You're so dead. It wasn't me. >> Oh, for once it wasn't you. Nothing that little venison jerky wouldn't take care of. >> Oh, >> it's his idea. >> No, >> I know.
>> Oh, don't believe 9:00 we'll call the county board meeting. We'll give them a flag pledge. >> I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and
justice for all. >> Roll call. Sure. Mr. Benoy >> here. >> Commissioner Heinen >> present. >> Commissioner Pop >> here. >> Commissioner Johnson >> here. >> Commissioner Kapinsky >> here. >> Approve or amend the agenda.
>> I miss you. I have these changes for you. Um after the consent, if we could add these items. Uh Willie Swanson, our new DOC uh district supervisor would like to introduce himself to you all. So right after consent, let's make that the um the first item.
The second is Chris Bird would like to pull his consent item number five for discussion. So let's make that that the second item after consent. Okay. And then Christine Sher treasure would like to give you a brief update on on DMV. That would be your third item after
consent. So >> and and then lastly, Mr. Chair, under county administrator, uh let's make that the fourth item under county administrator. We uh if we could please discuss a county engineer recruitment plan as the fourth item under
administrator. So do we want to discuss number five? Yeah. So right after consent again you'd have uh Willie would be number one and then at update number two and then Chris's item as uh maybe I said that backwards. So >> Willie first and then u Chris's consent
item number five and then the at update is number three after consent. >> Excuse me. >> Yeah. >> So we're just pulling it completely. >> We'll pull it completely. >> Are we good? >> Mr. Chair, before you move on, are we going to delete Are you going to talk about it? >> So the comp >> number five.
>> No, no. >> Oh, I'm sorry. >> The public hearing. >> Yeah, you told me about that and I forgot. Excuse me. Right. I >> believe we're deleting that from the agenda. >> We're removing The second item under Roxan, the public hearing. Is that correct? >> We're removing the public hearing under
land services 90 9:30. >> Okay, Mr. >> Chair, I'll move to approve the amended agenda. >> Second. >> Motion been made and seconded to approve the amended agenda. All in favor? >> I oppose. Carried. >> County board meetings are broadcast live
and video recorded on YouTube. Please restrain from speaking from the audience area and come to the podium so that viewers can hear you. The county board observes the Robert rules of order for its meetings. Please obtain the board's consent before addressing the county board.
Public comments are generally reserved for open form segments of the public hearing. However, public comments on the agenda items may be allowed at the discretion of the board chair. As we begin today, please turn off your cell phones or turn them to vibrate. Thank you. open form.
Thanks, Money. >> Um, we got Mike Landwear from Alberta Leandowski. >> Mike Mike Leandowski. I'm sorry about that. Must have that. >> You didn't see the SKI.
>> No, I didn't. I That was another item on the agenda. Morning, Mike Leandowski, Alberta Township. >> Uh, Mr. Is that the mic on? >> Is the mic on? >> Thank you. We couldn't hear you at first.
>> Mr. Chair, I just wanted to uh talk a little bit about the November 4th meeting, county board meeting. Um, at that time there was a couple things that were discussed. county administrator uh during his time at the uh on the agenda
uh covered a couple things that weren't clear to some of the public and also to a a named uh citizen Mr. Watercott uh who had made some social media post specifically the FFN and uh demo and
parking situation and so uh I'll let Mr. Watercott speak to that at some point. I think he's got a letter that he addressed with some type of a response. Um but uh
the county administrator did a good job explaining uh some of the issues that were misconceived I guess. Um the abbreviation for FFN and the uh where the funds were for that and where the funds were for the demo and the
parking. I don't know if the demo and parking uh the spreadsheet uh entries if that was made available at the time that the uh uh the bid sheets were in the back of the room at some of the meetings. Um so I think that's where some of that came into effect. Um the FFNE I understand
the abbreviation threw some people off. That's an that's a non-issue. Um county administrator said he hoped that some people would call his office if there's other concerns or questions. And I think Mr. Watercott put that in his uh response letter as well. So, I hope
that's taken taken uh to heart by some people. Uh but I hope the county understands that there's a lot of reasons why some people may not feel comfortable calling Monty's office or contacting you all. Um and so that's going to have to be overcome because uh um
a lot of people don't want to place that call. They don't want to come here. Um, but anyway, he did a good job explaining everything. But that's kind of where the meeting went off the rail because then Mr. Watercott was called out, called a gas
lighter, uh, accused of intentionally misinforming people. Anybody that knows Mr. Watercott knows that's not him. They know he's an honorable man. He's a taxpayer, lived in this county his whole life. um he was acting what he thought
was uh accurate information and I again I'll let his letter address that part of the definition of a gaslighter is blaming others for the problems you created and so uh one of the things Commissioner Gapinsky
addressed during that time when Mr. Watercott's name was mentioned was that county board is getting beat up and we hear about it from the state legislators all over state and other county boards and meetings and
kind of insinuated I guess that also went not to say that businesses don't want to move here. These aren't actual quotes but they're similar. goes to businesses who don't want to move here and um this well noticed
that Ben County is in the news. Well, we just read this into the record whether it's true or not referring to Mr. Watercott's stuff. Um goes on to call what's gaslighting
Commissioner Johnson says or I'm sorry, Commissioner Johnson said borderline gaslighting. Capensky says, "Yes, it is." So, yes. I'll just add that this little Facebook post that was put out by Mr. Watercott,
if if the board or anybody in this room thinks that that caused a statewide backlash from other board members or legislators. No. And Mr. Watercott addressed that in his letter as well, and I'll say it here. It's because KSTP 5
came the day before the final approval for funding because they picked up on the story. They watched the bulldozers bulldozers moving across the street before we had final funding in place. They came the next day, stood in the back of the room,
took in the meeting, the final vote. We all know how that went. And then when they tried to talk to the board members, the board members went out the side door, never talked. I think Mr. Gapinsky, Commissioner Gapinsky gave a few words. That was it.
Bad optics. Day before was bad optics. The only person that talked to KCP5 was you, Mr. Chairman, that um did a a interview with a reporter out in front that was
appreciated by the people, by the voters, by the taxpayers. At least you talk to them. whether or not they agree with your opinion or not, you talked to them. So that was appreciated. So between that, KCP and Star Tribune, that's where the statewide stuff comes from. It's not be and the business is
not coming here. It's not because of some little Facebook group. Okay. Um and in closing, you know, we keep hearing that this board's getting beat up. Yep. I it's been a tough time, but who else is getting beat up is the
taxpayers. Tomorrow we're going to the Foley School Board. Foley School Board is kind of what got people interested in what's going on here with the county projects because in 2024 Foley School Board took it upon themselves to take advantage of a bonding mechanism that did not require
any input from the community HVAC system. State allowed it. So the handful of people there put $14 million on the taxpayers for 16 years. 25 25.2% increase.
Virtually no input from the community. Couple articles by the then superintendent who is now gone now gone. She gave promoted this project along
with a school board 16 years and now tomorrow they're going to address a problem they've got. They've got price changes, change orders, and their hundreds of thousands of dollars going to be short in their project. And so they have three
options. And one of those options again going back to the taxpayers without any input because they started it with this way and now they can go back and take it again. There's a couple other options that I hope they explore before they go back to the taxpayers. But I hope that just explains a little bit why people uh
the taxpayers are feeling a little beat up too. It's not just school boards and county. Then you got the state and all the fraud and abuse and waste there and uh of course we've all heard about that. So, okay.
Uh, the school board is also going to be looking at a voter approved referendum coming up in the near future, too, for operating expenses. That's also been discussed on the record at their meetings. And so, uh, at some point, I think this year they kept their levy down pretty good, but in the coming
years that's going to be, uh, something that's going to be explored. So, thanks for your time. Appreciate your efforts. Thanks, Natasha. Good to see you again. Good evening, too. Good morning, commissioners. Um, I'm Natasha Barber. I uh live at 2216th
Avenue Southwest in Rice. >> So, I'm here today to bring you some news um more than the general reporting that we do. >> Star Publications, which owns the Sock Rapids Herald and the Benton County News
newspapers, will be combining those two newspapers as of December 1st. So, the new publication will be called Benton County Herald. The first issue will come out Saturday, December 6th. Um, we told our employees yesterday and this
announcement comes to you guys first and then most of the Foley area public will hear today with a letter in the newspaper. Um, and then the Sock Rapids area and Rice will hear through that newspaper on Saturday. Um, I'll be making some calls to city leaders and
and the school boards and different things today, too. Um, with that decision, we will be making some changes. Um, the first one is currently the Sock Rapids Herald goes out free to Sock Rapids and
Rice residents. We'll be extending that to Foley, Gilman, and Oak Park zip codes. Um, so not everyone in the county, but a majority of the county will be able to receive the paper for free, whether they want that print or online. And then we'll have an
introductory price for say Benton County residents that may have a Foreston address or Princeton address or East St. Cloud or something like that. Um and then along with that, we're hoping to expand our coverage. Um so maybe
doing a few more East St. Cloud stories and just like I you know the Princeton Forested addresses that are in the corners of the county that we didn't cover before. um we're hoping to expand that. So, we're really committed to
bringing you a fantastic paper. Um it hasn't been without its challenges, but this business decision will allow us to keep print alive in Benton County and um continue bringing the news to the area. So, um the other piece would be
that we'll be closing our Foley office and we'll be located in Sock Rapids going forward. no changes to the team. Um I think I have a great team here in Benton County and we're hoping confident that we'll continue to bring a great
product and I you have the letter that will appear in the paper in front of you and then my contact information is on there for questions concerns. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Thanks, Mike Deppa. >> Good morning you all. Um, I don't know
if I'm allowed to talk about the ditch situation at this time or if there is a uh special meeting that's going to be with the ditch authority. >> There's a ditch meeting after this. >> Mr. Chair, I would say though that the agenda does not have an open form on it. >> Oh, okay. >> So, your choice.
Um, I guess yeah, we have to address it somehow. >> So, how do you want to address it? When do you want to address it? >> What your concerns are. >> Correct. >> Mr. Chair, if I could, Mike, I guess your choice. We could add an open forum to the ditch authority agenda, but that
you're going to be sitting here a while until we get to ditch authority. So, maybe between you and the chair if you want to do it now or if you want to wait till ditch authority, the board, we could add an open forum. All I'm saying is right now on the agenda there is no open forum for the ditch authority >> meaning I can't speak. Is that what
you're saying? >> No, it just on the ditch authority. You couldn't we'd have to add that today. We could do that >> that would but you would be saying >> you got to do it. >> You got to do what's it's your meeting not mine. >> Whatever you think >> to add it to the ditch Mike.
>> So when we get the ditch authority we'll add it to open forum to the ditch authority meeting. >> Okay. Uh I got a couple comments that uh you know I made it I made it uh to a lot of the meetings with the government center and it's evident that people still can agree to disagree. You know
just let things go. You know what the building's going up. Um but to beat somebody up personally, I mean if you have something to say to somebody, say it say it in person to them. Be
respectful. you know, the uh the way people um social media, I don't believe in social media. I mean, if if you want to say something to somebody, talk to them. We're all adults. We can all agree to disagree.
Um and and it is what it is. You know, the a decision's been made. Um move forward. Are we moving forward in the right way? I don't know. Sometimes I sit there and I think I could have said things differently to
board members. Um, but I can agree to disagree and I just wish you guys have a good day and it's a good meeting here. All right. >> And I'll wait for the ditch authority at the end because I'd like to have it on record with um ditch number seven and I thank you for your time. >> All right. Thank you.
>> Thanks, Mike. >> Consent agenda. We have items one, two, three, and four as we pulled number five. Move a move approval. >> Second motion been made and seconded to approve approve consent agenda items one through four. >> All in favor?
>> I oppose. Carried. >> Um, >> Mr. Swanson. >> Yeah. Willie Swanson. >> Yes. >> Morning, commissioners. >> I just wanted to come and introduce myself. I'm Willie Swanson, the new
district supervisor. I'm supervising the St. and clouded Foley offices that um have all of the felony misdemeanor, gross misdemeanor, and juvenile probation folks in the county. Currently, I'm the district supervisor for Lichfield and Alexandria and now Benton County. Um Deb Anderson was the
supervisor. She was promoted. Um she's my boss, so I'll be assuming this county as well for our district. Just a little bit about me. Um I'm a St. Cloud resident in Benton County. Our house is actually split down the middle of Benton Sherburn. So I sleep in Benton, have breakfast in Sherburn, but that's
another story. Um, so but I worked for about 15 years as a um, probation parole agent in St. Cloud. So, this is sort of like a homecoming for me. Um, coming back to supervise some folks that I know and I know a lot of the stakeholders in the county. So, I'm happy to be here. Uh, I would at some point like to come
back and just give a more formal update with probation and not just have to come once a year and ask for money, that sort of thing. We appreciate that. That'd be great. That would be great. >> Get on the agenda in the future. So, it was very nice to meet you. Thank you. >> You welcome. >> Thanks. Welcome. Christine, >> good morning. >> Good morning. Morning.
>> Just wanted to give a quick update that we did open the DMV phone lines again as of yesterday and um things are going well so far. Uh in-person customers will always take priority over the phones and our intent is to get calls returned
within 24 to 48 hours. So, just wanted to give you a quick little update on that. >> Perfect. >> I think that'll work well. >> Yep. >> Yeah, that's been kind of a problem there. >> So, thanks for doing that. >> Thank you.
>> Then we'll move to Chris Bird. >> All right. Good morning, commissioners. >> In an effort of full transparency, I wanted to have this item pulled. uh the the copy of the pay voucher that was included in the packet had incorrect
numbers. So in between the time that agenda items were due and today um the consultant for this project uh corrected that we reissued a pay estimate to the contractor. Uh the contractor reviewed it and did accept that. So, I just
wanted uh to be transparent that the the final pay amount for this project and once again this is a trail project in the city of Rice in the Fox Meadows neighborhood kind of comes off of Arkansas 2 through that that open area. So, the final total payment to the
contractor Jr. Furch is $260,82260 which is more than what was in your packet. Just to recap the funding, uh, this project did receive $158,942 of federal transportation alternatives grant. Uh, the difference is being paid
for by the city of Rice. So, if once this gets approved, uh, we will pay the contractor, then we get our reimbursement from the feds, and then we'll invoice the city of Rice to make up, uh, the difference. So, just wanted to be transparent that the numbers, final numbers are different than what
was published in the agenda. M. Mr. Chair Chris, did you have administrative fees in this too from the county? >> That did not. That was not part of this agreement. Before we did that, the next project crossing the railroad uh that we do have that in there. So, >> to date though, we've spent close to
$10,000 of administrative costs, working with the consultant, reviewing their quantities and and and all that. So, just to put in a little bit in perspective on what we've incurred administering this project. So going forward, we have administrative contracts in >> place up to a maximum of 2% of the total
construction costs. >> Thank you, >> Chris. So I was talking to Commissioner uh Heinen earlier. So on that trail when they they tore out the fence going east and west that does not have to be put back. >> Um
yeah, that's that's something that uh we're continuing. It was not part of the plans. You're right. Uh to put that that back. So >> Okay. We may have to look at that as a as a maintenance because that parcel is >> a Benton County parcel. The state gave that to us when they built that
interchange project and it hasn't been an issue until till now. >> Well, I told uh Commissioner Heinen that we don't want to see the state come back in two or three years and say, "Hey, Benton County, you got to put that fence back." >> Obviously, the Yeah, the fence was in there to keep people out of that storm
water pond. Nobody has ever seen water in that. >> Correct. The question came up is when we put back the fence, >> if we're acknowledging that a fence is needed, do we need to put fence along the whole trail, >> which is additional quite a bit of additional length of fence that that we
were not budgeting for? So, it kind of kind of got caught up in that stalemate of what do we need to do with the fence. So, um that's why nothing addressed yet. >> So, we're just going to leave it as is now and wait and see what happens in the future. >> Yeah. Uh, I mean, we're going to have people using that trail next to uh,
storm water, dry storm water pond. >> I guess one of the concerns I always have is that there's a lot of four-wheel traffic right along there. Next thing you know, they're going to be going down and up, you know, >> and then then we may have Yeah, we'll certainly have to address it then. So, >> okay, >> good point. >> Yeah, right.
>> The storm fence. >> Storm feds. >> Storm fence. >> Okay. So, this is for approval. >> Move for approval item five off the consent, Mr. Chair. >> Second. Motion been made and second or seconded to approve consent agenda item number five. >> All in favor? I
>> opposed. Carried. Thanks, Chris. >> Very good. Thank you. Troy Hec morning, commissioners. >> Morning. >> Morning. I have before your request to uh sign a contract for a tool that is going to help us log activities in the
jail. Over my time in the sheriff's office, I said num number of times in probably much more colorful language that when you're dealing with a records management system, they all fall fall short of your expectations because they are such huge
pieces of software and there's so much to control. Our job when we're selecting a records management system is to find the one that falls short the least. So we think we've done that with Tyler and as this record management system
rolls out across our entire agency we found that there is a a shortcoming with it in the jail. We have an obligation to log many things that happen in the jail. Uh primarily we want to make sure that we have good logs to show when our
detention officers are doing their well-being checks. Good logs to show when we're del delivering meds. Uh good logs to show that we're addressing inmate issues. The Tyler jail management system will log those things, but it's
very difficult to extract that information out. So recognizing this shortfall, we found this uh partner software that they have in several of their installations, including the our partners over in Sterns County. This guardian RFID, this is a very nice piece
of software that is specifically designed to log these items. Uh and it does it in a way that creates uh ease for the detention officers to to make these things happen uh almost seamlessly. Uh, it uses devices much
like a smartphone and it'll it'll allow you to scan tags on the on the wall as you're going along on your well-being checks. It'll allow the detention officer to put comments in. It'll allow the detention officer to scan a bracelet on an inmate and make comment about that
inmate. And importantly, it allows us to go back and create logs and run reports so that if we're ever questioned by the state or we ever need to find an incident for whatever reason internally, externally, we can do that easily and we
can have defendable logs that show that we're doing our jobs properly. So, we're asking the board to approve the contract with Guardian RFID to bring this supplemental piece of software in to help our detention officers do their job.
>> Questions, Mr. Chair? >> Yes. >> Monty, where would this come from? >> I had Troy's identified uh the jail sher or sheriff's budget and also what we call the inmate welfare account. I'm not sure the split. So, the plan is to pay
for the the initial cost, the 13,000 and change from our jail budget. We have some we have some leftover funds in our 2025 budget, and we'll make some choices in the 2026 budget to ensure that we can fund that 13,000 as we're bringing it
in. Going forward in years 2 through six, that 12,95 is going to come out of the inmate welfare fund. And that is a fund that is created when our inmates buy commissary items, pay fees, that type of thing. So that is not um that is not taxpayer funds.
>> And I think that that balance hovers around 50,000ish roughly at at the moment. So >> Okay. >> Yeah. >> Move for approval, Mr. Chair. >> I'll second. >> Motion been made and seconded to approve the contract with Guardian. Any other discussion?
All in favor? >> Opposed? Carried. Thank you, Commissioner. Thank you, Sheriff. >> Monty Hudley, county administ. >> I see Cherylyn Chatter here from Bent Communications for a broadband update. Good morning, commissioners. >> Morning. >> Yes, Monte had asked us to provide a
broadband update and um just wanted to give you a little bit of history and Chad's going to jump in here too. We met with you uh gentlemen and ladies. I believe at that time it was all gentlemen back in 2022 when Benton County uh asked us if we would be interested in be doing a proposal to
help serve some of the areas in Benton County that did not have broadband service. At that time I loo went back and looked at the um proposal and the presentation we made and we were selected to do that. And just want to give you a little history at that time we offered 100meg up to one gig of service and we still um actually have
the same pricing. 100 mega is $59.95, but we actually reduced our one gig service to $109.95. So, we actually reduced our price for a one gig service. But really, to give you a little bit of our experience, currently we're up to 6,000 customers that we serve with broadband over our area. And we built
out to a lot of areas with the help of the county, the Minnesota State Broadband Program, and the townships that committed money from Benton County. And then we went into some other areas. We're in Morrison County, etc. We have over 6,000 broadband uh customers and approximately about 4,000 come from Benton County.
>> Wow. >> So to give you a little idea then back in 2022 there was a 1 million60,000 grant that was given to Benton Communications to build out Northwest Benton County, the Oak Park Rabbe area and the Mayo Lake Golden Spike area is what we called our projects. Those were
huge projects that we did at that time and that money came from the American Rescue Plan that came through the county. And then we also again received Minnesota deed and then Bettin communications put in a large sum of money. So with that I just want to let you know that the Rabby Oak Park area
was over 15 miles plowed. There were 77 establishments passed. 55 of those were plowed in and 50 people installed in that area. Our total cost after the grants received from the county and from the Minnesota State Broadband Grant was $447,000.
Then we also did the Northwest Benton County project that was 10.2 26 miles plowed, 24 establishments were passed, 10, excuse me, 19 were plowed, and 15 installed. The total cost for that project after grants was $150,826. So, as I'm saying these amounts, you can
see that Bettton put in a substantial amount into these projects also. And then the Mayo Lake Golden Spike Road project was approximately 116 miles plowed. There was 394 establishments passed. Pam can I can smile at her because she was one of those. and 215 those were plowed in and 182 people were
installed. Some of these figures have increased since then because as we've been going on with the project or as they've been completed people have moved in or people have realized that had the need for internet and that total cost um final cost was $1,283,29. That was again after the grants. So that
was the money that that Betton Communications put into these projects. And then finally um and I'm going to smile at Chad here because a couple years later um Bettton South came up and we had the commissioners come visit our office a couple times especially commissioner uh Kapinsky and commissioner Johnson and said and we
were getting tired or we had done all these projects and again we have done projects in other places. We had overbuilt our own coax in Rice. So Chad and I were getting tired and we thought we were going to take a year off. Well the commissioners came and they said we have some money to put in. So that was where the $2 million grant was available
from the county and the townships from the American Rescue Plan. And then we said, "Well, we'll do it if we get a grant from the state of Minnesota from their broadband program." And sure enough, we got a we got a grant. So we started this project back in just a
little bit in 23. Really didn't start having it. hit it in 24 very hard and proud to say that in 25 uh this month actually we'll be completing the installs that were wanted the service. >> That was over 251 miles plowed. >> Wow.
>> There was 988 establishments passed. 872 of those asked to be plowed in. So that's great. So that's really what we want. They may not want this service today, but we really encourage them to get it plowed in. So if they want it tomorrow or if they sell their place, we can go out there and Chad can relate to going out there in the middle of the winter and try to put fiber on the
ground. Yeah. >> Um and so anyway, 467 were installed and that number is growing every day. That total cost minus the grants and this isn't a final cost because we're still closing up some of the like I said some of the installs was 2,327,000
that Benton Communications put into Benton County. >> So we are just very happy to say that we have um reached our plans. All of Benton County is built out at this point. Everybody in Benton County has h access to highspeed internet. I'm smiling at um
Commissioner Kapinsky because he knows he wants us to come into the city of South. >> They already have the over the 100 meg available to them. So, we cannot get funding for that. And we've learned over the years that it does not pay to go into an area that's already got competition because you can see the figures that we have paid out.
>> So, we um like I said, I want to thank the county and the townships because we had townships that contributed money also. And again, without the state of Minnesota broadband program, we wouldn't have been able to do that. Um, maybe Chad wants to relate to a little bit that of what we have all done and what we've accomplished and what we've seen.
>> Yeah. So, my name is Chad Kanig. I'm the operations manager with main communications. I oversee the technical department. Um, we did wrap up all of our main construction um on the Benton South um grant project in early July. Um
it was um I believe the project went very well. Um we have definitely uh done our due diligence to serve all of Benton County for people that did not have highspeed internet
access. You know, coming from a a cooperative mentality, I think that um you know, a lot of the bigger companies, I guess, have left the rural communities in the dust. and you know at this day and age you know not having access to high-speed internet um is definitely
detrimental to the population. So um just in you know true cooperative um fashion you know we're happy and proud that you guys chose us to be the provider you know for for your county as well. Um it's been fun projects going outside of our ibeck area. um you know
in an update since uh we first put a proposal together uh we did uh partner with another company and we are able to offer landline telephone service which um you know Cheryl didn't allude to and and quite honestly uh we were actually kind of blown away with the uh u amount
of landlines that we have ported over from Centry Link. So >> um you know that that portion of the business has been going very well as well. Um, so if you guys have any technical questions, you know, I can certainly answer any >> I uh I I personally want to thank Benton
Communications for stepping up. Uh I don't think you really alluded to how many phone calls, emails uh in person, almost begging >> to take on that last big chunk, which was huge. >> Uh without without you guys stepping up that
>> probably wouldn't have gotten >> it would it would not have gotten completed. So I I kudos to you guys and your teams and and and making the deadlines. It is truly gonna uh help Benton County for years to come. >> Yeah, >> Mr. Chair, too. I want to reiterate,
thank you for keeping your doors open to us. I know sometimes we almost got the eye roll like why are you back here again? We have already told you no, >> but appreciate you accepting us. And >> I think the last I think the last meeting I actually said I'll get down on my knees if you really want. >> And then you smiled and I said let let's
see what we can do. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, no, we we definitely appreciate the the teamwork. You know, I I think that's uh you know, a big part of all this as well. Um you know, for a company of our size, we certainly couldn't have done it all on our own, right? >> Uh we definitely appreciate the u uh
grant projects that the state of Minnesota had put together. >> Um you know, it was a absolute excellent program for the citizens of the state. um you know, and for you guys to to come through and and assist us with being
able to do this build out um definitely made it feasible for a company of our size to be able to do it as well. So, >> and it was really nice to be able to do it with a local business. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. It quite honestly, um you know, we've had, you know, projects of this
magnitude don't go out with their issues, right? and uh you know with some of the um residents you know needing to get a hold of somebody at Century Link and it was an absolute nightmare. >> Yeah. >> You know and you know that's kind of some of the feedback that's very positive that we get back is it's nice
that they can actually call and talk to somebody >> that's literally lives right up the road. Right. Um you know we kind of pride oursel on on same day trouble service. You know if somebody does have problems you know it's not three weeks down the road we'll get to you. uh you
know, we make every effort to do it within the same business day. If not, we'll be there the next business day. So, um you know, we we we've had a lot of positive feedback along those lines as well. >> Absolutely, Mr. Chair. One more thing. >> Um peeling this back a couple years ago,
the county and Bettton uh telephone got an award from AMC on this. I just want to bring that to the forefront and thanking our county board for um following this fate of getting broadband to everybody which is such a key um uh
utility these days. Uh uh the county really believed in building into our county paying you know basically I've got this saying you know it's a gift that'll keep giving. So we we on all of our for the most part all of our ARPA
we're one of the very few counties that put it all back into the county whether it's through the cities through broadband through uh whatever. So we didn't put it in general fund and and and use it for expenses. So >> we are very rare in that >> we we're one of the very very very few
that did >> m Mr. Chair Cheryl I don't want to put you on the spot but did I hear you say roughly you have a 50% take rate so far in the south project? That would be correct. But that's growing every day. Like I said, as people learn that their neighbor has it or whatever. But the big thing, like I want to mention, I
mentioned before, excuse me, was is that the people got it plowed in. And that was huge because again, like I said, sooner or later there's a good chance that they're going to want it. >> And so that's what we're going with because just to give you an idea, in our beton communications area, which is our legacy area, we have about 80%
penetration with broadband. So we're really excited to see that. It gave us the opportunity to grow, but we couldn't have did it without you guys and the townships and also with Chad's department. Um, like I said, when we took on 900 customers with this Betton South project, it was pretty scary. Um,
but we went forth and we didn't add any employees >> and we got through it. Um, now we have a few other people, townships in Morrison County that are at our door begging, >> begging us to, but of course the funding isn't there anymore as it was, but we've gave them some other ideas and we're hopefully going to be able to work with
them in the future. So again, uh, Monty asked us to provide an update and we're we're more than proud to take or more than happy to take any questions, but again, thank you for everything. And with that, um, I just want to let you know, I don't know if this is a pleas or not. I am going to be I want to see this project through, so I'm going to be retiring January 30th.
>> Um, we have a new manager, um, place already going to do a great job for us, Josh Anderson, but Chad's going to be around a few more years, so if you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask him. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Uh we als I also did get a uh a very good message from uh Sakaba School District. They had no idea
you guys went by their school >> and Cory Zimple's like it's been a game changer for them. So >> yeah, and I they had ran into a issue a few years back where their phone systems had went down and so basically districtwide they uh
>> um um rely on the internet for their phone systems and yeah, we had a connection to the Rice Elementary already and uh so yes, we worked a a deal with the uh school district to provide them with a um
one gig back hall uh backup circuit. straight down to the high school. So, in the event that situation their main circuit would go down, um it was a a fail over and I know they just had that issue again here a few weeks ago and
everything worked >> Yeah. >> exactly according to plan. So that main interconnection did go down to the high school and to the district offices and you know uh they're great at shooting me an email letting us know, hey, you're going to see some additional traffic on
on that circuit coming through here because we are using it. Um and it it's been a very good deal for them. They use that for a lot of the technical u upgrades and and backups to their equipment with the um u MacBooks and the iPads that they have at the school
district. So, no, that's been a great partner to work with them as well. >> Great. >> So, >> Mr. Chair, >> yes. >> I I just have one question just for clarification for me because I've had a couple of calls from people that live on the Golden Spike. Is is there
on the north side of Golden Spike? I haven't heard anything. South side of Golden Spike, is there some that are not able to hook up on the south side? It all kind of depends on where they fall in line. You know, our um boundary is
I want to say just to the northeast of the racetrack there. So, kind of depend on how far down towards Sock Rapids they are. Well, and it's coming it's coming right off the last roundabout. Those people on the south side of
>> our are so the mind town hall is pretty much the border that going directions would be west I think in my mind would be not included because they were already had offering of services or they should have had offering of services and so they were not part of the grant plan at all.
>> We're working on that yet. and and and the only reason I'm asking is because some of these people are saying they have sentry link which I don't know dialup it is dialup and and they are saying they don't have other options out there. So at this point kind of when when we went through and did our
um state broadband grant projects um cooperative network services CNS was our engineering company that went through and studied all the uh broadband maps that were available to the state of Minnesota and we essentially um applied
all the way up to uh wherever those maps would allow us to gain funding for. So, if there still are a few um onesie, twoosy residences that kind of slip through the cracks, you know, I would encourage them. in the state of
Minnesota. Minnesota still has a uh line extension program and so those residents could actually go to the state of Minnesota's broadband site and request u it's a small questionnaire and they
could um request service and that gets sent out to us providers twice a year and uh if they're able to be if if if they're eligible we would be able to essentially
bid up to a certain amount um for funding to try to uh get the onesie twoosies that are still left. Um and I know that program is still in place. >> Okay. And you said the state of Minnesota's website and then go to their broadband.
>> Yes. And it's the line extension program. >> And we can send that to Monty if Monty wouldn't mind forwarding it on to the commissioners then. So we could it's just a one page telling them how to get there. We just did that with Piers Township. They wanted and they had no funding. So, we talked to the program about them with them and they actually
went out to all their constituents and actually helped them sign up. There's no guarantee, but as Chad said, the opportunity with the state would say, "Okay, these people are interested. How much could you do it for?" And there's some funding available. That's the only funding available. So, like I said, we can share that with Monty Pam and then
we can um he can distribute that to you. Um but like I said, the area can have access to over 100 meg. if they already have access to 100meg, they're not eligible for the program. >> And my understanding is these people are not um eligible with that 100 meg
because they're too far out of >> Yeah. So, I I would highly encourage them to go apply for that program. >> Okay. >> And it wouldn't just be, you know, Benton Communications that would be able to bid on that. You know, if Charter is right down the road, they'd be able to do it. Um, you know, is another one, you know, that has fiber
in the area. So, >> all right. >> And that 100 meg is so sporadic, too, in soccer rapids where if it's in the perfect time of the day, you're I mean, everybody's using it, it just drops, but you still have 100 meg at midnight.
>> Mhm. >> So, the county has better than than I do at home, and I need it. >> So, we'll keep working on it. >> Yeah. And and and with our networks and stuff, too. I mean uh you know we we are capable of doing multi- gig services as
well right you know um it's just all about the electronics that's on the other side so >> thank you >> thank you very much >> thank you guys for having a great day >> congratulations >> thank you >> Pete is here
>> project update >> Pete is here. Yes. >> Morning, commissioners. Pete Philippi, Integrity Group. Um, just quick monthly update on the construction happenings uh out on the site. Uh, since I was here last, we've had a good month. Uh, you
notice looking outside, all the stair towers, the elevator towers have all been constructed. Uh, those act as shear walls for the structure. It creates a a solid diaphragm for the building to push up against. uh the deep underground sewer line has
been installed. The temporary or the actual water lines coming into the building with a temporary patch has been installed. Uh and with that being said, we're starting to wreck the steel. So, uh last couple weeks, many semis of uh steel have been unloaded. Uh Breitbuck
is on site starting to organize that and starting to erect the steel on site. Uh the plan in place right now is we're going to set the twotory frame, come back and put the roof steel on, and then drop down and do the decking on the second floor. Uh with that being said,
the mother nature's been in our favor. Uh things have progressed really nicely, and we're looking at 40° here the rest of this week and even in the next. So, uh with that, I'll address any questions anybody has. >> I guess we're good. >> Sounds good. Well, have a happy
Thanksgiving everybody. >> Thank you. Thanks. >> I'm going just share uh I have before you the uh request for a general wage adjustment for non-UN employees. Of course, uh for our union folks, we're addressing that matter through ongoing negotiations. Um hopefully we'll have some agreements
soon. I we do have three tenative agreements and those groups are will be conducting ratification votes I believe actually two today and then I'm not sure about the other the third uh but my recommendation for you all is a 3% general wage adjustment for our non-UN folks and that is consistent with those
tenative agreements so we always try and be consistent with what's occurring in labor negotiations uh Mr. chair. So that'd be 3% January 1st. >> Yep. >> Any questions? >> No. >> I think it's self-explanatory. >> No. >> Yeah. >> Motion to adopt the general wage
adjustment at 3% for the non-un employees effective January 1st, 2026. >> I'll second. >> Motion been made and seconded to adopt the non-un employees 3%. Any other discussion? Hearing none. All in favor? I
>> opposed. Carried. Isn't Chris gonna Monty? >> We're going to do the recruitment. I'm sorry. What was that again? >> Recruitment. >> Recruitment. >> Oh, yes. >> Uh well, obviously we need to start working on a county engineer recruitment. And historically when we've
had department heads uh leave us, we've asked two board members to be part of a selection committee. >> Um I know we we a couple of times we did we used an executive search firm. I would suggest we'll we'll we'll do our best and manage that recruitment
internally. Um but I I wanted to ask if you all uh would like to appoint two board members to a selection committee and then we'll get that process started. I guess the only thing that I have is that I think one of the two should come from either district two or district one
because that's where the that part of the county controls a huge amount of what the county does. >> Mhm. Mhm. >> That would be my only request I guess from that part. >> And I know that Sock Rapids has a ton of stuff coming. >> Yeah. >> Potentially that would be the two two
places we look at. I'd make I'd make a motion for Commissioner Johnson to be on the recruiting committee. >> That's one. Okay. >> Who's the second? >> Did you want to be on it? >> Either me or you.
>> Do you want it or >> don't fight over it? >> Flip a coin, right? >> Yeah. It doesn't matter. >> Okay. >> I'll put I'll make a motion for Commissioner Heinen. >> Okay. >> Okay. So motion's been made for Commissioner Johnson and Commissioner Heinen to be on the search committee for
a new county engineer. Any other discussion? >> All in favor? >> I opposed. >> So Mr. Chair, I will definitely convene a mean of group. Uh and typically I know we had department has we've invited someone from outside the county to be a
part of that selection committee. So, we might want to talk about, you know, another county engineer from another uh to join us on that and and so on. So, I'll we'll get that organized soon. >> All right. Thank you, >> Roxan.
>> All right. Good morning, commissioners. Mr. Chair, uh we have a plat entitled Schmidt edition submitted by Dennis and Judy Schmidt. They're looking to plat two lots on theirund I believe it's 126
acres of property. It is in St. George Township. Uh both lots will be buildable lots. They will be accessed off of a township road. The planning commission did review this and held a public hearing last Thursday and the recommendation was to move forward with
approval. >> Straightforward. >> It was very straightforward. I'll move for approval, Mr. Chair. >> I'll second. >> Motion been moved and seconded for approval of the final plat entitled Schmidt addition.
>> The discussions, comments. >> All in favor? >> I >> post carried. >> Thank you, Sandy Shoberg. I'm actually going to hand this over to Lindsay Canelsa. >> Good morning.
>> Good morning. >> Uh just here to give an update on the federal shutdown and the SNAP benefits. So the supplemental nutrition assistance program and then also the Minnesota family investment program for the food benefits as well. Um just uh update, the
longest federal government shutdown in US history ended on November 12th. The House passed a continuing resolution and the president signed it la um on uh last Wednesday night and then the continuing resolution funds most of the federal
government operations through January of 26. However, some programs such as the USDA, which administers SNAP, have funding through September of 26. Um so Minnesota began issuing full SNAP benefits as of Friday, November 7th.
households can currently use their money once it arrives on their EBT card, which is their card where the benefits go on. Um, our system that we use, Maxis, um, is currently up and running um, to determine eligibility for SNAP. So, everything is on schedule as as usual,
back to normal right now, >> Mr. Chair. Yeah. >> So, Lindsay, they said that there was going to be a delay. So, when they sign up, is there a week or three week delay on the benefits or anything? Nope, not at this time. >> Okay. >> Nope. >> Everything's running back as usual prior
to the shutdown. M >> Mr. Chair, have you seen an increase in applications? >> Not yet. No. >> Okay. >> No. >> Great. >> Any other questions? >> No. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> At this time, we're going to recess the
county board meeting and go to public health, our community health board. >> We'll call the Ben County Community Health Board. I know that all commissioners are here. Uh, approve or amend the agenda. Jacqueline >> Yeah. >> gave us a handout,
>> correct? Yep. Nothing to um nothing substantial, but within the board packet there, agenda item for the first consent agenda item for the WIC contract. Um, there is an updated agenda item for that. Um, the we're looking for ratification of the contract, not
approval of the contract. So, we have an updated item for that. And then nothing to add to the agenda. I just want to leave you with a copy of our public health department newsletter for November. >> Move for approval, Mr. Chair. >> Second. >> Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? Not to call the question. All in favor say I.
>> I oppose. Motion carries. Consent agenda item 1 through five. What would we like to do with that? >> I will make a motion to approve consent agendas 1 through five with the correction to the women, infant, and children's contract amendment.
>> Thank you for that. >> Second. Okay, we got a motion and a second. Any further discussion? If not now to call the question, all in favor say I. I. >> Opposed? Motion carries. Jacqueline Wick program. >> Sure. So, um, as Lindsay just mentioned,
um, related to the federal government shutdown, um, our WIC program, as you know, is federally funded. We did not experience any, um, delays or any changes within our WIC program throughout the shutdown. Um, however, as you heard on November 12th, the government ended the shutdown and within
that, Congress passed a bill that which reopened the federal government. The bill funds our WIC benefits and services um through September, which is the entirety of our grant cycle. Um, so that will be unchanged with those appropriations. Um, it is an 8.2 billion
full funding, which was the request that the state had put in um for the WIC funding. So, they received the full amount and that maintains the current expanded WIC fruit and vegetable package um benefit at $26 with um funding for peer breastfeeding program experiencing
no changes. So, um everything with her wick program is um operating and no impact or change at this point. >> Great. CO funding. >> Sure. So, um I'm bringing back today the
CO funding reinstatement and wanted to provide an update. Um, as you recall, Courtney had provided and updated a previous board meeting that we'd be looking to utilize some of the CO funds that were reinstated to help offset some of the costs with the new building immunization space or immunization room.
Um, MDH provided an update to our request of supplies and equipment. So, just wanted to update the board um as the guidance has become more strict over the past year on what items we'll be able to purchase and help offset some costs for. Um, what I'm going to read off here is not an all-inclusive list.
This is just some initial um items that we've submitted to MDH and we'll certainly be in consultation with MDH about other allowable items that could be utilized underneath our grant funded um items because as much as we can try to offset the cost, we'd like to do that um using these grants. So, some of the
items that we've already talked with MDH and that have been approved would be our sharps wall mounts um containers, lockable medical supply cabinets, um immunization storage supplies, organization supplies, um glove wall mount holders, temperature monitoring devices, thermometers for immunization
rooms, um signage, um vaccination talking points, materials, um floor mats, safety equipment for our staff and for the immunization room, and software needs. So just wanted to provide that update listing. Um a couple of the items that they are not able to fund through
those COVID vaccine grant funding would be a vaccine fridge, the medical chair and exam chair and technology equipment. So um just really just for simply matter of minutes wanted to make sure that I provided an updated list as that has changed since the last update we provided. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes.
>> Yes. >> Sorry commissioners. >> Oh Jacqueline would uh we just had our cow yesterday. Would any of that stuff be able to be purchased through the opioid? >> Um, I think I'd have to look at the allowable expenditures to see if
anything would fit under that. Yeah. >> Okay. >> Yep. >> I think it depends on Yeah. on purpose and need and services that would be provided. So, we'd have to look at that a little bit more deeply. >> Mr. Chair, so how long do you think this funding is going to go on on the co >> The co funding ends in March of 2026.
So, our healthy family unit um the unit that Courtney oversees will be working on purchasing these items pretty soon here. >> Yes. um because we want to utilize as much of that as we can um prior to the ending of that funding. Yep. >> Any other questions, >> Mr. Chair? And you're looking at just
under 738,000. >> Yeah. So, the current amount we have for our COVID funding grant, Yep. 737,680. >> Yeah. So, we'll we'll make we'll utilize what we can, but it's a short turnaround time and um really between the time that they re reinstated the funds to when
they're closing out the grant is pretty quick. >> Mr. Sure. >> Yes. >> So, where does the funds go that's not spent? >> Back to the >> They'll go back to the >> state. The state and then back to the feds >> and then back to the feds. >> Yep. Yep. Um, in the past, you know, they've done some reallocation, but I'm not certain. I haven't heard what they plan to do with with these funds after
they've gone back. So, I'm not sure. >> Yeah. It'll be interesting, but there's a pot of money for us to use. >> Yeah. >> Otherwise, it goes back. >> Great. Okay. Next. >> Okay. >> Consider the agreement. >> Yeah. So, the next one is a weaving cultures agreement. Um so this is a new
contract that um has been included in your packet today. We have um been experiencing an um a challenge in finding interpreters and translation services for the Anu language um which is a language um from what I understand from South Sudan and Ethiopian area. So
we have run into some issues where we've been trying to serve some clients and haven't been able to find interpreter services with our existing contracts. Um, and so Courtney's team has identified another contracted services that has the language that's needed. And so just looking for approval of the contract so that we can utilize that
with our clients and families. >> Questions? >> Where is this funding coming from then? >> So the funding typically comes from the program that the individual is being served out of. So it can vary, but most oftent times it will come from our family home visiting grants. um within those either that our local public
health grant and then once those are exhausted then we utilize um our operating budget. So >> so use the grants first before touching the >> Yep. We always try and use our grants first. Yeah. And sometimes I think for bill interpreter services to health plans as well.
>> I think certain certain fund certain um services I believe we can also bill some to health plans. So yeah. >> Okay. I'll make a motion to approve the community health board and weaving cultures language services. >> I'll second.
>> Got a motion and a second. Any further discussion on this? If not, I'll call the question. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. Jacqueline. Anything else? >> Yeah. So, just um two quick items. One, I just wanted to express a thank you
also to this board for the Benton communications work. Um, as you know, uh, internet and technology access drastically impacts ability for individuals to be healthy. So, just wanted to express a thank you from the health department on that work and, um, for supporting that with Benton Communications. And then the other thing
I wanted to do was hand out um, a copy of our November newsletter. And then that's it for us. >> Great. Thank you. >> Do you want probably there's people here. >> Thank you.
Thank you. Thanks, Jacqueline. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Thank you very much, Jacqueline. >> Thank you. >> At this time, we'll adjourn the Ben County Community Health Board at 10:00 and turn it back over to the board chair.
>> And from here, we're going to go to ditch authority meeting. Turn it over to >> Johnson. >> All right, we'll call our ditch authority meeting to order. Note that all commissioners are present. Uh we'll need approval or amendments to our agenda. And just a reminder, we did have a request for open forum. So if we could
add that to our agenda. >> I'll make that motion, Mr. Chair, to add uh open forum. >> I'll second motion a second to add open forum to our agenda. All those in favor? >> I opposed. It's carried. Move on to open forum right away. Mike,
>> good morning again. >> Morning. Morning. I uh I uh wrote a uh petition to the county um disputing that um there never was a um meeting in 22 or 24 on ditch number
seven on the total assessment when the project manager came out and did um our um total dollar amount that was assessed to each property owner. I don't believe I'm being assessed properly on my land
parcels. And um the letter I wrote was to whom it may concern because I don't know who the ditch authority person is. And if it's the commissioners, I believe we should change the ditch authority. It's nothing personal is that, you know,
if we have planning and zoning, we should have ditch authority people as well. You know, somebody that specializes in the ditch authority. you know, when we build when we build building or we get permits for certain
items, you know, the um we have um we have different committees and I believe there should be a different committee other than the commissioners because commissioners are going to take the beat up on that ditch. you know, if there's somebody on some some type of
way that that could change, I would like to see that discussed and changed because it's not accurate for them to uh take the brunt of something that's not theirs. um and for other people to make
a decision on the ditches that it doesn't affect. I have some concern on there and I wrote on there to whom it may concerned ditch assessment notice. The Benton County a ditch authority made assessments to my property that are not accurate to the parcel number
01.00362.00 00 county ditch number seven in the amount of $33,562 and also parcel 01.036302 in the amount of 30 or 20454 as the property owner. There was never a final meeting or discussion regarding on
the ditches listed above. I believe this all occurred in the year 2022 and 2024. >> The property owner is appealing to dispute the Benton County Ditch Authority. The following ditches are not
on my property, number one, and they don't have to be on my property to for me to get a benefit per the letter that was sent from the county. They're saying that the the my water flows that way.
Some does, some don't. Okay. I am charged on two parcels of land. The one parcel the my opinion is is that it does not reflect me. Ditch number seven is on
Highway 25. Mr. Pop would know where ditch seven starts. I don't have the ditch on my property on ditch number seven. I have to clean my own personal ditches to get the water to run. And I I fork that bill
out of my own personal pro uh pocket for that. I don't think that that's right. I think that there should be a reassessment and a re-evaluation of who's paying what amount on those ditches and who's benefiting from it. I got a list
of the people for ditch number seven and it comes up to a total of $35,53. I'm getting assessed approximately $600 on a ditch that does not be on my
property and my water does I don't benefit from it that way. I have to clean on my side to get my water to flow that way. So, I would like the ditch authority
somehow some way to come up and re-evaluate how the people are being taxed on that ditch number seven. I says the following ditches ain't on my property. Following property owner requests to be made whole in every way. Whole in every way means
that I want to be reimbursed for what I paid that doesn't benefit me. You know, if a whole parcel of land, if I'm getting assessed on a whole parial of land, and exact what I want to mean by that is 40 acres, my 40 acres would not
all benefit. Maybe five acres of the 40 might benefit on it, but why should I be assessed a total amount? Mine should be I agree I think should be lower. And that's for the ditch authority
to come up and do that. You can take that drone that you fly around with that's not accurate and you can draw any lines you want to line want on any piece of paper and believe what's on that piece of paper until you walk that
property and you see where that water actually runs to then that would be fair. I don't think it's fair how the assessments are being done on ditch number seven. I can't speak for any of the other ditches, but there hasn't been any uh maintenance done on the ditch in
2025 that I'm aware of. We're collecting $35,000. The county is and it's being put in a fund for what? Why are we collecting for something that's not being done? I paid
approximately 600 bucks above and beyond my taxes to be put into account of the county. If the countyy's taking that money and using it for another ditch, that's wrong. That's my money for that ditch. >> Okay, that's
>> you should not be taking money from one ditch to another ditch to fund what do you call it the process. Go ahead, Ed. That's that's not true, Mike, because each ditch has got its own fund. That's throughout the whole state. So that part
if if you're paying into ditch number seven, >> ditch number seven's fund stays there. That part we know. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> I mean, it does not go um I believe it was ditch seven or ditch ditch seven years ago had a fund and we did some
partial cleaning and it was a crappy job, don't get me wrong. And they used that funds. There was no nothing had to be a public hearing or anything to do those funds and that was shortly I think after I got on the board. So that part is there's no that that doesn't happen
but you can ask the auditor treasur can show you all the money what ditch six ditch seven ditch 12 what sits in there. Um the other the other um question I have for you is when you clean your private ditch, does it flow to ditch
seven or is it do you know where it goes? >> Comes out to the county ditch and I have to get a permit. The two ditches that are on my property that I clean, I have to get a permit because it comes to the county ditch and I pay for that out of my pocket.
>> Right. >> I I don't get it. Well, we did do the redetermination of benefits, but we can have that looked at. >> I was just going to say, Mike, do you recall receiving a packet back in 22, which was called the redetermination of benefits, where it would have explained
the drainage process from your property to CD7? Do you recall? >> I pro I probably did receive it, but I didn't read it. I got to be straight up on it. That's fair because I don't under I don't understand the language. So, I guess if I could suggest maybe between Adam and Chris, we could get the copy of
that redetermination of benefits for you for how the viewers determine you have a benefit. The problem with it is, and again, this is ditch law, not ditch authority decision. Ditch law allows a 30-day appeal. Well, obviously we're
three plus years past the appeal process for that. So, ditch law dictates that part of it. To my understanding also, and I could be wrong, this is my understanding, is county boards who manage the ditch systems in their
county, they are the ditch authority. Unless it's given out to like the soil and water conservation districts or other units, the county boards, it's a different hat. They become the ditch authority. And that's statewide and in ditch law to my understanding. So, to my knowledge, we can't just hand it off to
a different committee because it's part of the responsibility of the county board. Okay, I understand that, >> Mr. Chair. I would I would uh definitely like to look into that, though. Hand it off. >> Yeah, I'd like to hand >> because we Yeah, >> we did mention about talking and trying
to hand it off to so >> Yeah. And they're not interested. I could talk to Jerry myself, but anyways, go ahead, Mike. >> Okay, so back when this all started, Mr. Pop was commissioner, and he's well aware of this >> is is that one of the neighbors took their water and drained it back into my
property. >> Yes. You know what was done about that right there? Zero by the commissioners and zero by the ASC office. The comment was maybe you should get along with your
neighbors a little better. But when somebody goes and drains water and changes the flow of water back into my property and I paid more than the $35,000 to put in tile to make my ground work.
How do you would you feel? >> Yeah. >> Think about it. >> I stuck more money into tiling because they ran water back into my property. Ed's aware of that. And you know what? You want you know what the comment was?
We don't want to touch it. >> Mike, would you be okay with us having Adam or Chris reach out to you and getting you a copy of that redetermination of benefits? And also, we could get you a copy of the affidavit showing that the public hearings were published and noticed. >> Yes, that's fine. And and it's something
I missed probably. I I'm guessing I did miss it, but to have what happened, you need to hear exactly how it was handled. I hope you guys don't handle it that way this time. Is it Is it beyond maybe?
Yeah. But you know what? When I have to go tile my ground to farm my ground and then I get assessed on these other people's ditches and I'm paying everybody else's other way. That's not right. >> Mhm. Plus, I have two ditches to the
north of me that I have to maintenance and clean by myself. Nobody's nobody's doing those ditches. The county ain't doing them, but but they're my ditches. >> Yeah. >> Okay. Because they're on my property. >> But also, what I want to say is is the
ditches are on the other people's property. Why don't they pay for the cleaning of the ditches on their property? I I don't get it. Well, when you go back to the ditches in general, they were established way back in like the early 1900s and we and you and
everybody here had nothing to do with that. And it was put in state statue that this is how the ditch system in the state of Minnesota works. And in Benton County, they were neglected for so long that they weren't kept up to date and all that other stuff. And then we
finally got requests to clean out. I think we started with ditch 13 and 15 way back in 2017 and we've moved forward and as you know Mike higher crop prices dictate more interest in having great drainage because drainage works. I mean
everybody that farms knows that drainage is a big benefit. It's almost as much benefit to you as irrigation is to me. >> Correct. >> So that part is there. But ditch law was established way back when. So it you can't change ditch lot state statute.
And so I'd be interesting to s sit down with you and when we get them redetermination of benefits to see how it runs how your water runs into ditch 7 >> or how they explain that it gets there. >> Mhm. >> Mr. chair. >> I just I wish that that they would put
some of these seminars on that we go to for new ditches for for the public because I think it would shed a lot of light into what >> right >> you know what we have to learn at these at these uh conferences became
>> I mean I always thought that that you know the larger counties the the Renvilles and the Mlouds and that that they had all their ditches were completely you know there's no problem. So that's not the case. Land changes hands. This person doesn't agree. They have the same issues that we do. But you
always got to go back to ditch law that was established. We didn't establish it. You didn't establish it. And that's, you know, that's kind of the holdup here on how it is. And I, you know, I mean, if you don't like the way we want to do some maintenance and kind of keep it up, get it back to to par where it should
be, um, then, you know, that's up to the people on these ditches when we have the ditch meetings that, you know, they can determine if we don't if they don't want ditch seven, if they don't want to do, uh, an assessment to try and fix it or or have this cushion in there so we can do like when there's a wash out or a
blowout or something like that. Um, that's their privilege. But we have to put it before them in order to get the assessment. >> But once we get a valid petition, >> we have to act on that. >> And to your point, Mike, I think it it's it's kind of proven today. It's it's so
critical that when these notices and stuff come out to land owners, there's a reason for that, right? I mean, you're not the only one to say, I probably didn't read it. That happens a lot. >> I'm just being straightforward and honest. >> I appreciate it. And it happens a lot. And so it's hard because the district authorities done what they need to do to
get that information out and notice and send mailings and everything, but we can't force you to come to the hearings. A lot of people just don't show up. And it's probably because they didn't pay attention to it. That's just the fact. >> Well, just think of this, Mr. Johnson. And if when they when you have a person
change the flow of water back into your property >> and then you have to um have drainage put in tiling and stuff. Is that right? >> I I wouldn't say it's right, but part of the problem is is this is the first I've ever heard of that.
>> Well, Ed was Ed Ed's heard it >> and they didn't want to touch it over there and the commissioners didn't touch it here. >> Yeah. But now, now I'm cleaning my ditches >> that are to the north of me and I'm getting assessed for everybody else's
after the fact that I paid over $35,000 to tile. >> Yeah. How long ago was that, Mike, that they drained it in years? >> I It's been a while. >> It's been a while. Yeah. >> I I can't even tell you that. What? >> Uh Mike Watercott was the one that did
the tiling. >> Okay. and they did it at night and then when I brought it up to um water and soil they says well you have to take it to the commissioners and then when I took it to the commissioners the commissioner says that this is um I
can't think of um the terminology name as um it's it's water it's high higher up the water the wire the watershed army corps of engineers >> so when I contacted a carman
the Army Corps of Engineers. They pushed it back to the county. >> And didn't didn't we contact Bowser, too? >> I don't recall. >> I think we contacted Bowser. I mean, it was, you know, truthfully, it was was kind of a bad deal that, you know, it all ended up in his field, but there's,
you know, nobody wanted to touch it because it wasn't the ditch authority didn't have nothing to do with. >> Yeah. The ditch authority didn't have anything to do with >> the county didn't have anything to do with oil and water said it was, you know, I don't know, DNR or somebody was out there and said, you know, they didn't want to touch it. So,
>> it's almost a legal thing between the neighbors and >> Yeah. >> Well, it's not legal because it's a county. I'm getting assessed on it, Jared. >> I know. >> I'm getting assessed on other people's ditches. I mean, if and and it's you can't just go change the flow of water
and then be brought to your attention and just push it under the table and then I continue to get assessed on the other neighbors property ditch that benefits them that's on the other side of the highway. >> Well, I think
>> I I'm not going to beat it up or whatever it is. I just I it needs to be reassessed and looked at and we can agree to disagree and life's good, you know. I just >> Let's start with that, Mike, if we can on the redetermination. Get that copy to you so you can actually see how they got
to it. Okay? And maybe that'll help explain things. Might not be the right answer, but at least you'll understand how the viewers came up with what they did for the back. And I paid more than I'm going to I paid more to farm my 80 or 34 acres than what the total ditch
assessment is because they changed the flow of water. Come on. Let's make it fair. Let's >> let's do it. Do it right. Fix it. It needs to be fixed. >> We'll have Chris or Adam come out and >> Thank you for your time. But >> thank you, Mr. Chair. Go ahead.
just to because I think some of the things that Mike brought up were kind of over. Um, look, he he said there was a $35,000 um assessment done on that ditch. That's because there was redetermination
stuff that is already done on it. It's not that there was stuff done on the ditch necessarily. And then in order to actually change that, my understanding being new at this is that we would have to do a whole redetermination of that
whole system, which then in turn would be a suspect to all the people on that system again. >> Yeah. Yep. >> Okay. I just wanted to make sure that I knew what I was talking about. >> All right. Item two, consent agenda. Approve the minutes. >> So move. >> Okay.
>> Second. Got a motion and second to approve the ditch authority meeting minutes from November 4th. Is there any other discussion? >> Hearing none. All those in favor? >> I opposed. It's carried. >> Chris Maywood Township discussion regarding the payment of CD9 and 14 repairs.
>> I think I'm going to let our drainage inspector Adam uh key off this uh this item. >> Okay. >> Morning commissioners. >> Morning. >> Morning. pull up quick the agenda item.
>> All right. Can you guys see that? All right. Yeah. >> Yep. >> All right. So, I won't be up here for long. Um Maywood Township came to Chris um regarding the CD9 and 14 repairs that were done. Um and they were asking for a
payment plan kind of like um you guys gave the the land owners. Um so here they were charged $93,000 and 70 or $93,000 and $70 um for both CD9 and 14 and that was
mostly just culvert payments. Um, so I believe Maywood Township is here today and they would like to discuss with you um, regarding that and here attached to is their cash flow. Um, and they're just looking to work with you and discuss
kind of a good payment plan for for that. So I'll leave it to Maywood Township if they were here. >> Thank you. Jim. Morning, Jim. >> Jim Martinson, one of the uh supervisors
for Maywood Township. Uh Randy is here. Is Gary >> Oh, yeah. There isn't. Gary Gundall is also here. So, it's Randy and uh Randy Eer and Gary. Uh quick snapshot of how we got into
this situation. Uh in that last year we received an estimate of about $80,000 for this project. Uh this July we received the first what we thought was the first bill that was
uh 40 or 38,800 something. uh and we paid that we have paid that initial what we weren't ready to handle uh is the for the culverts and now that
bill has come in for 93 back in March we significantly updated our uh levy from 140,000 to $235,000 $95,000
increase to offset this upcoming expense. However, we won't see the benefit of that until what, next July. So, what we done here is created a cash flow
of where are we? The cash flow that's up here does not have anything in it for the ditch. So, we're going to have to manage our, as you can see in the uh in the cash flow.
Uh we got some decisions to make as we get to May even without this 93,000. Uh and so how we as as things get closer, we can we can manage and get on top of that
perhaps. uh we don't have the plan yet, but uh we'll have to do something to take care of those negatives for the two months that we go negative in our actual cash balance. So, what we're looking
for, uh, and if Gary and, uh, Randy want to comment, I don't want to take, um, you know, what we're looking for is what what do we have what what are our options as far as making
this payment, >> Mr. Chair? And Monty, what kind of options do we have for that? You know, this is a ditch legal question. I was thinking about that. I really don't want to guess on this. I We're going to need to consult with Kale and get you an answer. You know, is is a township
different than a private land owner? I don't know. So, unless Chris already has answers. >> Yeah, I think uh Christine and I because they because you know, townships and other road authorities, even like the county highway department, we don't get an annual tax statement to pay taxes. So, one concern from a staff standpoint
is tracking that if we allow if if it is allowable over a multi-year uh repayment plan. We certainly, and I think that's a great idea, check with our our legal counsel on that. >> As you recall, land owners are charged uh an interest rate, too.
>> That's why I think it's a it's kind of a policy discussion that we need to have. It's not like it's county levy. Well, it's not highway department money right now. the the general levy is being asked to front these costs. >> So, a couple things here. I I really
don't believe Maywood's trying to sherk their responsibilities. They've came to me with kind of a plan >> um if that's legally allowed and maybe that's the next step is that we'll have to consult with our legal counsel on >> kind of the mechanisms and I think address that that question
about uh interest rates since the since we're borrowing from the general fund. So the general fund's not losing interest earnings. Maybe that's something that needs to be considered as well. >> Quick question. Jim Maywood's fund balance. Do you have a fund balance? >> No. >> No fund balance at all. >> This this is our entire
>> Everything's included here in your cash flow. Okay. My other question, Christine, so townships uh do they get the assessment paperwork like land owners do May and November? Is that when their payments are due or they just get invoiced? >> They were just invoiced. Okay.
>> 38,000 that was the assessment. >> That would have been the cost against the roads. >> Yeah. >> This is once again townships and the county highway department get an assessment for the benefit that the roads receive for their water draining to it. So this is kind of like think of it this is like construction costs. The
coverts were replaced under their roads as part of the ditch repair project. statute is somewhat clear on that that the road authority is responsible for replacing their crossings as part of a ditch project. So, >> Mr. Chair, go ahead. >> I I in a way the townships are in no
different situation than than a land owner really because I'm not saying we can stretch it out that far or we're even legally able to do that. But I can see where depending on the time of the year, you may you wouldn't have the ability to >> levy for any of that. and but have to
come up with that money and that that's that's a that's a pretty big hardship if you ask me. >> Yeah. >> So Jim, just so I'm understanding the 38,000 that you paid was the benefit assessment. >> Is that right, >> Chris? Or I'm not
>> It wasn't towards construction. >> Township roads that are within the watershed of CD9 or CD4. >> Yeah. Have a benefit assessment just like a land owner would. >> Right. Right. So, >> so when the levy preliminary levy was set, >> there wasn't consideration for that and
or the construct. There was for the construction, but that was 80,000 if I remember right. >> That's correct. >> So, the invoice is coming in >> about 13 grand over what you had projected plus the benefit was paid. >> Yeah. Now, just speaking personally, uh
what I was hoping we could do is actually in the next year lower our levy uh because of, you know, we went from $95,000 was significant jump. Uh and that was approved.
>> I was hoping we could lower it. Uh I don't know how much we can lower it. Uh we may have to have it for another year. I I haven't looked at and haven't presented to the board any
say anything for 1927 but >> or 1927 my age is showing uh 2027 >> um Mr. Chair. >> Yeah, go ahead. So when we do the benefited acres though, there was, you
know, other townships that had the same thing that they were assessed for the redetermination of benefits too, right? So we got to be really careful here that, you know, say the Graham Township comes and they had did six and seven in theirs.
>> So they come and they want, >> you know, we weren't budgeted for that redetermination of benefits. You know, I I think that's part I think part of what stands out here it's a little bit different is nine and 14 were significant repairs. >> Yeah. >> Yeah.
>> And they both sit in Maywood. >> Correct. >> But >> Mr. Chair, go >> ahead. But but I agree. We have to figure out legally what we can do and can't do. >> I mean, my opinion is we do what we ever can to help them. >> Yeah. You know, I think we what do we go
out 20 or 15 or 20 years? >> 15. 15 years on that. I'm just saying maybe maybe to if one we got to listen to the attorneys on this, but but if we're able to go out three years or something on a payback, it makes sense
to work with it and and it's being paid for by everybody in the or the people in that ditch area in that Maywood Township. So either way, it's >> and I can see, you know, not only are the land owners getting assessed, then their taxes to the township are being
raised because they have to cover this cost, too. >> That's right. >> Yeah. >> Um Jim, have you The board looked at any private funding. >> Randy, could you speak to that? >> Yes. Uh I did check with our local bank and townships are not allowed to take
loan out. >> How about township association? not checked into that. >> Okay. All right. >> Otherwise, I mean, there there's a process that guy could get bonded, but you're talking >> a lot of money up front. We don't have that. >> Yeah.
>> Um I see the invoice says due upon receipt, but obviously we're going to have to get this figured out first. So, >> maybe between Chris and myself and Monty, we can have conversation with Kale and find out what our options are and then we can communicate back to to Maywood. That'd be okay.
>> We just want to make sure we get what we can legally do. all three. >> Yeah. >> What our options are, I guess. >> And m Mr. Chair, >> go ahead. >> Um, and if you check with the uh Association of Townships, they might be able to come up with something that can
help with this, too. So, while we're checking with the attorney, if you want to check with your um Minnesota Association of Townships, they might have some answers, too. >> Great. >> Somebody will be in touch sooner than later. >> Well, okay. And if if you can, you know,
define what what we can do. >> Yep. >> Then we can put it in the plan, >> right? >> See what we need >> because we'll ask Kale for what our options are. If we have options with an S or not, I don't know, Mr. Chair. >> Yeah. >> So, you you should check further into
this borrowing part because um Langola borrowed like $900,000 to um resurface roads and they didn't do a bonding. They just borrowed it from the bank. >> And I do know Granite Ledge borrowed money to build move their town hall.
>> I did get told it is not legal for a bank township loan. Some banks will. They kind of >> look the other way. >> We don't know nothing about that. >> Yeah. Right. >> All right. We'll have a conversation with our ditch attorney and get back to
you. >> Okay. >> Mr. Chair. >> Yep. Go ahead, >> Jim. Uh, I want to we forgot a few thank yous earlier, but thank you for your help on the broadband committee and Christine, thank you for your help on the broad where there was probably five others. I somebody from Lang or
>> Greg Bristol Greg Bristol. Yep. So, we appreciate it. >> It's good to see the orange sticks. >> That's right. >> Thank you, Jim, Randy, and Gary. We'll we'll get back to you as soon as we can. >> Anything else, Chris? >> No. I believe that's the direction for staff is to contact our attorney on this issue and set up a meeting.
>> Yep. One question I have is do we have any updates at all on if we're looking at some potential maintenance quotes for 9 and 14? >> Uh we don't have anything. We don't have any quotes yet. >> Okay. No. >> So that in the works? >> Uh it can be. Yeah. >> I think it should be
>> to do mowing or >> Well, I guess I would leave a little bit of that suggestion up to Adam. I know that he's done some flying there and see I think there was some sluffage on nine um and probably some mowing needed already. >> Okay. >> So I I mean maybe he can determine what
potentially would need to be done. >> I recently sent out letters to 9 and 14 regarding that I'm going to do another inspection drone. >> Um so that's either this week or before Thanksgiving. I'm going to do another um inspection and then Chris and I can
obviously discuss based on the So because obviously it's been a whole summer, maybe some more foliage grew and stuff like that. So >> yeah. So I guess I'm interested in seeing what that shows and come back and say, "Hey, here's what we think we should get quoted." >> Sure. >> We're not falling behind, but we've had
a pretty good fall to be doing some stuff potentially. So >> Okay, Mr. Anything else? Yeah, go >> Chris. I'm just going to give you some more bad news. >> Ditch 10. >> Yeah. >> The Beavers are starting to build their dam again. >> Yeah. So, >> so you know that
>> in the last week on that one. Yeah. Our trappers trapped six six beaver. So, but that was last week at the end of last week there were six um nor the week before. So, we had hunting in there. So, this week we or this morning's weekly meeting with management team. We're
supposed to um instruction was given to my maintenance superintendent to check in with our trapper, see if he's trapped anymore. If it's no more in his traps, we're going to remove that that beaver dam that got >> just a small Yeah, if it's just small right now, but I just wanted to bring that to your attention. I drive past
there every time I see that. So, >> okay. Yeah. >> Did you have something? >> Uh uh, Mr. Chair, I just I I keep thinking about what I don't want to keep beating a horse about, but what Mr. Deppa had brought up about somebody draining their water into their
property. That that is horrible. I mean, and nobody can do anything about it. >> We went I mean, we went round with soil and water. It wasn't part of ditch authority. County Board has no regulations on private ditch. >> Um, >> it just it behooves me how something
like that can happen and and nobody can take responsibility of it and and fix or or rectify the situation. >> I was actually out in the field looked at it for >> So, you verified it, too. All
right, that's all. >> All right, anything else, Chris? Anything else? >> I have nothing. All right, we're adjourned at 10:35. Turn it back to the board chair. >> So, we'll quickly finish up here before we do the uh committee of the whole um commissioner meeting updates. If you got something that's
you think needs to be brought before the board, let us know. >> Uh nothing >> typical meetings. Yes, >> t I do with the APO. Um, we talked about uh um the federal um uh lobbying
and it we're going to be Monty. Did you get that email from >> um the APO yet? >> Not that I recall. No. >> With all administrators instead of everybody having a lobbyist individually >> pooling money, we're going to get way
more of a benefit. >> Okay. And with with the County Road One stuff coming, I I That's right. >> Are they going with RFPs or are they just going to choose somebody or >> uh it Well, Lark and Hoffman had put in a number and and I know that uh there
there's right now we work with David Church and I'm not saying we're going away from there, but but we got to look at options. Right now, if people are paying $30,000 a year or $50,000 a year, you pull all that money and now you have one and one working, it's it's a
significant >> uh situation. >> Somebody that's working more for us. >> Definitely. >> Yeah. So, anyway, that that will be coming up and we're going to try and figure out what we're going to do by I think the first meeting in January. >> Okay. >> Perfect.
>> Okay. >> Anybody have any comm commissioner comments? Monte committee of the holes. >> Yes, sir. All right. Uh to your dece your existing December 3rd uh committee of the whole that's the one on budget and elected official salaries. Chris and
I would like to discuss with you uh an inter a recommendation on an interim county engineer. I think that was what we agreed to. So add that to the December 3rd topics uh committee of the whole. Okay. I think that starts at 8:30. Yeah. >> So we'll have a lot on that agenda. Um,
I'd like to propose to you, uh, meeting, we've talked about, you know, our selection of an FF vendor. Um, between Evan and I, we'd like to suggest you do meeting with two FFE vendors after your board meeting on the 16th. Would that work to meet after the board meeting on
the 16th with two FFE vendors? >> Yes, >> it works here. I don't know. >> Okay. Ev and I are gonna be meeting. We're gonna be screening that down from from four I think five to two on December I forget the day 5th or something like that. Yeah. >> Okay. >> So December 16th
>> meeting FF vendors. I have two more just more. Let's see here. What do we got here? Um as you may know, MDOT is conducting a number of public meetings on its highway 10 study. And uh I probably will just
give you a copy of this, but there's uh public meetings December 3rd in Royalton, December 4th at WATB town hall, and December 4th at Copper Kitchen in East St. Cloud. Um they're inviting the public to attend and give input on their current uh uh Highway 10 corridor
study. So uh we'll give you these times. Uh I think we'll just give you a copy of this in case you're available to attend. And I know some of this see AMC is Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday that week, right? >> Next week. >> No, the next the following week. >> Oh, it's the following week. Excuse me. 10th.
>> Okay. So, that actually might work then. So, Wednesday, December 3rd, Royalton Town Hall, 2 to 6. Thursday, December 4th, 7:00 to 9:00 a.m. Wab town hall. Thursday, December 4th, 3 to 6:00 p.m. Thankfully, Copper Kitchen.
>> So, could we set them that we could attend so we don't run into a situation? >> Set them both. Yeah. Yeah. I suggest we set these as cows, you know, and if you all can attend, that's great. Yeah, it sounds like attendance at these has been substantial what I understand. >> And they've had it out in the local papers that >> Yeah. Yeah.
>> They've notified townships. >> They're very early in the planning discussions about possible solutions to, you know, various issues on that corridor, safety, congestion, and so on. It sounds like the Royalton stoplight is a big topic of conversation. Well, I've been I've been going through there and
they are doing like survey beyond belief up there right now. I mean, I don't know what >> what they're doing, but >> Right. And I think the East St. Germaine intersection is also a significant area of concern. Pedestrian safety and congestion so on. Yep. Yep. And you
know, of course, all the crossovers in Benton County were those are scary, right? Yeah. Very dangerous. Okay. Lastly, >> Benton Economic Partnership invites you to take a tour of uh the um
Okay, I'm I'm trying to wade through a an email with a a long email string here. It's it's the facility uh S C I PI. Isn't that like the the monument the new monument business that is in the
former brewery at the St. called Airport Industrial Park, right? Um this is kind of what far far out there February 3rd uh to take a tour of that facility. Um I think they're they're they're
flexible. I'm sorry. They're flexible. I'm sorry. 1:00 here. 1:00 on February 3rd. >> Board meeting day. But okay. >> 1:00 on February 3rd. Does that work?
>> Go ahead and put it on the on the list. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Again, you're invited by the EP to tour that facility and we'll we'll put the address in the committee, the whole listing. >> That it is it sir. >> Move for approval of the college.
>> Second. Motion been made and seconded to approve the college upcoming weeks. All in favor? >> I could just copy this >> recess the county board at 10:41. We'll take a quick break here and then we'll be right. >> Okay, we'll shut off.
We're going to get the We're going to set the room in the