--------- All right. Well, the work meeting uh to order. It's uh what have I got? 302. At this time, I want to accept a motion to go into close session pursuant to Minnesota statute
uh 1 13D.03 for the purpose of discussing labor negotiations and Minnesota statute 13D.05 subdivision 3A for the purpose of conducting the county administrator's annual performance evaluation.
Do we have a motion? >> I'll make a motion that we go into close session. >> Okay. Second. Okay. All in favor? I >> opposed. Okay, we'll go to close session. All right. At this time, I'll accept the
motion to end the close session, return to the open meeting. >> Second. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I I opposed. >> Okay. We are back at the work session.
Introduction of new employees. Do we have any new employees? No. Future work topics. Anybody have anything? >> Mr. Carlson. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um,
it was kind of came to my attention because on the consent agenda, we have the contract with the with the housing uh with United Way and the housing and stuff. It kind of brought to my mind. Um, I think Tom, were we going to do a followup after
they had the summit at December 2nd that Sanford had on housing and and how we as a county can work together with the community and and what there is that we can do because it seems to me the whole housing issue is going to go handinhand
with increased tax base which obviously we we need to work on. So, I wasn't sure if you had a plan for a future meeting for that. I just wanted to make sure we that we don't lose sight of how what we need to do to keep on top of that issue.
Like, so I don't know if Tom's got a >> Mr. Chair, uh, Commissioner Carlson. Yes, I have that scheduled for February 3rd. We're going to have Nate Door from the housing Minnesota housing fund, uh, come in and make presentation. He'll be to be talking about the highlevel um,
housing summit. what was discussed, some of the details around the study that was conducted, those sorts of things. Um, and that's probably about it. And if you're looking for more information around what were we doing, you know, as a result of that, Nate's not going to be the person to probably do that. That'll
be our new I don't know if we call it a task force yet, but our committee of uh of uh the school district, the city, greater Baiji, and the county that uh we had our second meeting today on that. So, we're trying to put together some
strategy around that, but we just we I don't know that I could commit to you on a certain time frame as to when we'd have that ready. >> Make sure it's on the horizon. >> You bet. Yes, sir. >> I asked that first. I I second I second commissioner.
>> It's um Mr. P. Uh I guess to get back to your question at our last meeting in regards to uh committees and and what they do and how they operate. Uh I was thinking maybe we can get an update about PILT
and PILT fund and where the money comes from, how it's allocated, things like that. I think that would um be a good refresher for uh myself and and uh Commissioner Winger if that's possible.
>> Mr. Mr. Chair, if I may, uh, Commissioner Sumar, um, those are perfect questions also for the, uh, I want to say I've got it scheduled for February 3rd, but this is, oh, no, it's actually today. So, uh, Enub is coming
to make their presentation. Uh, there they are. >> And so, they may be able to answer some of your questions about PILT because they were instrumental actually in helping us raise the PILT uh, dollars a couple years back at the state legislature. So, um, they they they may be able to if if not if there's any
residual questions, we can get something. >> Well, you know, and I appreciate the I don't know how anybody can miss those handsome gentlemen for kind of backrow. Um, but I was thinking maybe something will go geared towards, you know, the
county. I know um uh in in my district, you know, we have the PIL Con uh committees that that allocate, you know, grant uh funding. Um, and I know that is separate or it's not separate, but the
way the county allocates pill is is >> more specific to the county. >> Yeah, sure. >> All right. Thank you, >> Mr. Chair. When when do is this for the regular meeting or is this during this meeting? >> The >> That's what I was is this for this
meeting or the regular meeting? >> Um, yeah, you probably should have done that after the session. Right. >> That's why I was asking now if we should do it right now. >> You can if you'd like. It's it counts as the meeting. You're all if you're all agreed to do it. >> Yeah, we did. Okay. So,
>> yep. >> Mr. Chair, do you you want me to read it for you or did you are you okay? >> Um yeah, if you'd like to, that'd be great. >> Okay. All right. We uh had our annual review of the county administrator's
performance. So this is a county administrator evaluation statement of performance from our board which we all agreed to um in compliance with state statutes. I will read this a statement from the board regarding the county administrator's performance evaluation. Yes. >> Yes.
>> Believe that that should be done. >> We just talked about that and he said that it could be done here. So that's why I started doing it here. >> Okay. I apologize. Yeah, because I asked him if it should be here at the other end and he said it was we should have done it right after
we got out of our closed session. So that's why I brought it up. >> Thank you. Um, okay. So, regarding the county administrator's performance evaluation, the county administrator is performing very well, continuing his strong record of success in 2025.
Despite extraordinary pressures from state and federal cost shifts, f funding disruptions, and a historic windstorm causing tens of millions in damages to our community, the county administrator successfully navigated one of the county's most challenging years in recent history through proactive leadership and dis disciplined financial
management. Major accomplishments included leading the disaster recovery efforts, preparing a $36 million bond issuance that will save tax mill taxpayers over $12 million, delivering a balanced fiscal year 26 budget amid unprecedented uncertainty and cost
shifts. Um the administrator has both increased revenues for the county and saved the county considerable costs with together totally totaling nearly $15 million in 2025. He also completed a long overdue class
compensation study, classification compensation study, and helped to drive down countywide turnover from 21% to 10% in just 3 years, saving millions in long-term workforce costs. So, thank you, County Administrator Barry.
And thank you for reading that for me. I woke up this morning with a messed up eye, so things are a little blurry. Um, okay. Next. Any other future work topics that we needed? Are we good?
Okay. Uh, Northern Countyy's Land Use Coordinating Board presentation. I was going to say good I was going to say good morning fellow commissioners but it is afternoon and thanks for the handsome comment there Mr. Ser. It's the first time I've heard that in number of years especially with two bold guys
sitting in the back row. Um, just I I am Neil Peterson, Pennington County Commissioner, chair of EN Club. >> Good afternoon. Paul McDonald, St. Louis County Commissioner. I am the vice chair of what is still technically End Club,
but our application is into the attorney general to change it to the Northern Counties Coalition. So, >> so you'll see both of those names or hear both of those names when we talk today. I don't think I'll ever get it to Northern Counties Coalition. It'll
always be An Club because it's way shorter to remember, but you know, we we're just here. We I know there's been some conversation with a couple of your members. Um, like your administrator said, we we have been really working on this PILT issue,
getting some type of decent payment from the state because for my county, we don't have a lot of PILT in Pennington County, but St. Louis and everything east of here, you guys included. Um, you know, we did I did
just jot down a few things and this is from our 10 when we were at 10 counties. We're now at 14 counties. Two of them are still in their one year free. So if you decide that after our tremendous presentation that you are interested, you will have one year free membership.
Um right now we're at 20% of the land area in the state of Minnesota. 40 for 45% of the state's regulated surface water is in our is in northern county's coalition. Um 65% of the forested lands. But then
we have 5% of the state's population. So, you know, we are land rich, probably people poor. But, um, one of the, you know, the thing I guess the thing that we're probably most fond of and I'll let Paul a little bit too is is some of the legislative
things we've accomplished between PILT and a few other things with our uh the uh tax court issue. We we worked very hard on on that. And I'll let Paul run with because he's handed out some handouts for you. And
just so you if you're interested, we still have our website. It's not really current, but it's nub.org is our is our website that we're using and there has a lot of information on there. A lot of the PILT information is on that website.
And I'll let Paul run with a few things here. >> Okay. Uh thank you, Mr. Chair, commissioners. And again, just appreciate the opportunity and to reiterate uh what Neil has said. Uh you know, we have a a solid core when we
started with 10 counties and strength is in numbers. As you know, the more people you can have handling the same message and sending the same me message increases your effectiveness. And there's one hole in our map and that
hole is Belramby County. And when you look at what you have and what the rest of us have, it it sort of forms a perfect bond. and uh the uh since 2023
when we really became engaged uh due to the fact we had a a couple legislators that were willing to carry some some weight for us. And the first thing we did was brought up the
PILT which had been stagnant forever. And we enlisted Keith Carlson who was the budget man with for the tax committee under Senator Doug Johnson, Senator Tom Bach, etc. We enlisted him to do a study on PILT. Uh he had a very
good uh relationship with uh Chair Rest of the Senate Tax Committee. Uh we instantly got a hearing there. Uh very positively received. Went over to the House. Uh, Representative Lizagard from uh, my area
in St. Louis County was the property tax chair on the House Tax Committee. Uh, Chair Gomez agreed to hear the bill. Very positive over there. And we've got a not a great increase, but a
significant increase from zero. And uh I know you look at Bel Tramy's Pilt, you're you know upwards of $3 million through through different kinds of PILT and and I I couldn't tell you exactly what the increase was, but it was
significant because I know what our increase in St. Louis County was and it was significant. So we got that passed and then in the midst of beginning a celebration we found out about the Tyler versus Henipin Supreme Court case with
the tax forfeited lands and the taking etc. So we organized with ENC club a dinner in conjunction with the AMC legislative conference where we invited over 20 northern Minnesota legislators. All of
the counties that were in N club or northern counties coalition invited their legislators and it was amazing. Everybody showed up and uh we had a a very good program, a very good dinner and fellowship and really educated some
of these legislators on what this tax forfeited thing meant for rural counties in northern Minnesota. And without the state's help in getting that 109 million for a settlement, which we were told at first, don't even
ask, there's no money. But we kept pressing. We kept pressing. We kept pressing. Got us in a point where unanimously in both the Senate and the House. You don't hear about that in this day and age very often. Both were
unanimous votes to move this forward. Uh take that 109 million and use it as a settlement in the Tyler versus Henipin case. Got that over the finish line. Now, last year our priority was working
on uh shoreline tilt where, you know, we're all blessed with a lot of lakeshore and there's a lot of publicly owned lakeshore that we're not getting paid at what should be paid for lakeshore if any of you own that lakes
shore. So, we got a hearing immediately in the Senate. uh was very positively received by Chair Rest. Uh Senator Hoschild uh who represents my district in St. Louis County sits on the tax committee, talked
about what this would mean for all northern Minnesota counties and put us in a position now where we we've been talking to both chairs in the House and barring anything unforeseen, we'll get a
hearing on this bill in the House. And those Senate files and House files are in your handout that I gave. and uh so that's puts us in a position where we can get in front of them and tell our story and uh see where that goes. You
guys know as well as anybody it's sort of a war of attrition sometime you got to wear them down and wear them down and in this when everybody's up for election in both the Senate and the House sometimes money can be a little difficult but we're not giving up on on
the money piece of it either. So that's uh going on for uh today. Uh we also on our last meeting uh a few weeks ago we had Aaron Vanderindy from the school trust land for DNR as as a guest speaker
for us uh on some things he's working on with school trust land which uh would hit home with with Belby County as we move forward with uh issues with school trust. And then uh we have we always
have in March our meeting will be in con in conjunction with the ledge conference uh topics to be determined as we get moving into the legislative session. And last year at at the AMC annual conference in December, uh we were
fortunate enough uh to have Commissioner Strawman and uh the assistant commissioner as well from the DNR in a Q&A for a good 45 minutes to an hour. So, we do have people that are willing
to talk to us and willing to engage in a conversation and that's why Neil and I are here today to engage in that conversation, extend that invitation uh for Belrammy County to come and take a look. >> Yeah. >> Uh and if you decide that's something
that fits what you're looking at, uh and then in 2027, uh the membership dues are $2,000 per pound. So, uh, that's basically all I have. Uh, there's some colorful charts in there
that we use to put together the, uh, hilt argument in 2023, but, uh, feel free to reach out to Neil or myself with any questions you may have moving forward. And uh if you'd
like to attend the uh meeting, I believe it's March 4th, 4th. >> March 4th at Manitis. Uh you're more than welcome to join us. Just let us know uh if you're going to uh plan on attending. >> And like and like Paul said, that's tentative right now. We're hopefully we
already have the room reserved. Um it's just a matter of whether or not depending on how things are going down in the cities. you know, they've already AMC's already cancelled thing for yesterday, tomorrow, and and Friday. So hopefully we'll have the
legislative conference. If not, if we do, we will definitely have all of the legislators from our area to represent all of our counties invited to those to that meeting. We'll put on a presentation either something to do with Shorland PILT or whatever else is we
feel the need of. But um we are we've been in existence since 1983 and you know you know we're all involved in AMC. You guys are in MRC with us but northern
counties we are a little different. The state of Minnesota not everything's the same. offographically the same forestry here that isn't in the southern part of the state. So we we do look at uh few more unique things. So with that
if you guys have any questions for us >> Mr. Carlson. >> Thank you Mr. Chair. Um was Bel I'm I'm fairly new to the board. Was Bel Tramy County at any time a part of the group? >> I do not believe so. I do not know. We have so
>> interesting. >> How often do you meet? >> We meet six times a year. Five to six times a year. Uh barring any emergency issues that come up. Uh they're usually held in Grand Rapids central location as we have everybody coming all the way
from northern Minnesota uh from the west and the east. So, uh, coming out besides the two meetings that are in conjunction with the AMC events, we have three or four that are held in Grand Rapids. >> Okay. Yeah, we usually do, like Paul said, we do the AMC annual conference.
We have usually that's where we get the DNR commissioners or or some commissioner to come and speak to us because they're there. And then we do the uh legislative conference. And we try to stay away from the policy committee because policy committee ones
because that's a little complicated to get a a spot. >> Thank you. >> Might have that's hopefully going to be in Biji this year. >> It's one of the rumors I'm hearing anyway. >> Supposed to be >> supposed to be. Unless unless you heard
anything different the last few days. Uh would you help us spread the word on fellow commissioners, other counties to come here for the >> We've been we've been telling everybody uh we should have 100% representation here so we can keep it in this in
northern Minnesota. >> That'd be awesome. >> We all travel. They can the rest of the world should learn all to travel also. >> And you said the first year is a basically a trial membership. No cost.
>> No cost. And we've had three counties do that. Uh Carlton, Ottertale, >> Cass, >> and Cass. >> And Pine just Pine joined, but I don't think they took the pre-ear. I think they just joined. >> They just joined. So, you know, we've
had a number of those people. Hubard has reached out to us. They're interested in Neil and I coming to their board meeting. >> Mr. Senator. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. Chair. So, a couple of my questions were were already asked. I was wondering about the the cost of
membership and how often you guys meet. Um, I remember a few years ago at the AMC conference and I I heard about a N club having a dinner with the legislators and I was thinking, oh, you know, that that's great, but I felt uh I
felt um not included because we weren't part of End Club. So, I I'm hoping that uh um you know, after today's presentation that we take a serious consideration and uh joining, you know, the the Northern Counties Coalition
um because it seems like an opport a a good opportunity. Um you know, if the first year is free, it sounds great. $2,000, excuse me. uh following years it seems like uh we're getting a really good deal
to uh sit at another table to you bring up uh topics of discussion and importance you know for our county. I mean, uh, if you look at the, uh, handout, uh, Bel Tramy County in this in this
handout has 719,840 acres and, uh, uh, so I mean, it just to me it makes sense, you know, to be part of to be part of uh of this great organization. >> Commissioner Summer, if you look at
Pennington County, you see next to nothing in Builtacres. So as as part of and northern counties our voice goes with it >> because they come back the whole group comes to something that we need in Pennington County whether it's wetlands
or something like that we work together as a group >> and there we have western counties that are working on drainage issues that we're helping them with etc. So, it it's a lot of natural resource-based education, a lot of natural
resource-based discussions, >> and uh you know, we're we're free. I know Jack Swanson from Roso County is always bringing up issues from their neck of the woods regarding land use. And uh that's why we were formed, basically land use issues.
>> Mr. Ser, did it ever come up in your prior years? You've been here longer than I have. >> I know a number of years ago. I can't remember how many years ago it was. Um the board at the time, you know, decided not to it, you know, chose not to. And I don't know if they were aware of or if
this has always been a a standing offer of the first year free or not. Uh but at that time, I don't think there was any uh uh appetite to to join, you know, uh end club. Um but I think as as time you know you progressed and and different
issues came up I think you know we uh have an opportunity again to to join. So one time that I know >> okay because you you're the only one that's been here longer than I have and I don't recall it ever coming up before. So >> so it probably have to been the first couple years of of my term. Yeah.
>> So yeah um you you mentioned it's a 14 member joint powers board. So how how does what's the if we do decide how do we do we does the whole board attend a meeting or or do we have send a a
representative a delegate? >> There's a representative and an alter >> and there's a joint powers agreement that if you decide to join we'll forward the joint powers agreement that the board chair and and others here would sign.
>> Well you know um you know Mr. chair. Uh I I think 15 is a lucky number. Um it was it was my it was my uh my my number, my jersey number in high school. So
So it it has a 15 has a huge significance uh to me. So I I I would uh be glad, you know, for the opportunity to be the 15th member. >> Good angle there, Commissioner. Mr. Carlson.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would recommend that if you Neil or Paul, if you guys could get us the joint powers agreement that we could get it in our board package for the next meeting. That way, we get a chance to all read that ahead of time and then put it on our agenda
for a vote because I agree with Commissioner Summer. I think that we should belong. Um, and I think it'd be a good idea. But I think it would probably be wise if we had a copy of the joint powers agreement that we could read through it first um and then take it up at uh the next board meeting.
>> Yeah, we can definitely send that out. And the other little tidbit, our executive secretary uh John Angaro was uh lobbyist for the Arrowhead Counties Association and St. Louis County for 30 plus years. So, uh,
very extensive resume when it comes to working at the capital, uh, and, uh, been very, very effective. So, and we have Paul. He's very expected. You notice we took the took the reigns here once I stumbled through it. So,
but yeah, we can definitely get that >> to you to you and uh, we'll get Barb Cowsky to send you to you. >> Okay, sounds good. So, we'll have that on the next agenda if it if you get it in time.
>> Mr. Chair, what I would suggest is um I will receive the information and send it out into an email for you all. Then you can peruse it at your leisure. I'll also pull up a question as to whether or not you want me to put it on the next board agenda or whenever that is. And as soon as I get enough three of you that say yes, we'll put it on the agenda if that sounds okay.
>> Perfect. Thank you. >> Thank you, gentlemen. Thank you for your time, Mr. Chair, commissioners. Thank you for coming over. All right. And wellness committee updates. >> Good afternoon, commissioners. Uh we will try and get you back on schedule.
The wellness committee is here to for a presentation. I'm Amy BS, your public health director and the treasurer for the wellness committee. >> I'm Mercy White. I am one of the program managers over in our social services division and I am the co-chair for our wellness committee.
>> Hi, I'm Lisa Leway. I'm the economic assistance program manager for our child support team and I am the co-chair of the wellness committee. Um yeah, so in February 2024, the Belrammy County Wellness for Life Committee submitted a charter to help provide formal structure and guidelines.
Uh with the board's approval of the charter, the committee has made improvements in the planning process, provided clearer communication, and increased employee engagement. And today, members of the committee's leadership team would like to provide the board with a review of the 2012 year, 2025 year, and share the 2026
wellness calendar. Right, Diane, if you could advance the next slide. Thank you. Um so, a couple of things about our committee. Um we do have the wellness center here. You guys have probably heard about that. Um but it's a unique opportunity that our staff have to access that fitness center. Um
it is not directly managed by the wellness committee. However, we've taken it on as part of wellness as it's really correlated. Um we do have one person who's in charge of managing that as well as Amy who manages the funds for that as well. So that is a part that we like to
just put out there that we offer to employees and we really encourage people to tour and participate and engage with that service. Um, the second thing that I just want to briefly mention is as Lacy said, we do have a charter for our committee and one of the roles is a program administrator. Um, we encourage
our frontline staff to take advantage of this opportunity. It's just an opportunity to get involved in leadership um, and to be a huge part of the wellness committee. We currently have an opening for that role. Um, so we just bring that up in the aspect of if there are department heads or anyone that has someone that is interested in
that role to let us know. Diane, next slide, please. So, I'll run through this really quickly. I won't go into detail, but if you guys have questions at the end, please feel free to ask them. Um, we do have our planning calendar here. This serves as a document that really helps guide our meetings and keeps us on
track. Um, but we do have different topics that we have identified for each month. We had an opportunity to meet with Tom um to get this calendar approved and we wanted to provide you guys with what our plan is for 2026. So, in January, we plan to focus on self-care month. We actually had a
speaker come in. I was aware that a couple commissioners attended that presentation. Um it was very well attended and it is actually posted on our internet for 30 days if you were unable to attend. Um in February we have the topic of community connection. In
March it'll be healthy aging and brain health. In April art health and preventative care in May safety month. So that's done in conjunction with our annual safety training that we do for our county staff. In June is our annual
wellness expo. This will be our third third year doing it. Um and so that's a really big event that we do put on. Um I will let you guys know of the date because it is set. It is going to be on the 25th of June from 11 to 2. So please come and stop by if you can. Um in July
we're going to be focusing on gratitude. In August focusing on moving your body and getting outside. In September it'll be nutritional awareness. in October, mental health awareness month. November will be financial planning and December
will be focused on improving resiliency. So again, I said I'm not going to go through each one of these, but one thing I do want to highlight is that out of the 12 months, 10 of them, we do have opportunities for staff to attend an in-person event to engage and really um learn how they can implement some of these different habits into their
everyday life. So, we're very excited to have more engagement opportunities this year. And then as Mercy mentioned on uh June 12th of this last year, we had our annual employee health and wellness expo. And so we just wanted to provide
you with some photographs to showcase uh what the wellness committee had put together and we utilized this room and also the outside uh grass area outside the building. So, uh, next slide. And then we just wanted to remind you when
you approved the charter in 2024, um, with that charter, we wanted to thank you for not only that approval, but that guidance, um, that has helped structure our our work group, um, much better and um, helped given us the guidelines in
order to make that calendar to keep us on task and be a pro more productive committee. when we don't have active um activities where there are things that people can actively participate in like going to learning sessions then um the
HR team creates an infographic for us and so we just have a sample of our February infographic from last month and so that goes out via um our email so our communications officer sends that out and so do you have any questions for the
three of Mr. Chair, >> Mr. Sun. >> So, at the beginning there there's a membership offered. You pay for membership >> for the gym? >> For the gym. Yeah. >> Yeah. So, that gym that's upstairs, there's like a membership fee and then
for so many times of attending the gym, then you get that money. >> So, how many how many uh gym memberships do you have? Um >> I'd have to ask Diane. She four 40 >> 40. Yep. >> Oh wow. >> Yeah, Diane helped us.
>> So 40 time 20 is >> if I can add there is a pretty decent budget with that and it it's because it goes back to that specific center, those specific people. So that's where it's a little bit different. the wellness committee, we have our own funds that goes to all county staff. And then with
the wellness center, so the fitness center, that one has to specifically go back to that location. Um, and it is $23, I think, and if you go 12 times, you get 20 bucks back. So, it really cost you $3 out of pocket. >> Wow. Well, that's pretty good. And and
has grown over the the years or >> you want to come up? She helps manage our our >> Well, I I seen a note there that said any questions asked Diane Mo. So, >> she loves being on the camera.
>> Just trying not to put her on the spot, but >> nothing here. That's from people. >> It's not the HVAC system. >> There's no wrestling match going on up there. Thank you. Yeah.
>> Thank you. >> Appreciate you. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. Okay. Uh personnel policy updates. Thank you, chair, members of the board. Um I do have for your consideration this
today uh some updates to the personnel policies. Um most of these updates are related to statutory changes or uh clarifications or opportunities where we can uh enhance or improve our
recruitment process. So uh starting with 4.2, we're looking at streamlining the process for filling vacant positions. Uh we're looking to uh reduce one of the steps in that process while still retaining the board's control and
management of total staffing and our consistency in reviewing each vacancy as it occurs to ensure that it is a budget budgeted position and that it still needs to be filled and in place within
the county. This would just improve our timeline and reduce our time to fill. Uh under 10.1.2, uh we're looking at uh developing a new recruitment tool. This recruitment tool would allow a department head to
negotiate a starting PTO balance uh with a candidate who has uh years of experience uh has uh time elsewhere where they may be looking at a loss in um a PTO that may result in them not
being interested in accepting that position. Uh it would require uh a review and approval process through the county administrator to ensure that um any offer is consistent with uh practice
and is valid in terms of reasonleness. Um that we're looking at what would be reasonable but not excessive. Um under 10.2 two, under the earn safe and sick time, uh there are provisions
in the statute that uh exempt certain employees who would be required or their job is foreseeably requiring them to respond to a public emergency or weather event. So, we just wanted to make sure that we clarified within the policy that
there are certain positions or there are certain events where staff may not be able to take ESST time because their presence is necessary for a response to an emergency or an emergency weather event. Uh under 12.15, we're looking to
incorporate language that brings us in compliance with the Minnesota paid leave law uh and defines how employees are able to use other paid time off to bring their total compensation during a qualifying leave to 100% of their usual
salary. Under 13.1, we'd be updating the flexible benefits plan to be consistent with action to sunset the provision that allows for flex dollars to be taken as additional income. So, this would be consistent with uh the actions that are
being negotiated with several of our bargaining groups. Under 21.2, two starting salary. Uh we want to bring that language in compliance with current practice as the um salary schedules were updated during
the classification compensation study. Uh the midpoint is now at approximately 16% uh above the minimum salary. So this would just create language in this personnel policy to reflect exactly what
we're doing in practice. So, you're still going to see any recommendation above step 4 coming to you for approval. Um, some information on 21.3 for promotions, transfers, demotions, etc. This would just be language to bring us
into compliance with Minnesota's pay history law where we're not able to look at an applicant or employees historical salaries and wages and use that to determine their new rate of pay. We need to look at their experience, their
qualifications, their certifications, those type of things in determining salary and within our pay plan. And finally, 37.3 under use of vehicles. There's just some clarity of language there to talk about take-home vehicles
and how that is operated and who manages and controls those decisions related to take-home vehicles and the potential taxability of that as a benefit. So, these are the recommendations that I'm bringing for you today, and I'll be happy to answer questions that you might
have. Mr. Sure. >> Thank you very much. Um, on that last one or second to last one, that's just uh new hires within the county not coming in
>> under the history pay history ban. It affect it affects new hires as well as current employees who may be transferring or promoting within the system. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Any other questions? >> Oh, thank you, Jordan.
>> Thank you. Okay, administrator's update. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a couple brief updates for you this afternoon. Uh we'll start with the jail project. Uh I think you're pretty well up to speed, but mostly for the community's benefit.
uh construction on the site remains active with about 70 workers daily. Uh so pretty uh pretty good participation with all of our contractors on site. It's a lot to manage. Um but essentially more concrete's been poured in the admin area of area C on the east end of the
building. There's only actually three areas uh internally left to pour on the inside of the building which is great. That's going to be the kitchen receiving and maintenance and then also security electronics area. Um, our iron workers are back at it again, installing the upper level walkway in area C and also
the stairway at the south end of the walkway. Um, they're going to be starting to on the framework in area E, area security, excuse me, area A east. And then, uh, the security came in on site uh, last Thursday, start to lay out uh, and shimact the installation in area
B in preparation for the sale cell delivery. You might recall that we installed uh maybe a little bit more than half of the pre-made detention cells. I rolled those in uh and then they took a pause. Now, this is the secondary installation of those cells.
Um we're planning we've we've videoed all of this, by the way, because it's pretty cool to see. Uh so, we'll be having a jail update for you here fairly soon, a video update of the tour of the inside and kind of what they've been doing on the exterior. and uh we'll be able to show you kind of how they're
putting those into place and what needs to be done in order to make that all happen and stuff like that. Um electrical connections are progressing and those cells that have already been done in area e uh a east and also plumbing connections to the existing cells that are already installed have also happened as well. Electrical work
undergrounding uh is progressing along the kitchen with inwall roughins for the plumbing uh and the booking and medical areas. So really the the whole thing is being touched in some way, shape or form at this point in time. And then masonry continues to work um on multiple areas. And then uh we did have a building
envelope inspection uh which is good. Uh we had positive results from that. We expect to get the formal um kind of inspection and paperwork from that here fairly soon. But uh but so far things have been continuing to go very well with the jail project still on schedule,
on budget. Um, it's really nice to be able to say that as consistently and as long as I have been because typically on a project like this, yeah, we should all knock on wood. It's uh it doesn't typically go this long without some kind of snafu of some kind. So, we're we're doing pretty good. Uh, next, I was going
to just let you know that uh the HR and the administration teams last week uh participated a little team building uh networking. Uh we participated in the um United Way backpack buddies program. you know, that happens almost monthly or so in our community. Uh that program, for
those who don't know, was developed to help ensure that children have access to nutritious, non-p perishable, and easy to prepare foods at times when other resources are not available, particularly like on weekends, holidays, school vacations, things like that. Um the administration uh portion of the
team uh just performed outstandingly. I mean, they just really did a great job. I was really proud of the effort and the work that they put into it. on the other. Yeah. >> Oh. Oh, was that me? That Oh, I didn't I didn't I didn't see that. Unfortunately though, the HR team did struggle and and
uh they they had quality problems. They had I mean, listen, I mean, they had excessive error in their bags. They had loose knots we had to send back through the line. They were really slow with their assembly speeds. I mean, it was it was it was a lot of lessons there for us uh from a leadership standpoint. So, um
but you know, we're glad we were able to do it together. It was a good team building event and together uh our team along with all the other teams that participated that day did put together almost 1,200 units uh in just a couple of hours. So that was really great. Uh all fun aside, uh well actually years of
service awards are fun too, right? But uh just wanted to let you let you know that on Tuesday, February 10th and Wednesday, February 11th, uh the years of service awards are going to be taking place. I did send out uh that revised schedule in your email. That's the current schedule. Uh hopefully uh you can make one or more of those work for
you. Um it's always great. I think the staff appreciate when when commissioners can make it, but I I do understand it's like midday. It's difficult to get to, but uh we want you to feel included. Uh was also going to update you that Biji Day at the capital uh has been tentatively scheduled by the Chamber of
Commerce right now for Thursday, March the 5th. Uh, I'll be participating in a planning meeting here coming up next week, uh, where we'll have more details and such. Uh, we're working with the chamber and others on the theme, uh, the messages, the logistics, all of that
sort of stuff. If you're interested, um, let me know and I'll make sure that we get you included. I have asked the chamber to just invite all of you and then you can kind of work directly with the chamber if it's something you're interested or can work into your schedule. Um, but in the interim, I'll
continue to brief you on kind of as we prepare for that particular activity. Uh, lastly, I'll just let you know that uh we are expecting all of our area legislators to join us at the next board meeting, so that' be February the 3rd, uh, to discuss our legislative platform and also share their thoughts and ideas
for the upcoming session. So, that will be uh next week or excuse me, next meeting. Uh, one last thing I'll just mention, I sent this out into an email as well. for those of you who are interested. Uh there was an invitation that went out to local area legislators to talk about our health and human services um technology challenges. So um
that will occur just in advance of that meeting as well. So that's all I have for you in the way of updates but I'll stand for any questions you might have. >> Any questions for administrator Barry? >> Mr. Chair, >> Mr. Ser.
>> So I was looking over the bills and I was seeing that uh we had a bill to Minnesota uh League of Cities, I believe. >> Just uh just wanted to put that on your radar. Okay. >> Because I know you always uh give us an update, you know, about the bills that
we have questions about, but >> Yes. And so is that on your current like the one that circulated today and we'll Okay, perfect. I'll look at that and then we'll get something back to you on that. >> Thank you. >> You bet. and ask for an award or something. >> Oh, is there an award? Yeah, we'll
>> sure. We'll take an award. >> All right. Anything else for administrator Barry? >> No, sir. >> Okay. Thank you, Tom. >> Uh, other business items. We have anything else? >> Okay.
No, >> no changes. All right. Review agenda. You have any changes? >> You're good. Okay. All right. With that we will adjourn. Part: 2
All right. Call this meeting of the county court to order. We rise for the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nationy
and all. General comments. I have none. Just keep this rolling. >> Better turn that one on. There we go. >> You didn't make the shortest, so there's no worry. >> Yeah.
>> Sorry, Tim. Uh, anyone interested or anyone wishing to address the county board on an item not on the agenda may to 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. And
Diane, do we have anybody online? Nothing. Anybody else wishing to address the board? >> No. Cool. We'll keep moving. >> Mr. Chair, I'll make a motion to approve the agenda as presented.
>> Okay. Second. >> All right. Any discussion? No. All those in favor? >> Opposed? Unanimous. We keep moving. Uh, approval of the consent agenda. I'll make a motion we approve the
consent agenda as presented. Mr. Chair, do we have a second? >> I'll second that. >> Okay. Second by Commissioner Carlson. Any discussion? All those in favor? I >> I >> opposed.
Okay. Unanimous. Okay. Down to regular agenda. Where did I go? Right here. Uh jail bond issue.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh, I'll start us off here. We have Bruce Kimmel from Ellers on the, uh, video uh, Zoom link here. But, uh, just kick us off just really quickly. Um, before you tonight, we're talking about the issuance of our second bond to finish out the jail
project, uh, the new construction of the of the new jail. And, uh, wanted to just talk about a couple quick things here, and then we'll go into some pretty specific detail a little bit later here with Bruce. But um as you know, we originally contemplated going into debt uh all at once, right? With an $80
million bond. We we we thought that we could save money by breaking that bond issuance up into two separate issuances. And uh we've proven that by doing that, we'll save uh considerably on the second bond uh in relation to uh term.
Remember, we're shortening the term from 25 years to 20 years. And then also in principal or debt issuance from 40 million, what we contemplated needing in the second issuance to uh 36 million. And that together is going to save about $12 million or so over the life of the
bonds, which is great news. Um, but there's also a secondary benefit uh that we were anticipating but really not quite sure how to quantify and that is we were hoping uh sort of anticipating
we could get a a lower interest rate off the second issuance and that appears to have happened with today's sale. Uh so I won't let all the cats out of the bag for Bruce. He's got to have some good news for everybody here. Um, I will just with that turn it over to Bruce Kimmel
from Ellers. Uh, he and his team have been instrumental in helping us to, uh, get through this process. Uh, and he's got a lot to share with you. Uh, as he tees up for this, I just want to let you know I'm going to pass out right now the revised resolution uh, for the board uh,
approving for the issuance of and sale and delivery of the general obligation bonds. Uh, I put this in your packet, but some areas were not filled out because of course the sale occurred this morning, so we weren't able to put those details in. This is the completed
document that we'll be asking for your uh, favorable consideration of uh, and that you can also refer to today as uh, Mr. Kimmel goes through his presentation. So, with that, I'll turn it over with your permission to Mr. Kimmel.
>> Thank you, Mr. Barry and uh, commissioners. Bruce Kimmel with Ellers and I'm really happy to be with you this evening to share more good news regarding today's bond sale. Um I am just going to be sharing a few items from the sale day report that I've pulled up onto the screen. The first
thing I'll note is that the final bond amount is $33 million. Uh $33,715,000. And yes, that is enough to fund a $36 million deposit to the project construction fund, which we all discussed uh a month or two ago. I'll
discuss more about how that happens or or why that is the case as we go. But um that is the final amount that is also in the resolution uh that Tom is passing out for your consideration after this presentation.
As you know, uh, these bonds will be repaid with local option sales tax revenues. Um, you are using some of that money already to pay debt service on the 2024 bonds. You'll use more of that um to help pay for the second phase or the
final cost of the jail project as we discussed as well. And then the remainder um of the local option sales taxes will be used to pay the debt service on these bonds. You may recall that as part of this process, we did
obtain the state's credit enhancement rating of AAA from S&P and your own rating of double A stable was affirmed with flying colors as part of this process and I'll hit a few high points of that at the end of my presentation.
One thing that we were really excited about is we received eight bids on the county's behalf this morning at 10:30 and all of the bids were pretty aggressive um with the winning bid coming from Raymond James from their Florida desk with a true interest cost
of six of excuse me 3.68%. That's roughly excuse me 60 basis points better than what we had estimated in our pre-sale report. And while we did include some cushion in those pre-sale numbers to try to be conservative, uh
you outperformed that, even the cushion amount and had a really fantastic result. And even the last place bid uh in eighth place was 3.83% and that also was still quite a bit better of course than our pre-sale estimate. So the final
numbers that you'll see here for this bond issue are uh considerably lower both paramount and total debt service than what we had originally projected. Um and that's the way we like it, right? We like to be conservative and and stress test things and then have the
results come in better than expected. So there's just a few statistics here. I won't go through all this in detail. Um, I would note that the yields on the bonds range from 2.26% up to 4.3%.
And again, that par amount was reduced from 35,730 to 33,715. Few attachments. Um, this next page is the bid tabulation showing all eight proposals that we received on the county's behalf. You can see this
winning bid from Raymond James in their syndicate. A number of underwriting firms that you've probably heard of before. And this uh these two columns here really illustrate how and why you received so much premium on this bond
issue that allowed us to reduce the par amount down to $33.7 million. So you'll see the coupons on the bonds are at 5% and then down to four and then four and an eighth and four and a quarter, but the actual yields on the bonds really
the true borrowing costs for the county range from 2.26% up to 4.3% as I noted uh just a minute ago. And so what's going on is that Raymond James and their partners want to be able to sell these bonds with these
higher coupons to their investors. Investors in this market want those higher coupons or face interest rates, but the market itself only supports yields along the lines of, you know, 2 and a/4 to 4.3. And so they have to pay
you more money for those higher coupons. And so that's how we calculated and they calculated, you know, over $2 million of premium again that we were able to use to reduce the bond amount. So you can see the other proposals. I
won't go through them unless you have questions. But then the final sources and uses on the bond issue are on this next page. You can see the deposit of $36 million to the project fund for the jail. We have cost of issuance. the underwriters
discount. That's like part of their commission for selling the bonds to their investors. And then you can see the final par amount and the premium of $2.7 million. Both sources and uses of course balance
to the penny. And then next we have the final debt service schedules. This is what you'll be paying on these bonds at least until the call date. The call date is eight years from now. And then of course you'll have the option to either refinance or to prepay bonds starting at
that point. That's uh the same call feature and 8-year call feature that we had on the 2024 bonds as well. Now here you'll see debt service after this first interestonly payment this year. You see debt service averaging right around
$2,575,000 per year. We were estimating uh earlier about 2 million I think it was 635 and so this is about $60,000 less per year over the 20 years than
what we had projected. So well over a million dollar less in debt service than what we had projected. And again these are scheduled payments. Those interest rates can never increase on you. Um, and you have sole discretion
as to whether and when to refinance or to pay off bonds early uh after that 8-year mark. Here also is just more math because I know you guys love this math as much as I do. But this is the calculation of
that premium, that $2.7 million of premium that um we were able to do to verify Raymond James' bid to the county to buy these bonds. And then finally, um this is a little
spreadsheet that spreadsheet that I put together this afternoon showing um the projected loss collections, your actual debt service now that we have it on the 2024 bonds going forward, as well as the new 2026 bonds. You'll recall that
you'll be using uh some of your accumulated loss surplus or loss balance for some of the project funds or project construction costs as well. Uh Tom uh walked you through that uh last month, I believe it was, or maybe it was late
November. But regardless, this $1.2 million, you actually have much more than that in your account right now. This is really just after you assume you use about three million of that for project costs. But you can see that even with 0%
inflation, even if you only collect $5.4 4 million per year, you know, for the next 20 years. What this is telling us is that you would have enough of a surplus built up by 2046, which is the
last payment on these bonds, to then pay off the remaining principal. You can't see the principal here, but I did the calculations off to the side. It's about, I think, about seven and a half or eight million of principal remaining. So by the end of 46, you would have
enough in your account built up to pay those off. And of course, you could do it sooner, assuming you get better than 0% inflation. And then just another conservative look at it. Of course, we would hope that your lost revenues would inflate by more than 1% on average. But
if you do have a 1% average growth rate, again, a similar calculation, but this tells us that you would be able to pay off not only the remainder of the 24 bonds, but actually a couple years of the 26 bonds early in 2024
because the principal balance as of December of 2044 would be somewhere around I think it was $16 million, maybe 16.5. So, this is really good news. It doesn't account for any in uh interest earnings that you'll earn either on the lost
collections or on the bond proceeds going forward. This is just a super conservative look at your future projections and you know barring some major economic catastrophe. I feel really good about your ability to not
only afford this debt service but also pay it off. you know, likely at least three if not five or more years early earlier than projected. Does anyone have any questions about this uh projection or the bond sale
results or the or the resulting debt service? >> Hear none. >> Okay, then Mr. Mr. Chair and Commissioners, the last thing I would just add um is again uh your team, Tom
and Jody, did an awesome job of representing the county and your financial status and other things going on uh in the county in terms of development and so on with Moody's uh back on uh January 7th or not Moody's
S&P, excuse me, on January 7th. And again, as I noted, they really had no concerns about uh affirming your double A rating with a stable outlook and then of course uh putting the state's AAA on
top of that. Um and that's what these bonds were were were priced off of. So bond investors definitely wanted to see that you're in good shape, which S&P uh affirmed. But then, you know, it's it was a nice uh perk to have the AAA
rating on top of that. And so, all of that was pretty straightforward. You're really doing practically everything you can be at the county level in terms of budgeting, financial management, maintaining fund balances, etc. to um
keep that rating strong. you know, S&P does know that you have some financial challenges with human services and other aspects of the county budget. All counties have those issues coming up. Um, but really great job uh to your team
and that all went very very well. So, I would be happy to answer any other questions anyone might have. Otherwise, I would ask you to take up the resolution awarding the bonds in that revised bond amount to Raymond James.
Mr. Carlson. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I would make the motion that we approve of the resolution to provide for the issuance, sale, and delivery of 33,715,000 general obligation jail bond Siri 20268.
>> I'll second that. >> Okay. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor? I >> I >> opposed. >> I Okay, 41. >> Okay. Approved. Next. >> Thanks, Bruce.
>> Yep. Thanks. >> Thank you. Have a good evening and thank you for the opportunity to work with you all. Appreciate it. >> Hey, where we at? >> Anybody still going to be around in 2046? >> You will. You ain't going nowhere. How
much do we pay these off? >> Yeah. >> Any additional items? >> We got the legislative lobby and commissioner reports. >> Yep. >> I'm just going down. >> Oh, I see. >> Okay. Legislative lobby and commissioner
reports. >> You want to go? >> Sure. Um, we continue with union negotiations. have those set up for three of the bargaining units for the next three days in a row here. Um, and we've got uh had a few of us went to the daycare
providers um the meeting at the Northwest Tech here just a few days ago and that was a very good meeting. um local legislators, Representative Bederan was there as well as Senator Steve Green um heard from providers and
our counties county staff was uh were there good information mostly um reiterating the need for the ideally the legislature to um at least add one more two-year or under um to all the
different licenses that we have available. That would that would help. It wouldn't solve the problem, but it would significantly help the the child care situation. Um, had a fair board meeting last night. We're looking at a new ticketing system that would incorporate bring everything
together, paper tickets, uh, being able to purchase online electronically, uh, be able to take credit cards at the gate, be able to print, um, wristbands and everything. So, um, not sure if we'll be able to get that implemented this year, but we're looking at, uh, at
investigating that further. um had a salt waste committee meeting this morning and we're looking at implementing thermal cameras to monitor for hotspots. Other counties have had a lot of issues with fires from lithium batteries getting driven over and starting fires and um think it'd be a
smart proactive move for us to to have at least a few thermal cameras looking at the the tipping floor so that uh can actually detect ahead of time hotspots that are starting potentially. and um send messages out immediately, have it
tied into our our um um fire alarm system there and so on. So, more to come on that. We're looking at uh instructed them to to look at if there are any grants available or anything like that that we could use to help pay for it and also um uh there was something else
>> savings and interest insurance. >> Uh yeah, to see also what what kind of a discount we'd get on our insurance by implementing something like that. So, um, more to come on that, but that's, uh, that's all I have for you, Mr. Chair. Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you, Commissioner Sar.
>> Well, Mr. Chair, uh, I did chat about on the 7th uh, through the phone. Um, thought it was a good segment. Again, I don't listen to chat about after I do the recording. So, hopefully it went
good. On the 12th, I had the opioid steering committee meeting. uh the the county group. I believe we had three new members uh join the committee. Um look forward to to their involvement and participation.
Uh the 15th I was supposed to have the Black Duck Ambulance um committee meeting but uh some family situation came up so I wasn't able to do that. Uh later on that afternoon, I had
a a call with the Niko Indian Affairs um uh person to start planning for our conference, our Niko conference uh in February, our legislative conference. Uh again today I had a
uh meeting with uh Niko in planning uh the Native and Alaskan Natives alliance um meeting that's taking place next month at at the Nickel Legislative Conference. Uh this
evening I was actually supposed to be leaving to the nuts bolts in boardroom training put on by uh uh AMC the association of Minnesota's counties but uh that was uh postponed till a future date uh with the the situation that was
going that is going on in the in the Twin Cities area. Um actually I was um I was going back and forth last week on whether I should attend this or not um
because of what is going on in in in the area down there and and you know the possibility of you know getting detained uh you know worried me. you know, you you wouldn't think that, you know, a a tribal member or a person of color, you
know, wouldn't have to worry about, you know, getting detained or having to walk around with your tribal ID showing and, you know, and so and staying in in the same hotel as, you know, the the ICE
agents, you know, and having to worry about, well, can I go to dinner or not or or can I go to this training without having to to look and watch behind my back, you know, and and in fear, you know. I I I try not to to live in fear,
you know, because I it's it doesn't do you do you well, you know, with your mental health or or anything like that, but it's just something that I wasn't really willing to to risk uh with the with the uncertainty of how things are
going and and uh so I decided not to to attend that. Um but again, you know, that that got cancelled for a future time. Um and next Monday I have a NICO finance
pension intergovernmental uh committee uh meeting and then on the 26th I have the Northwest Juvenile Center or no the 29th I have the Northwest Juvenile Center um meeting. So that will be my
meetings for the remainder of the month. Thank you, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you, Commissioner Senator. Commissioner G. >> Yeah. So, uh uh Ann and I had BCAP last last week or
um the week before. We're both board members uh on BCAP and uh pretty pretty standard regular meeting there. Um, I have AMC uh an AMC uh committee meeting coming up. Um, SHAK and uh Northwest Juvenile
Center uh meeting next week uh that's coming up. So, um other than that, uh I I also want to uh echo concerns about ICE activity down in the cities. Uh they they've been uh reported in other parts
of the state as well. um hasn't been 100% confirmed that they've been in uh Baiji or Bel Tramy County uh um lately with this operation metro surge, but um we do know uh Border Patrol operates here and and it's been uh um basically
joint efforts uh with uh Border Patrol and and ICE agents. So, um, yeah, I just, uh, continue to believe that, you know, we're all an oppressed people now, uh, living under this, uh, Trump regime. And, uh, many, many attorneys across the
state and country, uh, and I agree, I believe what they're doing is, uh, illegal and trampling on people's civil rights. So, um you know, hopefully it's it's coming to an end because how many more uh um innocent US citizens have to
be killed um just for uh um some political rep uh retribution that Trump's trying to do uh with certain states around the country. And um it's no secret he's been no fan of Tim Walls and and so um hopefully they're they're
out of here soon because um that's that's definitely the thoughts and feelings uh that uh I've been receiving from many constituents. So I just wanted to put it out there that um I hear my constituents loud and clear that um the concerns for ICE and and how they need
to be out. Um, so thank you, Commissioner Sumar, for um sharing your words because uh um I know they are targeting Native Americans. Uh um there there's still three unaccounted for from the uh Ogalala tribe in South Dakota
that um uh they still don't know where three of them are. Um so if anyone has any uh concerns on that front uh definitely share that with your um state and um US representatives and
uh uh I'm I'm happy to be uh helpful in those efforts as well too. So u I'll leave it at that for my legislative and uh committee reports update. Mr. Chair, >> thank you. Commissioner Carlson. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. um had our monthly
Prime West meeting um and I was nominated to be secretary this year. Don't know why, but I didn't turn it down. So, I did get elected secretary of our joint powers board um for this upcoming year for
Prime West. Um, at our jail and design and operations committee meeting, we're probably going to do a committee walk through in another month. They should have all the floors poured by then. So, we'll we'll Tom and I and the rest of the committee will get a chance to do a
quick walk through. Um, I think uh hopefully you enjoyed the video that uh they put together last time instead of having to physically go out there. I think it was actually we kind of wanted to get your opinion. Did you like that enough instead of
having to go out there and do a public meeting and all that? Um, and so I think that's what we're we're hoping to that you like that and and Steve from uh Carl Sanderson will is kind of been working on as they're putting in jail cells and pouring floors and doing that to give us
another presentation. I think in another maybe not next meeting but meeting after at least the one of the meetings in February. I think we're going to do that little video of the I think we're trying to do is wait for this installation the second set of spells to get that video
and put it all together. >> Yeah. So, that's been going well. Uh, and again, like Tom said, knock on wood, you know, it's things are just really humming out there. I went out there. I was in the area and I went out to see how it was going and I went into the job
trailer, Krauss Anderson. Nobody there. They were all the building working. So, it was so I just left. But at some point I want to get back out there. Um, we had uh the wellness uh finding your beat with the the uh chief of police, former
chief of police uh from Detroit Lakes and he was really good. I just want to thank the wellness committee for putting that on. It was it was well worth my time going. I know it was it was really fun and and he did a great job. Uh again, like uh Commissioner Gazik said,
we attended the child forum. I really want to thank Ann Lindsef and Michelle Vorhees. A little shout out for those two for attending. That's kind of over and above and beyond the scope of their duties to have to do that. But um we constantly hear from daycare providers
how much they appreciate Michelle and what a great job she does. Very professional. she does her job, but at the same time, she understands um that, you know, if a paper clip isn't exactly in the right spot, that doesn't mean that you should get it right up. Uh
she does a great job of making sure that kids are always safe and and she just does a great job. So, a shout out to Michelle for that. Um appreciate her doing all that. Uh and with that, Mr. Chair, that's it. >> Thank you, Commissioner Carlson.
Okay, I went to the management team meeting. uh 14th uh attended the uh finding your beat with Tim Edgar Bratton who been a friend of mine for a long time. He's a great entertainer and he did an outstanding
job there once again. So yes, the wellness team did do a good job. Hopefully a lot more people got to attend in the afternoon. Uh went to the child care forum. Learned a lot. Uh, I didn't realize there were
quite a few spots open at the older ages, but the younger ones are really where the big issue is. And hopefully uh they can press through some legislative changes and get things on track so we can get more more people
being able to take care of those infants and toddlers. That's that's a big sticking point for a lot of families. I attended the for uh Commissioner Carlson who was going for uh
Commissioner Gaz. Uh so I did attend the Black Duck ambulance and also the EMS joint powers up there. Uh really enjoyed it. Uh got to learn something. I didn't realize that Greg was the chair of the EMS board, so I got to run that meeting.
But it was but but it was a it was a really good time and really nice to get up there and and see what happens and meet those folks and um >> yeah, I enjoyed that. Uh had a solid waste meeting today. Um
I don't know if you talked about the slab issue up north that >> uh there's a issue with the slab up at Blackduck at the transfer station not running off the way it should. Uh, so it's pooling water and turning it into kind of a slippery spot when the purpose
of all of it was to eliminate that. So they got to figure out exactly what they're going to do. The person that put it in didn't quite slant it the way they wanted to um or the way that maybe it should have been. So we'll see what happens with all that. Uh
now tomorrow I'm uh doing chat about >> for me >> for him who was doing it for him. Uh so u so yeah I'll be doing that. That should be good. Our next meeting is
February 3rd. Anything else that anybody has? >> Mr. Sure. So, in preparation for our meeting in in February 3rd, I know that uh I believe Ann and Tom might have sent out uh something with the >> with the presentation. Did we get um did
we confirm who was going to be attending? >> I believe that most of the legislators are attending and then just the two of you that said that you were interested as well. >> Which two are those? >> I believe that was yourself and Mr. Gosfig. >> Oh, okay. Yeah, that's true.
>> I I was just uh inquiring um because I know that I mentioned that I seen it already >> at the fall policy and and I just want to you know if somebody else wanted to I think it would be a >> I'm good. >> Okay. Well, I think uh Commissioner
Winger would really enjoy it as well. So, >> why not? >> No, I'm good. Really? I'll be there. >> Okay. All right. Motion to adjurnn.
>> Okay. Second. Second. >> All right. All in favor? I I >> We're done. Thank you. Have a good night.