interim ordinance, then you got to notice it, got to adopt it. And then what that does is give you kind of a timeline from, you know, about a year to 18 months where you got to do these, you know, steps to redo and readress whatever the reason was that you outlined in that moratorum. you pick and
say, "Okay, we're doing mortoriing because of a that's what you work through." And I think when I was here before, we talked about that ordinance priority list. And the idea was to take uh wind, solar, tower, and public
utilities that are all kind of in that same energy realm and mash them together here in probably 28 once we get through a couple of ordinances. Um, wind and solar are two of our ordinances that are a little more I'll call them
newer. Yes, they're a little dated, but not as dated as quite a few of our other ones. That was kind of the priority list there. Um, I don't I don't have too much else on them. They're they're straightforward in the fact that you basically identify what your issue is and draft an interm
one. There are some example ones we can use out there. basically just pick what your shoes and set a timeline and you work through that process just like regular ordinance. So on the back of that pros and cons sheets
is kind of like a a rough timeline. They basically are pretty flexible on all those but a good rule of thumb on those is kind of what what we usually see when we do these things is how long they take. So, you know, by the time you have it there and you're still looking at 6 months to a year before we have a fully
adopted ordinance, usually just from a my office standpoint, you know, Justin having a review or hire an outside help to review or if you look at somebody else drafting it, we maybe speed it up. So, it just kind of depends on the route you guys want to go or what we do. I know we won't decide that today because
it's a work discussion. So, but Any questions? The other thing with more clients too is you have to be pretty you try to be a lot more narrow than you are broad when you write definitions of why you're doing it. If you're too broad, you need
to address a lot of different things. the more you're a little more narrow, you pick once you have that thing addressed, you can then keep moving through the process. So, they're just saying you want to do it because you want to update it. I don't know if that qualifies, but if you want to do it because you need the public safety side, oh, our setbacks aren't
good enough or setbacks are too big or whatever that narrow your scope a little bit. Would the board like to hear from the people in the room or >> Yeah, you want to make the point?
>> Yeah, please. Um, and just to add on to what what Reed had to say about the this happened in Traverse County and so they they did the moratorum and then they >> they had a a subcommittee that they formed um and it was members of the
community and I think two or three people from the the board um working on it and after they had several several meetings um after a year they still hadn't come up with a a final so they did extend it for another year and the state statute does allow it. As long as
you're working on it or you, you know, started it, they do allow you to continue it for another year. Um, but anyways, I uh I gave you guys all a a big packet and I won't go through everything in here. I just want to kind of touch on some of the reasons that I
think that you should well a put a moratorum in until we can get a a bigger ordinance. Currently, I think our ordinance is just a few pages. I >> dozen maybe. >> Yeah. And like the Traverse County one I
think is 52 pages long. So there is a lot of I don't think Stevens counties is quite that long, but >> there's 25 or 30, but Stevens also includes their solar and there a couple other options in there too, >> which is more the rough go,
>> right? Um, but anyway, so on the the first little packet with the colored photos, you know, a lot of people when they think of wind farms, they think of just like a turban, you know, and there's a lot of things, especially really large u wind farms that they have
all of these things listed on here um that take up a lot of space and do um you know concern with the county. Um on the next page on the tower heights you can see how um
this 4.88 megawatt tower is 650 ft tall and those are I know the ones down um the wind farm that they're trying to set up down in Stevens and swim they were talking about 5 megawatt towers so um
which were like 750 ft tall. So these things are are massive. It's It's really hard to, you know, the smaller one, the 1.6, I think the one's on my hopping at 48 feet tall. So, obviously much much
larger. Um, another important thing that I would like you to consider is um the MET towers, which are those are the towers that measure like wind speed and and all the things. And when they put them up, they put them up in a day. Um,
and they uh they did three down in Stevens County in in a week. Um, and then they have all the the guy wires on them. They don't have to mark them. Um, I did get them to notify me when they were going up. So, at least because they
don't show up on maps, they don't So, if our pilots are out spraying, I'll they've sprayed that field a 100 times and tomorrow they go in there and there's, you know, a tower that they didn't know existed. Um so there are many things that we can that's a whole you can talk about an hour on markings
of of met towers but um on the next few pages as you scroll through it I just talk about some of the impacts it has on aerial application which is what got me interested in um changing ordinances and um obviously these are very they can be
very fatal. The first picture is one that actually hit a metower. Um, ne next picture is our actually one of our aircraft that had an accident with a with a power line on a met tower. Um, so it's it's things that you know are real
life things that happened between people we know. Um, if you keep flipping the um to the one what this shows this blue map on it. So, this is another thing that I we talk about extensively in Traverse County is nobody really understands
sometimes like how much an airplane needs to make a turn. But on here, you can see those blue loops. That's the path the airplane takes. The blue on the north part of the picture is the field that he was actually spraying. So, uh
they need a lot of room. That's why we when we talk about setbacks and ordinances, that's why some of them we ask them to be a mile or more for non participating land owners because this is one of the many reasons. Um,
another issue with them is shadow flicker. um you you know that's like I don't know if you guys understand what that is but it's the blade is going in front of the sun and it it looks like a light switch is just flipping on and off. Um and there's a lot of controversy
on this with many wind farms. Um I'm not sure I've heard of one um land owner at the by the wind farm in Hoffman that saw it all the time and it can create migraines and nausea and all the things.
Um so I'll keep kind of moving through this quickly so you guys can always go back and look. Another thing is the noise. It can be very noisy. um especially when there's maybe foggier conditions or um I
mean and they can be as loud as an airplane sometimes. Um so that's why setbacks is super important ordinances um on the Department of It was on the Department of Commerce
page. I think they've now moved it to the Minnesota PUC page um where every wind farm in the state of Minnesota has to they have to take their complaints and they have to post them online. I think it's monthly that they do it. Um, and so I highlighted some of the
complaints that other wind farms, you know, of course it's the same things like, well, drain tile, that's really not a county concern, but um the noise um the light, they can't open their windows because it the noise
bothers their small children. I mean, there's just tons of complaints on noise and shadow flicker. and some of their um I kind of had a laugh when they say well we'll call budget blinds and you can get new blinds put in your house and we'll
pay for them like well that's not I don't think that's what people were looking for but that was their solution. My solution would be make the setback bigger so they don't have to deal with it. Um another big thing is the concrete. A lot
of people don't understand like how much concrete goes into um these turbines and the this Nobles 2 project. This is the photo I have out um Nobles 2. So there was a Nobles one
project um down in Nobles County and recently there was a Nobles 2 project um and these were 3.6 megawatt turbines and that's 11 ft deep. um the five megawatt turbines, they're saying it'll
be probably 15 feet deep and a minimum of 60 yards of concrete um per turban. So, and when they decommission these, they're not required to dig out all of that concrete. They're just a lot of the contracts say four feet um which is
essentially the the base, you know, that holds the >> knock it down great, >> right? But it's that, you know, that concrete is in that drown forever and ever. >> Um the next picture I showed is a crane. And it's probably kind of hard to see,
but um I've watched videos of these things or they are so massive that they come in pieces and they have to assemble them at the job site. And so you can imagine what that does for compaction on the soil and the damage it causes to
drain tile and all those things. Um, next photo is of a battery storage facility. And this, um, is this is obviously a pretty big wind farm. Um, but this did happen down there's one of
these down in Iowa, a farm that I went and toured. And these are huge facilities. And what this does, it just store like if they can't get all of the power out onto the grid, they store them in here and then release it when there's
um you know, more room on the on the lines to move it. Um again, I will hound on this whole decommissioning. Um on the next picture, you can see like they're literally just cut these blades up and
they're dumping dirt over them. And this happens all the time because uh they they can't be recycled. >> They can't be now. There's some place in Iowa that paints a vital sighting. >> Yep. And some child playgrounds, but
>> that or they've been grinding when using uh like fiberglass in concrete, >> right? So, they've been trying. That's one of the big in the state's big pushes to find ways to get >> and I've been told like the newer wind farms have more recyclable material than
like the ones in Hoffman. It's my understanding they don't because they are so old. Um, and then when it comes to the cost of decommissioning these, I included a little article. This was down in Oklahoma. This is a pretty rare
situation. Um, but they put a wind farm up on a reservation and they shouldn't have and the reservation fought it. They ended up winning and it cost $300 million to take it down because they
which is $3.5 million per turbine and that was because they made them take out all of the concrete like the entire thing. Um but again, Nobles County, Nobles County won, they did some repowering a few years ago and um it was
$530 per turbine uh to take those down. I And I don't know how big those were. I could probably do a little bit more research and figure it out, but um I I think
that's quite honestly insane. Um, another, and these are just some photos you can flip through on your own, but we, uh, flew down to, um, Blue Earth, Minnesota, and then took a car and drove
around into Leadyard, Iowa, where they had just put up a brand new farm. Um, they were 4 and a half megawatt hours. And I I was like just in awe of the size of these things. They're they're massive. Um and there were substations
like all over like one here and then literally across the highway on the other side was um so they obviously require a lot of uh infrastructure too. Um and the last page was a a picture I kind
of put a red box around it just it just shows like how big that base is. Um, you can see the darker circle around it. Um, it just it's a massive massive area. Um, and obviously that service road leading
up to it is probably if you're a farmer, you're looking at that thinking, how in the heck am I going to farm this? But, um, it's a lot of headlands. Um, but that's kind of all I have for the kind of the anatomy of a lyn farm. I will leave you.
I also gave you these these are some of the I don't know biggest points for me on um setbacks and met towers and safety standards for um fire departments and
all that. Um I obviously won't take too much of our your time. And then the blue sheet I actually differentiated between Grant County, Traverse County, and Stevens County on their current ordinance was so you can
kind of see how things have changed um when it comes to this is on setbacks. Um, the other thing that I found was a little interesting is so I I provided you this is the entire this big packet
is the actual permit for the Grant County wind farm by Hoffman. Um, and this is the application which I just included one page because I wanted to show you on the decommissioning.
So, if you go to the um the permit, so they mention beginning in the 16th year of operation, an annual set aside of $5,000 per turbine is scheduled for each year of operation. This will provide a fund in the amount of at least
$500,000 to pay for decommissioning and site restoration costs after the operations thesis. Um, I thought it was interesting that that was in the permit or like the application for the permit, but it wasn't I didn't find it anywhere in the
actual permit. And so that leads me to believe like my question to you would be like, well, what happens if that if that wind farm, Grant County wind LLC goes bankrupt today? Like how is that going to affect the county if they just
abandon that? Um, and that's one of the honestly I don't know the answer to that and that's um kind of why I included that. Um, one of the last sheets is this Department of Commerce sheet and it's from
2020. Um, and if you go towards the back, I highlighted the Grant County wind. And so it looks like they had had to report of like kind of how they plan to pay for the decommissioning. Um, and they're
estimating the cost to be $48,000 per turban. Um, I don't know where they're getting I don't know how they figured that out, but I think that is extremely inaccurate. Um, I don't think it's only
going to cost $48,000. Um, and then they're claiming that that's the salvage value. Well, um, I guess I don't have any proof or I don't know how much it's actually worth.
I've I've done a letter reading where they have said that that's not the case. Um, so I just left you with a list of questions maybe to ask somebody to find out of like what's going to happen if this farm,
you know, doesn't make it. Are you guys on the hook to take this down at some point? And how does that look? So that is kind of my um
I would say short synopsis of wind and um I I'm obviously I am no expert. I've just been involved in the Traverse County one for the last three years. Um, there's some other people in Traverse County that work on the current
ordinance that have a lot more information than I do that couldn't be here today. Um, but I know would be happy to to speak to any of you if you have questions. Um, and Reed, I don't know, have you
talked to anybody at the Grant County recently? >> Like like last week? Yep. And what what have they said is their plan? >> They still hold up with they have RFP for somebody to purchase their power still from the wind turbines. Um they
are still waiting to do what their final plan is. They did they dig a hole the other day to meet their federal tax break stuff to show that they like started work but not really started work because you could just push it shut and you'd be done. But other than that,
they're still in the not sure what to do. Their consultants have gone through a couple different books to try and figure out what they're doing and they're trying to do the financial pieces to make sure the money works before they jumping through and deciding what form of a repower they do. Whether that's just like servicing everything,
tear down, start over, >> like whatever they they're still working through their different options, but they have to wait and see what they get bids back for on power with their son. >> Okay. >> So, >> right. And that >> that there kind of brings me back to the
whole why I think a mortorium is so important because I feel like >> with our ordinance being so I don't know if the word is lax but you know >> broad >> right it's >> latitude >> and I have heard from a a land owner
over there that their plan was to take the 10 down and put up seven bigger ones. That's one of the options that they have. >> If they do do that, they do have to go through the permitting process with the PUB. >> Oh, yeah. And us.
>> Yeah. There was no county permits when it did the first time. So, they only went through PUC and then the county permitted their uh subdivision piece. It's all the county permit, >> right? Then this time around there would have to be a much better decommissioning plan versus last time we had no way to
do a >> de subdivision versus a >> I got a question. So are you talking to the owners? >> Uh the owners and then I've talked to their consultants both couple. >> Okay. So >> who does own
>> uh a group out of the out of the cities? >> Okay. >> There's locals that are tied to it though. >> Correct. and the local folks who live there and farm around it. All of them have been a contract from the very beginning and they've let them dig this big test that's going to sit open for
how long they signed it and flagged it. But >> and you know why they did that, right? >> They meet the tax break still just like anybody else. If you had to buy for the taxes, >> we'll talk >> I spit names out here. I know it's it
ain't as good as it looks. >> Oh yeah. That's just a Yeah, >> it's kind of a secrecy there, >> but I I have um talked with some of the people that live around there. Um and I
don't mean to call you out, but um Dwayne is one of them and I know he has some firsthand knowledge of what it's like living next to them. And um I talked to another gentleman last night who's lived there his whole life and has had a lot of issues with the shadow
flicker and the noise and um so yeah, so I think it's just very important that we do something quickly to protect the people of the county and um especially if they're getting bigger.
Does this gentleman live by the lights? You want to say anything? >> Yes, I do. My name's Dwayne Anderson. I've got a bit of a unique perspective. I live closest to the the the furthest northwest tower. Um,
have any of you seen light flicker? Well, I'm going to show you some light flicker. pass that around if you would. I bet you can bring it over. You smile. >> Oh, okay. >> And my grandparents help me.
>> Oh, wow. Yeah, exactly. You don't realize it until you've actually seen it or experienced it. It's like someone literally standing in a in a room fling light on an X-ray machine.
>> Yeah. The tan out there. >> And that's 6 months out of the year I get to enjoy this. How many hours a day do you experience that going? Hour and a half to two hours per day. per day, six months out of the year. It bothered me so much that my
office I moved from the front of the house to the back of the house. And you can still see the flicker if you look out the window, but this is the front of the house. And that I believe is a reason that some states have a 2 and 1/2 mile minimum setback. If you get it that
far away, it it's going to be less dramatic. And we actually get a double flicker. There is one a little bit further out and we get a real light flicker from that one. But the one closest is is the most dramatic. Um
noise. We've got to sleep with uh some type of a noise like a white noise machine uh to drown out the roar because it is significant most time. Um if it's uh fog or light snow, it's actually
louder. It's like it hits the blades. Um, another thing I'll mention is when they put those turbons up, I did some homework and I talked to a lot of folks back at that point. And they do get hit by lightning. It's a fact. They're tall. They do get hit. I believe there's 300
gallons of gear oil in the reducer in the turbine. At the time that those were put up, the closest fire department that had the capacity to reach the reducer was Wilmer. Now, if they get bigger,
I mean, you know what? Just let it burn and then call it a day. That's even to have Wilmer come up. It's not a quick trip if it's going to be gone by the time they get there. >> Um, I'm a hunter.
Uh, I' I've shot deer out of my grove, out of the trees where I live since they put the turbons up. Seeing a deer is is rare. The the deer don't like them. Uh waterfall ducks and geese don't like them. Feeasants don't seem to care.
Feeasants are the only thing I've seen that that it doesn't bother them. But the other animals that I hunt in a regular basis, uh they're nowhere to be found. Um and I I I know we're crunched on time. I don't even want to talk about I don't I don't have enough time to talk
about property value. I know that my property value is not near what it was before they were put up. Not with the light flick or the noise. So, >> okay. Well, >> in a nutshell, >> we appreciate that because I know where you live. >> Y
>> and I'm I'm not against wind turbines. I just think they need to be a little bit further away from where people live because it affects how you live a negative way. It's it's not good for anybody. >> Okay. Well, thank you for coming. Today it's 9:00. I'll call the meeting to
order. >> I pledge 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. >> But we do have time set aside for public
comment. Does anybody want to make any public comment today? Okay, hearing none, then I'll call for the approval of the agenda. >> Like there were three additions that
were sent to the board. The um sheriff's office edition for the bar uh siren tower and then also um a human resources for the VSO officer position.
>> Okay. So, with those additions, uh, do we have a motion to approve the agenda? >> So, move, Mr. Chair. >> Okay. Bill makes a motion to approve the agenda. Do we have a second? >> Second. >> We have a second by Troy. >> You want to place them on the agenda at
a specific time? >> Well, sheriff's office is here. We could do it right away. Is that why they're here? >> Yes, they are. But, um, yeah, it's up to you how you would like to do that. just need to know to let everybody let HR know.
>> Yeah, we'll we'll put them on right after we approve the minutes and warrants. Um, okay. So, we have a motion, a second. All in favor signal by saying I. >> I opposed. Motion carried. Okay. the
approval of the meeting minutes from uh June 16th and July 1st. I'll make a motion to approve both sets of minutes. >> Okay. Troy makes a motion. We have a second. >> Second. >> Second by Doyle.
Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. >> Oppos. Same sign. Motion carried. Okay. Approval of the warrants. They were sent out yesterday. Motion to give the warrants.
Second. We have a motion and a second. Um, any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. >> I. Oppos. Same sign. Motion carries. Okay. So, it is 9:05 and I think we
probably should stick with this uh agenda here for a little bit anyway. So, we'll go to the Grand County EFS committee. >> All right. Um in your packet, you received the revised and updated Grant County local
sprint paramedic program plan. This was brought to the board a month ago. Um, and we had some discussion about the capital assets and adding the sprint truck to the um um the capital schedule that's included
with this plan. So, we went back and worked on that. And when we did that, we came up with that one page that was also included in your packet that um kind of broke down what that $165,000 appropriation would be um as it's
spelled out in in the plan itself. And through that conversation, um, we decided that we needed to to put together a draft and that was, um, sent to you yesterday, uh, EMS agreement that talks about the capital assets when when
something is purchased with those appropriation dollars. And so the the agreement is just a draft that our county attorney put together and we have some more work to meet and and do on this, but um we really wanted to bring it to to the board and timing as as as
luck would have it. Um I did send a link to the NPR article about our local sprint paramedic program. Um and to to the commissioners if and if you haven't seen it, it it's um on it's an NPR article. and talks about our program and
the other two areas in Minnesota that were included with the legislative um funding pilot program. And um Senator Rasmmanson is here today. Welcome, Senator. And I know he's been very vital um to that legislative conversation. So
in Grant County um our committee has done a lot of work on talking about and researching what it what it looks like when the legislative funding ends for those pilot projects. Um, we know we have a lot of success with ours here in
Grant County. So, we want to en ensure that we can continue that service when the legislative funding does sunset. And so, there's some questions that have come up um with that around the legislative funding as well. and um senators here today to maybe hope um
hopefully help us understand maybe what the legislative plan is um when that does sunset and what that might mean for for us here in Grant County. But nonetheless, we want to be ready um to have an approved plan um and be be just
ready to to start out with our own local um program and what that looks like when and if that funding does sunset goes away, however we want to term that. So, that's really the basis of the conversation today. Um, we would be
looking for an approval to approve our local Grant County um, sprint paramedic program plan that you guys um, have in your packet that we discussed a month ago after we added um, the sprint truck to it like the board directed us. Um,
and so with that, I just kind of open it up to maybe the two commissioners on the committee, Dwight and Bill, if you have anything to add and if Senator has anything to maybe add, if you have any updates legislatively, what what might that what those are.
>> Well, I I have a little bit. I I just I'm I'm just thrilled that we have that program in this county and Ottertale, too, because it benefits both counties. So, but I do have a question for the senator. Um, there is there any talk of
extending this program to where uh maybe this funding will will keep coming to Ottertale and Grant or other counties in the state. >> Thank you, Commissioner. And uh first off, just want to say thank you for Grant County's leadership on the Sprint
Medic program. I would say of the three counties that are participating, Grant County I would say is the furthest ahead in terms of um you know demonstrating value to the people of the area and just had the opportunity to talk with the office of EMS and they're very
appreciative of the work um that the board is doing but also uh the local EMS providers and working with the script model. In terms of the funding, the uh current law would uh sunset funding for the program on June 30th of 2027.
And it it was funded with one-time money. I would say um tough to tell if there will be new money appropriated. I I think one of the ideas with the sprint medic model and why they picked three different counties was to see the value
and the potential sustainability of it in different areas of the state uh to look at this as a model going forward. I would say um what's probably more likely to occur than new money coming in or
having this be be a permanent funding from the state would be to extend the current appropriation beyond June 30th, 2027. It's my understanding that um the there might be leftover money uh
basically, you know, for the sprint medic program between Ottertown County and Grant County. it took a while to to hire people and to get the uh the service up and running so that it leaves some additional money uh that's likely to be unspent. And so my uh plan
currently is to go into the next legislative session with uh legislation that would look to extend the money that's already been appropriated. And thank you. >> Any other questions? >> I got a question. Do do you think the
challenge for funding is the fact to train up the people's side, the paramedic side of it? Because you can buy equip. Is it the people's side? Do you think?
>> I I think the um the challenge with rural EMS, if you just take a big step back, is that there aren't that many runs. Um, and that that that makes economics hard because effectively you have the fixed assets and you have
personnel that are sometimes waiting for a call. And I think um to to me that's the biggest challenge with real EMS is that you have in many ways the same cost that you would for a higher volume service. It's just spread over fewer
runs. And I think the sprint medic model was looking at is there an opportunity to have um the sprint medic provide ALS level service in an area that has a lot of BLS providers. And um I I think the
uh the challenge with getting permanent funding for the sprint medic is that there's 87 counties in Minnesota, many of which are rural. And I think you'll have numbers say well why not us too? And we we had a good argument back when we got this original funding passed
where we had a couple of counties that had demonstrated interest in doing this as a pilot to see um if this is something that would be sustainable moving forward. But I think I think the harder thing that people are coming across right now is is the people cost
of having that trained medic um and being able to retain that because they're in high demand all over the state. Well, just a fall into that. So, how do you square that then with fire protection? I mean, we see huge amounts
of investments in these fire uh in these fire departments. A lot of times, 6 8 10 calls a year. Half of them grass fires most of the time not affecting life.
And I know the essential service piece, talk about that. >> Yeah. So the the um fire service and EMS services are treated differently in Minnesota and it's a product of state law, state history. uh fire service is
considered um an essential service where a local unit of government if that's the city of Elbow Lake or if it's a township they are obligated to go contract with a a fire service to provide fire uh
services for their area. Um, now the the the thing that comes with that is that they have choice. There are townships that could decide, well, do I want to go with um, you know, do I want to go with with Ashby for uh, fire service or I
want to go with Elbow Lake? And they could actually, you know, take a look and decide to to switch uh, if if they wanted, you know, a different service level or if cost was an issue. Um, if you go to EMS, it's it's different where
there are uh PSAs, basically a monopoly area that each EMS provider has and they have an obligation to serve in that area. And so, one of the challenges is if you made EMS an essential service and you basically required local units of
government to to pay for u those services, they wouldn't have the opportunity to switch in the same way they do for the fire service. And so that creates some complexity for um EMS. Uh we have an interesting, you know,
case study up in Otterto County. I think we'll have more of these across the state where you have a provider that is not renewing their license to cover an area and the Otterto County Board is looking at potentially doing a subordinate taxing district for that area uh to try to entice a provider to
come in and take over that license. Um and actually the county might end up holding the license. So, I think we're going to see um more local units of government, whether that's joint power boards or counties get involved um given this disconnect between the essential
service and the obligation to serve. >> Thank you. Just to kind of add on that since being on the committee in my new role, um that's part of the reason we wanted to have a local plan is we wanted to create
a partnership for um EMS so our constituents have received this higher level of care on lots of calls now. Um we don't want that to go away. We want to build that partnership and have a good plan. So when the pilot project does sunset, we don't have a lapse in
that coverage because we are finding a lot of success stories with the the sprint program because it allows that higher level of care on the scene to get there so much faster before the ambulance or the rescue rig from from a fire department. So, um, we're really
trying to to make sure that our transition is unnoticeable by the constituents, that we have that good plan. And to your point of counties and other government entities getting involved um with the appropriation that you know the county board has set aside,
the plan outlines a budget for that where we talk about not just capital assets but how a partnership a fees for service could allow us to have that higher level paramedic be able to get to on scene and what that looks like. So,
um, we're really excited about our board supporting this and about being able to be a part of the pilot project. We do have some an EMS person in the back of the room that's on the committee. I don't know if you have anything you'd like to add to that.
>> Uh, just, you know, as we talked, if there does happen to be an extension of the, you know, the funding that we could get, um, we would still use that. you know, we would still continue our plan as it is majority capital
items. Um, and so it would just elongate that process or or make those things come a little bit quicker as far as how they're laid out. But the plan just kind of sets out like a 10 to 15 year capital budget for equipment for the most part
along with a a piece for piece for service and and if some extra dollars came from the state that would just be able to push that down so that we would be able to be ready for those costs earlier in the process. So right now we
know it takes about 2 years to get a ambulance. So, I mean, even if you order today, you're not paying for another two years out likely. So, it's a it's a quite a process and if you're not thinking ahead, you can't just get to the day you need one and order it and go
pick it up off the lot. It doesn't work that way. So, um I think the process of getting ahead of it keeps us in a better situation. So, we have another question. folks. But the
people working on this in St. Paul looked at the essential service model and what that actually appears like in 87 and the effects of the finances. It feels like we're filling a gap and then
sooner or later it will become an essential service. Can we move that up or is that isn't it possible? >> Yeah, Commissioner, it's a great it's a great question and and it's a debate that comes up at the legislature
probably every other session where it's it's typically driven by suburban fire services that actually want to become the EMS providers in their area. They're fighting against some of the health systems. Um, think of Alina or North
Memorial that are big EMS providers in the metro. And so that's where you'll have this fight over who gets the opportunity to serve an area. I think one of the um tradeoffs that we would have to think about is right now they're the bad thing about
PSAs is that it makes it really hard to implement this essential service because you could have uh the EMS provider basically bill the township whatever they want and the township would have no recourse to be able to go and switch to a different ambulance provider. Um the
good thing about PSA is that there's an obligation to serve. And so one of the the risks could potentially be do you have it where you have a low population township that um that uh no provider really wants to serve and and I think
that would be the one of the challenges. You could have a township that says, "Hey, we need EMS services." But maybe no one responds to their RFP. And so how do how does the state then deal with that? right now, for better or worse, you know, for every square inch of Minnesota or the area I represent, some
one has the obligation to provide ambulance services in those areas. And so that that's the trade-off um we're going to see. And and it's also another issue where the it's different in the metro than it is in greater Minnesota. The metro the basically a fight over
economics. You have the hospitals want want to have more PSA. The fire departments want to have more PSA and they're fighting for it. In rural areas, it's um sometimes people are it's more hot potato where they don't want a certain area that's expensive to serve
and and there aren't as many runs. And so um something that might work in in the metro might not work in greater Minnesota. So that I think has led to kind of this um this uh this challenge and I think you're going to see more local units of government and counties
even actually taking on the ambulance license. not saying that they're going to be the ambulance provider, but that they will hold that PSA to ensure that there's um continuity of care and that there's EMS services for their constituents. >> Well, thank you. Um any other questions
for the senator? Okay, I guess we'll look for a motion then to uh approve this. >> As a member of the EMS committee, I will make that motion. Mr. Chair, Bill makes
the motion. We have a second. >> Second. >> Seconded by Troy. Any further discussion? Hearing none, I'll call the question. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Opposed. >> Same sign. Motion carries. >> Thank you, Senator. Thank you.
>> Appreciate it. Appreciate you coming down. >> If I could ask you questions, Senator, did you have any more to add to the meeting here or you know any tidbits that you over and about this CMS stuff that you want to talk about? >> Mr. Chair, you did you have a few
minutes or couple minutes? Yeah. >> Okay. I'll be very brief, but I'd say couple other updates that I have for the county from the legislative session. based off of feedback that I got from um Grant and one is I'm I'm happy to say
that um there is a significant investment that's going to be made in upgrading the county based human services technology. Um, I remember being in this room uh before session looking at the green screens and the the
Maxis uh systems and it was $90 million that was set aside to work to upgrade those systems and also a mechanism to bring more dollar upgrades in the future. So, it's not a conversation we're done with, but I'm glad to say that there was some progress made this
session on upgrading uh these core human services uh technology systems that the counties have to work on. Uh second item I'd mention is uh we were also able to uh pass uh a capital investment bill this session
that made meaningful investments in water infrastructure, their public facilities authority. Uh these are dollars that go to help smaller communities upgrade their wastewater and drinking water systems. Of the 46 cities I represent in Senate District 9, half
of them are on the project priority list for needing upgrades to their drinking water wastewater system, including many communities here in Grant County. Um, so if if you have communities in the districts you represent that are looking at water projects, now would be a good time and we're happy to work with them
to help them get funding and be successful there. And then second, we also had another uh very robust round of funding into the local road improvement program and also into the local bridge program. Uh both of which I know Grant County has had the opportunity to take
advantage of. Uh you guys I think um last year had us or it was either last year or two years ago had a successful uh LRIP application for a project by Hoffman. And then I think recently this last year, there was a couple of bridge projects that were funded through the
local bridge programs here in Grant County. So both of those uh programs have been replenished this last legislative session. So if there are transportation projects you're looking at um uh for LRIP or local bridge, I think, you know, now is a good time to
look at applying and I'm happy to uh work with you on those projects as well. >> Thank you. I know the one the one bridge got put in this spring and the other ones we're doing it right now. So, right. Yeah. And then we have several bridges that we uh
that were in need up on some of our county roads there. So, I think highway's been applying for that money. So, so we thank you for that, too. So, thanks for coming. >> Thank you. Thanks for having me. Thanks for work. See, could I ask a question of the secretary? >> Yes. >> We had a work session. You were here for
part of it. you got a bobber in the water when it comes to this wind situation. >> Uh Mr. Chair and Commissioner, I I would say um you know, a lot of counties across the state are having
conversations around wind and solar, right, and what that looks like. And I think there's going to be more projects that are going to be proposed going forward. And um I I think it's uh really dependent on the area and even even in kind of west central Minnesota you have some counties like Traverse County to
represent which has I think um you know effectively their board has tried to do a lot to stop wind development then you have other counties where they've had very large wind development. Um and so I think different counties have taken different approaches when it comes to that. But you're going to you're going
to see more of those requests have been come to your door uh given some of the energy calls to Minnesota, but yeah, I don't know what'll what what the the future holds for those. >> Okay. Well, thank you, Senator. Mr. Chair, if I can give him his own, you
have a town hall meeting in Dolan tonight and it starts at 6:00 and uh Rep. Backer and Murphy will be there as well with you. >> That's correct. touching on some of these pro these projects and platforms and where we're headed and things like that.
>> Yeah, we'll be having a a session um wrap uh just updating folks on what happened over legislative session and have opportunity for questions and uh for both myself and then Representative Jeff Back and Representative Tom Murphy. Um so we'll be at the Dalton Community Center at 6 PM today.
>> Yep. If anybody's got free time, >> welcome. >> They'll be able to see me up there. >> Great. >> Thank you. Thank you, Senator. Appreciate it. Okay, so
9:45. Okay, Matt. >> How you doing, man? >> Good. How are you? Good. Couple items here that are relatively easy that I don't say anything. Uh the first item I had was uh
34 34. This is the certificate of final acceptance. We did this project here last year. This is the mining park project. Uh they had some work that carried over this year that get grass established to clean up some things.
They completed all that work. There's 80 little over 8,700 elders on the contract that we still need to pay them now that they've completed this work. So this is just uh the board resolvement to say that the project is complete and it's accepted and we'll close out the
contract. >> Okay. Do we need a motion on that? >> So movey makes the motion we have a second. >> Second. >> Second by Troy. Any further discussion on county road 34? Hearing none. All in
favor signify by saying I. I. Oppos same. DNR grant. Ma'am, >> the second item I have is the all-terrain vehicle park funding which we apply yearly for the DNR grant donate
trail money. Uh this uh resolution would authorize me to apply for those funding and a contract for the maintenance and facilities at the park. Uh generally it comes to about $4,000 a year that we get
reimbursed for. It's primarily for the ADA basketball facilities that we have out there and also department a couple times a year. So we just be looking for you guys to approve this resolution. So apply to the grand plan.
>> Okay. With made the motion second it >> any further discussion hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I post same sign. One question where when when I spoke on bridge pling county
road four there wrong bridges what's that >> wrong bridges >> the money they appropriated I got a call here last week from MDOT that are two bridges on county road 35 they were on the bridge waiting list for funding those officially are getting funded so
we'll be constructing those next year >> the stuff the bridges on four though are we're all set to apply for bonding there aren't we >> we will be once we finish up the rightway acquisition. >> Okay. >> Otherwise, we did get the permits. They are all complete now. So, right away is
the only thing we're waiting on. Yeah. >> Then those will get sent in and I talked to the state and hopefully if we can get them in then everything finished up by the end of the summer, there still might be some funding left over in there that we could maybe go up to project another
project next year. So, that's kind of our goal right now. We'll see that. >> Okay. 35. >> 35 is kind of right between 27 and 14. 25 27. Another little little mile jog cuts cross on 27.
Those ropes. >> Okay. Thank you, Matt. >> Yep. Thank you. >> Okay. Grant County Auditor ditch three and 21 special assessment interest rate. Sh.
>> Yes. Yes. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I I'm here. >> What do you got? >> Uh you just need I got a request from Jamie at Boise Sue. you guys. Uh the ditch 3 and 21 projects apparently are
wrapping up and um you would need to we'll be having special assessments put on for those properties to repay that bond that the county uh county did last year. And so what we would what you need to do
as a county board is to set the interest rate on the uh special assessments for repayment. Okay. So is there a any type of uh how do we know where to set that?
Is there a guideline or let Mr. Chair? Yeah. Chad, do you know off hand what is the rate we're paying on the bond? >> I believe it's it should be in your packet. I think I included that. We can we can correct me if I'm wrong,
Chad, but we can set it lower, we can set it high, or we can set it exactly the same. >> You Yeah, you can do whatever you choose to do. >> Say Chad, is there any precedence of what we in the past have done?
Uh historically you've um the county board has set it at which at the rate in which the bond was sold at so the same interest rate is what you're paying on the on the bond. >> Thank you. I'll make a motion to set the interest
rate the same as what is being paid on the bond. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Uh any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor signify by saying I. I post same sign. Motion
carried. Okay. Tina, Grand County Coordinator, you'll stick with the timelines here. >> Just don't want to forget about the addition. So, >> okay. Um, in the packet was the quote to
renew our VM uh platform maintenance license with more, you know, through Morris Electronics um for our backup systems. This is just an annual thing. Um, the quote was included in the packet. It's $1,98066. >> Motion to approve. Mr. Chair,
>> you have a motion by Bill. We have a second. >> Second. Second by Troy. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. >> Oppos. Same sign. Motion carried.
>> The other two items were just um updates for the board. Um included was the letter for um the projects in Grant County under the Lard Sam outdoor heritage council um funds. So that was included in the packet. So you can see
what projects are happening in Grant County. And then also included were the letters from the Department of Administration um letting us know that Emanuel Lutheran Church and the Bear Pavilion are now listed on the National
Register of Historic Places. >> Good. Okay. Sure. We'll put you in there. Good morning. We were here today to talk about um the barrier radio tower. Um when we were
doing doing our monthly simple test last week, um we found out that the barrier tornado siren was not going on. And so we doctor and it was found that at the tower site our UPS was not working. Um this was
something that was going to be um updated in 2027 with our other tower projects. Um but because it's not working now, we probably should do something. So I did go to the public safety board and we talked about this.
Um so it and they agreed that we should probably just go ahead with it. So um DSC Motorola did give us a quote um to replace uh the mechanics for the UPS at the
tower site which was $9,455 and I believe that should be in the packet as well. So, um, so right now we just have it they it's a it's like a strip that they put
in. So, it works. Um, but it's not the greatest. Not a good price yet. Um, the UPS that he said that we place them like every year, but this new way that everyone's changing their towers to is more like a car battery is kind of how
he explained it. and it's take and they last like 10 to 15 years. So, this is by far going to be a better option and more >> in the long run. >> In the long run, it's just more cost right now. >> Well, it what the plan was to go to next year or the year after anyway. It's just
we had to be expedited because that one failed. >> So, we don't want to replace it with a new UPS only to tear it out in a year and replace it. They bypassed to make it work for now because the parts aren't available current. >> The car parts aren't on hand. I
shouldn't say they're not available. They're not on hand. >> It makes sense. And it can come out of the 911 fund. >> Yes. And this too would come out of that. >> So you just one up on what we got to do next year. So >> y >> So Mr. Chair, I got a question. Yeah. So
who maintains this? Is it Grant County? >> Yes. So the tower sites is Grant County where the siren is that's at the city level. >> Okay. >> But the city siren will not go off at the UPS. >> Right. >> Okay. Well, I'm looking for a motion to
approve. >> So move second. >> Troy bill. Troy makes a motion. Bill second. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppose. Same sign. Motion carried.
Thank you. Thanks, guys. >> Okay, you know, let's uh let's do the BSO then. >> Good morning. >> All right. So, uh, the personnel committee after we interviewed the personnel committee met a couple
different times um and then also met with um Maya and we have come up with um an agreement for him to take on the PSL role. Um it would be $1,250 per pay period stipen kind of like we
would do for facility maintenance same aspect but that would be for the VSSL taking on the VSSL role. Um we talked about um kind of evaluating it now until December kind of tracking VSSL hours to see um compare you know what is being
worked how many hours you know VSL just so we have a better tracking um tracking device or tracking on those hours and then re-evaluating you know the compensation and and all of that come December um and then also the steps or
how the compensation would work. So, we're also examining um the facilities as far as the facilities are running and we're going to keep tracking that as well. And then the other question we had we're going to bring up is the budget. I
don't know explain that a little bit more. I'll do want to talk about that. We can, you know, just so the board, it's a question that doesn't have to be answered today, but does the board, as we proceed into budgeting, does the board want to set
this as though we have a 32-hour employee in that position? Because if this doesn't work and we don't fund it that way, then you have a potential short known shortfall next year if we have to change directories >> and hire somebody,
>> right? Yeah. >> So, it's not it's not a question needs to be answered today. It's something to think about as we get into the preliminary budgeting. You know, one of the things we've the budget committee has talked about as a capital improvement fund. If we budget
it for a 32-hour employee and we don't need to change directions, we can move that money into that capital improvement fund. So, I mean, it's not like it would just it's never going to go to waste, let it go. There there's a use for it or
a need for it elsewhere. I mean, so we have to set the final in the seven first week of December. >> Correct. >> And if we're analyzing the work of the personnel department in December, that should really give us
some pretty clear direction. So from a prelim pre preliminary standpoint, I would say put it in at the 32 hours with the idea that if it's looking like it's really working that at final it could be changed.
>> It could be if we need to or that make sense? >> Yeah. And yes, it does. and it can be changed before the final or we're planning in two weeks to come back the budget committee with an amendment to the budget because there are the few things that were budgeted for that we
didn't know an answer to when the final was set. So we're going to approve an amended budget with that money allocated somewhere else. So, you know, even if we decide we're going to wait a year and we do it a year from now, we can allocate that money
elsewhere at that time by amending the budget. >> I got something I'd like to add, but um it would be nice you get a couple months into this position. It would be nice to get a board report from from you know
our VSO person. So then he's you know servicing the people that are in and out of there and things like that. So then we can get some feedback. So then, you know, by it'll be a way easier decision in December. Oh, that's all going to end. >> That's right.
>> One other thing we didn't have on there is my opinion, I don't think we ever set it in stone, is we kind of let the new VSO decide office space, which works best. You know, if we get to the end of the year and we've made that choice, maybe
we can bring extension up to the courthouse. But we're not going to dictate because my personal opinion is it would probably be best to stay in the current one. It gives a little more privacy to the veteran. >> Yeah. >> But I'm I think it's
his choice as far as where he wants to set out. >> Where the current BSO is >> where the current >> BSO office keep it all intact and then so we make sure that it works you know. So then you know I mean if we have to
get somebody else in those roles then there is a separate office. Okay. We're looking for a motion then. >> I'll make that motion. Mr. Chair. >> We have a second. >> Second. >> We have a motion or a second. U any
further discussion hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I. Oppos. Same sign. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. Minnesota DNR. >> Why you guys doing pretty bad? Only
three minutes is pretty good. >> Well, Mr. Chairman and Commissioners, my name is Ben Bergie. I'm the regional director for Minnesota DNR based out of Biji. And before I get started, I just want to take a moment and have the staff that I work with introduce themselves.
We have some folks from local offices uh in the area and then also some folks from our um regional headquarters in Baiji. And so um Alex, why don't you get started? >> Yeah, Alex Le and I work in Glennwood. I'm a fishery supervisor which covered we cover Grant County out of that office.
>> Good morning. My name is Nathan Kner. I'm the Northwest Regional Manager with the Division of Ecological and Water Resources. Happy to be here. >> Morning. Nicholas Neley, area wilderness supervisor based out of Fergus Falls. I also got a grant on Jason Strawood
office for wildlife. >> Good morning. I'm Terry Ross. I serve as a regional incliner for the entire Northwest region out of >> Thank you all. Yeah. Again, my name's Ben, regional director out of the uh part of my job is to make sure we're
interacting and working uh closely with all of our uh local units of government, counties, municipalities, and tribes here in the Northwest. It's a part I greatly appreciate about this job. And so we like to make rounds uh and visit with all of you and be here to be able to answer questions and talk about
what's happening in the agency. Uh I I think before I get started, I'm going to read the mission of the agency. I had to reread it myself this morning, but I'll just read it to remind us of what DNR mission is. The mission of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is to work with motans to conserve and manage
the state's natural resources to provide outdoor recreation opportunities and to provide for commercial uses of natural resources in a way that creates sustainable quality of life. I think one of the key phrases in that is work with motans and that's part of what I bring to this job. I've been the regional
director for not quite two years now. Um, but really the the value that I see that I can bring to this and why I want to come meet with you and and your counterparts in other counties and I'm proud of the team that I work with is really about serving motans and work with motans and I often like to refer to
DNR as your DNR. We're here to provide and I get I always get some smiles. I appreciate that because I know that's not how we're always viewed. uh we can't always say yes, but we come to the table to listen and try to find outcomes that work locally, not come to the table and and try to tell communities how to do
things. And that's the philosophy I bring to the table. I'm very proud of the group that's here today. Um it's a philosophy that I know that those uh here with me today share. We have seven divisions in the agency. Not all seven divisions are represented here. Um but I'm sure you'll have some questions for us and these folks will be able to help
answer all those questions. But just as a reminder, the divisions we have are parks and trails. We were talking earlier about your grant for your ATV park. Um that comes from through the parks and trails division. Um EWR um Nathan's here from EWR uh works on um
some of our state natural areas which I believe you have one scientific and natural area here. Water permitting and some of our permitting regulatory side of the agency. Fish and wildlife. We have folks here from fish and wildlife. Pretty self-explanatory. Uh forestry division. uh uh lands and minerals
division that deals with our real estate, OSD which is sort of like our internal services, the workings of the agency and then our enforcement division which is our conservation officers that you're probably familiar with. Um all in all um here in in the county we have just over just shy I should say of 4,000
acres about 37 ac 3,700 acres of land that are managed by DNR or roughly 1% of your county land base that's made up of different lands. We have 23 wildlife management areas here in Grant County. Uh we have three fish management areas,
a scientific and natural area which I mentioned, five water accesses, and then some snowmobile and as you already know your your grant aid on the OV site at your allterrain park. Uh in terms of taxes and payment in lie of taxes, PILT, which you're probably very familiar
with, um it was very popular topic of conversation a few years ago. Um the DNR uh pays just just over 127,000. So 127,52 to the county and pay limit taxes for those lands that we do manage. Um I'm not going to read through this.
Hopefully you all have a copy of this in your file, but just generally I'll hit some of the highlights. The first piece you can see is uh first several are working on water issues. So working with the wersheds, I heard you mentioned Boy Sue already uh in in earlier conversations. So working with folks in
the wersheds um related to water issues um that obviously affect locals. Um there's some some access pieces here uh and natural resource management uh looks like lower elk and lightning lakes restoring some of the after winter kills in those water bodies. Uh fishing pier
work. Uh one of the things you'll see in there is also there was some get out more money that came to this county. Get Out More was a couple sessions ago and Get Out More, more stands for modernize outdoor recreation experiences. Um it was a once in a generation investment into outdoor recreation and conservation
efforts and so we um did our very best to try to get that money spread across counties into meaningful projects that would make a difference uh in the life of motans and also obviously helping with our natural resource uh management. So you see a project there as well. Uh
good news on and and maybe uh Nick or Jason were hit on this. No positive zero CWD positive samples so far and the uh deer permit area 270 in this area. Um some work on our WAS to and and ensure
and and and sustain natural resource management through the use of prescribed fire. And then you'll see some other things here related to access um at some of our WAS to improve roads and parking areas. And that's where it really comes to, you know, we often times people see us as a natural resource agency. I like
to think of us as a people agency. We really are uh that connection between people in the outdoors, right? And so that that means not only are we conserving and ensuring those resources are there in a sustainable way for tomorrow, making sure people can inter
integrate and interact with them. Um, we do have six full-time staff based in Grant County and obviously we have folks from some of our other offices here today as you mentioned. Uh, opportunities. Um, things we continue to work on is the pelican and walleye balance. Um, or I should say the corrant
and pel and walleye on Pelican Lake, excuse me. And then also, uh, some future work in the Lake Christina area related to um, uh, water plan there and improving wildlife habitat. Um, we're here today again. I'm here not to
replace your local interactions. Our staff, especially the folks that work in the surrounding offices, you know, work closely with folks from the county and I'm not here to replace that. Um, that's what those folks do best and they work well and know your local issues. Uh, I just am here as part of our management
team to ensure that, you know, we're here as an agency to be a resource and a and a and a a phone call away should you need, you know, have a question or whatnot. Often times, I like to say where we partner at times, but there's other times we wear other hats. So we we often talk about DNR there's times we
pair partnership hats, there's times we play regulator we wear regulatory hats depending on, you know, the project in the day. And so um we appreciate you understanding that as well. But regardless, we come to listen and it' be a hopefully a friendly face and someone you know at the table and and navigating
and negotiating um you know the challenges that come to us each and every day. So, with that, I will stop. Um, and if you have any questions, um, either I or I know that someone from, uh, from the team here will be able to answer hopefully. And if not, we'll get back to you if there's something we can.
And again, just really appreciate the time, Mr. Chair and Commissioners. >> I have a question, Mr. Chair. >> Was it your department's brainchild to the shotgun and rifle issue back to the counties? >> Um, Mr. Sure. Um, commissioner. No, it
was not. Whose was Well, whose was it? >> I sent you the name. >> The name of them. >> Yeah, that was not us. So, I will just I'll leave that there. >> You guys don't play the blame game.
>> You know what I mean? No. No. No. Yeah. No. >> I have a question, Mr. Chair. >> So, it said zone 270, which is actually just a small part of Grant County had no chronic wasting disease. What about 7 272 and 273? >> Uh 272 and 273 did not have CWD
surveillance conducted in it. That's why they weren't listed. >> So then my follow-up question that I've been getting is why are we now added to the feeding ban for deer? >> Yeah, that's a countywide ban. So it's based off of the boundaries of where
positives have shown up. You're probably aware to the west um Traverse County 671. Used to be 271, deer permit 271. It's now relabeled 671 because it did have a positive deer show up a couple years ago and then we had another
positive last year. So we've had two adult males show up during the fire and deer season positive two years in a row uh in that deer permit area. And uh >> is that why I see 671 has the slashers in it now? I was looking at a map. I
>> Oh, when you say the slash, what are you referring to? I'm sorry. >> So, it's got, you know, there's not it's got slashes running through it, so it's highlighted more. >> Oh, yeah. Probably. And, uh, looking forward to this upcoming fire and dirt season. Uh, the DNR is moving back to a
model that we did about 20 years ago to start model or start doing surveillance chronic waste disease presence or absence um, across the state as we do surveillance on a quarterly roughly basis around the state. So this year we we're focusing on the south uh west part
of the state which will encompass this area and then next year we'll be moving up to the northwest part of the state which will exclude this area and then the northeast and then down to the south. >> So there will be more testing site drop off testing sites. There will be testing
sites across this area this this fall or the opening of the fire and your season weekend that Saturday Sunday will be required uh for sampling that the rest of the season it will not be required. So >> So you say required. So to me it's it's all changed with the
electronic registration. So I don't have to take that deer somewhere anymore. But if I harvest one that Friday, Saturday, I'm going to be required to bring that in for sample. you harvest the deer on Saturday or Sunday, the opening of the fire and deer season. Yeah. You'll be required to not only register, that's
always going to require it, but you'll be required to also do the surveillance portion, get a sample taken um if it is, you know, a yearling or older deer. Bonds are not included in that um process. So, we're looking at a disease that's chronic in nature. So, that's the
reason we're looking at older deer in the population. So, yeah. >> And we still do the kids. Can people order the kits? >> Yes. Yeah, we do have uh mailing kits. You can go to the local dealer office or go online and request Hunter uh and take
their their own samples. We have good videos on our web page as well as the kits have good instructions on how to go ahead and find the retrofile lymph nodes in the neck where they would need to extract those and send those in uh per the kit instructions and that is an option. And we also work with
cooperative um taxiderermis that might be part of the DNR and they can also take samples on on behalf of the hunter and have sent it as well. Um that is how we actually found the first sample a couple years ago in 671 is that hunter
had actually submitted that sample to be taken by a tax service a cooperate tax service and had it sent in and that's how we found out about that deer. >> Thank thank you Mr. Chair. I got a couple of questions. So what what's the reasoning for breaking the pool of people that are that are uh take you
know getting licensed these outlets that you get try to buy hunting or fishing or anything like that. You know we ended up with two of them in in the town here at one point and now you guys have changed it up where you know takes printers and all that stuff. So it takes like a
$10,000 investment just to be able to sell licenses again. What was the reasoning to change all that up? Do you guys know anything about that? >> So Mr. chair if you don't mind. Um I can speak a little of that and we may have to get some more info. So we actually just changed uh in the last month went
to a completely electronic licensing system and so printing on the paper like you're used to that I don't know if it's myar or whatever that is is actually now not happening. Licenses now are printed on an 8 by 11 piece of paper. So it's a standard printer but if you look um you
know mo a lot of the the wave is using technology and trying to make it simpler for people. So, one to be able to print on a normal piece of paper and then two is to be able to have a representation of your license electronically or mobiley. Uh, that includes registration
of deer now actually as well. Even if you're out of service actually, you can go on and do some things in that app. And so, there has been um the the license modernization process that we've been going on for a while was launched in June this past month. Y
>> um and so trying to simplify things. I get, you know, the the, you know, I can think back to when I was a kid, everyone gathered around, right? The places where we go, buy licenses, register animals. Um, and I I I'm with you and I I you know, miss some of that. But I think uh
as we know that today's customer and moving forward, we're trying to find a balance where people of all ages and and however they want to interact with us do have a way to acquire licenses, make sure they comply with registrations. And so we are trying to simplify that obviously and make it as user friendly
as possible, >> right? And and again, you know, technology has taken us this direction. But like a lot of people used to put, you know, the blue stickers on the outside of their fish houses, you know what I mean? And have them in pocket and and say a phone dies, you know what I mean? And you get, you know,
conservation officer pulls you over and you can say, you know, my phone's dead. I I can't prove it on my phone. How does that all work? Can he look it up and and you know what I mean? And see that? >> There's this question. I can't say how that works in every case, but obviously discretion if the phone dies and getting
that repowered to ensure there's a license, but absolutely the the the direction and and foundation behind what we're doing is trying to be better customer uh focused obviously. So, >> you can get a little more of a disruption for something. And I'm not sure what
>> anyone um on the fish house those like I don't know about the fish house tags but like uh motorized uh recreation so snowmobiles ATVs those still have the the sticky things that go on. I'm not sure on the fish house cuz I I only own portables. Anybody know how those are going to continue to be printed?
>> Well right now the first stage of the updates to the electronic license sales system to this mobile system that we moved into that was implemented with the hunting and fishing licenses. the uh boat registrations, motor registrations, that's occurring later in the year um
still to come out um at a later date. >> We want to make sure that this first part was working effectively and we were tweaking things to make sure that customers were being served appropriately uh based on how the uh launch of that went. So, okay, one other question, Mr. chair, if there's anybody
in the room can help us out with raising the non-resident deer big game licenses to the same as North Dakota and South Dakota, what they charge us. So, not not a deterrent. It just play fair. >> Sure, >> Mr. Chair, if I may. So, um I've been
part of a a team um we have so many teams I can't even say the name of it my memory is short but our for the outdoor for the outdoors group um was looking at and it continues to look at funding options and funding models for funding outdoor recreation and conservation and so I've been part of that group on a
statewide level we've had numerous listening sessions a few summers back to hear from constituents and I can tell you that the idea of increasing some fees related to non-residents whether it's uh hunting angling state park access not to a point where
it's deterring people but is offsetting some of obviously the fact that taxes aren't being paid here etc there's a benefit there uh and and just um ensuring access and opportunity for motans as well at the same time and so we have heard general support for that
and while um obviously any of that those sort of fee changes um go through legislatively um those conversations I know are out there and and I do hear more conversation around that support from a lot of our constituent groups to do that. And so that's not just something that an idea you share. I am
hearing more of that in the different groups that are part of. >> Well, it you know, it takes them up to six years to probably draw a buck tag, a rifle tag at North Dakota. Do you know what they're going to do? They're going to they're all going to be coming this direction, especially the border >> border counties.
>> Border counties and things like that over there. They're coming this direction and they have been with muscle. >> Sure. >> Yeah. So that's got we got to have a kind of a system of fairness. Yeah. >> If we're if we're want to hunt that, you know, we can buy a bow tag out there as a buck tag. But you know, if you want to
hunt Madora or anything like that, you know, it's $300 >> for a license. Well, how about let's play fair here. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> We all want money. We all want staffing, right? >> Right on. We're built on economics.
Right. Right on. >> Okay. I have a couple questions. >> Sure. Mr. Sure. I represent Pelican Lake Township. >> Sure. >> Pelican Lake. We've seen them. >> Um >> the uh the corn issue always been a a big issue. Remember like four or five years ago where they we had that public
hearing. >> But I'm aware. >> Yeah. It seemed like there was some support there to thin them out a little bit, but then all of a sudden it just got shut down. I can only imagine probably what happened there, but but uh anyway, it it did get shut down. But how
do you manage how do you monitor form walleye interactions on P lake? Is it netting? Is that what it is? You're you're >> I could speak to this a little bit. We we did increase all of our monitoring efforts. And Nathan maybe has more of the details on the actual corn monitoring since his division handles
that. But for the fishery side, we we're we're out there every year. In fact, we just netted the lake two weeks ago. We were out there. So, we're going out there netting it on an annual basis, whereas previously we were only doing that once every four years. So, that's helping us just kind of keep a tab on what's going on out there. We're also
aging almost all of the fish uh that we're sampling, so we can actually track individual year classes of walleye over time. Um, and then on the corrant side, they've actually started doing these annual drone surveys every year. They do them about two weeks after corrants start arriving. So, they already did it
this year. And that's something that again is an annual thing that's now going on. Uh neither of these commitments have an end date to my understanding. So we're we are definitely committed to tracking it. you know, and you in regards to you saying
it got shut down, like I can understand how it might feel like that, but the reality is we we started monitoring them more intensively and the walleye population at the time that we had that public hearing was pretty depressed, but we actually had three very strong deer classes that got pulled off right after
one another, 22, 23, and 24. And so our monitoring, we've actually been seeing walleye numbers going up and up. And so we have this plan in place now where we have certain thresholds that we're looking at for when uh control of corn rants might be considered. But since that public hearing, we haven't even
been close to hitting any of those thresholds because the numbers just keep going up. Last year we had a record high giln net catch rate actually. And then this year, like I said, we were just out there two weeks ago and it did go down a little bit, but it was still over 12 per net, which is a, you know, on the higher
end of the of things for Pelican Lake. So currently the walleye population is just looking pretty good. Uh so I guess that's kind of where we're at right now. But it didn't get shut down. We have this whole plan in place and we have all these thresholds that are now in place, but the reality is we just things have
been looking good the last few years. So we haven't been close to hitting any of them. >> Okay. Well, I thank you for that because I get asked that all the time. Um my next question then is on Lake Christina. Lake Christina is a pretty dear to my heart because I'm a
duck hunter, you know. And uh how is the uh water doing out there? Does anybody know? Are we doing okay out there? >> Be better suited. >> Yeah, I can speak to that briefly. I'm not the one that does the annual surveys out there. Nick Brown, our specialist,
is um some of the surveys that been doing out there. I think we're conducting water samples uh roughly around three to four times a year out there. Um and the trend more recently have been uh downward to the point where
there might need to be some management action taken uh similar to what you've probably seen in the past for Lake Christina. you know that could be that could be a managed draw down um or action similar to that like we've had and the reason we have that water control structure pump system on the element of that lakes to provide that as
an option um if the thresholds are passed similar to what he was mentioning thresholds for aquatic vegetation water quality those are all things that are being looked at my last conversation with Nick Brown uh was that they were strongly considering some management actions in the near future um and that
would be communicated we have uh annual meetings with the land owners uh and the stakeholders around that lake. Nick Brand holds that that meeting uh typically in the wintertime and gives updates on you know where things are trending one way or the other and the trends seem to be trending in that
direction where the water quality um is diminishing to a level where the threshold point might be reached in the near future. Last year looking at the aquatic vegetation, specifically the submergent vegetation below the water line, it was still doing quite well even though the water quality was showing a
different trend of decreasing in a direction that was not favorable. Um, now that we're moved into another year later, um, I think we're trending in that direction where that action might have to happen in the near future. >> The lake management plan is getting redone too, isn't Yeah. So, the lake management plan is being looked at as
well for being redone. And so, we're taking into consideration past use and thresholds that were used and updating to see if those are still appropriate or if they need to be tweaked in a fashion that is more appropriate for the things that we've learned on that lake. As you probably are aware, Lake Christina um
has some of the longest history for water quality information on it uh compared to a lot of other lakes in the state. So that's really helpful to help guide those triggers moving forward as they reook at that management plan. I don't know if there's anything else you want to mention. >> No, I think that that covers it pretty
good. But yeah, the water quality definitely has gone down the last couple years. So >> yeah, I got a question for the fishery guy. So there was talk about lowering the wall to three or four and I guess
the question I have I live on Elk Lake and I witnessed this falls ago and the fishing was really good. >> Mhm. >> And I go for walks around the lake and I saw these professional guides. There's four, five, six boats out there every day and
you watch them clean 18 walley on your endgate keeping a limit and two guys and they I mean it was on and on and on and six fish you lay them six 18inch walley up it's a lot of fish. Is there any reason
to have three on a northern and six on a walleye? Does that make any sense? >> It's 10 on northerns. Now >> 10. Okay. That used to be three, didn't it? >> Yeah. Yeah. But you know, now they have these zone regulations and so you can keep up to 10. Granted, eight of those
10 have to be under 22 in. So, uh, >> and same with the winter. I mean, >> not very popular every day. I mean, that the pressure. >> What's your thought on that? Well, I can I mean, are you're asking I kind of think are you getting at like is the
limit going to be lowered? >> Yes. >> Statewide. >> Yes. >> So, yeah, as you know, you mentioned it. They're looking at a statewide four walley bag limit. Um, nothing is set in stone yet. What I what I can say is that the DNR is supporting the change. um they went out for public
comment earlier this year and there's a certain if you hit a certain threshold of public comments that requests hear in with an administrative law judge I believe it's 50 then it triggers this additional step where you essentially you have to bring the the matter up in front of an administrative law judge so
that happened I think they got roughly 80 or so comments requesting that so that just it put another put another stop along the way that they essentially have to do now so later this year I think it hasn't the date hasn't been set, but essentially uh you know
notifications went out to the people that submitted comments requesting this hearing. Um it's essentially up to them to come and or find people to come represent their side of the argument essentially that the limit shouldn't be reduced. Um I think for an issue like this, they're probably going to be
pretty well organized and are going to have, you know, some wellorganized folks there coming to speak to their side. The DNR is going to come and speak to their side about why we think the limit should be reduced. Um, and like I said, if that what I've been told is they think that that might happen in like October, and
as long as it can happen by the end of the year, if the judge sides with reducing the limit, that it'll probably go into effect next year, 2027. If we can't get that done by the end of the year, it's probably going to push it back like another year or ultimately the the administrative law judge could
decide that we don't reduce the limit. So, it's kind of a it's a little bit of an unknown right now. I'll say at least on the fishery side of things, these hearings don't happen very often. The last time that this actually happened was when they wanted to reduce the perch limit, which was quite a while ago. Um,
you know, no one at fisheries leadership, I think, was even really involved in that one. So, it's kind of a weird one. There's no cross-examination apparently. Like the DNR just says their side, the other side, you know, states their case, and that's it. There's no questioning back and forth. and then the
judge renders a decision afterwards. So, uh, and we don't know exactly how it's going to go. I I will say the public comment was more overwhelmingly in support of reducing the limit. So, generally speaking, there is public support for the reduction. But I guess
that's all I can say right now is that's kind of what we're waiting on is we got to go >> support the way it was. We brought it forward. >> Yeah. Yeah. The DNR. So, yes. Yes. Exactly. The DNR is pushing for limits to get reduced, but we have to go through this another step
now before and again we the end result it really comes down to what the administrative law judge decides. So >> we don't really have a crystal ball on how that's going to play out. >> Part of it obviously is trying to find a balance, right? We want people to be able to go catch fish and have a meal, but we're trying to, you know, you think
about six fish as you say. Is that really what that is? My comment was that when you're using live scope, your possession should be zero. Well, >> and there's a lot of very polarized >> polarizing.
>> But yes, it's a technology was part of the reason they're looking at the reduction. You know, it's a it's a proactive step. It's we don't actually feel like we're in a crisis right now or anything like that, but we're trying to avoid reaching that point where we are in a crisis and having to react to it
all of a sudden. Um, so it's it's a very proactive step, but but that's where we're at right now. The DNR is trying to make it happen, but ultimately we do need to go through some additional steps. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Well, uh, yeah, I got one more question,
Mr. Chair. So, are you part of this fisheries that that is planting, you know, fried fingerlings in the in the area lakes around the town here? >> Yeah. You mean around? Yeah. >> Like Yep. and we ended up fishing the West
Lake and we were told to get them out of there as many as we possibly could. I'm I'm saying we didn't go over the limit. Okay, I'm being honest here. >> Limits don't apply. >> Well, enforcement, >> right? >> But but anyway, you guys want these
basins fished out so you can get rid of, you know, the larger fish. >> Yeah. You know, we specifically try to use ponds that winter kill uh because if we have older walleye in there, it impacts our ability to raise fingerlings. So, now we've gone three winters in a row now without winter kill
in most of our ponds. So, it's it gets tougher and tougher every year. I mean, we don't expect these ponds to winterkill every year, but you know, the more frequently they do, the better. So, definitely if you're out there catching harvestablesiz walley, uh get them out of there. You know, the more out of
there, the better for us. Uh it is getting harder and harder though as I stand and that's part of the reason you know I think after the last winner kill we were only using you know lower we call it lower BM I I don't know where lower plecupure you know the one at the airport we've been using that one for a
long time but you know now we've had after year after year of no winterkill we're trying to find new waters and new waters which is now why you know we worked with the city of Elville lake to actually get access into you know upper what is this upper middle lumber middle lower and or luggage if you were and
yeah I mean some of them are producing some better than others but but definitely what you said is true uh you know feel free to keep fish out of there >> yeah the north lake sounds like there's a bunch of crappies in there too I was told to keep >> yeah those didn't come from us but yeah they
>> how did they get there can you answer that somebody put them in there you think >> I mean that happens you know we call it bucket biologists who kind of move fish around um but also I mean a lot of times a lot of these waters get connected When water levels are high, >> it you'd be shocked at how little water
some fish actually need to move through. So, a lot of times water levels get high, they can get through the cattails and things like that and actually move in between water bodies. You know, even pike do that all the time. You know, a a lake completely winter kills and you wouldn't even think there's a way for
fish to get in there, but the next the next summer there's pike in there. Uh, you know, it's it happens. They there's a lot of water, a lot of low areas, and they do they do move around anytime you get higher water. So, I don't know, but it is possible people crappies in there that I wouldn't put it past.
>> The North Lake, I'm told, has got the chin. So, we were going to try it actually just to see, you know. >> Yeah, that one hasn't been very productive for us from a fingerling production standpoint. So >> the 800 600 to 800 lb per basin that you guys pulled out there, you know, they
were that whatever it was 14 to 16 inch >> class adults. Yeah. >> Yeah. And actually that's what we harvested out of there. >> Yeah. The last few years we've actually had to stock a lot of lakes with adult walley, you know, that we normally stock with fingerlings. And we do increase the
number of pounds when we do that because it's fewer fish, you know, adult. So, right, >> but we've had to resort to that lately, unfortunately, just because, like I said, now we're going 3 years now without winterkill in most of our ponds. It's definitely impacts our ability to produce fingerlings. When we get
drainage, late drainage and things like that, hydraulic recharge, you know, they're all connected. So, you're going to get fresh water going through there underneath the ice. So, if we don't get a big snow cover, they ain't nothing dying in there. >> Yeah. Yeah. And it's been it's been hard to get that the last few years. This
winter was looking good at the beginning, but then you know it kind of fizzled out in terms of a severe winter conditions. >> So, >> okay. >> Well, if there's no other questions, we sure appreciate you guys coming. >> Thank you so much.
>> You helped me out with a farm run question here >> because a lot of people think it did get shut down, but it it makes sense >> and I can see how it might feel like that. But I've been we've been sending annual updates to the lake association just to kind of show them like what we see what we're what our surveys are
showing year to year and how they compare to those thresholds that I talked about and >> Okay. Well, thanks for coming. Thank you so much. >> Appreciate it. >> Y >> thank you. >> Okay.
Well, Uh I'm going to talk quick about the planning and zoning zoning administrative ordinance. Uh so about 8 months ago or so we started a conversation at the board adjustment in the pack the planning commission on hey
we have some bylaws that are pretty pretty dated that kind of been rolled over year to year to year. So I reached out to some other counties and got some updated ones and then auto said hey we just got rid of having to do bylaws all the time and went to like an admin ordinance so make life a lot simpler so
you don't have to do the bylaws all the time. So that was a route that I explored with the folks and they said, "Yeah, that sounds like a good idea." So we did that. And then about a month ago, we held a public hearing on the ordinance. Uh we had a couple folks from public come. They were all just making
sure there was no changes to the shoreland side of stuff. And this ordinance doesn't impact shorland uh at shorland regulation wise. It just impacts uh how the uh board adjustment and client advisory push in. And then Ruben and I interact with them. So how
many people are on these boards, how long we serve, how many public meetings are go, that kind of thing. So uh they held a vote at the planning commission meeting and they recommended to send ordinance to you guys for approval. So that's what you guys have
for you. Uh Justin reviewed it. He didn't have any issues or comments. He said it looked fine. So it's pretty straightforward ordinance. Pretty short. Excellent. We're looking for a motion on that ordinance. >> So
Troy makes a motion. We have a second. >> Second. >> Second by Doyle. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. I. Oppos. Same sign. Motion carried. Thanks for your time.
>> Thanks for waiting reading. Okay. Committee updates, budget and finance committee. Brilliant bill. So brought up briefly, you know, we're talking about do we want to have capital >> capital >> expenditures >> expenditures
funded in the preliminary budget. So I mean we obviously don't need that answer today because if we did it would be an agenda item. But does the board want to have a specific line item? Do we want to maybe work it in like we talked about
earlier where it's it's there if it's needed for somewhere else and then it's the budget's amended. I mean that's that's a question that doesn't need to be answered today because we're not going to take motion at this point. But
>> Troy, I think that overall, yes, but then I remember we had a conversation about if departments have specific things, should departments um start budgeting for capital expenditures or future repairs they know they have coming.
>> Well, and it right and it's not necessarily even a department. So your buildings are one department but within that you know if we know that the courthouse needs windows does the courthouse need to start budgeting separately than buildings overall
because you know that's an upcoming expense for that particular one. Right? We're already seven eight years in this building. At some point we're going to need a roof because it's a flat roof. So,
do you start budgeting this far out for that or do you wait and b budget larger amounts? I mean, those are all questions that are potentially need to be answered in the building committee and then the budget
committee puts in the amount, right? But it does the board want to budget it or do we wait until the building let's use this building. Do we wait another 15 years when we need a roof and then bond to fix it? So, do you want to collect
interest or you want to pay interest? So, question I can't got a mental block here. The the plan the fiveyear something plan that was done years ago that's expired. It uh help me go ahead
improvement. >> Yeah. Yeah. into your question. Does the county need to do one of them or have we updated enough where probably not needed that would maybe help address that question or not?
>> It costs money. I know. >> Well, it costs money to do one and my thought is let's identify the >> our next big expense and plan on that and hope nothing comes before then. But if it does, I mean, it
>> do you want to put the time and money into doing a capital improvement plan? And my understanding is that is one of the requirements for this board to just vote and bond. And that's why we haven't really done one is to this board's not
had moved recently has not moved forward with bonding or a building. That was a requirement for that. So, back to your question, I think you should there should be analytics. Let's just
use this building we're in. It's like depreciation. I mean, it's a non-cash expense of the business depreciates things for a redund. And I So, I think we should plan on it, but I also think that the departments then
should account for it in in there somewhere. Uh now how you do that like you say a courthouse is multiple department but I I I do think ling for a little bit at a time is good
financial due diligence. We talked about doing individual buildings. You know, we also talked about at Western Prairie about going to the indirect where we're not going to build him for it. If
on this building, we wouldn't build them for it until after we would recoup it to indirect because if we're trying to do it and build a fund and we're getting their federal credit, it limits it. We would not be able to use that money in the
courthouse. So, there is an advantage too of having just one because then you're not and obviously we can change direction, but it's not tying you to one specific building. >> No. Correct. That's kind of where I'm at. You you got to do an inventory. We got to see what's going on. Well, the
courthouse, you know, um the there could be issues, you know, moving forward, which I'm sure there has been over the years, but that's probably one of the oldest, you know, u infrastructure issues that we could possibly have. This probably hang in there for a few years
and highway will too, you know, and the sheriff was new up there. But, you know, the courthouse is going to have to be addressed and we got to have an inventory of what we should be doing there or looking at it and bring it into focus >> because there's windows in the courthouse that are old. There's,
>> you know, your heat pumps are now, >> what are they 15, 16 years old? >> Yep. >> So, >> yeah, that remodel was 10, you know, 2010. So yeah, you're 16 years >> on the heat pumps and >> and the windows were before that. >> I think the school had to replace all
their heat pumps at 20 25 my I would know when that was done but So is it possible to once again back to depreciation a lot of times you'll see a 30-year depreciation schedule on facilities that >> but we're not paying taxes.
>> No, no, no. I'm not I'm using an analytics where you add up the values and say okay if we applied so many years of depreciation this is what it would be and put that much away.
So there's based on some some >> life analytics >> we haven't we don't think we have 30 years and we've had the building committee that we're going to have numbers for whether it's the courthouse roof or the heat pumps or whatever it is and then yeah we'll have to you know if
we expect the heat pumps to be in the next seven years we'll have to figure it out but I think we got some way how you get there I don't >> so that's capital we also talked about uh Reed is here if you had questions.
The AIS and buffer fund are they're not going away, but they're greatly reduced, aren't they? Or are they? >> Yeah. So, uh in years past, we have gotten roughly 50 grand for AS. It's going to go down to about 25 here the next year. And I don't think it's going
to hang around that much longer after that to where it'll go to probably zero or very little. Uh and then as far as the repairing aid or the buffer money, uh we get about 100 and we used to send only about a quarter of that. So 25 assume, but then when we did the ditch transfers, it's now half because they
have over half the admin. So it's 50 60 grand. So there's a pretty good cut there. And then uh Ber said a couple of times they're moving more towards maintenance versus uh getting the important set of buffers up. So just keeping buffers in place. So the funding will probably be decreased there as
well. But what we have is a bunch of years worth of funding that are specifically earmarked for those two items, but there's never a running tally of what those accounts have in them. So we're I think Troy is actually trying to
get a whatever that number is and then work our way to start using that. So, we're going to start using that projected fund and at some point between now and the end of the year, we'll come with a number and we're going to start using that to help offset wages
until it's gone. Okay. Then one more on building is or on budget, excuse me. Yeah. The next meeting we'll have a resolution to amend the budget. >> Okay. EFS budget. Oh, >> the 26 budget. Yep. So, we've got a few
things we want to move into different baskets. >> Okay. Are we done there then? >> Yep. Okay. EMS committee, you kind of went over that this morning. Um, so, do you have anything? >> No.
Dina, anything on that? >> Nope. Just the draft agreement um that the county attorney drew up. you guys received that. Um the committee, we still have work we have to do on it, but that will be coming back at a later date
to the board uh for approval. >> Okay. All right. Uh personnel committee, >> you're up to speed on what we've done. >> Okay. Highway committee. Uh I didn't get a
followup. I uh I think I got something, Bill. Okay. I went out to the bridge uh uh on the Harrison Bridge there and looked at what was going on and it's quite quite a adventure they got going on out there. But it the big crane out
there and uh they got they got the east side uh concrete done the way it looked to me and they were pouring the west side. Yeah. >> But they're doing it with water moving underneath them. uh they uh sometimes they'll reroute the channel, but not not in this case. But it looks like it's
going pretty good, but there's a lot of equipment out there and uh I could kind of see in my mind now why the cost was up there a little bit on that thing. So, but I'm happy we're getting that in and the the one up on in Pelican Lake
Township is in and uh I'm glad to hear from the senator that the bridge bonding is coming through because we need bridge bonding in this county, but all the other counties do too. But but uh you know and and they've been they've been
patching they've been working hard the highway department this the patching is labor intensive the way it looks to me and but they tried to patch county road 4 which was in poor shape just to get it through until we get some bridge bonding. So yeah so they're they're
working hard. So okay so that's it for that then public safety committee Troy and Doyle. Well, we did the UPS. You know, the only other thing is this letter that came in yesterday. The committee hasn't talked
about it or it's as new to us as it is to you, you know, to the non-members of the committee. My concern with that proposal, you know, it's my concern is that currently at $58 an hour
for contract rate, you still have, let's just call it $2 an hour. probably more of a $2 an hour that the county levy is sub subsidizing patrol hours in any one of the cities under that proposal that goes to about
$30 an hour. So now you have that bare land that we don't want to add tax to sub subsidizing 21 hours $21 every hour of patrol time in a town. That's to me that's a problem.
Well, another after reading that letter because I commend someone taking the initiative, but I'm really concerned that we don't focus ourselves solely on how to fund
that department and not look at how the department is operating and the spending because that is is important as when we address contract or shift that the it's the operational side and I know the committee is but I really think that's
important. >> Yeah. So, you know, you know what my feelings are about police contracts. I uh I I just look at why wouldn't Minneapolis just say Hen County you take this over then or Alexandria saying Douglas County
take it over. Pence and Battle Lake taking it over again. >> Well, I can answer the Minneapolis one because they're I think they're heading to court is they have in their charter they have a staffing level they have to meet and they they're not meeting it.
>> Yeah. Yeah. So, but what I'm saying is that where the people are, that's where the responsibilities are greater for law enforcement. And uh you know I uh I just that's just how how I feel and uh
you know so we'll see how it goes but >> you got anything on that bill? >> No comment. >> Not right now. >> Okay. All right. So solid waste we met but I don't think we really had
any groundbreaking. It was basically just we're operating and laid out what got to get done next year. We got the ordinance changes to do and there was some discussion about TFC uh and how Pope Douglas
is addressing whether they continue to accept those some of that waste. That's kind of between Anger Britson and >> well Ang Douglas and Peter. Yeah, there's there's change coming there. >> We're kind of out of the loop, but we're
right close to the loop. >> I know there's been things that aren't >> Yeah. quite right for everybody. >> Okay. Uh strategic planning committee. Do we want to advertise? We have,
remember when we started the public members, we had 321 for terms. So, we have one that's coming up. Do we want to go ahead and advertise to fill that one-year spot with the It'll be a three-year now going forward. I'm assuming we do. >> Well, we had a resignation. The person
in that in that position >> in the one-year spot. Okay. >> So, I guess looking for direction on if I should advertise to fill that. >> That's what our policy said we'll do. So,
even though we have Do you have an app? You said >> no. >> Oh, you don't? Okay. Okay. >> Yeah. Sure. >> What do you learn from, Mr. Chair? Motion. >> Yeah. Do we need a motion? That's what we've always done. I we we we said that's what we're going to do.
>> So, I would Well, we're going to have a motion. I'll make a motion that when a public vacancy and a strategic planning committee comes available, we just advertise. We follow our policy to fill it. >> Okay. We have a motion by Troy. We have
a second. Second. >> A second by Kenny. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. >> I. Oppos. Same sign. Motion carried. West. Okay. Horizon Public Health. Well,
we got a meeting on Monday. >> Y. >> So that's when the new leadership going to be running that first meeting there. And uh and was done on July 2nd, I think. So I think it would go good. Uh
we're we're uh you know change is change and but I'm I'm pretty sure we'll do good. They they hired a new financial person and I I haven't met him. Uh but we'll we'll we'll meet him on
I'm actually going to meet him in the morning because we have a finance committee meeting at 8:00. So okay. So, Western Prairie Human Services, we got a meeting coming up on Friday. >> So,
that got pushed back a week because of the Fourth of July weekend. So, okay. So with that, I see we have a 1:00. >> Two appropriation requests, one at 1 and
one at 1:30. >> Okay. So I'll just uh What do we do as we just a motion to >> No, it's recess. >> We need a just you can just recess. Okay, we'll we'll recess then until
1:00. It's 10:36 a.m. Okay, I'm going to call the uh Grand County Commissioner meeting back in order from recess. Look at two appropriation requests
this afternoon. And the first one is from soil and water. Beck, you want to give us your spiel? >> Yep. Thanks for uh letting me come to a meeting here. Uh basically just going to review our budget a little bit with you with a request to the county for
allocations. Um I guess to start off with, we are requesting just a 4% increase from last year. If you go through the budget I did send out basically it's the requesting 126 163 or
165 uh from the county based off of our previous years with a 4% increase. Um we still took a hit from the state last year which is the same this year which is about $45,000.
Uh so we're we're doing all we can. Um everything's kind of on track for this year. You looked at the back even with that increase which stood for about $40,000. Sometimes there's other programs that come available that we're able to some
of that money with which was this year we were able to recoup a little bit here. So basically with that I did hand out kind of a summary of just letting you guys know what we're doing and what kind of money we're bringing into the county.
um utilize this with being passed. But as far as what we assist the county with, uh, we assist them with the practicland conservation act, planning and zoning, comprehensive local water
plan, DAWs when needed, make sure zoning is permanent reviews, tax for lands, state public law, as well as link reporting to report statements. Um, next on there shows our programs
that we administered. Uh, the top line shows the money we brought into the county just this last over the last 12 months roughly about $3.6 million. But that allows easement money as well as soil health money
and then also a lot of conservation erosion projects being done. This kind of gives you a summary of stuff we're working on. So, at all programs currently, we got $600,000 allocated to contracts. We probably have
that much more in request on my desk trying to get approved. Um, uh, we did have a special irrigation RCP this past year. Um, it was, uh, I think there's 25 colonies that were eligible
for it, about $4 million worth of funding at this time. Uh we were able to get two contracts out of about 10 that we submitted for about $357,000 for irrigation upgrade stuff. Uh the one wershed one plans kind of the same as it
has been. There's been very no increases on it over the years, but we have been allocating as much funds as we can to projects. There shows in the past year again um we've allocated $480,000 towards projects.
we have paid out when we're allocated kind of gives a synopsis below there what what we've been doing basically consist of sand basins uh shoreline restorations and are the main big ones for the boys
to sue anyways I know we also have a lot of requests for additional projects coming shows there again estimated 570 or $600,000 or more projects in works Uh sometimes it takes a few years just
to get the money allocated to them because again that money is allocated to multiple counties for each watershed and it's usually about that million dollars um for about five to seven counties depending on the water. So um
behind that is the back page there to show the condare again um doing a lot of shorland buffer plant some shorland buffer planting said basins and shoreline restorations being focused on currently was pelican lake as our high
priority we have now moved a little bit to palm care lake keep moving down the chain u we're finishing up the palm care assessment as you speak Um and uh so as of right now those are again spent about 100,000 worth of validated payout
projects on about $700,000 worth of validation or requests I should say for um everything from said basins to shoreline restoration. So um the Chipo wershed it's fairly new. We just haven't
had much interest down there yet or haven't had many people walking through the door yet, but there is some funds available for that as well. We just haven't tapped into them as of yet. So again, just showing we paid out nearly
$700,000 this past 12 months on those kind of projects. Um we have about 1.5 million allocated through programs. Again, we have many more on the desks waiting for either money or us to get approved. So,
uh just a review of our other programs, you know, conservation contracts, we get $14,000 a year. We designate all that to project money. Um we are allowed to potentially use some for admin, but we like to keep it all
going to projects if we can afford to uh which we've been trying to focus on. um because you know 14,000 as your general fund for the whole county just doesn't go very far. We've been utilizing a lot of that money for windbreak establishments with a lot of these
storms. There's been a lot of people interested in reestablishing the windbreaks. We've been trying to keep that fund available for those. Um in the past year again the CRP incentive program. Um this year again we were able
to allocate just about $22,000 uh in incentives that we will be paying out this summer or early fall. Um but that's all the funds that were available. So just shows again last fall we paid out 115,000 just about CRP
incentives. So, um, the rim program, we closed on three, four easements this past year for 450 acres roughly for a total of almost $2.8 million. Those have also created a lot of
workload stuff too for reestablishment on different things, restorations, whatnot. uh the ABMP loan stuff. Um it's our low interest loans that are eligible for septic systems, conservation tillage,
conservation projects, um all kinds of different conservation related activities. Uh we had one of them this past year for 57,000. We do have a sizable pot available there for if anybody else is interested in conservation regular activities. So
again can be used for no tails, strip till machines, salt birds, anything of conservation of it. So and then the egg water quality certification program is that state program where you can certify your farm
as being compliant with everything with all the rules and you don't have any significant otion on your site. We do have one new um approved egg quality certification person this year. Um we have a couple more in the hoppers.
Well, for the compliance of course we help with that. Uh we oversee that each year by doing reviews. I think this last year we were able to get I don't have the number in front of me but at least 20 to 30 more sites in compliance on some buffer stuff. So, uh,
we're still working on trying to get to that 100% and we're not too far away from it. So, it's moving along in a good direction. Some of the other programs that we assist with people with is of CRP as needed. Um, land owner food press and
questions on a daily basis. Uh, provide field days every other year. Provide county schoolers, which you're all invited to every other year. Um, and K12 education that may be needed. Uh we help out with the environ every year, provide
yearly program updates to our top consultants and lenders in the county. We hold a meeting once a year in the spring to update them on programs so they can help kind of spread the word to uh their individuals. Uh we've been doing the rain gauge
monitoring for that for quite a few years now. We're still continuing that and get new people added to that every year. Uh we've been doing some being our well monitoring. There's six wells in the county we monitor on quarterly basis. Uh we do have rain barrels
available again this year if people are interested. And then we also provide water provide water test at our office to the water test and stuff. So um so yeah basically I just want to
review that with you. If if you got specific questions, again, I think most of this would email to you. I don't know if you have any um specific questions or anything I can answer. More than pleased to >> I got one, Mr. Chair. Is it arsenic
water testing kits or what is it testing for? >> Yep. So we have we just have general water test for multiple different things that R&B labs have given us to be out >> and then they send them in and have to still pay for those tests.
>> Now uh we do there is a grant through um I think it's that we're a part of as well that provides 50% pasture for well test as well. Uh there's also another new grant
just came available that the application period is due again next week which we're looking into. Uh which that will pay for 100% of testing for wells up to five items. So arsenic iron lead.
Yeah. It's a five test. It's about $200 test. Um but if there's a provider if we get accepted for that um there'll be funds available to do that and again it's geared first towards um actually children or pregnant people right
>> um or infants and that stuff. Um we haven't quite made all our decisions yet but our thinking right now would be as you know if we get if we get accepted uh we just start taking applications and then maybe after the first six months or so then it's open doors to everybody so
show a priority to the the infants and that stuff first and then there is no limitation that you can't provide it to the general public. So again, we're looking into that and kind of looking through all the at this time. >> Yeah. So that's
>> it's a good service for people if they got questions. >> They got a question. >> I understand that increase stuff goes up. I see at the end of May your balance sheet showed over a million dollars of equity. Is this
normal? And is that a balance that equates to what you do or talk about how you've gotten to a million dollars? >> So basically the million dollars has come through the different grants and different things over a number of period of years. Uh in your packet there
there's a copy of our unrestricted balance sheet which our board has approved. Uh this was approved many years ago for we wanted to work towards a two-year balance that would cover us where if we didn't get a penny from anywhere to recover the district for two
years. Uh this kind of came about mostly from back in the mid 2000s. Um the district was cut. This was before I was with the district. I was with NRCS at that time. Um the district was cut significantly and it was very very tight
for a couple years many years actually. Um so in turn we were able to um through different avenues slowly build that up. Uh so based off that it's it's a two-year there's two years worth there.
Uh on top of that there's 300 plus thousand dollar worth of liabilities regarding to project money that's in our account. So that money is already designated to soil health, conservation practices, etc. So that's, you know, that's not our time or anything else.
That's just that money. Um, the other thing with that to keep in mind is a lot of times our projects are getting more and more expensive every year. Um, you know, it's not uncommon for us to have a$150 to $300,000 project right now. So
when the cost share comes around for those um typically the landowner submits their bills, we do all our stuff and then we pay the 75% cost share roughly. Some of those funds are available for reimbursement through the watershed based plans or through Boulder but
sometimes those can take months sometimes to get back. So again, um you know, utilizing some of that reserve for those purposes. So we don't have to have the producers waiting on, you know, two to three, four months after they've done it to get paid and the contractors want to be paid right away.
>> So back to the the let's just say a million dollars or the two-year and just the operational working capital you call it. Is that about the number that you like or is that high or low? >> Right now it's a little bit above the two-year. Um, so I think our 2-year is
920,000. >> So it's pretty close. >> It's pretty close. It's 113%. >> The other thing is is I mean the district hasn't really purchased anything drastic for many years. Um, our vehicles are getting pretty old. So we've been looking into getting some new
vehicles or at least a vehicle um and stuff like that. So I think the other thing is is like our server is getting fairly old. We've been quoted about $25,000 just with a server. You know, you're looking at $7,000 per truck. Um, and some different things, our computers
and all that kind of stuff. So, our printers getting fairly old. There's a lot of things that are, you know, they're working right now, but you just never know when it's going to get out. And, um, so, you know, based off that, you know, like I said, we're just a little bit above it, but it wouldn't
take very long to once we purchase a couple things to be below that. Thank you for your answer. >> Mr. Chair, I got a question. So, you guys are still leasing, right? >> Yes. >> Okay. Has that priced everyone up on your lease?
>> Um, our lease, we lease individually from the landlord, not with us anymore. Um, so yeah, our lease has gone up a little bit, but our landlord's been pretty generous with us. Uh, but then also the district and myself help out a
lot of little things around the office. So, um, but yeah, it's usually about a 5% or so increase, but then we do lock it in for another couple years at a time. So, that's going to work out pretty well. So,
>> any other question? >> Brent, could you just say the request number again to make sure I got it right? >> Yep. So basically what our request would be is for 126,166 of general allocation that represents a 4% increase from last
year which was 126 or something like that. I think it is. So with that then today um what what's our next step there? Do we need to approve that today or just get put in? >> Yep. It's just a chance for people to
come and promote >> what they're doing and >> put their requests in and then we can give that to to the auditor when they're working on budgets and then it'll come through on the preliminary budget from the board. Oops.
Anybody else have any other questions I can answer? Yeah, we're always here for everybody in the county. I mean, we try to diversify a little more with even city people and not so much farmers, light shore people, other
things, too. So, it's it's been busy. I will say that it's keeping everything under control and or not controlled with everything. So I keep going through the regular basis soon. >> So I got a question, Mr. Chair. Your
SWCD aid that 144,000 y >> did you get one year's allocation that broke out? >> Yeah. So it's a bianual allocation for two years. That's each year is that much. Um last year we got cut 33,000
from that was previous to that. Um the we have been um the MASWC office has been allocating or trying to work with the state to try to up that um because a lot of people are hurting because of
that landlord just because the expenses keep going up. So but that is a general allocation on the general treasury budget. So it is a little bit more security versus we never had that before. So I mean before we never had that guarantee
which nothing's ever guaranteed I guess we don't but yeah that's that's a per year thing which we get we get that check usually in August and December have >> and again they don't um it comes out directly out of the department of
revenue not through Bowser's budget right >> this one comes directly from the >> right okay good >> so I got one more question I Remember we talked about you came a couple months ago and gave us a update on the wersheds
and what's going on >> in the future since this is kind of new. Can we envision what you did today and what you did a couple months ago being together maybe come with what do you think it should be separate?
>> Um I guess not quite sure what you mean. Yeah. >> Well, you you remember you you came to our board meeting. You're on the agenda. What say is >> could this be part of that presentation? >> Yeah. I mean, a lot of >> it could have not looked. I mean, we
like you to come. >> Yeah. >> But you're busy. And could that be integrated into one where you give us a department update like you just did plus the request? >> Yeah. Yep. Nope. That'd be I mean, I sure can. I mean, it's a lot of the same
information like he just mentioned, et again want to relay, you know, even when I put some of these numbers together, um, it kind of opened my eyes a little bit. 3.6 million in the county this last year, it's a lot. So, I mean, like you say, putting it all together as the
request for this time of year, I'm more than fine with that. And I'm more than fine if if you guys ever need an update mid year on anything. more than willing to come down whenever you need to always up. Just an idea, Mr. Car.
>> Thank you. >> Okay. Any other question? Well, thank you for coming. >> Thank you for your time. >> Thanks for the work you do for stopping her.
>> Thanks, Brent. No problem. I was not as Johnny on the spot. So I bring to everyone. >> How you doing, Libby? >> I'm awesome. We should see me in the action. I feel like I can only imagine.
I've seen you in action. I should have went before, friend. This was a lot more professional put together. But black option, you get me? Um, top page should be
kind of what um what our needs and wants are, future projects and that kind of thing. I'm just kind of putting together what's on the top burner. There's about 150 things behind that, but these are the things that are on the front burner of our stuff. Um, I guess I'll start out
with we're not asking for any increase. We're asking for the $25,000 that we've been receiving to um help operate and these are the things that that money helps go to. Um so
I included in the packet I got a a profit loss statement that I brought to you guys back when we were doing the stuff for the building. All I have is 25 24.5. So gave me that, but I also included the financial statement from our
uh accountant Morrison Associates. So that should be this one. Got a couple page on it. So I didn't know which one would be cleaner for you guys to read or which one you guys would want to read. So that's kind of that
our budget last year, believe the expenses came in just over $220,000 kind of spent on it's all line item out where things are going. Um that was last year before the new building.
Once we get through this, I can give you a quick update of the building. >> You went back, correct? We took it out of operating to our operating note to get back steady until state money came in. That goes till September
20 first of September I think is our fiscal year. So then our county money and some money comes in after that, right? So yeah, last year, the first year in three years, I believe we dipped into our operating. We've been running pretty
close to zero every year. Electrical upgrade, I believe that was an unexpected bill last year. 25,000 came in that we didn't see coming. Everything's old now. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's not everything.
>> Oh, the core area is getting a lot newer. >> Electrical pressure. The electrical is it's a constant chase. Uh we started that about 10 years ago. Um, we put a new transformer in that we were responsible for and then just have been working out from there on the
necessities. Uh, the barns where the fans are on the animals. That was the first thing we did. Make sure that they always have air moving across them. We just did the midway area or the gas area. We have one the power poles in front of like the office old office and
all the way down. All them need to be upgraded. They have all old power on them. um no ground in some of them. So yeah, it's roughly 20 grand is kind of what they were shooting from the hip, but we'll have that maintenance number.
What's that? >> Um 20,000. >> Yeah, that would be part of that. Uh no, it'd be underneath the future projects upgrade, electric upgrade, remaining power lines. I didn't I should have put numbers on it, but I did this an hour.
It's a touch busy right now running and gunning. So like we agreed I think it was back in March when we were here and you guys agreed to the bill or last fall we agreed to the building. We have said
that we wouldn't ask for increase to our budget with uh you guys giving us a new building down there. Any other questions of living? Give me a call. Try to be an open book as much as we
could. pretty black and white for about seven. >> Without egg bash, it wouldn't exist. >> It would not. Well, it would exist. It just won't look the same. >> No, >> the events that we have are carried by a bash. >> Yeah.
>> Cool. >> Okay. So, let's have Libby give us the update on the building. That one's a lot easier. It's not done yet, but uh we're anticipating by Thursday we
should The building should be ours. Um Buzzy Plumbing is in there. F2 Electric and MTV are finishing up things today. They should be barring any hiccups should be done today. Um little light maintenance things tomorrow and dates our building. So, Saturday is cleanup
day. We're planning on moving in stainless steel coolers, all the stuff that we removed from the old building. Some of it's new, probably shot, but for the most part, we're going to utilize as much as we possibly can. The only thing that won't get done is the um the hood that
goes above the fryers. >> Yeah, >> the uh fan is backward 3 to four weeks yet, so probably won't get done. But everything else looks amazing. um building project is on budget. We did
get some in kind donations and some financial donations. So we added on some concrete connected all the concrete so you can go from one end of the fairgrounds to the other on concrete with a wheelchair at least 5 foot wide concrete. >> Nice.
>> Um the ADA bathroom, there's a one stall ADA bathroom inside the building now. So for emergencies if it's raining, that kind of thing. Um, we did decide to upgrade the sewer and water all the way back to the city. So,
we got some added expense there, but we got some donations came in from to help us with that. Um, that was about 25,000 to go back, you know, with black top and everything to do that. But when we got some of the donations and we seen where things were at, how deep they were, um,
that's tying in the 4H building, the new bathrooms, and the new building. So, we kind of put it to all the buildings that had sewer and water. got all new sewer water underground now and it's deep so it won't have any issues. We still will blow blow out all the lines but >> at least it gives us a shot at that.
>> Um do you have an idea other than if the county committed how many approximate dollars of the donations that you receive? >> Um I'm going to I'm going to be guessing because uh the in kind ones are a little harder, right? Um, yeah,
>> the tear downs, the free gravel, the >> miscellaneous scrap and whatnot. But I'm going to say give or take 100,000. >> Really? >> Mhm. >> It's pretty good. >> Yeah. Yeah, absolutely. Help make some things. Um, I hope you all can make it down there this that weekend to see it
or or if you want to come down anytime, check it out. Um, I can kind of explain, but we put some concrete pads. Um, in fact, there's a group of people came up with $7,000 for trees. They want to put more trees out there. asked if they raised the money and took care of it
all. If we do it, they've agreed. Uh shade is a good thing. I mean, so little things like that. I mean, people are taking some pride in the building. It's it's been kind of unbelievable. I mean, you know that that it's there, but it's really been nice to have the people and
there's a lot of traffic through there. The contractors get kind of frustrated sometimes because of people stopping by, but it's been really, really good. So very few hiccups. Everything's been kind of just goal. So been very fortunate.
But so >> so I got a question for you, Mr. Chair. I'm going to ask you this question. How big a service did you put in that building? >> Two. >> One in one and one in four. 4 in.
>> 4 in sewer and 1 in. >> You did a 4 in. >> We did. We did 4 inch. Um, that's what Jody So that was something I didn't know, but when you hook after the city, then it's a has to be a state approved plumber.
>> It is. >> So, Jody did that and that's what he speced out was a 4 inch to every building. So, it's not a really long stretch. They came out of the main deep and then split off three ways. So, it's not a real long run of 4 in.
>> There is no drain in the main part. We did not put a floor drain in. The expense of that to put a uh what do you call it? Fire trap or whatever the oil trap in that was more than we were willing to put a floor drain in. Something we didn't need but maybe in the future we would. The >> explosion proof thing.
>> There you go. >> Yeah, it was it it outweighed the the benefit. >> But I think we had to put sprinklers in too. >> Then we would have had to Yeah. And we did not at this time. >> Right. Then you need at least a 6 in water supply, right, for sprinkler. the
deck is >> and we couldn't afford that either. >> No, >> we didn't have that much. >> So, it's just a 1 in plastic that went in there. >> 1 inch plast uh it might be inch and a half actually. >> Okay. >> Yep. Yep. I >> Yep. Coming in feeding the buildings.
>> Y >> um we did have some money come in um to help us. It was $20,000 to insulate and steal up the rest of the building because there's so many doors in the building. So, there wasn't a lot of steel left to do. So, um, we did that
for that family that donated that line. So, the building is finished up. Does not have heat, does not have air conditioning in it. Um, nor at this time will it, but it it is set up for future. We're trying to build a 100red-y year building or more. So, it was kind of a
it ain't going to get cheaper. >> Yeah. So, I got a question. If you insulated and prepared, but you didn't put a floor grain in it, what the chicken and the egg of that? Well, if we don't have any plans in the future of for us for heating it, but if somebody
were to want to rent it, the expense just outweighed it. I mean, it was it was going to be Danish six figures to do what we wanted if we would do it all same package versus 20,000. It's cooler in there right now. And was
the main thing for us and noise when it's raining and the doors are all shut. It's very quiet in there. A tin building gets really, really loud if it's not insulated. So that was part of it. Noise control. Um. Yeah. But yeah, no, it's it was discussed heavily. It just came down to budget. >> Sure.
>> Budget cut. So >> you can directional bore something in there if you needed to. >> You know, the concrete guy said there's there's multiple ways to come back and do that in the future if it if it came to necessity. Like I said, if we did heat it and and we were put snow balls in it, we're going to need floor trains.
We're going to need to figure it out. Um his thought was put a sump in um and you pump it. you I mean there's there's multiple different ways to do it. You know, it wouldn't be ideal, but it would be doable to for the uh the short term
to do it. So, it's a pretty amazing building. I am we are all super proud of what we have down there and we very grateful for what you guys did to help us out to make that happen. It's it's a pretty dang
impressive and the groups and the people there's people around around the area coming out and just strange people that you don't see around town much are out there checking things out, checking out the fairgrounds and there's a lot of changes. The beer garden came down that got moved in there and the Lance Club is going to go in there. Just a lot of things. The
business expo, I think they got 20ome businesses are going to be in there on Saturday for the business expo. Wow. So, it's it's been really nice to have. It's a safer building by far. So >> when when you come to start with, you talk about signage.
>> Mhm. >> Did that has that been done or turn out decent? >> Um like you're talking sponsor sign. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Yep. So we opted to go to banners at this time. So they're going to be a two
2x4 banner and they'll be on the east wall. So when they walk in, they'll be on there for it'll be for the anybody who supported the building don donations physically or or financially. So yep, that
tick tock tick tock. But um yeah, Wednesday or Thursday at the fair, we'll put them up probably by get to it. But hopefully they're here Saturday, we can do it on clean up day. Um our goal is Saturday when we leave that the fair is ready to turn lights on and go. them.
>> Good. >> I got one more thing. You guys ain't busy out there saying you want to come serve rip your floats at the kickoff of the fair. We're going to grand opening of the new building. We're going to do rip your floats for the 250th birthday
of the of America. >> Bill's the only one that >> we got that taken care of. Tina said she would take care of that. >> Thank you, Tina. We appreciate that. >> She just brought it up before you showed up. So, you're going to put like red, white, and blue and have a big top hat or something on it. >> Prep good. Yeah,
>> I like it. Then you go in the dunk tank after she >> I'll put my Richard Nixon class. Right on. Right on. But as always, if you guys have any questions, just give me a call. Um, you don't have my number. I know Doyle and Tina do. Give me a call. Swing
down, find me at the fair, go to the office, and have radio. It's not going to be easy to find him otherwise, but maybe see they can kick me out, but I don't s be awesome. Thanks for all you guys do. Appreciate you. >> Thank Thanks for your work.
>> Absolutely. Hang on. It's so >> beautiful. >> Okay. Well, that's the end of our request for today. I'll just join the meeting and at 1:36
p.m. Thank you.