Approval of the 23rd, 2025. >> I'll move to approve them. >> I'll second that. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Meyer, second by Commissioner Vagely to approve the meeting minutes. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. I. >> Oppos? Nay. Approved. Um, chairperson's
report 3.1. Well, we did have a shack uh event last week and um Commissioner, you were there on Friday. >> I went to the second day. Yeah, I went to Micah the first day. the the first day was um all about our tribal um nations and a number of you know
counties have tribes in their geographic area. Uh, one of the points was that we don't have a tribe here in Winona County, but we do have Native Americans. And the question was asked and maybe we should find out. It's like, how many do we have in our population that identify
as u Native Americans? And then the rules change. And and again, it's it's unclear to me and and um it didn't come up is, you know, each tribe is independent and a sovereign nation and they have different rules and regulations and everything, but one of
the things that they said and and um Emily is in the back is that um >> Medicare changes, the rules change for a Native American and so we need to understand how the rules get changed and everything. Um, and it it's interesting.
It kind of brought out not only, you know, Native Americans, but we all have in, you know, special population groups within our counties and how their culture and their uh, you know, uh, history and everything affects um, what goes on in their their daily lives and
everything. Um it did get brought up very briefly that of course they have chosen to uh by why I don't know you know casinos and some of them are building taking land and building more casinos and then of course now the cannabis industry um they seem to be um
dealing with and stuff. Um but it was interesting and u uh it's it's an area that you know we just have to be cognizant of. We don't directly uh and some counties that have them it it's it's good and it's bad and it's difficult some at times to to work with
multiple jurisdictions and multiple sets of rules and multiple sets of of uh um you know little idiosyncrasies that make us all unique and uh and work work with um the legislative aid. She tried to
give us like what's she gonna do for public health and it's like nobody seems to know. So I do appreciate uh Commissioner Meyer handing us the Micah. Maybe they've got figured out what they're going to do with the legislature and what they're going to ask legislation to do and how you're going
to ask to do it. I mean that seems to be in everybody's area. I I [snorts] sit on yesterday we had emergency communications and how do we convince the legislature that we need money for all these things that we're doing. Um
you know the armor system we built out um uh many years ago now 20 plus years ago it's wearing out. It needs upgrading and updates and it it's um very expensive. And so as far as legislation goes and how many new legislators will
we have next? this time it should be low, but two years, you know, a year and a half from now, we'll have probably a lot of new legislators and to educate them and bring them up to speed what, you know, what they're going to need to know is going to be a monumental task. Um, so
>> Commissioner, >> yes. >> Based on census data from 2020, it's about 200 Native Americans >> about 200 >> in the county. >> And so, and I guess do we I Emily, maybe I'll put you on the spot. Do do they do we identify anything like that when they come in for any services at the county?
I mean, maybe it's more human service functions. I don't know. And I don't know that we should unless they bring it up. >> Most programs do inquire about uh race and nationality or if they have a tribal um connection um that's validated they get
tribal benefits for. >> Okay. All right. So, we do ask and we we know. Okay. All right. Okay. Um, other than that, um, I think are we still health? We're pretty healthy here in the upper Midwest. I hear there's some measel
outbreaks in Texas and such jumping up again. Anything that we need to be on aware of? >> Um, there were a handful of, uh, measles cases in the metro area, um, Minneapolis, St. Paul in the last four to six weeks in unvaccinated children
after exposure with unvaccinated adults. >> Okay. All right. Okay. Anything else anybody has or inquires about health? >> All right. >> We have two items on general business, right? >> Yep. >> Right. Yep. So, um there was no consent business. So, moving on to general
business. 5.1 discuss and approve resolution naming Dr. Adine and Dr. Astraman as co-med consultants for community health board. >> I'll move to approve. >> I'll second. Uh we have a motion to approve the
naming of co- cons medical consultants for community health board. Um just a question is that a forever position or do we review that periodically or do they tell us they don't want to do it anymore or because it is it's mandated that we have
a medical >> Yes. So typically how we've done it we've done a resolution like you're approving today um and that is in place until we decide otherwise. >> Okay. All right. Uh we approved the contract with Winona Health for Dr. Osterman in our last community health board meeting. So then this is the resolution um to support that as well.
>> Right. Well, one of the I I don't know. Um so Dr. Adine to be a medical you have to renew your lensure every so often. So he is current and intends to continue continue that. Okay. Because you're not a doctor for life. You you have to there
are rules. >> There is requirements. you have to hold your uh medical license in the state of Minnesota to be in >> and he's he served the Winona community for and great greatly for a long time but yeah okay >> I will just say that um as a new commissioner I did not know this was a requirement I did not know that he was
the designated adviser and um I wish that I had known that during vote >> okay so all those in favor say I >> I post nay okay that's approved and then um uh 5.2 to acknowledge extension of cannabis and substance abuse prevention
grant through 10:31 of 2027. >> I'll move to approve item 5.2. >> I'll second it. >> Okay. We have a motion by Commissioner Begley, second by Commissioner Mier to approve um the cannabis substance abuse prevention grant through 1031 of 2027.
Um the luxury of time. Um, I did bring this up and one of my counties um, in the northern part. I said, "One of the things we struggle with in county government is getting younger people to serve on any of our boards and and everything. Um, particularly the other
night, um, the comp plan, you know, what are we going to do with our land?" And here we got a bunch of, I hate to say it, I'm I'm amongst them, some old gray-haired people making rules that the young people will have to live with forever. So, where are the young people? What do they want? and one of the the um
uh health directors from up north, I'd have to look remember they used some of the cannabis dollars and created a youth council because what do the kids want? What do they see as as uh you know and I know we have that group um is it still
existing Dwayne? You may know >> ASAP no longer exists. The funding ran out. >> Yeah. >> Okay. All right. But that's maybe something to look at is, you know, what what's going on in that group of our population >> because that is exactly what they did. I don't know if you've been to the events
at the chamber where they had lobbyed the legislature and they gave >> a couple years a couple years ago, but I >> that group did a fabulous job, >> right? But there is the gentleman who headed it still in the community. >> Um, >> it's changed a bunch of times. >> Yeah. >> And uh I can't remember the name of the
last director. I can picture >> because uh she's on our HHS advisory team. >> Oh, okay. Okay. But it maybe is something to consider if we've got uh funding and uh we've got a group uh that possibly could be I don't know. It's
just I'm just throwing it out there is that we're making all these rules and recommendations and spending all this, but do we really know what the youth want and and would like to see moving forward? So, all right. So, uh we will acknowledge the extension of the cannabis and substance abuse prevention
grant. All those in favor >> Oh, yeah. That's okay. I like Do we vote on that? >> Yeah. No. All those in favor say I. >> Oppos? Nay. Okay. Approved. Anything else to come? Emily, you got any words of wisdom for us? >> No. No tips. Take your vitamin E and get ready for the decrease in sunshine uh in
your life. >> Sounds good. >> Daylight, you know. When do we change the clock? Somebody was asking. That has impact on people. That has impact on health. Pardon me. >> I think it's the second week of November. >> Okay. that has physical uh health
impacts on people that that clock change and I see there's a number of states that are doing away with it finally. Um I don't know it's kind of crazy. >> Move to adjourn. >> Second motion by Commissioner Meyer, second by Commissioner Olsen to adjurnn.
Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. I. Nay. Okay, we're journ. All right, we got six minutes. >> [clears throat] >> Good morning. It was a beautiful sunshiny day at my
house this morning and uh but now we look like we might get a little precipitation, but I said the plants need a good rain before they go to bed for the winter. So, it's moisture is appreciated. It is amazing. People don't realize how quickly the ground moisture went from, you know, ample and supple to
to very dry. So, it's important, but we have we can't take a vote on it. We have no control over it. just does what it wants to do and such. So, uh we call the meeting uh our first item is public comment. Um this is the opportunity where anybody wants to address the
county board and you have two minutes to uh address us and we have a timer. Uh is there anybody in the audience that would like to address the Winona County Board this morning? Is there I I think we're Is there somebody online?
>> Yes. on that screen. >> Can you Can you hear me? >> I would like to address the county board. >> Can you hear me? >> To the Okay. I I was >> Yes, I would like to address the county board. >> Calling in. So, we'll let Heidi Heidi
will let them in. >> Heidi's the gate. >> Can I address the county board, please? Can you hear me? Hello. >> This angle is very hard to read. Are there two? I saw something about two people. >> I think they're still coming.
>> Hello. Hello. Can you hear me? >> Oh, we had some glitches in the system a couple uh within the last month or so. So, we've had to put a few extra little steps. >> Hello. >> Good morning.
>> Yep. >> Hello. >> Can you hear me? >> To address the board. >> Hello. Can you hear me? >> Hello. >> Sorry. Yep. You keep muting me. They keep saying you guys are muting us.
[clears throat] >> Hello. >> Jesus. Hello. Can you hear me? >> It looks like >> I can hear someone. Can you hear me on the county board? >> Perfect. Yes, I can. Thank you. >> Okay. Can I go ahead?
>> Hello. >> Hello. >> Can I begin my two minute Okay. Is there anyone online wishing to address the Winona County Board? Can we see what is that first box? The boardroom. Heidi and then there's
>> Pine Creek Farms. >> Okay. Neva Johnson. Robert >> Johnson's our intern. >> Robert Hire. >> Yeah, I know. Uh Mr. Hyer wanted to call in too. >> He's coming. I just saw her.
in there. No, >> to add what Commissioner Ward said, we're trying to find a balance between allowing people to comment >> and >> and protecting us from very inappropriate Zoom bombings. >> Zoom bombing.
>> So, this is us figuring this out. >> I'm recording. >> Pardon me. What? We're not allowing what? >> So, we disabled all of >> unmute. >> Oh, that wasn't our >> That was
>> That's not what the board decided. >> Yeah, that's not what the board the board wanted to hear from them. >> Yep. >> So, >> can you unmute them? >> Can Can you unmute them or can >> I thought that we were going to control who's Michael is on now, so can figure it out. Yeah, because they're not, you
know, um Pine Creek is uh I know that's Linda Johnson and then I know the Mr. Hire, he had contacted me and he wanted to um call in and um I think everybody >> Hello. >> got >> Can you hear me? >> Miss Holty forwarded a an email.
>> Yes, we can hear you. And you just unmuted everybody. I believe we we were not able to unmute ourselves or put anything in the chat up until right now. He had an issue with a variance. >> So, can I do a two minute?
>> Thought I did. I >> think that was just yourself and Mr. Olson. >> Yeah, but I asked you to forward it to the rest of the board. >> Oh, I might not. >> Um, I'm the Winona County intern and I think that we can hear you guys, but they can't hear you.
>> Uh, obviously. So, can you fix that? >> I'm not. They're fixing it right now. If you can see, I'm not in the office right now. Uh, Pine Creek, Linda, can you >> can you hear us? >> I can hear you >> talking, but no. >> Yeah, I can see her mic is on.
>> Hold on. Let me try and text um them real quick. >> Okay. >> Yeah. When you're on, >> we can hear you. >> Okay. Can is there somehow you can get it into here, Heidi? Or that's not a
If you can get them in later in the meeting, we can I can hear them. >> Stop. >> Okay. Should we pardon me >> to go on? >> Yeah, we'll go on. And if Heidi, if you can get them cleared through the system, we'd like to hear from them. Okay. We'll move on. I apologize for that glitch.
Um, technology works and it doesn't work. So, uh, we'll move into item four, approval of the county board meeting minutes. We've got 4.1 was a county board of September 23rd, 2005, and 4.2 is the close session for September 23rd, 2025.
>> I'll move to approve. >> Second. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Meyer, second by Commissioner Olsen to approve the meeting minutes and the close session minutes. Any discussion? All those in favor say I. Oppos? Nay. Okay. Approved. Um, moving into item five,
acknowledge receipt of approved committee meeting minutes. We have 5.1, the board of adjustment. 5.2 Planning Commission, 5.3 Whitewater Joint Powers Board, 5.4, Human Service Advisory, and 5.5 Health and Human Service. Oh, one
was July 15th and Health and Human Service August 19th. I'll move to approve. >> I'll second. >> Okay, we have a motion by Commissioner Meyer, second by Commissioner Bagley to accept the and acknowledging the receipt of the approved committee meeting minutes. Any discussion? All those in
favor say I. >> Oppos? Nay. approved. Um just just for the public to know the acknowledgement receipt. So if anybody wants to follow any of these committees, these are approved committee meeting minutes that are put into our agenda packet. So if anybody wants to know what's going on in some of our sub citizen subcommittees,
that's a a good resource to to be able to see what's going on there. Um moving into item six, consent comments and approval of the agenda. Um Attorney CR, you're sitting in for attorney Sonoman. >> Uh no, >> nothing. Okay. Uh, Commissioner Vagley.
>> Uh, nothing. Thank you. >> Okay. Commissioner Olsen. >> Nothing for me. >> Commissioner Meyer. >> Yeah, I'll just give uh an update on the Micah meeting. >> Okay. And Miss Holty, >> I'm going to request to pull 7.9 to a
future agenda. We have some work to do on that contract. >> Okay. 7.9 to be removed and and on a future agenda. Okay. We'll we'll remove that one. Um, I personally need to pull uh 7.5 for a separate discussion so we
can make that um uh 8, excuse me, [clears throat] 8.0 and um um a possible um communications at the end. Uh with that
>> Oh, I'm sorry, Heidi. just maybe try ask if they >> Okay, why don't we just uh let's uh a motion to approve the u approve the amended agenda. Second. >> Okay, we have a motion by Commissioner Vaguely, second by Commissioner Olsen to approve the amended agenda. Any discussion? All those in favor say I.
Oppos? Nay. Approved. Okay. The agenda uh is approved as amended. Um do we have anybody online that would like to address the county board? Yes, I would like to address the county board if you can hear me now. >> Oh, yes, we can. Thank you for sticking
in there, hanging in there with us. Uh, please identify yourself, uh, name and address and and, um, go ahead. Thank you. >> Uh, Linda Johnson, Lac Crescent, Minnesota. Good morning. I'm speaking today regarding the purchase of pole pad units on today's agenda. First, I would
like to say I attended a Braver Angels forum recently, and I know some of you did, too. One of the things discussed there was when there is a difference of opinion always listen and try to find common ground. So today I am asking you to listen to my reasoning for not
purchasing pole pads at this time. The county is facing a proposed 12.49% increase in taxpayer levy. The purchasing of pole pads as it was stated in the agenda item is not a necessity for this year. So, I'm a little confused
how you can justify spending $38,000 on items that we do not necessarily need by saving a mere $17 to $1,800. Number two, when you say we do not need them this year, I agree, but my justification for not needing them may
be different than yours. I'm referring to Minnesota Statute Section 2011.225, 225 subdivision 2 paragraph B which mandates a physical paper alternative in case of an electronic system such as a pole pad failure. In fact, each precinct
in Winona County according to this statue that uses electronic rosters such as pole pads shall have a paper backup system approved by the secretary of the state. This paper backup must include the same voter information as the electronic version. In the primary
election of August 2024, the poll pads were not used, and as an election judge, I can assure you that using the paper roster was not complicated or inconvenient in any way. Taking all of this into account, at a time when the county should be trying to look for
budget cuts, spending eight $38,000 on pull pads is not warranted. And if you find at least one thing in my thoughts today that you could identify with and maybe say, "hm, I had never thought of that," then we have found some common ground and why these pool pads should
not be approved today. Thank you. >> All right. Thank you. Uh, is there anyone else online wishing to address the county board? Um, Mr. Hire, are you >> Yes, thank you. I am. >> Okay. Please identify your your name and
address please and then uh uh please share with us your thoughts. >> Okay. Thank you. My name is Robert Hire. I reside at 467 West 10th in Winona. Uh, I was denied last month's uh board of adjustment hearing for a zoning
ordinance request to build on a uh parcel off a section of my father's property down to a 2acre lot located on class 2 soils and within a uh feed lot zone. My
my grievance that I have here is not necessarily the fact that it was denied, but as I continued to dig into the situation and the Winona County Zoning Ordinance as it is accurately and truly written today, I don't believe that any
such conditional use permit or variances were required. Section 10.2 two of the zoning ordinance clearly states that a map shall be held in the office signed by the director chairman of the county board so on. Um no such map has been
able to be provided and when uh requested Ross Dunore with the planning and commission planning and zoning commission stated that Beacon is the official map which directly is against what the zoning ordinance says.
Furthermore, when it talks about um dwellings over 40 acres, dwelling under 40 acres, in section 10.4.4.5, it states feed lot setback requirements for dwellings being built over 40 acres.
However, in 10.4.6.36, it states um dwellings under 40 acres and has no feed lot setback requirements. And nowhere in the document does it state that you refer to the feed lot requirements in section 8. So my question to you commissioners is
at the end of the day, how are we as constituents supposed to follow the rules if they're not clearly defined and if the county planning and zoning commission can't follow them themselves? >> Okay. Thank Thank you, Mr. Hire. Appreciate your comments.
Uh, is there anyone else wishing to address the Winona County Board? And the last time, is there anyone else wishing to address the Winona County Board? Okay. Thank you. Uh, I appreciate uh, Heidi and and staff getting that to work
for us because I think that was the commissioner's uh, goal was still to hear uh, hear from our constituents using that mode of of communication. All right. Um, so Miss Holty, back to consent business. Would you re read the
remainder in the uh for the record, please? >> Yes, ma'am. 7.1 Approve amendment to 2024 2025 natural resources block grant agreement. 7.2 Approve inim use permit for Barbara Mitchell. 7.3 Approve
conditional use permit for Kelly Anderson. 7.4 4 approve except exception of procurement policy 5.02 dive and rescue uh vote 7.5 is pulled 7.6 approve LG220
gambling application for exempt permits forever winona root river chapter 242 7.7 approve LG220 gambling application for exempt permits ducks unlimited 7.8 8 approved renewal
of mental illness involuntary hold services contract with Nona Health. 7.9 has been pulled to a future agenda. Uh 7.10 approved resolution naming Dr. Adine and Dr. Kelly Astraman as co-med
consultants for community health board. 7.11 approved poverty simula simulation agreement with SECAC. 7.12 approve prioritize bridge replacement list resolution. 7.13
approve 49ers labor agreement amendment 2025 to 2027. 7.14 approved section 125 plan. 7.15 approve developing Minnesota Department of Health Wells Inventory Grant. 7.16
approve 2026 towards zero deaths enforcement grant agreement and resolution. 7.17 authorized disposal of excess furniture and equipment and 7.18 confirm payment of dispersements. >> I'll move to approve the consent items.
>> I'll second. Okay. We have a motion by Commissioner Vagley, second by Commissioner Meyer to approve the consent business. Any discussion? Um, I do have one uh one point uh 7.15 developing Minnesota Department Health
Well inventory and I know that's an extension of of a grant and trying to get uh an inventory. Um we had some discussion at public health last week. Um do we need to include the idea that these are private wells?
And I'm I'm looking at uh Mr. Dunmore. um because there is some push back in certain areas of the state that these these are private wells and how much information does the individual give up by doing part of this? >> Good morning. Um it's strictly
voluntary. It is in survey form. We we have already done that for both uh Norton and townships as part of the wraps grant that you'd approved previously. Uh, so it it's uh it's strictly voluntary and um those that
don't respond do not respond. But if they if they want to be included in collecting information as far as extent of need for water treatment devices, what are what are the challenges out there? It's it's strictly a method of um trying to comply with what the state of
Minnesota indicated to EPA that it would do in response to the the nitrate order. >> Okay. Well, we would encourage people to to participate, but again, it is private information and it's voluntary and I think that's important for people to know that they can >> and they are advised that in the on the
forum >> form. Okay. All right. Thank you. So, we have a motion, a second to approve the consent business. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> Oppos? Nay. Okay. Approved. All right. Thank you. Um, so the lady in the back, you're good to
go. You're good. Barb, you're good to go. Okay. Uh all right. Uh then general business. Um what was 7.5 is uh 8.0 and
as um uh Linda Johnson pointed out um just questioning I don't know Chelsea uh nobody from her office is here. um the the need when and does it really I guess a question that needs to be asked h how is it
time-saving when you have to program the iPad the pole pads and and everything else but you still have to maintain the three ring binder that that uh and again my precinct never has had pole pads we always use the three- ring binder we're small we're a rural township um and I
question the different types that we're buying and then what happens to the old ones Is there no value in the old ones? Um, anybody got any answers for me, Miss Holtie? >> Um, I'll do my best to answer the questions. Okay. Um, my understanding is
uh a big part of the need to purchase new is because the Apple product does not work on the old um iPads or uh pole pad units. And so that's why we have to purchase more ones that are
compatible. Um, we do not have backup units and I do acknowledge uh Miss Johnson's comments that we can rely on paper. Um, I'm I can't attest one way or the other as to the requirements statutoily. I need to defer to Miss
Wilbright on that. >> Madam Chair. >> Yes, Commissioner Meyer. Uh after the last election, um I had a conversation with the city clerk, Monica Mohan Hennessy. So I think in smaller rural precincts, probably not that big a
deal. Um but she actually had quite a bit of heartburn over misprogramming of the poll pads at some of the bigger precincts inside the city of Winona. So the um election that Miss Johnson mentioned if it was in August that would
be the primary and we have higher turnout in the general and when there's a presidential year. So it's true they were forced to go back and use the paper but the city uh precincts I can tell you that they can she considers Mrs. Mohan
considers this a hardship um because people stack up when they come all at once over their lunch hour or after um business hours and I know that she feels like the pole pads are a necessity. Now, if this board wants to wait and hear from her uh rather than taking my word
for it, you know, that's fine. Um but I support u moving forward with this purchase. Mr. Olsson, >> it essentially says we're going to buy them next year anyway. um or that's a recommendation to get them now to save the money. So, if it's something we're
going to do, it'd be pennywise and pound foolish to not do it now. Would be my opinion. So, I would support purchasing them. Never having used one. Um I'm not sure how putting clicking a your
name on a pole pad is quicker than alphabetically looking it up in a three- ring binder. I I you know, I have no personal experience using them. And and again, if we still have to maintain the three- ring binders, why are we to me it's a duplication
um of services. And you're right, uh Commissioner Olsen. I mean, we're going to Well, are we going to buy them again? I mean, that I guess that's the question. They aren't mandatory. The three- ring binders are mandatory or the backup is mandatory and and Miss Johnson gave us the statute and everything. And
then I question, you know, we're buying 55 of the 11th and then we're buying seven of the uh 11th with wifi and there's quite a distinction in price. And then my gosh, 55 paying $70 shipping
and configuration fee for each unit. That seems like a lot of money. And again, I'm sorry. I have a iPad the county gave to me and it's probably got to be 15 10 to 15 years old and it still works. So, I don't understand why
they're saying that these um and Apple's usually pretty good about why the older ones aren't working and they can't be that old. I guess I I guess I would, you know, I have some questions. Um it's not it's saving, yes, 17 $1,800, but it's
spending $38,000 um that do we really need to spend? >> Um Miss Johnson raised an important point. This doesn't negate the need for paper copy ballots. This is something separate from that because I I agree with Miss Johnson that having a paper copy backup is incredibly important if
ever you need to verify. So this doesn't negate that. Correct. >> Right. Right. So >> I also feel like it's a um especially for the larger I could see the smaller precincts, but for the larger precincts um people have given me feedback as well that they that that this does help them
process people faster. So tell me, so when you go into your larger polls and such, so they give you an iPad, do you have to enter your name or what? What do you do? >> Tell them my name. >> Pardon me? >> I tell them my name >> and the >> And they look it up.
>> They look it up. So they look at look it up on a screen versus taking the three- ring binder and looking for V's and finding your name. Okay. All right. >> Like a rotary phone. >> Yeah. Yeah. Well, and they it still works. And a roll deck still works. Okay. All right. Well, the wishes of the
board, I I I don't support it. I I think there's uh it's a duplication and it's an expenditure and it's actually duplication of work if if they have to program uh here's the question then. Um does staff have to program and enter all
these names and everything? >> Yes. Yeah. >> Shel's office does that. >> Yeah. So, it's in a way if they're doing the three- ring binder and this it's a it's a duplication of effort, duplication of work. But wishes of the board. [snorts]
>> Motion to approve the purchase of the pole pads. >> I'll second. >> Okay. We have a motion by Commissioner Olsen, second by Commissioner Meyer. Any further discussion? >> All those in favor say I. I. >> Oppos? Nay. Nay. >> Um, I would ask Madam Chair. Yes. Yeah.
Are we going to get back answers to your questions? >> Well, I would I would ask, can we downscale this somehow? I don't understand the extra, you know, what the difference between the two of them is. And I know people have a lot of questions. Are these hooked to the internet? And it looks like the more complicated one, the more expensive the
$1,700, it says Wi-Fi where the uh the um $340. >> I don't want to misspe, but I think there's some protections in there for people who might try to vote at more than one precinct or Yeah. But I mean perhaps we could ask um either Miss
Wilbright or >> Yeah. >> Ms. Hennessy from the city to kind of >> Right. So how does it add but if I don't use a poll pad and I don't know how much of the county doesn't use poll pads then >> yeah could I go vote in multiple I don't know. >> Yes.
>> I will follow upight. Um I know that she did give a presentation I believe last year on how the poll pads work. Yeah. um and the protections that are in place, but we'll have to come back. And >> believe me, the up the next major election, there will be a lot of
scrutiny. This issue of uh privacy and and voting is is uh still a concern for a lot of my constituents. All right. Thank you. All right. Moving into 8.1, we have uh some good news in front of us. Um but we're going to introduce
before we make a motion. Um I'd ask Mr. Sonnenberg or who's going to introduce him to step to the podium. >> Good morning. >> Good morning. >> How are you this morning, >> Sadler? >> My recommendation today is to hire uh Phil Sonnenberg as the director of
finance. We had eight candidates. Um Phil has a um degree in business accounting, excuse me, BS in accounting from Winona State University. Comes with 13 years of experience. most recently Winona State University as the
foundation controller since 2014. Prior to that uh Winona State, he also worked at Fasanel in various finance positions. Excuse me. So, recommendation to >> Yeah, we would like Phil to step up and tell us a little bit about yourself.
What What do we need to know about Phil Sonnerberg? >> Uh good morning. Good morning to those online and in the room. Todd, thanks for the introduction. Um, yeah, my name is Phil Sonnenberg. I've proudly lived in this community for 30 years. Um, I with my wife who's here with me have raised a
family um of five children. Um, I uh pleasantly live uh and thrive in this community. Um, it's a great place to be. I've had uh the opportunity to be an accounting professional for 25 years in various capacities. um you know from
small mom and pop shops to you know as as big as you get in Winona um and have uh you know really appreciated the opportunity to um live and thrive and and be a member of uh Winona County and I have been looking forward to this date on the calendar for quite a while. It's
a good um and pleasurable uh opportunity for um myself and hopefully um our county. >> Right. Okay. >> Questions? >> Welcome. >> Yeah. >> Thank you. Thank you for coming. >> Yeah, you bet. >> Yeah, thank you. We're excited. >> Thanks. >> I'll make a motion to approve the
recommendation to appoint finance director Phil Sonnenberg. >> I'll second. >> Okay, we have a motion made by Commissioner Vaguely, second by Commissioner Meyer to approve the recommendation to appoint finance director Phil Sonnenberg. Um, there's a question start date.
>> Um, hopefully soon. Uh, we're still waiting for background information. So, this is conditional upon the background. So, it's it's taken the state a little bit longer with some of our hires recently. So, >> Okay. Okay. All right. Well, hopefully there's no no nothing that pops up in
there that makes us regret our our our motion. No worries. Okay. Good. All right. All those in favor say I. I. >> Oppos? Nay. Okay. Approve. Welcome. Thank you. >> Um, next item is 8.2 to discuss approve car par car par car par car par car par car par car par car par car par car par carva
>> cava >> cava membership services and that's on page 254 >> so when we met last time um I was tasked with getting some more information what our savings would be so um this is a subscriptionbased
and for our um lives that are insured so employees that go through our insurance was one of the questions it was would be u the benefit of this so come before you uh with the recommendation to you know further consider this the savings would be 60,450
[sighs] and the reduction to our blue cross blue shield um is 24.2% 2% versus 29% which was projected. Um 28% would be our increase if we do
not go with Cava. Um and this includes the north risk uh fees. Uh the 60,000 savings that also includes the membership fee of 61,000 for Cava. So in essence, we pay this
subscription fee of 61,000. Blue Cross Blue Shield gives us the reduction to 24 24.2% for our two products that we're offering, which is a savings of 60,450 a year. My projection would be over the
future. Um, next year we'd see a reduction in that cuz, you know, we'll be looking at the trends. We'll be um analyzing that with our with Northrisk. Um, like I said, it is a subscriptionbased. Um there's over 300 medications that our employees receive
for free. Um as well as those inh home or they could go to a public site if they want to. But for those labs, there's 30 labs that an employee could get. >> Savings for us and a savings for our employees. >> Yes. >> Yes.
>> Okay. Just to clarify this because I misunderstood. So, what you're saying is that the $60,415 in savings is over and above the 61,000 subscription. >> Correct. Correct. >> So, that if we don't do it, it's
actually like $120,000. >> Gotcha. >> Correct. >> Okay. And then in >> Wait, wait, wait. >> Yeah, go for that. No, how can I be too I I figured it's just a costneutral thing. >> N it's a savings. No, it is a savings. You're going to pay 60 to Cava,
>> right? >> And Blue Cross Blue Shield is going to reduce your premium 60. >> No, 120. >> It's going to reduce it 120. >> I didn't do the >> I understood what you I understood it the way you say it. Yeah, >> but I he But Todd said something
different. But it's a 28% versus 24%. >> Correct. >> See, that's still criminal. [laughter] I well and what what Blue Cross Blue Shield is looking at is that our employees utilizing this service um and it is a subscription based and it's
going to reduce uh the amount of utilization with our insurance for those activities that are covered under this um subscription. >> So how does that happen? So somebody has a a prescription. How is it going to be the employee has to
determine to go through CA or are they just going to go to the pharmacy and pick it up and let the insurance >> No, they would >> Who's the gatekeeper of the funds? >> Yeah. So, they would call the teleaalth which is CA and rather than going to urgent care, right?
>> Well, we have to educate them to do it. Absolutely. It's voluntary. >> It is voluntary. >> What's What's a I'm sorry. What's a parent's first reaction when their kids got 104 temperature in the middle of the night? I'm sorry. They're probably going to emergency. I mean, that's our habit
of going to an emergency room or calling somebody locally, not going, "Oh, I'm going to get on to my computer now and tell the people >> I'm just not it's phone. >> When my husband had COVID, he had a really severe migraine." And but the first option wasn't to just take him to the emergency room. It was to call the
nurs's line at >> Mayo. So, you would call this number and it is education, not not disagreeing. Um, what I like I said, what I'm pleased with is the savings that we'll get, but we don't have to do it. Um, and it would be a 28% increase to our premium, and
that includes the north risk fees. So, it's about 26.9% without Northrisk, but you put in their fees associated that we approved last time the contract, it's 28%. If we go with Cava, uh, it'd be a 24.2% 2% increase on our premium.
>> This North Risk is that who our broker is? >> It is our broker. >> So what was what was the the price out of the gate without them even entering the picture? >> 29%. >> 29. So they got it down >> to 24 to 24 >> 26 26
>> if we just don't make any changes. We don't accept Cava and then 20 24.2 if we take Cava. >> So I'm I'm sorry. In my opinion, they didn't work very hard. I I mean, I'm sorry. It's nothing with you personally, but I don't know that North Risk has
really done us as much because I've heard other counties using other um groups and they've seen much more. Now, again, I don't have the details, but they saw much more dramatic decreases in premiums. >> 23 roughly is what what it is because
you got to put his fees in there. But again, as I mentioned last time, we have six claims over the $130,000 mark. And that's well above the market. The other mar the other companies that are comparable counties is is two roughly two at over the 130,000. We have some
seven figure claims that that's that's escalating. >> How many and how many employees did we have? Zero. So I mean again they're using that against us. Looks like commissioner vaguely >> just want to I just want to emphasize this. This is voluntary for the staff. No no one has to use it. As long as it's
voluntary for the staff I support it. I don't want people to be forced to use it. It's voluntary, but if they don't use it, it's costing us a lot of money >> in terms of their choice, in terms of what they because like you said, when my kids were young, we went to the but after my daughter's 11th ear infection,
we we I wish we could have skipped that and just called and confirmed some things and gone and get >> Write your own prescription. Get them to write a prescription. Okay. So, I wasn't quite done. >> Yeah. Okay. I'm sorry. >> Okay. So, if we don't do this, it's like 120,000. If we do it, it is an actual $60,400 savings,
>> right? That does not include the cost, potential cost savings to our staff. >> That's correct. That's only county savings. >> So, the more our staff actually uses it, then there would be more savings. It's just not savings to us, it's savings to them. >> That's correct. And and the co the
co-pays and stuff. And the other thing is the two other products that we approved this time, you know, the um the higher deductible and then the um the other health plan. I mean that that's about a 10% increase that we'd be getting there. So that's again a savings
depending on how many employees utilize it. So >> yeah. So I I do I I support this despite the reservations that you have and I know that you have them and you feel like we're being gouged. I feel like well >> advantage of So here I got a question for you. Um diabetes is on the rampage
and they do say they conditions we treat. Okay. Chronic conditions we treat. And then so and obesity and everything. So uh prime example is the the OMIC the MARO are they covered under the what what's the price for a a refill
or a prescription on that particular area of drug? >> Ompic's probably 1300 a month >> right? But but through this RX refills and delivery, what what would it be reduced? >> And generally that's going to be the generic market for those three. I didn't
bring the list of the 300 drugs, but generally that's the generic market. You know, a lot of times your dog mittens and things like that that's generally going to cost an employee probably eight bucks that would probably be free. >> I guess clarity on that because that's a growing
um you know and and they're using those drugs for many more things. Actually, there's studies now that that those drugs are being used for addiction treatment. Um, I don't know where they're at on the research on that. >> I I can say that with like the Olympics and some of those um designer that have
used them for designer drugs for weight loss and stuff, a lot of our insurance companies, ours is the same thing is that you've got to get your doctor to sign off that you need it for that, >> right? >> So, that's I can't say that Cava does that. I mean, because that is >> do some followup. ask them what they
would do for for my my employee that uses it. >> I would I can but I would say it's probably not one of the drugs covered especially at the price point that we have but I certainly will. >> Okay. Well, and there's got to be some reduction or some benefit because we're
paying them 60,000. I mean I that that's one particular case I would like a little more information. Yeah. >> And such. And again this uh CA where's the local? So who they call them on the computer, but where do they go to get these lab tests and everything? Is there
some local provider? >> Yeah. I mean lab test. >> It's it's like your doctors years ago, right? When they in the horse and buggy, they would come to your house. They're doing that now. I mean, that's what this is. They not horse and buggy, but they'll come to your house and and to do the lab. And
like I said last time, if an employee is uncomfortable having that person come into their house and have the lab, they can come to the county building and get it done. >> But but is there somebody local? >> They are local. Yeah, cuz I mean every area has they've got a contract with these folks to work the area cuz they've
got hours 8 to 7 Monday through Friday, weekends 10 to 2, um that they'll come to a house or it's it's a phone call. I mean certainly you can do it online. So, I'm sure, but you can make a phone call as well. >> Who who else in the neighborhood is
using CA? I always like to know. Is there anybody any other counties? >> Um, I think maybe Homemstead maybe. I think there's a few counties I can find out. Um, >> and is this a what's the commitment? Is it one year? >> One year. >> One year. >> Yep. No, 60-day notice.
>> Okay. And so, can in six within six months, can we get a report of what our activity is? >> Yep. Absolutely. We all do that >> to know if we're if people are using it. And then what who's going to do the education to our employees? Are they coming in and going to give them the whisbang show and say this is the
greatest thing since chocolate milk or what? >> Great question. That's the other thing the commission directed me to do was make sure that North risk. So, we're looking at a date of having an Arthur partner come in, Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and Cava if Cava is approved as
well as Integrity for meeting with our employees and then follow up directly with my team or myself. >> Well, I definitely think Cava should be at the table. I mean, if they're not there that that if they're not willing to come and explain this to my employees, then I don't know it's a company we want to do business with.
Yeah, I'm sure they I just haven't committed yet because I wasn't going to go before the board and and make an assumption. >> Vegley, um there hasn't been a motion yet on the site. No. >> I'll move to approve the Cavier membership service. Second.
>> Okay, we have a motion to approve Cava membership um for our employees. Any further discussion? I'm going to be I don't like I think this is some too good to be true. I don't know. Okay. I I'll be watching. >> I think it's something that should be
watched and followed up and especially hear what staff feels like their experience with it is and and the seizure really does save money. I think it's worth worth giving it a try. >> Yeah. Okay. All those in favor say I. I regretfully I with regrets or however with caution. >> No. So you did support it in
>> Well, I do, but I I just I don't >> with an asterric. >> Yeah. I I don't buy into it all. No. No. >> We'll see if he can become a believer. >> Yeah. Yeah, having being one that doesn't take a prescription drug, I just >> You take not one.
>> Not a prescription. No, >> I don't. >> Thank you. >> All right. You're welcome. We're watching. All right. Um that's a end of our uh Commissioner Meyer, you had a >> Yes. four short points about Micah.
Number one, our dues are going down. Not by a lot, but by some. And that's because right in Noa County, we're new counties. our but our in fact our population went up >> so but still our cost went down. Um the legislators apparently conformed a
committee uh and Olmstead and Rice County are on that representatives from those counties. Um this is about the IT that's way out of date for our health and human services systems and that the legislature uh put forth money last year so they're getting going. Um, we had a
conversation about SNAP and uh asking the SNAP the state to make up the differences for the the cost uh cuts to SNAP that the counties would otherwise bear. Um they shared with us that the session is going to the legislative
session starts in February of next year and um you know we hear talk about a special session but the Micah is that is not on our agenda. So, we are not proposing opposing or supporting that either way. That's my update. Okay. All
right. >> Um, just one thing upcoming, of course, we have the AMC Association Minnesota Counties uh district meeting coming up October Monday, October 27th, and it is here in Winona. Um if there's any topics anybody uh feels that the that group of
uh multiple counties I know we will uh have put on the agenda discussion of the deer the hunting the rifle versus shotgun to kind of know where other counties are. Uh another issue that's uh come up with a number of counties is our zoning and planning in regards to um
shouses shed houses. um you know uh it it's a growing um type of building but how is it being zoned and then more importantly you know how is it being taxed um and different counties are having different discussions about that uh other than that I will ask Miss Holty
um they did send out uh they always ask for you know what's your levy what's your status with your unions I think did you get something came out I think just yesterday I will touch base with you to to uh verify um where we're at on that they always have some standard questions they ask so if there's anything in particular um that people want to
discuss at that meeting, uh please forward any any thoughts. Um and again, it's harvest season. Just be careful. There's a lot of uh uh uh farm equipment on the roads and u just be cognizant of of them traveling at slow speeds and
give them time and energy to get off the road or or when in your passing and everything. And it's the deer are moving like crazy. Please be careful. Um it it uh we don't need any any uh tragedies or anything to happen here in Winona County. And other than that, anything
else to come before the board. Okay. Move to adjourn. >> Second. >> Have a motion by Commissioner Meyer, second by Commissioner Olsson to adjurnn. Any further discussion? All those in favor say I. >> Post nay. Okay, we're adjourned. Uh let's take five before we go into the committee, the board,
>> please. All right. Thank you. A report from Parks and Environmental Committee on the use of American Rescue Plan funds at Apple Blossom Park. >> Good morning. I had placed in your board packet. Um
some kind of a recommendation that came forward from the parks environment committee to do kind of an interpretive area um located at the park with kind of a small patio area that would be handicap accessible with some
interpretive signage. Um, we would also based on kind of representations that were made with the original purchase of the park, we would try to add a handicap accessessible park or parking spot along with that. And adjacent to that
um we would also the the committee was also recommending the addition of handicap picnic table a bike rack uh and then looking for some methods of material of uh extending the life to the existing tables. The the biggest issue
that I reason I brought this forward to you is the is the final recommendation in doing some timber removal at the park. Now, originally when the park was was developed, uh there was a there was planning occurring to do timber
management because obviously if you have an overlook, if you're not managing your timber, it's going to eventually interfere with views and it's also not healthy for the forest. So the parks committee connected with a retired DNR
forester to kind of review the property and come up with a recommendation for the potential use of these ARPA funds to do some past due maintenance. Um that recommendation came forward with
fairly some fairly extensive removal. So because the potential for uh public concern related to that removal, we wanted to bring that forward to you uh to discuss and see what your views are. We had talked with the DNR forester
and about um with the removal of the trees so they aren't wasted there. we would look at um having the contractor remove those and put the put the wood to use, whether it be firewood or lumber, whatever the case may be. But the slash
would remain. So the branches would then be kind of set as ground cover, but those are going to be substantial and they're not necessarily initially going to be the most attractive in the world. >> Um we asked about whether that would present a fire hazard. Um and that was
expressed to us that would it should not present a significant fire hazard with the significant amount of slash but there will be a recovery period. >> Um the time of year that we would be doing the removal there should not be any concern related to disease um
introducing disease to the trees. Uh so we've we've kind of talked through potential concern areas of concern and at this point um it kind of comes down to is we've got about a 5 acre area where we would be removing
a significant amount of tall old growth trees. Some are over mature um and some are would be just blocking the view. So, u it's kind of a a side effect of not
never implementing a progressive timber management plan for the area. So, we wanted to uh get some feedback and see whether you had concerns related to that. Uh the parks committee recommendation is that we proceed with with the removal.
>> So, you've got one, two, three. So, is is it in priority or that's just how they got grouped? the the just just on the page the areas um the original map Heidi if you could bring up the map
>> there are five areas of work >> that were proposed and in order of priority they if if we do not have funding to do all the areas they they recommended area starting with area one then moving to area five and
then area four and then if There are still remaining areas two and three could would be interchangeable >> and so how many dollar sorry commissioner >> um this is I just want to jump in and I want to thank Ross I want to thank Erin and everybody who spent a lot of time on
this issue. Um we had an um the parks and environment committee has met actually out there um at least three times as a committee and there was like a subgroup a subcommittee that was also out there a number of times. Um there were quite a few community members that were brought into the process people who
were part of the original founding creation of the park. It was good for me to learn about some of that history about again it was good for me to important to know that the idea was a very minimalist primitive uh park etc. So not overly developed. So, I I want to
thank Ross, Aaron, the staff, and also all the community folks who put a lot of time into this issue. It was this has been um there's been a lot of back and forth on this in terms of how to best use the funds. And Ross mentioned the trees. um the county can't make a profit off of the trees, but the if there is
any revenue generated from the trees, the foresters takes it and then they could correct me if I'm saying it rightly if correct me if I'm saying it incorrectly is they could if they sell the trees, they could simply use that to cut more. Then is that a fair summary? We can't make we can't profit off.
>> Any any revenue would offset the expense of removal because there will be more there will be a cost to the removal. It would just reduce our cost, overall cost. >> Well, I'm for cutting the trees because why do you go, it's in my neighborhood.
Why do you go to that park when you ride over there or you bike over there and what do you see the tops of trees? You don't you can't see the the majestic river valley or or the vista or anything. And and yeah, the trees have really taken over. I ideally you have
progressive ongoing management to where where it's not so dramatic, but it will be dramatic. It will it will most certainly upset people. We'll try to do some communication ahead of time. >> This is essentially just kind of a byproduct of deferred maintenance. >> Uhuh.
When would the tree removal start? >> Uh it's best to do it during cold weather. So we will um well it'll have to be done by the beginning before the end of the year to use the ARP of funds. >> The question is can they find contractors to do it and they want the
ground frozen to reduce >> reduce damage to the may not it may not happen even if we >> we I would hope that we would at least be able to get >> a certain amount of work done. we there there are people who are interested. So the hope is that it will materialize and
whether we achieve everything or not remains to be seen but uh we we do believe we'll be able to we would that's where we'd start with the priority areas moving from area one and then see how much we can get done. So, I'm trying to get my brain. You said area one would be
the priority, >> right? Which is the >> But where where does that fall within to the pulloff? Is that to the >> It looks to me like it's right in front of it. >> Yeah. >> It's looking towards the cross if you're in if you're in the if you're in the park. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. That's four.
>> There's one. One is right. >> Okay. I see them all on there. Okay. I see. Thank you. Thank you. I was looking at the individual maps. Yeah. Yeah, that makes sense. So that you can see um >> Yep. >> Yeah. So the other things on your list um because you only got so many dollars are you really are you the interpretive
panels area the additional installation such as that on hold then to see how much the we're going to start with the >> we're going to we're going to collect pricing information on everything. Okay. >> So we've we've started that process. Uh we just wanted to make sure that before we go too far down the road with that,
if you if you were opposed to the timber harvesting idea, then obviously we're going to we're going to reapply those dollars elsewhere. So, >> well, I don't know. Um colored and stamped concrete. I mean, just I don't know how much more it costs to get
colored and stamped. I mean, I don't know. But >> it was it was a aesthetic recommendation. So, it's we're trying to make it as attractive as possible. >> Yeah. I'll just say I appreciate all the work that you guys have done and thank you and I support the plan.
>> Do you need a motion, Ross, or is it just a >> um It's not an action level. We just wanted to we just wanted to make sure that there were not >> Yeah, >> major concern because there will be calls. So, >> but as Commissioner Vaguely said and this this got started even before I was
on the on the board, but it it always has been to be a minimalist park. It's not. Yeah, we could put a water slide from the top down into the Mississippi River and have But oh, we can't make money, so we can just create fun. Be a heck of a ride, wouldn't it?
>> Okay. Or a zipline. Oh, >> ski jump. >> A ski jump. Yeah. Thank you, Ross. Thank you very much. All right. Um, so that's the only item we had on committee board. Now, we need to go into a close session. Are we gonna do that here or are we going to move? Okay, so we're going to go into a Thank you, staff. Um, we're
going to go into a close session close session pursuant to Minnesota statute section 13D.05 subdivision 3C3 to develop or consider offers or counter offers for purchase or sale of real or personal property at 520
Hilbert Street. So, we'll go next door.