ready. No. >> We're going to take a break after They are hot. >> You have to work hard. >> Why they have us use Chrome on here? Because Chrome is quite reputation. No, no,
>> they use >> or for the >> search thing reputation for a lot of >> places. I was thinking of voting early last year. >> I'll just go.
We have a couple times, >> you know, it's like a quick conversation. >> You lost your mind. >> I always have to expensive. >> Put your hand. >> They are the best, aren't they?
I can't sit there either. >> All right. >> It are you ready? Good morning everybody and welcome to the Candy County Board of Commissioners meeting for Tuesday, November 4th, 2025.
Please stand for the pledgece to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands. One nation, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I want to welcome everybody who's uh in
the room today and uh also the folks who are catching us on YouTube. Uh we are going to uh go through the approval of the uh agenda and the consent agenda briefly and then we will recess this meeting and we will reconvene as the
drainage authority uh for a public hearing there. Uh, at this time, uh, anyone like to move approval of the agenda? >> I move to approve the agenda. >> Commissioner Dwayne Anderson moves. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Commissioner Dale Anderson seconds.
Discussion. >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> All opposed. Motion passes. Uh the uh consent agenda today consists of the approval of the October 21st, 2025 county board legal minutes, approval of
the auditor's warrants and claims, cancellation of human services stale dated warrants, and contract for public safety answering point pap services for Bigstone County. Uh would any
commissioners wish to remove any of these items from the consent agenda? Mr. Chair, I move that we approve the consent agenda as presented. >> I'll second that. >> Thank you. Uh, Commissioner Berg moves. Commissioner Mckens. Discussion. Hearing
none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> All opposed. >> Motion passes. At this time, we will recess the Candy Ohio County uh board of commissioners meeting and we will convene as the drainage authority for county ditch 20. This is a public
hearing. Um, and I'd like to uh uh welcome everybody uh who is uh here for the hearing today. The purpose of our hearing is to receive comments and testimony from all parties interested in the proposed project to impound, rout,
and divert county ditch 20 waters in the northeast quarter of section 28 Irving Township in Candyo High County. This is an evidentiary hear proceeding and notes are being taken to preserve the record. The order of business for this hearing
will be as follows. First, Austin Hillbrands, the county's drainage manager, will explain explain the process which has brought us to this public hearing and the purpose of this hearing. Mr. Hillbrands will submit for the record the evidence of notice
provided for today's hearing. Following Mr. Hillbrand's engineer Nick Wyers with Stantech will present the petitioned project and the engineers report of the petition to impound reroute and divert of county ditch 20. Following Mr.
Wy's presentation, I will open the hearing for public comment. The board would like to hear your comments on the proposed action and any information relevant to that purpose. If you would like to make a a comment when the public comment period is opened, uh please
raise your hand, come forward, and when I recognize you, please state your name and address for the record. If you have property affected by the proposed project, it will also be helpful for you to identify that property. And if you have a specific question concerning the project or
proceedings, we may ask Mr. Johnson, Mr. Wyers, or Mr. Hillbrands to respond. If you have anything in writing that you wish to submit, uh you can provide it to me during the public comment portion of today's hearing. Would any of the board members wish to offer any further
remarks before we uh begin? All right. Very good. Then Mr. Hillbrand's floor is yours. Morning, Mr. Chair, board members, Austin Hillbrand, your drainage manager. Uh we received a petition from the middle fork of the Crow River wershed district to replace
the outlet and diversion structures on Calhoun Lake with the new rock arch rapids and replace the timber bridge in the northeast quarter of section 28 Irving Township Candy County. Um under Minnesota statute 103E227. This statute covers the petition covers
petitions to impound reroute and divert drainage systems waters. The drainage authority met on October 7th, 2025 and approved the draft findings in order receiving the petition and initiating proceedings to acknowledge the petition. Appoint Nick we of Stantech as the engineer for county ditch 20 and direct
the Canyu County auditor treasurer upon receipt of the engineers report set a date, time and time and location for a public hearing on the petition. Engineer Nick Wears filed an engineer's report with engineers report of findings with the Kandai County auditor treasur on October 22nd, 2025. Upon filing the
engineers report with the Kandai County auditor treasurer um on October 20 24th, the auditor set November 4th, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. in the commissioner's boardroom of this building uh as the time and place for public hearing on the
petition to petition to impound reroute and divert county ditch 20. The purpose of today's hearing is to hear a presentation on the engineers report of findings, to hear public comments about the project, and to determine if the project will be a public public or private benefit, and that it will not
impair the utility of the drainage system or deprive effective land owners of its benefit. The engineers report can be found on page 23 in your packet. The draft findings order can be found on page 109 in your packet. Notice requirements for this hearing require that we send notice by mail of
the time and location of the hearing to the petitioners, owners of property, and political subdivisions likely to be affected by the proposed drainage project on October 24th, 2025 under the direct supervision of the Kandui County auditor treasur. I mailed the hearing notice to the petitioners and all
benefited property owners on county district 20 and I have an affidavit of mailing to submit for the record. >> Thank you. Do uh any of the board members have any questions for Mr. Hillbrands? >> All right. Thank you. Then Mr. Weers, uh
will you please present your engineers report on the Middle Fork of the Crow River Wersheds District petition to impound, reroute, and divert County Ditch 20? >> Yeah. Thank you, Mr. Chair. U board members.
>> Um can I see it? Can >> you pull that up? Yes. >> Oh, can I get the screen from >> Can I pull up? >> Oh, sorry. Sorry. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> Can I There you go. All right. Perfect.
Uh, good morning. Uh, again, my name is Nick Wires with Stantech. Uh, I'm here before you to present on the Lake Calhoun outlet repair project. Andy Johnson with Middlefork Crow and then Josh and Howard are here with the DNR to assist with any
any questions you may have as well. Uh so the project is located in Candyo High County um with the the Dietri Lang Wildlife Management Area adjacent to Lake Calhoun. Lake Calhoun 650 acres with a maximum depth of 13 feet. Um the
Dietri Lang WMA is 900 acres and it's also a state waterfall refuge. The uh within that area there's the Crow River Diversion Dam. Um I don't know if I can
over here and then we have the Lake Calhoun outlet dam that's the acts as the outlet to Lake Calhoun. Both were built in 1938 and were set with a court-ordered elevation of 115529 with the 29 datam. Uh these structures
control the water level at Lake Calhoun, the Dietri L WMA and Green Lake. And this outlet from Green Lake is the middle fork crow river, but it also serves as candy county ditch 20.
Here's an overview of that area where you can see District Lang WMA is located between Green and Calhoun. The Candy Ohio County Ditch 20 was petitioned for establishment in 1906 and runs approximately 32,000 ft from Green Lake
through the WMA to the boundary of Mer County. Uh the rechaning of that natural outlet resulted in the draining of Lake Calhoun, uh the area that's now the WMA and Mud Lake. Um, a public sentiment prompted the
state to construct the diversion dam and outlet dam in 1938, and a court order set that elevation in 1953. Years of vandalism caused the DNR to permanently set the elevation with welded stop logs that are just hidden below kind of that
floating bog that's attached to that in that photo. Uh, that elevation was set at an 1155.29 29 in the NGVD 29 DATM through this project. We were worked with the DNR and Stantech to accurately
determine a conversion to the 88 DATM. So on the plans and kind of in that report, you'll see both that 115929 as well as the 1155.8 which is the elevation in that 88 datim.
Uh just a few more pictures of kind of the existing conditions of the of the bridge and and dam. So this is that outlet or this is the diversion dam with the bridge over the top of it. Just kind of looking at it from downstream. Um
few more photos of it. This is an upstream photo. Um and then just looking downstream after we we removed some trees last winter. Uh then we get into the outlet dam for for Calhoun Lake there. The Allet Dam
overflow is set to the same elevation as those diversion stop logs with the abutments and those peers being higher. I'm just showing that same outlet dam from downstream. There is a lowflow pipe
with a slle gate attached to it. And then here just kind of showing a wider version right where we'll get into proposed conditions, but where you can see some of these rocks up in this area is where we're going to be working on improving the shoreline fishing.
So an overview on rockart rapids and what they are. Uh this is kind of that simplified version of the rock arch rapids. We've the DNR is has worked on approximately 70 plus locations across the street state to replace or partially replace a dam. Uh it's a series of we
embedded in a base of large rock and an arch configuration with a slope of 3% or less and each of those those we'll drop less than 6 ft. uh it's tied in downstream and it's lower in the middle
to direct flow towards the center of of the channel. Uh each of those we has gaps to allow fish passage and each of the the pools that you can see kind of shown in here are to allow for for low flow and and uh
>> they kind of act as a >> excuse me. So each each drop was six feet or >> six feet is is yeah is the max that's allowed. So um between each of those ways. Yeah. >> I thought I heard 6, but then I thought about >> Yep. Good question. Thank you.
>> Thank you. >> Um this this example does show it just kind of ramping up from from one fixed dam down to to that tie-in elevation too, but there are u many different versions
that have been installed to date. Few photos from an example project. Uh, Seven Mile Creek near St. Peter was constructed in 2024. You can see here that fixed weir uh dam that they had in
in Sevenmile Creek as they started construction. You can still see that dam a little bit down at the at the top here. Uh but you can see the the ramping of of the rock and just kind of the channeling of it to to keep it in the middle
shortly after construction was completed. This is what it'll what it started to look like. And then later you can see the the low flow passage through the rock and and even some of the higher flows on the on the right side there to
show how the water is going to be sloping through the water through the through this section of of rock. Uh most of these are all run by the river ecology unit. They've done 75 rock arch rapids to date. Uh, and the first one was built in 1994 on the Ottertale
River in Fergus Falls. You can see on here that a lot of them have been located in in northwest Minnesota. It's all part of their reconnecting the red initiative, but they're also doing something similar on the palm to tear.
So, getting into this project, uh, here's what we're proposing for the rock art traps running through there. Uh each rockart trapid is composed of a rock ramp with a gentle slope which in this case is 3% or less. The rock arch rapids
or wears are nested within that ramp uh and made of large fieldstone boulders positioned into that arch shape. The top of the arch is upstream and is set lower than the outside to really focus that flow into the center of the rapids. And then along with that gentle slope, there
will be those pools just downstream uh to provide pool habitat and lowflow refuge. In our project, those drops of 6 feet are actually able to be.5 feet per we and the large boulders that compose
these wears are hand selected and field placed. the Santech and the DNR will have people on site to help the contractor strategically place these to meet the project specifications.
So, just a few, you know, details that are on here. There's there's 36 in of of boulders below that to really set that base in a in a stable condition. Those boulders that are going to be running across are 36 to 60 inch diameter
boulders and they'll be they'll be spaced with those gaps to allow for fish fish passage. The Lake Calhoun outlet dam is is the first one we have shown here. It's you can see through there that it has the 3% slope.
Um the dam is going to have the slle gate removed. It'll have those abutments, those peers in the middle removed to make it one level dam across it. And it'll have the installation of the rock arch rapids. It'll be a gradual widening from the kind of narrow dam
that's there with the abutments to the wider channel downstream. We're also filling in some wash out areas that have occurred just downstream of the dam uh with with additional rock and some vegetation to to stabilize those banks.
There's also going to be shoreline fishing opportunities both upstream and downstream of the of the existing dam with with some larger 48 to 72 inch boulders with a flat flat top on them.
seen here is the diversion dam within county ditch 20. Um that during the design this stretch of of CD20 was evaluated and found that no separable repairs were necessary uh within the project boundary and that no
request was made to for additional drainage system funding. So everything is within this project area and it's and it's all going to be that the DNR funded project. So the site includes the bridge replacement um
rock art rapids and a sheet pile weir to set that legally controlling elevation um which I'll get which I'll get into kind of on this next next slide showing that that elevation. So uh the court
ordered elevation of 1155.80 80 in the 88 datim will be set by that sheet pile we trapezoid shape. It has an 11 foot bottom with 3 to one side slopes up to the top. Uh during permitting there was
additional seepage uh determinations calculations determined and we actually ended up widening it into the bank a little bit further to prevent any wash out around the around that sheet pile. uh the trapezoidal shape uh specifically was designed to assist with the
hydraulic analysis to provide the no-rise scenario that's needed uh which I'll get into in a few slides. Uh here is that bridge replacement. So the bridge is the second worst rated DNR uh vehicle bridge in the state. It all
still passes uh the the inspection, but it is in need of repair. So that's one of the major things that is driving this project. So, it's going to be replaced with a concrete deck bridge with 20 foot drive lanes as well as a 4 foot
protected walk to allow for access across the river as well as some some fishing locations. Um, lot going on on this slide. This is kind of showing that norise evaluation of what we completed for for determining
that this project isn't going to impound any additional water. So the cross-sections that were that were critical in this in this were that 15.822 that was at green the 14.524
which is at the kind of diversion that goes down uh CD20 and then over to Lake Calhoun we have a cross-section just downstream uh at 13.65x4 6x4 which is where the outlet from Calhoun and CD20
reconnect and then the cross-section 13.2 is downstream at Culverts at 160th Street. Um so we performed that norise evaluation for this project and determined that the
uh effect of the project to those surrounding properties and water level that there was no no rise. Um there is in through this kind of middle area. So I know it might be tough to see but this rise on the side there is a shown rise
through the rock arch rapids because we are raising up that grade there. Um that was all all in an acceptable uh area as we were changing those grades. But the water levels in those
uh in that 100red-year event had had no rise in the other four areas that are shown on this on this figure. Uh this table is directly from the no-rise report that just shows that existing and proposed condition at each
of the of the of the dams. So showing that in that in that 100red-year um at both the uh diversion dam and the and the outlet dam uh have no water
level increase. Uh so kind of moving moving past the the design of it, there was a significant permitting lift with this project. We had uh the Minnesota DNR work in public waters. We had uh the wetland conservation act for some wetlands that
were that were impacted with a replacement plan and a no loss permit. uh the US Army Corps of Engineers, uh a no-rise certificate, which we just discussed, and then the the 103E petition that we're that I'm in front of
you for today. Uh the MPCA's Clean Water Act, and then there's going to be a pollution control agency storm water permit that'll be obtained by the contractor after this before the start of construction. Uh
quick update on these permits. Uh the DNR work in public waters is ongoing and expected soon. Uh along with the wetland conservation act and the the no-rise certificate. Um the clean water act has been completed and then we are waiting
on the core of engineers for uh that permit to be finalized. We expect it hopefully soon after the government reconvenes. So, uh, funding is all through the DNR through their, uh, get out more, uh,
funding, uh, betterment of lands and the natural resources, uh, asset prevention preservation program. Uh, no funds from County Ditch 20 are requested for the construction of this project as no separable repairs were were founded. Um
you can see kind of a breakdown of of of where those funds came from, but it's it's through different divisions within the DNR. Um other partners on this project have been uh Middle Fork Crow River and and and Stantech Engineering,
uh Candy County, Austin has been involved through all of our design process, uh the Green Lake Property Owners Association, as well as the Lake Calhoun Association. Um project update. We completed tree removal last winter uh in accordance
with the BAT restrictions. Um the project has been awarded to Minnesota native native landscapes. Uh pending and all the permitting coordination that we're working through. Uh we're we're here in front of you for the the public hearing for county ditch 20. We've
completed significant public outreach for all the lakes. Um we hosted an open house at at Middlefork's office on July 28th where residents from Green and Calhoun came and and voiced their opinions and concerns of the project. Um
and then we have a tentative construction schedule in here where the contractor is hoping to start with the rock uh this winter yet uh on both those sites while keeping the road and uh bridge open in in some capacity. And
then the bridge will be removed next September uh with access to to Lake Calhoun being closed off um middle middle of September with a substantial completion of the middle of November of
next year. Um and final in July 1st of 2027 with all restoration. Uh we have had uh frequent questions on on the project um you know about letting
more carp into these areas and we've discussed those at kind of both those open houses. But um it will allow carp to pass through these unlike the unlike the other one but there is carp up and downstream of these dams as there is. Uh what this is also going to do is
uh increase that fish diversity because they'll also be able to to passage these these new dams. Um impacts to the Green Lake water levels. There's no there's no impact to it. The hydraulic analysis completed shows there's no impact. Um
same with the township road downstream um was determined. It it was asked a lot of it was regarding the water. So like widening the abupment at the at the dam. You could see that it's a narrow just sheet pile right now and or narrow
abutments and we're putting in that sheet pile. That's where that trapezoid comes in to control that water elevation. And then if the ditch system was paying for anything and and that answer is no. All the funding is through the uh
DNR. So you know last thing I have here before taking any additional questions is really just the benefits of this project. Um there's there's so there's so many benefits to the fish and muscle passages that haven't been able to to pass through there based on the drop we have
been currently in place. Um there's safety improvements to both the shoreline fishing and and people walking around these sites. All those tree removals, uh if you've tried to leave Lake Calhoun, uh trying to see people
driving in, those tree removals have created a great line of sight for that. Um as well as all the fishing boulders we're going to be placing to to maintain that safety element around there. Um, this is a great lowmaintenance option
for fixed wheels. Uh, the the plan is to have very minimal maintenance moving forward. Um, and these dams are at the end of their life cycles anyway. So, it's time to do some sort of improvement to it. That's that's going to kind of
help with maintenance long term. >> Questions? >> Uh, thank you. Uh uh do any board members have any questions for Mr. Wyers or the petitioners? Uh Commissioner Anderson? >> Yeah. So the the only one that has a
sheet pile where is is the top where your the established elevation is and then the others are just the rock. >> Yeah. >> Okay. And you got it figured out so they don't roll downstream or whatever. So, I'm sure because you're engineers, but
uh is there any concern like somebody would come there at the middle of the night and remove a boulder or I mean does that ever happen? Do you ever have problems? >> Those boulders are are 36 to 60 in. So, the ones that are setting those those we
are large enough that that shouldn't be able to happen. Um there are obviously the smaller ones that are in there that you know are all kind of in those pools and stuff. those will, you know, likely shift around slightly, but um nothing
that would impact the structural integrity of of that dam. >> Thank you. Anyone else with any uh uh commissioner? >> Uh Mr. Chair, thank you very much. And some of this is a little bit familiar from our roads and bridges tours as
well. So, this is not the first time we've seen uh some of this area. I'm looking at the photo though and I just was wondering if I understand that there was a canoe somebody in there. Did that person make it down the river or was that you? >> You know, I'd have to default to Joshu.
That was his his photo. Um >> y that this one's up in actually in Fergie Falls in Ottertale County. This is >> Oh, it kind of looks like the >> Otter Little Pine Lake outlet. >> So that the metal bridge is actually a snowmobile trail bridge. It goes over there then.
Yes, that that one is that one is passable through there with a canoe. Um there's a individual that takes actually takes boy scouts on that one particularly to teach those boys how to maneuver white water. It it's not a white water park. It's not but it shows them how to go around those boulders and
work the boulders and everything else. So yeah, it's pretty neat that and I think that's who he's in a canoe in this one. But uh there was another one where he was actually yeah showing the boys and stuff too was really neat. So Thank you. More to the story than I
thought. Thank you. >> Anyone else with any questions? Commissioner Mck. >> I don't really have a question. I might mind more of a comment. So, it has been several years that I've been contacted by u particularly homeowners on Lake
Calhoun about the u concern of whether or not that dam was going to fail. And so I um have having driven out there a few times, seeing the tree removal, I think this is a really great project that will um enhance the recreation and
the aesthetics of the area. >> Thank you. >> Any other questions or comments from the board? >> All right, with that then uh we are ready to hear from members of the public who wish to comment. Uh and again uh for the record, please state your name and
address and uh if you're able to please identify your property as you begin your comment. Is there anyone who wishes to be recognized? Any members of the public who wish to be recognized during the public hearing? A last and final call for any members
who of the public who wish to participate in the public hearing. >> And does anyone have any written materials that they wish to present? >> Mr. Chair, I received no written comments for this public hearing.
>> Thank you. All right. Um uh have any uh members of the board uh received anything from the public then in this matter? No. All right. Then we will hereby close the
public comment portion of this hearing. Uh Mr. Hillbrands, uh what are our options at this point in time? >> So you heard a presentation on the project and the engineers report. Um, you heard or there was no public comments and I believe the engineer was able to answer all the board's
questions. Um, in the draft findings and order in your packet, it states the petitioner shall be, this is in the order section, petitioner shall be responsible for all costs associated with the design and construction of the proposed project in county district 20. that the petitioner shall be responsible
for all expenses and fees incurred by the drainage authority and affectuating these proceedings including the cost of engineering, legal fees, staff hours, publication and all other costs of these proceedings that upon completion of the pound reroute and diversion of county dish 20 waters. The petitioner shall
cause to be filed with the kander county auditor and asbuilt plan showing showing the alterations to county dish 20. After completion of the project, the state of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will take ownership of the constructed Rock Arch rapids structure
and the vehicle bridge within the channel of County Dish 20 and will be responsible for future repairs and maintenance of the structure. Furthermore, the Minnesota DNR will not modify the structure without proper authorization from the from the Kandai County Drainage Authority under Minnesota statute 103E.
Um, if you feel the engineers report and other evidence presented at this project will be a public or private benefit and will not impair the utility of the drainage system or def um or deprive effective land owners of its benefit, you can approve the draft findings in order as presented by by me approving
the alteration to county 20 as detailed by engineer Nick Wyers in his engineers report. [Applause] >> Thank you. What would the uh what is the wishes of the board? Commissioner Mdeck. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Mr. Chair, I would
uh uh move to accept the staff recommendation and move forward with this project. >> Thank you. And is there a second? >> I'll second that, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. And then uh we have a motion from Commissioner Index, seconded by
Commissioner Dwayne Anderson. Is there any discussion? All right. Hearing no discussion, then we will vote on these draft findings and orders by roll call vote. Commissioner Dale Anderson, >> I. >> Commissioner Dwayne Anderson, >> I. >> Commissioner Berg,
>> I. >> The chair votes I. Commissioner Mdeck, >> I. >> With that, we have five eyes, zero nazs. Uh, and the motion uh carries. Um, all right. That is that brings us to the end of our business here during this
public hearing then. Correct. >> Yes. >> All right. Well, thank you very much and thank you for uh uh everyone's patience. Uh we will at this time uh adjourn the >> We have other agenda items related to the >> pardon me. >> We have other drainage authority.
>> Oh, I'm sorry. I was I was I was getting too far ahead. Yep, there we go. Uh then the next item of business is approval of the October 21st, 2025 drainage authority meeting minutes. >> Yes. >> Yep. >> And is there a motion?
>> So move, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. Commissioner Mck moves. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Commissioner Dale Anderson seconds. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. All opposed. Motion passes.
And then uh we have one other action item and this is uh approval of the draft final hearing notice for county ditch 7 redetermination of benefits. Uh Mr. Hillbrands, will you introduce tee this one up for us?
>> Yes, Mr. Chair, I uh I did I did change this. I'm going to seek a motion to set the public hearing for December 19th. Um, we received the viewers report for county did 7 and uh I coordinated with
the two other joint boards and with with all of you and the county did seven county at seven board um and December 19th worked for everybody. So December 19th, we'll have a public hearing on the redetermination benefits for county 7
and JD3 and JD7 and then a consolidation hearing at the end of that to consolidate these all into one system. >> And the invitation uh came out for that to us and that was uh at that time going to be held up here. That location is going to be changed.
>> Correct. That that will be changed in the notice. Correct. >> Uh down to the multi-purpose room downstairs. >> Yes. Yep. To accommodate more people. Outstanding. All right. Any uh uh any questions for Mr. Hillbrand?
All right. Is there a motion? Uh Mr. Mr. Chair, I move to set the public hearing for the redetermination of benefits for CD7 and consolidation of CD7 with JD7 and JD7 laterals and JD3 laterals and
branches for December 19th, 2025 at 8 a.m. or thereafter as the agenda allows in the multi-purpose room at the Health and Human Services Building, 2200 23rd Street Northeast, Wilmer, Minnesota. >> Mr. Chair, I'll second that motion.
Thank you. We have a motion and seconded. Motion by Commissioner Dwayne Anderson, seconded by Commissioner Mdeck. Any discussion? All right. Hearing none, then we will vote on these by a roll call vote as all
as well. Uh, Commissioner Dale Anderson, >> I. >> Commissioner Dwayne Anderson, >> I. >> Commissioner Berg, >> I. >> The chair votes I. Commissioner Mdeck, >> I. >> Five eyes, zero nazs, and the motion carries. Uh thank you for uh for
everything today and we will adjourn the uh ditch authority meeting. Uh and we will reconvene as the Candyo High County Board of Commissioners and we will take a 10 12 minute recess.
it, are you ready? >> Thank you. The Cand County Board of Commissioners is back in session. And next we have our Health and Human Services Director, Caroline Khan, uh giving us an update on federal and potential uh impacts. Caroline, nice
ride. Uh, and good morning. >> Good morning, commissioners. I'm Caroline Khan. As uh, Chair Gardner indicated, I'm the director of health and human services here for Candy Ohio County. This morning, just coming before you to make space for an update as we have ongoing federal impacts from the
federal government shutdown. Uh, make space for just uh, updating you as well as our community on what we know today and and makes uh, hear from you any questions that you may have had from your citizens as well. Uh this morning um coming with a few little updates.
Yesterday some hot news was that there the USDA will be um dispersing some contingency funds uh for the benefits of SNAP throughout the um nation. What it's important to understand is that that has not been yet relayed from the state how
that will be dispersed or what that will look like. Uh that is new information and has not been deployed in the past. So we are trying to stay a breast of it as as quickly as we can. But what we want our our community to know is that as soon as we know information, we will
be communicating both at at a state level and a local level as to what people can expect and how those will be deployed um and when they can expect for those to be deployed. We're already receiving phone calls and and inquiries about what does that mean and how soon will things um begin uh to to show up um
in my either new application or current program benefits. Um last time we I came and updated the board. We talked a little bit about the 35 3521 individuals enrolled in SNAP in Candy
Ohio County. I wanted to provide a little bit more lens about what that looked like from a makeup. We have 12% of individuals that are aged 65 and older. We have 38% of those individuals are 0 to 17 and 23% of those individuals
are ages 18 to 64 who live with a disability. So I think that's really important to understand some of those vulnerability impacts to the makeup of that population. Um, we've also been notified that there's an increased number of scams where ind uh bad actors
are texting people saying, "Hey, I have the opportunity to get you your um benefits. I found some, you know, a a new stash or this." All you need to do is send me your PIN number. All you need to do is send me your social security. Uh, that is a scam. Please do not engage
in that activity. Um, if you hear of somebody that received one of those texts, we ask that you report that to your local law enforcement authorities. Um, we I have not been personally notified of that happening in Candy Ohigh County, but that has been happening throughout the country as well as in Minnesota. I anticipate now with
this new um news as of yesterday that we'll see an uptick in that behavior. So, we really want people to be mindful if Candy County is reaching out to you. We are not going to be asking for that information either inhouse or on on the
phone um or via text. Um MIP as reported last time, cash benefits were dispersed, but SNAP benefits of the MIP program were not. Um Jod just shared with me right before I came up here that we just received some hot off the press wick
information. Last update we had was that we had secured funding through mid November. MDH just informed us this morning that we have re uh secured funding for WIC through um to December. So now through the the month of November. We were just meeting as a WIC team this morning to go through uh what
our WIC uh population looks like. So I wanted to share a little bit more about that with you this morning. Of the 1540 participants enrolled in our Rick Wick program, uh we have 357 women, 870
children, and 313 infants. A standard formula cost for an infant is about $250 for standard um formula. We have 28 infants on specialty formula. So, we're working right now to frame what does that look like from a cost standpoint so
we can provide more information to you about that. On average, $33,000 a month of WIC benefits are dispersed within Candy Ohio County. So, that's on top of the $522,000 of SNAP benefits, bringing it to about
$550,000 of um food nutrition benefit to Gadio High County. Um, and then I just wanted to highlight as well as our community leadership team continues to meet on Friday mornings, uh, you will be able to go to vision
2040's page. We've decided as a community to use that as a resource landing page. Uh, community members can go to the community resource landing and find all food access uh, resources as well as other community relevant community resources through the packed
for families resource guide. Um, and then connections to mental health resources. I can't echo enough how important it is to communicate to our neighbors that this is a heavy lift and a heavy time frame and and services and supports exist uh throughout Candy Ohio
County to support in that and just remind individuals about the crisis line as well as urgent uh care walk-ins at Woodland Centers um to be a partner through this um and encourage people to utilize those resources as available. And I would imagine that uh we're also
utilizing our uh uh social media accounts uh uh specific to Candy Ohio County to bring out some of this message and all the appropriate links to the resources. And >> once that community resource page is live, we will be using our social media platforms to send that out. Yes.
>> Outstanding. Uh uh I just had a couple of things. So, so you mentioned that USDA uh has uh released uh contingency funds. Is it the entire fund or is it a portion of it? And uh uh what impact is
that going to have for uh SNAP recipients in the month of November? >> My understanding is it will be a portion of the contingency funds is committed to be released and has not I don't know if that has been released as of yet, but is has committed to release. Um and that is
to yet to be known. We have to re that has to be given to the states and then directed down to the counties. Um so that's the guidance that we're re um awaiting to receive. We have we're not we're unclear as to what that impact will look like from a recipient standpoint. And if it uh if it does mean
that those don't get rolled out right away and local units of government like Candy Ohio County uh decide that they want to step into the breach. Uh there's no guarantee that uh there will be any reimbursement
for those funds at this time would be >> there's been no discussion of a reimbursement for those funds at this time. >> Okay. Uh and there was one uh one other item here. I'll have to find it in my notes, but at this time, uh, we'll ask for any other questions. Commissioner Mdeck.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. I think it was as of this morning, uh, I saw a report that 50% of that of the, uh, needs will be met with a contingency fund. The administration is saying, well, we don't even know the mechanics of how we can get contingency dollars into the EBT
cards. And I think that would also be true of the county. Uh to your hypothetical question about stepping into the breach, if there was money that we would allocate to it, we don't even know how we'd get it into the system. >> Thank you, Commissioner Burke.
>> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, it's a moving target. I mean almost every hour just last couple days something news coming out and I saw some of the reports this morning too on the different news outlets and you know what you're talking about that yes uh you know we are finding out that they're going to
allocate and be enough to cover for half a half a month and it depends upon how they're going to do it and it's questionable if and it's piggy back on what you're saying is they're not even sure the computer can uh unless you know computer's use of submitting the whole
amount and can they do partial then? And that could take days or a couple weeks even and so there's so much confusion about that whole thing going on and that really kind of concerns me. Also, I'm not sure where the state of Minnesota also was going to, you know, do something, but I'm not sure where that
puts us. So, from a county's point of view, you know, it kind of leaves us in limbo here. Yes, there's a something going in that direction how that's going to work out and where's the gap and I just I'm really concerned. I you know you think about Maslo's hierarchy of needs and and
food is a big part of that and the county has uh has been involved in over the years as a safety net and especially in this area and in some some manner and right now I think uh government has a
place in in that role and right now it's really confusing and when the government has taken the place in that role and we've been providing those services uh on on their behalf. But now we're sitting here and I'm thinking going forward, you know, we should be prepared
to do something if at some point in time this is not going to work out to fill that gap and you came up with some ideas and I'm just kind of wondering as as a board where we stand on this as well because I'm thinking we should allocate some dollars as possible to be able to
help with that as as needed. Right now, I think it's been very wise. We're leaving it up to the federal government and the state. This is their responsibility and uh and we really don't want to take property tax dollars and spend it that way. We do have
dollars and I understand some counties are doing that as well. Uh so I think we have a responsibility to have a plan here that we can move forward even if it's a motion that we would authorize the chair the administrator and and
yourself uh director uh to make that decision if if you know okay you say and I'm talking about you know maybe5 $10,000 going to the food shelf or or some other place for it to go to get help for these people that need food.
I threw out a lot there. >> No, no. I I came out this morning. I was just thinking we got to do something. >> And I appreciate that. I think right now our stance as a leadership team has been to try to to frame as much of what that request could look like for you. That's why we're trying to frame what does this
benefit cost? What what how many people are on specialty formula? And how what other ways can we braid? Uh meeting as a community with our you know we have about 20 partners that meet on Friday morning. I haven't had anybody show up at that meeting saying I have an unmet need today. Um, by meeting as a
collective, we're able to say here, you know, the food shelf hasn't said, I've turned away 1,600 families this week because we don't have the funds. If that day comes, then we will be able to come to this table and say, commissioners, can we have that conversation? Um, we're
we're have philanthropic partners. We have other social service agency partners. We all know that there's unmet needs today. um but to to depict how do we clearly deploy that. So I couldn't come before you with a a direct ask confidently. Um but that's what we're
attempting to do is frame what that would look like. So when that day comes, we're prepared as a team. We're we're still going through all of our families and saying, "Okay, we have this non-levy fund. How can we use this to deploy to to support the families that we are engaged with?" Understanding we're not
engaged with the entire community. Um, but how can we then use those to talk to some of our other partners to say, "Okay, if you have a family with an unmet need, how can we partner to meet those things or work with the Good Samaritan Fund at the Community Foundation um, and really work as a
cohesive community response versus just one partner sharing the lift?" Oh, >> Mr. Chair, yes, go ahead. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes. I also want to commend the staff and yourself and our agency uh and the county for, you know, what they've done up to this point. For example, I
was in church on Sunday and and of course, it was a big you've you know, the churches that many of the churches have been contacted and they're actually stepping up and doing things. Individuals are doing things and making extra donations. So, there's lots taking place and that's really good stuff
going. My concern is though that you know there's a gap in time two weeks between every board meeting and that we if you're we get we need to be prepared and we're looking for you to put that together for us uh so that you can take
the action when needed because we don't want to wait oh we got to wait two more weeks before we do that and we want to make be be able to give you the tools to work on this right away. Uh and uh and to that point, I suspect that uh uh
there may be some provision within statute that we could meet sooner than that. Commissioner Mck. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Um if we wait until the need is imminent >> and we don't have a plan, then it's
going to take more time to to implement the what we come up with. And uh so there's there's that. there's the question of where the funds would come from and I and there are some funds that I can think of um that could be
available and also um we have to identify who all the providers are. I mean we always talk about the food shelf but there's uh several uh distribution points within the county and probably even serving some outside the county
that drive in for it. that um uh we have to be able to mobilize for everybody and that's why the planning that uh Commissioner Berg talks about I think is uh important >> and uh uh you're working on this with
the community leadership team as well as all of our internal staff and administration. Uh and you know it's because everything seems like it's uh written in quicksand at the moment. Uh
uh guidance might change from one minute to the next. It's a little hard to put a target on this at this point in time uh as to whether or not resources will be needed. We suspect they will >> but uh also uh you know what does that look like? uh what are our priorities
within uh the unmet needs uh and that type of thing. Yes. >> I I I'm sorry. I thought I'd interrupted you. >> No, no, I'm I'm just I I appreciate the spirit of generosity. I was not expecting um this type of response. So, I
appreciate it and you know, yes, we we could I will not turn down the opportunity to to be able to invest in the needs locally. Um, and but I will take your guidance as to what you would like that to look like and where you would like that to to be dispersed. We do know who our active uh food
distribution access points are within the community or and the ones that we're we're directing to. Um, but that doesn't mean that they are our only opportunities. So, that was part of the community foundation's um uh a ability to use the inspired generosity. We've
identified that there are two specific food access um challenges uh within the community. One being our youth that are middle school and high school aged um and then one being non-b businessiness hour distribution. So we've we're working as a community leadership team to talk
about those vulnerabilities because right now food access points there's only one time frame during the day that is one day a week that is not 8 to 4:30. So trying to expand access or employer flexibility to allow staff to go um to
food access points during work days um for those needs. So trying some educational points around that or empowering distribution in other areas. So um we we we certainly could look at giving you the the link is a is a great
food access point for the northern part of the county. The community um the Kio County Food Shelf in the Wilmer area. hope for our city on Wilmer in Wilmer here on Wednesdays. Uh LSS Youth Resource also does food distribution and has pivoted theirs. We have some food
backpack programs throughout the schools districts um are some of the first points of food access distribution within the community outside of meal delivery. >> Commissioner Emck, >> thank you. Um you mentioned community leadership team. Can you
what is the community leadership team? So, it's actually a team that was put together during COVID that was kind of hosted through the community foundation where it brought together partners from both health and human services, uh the the city, UKAP, um food access points,
uh school districts, health systems, um >> faith organizations. I'm sure I'm missing whoever's able to show up. We we meet together virtually on Fridays at 9:00 am um and talk about what do we know today? What what challenges have we encountered? what opportunities do we see for the next
week? In what ways can we collaborate? Salvation Army is also a part of that um and just an opportunity to really talk about needs. That's where last week we talked about the youth um in that in that teen range as well as non-b businessiness hour food access
distribution. Could >> Could I follow up? Yes. Um >> sorry. >> So, I just want to make it clear that I can't speak for Commissioner Berg, but I can speak for myself. We're not offering resources at this time. What we're suggesting is that we have a plan so
that if resources are needed and we have the ability to to uh mobilize some resources that we we have the plan, but we we can't come if if there's a dire need 10 days from now, we can't, you know, we have to public notice these
things and we have to go through the right processes to have the conversations. So that I think is what Commissioner Ber is saying. is what I'm feeling in terms of readiness and hopefully it's all for moot. >> Yes, hopefully so it is. Thank you, Mr.
Chair. And I'm just thinking too, we should uh uh jumpst start this plan as well. And I'm just wondering if I would like to suggest we consider uh passing a resolution where uh they would have and
I administrator Baker like to hear your feedback on that. uh but that you have the authority if something comes up and you hear something that we would uh approve up to $10,000 that you could distribute between board meetings >> and that's and and you would have the
authority to move on that. >> Um part of me I guess I'm trying to wrap my head around yes >> the plan because we are doing a plan. The plan is that we're meeting with our community partners. we are meeting those needs um at this point. That plan is
that we will continue to meet those needs from the communities based on the length of the shutdown and what we're finding out each day. Like prime example this morning, we just found out they're releasing contingency funds. We don't know how that will look, but we know
that. And so I think that plan is that we know we can come to the board to ask. I think you bring up a good point, Commissioner Berg. Maybe we do something contingent upon if it falls between a board meeting. Um I think for the most part based off noticing an emergency or
a special board meeting, um there is a time frame in that, but it's a pretty quick time frame. Um if we were to have to call a special board meeting, um I just think at this point we're still trying to fine-tune so we don't come to the board with X amount and what does
the board's role in this look like? And I think that's what we're trying to figure out >> um with other other than just saying give x amount of money >> y >> to meet that need. And so I think when we're meeting with these community partners, we're talking with our staff.
We're really I will say we're trying to figure out what that specific is. Um but the plan is what we're doing right now. And that is our plan and that's the plan we're presenting that here's where we're at with the updates. This is what we're trying to still figure out. Finding out
more information on how many clients there are, you know, the wick information, MIP information, keeping our partners up to speed. And to kind of um go off what Caroline said on on that community leadership, it is our community partners that we work with all
the time. It's our UKAP, LSS, Community Closet, uh the link, um faith-based organizations, the YMCA, um WCI, it's all of our partners that we work with on a con a regular basis
within the Department of Human Services and it's all those touch points and I've sat on that call and there they are all in there sharing information. Share this flyer. We have this. And so when I say our community or when Caroline has said our community partners have stepped up,
they truly have. And that is not just Wilmer focused. That is Candy County as a whole. Um have truly stepped up sharing our resources because it is Candyway County is not just Wilmer. It is all Candyway County. And that was one thing that Caroline and I talked about
that that we were going to make sure that we are meeting everybody's needs. Um and that was very important to us. It's important to me that Candy County is all of Kyoi County. And so that I guess like that specific ask we like Caroline and I have said we don't have
um but because we don't want to come to the board with an ask that we don't know what that ask will look like or what it will be. And so I think that's if I I mean if you want to expand on that a little bit, but that plan is what we're doing now and providing weekly emails to
the board. If there is something that ever urgently changes, absolutely we would I would work with the chair to call a special meeting. >> Uh Caroline, anything to add? >> I I think Kelsey or Administrator Baker uh recapped it well. Our plan right now
is just that we're meeting as a team daily to and we're getting very granular into ways that we typically don't work. I typically don't spend my day going through case by case with our our team and saying, "Okay, how else can we um meet this family need and in and what
other ways we so we're our our plan is really operationalized internally right now as of what the needs would look like in the next two weeks based off the information that we have today. Um, I can't foresee what will change and and
and to your point, Commissioner, I do hope it's for a mute point. I hope that we find ourselves doing all of this work for nothing, but we find ourselves um in an opportunity that we learned a lot through this experience, too, and the ways that we can work with our families. >> Mr. Chair,
>> uh, Commissioner Berg, and then Commissioner MD. >> Uh, thank you, Mr. chair and a very good plan and it's the same plan you were working on before at our last board meeting except the difference was that plan was up until this date and now we find out they have stopped that program
and that's why I'm thinking the contingency that we give you the authority if you see a need out there that you could try to meet that and not call a special board meeting but then you could wait till the next board meeting. So I'm I would like to suggest that the board authorize that you have
the authority to move on some plan if you have to expand that plan meantime to meet people's needs and food needs. So I'm just not disagreeing with what's happening and taking place. I don't want to spend that money and I'm not suggesting we just will spend that money but we uh want to give you the tools to
do that and between meetings. Commissioner Im >> and without that authority only the board can appropriate any kind of funds and we should have a part of the plan should be um how much and where they come from. We have different funding
sources within our within our funds. And if we wait until the day after they needed needed the uh resources and by the time we public notice and have our meeting and and um you know debate the opportunities, we we'll have lost some
more days. Plus, we don't know what our schedules are at for somebody will propose a meeting for, you know, November 15th and three of them can't make it or whatever the case is. So, >> it's called preparedness plan. >> I'm uh Commissioner Burke and then
>> Okay, Mr. Chair, >> comments and I'm going to try to wrap this up. >> Yeah, Mr. Chair, thank you very much and I I do think the board has this responsibility that we provide a safety net for our community as much as possible as needed and we have a plan. I would just like to uh also maybe move on
that and I would uh I I feel that we have millions of dollars in reserves and we got a place we can find that and we can we've uh passed motions before without actually saying where are we going to take that money out and we're not talking about large amount here you
know 100th or or even less than that of our budget per se and so I think the the taxpayers will be comfortable with that and I think that everybody understands we're the uh part of our role is help provide a safety net in our community and give them the authority. And I'd
like to suggest that we would give uh $10,000 authority to these people to the administrator and and the director to make a decision. If there's a need for some funds, they could use that, but we're not expecting them to use that and we're hoping not. And they can continue
with their plan as we go forward. It's just a stop gap. I think of as a ch as a as a board that's our role is to have that leadership about uh our community this way. >> And so you're making a motion. >> I would like to make a motion that we
allocate uh uh 10,000 uh uh to uh administrator and director that uh to use these dollars as needed if the opportunity comes up that they find a need for them. between now or maybe we can just even leave that
motion make it for the next uh two board meetings in case we need to do that instead of going through it every board meeting. >> Okay. So, there is a motion on the table uh from Commissioner Berg uh to uh authorize uh the administrator and
director to appropriate up to $10,000 uh in emergency funds uh during the month of November. Is there a second? >> I'll second that for discussion purposes. >> Thank you. There is a a motion and a second uh discussion. Commissioner MD,
>> thank you. I would I would support a a motion like that if I knew where the funds were coming from. For example, uh several years ago, we we took uh 600 some thousand dollars from West Central Industries. Funds that we
had went to the community foundation. Those are not levy dollars. Those dollars, you know, that would be a good place, good use of those funds. We also have a few uh ARP dollars uh remaining. I don't know if they qualify for something like this, but we have some
unallocated uh ARPA dollars that uh should could be used. >> Uh and uh uh thank you for that. Uh anyone else wish to uh Commissioner Dale Anderson? it it I'm not against what you
guys are talking about, but I just think that I hear the other side of it a little bit too, and I guess that's what I'm struggling with over your listening. Um, so I guess where I'm at and how I feel about it is if they really find that they need the money, then we need to
call a special meeting and they need to give us an amount and where it's going to come from with a staff recommendation. Um, I I really struggle with with doing this too fast and that's just where my heart is right now. And not
that I'm against what Corki is saying or what Roger is saying, but I just I think that there's a different way to go at it. >> Commissioner Dwayne Anderson, >> I just I just want to thank Caroline and the whole staff that what you guys are doing, you you guys are really stepping up. I I I think what I'm seeing here
today is that we are here to support you if you need the support. Right now it it seems just too vague to just kind of allocate some money out there. Um because you haven't asked for it yet. Um but we are here to support you if we
need it and and I just right now I think it would be a little bit chaotic and to just throw money out there. Um, I know you guys are very responsible, but it it it could it could spiral out out of control real quick. And that that's why I don't know if I can support this at
this time. And not that I'm not supportive of you guys because I think you're doing a great job and it seems like you got a handle of it at at on it at this point. >> Thank you. Um, I'm going to uh weigh in just a little bit here. Uh I I very much
appreciate uh uh the passion of everybody on this board uh who who wants to be able to have something we can tangibly do now. Uh but I I am hearing uh that the needs aren't totally well
defined as of yet because we simply don't have enough uh uh information as to whether or not we'd uh be able to take action fairly quickly as a board. Uh uh we would be able to either call a
special meeting or even an emergency meeting. And uh the emergency meeting piece of this uh is a fairly quick uh I mean we could meet I would imagine day of if we needed to uh if and and and to
meet the definition of an emergency sometimes it's uh oftenimes it's natural disasters that type of thing. I can think of no better uh uh type of emergency to meet for uh than to be meeting the needs of infants and women
and children in hunger. Uh and so uh for that reason, I would prefer myself that we uh that we wait and get just a little more information and when our staff and our community partners tell us that this is a need, boom, I do believe that we
would be uh uh quickly ready to be able to uh to address that need. Caroline and then Roger >> can debate. >> This is I just was >> I'm sorry. This is board debate. Point of order. This is board debate.
>> All right, that's fair enough. Go ahead. >> So, um I'm going to turn to Mr. Baker here to question whether or not we could call an emergency meeting without a public notice. I have a strong uh doubts about that. >> Well, I'd want to look into that. I'd be
concerned, too. But maybe you should just decide whether even to have a special meeting. That's a three-day notice window. That's not really that long. Certainly that would be an option for us as well. Uh I I I happen to believe that
statute uh uh probably gives us fairly wide latitude uh in whether or not we could call an emergency meeting. >> Chair. >> Yes. >> Yeah. I I'm thinking uh all we're trying
to do is give staff the tools to work with and recognize a real need out here. and we're not spending money and I'm very confident that uh our administrator would be wise as well as the director and I'm thinking we'd call a special
meeting to hear to he'll say yes we could use these dollars now and we'd say most likely yes well why don't we just say we trust your judgment because we'd be approving it at a special meeting and uh it would just save it just be a good
better sign of leadership I I believe that we would uh authorize this at this point because basically uh if we call a special meeting we're assuming that we may be authorizing it then right so uh we're not saying I don't want to make this motion that you go out and spend
those dollars but if you know they can they just can't call on the phone say is it okay we spend it now um I feel comfortable pursu pursuing this way to move forward. Let the board
authorize that option for them to use if they felt a need for that and then report back to the board at the next board meeting. Uh have does anyone else on the board wish to say anything before I uh ask
Caroline to uh jump in here with any last comments? Caroline, go ahead. Would I would the board like me to reach out to those partners to clarify? The need isn't going away within two weeks. Even if the the federal shutdown ends tomorrow,
there is likely going to be an ongoing need through the remainder of the year. So, I was I would like to seek direction from on the board's behalf if you would like me to reach out to those identified spec specified food access partners. Understanding that there are food access points throughout the county, but there
are some of our main points and I could ask them to color that in a little bit to say our board would like to to hear a little bit more about what your your identified needs for the remainder of the year might look like and where your shortfalls are. So, is that something
that you would like me to clearly ask? Uh for myself, I would say yes. Commissioner B. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. And actually, the I would be open to amending this to say that the administrator would check with
the chair of the board going forward if we pass that motion about allocating some of these dollars out. Would that be more acceptable? I I I appreciate that. But I think I also heard uh uh Commissioner Im was it that uh uh said
uh or one of the two of you said something about without knowing where the uh where the funds are coming from. Uh you know that's that's a little bit of a concern as well. We don't have we haven't identified a fund yet. I just
believe that when uh if you come to us with and say okay here's the need here's the scope of the need uh here's the amount and here are going to be the funding sources for it we can we can dispense with that in in relatively
quick order I should uh I should think so that's just myself anyone else >> Mr. Mr. Chair, >> Commissioner Berg's proposal is a contingency fund if it's needed. It's contingent on need and uh so in that
respect, but I'm not comfortable just giving cart launch um approval to take funds from wherever you see fit. I want to I want to have some say so as to where those what funding options we have if we would do something like that. >> Mr. Chair, yes. Uh could we ask
administrator Baker would you be able to find appropriate fund for that? >> Um absolutely. Uh the two options Commissioner uh Idike suggested I I guess I wouldn't use those. ARP has already been allocated that was
allocated at the end of 2024. um that separate fund. Uh there are that's um as you have been updated on through the F FRC, Family Resource Center. Those funds are um uh plan to
help with that. Um Caroline has updated the board on that. And so I guess I would look to um uh the dollar amount of of 10,000. I would look to Carol Toliffson, our fiscal supervisor, and use our human services fund. Um, we're sitting very
healthy in that 10,000 isn't going to make a dent in it. It stays within the human services fund. Um, Carol's probably shaking her head at me right now. Uh, but I would look to that um at this point. And as Commissioner Mik said, it is a contingency. We we
wouldn't have to use it. I guess um I appreciate the generosity from the two commissioners suggesting this today. I I guess I I have also some concerns, but um that's the fund I would suggest looking at um at this point
>> without knowing about the city. That would that would be the fund that I would suggest. >> Commissioner Jack, >> thank you. Um I you brought something up that I don't want to debate today, but the family resource center, I don't think we approved those dollars that came from
was it trees? No, not >> we haven't dedicated those dollars to anything. So those dollars and the earnings on them uh certainly should be available. >> Uh but do I I I think I think I recall that there's a a set of specific things
that we can spend that uh uh money on uh to help a specific population because that's where they came from. Do I have that right? >> I think we may have gotten some wires crossed. So the FRC is a separate grant for our family resource center exploration. Part of that is exploring
is could we utilize the special needs fund and those resources that have been specifically set aside and designated for the the resource needs of special needs populations. So in order to activate that fund we would which is a possibility we would have to look at how
does that specifically support the 23% of individuals uh living with a disability receiving SNAP benefits andor other populations. But that is a possibility that we could explore in in the within that that would meet the that fund requirements.
>> Sure. >> Yes. >> So um Mr. Breaker mentioned um a source uh >> human services. >> Human services. Are those levy dollars or those dollars that came from uh the administration or from the federal
government? levy dollars that would be in our reserve account in that human services reserve when it's just $10,000. And like I said, this is the fir, you know, I would want to look at this further as well because I'm I
hadn't thought about this until now. So, I would want to double check with our finance staff. Um, but that would be that's the funds that are in our reserve account. Commissioner, >> administrator Baker and Dale Anderson
and and Director Khan. Um, and this motion was yes, you would do that and that's expectation you and you look at that and say, "Well, I don't think we need to spend those funds for that right now." Fine. We're just giving
you some tools that uh if you see the need there, this would be a route to go. And you could I would like to add too that you check with the chair. >> All right. Uh, Commissioner Dale Anderson.
Um, I totally don't want to sound like I'm not for this because I think it's a great idea, but it's just goes back to the argument and the conversation that is going on here that we need some time to look at this and they need to come up with a recommendation from staff on how
we're going to do this. Not that it's a bad idea, but I think we need to have them come with a recommendation of where they want to come from. If it something happens within two weeks, then we call a special meeting. It's it's just the best way to do this. Um I'm not against it. I
think it's a great idea and I hope that's we can come to that conclusion at some point, but I just feel like this is too unorganized right now. >> Is there uh anybody else that wishes to bring any other discussion? >> I promise just to say one more time. >> Commission.
>> Okay. All right. Thank you, Mr. Chair. And I I I understand everybody. My point of view is if we come across people that have not had food and they're been without without food for some time, we
don't want to say, "Hey, we'll get a special meeting and see if we can get you some groceries." And we don't want to be in that position to even do that. But if you see a need there at some place that you still would have had that option. So that's to me when people you
see the need that that they're not getting food uh I don't want to just wait two weeks until the next meeting and you can make a decision then. >> So uh Caroline >> just to clarify that need can be met through the good Samaritan fund at the
community foundation that we have operationalized. So just to ease that concern that that that process is in place. We also have non- levy funds that we've operationalized internally and the processes in which we can deploy those differently throughout the department to
meet that. So we don't have individuals that we know are engaged with. I can't promise that for neighbors that we don't know. So >> do we Mr. Chair just a question. Do we know what uh extent of those funds there would be then?
>> I mean if the funds are there available is that enough balance is a good >> and that's what I'm saying. If there's not enough needs there that's when you'd use these dollars. >> Yep. I'm not aware of the balance. >> Just a backup for the backup >> that that I I I I have no indication is unhealthy. I do know that I have various
pots of probably upwards around 50,000 that meet various um mental health andor substance use local homeless prevention aid internally uh families first prevention aid. We have various funds internally that we are are working through on a um internal basis to
operationalize to meet those needs in non- levy funded ways today. But >> can you use those funds >> for we can without the board authorization? We meet those we use those funds every day within the guidelines that the state
has given them to us to to use to benefit families. >> So we could be then helping out >> we are >> financially >> with with various needs that they're already those programs are set with. >> But okay, >> we just have to get creative as to how do we look at them and and make sure
that we're intentionally talking about them. So part of the plan, if I may continue, would be then you see the need come up that you would uh take those funds up to $10,000 and and uh use those until our next
board meeting or next special meeting. >> So >> if if the need was there. So currently um can I give and I don't want to I don't know what the need is >> labor this any further but this morning a conversation we had with Wick was regardless to the local homeless prevention aid dollars that were given.
Um so those are dollars were given to help support the housing needs of individuals that have a child preschool age to high to high school. So looking at the the list of vulnerable families that we have, do they have a child that meets that criteria that this could be a potential that if we could help fund
their housing need, could they then afford their specialty formula? Could they then afford their food benefits? How can we look at this differently if that need arises and can we start talking about that? We don't typically look at things in that way until that need is there. But now we're having
different conversations and getting a bit more strategic about creating contingency plans per family if needed and different streams that they might qualify for that don't have to use the levy because we do have some non- levy funded initiatives remaining through the
end of the year. >> So go ahead. So you're saying that there's enough funds there if the needs were there? >> As of this point, I feel comfortable for the next two weeks that we would be able to make. >> If you had a a need up to >> up to 10,000 that you had the
authorization to spend that without us even to make a decision. >> Correct. >> I did not understand that. Commissioner MDC, >> that sure would have shortened this discussion come out at the beginning instead of if you could do that. Um, >> I apolog I thought I was being clear
earlier in in that and I thought that's what I meant when we were saying we were going through strategically and talking about each family. So that's that's why I said I wasn't coming with an ask today because I was able to >> and that's the granularity you were granular earlier. >> So there's enough funds to help out
there up to 10,000 or even more >> and so I feel more comfortable if we go in that direction because you can do that without us. But uh I did not know that because >> I apologize I wasn't I thought that I was >> because I had no idea how much funds
were there and what your authorities were. Yeah. And and very rarely do we not have one. And then we have the good Samaritan that we can fall back on for one maybe once one here, one there or whatever. But I didn't think when we got >> How many uh >> we have
>> hundreds that are not going to be getting food. >> Yeah. >> Uh can you deal with that number? >> It we're we're stretching every day. Our team is stretching to look at things differently. >> So you are filling in and back filling or whatever you want to call it. We're we we are strategically looking at each
family. Yep. >> Mr. Chair, I would unless the motioner wants to withdraw the motion, I would move to postpone this discussion until our next board meeting or until the next special session is called. >> And I'll second that or I'm fine with that.
>> All right. So now we have an amendment to the main motion which is to postpone the uh discussion until our uh next regularly scheduled board meeting or any special meeting that may be called in between. >> Correct.
>> All right. Uh and so we have a motion and is that require a second? >> It is second. >> You did. Okay. Thank you. Uh any further discussion hearing? None. All in favor of the amendment to the main motion signify by
saying I. I. >> All opposed. Motion passes. Thank you. Uh Caroline, thank you so much for uh for being here today to update us uh in the time it takes you to get back down to your office. Guidance uh from the federal government may have changed
already. We'll see what happens. >> So, good luck with that. Thank you so much. >> Good. >> Uh good good discussion. Thank you everybody. Uh at this time uh we have uh uh uh uh uh joint growers agreement supplemental
nutrition assistance program. Go ahead. >> Do you know me? >> You know >> then we'll and then we'll get you Jodie. >> Okay. Hi, I'm Dana Wenish, the financial assistant supervisor overseeing the SNAP
programs. >> Good morning, Mr. Chair and members of the board and commissioners. Melissa Ball Warner, the job service supervisor for career force for the local workforce development area 5 and we are the con we are the contracted SNAP ENT provider for
the SNAP program. Typically this is on the consent agenda but with everything going on with the federal government um we were put on the general agenda just to ensure if there are any questions or if there are any concerns about the stamp program right now
>> in addition to >> there there may not be anymore but >> yeah right okay >> but uh uh uh go ahead so you so so so you have a joint powers agreement uh that you want to bring forward will you uh characterize that for us and give us
a little background. >> So for the previous uh fiscal year 2025, um Career Force was able to provide services or offer services to 234 SNAP potentially um timelmited
recipients. So time limited is that three months out of a 36-month period. And um with the the SNAP program for fiscal year 25, we were awarded an additional grant to help and try and target um the veteran community. So we had an amazing outreach with the Minnesota National Guard here right in
Wilmer. Uh we went there, we were able to invite partners across the state to come and provide services and we really wanted to direct those services because of the changes that are potentially upcoming with the changes of the bill. And so we really wanted to get outreach there and um a lot of individuals were
were kind of giving us some kickback as to why are we going out and pro and and promoting individuals enrolling in SNAP employment and training. Well, it's not that we're promoting individuals applying for food assistance. We're promoting them if food is a need. Like you mentioned, man's mansel's hierarchy
of needs. Um, yes, we want you to be able to eat. We want you to have stable housing. And then we want to come in and we want to try and gather up all of the barriers that you're we try to help you through those barriers to make it so we can get one step closer to self-sufficiency. And so that is what we're doing. outreach is able to do that
to provide the individuals all of the training resources, any other supportive services that are available to them, things that we can help with and things that our partners can assist with as well. It's just getting the word out there if you don't know and if you don't have anyone to tell you, we really want to make sure that we can be the ones to care to grant that voice.
>> So, is this uh uh part of or is it independent of uh the assistance that MIP recipients get? So we have the joint powers agreement for INFIB, but we also have the joint powers agreement for SNAP. So with career force, it's they're two different programs and we offer the employment and training and employment
services for both programs currently >> because we uh we just heard that the cash benefits are paid out but not the SNAP benefits. >> Correct. And so even though SNAP is not being issued to the participants, we are still able to provide employment and training services because we are the
American Jobs Center for Minnesota. Um the career force is the is the A. So we are there to provide universal services to everyone technically prov um looking for assistance not just participants on SNAP or infant. >> Okay. Outstanding. Thank you for that
clarification. Uh any uh questions from the board? Do we uh do we have a motion? >> Mr. the chair. I will move to >> uh so you move the uh >> contract >> uh adoption of the joint powers
agreement renewal. >> This is a renewal. Yes, >> correct. >> Okay. Uh we have a motion as our >> I'll second that. >> Uh Commissioner Mckens discussion. All right. Hearing none. All in favor signify by saying I. I.
>> All opposed. Motion passes. Thank you. Thank you >> and thank you for everything that you're doing. Uh Jody, come on up. Uh 2026 public health fees. Uh Jodi Ammerman is our public health manager. Jody, good morning. >> Yes, good morning. Jodi Ammerman, public
health manager, and I have a recommendation to increase our fees for our interpreter hourly rate from $35 to $45 an hour and our administrative support hourly rate from 35 to $45 an
hour and all our other fees to remain the same for 2026. >> All right, thank you. Um uh I will just mention that uh we just had a a discussion uh when we were setting a budget yesterday at uh u supporting Hans
nurse family partnership and uh the interpretive uh interpretation fees are uh uh are a bigger and bigger part of that budget and this is no surprise to me that uh the same for public health. We have seen this at uh uh the CHB
already and move that forward. Yes. >> Yes. Okay. Uh, what would the board wish to do? >> Uh, I will move the u uh uh uh Kai County Public Health annual fee
structure for 2026. >> I'll second it. >> Thank you. Any discussion? Commissioner Mck. >> Thank you. Um, is that kind of the going rate for interpretive fees from at 45? It seems like a large increase on a
percentage basis for sure. Um and and maybe Mr. Gardner can say what what a nurse family partnership is spending for. >> Uh I would have to go back and uh look at that uh look at that piece of the packet that's in my uh briefcase. But I
will I will mention that I think we were looking at uh uh an average of $25 an hour just not that long ago, maybe about two two to three years ago. Uh and the need has just risen that much. And uh
the providers of course uh you know know what they're going to charge. >> Yeah. We we try to you know what our internal costs are for salary and then we try to have a fair
fair rate as well. >> All right. And I don't know that I'm going to find that yet for the purposes of this discussion because uh it apparently didn't remain in my so uh so I apologize for that. Uh but
but I do know that those costs have been uh have been rising and they've been uh uh out of budget and that's why uh uh supporting hands uh did what they did and this is just a continuation of that. Commissioner MDE >> is uh administrative support is that
outside services is that a contracted service or is that >> Yes, that is contracted. >> All right. Uh we have a motion and a second. Yes. Uh on this. Any further discussion? All right. Uh hearing none. Then all in
favor of the motion uh signify by saying I. I. All opposed. >> Motion passes. Thank you. Uh and then uh Jody, thank you so much. And uh uh we're going to have a Veterans Affairs Department update. Uh actually,
>> how how long do you have? >> Four minutes. >> We're going to give you the four minutes. Uh and we're not going to include travel time. Okay. >> Uh uh Trish Apple Aldorn is our veterans affairs director. Uh Trish, good morning.
>> Good afternoon. Morning. I guess it feels like afternoon, doesn't it? >> It's going to be >> I don't know if you guys got here as early as I did today, but you saw the lovely green lights when I pulled up to the building. So, um it's Veterans Month, November. Veterans Day is next Tuesday.
Background information on Candy County, excuse me. Uh, according to the statistics, we had 3,711 veterans in Candy County as of 2024. Um, last year we brought in 18,456
I'm just going to round them. 457,000 in death benefits, 178,000 in non VA home construction, VA education benefits of 398,000 and um medical benefits of around 13
million. Sorry. Um those those numbers are steadily decreasing because of our veteran population. Just an FYI, a lot of our World War II vets, Korean vets, and even Vietnam veterans are are passing away very very quickly.
Unfortunately, last year, I take pride in this because there's a report that I couldn't get on to last week when I was preparing this, but we have a state of Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs. Um work very closely with them. We get a lot of benefits from them. Those benefits go to local dentists, eye
doctors, roofers, septic tanks, windows, and last year we received 17 um,000 from them to be spent locally. This year so far, we're up to $31,100 and I'm working on one in my office right now for 20 grand. So, it'll it'll
increase. Those benefits are important. The one I'm working on right now is a foreclosure for a veteran. So, they're important and they're appreciative and they're So, if any of you know of a veteran out there, I said four minutes, so I'll keep going. On your paper is a
list of veterans um programs going on over Veterans Day this year and then a resolution. Did you want me to read it, Kelsey, or you all have it in your packets to the >> uh green light? >> Did you did you want me to read the whole thing?
>> Sure. >> Sure. Whereas the residents of Kandui County with great respect, admiration and the utmost gratitude for all the men and women who have success selfishly served our country and community in the armed forces. And whereas the
contributions and sacrifices of those who served in the armed forces have been vital in maintaining the freedom and way of life enjoyed by our citizens. And whereas Kandui County seeks to honor individuals who have made countless sacrifices for freedom by placing
themselves in harm's way for the good of all. And whereas veterans continue to serve our community in the American Legion, veterans of foreign wars, religious groups, civil service, and fun and by functioning as Kandandy County
veter veteran service officers in 29 states to fellow former veterans members access more than 52 billion dollars in federal health disability compensation benefits
each And whereas approximately 200,000 service members transition into civilian communities annually. And whereas an an estimated 20% increase of the service members will transition to civilian life
in the near future. And whereas studies indicate that 44 to 72% of service members experience high levels of stress during transition from military to civilian life. And whereas active military service members
transitioning from military service are at high risk for suicide during their first year after military. And whereas the National Association of Counties encourages all counties, parishes, burrows recognize Operation Greenlight
for veterans. And whereas the Kandui County appreciates the sacrifices of the United States military personnel and believes specific recognition should be granted. And therefore, it is resolved that with designation of the Green
Lightburgg, Veterans County, Kandui County hereby declares November 4th through the November 11th, 2025 a time to salute and honor the service and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform transitioning from active
service. Therefore, it be further resolved that in observance of the operation green light, Kandui County encourages its citizens patriotic tradition to recognize the importance of honoring all of those who made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve
freedom by displaying green lights in the window of their place of business or residence from November 4th to November 11th, 2025. Adopted this fourth day of November, 2025. >> Thank you very much. And uh >> I did not read that before. So I hope I
did. Okay. >> Good job. I I I think it's important to say what the resolution is and uh and why we're doing this. And I just want to thank you for your service. Uh I know uh Commissioner Berg uh is for service
member as well. And uh >> our reserves. >> Anyone else here in this room who uh who has served, thank you for that. Uh, with that we have a resolution and uh I'd entertain a motion to move on resolution
2025-35. >> Uh, Mr. Chair, I'll make the motion to adopt resolution 2025-35. >> Thank you. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Thank you. Uh, any discussion? All right. Hearing none. All in favor of
the resolution signify by saying I. >> All opposed. >> Motion passes. Anything else to add? >> No, you can come in and see our office though. We have new paint and new flooring and it looks absolutely wonderful. >> Great. >> Outstanding. >> All right. Thank you. >> Thank you. And we will take a uh
10-minute recess. Hey, are you ready? >> The Candyo County Board of Commissioners is back from recess. Uh Corey Smith uh is with us and he's presenting a water tower lease agreement. Corey, good morning. >> Good morning, Mr. Chair, members of the
board. I serve as the director out at Glacia Lakes Sanitary Sewer and Water District. I'm here before you this morning to request approval of a water tower lease agreement with MBTV Wireless. Uh the as a district, uh we own and operate three water towers. One
on the north side of Green Lake, one in the city of Spicer, and one in the city of New London. MBTV Wireless has been a tenant on um these three water towers since 2020. Um that was under a 5-year
lease agreement. The proposed agreement that's included in your packet would allow MVTV Wireless to continue utilizing the three water towers for their communication equipment for additional five years. And then at its meeting on October 27th of this year,
the Glacial Lakes um commission reviewed the proposed agreement and recommended that it be forwarded to the county board for consideration. So, with that, it is the commission's recommendation to authorize the chair, administrator, county attorney
to sign the agreement on behalf of the county entering into a new 5-year lease agreement with MVTV Wireless. >> Further recommendation of staff. Is there a motion? >> I move on a recommendation to on the lease with MTV Wireless.
>> Thank you. Is there a second? >> I'll second that, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. And any discussion, questions? All right, hearing none. All in favor of approval of the agreement signify by saying I. I. >> All opposed. Motion passes. Corey. Thank you.
>> Uh at this time, we're going to have public works director Mel Odin. And Mel, you have several items for us today. Yes, >> Mr. Chair, members of the board, I do have a few items. Uh the first one, um is our annual latex maintenance striping that
we do. We do a third of the county every year. This year we did the northeast quadrant. We also do the we have 16 communities in Wilmer and we do 15 of the 16. The city of Wilmer does their own. But anyway, so uh we opened bids on March 11. There were two biders. Sir
Lines a lot of Edina was the low bidder. They've completed their work and they were um um under the contract bid amount. And so this is accepting the project and authorize the final payment of the 1% retainage of $1,246.
>> Thank you. You've heard the recommendation of the director. Uh is there a motion? >> I'll make a motion, Mr. Chair, to accept the project and make a final payment to Sir Lions LLC. >> Thank you. >> I'll second that. >> Thank you. We have a motion in a second.
Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. I. All oppose. Motion passes. Next. >> Next item is the final payment for the um the trail extension in uh in Spicer from Lake Avenue South. Our county road 10. It goes basically from it goes
actually from the intersection by the Dairy Queen because we did ADA improvements. But the actual path itself starts at Beach Street and goes easterly about 2,000 ft. It's a it's an 8 foot path and 10 feet where it's curbside.
So, um, as a minimum, it's it's an 8ft path. Um, incidentally, it was a a a gap project that we recognized in our trail plan that the city of Spicer actually when they did a comp plan as well, um,
wanted us to pursue it. And since it was our road, it was our responsibility. Um, it's turned out to be um nothing but a a good connection. Let me just put it that way. Um we were a little worried because you're disrupting
people's front yards, but actually it's been a positive very positive thing. So with all that being said, um we were a little bit over because we did correct some drainage right at the corner of 8 and the Avenue South. We added some extra catch basins and manholes just to
get all of that out of the trail. So, with that being said, it's u we're happy with the project. Um they even did it in the heart of the rain event. So, it's my recommendation to accept the project and authorize final payment in the amount of
$3,256.54 to Asheville Companies out of CO. >> Thank you. Uh is there a motion? >> So, move, Mr. Uh, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> All right. Any uh discussion?
We did happen to see this on our uh uh yeah road bridge tour and looks like a great uh it was a great project and is wellreceived and people are using it all the time. So that's the whole point of it. >> Uh anybody else? All those in favor say
I. >> I. All opposed. Motion passes. And uh Mel, one more. >> One more. And this is a corridor study cooperative agreement. This uh this corridor study kind of came on the heels of the Wilmer Y being completed and then
on the heels of our us getting the grant to do the bridge over the YA over the southwest part of town over the railroad tracks and um Burlington Northern uh and the city of Wilmer. I think primarily were the drivers was Burlington Northern
to just look at all of the whole corridor now that we've kind of got that done. what's the corridor involved in this primarily in the city but I will say that we want to do maybe perhaps better planning in the county because we
do have a lot of rural crossings and incidentally we we do spend you know Burlington Northern kind of has their plan and then we have our own 5-year road and bridge plan um sometimes we don't know about all the things that they're going to do and they just do it
because they do it under force account under their forces. So we spent about 230,000 this year just on doing two of them, Raymond and Encounter Road, one on the Princeburg Road, which was unplanned, if that makes sense. But we have a good working relationship with
Burlington Northern. So we do those. We we just do them. But with all that being said, um in your packet is a corridor cooperative agreement. That would be a three-way agreement each 33%
um with a maximum of 100,000 a piece. Um I would I would be willing to or recommen recommend including it in my 5-year road and bridge fund because we basically spend it anyway. And so this would be a better planning tool. But
what this basically does is it allows us three to get together and um evaluate the whole corridor. I did hand out a sheet in front of you and um
basically what what we would envision is if you look on the on the very bottom now this would be city-led. Okay, we we wouldn't be other than more than just a fiscal partner and attend the meetings and be on the committee, but the city
would be willing to take the lead. Um, we have seven potential opportunities that you see above. Um, the seventh one is is the one where we would be able to get a better handle on the corridor improvements they want to do in our
county on Burlington Northern. So if you go to the very bottom the next step there's 11 there's 11 items but basically what we would do is form an advisory committee compromising someone from probably from our staff
city staff in Burlington Northern um provide input. We would there would be public involvement meetings. Um we would ex we would review existing plans. We would review existing traffic studies. we we would we would put all this in one
um future conditions and then we would we would start um to see how it goes. And I think what what the primary concern is is, you know, Wilmer is based in Kendai County is Wilmer's a a
railroad community and and so they want to preserve the natural orderly progression of expansion of Wilmer. Well, when you do that, you know, before it's too late, like counter five, you
know, like you get stuck by a train. Lakeland Drive, you get stuck by a train. First street they, you know, they built the bridge over the tracks, but that bridge is getting older and pedestrian, you know, there's issues with pedestrians going over. The uh the small
walk bridge in in the Spurville area has been closed, but we don't want to lose sight of we do need these crossings and so what is the best solution? And so that's what we're going to try and come up with. But it would come we would do it through
public input, public ideas. Um so that's so my action that I would request um to you would be to um approve this corridor study cooperative agreement and authorize staff to sign on behalf of the
county. And I what I what I also want or request and we can talk about but that would also allow staff because then an RFP would go out a consultant would be selected and then the administrator could sign that agreement and then we
would also sign an agreement that we would agree to reimburse the city because they're going to be the one managing the project. So this is the agreement I have with you, but it would that it spells out the process so we don't have to keep maybe coming back
>> and so my recommendation would approve this corridor study cooperative agreement and authorize staff to sign as appropriate on behalf of the county. >> Mr. Chair, >> yes. I so move that u a motion to proceed with a corridor study
cooperative agreement and authorize the staff to sign that. >> Uh and the chair will second any discussion commissioner. >> Thank you. Um Mr. Odens is um as the party that's uh managing this is
there an administrative fee that they will retain or that they will u have as an inkind payment towards >> No. No. we would be equal. Um I think what they were we needed one
person to to to do it and there's the city of Wilmer has the most um maybe things to figure out maybe would be the way to say it. you know, with crossing Seventh Street, 10th Street, Lakeland, our Conor Road 5, the
spur line going out along Lakeland Drive, and then I I need it more for all the crossings all the way down 12 and 23. Um, we have a lot of crossings. >> And, uh, go ahead, uh, Commissioner
Anderson. >> So, just a clarification because I thought I heard you say it, but I want to make sure I'm right. So, you're going to put this in your budget as part of your budget. It's not going to be an extra fee. >> I I would put it in my fiveyear road and bridge budget. This I think this study
is going to take at least two years. >> Oh, yeah. >> And it's our maximum out is $100,000. We just spent $230,000 unexpected for a railroad that I had to absorb into my >> road and bridge. This will hopefully level that off a little bit. So I would
I would put 50 in next year and probably 50 in the next. >> Okay. >> And and and I would assume that this is going to aid uh eventually in longer term planning than what uh >> uh uh than what we think. There's not
going to be anything immediate coming. >> No, what we're the intent would be to do a one to twoear plan, a three to five year plan, and in a long range plan. And one of the other goals is is we are successful in getting $10 million for the home or why we are successful in
getting $4.8 million for our our overpass. If there's other opportunities, we want to make sure the public says, "Ah, let's do that one without going through some public vetting process." This will do that. >> Commissioner Burke, >> thank you, Mr. Chair. This is a actually
very exciting to see a study like this taking place. There's been talk over the over the years about something being done along those lines and my question is can you can you expand a little bit more on evalative uh uh conceptional alignments or
alternatives and actually if I understand what you're saying is that goes from like really doing nothing to building a bridge. I mean, as far as >> So, what what what which one are you reading on >> on on Oh, highway uh five, seven, 10 uh
uh highway five uh uh >> streets, seven street, 10th street or and uh Lakeland Drive. >> Right. So, I think what it's always tough to start the discussion.
>> Exactly. But, you know, we we're a railroad community and we want the railroad to be here and we want other businesses to be here. Well, other businesses aren't going to be here if they get stuck. And so, the
discussion is is what like what do we want to do about some of these major roads? Lakeland Drive for instance, it it it serves the whole this whole area up here that has to get and so we're going to we're going to pinch all those people on the First Street Bridge. Now,
that might be the decision that we come up with, but let's vet this out >> because before this is all developed, maybe Lakeland would be another opportunity. I don't know. you know, with hate to say it, but like Burger King's clothes. I mean, you got some room there that you could
>> perhaps consider it, but maybe the public just says no. You know what I mean? And so, I think the time is let's let's vet some of this out, like how do we build for the future? Because we did that on the west part of town. >> Yes, Mr. Chair. Thank you. Yes, I've
heard from several people of of Lakeland Drive or Seventh Street or uh you know, we need a bridge there or out there on five. You know, this is going to address those issues as well if they ever want to go down that route and even cost effective, but it's starting the
conversation on this. Just look at it a little bit more seriously than just that people are talking about it. Am I correct? Yeah, I I do and I I do think that there's enough interest in the history of this town with that that people would want to
would take time to engage. So again, >> and uh and we know that uh MDOT is going to be having a project in that uh same east west corridor uh through the downtown district. And at the meetings that I was at, that's what they're
talking about is closing down the crossing at 7th Street potentially. Uh certainly the one at 10th uh they want to do uh without. Um and I I think this is just going to help us give a roadmap. We know that uh BNSF uh if if they could
alleviate all of these crossing concerns uh they would be able to bring longer unit trains in through that east west corridor. Uh, and I think that's potentially something that's driving that as well. So, uh, I think I think this is money well spent and, uh, look
forward to, uh, uh, seeing, uh, how the, uh, all y'all and the community partners with us. >> Any other comments? >> All right. Uh, you've heard the recommendation and we do have a motion and a second. All in favor signify by
saying I. I. >> Oppose. Motion passes. Mel, thank you. uh Katie uh Katie Zeamers, our human resources director, and we're going to hear uh on paid family medical leave policy and the employee handbook. Katie, good morning.
>> Good morning, commissioners. Katie Zemer, human resources director for Candy County. I am here to share with you about PFML or paid family medical leave. Paid family medical leave is going to take effect January 1 of 2026. It's a state-run program. It provides
job protection and partial wage replacement to employees that need to take time off for their serious health condition or a family member's serious health condition. It's going to be funded through employer and employee payroll contributions. For a person to qualify, they have to have earned at
least $3,700 in the last year, which is about 5.3% of the state's average annual wage. Some of the reasons someone may qualify for this leave would include bonding with a new child, caring for a family member with a serious health condition,
an employees own serious health condition, military family leave, or safety leave. There are two different types of leave under PFML. There's medical leave and then there is family leave. So, an employee is eligible for up to 12 weeks under each one of these for a combined maximum of 20. So you
could do 10 and 10 or 12 and 8 um for a maximum of up to 20 weeks in a year. The wage replacement is determined by the state and it's based on an employes's average weekly wage. There is no waiting period. Someone has to be out for seven days to qualify for this leave, but then they would be retroactively paid for
those wages if they're approved. We are proposing that PFML run concurrently with FMLA and Minnesota parental leave when the qualifying reason overlaps. So we had the decision to make to either go with the state program or a private
insurer for PFML. We did go out for bids for a private plan. There wasn't a cost advantage to go that route and then also they were requiring that we move different ancillary lines to go with a private insurer. So with that we made the decision to go with the state-run program.
Um, with that, we've got the PFML policy that I am requesting approval on today in addition to some language change in the handbook to run our FMLA year to look forward rather than backward. So,
that would reset January 1 as it's always looked back. And to be able to run them concurrently, we would need that year to look forward. >> All right. Um, any questions or is there a motion? >> So, move, Mr. Chair.
>> Thank you. There is a motion to approve the uh policy as recommended by staff. Is there a second? >> I'll second. >> Thank you. Uh, any discussion? >> Commissioner Mck. >> Thank you. Could you go back to one of the first things you said about because I I didn't see it in here. Uh, a person
needs to make so much before they would qualify for paid family. What was that number again? $3,700 in the last year, >> the previous year, >> not the current year that they're making. >> Yeah. They'll look back at the last year. >> And so the practical effect of that is
if we have someone who is a seasonal or temporary employee, they could potentially be covered by this. >> Yeah, there's a few exceptions for people that won't be under it. Federal railroad employees, seasonal hospitality workers, but seasonal workers do qualify
if they meet those thresholds. And then independent contractors and people that are self-employed, they can choose to opt into the program, but they aren't required to participate in the program where almost every other employer in the state is. >> Okay. Uh and uh I uh what we are doing
is we are simply complying with state statute on this in the administration of our uh of of this policy. Uh and we are allowed to run this concurrent with the other benefits. Correct. >> Yes. Yep.
>> Okay. And uh I did have some uh uh folks talking at a meeting yesterday from some other counties where uh they had some concerns about uh uh language uh uh going into uh negotiations with
bargaining units. Have you heard anything on any of that at all? Kelsey, >> I see you nodding your head. So, >> looking at Katie to respond. Um, we have been in communication with our bargaining units. We have a few left to approve the MO U memorandum of
understanding. Those hopefully will all be at the following board meeting on November 18th to ask for approval for that 50/50 contribution. So the uh union reps are meeting schedule those meetings with the the unions and then um the remaining will come to board at the next
meeting. Would there be any reason why we would uh uh approve this uh without that contingency that we get the sign offs or >> so there is a requirement to get information out to employees within 60 days and part of that so the notice for
PFML needs to be distributed by December 1st or 30 days but for the change to the FMLA plan year to start looking forward that's a 60-day notice. though this information after the policy committee meeting was distributed to employees >> letting them know that it would be
presented at the board meeting today um for approval um but we had to get that out to meet that timing requirement. >> Okay. >> And if I may then uh Katie and I uh collaboratively have been working with the um the business agents on this
information as well knowing this policy is coming knowing we still have to get theirus. So the communication has been there that they know this is coming first and um theus will come at the following meeting. Like I said, we have just a few remaining. I think we have four groups.
>> Four groups. >> Twous done. We're waiting on four and they're all anticipating their meetings or the communication's been that it'll be happening in November. >> Yeah. >> Outstanding. Any other questions? All right. We have a motion and a second
to approve the recommendation of staff uh in regards to this or or do we not? >> Yep. >> Yeah, it was a long time ago. It >> was a long day, right? >> Uh all those in favor signify by saying I.
>> I. All opposed. Motion passes. Katie, thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Uh at this time, we are at administrative updates. Uh administrator Baker, anything for us? Um today >> just to briefly um
we have the dates provided below for work sessions or board meetings or TNT or annual conference for kind of the next two months. So those are the dates that we have on the calendar. If there is anything that we're missing, please let Melissa or myself know. Um, we had
the the fall parks committee meeting um two Fridays ago, October 24th, and um we discussed rates and um I'm working with our auditor, treasurer, and finance staff on if we did increase the rates,
what would that look like? And so I will be bringing that to board at the next meeting for the November 18th meeting. Um, so if you do have any questions, um, I have been working with Dale and Dwayne as the park committee commissioners. So I'll be working with them on what that
rate increase would possibly look like prior to board. And then I had sent an email out um regarding to the county board regarding operating expenses to the budget for 2026. I'll be working on a budget presentation for the November 18th. I was hoping to uh have it here,
but I would like to meet with the commissioners first to really gauge where where what your concerns are. Um and so then I'll do that at the 18th. So if you do have any questions regarding the budget or information, please let me know. Other than that, um I don't have
anything major. >> Commissioner, >> uh a question about that budget discussion. Um I understand some changes have been made or so. Are we going to have a another discussion at that November 18th meeting? I think it would be a good agenda item to know where
those >> what changes are you referring to? >> Uh at the last meeting you said you met with the chair and the vice chair and that you ripped >> that was the email I sent >> or maybe it was the email. Um so those kind of things I don't know what those
budget changes are and and I think we should have a conversation about about what they are. And I think I just want I would like to echo uh what the administrator just said. If you have any questions about
the budget uh uh or any concerns uh see what you can get asked and answered ahead of time uh so that uh uh so that we can make the best use of our meeting time then moving forward. Uh we certainly want to be able to have plenty
of time for discussion, but uh if you can get uh uh most of your stuff asked and answered ahead of time, that would I I think that would be spectacular. Commissioner, >> well, this is a significant deal. We we approved a preliminary budget um
month and a half ago or something like that. And now we're going to go to truth and taxation in just a few weeks. And so, uh, we we want to know and and I think it's productive and helpful to have the conversation at the board level for what those changes are and how they
will impact, um, services. Number one, >> and if there's some other opportunities that we should consider. >> Yeah, I and and I hear you on that. I think this is a yes and uh type of thing. Uh yes uh we should have those
discussions but yes we should also uh get our questions asked and answered ahead of time so that we can just be as efficient as possible. Uh and that's and that's all I'm uh anything else for us on your updates
or anything like that? Uh then let's uh we have a little bit of time. Let's go to uh report outs. Uh and can we start with uh uh Commissioner Berg? Do you have anything that you'd like to cover? >> Um before before we start, are we going back to the last time we did it because
that's about three meetings go or just since the last meeting? >> Just uh just what's what what's important and timely. >> Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. Yes, a person could spend a lot of time on this if they wanted to. But on the other hand, I believe most of us kind of know what's
happening and and it's kind of old news now right now. So, but I really do want to just share something that uh there's going to be on November 12th at Bethesda uh age friendly regional exchange and uh the area river agency on aging uh is one
of the sponsors for this as well as the city of Wilmer Bethl Bethesa uh AARP and age friendly Minnesota and it's going to be from uh uh I believe from I I had nine down. I'm
looking at this now. It says 8:30 to 12:30, but I I thought it was 9 to 1 and it includes a free lunch. The the it has not been publicized much. There has not been much time to do that, but just make everybody aware of it. You can go online. You can Google age friendly
regional exchange uh city of Walmer uh Bethesda or area river. Actually, the best place would be to a website for the uh the uh agency on aging uh website and there's a registration there. We can
just touch on that and register. No, no charge, but they need registration I suppose to plan lunch. They're going to have a panel exchange as well. So, >> uh anything else that you'd like to bring up? >> Not right now. >> Okay. Uh, and yes, I was aware of that
and I did uh uh I did sign up for that. Uh, and then I had to schedule an appointment with my eye surgeon over uh over that same same date. So, so I'm going to miss a couple of other meetings besides that, but we'll get that figured out. >> Okay.
>> Uh, Commissioner Dale Anderson. >> Um, just a couple of things. Um the one thing I wanted to bring up, we had a extension meeting yesterday and um very interesting always to have those meetings. They have the county has hired
a new support staff person. Um Olivia is our new support staff for that uh reception area and doing an exceptional job um from what I've been hearing. So um if you have a minute, stop in and say hi to her. Um, and I think it's a great
opportunity for that to grow and and become a better um, program by having somebody in that office at all times. Um, the other thing I just wanted to say and maybe I'm going to get on my soap box a little bit, but um, I didn't say much in the discussion that we had about the health and human services part and
the SNAP and all that, but I guess I just want to say thanks to everybody that's worked so hard. Um it's not only um a few people, but I think we've got a lot of staff working very hard on that um to make sure that our community is is
fed and and needs are met um in the most efficient way that they can be. And I think that it's very important that we support them people and make sure we say thanks if we see them in the hall or see people um that are helping. Um the biggest thing I think I wanted to say is
if somebody wants to help, go and support these organizations that are helping. Um there's many different organizations as you heard in that discussion of ways to help and everybody has an opportunity to to reach in their pocket and help out if they want to. Um
so I I I know I'm on my soap box a little bit, but um it's it's a good way to help if you want to. and and I really want to say thanks for everybody that has worked so hard in our in our offices to uh make sure everything is been done right and their needs are being met. So,
thank you. >> Thank you very much. Uh Commissioner Dwayne Anderson. >> Okay. So, in last couple weeks I had uh about five board meetings or committee meetings. Uh on the 22nd was the AIS task force meeting. Um pretty much
routine. We're going to be looking at little grants that uh people are going to apply to for for our committee and then we'll kind of decide which ones we want to give a little money to to help them on the lakes to kind of help them take care of some of the weed issues and
invasive species. Um on the 23rd I had a UKAP u meeting and down in Redwood Falls. Uh that was no surprise. they were, you know, talking about the shutdown and they were giving their updates which I'm sure are probably outdated by now and and now there's more
current updates that we heard today. So um otherwise it was pretty much a um regular meeting. The next day was the 24th. Uh that was open house uh at uh the lofts on 7th. was uh opening up
those 12 units there uh so that uh some people that are in, you know, need a little help to kind of get their feet back under them uh they can go there and hopefully stay for a little bit and and kind of, you know, hopefully find some better better housing in the future or
whatever. So, it was really a good thing. I know Commissioner Gardner was there and as well as uh Corkyberg uh the other commissioner. Um so it was it was kind of a nice uh event to go to. Um then on uh the 24th we had uh park
managers meeting. Um I think the only big thing was we had a little bit of discussion about like what what the daily rates should be and uh I guess all the different park managers they kind of agreed that we could probably go up a little bit but we just never came up
with a number at that time. So hopefully something can get worked out soon. And then uh yesterday had a broadband meeting for the EDC broadband committee and uh not not a lot going on right now, but uh it was kind of updates on uh projects
that are going on in the county and uh so Candy Ohigh and Jese Townships are kind of nearing completion. There's still some work left to be done, but hopefully they can get uh start getting hooked up real soon. and uh it's great to see that there's fiber going on still
going in to areas in the county. So that that's my update. >> Thank you, Commissioner Mdeck. >> I'll tag on to your EDC broadband. Uh I I was at an allian transportation alliance meeting yesterday, so I couldn't attend, but I took a rather
frustrating phone call from somebody just north of our place of business. He can see from his front yard fiber going in on one side of him and fiber going in across Highway 71 and frustrated as heck that he doesn't have access to either
one of those two different companies within a quarter mile of his residence. and and um I gave him the best advice I could to do the line extension uh application and and told them it's really not in our hands to say to say
where those internet service providers uh should go. Um, I'm going to go back a little bit further. During manufacturing week, uh, >> uh, the KCED, uh, hosted a tour, or they didn't host it, they arranged a tour
hosted by Relo. That was pretty amazing, uh, tour of the kind of work they do in the dairy industry making, uh, steel dairy processing equipment. In fact, this morning there's a story in the West Central Trabune about um uh Bonduards at
uh Burm and showing a big piece of equipment which was likely made there or at Dame Stainless in in New London. It was it was a fascinating tour. Um on October 3rd was the Highway 23 annual meeting. Some of you were there. Um on
10:10 we had the AMC uh board of directors meeting in St. Paul and we addressed same issues that are affecting all the counties uh statewide including you know the cut off of the SNAP benefits and MINFIB and um and then even
looking forward to the uh upcoming session and how we approach um I think the most succinct way I can describe this is there was part of the board that wanted to meet with the legislators with spice and some of them wanted to meet with the legislators with
Nice. So, there's a little bit of consternation there about how do you get your message across without burning a bridge and and not being able to work with them in the future. Um, had a KCED meeting on October 23rd. on
October 24th, uh three of you, uh or four of you, I guess Mel was there, too. Uh were at the District 6 meeting. I'm on a video and and one of the things that um they brought up there and boy, I've been taking a lot of phone calls because deer season is this weekend,
opening this weekend, is a shotgun rifle discussion that we'll have to deal with over the next few months. And then the Glacial Lake Sanitary Sewer and Water District. Um Corey was here today, but there's a lot going on out there with that. uh $18 million or something like
that um upgrades going on and they're rushing to beat the weather and get get that thing buttoned up as best as possible before the weather really turns bad. Then yesterday I was at the transportation alliance in uh St. Cloud and there was some good information
there that possibly could I know that the grant that or the uh approval we made today for a study there might be some opportunity for us to mitigate some of our costs in that study. based on grants that are available. But time will tell. So that's what I have.
>> All right. Thank you very much. Um just a couple of items that I wanted to touch on very briefly. Um of course uh several of us were at the AMC district uh meeting. Uh and that same day uh when we got back uh we uh uh there was a ribbon
cutting for uh the lofts on 7th uh project which is the transitional uh housing uh across the street from uh uh woodland centers uh the UKAP project that they received a grant for. And so
that's going to uh help uh house uh up to 11 uh uh family units at a time or individuals. I would imagine uh for temporary uh housing uh stabilization.
Uh this uh the the buildings that they have there are uh are are compact units uh but they are uh uh they are more than sufficient. Uh and this is uh intended to uh help people uh not have to worry
about uh uh housing so that they can worry about uh uh the other things that they need to uh in order to be able to uh uh be uh independent uh and uh properly housed in the future. So uh that was an interesting thing because uh
uh I uh wasn't driving again yet after my uh eye surgery. Uh, and so I was able to walk there and it just reminded me that for me it's either an opportunity
or an inconvenience at best uh to hoof it over to uh to an event. But you look at so many people in our community who they're up and down that First Street corridor, up and down every
single day uh walking uh to get to places where they can meet their uh basic needs. Uh and you know, it is one of those things there, but for the grace of God I you know that I don't I don't
have to worry where my next meal is coming from. I don't have to worry about how I'm going to get around because either either my wife or my friend Commissioner Berg are going to uh cart me around a little bit when I need uh
when I need that. Uh I have those supports. A lot of a lot of the people that we talked about today in this SNAP discussion, they don't have all of those supports that most of us take for granted. Um, so I say this because it irritates me
sometimes when we have this SNAP discussion and we learn that we have over 3,500 enrolles. 15 50% of them are either senior citizens or under the age of 18 and
another 23% of them are age 16 18 to 64 with a disability. And when I go on social media, God help me, and I look and I see somebody, these people should just go out and get a job,
I suggest to those folks, you better find a different meme because what we are doing here is we are helping those who need it the most. These are the most vulnerable people in our community. and and and and shame shame on us if we all don't
uh uh do our part to take uh uh take and help these folks. Uh do better. That's uh uh that's kind of the comment that I wanted to make today. Uh I really appreciate uh all of you up here today uh for the robust discussions that we've
had and for uh uh and for your individual kindness toward me uh while I've been dealing with this uh with this eye thing. Uh and I just want to thank you all for uh for that. Is there anything else for the good of the order? All right, then we are adjourned. Thank
you everybody.