meetings. So, please obtain the board's chair's consent before addressing the county board. Public comments are generally reserved for the open forum segment or public hearings. However, public comment on other agenda items may be allowed at the discretion of the
board chair. As we begin today, please turn off the cell phones or please turn them on vibrate. Thank you. Open forum. Uh, okay. So, I believe we've got Matt, you're with R. Uh, you're with Northland. Okay.
No, we'll have you. You're on the agenda next. And then Cody, same thing. Uh, Rosalie, go ahead. >> Hello. My name is Rosalie Makio. I live
at 150 Cottage Grove in Bley. Um, I am I don't know what my title is, but I'm either president or chairman of the um uh library board under the city council in Foley. >> Okay.
>> We um understand that you're reconsidering or at least considering first of all a budget change. I guess that's already been done. and re uh leaving the Great River Library System.
And I would I have been on the board for quite a while and I visit the library at least weekly, sometimes daily. We are undergoing um an hours cut due to your
budget change. And um I want to tell you that I am not in favor of that. I think that um libraries are particularly important in small towns. I have been a great
beneficiary of libraries all my life from when I started as a little girl in Foley when we had to go up to the Legion Hall and sit next to the bar to read our books. And also when it was part of the fire department and there were two rooms
and the librarian wouldn't allow me to go to into the adult section to read books and I was short and I had read every damn book in the children's section. My mother had to go and tell them that I was older than I looked and I could go
in the adult section. She wasn't worried about me. I'm sure there was no bad reading in the Foley library. But I think that in a small town, there isn't much by way of education
unless you attend the school. The senior citizens, the preschool children, the homeschoolers, the nursing home residents, we are all rely we all rely on the library for our educational needs, also
social needs. The Foley Library has I can't I'm still learning how many things that they have available through the Great River Branch. So I don't know what you're reconsidering, but what you have now is invaluable.
We have a book club for senior citizens. We have authors come to speak. We have one of the most active children's reading programs in the whole Great River Branch. We have kits for um the
director of social services at the nursing home for Alzheimer's patients. Um and you if we suggest it, they find a way to get it for us. It's just it's something that's working in this town.
Now, I know that um Scott is the person that represents Foley. There are also a lot of residents near St. Cloud and they go to the St. Cloud system. If you leave the system,
they're going to become moochers of the Great River Branch Library because there's no other library there. If you want to build another library over there, that's not going to be cheaper than what you've got now.
So, I don't I I think the people who don't represent Foley should consider those people. They're going to lose something. >> So, Rosalie, we're actually going to have this on the agenda. Our next agenda meeting, March 17th, is it? We're going
to actually have this on the agenda. >> Okay. For conversation, >> okay? Well, I want you to start thinking about it because when you come here, you should come with information. And those of you who don't represent Foley, you should have some information for the people that you do represent
because those people are dependent on the Great River Branch for their library. And if they all of a sudden are cut from services or more limited in services because they don't belong to Great River, I don't know what you got
planned for them. And I think that um I I speak to Scott. I think we've got something great here that's working very well. The people that don't represent the east side of Benton County, you've got to
think about those people. They're going to lose something if they don't have a library. >> Mr. Chair, if I could and board, please correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think there's been any discussion, Rosie, of actually leaving the Great River Regional Library System. It's a just right now thinks you have
>> Well, >> I get my information from a couple of their director was here a few weeks ago at a meeting and I don't know that she was ever told that we were considering leaving the system so I don't know where she's getting that information. >> Uh to my knowledge it's been >> I didn't get it from her. >> Okay. It's been a talk about reduction
in hours. You're correct about that. But there's been >> we're already experiencing the reduction in hours. Our very loyal staff is getting substantial pay cuts. >> Sure. I just wanted to clarify that to my knowledge there's been no discussion of leaving the Great River Library system.
>> Yep. Well, the hours cut is going to hurt people. There's people who come every day. >> You know, we we're going to have this on the agenda of our next meeting. Okay. So, let's just go ahead and have this show up. >> Well, I would like you to do some research both in Foley and outside of
Foley and you're starting a war here instead of a negotiation. And I think it's time >> that that's enough said. Okay. That's enough said. I'm sorry. That's very defensive. >> Okay. We did not start a war.
>> Commissioner Gapinsky, >> Mr. Chair, you know, in Okay. In in in the days of budget cuts. >> Uhhuh. >> And a rising increase every year for the for the Great River System. >> Mhm. >> There's got to be some people that say,
"Hold back the horses a little bit. We got to figure out things." They've got a very substantial uh we'll call it their savings plan, their reserves. >> Mhm. Um and and you you alluded to the the St. Cloud Library, right? >> Yeah.
>> And and how we're sold on this is Benton County helps pay for the St. Cloud Library, right? Yes. >> So why aren't those hours that are being cut for Benton County going against St. Cloud Library, too? >> Yeah. >> It's only being affected here, but they say 3/4 of our people go to the St.
Cloud Library. >> Yeah. >> Well, I'm not here to defend Great River. I think I see your point. >> Okay. Let's announce this thing to the board. >> Rosalie, >> we will discuss this at our next board meeting and we have plenty of
information and don't tell us we don't. We do. >> Okay. >> Well, I I I'm just telling you that there are people that are going to be hurt all around. Yep. >> And I I don't think that Great River is completely fair here either. I do think
they have a reserve. I I'm not on either side of this. Yep. I just think you need to negotiate rather than >> Thank you. Thank you for your comments. I appreciate it. >> Mr. Chair, I'd like to make one comment. >> Go ahead, Commissioner. >> And I can tell you where that I I attended the last library meeting.
Unfortunately, I was unable to speak at the library because for some reason their actual meeting that they normally have was listed as a special meeting. So, they didn't allow anybody to get up and speak. But I can tell you where the
the issue came from as far as trying to get out of the Great River Library system. Um, our our representative for Benton County is the one that brought that up at the meeting. >> Well, >> he's the one who said that, not that
we're not that we're thinking about it, but if we did, >> so I'm I'm telling you that's where the speculation from that come. For the record, who is that >> on this board? >> Just for the record, I want to make sure that wasn't me. >> No, it was Mr. Pop sits on that.
>> Commissioner Pop sits on that library board. >> Yes. >> Okay. Thank you for that comment. Okay. Consent agenda items 1 through five. What would you like to do with that? >> Move approval. >> I'll second. >> Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion on those? If not, I'll call a
question. All in favor say I. I. >> I. Oppose. Motion carries. Thank you. Next uh update Northland Reliability Project. >> Matt and Cody. >> Thank you. >> Thank you.
>> Thank you. Thank you. Oh, here. got an extra. Oh, okay. Got it. There's two. Thank you. >> All right. Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Uh we appreciate you allowing us to come and speak with you today and provide an update on the Northland Reliability
Project. Uh my name is Matt Hagglin. I work with Great River Energy. I'm supervising manager of the land rights department there. With me today is Cody Dirks. He is our project manager for the land rights acquisition for the project and our main point of contact out there
with uh with the land owners and and other jurisdictions. The last time we were here it was May of 2025 I believe it was and uh we provided an update. We hadn't quite started construction and a lot's happened since we were here last. So
um let's see here. Work that. There we go. So, the the Northland Reliability Project, if you recall, um 180 mile transmission line project that begins down in Becker, works its way north to Grand Rapids or just east of Grand
Rapids. Um we have divided that project up into three phases of construction. So, I'm going to talk about that today a little bit and just let you know where we're at. Uh since I was here last, uh we have started construction down in Sherburn County in our first phase of
construction. And we've got two lines that are that are that exist today that are being rebuilt in in that area. And it's actually just it comes right up into the southern part of Benton County. Uh so we have we have begun uh working
and and uh constructing in in Sherburn County and and uh actually just just came into Benton County as well. Uh so the the construction for phase one is going to last 2025 to 2027 about 3 years. two two to three years um just
depending on how things go. And uh and then we we're going to be going into phase two. And I'll talk I'll talk a little bit more about phase two today since it impacts more of Benton County uh as far as that that phase of construction. So that phase two is is a is a
uh goes from our Benton County substation on the north side of the you know where the Territory Golf Club is up to Brainard or just east of Brainard in Riverton. So the Cayuna series compensation station is uh is a new uh substation that we're building up there
and that's where where this will will terminate in this phase. Um our our construction will will begin uh here this year and uh we'll will go through 2028 um in that phase and then phase three
goes north up to Grand Rapids from there. Um, okay. Let's see here. All right. So, for phase two of construction, our activities for 2026, um, right now we're we're actually
getting we're finalizing or not finalizing, uh, design, but we're getting to like a 60% design, which why that's meaningful for us is it is that that phase of design really kicks off a few things. Um, so we we really, you know, as far as our real estate, you
know, and and and land acquisition that's underway at this point. I'll get into that in a moment as far as that status, but uh it it it kind of kicks up the the uh easement acquisition process as well with that 60% design plus a lot
of the permitting that we're doing. So the you know the difference between a 60% design and a final design is really a lot of of the real detail work that goes into the transmission line. The alignment and the right of way and our impacts
really are are here with that 60%. Um so that so that'll start to kick off a lot of activities uh including the real estate and the permitting but also the pre-construction. So, what you're going to see out here um beginning in in
probably early summer is a lot of pre-construction activities where we'll be out um staking the rightway, staking structure locations, um doing surveys. We've we've had soil borings going on uh actually for for the
past year and uh that's actually complete I believe. Is that right, Katie? Yeah. Um, and then of course construction activities will begin. That's where we'll be matting the right of way. We'll be getting temporary approaches in place. We'll be delivering
material to to yards and and getting things out to the right of way to to prepare um for construction activities. Okay. So, getting into the to the real estate process. Um we've actually so we've been
talking with land owners for quite some time. Um and right now we're kind of at that option for easement phase. So this is kind of a a pre-esign um getting out there and and doing a kind of an incentive to to talk with
land owners about doing an option for easement. Hey, here's this project. Here's what we're we're doing. We don't have final design quite yet, but we wanted to talk with people about that. So that was actually a pretty successful program. 85% of the people within Benton
County did participate in that option for easement program. What that leaves is the is the other 15% and and that's that's where the 60% design milestone for us comes in because then we'll start to get easement exhibits created which
builds up our easement documents and that's where the easement acquisition comes in. And a lot of people are looking for that. they want to know. I want to know exactly where it's at and I want it defined. So that's uh so we're getting to that point and then of course there's just other negotiations going on
as well. Um yeah, so that's kind of where we're at in the easement acquisition process. It's been pretty good for for this for this region. Uh one of the things to to highlight is just kind of what land owners can
expect. I mean, construction is is definitely messy and it's uh impactful and you know, we just got a lot going on in that time. So, we can expect a lot of noise and dust. Um, and a lot of equipment, trucks hauling, uh, material
in, equipment in, matting. Um, so there's going to be a lot of a lot of more traffic going on. We are generally working between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Uh, some of the things you might notice with that, I mean, we
really we really try to to to hold to these hours. Sometimes we surpass those hours. And an example of of that or why that might happen is if they're pouring a foundation, uh, if they've got to finish that pour,
they're going to continue to work until it's done. and that that's happened a few times there. There's just things that kind of pop up sometimes when that's happening that that they need to to spend a bit more time on. Um, but we really try to mitigate that as much as we can. Um, but just just to give you an
example of of some of the things that we might find or see when when we exceed those hours. Um, there's going to be a lot of construction staking. We stake everything and there's going to be stakes everywhere. Um, as we as we move
along, there's there's clearing activities that will also begin. So, as we stake the rightaway extents, uh, we are going to come through with clearing crews and and remove all the vegetation within that 150 ft easement
that we that we have. Uh, we will develop a mat road within the right of way to move our equipment, work pads around the structure locations. um so that we can fit quite a bit of equipment
around it uh to prepare for that. Uh there may be as we're using county roads, township roads, there may be lane closures and things like that, we will be we will have flaggers out there and signs to alert the public of that.
>> Uh excuse me, Matt, will you be letting us know ahead of time when you're going to do road closures or anything? >> Absolutely. There's there's definitely a permitting I think permitting process to to go through and and coordination efforts. So, >> Okay. Thank you. >> Absolutely.
>> Okay. Our again communications are coming through our website. Uh we've got a lot of updates on there. We've got a lot of information housed on there. There's an interactive map on there. uh that is is a good place
to see any, you know, progress with the with the project. If you're looking for just general information, there's a lot of information there. Uh our land agents are out and talking with with folks. We send out, you know, periodic
communications to that are relevant to our activities. Um, there's also just general project updates that go out and newsletters and that happens every once in a while. We try not to plug up too many mailboxes with too much stuff, but
uh, but we like to keep people informed. Um, but I would I would recommend uh putting into if if if there's any interested parties email address into the uh website, we'll get you all the things that we push out. Um, so I would
recommend doing that. And please, um, myself and Cody are here to to help. If if ever there's a question, if if there's a a constituent that has any questions or or concerns, please reach out to either Cody or
myself and and we're here to to help them out. Uh, so with that, I will just see Cody, is there anything that >> Yeah. Um along with a phase two advancing in design um I've started uh going to all the the townships um from
basically Pent County substation north just giving them project updates kind of a high level schedule what to expect um we'll start looking at uh road road use agreements utility crossings um just a lot of the administrative side and just meeting with folks at the the county and
the township level. >> Great. >> Is there any any questions? I don't I don't >> No. Thank you very much. >> Update. Thank you. >> Next. Monty
uh update overtime competition. >> Is here to talk to you about overtime and claim and as resources we have Sarah Joe Becky here too if you all have questions. So I'll let you you may want to share your screen too.
All >> right. Good morning, commissioners. >> Good morning. >> So, what I got here is uh the comp and overtime paid. So, I got a couple slides here uh that we're just going to go over. So, uh this is just showing that comp and overtime that's been paid out.
um in this graph since 2018. And uh couple notes to make on this. So as you can see, we see that in increase somewhere around like 2023. Um a lot of these increases I've noticed uh kind of go along with our typical um
class and comp studies and that sort of thing. And another thing I wanted to uh make note of here is the comp time. So the comp time you're kind of trading that time in a way, right? So that's not necessarily an additional dollar amount paid out uh as uh as the overtime is. So
another part to this is oops the actual amount of hours that we have put in for comp and overtime. So as you can see that's been relatively flat across the board for that same time period. And if we cross reference that with the dollars you can see that for those same amount of hours we're um paying that increased
amount. So now for the comp time acrruals. So I do have this um going back as far as we could which was uh February of 2024 which is when we started collecting this data. Uh we're still working on building this database over time here. So the longer we have this and the further we
go out the more information we have with that. So um that 5,600 hours in 2024 is a little bit deceiving because that does not include the January and February amounts. So that number would uh based on the
monthly amounts probably be closer to that 6,000 or a little bit over. Uh you can see a lot of those hours go towards the uh sheriff and maintenance. Uh this year for 2025 uh the maintenance um category has seen that biggest uptick. So sheriff and maintenance for 2025 are
both around 1,900 hours and then the social services category is about 700 hours which is pretty consistent with uh with what they were in 2024. So we do also have a breakdown of how that work or how that comp time is acred and taken. So that
just gives us a little bit more insight as to how our work es and flows. You can see we acrew a lot of comp time in November. We take a lot in December. Uh same thing goes towards like Jan or sorry June. And um when we look in towards uh January, February, those
winter months, we can see that count time acrewing a little bit more significantly. So now for that overtime amount, I do have a breakdown of the actual dollar amount and which uh categories that goes to as well too. You can see a majority of that amount goes towards prisoner uh
custodial and county sheriff. Um, so we have the breakdown on the the pie chart on the bottom there that has that 527,000 uh for the prisoner custodial and 288,000 for the county sheriff. And again, this one is only for the 2025
amount. So, uh, if you are ever wanting any of these other years, time periods, different breakdowns of this graph, you can always let me know and I can export those and, uh, get them to you. >> Commissioner Kpinsky. >> Mr. here. Uh, just a quick question for Monty. Was this what that last payroll
taken out? >> I have to ask Brent, how what's the what's the end point on your data? >> So, the data that we have is um exported from 2025. So, they're annual reports typically. We do have uh bi-weekly reports as well too that come out, but
uh a lot of the information, yes, is annual stuff. So, we don't have any of the 2026 stuff really. Um, >> so so Sarah Joe is saying yes because the pay date the actual pay date was in 25. So Sarah Joe is saying yes that would include that
>> that last pay date in a little bit skewed >> a little bit. Yeah >> because of Yeah. >> Mr. Chair, so and I'm sorry I apologize I missed the last meeting. I know there was some discussion about the additional 186,000 or something that had to do with
the additional payroll. >> Correct. But that's included in the 816, >> which you're still at. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure I was clear of that timeline. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Amendments. >> Thanks. That's it.
>> Yep. Sorry. >> Yeah. Unless I mean, unless there are any other questions, I didn't hear anybody speaking up at all. sounded like you or looked like you wanted to run away real quick. >> Mr. Chair, I don't necessarily have these probably aren't Brent questions, but they're maybe Monty or Sarah, Jackie questions, so I don't really have
anything for Brent, unless somebody else has. >> Um, and actually this one's probably for Sandy. Social services. Um, >> that's income maintenance mostly. >> What typically is driving overtime in social services? >> So, I did want to comment on it and I
was going to comment later. A lot of the comp time, as I understand it, is comp hours that the social workers make. So, it's hours for hours. So, they don't get paid it out. So, if they work three extra hours this week, they might take the three hours back the following week.
So, it's counts as the hours the way I understand that, but there's not extra money going out. paid. >> So though it looks like there's money going out to social services, we actually have very little time and a half hours coming out to social services. It's just if we've got placing
children one week >> or things are very very busy, it is very common for a worker to just work a couple extra hours because it's not time and a half. They get the exact time back the following week. We have a tiny little bit of overtime that's in our
eligibility unit that's paid for with a grant that would show up on here. I mean, it would be very little overtime that our department uses. >> Okay. Thank you, Monty. Typically, department heads is there typically pre-approval for overtime? >> There's supposed to be. Yeah. And
department head supervisors should approve uh both overtime and comp time in advance. >> And do we still have do we have exempt employees earning comp? exempt employees in current current comp time. >> You mean uh you mean um uh
>> yes yes of course salary. So so yes so the the example that Sandy gave you would that's that's a good example. So social workers are considered exempt in other words they don't acrew time and a half. So the answer there that's an example of where an exempt employee gets hours hour for hour compensatory time.
And is each department um does each department have the same number of comp hours that they can earn? Like for example, there's a max I'm sure >> you know over time it has come to vary through labor negotiations and otherwise those amounts vary. For example with highway that's a good example because those folks are are are I think with
human services it's now 50 hours is the max for non-un employees it's 40. Uh there are various different there's various numbers in the sheriff's office. Uh over time again through ne labor negotiations those those caps have changed and they're not consistent
anymore. And how long would you say that the county has been offering comp time for exempt employees? >> As long as I've been here. >> So 20 plus years. >> Yes. Yeah. >> Yeah. >> This this just goes to the fact, you know, and we've talked about it in the
past on our financials. I mean, we've got over $3 million in liabilities for comp payouts >> potential that could happen. Now, are they all going to leave at once? Probably not. But if they did, we'd be cutting a check. That's the way I understand it >> because that's why it's listed as a liability. >> Gets paid out.
>> What's that? >> Comp time for exempt employees does not get paid out at severance. >> So what's the three plus million of of liability on our >> that's vacation sick leave and pay severable let's put this way severable sick leave PTO and vacation those three.
>> So comp is never paid out >> not to employees. >> Yes. I'll have Jackie answering right now. >> I think I just it's a little muddy. I just want to make sure I'm understanding how this works. >> If you if you don't mind, go ahead. >> I think where you were getting is is kind of the road I want to go down is
when you look at comp time being acquired and and taken down. That's a fluctuating area that it that happens, but it doesn't ever seem to take their vacation down. You know what I mean? So, they keep acquiring 40 hours of comp
time, >> right? And they'll use their PTO because they can >> Exactly. Yeah. So it never affects comp. >> Yeah, that's what I think you were kind of alluding to. >> Yeah. And that's a part of it. >> Okay. Um when we answered the other one, there
was 180 180,000 extra last year you talked about at the last meeting. Okay. All right. Thank you. >> Anything else? >> Uh Mr. Chair, real quick, Monty. >> Yeah. If we hired people for this money Yeah.
What's to say, would would our overtime and comp go down? And >> I could never guarantee that. Um, >> that's the scary part, right? Right. Yeah. >> Because let's just say, for example, you hire more folks in jail. Well, you're always going to have people absent
because of vacations, sick leave, FMLA leave, and so on so forth. And as you know, the posts have to be covered. So, I'd be reluctant to guarantee reductions um especially in in the jail. >> I I I I want to combat that. Posts have
to be covered. They do until there's a change in in what we do with the jail >> because it is absolutely unsustainable right now the way it's working. TW, you know, 30 inmates. I mean, it it's costing us a couple
hundred grand per inmate to house them per year. That that is unsustainable. And this is this is I'm going to say affecting probably 80% of the counties out there. So, something needs to be looked at on
this. >> I agree. >> Yep. Yep. Any other questions, comments, concerns? >> My only my only other comment, Mr. Chair and Tamonte, is is I understood you say department heads are supposed to be approving. >> Yes. >> Pre-approving. I I think it's a would be
nice for a gentle reminder for that. Again, I understand there's exceptions to overtime, but generally it should be pre-approved. And I just want to give a friendly reminder about that. >> Thank you. >> Understood. Thank you. >> I have one I have one quick question, >> Commissioner. So am I understanding this
right that that what they can acrewue in comp time is is set by labor negotiations >> uh for those folks covered by collective bar agreement. Yes. Uh for the non folks it's in personnel policies. >> Okay. >> Yeah.
>> Mr. Chair, one more comment. There is a few people in the audience. I want to make sure that our uh um we'll say harsh words on some of this overtime. it it there's a lot of things that happen outside of the ability. You look at um
people going into difficult situations with families >> that have to remove children and stuff like that. That's not a 8 to five job. >> That's why to my point was I understand there's exceptions. >> Exactly. Hit it. >> And and I just want to clarify for I
think for all of us, we're not pinpointing everything. It's just you know there's there are certain things out there. I'll u I'll get you a summary of all of our a bar units and nuns and show you what those kind of cool maxes are. >> Monte, could you maybe just send that out to all of us, please, as a nice as a
nice reminder? Thank you. >> No different than a sheriff pulling somebody over for >> a DWI. They can't just up and leave because it's five. You know what I mean? >> There's there's things. >> I get it. I get it. >> Okay. Thank you, Brent. >> Yep. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Monty Regional Airport. >> Oh boy. >> I think we should probably talk a little bit of history though first. So why is this issue on your agenda? Well, September of 2024, we heard that the airport authority was proposing to adopt a million-doll levy.
And I think that was a surprise to some folks who thought perhaps that a levy was going to be on down the line several years down the line. So that led to lots of discussion about the composition of the airport authority, its levy authority and so on. so with communication and so on so forth. So as
you may know the the airport authority rescended that initial proposed levy and then that led to lots of discussions since then uh discussions with between uh for example our board members Sterns County and then most recently there was a a mean which included all member
counties Sherburn Sterns Benton and the city of St. cloud and then there was direction for the administrators from those those the counties and cities to get together and identify a various issues that seem to be sort of discussed amongst all these groups
that resulted in this document that's in your packet and uh credit goes to the folks down in Sherman County drafted it. Thank you to them for for keeping a record of the discussion. So uh it seems to be that about four major issues have
gelled as the the primary subjects and those are highlighted in this document. Uh so each of us administrators we then of course as you may recall uh we discussed these issues here and so did the folks from Sterns and Sherburn and
the city of St. Cloud. The result of those discussions with each the city council and the county boards is represented in this document. So the consensus of those four entities is represented in this document. So let me cover them if I can Mr. Chair pretty briefly. Uh you see the first issue was
communication and I think everyone agrees there there should be more and more regular communication. Uh one thing I highlighted was the last bullet point holding at least annually a detailed briefing on airport operations. And actually uh the airport executive
director has already scheduled that with me. I believe it's going to be in May for him and the airport authority folks to come here and brief you on what's going on with the airport authority. So again, I think clear consensus on that issue. Uh the next one is where I think there's there's not consensus clearly on
representation and governance. And the paragraph that's shaded in gray represents the opinions of each of the four entities. And and I I'll let you all read them. Maybe you haven't had a chance to read at this point. Um, I think this certainly the I think Serban
County uh favors keeping the governing board as it stands today where you have the two appointees from each county in the city and then those eight folks select a ninth person. Um,
the city of St. Cloud did not pro did not support changing the composition of the authority and you can see the Sterns County there was it it says no clear consensus. Uh they were split on appointing elected officials to the board. >> So on that matter there is
>> and what was our position? >> What was our position? >> Uh I put it here as is we prefer to have an elected official on the board. Absolutely. >> I see no elected officials. I made that clear in our discussions is our the consensus of our board is we wanted
>> an elected official on the Sinclair airport board. >> That's right. So um I think again on that matter there's not consensus and as we've talked about before it takes the consent of all four parties to change
the enabling resolution. So um that is that issue. See the St. cloud support. Um, as you may know, the the airport authority obtains various services from the city. For example, uh, police, fire, and so
on. Uh, it's I think it's consensus of of everyone is that those services would continue, but it's really up to the airport authority to negotiate with the city over what services and at what cost. Uh, my impression as I'm hearing from the city of St. thought is they
prefer that gradually over time uh any services that are currently being provided at no cost would ultimately be charged to the airport authority and trying to gradually move in that direction. The other area where I think there was consensus was to have some form of levy
limit uh as you see in the next item um as a percentage of taxable market value or some other methodology. So I guess Mr. chair, there's consensus to have some type of levy limit. The issue is well, what does that levy limit
look like? Uh how is it expressed? How's the math work? So this the the the proposal here in this document is to create a study committee representatives from each of the four entities to come up with a workable form of levy limit.
So again, I think Mr. Chair, there is support for levy limit. It's just working at the details of what would that look like. uh you you see some examples of kind of hypothetical uh levy limits. For example, three uh 0003% of taxable market value, 0.004%
uh one generates 1.1, one generates 1.8 million. Those are just examples of what a levy limit could look like. So, but I I'm not hearing opposition to some form of levy limit. I think there's general support. It's just working out the
details. I think I may have skipped one. Yeah, the regional sales tax is uh support of continuing to make sure that the airport is a recipient of a portion of the regional sales tax when I believe it's up for expiration. Commissioner Pine, maybe you know this like is it
2038 somewhere in that time frame? I'm forgetting the exact year. It's a few years away. >> It is. It's quite a few, >> but there's once if if if the area cities go for renewal of that, the consensus is to keep the airport as a beneficiary of of the regional sales
tax. So that's where it stands. Mr. Chair, I I I think at this point looking for um are you inclined to um include us in a
discussion about uh a um a levy limit, so to speak, and who might that be to be be a part of that discussion? And uh any other comments or thoughts? >> Commissioner Gapinsky. Number one, it should be illegal to get into one of these agreements that it
takes four >> all entities to agree because that'll never happen, >> right? >> Never. Never. These should be legal agre agreements. >> Absolutely. And and that's I'm I'm just appalled that we're in this number one.
And there's no way out >> unless all the other entities agree. And nobody's going to do that cuz one would end up taking back a lost leader when it comes to financial responsibility. >> Uh Mr. Chair Monty, do you recall the
county attorney's office review this contract? Was it was it presented or is it something the board did on their own? >> So it wasn't a contract. It was um >> JPA. >> It was called a It wasn't even a joint powers agreement. It was an enabling resolution >> and it was drafted primarily by folks in
Sherburn County. Uh, I don't recall if our county attorney's office reviewed it. I I just I don't recall that. >> How did the JPA get established? >> The J through the resolution. >> You mean the board itself? >> Well, you've you've commented in here a few times about the JPA.
>> Yeah, I know he I I know they use the term joint powers agreement. It's really not >> Is this Bruce's comments? >> Uh, these folks from Sherburn wrote I'm not sure if it was Bruce himself, but it was folks from Sherburn. So they use the term I know JP sometimes but again it
was a resolution. It was an enabling resolution. Um so uh I'm not sure that's a big deal but that's what it is. Um it wasn't a joint powers agreement and we got to we we Mr. Chair we got to
really be careful about everybody saying oh Benton County has the smallest portion here. It's all per capita, >> right? >> We just have less people than the other counties >> and less tax. >> We're paying the same as everybody else. It's just our portion smaller because
our people amount is smaller. >> And our tax capacity. >> Yeah. Our tax capacity. It's it's all the same math. Well, I think Monty, your question was if we have an interest in talking about limiting the levy and I >> Yes, that's my question. >> More than likely that's Yes.
>> Yeah. >> Yeah. >> Absolutely. >> I mean, that's the bare minimum at this point. >> Yeah. >> We're elected officials and have to pay for it, but we can't have any elected official on the board. That's just
incredible. Now, if the if the airport was making money, let them do it. But if this is falling on the hands of the taxpayers, then we should have a say on that and help guide it to being profitable.
>> Commissioner Benoy, >> no, I I'm I agree. But are you looking for us to appoint somebody from this board to be part of that discussion on the on the >> I think that would Commissioner Bon I believe that would be ideal. Yes. to
have at least at least one board member to be a part of those discussions. Sure. Absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. >> I will make the motion Jared be part of that. You've been part of all the meetings that they've had outside of that. Y >> so you probably understand this more
than most of us sitting on the board right now. >> And once again, I do believe the St. Cloud Airport's a huge asset to the area. But it becomes at what cost? Because if it's 1 million today, is it five million in 2029?
>> You know, so >> we and we do have the ability to appoint the two representatives from Benton County. >> Correct. You do. Yes. >> At one point in time, we can choose to change
those people sitting on that board. Am I correct in that? That is correct. I would say that is correct. Yes. Yes. you control who's appointed from our county. Yep. >> I I agree with Mr. Kapinsky is that it if this is something that's affecting the taxpayers, there should be a
commissioner from each county sitting on that board. >> What truly amazes me is is when you guys got into this deal, the the outlook was 10 years down the road, right? M yeah >> the timing of people getting taxed to
keep this going can change but the legality takes four different pe four different you know entities to agree >> which is >> which is absolutely it >> it's not going to happen >> it's a joke the timing of of more additional money
and funds being put into this can change at any point you know from the original agreement but yet to get out of this agree agreement. You need you need everybody to agree to let somebody out. It just it doesn't make sense. >> And and does does
I'm just trying to understand this. So, does the board for the um airport have the authority to necessarily hire
and fire um people from the airport? So or is that by somebody else? >> So the airport authority board which is nine members appoints an executive director. So they hire and fire the executive director. Um I don't know what involvement they have in hiring and firing other employees of the regional
airport authority. I don't know what that arrangement is but they do they do make the hiring decision on the executive director. Yes. Yes. >> And I would have a stance on any contract like this that I mean not just
the airport. kind of the same thing we're in with the library, but that's statemandated >> that you got to belong to something. So, >> yeah. All right. Did you vote on the motion? I'm sorry. Didn't >> I'll second that motion. >> Okay. Now, we've got a second. Any
further discussion on that motion? Do we even know what that motion is? Any >> to Commissioner Pinsky to uh >> Right. >> on our levy limitation. >> Yes. Levy limit. Right. >> Yep. >> Okay. Any further discussion on that?
If not, I'll call the question. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion carries. >> Thank you, Sandy. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes, Commissioner Minsky. >> I just want to say thank you to Monty. I know you've taken or taken a lot of stuff on the
backside on this, too. You've been holding our end of the bargain on this. Thank you, sir. All right. So, it seems that human services has been in the news a lot lately, and I just want to comment that with the federal um the announcement that they
were going to withhold $259 million of Medicaid funding. I know that there was a lawsuit filed yesterday um by the state. So, I don't know where they'll come. I get a lot of questions about what is how is that affecting our clients. At this point in time, we're processing applications. The services
and the coverage is the same as it's been. there are no cuts. So, just going to throw that out there is we know very little more than what's on the news, but that's what I know. So, as that changes, I can let you know. But we do know that the act, the Minnesota African-American
Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act is set to take effect for us in January. And we want to give a little preview about that. I know you've heard about it at some of your meetings, but we just want to um give a little summary and where we're at with this. So, I'm gonna have Will Chu come
up and do that. >> Morning, commissioners. Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Take a second to pull up my PowerPoint here. So, as Sandy mentioned, I was at a board meeting in February to give kind of an overview of 2025 child protection statistics. And part of that would reference the act. And I know some
commissioners had some questions then. So I'm back today to go more into depth. I am going to save some breath. I want to just call it the act moving forward since it's extremely long of a title. Um so as Sandy said, this starts January 1st, 2027. Today I'm going to talk about the intention and purpose of the act,
the current status statewide, the implementation requirements of DCYF, the imple implementation requirements of us as a county, uh a little bit of the evaluation report from their pilot project in Henipin and Ramsey, and then some barriers we're facing statewide uh with the setup of the act as well as
what Benton County Human Services is doing in the meantime to get ready for implementation. So the intention of the act essentially is to minimize or reduce out of home placements of children. They're going to put more of an emphasis on family preservation. So trying to identify family members that are either
non-custodial parents or identifying relatives or other kin related that the family feels is important to their family culture and dynamics. Um they can ask for us to place children with them. So uh we should see a decrease in out of home placements. Uh some of the concern around the state is it could increase
some unsafe situations for children as well. um with the difficulty of removal uh with law enforcement kind of being hamstrung a little bit with it. Um they claim it's going to minimize the trauma of children to families in child protection system and then to improve these permanency outcomes again trying
to reduce uh non-relative permanent options and trying to re you know keep the family preservation and the family together. >> Well, one moment please commissioner. >> Mr. Chair, sorry. Uh >> Mhm. >> In light of the name the Can you bring up the whole name or can you let people
know what the whole name is, but this really does take care of any children? >> Correct. So yes, so the state and I know there's there's a lot of confusion there that people don't understand. >> Correct. Well, the state has not defined what disproportionately represented
means at this time. It's put into law, but there is no definition that exists for which population that covers. So, as Andy said, the act the full name is the Minnesota African-American Family Preservation and Child Welfare Disproportionality Act. But again, without the definition of disproportionality, what is a
disproportionately represented population? It kind of it seemingly is going to encompass 90% of our families that we deal with in the Benton County Child Protection System. Statewide, they listed about 80% as far as um the impact to the child welfare system.
So the current status statewide, so they acted, like I said, it goes into law January 1st, 2027. Henipin and Ramsey are the two piloting programs. Uh they've been doing this um since January 1st, 2025. They phased in and currently only doing 50% of the population and the population that they are working for is
just African-American and nonqua related Native Americans. Um, so they have kind of narrowed down those two populations as being disproportionately represented and those are the only two that they're currently tracking or putting into their separate work group of the act work group where the act law applies. Um,
there is a state work group in place working on recommendations uh for the legislature to potentially change the law. Now, as much as we had high hopes that there might be some significant changes, it seems like they're mostly minor tweaks that they're looking at. Um, DCYF is still working on definitions
uh for disproportionality. So, we don't know exactly what populations this will impact. Like I said just a minute ago, about 80% is their estimation as far as a statewide child protection system. Other definitions that they need to work on and give us the ability to measure our race. Currently, SSIS, our state's social service system, is only able to
track two uh poverty, mental health, and disability, culture, and ethnicity. And those are items that are not currently tracked but required to be tracked under law. Uh the state is DCYF requirement is also required to uh put together a cultural competency training that must
be in place by January 1st, 2027 according to the law. With that said, we must all have our staff trained. Every county, so the 85 other counties that aren't in this yet, uh have to have all their staff trained within six months of January 1st of 2027, even though there is not currently
a statewide cultural competency training available to us. So, if you envision how it's going to go with 85 counties all trying to get their staff trained, it it's going to be a headache and I don't think they're going to meet that goal. Um, all the requirements go into full effect. So, Henipin and Ramsey were able
to phase in over the last couple years and working slowly to build up the population as of January 1, 2027. All other counties are required full implementation of this law. We are currently also being asked to do case reviews on all act related cases. um this and create an annual summary with
trends and data analysis. Um it's hard to estimate the true impact of this the cost or the time. Um this is not something that a county level has ever been required to do. It's always been tracked on a state level. So the ask from Maxa and the director level is that hopefully they will take that back in
and the state will house the the reviews and case or case reviews and the data analysis for the trends. Um but that's still up in the air and for discussion. uh we're then required to make active efforts to assist relatives in remedying any issue to prevent them from being placed in non-custod or prevent them from being placed without a
non-custodial parent or relative. So again, active efforts right now where where we have to operate mostly under reasonable efforts. Active efforts are a much higher standard of you best example I can give right now I can make a referral for a client to go to a treatment center or a counseling center
and uh we can pay a bus ticket or get him a ride there if need be under reasonable efforts. active effort is going to require a worker to go pick that individual up, find a cultural competent, you know, counselor or or program and may have to drive the individual to and from and facilitate
that program under active efforts. Um, so that is going to be a significant increase in windshield time cost as well. So in the evaluation from the project pilot uh uh pilot project sorry um so at the end of 2025 the two phasing counties
Henip and Ramsey were only at 30% capacity. Um additional documentation is required by workers which then takes away from the field visits the actual face toace time assessing safety for children. Supervisors spending a large amount of time on guidance and case reviews. That is something actually been talked about on many levels of the
amount of time it has taken the supervisors, some of the directors, some of the county attorneys be involved in it as well to really work on um giving the guidance for making sure we're maintaining active efforts in the courts. Administrators are working uh with county attorneys on implementation. DCF did train on active efforts for the
county staff in the pilot project. However, staff did not find that helpful. Uh they identified a need for funding for prevention services and an overall lack of resources. And then technology challenges I alluded to a little bit before but we have outdated systems that don't allow the required data under the law to be entered or
tracked accordingly to meet statute. Some of the barriers there was a recent lawsuit that Henipin lost uh which prohibits the counties from phasing in. There was a hope that maybe we could also have all the other counties kind of phase in and step it up over a couple year period. That is no longer an option based off this ruling. They found that
it's unconstitutional to kind of select which populations go into this group. Again, going back to the need for an actual definition of what a disproportionately represented individual is, the significant lack of services. So, central Minnesota, especially greater Minnesota, lack necessary services. Um, and providers
that are here are reporting that they have insufficient capacity to take on the the influx. Um, building service capacity, as you know, takes time and uh requires infrastructure that's not currently present in Minnesota. And then technology. Um, so the increasing documentation requirements will pose a
challenge. However, the legislature did in the last two years allocate $45 million to technology modernization. However, in 2023, they also did uh appropriated $200 million. DHS for 150 million and DCYF received 50. However, it's still
currently unclear of what, if any, technology modernization took place with that money that was appropriated in 2023. >> It's still parked is what I'm >> correct. It is. Yep. >> So, yeah, you're right. Nothing >> nothing
>> so some more barriers obvious obviously in incre instead of fixing current systems with the money appropriated the state created for example it's an app called agile apps that now CP workers have to use that doesn't communicate with our main SSIS program which is what we're required to keep our documentation
in. So now instead of fixing SSIS and making more modern they just added a different app that now needs to use but that doesn't interface with the main system. >> They just keep putting band-aids on. That's all they're doing. >> Data collection both in determining definitions disproportion disproportionality and in collecting
data throughout the state and reporting purposes. Again, we don't have the ability to track it in our system. Ongoing litigation threats, there is a high likelihood that this act and this law is going to get shaped over the next few years through litigation through lawsuits that are going to be filed. And then funding, there is no funding for
it. Um there was $5 million allocated between Henipin and Ramsey. They reported a drop in a bucket. Didn't do anything to help them out with um with funding this. And so again there is zero funding attached to this but a lot more implementation requirements from the state.
What have we been doing? So all the staff were a little ahead of the game this all of our staff are trained and completed motivational interviewing which is required by the act. Um we are awaiting the development of the culturally specific training uh that DHS is going to roll out versus some counties have used levy dollars or grant funding to pay for private training. I'm
I would lean towards waiting for the state to develop their program and go through that. um engaging with county attorneys office as well as law enforcement over the change in the threshold of placement. That's going to be a difficulty too. So law enforcement's got to change their mindset a bit. Continuing to work with our neighboring counties to build resource infrastructure within our
region as we can. And then um working to develop the case review analysis procedure since that is not something we've ever done in the past. So that is still a work in progress. Questions? Uh ju just so you know, we'll be talking about this tomorrow morning
in our services board with AMC and going to the legislators about this tomorrow afternoon, too. >> So, we're we're um Yeah, this is a mess. This is a mess. It's pretty ironic about Henipin and Rans Rans Ramsay got two
years of implementing it and they're still not there like you just said, but yet we have to implement it by the 1st of January of 27. That ain't going to happen with all the other cont >> and they don't have the term disproportionate figured out yet. >> Cor right correct
>> and the training and they have none of that stuff figured out. >> And I said this in our cow. This has basically taken the job of a parent. I mean, honestly, the county is going to be parenting now because you got to take
them to their meet, get their meetings set up, coordinate their family for um we'll call it meetings and then get them to the appointments. >> So, this is going to be a big change for Benton County because typ currently we
don't have a lot of active efforts. we don't have a lot of full IQA related cases, but even with that, you know, those prove to be a challenge as well and have a lot of extra windshield time and workers time. Um, now when you're talking about 90% of our cases, it's going to be substantial.
>> I think I asked this question. Is are is Minnesota the only state doing this? >> You know, there's other states that have similar laws, but the way this is written, yes, this is Mr. Chair. Uh Will, when you talk about employees doing this, are you talking about their own vehicles or we have county vehicles sitting around somewhere
that they can grab or >> So we do have county Yep. We have three county vehicles currently uh that staff can check out. Um not always. >> So then they end up using their own. >> Correct. >> And do you get mileage hopefully? >> Yep. There's mileage reimbursement for it. >> That doesn't we don't have enough
liability coverage, I don't think, for that problem. Well, there's there's a huge liability there because when somebody's when somebody's reimbursed the federal rate of liability, they got to have that additional insurance on >> the vehicle too on your personal vehicle.
>> Mhm. >> Personal vehicle insurance first. >> Yep. And I would bet most people don't know that >> want to get into asking our employees to use their personal vehicles to be >> No. >> No. >> No. Um,
just off the cuff, do you I'm sure you guys have talked, but what would what could this look like on our on our levy budget? >> It's Well, that's a that's a great question, Commissioner Kinsky. It's really hard to estimate because I you know, again, what do they define for disproportionately? Is it truly going to
be 90%. Um, but uptake, I mean, I I believe it was an additional 40 to 50 hours a case for an active efforts case. I don't dollar-wise, I'd have to break that down. I'm not good at math in my head. So, >> how many cases is there? Uh, we usually average about 168 a year.
>> 168 times 40 hours. >> Yeah. >> Okay. That's 6,700 hours. >> So, >> but that's not saying the money side of things. That's just hours. >> That's just ours. >> That's just hours. >> Pay which worker. >> That's three and a half people.
>> Almost three and a half people. >> Yeah. Will, have they said what they're going to do if we don't do it? >> Uh, some well, there's some issues with court. I mean, court we have to go and improve under this act. Under the district court, we have to go prove our active efforts. So, there can be issues.
Yeah, there can be some legal issues for us if we're not meeting the active efforts just like there currently is now for an IQA related case. >> But a lot of this stuff isn't even defined yet. >> No. >> And I don't even know if this will be defined or settled. >> It won't end the year anyway.
>> AMC doesn't believe it'll. So, no. No. >> But they're still going to hold us accountable. >> Accountable, right? >> Even though they don't know what's accountable. >> Yeah. We are pushing hard on this one to the AMC with the legislators. >> You're going to hear it from MRC. >> Oh, yeah.
>> Tonight we will. Yeah. So, >> we just want to make sure we, in my opinion, keep you guys coming on this one because this is going to be this needs to be out to all the people in the public that this isn't us. This is the state again. >> Correct. And this is going to be a
significant blow to our levy. >> Correct. We have no we have no say in what transpires from this act. Yes. >> Yeah. >> It's just it bewildered to me that you write something into state statute and law and then don't take a look at the
repercussions of that or how to init initiate or implement that sad. and the SSIS system running on a green screen. >> I mean, come on. The the amount of money that could be saved statewide and
countywide by just updating that system so that everything talks together instead of implementing something on one screen and then turning around and entering the same information onto another screen because they don't talk to each other.
>> I mean, to me, that's common sense. Let's get the system fixed because once you get the system fixed, it's going to and and will correct me if I'm wrong, but there's several states that this is not this is handled at the state level. The counties aren't even involved in
most of the stuff that Minnesota's currently >> correct. And a lot of other states also have really more efficient system, >> user systems. Yes. Yeah. >> A lot of web-based systems that other states use. Well, to to your point, Commissioner Benoy, this is exactly I
mean, this is what Minnesota does and we do it very well. >> We come up with a huge long name that's that that's the act >> and we don't have any definitions for who it all entails, but it's going to cost the counties money and the state's not going to provide funding.
>> They push it down to the counties to make the counties make it work somehow someway all the time. Well, to your point, this sadly this is just one example. I just I mean, no doubt, >> but it's just I I mean,
I'm not a mathematician by all means, but fixing a system and before implementing any more would be the common sense thing to do >> so that you so that your systems talk to each other.
Well, we're realistic here, not at the state level. >> Yeah, >> they want to put band-aids on everything, which they have been doing. So, >> just in labor, I think from the county standpoint is going to be between I'm going to say 600 and 750,000 >> probably. >> Just in Benton County labor.
>> Yep. >> And then, correct me if I'm wrong, you this is what floored me and that's cow. They You can help them all the way through this and then they can choose not to show up. Mhm. Yep. >> So, you pay we pay all that money to get
them to Z and then they don't show up. >> Well, on the other side I didn't hit on was under the act, we're not it's going to be very difficult to terminate parental rights, which means that these children will sit without a permanency option and they'll when you don't terminate parental rights and simply transfer. That gives that parent the ability at any time
>> to appeal that decision and go back to court and have it reopened and relooked at. And so, you know, talking about extending those out when right now we achieve permanency. >> Anything any good news, Will? >> Sorry, not today. Not >> How about tomorrow?
>> I'll come back with a fun topic next time. >> There you go. Well, you know, thank thank you. Appreciate the information you're giving us and more to come. >> Yeah. >> And I think I think every quarter we should have them here just going through this one more time because I think it needs to be in the public.
>> So, >> thanks. Thank you. >> Appreciate it. >> Next, Time Square Media Child Foster Care Recruitment. And no, I did not get to Jay yet to get on the radio about this, Andy. Sorry. >> Well, >> I will. >> All right. Uh, we're going to have Adam come up here and talk a little bit about
this. This is We are We have been for a long time trying to recruit foster parents. It is um it is a difficult task because it's a difficult job. Um, so we're trying something else. So, I'll have Adam talk about it. Thank you, commissioners. Little bit
light-hearted topic here, more than Will was telling. Um, it's a pretty straightforward request. I I believe you should have all the paperwork in front of you in your packets. Um, back in 2023, third fourth quarter of 2023, the board
approved $25,000 of money to be allocated towards foster care recruitment and retention. Mhm. >> Uh we reallocated $25,000 out of our health partners grant which meant that we didn't need to utilize any levy dollars for that which was nice. To
date, we still have about $9,700 remaining. We used those funds primarily for to support our foster providers in some of the basic purchase needs that we have when you start as foster care. Um you you might need a there's certain requirements for items. Uh you might if
you if you don't have city water, you might need a wellwater test. So that's annually. So we support that. Um fire extinguishers, radios that don't have batteries that are, you know, different types of um smoke detectors and things like that. So we've been able to use those funds which has been help has
helped us to retain these foster providers and also recruit. We use that for recruitment booths when we go in the area. Uh we're going to the Foley Cares uh event here coming up in March um to just have some foster care recruitment. We use that money for foster care
recruitment supplies and whatnot. So, uh, what we'd like to do and what, uh, Sterns County and Sherurn County and Benton County are working together on is Town Square Media, the umbrella, um, company for WJ. We have a recruiting recruitment slashmarketing director
person that will help us put together a comprehensive plan that will allow us to hit more people in the community through these recruitment efforts. So, um, initially they were asking for $10,000 between the three counties. We settled on 1,500 because we believe that Sterns
County has a much larger population and maybe would benefit from this this more than might Sherburn or um, Bentonwood. So, we said because of our population size and because of the uh, the addition there um, we said 1500. Sherburns County
has committed 1500 and then Sterns has committed 3,000. So, and according to the um individuals that setting this up for us, they believe that it's a pretty solid dollar amount to get this rolling. Um, it'll be out there for a couple of years potentially. Um, we're working
together closely with um uh one of the partners that we have uh that used to be a previous foster care provider, the Compassion Connection that uh we utilize a lot for um clothing and other supplies for our foster kids when they go into care and that we have a really good partnership there. So that's going to be
our kind of our primary person who's going to be um advertising through this and being part of that project. So it's not a contract. It's a little bit different. It's called a purchase of service agreement. So all we're asking for is the board to approve those use of funds and sign that for us so that we
can allocate the funds for that purpose. >> Questions? >> Mr. Chair, Adam. Uh one housekeeping thing on that on that agreement. U we need to update the board chair signature there for the change this year. >> Yep. >> Seen that too. Um, and then just for clarification, no local levy funds. It's
through the human services grant. >> Correct. >> Okay. Thank you. >> I'll move for approval. Mr. Chair, >> I'll second. >> Okay. We got a motion in a second. Any further discussion on this, >> Mr. Chair? >> Commissioner G, you know, you just came off for vacation.
>> I know you didn't talk tight a little bit. Um, I just wanted uh to to say I I I the board uh the 25,000 I think has went a long way. >> Absolutely. >> And I I see it's down to 9,000 according to what you just said. I think we need
to look at getting that back up so that we don't run into issues later on where you don't have the funds to take on somebody or or their their issues because you guys you do use this for like if if somebody's got to go get clothes or food and they don't have the money right away, we can use a gift card
or something like that. Correct. >> Okay. There's a lot of things it goes for. >> When we set this up for that 25,000, that's when we heard out that you guys were taking money out of your pockets individually to do this. And we also did say when the funds go short, come back
to the board because we would step in and help at that point in time. >> Mr. Chair, if that said, Sandy or Adam, I'm sure it's on your uh budget discussions coming up in August then. Okay. >> Yes. Correct. >> Thank you. >> Great. >> Perfect. >> Okay. >> We've got a motion and we've got a second. any more discussion on this?
What I will say once this gets into Towns Square media, that's probably when Jay Codwell will probably contact me, Sandy, to get more more information on this. Okay. Anything else? If not, I'll call the question. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Now, we'll uh we'll convene the regular board meeting and we will do the uh Benton County Community Health Board. Have a good day, Tim.
>> Okay, let's see. Roll call. Know that uh Commissioner Pop is gone. Amend or approve the agenda for the community health board. Anything to add? >> Yes, we have two add-ons this morning and I believe Beth has copies of those for you.
>> One is for the workforce infrastructure funding and the second one is for our wick funding. These going under consent. These consent or regular? >> They typically would be under consent. I'm not sure how that works when it's added on. >> Probably better not be. Give a quick
briefing and then Yeah. >> Yeah. >> I would have waited till next board, but they're both timely items that we received. So, >> all right, then. I'll move for approval of the amended agenda. Mr. Chair, I'll second.
>> Okay. Okay, I got a motion and second. Any further discussion? If not, I'm going to call the question. All in favor say I. I. >> I. >> Motion carries. >> Consent agenda one one and two. What would we like to do with that?
>> I'll make a motion to approve. >> I'll second it. >> Okay. Thank you. Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, I'll call the question. All in favor say I. >> Oppos? Motion carries. Jacqueline, consider the annual uh education reimbursement.
>> Yeah. So, um annually we come to board and we request for approval for us to kind of put our hat in the ring for some reimbursement for our congratulate and educate checks. Um what we're asking for this year is if we can have approval to apply for that reimbursement annually without needing to come back to board
every single time. It's a small amount of money, but it is nice to get reimbursement back for some of the work that we do. And anytime we can get an opportunity to get reimbursement for some of the things we're doing, we we like to do that. Um, so with my ask today really it would be just to consider approval for us to continue to
submit an interest form to DHS every single year so that we can get reimbursement back for the an annual congratulate and educate checks that we do with our tobacco retailers in Bon County. >> So move Mr. Chair. >> Absolute no-brainer. >> Yep. >> Second. >> Okay, we got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, I'll call
the question. All in favor say I. >> I post. Motion carries. Okay, Jacqueline, which one do you want to take first? Let's do the CDC federal infrastructure grant. All right. So, um if you recall back a while ago, we had received the Minnesota Well, Minnesota
had received 42.9 million to strengthen the public health infrastructure. Um the Minnesota Department of Health contract that we have that goes through November of 2027 has been amended. Um Minnesota Department of Health has put some language into the agreement so that
instead of having an automatic termination of the agreement, they could just pause the agreement for a short term short time and then reinstate the agreement if they identify additional funding. Um the workforce infrastructure funding, we received a notice from Minnesota Department of Health that that
funding was terminated from the federal government. However, shortly after, I think it was within a couple days, um there was a lawsuit against that that was paused. um when we continue to be have be able to use the funds. Um so with that language, I think MDH is preparing so that they have the amendments in place. Um this is why this
one was timely. It was sent after the board cut off agenda date, but would be looking for approval for this contract amendment to be approved. Um I do want to note that this has as a short-term grant for public health. We always knew this would be a five-year contract and so typically when we have a short-term
grant and we know that it's not a sustainable funding source, we don't put staff time into it. So currently we were not using that for any staff time. However, we were planning to use it for some staff time for our regional dental coordinator. Uh once we learn what's going to happen with this funding, I'll come back to board. At this point in
time, it's it's not changed. We still have access to the funds. So I'll keep you updated if anything changes with that or if we're unable to identify any other grants to utilize. Um so yeah, with that, just asking for approval of the contract amendment. >> Mr. Chair, Jacqueline, just quick clarification. Doesn't change the ending date though, right? November.
>> Not at this point. No. Nope. It still ends in November of 2027. >> Move for approval, Mr. Chair. >> Second. Got a motion and a second for discussion on this item. Now to call the question. All in favor say I. I. Oppose. Motion carries. Women and infant children program application.
>> Yeah. So um similarly we have a wick contract um that is effective from 2022 through 2026. That contract is coming up for expiration. Uh wick is our program that helps women's babies and young children get the healthy foods that they need. It helps to prevent infant mortality. It helps to walk um women
through their pregnancy and make sure that they have the proper nutrition needs um along with lactation support. Um we have been offering WICK for over 30 years at Benton County. Um so fun fact there. Um in the year of 2025 we saw pro approximately 1,176
individuals and in December roughly um our December 2025 numbers for the month of how many um that we saw was around 865. Um essentially just here today as we received a request for proposal yesterday um with a notice of a letter
of intent due by March 17th which is the next board meeting um and then our application is due by April 17 17th of 2026. So, just requesting for community health board approval again for us to complete the application for the funding that would continue then um renew our
contract through um December of 2031. Um couple other things with WIC I just um just something to point out uh with the WIC dollars that families are redeeming within community grocery stores. Just have a couple of stats. In September, Wick families from Benton
County spent over 70,000 in grocery stores using their WIC benefits and they spent about 72,000 in October of 2025 using their WIC benefits. So, just sharing a a little bit of statistics with you on that. Um, but yes, with that, I would just be asking for approval for us to be able to submit the
applications that we need to renew our contracts. >> I'll move approval. >> I'll second it for discussion. >> Thank you. We got a motion and a second. Commissioner Johnson. >> Uh Jacqueline, is it a typical five-year renewal on these? >> Typically, most of our project agreements that we have with the state are typically 12.
>> So, this fiveyear request is not a it's it's normal. >> No, this is normal. Yes. Yes. Yep. The last one was 2023 through uh 2022 through 2026, I believe. Okay. So, yeah, we continue, you know, most of our contracts are between 5 years. We have some 10 years, but the norm is typically five. Yeah.
>> Okay. Got a motion, a second. Any further discussion? If not, I'll call the question. All in favor say I. I >> opposed. Motion carries. Jacqueline, anything else? >> I don't have anything else. >> Great. Thank you. With that, we'll adjourn the uh Ben County Community Health Board at 10:19. And I'll turn it
over to the uh Mr. Chair of the Ditch Authority. Thank you, Mr. Chair. We'll call our ditch authority meeting to order at 10:20. Um roll call has been taken. Uh with the notice, Commissioner Pop is absent. Uh approve our amendment to the agenda. Adam, any changes?
Members, any changes? >> Okay. Is there >> so moved? >> Okay. >> Second. >> A motion, a second to approve the agenda as presented. All those in favor? >> Opposed is carried. Open forum. I don't think there's anyone here. Anyone online? I believe so. Move into item
one, the consent agenda. >> Move approval. >> I'll second a motion, a second to approve uh the consent agenda as presented. Any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor? I >> and I will abstain. I was absent from
that. >> Move on to the regular agenda. Consider the CD3 maintenance of buffer strips. Adam, >> morning commissioners. >> Morning. >> Morning. Um, first thing here, like Commissioner Johnson just stated, um, I just wanted
to come to you all because it's been the directive of the board that, uh, both sides of the buffer strips of all ditches, uh, be maintained, which means removal of all trees and brush from the buffer strips. And the buffer strips,
just to remind you all, it's 16 1/2 ft from the top of the ditch bank. Um, as I was doing my inspection of CD3 uh last spring or so last summer, I noticed one side of the buffer strip was not the trees were not removed on one side of
the buffer strip. Um, I know there was some maintenance and repairs done a few years ago on that prior to me being here. Um, I don't really have a good answer for you all of why only one side of the buffer strip was removed. Um,
from what I remember or from what I was told before our our former county engineer left was that there was some power lines that were on one side of the county ditch and it was assumed that the power line company would be the ones
removing those trees. >> Um, that obviously has not been done. Um, I have a video here if it plays. Just a quick video of my inspection of last spring to kind of show you guys
what I'm talking about here. Just to remind you guys, I'll go back here. CD3, doesn't let me pause it. CD3 is is um located uh by Highway 10 over here.
Um, I'll click play here. As you can see, there's power lines, like I stated that goes on one side of the buffer strip, and there is still trees on one side of the buffer strip. It's not down the whole stretch. A lot
of it is kind of a wetland area. So, um, as you can see, this side of the buffer strip was was maintained and cut when they did the repair. Um, but this other side was was let let go. Um, yeah, like I said, there's a lot of
marsh area, so there's not many trees, but there is, you know, still considerable amount of them. And here there's a lot of uh kind of a bushy willow area here that would
probably take a lot of work to get through. And then there's a few big big trees here that would need to be removed as well. And obviously this probably would impede the ditch. You know, there's probably
branches that fall quite frequently, but um >> Adam, have you had an opportunity to clarify whether I I'm assuming and hoping that that wasn't paid for when we did the repair? Yeah, as far as I can tell with the repair and the uh um kind
of the invoice we got from the company who did the repair, it doesn't seem like we paid for both sides of the buffer strips. Um it's hard to tell because obviously uh I believe it was charged at an hourly rate and so obviously if they
didn't do that one side of the ditch, you know, it it was less hours for them to complete the repair. >> Do we know is Excel the energy provider there? we know that or who the contact person is for those power lines because I would assume my assumption would be they would take care of their own rightway.
>> Yeah, I would have to look on on Beacon and see who who is the who is the rightway here. Um obviously it's only like a short section with the power lines and then and then the other half the other >> once it crosses there. >> Yeah, once it crosses this would
probably be our our directive. So I can contact whoever the rightway is. I'm guessing it's Excel like you stated, but I can confirm. >> I guess my thought would be we start with that >> and then we probably get some quotes from go out for quotes again because the
ditch authority did say that both sides of these CDs are supposed to be >> maintained and cleared. >> Mr. Chair, >> I do believe that this was one of the first ditches and I think that was before hand. And I don't recall was it before CD6 though because if it was then
I understand why it wasn't done but if it was afterwards >> I'm almost positive it was before because the city of Sock Rapids was paying for a big portion of that. >> I I do remember the conversation about the power lines and the trees too of
that you know XL or whoever would be taking care of it. The question I have Mr. Chair are they just going to top them and then we have to take care of the rest? >> That's probably >> that's probably what they're going to do. Yeah, >> you know, but even at that point, they should still come in and top it. >> Sure. >> You know,
>> I guess my thought would be let's start with them on that rightway. >> Yep. >> And maybe we get quotes that takes care of the whole thing or the secondary quote would be just past the power line crossing. >> Yeah. Would you like me to ask them if they would remove the whole tree or just
like you stated? >> Well, maybe you ask them what their responsibility is. >> All right. I can do that. So, >> we're clear about what they're going to do or not do, >> right? >> That makes sense. Yeah. I can I'll figure out who is the uh the owner of that right away with those power lines
and then next meeting I can get back to you guys if if they've gotten back to me. >> Yep. That'd be great. >> And then yeah, we'll wait on we'll wait on quotes for the other half or threequarters of it just to just to make sure. >> You can certainly tell the difference there though, can't you, on that area. >> Oh yeah.
>> Amazing. Yeah, obviously these are basically almost growing in the ditch bottom. Obviously on the slope, but >> yeah, >> but obviously that can impede the flow and like you stated, it's been a directive of the the board to clear both sides of the buffer strips. So, >> um we obviously want to stay consistent
in that. >> Yep. Okay. >> We could just tell them as long as they're doing their section, they can keep going >> because that way it's clear for them to expand. >> Well, maybe they include that in what the build is for the Casad 29. >> It probably was in there. >> Yeah. All right. Anything else on CD3?
>> Um, no. That should be all I have for CD3. I'll get back to you guys at the next board meeting regarding this. >> All right. Then you wanted to set a date for the annual special drainage authority meeting. >> Yeah. Let me get it up here. >> And you have confirmation with the high school and Ricky Nunan.
>> Yeah. So, um, last meeting, uh, you guys stated that you guys would want that Monday, August 17th date at 6:00 p.m. for the annual Special Drainage Authority meeting. I confirmed with Rinky Nunan, so John Cobb will be the one attending there. I also talked with
the Foley High School about um reserving the auditorium and they stated that I I filled out the form they required and they stated that it would work for August 17th as well. Um I put us down from 5:30 to 9:30. Um I don't exactly
remember how late it went, but half an hour before, half an hour after I think was a good a good time to do it. So yeah, basically what I'm asking from you guys is just to confirm the date. Um, and then like I stated before, we'll do postcards again. Um, and I was probably
just going to send them out a month prior again like we did last year. We felt like that was a good amount of time to get them to them, but also we don't want them to forget about it as well. So >> I will work with Christine regarding sending postcards out again at that time. >> Mr. Chair,
>> yeah, go ahead. I I think every time we have a ditch committee from now on if we set this date is to always remind everybody about this coming up. >> Absolutely. >> And like Christine stated, it is fairly cheap for these postcards because it doesn't require an envelope. It's
literally just a postcard you get in the mail and it was only $385 and split between the system. It was 35 a system. So >> fairly cheap with and we believe it helps a lot. So >> do we have a motion to set the date and time? So moved. >> Second.
>> All right. Motion to set uh August 17th at 6 PM for the annual ditch meeting at the Foley High School. And we have a second on that. Any other discussion, >> Mr. Chair? We waited until you were back to make sure this would work for you. Okay. That's why we brought it back. >> Okay. Thanks. All right. Any other
discussion, >> Mr. Chair? >> Yep. And uh I want you to go back and tell the team over there that I personally am very grateful for what they're doing over there to um stay ahead of things even though we don't have a county engineer, full-time county
engineer. So what you what is happening over there and the extra work that you all are putting in to make this run smoothly is greatly appreciated. >> Yes. >> No, we appreciate it. It's been some good collaboration between all of us techs over there. Um, it is very it's
it's a lot louder than it was cuz everyone's taking phone calls now that our former engineer and assistant engineer used to used to handle. And now it feels like everyone's on the phone at once. And um it it's it's been tough, but it's been nice because we've been able to collaborate a lot a lot better
than we were previously. >> Good. Thank you for that comment. >> Yeah, we appreciate. >> Any other discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor? >> Opposed? It's carried. Anything else, Adam? That is it for me for ditch authority. >> All right, we'll adjourn the ditch authority at 10:30 and back to the board chair.
>> Well, we'll reconvene our uh regular board meeting. Now we'll do commissioner meeting updates. >> I'll start if Yep. I'll go ahead. >> Um back from vacation on February 19th. Uh spent the day down at the cap. Um we
were able to meet all of our local delegation and have very good conversation. So that was a great day. came back that evening for the Benton County area township meeting which was held down in Glender Township. Uh next day on the 20th 7W meeting over in St. Cloud. Um and then the afternoon we did
have a ditch subcommittee talking about some of these items that were presented today. Um on the 24th I was able to have about an hour discussion with Steve Bowski, our interim county engineer in regards to the Gilman Casaw 3 and CASA 5 projects.
And so, uh, he's going to be meeting with their city engineer just to make sure that we're not missing anything on our contracts and that everybody's doing what they need to be doing. Uh, that evening had a fully care, uh, board meeting also. And then the next morning, uh, February 25th, so water conservation
district was able to spend about an hour and a half with them. Uh, touch base quickly on the one water, one plan uh, watershed information. uh did have a building committee meeting later that morning and uh came back in the afternoon quickly for the department
of the month which was land services. So it's kind of fun to go through their offices and get a little more update on what they do over there. So that's all I had. Thank you. >> Go next. >> Um I went on a site visit with BP to the
Boys and Girls Club on 217. Um very interesting. uh all of the stuff from the community that is donated and and whatnot. I was very nice to see that. Um and then I also went to the capital, met
with our legislators, came back, did a triap meeting at 5:30 and then ended up at the BCAP meeting at 7. Um, and then I did do another BEP site
visit for Tri County Humane Society. Um, again, lots of community and volunteer uh people over there. So, that was pretty amazing to learn and see. Um, and then also did the Department of the Bunt
Government Center um, uh, meeting. And then I also went over to the highway department and met with our, um, our techs over there just to make sure that they felt they were being
seen, being heard, that kind of stuff. Meeting was very, very well. Um, and then I had a an emergency meeting uh for emergency plan um with Minden Township
and Next Era Energy. Um very um interesting that was on the 25th too. Um our sheriff's department was there. Um the fire chief from Sock Rapids was there. Um, the biggest concern I would say that our sheriff's department and
the fire departments have, so when when these people come in front of the county board, I think we need to push the fact that um contact information is is needed. Um because um I know when I was
on the township board, there were several um uh solar panel farm fires. Um and um I was elated or not elated, but I was shocked to hear from uh Jason
Fleming that there's been several more since I've been off the board. Um, and their biggest thing is, I mean, we all know that when a solar panel farm is put up, it's turned around and sold and could be sold up to six times. So, the
numbers that are being posted on the gates of those for emergency contact aren't kept up. >> Mhm. >> And so, that that is one thing our sheriff's department and um Mr. Fleming pushed heavily at that meeting to make
sure that there they had proper contact. So that's all I have. Okay, I can go. I we went down to the state capital uh the day before I left on vacation. I thought that was very wellreceived. We'll be actually down there again meeting with the same
people. >> Yeah. >> Well, we'll actually be down there tomorrow. >> Oh, right. Tomorrow. >> Yeah. So, and then I had a I had a bunch of other meetings over the last week. Um, I can show pictures if you guys need, but I was on vacation. >> I don't want to see them.
>> No, me either. >> That's it. >> Is that it? Okay. February 19th. Yep. I was at the capital with everybody else. Uh, let's see. the 23rd. I met with Amanda from BEP just to get uh an understanding because I'm sitting on
that board right now. Uh the 25th, yep, in-person construction meeting. Uh February 26 at 7:30, the BEP board meeting. Uh yeah, that was interesting, of course. Uh and then I also had that day I also
had the historical society meeting. Uh and that's it. That's all. Okay. Uh comments, concerns. >> Um Mr. Chair, uh I know that the what's the new committee called the Benton
County >> Culture Team. >> Culture Team. >> They thought C O R E. But >> they're I mean they want to get the coffee with commissioners going again. >> Yeah. >> Is what they name it. So, we got to get
some dates on the on the calendar for those. >> Um, will those be in conjunction with the board meeting date or at some other time? >> Yeah, >> that would be nice. >> Do it in the morning >> in conjunction with the board meeting. Okay, >> Will the change really just be the
location? Is it going to be someplace else besides here? >> No, I think we agreed on that. We'd have to do it here because it's got to be it's got to be public. Yeah. Right. >> Okay. So, you want to set some dates today? Let them bring the dates to us. >> Yeah. If if they if you want to get with
them and just see what dates would work. >> Who would be my best contact? Katie. >> Katie, probably. Y >> I'll I'll email her and ask for suggested. Yeah. But it's got to be a board meeting date. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> Got it. Understood. >> Cuz we usually do those at >> 8:00.
>> 8:15ish. Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. Anything else? >> Got it. >> Is that cows? >> Yeah. I I just want to remind you of two pretty important ones coming up, Mr. Chair. They're already on your calendar, though. But Monday, March 9th at 8:9 a.m. to meet with Becky and Georgia from
Fluid to talk about standards for cubes and offices and whatever other standards we have time for, but that's going to be the focus is cubes and offices. That's Monday the 9th at 9:00. Uh second is again Tuesday, March 10th at 8 a.m. here uh to meet with Steve
Bakowski to get you updated on the RO program, where things are at, status of projects and so on. That's 8 a.m. Tuesday, March 10th. >> Actually is at the highway. >> Oh, excuse me. >> I got to change it. >> Thank you, Beth. Uh Steve asked if we
actually could meet out at highway. So we'll use the highway break room. Thank you very much, Beth. I Yeah, Steve wants to meet out highway. So that will be at highway. I have that >> 8 o'clock. >> Yes. >> Yep. >> 8 o'clock. >> I have that on my calendar at the highway department. >> Tuesday, March 10th, 8 a.m. And I know
some some of us need to get over to Stock Rapids. Yep. >> Uh we move that meeting later, but that's not a cow. That's later. Yep. The only new thing I have, Mr. Chair, is AMC has rescheduled um the commissioner technical days. They're calling it. I'm not going to describe it. Nuts and
bolts. >> Yeah. I didn't feel comfortable describing anyway. uh commissioner technical days April 29th uh through May 1st at the Intercontinental St. Paul River. Now I think you all originally were all scheduled to go. Um who should we
register then for this one again? April 29th to May 1st. >> As of now I cannot go. >> Okay. >> I I probably will not to be going. >> A no. That's a no. Okay. Commissioner cuz wasn't it like for a hundred people?
I think they had a limit on it. >> A limit? I don't know. >> I don't know. >> I'm not seeing that here, but there probably is a practical limit on how many could be there. Yeah. Um, Commissioner Benoy or Commissioner Heinen.
>> Uh, temporarily just put me down, but I've got to check >> Okay. >> Yeah. I don't >> uh right now I'm open. >> You're open. Okay. So, Commissioner uh and Commissioner Blink. >> Yep. I'll know next I'll know next week. >> And Beth, if you could contact Commissioner Poppins, just see if he's
interested. Okay, we'll add that. That's the only new one we have, Mr. Chair. And that is it. >> Move for approval of the cows, Mr. Chair. >> I'll second. >> Okay, we got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not, I'll call the question. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Motion carries. Thank you. Anything else
in front of the board? >> Mr. We're done. >> Commissioner Ginsky, >> um, just to keep on the radar, I'm waiting for Megan to get back to us. >> Oh, about DC. >> About DC. That's going to be this month at some point. >> Yes, correct. Yep. >> Should we contact her? Are you comfortable contacting her?
>> No, I'm I'm I'm actually texting her right now to find out what she came up with. >> You got it. Got it. >> Yeah. I believe Grady was going to get in contact with >> Right. >> cuz I think it's extremely important >> get and push that and doing it through a
lobbyist is one thing, but getting >> in front of them >> in front of them is is going to be >> another thing. Yeah. So, okay, that was