>> FEBRUARY 25TH OF '25, BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
[00:00:01]
MEETING. WE START WITH THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE.>> GOOD MORNING, AND WELCOME. PLEASE MAKE SURE YOUR MICROPHONES ARE TURNED ON AND YOUR CELL PHONES ARE TURNED OFF.
FIRST ON OUR AGENDA IS THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.
[Call Board of Commissioners Meeting to Order: Chair]
DO WE HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD MANDY, OR SUBTRACT?>> THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO THE AGENDA, MADAM CHAIR.
DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED?
[Approval of Agenda]
>> THANK YOU. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> NEXT IS THE CONSENT AGENDA.
[Approval of Consent Agenda]
ARE LISTED.IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED?
>> I'LL MOVE BUT I HAVE ONE QUESTION.
>> YOUR QUESTION COMMISSIONER KOLARS.
THE BELGRADE TOWNSHIP RENTAL, HAS THAT ALWAYS BEEN $50 FOR ONE YEAR TO USE THE FACILITIES FOR MAYBE A HALF-HOUR MEETING, OR WHATEVER THAT TAKES?
>> THAT SEEMS LIKE A REALLY FAIR PRICE. THAT'S ALL MADAM CHAIR.
>> NEXT IS PUBLIC APPEARANCES. HEARING AND SEEING NO ONE IN THE AUDIENCE, WE'LL MOVE ON TO HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES. GOOD MORNING, CASSIE.
>> GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
[ Public Appearances]
[Health and Human Services]
MY TOPIC THIS MORNING IS TO CONSIDER ISSUING A REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR STATE-WIDE AFFORDABLE HOUSING AID.IN MAY OF 2024 THE NICOLLET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED A LOCAL HOUSING TRUST FUND ORDINANCE, ESTABLISHING A TRUST FUND TO SUPPORT THE DEVELOPMENT AND PRESERVATION OF AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
THE GOAL IS TO PREVENT FAMILIES FROM LOSING THEIR HOMES AND TO ASSIST INDIVIDUALS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS IN SECURING HOUSING.
IN JULY 2024 THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS APPROVED THE HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE'S RECOMMENDED FUNDING PRIORITIES, WHICH INCLUDED ALLOCATING 10% OF THE FUNDS FOR SHORT-TERM HOUSING NEEDS AND 90% FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING DEVELOPMENT, SO WE DO HAVE OUR 90% REMAINING FROM 2023 AND 2024 WHICH IS APPROXIMATELY $200,000 AT THIS POINT.
THIS MORNING, I AM REQUESTING THAT WE MOVE FORWARD WITH ISSUANCE OF OUR REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS, THE REQUEST WOULD THEN BE REVIEWED ON A QUARTERLY BASIS BY OUR HOUSING ADVISORY COMMITTEE WHILE WE HAVE FUNDS AVAILABLE
>> THANK YOU. WE TALKED ABOUT THIS AT LENGTH AT [INAUDIBLE] WORKSHOP LAST WEEK, THE PROPOSALS AHEAD OF US WE HAVE MOTION TO APPROVE.
>> SECOND. QUESTIONS, COMMENTS, THOUGHTS. JACK.
>> MADAM CHAIR, COMMISSIONER MR. ZINS AND I HAVE BEEN ON THIS COMMITTEE, AND I THINK IN READING THIS REQUEST FOR A PROPOSAL, IT'S FAIRLY COMPLETE.
IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS A GOOD FRAMEWORK FOR US TO GO WITH.
WE APPRECIATE YOUR EFFORTS, CASSIE, IN PUTTING THAT TOGETHER AND MAKING IT COME TO NICOLLET COUNTY IN THIS FASHION.
>> THANK YOU. ANY COMMENTS? HEARING AND SEEING NON, ALL THOSE IN FAVOR.
>> THANK YOU. NEXT IS ADMINISTRATION.
FIRST ON THE AGENDA IS THE PROPOSAL FOR THE SITE ASSESSMENT AND MASTER PLANNING SERVICES FOR THE NICOLLET COUNTY PUBLIC WORKS CAMPUS. GOOD MORNING.
>> GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD I HAVE HERE WITH US TODAY, BRIAN RUSHIE AS ONE OF OUR OWNER REPRESENTATIVES.
AT LAST WEEK'S BOARD WORKSHOP, YOU HEARD A SUMMARY FROM BOTH BRIAN AND PAUL WILLIS SAID THE OTHER OWNER,
[Administration]
REPRESENTATIVE ABOUT THE RFP, THAT YOU HAVE A COPY WITHIN YOUR PACKET.TODAY I'M ASKING FOR THE BOARD TO CONSIDER ISSUING THE RFP FOR THE FEASIBILITY STUDY, AND I DID ASK BRIAN TO ATTEND IT, JUST TO ADD A FEW COMMENTS ABOUT THE CONTENTS OF THE RFP.
>> MADAM CHAIR. THE RFP AS INCLUDED IN THE PACKET IS BASICALLY THE SAME AS WAS SUBMITTED TO YOU AT THE PREVIOUS WORKSHOP.
THERE ARE SOME DATES ENTERED INTO THERE. THOSE ARE PRELIMINARY DATES.
WE DID NOT RECEIVE ANY COMMENT BACK BASED ON THE PACKETS.
WE HAVEN'T MADE ANY EDITS, SO I WOULD JUST LEAVE IT OPEN TO QUESTIONS AT THIS POINT.
>> DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY QUESTIONS FOR BRIAN?
>> THANK YOU. WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE.
[00:05:03]
DISCUSSION? HEARING AND SEEING NONE. WHITNEY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL ON THIS ONE?>> THANK YOU. WE'RE READY TO ROLL.
>> NEXT ON THE AGENDA. MICHELLE GOT YOU.
ALL OF A SUDDEN THE PIECES WERE MOVING.
>> GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
TODAY, YOU HAVE BEFORE YOU A RELEASE DOCUMENT THAT WAS PREPARED AS THE FINAL PHASE OR STEP OF THE AMBERFIELD RESOLUTION.
AS SET FORTH IN THE AGENDA ITEM BACK IN 1993, THE SOUTH CENTRAL MULTI-COUNTY HRA, ISSUED REVENUE BONDS TO CONSTRUCT HOUSING IN FIVE COUNTIES, INCLUDING NICOLLET COUNTY.
THE AUTHORITY SUBSEQUENTLY DEFAULTED ON THOSE BONDS.
IN 2000, THE FIVE COUNTIES ENTERED INTO A SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT THAT RESULTED IN THE SPECIAL BENEFIT TAX LEVY ON BEHALF OF THE AUTHORITY FROM 2001 TO 2024 TO COVER OPERATING DEFICITS.
THE AMOUNT OF THE SPECIAL BENEFIT TAX LEVY WAS BASED UPON EACH COUNTY'S PROPORTIONATE SHARE OF HOUSING UNITS CONSTRUCTED.
TWO OF THE AMBERFIELD PROPERTIES ARE LOCATED IN NICOLLET COUNTY.
IN 2022, THE MAJORITY BOND HOLDER AND TRUSTEE HAD APPROACHED THE HRA ABOUT THE POSSIBLE SALE OF THE AMBERFIELD PROPERTIES, WHICH RESULTED IN A BOND COLLATERAL DISPOSITION AGREEMENT THAT WAS ENTERED INTO BY THE FIVE INVOLVED COUNTIES.
THAT AGREEMENT WAS APPROVED BY THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS IN AUGUST OF 2022.
ALL THE FINAL PAYMENTS HAVE NOW BEEN MADE AND US BANK TRUST COMPANY IS REQUESTING THAT THE COUNTY SIGN THEIR MUTUAL RELEASE AGREEMENT THAT'S LOCATED IN YOUR PACKET.
I WOULD ASK THE BOARD TO CONSIDER APPROVING THE SAME. THANK YOU.
>> THANK YOU. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE?
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> FURTHER DISCUSSION, COMMENTS, QUESTIONS?
>> FURTHER DISCUSSION, COMMENTS, QUESTIONS?
>> GRATEFUL TO BE DONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> THANK YOU. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS COUNTY ATTORNEY UPDATE.
[County Attorney Update]
>> I'LL JUST REMAIN HERE IF THAT'S ACCEPTABLE.
>> SINCE THE LAST BOARD MEETING, I'VE REALLY HAD THE PLEASURE OF ATTENDING TWO EVENTS TO BENEFIT NONPROFITS IN OUR REGION.
A NUMBER OF US, MANDY, MARIE AND SEVERAL OTHERS ATTENDED A FUNDRAISER FOR CADA WHICH IS OUR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE SHELTER THAT SERVES NICOLLET COUNTY.
I THINK THAT FUNDRAISING EVENT WAS EVEN MORE IMPORTANT BECAUSE OF THE RISK OF THEIR FINANCIAL SUPPORT.
I CAN'T RECALL THE PERCENTAGE, 70% GRANT FUNDED AND GIVEN THE COMMENTS RELATED TO THE HOLD ON THE FEDERAL GRANTS, THEIR OPERATION IS IN JEOPARDY AND THEY PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL SERVICE TO THOSE IN OUR COMMUNITY WHO ARE FACING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE AND WE NEED THEM TO CONTINUE THAT SERVICE.
COMMISSIONER HELGET, HOPEFULLY YOU'LL BE ABLE TO ATTEND WITH US NEXT YEAR.
BUT THAT WAS A VERY GOOD EVENT TO ATTEND AND FUN.
THE SECOND THING IS YESTERDAY A NUMBER OF DEPARTMENT HEADS MET AND WE MET AT THE FOOD BACKPACK PROGRAM IN NORTH MANKATO AND PACKED, WHILE WE PUT STICKERS ON PACKS FOR MEALS IN HONOR OF FORMER COMMISSIONER DENNY KEMP.
I THINK THIS IS THE THIRD TIME THAT WE'VE DONE THAT.
THEY PROVIDED US WITH A THANK YOU NOTE.
I THOUGHT I WOULD READ IT BECAUSE IT TALKS ABOUT THE BENEFIT OF, I MEAN, WE PROVIDED AN HOUR OF SERVICE YESTERDAY AND I THINK WE DID TWO PALLETS OF MEAL PACKS.
I THINK THEY SAID THEY'RE PROVIDING 900 MEALS A DAY, I THINK IS WHAT THEY'RE PROVIDING.
IT'S A SIGNIFICANT NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY.
WITH YOUR PERMISSION, I WOULD LIKE TO READ THAT.
DEAR FRIENDS OF DENNY, TODAY, AS YOU COME TOGETHER TO PACK FOOD IN MEMORY OF DENNY, YOU ARE HONORING A LIFE WELL LIVED THROUGH AN ACT OF KINDNESS THAT WILL RIPPLE FAR BEYOND THIS MOMENT.
YOUR TIME AND EFFORT WILL BRING NOURISHMENT TO THOSE IN NEED, JUST AS DENNY'S SPIRIT CONTINUES TO BRING WARMTH AND GENEROSITY TO THOSE WHO KNEW HIM.
IN A WORLD THAT FEELS OVERWHELMING, YOUR HANDS AND HEARTS ARE MAKING A REAL DIFFERENCE.
EVERY MEAL YOU PREPARED IS A REMINDER THAT COMPASSION AND COMMUNITY CAN CHANGE LIVES.
THANK YOU FOR CARRYING FORWARD A LEGACY OF GIVING, FOR SHOWING UP, AND FOR REMINDING US ALL THAT EVEN IN LOSS, LOVE CONTINUES THROUGH ACTION WITH GRATITUDE AND ADMIRATION, FOCP.
[00:10:05]
IT'S AN HONOR TO PROVIDE SERVICE IN THAT GROUP OF DEPARTMENT HEADS THAT WENT AND DID SO IN MEMORY OF DENNY. THANK YOU.NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS COMMISSIONER COMMITTEE REPORTS, CONFERENCES AND MEETINGS.
>> ALONG WITH COMMISSIONER DRANTTEL, WE ATTENDED A PERSONNEL
[Commissioner Committee Reports, Meetings & Conferences]
COMMUNITY MEETING AFTER OUR LAST BOARD MEETING.ALSO ATTENDED THE BOARD WORKSHOP ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE BOARD, TRI-COUNTY SOLID WASTE MEETING. THAT'S ABOUT IT.
>> THE COMMISSIONER WORKSHOP LAST WEEK AND THEN COMMISSIONER KOLARS AND I JOINED ADMINISTRATIVE LAND CHAMBER WITH THE NORTH MANKATO LIAISON MEETING.
I HAD A SHAQ COFFEE MEETING THAT I SIGNED ON AND THEN TODAY'S BOARD MEETING.
>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER KOLARS.
>> THANK YOU MADAM CHAIR. DIVERSITY COUNCIL MEETING OUR WORKSHOP.
I ATTENDED THE AMC ZOOM ALONG WITH SOME COUNTY REPRESENTATIVES AND COMMISSIONER HELGET AND MS. STENBERG WAS THERE ABOUT CHILD PROTECTION, THE LIAISON MEETING WITH COMMISSIONER DEHEN AND CITY OFFICIALS.
WE HAD OUR TRANSPORTATION ALTERNATIVES MEETING LAST WEEK AND I CAN TELL YOU THAT IT APPEARS THAT THERE WILL BE TWO UNDERPASSES THAT WILL BE APPROVED FOR FUNDING AT THE NEXT AREA TRANSPORTATION PLANNING MEETING, ONE IN MANKATO AND ONE IN NORTH MANKATO FOR BUILDING IN 27, 28 29 UNDER THE NEW 169 PROJECT.
>> THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER HELGET.
>> I ATTENDED THE BOARD WORKSHOP LAST WEEK, THE AMC LUNCH AND LEARN RELATED TO THE MINNESOTA AFRICAN AMERICAN CHILD AND FAMILY DISPROPORTIONALITY ACT.
I VIRTUALLY ATTENDED THE SHIFT MEETING AND THE AQUA MEETING, AND THEN THE AWA TOWNSHIP MEETING AND THE SCHOOL BOARD MEETING.
[Approve Per Diems and Expenses]
REGION NINE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, THE TRI-COUNTY SOLID WASTE AND THE TRAVESTY SUE LIBRARY MEETING.NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS TO APPROVE PER DIEMS AND COMMISSIONS AND PER DIEMS AND EXPENSES. I GOT TO GET NEW GLASSES.
[Adjourn Board of Commissioners Meeting]
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE A SECOND?
>> THANK YOU. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> WE CAN ADJOURN THE REGULAR BOARD MEETING AND OPEN UP THE DRAINAGE AUTHORITY MEETING.
[Call Drainage Authority Meeting to Order: Chair]
FIRST ON THE DRAINAGE AUTHORITY IS APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED.>> I HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE DRAINAGE AUTHORITY MEETING. THANK YOU. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> NEXT IS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA OF THE DRAINAGE AUTHORITY.
>> THANK YOU. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> PUBLIC APPEARANCES FOR DRAINAGE, HEARING AND SEEING NONE.
WE'LL MOVE ON TO PUBLIC SERVICES CONSIDERING THE APPROVAL FOR COUNTY DITCH 38A FINDING A FACT AND ORDER. IS THAT YOU SIR?
>> YES. GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND STAFF.
ONE ITEM FROM PUBLIC SERVICES THIS MORNING AND THAT IS TO CONSIDER APPROVAL FOR FOR COUNTY DITCH 38A, FINDING A FACT AND ORDER.
MS. COLPET IS ILL TODAY, SO I'M PINCH HITTING FOR HER.
I DON'T KNOW HOW GOOD OF A JOB I'M GOING TO DO HERE, BUT I'LL GET US THROUGH IT.
IN YOUR PACKET THERE IS ATTACHED THE FINDING THE FACT AND ORDER FOR THE COUNTY DITCH 38A IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
THIS IS RESULTING FROM THE PRELIMINARY ENGINEERS REPORT PUBLIC HEARING THAT WAS HELD ON FEBRUARY 11TH, 2025.
THIS ORDER DIRECTS THE ENGINEERED PROCEED WITH THE DETAILED SURVEY SURVEY REPORT AND
[00:15:03]
ALSO APPOINTS THE VIEWERS FOR DETERMINING THE BENEFITS RELATED TO THE IMPROVEMENT.ULTIMATELY WE'RE LOOKING FOR THE DRAINAGE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE THE ATTACHED FINDINGS AND ORDER.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO THAT EFFECT?
>> FINDINGS OF FACT NUMBER TWO, THE DATE LOOKS LIKE IT'S A LITTLE BIT IN THE FUTURE THERE ON JULY 9TH 23 OR 24.
THAT MIGHT HAVE TO BE CHANGED.
>> UNLESS YOU'RE GEORGE JETSON.
>> OTHER COMMENTS AND OR QUESTIONS REGARDING THE FINDINGS AND ORDER. HEARING AND SEEING NONE? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR?
>> THANK YOU. I NEED TO GET TO MY AGENDA HERE.
NEXT ON OUR AGENDA, WE'RE GOING TO GO INTO CLOSED SESSION PURSUANT TO MINNESOTA STATUTES 13D 05 SUBDIVISION 3D, A CLOSED MEETING OF THE NICOLLET COUNTY DRAINAGE AUTHORITY IS NEEDED TO DISCUSS POTENTIAL LITIGATION AND LEGAL STRATEGY INVOLVING DRAINAGE ISSUES, INVOLVING NICOLLET COUNTY DITCH 33 AND 51 FOLLOWING THE CLOSED SESSION ACTION MAY BE BASED UPON THE INFORMATION PROVIDED.
WE JUST CAME OUT OF A CLOSED SESSION DISCUSSING A DRAINAGE AUTHORITY ISSUE, MEMBERS ATTENDING AT THAT CLOSED SESSION WERE PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR GREENWOOD DITCH INSPECTOR HENRY, COUNTY ATTORNEY MICHELLE ZENDER FISCHER, COMMISSIONER ZINS, DEHEN, DRANTTEL, HELGET, KOLARS.
LAND CAMERA. [LAUGHTER] SORRY, I WAS MAKING MY WAY AROUND THE ROOM.
>> I'D LIKE TO MOVE THAT THE DRAINAGE AUTHORITY CONTINUES TO FULFILL ITS OBLIGATION AT DITCHES 33 AND 51 AND IS TAKING NO AFFIRMATIVE ACTION AT THIS TIME.
>> THANK YOU. IS THERE A SECOND TO THAT MOTION?
>> AT THIS POINT, NO FURTHER BUSINESS FOR THE DRAINAGE AUTHORITY.
WE WILL CLOSE THE MEETING. THANK YOU.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.