Good morning. I will call the uh regular Cook County Board of Commissioners. Um this morning on Tuesday, January 13th, uh we start our meeting with the pledge. So, please rise. >> I aliance 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, Commissioner Gamble? >> Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. I' I'd
like to have a discussion um if we may on the request for proposals for photographs for the community resource directory. >> Okay. And where would you like to put that?
have it >> wherever you think uh appropriate. I mean it it could come I suppose at the point that >> at administrators >> would okay and then I have something too.
So make a note of that. Uh since we're going to have a close session today to make it maybe a little bit smoother. Um the um item is eight for close session. We're
going to go ahead and have uh nine auditor power go ahead with the um with the audit and then have our close session and then we'll end with the administrator update. Makes it a little bit smoother so you're not jerky. So um
um that is the only one that I have. If there's any other adjustments, >> I make a motion to approve the agenda as amended. >> Support. >> All in favor? >> I >> oppose. Same sign. At this time, we do
offer public comment for um anyone that wants to appear before the board. And I don't see anybody out there that wants to do that this morning. But does the board have any comments you've received? >> No. >> No.
>> No. Okay. All right, thank you on that. So, we will continue with the um agenda. The agenda items today, we start with the claims, the minutes um permit for a
raffle for Flint Range Association. Um, mind um, DNR offhighway trails assistance program. Resolution for Minnesota DNR snowmobile trail assistance program.
Solid waste hauler license renewal. Approval of the hire of Sarah Draggwick as behavioral um, health and services clinical manager. Approve the hire of Jesse Kimble as maintenance worker. two,
>> approve the um promotion of Emily Westerland as assistant county attorney to >> approve the retirement of Tim Nelson as of um April 3rd. Appoint Sheila Weeben for Cook County
Board of Adjustment. Appoint Eric Tur as ALS governing board. Does anyone have anything they'd like to pull or discuss? Commissioner Sullivan. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I'd like to pull item C, permit for a raffle for
Front Lock Range Association. >> Okay. And that could just um maybe precede the Cook County Wolf and Beaver WID >> around that time. Okay. And did you have an item here? Um,
Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to pull um item D and I. D is Minnesota DNR offtra highway trails assistance program and I is approve the promotion of Emily Westerland to assistant county
attorney. >> Okay. So perhaps that could um D could come um after um the the wolf and beaver while >> that's fine.
Okay. And then um G um or I would be >> that that could go with administrator as well, but if we don't want to push it out that long, but it's just a question. >> Okay.
>> And with that, Madam Chair, I'd make a motion to approve the consent agenda as amended. >> So, all in favor? I >> I >> oppose same sign. Motion passes unanimously. So now we'll move into um item number
four, Cook County Wolf and Beaver Addendum. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um we have Dwayne Pete Saher on the phone. He is the assistant district supervisor for the USDA wildlife services program in
Grand Rapids. He recently reached out to me um to advise us that they're working on renewing um their work initiation documents with all of the county operators. We have previously had work initiation documents in place with them
and it's to conduct the beaver and wolf damage control operations and wolf research operations on county property and roadways. So I will turn it over to him for any additional updates regarding the W um IDs. Hi, thanks everyone. This is Pete. Um,
so what we're trying to do is reestablish these work initiation documents or WIDS with all of our cooperating counties. Um, right now we've got uh, so what we do is we we do we do the wolf control program for the state. Uh, we do wolf research trapping
and we do beaver damage management uh, in the state. So any property that we work on, we have to have one of these work initiation documents in place or a WID we call them. So the WIDS are good for 5 years once they're signed. And it basically just gives us permission to
work on that county owned property. So we have these established with um I believe 22 counties in in northern Minnesota right now. So basically what it does, it just makes it easier and more streamlined when we get a a call
for say beaver management. Uh we do a lot of work for Spear National Forest. Uh I don't know how much county owned property there is in Cook County, but um it would just basically give us permission to access those properties. So basically, uh, if there's a beaver
dam, you know, causing problems, first period national forest or state of Minnesota or whatever, and, um, the stream happens to flow through Cook County property, uh, if we get a complaint where we need to remove a beaver dam or trap beaver, it basically give us permission to work on that
property. We have these agreements in place with, uh, like I said, Spear National Forest. We have a statewide WID that covers all stateowned property. So, um, like I said, we're just trying to establish these or reestablish them with
all of our our county cooperators. >> Any questions? >> M administrator trouble, did you have a comment? No. Go ahead. Okay. >> Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh Pete, this is Commissioner Gamble. I just had a question that um is your program a
program where you initiate or are you responsive to um concerns that are brought to your attention? >> No, we're totally responsive to responsive to complaints or concerns that we get. Like I said, if if maybe beaver are flooding some national forest
property and they want the beaver removed, yeah, we don't in initiate any of the work. >> All right. And >> yeah, so another example would be if Grand Portage wanted us to radio caller some wolves for them. Um we've got the the equipment and the personnel so we
could contract with them. Um and if there was any Cook County property in there that would just give us access to that property also. >> Any further comments or questions? Uh, make a motion to approve the USDA Wildlife Services Program WID and WID
addendum. >> Support. Go ahead. >> Any further questions or comments? All in favor? >> I oppose. >> Madam Chair, I did have a question. Another question for Pete >> unanimously. Thank you, Commissioner. Excuse me. >> Yeah, Pete. Just want to know I think in
looking at that agreement that the information that is gathered that that information is information that that we can uh get a hold of. Is that correct? >> Yes. Yep. And I think I saw on there that it said that this information is
something that can be shared so that if we're interested to understand how this is working and the extent of the effect of wildlife on properties and things, it it does say I think in the next paragraph that there's no penalty or
um uh consequences for not providing that information. >> Correct. Yeah. Yep. Um yeah, if if if at any time you want to know, okay, how many, you know, how many projects have you done where you're trapped on Cook County property, we could certainly
provide anything like that. We can't provide some specifics that may that may expose personal personally protected identification, you know, landowners names, anything like that. But but as far as Yeah, the the information is freely available. >> All right. Thank you.
>> And this and this can be cancelled by either party anytime. It's not a it's not a legal commitment or anything like that. Well, thank you for giving us the information. I do see that it is valid for five years. So then, do you come back with
>> another request? >> Yep. In five years, we'll do this over again. >> Okay. All right. Thanks so much for um giving the info. >> You bet. Thank you. >> Byebye. >> All right. Bye. >> Okay. Moving on to item number five,
emergency management. We're going to have a >> firewise coordination report by Mike Keepfort. >> We can do it after Mike. >> Good morning, Madame Chair, commissioners, community members. >> Good morning. Morning.
Um, as as I'm sure you all know, um, we've had a very robust, I will say, uh, Firewise program within Cook County for quite a number of years. I don't know the exact number of years, but it uh,
it's it's been going for uh, quite a number of years. um that that uh coordination of the firewise program has has uh fell under uh emergency management over that time uh because it is such a timeconsuming uh position. We
have over the years chose to hire an outside contractor, a coordinator if you will. Uh we've done that for again uh quite a number of years. I I would explain something. Um you'll see in the
contract that it lists Paramount Planning Group as our contractor. Uh Paramount Planning is a regional uh planning company. Um although it's a company, we are assigned a single person
for this coordination job. His name is his name is Steve Vancetrics. Uh he's a former emergency manager and as well I say former because he retired from emergency management and law enforcement. Uh resides in Lake County
uh knows our county very well. Um and we we had this contract uh with the same person and company last year. Uh the few years before that um we had another contractor and things weren't as smooth
as they went this past year. Uh this guy really stepped up to the plate and and kept our program as it as it should be. Um uh just a real personable person. Uh you can tell by the description of services
that there's a lot of a lot of work that goes on in in Cook County when it comes to firewise and and it really is making a difference in firewise protection and reduction in our county. Is there
uh any questions regarding the contract? Commissioner. >> Yeah. I'd just like to make a comment and let you know that um I've had a lot of opportunity to work with Steve, not only in Firewise, but through lake associations and road associations. And
uh people in our community really enjoy working with him. He's great with follow through and uh I am just excited that we have the opportunity to continue with that paramount planning. >> Commissioner G. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. And just uh for
the public, um Brady, the the funding of this is not funded through levy dollars. It is coming through >> it's we've paid for it through our title three funding, which is federal um payment in L,
>> right? So that that money those federal dollars are dollars that are allocated for things like this. And so the the annual contract for 44,000 is covered under those. >> Well, we've talked about if we we're
close to running out of those funds. >> Yes. >> Um un unless we see what the renewal is if it's substantial what it used to be. Um we've already made the decision discussion to use that out of the uh timber funds. >> Yes,
>> we have. So we're covered for this year. >> Yeah. Those funds. So, just for the public to be aware that the $44,000 for this program, which is operating well and and people are appreciating the services provided, that those dollars are not dependent upon levy, but those dollars are coming through federal
funding, which this year it's covered in 2026. Moving forward, we'll see if those funds are replenished or not. So, yeah. And over and above the title three funding, we also uh secured a DNR uh forest service grant that a lot of the
work that you see in the description was done in 2026. I believe that funding has to be used by June of this year if I'm remembering correctly. Uh furthermore, you'll see listed in there, and I apologize for the acronym, but the CWP,
the county wildlife protection plan. Um Steve and I very recently in the last few weeks um applied for another grant to get grant funding to update that plan. That plan was last updated in 2017
and it is recommended that that plan be updated every 5 years and there is some cost to it. So we we are looking to uh to secure another grant to update that plant. Commissioner White. So, how are we?
So, so how are we going to save our animals? >> Save our animals. >> Well, I don't know. This is in protection of the wildlife. I mean, I'm being >> it. It's more protect. It's not protection of wild. It's more protection of wild fire.
>> Okay. >> From wild. Do we concern ourselves then with it's probably out of your wheelhouse the habitat for our for the wildlife after the fact? Um some of the work that
is done uh Graham Portage as you well know um does uh do you know some of their uh forest reduction uh timber uh removal is habitat for moose for instance and and that's similar that's
very similar in Cook County here. Some of the the the especially now with the spruce budworm is the big thing going on now. So them trees are dying and need to be either taken down or removed and you know so to me whenever you move a large
group of trees you are creating habitat and allowing new growth to uh to form. So it's it's good all the way around. >> Any other comments? Um Commissioner Gamble. >> Thank you Madam Chair. I just I just want to express appreciation
uh on behalf of taxpayers the fact that uh you're resourceful in in seeking funds and using funds that are not levy dependent. So this is an example of where we receive value that is is because departments are working to secure those dollars on behalf of the
citizens. So thank you. >> Yeah, for sure. >> Commissioner Sullivan. Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion to approve the Cook County Firewise program coordinator service agreement with Paramont Planning >> support. >> Any further questions or comments? All
in favor? >> I >> I >> motion passes unanimously and thank you for working with people too, you know, going out and finding folks, >> right? Yeah, for sure. >> Appreciate that. >> For sure. >> You want me to jump right into hazard mitigation?
>> You bet. Mhm. Um the our hazard mitigation plan uh by FEMA standard standards is to be renewed every five years. Uh I I worked for the Grand Portage Tribal Government uh last time
we did this 5 years ago in 2018 and 19. Um so I was familiar with the program uh on a tribal level and now again on a county level. um uh kind of sounding like a broken record to a lot of you that have been hearing about this. This
process has been going on for well over a year. Uh which in my opinion is too long. Um but that's another story. >> We did have in our county input meetings, we had some great stuff that was added to that plan. Uh even the
contractors that helped us through this process commented on that that for a small county we got some great you know we had 40ome people at one meeting and that they said you don't see that in other counties. So um so what hap what
has happened uh in the last month or so is this plan as we rewritten uh went to the state of Minnesota hazard mitigation. They approved it. It went on to FEMA and as you can see from your packet that the letter came back to the
state from FEMA that they also felt that it met their requirements. So the final piece is a resolution from Cook County, resolution from the Grand Portage Tribal Government and a resolution from the city of Grammaray and then we have a new
plan. Sounds good, Commissioner Sullivan. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I'd like to make a motion to approve the resolution to adopt our 2025 Cook County and Grand Portage reservation multi-hazard mitigation plan.
>> Support. >> Any further questions or comments? All in favor? I >> I oppose. Same sign. Motion pass unanimously. >> Thank you all. Thank you. Thank you. Now we're going to have a report on um
our um equipment replacement schedule. >> Rowan is going to present that. >> Morning everyone. >> Morning. >> Morning >> Madam Chair, commissioners. Today we have a request to approve the spending
of budgeted MIS capital funds. This is a long-standing practice from our department and where we come forward per policy if we're going to spend budgeted funds for capital in excess of the limit that requires the board to look at it again. And we'd like the flexibility to
do that so that we can order these laptops in a timely way and and equipment as we need to. So the request is the approval to spend $96,350 in budgeted MIS capital funds for reg regular replacement of laptops, shared
technology and infrastructure across the organization as detailed below. So that includes 35 laptops, regular laptops for staff, regular replacement following our replacement schedule, three MDC's or mobile data computers, which are ruggedized laptops that are used by
deputies, one large format printer that's shared by multiple departments, three switches that facilitate network traffic throughout different buildings, and 30 UPS's which protect the laptops and other equipment that we purchase.
With that, I'd stand for questions. >> Questions or comments? Commissioner Gamble. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. We discussed this uh at length during our 2026 budget process. Um I would make a motion to approve the expenditure of $96,350
in budgeted MIS capital funds for regular replacement of laptop, shared technology, and infrastructure across the organization as detailed in the attached document. Commissioner Sullivan >> support. >> Any further questions or comments? All
in favor? I >> oppose. Same sign. Motion passes unanimously. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. >> So our second item today, >> I'll come up call Jay forward here. We have a a contract uh that's being
amended and it's for it's really a contract between Mandot and AT&T. But we have an underlying ground lease where we don't charge MIDOT revenue for their lease on our property. But what we do do and they
their reason for being there in the tower there is to facilitate armor and public safety. But what they do do with us is they split all revenue that they generate from any subleasasing on the tower with us. And this is a change to an existing sub lease where they're
adding more equipment. So MDOT charges them more money which in turn means the cost share that the county receives also goes up. So AT&T is adding equipment to the tower which increases the load on the tower. MDOT charges them accordingly
for that and because of the underlying ground lease which is a 50/50 revenue split for the county. We also receive additional funds and that I'll let Jay speak in more detail to that but that's broadly the agreement. >> That's great. I don't have to really do
much more. He pretty much handled it all. Uh, Madam Chair, commissioners, as Ran was saying, this is a long-standing lease that we've had. It uh the amendment that we're signing right here reflects the added pertinances, the added weight on the tower um and the
market rate for those uh for those pertinances. I worked with MDOT to negotiate to make sure that this was reflecting current market rate for the towers uh across the state of Minnesota and um that's about a 20% increase in what we'll get over the year. uh we
receive this money one lump sum uh from the department of uh transportation uh in at the beginning of each year and this will be extendable for 25 years which is typically the um typically the
length of of these cellular contracts. The the annual increase on this is 3 and a half% which is very generous. Um so will continue to benefit the county throughout the the length of the lease. So I'll stand for any questions as well.
>> If I could, Madam Chair, I'd just add that where the funds go go to our tower capital. And so this is a a fund that we allocate for replacement of the county owned towers that we have. So that when replacement is required of this
infrastructure, we don't have to levy for it. So when we either work with mindot to sublet or we sublet on our existing towers, we pull that revenue into a capital account that is reserved to replace that infrastructure going out years and years in advance.
>> Commissioner White, >> and just for the listening public, would you tell them what the approximate amount is for this year? >> So the >> it's written in front of me, but >> Yep. So the the amount uh from the previous agreement was roughly $30,000 a
year. um that'll go up roughly 20%. So that'll be get you get us into the $36,000 a year range. So overall modest in uh increase but uh every little bit helps. >> Thank you,
>> Commissioner Gamble. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So this is something that's being amended. Is it because we revisit it annually even though we've set it up for a 25-y year agreement? This was cued because of the
because of the upgrade of equipment. Um, so AT&T systemwide is is moving off of their Nokia equipment, moving to um to a more effective, more efficient Ericson equipment. And to do that and to increase the bandwidth in that area, they had to add additional radio heads
and additional antennas. And so that's that's what what triggered it. If they would have kept the um the number of antennas and radio units the same, then it would have just been the same agreement. So the contract, the long-term contract is something that there's a provision in there. Whenever there's a change, that's when we sit on
renegotiate. Otherwise, the contract doesn't stipulate that we have to renegotiate if there's no change. >> Exactly. They're allowed to maintain their equipment at the present level. But if they add anything, then we have to that triggers both a structural inspection on on the tower to make sure
that we're not exceeding the load and then also a renegotiation of the contract amount >> because they're using more of the capacity of the of the tower. >> That that's a good agreement. >> Yeah, that I mean I give Rowan a lot of credit for for you know kind of creating the templates that the county's used for
a long time and it's >> when things change we should revisit. Yes. Yeah. Thank you. Any other questions or comments? >> I'll make a motion to approve the negotiated contract amendment between Cook County Mindot and AT&T.
>> I'll support. Any further questions? All in favor? I >> oppose. Same sign. Motion passes unanimously. >> Thank you very much. Thank you. >> Thank you. Before we move into human resources, um we do have one item. Um we
have three items actually, but we have one item from the agenda C that um Commissioner Sullivan um wanted us to listen to. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um I requested that we pull item C, which is a permit for a raffle for the Flint Lock
Range Association, because I am a member of Flintlock, and so I would like to recuse myself on that vote. Uh, no other reason for pulling that item. >> Okay. Thank you on that. >> So, did Commissioner >> So, we need a motion.
>> Yes. >> I'll make a motion to approve by resolution for the Flint Rock Flint >> Lock Range Association raffle at Upyonder on Friday, January 16th, 2026. I'll support you.
>> Um all in favor I >> I >> oppos. Same sign motion passes unanimously. The other two items that Commissioner Gamble um brought up will be done later. So right now we're going to turn to uh human resources and we're going to um listen to adopting
a personnel policy. Allison will lead us in that discussion. You said three items, so I just kind of kicked my feet up back there. And that's >> We're tricky. >> Uh good morning. Um
>> so today I have uh to present to you another personnel policy. This is related to uh bereavement leave or what's known as funeral leave in our current um handbook slashpersonnel policy manual. there's a lot of changes
going on. So, we're kind of switching between some different lingos and whatnot. So, just kind of some background um just on policies in general. So, I think several of you are aware just within some of the conversations that are occurring in our
committee work that we're doing um a pretty big revamp uh focus on our policies, how they're structured, the template in which they're provided. Um, so that's where the it was the employee handbook. We're now calling it a personnel policy manual and how that's
being provided to staff. Um, and then we just have a lot of policies that have not been reviewed or touched in, dare I say, decades. Um, and so slowly working through uh that's a big task, a big focus of mine right now is inventorying
our policies, figuring out what we have, what needs to be updated, what we don't have that we should have, and all of these different things. Um, so really just a big puzzle and one of the policies that was identified to be updated even before I moved into the HR
director position was our current funeral leave policy to be renamed uh bereavement leave. um that had been identified as a policy uh that that was due for review and updates uh
through the labor management committee which is comprised of um administration and the three bargaining units and their representatives. Um and from there we bring the the unions administration collectively bring forth topics that the
that the staff would like to address and work on. And one of the policies that came up was, hey, how about the funeral leave? Why don't we take a look and see there's some updates, maybe days, the scope of family members, things like that that could be could be adjusted. So
work on that policy had started again before I moved into this position. and then um I believe kind of a final draft had been um derived and then it just kind of fell to the wayside with everything else going on um with
previous administrator Yorkie and just general transitions and changes in staffing and the board. So we are now here ready to bring you um our proposal for the bereavement leave policy. This has gone through review with personnel
committee um LMC the Matt team um so we're in a place where we feel comfortable that everyone is in agreement that these are the updates that we would like to see for the policy. Um I would like to mention I uh I print it off uh because it's always good to reference like what has changed.
So in our current uh our current policy for funeral leave has two sentences to it. um this proposed policy is clearly a little bit more um substantial um because we need some of that extra context. So the main changes that we see
in this one is our current funeral leave policy allows up to 3 days off for um the event of a death of a family member. And the family member listing was pretty limited in our current our current policy. basically it limits it to a
spouse or children, parents, grandparents or siblings and so it doesn't even account for a domestic partner or what about in-laws which are really close as family members. So what we did is in the proposed policy is we
were looking at allowing up to 4 days. So increasing again that from 3 days to 4 days. And this was important because what came up in the conversations is because of where we live, it takes a long time to drive anywhere. And so for
the three days that were previously allowed, then the travel time tended to kind of suck up those days. So we're kind of um figuring about a day um extra to account for basically up to a day of potential travel for that. Um, we're
also expanding the uh qualifying members that would be considered family members and consistency in language is important as we work through and revise our processes. So, the um definition of a qualifying me uh member that we used in
this policy is consistent with the definition laid out in the Minnesota paid leave policy that's in statute and then we incorporated that into our county policy. So again, because a lot of these things that we're going to see potentially people taking uh requesting the Minnesota paid leave benefit for is
say one of these individuals that potentially may then end up being bereavement leave unfortunately because the Minnesota paid leave program allows people to take time off, request paid leave to care for a qualifying family member. So, it was important to still be
consistent with who is covered, who's considered a family member. And families now these uh family units these days are not the cookie cutter 1950 1960 family units. So, they're very diverse. It doesn't mean that you have to be a blood relative. And so, we've included that in
there because there are members of our household that we do consider family members that aren't necessarily blood relatives. And we wanted to make sure we accommodated that when people do request bereavement leave. So, I maybe provided a lot of context, but I think that that's important to understand, not only
for you all, but for employees and individuals watching of like why we're making these changes and and we we think a lot about the changes that we incorporate and how they impact our staff. >> And I appreciate that because I was thinking about family paid leave. Now,
this is a good time to when we incorporate that, then we review this. So, I appreciate your wider broader um possibilities of people who might be affected. >> And madam chair, if I may. Thank you. Um thank you, Allison. I I wanted to also
mention that Allison and I have talked about the potential of her attending the next cow meeting to talk about the process that we're using for all of these policy um reviews. Uh she had mentioned, you know, having everything vetted by the personnel committee and
Matt. Um, so we want to talk about how we're addressing the pol the HR policies as we move forward. So, more to come on that, but since she mentioned it, I thought I would add a little more context to it. >> Good. Thank you. >> Any questions or comments? Commissioner
Gamble. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I appreciate the fact that we're revisiting policy um and and updating. It's not like there's not a lot to do, but uh policy is foundational to the
culture that you develop. So that's it's important. Um I would also say that when you're looking at bereavement, I mean there there are other provisions that we have in our in our benefits that allow for someone that loses someone that's
close to them. Uh this is specific um in addition to the other provisions that are benefits to those that we employ within the county. Uh when it comes to bereavement uh it's like the world really should stop and unfortunately it doesn't for but for the individual that
lost somebody it has. And so I think it it is a a statement that um recognizes that for the people that serve us that we make this provision. So this is this is an area where where empathy and
regard is hugely important. I think if you look in the public and the private sector that you'll find that this range of briement as far as days it ranges between three and five days. Um it'd be interesting to know um when this benefit
is used uh the extent of the number of days that we see are typically used. Um the other thing is um that the um that I think we should be aware of as as
employees of the county is that uh bereavement is something that is you not not unique to county employees. And that's a statement that doesn't necessarily need to be made except for the fact that it's saying that all of us in life when we
experience loss like this that we have a provision which is a benefit that we should appreciate the benefit that is is provided because in in in the private sector uh individuals they deal with it how they deal with it and there's no no
provision. So the two points is I think it's important as a county to demonstrate in our policies that that we value our employees and we make these provisions mindfully and intentionally but also recognize that it is something that is can be unique to people that do
not have this benefit. So >> any further questions or comments? >> I will make a motion to adopt the personnel policy as written. support. >> I will call for a motion. All in favor?
>> I oppose. Same sign. Motion passes unanimously. >> Madam Chair, if I may just ask one clarification. Uh it sounds like the impetus to revisit this. It was already in the works. It wasn't something that had been negotiated through our union
negotiations that we were lax on and did not include. It was just that we're picking up on something that had been identified. So again, its origins are coming from the standpoint we want to revise and look at all of our policies.
>> Yes. Yes. So all of our policies at some point and that's what I'm working on and hope to provide more context next week at the cow is I do have intentions of of reviewing all of the policies. This one just happened to have already been kind of in a long-term pending status and we
needed to make sure um not only because we were getting a lot of questions from staff that knew we were working on this like what's the status it was really important to wrap this one up and no longer have it in this kind of long pending delay. >> Yeah.
>> And just had question from the public wanting to know what precipitated that. So thank you. Yeah, >> like I said, the timing was very appropriate with the family paid leave. So, >> okay. >> Thank you. >> Yeah, I just had a question since I'm
here. Um, and I do know, um, that Commissioner Gamble pulled Emily Westerland's promotion from the consent agenda. Okay. >> If you wanted to Sure. >> I didn't know if I if there were questions that would that I'd be able to address. Um, if you wanted to talk about
that item now. Sure. I mean, it's fine. It's fine with you. >> Go ahead. >> So, um the reason that I I pulled it um is um because uh it it's it's a broader issue
relative to our policy. And uh in in this situation, it was an internal hire and we chose not to offer the position. uh and and so when we we've had discussion about hires moving forward,
we've said do we you know post this position or do we hire internally and I think my response in that discussion has been that if we are intentional in succession planning that I'm entirely comfortable supporting what we are
trying to do because we have institutional knowledge that carries with that person and we've had opportunity to see the abilities these. So, because we're seeing different approaches, I'm just wondering where we're going to land on this.
>> Yes. >> Um, thank you, Commissioner Gamble, for your question. And this was posted, but it was posted internal only. And so, to your point, we have used a variety of different ways in which we're posting our position. Sometimes we're posting external and um and sometimes we're
posting internal to Cook County employees. But I just want to mention that because we're always posting the position to provide opportunities either internally or externally. Um, and this was a decision that our our county attorney um had made in consultation
with Allison and myself about if this should be an internal or an external promotion. Um and based on that discussion, we did determine that we would post internal to provide a promotional opportunity um for staff within um the county attorney one
classification. Um you know certainly when you post internal that doesn't mean that there will be any applicants. So had we not received any applicants then we would have gone to an external posting. >> Thank you. And as a as a followup, it's
a matter of understanding what informs the decision we make on whether it's internal, external. And and I think it it it should be u the policy should be informed by our intention. If we feel we have a qualified individual and we have all of the different things that we look
when we make this evaluation, we can make a decision out of convenience. We can make a decision out of cost and budget. We can make a decision about timeline, whatever. But I I just think it's it's important because we have a number of different positions and there's discussion how we're going to do this.
>> Yeah. Yeah. And I can add to that and then I'll turn it over to Allison and and our county attorney here as well. But what I would say is we're always looking for skill and opportunity. Um, so we want to make sure that the person that um the the candidates that we may
have as viable options for the position um have the skill for the position that they meet the minimum qualifications um as outlined in the job description and in the posting. Um and also opportunities. We're looking for opportunities for growth and development
for our staff. Um, my personal opinion is if you can hire from within, you should because that's ensuring that staff are supported. Um, that there's continuous opportunities for growth and development for them. Um, sometimes like um like we all just saw with our PHS
director position, we might go through an external position and still hire internally. Um, so again, for me, it's based on those criteria. Um, budget of course is always a factor, but I I am always looking at what are the skills and opportunities for staff first.
>> And I I say that simply because the we have a retirement and a and a position. So, we're looking at some major departments where we're seeing, you know, uh the need to fill position and how we go about doing that. Just wanting
to know the consistency. I I agree that it's the skill is number one. I think that certainly relationship and knowing an individual that there can be a draw to want to put that person in a position but number one they need to meet the
requirements of the position and the other can be considered to be value added. So >> Peterson >> thank you chair. Um I would just build off of that and say that you know I've had the opportunity to observe Miss Westerland's skills over the last year
and they've been exemplary. she has walked into a pretty heavy role. Um we have a lot of moving pieces in the county at any given time. The case load is so varied across civil and criminal cases. And then within the criminal case
load, she's worked misdemeanor to felony cases, some of them very complex. So I've seen her dedication, her work ethic, and her actual work is exemplary. Um I do agree also with administrator treble about the opportunities for um
hiring internally and rewarding um work that has been done that is professional and timely. And I would also add that as far as continuity of service to the county when you look at moving someone who's already aware of the the ongoing
cases who is already familiar with um the different agencies that we collaborate with and aware of other county employees um and has maintained a very good professional working relationship with those. there's a continuity of service there that just
would not happen, especially given the quick turnover with our former ACA 2 position. Um and and frankly, we just don't have the time right now for that. Um so there was a little bit of convenience in that um determination,
but that convenience is only built off of the skills that she's exhibited. >> Sure. And I appreciate that. And madam chair, this this has nothing to do with this particular. This is just an opportunity to address the broader approach that we take relative to policy
and hiring. So thank you for the discussion. >> Madam Chair, if I can just add one more comment and that's that we are having conversations about every position that's open and making sure that we're engaging in the criteria for whether um
we're going to post this internal or externally. So, we are ensuring that we're very intentional about the process we're using. >> Yeah. Thank you. I appreciate the discussion. With that, Madam Chair, I'd make a motion to approve the promotion of Emily Westerland to assist county
attorney, too. >> I second that motion. >> I'll call for a vote unless there's any other questions. All in favor? >> I post same sign. Motion passes unanimously. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Gamble, did you have another personnel question?
>> Uh, no I didn't. I just there was another item that I had >> that to administer. >> I was going to say since Mitch is here, I'm wondering if that's why he's here is for I was asked to be here for that. >> It might have been. >> I see. I see.
>> I'll just stay out of it. >> Yeah. >> Okay. >> So, that was item uh uh >> I you >> Yeah. No, that I don't >> D. Yes, sir. >> Minnesota DNR off Highway Trails
Assistance Program. >> Okay. Do you want to proceed then? >> Sure. And that that was just a question for clarification in reading the resolution is it says that uh now on this
resolution paragraph three trails assistance program for fiscal year 2022. Is that correct? >> No. >> Yeah. So, I just called into question the date that we referenced there given the fact that we're renewing this and
making this resolution on the 13th of the 2026. >> That needs a correction. >> Yeah. All right. That's why I pulled it. >> Okay. >> So, Madam Chair, I would I would make a motion to approve the resolution with the correction.
>> Okay. Any other questions? >> Support. Yeah. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I >> oppose same sign. Motion passes unanimously with that correction. >> Dress up for next. >> Okay.
>> Thanks for showing up. >> Thank you. >> Now we're we're finished with the consent agenda. >> Okay. Then we're going to move over close session to um I believe auditor treasure you had moved him up.
>> Right. Right. >> To um hear from uh auditor powers on audits. >> Thank you madam chair. So this is uh we have an engagement with our audit firm and we've been doing it year by
year. So, this year, I'm asking for a a two-year uh engagement with Red Path. We're uh very satisfied with their work. Uh they've helped us a lot in making strides ourselves
and as I mentioned often, we've saved we save money uh compared to our uh state audits and that continues here. They've been uh reasonable, very reasonable in their um
proposal here for the next two years. Uh next year the the main audit costs the request is about a 5% increase and then the following year uh 3%. And when you factor in that some of the
other costs such as the if they have to do additional work, there's always some additional work. They left that figure the same. Um so overall it's about a 4.7 uh for 20 26
and then about 3% for 2027. >> So my question is that we're finished with 2526. So then the next one will be >> 28 well >> 278. >> It's confusing. We just finished the 2024 audit. So in 2026 okay
>> we'll be doing the 25 audit >> and then in 2027 we'll be doing the 2026 audit. So it's for the next two audit years. >> Next two. Okay. Just so we're on the same page with with all these dates. Okay. Questions or comments?
Commissioner Gamble. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you, Brady. This was something that had been discussed in previous term and um I appreciate what you identified here in your summary uh which I think is
beneficial for the public that the the main goal in making this transition which you indicated this morning in 2027 the state allowed us to be able to >> 2017 yes >> 2017 yes and u the main goal is to
engage with a firm that has the time to provide thorough explan ations of their work which helps us to learn and prepare better for each audit and the other was um just fiscal stewardship financial of taxpayer dollars and you referenced it
as significant and um in our discussion it's a savings of 20 to $30,000. So basically that's a a win-win. >> Yeah, it's 20 to 30 over what we were paying. And if you projected that out of course there would have been increases
there. So it's even it's more than that. >> Yeah. >> In reality. So >> yeah. So that's a good thing. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Prior to that, some large counties uh did private audits, but that was uh
totally at the uh office of the state auditor's decision. They made that decision that um and it wasn't until 2017 that they allowed county boards to make that decision across the state. >> Yeah. Any
further questions or comments? Commissioner Sullivan. Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion to use Red Path and Company um for the 2025 and 2026 audits. >> Commissioner White, >> I'll support. Okay. Any further
questions or comments? All in favor? >> I oppose. Same sign. Motion passes unanimously. So, at this point in our meeting, um, we're going to be going into a closed session as recommended that the board close the meeting as permitted by Minnesota
statute section 13D.05 and subdivision 3B attorney client privilege to address um threatened pending litigation. So, at this time, we will be um closing. >> Do we need a motion to go into that? I'd
make a motion to go into the closed section. support. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I motion passes unanimously. So we will be closed until we return after our close session. Here
we go. >> We are back from our closed um session and I'll have a motion to reopen our board meeting. So move, madam chair. >> Support. >> All in favor? >> I >> I >> motion passes uh unanimously.
Okay. So, we're going to move on now to administrator report. Commissioner Treble. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, I have a number of items today. So, I'll start at the top, which is the proposal to update the county capital improvement plan. And
as you are all aware, um, we do have a capital improvement plan that was finalized. I believe it was in 2024. And the plan has been paused um, since then. Um, however, we have made some changes to the courthouse and some
include space in the basement for PHS. Um, and we've made some other small changes as well. And so what we'd like to do at this point is to have um BKV update the capital improvement plan given those changes um given what we
know about court spec um security needs as well. Um, and so we met with them to talk about what would it what would it look like to update that plan. And so they provided a proposal to us. And that is what's attached in your board materials. And what they're asking for
is an is an amount of not to exceed um 15,700 uh for that work. It outlines what the steps are that they would take, which includes a kickoff meeting and other meetings to walk through the building um and meet with a a core team to look at
how we would what changes we would want to see made to that plan so that we have a viable solution for our capital improvement plan as we move forward. And I want to make sure that Brady has an opportunity to add any information as well as he was part of the scoping
meeting with BKV. >> Uh, no nothing really. >> Okay. >> So that's what I have to share today about the CIP. Well, I think we do have um the beginnings we had quite a
outline of having a justice center at one point and that didn't work out. So, I think we have some considerations here with the building that we've already like you mentioned we've improved the basement and now moving into other areas is important to have a discussion about.
So, Commissioner White, why do we need them? >> Why do we need them? Because I recall the first what they put out to the public uh the amount of monies that they uh
were suggesting it should be spent could be spent in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. Now, I was focused on the outlying uh on the town halls. each neither one has septic or plumbing and just the suggested renovations which
when one were to really look at the facilities they were bogus. It was like there's no reason to replace a wooden floor that has been taken care of and there's no reason. But I just I'm very cynical about uh consultants.
You tell the consultants what you're looking for and they will u unbelievably come back and give you whatever you told them you need it. They will find you the justification for it. And I believe that with the hiring of Brooke and we do have the software. I'm making the assumption
that he has been inputting the changes as he's gone along that uh I believe who it was excuse me it was Brooke and I don't know whom else came up with the idea of let's
renovate the the space under this building which in the beginning was like look I don't even remember now if BKV looked at it But it was like, "No, we can't use that space. It is it it leaks. It's whatever." Well, if it's leaking,
then that should have been taken care of. But I don't believe that BKV um great consultants, they they gave us pages and pages of options of things that were unnecessary. And then they threw in the possibility of maybe we
should build a $32 million justice center and walk away from this building. like in it's sort of like a Montipython moment. It's just like no, this is just not sensible for this for the uh tax for
this county and for the for what we have and for the people we have in this organization for our maintenance people and and for the uh all the players that we have including MIS and we can set everything
up and they we don't need someone coming from the outside whom I do not believe really did They got us started, let's put it that way, for $222,000. We got lots of pages and colored pictures and options to build more buildings. But I do not believe they
need to come back again. I really trust in Brooke and that department and other people to help us. >> Are you thinking about CRBPS, not BKB? >> I'm talking about the CIP. Who did the CIP plan? Um, BKV is who you worked with
and Henry Pittner. >> Oh, Henry's great. >> Sure. So, that's who BKV is. >> Oh, >> sorry everyone. I still I'm still stand firm with the people that did our CIP plan. We do not need them. But Henry with the BKV group, they were the people
that came and gave us ideas for the law enforcement, for that buildout, for those renovations. Yeah. Well, so now everybody knows how I feel about the CIP group, but BKV is 180 degrees different.
>> Administrator Turbo, >> thank you and thank you, Commissioner White. And and I would just say that I agree Brooke um has incredible skills and he has been great at identifying what perhaps we could change with the plan. However, he is not an architect.
So we really need an expert to help us to identify as we make those changes to the plan what can we do with the building given that. And so I anticipate that there would be some potential cost savings because again we have um created some space in the basement. There are
some other things included in the plan that we might not need as we move forward. And so we want to make sure that we're working with them to identify what those cost savings may be to update that prior plan. So, I believe strongly that we do need this. The cost is very
um affordable in terms of a project like this. Um and they've been great to work with in the past and are very respected um by the staff that they work with here in the building as well as the community um from what I understand or believe.
So, I I do think this is necessary. I don't think this is something that we can do inhouse with staff that we have on board. when now that I'm corrected BKV and Henry though Henry is now gone um they have they prove themselves to be
remarkable that they really trustworthy as it were and so no I would $15,000 is they have proven that they really cared about this community that's all so yes okay
>> so there we go Commissioner Gamble. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I I think the distinction should be that we identify what we think we need and they identify how we get there. They help us in
identifying how to get there. But I I don't think in your first discourse it was like they would project this, project that, project that. So if somebody comes in and says, you know, money's no limit. Here's all the things you could do. We we need to identify and
it's sort of like if you do an e efficiency evaluation uh and you look at use of space and those things we need to identify which is informed through our department heads and in concert with our facilities manager and then when we say this is
what we're thinking we have people that have a broader context to inform us. So I think the distinction should be we don't hire a consult to tell us what we need. We hire consult to facilitate a process to get what we need through the
most efficient methods. So if I could just say one thing on the CRBPS, the main thing they were hired for was to determine the deferred maintenance on all the buildings. They're the experts >> on that, not your architects actually.
Um they're specialized in that. They did that. I think they did a great job on that. We went farther with them asking them to to do uh let's say pre-architecture planning um and they came up with a plan
that the board asked them to do. So which were not architecture plans and uh then we would have went to the next step with an architect with with those facilities that were being looked at at that time but that really wasn't their job. So
>> if you remember we went up through the court room >> toured everything and we looked at safety and we looked at expansion. that was important for the jurors and for the judges and for quality um people getting together in smaller rooms. So that's
we've already done all that. So you know >> oh no I know but that the um CIP plan was in place when I came on board and then when Henry and there was a discussion the big like how do we change this courtroom? How do we go to Well, we
should just build a new and building and yeah, I was there for all those and and the spaces that we have. >> Mhm. >> Let's hope no one's claustrophobic or >> Yeah. >> But but it's uh >> Yeah. >> Right. The be But but Henry and the
architects were >> really a breath of fresh air >> because they know that's you know that's the point. You know, brick is handy and does great things, but he's not the architect. >> No. >> part. So, that's where we >> And they come with the engineering. >> Yes. Right. That's why he had reach out.
>> He had an architect on that uh the work in the basement DS DSGW. So, >> yeah, Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair. We have done some things in internally on some buildings that we've built that uh have
not been good design. I'm thinking of the the building that's up uh in your neck of the woods when we built that building. I think some of the heating and some of the other things and that that >> the garage the garage. >> Yeah. And I believe that was a county administrator that he was going to
provide. >> I believe that they they knew what they were doing in that regard respectfully stated. But the the point is is that you can't look at one situation and say that defines everything. But on the other hand, to be aware that we we want to be
sure that that our processes are leading us where we're getting what we need and fiscally responsible. So that advice and counsel is is important. We don't want to just one off and >> and with the county garage out there um
there and actually I spoke with uh one of our ex county employees who was there during the construction who sent uh email after email saying there's something very wrong this isn't right
you've got to look at this and the administrator nothing was done with it so we have a building that could have been much better. >> Yeah. >> So to have somebody who actually has >> the expertise have over sight on it.
>> Yeah. >> And not our county administrator. >> Definitely do not have those skills. We need an expert. >> Commissioner Sullivan. >> Madam Chair, I'd like to make a motion to approve the proposal prepared by BKV Group to update our county capital
improvement plan. >> I'll support that. >> Thank you. Any further questions or comments? All in favor? >> I oppose. Same sign. Motion passes unanimously. >> Okay. Continue on. Administrator. Thank
you, Madam Chair. The next item is the 2026 AMC voting delegate appointments. We discussed this at the annual planning meeting and um I think we landed on that I would come back with a recommendation regarding staff that we would have as
the voting delegates. We have eight slots and so we had discussed having commissioners and then filling the last three with with different staff. And so I would um I had a discussion with some of our directors and where we've landed is I would recommend Bob Thompson,
Assessor Thompson, um Tim Nelson or designate and myself as the three voting delegates. I'll make a motion to uh approve the uh Cook Countyy's 2026 AMC voting delegate appointments as
presented. >> Support. >> Any further questions on that? Yeah. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. So, u can you um restate that for me? When we when we're
looking at the um the delegates, we're talking about delegates in regard to the committees or delegates independent of committees. >> We can vote on the officers and the platform amendments. >> Okay. So, it's not distribution amongst
the committees. >> Correct. My understanding is that the committees we approved at the planning meeting and that we were looking at the the voting delegate assignments and and just to explain more of what the process looked like. The reason we landed on the individuals we did is looking at the
proposed legislation from the AMC and what we believe will be before um before the the delegates for voting. Um the reason that I added myself as one of the potentials is so that um the areas where
we don't have a designate as as an expert then I would make sure to collect that information from our director that works within that space to make sure that I'm voting accordingly um to not only what I believe but also um the director. >> Sure. Yeah. Yeah. I I would agree with
that. I was looking at it in the context of of the committees and in alignment in in that regard. But uh that explanation gives me context to understand that. So thank you. >> Okay. Thank you.
>> We need a support yet. >> Um >> did we vote? >> Oh, we haven't voted. >> Commissioner Selvin supported. Is that right? Okay. >> So we need We're good. >> Okay. We need to vote yet. >> Oh, okay.
All right. >> All in favor? >> I oppose. Same sign. >> Motion passes unanimously. >> All right. So, the next item is the letter of support uh for St. Louis County legislative priority. And this
was an item that Commissioner Gamble had brought to our planning meeting as well. Um and so their St. Lewis County, their number one legislative priority this next year is to support the Canyon Integrated Solid Waste Management Campus. Um, we had pulled this from um
the last discussion so that we could reach out to Tim Nelson to ensure that there was support and to see if he had any additional information to provide. Um, he didn't have a lot of additional information to provide, but did state that this had been discussed. um and he
reviewed the letter and did not have any concerns with it. So, he said that he would support it >> um I also had a conversation with um Dustin this morning um from our waste management and he also stated that he
would support it. Um he also did mention that he has received notice that costs would be going up this next year and so he is um having some discussions with them and trying to negotiate uh different options to try to see if he can keep that cost down but he said
related to the letter and moving forward with the waste management campus that he was supportive of it. So, I do believe that we've done our due diligence to make sure that um um staff and our our waste management providers within the
county are supportive of the letter. >> Commissioner Mills, >> thank you for looking into that. And um I'll make a motion to um approve, sign, and submit the letter support for St. Louis County's number one legislative priority, Canyon Integrated Solid Waste
Management Campus Support. Commissioner Gamble, did you have any comments? >> No, I just was going to make the motion, but the motion's been made by Commissioner M. Support the motion. >> Thank you. >> All in favor? >> I >> oppose. Same sign. Motion passes
unanimously. >> Okay. Thank you, Madam Chair. Okay. The next item is the 2026 C County legislative priorities. And I I expand I'd like to expand to this topic a little bit and um just make sure that
the commissioners and the public are all um aware of what the AMC the association of Minnesota county's federal and state legislative priorities are and then I would like to discuss um the um the city and visit Cook County and the chambers
priorities and then have a discussion about ours. So wanted to ensure that that all of you have the information. So um for the public that is listening in I have provided um two different resources for the commissioners. The first one is the state prior legislative priorities
and the second one is the federal legislative priorities both from AMC. And so I'll just walk through those briefly for you. Um the federal legislative platform um they have five different um items that they're supporting this year. The first one is
mental health treatment expansion. The second is jail health care. The third is simplified reassessments for home and community based services. The fourth is SNAP services. And the fifth is workforce innovation and opportunity act
reauthorization. And then moving on to the AMC >> what was um what is Medicaid? >> Medicaid is in the state. Okay. >> Yep. So then moving on to the EMC state um platform, the first one is technology
modernization. The second is SNAP and Medicaid and the third is the Minnesota African-Americans family African-American family preservation and child disproportionality act. So that is what we've received from AMC. We'll continue to track and monitor those items and make sure that the
commissioners are aware of them, any updates to them, and um if there are any changes, bring that forward to a meeting as well. And then with um visit Cook County, the chamber and the city, I had a conversation with John Burns who is the
visit Cook County and Chambers lobbyist. And what he has shared is their number one priority for this year is the wastewater treatment facility. And then they have three other priorities, but again the number one that they're hoping to move forward with is the wastewater treatment. The second
is the Gagami Trail. Um, and it's specific to the Luton segment. Um, the third is support for future funding for WTIP and working with WTIP's lobbyist. And then the last one is Looten Odyssey
and the water um water district. So, um, those are their top priorities. is we did have a request from John Burns to submit a letter of support or resolution for the wastewater treatment facility. I did follow up with
administrator Roth as well and he was very encouraged that um that we would be discussing having a potential letter of support or resolution and hoping that we might move forward. He did mention that he and or um Mayor Benson would be
willing to answer any future questions or any questions that we have at a future meeting as well. Um in I should also mention that John Burns in the discussion had originally asked for a letter of support specific to the wastewater treatment. Um but he did say
that if we wanted to support their full portfolio, which are all four items, um they would be supportive of that as well. So I I would like to pause at this point and just have a discussion about the letter of support or resolution if that is okay with you. Madam Chair. >> Yes,
>> Commissioner Gamble. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you for the information. Um I we all received this I think uh from NAO National Association of Counties that this Thursday January 15th 230 there'll be a
webinar kicking off the new year with the federal policy updates as well as a summary of the 2026 policy priorities that will shape uh advocacy u moving forward. So,
uh, when we look at, uh, I mean, the public as the question, well, who informs this as to what our priorities are, and you've addressed that, um, the 87 counties through the Association of Minnesota Counties addresses, uh, what the priorities will be moving into the
legislative session. Uh, you have, uh, the federal legislative priorities that are identified as well as the state. And then you have NATO which is going to be addressing this and some of it commissioner stole is probably you know
aware of her participation in that and then you've got the chamber and you've got the the tourism so that people can look at and say so where do we fit into this when it comes to priorities I think uh the issue of the the mental health
which is something that's on the radar is is certainly reflective of of a need that exists within in our community. I'm talking of the broader community. Uh the other thing is that the technology relative to our public health and human services that is so archaic in this
state and that is absorbing way too much time which is tapping the energies and the mental uh capacity of our employees in that regard. So that is a huge issue. So I think again from the public standpoint, it would be good to hear
what the public has to say as an entity in regard to where they would see priorities and then also for us to link what has been identified through the Association of Minnesota Counties through NAO, the National Association, and through entities like the Chamber
and Tourism. But there needs to be the evidence of the public voice that identifies this is what we want our elected officials to contribute to when it comes to issues that we'd like to see addressed in 2026.
>> It's uh it's it's it would be the ideal and hopefully that there would be alignment on on some of those things and I think it's our responsibility to show where the public is evident in these things. It can be that when you look at
the chamber which is business focused. If you look at the tourism that's tourist focused and people want to see well where is my focus and hopefully some of that is picked up in in what we're seeing in what in the AMC and and
Nico has identified. >> So Commissioner Gamble I'm hearing that you want to have some type of public forum on these issues. How would you propose to do that? >> Well, I I think it would be good leading into
identifying these things so that it's it's not a um a a sense of a a dutiful response, you know, to let the public feel like they're informed and we want them actually to inform. And so I I think it
it should be something that uh we anticipate moving into the new year knowing we're coming up on a legislative session and see where we where we identify some things where we have that support when we explain it to the public
and have the public explain to us what they feel is important. If that makes sense. And I think the timeline on that is something that we should it should have happened prior to where we're at right now. Moving forward where we're at right now. I think it would be good if
if we if we did have um a town hall meetings within the five districts outlining what we know which we're discussing today that would allow the public to weigh in and to explain to them what these headings actually mean.
I think it's I think it's just good and I think it it it cultivates a culture in which the public will feel included in these processes moving forward. >> I think it's a good idea. I'm just wondering since they elected us, we have
all the background. We go to AMC, we sit here and visit, you know, all of our prior, we put them in order. We say, you know, um I, you know, work with um Niko on the health alliance areas. Um, I'm just wondering how much
information then should we prepare to tell the public and do they really care about the Luden Water District? If you live in Hovland, they care about the wastewater because everybody contributes to that in one way or
another. Gagami Trail, that's in my district. We're all working on it as a township. WTIP every you know people have the opportunity to listen to it and donate as they go along. So I'm just wondering how would you propose us to
convince them or to just say this is the background on this WTIP this is the background on that without getting too lengthy and I really feel you know that um we're the ones that they can reach out to individually and I've had that I
don't I'm sure all of you have had that too so I'm just not sure where we would go with this. Commissioner White. >> Um, this presupposes I mean this goes back to the community out there like well they don't really care what we
think about anything, you know, they'll just they don't care. The commissioners don't care. And so and they have for years felt excluded. Now some of this there's a responsibility for people if they want to know something they can reach out. They can pay attention.
However, it seems as though a lot of people in this county are working, raising their children, doing whatever, and so they entrust their elected officials to make decisions for them. But be that as it may, I think there's
there's not enough I do not believe that our community feels as though they really have what they think or say or feel really matters to us. you know, maybe one-on-one, maybe there's a oneoff, maybe there's whatever, but I
believe there are more people that would want to know what's going on and not to be talked to or taught or preached at, but to have an opportunity for a discussion. And we don't have to come and be the experts on all of these,
but to have a community discussions. And one idea which I know this is not what is recommended but uh
that AMC but community comments we take in what they have to say and we sit here and we go thank you and then you are dismissed. How about if we since Cook County is so special, since we have
we I would like to foster more community conversations if we had like for a a set time during the committee of the whole that we invite community people and I'm sure there might be some legal things about
this to >> to state what their concern is and then to have a dialogue with us. Now, I say this with experience because back we go again to the school board.
Even though the Minnesota Schoolboard Association greatly did not recommend that a school board do this to engage the public during community comments, we did it. We did it for a while. Um,
we didn't need law enforcement. Nobody was beating on the desks, but we were engaging in conversation in a portion of the schoolboard meeting. So, the community could really get their questions answered like right now. Like,
we're listening. And I believe that was beneficial for we didn't do it all the time but but I believe that it has value and if people are willing to come here at 8:30 in the morning to get their five
minutes I believe it would only be respectful to give them an opportunity if they show up here to actually talk to us with us for 10 minutes 15 minutes I don't know the parameters of any of this
now. Maybe there's a legal reason we can't because it's not on the agenda and what what if we start talking about something? I don't know. But I feel I need and I will speak for myself to give the taxpayers and not
just those in Hovind and I do think Hovind cares about the water come in the west. I really do. but um to be listened to for their intake. I I have a great
and the person will know about who that I'm speaking about this person that I regularly get wonderful diet tribes from this particular taxpayer who uh as it turns out usually doesn't have
complete information or interprets what has been heard. And so it gives me an opportunity to reflect on where did you come up with this because it's not a social media type of guy person. Um but
it's helpful to build trust to build trust for all of us because I don't just speak for myself when it's like well n you're not even close on what you think you understand. So
enough of my saliloquy here. So anyway, um I think I agree with Commissioner Gamble. We need to get the information. We need to hear from the the people and how to do that. I don't know the best way because
they're one, they're not in the habit of being listened to. they and two um being busy isn't a good enough excuse, but it's a very valid reason for many people not actively coming to any meetings here.
>> Administrator Trevo. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. This is a really important topic and discussion and it's something that has come up um several times in in my few months here in this in this role and position. And so I wonder I know we have an upcoming work
session and I wonder if this would be an appropriate topic for us to discuss at the work session about how do we engage the community? What is community feedback look like for us and how do we want to move forward. I agree that I think at this point regarding the
legislative items for 2026 much of that work has been done. Um, and so I think we are behind. If we were to engage the community at this point in being a part of the decision-making process, we could certainly provide information about the items that have been selected by EMC,
but I they've already been identified. So, um, encouraging them to pro provide feedback at this point on those items would not be as helpful if it happened a month ago. So that would be my recommendation
for the board at this point is that we have a future discussion about what does community input look like for us when we're making decisions. >> That's the reason I brought it up the way I did because I really feel that it is a good topic for our work session.
>> Yeah. >> Commissioner Gamble. >> Thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate the discussion. What I would say is that when we say these are our priorities moving into 2026, if we represent the public, the public
asks themselves, uh, well, who's defining those priorities? And and so it it it is you can conclude that the public says, I elected you to represent me, but you didn't ask me what my priorities are. So I think when we look at our stakeholders, we have the
business community which includes the tourism community, we have the the townships, we have the county, we have the city, we have, you know, the the special interest groups and the public needs to see where are we in this? And
granted that we're available if you want to contact us, but our accessibility is is an issue. I think we need to be proactive and not reactive that we we invite the dialogue as opposed to saying you can always get in touch with us when
we can and when there's the discipline of making it something that is anticipated and uh proactive in that regard I think it sends a message to the public we do want to hear from you and to the extent that their voice is identified in the documents that we
produce that's just going to cultivate a healthy culture. So >> I I think it it'd definitely be a good discussion. I think there are a lot of things that we need to start having discussions on and we need to roll up our sleeves and work in those discussion
with the intent of how can we make things better. And so I I would agree that those are all healthy things and as I've said many times an awful lot of things to have to address, but we don't want to be weary and welloing. We want to continue to improve and we have that
potential and that opportunity. So, >> Commissioner Sullivan, >> thank you, Madam Chair. Um, and my hope is that commissioners in their meetings that they're having with constituents are regularly updating them, telling them about what's happening in our
policy committees. I I think just of recent I met with the Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway with Cook County Coalition of Lakes. I've shared all of that information both federal and state level with them and had discussions about what's going on with our waste treatment
uh plant in Grand Marray. And so I feel like a number of people are informed, but I think we need to be very um mindful of every meeting we go to updating our community on what is going on and what are the discussions.
Mr. Right. >> And to the point about uh lobbyists and what they do, I actually got a question on that like well well aren't we spending an awful lot of time? I mean,
how who decides was like who decides and um and so we go there and like why do we need to worry about the wastewater treatment and it like well actually that's a poor example because everyone's
concerned about it but um just the fact that that how this happens is people don't know. So I I'm as I say that the voters need to hold on and pay
attention because things are changing and they have a responsibility. Now we're going to listen and you have a responsibility to speak. >> So >> okay, thank you. Anything else with administrator?
>> Yes. So, um, going back to my question, um, do the commissioners agree with the letter of support or resolution for the wastewater treatment? Is that a yes? Very much. Okay. >> And then, um, in terms of the Cook County priorities,
>> um, the the Gunflint Trail has been identified um, as the number one priority um, with the le with the highway department and the lobbyists that we have hired. That's the project for this next year. So we have started
that work um and have had a number of um meetings and discussions about the gunflint trail. My question is do we want to add the government center and courthouse security needs as another potential legislative priority for this next year knowing that oftentimes it
takes a few years of conversation about future needs as we move forward with the legislature. So, as we update our CIP, um, do we want to start working with our lobbyist to let him know that this will be a future priority for us um to ensure
that we can secure resources as we move forward? >> Yeah, >> I hear I hear nods. Is there anything else? Is there anything else that would be a priority? I mean I mean we have a number of issues but
>> so we we had identified um a list of legislative priorities back in October when we had the legislative lunchon that had a number of items. Um many of those are items that are being worked on through AMC or our statewide
um items and the two that would be unique and specific to Cook County would be the Gunflint Trail and the Government Center. So trying to kind of um bifurcate what other organizations are working on. We would partner with them on continuing to advocate for those as
we move forward, but really working with our lobbyists on what are the things that are unique and specific to Cook County. >> Yeah. So, I'm wondering, are we still thinking about having, you know, the justice center eventually some year or are we
going to put our thoughts and monies into courthouse? >> Commissioner Mills. >> Yeah. So, um I think we have passed we have solidly passed on the justice center when we did the law enforcement
center expansion. M >> um court security is still an outstanding need and because of the structure and space of this building the it's it will practically require an
another building or an addition a substantial addition to this building something um and the previous talk not that it's still valid but I I think there's a lot of merit to to it was that where the recycling center is. Um since
the solid waste transfer station is going to at in the not too distant future be incorporating the recycling that there could be opportunity there for a different building. >> And um in the building committee years ago, we heard from the highway
department needing space. Uh human resources did, public health did. Now we have this space in the basement. So that's part of I think what BKB is going to help us determine is what our our our actual and and future needs will be. Um
also uh in in the food access council there has been discussion requests for uh a larger more substantial county supported food shelf building um and just space for that. And so I thought that was really interesting. And of
course, the budget shop is very valued by by our community and so allowing for space with that, but there's there's a lot of needs that can maybe be wrapped up into one. Um, I was also going to say that kind of request is going to be more appropriate in the bonding year, but it
makes a lot of sense to talk the year before that about >> what's what a request may be in the future. So, >> um, that's that's all my thoughts there. The only other thing I'd say is I mean I
feel pretty well connected with the community and get a lot of feedback everywhere I go. And um I think it's always good to get more feedback and and different voices. I'm in a lot of different circles, but I'm sure there's circles I'm not in. And so it's
important to hear hear from everyone. Um and I share everything I can and with anyone I talk to. But um one of the things I hear a lot about still is child care. Um there's still I
mean this is just ongoing. Um there's not enough slots. And if we want a healthy community, we need that diversity. We need the families. Um we need families moving here or staying here and growing a family. And so we
really I think we should really have some more focus on that. Um, and in the past, Senator Housechild has been very supportive uh and very curious about the efforts we have made and so continuing that conversation I think
would be would be good for for our community. >> Commissioner Sullivan, >> I just want to piggy back on what Commissioner Mills said regarding child care and that is a focus that Senator Hoschild has spoken about at the legislature for this year. Um, in fact,
um, I saw last night on KBJR that he made reference to it. So, >> I think that would be very reasonable. >> So, besides the Gunflin Trail, was there something else we wanted to add for Cook County >> Security?
Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah, thank you, Madam Chair. Um, again, appreciate the discussion. I as far as a government center on the heels of what we've done right now um I think and we have this CIP uh I I think
there's discussion that has to to look at at our alternatives and granted that that discussion that is pre-existed prior to my coming on board here um respectfully not having been part of that discussion I don't know how much
has been done in that regard looking at ways we can address this without having to build another building. I think all of the points that Commissioner Mills brought up on things that are valuable to our community and this and that and what are we going to do if this goes away. I think that's part of the discussion that needs happen when we're
doing this assessment. But I I would not recommend Well, number one, I I think I think we need to focus on the things that are our number one priority that we've been looking at. I I agree with the strategy that Ken said we need to
get it before him because if we rabbit punch them enough maybe at some point that that they'll get tender and and respond. But but uh I would I would not be making that I would I think we need to identify some things that we've made motions on right now before we would
actually put that on there especially on the heels of the commitments we made with bonding right now. The other thing uh relative to child care I I think we need to step back and look at and again respectfully if we've done this we've
done this but uh I I see that young families are families that have children and our decisions because we say that we we want to nurture young families and make it affordable in our community. And if you talk about housing, we talk about
affordable housing. Now, we don't talk about housing as affordable. We talk about as it attainable because affordable might not be the case, but it's attainable. We're eventually going to move to the it's available,
which is simply saying it's there, but nobody can afford it. So my point relative to child care is that we need to look at all of the decisions that impact what we say we want to nurture and maintain young families because a lot of the decisions are making are
working against. So it's one step forward, two steps back. So, is it fair to say at this point that the county's number one legislative priority for 2026 would be the gunflint trail and then we can continue to
discuss child care and how we could support that this year as well as once we get more information from the CIP on the government center, how we could potentially support that in the future. Is is that a fair assessment? I I I would agree and I would say that we've
invested money in in a reputable firm to represent us on this issue saying that it is important enough that we're putting some money behind it. It's significant. It's an artery in our community that's huge. So yeah, we're not asking for everything, but we are asking for this.
>> Yeah. >> Okay. Okay. >> Thank you. >> Good. So, I have two um just other brief updates. And actually, we do need to go through the the committee assignments as well, but let me provide you my two updates while Jana pulls up our our
spreadsheet. Um the first one is the federal freeze. We are monitoring that and we will provide more information to the commissioners as soon as we have information. At this point in time, we don't have specifics. So they have um provided us with a
website that they will be updating um and so we have access to that. I've provided it to all of you as well and um DH Health and Human Services is monitoring as well as myself. So we'll provide any information that we have in the future, but right now it's just kind
of wait and see on that. Um the other update I have is regarding our two um two large projects uh that we have, our law enforcement center and our transfer station. the law enforcement center. Um, the last of the panels are going to go up today, so I'm excited to drive by
later today and see what that looks like. The bar joist and roof decking will also be delivered later this week, and they're starting to install hopefully early next week, depending on the weather. So, that continues to move forward very well. The transfer station, the roof will be going on in the next
week on the upper section, and they're finishing the lower section. They are also simultaneously doing what they can on the interior with plumbing um and other work, but that will really kick up once they have the the exterior closed up. So, both projects are moving forward
very well. >> That's all my updates for today. >> Okay. And just a preface to the um committees and um boards. Um, as of this morning, um, Commissioner Gamble will
be, um, representing us with child care. Um, there was a lack of, um, committees and holes that he had number-wise and so I looked at what I have and looked at a couple three different areas and and I
um, discussed it with him and he would like to represent us on child care. There's, you know, we've had three years of, as uh Commissioner Mills stated, of uh challenges and we've come a long ways and Commissioner Gamble will be
refreshed with all of that when when that committee starts ends. So, um I didn't get a chance to send it to Jana, but you can make that correction. >> Thank you, Commissioner D. >> Yeah. Thank you, Commissioner. >> Okay. Anything
else? >> Yeah. So, there were a number of other changes um I shouldn't say changes, items that there were questions about at the organizational meeting that we were going to um get back to the commissioners on. And so, Jana has
pulled up the spreadsheet. Is there any chance you can make it bigger, J >> or can you walk through the notes and the changes you made? Yeah, I don't know if I can make it bigger in um in the PowerPoint.
>> That's okay. may not be able to you mind walking through the chain the >> um yeah and like like one you know I added notes just to um provide more helpful information uh for like the AMC policy committee on solid waste um noted that it's a subcommittee of the AMC
policy committee on the environment and natural resources um the AMC policy committee on transportation and infrastructure um oh noted that we are having Robbie at the highway department um serve serve as the
main representative for that. Uh let's see what else. Arrowhead Transit Advisory Committee um noted that that is a subset of AEOA. All right. And I'll go to the next page and see what we've got there. Um, for
the community leadership committee, I just noted um that it's suggested or I I guess maybe not suggested statute if a quorum of commissioners is in attendance that the agenda should be
posted. Um, yeah. Anyway, uh just a reminder, uh, for the Cook County Extension Committee, um, oh, I just wanted to note that per statute, two commissioners serve on that committee. It's not a primary and alternate. So, Commissioner Storyley and Gamble both
serve as representatives on that. Uh, Cook County Healthcare Planning Committee. Um, oh, we keep putting that in as a placeholder right now. Um, and I'm I can't remember, Jana, there were a few. There was this a soil
committee that we had. Let me look at my notes here. I know there were a couple that we had recommended >> suns setting. >> Oh, right. Um and those will be later in the spreadsheet. Uh probably um yeah, I
I added a column right after the border committee name for status. So you can see all of these are active and then um and then I sorted it by status. So later in the spreadsheet here, I'll go forward a little bit. Um you'll see the various
committees that I'm noting as inactive for now. Um and then I've got notes, you know, uh we've removed it or made it inactive on this spreadsheet because it hasn't met for a while or you know isn't currently active. So does that
answer >> that does. So for for example, we had an outstanding question on the slash disposal committee. So, we did check in with Tim Nelson and Mike Keyport. Um, and it has not met in over six years. And so, that would be one that we
recommended would be >> Yep. >> taken off the list. >> Yeah. >> Um, >> there was also the septic appeals panel and that's identified with our septic ordinance. So, that has to continue. >> Okay. um the solid waste committee
I think the the feedback that we've received is that should continue at this point as well. So I know those three the commissioners had asked us to follow up on. So I just wanted to make sure you were aware we did >> follow up on those and Jana has updated the spreadsheet. >> Yeah. >> Um I think that was it Jana.
>> I think so. again any you know any notes or helpful information or maybe helpful information I've put in the notes section and again I've resorted it um based on the status and you'll see too like the the slide that I'm showing
right now uh I um a number of meetings or committees I put ad hoc because they meet as needed. So, and as we get more information, um, you know, this can be updated.
>> I'll note too that, um, just so that it wasn't super tiny to read at today's meeting, I hid, uh, some columns that, you know, note the date and the time and the location that they meet. But, um, when I share the updated spreadsheet
with all of you, I'll include it all. Maybe I'll do you guys want paper copies? >> I do. >> Or no. Okay. Yeah. So, otherwise this is something that uh I will get updated on
SharePoint and if you ever visit that um there's a button that you can click on on the homepage and um be able to view this. So, >> and then at what point will we update our website? >> So, that I'll be working on that next.
Yeah, it's it's a matter of like going >> No point in doing that till this is perfect. >> Correct. >> Yeah. And this is pretty close to being done. So, yeah, the next step is for me to go into I compass and go into each committee and update the representatives and things like that. So,
>> and I I would like to say um Commissioner Stoley and Commissioner Gamble, I appreciate you working a little bit to to better balance our um commissioner assignments. Um it's much closer now than it was. So, thank you. >> And what is what is the official name of
that committee that Gary is going to be taking over? The child care committee. What is the um is that an AMC? >> It's called the Cook County Child Care Solutions. >> Okay, cool. Great. Thank you. Okay. On that,
>> anything else? Okay. Madam Chair, I would just say that that the uh the overall assessment of committees and the criteria that determines what we participate on. We've done some massaging on it, but I think I
think it's a discussion. If you're looking at discussions, this is a discussion that needs to be had. And uh similar with the uh non-discretionary that's another thing that's a subject that needs to be had and when we come to the new year and then we just sort of
bump and roll over it and then we just go on the way we go on I think we have to have a discussion and criteria needs to be applied and and part of that is if we're exofficial or whether we're voting or what the deal is and there's other ways of of being able to get information
and that influences our participation in the leadership. ship you know for the community and as that becomes more substantive that becomes a means of communication. So I mean I will be attending uh the hospital committee meeting uh this week but I will thank
them for the opportunity to participate. I mean to be there as an observer but but uh I'm not going to participate um and it it's a matter of it's not that the hospital certainly isn't an important issue but we have to find
other ways of being able to u to get the information we need to inform decisions. So that's something definitely if you were asking me what we should be looking at uh at some point we need to have a deeper dive
>> as uh administrator treble has set up um our first our first uh work session the end of January. This would be topics for future work sessions and how we can address all that. Okay, moving on to commissioner reports,
meeting updates. What's happening, Commissioner Sullivan? >> All right, so um back in mid December, we had our HA meeting. Commissioner Gamble was there as well. And one of the really nice things is that we had uh
Andrew Bers from um land services come and speak to us about vacation rentals. Um it was a little bit different presentation than we had as commissioners, but it was really nice to um see the data that was provided um to the HA and um at that meeting they
signed conflict of interest forms and um were also notified that the $250,000 loan for Birwood Apartments was repaid that um closed. So that is all in good order um prior to the end of the year.
Cook County Historical Society um just focused on talking about updates related to the Chipoa City Church and the work that they are doing and hoping that through legacy grants they can get some support through there. Um, Commissioner White and I both
attended the highway department meeting and talked a little bit about some of the work that's been done by the lobbyist and kind of directions to head. Um, airport advisory commission um
reviewed the report that came from MIDOT aeronautics when they did their inspection and all the different corrections and um things that have been done. We also um as a group did not replace
the two board members who left airport advisory uh conscious decision that because of open meeting law we didn't need to have as many people because people could be there be part of a quorum and vote even if they're not physically in attendance. Um that will
also save some money off the budget for 2026. So feel um really good about that. and then uh personnel committee. Um I was there as um one of the two commissioners, Commissioner Gamble and I sit on that, but my recommendation was
that we don't need two commissioners on the personnel committee. we go to one and um so um just so everybody is aware of that attended the solid waste work group um with AMC and we talked to just
about policies related to solid waste that would be going forward and discussions about in the legislature even though um we have our legislative priorities there will be discussion about e-waste and batteries and really promoting product stewardship rather
than um counties or um taxpayers picking up the costs for that. Talked about the importance of changing some rules related to construction and demolition in landfills and that um we still do have a goal of a 90% reduction in uh
waste by 2040. That's a ways off, but it causes us to really think about what's happening in our landfills, what we need to do with recycling, and making sure we're continuing to keep our eye on that. Uh, safety committee um met and
talked a little bit about fire policies and procedures. There's a calendar being developed for drills. Here's at the courthouse. and um development of courthouse maps to indicate where smoke alarms are, where
people exit, where are the poll stations, those types of things. Uh Gunflint Trail Scenic Byway met this week and is putting together a calendar. They meet every other month for uh the year and just uh updated us on some
dates related to July 22nd, our pole plant and protect event. Cook County Coalition of Lake Associations met and they are focusing um right now on some work related to copper nickel mining and
getting information out and um legislative engagement, community outreach and potential partnerships. So, more to come on that that but they are drafting a letter that they're sharing with lake associations.
uh soil and water conservation district met and they did their officers and appointments for the year. Talked about the new paid leave policy and then what was really interesting something I've been trying to figure out how do we do
this is what to do with phones. their staff um do not have phones like some of our departments where they are issued a county phone, but they have a cell phone reimbursement policy. And um
I've been talking about how do commissioners get some type of reimbursement for what we have. They have a policy where they get $25 back a month. Um so anyway, I have pulled that policy. I'm going to work on um kind of rewriting it and seeing if it might be
something we'd be interested in for 2027 for our particular group. But it was a very well-ritten model um which was approved the other day. Uh Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Collaborative met. We had US Forest
Service updates, talked about um changes in potential visitor policies and visitor services, fee proposals, permitting, AIS. Um again, this group only makes recommendations to the US Forest Service. We are not a
decisionmaking group, but very nice to see the collaboration with the business community, um, outfitters, resort owners, um, members of the DNR and the US Forest Service and citizens here all contributing to that process.
And lastly, uh, we had our community leadership meeting last uh, Thursday. we focused on healthc care and uh we'll provide uh information or the minutes for everybody that was unable to attend. >> Anyone else?
>> A question just about the healthcare. What what about healthcare? >> So, uh Kimber Rstead put together three summary documents to share with us and I'll just send those out directly with a minute. So, you have it directly from Kimber. I'll do that right now. Yeah, my
interest is uh in providing more health care for the community. And so I'm hoping someday if possible all members of the chamber can have a pool versus having an employer with one or two
employees trying to afford health care. It's it um it it's not it doesn't work. So um but uh we have you know provided benefits for the HRA and the EDA because a member
of one doesn't >> work under um under our pool either. So um that's why I was asking if it was about that sort of thing or just it's just the healthare and the county >> providing it. Gotcha.
>> Gamble. >> Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um the uh the leadership meeting as I I mentioned briefly before is u uh it's it's finding its way as to how to be effective and u
uh make that more than just you know getting together and and uh so there was discussion as to how we should operate what our intent is why why we are coming together whether we would have notes or
not. And so we're looking at it from uh any legal obligation, but our primary intent is to so the right hand knows what the left hand is doing and we have appreciation for all the different uh leadership components within our county.
So I think that's really beneficial and I think it's a healthy exercise to define who we are and how we're going to operate and uh to the extent that if all this becomes a mechanism for information that all uh commissioners uh are invited
to attend then we find out if our voice would be you know through our county administrators so that we aren't overwhelming the discussion uh and if there's something that's specific to a particular district that that might be you know handled that way but I I again
it understanding how this group will operate I think it's can be a lot more significant and meaningful so that's beneficial the hospital uh board meeting uh there was a presentation which I alluded to in the leadership uh meeting that uh they had
done an internal uh using a facilitator evaluation uh with staff and uh it was significant at the change in um um the realities of the work environment and um
the uh facilitator uh made a concerted effort to underscore the fact that this is significant. They don't see this change like this at this degree. So that's a positive thing I think when you look at the change in the board and you
look at um all that comes with the uncertainty and change and you look at the pressures on the funding when it comes to health care that managing all of this and and and focusing on a
culture that maximizes u the staff's ability to provide health care. Uh, I saw that as a very positive thing and that's something I'm going to allude to when I when I talk to him in the meeting this week that I I appreciate what I've seen in in the growth in that way and
the attention to culture. Um, ARC uh they were present at uh the last uh association of Minnesota counties. um they would have liked to had more people show up, but uh we found that in participating in some of those workshops
that that they weren't all, you know, packed with with a number of attendees, but it was good to have a presence and um uh ARC continues to to provide uh resources
to help with the issue of corrections that are are impressive. And uh when we look uh within the state and when we look even within the region, ARC stands out. And so how we can best use that
resource as a county is something that I think we should have a discussion on. >> Um putting people in a in a in an environment when it comes to corrections where we help those people grow and contribute to their sense of well-being
uh is huge. and the testimonial writers letters that get written that are from current current attendees as well as those that have been there years ago is testimony to their effectiveness. Um the uh restorative justice is moved and
uh this was addressed in the leadership meeting. Um Sam addressed it as a board member for the hospital. Uh they're moving to a not for-profit organization. Uh so there's changes that are are there northern counties um with a change in in
the chair position there. Not the chair position but the administrative support. John and Garl is there now. They had a longstanding individual that was the administrative facilitator there. Um and um he had retired. So John stepped into
that position. He's also on the um the other board the ARC is it? Yeah. Um but um and John is has been a longstanding uh lobbyist on behalf of St. Louis County. So they're changing
their their branding and they're changing their their website and they still are focusing on the payment of lie of taxes bill issue and they will have their annual uh dinner inviting legislators uh during the legislative
session to Mancinis. Last year was probably the most successful of that. We were packed out with a lot of participants. So, u good good dialogue there. Um the um parks and trails
moving forward with the u this request for a proposal relative to uh original designation. So, um I I know I've had some questions from individuals as where where we're at on that and where we're at with the
preserve the bluff, but um uh I think uh ways that we can communicate um the effectiveness of committees that we sit on and and communicate to the community u that it's it's worth their investment of our time
and resources. Important. Thank you. Anyone else? >> I'll just be really short. Uh, Northwood's Food Project met and um and that goes pretty well uh in hand with the Cook County Food Access Council and
I talked about that and they're um discussing the Super Shelf and that should be open um well I don't I don't know if I don't think it is quite but they're moving and um but it's a small space so they're looking for volunteers but not too many. Um but the food
project is is more focused on uh supporting farmers and how to get the food to the community. Um and just trying to collaborate there. There's been uh an initiative I think well it's really early yet but through the clinic
about um food as medicine and getting prescriptive diets um and how that they can work directly with farmers there. So that's kind of exciting. uh benefits of wellness. Um there'll be a survey going out to um employees um asking about our
benefits uh and insurance packages and then after that moving on to some of the wellness programs and a lot of that's out of our control but we were hoping to really get a broader perspective on what what the employees are looking for and liking and not liking. Um and then EDA
HR committee met and um talking about the SPDC consultant that will hopefully be hired on um or contracted on on the 20th. Um and then our uh executive director
search is is in process. Um, we'll be we'll be meeting to review applicants and uh and we'll see where that goes, but it's seems like a revolving door. So, um
there's concern, but we're also leveraging um the experience of both Jason Hail and Theresa Bida um in navigating this and taking on some of the administration in the meanwhile. So that's probably all I have to share. >> Okay, there's your wife.
>> Well, you guys were really busy. I had Christmas and holiday Christmas and holidays, but I have some statistics for my maybe it's my favorite board. I sit on the hub. They uh did a recap of their
uh Christmas program. Um, and that is a program that's been ongoing for a number of years, but it gives the community an opportunity to um help families who um need help buying presents or andor
food at Christmas time for their kids and their family members. They had um this program this last year, they had $9,000 in donations, cash donations. Uh there were 90
43 family families and eight adults that were recipients of of um donations and money donations and they had um they did eight adults
this year. um one was a homeless person. And so from there they were able to besides helping the person with uh grocery cards which were significant and uh to send the people along the person
along to other agencies to help find housing for them. um though temporary, but it uh they had um Oh, and I also need to report that they got uh from the Northland Foundation,
they succeeded in getting a $22,000 grant to help pay for a new position for the uh activities director um because they're getting swamped with people in there doing activities.
And they also um got a ve besides the reg regular donations of a thousand or a hundred or whatever. Um one community member bought window shades and installed them. So all the windows you
no longer are glared at or there. But another uh community member gave a sizable multi- tens of thousands of dollars donation to the hub for recognizing the value of this place and hoping that that the
county the statement was hoping the county could somehow help um help the hub uh not have to scramble all the time for funding. So
that was it. Hard at it. >> That's your report. >> Yeah, that's it. >> Okay. You were busy with Christmas. >> Well, I was busy with Christmas and then this week I will be doing the uh Northshore Management Board happens on Thursday and then the Arrowhead Region
Corrections is on Friday. So >> So you'll have more next month. >> I'll have more next month. >> Okay, good. Thank Commissioner Gamble. >> Yeah. Thank you, Madam Chair. I had a comm a question for Commissioner Wade relative to to the hub. Uh the hub had uh investments.
>> Yes. >> And I'm just wondering the status of the the investments um you know are Brady has alluded to the fact that interest rates have you know returned higher returns than anticipated. I'm just wondering as a
>> funding mechanism where that sits. >> Um they just that was a discussion they um because of um their cash flow shortfall they had to cash in a CED beforehand and they lost a $200 penalty
on that one. But they are now moving uh trying to strategize how since they are receiving uh 22,000 and then another $25,000 from a donation, how to best
put those funds either in a combination of another CD or in money market account so they can just pull it when they need it. And uh I don't know they have I think three money mount no three CDs and I do not know the
specifics of of what types of interest they are getting. It was pretty good. They were keeping track of it. It was um 4 point something the last time >> I know they had had the investments CDs obviously do not give you the freedom >> right
>> you know without bearing penalty but for organizations and this is something that's been said you know many years but um especially with the the significant portion of the population that is that is leaving us meaning passing away and
the amount of accumulated wealth with that population that looking at establishing a a trust like HR is is attempting to do. uh having a fund that a portion of those monies that comes from interest earnings can be allocated
towards operations and keeping that fund that looking at all the mechanisms and when you're in a situation like they are now not unlike many organizations it is assessing how are we going to provide you know and and build and certainly
tapping into this demographic >> and that was >> significant significant ificant resource there for people that believe and want to leave a legacy >> that helps people. >> And that specifically was discussed
>> about and it's uh the hub needs to find another another grant writer. I mean, nothing wrong with the last one, but like um need to find the grants that are out there that they would be available for and then how to market so people
more people understand or even know what they are. Uh so, and then they were also wondering because this did come up that would the city be interested in
putting some money towards the hub? The hub, the board recognizes that they need to get a fact sheet put together with a number of people that uh and over the over months, how many people use the facility
and in what capacity? Are they coming there to eat? Are they coming there for chair yoga, tai chi? What else do they do? the healthc care things just uh discussion groups but they're they're working on putting that fact sheet
together and then also uh they'll be going to the Lions. This is the time a year that the Lions looks at their resources to disseminate to the public. So, they're they're not quitting and they're really active on doing this and
they're uh it's they haven't turned the corner, but they're really getting better at figuring out. I mean, they through the process of elimination, they're getting down to which avenues are really going
to work. They do a weekly um on on WTIP a weekly report of what the hub is doing, but that's just one. So, it's worth keeping an eye on and it's and indeed the the uh if you want to
leave a legacy in this county that will go on, the hub would be one. I do know that there are people that have identified the library or you know in our passing we'll give it to the library
and the school had also at one point uh made an effort and I don't know how far they got on that either but but leave us in your will something so >> okay thank you um next week I'll report
from Niko we're getting our um priorities 30s together for the February meeting in Washington DC. So I'll report on that. Then I have other meetings coming up. Arrowhead and ARDC and on and on like you I'll have a better report.
>> Okay. So we'll move on then to meetings to note for upcoming uh week and the important one is that Monday is Martin Luther King's birthday. So the courthouse will be closed on Monday January 19th.
In our packet, we've also received corresponding memos from the lodging tax from um October and also for November. And now we have recognition of staff. The January staff anniversaries are Liz
Nemire from public health and human services, one year, an Pollson, soil and water, two years. Caleb Johnson on maintenance, two years. Uh, Max Torresensen, soil and water, two years.
Will Schmatter Schmidttower, Highway Department, two years. Ariel Charier Charlier, PHHS, three years. Andrea Toy, PHHS, four years. Nathan Carlson,
Highway Department, four years. Brody Smith, Land Services, West End Recycling Center, eight years. Mitch Travis from land services 9 years. Leah Extramm MIS 11 years. Holly Schroeder from recorders
office 27 years. And right to my left we have a milestone anniversary. Adriana Buren auditor's office five years. Congratulations everyone. >> Should we turn the camera or make her stand up?
She's bashful. >> And there being no other business, we are ajourned. >> Madam Madam Chair, um I had had an additional item on the agenda. Uh that was the just regarding the request for proposals for photographs for the
community resource directory website. Which department is this coming out of? >> Public health. >> It is public health. Yeah. the the grant source is through public health. >> Okay. >> So, it's um it is an effort through public health, but is now a partnership
now that we have a PIC on board. So, she is assisting with it as well. >> Okay. These are grant dollars then, >> correct? >> That were designated for >> correct >> such a thing. Okay. All right. Yeah. And I just wanted to get a better understanding of where that was coming
from. So, all right. Thank you. Okay, we can talk a little bit more. >> I did double check with Grace to make sure that