Good morning everyone. >> I will call the um county board of commissioners regular meeting to order on this day, Tuesday, June 23rd at 8:30 a.m. We begin our meeting with the pledge. Please rise.
>> 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. Are there any adjustments to the agenda?
>> Um, thank you. I will be requesting that we split the closed session into just for um time considerations for the attorney involved um to so that we have one closed session at the beginning of the meeting um with council for the um
to address the data breach and then one closed session at the time normally allotted to the attorneys um for the close session regarding the tennis courts litigation. How does that fall time-wise
on the agenda? >> So that item number four would be split into two different closed sessions. We would have a motion to close the meeting um right away for the discussion on the threatened litigation regarding the data
breach and then a motion to reopen and then um following I believe we normally fall after human resources. >> Okay. Then there would be a second closed session to address the pending tennis courts litigation. >> And will that session be up in the courtroom as well?
>> If um if the ITV room is not available, >> not for us though. So I guess my question is once we're done with the first close session on the data, do we come back here? >> Yes. >> Okay. Okay. Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair. Motion to
approve the agenda as presented >> with the understanding of the two closed sessions. >> Support. And just to be clear, that's as amended. Right. >> Correct. >> Yeah. Okay. >> Okay. >> We have a motion, a second. All in
favor? >> I oppose. same sign. Um, at this time we do have time for public comment period. They can appear before the county board with their concerns. We have no one in the audience this morning other than did anyone on the board receive any
comments? >> No. >> Okay. Uh, moving on to the consent agenda items um to approve as whole. We do have um we don't have any claims and then we do
have minutes from the June 9th meeting. Otherwise, that is all that we have. So, motion to approve. >> Make a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Yeah, I'll support that. >> All in favor?
>> I oppose. Same sign. At this time then uh we will um begin our um close session. Motion to close the meeting pursuant to Minnesota State statute 13D.05 subdivision 3B to discuss the following
pending or threatened litigation matters in regarding a data breach and the Cook County versus Upper Midwest Athletic Construction Company Incorporated. >> Support. >> Um I'm sorry. >> It's going to be the one. Yep. >> The the first part
>> just item one. Okay. >> I'll support that amendment. >> Support the motion. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> I >> post same sign. Okay. We have returned from our closed session
and now we motion to open up our regular board meeting. Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair. Motion to reconvene our regular board meeting. >> Support. >> I have a motion in a second. All in favor? I >> I >> oppos.
Okay, we will move into land services. We have um one of our new employees. Welcome to our board meeting. >> Oh, thank you so much. Good morning. >> Yes. Um all right. Well, we'll get right into
it. The planning commission met on uh June 10th and we have two conditional use permit requests for you today. The first one is from Isaac Baron and it is a conditional use permit to allow a home business in the F1 zone district at 330
Ball Club Road. Uh Mr. has been operating his business as a home occupation for several years, but he is looking to add an employee and that will move his business from a home occupation to a home business and that does require a conditional use permit. Um, his business is a log home building and
restoration business. The conditional use permit would allow for up to five employees, but at this time, Mr. Baron has indicated that his current intention is to hire just one employee. And in his application, he said he does not anticipate that the addition of the
single employee will change the number of deliveries of logs to his property each year. So not a lot of change kind of in the function of of the property. Uh home business is listed as a conditional use in the F1 zone district
uh which is outlined in section 4.05B4. uh land services and the planning commission didn't receive any public comment on this application either in writing or in person at the public hearing on June 10th. At the same hearing, the planning commission determined that the use was compatible
with the neighborhood and voted unanimously to recommend approval of the request. And I'll refer you to your packet for the criteria that the planning commission used for that recommendation. And that can be found under the findings section. And also in your packet is the list of conditions
set up for the cup. At the hearing, Mr. Baron said that he agreed to all those proposed conditions. So none of those should be an obstacle for him. And again, there was no public comment in opposition to this application. And the planning commission voted unanimously to
appro to to recommend approval of the conditional use permit for Mr. Baron to move his business from a home occupation to a home business and hire an employee. >> We'll open it up for questions or
comments. Commissioner Sullivan. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um having attended the um meeting that the planning commission had. Um, one thing that you might have a question about under conditions is item 2, hours of operations starting at 6:00 a.m., but I
want to make it clear that currently that business is operating at 6:00 a.m. That is not a change in hours and the, um, neighborhood seems to be appreciative of that, um, tolerant of that, and there have been no complaints. So, I just wanted to let you know 6 a.m.
is not an earlier time. That's how they've been operating, >> right? And Mr. Mr. Barren did say Mr. Baron no s um did say at that meeting too that he was specifically applying for those hours of operation because the planning commission did ask because there are some other industrial
businesses in the area that have different hours of operation and he said he was sticking with those current hours kind of in the effort to to maintain what he's already doing because there haven't been complaints with with
neighbors. is right. >> Okay. Any other questions or comments? >> Anyone like to make a motion to Commissioner Sullivan? >> Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion to approve the resolution for the conditional use permit in accordance
with our zoning ordinance 37 section 4.05B4 to allow a home business in the F1 zone district at 330 Ball Club Road with the findings and the conditions as noted. support.
>> We have a motion, a second. Any further questions or comments? All in favor? >> I oppose. Same sign. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you on that. Moving on. All right. So, this second one is an item that you have seen before, but is
returning to you uh for this meeting, and that is the WTTC Land Management um company LLC and requesting an amendment to the existing conditional use permit for the Humphrey Gravel Pit at 224 B Club Road to expand the active open pit
area from 10 to 15 acres and to allow gravel washing operations as a conditional use. And just to remind you and for the sake of the public, the site is located north of the Cook County Airport between Ball Club Road and Benagami Lake. And at the May 13th
meeting of the planning commission, they determined that the use was compatible with the location of the pit. And with 30 proposed conditionals or conditions of approval, and they did recommend approval of the request. At your May 26th meeting, you requested that the
planning commission further consider a couple of aspects of that proposal, including hours of operation, noise mitigation options, and wash plant operations. And the planning commission discussed the application again at that June 10th meeting. Aaron Holgren, who's the vice president of operations for
Northland Constructors, was present at the meeting. He talked about ways that the company is already using operational practices intended to reduce noise impacts, including maintaining earthn BMS and conducting operations at lower elevations within the pit when feasible.
He said that once a pit area is established, much of the noise is diverted upwards by these measures. The planning commission did briefly touch on noise generated by safety equipment, including backup alarms. And the commission agreed that compromising established safety practices and
industry standards around safety alerts in an effort to reduce noise would not be appropriate due to the increased risk to workers. At the meeting, Mr. Hilgrim agreed to adjusting the hours of operation to a slightly shorter day on Saturday, making the hours of operation 7:00 a.m. to 8:00
p.m. Monday through Friday and then 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday and then no operations on Sundays and on holidays. Additionally, he agreed that a 5-year interim use permit for wash plant operations would be acceptable and consistent with similar approvals at other locations. Mr. Hogram explained
that the washing operation was an as as needed element of the pit usage depending on the specific projects they've been contracted for and the planning commission discussed 5 years as the length of the um interim use permit because of the variability of washing
activity and as an appropriate amount of time to get a sense of the impact of that activity on the area. On June 10th, the planning commission again recommended approval of the CUP. And I'll refer you to your packet for updated conditions, drawing your attention specifically to the revisions
made to conditions 12 and 13 and the specific listing of noise mitigation practices in condition six. For the criteria the planning commission used to evaluate the application, please refer to the findings section in your packet. And as one additional note on this
application, because we have already used the onetime 60-day extension on the CUP application, and because the July planning commission meeting will take place after that extension has elapsed today, you will have to you will kind of have to make a decision. You won't have
the option to send it back to the planning commission. You can either choose to approve it or deny it. You could choose to discuss it again on July 14th at your next business meeting, but there won't be another opportunity for the planning commission to discuss it before that time period runs out. And so
again, the planning commission voted unanimously to recommend your approval of this conditional use permit with the amendments made to those several conditions um and including allowing the washing operations through an interim use permit. And there is a representative of the um well I guess
the applicant uh here today as well. So if there are additional questions he said he's willing to come up to answer them. I have a question about the hours um legal holidays unless specifically authorized by the county. So for instance um the courthouse and buildings
were closed Junth on a Friday or July 4th is on a Saturday. So they'll be closed here on the 3. Does that mean that they'll cooperate with that type of um condition? >> Well, that's a great question for our applicant. >> Okay.
>> Sure. Good morning. I'm Jeremy Carlson. I'm with Northland Constructors out of Duth. Uh WTTC is our parent company or part of our parent company. So, that's our relationship to the property. Um as to the holidays, uh as a contractor, we find different organizations we work for
and work with recognize different holidays. So, whatever the appropriate holiday to recognize in Cook County, we have no issue uh working working that way. Um some agencies are willing to consider um allowing work on certain
holidays. So, we request that at times and I think we would treat this the same way. So, whatever the appropriate holiday is to recognize, we would follow that for Cook County. >> Okay. Thank you. Questions? Commissioner Gamble? >> Well, I don't have a question. I have a
comment. I appreciate the fact that when this came before the board uh it that um our discussion and it went back to the planning commission and appreciate the extra work on part of the planning commission and staff and bringing this
uh issue to them for review and coming back to us and uh that's that's appreciated a process that um demonstrates we hear and we respond with that. I'd make a motion to approve the resolution for the conditional use permit for an increase from 10 to 15
acres of active evac uh excavation in a gravel pit adjacent to Cook County 27 and the addition of a wash plant at 2024 Ball Club Road zone VAR FA far one with findings and conditions.
I'll >> support that. Have a motion and a second. Any further questions or comments? All in favor? I >> oppose. Same sign. Motion passes unanimously. Very good. Thank you. >> Thank you. Thank you for waiting patiently for us to get back.
>> Beautiful day to drive up north. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thanks, Kristen. >> Next, we'll move on to human resources. She was here and then she disappeared.
Maybe she thought of something she needed. >> I'll send her a quick message. >> Here she comes. >> There she is. >> Okay, here we go. >> I was like, "Oh, I can take the break really quick to run to the bathroom."
>> We run a tight ship. You got to get there when you need to. >> I was like, "Okay, >> we had to wait 5 seconds." I know. >> It's like they're still talking. I can come back. >> Right. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. Catching my breath. Uh
okay. So this morning um I have a few personnel policies to bring and present uh request approval for. Um so in your agenda packet I've included everything um but just kind of a highle sum summation. Um, so the three policies
that I have today is a revised family medical leave act policy. So this complies with the FMLA. We already have an FMLA policy. This just um it's just needed updating, a little more beefing up. Um otherwise the the FMLA has not
really changed much, but just want to make sure that our policy continues to be revised and updated um to ensure ongoing compliance. Um, and then there are two new policies actually. Um, we've got kind of the easier one I would say is personal appliances. So, this
addresses what would be considered a personal appliance. Um, and what could be brought here and used in the workplace, but for safety reasons. And the uh electrical pole, I'm like totally going way out of my scope of work here. I'm presenting for for Brooke. Um so
based on electrical pull for certain appliances they h it it dictates which outlet they should be safely plugged into. So um personal appliances that would be included in this policy. There's a bulleted list. These items again for the safety reasons need to be
plugged into an outlet. They can't be plugged into like a power strip or an extension cord. Um so that's why I'm bringing that um policy uh today. And that is something that our safety committee has been working on. And then we have a workplace violence policy. So
we don't currently have a workplace violence policy. Again, something that's just brought up out of the safety of our employees and members of our public um to provide guidance on on what do we do about workplace violence because violence can unfortunately occur in the
workplace um or even off work site if we have members of our staff that are out in the field. So, how to identify it, how to address it, how to report it, and then any of the followup that's needed as well. >> Okay. Yes, administrator trouble.
>> Thank you. Thank you, Allison. Um, I also wanted to mention with the appliance personal um appliance policy that we did an audit of the building as well to see where things were plugged in and what changes we need to make. And so, we're um we're through the audit and
we've made most of the changes. I think we're still waiting on um some of our partners to gather that information that are housed within the building. Um but just wanted to make sure you're all aware that we took those steps to ensure that we are in compliance with our own draft policy as we move forward.
>> Good. Oh, and I could just add to so kind of processes. These policies have been through several reviews with personnel, the personnel committee, safety committee at least for two of the three and then our uh employment
attorney um Diane Eert as well. >> Gamble. >> Yeah, thank you Madam Chair and thank you Allison. I have a question um not on content but format. I know we talked about formatting uh in both the
personnel committee and before the board about trying to go through and how we would move forward with our policies in a in a folder so when we change policies it's easier to change them and then also just a consistent format and and my
question pertains to in looking at these documents um definitions. So let's just say that when we look at how we identify headings, paragraphs, bulletointed items and everything that
part of a policy manual that makes it easy to be digested by employees is to have that similar formatting >> and um it's not just we read but it is the format. It is the type style, it's the weight we apply. So my question
pertains to definition under the uh personal appliances under definitions which is on page 85 in our packet it has appliance >> and this at that's an italicized
word. If we look at page 81 in our packet under definition workplace violence, uh sometimes we're we're using the word in the context of of the paragraph that explains the policy moving forward.
Sometimes we're defining what is workplace violence. So if this is clear what I'm saying is that the consistency in how we treat the formatting in that regard if definitions
will it be bold uh bold italicized when it appears or as we see on the workplace violence under definition we have workplace violence that could just be referring to it in
the context but it's not a definition of what it is so I'll say this and then I'll be done purpose policy definition um because definitions when we see it
appear in different places how we treat that that's my only recommendation is just saying maybe we want to look at that are we going to every time we initially define the word will we do it bold italic or we how will we do that was just throwing up a
Um, I'd like to make a motion uh to approve uh all three the family and medical leave act work and workplace violence and the personal appliances personnel policies
sending it to the editors for >> um just just for how that's used in >> context but yeah >> I s certainly certainly support the motion to approve. Just had that question. >> Oh, it was a question. I'm sorry. >> Yeah.
>> No, just had that question. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. >> I I apologize. I I didn't realize it was a question. I just thought you um were expressing um >> That's right. >> Oh, I'm sorry. I thought it was a statement, too. I didn't understand that
it was a a question. Oh, well, I was just asking in in the formatting whether or not uh how how we're looking at this. >> So, I'm going to be maybe a little defensive in this. Okay. Um >> I think very much depending on the
specific policy and the content of the policy, that's where you're going to see deviations. I do try to keep with a similar format with all um I would prefer to have the authority to
determine the template and the formatting. Um so but I can take a look at it. Um >> well it's it's not a question of of who has the authority to do it. just a question I had because we've invested
time and we discussed this in personnel you know committee and here it just when we're formatting I just noted that there was discrepancy in that and so I'm just saying that's the only thing I know >> so just that you're what you're stating is the word is bold and italicized in
one document and regular type in another >> yeah so it's meaning when you say purpose in every document you're showing purpose and you're showing policy but when it gets It's the definitions I see a variation. So for consistency I'm just saying how do you want to treat definition? That's all. >> And and I can speak to this a little bit
and just say that as we're going through the the policy updates with each one of our departments um because some of our other departments also have countywide policy. I I'll use MIS for example. They have a completely different template and
format for their policies than we do within HR. And so what I've asked as the administrator is that what's important to me is making sure that that first box is filled out. That we have who is um the owner of the policy, when was it
effective, what date was it effective, and when was it revised so that we have that historical information as we move forward and so that we also know um when we want to revisit the policies and update them so that we don't get behind on policy re um review and renewal. I've
also asked that we have the purpose, we have definitions, and we have um the policy language. Some of our policies also require a procedure, and so that would be a separate um document that would outline what the procedures are
for the policy. Outside of that, um we haven't talked about making sure that everything is exactly the same within the policies because right now each department does look very different. So, I want to get us closer to it being um
as consistent as possible. I think we can look at the definitions and just see if we want it to be bold, italicized, or not. Um and and provide that editing that you had mentioned, Commissioner Mills. Um,
but outside of that, I'm I'm hoping that to Allison's point, we still can allow each department to have a little bit of um leniency with how they develop the the formatting of the policies since right now they are very different if
that makes sense. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. I for again I want to apologize. I didn't know it was a question. I didn't mean to. Yeah. So, I retract that motion just to be make sure everything's clear there. Um and I agree the I mean formatting is important and um I just didn't think it was
>> um something we need to resolve um beyond >> just a comment that's what I'm saying it just we're asked to review these to prove and I just that's the only thing I noted we've worked hard on formattings and >> because it is an area that I've >> been involved with personnel manuals and
everything else just trying to >> let the formatting be intuitive to what you're trying to communicate verbage way. So, no, I agree. >> So, you can make your motion then. >> Well, and I also want to apologize cuz the editing was um a little bit of a joke because we don't have an editorial
staff, but >> it's helpful. We can edit it. We can edit it and make sure that it's as consistent as possible. >> Yes. >> So, Commissioner Mills, you made a motion to approve all of these three different entities. Did you also add the
editing or do you want to add it or skip it? >> I'll make a new motion. I retract the old motion. New motion is to approve the family and medical leave act, the workplace violent violence and the personal appliances personal policies.
>> I support. >> Okay. Motion by Mills and second by Gamble. >> I I also want to recognize just the work that has already been put into it. I know it's a lot and a lot of word smithing and going around and getting
things legal and and all that. So, I just really appreciate appreciate that time and energy. >> Right. Motion in a second. Any further questions or comments? All in favor? >> Opposed? Same sign. Motion passes unanimously. >> Thank you, Alison.
>> Alison, >> moving on now to Auditor Powers talking about the airport hanger. >> Madam Chair. >> Oh, sorry. I'm sorry, but I think we had moved the and the only reason why it matters from a time perspective is that we have an attorney on a court schedule
this morning. So, if we can do the other closed session, which one? If we can get a motion to close um the meeting for the sub two, the tennis courts litigation. >> I can I'll I'll make a motion to close the meeting pursuant to Minnesota
statute 13D.05, 5 subdivision 3B to discuss the uh um pending or threat threat threatened litigation matters of Cook County versus Upper Bin West Athletic Construction Incorporated. >> Support
motion and a second. All in favor? >> Same sign. Okay. But >> now where do we go? Let's go in by going Thank you everyone. We're we are back here and ready to reconvene our uh meeting. Is there a motion to
reconvene? >> Motion to reconvene. Support. >> All in favor? >> I >> I both same sign. Okay. at the after the discussion that we've had this morning, um we have made a
resolution to move forward with our situation of Cook County versus Midwest. So, we have a a resolution that Commissioner Sullivan wrote. Madame Chair, I'd like to make a motion to
approve um the expenditure of up to $10,000, not to exceed 10,000 for funding to come out of our community center infrastructure line item regarding the potential litigation and
an alternate dispute or an ADR for threatened litigation against upper Midwest West Athletic Construction Incorporated. >> Madam Chair, did uh did we use the language in uh is that an expert?
>> That's correct. >> Yeah, >> we need that in there >> for our county attorney. That's what she would like. >> Yes. >> So that's in the motion, >> correct? >> Go ahead. >> Firstly, I'll just support it. >> Yeah. Now for discussion. >> Discuss. >> I'm sorry. Did you Maybe I misheard. Did
you reference the expert >> up to $10,000 to pay for an um an expert and for it to come out of the community center infrastructure budget. >> Perfect. >> Do you have that? >> Okay. >> Okay.
>> That and that's what I'm supporting. >> I just wanted to make sure the language relative to the expert motion. Yeah, >> we have a motion and a second. Are there any questions or comments? I'll call for a vote. All in favor? >> I
>> opposed. Same sign. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you all and that with your time. >> Okay. So then we're going to hear from Auditor Powers on the airport hanger. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So
this is a request to approve the work order for the airport hanger right ofway taxi lane constru reconstruction work order 202601 RSNH to work for uh as the construction
administrator and project representative for that hangar road taxi lane reconstruction for a fee of 160,968 and this is all subject to receipt of a federal grant for the project which we're currently working on. Um that
that's not unusual in some of these that we are authorizing things prior to the grant. That's the uh federal and state process. Not unusual. So the county approved a work order just if uh you
remember this coming up recently for the design and bidding services back in March of 2025. And that work of course is complete. And for this project there had to be an independent fee analysis for RSNH's design uh and construction
administration fee. And so that's been done because uh this is required for any uh design type contract design construction administration that exceeds $100,000.
And uh so and we also have we've already approved a grant of 175 or have an approved grant of 175,000 uh from IT RB that'll help fund the local costs and we're applying for the
state and federal now. So >> any questions or comments? >> Mr. Sullivan. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, and just if people are interested, I brought the capital improvement and that shows where this fits in with everything we'll be doing over the next 20 years. I know a
lot of you were at the open house that we had for the airport a little over a year ago. Um, but I thought if anyone wanted to look at that paperwork, I would bring it. >> Thank you. And this will be um one of many instances where we request some
action by the board prior to receiving funds from the FAA or MINDOT Aeronautics. >> Yeah. And this is this project is the their new um process. In the past, we've done all of the the design and
construction um all in one grant application, one contract, and now they've split it out. So you do the the design work in one contract, one set of grants and then you do the construction with another
contract with your uh RNH your contractor and uh for the construction they separate them now twice the work but hopefully better results. We'll see. >> Any further questions or comments?
>> Commissioner Sullivan. Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion to approve a by motion a work order 202601 for RSNH for construction administration and resident project representative services for hangar row taxi lane reconstruction as defined at a fee of
$160,968 subject to receipt of our federal grant. >> Support Mr. White support. Any further questions or comments? All in favor? I >> oppose. Same sign. Motion passes
unanimously. >> And related to that are the uh bids for the reconstruction. So they took RSNH along with uh airport staff, myself took bids um on June 11th and you can see the
results in the attachment and asking for approval of the lowest bid. RCH has done the analysis and uh recommends that Northland Constructors of Duth with the lowest bid, but not by
much. That's about the closest bid I can think of for that size of contract. $288 on a million.4 was pretty uh >> Yeah. >> Okay. Questions or comments?
>> Commissioner Sullivan. Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion to approve the low bid of $1,443,500 from Northland Constructors of Duth for the taxi lane reconstruction project. >> Support
motion and a second. Any further questions or comments? All in favor? >> I oppose. Same sign. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you, Brady. And Commissioner Sullivan, as you say, we will be looking at future projects quite often.
Okay. Next, we'll move on to admin administrator trouble. >> Thank you, um, Madam Chair. All right. My first item is the Tafty Transfer Station operations transition. And you may all recall that we had a discussion at our committee of the whole regarding
this issue. And so I am looking for a decision today. Our recommendation is to abolish the position, which we have the authority to do per our um personnel policies, and make it effective July 23rd and allow the incumbent 30-day
notice. Um so, just kind of going backwards into the history of this, as you know, um the TFI transfer station operations are transitioning to Northshore Waste. Um that will likely happen the beginning of July once the transfer station is completed. Um, and
so we've been working with uh Dustin Hansen of Northshore Waste on that transition. And as a result of the operations shifting, uh, we need to make a decision regarding our county employee that currently um, is working at that site. Um, in addition to, uh, the county
making um or working towards a resolution on this, we've been also working, like I said, with Dustin Hansen. he has posted the position and has provided that information to the employee as well. >> Questions or comments? Commissioner Gamble?
>> Yes, thank you, Madam Chair. Yeah, I I appreciate um the fact that uh when we brought this before the board at a committee of the whole uh this process of following policy is uh reinforced
prior to it coming before the board. uh to move forward and um so I I appreciate that awareness and the the fact that we had opportunity to address this coming prior to this being on our agenda. With
that, I I support the recommendation by motion to abolish the position effective July 23rd to allow a 30-day notice to the incumbent for the toy transfer station operations position. Commissioner Sullivan
>> support Any further questions or comments? All in favor? >> I oppose. Same sign. >> Motion passed unanimously. Continue on. All right. Thank you, Madam Chair. So, my next um item is the
Ellers's financial management proposal. And this, I would say, is a joint item between um Auditor Powers and myself. So we have been working with Ellers on um putting together a proposal for us um to help us to update our financial
management policies. And so the proposal is to update up to uh 10 policies. And it is an hourly rate not to with a not to exceed amount. And so the work would include reviewing and researching each policy area, drafting newer, revising
existing policies, reviewing the recommended policy changes with county staff, revising any policies based on stakeholder feedback, and um perhaps presenting recommended recommended policy amendments to the county board as needed. So, um, with that, I also wanted
to mention that I did have one commissioner, uh, request that that this be a discussion item for today and not a decision item so that we had an opportunity to, um, answer any questions and then bring it forward in the future as a decision item. This is not
time-sensitive. Um, we could certainly add it for a decision at the next meeting um, if that is how the board would like to proceed. And just to give you an idea of some of the policies um that we would look at having updated, Auditor Powers and I have met and started a list of some of the policies
that we would want to work with Ellers on. Um one is non-mandated pol services, our loan policy, um debt policy, credit card policy, procurement policy, travel policy, and PDM policy. We have not fully vetted that with um our management
team yet, but those were some ideas that we had of policies that perhaps we could look at uh working with Ellers on. So, I want to turn it over to Auditor Powers to see if he has anything else he'd like to add. >> No, I think that summarizes it. Um
there's we've had um we've have policies in place but not that volume uh tells you everything but ours are fairly sparse. Um and you know there you've seen some
of the policies that have changed personnel etc that cover everything you know more closely cover everything that can happen and our policies a lot of them they don't they haven't uh
uh we've gotten by with them but um I think I think it's probably time to uh you know be more comprehensive They should also mention that Ellers um has worked with a number of other counties and so this is an area of
expertise for them and that's why we would be leaning on them for their assistance. >> We've had a long experience with them and so I think it's reasonable that we engage them too again. >> Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um I I
appreciate the fact that that this is coming before us. I I would say that um uh policies are certainly a component of of structure and with uh administer treble coming in that was something that
we've had discussions on just saying that uh you can have changing staff but an organization that has created a healthy structure >> those people fit in better than when you don't have healthy structure then you don't get consistency. So these are all
good things amidst everything else that is on our administrator's plate. Um my thought in in this regard relative to structure is we look at state statute that governs and and we look at our policies that we establish. Um just
having a discussion as those that enable policy elected representatives of the community. Um, I think I think it would be a good idea to bring this issue to a committee of the whole so we can look at
this. If if we look at policies overall, how many policies do we have in place that are reflective what we see, let's just say, of the the counties within the state and are we encompassing all of the areas that we think either we need updating or we don't even have an
existing policy. I remember and we just came out of a meeting on this when it came to a policy that drives contractual relationships with construction companies and do we have a policy and and Brady responded back says no we don't have a policy I said well if we
don't have a policy then we should find a good policy and operate as though it was our policy because we need something to dis discipline this process of signing contracts when we are are you know uh
spending tax dollars on on projects. So, um I also having been part of the the courses with results of America, I had talked to them and they have a evaluation policy guide that they they put out. Um, I just think this is
this is a foundational issue that that uh if nothing more the commissioners have more information on to understand uh as we adopt this as part of our structure moving forward which then would be communicated to our staff so
everybody's on board with the value of why we put these things in place. So that's my thought. >> Administrator Turbo. >> Thank you madam chair. So the I do want to mention that part of our discussion with Ellers was to also help us to
identify any gaps in any areas where we don't currently have policies in the financial realm where we should. >> So I should have mentioned that but that's also part of the the proposal >> and I'm I'm happy to bring um more
information I um to the board related to our policy development. Um, I just need to know what would be helpful to everyone. >> Would um you be in favor of doing a committee the whole on this then or we get information at the next board
meeting since we don't have a time frame right now? >> We can absolutely add it to the next committee of the whole um outside of the proposal. Um I'm I guess I'm just looking for some guidance on what other information would
be helpful for me to bring forward at that time. Commissioner Sullivan, you had your name on there. >> I just had a question about what other information would we need? Um, you know, I feel very comfortable what with what we've been presented here. My interest
is getting some policy in place as we are looking at setting a preliminary levy and we're setting our final levy, having some policies to to help us as we make our decisions and particularly with that mandated or or non-mandated uh funding.
And I would just like to say the process like we're we're seeing this now and having some discussion and I would rather that we take a vote on it in the next time. It's not like like we shouldn't be presented with something and be expected to act. Even though it
all seems like a good idea right now, I think we should follow the process we're trying to have and at the next meeting then we go for a vote. And if we have questions in between, we can ask Brady or or our administrator to fill in the gaps. But without a doubt, we need to
have financial policies. >> Yeah. help help with getting good financial policies. So, >> yeah, I'll just give you one example. Like, yeah, we're we're not we don't go blindly into, you know, contracts. It's
all in state statute. So, I have several files on uh on the bidding and on construction contracts and bonds and uh notices and etc. They're all in
separate files. I know where they are. Um I find them. It's it's probably not the way to go forward. Um especially when you when you have new personnel, etc. So, it's not just that's just one example, though. Mhm. >> It's the kind of thing where you need to
bring it all together into one and you might as well do it in a in a better way. You could do it yourself if you had enough time for sure. You'd start one, etc. But why not take um what the experts already know is working everywhere else for something like that.
>> Yeah. And if I can add to um what Auditor Powers has said is one part of succession planning for every position, not just >> not just within um within his department, but is making sure that >> all the information isn't just up here
and in people's personal files, but like like he mentioned, getting that out in a way where it's available to everyone. And so part of this is also um leveraging the institutional knowledge that Auditor Powers has in his position,
the the knowledge that Ellers has with their financial management and the work they've done with other counties and helping us to get it documented so it's clear to everyone what the procedures and policies are within the financial area. And we're doing this within HR. You saw a couple HR policies today. So,
this is just a more comprehensive way of doing several at once instead of bringing them forward one at a time like we've done with our HR policies. And with our HR policies, we're having those reviewed by our HR attorney who is the expert in that space and providing guidance and feedback for us. And so,
this is the same where we're leveraging another outside entity to provide us that guidance and feedback. >> Commission, >> I um it it makes good sense to me. I don't want to wait just to wait, you know, if if there are things we need to
think about, absolutely, we should we should do that. But um but this is I thought something we discussed already like just not specifically this proposal. Like I thought we as a board had talked about the need to really
update our policies and I know the auditor's office is um fairly strapped for time and and resources and um and so I want to be as supportive as I can but if we do need more time it isn't an
emergency but because of succession planning I don't want to just wait to wait. So >> if I can add to that, um this is a strategic priority. It's on our strategic plan to update our policies and procedures. And so this does directly relate to that, which I wasn't
here when the strategic plan was updated, but I assume there was a lot of discussion that took place around uh what that meant. >> Commissioner Gamble. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Yeah, it it certainly isn't to wait and and to delay. I think it's just important. It's
it's it's fundamental like we have a committee of the whole where we have a department head or an entity come in and they give us a presentation that gives us context to understand and I think that's the ownership I think that elected officials need to have is a
context to understand this you can you can do it just based upon your own knowledge just as Brady has said that his knowledge accumulated knowledge and I I didn't mean to infer that that Brady wasn't doing his duty diligence. I'm just saying we didn't have it polished
to define it. But I think that you can come in and you can say it'd be the same way with databased budgeting, the evidence-based budgeting. One of the things, and I probably said it before going into uh or had corrections when I sat on that board and went to make,
which is the corrections um annual meeting statewide evidence-based. Boy, that just struck me because the evidence that we use to support decisions was hugely important.
So, this is a an example of saying policies, how important are policies to you and why do we have policies in place? And and uh we've had discussions this morning that address the the need for clear direction. And so I think it
it because it is structural and we just had another meeting talking about structural issues that now we're trying to rem mitigate the the fallout. We need to know how do we evaluate policy and put policies in place that are going to benefit us moving forward whether we're
here or not here. And um uh there's some directions in that regard and I think it's a significant enough issue that that we need to to just at least have it come before us and have a discussion. If you ask me what it is, it says the
importance of policy, how policy practically plays out. Um, how we evaluate what we need given a county this size and things like that that in the presentation would just help inform us so that that we own the support for
policies because we knowingly have had a discussion. >> We have, right? >> No, we haven't. We haven't had a discussion about the need for policy. >> Well, we we've certainly we've generically as a statement, but let's just say that when it comes to
evidence-based budgeting that the term has been out there, but the the discipline, the process, and the understanding how it plays out practically, we have not dug in on that. >> Well, that so yeah, I think that's a different thing.
>> Well, it is. I'm using as an example to say that that is policy important. Yes. Do we want to update our policy? Yes. Okay. So, let's understand this whole policy. That's why like this evaluation policy guide that uh results for America
puts out. I mean, when I saw it on the agenda, I went in and their website. I looked and then I called them to talk to them and uh they, you know, facilitate things in this regard proono, but uh and I'm not pushing that they do it, but it
it there's a lot of information on it and we have not had a discussion in depth about this and understand and appreciate it to the extent that I think we have we take greater ownership of it. That's all I'm saying. put it on a committee of the whole and then come
from that with a better perspective and understanding moving into the motion. I'm not opposed to it. Yeah, I I thought I had a good understanding and now I feel like I don't like I thought we had a discussion about wanting to update policies and we
started with HR but we know throughout the organization and and as administrator treble harvest said is in our strategic plan. Um so I thought we were taking trying to take steps to really address our policy uh gaps.
>> I would not disagree with the fact that we're taking steps. I'm just thinking that that given the fact that we're now going to bring somebody in to do the overall evaluation whatever I think that >> trust this this is something that we we
should have on the committee to hold before it comes here and it's it's not >> it's not an assessment that is is made um based upon a practice meaning that we've said before let's say somebody comes in and they want money for this
and this is the first that's coming to us. We said, "No, we've got to go through a process that allows us to vet some things." I'm not saying it because we need to be consistent and discipline. I'm saying it because this is significant. I think there's things we should we should discuss so that there's
a greater understanding and ownership of it moving before motion. That's what I'm saying. and and what happens with more eyes on the table that is some something that is structurally fundamentally important that uh we with entrusted with
that responsibility having that discussion when we go to do it we show we've done our due diligence on this uh is another component of making a motion uh to address this issue. So it's uh I
mean >> like I I feel like we can have discussion now and decide but >> yeah well it's this isn't the this would not this is the problem that we have when we have things come before us. The discussion isn't to take place at the board meeting where you're supposed to
be making a decision. It's the information where we roll up our sleeves and we talk through these things and we understand we have a better context. So when we do go make a motion and you can watch different uh motion uh boards that
are entrusted with responsibility make decisions and they'll come up number 444 vote done. That's because they've had pre previous discussion that understands things. So it doesn't take a lot of discussion at a board meeting. But anyway it'd be helpful for So for as an
example, say that administrator Halberers brought this to our last committee, the whole much like we had with um the termination that we had or the the abolishment rather >> like we did today,
>> there was some good discussion at the committee the whole um I believe we could have had that discussion here today in about short order. And so it's not about >> we don't know that. We don't know that respectfully. We don't know that. >> You're right. We don't know that. But >> there are times when you could have and
there aren't, but that is really isn't the time. >> Thank you. I I and I agree that we can't know that, but I believe that we could have had a discussion today and gotten through that in pretty short order because it seemed pretty like this is what statute is, this is what our policy is, uh the manual, this is what we have
to do. It's nice to have, you know, some time to think about that with touchy issues. I just don't think that there's going to be more presented and more discussion necessary
to decide whether or not Eller's uh advising us on our policies. I mean, I'm I'm very happy to talk more generally about policies, but I um you know, sometimes people get frustrated
with government with taking too long. Sometimes people say it goes too fast. Um I think there's time in these meetings to discuss any issues that any questions that we might have and if
there isn't time then we can move on to a committee of the whole. But that's what I'm trying to figure out like what more you're saying we need. So, what I'm hearing you saying is we need to have a a more broad general discussion about
policies before we take action on this area of policies or >> I'm not Is that what you're saying? >> Well, I mean just again I this came to me before I did this but it because I'm researching it because it it is a
fundamental and structural thing that we've talked about before with administrative stuff. >> Exactly. And so if you look at the outline of this, if all of the things that are outlined, this in your evaluation moving forward saying we can say we're going to bring somebody in to construct something or something to do it. Understand in the context and and
have examples where other communities have have done this and what the the result benefit of that. We can make our assumptions as to what we think all of this is going to be. It's better to understand and have a discussion that allows for us to have greater ownership.
Do I believe that we need to update our policy? You bet you we need to update our policy. Not only do we need to update them, we need to abide by them and use them. Which is why the position at the toy station was an application of
policy because our administrator has eyes to see that and brought that in. Yeah, it went fast. Yes. But we don't know that. But there is a discipline to saying, "Wait a minute, commissioners, we can look at it this way. We can look at it that way, but we have a policy
that defines what we can do. So, I'm going to put it here so we can discuss this and then we'll move forward to have a motion. And I'm just saying it's good to have those discussions, especially something as weighty as this. >> Um, so, uh, did you discuss with
administrator Treble Halersma about the evaluation policy guide? We when I had had contacted I just said I I I'd like to see this go to a committee of the whole. Yeah. And I I could I could send this isn't what is
driving it. This is something that >> you keep holding it up. >> I know I know that but this isn't what isn't driving it. It obviously if I have a discussion with results America relative to budget and everything else. I mean each of us as
commissioners can attend committees. we can go to workshops AMC NO whatever and come back and say oh my goodness I I'm become aware of this I'm so you know have a different perspective on this I wish that that was something that was shared and owned by my fellow
commissioners and and I am just saying that there are a lot of components that that I see relative to policy relative to the budget process that I think having discussions on would be better ask the question do we all know what budget is do we all know that we have to
set a levy. Yes, we do. Do you want to look at our history with regard to the process that we follow in doing that and the depth of discussion and rolling up our sleeves? We came to last year's budget with an outline that was presented initially.
>> I feel like we're straying a little bit here though. >> I I'm trying to give an example why this is important. >> Okay. I'm sorry. that that we got to to a budget process. And the way we deal with the budget process is to say how much labor are we going to use? Are we going to use this much of this much to
reduce it? And what that says is that that we should have an understanding of what we've done departmentally to see and discuss those issues. Well, I mean, I I'm using it as an an example, but I'm just saying it has value. It's not like
this has to be done right away. No, but no, that's I'm just trying to figure out what more we'll gain. So, I'm >> Well, I think you know this is where Ellers are going to step in and say this is where we're going to help you. We want a construction policy. Any new construction, even redneoing a room,
whatever. If we bring in construction people, we're going to have a policy. We write what we think is a reasonable policy and they say they will help review it with us. Maybe we missed a point, whatever. So, I think we're at a point now where we're ready to move on
making policies, aren't we? >> I thought I thought so. >> Um, Minister Trouble. >> Thank you, um, Madame Chair. So, it was my understanding that because it was a strategic plan priority that it was my
role to implement the items within the strategic plan, which policy updates were part of. So, I've been moving forward with working and partnering with HR, with MIS, and now with our auditor on updating our policies. What I haven't
done, however, is bring kind of our our broader plan of how we're going about updating policies. So if that's something that would be helpful to have a discussion at the committee of the whole for example one of the things that we're I'm working with MIS on is
creating a SharePoint site so that um basically how we store our policies and what that looks like and how staff can access policies. um I can bring um some information about what we're doing operationally as we update our policies
and ensure that we've got commissioners input and feedback on on what that process is going to be if that's helpful. I see that as a little bit separate from the discussion today regarding the proposal from Ellers. I'm happy to pause that too um if that's what the board would like to do. Um, but
I just wanted to offer that I'm I'm more than happy to add um a policy update, just kind of a holistic um update on what we're doing um in administration related to our policies at a committee of the whole if that's helpful.
>> Commissioner Mills, you're frowning. >> Well, I'm thinking I'm trying to understand. Yeah. >> Okay. Commissioner Gamble, you had your hand up. I was just going to say that that visioning is is hugely important and certainly leadership in the context of
what has been in place strategic plan whatever it might be community sessions that that sharing vision and understanding and having that perspective is is hugely important and um I think other than the generic
context of policy and updates and the strategic plan that we could move forward but I I think that that understanding and seeing vision from leadership's role is an important part on the part of decision makers.
>> What would be the wishes of the board? >> I I would I'd just like to see it be on the next committee of the whole and >> committ and have a a discussion with some of the things the overall vision. And I think those things components that you mentioned are our components the
overall things of what what I envision here in in these areas relative to what we need to do. We're creating structure and understanding that structure in the policy area is a huge thing given Ellers's credentials given Ellers's D
given conversation we had this is how I think that they can do it. Now we have a context uh that I think is is broader in perspective and sees that vision through eyes that have have put it in place. That that would be my recommendation.
>> Commissioner Sullivan. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um Commissioner Gamble, because this is a financial policy are do you have an expectation that Ellers would come or there would be further information also provided from the auditor treasur's office at our
committee of the whole meeting? This isn't this isn't necessarily financial or financial focused. >> So I think we're t madam chair multiple >> I think we're talking about two different pieces. One would be kind of an overall discussion around our policy
development and our strategy at the county. Um the second would be the Ellers's proposal. So I wonder given the discussion today if we have the um the broader discussion around our policy
development strategy at a committee of the whole and we um add the Ellers's proposal to our next board meeting so that there is an opportunity for any discussions or any questions that need to happen before the meeting to be
answered and put that on for decision at the next meeting. So, two separate items. >> I would agree, but from my perspective, but that sounds reasonable.
Okay. So, we'll look forward then to administrator trouble kind of outlining all of this for the committee the whole Yes. Okay. >> All right. Excuse me. And the Ellers's proposal would be
discussed then at the board meeting after that. >> Correct. Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. >> Okay. >> Madam Chair, when is the next committee of the hall? >> Um July >> Just a second.
>> Yes. July 21st. And so the Ellers's proposal would be on the July 14th board meeting and the policy discussion on the 21st if that is acceptable to the board. >> I think we were at the nuts and bolts
Ellers had come up and said that they were having you know conversations with you on on that and certainly their respected organization. I think that the discussion as you've outlined it and then this is my response and proposal in
connection with that is exactly what I think would be good. >> Okay. Minister Treble, do you have any updates? >> I do. Thank you, Madam Chair. I've got a couple updates. Um, I wanted to mention
that Mitch Travis and I presented to the city council um last Wednesday at the board's request to to ask them to assist in funding for the HKGI proposal to update the Sawtooth Park master plan. Uh, so we presented uh there was about
an hourong discussion. So it was um very engaged discussion. they u made a they did not support the request that um that we brought before them for funding. So they declined. Um some of their
reasoning behind that is they were not certain that it was needed or wanted by community members in in Grand Marray. um they felt that providing funding for this could likely open up the door for additional funding requests in the future which um which I did speak to and
said that it it you know that there is potential for that. This was just the the first step in updating the master plan. Um and then mentioned that it was not one of their 2026 identified city priorities. Mayor Benson spoke to that and said that um she um talked about the
fact that it wasn't one of their city priorities because it wasn't a city-led initiative. It would be a county-led initiative. Um but that was the discussion. Um Commissioner Gamble was in attendance as well and at that meeting um and so I
don't have identified next steps for this yet. There is a parks and trails meeting. I think it's next Tuesday >> tonight. Okay. Tonight >> where it will be discussed. Um but I just wanted to make sure that the board was aware that this did go back to the
city council and that's the action that they decided to take at this time. Um next I wanted to mention that yesterday we had our courthouse space planning workshop. So our architects were here. It was an all-day event where we met with our division directors and
commissioners to learn more about our current and our future planning needs for this facility and it was the first of four different meetings that we'll have with them. And so the next meeting we're hoping will be sometime the beginning of August and at that time they will have some actual
mockups of what the space needs and options might be. So at that point we'll bring in our departments as well. Um I have communicated with the division directors and departments and have asked that they um solicit input from their staff so that we can make sure that that
voice is heard uh throughout this process as well. So that continues to move forward. And then lastly um on Friday is our ribbon cutting for the Grand Marray Transfer Station. We're very excited about that. that will be from 10 to 1 and food will be provided
um uh very generously by Northshore Waste and we'll have a short program at 10:30 with a few speakers. So, if you can make it to that event that would be wonderful. >> Okay, thank you on that. >> Yep. >> We'll move on to employee concern,
commissioners concern meeting reports. I guess I will I will start with my latest meeting which was our district meeting in Ludson. was well attended. Um folks um had a chance to uh socialize the night before at Charlie's
and then um the next morning we met at their um Caribou Highlands uh event room. Um people enjoyed the scenery, enjoyed the trip up and uh one of the quotes because we were given quite a few quotes but one
of the quotes I thought I wrote I took a picture of. There's a difference between believing something and achieving something. Yeah, that was a pretty good quote. I thought we all gave our updating reports and one thing that was definitely through all of the counties
was our budget concerns, especially with human resources, Medicare, child, SNAP, all of that. But in but in all um MCI um oops AMC gave a great
report from all the government angle and gave us updatings and what they're still working on and and all of that. So it was um a fastm moving meeting with a nice lunch provided afterwards. So that
was my take on it all just to be with the folks and hear what what's going on in all the counties. Anyone else on that? >> Bravo on lining it up. >> And Janet, >> well, mostly.
>> Any other updating from anyone? Commissioner White, >> I I just tuned in to a part of the uh city council um meeting just towards the end and a statement that Mike Roth made was that
he was questioning the viability of of our uh joint powers agreements and thinking about that and and he stated that we've had a lot of leadership change in the past few years which would probably have contributed to this. But I
think that we should put this down as a priority or something very important that we need to get together with the city council people and have conversations about the future. Well, not just of the county of of how
we're going to or not or not going to work together on projects. We're a small county and there's only limited funds, but uh I think we should try to work in collaboration with them on if if
when we have projects that would be um beneficial or something that's a problem for for both of these entities. I don't know how to do that, but some sort of a gathering with food. So that's my thought
trouble. >> Thank you. So when I started in this role, um Reena Rogers did share with me that there were several meetings regarding um several of the joint powers and um and steps that the the county and
the city were trying to take to as we move forward. And so, um, as I've been working and meeting with Administrator Roth, we kind of, um, put together a prioritization list of how to tackle these. And the first one that we decided to work on was the law enforcement
contract because that was the closest to um getting getting to the finish line. And um, Rowan Watkins worked on that as well when he was in the interim role. And so we've had several meetings with um both Sheriff Elias when he was before
he retired and now um Sheriff Hallberg and um attorney Peterson as well. And so we've we've met with um Mike Roaway Administrator Roth and their attorney and we're close to the finish line. We've got another meeting I think it's
next Monday if I'm not mistaken. It's either Yeah, next Monday. and we're hoping that we'll complete that and have that to bring forward to the board. So, I just wanted to make sure because we haven't talked about that um as a council. So, I wanted to make sure that you're aware that we are working on
these. However, I'm not opposed to the idea of bringing together the joint powers which would include commissioners and city councilors as well as we we work on the future joint powers agreements. and we have completed the um with the the renewal or the the of the
highway contract with the city that was taken care of first. So that's two down and the third one was the contract with the YMCA and that was brought up four years ago that that needs to be reviewed and
>> so okay >> library I too I think is on the list. >> Library. Mhm. >> Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um I would just comment relative to the district meeting that um it's always good to have
discussions with fellow commissioners from other counties within our area, our region, and um that uh AMC continues to be a real benefit to counties. uh their advocacy on our behalf. Um uh they
alluded to in their presentations that um uh major media and other organizations uh recognize their credibility. And so they're not just an organ organization that is under an umbrella. They are an
organization that is an umbrella and uh we really benefit from them. Um, the other thing I would say to Commissioner White's point is that I think it's it's imperative um, and I had attended a Niko con uh, conference in my first term on
how to build resiliency within your county and it it addressed that issue of partnerships uh, with counties which we we only have one bordering county but we have a relationship with Carlton County uh, that is a very good one in the public under public health human
services. the more that we can establish partnerships um with city and other entities. That's why the leadership meeting is important so that we hear one another's so that there isn't a redundancy because we can't all be doing the same thing. Uh
it's just good to have a a discussion and understand where can we find some economies of scale that not decrease our ability to serve our community but actually enhance it. >> Anyone else?
Yeah, we had the um Tac Harbor presentation um from Stantech at at the EDA the day before they presented down at Schroer Town Hall and um you know there was nothing uh
you know mind-blowing in the presentation. Uh two different um visions or ideas. um one more of a in taking more advantage of the industrial nature of of the zoning there. Uh it's a
rarity in the county and then another one being more of a mixed use. Both had housing. Um both had different uh marina services. Um it's just kind of the emphasis on what the commercial would be
and what what's that scale. But um uh probably the most impressive in my mind the most impressive aspect was the participation of that advisory group um that worked on all of these things. They
they I think were initially asked just to bring their ideas, write them down, bring them and then when they combined them they saw overlap or or differences, right? And then they kind of worked through all that. They had education initially um just about the site, what's physically possible, what would be
required and that kind of thing. Uh different restrictions. So uh I haven't checked. I said it was going to be online. I bet you anything it is right now. Um and I'll check when I'm passing the baton here. Uh but uh that was it was
just good good to wrap that up and and to try to figure out what our next steps are going to be. They provided um a slew of different grant opportunities um that we're going to need a champion to go after and that was kind of the thing if
if anything is to happen there needs to be a champion. It's not like a person but an organization that's going to be making efforts in this direction. Um so um EDA seems like uh an appropriate uh champion. Um there hasn't been any um
decision or more discussion about that afterwards. Um but yeah, it's just the first step. Very generic step, but um but good. So >> pleased working with Stantech. And is that the whole thing? That's June 16th.
Yep. >> Yep. It's under the June 16th meeting materials though. >> Okay. >> Mr. Gamble. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Relative to Takenite Harbor, that in the EDA
presentation, which I had attended both of them, but the EDA presentation, the two gentlemen from Minnesota Power who attended and I had a discussion with them afterward in the foyer and I said probably the the most frustrating thing was just uh having an entity that owns
the property that doesn't clearly define necessarily outcomes. It's it's it's sort of you don't know. I mean, we're spending a lot of money to to move things around with ideas, but um it's all predicated on whether Minnesota
Power says yay or nay to it. And in some discussions with Lucas and EDA relative to, you know, if if Minnesota Power really it's all about money, then they might
have just as a courtesy given us the opportunity to evaluate this, but really they just want to see where they can get the most money. And that wasn't the sense that you got in talking with them. The reason I say that is that
>> that if it if if Minnesota power says well you've gone through your process or whatever we need to move forward we have more regulation we more have more opportunities we need to act on and therefore the financial component is more important than the commitment to community
uh that u then you you would get in a bidding process so that there can be a sense that from our standpoint if the EDA were to take it and say well if we could buy it then then we'd we'd have control of it, then we could do what we want to do with it. So, I think
that's simply to say that who we are dealing with with Minnesota power who has jurisdiction that uh it's important to understand where they're coming from. So, we just know whether it's all again a word we're using in good faith and >> yeah, >> so it was good to have that discussion
with. Yeah, they've been really uh cooperative and forthcoming. And um >> one of the ideas that was brought forward from uh Director Wakefield was >> um purchasing a right of first refusal or something like that. Um
>> just to give some kind of assurance that whatever efforts we are bringing forward, we would have an opportunity to act on. But um that's kind of put it just kind of hanging it out there a little bit um more than some might be comfortable with right now too. So yeah,
we'll just kind of see where where potential funding is and and what kind of conversations they can have. Um but yeah, I agree the the intentions of Minnesota Power seem pretty pretty darn friendly and um there have been concerns from myself included just about the
change in ownership, Black Rockck buying elite and elite owning Minnesota Power, but um so far so far so good. >> Any other meeting updates? >> Commissioner Sullivan. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I had an
opportunity to have a couple of additional meetings with the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Collaborative. You may have heard or seen in social media or um news last night. Um, it was the lead story on KBJR
that um the Forest Service is examining the recommendations that our group has made to them for changes in permitting. And so this um is primarily going to impact cancellation policies and there is a public comment period that goes
from um yesterday until July 22nd. So if you go to the US Forest Service um website, there is an opportunity to read the press release and to provide public comment. And the basic um idea of this is just to encourage people to cancel
early, not leave permits on the table. Um, it an early cancellation allows permits to go through the system and to be redistributed. It also really impacts our economy here in Cook County because
lodges, guides, retailers have a chance to staff up, prepare gear, book confidently, and it really helps our small businesses up the trail to be successful. So, I would encourage individuals to read the pre press release. um the information on
cancellation, what percentage of your cancellation fee you get back at certain time periods, and to make a public comment by July 22nd. Again, it's important for the economy of our county. >> Um do you know how long it takes for a
cancellation to go through? Currently, >> it does. It takes 24 hours for it to go through the system. And part of the trouble is people are absolutely not cancelling at all >> or they cancel the day before. Well, if you live in Wisconsin or you live in
Texas, you can't plan a trip, get your permit, get ready and enroll. You need more time. So, this encourages people to cancel within 28 days of their entry and they get 50% of their money back and then with a month people can potentially
use that permit. there's a lesser percentage to get back 25% if you complete your uh cancellation between 28 days and three days of your entry point and then if you don't or you do it in the last couple of days there's no money
you would get back. >> So it's just a financial incentive to allow these permits to go through and to get used. It's I I I definitely understand the importance of of the
economic the impact. Um I I would say that I've taken advantage of being local and being able to snap up a >> cuz some of the some of those lakes you can't get a permit on. >> Yeah. even if you're the same day that it opens. But then if you're checking
out sometimes, you know, you can >> and part of it is building this in if if these changes, depending on what happens with com public comment, if they're reviewed and put into place, they will impact us starting in 2027. >> So that's the time frame for the change
should it occur. Did they have any statistics to show >> what uh >> there was a lot of data presented from outfitters from the US Forest Service as well. >> Thousands and thousands of permits that are just left on the table. It's really
unfortunate and um >> so we hope that that will be one of several changes that will come about as a result of this group meeting. But anyway, pleased to see that the Forest Service um listened and is uh trying to follow through with their promise. We
appreciate it. >> Um we had our first or second um subordinate governmental service district meeting. Commissioner White was there in attendance with me as well and our MIS department, the auditor's treasures office and the highway
department were there to make sure that everybody in attendance kind of understood what those internal issues are that we have here at the county. And then they released um a list of upcoming meeting topics. So there'll be one topic for every meeting coming up. costs,
taxes, and fairness. County responsibility and jurisdictional confusion, maintenance, quality, and service level, governance, transparency, and decision-making, legal, liability, and compliance concerns, and access and
essential services. And then after all of that information is gathered, discussed, then we'll look at what direction do we take for the future. But very, very good um meeting. >> Is there been good vibe from
>> I think it's really appreciated. It's well attended and um really appreciate taking the time to take potentially up to a year to examine all the different issues that are there and come up with a you know a reasonable solution.
>> Absolutely. Um, we had our Northspan community action meeting uh last Wednesday and we um had the topic of housing coming up. And what was interesting is that there were some individuals at that meeting
that also were in attendance yesterday at our um at our facilities um meeting. And thinking of of housing, we talked a lot about housing at our district 1 meeting also. And it was really recognized that we've done as a county
an outstanding job of increasing the number of units available for our workforce um through both the Gunflint View and through um the Heights. And there was a request by a number of commissioners to have our HA director
and Gary Latz as um the lead on the Heights project to come and present at the AMC annual meeting in December. So, no details have um been developed. We haven't had a full discussion about it, but that was a request that was made.
So, I wanted you to all be aware of that. And then, uh the Cook County Historical Society met and they have um submitted a grant for $195,000 for um funds to help them with the
renovation of Chipoa City Church. And um so they're waiting um more feedback on that. And then we talked a little bit about the continuing issue of shingles coming off the roof and some of the needs for painting. And Brook Lassard,
our facilities manager, will be attending next month um to the historical society meeting to give them an update. Um we had our Cook County Invasive Team Brewery event last Saturday. We had 300
people come to learn about invasive species um both terrestrial and aquatic. It was again not only well attended but just a really fun event. Um and appreciate all the work that um Abigail
Prom and uh Tia Parks and uh our highway engineer Robbie spent putting that event together. It was just very very well done. And lastly, yesterday um the AMC solid
waste work group met. There are about 25 of us that meet on a very regular basis and we had an opportunity um over the last week or so to read a report that was put out about solid waste from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. And
I've asked um our county administrator to forward that document. It's a very light read, 358 pages, but AMC is asking all 87 counties to submit a letter um in
talking about the impact of this on our counties and also talking about the fact that there is some information in that report that is not accurate. Um, and I will be sharing information um with all of you about that. I'm happy to
draft a letter and share it with Commissioner Stoley and and our county administrator to then distribute to everybody. But as of right now, they're closing their public comment period July 7th for a report that's 358 pages that we
just got. >> The report came out two weeks ago. >> Wow. And so um we have requested AMC as well as a number of other groups around the state to extend that by 60 days. But I am working on a draft letter. Um we'll
send you the document so you have time to look at it. And it really needs a personal response because part of what is in this report focuses on issues that are very pertinent to the metro area and
really don't relate well to the rest of rural Minnesota. And so we need to drive home our our message about how we deal with our waste and the impacts that this will have um on the future of waste management. um they're talking about,
you know, closing landfills throughout the state. I understand that. Um there is a lot of research behind that. Europe has basically closed all their landfills, but we need to think about a timeline for that and roll that out
appropriately and think about funding and how we're going to adjust to things like that. So anyway, it's a lot, 358 pages to read, but you will get that document later today and I'll be working with us as a board to to respond to the
report. >> So I I appreciate that it might be helpful given the number of pages on it and the timeline if if you could direct us to those sections of concern. >> Yeah. And there is no executive summary.
That is another um unfortunate piece with this but I will do that. That's a great suggestion. >> Good because we should yeah look at the areas of concern that affect us and >> and again um there is nothing about any kind of financial assistance. >> Yeah. >> As we move forward and that's a huge
piece for rural districts. So >> I will send you that info. >> Oh, >> Commissioner White, two things. Five o'clock Hovland Town Hall. Um, engineer Hess will be there to talk and there'll
be some food, not a meal, but some food to talk about all of the road projects on the east end of the county. It's from 5:00 to 7:00 Hovlin Town Hall. And then this Saturday up in Grand Portage, they have their wellness fair which is from
10 to 2:30. And it is an opportunity to um just see all of the different entities uh in the county actually that provide services and information to help people live well in this county. Plus, as
always, they feed all the participants at the end of the affair. So >> that's it. Commissioner Mills, did you have anything? >> Oh. Oh, yeah. Thank you. Um um just the conversation around solid waste and some
of the updates we got at AMC regarding HERK and um it it's just interesting. I was raised and educated that incineration is very very dirty and you don't want to burn your trash but that's what >> that's part of what's in the report. It
says it's you know dirty. It is cleaner air when it comes out than when it goes in. >> Yeah. And that and that is incredible. It then made me think, dope, why did we build a transfer station instead of an incinerator? But I mean,
>> oh >> well, >> how much would you have to think about scale and where we live and the cost of these and that's part of what needs to be discussed and involving all counties around the state.
>> Yeah. the tour of the Alexandria facid facility which is incinerating and uh that that that was amazing and uh because 3M is a big employer there. I think I mentioned this earlier after taking that tour. 3M took their plant
out of South America and brought it back up to Alexander because they had that source >> Yeah. of energy through the incineration. Pretty amazing. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, and to follow up on that, our policy committee
meeting this fall will be in Baiji and our AMC solid work go group is going to do a PowerPoint presentation and a panel discussion for you at that event. Good. Anything else for updates?
I'll move on then. Just a couple of highlights of uh observation. Uh Independence Day, July 4th, is on a Saturday, but they take Friday off. So, the courthouse will be closed on Friday the July 3rd. And then our next board
meeting will be Tuesday, July 14th. That's the way it falls on the calendar. Uh we have correspondence um memos and information from the state uh demographer center and also uh correspondence from the shorter area
historical society. And lastly before I adjourn our meeting um we kind of have heard that United States is celebrating 250 years. I heard that >> I have a proclamation in regards to that. Whereas July 4th, 2026 marks the
semicentennial anniversary of the founding of the United States of America, commemorating 250 years since the nation's Declaration of Independence. And whereas this milestone offers an opportunity for
reflection on the shared ideals of liberty, representative democracy and community responsibility that have guided the nation across the generations. And whereas communities across the
country including counties, cities, tribal nations can continue to carry forward these principles in a time of rapid global change, technological advance, environmental challenges, and ongoing
efforts to promote unity, understanding, and civic well-being and resilience and diversity and engagement of its people. Cook County recognizes that these moments of ins
uncertainty are met with collaboration, service, and a commitment to the common good. And whereas the semiquincent invites residents of all ages to reflect upon our history, honor those who have
shaped our communities, and look forward with a purpose to the next 250 years. And whereas Cook County joins counties nationwide in marking this anniversary with public education,
community engagement, and opportunities for residents to participate in commemorative activities. Now therefore, the Cook County Board of Commissioners hereby recognizes July 4th, 2026
as the shared past, celebrate our present, and contribute to a future that reflects the highest of deal of our ideals in democracy. And there being no further business, we are adjourned.
Thank you. >> Thank you for that. I hope that the committee doesn't.