All >> right. Good morning. >> Welcome to uh the county board game here at the fair. It's one of our favorite times to get out of Redwing, come out and and spend time out here amongst our
constituents and and get to recognize some uh amazing people around our county that have done some uh pretty amazing things uh supporting agriculture and and our company as a whole. We will start
with the pledge of allegiance. To the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands one nationisible and justice for all. >> We're going to start off today's meeting
with Darla Reed uh representing the county fair board and she's going to speak to a few things. >> You're on. You're on. Go for it. Good morning everyone. It's great to see everybody here. I'm Darla Meitz. I'm one
of the fair board members. I was asked to speak. Um Bob Gir is our president and he sends his regrets that he couldn't come and speak with you because he does. He said tell him I have a full-time job. And I said they know that
and that he's busy with that. But he will be here at noon if anyone wants to see him. So I am the treasurer. I just want to say hello to everyone and go ahead and go around and see our new buildings and all the improvements that we're doing. We really are excited about
all the things that we're doing here at the fairgrounds. Lots of new things are happening and people are feeling sad that there's no carnival, but the attendance is up and there's so much entertainment going on right now. So, we want you to stick around and look
around. Maybe check out some of the food vendors. We've got great vendors here. We just had a great fair, great weather so far. So, thank you for all being here. Thanks for coming here and being a part of our fair. Thanks for supporting us all the time and everything else. If
you have any questions, you let me know the fair board. We have several fair board members here. So, don't be afraid. They've got blue shirts on. Now, I have a different blue shirt, but that's okay today. So, >> welcome. Thank you. Thank you.
>> Um, just getting to know all of the board members and all the times I've been out here and just it's unbelievable the amount of volunteer hours that are put together on by the spare board and all these volunteers and the kids and so I just uh just appreciate it so much and
all the time I was with Dusty last night over at the Autocross till after 11 and it uh I'll be there again Saturday. So, but thank you for all you uh for all the pair of board members and everything you guys do. Thanks. >> Just to kind of piggyback on that, when
you see these people around with these blue shirts and the county fair and those that don't wear, >> just make sure you thank them for the work they do. They It is true. They put in countless hours. I've been by here a
lot this summer. Almost every evening it seems like there's somebody in them. I really appreciate that. The grounds look beautiful. The new buildings are fantastic. The donations that have uh afforded them to do that. Uh the community obviously supports this fair
strongly and it is really nice to see. I quite frankly I don't know if there's a county fair in the state that has facilities like we have for the lives down here and for so we appreciate that. Let's give them a round of applause.
All right, we'll get into the real meat of this deal. Um, are there any disclosures of interest for anything on the agenda? >> Seeing none, is there a motion to approve the previous board meeting minutes as presented?
>> So, move Flanders second. >> Been moved and second we approve the previous board meeting minutes from July 15th. Any other discussion hearing? None. All those in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos the same. Motion carries. Uh
second item is to review the agenda and I've been asked to switch uh the 4 from where they're at to after soil and water. They got some kids that are coming and they're probably busy right now and won't be here for a little bit.
So we're going to switch that. Is there any other changes to the agenda? >> There are no changes. Motion to uh approve with the agenda adjustment. >> Motion to approve the agenda adjustment.
>> Second move and second we approve the amended agenda. Any further discussion? Hearing none, all those in favor say I. >> I. Oppose the same. Motion carries. consent agenda and we have nine items on
there and I'll just read them because we don't have them up on a screen like we normally do. Uh, approve the 2026 treatment court agreement. Approve the application for exempt permit for the American Legion bingo at the Goody County Fair, which is been going on for
a couple days. Approve sustainable farming association of Minnesota temporary on sale liquor license. that will happen at uh Ferndale Market in Canon Falls. Approve a tuition reimbursement for the IT department.
Approve the sale of a vehicle of the sheriff's office at high auction service. Approve the sale of public works items for public ser surplus auction. Approve uh award for Wamingo landfill closure contract. approve the
final contract payment for 2025 traffic marking and approve region one southeast Minnesota joint powers agreement and that is in regard to EMS uh emergency management services motion to approve the consent agenda
>> so move it >> second >> it's been moved and second we approve the consent agenda all those in favor say I >> oppos the same motion carries We're going to move then to public works
and Jess Greenwood give us a update on a bridge replacing on County Road 7. >> Uh, do you want me to do that one first or do you want to talk about traffic signal that? >> You can choose which one you want to
back up on. They're both equally fun. >> Yeah. Right. We'll start with the the traffic signal at Ben Street. So on uh Thursday, July 17th, uh the southbound traffic signal
intersection with Ben Street, which is our town road one in Tyler Road south in the city of Winding was struck by a truck that had unfortunately left its box. Rotated our signal about 45°
and on that cell phone thing. Staff was called in and responded. We put up appropriate traffic control to maintain everything at the intersection until we've been looking into what it's going
to take to repair the signal. Um we've received one so far $100,000 meeting. We're still working on insurance piece of this
possibility of looking at that given what happened. So with that uh if there's any questions from the board uh at this time you're talking about the insurance for the uh
>> property damage that the truck did. Right. They're going against their carrier. Yep. >> Now, there could be their car doesn't carry limits and that's kind of why we we still have to go through the bid process or can we just let them >> um given the the dollar value here
to exceed $175,000 under So >> well I just wondered what your experience is with insurance covering the cost of damage like this >> uh to date in 20 years of county
engineering had to do with traffic accidental system usually it's something off road accidents that are hitting signs and things like that.
Those are relatively low dollar cost. We haven't had with insurance. The bigger thing is whether or not the person stop the accidents whether or not
insurance information where we have been able to make those There was a police report filed correctly. >> Yes. >> Yep. The driver stopped and called in the accident. >> So they did the right thing. >> Yes. >> They
know my question is if we if we approve this for say 120,000 and then it comes back and ends up being 135 140,000. >> You're going to have to come back to this. Uh I I would assume that uh as we progress through this once we have more
information continue to make aware of what's going on. So it's more similarly to the 5year construction program or just improving the project itself knowing that production is likely. >> There's going to be more cost because
there's replacements uh removals. There's going to be electrical work that needs to be done. additional. >> Well, there's not there's not an option um of not replacing it. >> No.
>> So, the option is fix it and whatever the cost is. The cost is >> the lead time. >> We're going to work towards the insurance side. >> Lead time for replacement is 10 years. So, I would certainly like to be able to
act on this sooner or later. >> I I agree. You can't leave it. But can we find out what the limits of his insurance coverage is? >> Yeah, we're we're communicating. >> That's kind of immaterial to a certain degree because we're going to we're going to fix it.
>> No, we got it doesn't matter what they call what >> and most likely and I know someone who ran into the center medium. So, They didn't even know their insurance company ended up paying. It went right from MDOT right to their insurance company. They
got notified later that it's going to be paid. So I I think it's going to be a it's going to be a done deal. It's just let's get this started. So as long as you don't need us to agree on a higher amount on the 120,
that's kind of what we're approving. My understanding >> and as we get more information, I'll continue to accept What's the board's wishes? >> Second. >> The move second we approve the replacement of the damage signal on CASA
one. Any further discussion? He none. All those in favor say I. I. >> All same. Motion car. Okay. Congrat seven. Uh Congress. >> All right.
So this bridge uh 25530 uh is a structure that may remember it's between Baya and Welch. It's a timber structure. We stopped there on a road tour and took a look at
some needed repairs. um years ago repairs were made and uh after that made the decision to move forward replacement due to um a loading on the bridge. We've done that. We bid the project has
supported that contract and we start construction in a couple weeks. This item though does not cover that. We're here to talk about agreement with the state of Minnesota for grant dollars that we received. uh just under
$360,000. So what we're asking for today is the board to approve the agreement with Mindot to receive those dollars. And I also just wanted to know congratulate you on
receiving that grant helps us be able to do more work than pretty approval agreement. Second. >> It's been moved and second and we approve the agreement with the mind on CASA 7 bridge
and I think the agreement's like 10 or 11 pages long. >> Nothing with the state is short. Evidently there's longer rules but u any further discussion all those in favor say I.
>> I post motion carried. Uh, so water conservation farmer of the year award. Turn that over to our saw water board. Look like Ed Mac is headed here. I was told to put this right up by my
face. So, >> act like a singer. Good morning. Uh my name is Ed Backler. I'm one of the five elected supervisors of the good soil and water conservation district. This year we would like to present our
good soil and water conservation district conservation farm of the year award. This award is given to the land owner who demonstrates sound conservation practices on their farm and have proven to be good stewards of the land. This year's award winner is Bruce
and Leanne WF. The walls run a 320 acre beef operation called Canon Valley Ranch located in the Bel Creek Wershed District which they purchased in 2001. They immediately began participating in local conservation programs focusing on
converting most of their row crop acres into a managed rotational grazing system. The grazing sisle provides forges for 130 calf fur and 60 steers that move through fence, cats, patch and
grasses. This approach is great for animal health, improves water infiltration, increases soil organic matter and rejuvenates the soil structure. In 2024, Bruce and Leanne started to
host events on their farm warm as the taste of the ranch. These events aim to help people connect to the sources of their food to understand where it comes from, how it grads, the environmental impact, and the overall effect it takes
to get food onto their plates. The walls have also graciously allowed the good soil and water conservation district to host their annual sixth grade conservation field day over the last 25 years. Local students learn the basics
about a farming operation, get up close and personal with the animals, as well as a variety of conservation related topics presented by our local and state natural resource professionals. Bruce, Bruce, and man want to make sure that their beef production business
model maintains profitability while operating a sustainable matter with soil conservation as its core. who said it took around 3 to 5 years to see the true benefits of increased soil organic matter and soil health in their
pasture. Very little erosion water runoff now leave the property. This dedication to conservation and foresight to improve the land for the next generation is why the good even soil water conservation district have
chosen Kevin ants as our conservation farmer of the year. So, Bruce and Leanne, please come up to see the plaque. uh integral part of our operation today. We had talked about trying to make it sustainable for future generations. And
uh we have uh our son Caleb very involved in the ranch and he actually uh he bought a place just north of us here um about seven years ago. we incorporated one one operation and he's
the future of our animal enterprise and our other son Aaron is very involved we have a meat direct to consumer business and uh he's the marketing I guess arm behind that as well as uh
working with our case ranch and kind of that consumer direct piece of it. So it's a great honor to operation include both your tubular sites and make try to create a sustainable operation
mentioned conservation what we do there we love to tell that story we view it as an honorable part thank you thank you we're going to get a picture with you so don't take off. We'll get it. We'll get
it after our meeting here. Um, just Ed, could you introduce the other board members that are here from Soil Water just so the public knows who all those faces are? >> Yes. >> Gets to yelling at thousand kids. So,
>> yeah. Okay. Uh, fellow supervisors, uh, Don John Beck here. >> Okay. All right. Thank you. All right. And then we're going to move
from that right to our 4 update from uh our 4 extension. Good morning. Um, thank you for having us and welcome to the fairgrounds. As Darla said, um, we're very excited. This has been a great start to the fair. It
wouldn't be, um, a fair without a little bit of excitement. So, um, I'm sure everybody saw that we we did have a loose steer the other day. Um, it is located and has not been apprehended. Um, it's it's still making its way
around a little bit. I'm pointing to I'm pointing to the police there from from I don't know why they haven't found that. >> Let me know how handcuffing a steer goat sounds. >> And we also have a rogue baby goat that
keeps getting out. It's uh so small it walks right through the sides of the pen. Um so if you locate a small baby goat in the wash racks or elsewhere, let us know. Um it we have found it every time so far, but It's a cute one. And there was also rogue chickens yesterday.
So, we're we're really on a roll here. Um I do want to thank the fair board and the friends of the fair for their support over the last handful of years and um for getting all these new barns off the ground, especially over the next few days when it's going to be as hot as it's going to be. Um the animals really
would have suffered uh in in previous years in the old facilities. And with these new barns, the better air flow, slightly larger penny, it's really going to make a difference for animal comfort. So, I I really want to thank everybody for their hard work on that. Once again,
um quick updates on some preliminary numbers. We have 1,435 entries in our building this year. Um, we've got 162 head of beef cattle here, 97 dairy cattle, 186 goats, 98 rabbits,
106 sheep, 141 swine, and a rough count of 148 pens of poultry. And so uh numbers stayed very steady from previous years. We're very excited to see that um continual uh alignment of numbers and
really that that does keep us uh very steady in our ranking of the size of program statewide. Um another really fun thing that's going on today at the fairgrounds um I'm sure many of you have noticed there's a group of kids in the tent behind here um all wearing blue shirts that is part of our
extension outreach program. Um, our other educator, Amanda Gilbert, uh, works closely with Hispanic Outreach and so they have brought, uh, the Hispanic Outreach youth out to the fair to experience it today and hopefully get them excited about continuing their
involvement. Um, our farm family of the year this year, it is the Peterson family and they are the turkey producers who run Berndale. They are um I would call at Farfest today to accept the award formally and so I would just like a
quick round of applause for them here as well and we'll present a award and their plaque to them here locally um at our next extension committee meeting I believe. And behind me I have three young ladies who are going to speak a little bit about one of their for
experiences. Uh an opportunity that for you have is to apply for a program called the bell grant with the Minnesota State Fair. We are fortunate enough that we've had um we've got two young ladies who were recipients of the bell grant this year as well as another young lady
who um is serving as a mentor in the program this year as well. So with that I invite her Hannah and Abby and Brooke. Hello. >> So, my name is Hannah Bick. Um, in 2022, I received the Bell Grant from the
Minnesota State Fair. It is a grant. If it is your first year going to the state fair, it is a $500 grant that you get for going and experiencing it and all of that. So, I got that back in
2022. And then to give back to the program, you can apply to be a mentor when you turn 16, I think. So, I applied to be that and I got it this year. So, every there's 15 kids in the state who
get it. with their mentors. And as a mentor, you go and ask your mentor about if they have any questions or helping them with their first time going to the state fair and kind of just helping them with their project and making it go
smoothly for their first time. My name is Abby. I show goats and pigs. This year I got it in pigs. So you can get it with cattle, goat, sheep, and pigs. I got with pigs >> and this is my first year with pigs. Um,
my mentor has really helped me this year cuz I really wouldn't know much about pigs if I didn't have her. I'm really happy. >> My name is Brookke and my mentor has helped me a lot just
learning a little bit more about state fairs maybe a little bit better than I could have otherwise. But just having one just and she knows about stuff and it's just
fun to know about someone in life. >> I think that's an example of what 4 is really all about. It's about leadership and you got you got some kids there stepping out to be leaders and to mentor the younger younger members and that is that is totally what 4 is about and you
know I commend this fair for focusing so much on the youth and the education part of it. I had a really good conversation this morning starting with the the assistant to the um
extension department, Danny, uh about the judges and how well they take the time to educate students and kids when they're doing that judging. And we've had some phenomenal judges both in this
static projects and in the animal projects. I commend them for finding those um top judges that do take that time to educate as well as it's all about putting them in order, but really it's the education piece is important.
So, thank you. Thank you to um we have a bunch of for information for the board. I don't know if there's any questions on any of that. >> Not seeing any any new or old business. Any
committee reports? >> Uh, review and approve the county claims. >> A second. >> Second. We approve the bills for the county. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor say I.
>> I. Oppose the same. >> Motion carries. If Linda has something to say, Thank you. I do. I just wanted to circle back for a moment to the soil and water um certificate and award. This
was absolutely a beautiful story that was told and whoever wrote this did an excellent job of writing it up. So I just want to congratulate all of you one more time and certainly soil and water for writing up a very very compelling
story. >> Thank you. Anyone else? Just for the public's information today, we've got the first copy of our proposed county budget. Um, we'll be combing through that over
the next few months, working on ways to uh fund the county and fund the programs of the county. So, a little bit of information to read. Anything else to come before the board?
Thanks again to the county fair members, board members for having us here. We appreciate it. And there's a lot of our staff around here today. Grab somebody and ask questions if you have them. >> Is there a motion to journ?
All those in favor say I. >> The same. Motion carries. Thank you all for being here. 32