, you know, why are we I can answer that question for you, Commissioner Gold. This is actually less to do with the target site than it is the uh the um the area by Northdale Oil um by the fairgrounds
there. That road is being redone and we need to remove that site from that location. And so that is one of the primary reasons why we needed an alternate location for that site because the the road change and the road being
redone there is uh making us move that. So this is going to replace that basically. It's ultimately it will end up replacing the target site as well. It'll be um uh mutual spot for both of those. But uh it's the biggest issue is
the the area by North Northdale Oil right by the fairgrounds. And that road is being redone right now. So that uh that's but people can still get in there right now. They can. Yeah. And throughout the construction they'll
be able to get in there for the time being. Yes. But that's um that the days are numbered for that site. So that is that and this is a joint city and county and it has been brought up and it has been presented to the board by the solid waste department.
Okay. Well, expect hundreds, maybe thousands of emails, phone calls about this change cuz nobody knows about it. Okay. So, I will look for a motion to approve item 11B, the approval of
theou uh between the city and the county for the Fern Street recycling site. So, move. Motion by Commissioner Carlson. I hear a second. So, I'll second. Second by Commissioner Winger. Any further discussion on theou.
Mr. Chair. Yes, Commissioner Ser. Uh, can you remind me when this was brought to the board? I don't remember the date. I know that we we have had a presentation on it. Maybe maybe Bruce remembers that. Answer is no. I don't remember the date,
but uh it was budgeted and we um also brought uh I believe it was brought to the board that we received a grant to pay for this site. Right. Okay. So, um Mr. Chair, if I heard correctly, the the site by
Northdale is going to be moving by Target. No, no, no. We have a site at Northdale and we have a site at Target. This site is somewhat in between. It's it's right by the right by that north of the lagoon that's like across from the tackle shop. Um recycle it's right next
to Belrammy Recycling on Fern Street. Yep. Okay. All right. Yep. And it's a joint city and county owned or because it's airport property basically and we got approval from the FAA uh to put it there. They actually
really thought that would be a good use of it actually because it would keep animals and stuff off of that for the crash zone. So anyhow, thank you Bruce. We have a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor
say I. I. I. And opposed? No. Approved 4 to one. Item 11 C is the solid waste approval of bid award for the Fern Street recycling site and that is in your was in your packets for awarding the bid which as Bruce just mentioned we
did get a grant for this so which was very fortunate so the cost is covered by a grant. I'll look for a motion to approve the the bid award for the Fern Street recycling site. So moved. Motion by Carlson. Hear a second.
Second. Second by Winger. Any further discussion. All in favor say I. I. I. Any opposed? No. Four to one. And that passes. That moves us on to legislative lobbying
issues and commissioner reports. We'll bundle them together. Commissioner Sumar. went down to the capital last Thursday to uh participate in the AMC's call to action. Uh met with uh some legislators to discuss, you know, uh how these uh
state cost shifts, you know, could potentially impact Bel Tramy County. Um you know, Bel Tramy County is the third largest county in the state of Minnesota. Uh some of the uh talking points that I talked to them about was the uh uh human
uh health and human services department and the potential for um how those cost shifts may uh affect our ability to uh provide uh services to our to our uh county
residents. also, you know, the the PILT impacts uh count program aid. I also talked about the part of the Association of Minnesota Counties um concerns were the property tax
burden. The proposed property the proposed tax and cost shift simply pushed the state's cost to local property pay taxpayers who are already strained to a breaking point amidst the state's housing crisis. Renters and homeowners can off the
bill. The state must address its own budget with its own means. Uh service cuts and client impacts with county levy with county tax levies pressured by new unfunded and defunded mandates. High value discretionary services. The most
effective programming counties have undertaken in addition to statemandated services will have to be among the first budget items eliminated. Disruption of these effective and costefficient services will directly impact motans reliant on these services
and may increase long-term cost by increasing the dependence on mandated programs. It's also uh comp compounding federal cuts. The budget challenges ahead of Minnesota will only increase as
federal cuts are reduced and eliminated. On top of funding cuts in SNAP and Medicaid, the House rec reconciliation bill includes significant new administrative requirements in both programs that counties will be required to implement using antiquated state
technologies. The state pulling back funding for implementation of its own programs at the local level with further hobble services. The counties agree that work needs to be done to address the growth in home and community based services cost curve.
Shifting new cost to counties does not change the cost curve or fix the problem. So, I mean, there was I think my time so far being involved with the Association of Minnesota Counties, I
haven't seen something like this where they have called to action on on such a a issue as this. So I felt that it was important that uh Bel Chrammy be represented down at the Capitol
especially when you know we're facing you know you know our own budget um situation. So I felt that it was important that you know our voices are heard so that hopefully
um you know our legislators um you know take into consideration you know how this is affecting all 87 counties and uh um I remain hopeful you know
uh it's all I I can do um hopefully that we're not uh impacted too greatly. Um, so that is my legislative and lobbying
report. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner S. Mr. Chair, I forgot the AMC district uh two is June 4th. AMC District 2 meeting June 4th. Yep. And that is where here. Okay. 8 o'clock. All right. Thank you, Commissioner Sar.
Commissioner Winger. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, attended a management meeting. I guess the biggest thing that I can say about that was that everybody in the county as far as department heads and things are concerned about what kind of cuts they're going to be facing and trying to
trying to plan something that they don't know what to plan for um you know with with the budget. So, uh being right around the corner, they got a tough job ahead. uh had to head out of that to go to the radio board meeting.
Uh still working on getting the um mapping things for schools. Um and then some other some other issues uh that they're working on with the armor system and things to expand some
of that. Um went to the solid waste meeting this morning. uh still has some concerns as to whether the funding for some of the grants are going to still be there when this uh legislative session gets back going again. Uh hoping that would be done, but
it's not. So, we're still in limbo there. Um the construction out there should be done by the end of October. um talked about a device called a fire rover, which is a heat sensing unit. Um
instead of waiting for the actual fire cuz the lithium batteries are starting fires in dumpsters and causing a lot of damage to the buildings that that the dumpsters are in and the waste is in. And so this uh fire rover actually has a
heat sensing unit so it doesn't have to let the fire get so hot that it starts to melt the building before it kicks on and so it can put the fire out and put the dampen the thing before it gets anywhere. Um the cost is around 50,000
but it could save hundreds. So something they're talking about looking at right now. Um, that's about it on those. Uh, Commissioner Winger, I I had a conflict this morning, so I wasn't able to attend the solid waste committee
meeting. I assume that they are complete with the free the re um or the replacement of the roof on the solid waste facility. Yeah. And he said with the rain, they're not getting any more uh water running in the office and things upstairs. So, he was pretty happy about that. All right. That's good to
hear. All right. Thank you for your report, Commissioner Winger. Commissioner Gold, I attended a Habitat for Humanity breakfast at the Eagles Club. Had a meeting with Scott Turn from the chamber. Uh it was just a one-on-one meeting at the Blue Blue Oyster. Uh we
talked about the importance of expanding the tax base. um how we shouldn't just make cuts um or raise property taxes or try to take money from organ other organizations. Um we need to build more
houses and expand more businesses. Um AMC meetings, mix of bad news and lack of news. As most of you know, uh, legislature, uh, adjourned, but they still have, uh, lots of work to do. So,
there'll be upcoming special session. Went to the chamber after hours event at Rutgers. Attended my regular meeting for Northwest Juvenile Center and regular meeting for KRLS Library System Board. That's it. Thank you,
Commissioner Gold. Commissioner Carlson. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um went to the northern township, had kind of a open house discussion about their incorporating um there was over 300 people there. Um
and uh the mayor came and and um said a few words and um that was about it. Um went to Bumiji Airport Affairs, which is different than an airport authority meeting. Airport Affairs involves a lot of people that are interested in the
flying community um and are offering suggestions on how we can make our airport even better. So, I attend those regularly. Um I attended the AMC legislative Zoom meeting that they had discussing what was going on at the legislature. Uh attended Northern
Township's regular meeting last Monday. Went to safety training on Tuesday morning. Um, I think that was the first session safety training. That was interesting. Um, had our regular jail design and operations committee meeting.
Um, they're progressing nicely out there now. The rain in the last couple days have slowed things down a little bit, but they're getting I think they're close to at least half of the foundation in already. They're moving along quite well. Um, they do have a perimeter fence up now as well around the entire
project. I drove over the by there today just to kind of look to see what was going on and nothing was going on because it was pouring. So, um I attended last Wednesday I attended a public hearing um for Ottertale Power on their solar
panel farm in Lammer's Township. Um there was a few people there, a few of the and mostly it was people that um live right next to the solar farm and they had some concerns about property values and and that sort of thing. Um but but there wasn't very many people
there. Um and then we had greater Bumiji um meeting on Friday and then after right after that we had the airport affairs had it strategic planning session. Uh there's four focal areas uh that they're focusing on um management
um public engagement um education and economic development. And so those four uh leaders of those areas got together and are working on strategy on how best to come up with some ideas that they can
pass on to the airport authority for consideration. And that's it. Thank you, Commissioner Carlson. I had a HRDC meeting. Uh we had a presentation from the um the state of
Minnesota um Department of Long Range Planning. That was pretty interesting. three um three individuals came up and um basically went through some exercises with um you know what what was important to us and it was they were real good at
listening to what we had to say. Yeah, I brought up issues like our our demolition landfill thing and and how it would be nice if they because they they are a group that would, you know, kind of coordinate amongst state agencies to uh to try to get communication going and get things done and actually
accomplished. And um don't know if it'll actually go anywhere, but it was uh nice to have some um listening ears there from the state um planning commission meeting. Um to Commissioner Gould's point, uh we did have a final plat review that'll be
coming to the board probably at the next board meeting, I would guess, um for uh 27 more lots in Northern Township. Um all on a 37 acre parcel in Northern Township that we will that'll come to
our board for approval there. And had a fair board meeting last night. Um saw my my prior commissioner Keith Winger was there. um cuz he's involved with the music at the fair. So, it was fun to see him again. I've got a thing in the mail.
Um figured I might as well announce it. The 45th anniversary celebration for the Hope House is tomorrow from at the at the Hope House from May 21st, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at 2014 7th Street Southeast in Biji.
Um I'm not sure if I I won't be able to make it to that because I have a conflict with with another um I have a three-hour training tomorrow that during that time frame. But if anybody else wants to go um we've got an airport authority meeting tomorrow night and Mississippi head board meeting on this
Friday. That's it for my report. Anything else uh that anybody else wants to bring up? Oh, Bruce have something come up. Yes. Go ahead.
On the consent agenda, yeah, there was the um agenda bill to award the contract for the bike trail. Uh okay. Okay. The item 7J I think and multi-use trail
results were not provided to you. Okay. And part of the issue is there's a question on how you want to uh proceed with it. But so I guess I'm not sure um how to handle that since it was
approved on the consent agenda. And is there a question about the bids? Yes. So, the bids were opened and the bid amount was more than the grant. Um, the grant was
710,000. The bid was 752. And so, we're $42,000 over the grant amount. Uh, this grant and this project was initiated kind of approved by the board because it was 100 100% funded funded by the grant. Um
we then have I guess I was going to give you in the consent agenda update here was to provide you with three options. Um, one is we would use our saw and county road dollars to fund the overage of the
42,000. Or the second option was to cut some of the items in the um bid amount to lower that amount, lower that 43 $42,000 can easily cut, you know, roughly half of that and get down to
like 22. Um, and then the third option would be to not award, not proceed with the project. Um, my recommendation on here was to proceed toward the contract, but to direct me to make the cuts that we can to get um as close to that grant
amount as we can. So, that was the update. So, normally I'm providing you with the cost amounts in there and uh and this was not given to you. So, typically there are fluctuations in bids. I know
we earlier this year, I think we had almost $2 million in lower bid cost. This one happens to be the opposite way. Um, and uh so I I would be in favor of you um using your judgment to reduce the bid as much as reasonable. Um, and then
we did just talk about a a grant that we got earlier that we weren't expecting for the county 20 project, which was like 375,000 or something. Um, so the, you know, um, you win some, you lose some kind of a thing on these road
projects and bids. Um, so my my um, recommendation would be to accept your recommendation. Um, I don't know, we want to have a formal vote on that probably. Um or if we just want consensus. I don't
I don't know what's the what's the board's Commissioner Sum. So this is the first time that attorney Mr. Chair. So this is the first time that I we experienced something like this. I mean I Let's see what the county attorney has to say about it. I don't
want to interrupt Mr. Ser, but um the I mean this is another robber's rules issues. Go ahead. you are well past your you're in your closing remarks of your agenda. You need a motion to reopen
um it's new business or I suppose reopen this or you could it's been approved on the consent agenda, right? Yeah, it needs signatures. It's just it's just been approved to
award the contract. Okay. I mean, you got to direct staff to do what you can to the recommendation is along the lines of again the original was to award the contract, proceed with the project, right? The the re the additional part
that I was adding here was to make some cuts to direct them to make cuts. Right. Yeah. I mean, I would take that up at your next session. I mean like I you you either need to reopen your agenda setting, you know, and that's a little unorthodox at this point on the meeting
or just kick your decision to the next meeting. Yeah. But yeah, I think we need two weeks, you know, to to look over his information, ask questions because I don't feel too comfortable with uh uh
awarding something after the fact that it was there was it was approved. You know, I feel uncomfortable to be honest. Yeah, it it it is a very odd scenario that we So, basically what we approved was not accurate to what is the the real
deal because we were approving it based on it being 100% funded and now it's not correct. Yeah. Well, if you want to discuss it today, someone needs to make a motion to amend the agenda or
or to go back into your consent agenda and revisit the issue before you adjourn today. And you've already had one of you walk off. So, um, yeah, Commissioner Carlson.
So, M, thank you, Mr. Chair. The question is for Bruce. Is is time an issue like we had with the bid for the uh the roof? The roof. Is is is time an issue the remodel? Yeah. So, is is time
an issue and could we easily wait for the two weeks? The concern that we have is to award the contract as soon as we can because then we need to get the contractor under contract and then this project is to be constructed while school is not in session. And so, we have them starting
right away or the contract start date is right away in June. So, that's that's the would be the concern about the time. Is it feasible to get it to match what we voted on, which would be to get it down to the the the price that we
approved that the grant price? Again, not to kind of keep confusing the issue here, but the consent agenda item was to award the contract. And so that that's what was passed was to award the contract. Um,
but you didn't have the um full information, the bid estimate. Then my second recommendation in there. I thought it said in the in the agenda bill that it w the that it was for the 100% grant amount of 710,000
or something like that. No, the original one just said bids were received. Um or maybe that's in the worth meeting stuff and a grant grant agreement was going to follow. Well, if you want to address it tonight, I want you to make sure you use the
proper procedure to do so. Under your grant update section, you said we'd receive 770,000 in the work session. deal. Is this not the same one? Nope. Okay, that's that's phase three. Okay. And and uh this one is 700
some,0002. 710. Okay. So, I was right on the number. Mr. Chair, could I move to reconsider? Would that be the appropriate way? Um Dave, move to reconsider item seven
um 7 J on the consent agenda. All right. Yeah, we're not adjourned. So, you have Yeah, you haven't adjourned. You would Could you approve the entire consent agenda in one
motion? I think you would have to make a motion to reconsider the consent agenda as amended because you had amended the consent agenda. So, who second the the consent And then you would go back to the start of the
consent agenda and then pull this from the consent agenda, reapprove the consent agenda as amended a second time and then discuss this issue. What was your comment? Oh, if if Gold second the
the consent, would he have to agree to that amendment? It would just be it would just be moving to reconsider the consent agenda. It'd be a new it'd be a new motion to, you know, to a motion to reconsider the
consent agenda. And then you discuss that, open that back up. Okay. then pull this off the consent agenda, then vote on the consent agenda again, and then vote on it on this
pulled off item. Well, at minimum, we should do that. Yeah. So, Mr. Chair, I move to reconsider the consent agenda vote. Okay. Do I hear a second? So this is this is uh they the motion is
to reconsider the consent agenda that we voted on earlier to reconsider that vote. Okay, I'll second that. Okay, so we have a motion and a second to reconsider the consent agenda. And the purpose of this would be
to reopen the consent agenda voting so that we can then remove an item from the consent agenda for separate consideration and and and then we can revote on the the remaining consent agenda um and have that that item still
open for discussion after that. So all in favor of of approving the reopening of the consent agenda say I. I I and opposed. No. Three to one. The consent
agenda is reopened. Mr. Chair, let's make sure we get the right one. Which which item on the consent agenda is it? It's not 7J, is it? It's would it be the It's not 7J. 7 I the award of the bid award. The approval
of a bid award. Is it? I I don't have the details. That's good. Is it the approval of bid award? SAP or is that the approval of resolution and permit to enter into contract with mind for multi-use trail? Oh, 7 I. Okay. I So, Mr. Chair, I would
move that we take item 7 I off the consent agenda and move it to item 11D. Okay. making a motion that we remove item 7 I um and move it to item 11D. Do I hear a second to that? Do we
need a second to that? Second. Yeah. Well, we will anyway. So, we have a motion and a second to remove item 7 I and put it as item 11D. Mr. Chair, yes. Motion that we table this until the next meeting.
We have a motion to table from Commissioner Sumar. Do I hear a second? Do I hear a second? Hearing no second. The motion to table fails for lack of a second. So, we have a Do we get a motion and a second
on the moving? Yep. So, so all in favor of moving item 7 I to item 11D, say I. I. I. and opposed. No. That passes 3 to one. So, Mr. Chair, I move that uh we
approve the consent agenda as um as altered. That would be items 7 A, B, C, D, E, F, G, and J and M and M. It would not include 7H, 7 I, 7K, or
7 L. Okay. So, we have a motion by Commissioner Carlson to repro approve the consent agenda as amended um without 7H7 I 7K or 7L. Do I hear a second? H K
L I H I K and L are no longer there. Yeah, I'll second. Second by Commissioner Winger. Any further discussion? All in favor say I. I I. Any opposed?
No. Motion passes 3 to one. So our consent agenda is now passed again with the exception of those items. We already um had the regular agenda items for 7H, K, and L. So the only one left is the
one that we move seven or 11d. So on item 11D, what is the board's wishes? Mr. Chair, I'd make a motion to table. Is there a motion to table? Is there a
second? Is there a second? Hearing no second. The motion to table fails for lack of a second. I just love hanging out with you guys. Yeah. So, Mr. Can I provide these documents to you? Yes, please.
Why didn't we get this earlier? Yeah, that's what I want to know. How can we avoid this? I had a question when you Yep. Okay. So, this is the revised consent agenda item for the bike trail.
And it shows us the bid amount, the the low bid. That's a low bid, I assume. Oh, there's the bids. Okay. Now you guys I can back. Yeah. Okay. Mr. Chair, I would move that we award the contract to the parent low bidder
utilizing option number two to cut uh $20,85.50 in extras uh and providing 21,79415 from the uh county state aid highway um fund to cover the difference.
Okay. Said. Okay. We have a a motion. Is that Did I say that right, Bruce? I would just The recommendation's at the bottom of the page there. Yeah, recommendation two is what he just read. Well, the recommendation to award the contract to the parent low bidder and then direct me to eliminate and decrease
items to reduce the county costs. Correct. Yes. He he just specifically read what you had for the three option. Option two is what he read. You don't want to be held to that or Well, that's it's down to the penny.
Yeah. Yeah. So, so so Mr. Chair, long as this hasn't been seconded, let me reward my my motion. My motion is direct them to Yeah. My motion is to is to award the contract to the apparent low bidder and direct the county engineer to eliminate or decrease items to reduce the county
cost. Okay. Thank you. Uh, Commissioner Winger has a question. I think you can you can either second it first and end discussion or you can I guess I I really am curious. I mean there these are three options that are is there a reason why we can't combine one and two? I mean if
you can cut as everything you can out of there and there's something left. Can you still go with the other? Essentially that's what his motion is is to direct him to cut as much as he can um and and to use his discretion essentially. And then where is that other money going to
come from? Cuz it's already allotted for some other road, isn't it? Yeah, it's coming from your district. Basically, uh, like I mentioned earlier, we we just got awarded a grant for, you know, 375,000 that we weren't expecting for county 20. Um, you know, there's a
lot of shuffling of projects and shuffling of funds within the highway department every year on teen different projects. So this isn't that abnormal. It's just abnormal that we got it this in the rears. Hopefully Bruce doesn't do this again to us. I first time I think
I've seen it happen in my seven years here and and Commissioner Sumar hasn't seen it happen in his 25 years here. Just seems like 25 years, doesn't it, Commissioner Sar? No. So um so we have a motion on the table. Do I hear a
second to the motion? The motion is to um direct the the highway engineer to cut as as much as he can to get down closer to the grant amount and to use funds from where he sees most appropriate. Mr. Chair, yes,
Commissioner Summer. So, up until today and every presentation that we've uh received from the the county engineer, um we were told or we asked the county
engineer not to use county um funds for this project. And I think we were all in agreement uh up until this uh agenda bill, which now
gives you the authority to use county road uh funds, which is something I don't agree with because we've always said that there were never to be
these funds. you know, uh, Commissioner Winger asked a good question. Where are these these, uh, funds coming from? And yes, I understand, you know, there's there's a grant, but those are still county funds. So, I I don't agree. Uh, I
I I voted uh in good faith. You know, up until this point, you know, I was in support of this under the impression that there were no county funds going to be used. um which has changed with this
motion. So, it's something that I I can't support, which is why I was hoping, you know, that we would would have been able to table this uh you know, to receive more information.
Um so, that's that's um all I have to say. Thank you. Thank you, Commissioner Sar. Yeah, go ahead. respond. When we applied for the project for for the grant, uh we did actually had to do
a fairly detailed estimate and come up with the 710 when we got the grant then. But that's just a wild guess when we look at it. And now we get to the design part and now we got the details and the quantities and we come up with an
estimate and uh actually that was lower quite a bit lower than the grant amount. Mhm. Um but we're just estimating and it comes down to the contractors to give us the bids. Um we were over some under some but in the total we were we were
under what they what they bid and uh I mean the one one was way over I mean it was $900 some thousand dollars. So just two bids um these smaller projects are harder to estimate and come up with prices. I mean even they were way wide
spread on the prices that they had and so it does get to be fairly hard to to come up with an estimate but in the end um yeah there is the limited amount of grant we uh asked them if there was more money and they said uh you just get the amount that you were initially awarded
to and so um the dollars will come out of our um CASSA it's along CASA 7 and so items are able to use the CASA and or our county road which is more our local dollars are can be used also. Um and so it's that would help cover the overage.
We also are using the CASA to cover our engineering that's not part of the grant. So there was some additional costs too that are outside of it. But yeah, the initial tent was to be within that underneath that grant. Um designed it that way, estimated that way and but in the end we were we were short. we try
to get some extra funding and so it comes down to the options of not do it or try to trim and get as close as we can or yeah fully fully fund it. So I guess I understood the concerns with being 100% for these other projects like this trail project. So I guess that's
where my recommendation was is try to get close as we can to it but still still proceed with what I see as a good project. Thank you Bruce. So we need a second still on this. Okay. I will say this is in my area and
I drive by it every day and I know how much it's needed. Um and uh I have a little concern but I I will second that still. So we have a motion by Commissioner Carlson, Mr. Chair, and a second by Commissioner
Winger. Yes, Commissioner Sner. So the uh any overages will be coming from Commissioner Winger's district. that since it is in this district, right? Thank you. All right. I believe uh we have a motion and
a second on the table. So, um all in favor say I. I opposed. No. So, passes 3 to one. All right. Mr. Motion to adjurnn. That's right. Thank you, Bruce. Um we have a
motion to adjurnn from Commissioner Sumar. Can I can Can I say one one thing real quick first? Certainly. Um I just want to bring it up. Uh longtime county employee uh Janette Lun passed away. So
I just wanted people to know that. That's all. Well, thank you. That was nice of you to acknowledge her. I'll second the motion. Second uh from Commissioner Winger. All in favor of adjourning say I. I. Any opposed?