Good morning everyone and welcome to the uh board of commissioners meeting for Candy Ohio County for Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026. Please stand for the pledgece to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it
stands. One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> Want to thank everybody for being here today and for uh picking us up on uh YouTube as well. uh at uh we will be
asking for the approval of the agenda, but uh we have uh two uh items that uh we wish to add to the agenda. Uh Kelsey, you want to uh run those through us here? >> Sure. Um we have two additional as uh
Commissioner Gardner said. One of them I would like to add to the consent agenda. It's another gambling permit for Wild Haven Sportsman's Club. Um it will be an event held at Smile India Arenas in Kfax. They have done everything um that they needed to do for the form. They've
had the township sign off on everything. Um and it the event is in May, but uh she got it in just a little bit late, but I figured it's a pretty standardized form. We already have another gambling permit, so I'll pass this around. So this is if anybody would like to see it. Um that is something I would like to add
to the consent agenda. And then uh Tammy Joe Leeberg with Community Corrections uh just needs to update the board on a grant process. And so I would like to add her uh to the agenda and she has also spoke with the board chair on this
um just ahead of me on the agenda. >> And where are you going to put >> I'm sorry. >> Where you going to put it on the agenda? >> Uh we'll make that the 925 item. So, right at the bottom of page one, >> and the gambling permit would just go within the consent agenda.
>> Mhm. Um, and uh here we go. All right. So, with uh and and there is a Tammy Joe's item is not an action item. This is for information only. So, so that's uh that's why we felt
comfortable adding that. Uh so with those two additions uh would there uh someone like to move the agenda? >> Mr. Chair also moved. >> Thank you. Is there a second? >> Chair I'll second that. >> Thank you. We have a motion and a second
to approve the agenda with the two uh additions. Discussion hearing none. All in favor say I. I. >> All opposed. That motion passes. Uh thank you. Uh and then we will move to the consent agenda uh which uh consists
of the approval of the February 17, 2026 county board legal minutes, approval of auditors warrants and claims, Prairie Pole gambling permit for September 12, and Wild Haven Sportsman's Club uh uh
gambling permit uh as well. Uh are there any of those items that commissioners wish to pull? Hearing none, then I accept a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> Mr. Chair, I'll make that motion. >> Thank you, Dwayne. Uh, motion is made.
And is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Commissioner Dale Anderson seconds. Any discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. I. All opposed. That motion passes. All right. At this time, uh, our auditor
treasurer, Lisa Whis, uh, is bringing forward for us the, uh, 2025 GA gravel tax report. Lisa, good morning. >> Good morning. Lisa Whis, Candy High County auditor treasurer. Um, this morning I'm presenting the annual gravel
tax report. Um, state statute sets the rates for the gravel tax. So those rates are 21.5 cents per yard or 15 cents per ton. In 2025, we had 16 operators that
reported the extraction of 360,053 yards of aggregate materials and 673,383 tons. That represents a tax collection of 178,41961.
The state statute also dictates the dispersement of those tax funds. So the first 5% of the collections are going to the auditor treasures office to offset the expenses of administering the gravel
tax. That amount is $8,920.98. Then the remainder 95% is distributed 42.5% to the township in which the gravel pit um that the extraction occurred from. 42.5% goes to the county road and bridge fund and then 15% goes
into a special reserve fund that can be used for um reclamation needs for abandoned pits should that ever arise. So the total of the township's distribution is $72,36.92. That is the same amount that will go
into the county road and bridge fund. And the addition this year into the special reserve fund is $25,424.80. Uh that brings the balance in the gravel reserve fund to $369,44916. So, what it appears has happened in the
past is that there's an approval of the gravel tax report and the distribution of those funds. >> All right. Uh are there any questions uh for Lisa uh in regard to the report? >> And uh the u distributions are that
right hand on the second page there in that right hand column. uh correct >> to the uh uh specific townships. Correct. >> Yes. >> Okay. All right. And so we need a motion to accept the report.
>> Correct. >> All right. Mr. Chair, I so move to accept the gravel tax distribution report as stated. >> Thank you. There's a motion to accept the report. Is there a second? >> I'll second that, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. Motion and a second. Discussion.
All right. Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. I. >> All opposed. >> That motion passes. And thank you, Lisa. Thank you so much. >> At this time, we have uh Mel Odin with a couple of items for us. The first is resolution 2026-15
authorizing a mendot tour, a detour agreement. Correct. Mel, good morning. >> Mr. Chair, members of the board, um Mel Odin's public works director. First item on your agenda is a detour agreement with Mandot and Candy County, which is a
pretty common process that we use when they do construction and they use one of our roads for a detour. In this case, they're going to be doing a turn lane on County Road or Trunk Highway 40 in the vicinity of the um industrial park. They're going to be adding a turn lane. And so what they're going to be doing is
closing Highway 40 in uh beginning in July and hopefully completing it in August. And they will take Highway 40 traffic, go north up to Highway 12 east over to our Conro 5 and then southerntherly um down to back down to
Highway 23 or 15 or wherever they so choose to go. So, um, the detour is supposed to last approximately 6 weeks and and the road life consumed and maintenance of that road is calculated
using the gas tax method of $23612.68. And so, it's my recommendation to pass resolution 2026-15 and authorize the chair and administrator to sign on behalf of the county. Further recommendation of the director. Uh, is there a motion?
>> I'll make that motion to uh pass resolution 2026-15. >> Thank you. Commissioner Dwayne Anderson moves. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Commissioner Dale Anderson seconds. Discussion. And uh uh Mel, I believe
this is uh uh a project that uh uh is providing uh another uh ingress egress uh into the uh industrial park/rail park. >> Correct. That is exactly what it is. It's just east of the bridge over the tracks.
>> And those were some grant funds that were received. I think >> the city of Wilmer, I believe they were uh the TED money, the transportation economic development money. Mhm. >> They they they received to fund most of the project. There might have been a match on their part, but um it is it's
basically for another access into industrial park. >> Yeah, I think that uh there was some involvement by KCED on >> I I would imagine on that as well. I would imagine >> I know that uh those funds were uh allocated a few years ago and uh now
they're just finally getting it on the schedule here. So it so if you if you do get a phone call on it, it was supposed to be done last year. >> And so it was not supposed to line up perfectly with our project because they were going to take 55. And
so the detour in essence is nothing, but then um they it got delayed and so they're doing it the exact same time we're doing our 55 south of there. So there's going to be a little bit of construction going on in that quadrant down there. R55 from 40 south to the
bridge and in this this turn lane. Now the good part is is the turn lane should only be six weeks, six to eight weeks if it rains. Um and our ours will be starting earlier than that and be most of the summer. So
>> Okay. And uh are there any questions for Mel? >> Uh Commissioner. >> Uh thank you, Mr. Chair. More of a comment than anything else. It kind of points out all these projects. There's so many little pieces to them. You know, the why, we celebrated the the completion of the Y a few years ago,
actually, and there still this is all kind of part of that whole process in a sense. It's all connected. Um, so that's exciting to get that. This is a big big piece of it. >> And I do have a question about that. Is is there other pieces yet coming up
besides this? And we got the bridge too coming up. And maybe if you can comment on that, but I had a question or just a comment. It's going to get really uh busy on the roundabout then by the railroad tracks on five there, I would assume,
>> because of that is, you know, and that's up to people. >> That's been a a a concern area on Highway 12 and five. >> Yes. Yeah. That's been a concern. Yeah. >> Um because when the train is there, the
roundabout gets gets kind of plugged. >> Yes. But we'll make it through it, right? Maybe just And it'll be great afterwards. Thank you. Right. >> Could you just comment about any other projects besides the bridge? >> Um no. I I think I think the the big one
and I know that there's been some consternation on the phasing of all this, but it's also the the money has to be there to do the to do the projects and and sometimes these things don't line up. And so what you do is you as
what we try to do is strategically do the project when the money's there, but also aligned with projects like this one with the turn lane. Even though I'm not sure what actually happened on that, >> whether it just was a a delay in the plan preparation or a delay in some funding source, I don't know,
>> but I do know it got delayed one year or one construction season. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Yep. >> And I think it's important for folks to understand, Mel, you're talking about the phasing of that uh uh bridge project and basically everything out in that
area. And you know, we need to go back to the original purpose, which was to eliminate all of those uh frankly the uh at grade uh deadly uh intersections uh down in that area on Highway 23 and uh
and five. So, like I said, the funding wasn't there all at once to do it all at once. And so we do the best with what we have to uh make it and and and ultimately uh we're saving lives by doing it. >> Yep. It's they'll all be grade
separations now. No at grade crossings >> and that plays into the hand of in expanding the industrial park >> to eliminate the conflict between train and semi. >> Exactly.
>> All right. Any other questions from Al? All right, we have a motion to move on resolution 2026-15. All in favor say I. >> I. >> All opposed. That motion passes. And Mel, you have a final payment and acceptance for us. >> Yeah, we uh this is the Edwards Township
Bridge. Uh we had four biders on this um project. Asheville companies out of CO. This is a bridge you might recall that we closed about a year ago and we we were able to get the plans done and get it bid, but it was closed for the good
part of a year. And um so this was one of the three bridges that were closed. We eliminated one, we got one open. We still have one closed, but anyway, this is the Edwards Township Bridge. It was uh the work began in October. It was completed November 14 as
a a three-week project. Asheville companies out of CO. Their low bid was $381,513. Um the project's been completed and this payment uh releases the final retainage, the 1% retainage. So it's my
recommendation to accept the project and make final payment to Asheville in the amount of $3,800.30. >> All right. You've heard the recommendation from Mel. Is there a motion? >> Uh Mr. Chair, I'll make that motion. >> Thank you. and a second. >> I'll second it.
>> Thank you. Motion and a second. Uh is there any discussion? So, all right. Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> All opposed. >> That motion passes. Mel, thank you so much. >> All right. We're going to have uh Jody
Ammerman uh come up and uh as our public health manager powers agreement for healthy kids Minnesota. Jody, good morning. >> Good morning. Jody Ammerman, public health manager. Uh in January I shared about the healthy kids Minnesota program
that uh Minnesota Department of Health is doing across the state of Minnesota and how our public health agency has the opportunity to partner um with the program uh the healthy kids Minnesota is a program from the Minnesota Department of Health working to better understand
children's exposure to chemicals that may harm um uh development in children. So today I have the joint powers agreement uh with a budget uh that is fully funded through the Minnesota Department of Health and it is not to
exceed $13,95453. So today I ask for your approval to move forward with that. >> All right. Um, and so you've heard the uh uh request from uh Jody. Uh, is there
a motion? >> I'll make that motion, Mr. Chair. >> Thank you. We have a motion to approve the joint powers agreement. Is there a second? >> I'll second that, Mr. Chair. >> All right. Motion and a second. Uh, discussion. And Jody. Uh so this is
basically something where we're uh they're going to uh uh uh recruit you know 250 300 children uh per region each year >> and and how how does that process play
out? Uh uh they're just not doing this at random. Correct. they uh uh they're doing it with the full uh uh with parental knowledge of what's going on. Would you kind of explain that piece of it for folks who
>> absolutely this is not comfortable to me? >> Yes. So, absolutely. So, Minnesota Department of Health reached out to >> uh the school districts in our our region. So, not only our county, the other counties in in the region and the
school districts. So, they will have a a separate joint powers agreement and um the Wilmer school district then signed their joint powers agreement as well. And I'm not sure the other counties that
have signed or agreed, but we are one of several um in our region that will do this. And each year they they will do a rural and then a urban area. So I believe they're going to be in northern Minnesota and then our south central
region for this year. And so in each region they are looking to get 250 to 300 children. So our in the Wilmer area we will get a part of that number. And so how it works is the Wilmer school
district does early childhood screening uh twice a month. So two days a month. And so we will be at those screenings. The nurses will um do this part of it. So the they will um send out a letter to
the parents ahead of time informing them um of this program. And then during the screening if they they are interested in doing that they will go through a survey. They will sign a consent and then the parent will
actually take the child and privately into the bathroom and and get the urine sample. And then once the parent and the child leave the restroom then the nurse will gather the sample. >> So so there's full transparency to the
parents. This is the uh this is something that they're going to be fully aware of. And uh and the whole idea is to be testing for uh chemicals in the environment that uh that might delay their adversely affect uh early
childhood development. >> Correct. >> Yes. And then there they do get a $40 gift card for participating in the program and then a free uh well test to kit with that and then and the results
then they will be aware of the results. >> Okay. >> And they've had like 60 to 70% participant um rate. >> Okay. >> Across the state. So >> outstanding. Any any questions? Commissioner B. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. Just a quick
question. Um, and maybe you did state it and I missed it. Uh, when do you expect the results of something like this? This sounds like a very great study. >> Within the year, they said if if they find um some concerning results right
away, they contact the uh parents right away and um do some education and find out what is in their environment that would be causing these high results. So that is good to know. Otherwise, they
send out within the year the region's results. >> Sure. I'll be looking forward to hearing the results and an update on that. Uh that sounds like good collaboration and and a good plan is good for our communities. >> Thank you. >> Yeah.
>> Anyone else? Any questions? >> All right. Very good. Uh then we have a motion and a second to approve the joint powers agreement for Healthy Kids Minnesota. All in favor say I. >> I. >> All opposed. >> That motion passes. Thank you so much,
Jody. >> Thank you. >> Next, we have uh Dr. Tammy Joe Leeberg uh with some information for us on a uh on a grant. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> Tammy Joe. Good morning. >> I'm just going to pull something up real
quick just to help him. There we go. Um, good morning, Tam. Dr. Tammy Joe Leeberg. I am here to ask for um approval to apply for a grant. Um, we and just a real quick update on our AIS
co-responder model. Um, we have had um our ARIS program up and running through a grant through the opio opioid grant project through the state of Minnesota for the last couple years. It is a collaborative project through the county attorney's office, um the sheriff's department, social services, and
community corrections where we have um two social workers embedded within social services and within um our community corrections. And I'm using this graph if I can get it back um to kind of show keeps going away um
why it's important. if you can see how um somebody goes through our systems. Um the importance of our ARIS model and our goal is to reduce the number of 911 calls and our jailb days and recidivism risk for individuals with um chemical dependency and mental health concerns.
And when we start at the top or either um with a mental health case or a 911 call with um opioids or chemical dependency and they call 911 and then they go through our system. Sometimes those mental health cases or a CD issue,
they don't belong in our jail. And our whole purpose of ARIS, our alternative response intervention systems, is that we're looking to stop those calls or provide some services at an earlier intervention point, which is called an
intercept model. And that's kind of what you see here is we're looking at all of those touch points. Where can we stop that from having more victims in the community, more um jailb days, more contact with law enforcement, more place, more crimes committed in the
community. if we can do an early intervention either before they commit a crime or before they commit more serious crimes. And that's why we have involvement with probation, with social services, with county attorney's office, with law enforcement, with DI dispatch. And we have joint um mental health
meetings trying to address where can we do those early interventions with individuals with, for lack of a better term, we might call our highf flyers, our frequent flyers, the people that we all know are struggling in our community. But we need to come up with where are those interventions happening.
Over the last couple years, we've done um a lot of interventions, been able to work with those individuals and had quite a bit of success. Um we actually just had a um meeting with our grant managers last week and they were able to meet with
some of the individuals that we've actually had a significant impact in their lives. Um we've had people have talked about the success and how grateful they've been. Sadly, this year we were not picked up on the um opioid grant intervention project through the state. We're going to have an
opportunity to apply again here in a couple months. Um and hopefully we'll get into the next round of the grants. So, we're been looking at other options. And right now, next week, we're going to apply for a smaller grant project through the Department of Public Safety. And so, that's what I'm here to today to
ask for your approval to apply for that grant project. I don't actually need a memorandum or a formal approval, just I need your approval to apply for that grant. It would be again a smaller version for now. Um social services and our grant um group is going to continue
to apply and look for other um options in the future. Like I said, the opioid grant probably in April or May, but this would hopefully keep us going on a smaller basis for the next um two years um for the AIS model.
Okay. And and and and so uh you don't need a formal approval from us. You just need a >> I just need a a head nod. >> A head nod essentially or maybe a formal approval, but I don't need a signed approval. Maybe that's the way to do it. I don't need a a signature. I just need your approval to say yes, go ahead
forward asking for the request for the grant. >> Yeah, that's how I understood it. And and and this is basically to continue and build upon the efforts that you've already been doing. >> Yes. to divert some of these cases because let's face it, it's not a crime to be mentally ill. >> No. and and hopefully, you know, and we
we we hope to provide you with, you know, we're we're in the middle of an evaluation project. And so, in April or May, as we get closer to this, we're going to provide you with a more updated um higher level um updates with our evaluation project of all of the things
that we've been doing um through our um collaborative model and some of the great stories and things that have occurred during the last couple years. >> Sure. And if and and if you are uh someone who uh who is uh who has mental
health concerns, uh that jail, for example, isn't necessarily going to be the best place for you to be in. And it's uh not uh not a great thing to have uh uh someone who suffers in that way uh in
the jail. It's just it's it's it's tough on the entire system. So it is very >> you're trying to divert them from that type of a process >> to divert them or get them out sooner, transition them out sooner, >> okay, >> or keep them from coming back in. Right?
So that's why we have like if you can see from the flowchart, there's multiple it it gets it can be confusing, right? But we start out up here at that early intervention point, but we keep working all the way through the system trying to find where can we divert them into a different place in the process to keep
them from coming back into the jail. Um, and some of that is providing our cognitive behavioral groups. Some of that is helping um connect them with our coffee connection in the community to help them with pro-social support systems. Some of that is helping provide
them um with housing that so that they're not on our street. This week we had somebody who was would have been out in the blizzard um this week and last week in the cold. Um there's lots of different ways that we're trying to prevent that instead of the only option of them being in our jail.
>> What other option do we have? >> Got it. Any questions, Dwayne? >> So, uh do you have an idea what the grant amount would be? >> So, the new grant that we're looking at would be $150,000 a year for two years. um the the second grant we'll be coming
back for will be a little larger, but we're hoping to combine them to create a more seamless system, but again, that depends on if we get either or both or one or the other. So, we're we're we're working together as a collaborative project to say, okay, what can we do as
a community to follow this? And it's it is based on this evidence-based intercept sequential intercept model that kind of you can see through this where where can we do these touch points working as a collaborative group through the law enforcement probation the police
department attorney's office and social services. >> Okay. Thank you. >> Anyone else with questions? >> Commissioner Anderson. >> So Tim Joe once if once if if we do get these grants at the end of it what happens? I mean, are we are we going to
have to fund this somehow to keep this project going or what happens at the end of that? >> So, every grant does look at what is your ability to um you know, ongoing funds or different things. Some of them have the ability for ongoing dollars. Um some of them don't. Um these both have
some options for that. But yeah, there there's always what what are our options? I I can't I mean we would be looking at hopefully looking at is this successful? But at the same time, if we can reduce funds, you know, if we have somebody that we're reducing how much
we're spending at a higher level, we may be show be able to show through our evaluation process that this is actually reducing our costs at a higher level through um child protection, through probation, through jailb days, through dispatch calls, through the amount of dollars that we're spending um with
people in a different way that is actually more harmful to them than what we're spending helping them. >> Yep. No, I understand. Thanks. >> All right. Anyone else? >> All right. So, we don't need a vote, but
uh if Yeah, a head >> a vote maybe. Okay. So, I would request a vote for permission to apply for this grant on >> It's okay. >> Um with the Department of Public Safety. >> All right. Let's uh let's vote on the request uh then to pursue the grant. Uh
I need a motion, Mr. Chair. I will move that we approve the application for these grants. >> All right. And is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> All right. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. All opposed. That motion passes.
>> All right. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. All right. Uh at this time, uh we're going to have a discussion in regard to the first review of a uh slow no watercraft. uh uh ordinance restriction
on uh on designated lakes and uh uh we're going to have administrator Baker and uh Austin is going to come up and lend some support it looks like. >> Uh good morning Kelsey Baker Candy County Administrator. Before you today
we have the first review as the board chair said for the Kio County slow no wakeake ordinance. Um so this ordinance establishes a clear objective and consistent process that we can implement here in Candyoy County rather than a
reacting by a case by case. This will be uh this ordinance will prov provide predetermined trigger elevations and that's where Austin has come in to help with some of that. And this also improves transparency for lake residents, recreational uses users and
law enforcement. Um we the county does have legal authority under um statutes 375.51 86B.205 and 459.20 and then Minnesota rules 6110.37000
regarding the slow high water slow no wake restrictions. So we are within our delegated powers as a county board. Um, the purpose of this ordinance along with public safety is protect shore shorelines and infrastructure during high water seasons, which we experienced
last year. I think a lot of your phones were blowing up over some of these lakes. Um, to help reduce erosion and property damage, um, protects docks, lifts, retaining walls, public access points, promoting safety for Boers, swimmers, and property owners, and then
preserving environmental quality. Um Austin will go into like I said some of these trigger points for the elevations. Once that that elevation is reached the slow no wake automatically goes into effect. The restriction remains until the water drops.1 ft below
the trigger for three consecutive days that is listed within the ordinance. Um this will ensure predictability fairness um along with the data driven decision making with alongside those elevation points.
Um the slow no wake means no more than five miles per hour minimum speed necessary to maintain searage. This applies 24 hours per day. Applies to all watercraft designated um for lake during activity. Um and this is temporary and
tied strictly to the water levels within the ordinance. The enforcement would fall under Candy County Sheriff's Office. Uh prior to today, Austin and I have met with uh Sheriff Tulliffson and some of his team members regarding the
information. They had some feedback that um we inputed and changed into this ordinance. Uh conservation officers with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources also may enforce violations or misdemeanors under Minnesota law. Um the
county would post this notice on the county website, notify local media. We would place signage at public access points, um, install buoys where necessary, and our goal is to be proactive communication and not surprise enforcement. I don't, um, in
conversations with the sheriff. We're not out to get anybody. Um, this would just be in a moment like last summer that we would just these this ordinance would go into an effect then. >> Mhm. Um, like I said, the ordinance balances recreational boating, shoreline
protection, property rights, environmental stewardship, and public safety. It ensures that when we when our lakes are at normal water levels, voting continues as normal, restrictions are tied uh strictly to the elevated water conditions. Long-term benefits for this
are it protects long-term shoreline integrity, reduces public and private repair costs, provides consistency year after year within this ordinance, and supports responsible water management in Kyoi County. We believe that this ordinance is
um very fair and objective to our land owners and our lake users. We Candyoy County is a lake county and we are very proud of that. But we also want to protect our shorelines and uh protect the users that are um utilizing the
lakes when there are high water conditions. Um within I'm going to hand it over to Austin to com um explain the water levels and how we came up with that a little bit. Um, I would propose that we would have a public hearing um, April
7th at 9:00 a.m. We the county board would have to vote on um, scheduling that public hearing in conversations before I hand it over to Austin. Um, we went around and round and he'll probably go into this a little bit, but our
designated lakes within Candy County are listed within your board packet within the ordinance would be Lake Andrew, Big Candy, Ohio High Lake, Diamond Lake, Eagle, Elorhorn, Florida, Games Lake, George, Green, and Longwick and then
Long Wilmer, Nest Lake, and Norway, which includes um the channel into West Norway as well. And so we um like I said, Austin will go over some of these levels, but we felt that we were we were on the middle ground listing out most of
these lakes. And we looked at um more so high recreational lakes compared to if they're fishing lakes or something like that like Ringo. And um so we didn't put all of the lakes that we had originally discussed internally. Um, but we really
looked at recreational lakes where you get the the big wake boats where you're getting that high wakes. Um, so those are the ones that were added to this list. So if you have any questions for me, I'll hang around and um I'm sure if there's anything else you need, Austin can handle that as well, but I'll pass
it over to Austin to explain this. >> Thank you. Morning, Mr. Chair, board members. Austin Hillbrand, strange manager. Um, as Kelsey said, I helped make some of these graphs to come up with the wake restriction for you guys.
Uh, let's pull this up. So, uh, yeah, like Kelsey said, we took your guidance from the 2025 meeting and added all main recreational lakes in Kandai County. And I believe we changed it all all the lakes to 300 feet for a wake restriction. Um so we
>> and that was per um I think if you recall last summer we had done a temporary 150 ft um per public input and communication I think with some of the commissioners um that's where that 300 ft came about. So we did increase that
150 to 300 ft um per community feedback >> and your packets you should have a map that shows you where 300 feet falls on each lake. Um, we also threw out the graphs that I made last time. Just letting you and the
public know that. Okay. So, for the graphs there, um, first I started by merging all the county lake elevation data with the DNR data this time. Um, so we get a lot lot a lot more accurate data set I would say. Um, these elevations are going to
be in the 29 datam. combining this data set will show hopefully show all the peak elevations for each given year, but there's no guarantee that either entity captured that either. Um, but this is the best data that we have available. So, when you look at the the graphs
there, the blue dots would be the um the blue dots would be the individual elevation readings for that given year. The year is listed at the bottom there. Um on the left, it shows the uh elevation and that's again in the 29
datam. So that that just that's what the DNR uses for their for most of their water level readings. So that's what we'll stick with. There is a conversion to get it to the new datam that newer GPS's use. Um but that's all going to be based on location. So
um your black lines is going to be the control elevation that I got from the DNR. Um so whether it be a dam or an outlet pipe or you most of them are dams I guess. Um your your yellow line would be the ordinary high water level. So that ordinary high
water water level is set by the DNR in the 1970s. Um it's basically the elevation delineating the highest water level that has been maintained for a sufficient period of time to leave evidence upon the upon the landscape commonly the point where natural vegetation changes from aquatic to
terrestrial. Um and then it's used in public water works permits and zoning regulations. Um, and then the red is that proposed wake restriction trigger. So, how did I come up with that wake restriction trigger? So, I looked at each lake individually, trying to be objective as possible with the data
available. Um, for lakes that consistently went above the ordinary high water mark, I set that um, wake restriction trigger to cover the upper 50 to 25% above the ordinary high water mark. Um, based on that historical
elevation data back to 1980s, 45 years. Um, for lakes that did not consistently go above the ordinary high water mark, I left it at the ordinary high water mark. Um, then then after I said all those, I individually went through each lake and there's individual factors that play
into each one as well. Um, if we moved them. So, um, as soon as you introduce, you know, personal experience, even local lake association comments, public comments, um, it no longer becomes, um, objective but subjective, and that's why I turn it over to you guys. So, um, for
final decisions and then that's also where that public hearing comes into place. So, we can go through these graphs quick. Uh, let's see. So, the first one that's on the list there is a little out of order than what the ordinance has, but it's Big Candy
Lake. Um, this one was set at 11:03.8. So, the red line there. So it again it captures that upper portion where the water's the highest.
Um originally head at 11:04 but going back in going back through Big Candy Eye Lake um the outlet is really slow. There's there's actually a very large waterhed coming through Big Candy Lake. So I did lower it by 2 feet to 1103.8.
Like I said still captures all the high high events. if you have any questions on these as I go through them. Otherwise, we can come back to them too if you'd prefer. So, so next one I got is Diamond Lake. Again, I set it to capture all the high events. This one consistently goes over its
ordinary high water mark. Again, set it to capture that upper portion of the um events that go over above the high water mark. Um and that's that's kind of where I set that one. Eagle Lake doesn't consistently go over
its high water mark, but except for a couple times. Um, it is in the upper end of the wershed. So, I did raise this one 2 ft um above the ordinary high water mark. I do you want the specific or you have that in the ordinance there? So, okay.
>> Okay. >> Awesome. Uh, just a quick question here. I see that uh on that map uh there's uh it shows Point Lake on there as as well, but that's not under this ordinance. Correct. >> Correct. Point Lake was removed. Yes. Yep. I can I'll redo that graph or that
that map that you have. So, Yep. >> Okay. Thank you. >> So, Elorn, Elorn does consistently go above the ordinary high water mark. Um Elorn is pretty unique. There's the outlet is through a township road pipe and then it's actually set by a driveway
a private driveway pipe. Um so I set this to capture again that higher the higher amounts and that actually corresponds pretty close to where the county is going to the county uh opens a rearing pond valve as a secondary outlet
for when Elorn gets high. That's not set in stone yet, but that's what we're working with the DNR on at this time. So that that matches pretty close to that number. Games Lake. Uh we separated Games Lake from Norway Lake even though they are in kind of the same chain. Um Norway Lake
has more influ more influence from drainage systems on the western end and a bigger watershed I guess technically but um so again set this one to capture those upper events above the ordinary high water mark. Consistently goes above the ordinary high water mark again.
And uh for games like Norway Lake would be set like 0.25 feet higher than games lake just because of um water levels. When we get to that graph you'll see that as well. Um George Lake. George Lake is
influenced by Nest Lake. So it does get backflow. Um there was a discrepancy with the DNR on what the control elevation is. I I have that now but it did not get plotted on this map or on this graph I should say. Um, so in the in the next before the public hearing,
I'll have an updated graph for you with the black line showing where the outlet is set at. Um, again, George Lake is in the upper end of the wershed. Um, so I I did set it 2 feet above where
Nest Lake is set. Um, so when we get to Nest Lake, you'll see that Nest Lake is at 1166.8. So again capturing the the uppermost portions again where honestly where Nest Lake back feeds into into George Lake.
Green Lake does not consistently go above the ordinary high water mark. Um it only has in the last four years. So we left this one at the ordinary high water mark. Um obviously 2025 we set records. Lake Andrew as well does not consistently go above the ordinary high
water mark. Um so we left that one at the at the ordinary high water mark. Lake Florida, same thing. It's kind of off to the side on its watershed. Um does not go above the ordinary high water mark. We left it at the ordinary
high water mark. Long Lake by Howick I think is influenced. Um it is at the upper end of its wershed, but there are some hills that come into it. Um, so that that does jump pretty high or and consistently goes above its ordinary high water mark.
Um, so I set it to capture those higher events. >> Commissioner Ber, >> just a quick question or comment. U looking at Long Lake when you get these lakes that are narrow and long. It's almost 300 ft across all the way. >> Correct. Yeah. >> All the way long. So, it's going to be a
little little hard there for the people, but if I lived out or had a place there, I would just be careful on the whole lake when it comes right down to it. >> Yeah. When we when we when we implement the 300 foot on that lake specifically, it's going to there's going to be portions where you will not be able to travel straight through when you're out
in the middle. Anyway, >> but if I may pull up, you've done an excellent job though. This is really a lot of pieces to this. Put this together. So >> I believe I believe is there does was that lake did that lake have some buoys or something marking? >> Yeah, they already do
>> through that narrow stretch. I believe the >> y >> there is some some restriction there already. So >> uh Long Lake by Wilmer again consistently goes above its ordinary high water mark. Um it's at the upper end of its watershed. I mean Ringo comes
into it. Um Ringo and Twin I guess but um set it to capture those higher higher events. Nest Lake. Um Nest Lake is influenced by the uh middle fork of the Crow River and
the dam is is um at the direction of the DNR. The dam is continu continuously um uh evaluated I guess to match what is coming out of New London and they call it run of the river elevation. So in my
opinion or this one that we capture again the higher the higher events but Nestlake doesn't seem to jump that high because that dam is always being modifi um boards are always being adjusted in that to match what's coming out of New
London. So and then again it's it's a slightly less than George Lake um about 2.2 feet. So, and then we got West Norway and West Norway again capturing those um those
high water events. Again, it consistently goes above its ordinary high water mark. So, I think that's the last one. Any questions on those? >> Any questions for Austin or for Kelsey? >> I just have a comment. I just want to I
just want to thank Austin. You've been pretty responsive to the lake associations, I believe, and you've listened to them and I think they appreciate that. So, thank you. >> Yep. >> Yep. >> Any any other questions?
>> Sorry. >> Then what we uh uh need to do is set a hearing date. And the suggestion was for where did I >> April 7th. >> Uh April 7th at 9:00 a.m. >> Yes. That gives um that gives if there was if there were to be any changes
today, that would give staff time to make those changes and then that gives us time for um the correct posting in the newspapers. >> All right. >> So, I believe all five commissioners should be here on April 7th, and I figured if we did the public hearing
right at 9:00, >> m Mr. Chair, I'll I'll make the motion to set the hearing date for the first review of the Oh, no. It' be for the ordinance for the slow no ordinance. Yeah, for the slow no ordinance for April 7th at 9:00 a.m.
>> All right, we have a motion to set that public hearing. Is there a second? >> I'll second it. >> Thank you. Motion is second. And any further discussion? Any questions? >> All right, hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. All opposed. That motion passes. All
right. Thank you. We have we have that uh on the uh on the docket for the next time around. >> Austin, thank you so much. >> Thank you. >> Um we are through uh our business. Uh we
have some time for uh administrative updates. Uh uh we'll start with uh Administrator Baker. Um, in speaking with Mel Odin's this morning, we would need to change the
work session that was originally scheduled for March 17th for the public works work session. Um, we just have staff conflict with that date. And so we would propose March 24th and we could either do like a 9 to 11 or
a 1 to three, whichever would work best for the board. Um, and I will check with Commissioner Imike this week too as well if um, the 24th works for him. Um, but that's what we would be proposing whichever whichever time would
work best. >> I uh, I will defer to those who already have their calendars open. >> Would you repeat the days, please? >> Um, it would move from March 17th to March 24th. It's a Tuesday. >> Yep.
>> Yeah. that works. >> I'm just uh I'm just looking. I know I I know I have a dental appointment at 11 and I need to keep that. But uh let's see. >> Oops.
I thought I added something else in >> 8:30. >> As I say in my calendar, we had both Monday or Tuesday reserved as a possibility, right? Monday I think is >> Oh, that's the five o'clock meeting. >> Monday's the township.
>> Yeah. Yeah. Um I have an eye appointment and a dentist appointment back to back that morning. So is it possible to do the afternoon? >> I don't >> Yeah, I' I've got an FRA meeting, but I can have somebody else attend. >> What if we when is your first
appointment or is that is it in town or >> Those are going to be between uh 10 and noon. >> Back to back. Okay. >> So, why don't we just do a one to three? >> Does that work out for you, Cor? >> Uh, yes. But also, isn't that from 10 to
2:30 the lake association conference that we're all invited to? Did anybody else get that? >> Um, I seem to remember something about >> Yeah, it's all the lake associations are getting together for or majority of the
lake associations. I saw that. You saw that Tuesday. >> I I I think I saw something on. >> Yes. It's March 24th from 10 to 2:30. >> Yeah. >> From 10 to 2:30. >> Well, those of you who are interested
could go in the morning. >> Yeah. >> Or do you want to go 8 to 10? >> Yeah. >> You know what I mean? >> I mean, >> it's updates. I'm sorry. >> Pull your uh >> Yep. Let's just do 8 to 10 and then you
can if you for those that want to get over to the lake association, would that work? >> I think wait 8. >> All right. We'll we'll make it we'll make it a morning. >> Yep. I'll send a calendar invite.
>> Perfect. Thank you for that. And uh also of note, we have the uh shotgun rifle listening session uh coming up on March 9th, Monday evening from 5:30 to 7:00. Uh and that's
going to be downstairs in the multi-purpose room. >> So just for the audience, because I've already been asked this three times, we will not be making a decision at that meeting. >> That's correct. because they think I've been asked if that is when the decision is going to be made and that is that is
just to listen to the public's input not a decision making >> which okay uh which does bring up uh the question though then of the timing of when we would need to set a public
hearing if we were going to do an ordinance and I guess uh talking about this process again like Dale says we're not going to be making a decision that evening. We're taking input and and and that's it. Out of out of that input, uh
once uh once all the commissioners have heard from uh folks, there there may or may not be uh a desire to uh write an ordinance. >> Yeah. I um and I think after the listening session on the 9th, it would
be on the board agenda on the 17th for board discussion. So if the board does want to follow go through with an ordinance that would be at that meeting that they would set the date for the ordinance or the excuse me for the public hearing. >> So the chair so if we set a date for the
public hearing then most likely then that would be probably at the board meeting on the 7th of April. >> Not necessarily because uh you'd still have to draft an ordinance. Correct. >> Could be next. >> Okay. >> So it would it I mean it's probably
going to be in April. It has to be enabled because we've got to uh if we if we were to do something, we would have to notify DNR >> of what we did or didn't do. >> So, probably more by April 21st board
meeting then. >> Potentially. >> Potentially. Potentially. >> Potentially. Yes. >> Y >> just so I know the framework of all this. Yeah. It's the plan. You bet. We're looking forward to uh uh having that listening session and I know we've
all already heard from a lot of folks. Uh but want to make sure that uh everybody who wants to weigh in on this before we uh decide whether or not to set a public hearing uh they're going to have uh they're going to have an
opportunity. So, all right. Uh do we have any appointments? Anything? uh any calendar events. Um some of us are going to be uh leaving uh today for St. Paul. It's uh our
annual AMC u uh leg uh legislative uh conference, our day on the hill where we'll be talking with our representatives and senators and so forth. And uh and so we're looking forward to that as well. Um, uh,
Commissioner Berg, you look like you're kind of ready to for report outs. >> Uh, if >> Okay, I am ready on on report outs. That would be that would be great. >> That'd be fantastic. I I do have something before I get into my report
out. I just like to share some personal information. Uh, if you will um and then I'll just I'll go forward with that comments. Now, after careful consider cons consideration, I wish to formally announce that I will not be seeking a third term this year for uh as Kandandy
County Commissioner for District 1. District 1 represents roughly the western and northern portions of the city of Wilmer. This decision fulfills the original goal I had set uh first when running for office in 2018 to serve
two terms totaling eight years if elected. I am making this announcements early to allow interested residents of District 1 ample time to explore the opportunity to run for this position. Uh candidate filing opens on May 19th. As I
enter the remainder of my second term, I remain fully committed to finishing strong. I will continue to serve the residents of Kandui County, the region, and the state of Minnesota to the best of my ability through the conclusion of this term on December 31st. We are
fortunate to live in a strong, vibrant community. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to be part of the important work of the county board. It is an honor and a privilege to serve in this role and to work on this prolific number of
issues faced in our community. Al uh although I have 10 months remaining in my term, I want to sincerely thank our citizens, current and past board members, administrators, and the outstanding county staff for
their dedication and professionalism. Kandui County truly is a wonderful place to live. If anyone has any questions or would like to learn more about this nonpartisan, I want to emphasize nonpartisan uh position, I welcome the
opportunity for conversation. My phone number is 320-894 3241 89430 uh 3241. And thank you. And now I will go into my uh committee updates.
even though it's the last week of the month. Uh I ended up with a lot of other meetings in addition. Um first off, I want to uh start out on one watershed plan for Hot Creek and uh we've I've had several meetings connected with that.
Heidi uh uh uh Ralhorse u uh decided to withdraw her uh uh contract for the second term. She just approved the board just approved the contract with her uh uh for three more years. She had just
completed the first three years of that contract as the current coordinator and manager of the Hawk Creek project. Uh she still maintains uh the Hawk Creek or Hot Creek one wershed plan. She still is going to be the uh executive director of
the Hawk Creek project going forward. Um and at this meeting then we've dis the board of the hot creek uh one watershed plan accepted that request and has been meeting to look look at going forward. The good news is the the hope creek one
watershed plan has gone through a lot is set up is operational. It has the reviewing committees for the grants and it just can continue to operate. But we do need somebody to write the checks to oversee this and and move forward. At this point, uh Curt Strandberg,
commissioner from Chipper County, is the chair and he will be working with CDS uh accounting firm uh who does the checks writing for us uh to make that continue so we don't uh get behind on any of our payments. We have a meeting scheduled
the end of this month for the one watershed plan as well and looking to the three watershed district you Chipperwa County, Renville County and Canduite County wershed uh boards to uh uh come forward with some options to
look at um possibly that one of them will uh pick up or they will share some methods of uh of coordinating uh the meetings going forward. Hawk Creek. But then I want to talk about Hawk Creek project also during all
this time. Hawk Creek Hawk Creek Project had their annual meeting and it was in Renville, Minnesota. And I attended that and they had speakers on uh soil testing uh waste uh treatment uh uh treatment of w of the uh water and runoff from the
fields and so forth in the landfills. And the annual update by the director uh as to what took place this past year. And there's many different things in the hot creek project that they're involved in that uh don't always uh overlap uh
the watershed district's plans as well. Um I I attended the drug court uh graduation during this last two weeks. Uh Judge Wel does an excellent job on that. It was during that little mini snowstorm we had and uh they had a big
Zoom meeting and I was surprised to see that many people in Doug drug court and it involves a couple other counties as well as Canui County. But there was a graduation and it was very positive how all the uh
individuals involved in the drug court work together and strive towards uh uh sobriety andor uh meeting all their plans to be able to graduate and was a very successful person. Um I attended
the EDC committee uh business and retention and recruitment uh committee u along with chair commiss commissioner Gardner and uh we had an excellent meeting a lot of energy uh taking place and doing some plannings going forward
to make the committee more active. We I also attended the EDC the economic development uh uh board meeting and uh we reviewed some of the financial updates and planning for uh laying out the plans for the hiring the new
director and I'll leave some information for the chair as well uh to address uh we all attended the health and human services work session and it was quite eyeopening again on some things more so than I thought and that's going to tie
tie in well with tomorrow. But uh maybe some other people might want to work on that and that. Oh, I I also uh attended uh a mosque uh during this time with Commissioner Gardner as well. they were there and you maybe can add some
information to it but was a Ramadan uh activity and we've both have attended these in the past u where they uh is practiced that they uh during uh during that time that they do have a community meal and this was an open thing to our
community that people from their community could come there and take part in the meal and and uh share discussion and I'd like to say the the food was really good there's some names of the food I cannot probably pronounce very well and some was of the food was better
than others but hey there's some that was very outstanding and that was that was nice but also the important thing is we had good good conversations good connections and that's what that's all about with our community connecting conversations working together I've felt
so welcome there and and so welcomed and they uh the uh they are really part of our community and they want to be part of our community. So, it's a very positive experience. And that's the end of my updates. >> Thank you very much. And uh uh I'm sure
we'll have we'll have time for platitudes later, but uh uh just as you said that uh it's been your honor and privilege to uh serve on the board. It is our honor and privilege to uh serve alongside of you. So, >> Well, thank you. It's very nice of you
to say that. And yeah, thank you, >> Commissioner Dale Anderson. All right. Um, just a couple things. Uh, was we attended a library meeting on the 19th. U, me and Dwayne had that that night. Um, looking for a new person to
be in charge of the library and that process is coming along. So, see how that all goes. Um, went to a Chipo watershed meeting. Um, the meeting before there was an aquarium. So they're they're going to change some rules and some things that we make sure we always
have a quorum because some people come from a long distance and then they drove all that way and we couldn't have a meeting. So um but that that's coming along. There's a lot of projects that are getting finalized and uh money is being used for good projects I think in
in that Chipoa wershed district. Um it's always fun to see what is going on up. a lot of it gets done in Pope County and that's that's where there's a lot of lot of land that's that's in that watershed. So, um I actually it's it's probably not
100% county commissioner stuff, but I attended a soil health umformational meeting at the college on Friday. Um it was really interesting. I got put on the panel for that and um and got to tell kids about soil health and um and what
what things there is to do and learn about that. well attended by all the kids and a few people from the community. So, I thought that was kind of interesting. Um, I also attended the soil and water conservation meeting after our last board meeting on the 17th. Um, I try to attend that as much
as I can to just see what's going on in there. Um, there's a lot of programs out there for people to sign up for. So, if you have any interest in in uh learning ways or finding ways to save some money on different practices and different things, contact the soil and
water. There's always programs available to uh help with our water and quality and soil in our county. Um and then the health and human services meeting yesterday. Um like Corki said, eye opening. um frustrating in a lot of
ways, but very interesting and and I think we got to keep letting our message be known to our community on how things actually are instead of what perception is. And we also need to keep working with our legislators to uh make a difference and see if we can get these
these really complicated things in in health and human services, make them a lot easier. I don't think it should be as complicated as it is, but it sure is right now. So, um, but that's all I have. >> All right. Thank you, Commissioner Dwayne Anderson.
>> Yep. Thanks, Mr. Chair. Uh, so February 19th, I had a Pioneer Land Library meeting along with Commissioner Dale Anderson, and he touched on most of that. Uh, I I am on the search committee for uh the new director, and we have several candidates. many of them seem
like we have good candidates. And on March 9th, I believe it is, we're going to have kind of a short meeting to uh kind of select, you know, the top candidates for interviewing. So, uh that was on that was on February 19th. On
February 26th, we had a I had a Zoom meeting with UKAP in the wintertime. They because a lot of people drive come from a long ways away. They they tend to have zoom meetings so that uh people don't have to travel in bad weather. Um but we had that meeting on the 26th and
uh we had the audit. The audit looks really good. Uh one thing they pointed out uh the auditors was was that um uh we have 0.1 months of uh basically operating income. And and the reason why that is is because uh the federal or
state does not reimburse us till after we've paid the bill, show them the receipt. And that's more more or less how with all the fraud and stuff that's been going on, uh how things are changing. And so it makes it a lot more difficult. Basically, they have about
three days of operating income. And so they run a very tight ship, which is what they need to do uh in order to uh keep operating. So that it's it's good to see that we have um uh good people running UKAP. Uh but then it's also
makes you nervous when you hear that they have such uh short supply of of cash or operating income. Uh anyway, then uh yesterday was uh broadband meeting uh that was in Wilmer here and um I just want to update people a little
bit about uh different projects. So the vibrant project uh candy Ohio and Jennese townships those are complete and so far they have a they had a 56% take rate which means 56 pe uh% of the population or the passings uh decided to
go with vibrant which is nice that they got fiber to the home now and then uh I think uh the the the uh reconnect for Rosland Irving and Burbank townships is finally going to get started. I guess they've had a few
delay issues. They've had contractors, I think, that weren't able to to do the project. So, but now they're going to kind of move forward. So, actually, that was a Wilmer one with the hometown hometown fiber. They're they're on their third contractor because I don't know,
one one person one was just a issue with uh what they were bidding on, I guess, and the next one was it was too big for them, and now they're on the third contractor. So, I think that'll go good. Uh, we also had a lot of discussion about Savveya. Uh, they would like to get highspeed internet to their home.
The closest that they do have fiber is about a half mile from Sava. Uh, and we're trying to help them figure out what their options are as far as getting uh fiber to the home and what would be the most feasible way to move forward.
So I guess um oh one other thing with that was uh now that you know a lot of the grant dollars and stuff have dried up uh we're trying to figure out which which will be the best way to move forward as as a committee. So we had a lot of progress
in the last several years but now it's really slowed down. That's my report. >> Thank you very much. Um so uh a lot of a lot of what I could report on Courtney has already has already mentioned which is which is
great. So u people hear enough of me during these meetings anyway. Um uh but you and I uh did uh appear on open mic uh uh on the 18th and uh enjoyable as
always. Um uh and uh as to the u uh community uh Ramadan ifar uh the uh uh community meal that uh uh everyone was invited to. Uh the theme of that uh uh
event was unity through sharing. Uh and and and I think it I I think it speaks to faith communities in general that so much of community revolves around food uh and and and and being there for
people uh in their time of need or just in simple fellowship and uh and that was certainly shown uh at that event. That's the second year now that I've been at this particular uh event. I've been invited to others in the uh uh in the
past that were maybe a little more uh informal uh but great uh opportunity to uh visit with folks that I don't always get to see and uh and that was uh that was uh sponsored through the uh Islamic
Society of Minnesota of Wilmer. uh and uh there were some uh businesses and other organizations that uh uh uh sponsored that as well. So that was uh uh that was as always a great event. Um
West Central Industries uh had a board meeting uh a week ago Monday. uh drug-free coalition. We uh had a meeting uh this past Wednesday.
Um, and that's uh we got to hear from a request for a couple of grants uh from some student organizations and uh and we were able to act on those. Uh the uh KCD joint powers uh uh meeting uh as Corki
mentioned and uh we are getting uh some applicants for the executive director uh position. Um, and uh I can also say that uh uh we're in the a similar process over at Central
Community Transit. Uh and uh I think that still has about another week or 10 days to uh uh run before those uh uh uh that posting closes. And then we'll be uh uh we'll be looking to have
conversation uh uh with our uh uh with whoever the uh search firm brings uh brings forward. And by the way, we were uh able to use South Central Service Cooperative uh for those uh services. Uh
I know that uh uh city of Olivia had used them in the past with to great effect uh and uh cost effective relatively speaking as well. So So that was nice. Um,
and let's see. Uh, that's that's that's kind of uh kind of about everything. I think we had uh uh we had the health and human services work session uh yesterday and I I I did want to talk about that just a little
bit. When we talk about cost drivers to the local levbby, uh, uh, a lot of it has to do with federal and state mandates,
uh, and, uh, a lot of those are not funded, uh, for counties and a lot of them, uh, require cost sharing, uh, to uh, the counties. Well, between the federal government uh for example
requiring uh instead of uh instead of a 50/50 uh cost share on SNAP, uh it's going to be a 2575 essentially the county is going to have to pick up uh the lion share of that
going forward. Uh and there's certainly a an impact to the levy when something like that happens. Um it's disappointing to see a program that so many people uh
uh depend upon um uh being kind of kind of pushed to the side or and and and especially something that is uh federally funded uh run through run through the states.
uh that local property taxpayers get stuck with more and more of those types of costs. Those types of things are out of our hands. And so it gets really really discouraging sometimes to listen to some of this. But nothing tripped my
trigger more yesterday uh than hearing about uh the uh we all know that we have a need for new technology systems all across uh health and human services.
And uh uh it it it seems like uh one of the things that we learned about yesterday is just a basically a rehash of uh of of the types of systems and workflows that are not working
currently. And uh it it's it's incredibly frustrating uh to see that basically they've learned nothing over the years. Uh we have systems dating
back into the uh uh 1980s uh that our eligib eligibility workers have to uh struggle with and uh that costs us money as well in staffing in extra time uh and it really impacts the
job that we're able to do on behalf of our uh consumers and our our taxpayers. So hopefully we'll be getting that message uh further across to our legislators uh when we uh when we meet with them tomorrow and uh and in uh
further conversations. But uh uh uh by the time we got done, I think my I think my blood pressure was up about 20 points. Uh and uh it's it's it's awfully frustrating. we can see what needs to be done at a high level,
but when it comes to execution um to to uh coin a phrase, I think this is I think this is an old Casey Stangle quote. Uh when asked about uh uh how asked about his team's uh execution when
he was the Mets manager back in the early days, he said, "Yes, I think they should be executed." So hopefully it doesn't come to that. and we get some uh we get some uh uh relief at some point in time. I know there's not going to be
a quick fix. Um uh I know that uh Commissioner Bird would have loved to have seen that uh all taken taken place during during his term of office, but uh we'll uh we'll keep we'll keep trying to
uh uh roll the stone uphill on uh in your behalf. >> Well, thank you. And it's still good to plant a seed and see it grow. Be part of that going forward. I I do maybe if I might may uh Mr. Chair that you know our
local representatives and our legislature did approve some funding for a lot of the computer program. Uh but there was a big disconnect in the sense it was a large amount of money as a matter of fact. But this is going to be
a a very very expensive process to go through and maybe you could add more to that. So, uh they're working hard at it and we're going to have to encourage them to keep working even harder. >> Right. And and and to your point, our legislators are well aware of this, but
uh uh but I think they're also under the impression that uh the money that has already been appropriate is going to take care of everything. And unfortunately, it's not. And if we could ever get some traction uh at uh uh uh
Health and Human Services, that would be that uh uh at DHS, that would be awesome. So, and I probably better not say any more than that, otherwise I might see something I regret. So, does anybody have anything else uh for the good of the order today?
Otherwise, we are at the end of our at the end of our business and our time here. So I would entertain a motion to adjurnn. >> Some of I guess I haven't been doing that. Uh we are a journ. >> Good. All right.