WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=ZMZat2_JunQ

NOTE
MEETING SECTIONS:

Part 1 (Video ID: ZMZat2_JunQ):
- 00:00:00: Welcome, Donuts, Public Comment Introduction
- 00:00:34: Public Health President's Award for Community Engagement
- 00:02:51: Child Welfare Exemplary Service Award Nomination Presentation
- 00:06:25: Room of Plenty Thrift Store Plug and Introduction
- 00:06:57: Public Comment: Chassity Saraki on Minnesota Flag Issue
- 00:09:10: Public Comment: Sarah Bzinger Running for House
- 00:09:45: Public Comment: Recorder's Office Cyber Attack Update
- 00:12:01: Approval of County Board Minutes and Agenda
- 00:13:36: Consent Business Reading and Approval with Comments
- 00:16:06: General Business: Law Enforcement Memorial Day Resolution
- 00:19:20: Discuss Potential Moratorium on Scenic Byway Development
- 00:25:56: Committee Reports and Communications from the Board
- 00:31:53: Discuss Potential Replacement of Minnesota State Flag
- 00:38:16: Discuss Future Agenda Item Regarding Data Centers
- 00:42:00: Adjournment of Committee of the Board Meeting


Part: 1

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See you all. Todd is hiding a box of donuts there. >> Uh, please help yourself before you leave. Um, our first order of business is public comment. It looks to me like Miss J for public comment.

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>> Anyone in the room who has something that they want to share with us, you're welcome to step forward. Jill, you want to lead us off? >> Sure. I have a couple of recognitions that I want to highlight this morning. Um, first is for public health. Uh, we recently received the president's award

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for the community engagement that's been involved and we have three of our employees here and then I'll read the nomination. Oh, this is a photo. Thank you Heidi for putting the photo up. Um, this is a photo of them at Winona State. And so we've got Betsy Zeller, Tracy

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Finery, and Jeff Peterson here um to be recognized. And the nominator indicated the partnership between the Winona State University undergraduate nursing program and Winona County Public Health has flourished for 17 years and was developed to address the diverse health

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needs of the Winona County population while providing nursing students with essential public health clinical experience. The partnership is operationalized through student integration into the daily workflows of the public health nurses. Students do not merely observe.

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They actively partner with staff to complete in-home visits with various clients throughout the semester. The scope of practice extends beyond individual care to population health management. Students accompany the public health nurse to provide vaccinations within the Amish community,

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providing a unique cultural experience and assisting and and assist in administering vaccines at the local, middle, and high school. Additionally, students complete a semester-long project designed to identify a specific need or systemic issue with the public health clinical setting and develop a

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strategic plan to address it. I would like to have Jeff and Tracy and Betsy come on up and share this award and we're very proud to have them as part of the county and the the services they deliver on a daily basis.

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anything you guys would like to say or any comments? >> Just that the part partnership has been way much longer than 17 years. I I was here in 2006 as a nursing student. So, and I understand it went beyond that. >> 20 plus.

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>> Yes. >> Thanks. >> All right. >> Thank you all. >> Thank you. >> Great job. and thanks for being with the county that long. >> Thank you to them. Um, and then we have a second one. This was a a really good month for Health and Human Services and

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I want to ask Amber Pashi who ca to come up and present her nomination she provided for Alyssa Pel to receive the um Minnesota Child Welfare Exemplary Service Award. And so Amber, I'll turn it over to you.

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Melissa, do you wanna >> Sure. >> join me up here. Salam alaikum. Hi board. Uh my name is Amber Pashi and I'm an ongoing um social worker in the children and family services unit. Um the Center for Advanced Studies and Child Welfare

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honors child welfare professionals who demonstrate outstanding contributions to practice and service. The Child Welfare Exemplary Service Award recognizes professionals who show a strong commitment to family engagement, strengthsbased practice, reducing disparities, and using resour research

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informed approaches. Alyssa Pel, supervisor for the Winona County Children and Family Services Unit, has been selected for this award in recognition of her leadership. Um, Alyssa consistently demonstrates a strength-based approach in her work with families and staff. Her practice is

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grounded in social work values like service, dignity, worth of the person, and importance of human relationships. She balances support with accountability in a way that feels respectful and genuine. She never avoids hard conversations and always approaches them with care. Alyssa is not just a great

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supervisor, but a genuinely wonderful person. She creates a space where staff feel supported while also being encouraged to grow, which strengthens our ability to show up for families in meaningful ways. But what stands out to me most is how she turns her values into action. She recently revamped our

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screening process to increase diversity and decision-making, helping ensure more equitable and thoughtful outcomes for families. She is also in the process of restructuring our m multidisciplinary team meetings to include more community partners to strengthen collaboration

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between Winona County and the broader community. In addition, she consistently adjusts her approach based on best practice recommendations and evidence evidence-based practice like motivational interviewing and signs of safety. She brings that learning directly into supervision and team

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practice. And as much as she challenges us to grow and strengthen our practice, she models that same commitment herself. She's currently engaged in leadership coaching and takes time out of her day to continue developing her own skills so she can better support her team. Her leadership reflects integrity and

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competence, and by investing in her team, she ultimately improves outcomes for children and families. She truly embodies what this child welfare exemplary service award represents, Alyssa. You're the kind of supervisor people dream of and the kind of social

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worker I hope to become. And I feel incredibly lucky to learn from you. >> Thank you. Good job. Um, yes. I just want to say thank you. It was such a great um just accomplishment and I was so pleased to

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receive it. I'm very thankful for Amber for nominating me for it. Um, and I'm just excited to see where this work keeps going. I think we're in a really really cool place right now um for children family services with the support from you guys and the community and we got some good things coming our way. >> Thank you.

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>> Thank you. Thank you. These are really some awesome people and we got supporters here too. So, um, thank you so much. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Amber, >> have a good day. >> Please tell your parents hi for me. >> What do you say?

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>> Room of Plenty. Shameless plug. Have you heard of it? >> No. >> It's a free thrift store that um I'm part of volunteering in um Lewon. So people donate things. We organize it into like a thrift store and on Saturday mornings come out. >> Awesome.

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>> Follow us on Facebook. >> Nice. to add. >> Thank you. So, uh, we're going to proceed with public comment. Miss Saraki, could you introduce yourself and go ahead and share your thoughts? >> Yes. I'm Chassity Saraki. I live at 1254 West 3rd Street in Winona. And I am

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speaking today regarding an item on the committee of the board agenda. Um, commissioners are concerned about uh House File 5077, which would penalize cities and, uh, counties for flying the old Minnesota

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flag. And, uh, from what I understand, uh, you'd like to move this to a regular agenda for discussion about replacing, uh, the county's old flags with new flags. I wanted to say um first of all uh House File 5077 is stalled in

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committee. It's not going to be voted on this session. So I don't think there's anything to worry about uh regarding well it it's not penalties. It's uh a restriction in state funding to the county that would happen. Um, now personally, um, I'm not attached to

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either flag, but I fly the old flag on my garage because I'm against the fact that this was not brought to the voters, uh, by a referendum. Uh, there have been some state flag changes uh, in recent years other than Minnesota's. And one

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example is Mississippi. They adopted a new flag in January 2021, but after a voter referendum where the new design was passed with 73% approval rating in November 2020. I would like to see Minnesota do such a thing. Um, I would

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like to see the county continue to fly the old flag and um pass a resolution asking the state to put this on the ballot for the voters. Filillmore, Mau, Brown, and Houston counties all have

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passed referendums in support of the old flag as well as many other municipalities. It's less about the design. It's more about lack of voter input. And so, I would like for you guys to um support that idea rather than

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paying to change it at the time. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Um is there anyone else in the audience that would like to share their thoughts? Please introduce yourself to us, tell us where you live, and uh go go ahead. >> Hi, my name is Sarah Bzinger. I actually live over in Pine Island, so about an

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hour away. But I just wanted to come and introduce myself because I'm running for House District 20B, which is Steve Jacob's old spot. So, I have some contact info for anyone who would like it and just wanted to say hi and listen in and take part in and hear what what's

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going on in Winona and everything. But, thank you. Thanks for stopping by. Is there anyone else? >> Yep. Hi, Bob. Come on up. >> Good morning, everyone. Last Wednesday, a big day in the recorder's life. All

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the recordings in our office that had really piled up from the down days of the cyber attacks were fully recorded and they were returned to the parties. This is beyond a thousand transactions.

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In the group were 140 homes. Documentation changing ownership. Many of the parties waited additional time because of the delays here, delays that we worked through in the best fashion possible and we followed state

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law to the tea. I thank my staff for just some excellent work and some long hours. I also thank the title companies, many of them on the phone and online with us asking how we're doing and just being very

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gracious. Law offices, lenders, and the public were all included. We had some very very nice calls and all of them to my knowledge were supportive. So, I want to let you know that the activity is continuing. Uh there were a number of

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firms that held documents until we could get through the big bundle we had and now we're getting those. So the activity continues. I thank you for this time and again I sincerely thank the public. We've had some great people to work with in addition to all of you. Thank you. >> Thank you.

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>> Great job Bob. Thank your staff for us as well. >> Is there anyone else? Administrator Holty can online people participate? >> Uh yes this time. Okay. So, if anyone is online and wants to share some thoughts during public comment, uh, can they

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unmute themselves or should they try to text Heidi? >> They should be able to un unmute themselves. >> Okay. >> I see a hand up. >> No, that's just the mouse. >> Oh. >> Uh, and I'm just going to ask two more times. Is there anyone else here in the audience or online that would like to

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participate in public comment? And for the third and final time, is there anyone here in the audience or online that would like to share some thoughts and public comment? Hearing none, we'll move on. Next item would be the approval of county board

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minutes. >> I'll move to approve item 3.1. >> Second. >> Okay. Commissioner Vegley moves and Commissioner Olsen seconds approval of the county board minutes from April 28th, 2026. Is there any further

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discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. Anyone in opposed say nay. >> Motion carries. Okay. Consent, comments, and approval of the agenda. Um, County Attorney's Office, do you have any adjustments to the agenda?

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>> I would just like to make a comment. >> Okay. Commissioner Vegley, >> three comments, please. >> Mr. Olsson, >> something for me. >> Mr. Ward, >> uh, just a a request for um

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individual action, I guess. Comment. >> Okay, I'm going to say it's a comment. >> Yeah, >> you can you can say what you want. Is the county administrator's office have any adjustments? >> No adjustments. >> And I do not. So, uh, really all we have is some comments to be added at the end of the agenda.

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>> Right. So move to approve the agenda. I'll second that. >> Okay. >> Uh Commissioner Ward moves and Commissioner Vagely seconds approval of the agenda with a slate agenda addition of the comments. Is there any further

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discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I. >> Anyone's opposed? Nay. >> Okay. The agenda is approved. Administrator Holty, could you read the consent business for the record? >> I am going to ask Mr. Sonville to do that. Great.

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>> Um, item 5.1, approve conditional use permit for Randy Targen. Um, and item 5.2, approve conditional use permit for Jake and Edna Shelter. >> You have to keep going.

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>> You got to read everything. Okay. 5.3 job, man. >> Approve professional services agreement for certified public accountant services. Item 5.4, Four, appoint deputy registar. Item 5.5, approve resolution

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to accept 2025 polling place accessibility grant. Item 5.6 approve recovery core program and fee with Americanore to provide assistance with recovery core project coordinators and navigator. Item 5.7, approve resolution

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and detour agreement 1061986 with MN DOT. Item 5.8, approve 2026 State of Minnesota Federal Boating Safety Supplemental Equipment Grant. Item 5.9, approve resolution for

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donations received from January 1st, 2026 through March 31st, 2026. Item 5.10. 10 confirm payment of distributions. Item 511 approve parks and environment committee outline of

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operations. >> Thank you. >> I'll move I'll move to approve the consent items >> and I'll second. >> Did you have some comments? >> Yeah, I would like to make a comment. Um the gentleman with the conditional use permit is in the audience and I I don't

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think the other one's with the house but it's encouraging to see somebody uh Mr. We apologize Tar Targes >> um he's really expanding a business in in the the rural landscape and a needed business and and it's good to see that

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somebody is wanting to invest in Winona County and in their business and in their operation. And then again uh another house another residence um uh in the in the community too. So there is progress being made. So thank you for doing business in Winona County.

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>> Okay. Commissioner Vagley has moved. Commissioner Ward has seconded approval of the consent business as it was read. Is there any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor please signify by saying I. I. If anyone's opposed, nay. >> Consent business is approved. So we move on to general business. Item 6.1

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is the potential approval of a resolution pro proclaiming May 13 of 2026 law county law enforcement memorial day which is a thing that we do every year. >> I'll move to approve item 6.1. Second. >> Okay. Commissioner Vegley's moved.

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Commissioner Olson seconds approval of this resolution. Is there any further discussion? >> Do we typically after approval read the proclamation? >> Yes. >> Okay. >> So is there any further discussion? Um, just a question. Go ahead. Uh, when is the event by the

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>> Tomorrow 1:00? >> That's why I asked you to go to Micah. >> Oh, it didn't say here. I Does it? >> Yeah, it I don't think is it in the >> I don't think it has a time note. >> I think the Ron was here at the last meeting and announced the time. >> Okay. Okay. Just so the public knows. I

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mean it. So, there is an event tomorrow between the law enforcement center and the courthouse sort of near the flag um honoring the peace officers, particularly the peace officers who uh have died in the line of duty here in Wala County.

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Okay. Uh any further discussion hearing? None. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. >> I. >> I. Anyone's opposed say nay. >> Motion is approved. And the resolution is not too bad and I will not make you read it, Phil, unless you'd like to. >> Oh, go for it.

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>> Resolution 2026. Whereas the 13th of May, 2026 is designated as law Winona County Law Enforcement Memorial Day, it is set aside as a day to honor all fallen law enforcement officers. And whereas the well-being of all citizens of Winona County and the United States

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is preserved and enhanced as a direct result of the vigilance and dedication of law enforcement personnel. And whereas more than 700,000 men and women at great risk to their personal safety presently serve their fellow citizens as guardians of peace. And whereas more

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than 130 peace officers across the nation were killed in the line of duty in 2025. And whereas all Winona area law enforcement agencies use this day, excuse me, to honor our fallen fellow officers who have made the supreme sacrifice for the citizens of Winona

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County and the city of Winona. And whereas this day also serves as a reminder of the dangers faced currently serving law enforcement officers in their day-to-day activities. And whereas our officers do not serve in a vacuum, but are assisted in many ways by the citizens of Winona and Winona County.

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Now, therefore, I, Commissioner Meyer, do hereby call upon all the citizens of Winona County to join area law enforcement agencies in honoring all our fallen officers on Winona County Law Enforcement Memorial Day. And let it be further resolved that I, Commissioner

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Meyer, do hereby proclaim Wednesday, May 13, 2026, Winona County Law Enforcement Memorial Day. And thank you to all those in law enforcement. >> And it is 1:00 tomorrow in between the

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Yes. Yeah. Because there was no time listed. >> Yep. Um, so I think that covers Oh, did we did vote? Yeah. Okay. So item 6.2 two discuss potential moratorum of development of scenic byways. Commissioner Ward, you want to kick us off? >> Uh, yes. This came to light uh at one of

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our last planning conditional use permit applications that scenic byways do have a designation in the in the whole state of Minnesota. And I'm not sure how many miles there are scenic byways, but the the thought is that maybe there should be some uh different uh setback

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restrictions that wouldn't impede any viewsheds or any um opportunities for people. Uh that it does generate um you know traffic and it generates uh tourism and everything. Uh and I think we've the the last solar garden uh does approach

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the the rightway. I think it's right up to the rightway of the county road and for some people feeling that's that's maybe a little too close. And of course on the other side of Apple Blossom, the scenic drive is protected somewhat by

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the one mile and everything, but I'm not sure if all of that is I I guess I would like to maybe at some point look at a map again to see what areas fall into that protection area. Um and then it, you know, it butts right up to Houston County, too. And um I'm not sure what their rules are, regulations, but in

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Houston County, it's pretty much I think within the city of Lac Crescent. Um but it's just the idea and then again maybe we look at our other parks like Farmers Park um uh the point if there should be if they're designated

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parks or certain uh more uh >> lack of term sensitive areas in our county that maybe we should look at at protecting them a little bit more than just the general um setback on on our zoning ordinance. I'm not sure other people's feelings. Um

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but once once an application is made, it's too late to do something. You're right. So I mean and I I Mr. Lidle who did the most recent solar, he indicated he is planning to do more development. Now what that he didn't allude what it was or anything um but uh uh he's his

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land is in that that scenic byways area. >> Um I would support more uh research and more discussion on the proposal. Um like like Commissioner Ward mentioned um I think we should clarify like what areas

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this would be impacted in Winona County is just plain beautiful period but um what specifically this would impact. But no I I support looking um at this issue more closely and then decided on it later on. You county is a unique and

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special place. M >> yeah I would u support further discussion. I think um you know I've been an advocate for the highway se 61 uh this corridor river corridor and the protection of our bluffs and development

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um and uh I would further um like to discuss this. >> Okay. So um I think in order to move out of the regular board meeting we probably need a motion personally. Am I right

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administrator? Well, it's it's already in general business. >> This is under general business. So, you can provide a direction. Y what would you like us to do? >> I agree with um what has been said. Um, I would like I think the next step would be to pass it off to our planning staff

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um to answer the questions about where they are and potentially make recommendations for what protections could be provided and maybe what if any things other counties are doing about scenic byways. >> Yeah, go ahead.

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>> Um, I'll have to ask uh Ross or Eric. Um there is a process to put like I say if we get an application then it's too late then we got to deal with the application with the current rules and regulations remind me what the process is to do a

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you know at least a short-term moratorum or something till we can kind of get an idea what we want to do >> and I don't remember what it is >> I believe attorney crayons had uh given some feedback indicating that it was something that the board could choose to do a moratorum until while the while the

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subject is is studied >> for up to a year. >> Up for up to a year. >> Yeah. I would have to um check with Steve or Mr. P. >> Yeah. >> But um he works very closely with >> with the planning and um environmental

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services department. So Okay. >> And am I correct that the moratorium itself would be a zoning ordinance change? Um, >> yeah, it would I don't believe it would require again that would go to un unfortunately Steve's not here today.

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>> It's just a pause next meeting. >> Yeah. Yes. >> The question is does it because I know sometimes then zoning changes must go through the planning commission. >> Right. Right. But I guess I'm not asking for a zoning change yet. >> No, but I think the moratorium thing itself is a zone is a zoning. >> We can clarify. But let's find out.

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>> Okay. So that would be next steps. Clarify what the process is. Your request would be if it needs to go before planning committee and present it to planning commission for their recommendation and then bring that back to >> you. What our process the process I will speak with attorney crude together or I

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know that he emailed you earlier about this issue. >> Okay. And I think also the other question so commissioner vegley said what's the area like so we understand what's being impacted. Did you uh you wanted you had raised your hand so >> refinish committee. >> Yes. >> Okay. So I this is Captain Obvious, but

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I I would look forward to um comments from the township officers and the royal residents about their thoughts. This this should be I think the staff should spend some time and slowly not ask them to spend thousands of hours, but just beginning, you know, to slowly look at it and to see if other counties have done this, other areas. I'm guessing

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other parts of the state may have done this already, but we definitely seek input from the township officers and the rural residents. So >> yeah, I mean I'm thinking that if it is a zoning change, then it requires a public hearing and all those steps. >> Yeah. Yeah. Um I will reach out to the gentleman who at the uh department,

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state department that's in charge of the scenic byways because I said they did a study back in 1999 I think and they said they were going to upgrade that. So I will reach out to that person and ask where they are in their process. >> It's a good idea. >> Is that enough for staff?

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>> Yeah, we'll we'll put put together a summary of of the pertinent issues and we'll also incorporate it into the comp plan discussions as well. Okay. >> Thank you, Planning Director Duns. >> Okay, that is item 6.2. So, uh we are now on to committee reports and

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communication. So, um Oh, please go ahead. >> Board um Meyer. So, we don't need a motion. That's enough. Perfect. Okay. >> Um I think did you have >> I was going to let Karen go first. Yes. >> Yeah. I just wanted to uh report back

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about the law day that we had um April 30th and May 1st. Um it was our first law day after we closed for COVID. Um I shouldn't say closed, we were shut down by CO. Um it was something we had started back in 2011. When I say it's

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through our CJCC community outreach university and I wanted to thank um first of all Commissioner Meyer, Chair Meer, she was one of our >> It was fun >> volunteers. Yeah. And it it was fun. And I just want to speaking of Mr. Dunmore, your >> Mr. Dunmore.

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>> Hey Dunmore, your your grandson came up to me during my presentation and said, "My grandfather works for the county." And so um he was very excited to tell me that. And um it was just so much it is fun to to you know have kids come up and

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but those connections too are are pretty cool. So, um, so we're looking forward to next year and in fact, we've already our new our new county or I'm sorry, not county administrator, court administrator, Ellie Wilkey, um, has

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already reserved three courtrooms because we're already looking at how to maybe make it flow a little better because we were on a tight schedule. Do >> you know what the days are? >> It would probably well be May. It's usually the f Thursday and Friday around May 1.

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>> Okay. It's a lot of fun. I would recommend volunteering if you can. >> Thank you for doing that. >> Uh, Commissioner Vegley, you're next. >> Um, three things. Last week, the Veteran Services Advisory Committee met. Um, Miss Foli and I were there. Um, one of a

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couple things. I want to thank Jerry Bigalow for his leadership to create that committee in the first place. Um, secondly, the committee is seeking input from veterans and that's going to be an ongoing open process so people know veterans. um encourage them to go to the

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county website and take that survey. Um and then thirdly, um one thing that was discussed is the importance of mental health services for veterans. >> Um that's something that we might see more of more more about later on. >> Secondly, um we I think we all received

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a letter from Representative Steve Jacobs uh regarding the act. Um we don't agree on everything, but I strongly agree with um Mr. Jacobs on this issue. Um, I thank him for the letter and for his work to get the state to either a

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fund the state mandate or to remove it from counties because it is an unfunded mandate. >> And then thirdly, um, our meetings don't usually fall this close. Uh, yesterday was statehood day. It was today is Miss Holt's birthday. >> Yesterday the state >> birthday

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>> the state of Minnesota turned 168 years old. Just a little bit older than Miss Holty. Oh, that was statehood yesterday. May May 11. >> Yeah, really should watch it. Okay. Uh, Commissioner Ward. Yeah. Um, cyber, you

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know, we're all living through the world of cyber and and a lot of people uh we already commented how one of the college uh programs was attacked. Um, so at MCIT last Friday, we had quite a discussion about, you know, we do provide insurance for cyber and trying to uh provide

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additional insurance. Um but I did bring up we had some discussion is do you spend the money on insurance which you hope never to have to use or do you spend the money on uh you know software and and programs to avoid a cyber

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attack. So that's something that it's an ongoing discussion. Um there aren't many companies that provide cyber because you know what are you providing and um the limits and and the the restrictions are are a lot and it's difficult to navigate. But I do want to put out there

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even for my neighboring you know for the other 81 counties that belong to MCIT is to think about what you're doing with your money. I mean, is an insurance policy a good thing or, you know, should you provide your IT staff with with more um tools? Um, and we'll go from there.

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Uh, I do agree with the um uh Representative Jacob. Um, I know there's a few things going on and it's the last week of the legislative session, so if anybody has any um issues, they need to contact their legislators. Um, we don't

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I don't know what's going to happen this last week. Doesn't seem like a whole lot. They know. >> Much sound and fury signified. >> Yeah. Yeah. It's it's it's our system of justice. Um, and already the political ads are starting. I of course on network I get Iowa and Wisconsin and Minnesota

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ads and and they're all coming fast and furious and they're all going to solve the world's problems. >> Election season is is uh getting started. But um the flag one, yes, I think it it's it's a not an issue for this session and there was a number of

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them that were not an issue for this session, but it's hard to keep track of what is an issue for this session. So if you know of something you want us to respond to, please contact us. We still got a few days. Thank you. >> Great. Thanks. Uh unless anyone has any

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other business and motion to adjourn might be in order. >> I'll move. I'll second. Okay. Mr. Olsson moves vaguely seconds adjournment. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All those in favor, please signify by saying I. I.

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>> Anyone's opposed say nay. Okay, we are adjourned and we uh do you want a break or do you want to move right into committee of the board? >> We could do >> maybe before the budget. >> You want to follow? >> Yeah. Okay. >> I just want to apologize. My computer Wi-Fi was not connecting and it's really

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confusing the IT folks as well. So, it wasn't it wasn't just me. So, I apologize to I >> You got a lemon, not an apple. Huh? >> Honestly, I'm not connected. I'm not connected either. Oh, okay. >> But I downloaded the the packet, so I don't care. >> Turn right off. I can't use >> Yeah. Okay. So, item 9.1, discuss

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potential replacement of Minnesota old state flag with new flag. Um, and this would be the first time we've discussed it at this meeting, but it was put on the agenda with a second. See

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what I got? >> So, if it gets three votes at this meeting, it could move forward. So, >> so we're not going to discuss it much. >> Great. Great. We're to discuss whether we want to discuss it. So, Commissioner Olson, you got to kick us off.

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>> Yeah. I have uh just had some people reach out and I've asked legal um our our uh county attorney um since the new flag design is um designated under

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statute 1.141 I believe it is um as the official state flag and um that our oath of office is to uphold the Minnesota Constitution, you United States Constitution and the applicable laws. If we are not

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obligated, therefore, to recognize statute 1.141 and display the correct Minnesota flag without any controversy of who chose the flag or how it was chosen,

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but the fact that the state has designated it is the flag and we should recognize it as such. I simply look at that flag. I asked the question, is that a mandate? >> Well, and um as Commissioner Olsson had

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mentioned, he did reach out to me and last week was a blur. We had multiple major criminal cases dealing with and so um I also responded to him that it would take some research on that. There's, as I'm sure everybody knows, there are

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counties, other communities who have um uh kept up the old flag and have pass resolutions to keep it. >> So, um I think the issue um and it's kind of sort of let's let the legislative session close and then look

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at look at it. Um but I it it should take some research. Um so, you know, our office would certainly do that because it's what the board. Yeah. Yeah. You're deciding whether you want to. >> Yeah, that's right.

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Well, uh, I took the liberty of ordering order ordering this when they changed. Um, >> Oh, you didn't order it especially for this meeting? >> No, no, no. I've had it I've had it in my closet for since they changed it. Um, I I you know, right now with it being a debt issue at the legislature and I

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think we got higher priorities and even for you to to spend too much time on researching it, I think is it should be very low priority in my opinion. And if it's not, man, take take them down then. I mean, if it's not man, I don't know. Is it mandated we have to fly flags on government property?

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>> No. >> No. So we could we could just I I I don't know that I want to do that but we could just take them down to avoid the >> Well, I would be curious just from a attorney point of view and I'm nerdy about that >> as to how the other communities decided

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to do that and flying the old flag. >> Mostly cities it seems like. >> Well, there's some counties too. >> Is there some? >> Okay. So, >> it wouldn't take too long to do that. Um, I agree with uh, Miss Saraki that I don't think this is going to happen in the state legislature and I almost wish

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this conversation could take place separate from that. I don't want it to be that I don't want that bill to pass. Um, however, I am in favor. It's been two years. This is what the fourth time that the Minnesota state flag has been changed. So, I think it is time to make

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the change. Um it's and it will probably change 50 60 years from from now again. Um some of us might be around. Um Miss Holty will >> you will be around. Um >> remember >> and

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Miss Rocky made a a good point about Mississippi. In that case though, if I'm not mistaken and maybe I'm wrong, in Mississippi's case, they were still flying a state flag that had the Confederate symbol in it 150 years later. And so I think that that's kind of a unique case that they were looking

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for more widespread support about that extremely controversial flag. Um but I I'm I'm generally in support of referendums, but in this case I think that um I do support that two two years later separate from whatever happens in St. Paul that it's time to change the

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flag. What? >> I am insulted by our state legislators, whoever, and I don't I didn't look who put this bill out there that they want to threaten us with funding or changing funding or anything because of this

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issue. I mean, again, don't we have higher priorities in this great state of Minnesota than somebody picking that? And it took time, you know, it took staff time to write it and go through and do all those things. So seriously, whoever I have to look up maybe I'll contact them personally that I am

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insulted as a county commissioner. You're threat I feel it as a threat that oh if I don't fly something if it's not especially if it's not mandated or anything that that you would you know uh cut funding or or restrict funding for

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the job you tell us to do that. That is a slap in the face. >> So you could update your wardrobe at least. >> I know. >> T-shirts. I'll do most anything for a t-shirt. I got quite a collection. Uh, so I will I'm happy to be a third vote to move it forward to have a conversation. I do not want to make it a

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big deal. I I agree with you, Commissioner Ward. I do feel that that's a lame threat to make against counties. We have enough problems the way it is. So, yeah. >> So, do you need a motion, Miss Bolt, or is that >> No, I have what I need to move forward. >> Well, wait. Do we have three?

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>> Yep. Yep. >> Okay. I'm I'm against it. >> Yep. I appreciate that. Um, so moving on to item 9.2, discuss future agenda item regarding data centers. Uh, this is Commissioner Ward and Commissioner Vegley. >> Yeah. Uh, I guess it that's a big

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unknown. Um, I know there's communities and I think we need to have some uh again discussion uh as to again and if one my concern is if somebody comes and applies for something we have no uh uh

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specifics to data centers. I know they're as close as Pine Island. I'm not sure where that's moving to. I had heard that the uh city of Harmony had been approached by one. I haven't heard of any others. >> Monomony, Wisconsin, which is also >> Okay. All right. And such and

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interestingly enough, um I think the president and a whole group are going to China and AI and data is going to be a big topic. China wants to come here and build huge, you know, huge facilities. Um I don't know, Elon Musk is going with him. I suppose he wants to build something big over in China and such,

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but it is a global issue and I don't know if we're ready to to, you know, deal with it. And that's my concern is that we have some discussion and have some perimeters to um know what we're dealing with. >> Mr. Begley, >> uh strongly support what Commissioner Ward is saying. I would like to,

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especially if other counties in the state or around the country have already found a way to say no, no, thank you ahead of time. I'd like to see I don't want the staff again to spend a thousand hours, but hopefully there is something that already might exist. We go through the public process, public hearings,

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etc. But I strongly agree that Winona County should say um not welcome when it comes to to data centers, not the technology in general, but to specifically what has been happening in other parts of the country because often when the public becomes aware of it, it's almost too late because of all the

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non-disclosure. And I think that's important to add to is that not that we would not sign or hopefully any city would not sign a non-disclosure agreement, you know, so they can't this this should be a public discussion. >> Mr. Olson. >> Yeah. I think a lot of the land use

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discussion regarding them of the use of groundwater for cooling and enormous consumption of electricity for cooling of the uh units is u something that we should be concerned with. I Oh, Commissioner Ward.

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>> Oh, um there is I want to say is it Sterns? It's somewhere a county just north and west of the metro area. They're greatly embracing it. They want them to come um because they see it as a huge tax uh revenue and everything, but

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so I don't we we should uh ask for some of their research how they came to that conclusion. Um I'm not sure if it's a full full-blown go ahead build or if it's just still in a discussion phase, but uh Chris Mestlet that county um they're they're uh really wanting a data

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center. >> Sherburn, >> is it Sherbet? Maybe it's Sherburn. >> It's also on the southeast side of the Quin City is also a large controversy in there as well. >> Yeah. >> So this is our first conversation. It sounds like I I support uh having a full full-blown conversation about it. So I

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think everyone is in support of that. So, so we will put it on >> staff to maybe gather some information, put it on a real a regular agenda. I mean, I think it might be worthwhile to wait until after the end of session um because I think there have been some bills proposed at the state level uh to

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try and do some regulation. So, it might be good to be informed by those. >> Sure. >> First, >> and that ends Monday, >> Sunday night. >> Sunday night, midnight. They'll probably have they might have they might have a special edition. We'll see what happens. >> Yeah. I don't think there's a Yeah, I

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don't think there's a lot of support that that will happen, but yeah, we'll find out. Okay. Y So, uh I I'm going to adjourn the committee of the board and we uh can have a fivem minute break until we go to budget. >> Thank you.

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>> Yeah. Good luck. Welcome.