WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=x4y8W6o4wrg

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: x4y8W6o4wrg):
- 00:03:40: Meeting Call To Order, Agenda Approval Discussion
- 00:06:10: St. Cloud Airport Authority Update: Impact & Initiatives
- 00:09:12: Discussion: Military Facility Relocation and Economic Study
- 00:15:47: Revenue Generating Initiatives and Budget Challenges Explained
- 00:18:31: Clarifying Financial Support and Inflation Impact Discussion
- 00:22:52: Leveraging FAA Contributions and Future Discussions
- 00:24:30: Debating Levy Limits and Financial Self-Sufficiency
- 00:27:40: Equipment Maintenance, Fleet Age, and Operational Concerns
- 00:32:58: Airport Benefits, Agreement Renegotiation, and Levy Discussions
- 00:40:31: Airport Authority Report Conclusion, Next Steps
- 00:41:13: Audio/Visual Vendor Selection for Government Center Project
- 00:45:09: Transportation Alliance DC Trip Planning and Discussion
- 00:51:37: Proclamation of National Police Week in Benton County
- 00:56:15: Highway Safety Improvement Project Bid Acceptance
- 00:59:49: Department Of Human Services Fiscal Commendation
- 01:03:34: Library Board Update: Base Budget Process Discussion
- 01:15:24: Airport Authority JPA Discussion with County Attorney
- 01:19:25: Motion to Close Meeting for Labor Negotiation Strategy


Part: 1

1
00:03:40.000 --> 00:03:55.519
We'll call order the Ben County Board of Commissioners meeting. Please join us for the flag flag pledge. I pledge algiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under

2
00:03:55.519 --> 00:04:18.560
God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all. Good morning everyone. Uh note that Commissioner Johnson is absent this morning. Approve or amend the agenda. Is there anything to add to the agenda? >> Mr.

3
00:04:18.560 --> 00:04:42.560
>> We have no changes, sir. >> Mr. Chair, I'd just like to add uh library board discussion. >> We can put that right at the end. >> Okay. Yeah, we'll put it after Sandy then. Yep. >> Where's that? >> Anything else?

4
00:04:42.560 --> 00:05:00.639
>> I'll make a motion to approve the agenda with the addition. >> I'll second it. >> Got a motion in a second. Any for discussion on that? If not, I'm going to call the question. All in favor say I. I. >> I. Opposed. Motion carries. Thank you. County board meetings are broadcasted

5
00:05:00.639 --> 00:05:17.199
live and video recorded on YouTube. Please refrain from speaking from the audience area and come to the podium so that the viewers can hear you. County board observes Robert's rules of orders for its meeting. So, please obtain the board's chair consent before addressing the county board. Public comments are

6
00:05:17.199 --> 00:05:31.360
generally reserved for the open forum segment or public hearings. However, public comment on other agenda items may be allowed at the discretion of the board chair. As we begin today, please turn off the cell phones or please turn them on vibrate. Thank you very much.

7
00:05:31.360 --> 00:05:49.280
Open for um anybody. Thank you. Uh we've got a cons consent agenda items 1 through five. What would you like to do with them? >> Move for approval. Mr. Chair, >> I'll second. >> Motion and a second. Any discussion on that?

8
00:05:49.280 --> 00:06:10.720
That I'll call the question. All in favor say I. >> I oppose. Motion carries. Thank you. Next, Monty St. CL regional airport authority update lead us off. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Thank you commissioners for uh the

9
00:06:10.720 --> 00:06:27.759
opportunity to speak. We also have uh your two representatives John Quy and Kevin Johnson here as well as Bill Towel. So uh feel free to ask any of us questions. Uh but it's just I've been this is my fourth one of these presentations. So um we'll uh get

10
00:06:27.759 --> 00:06:46.880
through this and again any questions you and you can ask me during the during the presentation otherwise uh we'll we'll move along. So what's the uh story here? Maybe needs a new battery. No, just kidding. Brian,

11
00:06:46.880 --> 00:07:03.120
>> Kevin, John, thank you guys for joining too. Y >> appreciate it. >> It decided not to work. >> Decided not to work. So, should I use the keyboard? >> Yeah. >> Okay, we will do that. I think that's a great idea. >> Okay. So, >> decided to die on us. Sorry about that.

12
00:07:03.120 --> 00:07:21.039
>> That's no problem. >> I wasn't kidding. >> Uh, that's not working either, Monty. So, you got something or do we need to uh Beth and I earlier were talking about how things are working so well. >> Oh, maybe it's just me and we just

13
00:07:21.039 --> 00:07:36.479
>> Oh, yeah. It isn't in presentation mode. Okay, there you go. You're good. >> Thank you. >> Okay, now we'll begin. >> Okay, so today uh we want to talk about you know the St. Cloud airport's impact on the region uh benefits of the airport

14
00:07:36.479 --> 00:07:51.039
authority designation strategic initiatives revenue revenue generating initi initiatives budget challenges financial overview and kind of where we are next steps. So, first off, impact on the region. Uh, we've been in that

15
00:07:51.039 --> 00:08:06.479
location since 1970. In 2025, there were 40,500 operations. So, that's takeoffs and landings. Uh, which averages 110 per day. Um, Allegiance, Sunountry, the military, medical, corporate, private

16
00:08:06.479 --> 00:08:22.879
are are all composed or part of that. Uh, there's 104 uh based aircraft at the Scloud airport. So those are aircraft that are stationed there. That's their home base. Okay. Um there's been 54,000

17
00:08:22.879 --> 00:08:38.800
airline passengers uh on Allegent and Sunount this last year. So that's a 21% increase year-over-year. Now, one of the things really important about that because we're charging for parking is as that number goes up, that definitely helps our revenue. So that's been a real

18
00:08:38.800 --> 00:08:55.839
positive. Um STC supports 395 local jobs plus 80 more at the Army National Guard support facility. One of the things we're continuing to do um is keep a good relationship with the National Guard. Uh we know in the future uh they're likely

19
00:08:55.839 --> 00:09:12.800
to um uh replace the Blackhawks with a different model. And we're hoping that when that happens uh we could maybe get the whole fleet uh in St. cloud versus um uh at Sky Central versus having them half the half the fleet down at uh H

20
00:09:12.800 --> 00:09:28.240
Homeman Field in St. Paul. So, uh we're actually in the process of doing a new uh annual economic or >> Ryan real quick. >> Yep. >> On that Holman Field one, uh is that further along than what maybe because I've talked to some people down there

21
00:09:28.240 --> 00:09:45.200
>> and they make they they're pretty confident that it is coming to St. Cloud. Well, we're the likely uh option. Okay. So, we have not met with the agitant general yet. Okay. Uh we intend to do that at the appropriate time. Um there's been some delays. You know,

22
00:09:45.200 --> 00:10:02.000
they're going with this new bell helicopter which is faster and it happens to be louder. Uh but since we're in a rural area, hopefully that isn't as big a deal here as it would be at home. >> That's why they're trying that's why they're getting away from down there. And I know one of the pilots pretty well. So, >> and of course when the when the um

23
00:10:02.000 --> 00:10:18.320
facility was built at um Sky Central, it was built to be doubled in size. So, this the footprint that there might need to be a little bit more land acquisition, but I think we're we're in pretty good shape there. So, that's that's a positive. So, we're in the

24
00:10:18.320 --> 00:10:34.240
process of getting a new economic study uh that's in process right now so we can see, you know, what impact has has our efforts over the last few years as an airport authority had? Uh any other questions before I move on? >> Does that does if they bring uh all the

25
00:10:34.240 --> 00:10:49.200
military stuff there, does that generate more income then? >> Um well, what it does is it brings jobs to the area. It doesn't you know, we lease the land that they have a dollar a year uh to the National Guard. So it doesn't actually but it does take off

26
00:10:49.200 --> 00:11:04.880
for takeoffs count for takeoffs and landings which impacts some of our FAA funding potentially. Uh so that's that's why it's a good thing besides I mean if we had another 80 jobs those are high paid jobs and when I get into um the

27
00:11:04.880 --> 00:11:20.640
education aspect of this there's a direct contact or connection to uh what's going on with the National Guard. So, um, obviously the business community was was part of, uh, getting the airport authority approved, um, and and lobbied

28
00:11:20.640 --> 00:11:36.160
for it. And I think, um, while we know we've had some communications issues, etc., and, um, maybe the financials haven't been what we had hoped that they would be when this thing started, uh, if you look at what we've accomplished since, I think it's been, uh, pretty

29
00:11:36.160 --> 00:11:51.680
amazing what all has been accomplished. So, we'll get into that. So um obviously when the city was when it was part of the city uh it definitely inhibited the pace of progress there as far as uh the expansion of it and and that economic

30
00:11:51.680 --> 00:12:08.560
impact that it had. So uh I think the argument that it was a greatly underutilized asset is true and I think the fact that as an independent authority uh we've definitely been able to uh not maximize but get further in that direction as far as a regional

31
00:12:08.560 --> 00:12:26.160
asset. Um so there's been a a major uptick in improvements. Uh the city's commitment of 620,200 uh goes for 10 years. Now, there's still some um probably negotiation that makes needs to take place as far as when that

32
00:12:26.160 --> 00:12:41.920
10 years ends. And I think with our discussions with the three counties in the city, that's one of the things we want to get resolved in that next step of that white paper. Um so that we have that solid. Uh and then the local option sales tax obviously in the white paper

33
00:12:41.920 --> 00:12:57.920
you know it's been agreed that we should get that extended and if possible even get a u I don't know if it's possible but possibly get an inflation adjustment to it. Um so >> that's through 2038 right now. Right. >> Right. But there's some debate as to

34
00:12:57.920 --> 00:13:15.120
when uh it ends because the airport authority we acted in a non um elected capacity is just kind of a organizing board for a year. If you recall until we got FAA approval, we maintain that the 10 years would start

35
00:13:15.120 --> 00:13:31.519
upon the regulatory approval. The city at least with the past administration was arguing for an earlier date which has a big impact on well 620,000. So something we're going to want to keep in mind. So major things that have happened

36
00:13:31.519 --> 00:13:48.240
the uh aircraft maintenance techn technician school uh the first class is starting this fall. Uh it'll start at the tech college and then this coming year will be the construction of the facilities on the airport. Uh and um

37
00:13:48.240 --> 00:14:03.760
that program is already full. So it's full for fall. Uh and they're just doing some great things there. So that's that's very exciting. Uh there's also a relationship being made between the tech college and the school district uh to

38
00:14:03.760 --> 00:14:21.760
have a a focus on aeronautics. So that that'll also drive traffic. Um we also constructed the new tea hanger uh taxaway development that was 4.5 million that was um 97.5 uh federal and state money. uh the 2 and

39
00:14:21.760 --> 00:14:38.000
a half local match uh the ILS and approach lighting replacement relocation project. Uh if you recall when the airport was extended 500 ft uh the the aeronautical the the uh ILS approach lighting did not get extended at that

40
00:14:38.000 --> 00:14:56.240
time. And so our our all of our lighting navionics is from the 80s and so the state was really wanting us to upgrade that. We went to the legislature, we got funding, and then between that and the federal, it's a total of $6 million that will be invested to uh and it actually

41
00:14:56.240 --> 00:15:12.560
allows us to extend what we claim is runway by another 500 ft when we have the Navionics uh in order. Uh the air traffic control tower replacement that was 500,000 gradient draining project 900,000. Uh we did do a solar study uh

42
00:15:12.560 --> 00:15:30.560
and with the you know old incentives it would have worked. There aren't any incentives right now but that study has been done. So uh we could conceivably replace all of our energy use at the airport. And as we look at the future it's very possible

43
00:15:30.560 --> 00:15:47.600
uh as electricity becomes you could have hybrid planes uh you could have electric stuff going on. So this may become an even more important thing as we look at the future. Uh that's one of the big talks around the airline industry. New revenue revenue generating initiatives.

44
00:15:47.600 --> 00:16:05.360
You can see here the impact of parking revenue uh started out in 2023 at 214,000. Uh in 2025 306,000. That'll be even bigger number this next year. It's $11 a day. uh PE if you look at who's paying

45
00:16:05.360 --> 00:16:20.480
that it's people from out of the area typically local people are getting rides to the airport so this is a way for um people outside the region to support the airport so that's becoming a very significant thing uh we also uh put in

46
00:16:20.480 --> 00:16:36.959
annual escal escalators in all agreements all leases now there hadn't been an increase in seven years so uh prior to the airport authority so that's a big deal uh the new private hanger development. Uh Millerburn, which is a Benton County company, um one of the

47
00:16:36.959 --> 00:16:52.560
things they said that the reason that they bought the thing in Benton County was because of the airport because they want to have that kind of uh uh mobility and and transportation services. So, there's the Millerburn hanger and the Blatner hanger, and between the two of

48
00:16:52.560 --> 00:17:09.679
them, uh that's uh $45,000 in annual revenue uh for those. And there's potential there uh because we've got more area for more private hangers of 200,000. So when it's fully built out and then that new two T- hanger that I mentioned earlier that's

49
00:17:09.679 --> 00:17:24.720
generating $50,000. Now our budget challenges obviously we operate a 247 facility with eight employees. Um they're fabulous. I've I'm a private sector guy. I've never met any more dedicated people than the eight

50
00:17:24.720 --> 00:17:40.240
that we have. uh Bill and and crew do an outstanding job and uh one of the things that did create budget challenges is when we did separate from the city uh we did end up with increased costs of financial, legal, payroll, HR, etc.

51
00:17:40.240 --> 00:17:57.600
We've estimated that to be about 175 a year. Um and as you know, uh to get federal grants, we have to fund the work ahead of time. So we need to maintain 2 million in cash reserves uh to make sure that we have enough to uh fund contractors etc until we get reimbursed

52
00:17:57.600 --> 00:18:14.240
by the federal government. Uh operating challenges obviously um you know the one of the big issues is um when you look at how it was funded on the operation side city of St. Cloud that 620 uh was set

53
00:18:14.240 --> 00:18:31.120
back in 2015. Well, when you look at what happens with inflation and the purchasing power of it, it obviously it's lost 29% of its value because obviously um you know wages go up, everything goes up. Uh Jared >> Brian, I got a question. So that support

54
00:18:31.120 --> 00:18:47.600
stopped when you guys took it over. >> No, no, no, no. That's the money that's comes through 2038. The problem is is the 620 it's a fixed number. It doesn't go up with inflation. No, you were talking about like the staffing like the uh the attorneys the

55
00:18:47.600 --> 00:19:04.240
>> Oh, the 175. Yeah, back to this slide. Okay. >> Yeah, back to that cuz it said it it said in here it said uh uh hold on. It said it was supposed to diminish over time, not immediately.

56
00:19:04.240 --> 00:19:20.640
>> Well, again, I think that's >> it said right now. It says the staff support from City of St. Cloud and public safety support from fire and police will continue at to add up to their current levels with the expectation of all parties being that

57
00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:37.360
the demand of the city staff and public safety support will diminish over the course of the 10 years >> that continues. However, HR, payroll, legal, those >> but that's staff support. Well, okay. conflicts of interest. They like that their attorney can't do if we're if

58
00:19:37.360 --> 00:19:52.640
we're um you know talking about things that were >> Where does it say the conflict of interest ones are in here though >> cuz that that's $175,000 a year. That's a lot of money. >> It is. It is. And that was something that was not anticipated when the agreement was struck with the three

59
00:19:52.640 --> 00:20:10.240
counties and the city. So this is this is one of those areas where we're still getting police, we're getting fire, uh that those services, but this was the part that by separating we ended up having to have our own accounting system, have our own audit, you know,

60
00:20:10.240 --> 00:20:24.320
all the things you have just like the county has to have these things, we have to have them as well. So yeah, that's um one of the challenges that we had with the agreement as it was written. Okay.

61
00:20:24.320 --> 00:20:42.159
Um so additionally then uh we've got a million dollars which we get from the FAA every year for capital which started back in 2000. Well that obviously uh hasn't grown with inflation either. So of course that creates a big problem because when you have fixed revenue and

62
00:20:42.159 --> 00:20:58.559
expenses that go up just with with inflation and this is for capital um it it obviously greatly diminishes what we can do with that money. So, and then also with the local option sales tax, again, a fixed amount. And I think that's one of the biggest things back

63
00:20:58.559 --> 00:21:14.960
looking at the negotiations that it's too bad that that wasn't considered at the time. Um, now the other thing is in 2004 2005, Jim Oberstar was chair of the transportation committee in the house.

64
00:21:14.960 --> 00:21:30.000
So, he blessed St. cloud with a lot of equipment and um so a lot of the stuff that we've got is over 20 years old and the crew is doing a great job of holding it together and we we get used equipment and do everything we can but these

65
00:21:30.000 --> 00:21:47.200
pieces of equipment now are $750,000 uh when you need to replace them. So one of the things that John Quaidy did when he came on the board is went through a very detailed analysis with the team in terms of how far depreciated are we on all these assets so that we can have a

66
00:21:47.200 --> 00:22:04.159
decent capital plan and as you know the city of St. Cloud operated with no uh depreciation reserves. So of course that's where unlike city of sock rapids where when they need a new fire truck they pay cash. Uh St. Cloud has never operated that way. So, it's a very

67
00:22:04.159 --> 00:22:19.760
different operating model than I'm used to as a business person. >> Um, >> I would say one that's probably biting them right now >> and it's biting the overall city and the airport was run under the same uh type of situation. So, here you can see the

68
00:22:19.760 --> 00:22:37.120
operating budgets. So, the revenue has been going up but also the expenditures have been going up. So, um that and that's just a nature of going through some very high inflation which the county saw that as well. Um but this is I think one of the great um pieces of

69
00:22:37.120 --> 00:22:52.480
information here is during the past six years uh the FAA has contributed 13,260,000 to the airport the state 332 this is this is all capital and locally 332750.

70
00:22:52.480 --> 00:23:08.720
So, I mean, you look at the leverage that we get from that 3 332,000. Um, kind of an amazing um thing when you look at how much federal money we're able to get. Um, so next steps obviously

71
00:23:08.720 --> 00:23:23.440
um you know, we did do the levy 115,000 is going to operating 8.85 to capital. Uh we've had, you know, the discussions with the various boards. Um, you know, that amounts to on a $200,000 home about

72
00:23:23.440 --> 00:23:41.840
400 or $441 annually. On a $300,000 home, 721 annual. Uh, so that's kind of where where that sits. One of the things I know there's been been discussion in the in the white paper about a a levy cap and we've discussed it at our board

73
00:23:41.840 --> 00:23:57.679
and I think one of the things we got to be careful of. It's just um and I'm not saying we're opposed to it. But just to update you on conversations we're having, we need to make sure from a legal standpoint, we don't get cornered into a hole on that either as far as

74
00:23:57.679 --> 00:24:14.960
what the what that levy limit might be because obviously if we something catastrophic would happen, we'd have to have some way to and I don't know what that would be, but I mean our fiduciary responsibility is to be responsible to the airport. So, um, that's just a

75
00:24:14.960 --> 00:24:30.400
conversation we're continuing to have and as we get into these negotiations, we'll have understood that from a legal perspective so that we don't do something that would be uh, you know, negative to the uh, organization. So, >> couldn't couldn't on the levy limit

76
00:24:30.400 --> 00:24:45.919
couldn't that be, you know, you you got your standard levy limit. Yep. >> But if something catastrophic come through >> cuz it's not like you can impose something immediately anyway. >> No. No. No. Wouldn't you come back to the board and just say this catastrophic event happened, we need to we need to

77
00:24:45.919 --> 00:25:02.000
increase it this year for this. >> Yeah. And and that very well could. I just want to make sure we have the right language. I mean, as you know, it's all, >> you know, that that we don't do anything that would violate state law obviously because we're governed. We're a municipality. So, we have to make sure

78
00:25:02.000 --> 00:25:18.480
that whatever we do is in accordance with with the law. >> What Mr. Chair, >> wasn't the original intention on the uh levying uh ability, wasn't that supposed to be like 10 years out from the original agreement?

79
00:25:18.480 --> 00:25:33.440
>> It really wasn't addressed. I think there was an assumption by every all parties that >> it was definitely addressed in many many conversations that we had >> and I think that was one of the reasons why it drew support but evidently it

80
00:25:33.440 --> 00:25:49.120
wasn't published in the agreement >> cuz I can't find it anywhere in the agreement. >> No, it it it's not in there. No. And and again, I wasn't part of the negotiations on it. It was the city administrator and the county administrators of each county that >> Yeah. you know, once it was formed, then

81
00:25:49.120 --> 00:26:04.960
that's when the when I and the others on the board got involved. But but and then of course, you got to remember as we got in there, that's when you discover what's the age of the equipment that what you know what what do the financials actually look like. I mean, we've got a very good

82
00:26:04.960 --> 00:26:21.279
board that understands these things, but until you >> well, >> you're there. You don't know. Commissioner, >> yeah, you got some experts on the equipment part, but you know, we had this discussion several years ago in the county that >> don't factor in the age of the equipment

83
00:26:21.279 --> 00:26:38.240
as much as what like counties always. It's 10 years old and we got you need to look at the maintenance, how what the maintenance has done on it and the number of hours on it. Equipment purchased in the last 10 or 15 years is got to last another 5 to seven years

84
00:26:38.240 --> 00:26:53.679
longer than equipment. It does it on the farm. It does it in construction. It does in everything. Just because it aged out doesn't mean it's ready for replacement. And I'll be the first to say that. >> But at 20 years, you can imagine. I mean, >> no, not necessarily. I mean, >> well, I mean, if you want to come out

85
00:26:53.679 --> 00:27:08.799
and inspect it, we'd be happy to do that. But I think, you know, we've got a couple people, especially the Benton County reps, that understand these things. >> Oh, yeah. Absolutely. And I mean, we don't have a lot of cash. So the we're trying to be as conservative as possible, but at the same time, we've

86
00:27:08.799 --> 00:27:24.000
got FAA regulations we got to meet. So if suddenly we can't clean the runway off when an Allegian flight is taken off in Mesa or Punta Gorda on their way here, >> we got a problem. And I I I hear, Mr. Chair, I hear exactly what Commissioner

87
00:27:24.000 --> 00:27:40.320
Pop is saying. And maybe when we're doing that, let's just be up, you know, just show the detail on that because with fire trucks, it's the same way. if your number one pumper out the door uh isn't isn't under 20 years old, you can lose a lot of your your ISO rating and

88
00:27:40.320 --> 00:27:56.720
everything like that. Sure. So, there there's a lot of things that come into play with that. >> And I mean, one thing that is a real positive is >> those eight people that work there. I mean, they're electricians, they're plumbers, they're mechanics. I mean, it's amazing what I mean, these aren't

89
00:27:56.720 --> 00:28:11.440
your typical people on a plow truck. I mean, these are folks that that they're like a farmer. They in fact number of them that's where they come from our farms. So they know how to weld things up and make things last way longer than they ought to but it's still at some

90
00:28:11.440 --> 00:28:28.640
point things do outlive themselves. >> Do you keep an accurate like each piece of equipment do you have an accurate maintenance agreement that goes with you? Absolutely. would pull it up and say like, you know, I mean, if you're going to call replacing a blade or something like that, that don't >> that don't really qualify for

91
00:28:28.640 --> 00:28:45.279
replacement parts, that would qualify for more like, you know, keeping it up, but not the general replacement like a, you know, you got to replace an engine or hydraulic pumps or something like that. Then I can see when you start getting into that bigger stuff, then it's time to do something. But your maintenance, tires, blades, stuff like

92
00:28:45.279 --> 00:29:01.679
that, that I I would never want to see that in general maintenance because it's it's more I shouldn't say general in in that a piece of equipment needs to be replaced. That's general maintenance that happens no matter if you use a new piece or an old piece >> and we have detailed records on all of

93
00:29:01.679 --> 00:29:17.440
it, >> personally. I mean, this is a very conservative group. I mean, >> there Well, I mean, we've been buying used equipment, right? And so I mean and uh we in fact sometimes we've gotten things for free from MSP that are they

94
00:29:17.440 --> 00:29:32.480
need some TLC and we're able to make something work. Uh when our fire truck hooped out because to your point that thing was shot well we were able to get uh one from Hibbing right as a backup while we were waiting for the federal funding to be able to buy the one that

95
00:29:32.480 --> 00:29:49.200
we needed. So, you know, um anyway, >> you definitely got to keep your equipment up, but sometimes I think entities that are, >> you know, don't have to write the check themselves look at a little differently than somebody that's writing the check themselves. >> I can't speak for a future board, but I can tell you this one here. Um

96
00:29:49.200 --> 00:30:06.240
>> but that Mr. Chair, that that's exactly where we got we can if we see a storm coming >> Yep. >> that's, you know, a week out yet, we got time to prepare for it. Right. >> Right. But if if we're not looking at what a future board might do versus what

97
00:30:06.240 --> 00:30:22.000
this board does and we don't set a levy limit, we're just we're getting hit in the face and we knew it was coming. >> Well, just like when you see equipment that you know is it's coming, you got to deal with that as well. >> Oh, absolutely. >> Yeah. So, I mean, I think we're on the

98
00:30:22.000 --> 00:30:37.360
same page. It's just how we do it and and I think that's what we really need to talk about uh as we get to the next stage of negotiations on on what where we're going to end up >> and and I think I mean what is uh I mean what are we looking at this year? Are we looking at any levy? Yeah, it would be

99
00:30:37.360 --> 00:30:53.679
this what we anticipate is the same as what we had last year because nothing dramat I mean we haven't done the budget yet but I think um I doubt >> so my guess is this levy is not going away anytime >> right >> it's going to probably only >> down the road I mean if there's some other we're working on other revenue

100
00:30:53.679 --> 00:31:09.919
enhancements to the airport that I can't necessarily they're not all public at this point but um you know we are hoping to reduce the burden as much as we can uh on the taxpayers I mean that's uh I'm committed to that and I know your your reps in Benton County certainly are as well.

101
00:31:09.919 --> 00:31:24.799
>> And that's what the agreement originally was that we wanted to, you know, we didn't want a burden on the taxpayers. We wanted to be self-sufficient and they've demonstrated that somewhat, you know, with the parking uh charges and things like that. There is some revenue be generated. I just think that

102
00:31:24.799 --> 00:31:40.320
>> um one is like you said the escalating inflation cost that went to the city, you know, 620,000 in 10 years is going to be nothing compared to what it was when we started. There are things like that that probably weren't addressed very well. >> Right. Right. And I I I think as we as

103
00:31:40.320 --> 00:31:55.360
we look at the future, I mean, obviously we're, trust me, trying to turn over every rock uh to get more revenue out of that place, but also make sure that it's continuing to grow the economy is that's why we all did this was was to do that.

104
00:31:55.360 --> 00:32:12.399
And I think um and one thing to keep in mind, there are very few airports that are self-sufficient. I mean MSP uh but think about it they've got all these airlines paying landing fees is huge and and gate fees and all that plus if you

105
00:32:12.399 --> 00:32:27.440
look at what they charge for parking uh that's a huge part of their revenue which is way beyond uh and and other than those >> look at their infrastructure they have too >> well right right but I mean that is that is self-sufficient but that's a scale thing and of course one of the things

106
00:32:27.440 --> 00:32:43.200
that's important for us is uh with the allegant and Sunountry merger. We're looking at that and we think there's probably opportunities to get further destinations and of course if we do that that's more parking revenue, right? >> So I mean that's and that's become a big

107
00:32:43.200 --> 00:32:58.799
deal as you've seen on the bottom line. >> Commissioner, >> Mr. Chair, I I don't want to seem like I'm attacking you at all because I'm a big believer. I'm a big believer in the St. Cloud airport. I I think that there's some destinations that can come out of there

108
00:32:58.799 --> 00:33:14.880
and we can potentially grow that. But it's it's huge for our business district. It it's huge for central Minnesota, for every business. That's that's why people want to come here >> and or a lot of them want to come here is because they don't have to fly into Minneapolis. They can fly right into

109
00:33:14.880 --> 00:33:30.640
here. >> So, I get that. I think the reason that that this little panel was was built to look at this agreement that we're all in. And I think from what the way I read it, it takes everybody to approve to get out.

110
00:33:30.640 --> 00:33:47.200
>> And I think we just went through a bunch of slated things for the city of St. Cloud. Why would they ever agree to let anybody out, >> right? >> You know, and that's where I'm saying I I think we need to look at this agreement because we did not know the

111
00:33:47.200 --> 00:34:01.360
age of the equipment. >> No. when it happened, the staffing uh shortfall that was a conflict of interest of 175,000 a year. Nobody knew about that. >> You know, you look at um the fixed

112
00:34:01.360 --> 00:34:18.079
amounts, the 200,000 for the lost sales tax and the no escalation on city of St. Cloud, which I would love to have an agreement in there if I had to pay something over 10 years. So, and then then you look at the levy wasn't supposed to happen for 10 years

113
00:34:18.079 --> 00:34:34.399
according to what the the boards had voted on. There's so much that has changed since this agreement has taken place that I think it needs to be looked at it as a whole >> because I I think I think doing away with it is wrong,

114
00:34:34.399 --> 00:34:50.320
>> but renegotiating everything is absolutely at this point on the table. It should be >> well and I think that's what Monty and the other commissioners or the other administrators are have have worked on. And >> I don't think there's a lot of movement there though.

115
00:34:50.320 --> 00:35:07.520
>> Um I think our next step is to convene the group that's going to discuss a possible levy limit. That's the next step. Yeah. So I think trying to decide actually think we should do that pretty quick. We we seem to be talking about actually who's going to be part of this group. That's kind of the discussion now. Okay. So,

116
00:35:07.520 --> 00:35:23.599
>> I mean, Mr. Chair, there's there's a lot of things that are beyond the airport's control. You look at aging equipment and staff. Well, that I mean, I know what equipment cost that escalates like the last three to five years, it's just been outrageous. You know, something that

117
00:35:23.599 --> 00:35:40.320
cost 200,000 is now almost 300,000 for us. >> Yep. >> So, and you're in the same boat as that staffing. Everybody, we know we just did labor negotiation. everybody wants a raise, you know, or wants a cost of living or something going on. So, you got two entities there that are really

118
00:35:40.320 --> 00:35:56.480
hard to to adjustify and that's where the levy is coming in where yeah, maybe we can't generate income as fast as what we need to what we're spending it. And I don't know how you solve that problem. >> Well, right. I mean, it's all safety. I

119
00:35:56.480 --> 00:36:13.440
mean, we have to meet FAA standards or we're shut down. So, I mean, that's not negotiable, that part of it. >> So, I I hear you, >> Ed. I think anybody that uses the airport, they, you know, the levy that was imposed, they say, "Oh, you know, I really love the airport and it makes so convenient." But the people that never

120
00:36:13.440 --> 00:36:28.640
go there are the ones that saying, "Well, I don't want to pay $441 on my property to support something I never use." And that's where, you know, >> and it's very hard for the general public to understand. Yeah. >> You know, what the $4 means >> to, you know, the economy.

121
00:36:28.640 --> 00:36:44.800
>> They don't push it into the market. Correct. >> It means, you know, and like I said when we were doing this that >> Benton County virtually had the largest amount to gain with our industrial park right there. I mean that that was one of the reasons why I kind of supported it was I think we had the you know we had

122
00:36:44.800 --> 00:37:00.960
the most to gain and between us and the city of St. Cloud. >> Well and and to that point I mean I think with the AMT school um you know we're going to be kicking out 25 students a year that are fully trained you know FAA certified. Oh, I was also going to mention with the National

123
00:37:00.960 --> 00:37:17.839
Guard, one of the things that when we put that deal together was to get it so that they could provide FAA certification for those pilots as they retire from there because now you've got another workforce uh because they're not FAA certified. So, they can go through a

124
00:37:17.839 --> 00:37:34.160
short course and basically get make that happen. Uh we we're going to be doing strategic planning here in the next month or so. And so we're going to be talking about a lot of these issues as far as how to enhance revenue, how to enhance opportunities. So I think with the industrial park there, uh clearly uh

125
00:37:34.160 --> 00:37:49.200
and we've been up to Cirrus um you know your economic development person, she's outstanding. She went with us. Um unfortunately right now they're Chineseowned, so you can imagine they're probably not doing a lot of expansion. Uh but um you know they believe that St.

126
00:37:49.200 --> 00:38:05.839
cloud is a great place to uh have a aeronautics hub. So if you think about it um there's a shortage of mechanics, there's a shortage of flight air traffic controllers, there's a operations people, pilots. So I mean I think

127
00:38:05.839 --> 00:38:22.480
getting that started uh is a huge deal and I think um you know my dream has always been to get something in that industrial park, >> you know, and and Mr. You're not you're not going to turn that switch on today. That takes some planning and takes some time, >> right? And

128
00:38:22.480 --> 00:38:39.200
>> and I think we we realize that. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> And I and I just want to stress that I I I think we all need to be on the same page and be partners on this. >> Yep. I agree. >> Um and and that I think that's one of the reasons that that we built this subcommittee is so we can address things

129
00:38:39.200 --> 00:38:56.400
like this. And I know I I know I I was pushing for elected officials to be on there just because stewards of the of the taxpayers and stuff and I one of the things that came up was we might be a little I wouldn't say shortsighted but look at our budgets. Right.

130
00:38:56.400 --> 00:39:11.119
>> Sure. >> And that might that might hold back on what the airport is able to do and maintain and stuff but if you look at it and quite honestly that might be what St. cloud did for all the years is they held back on the budget. Uh from our

131
00:39:11.119 --> 00:39:27.440
standpoint, I can tell you I've been out to DC in the last 6 months three times. >> You were out Yep. >> and I can tell you we brought up St. Cloud Airport each time, especially about the the error fees, the the rider fees, and that needs to change to get us

132
00:39:27.440 --> 00:39:43.200
some more money. >> And of course, remember the airlines are dead set against that. >> So, we really appreciate your work on that. you know, when bills were part of the national organizations on our side. We're pushing for that, but um they're big players and of course it's they

133
00:39:43.200 --> 00:39:59.680
don't want to see those fees increase. >> Yep. And Senator Globishar and Senator Smith both were 100% on board with getting the the um St. Cloud Technical College and that that program together and they they really toted that. >> They did. >> So, there's a lot of good things going

134
00:39:59.680 --> 00:40:15.520
on. I just think we need to look at this and if we can't figure something out without um coming to some mutual agreements, I think there's we're just in a we're heading right into a hurricane here and I I I I don't want to

135
00:40:15.520 --> 00:40:31.359
see that happen because I think St. Cloud Airport is very good for our community, especially our business community, which provides a lot of jobs. >> Yeah, absolutely agree. >> Okay. Anything else? Nope. Well, thank you for the opportunity.

136
00:40:31.359 --> 00:40:46.800
Yeah. >> Yeah. Thank you guys for being here. Truly appreciate it. Thank you for your support. You know, like like Commissioner Gapinsky said, we're not against the airport. We're we're totally in favor of it. >> Okay. Next up, >> thank you guys.

137
00:40:46.800 --> 00:41:12.200
>> Yep. Thank you very much for being here. Consider selecting an audiovisisual vendor for the government center project. Give me just a second here to close this out. Let's see who's Okay.

138
00:41:13.119 --> 00:41:29.359
All right, Mr. Chair. Uh, this audiovisisual project project is what we call an owner item within the government center project. And maybe a little bit of background first is is why is audiovisisual such a big deal? I was thinking earlier, you know, with the pandemic that just changed so much how

139
00:41:29.359 --> 00:41:46.160
we look at audiovisisual. You know, we have remote participants oftentimes. You've got people working remotely. Uh if you, for example, host a meeting, and you probably been to these too, where you'll have in-person participants, but you'll also have virtual participants. So, you want to have a really good

140
00:41:46.160 --> 00:42:02.240
audiovisisual experience for the in-person folks and your virtual participants. So, uh, I'd like to talk first about, Mr. Chair, about the process of bringing this recommendation to you today. And I I I think it was a very thorough process. So, we had, uh,

141
00:42:02.240 --> 00:42:17.839
GLT do a what's called a request for qualifications for us. So, it's a document that was sent out then to vendors that are either on state contract or participate in a national purchasing alliance. Uh, that resulted us in in getting proposals from four

142
00:42:17.839 --> 00:42:34.079
audiovisisual firms. So about a month and a half ago, your your tech group interviewed those four firms over at GLT offices. As a result of those interviews, we narrowed the field down to two. And then with those two, we we

143
00:42:34.079 --> 00:42:49.520
uh went through some additional steps. We had them do a pricing exercise. For example, we said, "Okay, what would you propose to install and what would it cost, for example, to equip the new boardroom, the new community room? what would you what would it cost for example

144
00:42:49.520 --> 00:43:05.839
to install buildingwide um white noise systems. So we went through this pricing exercise that was very useful. We also then called references on the two top vendors uh with Forte. We spoke with city vegan and Washington County. Uh

145
00:43:05.839 --> 00:43:22.800
great references there. Finally about two weeks ago we had another meeting with Forte with our tech group that was virtual and we really wanted to talk more about their what what we call the soft cost installation design those

146
00:43:22.800 --> 00:43:40.160
things post implementation support we wanted to understand how that works and also really a really big question is can you work within our AV budget can you make it work and I think after that discussion we were persuaded that there's a good likelihood hood that yes in fact they can more work within our

147
00:43:40.160 --> 00:43:56.240
our AV budget. So that was a process that we went through to get to today. Uh I think it was very thorough a lot of discussion a lot of review of their credentials their ability to deliver for us and I think we make this recommendation with u great confidence.

148
00:43:56.240 --> 00:44:13.040
So with that Mr. Chair recom again our your tech group is recommending going with Forte as our audiovisisual provider and asking the board chair to sign the retail services agreement. Monte who was all included in the tech group you call this tech group >> Commissioner Gapinsky uh a fine gentleman named Dawson surprise surprise

149
00:44:13.040 --> 00:44:26.800
right >> very fine young a fine young man Dawson Kapinsky uh also Steve Stang our IT director and our property management director Jeff Dingman and I have participated as our tech group doing this evaluation so >> thank you for that sir

150
00:44:26.800 --> 00:44:43.440
>> I think it was very thorough Monty and Steve on the front end did an amazing job uh and that made it a a lot easier for everybody in the end. >> Yes. >> Uh lining out every single room. I think that the numbers are are right in line

151
00:44:43.440 --> 00:44:58.079
with everything and and I think it's a it's a it's definitely a good position to be in especially with all the increases that have happened over the last year. >> Right. Yeah. >> So on technology anyway.

152
00:44:58.079 --> 00:45:14.800
>> Well, thank you Jared and your son. >> Questions. Mr. Chair board members. >> Any other questions for Monty? If not, what do you want to do with this item? >> I'll make a motion to move forward with Forte. >> I'll second. >> Okay, we got a motion and a second. Any

153
00:45:14.800 --> 00:45:32.800
further discussion on this? >> That's the one time fee, right? 49,000. >> Okay. Well, there they're potentially in the future might be like a um like a management or a or a like a ser like a service that we might want to buy

154
00:45:32.800 --> 00:45:49.040
>> later on, but this is to get us in the building. Yeah. Everything will be under warranty >> and installation. Okay. >> Yep. >> Any other questions? >> Not to call a question. All in favor say I. >> I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. Thank

155
00:45:49.040 --> 00:46:04.640
you. Next on Monty, you staying up there or what? >> Well, yeah, Commissioner >> Transportation Alliance flying. >> We talk about who might be interested in going to the DC flying in September because I know we got to get those hotels booked and airlines and so on.

156
00:46:04.640 --> 00:46:20.960
So, he asked that this be on your agenda today. >> Well, >> okay. >> Personally, I know that uh Commissioner No, Mr. Chair, I know that M Commissioner Johnson would would definitely like to go on that. >> He's on the transportation. Yep. And I

157
00:46:20.960 --> 00:46:37.520
don't know if Commissioner Bonite's been out there before. >> I have not. And I'm also on Transportation Alliance. >> So, um I I I think well, we heard it from Taylor from Emmer's office just the other day on how important it is to be

158
00:46:37.520 --> 00:46:52.960
out there >> and that that could be why we're getting a few things. So, or or at least on the list. I I think this is something that we've been doing ever since I've last six years. I was going to say since I've been on the board, but first two years we've never done that.

159
00:46:52.960 --> 00:47:07.680
>> I think we sent Chris out once by himself. >> I I know the previous commissioner Bowerly went once too, you know, but in general, we've been going out there ever since we've been applying for the raise grant. Okay. >> So, that's been at least four years,

160
00:47:07.680 --> 00:47:25.040
maybe five years now. And and the nice thing is is about having Megan from Lark and Hoffman out there is these two could get their own meetings and still take advantage of the Transportation Alliance stuff, too, >> which is big.

161
00:47:25.040 --> 00:47:40.160
So, >> and it's very important to have the engineer. >> Yeah. Oh, absolutely. Is Steve going? Is he Oh, there he is. Hey, >> that's that's why I said it, Steve. Just figuring we could keep you a little bit longer. See you in September.

162
00:47:40.160 --> 00:47:55.040
>> You're open till October, right? I mean, >> yeah, something like that. Well, I think you've got the consensus already of what's going to happen. We all want this to work out and send people there. >> Well, I I I think uh again, you want to get on those hotel reservations. So, at some point, Beth is going to need to

163
00:47:55.040 --> 00:48:11.920
know who is going and what are your preferences and assist you with airline reservations and so on. >> Just just take care of it. Beth, >> are you going out at all for the agricultural adult? I haven't decided yet. I know. I mean, there there is a chance that I would go back out, but I

164
00:48:11.920 --> 00:48:27.119
would pay for that on my own dime. >> Here's, >> but I think I got a conference. >> Here's the thing that they look at. Um, they look at it's an election year and so they don't like to spend a lot of money going out there because nothing really happens in September when it's an

165
00:48:27.119 --> 00:48:41.599
election year. So, you got to be careful on how much we spend. Yeah. >> On that part, you know. Yeah. I think if we have a new county engineer and we're happy with the deal, I could I could see one commissioner and the engineer going out. But um you know, beyond that,

166
00:48:41.599 --> 00:48:58.000
there's not a part of me says, "Yeah, we need to go thank these people for what we've gotten." Part of me says be cautious on what you spend to the public because there's not a lot of rewards that are going to come out of >> We can't be shortsighted on that with the amount of money we got coming.

167
00:48:58.000 --> 00:49:12.880
>> I know. Let's be realistic. already received $15 million. Okay. Right. >> I mean, in general, >> well, we haven't received it yet. >> Well, correct. But yeah, through through all of the years. >> Mhm. >> Okay. And it was very important when we

168
00:49:12.880 --> 00:49:28.720
showed her face in DC numerous times. >> Yeah. >> That >> they really >> And Taylor actually brought that up in our meeting on Friday, did she not, Monty? >> She did. Yep. I I think we've heard that consistent message, being there, being a

169
00:49:28.720 --> 00:49:44.000
presence to maintain those relationships is very important. Yes. >> And honestly, I think because Taylor also made the the comment that this is the first time they've been at Foley in Benton County, too. >> And it's because we've been coming out there. >> Yep.

170
00:49:44.000 --> 00:50:00.400
>> So, I mean, yes, is it a few thousand to go? 100%. I'm not going to say a few thousand is a lot of money, but the reward that and not only that, we've got, you know, Smith retiring, so staying my my guess is Anna is still

171
00:50:00.400 --> 00:50:17.200
going to be in that office with the new person. >> So, keeping up with them. Plus, we got a senator that potentially I don't, you know, depending on how the votes come out, could be governor. and having that person. I mean, I'm apparently I'm helping move a painting into her

172
00:50:17.200 --> 00:50:34.400
governor's mansion, but I mean, she's there there's there's just a lot of connections you make to help facilitate some dollars. >> So, uh to assist in your decision-m process, the the de the the hotel room blocks are being held until August 31st.

173
00:50:34.400 --> 00:50:50.079
>> Oh, so we got some time then. So, um, >> well, they're they're being held, but >> but it doesn't mean that they'll be available. Um, doesn't mean they'll be available when you go to book them, though. >> And if you look at airline flights right now with gas going up, >> you book now.

174
00:50:50.079 --> 00:51:05.760
>> 662. >> That's what I the last I checked just recently on roundtrip on Delta, right? Yeah. >> Well, I believe Commissioner Johnson's going to be back tomorrow or else Thursday. >> Yeah. So, shall we resolve this issue at the

175
00:51:05.760 --> 00:51:21.680
next board meeting then in terms of who's going to go? >> Uh, I will not be going because I'm already got plans for the month of September. >> Okay. >> I I've I've spent enough time out there and if I go it'll be on my own dollar. >> I don't I don't know what I'll >> Well, just again if we've got three

176
00:51:21.680 --> 00:51:37.040
there, we need to set it as a committee hole. We can deal with that issue later. Correct. >> That we can deal with. >> We can deal with that later. Right. We should know when the next >> Well, why don't we just bring this back at your next meeting and try and get some consensus that way everyone will be present hopefully. >> Okay. Okay. Thank you. >> Thank you. Yep.

177
00:51:37.040 --> 00:51:57.520
>> Okay. Next. Try. Sorry. So long. >> Proclamation National Police Week in Benton County. >> Good morning, commissioners. Thank you. >> Good morning. So, today I have before you the third of three um proclamations that I bring every year. Uh we spend the

178
00:51:57.520 --> 00:52:12.720
months of April and May uh expressing our our gratitude for the men and women that serve us in public safety and make sure that we have a a safe environment in Benton County and around the around the state and around the nation. So before you have a proclamation to

179
00:52:12.720 --> 00:52:28.079
recognize National Police Week, which will occur um from May 10th to May 16th this year. Uh, it honors the almost 1 million and women that work nationwide in law enforcement and do the difficult and dangerous job of being out there and

180
00:52:28.079 --> 00:52:43.599
keeping our community safe here in Benton County. that uh that includes about 30 people in our office that are licensed peace officers that do everything from working as patrol deputies to our detectives who work hard on solving crimes to our supervisors,

181
00:52:43.599 --> 00:52:59.200
our administrators, our baiffs, uh a whole host of folks that we have over here working to keep Benton County safe. Uh every day they're out there keeping our community safe, facing difficult situations. I I'm very happy to say that

182
00:52:59.200 --> 00:53:15.280
uh we have a very supportive community here in Benton County. It's great to be out there and amongst the people and uh feel that support and be thanked every day. Uh not to say that there aren't difficult moments with some dangerous people and also some folks that have uh have a less favorable view of law

183
00:53:15.280 --> 00:53:29.520
enforcement, but we we do our best to soldier through and make sure that we're out there protecting protecting our community. Uh some of the results of these encounters sometimes though are assaults and or uh deaths in the line of

184
00:53:29.520 --> 00:53:47.839
duty. And annually there's about 50,000 uh assaults against law enforcement officers nationwide about 15,000 injuries that are occur that are accumulated. And I'd be remiss if I did not mention that since uh 1791,

185
00:53:47.839 --> 00:54:04.000
which was our first recorded death of a law enforcement officer in this country, more than 19,000 law enforcement officers have given their last full measure of devotion uh being killed in the line of duty. And this includes one member of the Benton County Sheriff's Office, that being Deputy Sheriff Frank

186
00:54:04.000 --> 00:54:19.119
McGregor, who was killed in a fatal car accident in 1931. So, I bring this proclamation before you to uh have the county express their gratitude and their appreciation of law enforcement officers in Benton County

187
00:54:19.119 --> 00:54:36.319
and throughout the nation. And uh also to let everyone know that on May 15th, which is Peace Officer Memorial Day, we will have a a brief ceremony up in Rice at the Immaculate Conception Cemetery at 7 p.m. And the public is welcome to join

188
00:54:36.319 --> 00:54:53.040
us for that. So, with that, I will uh turn it over to you and answer any questions you might have. >> Commissioner Pinsky. >> No, I uh I thank you every year for all your people's uh work out there. It is not a fun job. It's not a not a

189
00:54:53.040 --> 00:55:08.880
enjoyable job at all times, but I I think I brought this up maybe a month or so ago that you guys are so much more in the community than just your job. >> Yeah. >> I mean, I you you you see police officers towing the line whether they're

190
00:55:08.880 --> 00:55:24.880
on their personal time, they're teaching kids on their own time. A lot of gratitude goes out. So, with that, I'll I'll make a motion to have May 10th through May 16th, 2026 uh be designated as National Police Week.

191
00:55:24.880 --> 00:55:41.280
>> I'll second that. >> I'll second that. >> You can third it if that's fine. >> We got a motion, a second, and a third. Any further discussion on this? If not, I'll call the question. All in favor say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries.

192
00:55:41.280 --> 00:55:56.720
Thank you very much, Tro. I appreciate it. >> Thank you, commissioners. I'd just like to also say that over the past 12 years, I've really appreciated the support of this board and previous boards and um having having felt that understanding and that gratitude is has meant a lot to me and to uh to all of my staff. So,

193
00:55:56.720 --> 00:56:15.520
thank you very much for your support. >> Thank you. >> Have a good day, sir. Steve Kowski, >> I'm glad he's going to be here till October now. >> I know. I was going to say our our new county engineer, right?

194
00:56:15.520 --> 00:56:34.640
>> Till uh till October to buy that ticket. >> Okay. >> Morning, Mr. Chairman, members of the board. I >> Morning. >> I have an abstract for your review. >> Thank you. >> Construction. Thank you.

195
00:56:34.640 --> 00:57:03.839
>> Thanks, Stephen. >> Uh, Mr. Chairman, members of the board, as a part of our 2026 capital improvement program, we have a highway safety improvement project. Uh this is the installation of ground in and wet

196
00:57:03.839 --> 00:57:18.559
reflective edge line on our county state aid highway 11. Um it's funded through the the HIS program and the way that works is I think it's probably 15 years old already. Uh the county had a

197
00:57:18.559 --> 00:57:34.319
comprehensive highway plan put in place. um projects that were included and as a part of that plan your all your highway segments are looked at and during that process there's a determination on what type of improvements could be made to

198
00:57:34.319 --> 00:57:50.799
improve safety. This project had to be included in that highway safety plan in order for it to be eligible for highway safety improvement funds. Uh you have to make the application which which was made and uh and uh it was approved. It's

199
00:57:50.799 --> 00:58:06.799
90% federally funded and 10% locally funded. Um, and the abstract that that you see is the bids that we received when we opened them on the 24th. Um, you can see they're quite a bit less than the engine engineers estimate. Um, part

200
00:58:06.799 --> 00:58:23.119
of that being that we're much earlier in this letting the the the engineers estimate was based on last year's project and uh we're much earlier in the letting. I uh I think that's important. You get earlier letings before the

201
00:58:23.119 --> 00:58:38.799
contractors are filled up. You definitely get better pricing and that's what we see here. So this project uh incl is the ground in and wet reflected edge line. There is no rumble stripes with this. So it was shown in the uh request for board action. There aren't

202
00:58:38.799 --> 00:58:54.000
rumble strips going along with this. >> Okay. Our recommendation though is that the board would accept the low bid of Sir Lines a lot and authorize the chairman and the administrator to sign the contract documents. >> That name kills.

203
00:58:54.000 --> 00:59:09.599
>> I know. Well, they they've done work in the county in the past, too. >> Oh, yeah. Lots. >> Board, what would you like to do this or you got any questions for Steve? >> I'll make a motion to um accept the bid from Sir Lions Lot.

204
00:59:09.599 --> 00:59:26.480
>> I'll second it. Okay, got a motion and a second. >> Excuse me. Any other, questions, concerns? Okay, if not, I'll call the question. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. Opposed? Motion carries. Thank you

205
00:59:26.480 --> 00:59:49.359
very much. >> Thank you, Mr. Chairman. >> See you soon. >> Thanks, Steve. >> See you in October. >> Yep. Sandy, >> we hope you get weak at some point and give in. >> Good morning. >> Good morning.

206
00:59:49.359 --> 01:00:06.079
>> Uh I believe I know this is the third year in a row that I've gotten a letter from the Department of Human Services commending us on our uh fiscal department's um excellent work. Um it we got it in 2023,

207
01:00:06.079 --> 01:00:23.440
2024 and now for 2025. Um it basically summarized in the letter it is for perfect and timely reports. >> Um I couldn't say anything more anything more about it. That's excellent work. I would ask Ashley to come up here and do

208
01:00:23.440 --> 01:00:43.119
a quick introduction of her staff. I know loves coming up front so this is her favorite thing to do. Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Coming up front. Um, so we have had a little bit of turnover recently. We've

209
01:00:43.119 --> 01:01:00.400
been feeling some of the growing pains um going on, but we have some newer staff. So, Kelsey Gruba, she works with our AMHI, so adult mental health initiative. Um, they have about a $3 million budget on their own. So, grant

210
01:01:00.400 --> 01:01:16.480
funded. Um, and then we have Katie Hansen. She works in accounts payable. You might remember Terry. He used to do that. Um, Katie does that. Sean Deppa, who's been here for 35 years, right, Sean?

211
01:01:16.480 --> 01:01:32.319
>> 34 35. >> So, um, she does accounts receivable. And then Hannah Fischer, she works with our public health department and she also works on our billing for our targeted case management. Um, couple

212
01:01:32.319 --> 01:01:48.799
people that are missing. Diane Lavine, she's also been here I believe 35 years somewhere right in there. She works with our 4E and our um, child foster care reporting. And then Tiffany Foreigner, she is our collections agent and she

213
01:01:48.799 --> 01:02:04.640
does a phenomenal job too. All of them do. So, I was telling them that earlier when they were deciding if they should come or not, the reports are just the tip of the iceberg. It's all of the work that they put into it that makes it possible. So,

214
01:02:04.640 --> 01:02:22.079
>> you know, thank you very much. Uh, this is really great news to see it, you know, three years in a row. But Ashley, I also have to thank you and Will for Friday. >> I was very um honored to be invited. Sandy told me. What day was it, Sandy

215
01:02:22.079 --> 01:02:39.359
that you told me? >> Oh, I don't think >> maybe the day before. >> Especially >> I'm not going to be there. Can you come? I said, >> yeah, >> I guess. >> You know, and it especially talking about the reporting and everything that we have to do and that you guys are doing, you know, for us is very very

216
01:02:39.359 --> 01:02:56.240
kudos to you and your team. >> Thank you. >> Absolutely. And Mr. chair. I I I want to say thank you personally to everybody in your team and human services, our whole county really. I mean, we've got a lot of great people out there and nobody gets a lot of the recognition they

217
01:02:56.240 --> 01:03:12.240
deserve. They're just >> basically told to do their job and and you know, and you don't get the recognition and and I look at it and go, we need each and every one of you guys to do these and get these letters because this only helps our whole county. It it's things behind the scene

218
01:03:12.240 --> 01:03:34.400
that make our county great. So, thank you guys. >> Thank you. >> Greatly appreciate it. >> Thank you. >> And then there was nobody. >> Okay. Well, next is Commissioner Gapinsky. >> Library. >> Library.

219
01:03:34.400 --> 01:03:52.640
Good lord. Okay. So yeah, I I got brought into an email that Brandy had sent to Sterns County Board and um it basically basically um one of their commissioners was was asking why

220
01:03:52.640 --> 01:04:08.799
are we paying over our memorandum of agreement and brought that question up and >> Yep. >> Yep. and and wanted to get that information. Well, he didn't get that information, so he sent another email

221
01:04:08.799 --> 01:04:25.039
asking for that information. And um you know, one of the you know, Brandy basically responded back to Mike Williams said, "One of your board members isn't on the board, but is asking for this information, and I don't

222
01:04:25.039 --> 01:04:39.440
know that I should be the one to give it to him." I'm like, basically that I can send this whole email, but but basically this email gets sent to sent to Mike Williams. Well, then Brandy responds to

223
01:04:39.440 --> 01:04:57.119
um uh this commissioner and basically this calls out Benton County on this and I'll read it. It says, "We use a base budget process like Benton County every year. Our budget discussions begin with

224
01:04:57.119 --> 01:05:14.160
base budget that shows what it would cost to maintain business levels the following year. Why would we be called out in a Sterns County email? >> Can I tell the story? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Go ahead, Mont. >> Sure. >> Yeah. So, uh, a long time ago, the

225
01:05:14.160 --> 01:05:30.880
budget process for the library was very disorganized. And here's how it would work. they would gather all the commissioners together in a room and say, "Oh, where do you want the budget to land? Where do you want the, you know, the levy cost to land?" It was

226
01:05:30.880 --> 01:05:47.440
there was really no rationality to it whatsoever. So, it was just it was kind of a free-for-all. And then Commissioner uh Spencer Berkeley, he knew we use this base budget process and he said, "Would you talk to the library accounting folks, you know, the director about base

227
01:05:47.440 --> 01:06:04.799
budgeting?" So, I did. and and they adopted it. And like us, it just simply gives the library board a starting point. It's not a recommendation. It doesn't say where the budget should be. It's just a neutral starting point. And I think it's worked fairly well for us.

228
01:06:04.799 --> 01:06:22.319
And they adopted that process. So that's the history because again, the former process was just chaotic. It was just absolutely chaotic. There was no rationality to it really whatsoever. And I think they needed some. Is this not the same way that most counties and

229
01:06:22.319 --> 01:06:38.559
budgets go? I mean, I I would think you start with the base. Where are we at today? >> Right. And you know, again, as you may recall, the base budget answers this question. What does it cost to run this place? Just status quo. Just keep the lights on. >> And I think that's what they needed. I'm not sure. Other counties probably use

230
01:06:38.559 --> 01:06:54.480
something similar. They maybe call it a different name, but I think it's worked relatively well for them. Uh over it's been gosh 10 years ago. Again, it was when Spence was was on the library board. So, >> maybe maybe I'm being too hard on Brandy

231
01:06:54.480 --> 01:07:10.160
then, but >> and Monty's right. It that was before my time, but I understand from commiss uh Spencer Berkeley that it was a chaotic >> Yeah. >> scene that they couldn't get anything done. They actually ran up against deadlines and all that. And he asked

232
01:07:10.160 --> 01:07:24.960
Monty to come in and explain it. and former director um Karen Pudsac was like, "Okay, this really works >> well for what we need to do." >> Yeah. >> Um you know, and other counties do it differently. You know, you can talk to every county how they do their base

233
01:07:24.960 --> 01:07:41.839
budget. And it all comes back to a lot of times you'll hear like our county should do base budget, how our administrator implemented in Benton County because they see it as, you know, the definitely way to go. I just assume because to me it makes common sense. You

234
01:07:41.839 --> 01:07:57.440
find out where everything is right now. >> Yeah. >> And then you go from there >> and you can go up or you can go down from there. It's it's your choice at that point. You're the policy makers, right? >> I I would I would I I just assume that's the way everybody did it because that's the way I've always done it with anything.

235
01:07:57.440 --> 01:08:14.559
>> Comment how other counties do it, but no, that is not the way. >> Okay. >> So So the last update, let's see, put my glasses on here. Um, so again, I've had this back and forth with Brandy about the meeting issue. And again, I straight I stated in strong terms your preference

236
01:08:14.559 --> 01:08:30.400
to be on the regular agenda. >> So, I've gotten a couple updates from Brandy. The last one is April 30th. And she says, apologize for delay. She says, I'm still waiting for a final direction from my board. Meaning, is it

237
01:08:30.400 --> 01:08:45.839
going to be on the regular agenda or is it going to be this 4:15 work session? She says she's still waiting for direction from her board. >> And on that subject, we're having a Zoom meeting tomorrow and it's going to be >> unless doesn't go my way, it's going to

238
01:08:45.839 --> 01:09:02.400
be on the regular board meeting. >> Yeah, I think it needs to be right. >> Well, it should be. >> Well, and to be honest with you again, and Ed can contest to this, when we were at the last library board meeting, it was unanimous by the board to put us on the agenda.

239
01:09:02.400 --> 01:09:18.799
>> Yeah. So, I'm not sure where all of this changing is coming from. >> And and you know what? If if you got somebody that's Sorry. >> Let me let me just I I don't mean to interrupt. I I apologize, but I just want to get to the point. >> Who's the board chair? Because they help

240
01:09:18.799 --> 01:09:33.600
with the agenda. >> Me. >> Okay. Yeah. >> Take care of it. >> Yep. I'm trying. >> No, seriously, take care of it. >> Because that is part of your responsibility. >> Made the comment that we're going to do it on the regular meeting. If you got somebody this adamant about being on the

241
01:09:33.600 --> 01:09:50.080
agenda and somebody that adamant about pushing you off the agenda multiple times, what's the agenda? >> Right. >> Yeah. >> I mean, if I was other counties that maybe have been a little silent in all of this stuff, I would be looking at

242
01:09:50.080 --> 01:10:06.880
this going, what's going on? >> A couple of counties are going to be silent on even like tomorrow's discussion. And I see that one can't one cannot reply or one's not available. >> Yeah. >> So, um we'll see how it goes. But

243
01:10:06.880 --> 01:10:20.960
>> still >> to me, remember how many we've heard about the whistleblowers? >> Yeah. >> At at the at the state level >> all the way through the last year of of Oh, we've known about this for years. We know. Are we just supposed to just take

244
01:10:20.960 --> 01:10:36.960
a slap on the hand and walk away? >> Did maybe maybe we're blowing something here. Maybe there's something behind the scenes that you guys aren't knowing about. >> We don't know. >> We don't know.

245
01:10:36.960 --> 01:10:52.560
>> And that to me, every time this gets pushed and pushed and pushed, I sit back and go, "What are they trying to hide?" >> Well, as far as I know, there's nothing there to hide with, you know, how >> But as far as you know, >> Yeah. >> right? >> I mean, it seems pretty clear-cut tried

246
01:10:52.560 --> 01:11:07.920
and done. And I I can understand your concern and I share the same concerns, Commissioner Gapinsky. We've had questions that we wanted answered that we cannot get answered. >> No. >> Okay. That's what we're looking for. >> That's what we're looking for. Okay.

247
01:11:07.920 --> 01:11:24.239
>> And it should it should be that simple. How come this became so difficult? But it is I mean >> and the emails questions >> the emails and everything that I've been getting is that we're against the board, the library and everything else. And I

248
01:11:24.239 --> 01:11:40.320
tell everybody, "No, no, we just got questions we need answered. We're not against the library board. We're not against closing or doing anything to the library." put it this way, because of Commissioner Boy Bono's digging, it actually the question got brought up in

249
01:11:40.320 --> 01:11:56.640
another county and their administrator had no idea that we were paying over that they were paying substantially over thee. No idea. >> Well, and I'm going to guess that most of them didn't even know that.

250
01:11:56.640 --> 01:12:13.760
>> Yeah. and and it was brought up at the last board meeting to me by someone on the board is whether our our board has read the JPA because if we read the JPA we would understand it. >> Yeah. >> And and it's like I don't know Ed, have

251
01:12:13.760 --> 01:12:28.880
you read through the entire JPA? >> Not for >> I don't think we understand it. Yeah. >> No, but I mean and then and then there was a commissioner on that sat on the board that said that we own basically 16th of every book out there in every

252
01:12:28.880 --> 01:12:44.800
library. Well, read the JPA. So, their board members need to make sure they're reading the JPA because that's not how I'm reading it. >> Y >> and I don't think that's how Michelle read it either. >> No. >> Right. So, so if you're going to ask

253
01:12:44.800 --> 01:13:00.159
somebody to read that, you should read it and understand that before you make comments on that again. And then another member of the board brought up the fact that we can't get out of the library JPA

254
01:13:00.159 --> 01:13:14.880
unless everybody agrees because they went off the past person who is in chargees word. Again, if you read the JPA, it does not state that in that JPA. So, when you're making comments and

255
01:13:14.880 --> 01:13:31.280
things, make sure you know what the heck you're talking about instead of just randomly speaking. >> It It's tough on some of these boards because, man, there's a lot to know. >> There is. >> And that's that's why you asked me, did you read through all that? I'm like, I

256
01:13:31.280 --> 01:13:47.040
didn't have enough time. Unless something changes, the 4:15 work session is still on your committee. The whole listing. >> Yes. >> So, yeah. >> I say we keep it. >> No. >> Yeah. I I Oh, no. No, no, no, no, no.

257
01:13:47.040 --> 01:14:02.800
>> It it needs to go onto the >> onto the regular board, but it's listed as a committee of the whole. >> I get that, but we still got to keep it listed as >> as a committee of the whole. My point though is to spray if if they don't agree to move it to the regular agenda that you still have the option of the 4:15 work session

258
01:14:02.800 --> 01:14:19.920
>> and we should know that tomorrow. >> Okay. >> Well, just push it to the agenda. Just make a make a decision. It shouldn't be that hard. It really should not be that hard. This is not a rocket scientist. We're asking for information and I think it needs to be what the board decided in

259
01:14:19.920 --> 01:14:36.320
their last meeting that we could be on the agenda. Okay. >> Because it was clearly brought up at that meeting that no special meetings needed to be happening because of this. And this could to me is a special meeting.

260
01:14:36.320 --> 01:14:52.400
>> Yeah. So, Commissioner Pop, try to make that happen. Okay. Make it make it work. Make it work. >> I've recommended Randy already. >> Well, no. Just >> I'm only one out of six votes. >> I I get that. But

261
01:14:52.400 --> 01:15:08.560
>> But you are the sen I'm sorry. You are the senior one and you've been the chair >> for a long time. Okay. So, >> I just got thrown into this >> again. Again. So, you've been the chair. So, let's just try to make this work for us. >> We'll see what we can do. >> I'd appreciate that and I think the

262
01:15:08.560 --> 01:15:24.480
board would appreciate that, too. >> Okay. Monty, do we want to go into this close session right away? >> Uh, it's up to you, sir. Would I just How about you finish everything out and then >> I got one more uh commissioner comment or comments? Oh, I apologize, Jared. Go

263
01:15:24.480 --> 01:15:38.719
ahead. Yeah. >> Um I I Well, I didn't until now, >> but I I wanted to I I see uh Michelle is is still on. >> I wanted to recommend that >> Michelle take a look at that airport authority

264
01:15:38.719 --> 01:15:55.679
>> um um JPA >> and just see where we stand on this because I'll tell you there, my eyes went berserk when I was reading and then it would contradict each other down there. It's like I don't know what I'm reading on parts of it. >> We We'll get it to Michelle. >> I already sent it to her.

265
01:15:55.679 --> 01:16:11.760
>> Oh, you did? Yeah. >> Do you have a final version? >> Well, I've got the one that you sent. >> There's so many. Okay. You got it from me. Okay. Yeah. You sent this is the unsigned one, but this was >> They call it an enabling an enabling resolution is what they call it. >> But I think we need to see where we sit.

266
01:16:11.760 --> 01:16:28.719
>> She's on the line. Michelle. >> Hi, Michelle. >> Go ahead. Can you um I just want to let you know I did actually take a look at the enabling authority in the statute and that actually spells out how you can decrease the board and how you can terminate the entirety of the authority.

267
01:16:28.719 --> 01:16:43.199
Yeah. >> So, it looks like the resolution reflects that and it would take the resolution of the other members to um allow us to get out of the authority and then all the parties would have to agree

268
01:16:43.199 --> 01:17:00.480
>> um to terminate the airport authority. So, it looks like the resolution does reflect what the statute requires, but I can certainly take a look at the other stuff as well. >> Well, Michelle, is there I've said this before. This these should

269
01:17:00.480 --> 01:17:17.760
be illegal cuz they're they're they're binding future people to agreements that we have no clue what's going to change down the road in this agreement. They they got bamboozled on a bunch of stuff on the front end.

270
01:17:17.760 --> 01:17:33.120
And to say that this can't be renegotiated or or is is I don't know. I I'm I'm dumbfounded to be quite honest. I I don't know why. >> It looks like a lot of it is statutory.

271
01:17:33.120 --> 01:17:49.679
>> Yeah. Really? Again, your influence is through your appointees. >> Mhm. >> Yeah. >> Oh, we I mean, I hate to say this, but we might have to look at that, >> right? >> So, and and we and we got some sharp people on there. >> Kevin's been on there a long time, or

272
01:17:49.679 --> 01:18:04.480
not a long time, a couple years, but John's been on there a long time. And I don't consider this anything personal. But at some point there's got to be something that >> But but it's also going to take more than just board. >> Okay. It's going to take

273
01:18:04.480 --> 01:18:20.480
>> But sometimes just saying no. And even if we're in the minority, >> I realize that. >> Yeah, >> I realize that. But it's going to take other counties. It is. It really, >> you know, it's going to take a partnership. >> Three counties. >> Yeah. >> Well, it's going to take all four. But >> you could make a change

274
01:18:20.480 --> 01:18:37.040
>> by your appointees of three counties. >> No. >> Yeah. Well, >> it takes all four entities to >> get everybody out, but you could just affect the operation. >> Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Okay. Yep. Good point. So, >> yeah. >> Okay. >> Thanks for looking into that, Michelle. >> Yep. Thank you very much.

275
01:18:37.040 --> 01:18:53.120
>> Up to you. You want to do the close session now? We certainly can. You have a few You have a few things to finish. We have no comm. >> Good to go there. >> Yep. >> Did you want to do main updates and then the last thing we'll do is the close session? No, let's just get this close session out of the way. This has been

276
01:18:53.120 --> 01:19:09.600
allow us to set the room committee of the whole May 15th in Rice at 700 p.m. Is that something anybody else is interested in in going to for the police officers? >> We can set that when we get done with close session. >> Would need to be a cow. It's even it's

277
01:19:09.600 --> 01:19:25.440
not county business per se. So, it's more ceremonial. So, >> you wouldn't have to do that. >> Okay. Thanks. >> It's a public event. >> Yeah. Okay. Now we're going to >> I am going to >> something. >> Close this out.

278
01:19:25.440 --> 01:19:40.880
>> Yeah. >> Make sure we got to turn streaming off. >> Session. >> Now we're going to conduct a closed meeting of the county board site to Minnesota statute 13

279
01:19:40.880 --> 01:19:57.760
D.03 03 subdivision one to consider strategy for labor negotiation labor negotiations >> and it's 05 not three >> that's why I put my glasses on I've got it at 03 in my uh >> 03

280
01:19:57.760 --> 01:20:13.280
>> in mine for the statue I'm sorry in my computer it's 03 I think it's wrong >> then on the agenda it's wrong close that other one too >> says 03 13D.03.

281
01:20:13.280 --> 01:20:29.920
>> Okay. So, it's just wrong on our agenda. >> Sorry. >> No, that's fine. >> Oh, this look at >> Okay. >> Yep. That's And that's what I have. Anything else I have to do, Monty? >> You want to close that exit door, too?

282
01:20:29.920 --> 01:20:44.080
>> Did you have a motion to second? >> Oh, sorry. Not yet. >> I'll make that motion. >> Okay. Motion to conduct a closed meeting. >> I'll second. >> Okay. We got a motion, a second. Any further discussion? And if not, call the question. All in favor say I.