Okay. It's 08:30. We'll call our 10/07/2025 Union County Board of Commissioners meeting to order. All please rise with the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of United States Of America and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Welcome, everyone. Looking for a motion to approve the meeting agenda. There are no changes to what's in front of you.
By commissioner Casa. Is there a second? Second. Second by commissioner Zeeberson. Any discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, same sign. Meeting agenda has passed. Someone like to enter a resolution approving the consent agenda with the following. Approval of minutes from the 09/16/2025 board meeting. Approval of regular full time status employees and approval of drainage ditch repairs. Yes. Commissioner Yes. Commissioner Yes. Commissioner Yes. Commissioner Yes. Commissioner Yes. Commissioner Yes. Commissioner Yes. Consent agenda has passed.
Report of board committees. Commissioner Yes. I have a workforce development meeting as well as a field and city energy board. Thank you. Commissioner Cox. I attended the accountants, appreciation sector. I went to have an extension meeting. Then opioid meeting by Zoom Okay. Thank you. Commissioner Shaw? Evan Mako, House Daring Committee meeting and then the member of, Julie, Wayne, and Matt Bogart from Hastings. Thank you. Commissioner Eckstrom? I had the third and final, best meeting. And now, just yesterday afternoon,
I received, like, what's going to end up being the final report. So they're waiting. They'll give us a couple of weeks to get those and make edits corrections or suggestions. I attended the lunch and learn, just A and Z, dealing with economic development. And then we're supposed to have a planning commission meeting last night, due to some scheduling conflict that will be postponed. That that was postponed until our preliminary. Thank you. And I had a meeting with our administrator as is the norm and also had a special meeting with Alita. And the discussion there was with a small group because I also served on the,
elderly housing redevelopment and housing was the topic. And then I took a hiatus and, I spent the last couple of days trying moving on. Informational items. Notice of pending litigation. Board chair and commissioners. This is, just a informal that Freeport County has been named as a defendant in a lawsuit related to use of force. I have consulted with our attorney in case preparing a response, which full Thank you. Are there any persons present that wish to address the board on matters pertaining to
this agenda or any other matters? Any other persons wishing to address the board. Alright. We'll move on to report of departments. Report of public health. Reporting commissions. I have three items. Well, two items for your consideration of what is, 2020. Yes. From 06/30/2028. So we originally were awarding a $107,000 for adding another $187,570, which is $93,785 a year. Okay. Enter by commissioner Severson. Is there a second? I'll second. Second by commissioner Ekstrom.
Any discussion? Will the clerk please call the roll? Mister Severson? Yes. Mister Kosovan? Yes. Mister Ekstrom? Yes. Mister Ekstrom? Yes. Mister Shaw? $37. SHIP is very important to our community. It's really helped to be able to offer, funding for different projects in the community. We've done different projects such as assisting, businesses to, Someone would like to enter that resolution? I'll enter the resolution. Entered by commissioner Eckstrom. Is there a second? I'll second. Second by commissioner Shaw. Any discussion? Mister chairman. Yes. So this program has gone back to 02/2008.
Correct? Do you know how many years It started that you lead back in 2009. Okay. And then, are there any measurables that There are tons of measurables. Yes. Okay. And we've done that? Oh, yes. Everything we do is measurement. Twenty minutes. Do you have that in by year? Or Yes. Any other discussion? Hearing none, will we call the roll? Mister Stevenson? Yes. Mister Kaza? Yes. Mister Escharin? Yes. Mister Escharin? Yes. Mister Escharin? Yes. Mister Escharin? Yes. Mister Escharin? Yes. That is passed. Thank Thank you. This next is I was planning on solving the deal to do a resolution for
unfortunately, the contract has not arrived, due to, federal shutdown of the WIC contract is delayed. Aware that, this is coming. We don't know the amount yet for that resolution, but, they're telling me, an update is telling me that, it is going to be about the same as we've got before which is, dollars 1,000 per year. The federal shutdown has has not affected us at this time. It has a plan for this, to be potentially, if this would happen. So Minnesota WIC that means that most of the food benefits being redeemed early in October are actually September
benefits and can be charged to the fifth of your 2025. In addition, we have infant hunger on rebate Again, all states, may have rebate unavailable immediately. We understand that the national WIC contingency funds that the USDA are likely At that time, can you also share any contractual changes that they might have made? Yeah. I like those for us. Yes. Okay. Thank you. Alright. Will we not report a lot of your treasury? The March Commission. I have a
resolution. My I'm saying that right, got a loan from the SRDC to build a solar energy machine solar system power. And, anyway, the I'm just looking for a resolution to put the loan amount on his tax bill. And you've done this before. I wasn't sure if you even wanted to hear it because we're basically just a pass through entity. We don't make any money off of this. We don't haven't seen any names just to make sure that he's paying one. So I'm like in a resolution to place this assessment on along with this property
tax paid. Mister Charles, do you have a motion? Turned by commissioner Eckstrom. Is there a second? Second by commissioner Casa. Any discussion? Yes, mister chair. Yes. So thank you for the explanation. I always appreciate it as a board member and just because you're new. Mhmm. I always think it's beneficial when when we present a resolution that you offer some information like what you just did even though we've received it in our packet. Mhmm. Just because these meetings are public, but and then the public can hear, some of the details about it as well. And, we are and like what you said,
we are a pastor. We are mandated to, work with this program or or to do this. So thank you. I appreciate the information you gave us for the packet. Absolutely. Any other discussions? Hearing none, we look forward to please call the roll? Mister Stevenson? Yes. Mister Kaza? Yes. Mister Ekston? Yes. Mister Shaw? Yes. Mister Hedlund? Yes. That resolution is passed. Moving on, report of human services. In 2024, at least 24 lives are taking the state of Minnesota due to domestic violence. And whereas in 2024, over 300 victims survivors with domestic violence and the children saw safety
and the children saw safety and support from three more counties from victims for any matter. And whereas the impact of domestic violence is wide ranging directly affecting adults, children, and societies alone. Here in this community throughout The United States and the world, and where domestic violence deserve safety, dignity, access to justice, trauma informed support, and opportunity to heal and thrive out here. And whereas individuals, communities, systems, policies, and neighbors in society must work together to change the condition that caused domestic violence before survivors and their solutions do that. Thank you. Would someone like to enter that resolution? I'll let you know. Enter by commissioner Shaw.
Is there a second? Second by commissioner Casa. Any discussion or questions? Hearing none, will the clerk please call the roll? Commissioner Stevenson? Yes. Commissioner Casa? Yes. Mister Yes it might seem logical to introduce my successor to the group, which is, Steve Rick. That's gonna be the new probation director. Was appointed yesterday and, and he comes with a lot of experience from, State County and Ford County. And so he's my evaluation for a great job. Alright. Thank you.
And the resolution I have before you is to appoint, Steven Rick as a representative of the, Brevard County, Family Services Collaborative. We have a joint policy agreement with them that calls for an appointment of, a probation director to be on there right now and asking that you remove my name, it has to be done by the board. Remove my name and that you might replace with Steelers. Someone wish to enter that resolution? Okay. And by commissioner Severson, is there a second? I'll second. Second by commissioner Eckstrom.
Any discussion? Welcome. Thank you. Any other discussion? Will the third call roll? Mister Stevenson? Yes. Mister Castro? Yes. Mister Evans? Yes. Welcome aboard. Report to the sheriff's office. Good morning, commissioners. Mister chair. Earlier this year, I entered into a, an agreement with ICE, which is, falls into the two a service officer program. It can be used in different ways, on how the county wants to. But here in Fremont County, the agreement that I entered with was just for our detention staff, so that, when somebody brought in on criminal charges,
if they also have a a warrant from ICE, that our detention staff would be able to serve the paperwork, the warrant paperwork to the person, which would then in turn trigger the the two zero three d paperwork. That's the typical paperwork we have on something when we quote them under our ITSA contract advice. The reason for that is because other sheriffs have found themselves in in liability, issues, getting sued by the ACLU when they're not releasing somebody fast enough. When they're done with their their criminal part of it, that still have a base warrant. The ACLU kinda look for ways to sue counties.
If somebody wants to be quick enough, the ice is able to get to the the jail and and pick that person up on the ice. So this would would, immediately trigger the two zero three b paperwork so that we could hold them under the IDSA so that we wouldn't have to revoke that liability issue of not kicking somebody out of jail quick enough before I spoke to you guys. So, earlier this year, we started working on that. In March, we we signed the agreement, to go forward with it. I I I did along with, Todd Lyons. It's still not implemented. We don't have, any staff trained in it yet. We've identified staff.
That training hasn't happened yet. There's no cost to the county other than the time for the employees to to release online training. But they first, they have to go through background check with the federal government, and that hasn't happened yet. So we haven't implemented it yet. Then in, September, letter dated the September 19, from the civil attorney general Pete Ellison. However, just to eliminate any potential legal issues, I'm asking for a resolution from the board that we ratify the decision that I've resolution?
Yes. Entered by commissioner Casa. Is there a second? Second. Second by commissioner Severson. Any discussion? Could, mister Walker expand on your opinion that you've had this discussion with our chair? I think what's at the basis of this, mister chair, is that there is a disagreement about the extent to which local resources ought to be used to enforce immigration law. And as part of that part of the political response to it is to try to limit law enforcement on the one hand.
And on the other hand, there was a movement to increase the activity of local law enforcement, immigration, enforcement. I think our sheriff has that balance exactly right. He is saying if someone is arrested for a crime they've committed in three more counties and they're already in our jail, and ICE is saying, we've got a warrant for that guy. Hold on to him because we're gonna pursue this immigration court. Our sheriff is saying, he's already in our jail. We will serve the warrant. We're not going to use assets to go out and arrest someone in the community
to enforce the immigration law, but we've already had the guy in custody. It's safest for our community and safest for the inmates in in in custody if we serve the warrant in our facility before the person leaves. So I think it's exactly the right thing to do. The, attorney general was suggesting that we take a different approach and, the sheriff and I have discussed this. I prepared this resolution for the board's approval to ratify what the sheriff has already done, which I think is in our interest as a community. So I I definitely join in the recommendation of of the sheriff.
Thank you. Any other discussion? Mister chair. Yes. There's a nice facility. So we bring in someone locally, and then there's sort of a ice warrant. Are they in Iceland made at that point? Or does it have to go through their process? When the criminal component is done, then they are. Any other discussion? Hearing none, will the clerk follow the rules? Commissioner Stevenson? Yes. Commissioner Yes. Commissioner Simpson? Yes. Commissioner Johnson? Yes. Commissioner Eppson? Yes. Mister Esmerald? Yes. Commissioner Evans? Yes. The resolution is passed. Thank you. Report county administration. Morning, commissioners. First one I have for you is to consider resolution accepting the resignation of Britney
Smizek, social worker case manager, child protection, child welfare, effective 10/10/2025. Someone wish to enter that resolution? It's entered by Yes. Mister Yes. Mister Yes. Mister Yes. Yes. That resolution is passed. And the next one is to consider a resolution filling the vacant social worker case manager in child protection, child welfare position. Someone will stand to that resolution. Any discussion? I'll second. Second by commissioner Ekstrom. Any discussion? Yes. How long was this person in that position?
That was two years. Okay. And then, as part of the budget process, there are other counties talking about higher increases. And to my knowledge, I was supposed to talk about that where I believe the last Okay. Yes. It has has not been talked about at this point. Any other discussion? Hearing none, we'll look for our call roll. Mister Stevenson? Yes. Mister Castro? Yes. Mister Yes. Commissioner Castro? Yes. Commissioner Edmonds? Yes. The resolution is passed. And the next one is to consider a resolution accepting the resignation of Danielle Anderson assessment technician effective 09/23/2025.
Someone wish to enter that resolution? I'll hold it for that. Entered by commissioner Shaw. Is there a second? Second. Second by commissioner Stevenson. Any discussion? Will Kirk Clark call the roll. Mister Stevenson? Yes. Mister Krasil? Yes. Mister Ekstrom? Yes. Mister Shaw? Yes. Mister Edmond? Yes. That has passed. And the last one I have for you is consider resolution filling the vacant assessment technician position. So when was it under that resolution? Under by commissioner Casa. Is there a second? Second. Second by commissioner Expirone. Any discussion? Hearing none, we'll look back to call the roll. Mister Excellent. To consider a resolution approving union contract for the correctional sergeant.
So moved to enter that resolution. Onto the resolution. Entered by commissioner Exeter. Is there a second? I'll second. Second by commissioner Shaw. Any discussion? Mister chair? Yes? How many people are under this contract? Five. Five. Okay. Thank you. And sitting on the committee that, works with the union negotiations, what comes up at those negotiations or any changes that are made to the contract. And just wanna let it be known at this time, the entire contract is not gone through when we sit at that table.
So we, kind of, look to our labor attorney to make sure that everything is proper within those contracts before it was brought to us to be passed through as I'm accepting the contract through the resolution. Any other discussion? With Clerk, caller one. Mister Stevenson? Yes. Mister Kaza? Yes. Mister Yes. Commissioner Castro? Yes. Mister Ezra? Yes. Mister Ezra? Yes. Mister Ezra? Yes. Mister Ezra? Yes. Mister Ezra? Yes. That is passed. Commissioners, next is a resolution appointing Amy Connor as an underwater treasure.
Someone went into that resolution. Enter by commissioner Casa. Is there a second? I'll second. Second by commissioner Shaw. Any discussion? Hearing none, we'll declare. Please call or roll. Commissioner Simpson? Yes. Commissioner Casa? Yes. Yes. Welcome aboard. Thank you. Alright. So we need to get you both of office. Alright. If you will raise your right hand and repeat after me. I, Amy Connor. I, Amy Connor. Do solemnly swear or affirm that I will support constitution. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the constitution? Of The United States and the constitution of the state of Minnesota.
Of The United States and the constitution of the state of Minnesota. And that I will faithfully discharge. And that I will faithfully discharge. The duties of the office of auditors treasurer. The duties of the office of auditors treasurer. In the jurisdiction of Freeborn County. In the jurisdiction of Freeborn County. To the best of my judgment and and ability To the best of my judgment and ability. Welcome. Thank you. Alright. I'll be on. Consider a resolution to update our doing business with Greenborn County Bank. I would like to enter that resolution. Call it to the resolution.
Entered by Approve to the resolution. Entered by commissioner Ekstrom. Is there a second? Second. Second by commissioner Severson. Any discussion? Hearing none, we'll look like Colorado. Mister Severson? Yes. Mister Casa? Yes. Mister Ekstrom? Yes. But abstaining as to our Kaitlyn Bay? Commissioner Yes. Mister Yes. The resolution is passed. And that's just to consider a resolution for the appointment of the permanent deputy registrar position. Some would like to enter that resolution. Yeah. Moved by commissioner Casa. Is there a second? Second. Second by commissioner Severson. Any discussion? Hearing none,
we'll look like please the room. Mister Stevenson? Yes. Mister Kaza? Yes. Mister Ekstrom? Yes. Mister Shaw? Yes. Mister Edwin? Yes. Next is review resolution 25 dash two six four from the table. We had tabled in our previous meeting, wanting additional information for our That's for them to have airfare and hotel accommodations. We were able to go to the website and provide the additional information, which is the kind of the broad overview of what they provide annually for your consideration. So it's my understanding this was tabled at our last board meeting. We need a motion to remove it from the table, and then the resolution would stand as it was left at that time,
which it was a first and a second. And we just begin with further discussion if needed. Someone like to make a motion to remove from the table. Mister Straub moved to take off the table. Moved by commissioner Ekstrom. Is there a second? I'll second. Second by commissioner Schott. It being a motion, all those in favor signify by saying aye. Aye. Opposed, same sign. So the resolution is back on the floor. Any further discussion? Hearing none, will the clerk please call the roll? Commissioner Stevenson? Yes. Commissioner Costa?
Yes. Mister Ekstrom? Yes. Commissioner Schall? Yes. Commissioner Edmond? Yes. Resolution has passed. The last item I have, commissioners, is to consider a resolution to move the Tuesday, November 11, regular board meeting held one day to Wednesday, November 12 due to the observation of that. Would someone Would someone like to enter that resolution? That resolution is the check. Entered by commissioner Casa. Is there a second? I'll second. Second by commissioner Exeter. Any discussion? Mister chair, just a quick question. So which one here is a meeting because that's the workshop. Is that correct? Where is the resolution in that?
Or So the So the resolution on the floor would be to change the date of the workshop from the eleventh to the twelfth. Any other discussion? Hearing none, we'll look for our caller. Mister Stevenson? Yes. Mister Gaza? Yes. Mister Eckstrom? Yes. Mister Shaw? That is passed. Other items as necessary but unknown at this time. Alright. Moving on. County commissioner items. If you have one designated on our agenda. And that is to request approval of for the county administrator to send a formal letter on behalf of the three more county board of commission commissioners to immigration and
customs enforcement regarding contract payment matters. Yes. We definitely have a rough draft form. Have some eyes looking at it. I would probably request that we table it to the next meeting so we have to make sure that we It sounds like there has been additional changes. Sharishay, if you would mind adding Yeah. So yesterday, we were, informed that the VA has dropped ICE, for processing their payments. And so we weren't sure what this is until the shutdown or whatever. I'm getting more information this morning using during this meeting. I'm talking with I'm getting more information this morning. He's wearing this meeting. I'm talking with my first. Sounds like the VA was already in the process of,
looking to drop processing of ICE payments. And so ICE is looking for any vendor to process their their payments. And this is for medical, bills and stuff. So we don't incur the medical expenses of ICE inmates. ICE Canadians to pay those med those, the medications that they're on, the, the hospital, the ER, things like that. But in in the short interim, right now, Oasis looking for a vendor, hopefully short, possibly long. There's nobody they have the money available to them, but they don't have anybody to process the payment of that medical stuff for us.
So we're gonna be incurring the medical debt of the ICE inmates, which hopefully will get reversed for in the future once ICE figures out who's gonna be processing those payments from them, but now we're waiting for September, which hopefully will come in in the near future. In other government shutdowns, we haven't ever not been paid for our, ice payments for the detention of people. Just keeping essential, you know, nonessential workforce. Alright. So more to come on this piece of it.
So continuing with county commissioner items. Not commissioner. Commissioner. You're gonna be playing Alright. Commissioner expert. Just a quick thank you to the department heads. A lot of times when the package come out, I have a number of questions and just to clear people this time, with the sheriff and public health. And I just always appreciate, the county administrative department heads responding and, giving me more insights into resolutions. So I can be a better better informed when it comes to voting. So thank you for the time that you put into that. Alright. And then I just wanted to kinda let it be known. Wanted to kinda
let it be known. Sitting on the policy committee along with Commissioner Severson and administration and human resources and even one of the department heads, Tim Fulton from IT. A lot of time and thought and discussion is put into these different policies that we're bringing forward. And the process that we have is is discussed. Lot of policy has been put forth. And it then goes on to the department heads and the department heads have an opportunity for discussion and ideas and input also.
And at that time, it then comes back to the policy committee where we, look at those, discussions that you've had within and and look at maybe some changes opportunities and not all are done. But once that policy is decided on, we then bring it to the board, and the board has an opportunity to review and vote on that. And if it's passed, that policy is gonna be put into place. Since we have done a few of these, there's been some questions, concerns, even I'll call it a little bit of pushback from individuals within the departments.
And, the administrator doesn't have the time to spend with individuals discussing the the policy once they're put into place. It's up to the department heads to take the policy that's been put forth and explain to their individuals, people within their staff, within their departments on the policy and how it how it affects them and how it's put into place. So just wanna let that be known because there's more policy that's gonna be put out in the policy committee. We're working on a number of things.
And, it's, it's kinda gotten to be, an issue with certain individuals that can feel that, the changes should have been made. But, policy committee has decided that's what they wanna put out there. That's all I have on that. Commissioner Schump is the norm. You are the last. I was correct. I did tell the county administrator that I decided after several days in Northwoods not to shake today and not really dress up in protest that we still cannot have a boardroom to go to and have our meetings.
Just to give everybody an update on the separation of the resignation and the hiring, that was was done years ago to look at each each thing that came up, whether we needed it, how it was funded, everything like that. Commissioner Belshawn led that charge, several years ago. And so that's why it was kinda gotten away from it. But every time there's a resignation, it the reason that we have it separated is to look at those positions, and that's what I was bringing up earlier. Birthday today, sir,
General Ralph Abercrombie. He's some sort of relation. He was killed in Alexandria by the French in eighteen o o one, buried in Malta, and has a, artwork, like a marble artwork at Saint Paul's, DeSoca in London. That's Abercrombie within the why not Abercrombie and Fitch for those that are confused. And then, obviously, it was in the Northwoods. And after twenty years of living here after she moved from Texas, my wife thought that all these Minnesotans talking about Moose and Bear and Bigfoot,
that they were just making up these stories. And the dutiful, government employee that she was, she took out her computer while we were driving in the truck. And about, like, five minutes later, I was like, look. Look. Look. And there was about a 200, 250 pound air in the ditch. You come up and then right back down into the woods. And, her head was on a swivel for the next day and a half or so. And, so she now believes that they're bare. We haven't gotten mostly spend the rest of the weekend looking for Bigfoot,
but you didn't see it. So that's it. Alright. Thank you. Moving on. Would you like to share some information on claims before we go into a resolution? No. The first one up, was asked to, explain So that that OIS and the Austrian golf shooting. So after an incident like that, we have several different meetings with the people that are directly involved with it with, counseling services and and whatnot. And so, the first meeting, the city paid for next one, Labra. Labra controlled. $1,850.39
for a vaccine freezer. Yes. So a vaccine freezer that we purchased during COVID. Back in 2020, it Alright. Would someone like to enter a resolution approving claims? Entered by commissioner Tassa. Is there a second? Second by commissioner Severson. Any further discussion? Hearing none, will the clerk call the vote? Mister Severson? Yes. Mister Severson? Yes. Mister Severson? Yes. Mister Severson? Yes. Mister Ester? Yes. Mister Yes. Mister Yes. Times have been passed. That brings us to conclusion. We are adjourned. Thank you, everyone.