Oct 28, 2025 Board of Commissioners

[00:00:01]

GOOD MORNING. WELCOME TO THE OCTOBER. I GOT THE 28TH 2025 BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS MEETING.

[Call Board of Commissioners Meeting to Order]

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.

ALL RIGHT. THANK YOU. AND GOOD MORNING. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS THE ALWAYS PRESENT SILENCE YOUR CELL PHONES.

ITEM NUMBER THREE ON THE AGENDA IS THE APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.

[Approval of Agenda]

YOU DO HAVE A COPY OF A REQUEST TO ADD CONSIDERATION OF DESIGNATION OF A HEARING OFFICER FOR POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS DOG HEARINGS.

THIS WOULD BE RECOMMENDED TO BE UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION PORTION OF THE AGENDA.

ALL RIGHT. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS ADJUSTED? SECOND. THANK YOU. ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS? QUESTIONS? HEARING AND SEEING. NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS TO APPROVE THE CONSENT AGENDA.

[Approval of Consent Agenda]

[Health and Human Services]

GOOD MORNING NATHAN. GOOD MORNING. COMMISSIONERS.

OKAY. ARE WE? HEAR ME? OKAY? YES. VERY WELL. IT'S MY PRIVILEGE TO BE HERE TO RECITE THE FOLLOWING PROCLAMATION FOR NICOLLET COUNTY IN RECOGNITION OF UPCOMING OPERATION GREEN LIGHT FOR VETERANS.

WHEREAS, THE RESIDENTS OF NICOLLET COUNTY HAVE GREAT RESPECT, ADMIRATION, AND THE UTMOST GRATITUDE FOR ALL THE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED OUR COUNTRY AND THIS COMMUNITY IN THE ARMED FORCES. AND WHEREAS THE CONTRIBUTIONS AND SACRIFICES OF THOSE WHO SERVED IN THE ARMED FORCES HAVE BEEN VITAL IN MAINTAINING THE FREEDOMS AND WAY OF LIFE ENJOYED BY OUR CITIZENS.

AND WHEREAS NICOLLET COUNTY SEEKS TO HONOR INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE MADE COUNTLESS SACRIFICES FOR FREEDOM BY PLACING THEMSELVES IN HARM'S WAY FOR THE GOOD OF ALL. AND WHEREAS VETERANS CONTINUE TO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY AND VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE AMERICAN LEGION, THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, AND DISABLED AMERICAN VETERANS.

AND BY FUNCTIONING AS COUNTY VETERANS SERVICE OFFICERS IN 29 STATES TO HELP VETERANS ACCESS MORE THAN $52 BILLION IN FEDERAL VA BENEFITS EACH YEAR. IN EFFORTS TO PROVIDE ECONOMIC STABILITY FOR OUR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES.

AND WHEREAS APPROXIMATELY 200,000 SERVICE MEMBERS TRANSITION TO CIVILIAN COMMUNITIES ANNUALLY, WITH STUDIES INDICATING THAT AS MANY AS 72% OF SERVICE MEMBERS EXPERIENCE HIGH LEVELS OF STRESS DURING TRANSITION FROM MILITARY TO CIVILIAN LIFE.

AND WHEREAS ACTIVE MILITARY SERVICE MEMBERS TRANSITIONING FROM MILITARY SERVICE ARE AT A HEIGHTENED RISK FOR SUICIDE DURING THEIR FIRST YEAR AFTER MILITARY SERVICE.

AND WHEREAS THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF COUNTIES ENCOURAGES ALL COUNTIES, PARISHES AND BOROUGHS TO RECOGNIZE OPERATION GREEN LIGHT FOR VETERANS. AND WHEREAS NICOLLET COUNTY APPRECIATES THE SACRIFICES OF OUR UNITED STATES MILITARY PERSONNEL AND BELIEVES SPECIFIC RECOGNITION SHOULD BE GRANTED. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE NICOLLET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS WITH DESIGNATION AS A GREEN LIGHT FOR VETERANS COUNTY NICOLLET COUNTY HEREBY DECLARES NOVEMBER 4TH THROUGH VETERANS DAY, NOVEMBER 11TH, 2025, AS A TIME TO SALUTE AND HONOR THE SERVICE AND SACRIFICES OF THOSE TRANSITIONING FROM MILITARY SERVICE. AND BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED BY THE NICOLLET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS THAT IN THE OBSERVANCE OF OPERATION GREEN LIGHT, NICOLLET COUNTY WILL DISPLAY GREEN LIGHTS AT THE GOVERNMENT CENTER AND HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES BUILDING.

AND BE IT FURTHER PROCLAIMED BY THE NICOLLET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS THAT IN OBSERVANCE OF OPERATION GREEN LIGHT,

[00:05:04]

THANK YOU. NATHAN HAS READ THE PROCLAMATION. IS THERE A MOTION TO ACCEPT IT? SO MOVED. SECOND. THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING AND SEEING. NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS TECHNOLOGIES.

[Technologies]

MORNING, JASON. GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

TO THAT END, IF YOU APPROVE, I WILL READ THE PROCLAMATION ALOUD.

PLEASE DO SO. WHEREAS NICOLLET COUNTY SERVES A VITAL ROLE IN PROVIDING SERVICES TO OUR RESIDENTS AND COMMUNITIES.

AND WHEREAS CRITICAL COMMUNITY SERVICES SUCH AS HEALTHCARE, EMERGENCY SERVICES AND LAW ENFORCEMENT ARE EVER INCREASINGLY DEPENDENT ON INFORMATION SYSTEMS. AND WHEREAS NICOLLET COUNTY IS COMMITTED TO PROTECTING THE COUNTY FROM CYBERSECURITY EVENTS AND WHEREAS CYBERSECURITY IS THE SHARED RESPONSIBILITY OF ALL. AND WE MUST WORK TOGETHER TO IMPROVE OUR AWARENESS AND EDUCATE OURSELVES ON BASIC COMPUTER SECURITY.

AND WHEREAS OCTOBER IS DESIGNATED AS NATIONAL CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH, NICOLLET COUNTY RESIDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO VISIT THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY STOP THINK CONNECT WEBSITE AT WW DOT CONNECT.ORG TO LEARN MORE ABOUT CYBERSECURITY AND HOW TO PROTECT THEMSELVES BETTER AT HOME, WORK, SCHOOL AND BUSINESS. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED BY THE NICOLLET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS THAT OCTOBER 2025 IS DESIGNATED AS CYBERSECURITY AWARENESS MONTH. THANK YOU.

DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PROCLAMATION? SO MOVED. SECONDED. THANK YOU. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? HEARING AND SEEING. NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. AND IS IT WONDERFUL? MY EMAIL HAS NOT BEEN SCAMMED IN A MONTH.

YES. HOPE THEY HAVE DROPPED OFF TARGETING YOU.

AS IS CUSTOMARY, I HAVE A FEW THINGS TO SHARE BASED UPON THIS.

ONE OF WHICH BEING, TECHNOLOGIES DEPARTMENT HAS WORKED ON INCREASING OUR SECURITY AND AWARENESS TRAINING FOR ALL EMPLOYEES IN NICOLLET COUNTY.

WE'VE ENGAGED IN SOME SIMULATED PHISHING ATTEMPTS, ESSENTIALLY PRETENDING TO BE EMAIL SCAMS, AND I AM HAPPY TO REPORT UPON THE CONCLUSION OF THOSE THAT WE HAVE A AVERAGE PHISHING PRONE.

ESSENTIALLY, OUR. TENDENCY TO BE CAUGHT BY THESE OF LESS THAN 2% PUTS US ALMOST TWO POINTS BELOW THE INDUSTRY AVERAGE FOR GOVERNMENT, SO THAT'S SOMETHING I THINK WE CAN ALL BE PRETTY POSITIVE OF.

WE'VE HAD GOOD EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT. I THINK WE HAVE A LOT OF STAFF THAT RECOGNIZE THE DANGERS, AND THAT'S A POSITIVE THING. THE OTHER COMPONENTS OF THIS IS TECHNOLOGY ITSELF HAS BEEN WORKING VERY DILIGENTLY OVER THE PAST SEVERAL MONTHS ON INTERNAL CYBERSECURITY RESPONSE PROCEDURES. WE'VE SEEN AN INCREASE IN TARGETED EMAIL ATTACKS, ESPECIALLY COMING FROM COMPROMISED ACCOUNTS FROM OTHER COUNTIES, OTHER AGENCIES, THINGS OF THAT NATURE.

AND WE'VE ALSO SEEN EVIDENCE, NOT JUST US, BUT WITH OTHER COUNTIES IN MINNESOTA AND I'M SURE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY ATTEMPTS AT USING OUR PRESENCE AS A WAY TO ATTACK THE RESIDENTS OF THE COUNTY TO NOTHING.

THAT IS A PROBLEM THAT WE'VE CAUSED, BUT SCAMMERS ARE PRETENDING TO BE US AND THEY'RE VERY GOOD AT IT.

SO THERE'S ADDITIONAL STEPS WE CAN TAKE IN THE FUTURE TO HELP PROTECT THE CITIZENS FROM THESE TYPES OF THINGS AS WELL.

ONE OF THE STATISTICS THAT I KNOW I'M ALWAYS KIND OF IN AWE OF IS JUST THIS MONTH ALONE, IN THE LAST 30 DAYS, WE'VE PROCESSED OVER 91,000 EMAILS. INCOMING AND OUTGOING 21,000 OF THOSE ARE FLAGGED AS MALICIOUS.

SO NEARLY A QUARTER OF OUR EMAIL TRAFFIC IS POTENTIALLY BAD.

THE OTHER COMPONENT OF THIS SOMETHING ELSE IN THE WORLD OF EMAIL, WE'VE WORKED TO IMPROVE DETECTION DETECTION OF POTENTIAL THREATS.

AND ONE OF THE THINGS WE'VE DONE RECENTLY IS TO ENABLE TRANSPARENT ENCRYPTION.

[00:10:03]

BUT A GOOD 75% OR MORE OF ALL EMAILS THAT LEAVE HERE ARE ENCRYPTED AND PROTECTED ON THEIR WAY OUT, WITH NO EFFORT REQUIRED ON THE STAFF. SO THAT'S SOMETHING THAT IS VERY NICE.

THE OTHER THING IS JUST TO BRING AWARENESS THAT MORE RECENTLY THIS YEAR IN 2025, THE TECHNOLOGIES DEPARTMENT HAS HAD TO RESPOND TO MORE THREATS THAN EVER BEFORE. AND THIS WILL BE ALWAYS INCREASING.

BUT WE HAVE THUS FAR BEEN SWIFT IN OUR RESPONSE.

SOME OF YOU MAY HAVE SEEN EMAILS FROM US GOING OUT, ADDRESSING COMPROMISED ACCOUNTS AND DIFFERENT ATTEMPTS FROM OTHER AGENCIES OR BAD ACTORS.

WE'RE WORKING TO IMPROVE AND BOLSTER THAT AS WE GO ON.

THANK YOU. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA THIS MORNING IS FINANCE.

[Finance]

MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I HAVE TWO ITEMS FOR YOU TODAY.

THE FIRST ITEM IS TO CONSIDER RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE QUARTER THREE 2025 DONATIONS.

A SUMMARY OF THOSE DONATIONS. WE HAD A $1,000 DONATION BY A STATE OF BETTY DIEFENBACH.

WE ALSO HAD VARIOUS DONATIONS FOR THE VAN PROGRAM OF $440.

SO THE TOTAL FOR THE VAN PROGRAM IS $1,440. WE ALSO HAD THREE DONATIONS FOR THE PROJECT COMMUNITYCONNECT.

THAT WAS AN EVENT IN AUGUST. FIRST ONE WAS PIONEER BANK FOR $250.

THE SECOND ONE WAS OSCEOLA COUNCIL DEGREE OF POCAHONTAS $250.

AND THEN THRIVENT FINANCIAL, $250 FOR A TOTAL FOR THAT EVENT OF $750.

AND THEN WE ALSO HAD VARIOUS DONATIONS FOR OUR LOAN CLOSET OF $635.

SO THE TOTAL FOR QUARTER THREE IS $2,825. AND I'M REQUESTING APPROVAL OF THOSE OF THESE DONATIONS BY RESOLUTION.

THANK YOU. THE RESOLUTION IS IN THE PACKET. DO WE HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? SO MOVED. SECOND. SECOND. FURTHER DISCUSSION? MADAM CHAIR, WE DO APPRECIATE THESE GIFTS. DO WE WRITE LETTERS OF THANKS TO ALL OF THESE FOLKS? AND HOW DO WE ENCOURAGE MORE PEOPLE TO MAKE CONTRIBUTIONS? THE VARIOUS DEPARTMENTS. AS YOU SEE, EACH QUARTER, WE HAVE THE VAN PROGRAM AND THE LOAN CLOSET ALWAYS COMING TO YOU FOR APPROVAL.

SO THOSE DEPARTMENTS DO MANAGE THOSE APPRECIATIONS.

AND THEN PROJECT COMMUNITYCONNECT WAS MORE OF A, THE ANNUAL AND THAT IS ALSO RECOGNIZED ON DIFFERENT PLATFORMS. THANK YOU. HEARING AND SEEING NO FURTHER DISCUSSION.

MANDY, WOULD YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? KOLARS.

YES YES YES YES YES. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU.

ALL RIGHT. THE SECOND ITEM IS FOR TO CONSIDER A 2025 BUDGET CHANGE REQUEST.

GIVE YOU SOME BACKGROUND OF THIS REQUEST. THE METHOD THAT WE BUDGET LEVY FOR DEBT SERVICE PER THE DEBT SCHEDULE IS TO SET THE LEVY IN ONE YEAR.

FOR THIS EXAMPLE, IT WOULD HAVE BEEN 2023. THEN WE COLLECT THE FUNDS IN 2024, AND THEN WE PAY BOND AND PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENTS THE FOLLOWING YEAR, WHICH IS THIS CURRENT YEAR, 2025, WITH THE 2018 BE DEBT SERVICES ISSUANCE BEING PAID OFF IN 2025, IN WHICH WE COLLECTED IN 24. DROPPING OFF THE SCHEDULE.

IT IS REFLECTING A TIMING DIFFERENCE ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

THE BUDGET AMENDMENT WILL ADJUST FROM OUR FUND BALANCE, AS THIS IS WHERE THOSE FUNDS WERE AT AT THE END OF 2024, AND STILL, THERE IS NO IMPACT TO THE BOTTOM LINE.

EXPENSE BUDGET FOR NICOLLET COUNTY. THIS WILL BE A TRUE UP ACCOUNTING BUDGET TRANSACTION FOR THE 2026 BUDGET.

WE DID FINANCE OFFICE AND MYSELF DID REVIEW THIS TO MAKE SURE THAT WE MADE ADJUSTMENTS IN THE FUTURE FOR FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, TO MAKE SURE THAT WE ARE ALIGNED WITH THAT EXPECTED PAYMENT ACTIVITY.

BUT THERE IS NO CHANGE IN HOW WE BUDGET LEVY THE LEVY, AS WE HAVE BEEN, WILL STAY AS IS ESSENTIALLY PAST MANY YEARS. THE THE AMOUNT THAT WE'VE BEEN LEVYING AND PAYING HAS BEEN ESSENTIALLY STEADY AND FLAT.

THE 2025 BUDGET SHOULD HAVE REFLECTED THAT. WE SHOULD HAVE BUDGETED THAT USE OF FUND BALANCE AS THAT STUDY AMOUNT HAD CHANGED.

AT THE END OF 2024, WE HAVE ABOUT 3 MILLION IN OUR FUND BALANCE.

SO AND THEN IN 2025, WE'RE PAYING ABOUT 2 MILLION OUT IN PAYMENTS.

[00:15:06]

SO WHAT I, THE REQUEST TODAY IS TO APPROVE AND SIGN THE 2025 BUDGET AMENDMENT AND I'LL TAKE ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE.

THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE BUDGET AMENDMENT AT THIS TIME? SO MOVED. IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND IT. DISCUSSION.

HEARING AND SEEING. NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. THANK YOU. THANK YOU. NUMBER NINE ON OUR AGENDA IS PROPERTY SERVICES.

[Property Services]

GOOD MORNING, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. SO TODAY WE HAVE THREE DIFFERENT CONDITIONAL USE PERMITS.

AND THESE WERE ALL REVIEWED AT THE OCTOBER 20TH PLANNING AND ZONING ADVISORY COMMISSION MEETING LAST WEEK.

SO THE FIRST OF THESE THAT WE HAVE IS PLN, PLN 2512, WHICH IS THE REQUEST OF CHRIS SCHROPP FOR A TO INSTALL AND OPERATE A 90 KILOWATT GROUND MOUNTED SOLAR ENERGY SYSTEM ON LAND THAT IS OWNED BY GEORGE PIKAL, ALSO KNOWN AS RIDGELY FARMS, LLC.

AND THIS IS LOCATED AND THIS IS NOT A MAJOR SOLAR FARM.

THIS BASICALLY CONSISTS OF, OF TWO DIFFERENT ARRAYS THAT WERE JUST LARGE ENOUGH TO BE BEYOND THE THRESHOLD THAT REQUIRES A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT HEARING. AND THE LOCATION OF THIS PROPERTY IS ON A COUNTY ROAD FIVE, ALSO KNOWN AS OLD FORT ROAD, AT THE FAR NORTH WESTERN CORNER OF THE COUNTY IN RIDGELY TOWNSHIP.

AND BASICALLY FOR THIS, WE'D BE LOOKING FOR AN APPROVAL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AS WELL AS AN APPROVAL WITH THE RECOMMENDED CONDITIONS, AS WELL AS AN APPROVAL OF THE FINDINGS OF FACT.

THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT AND FINDINGS OF FACT? SO MOVED. SECONDED. ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? WAS THERE ANY ADDITIONAL CONDITIONS ADDED OR WERE THEY PRESENTED AND FINALIZED AT THE.

YEAH. NOT FOR NOT FOR THIS ITEM. THEY RECOMMENDED APPROVAL WITH THE THE ORIGINAL CONDITIONS FROM THE STAFF REPORT.

THANK YOU. ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS? HEARING AND SEEING? NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE. THANK YOU. NEXT. SO NEXT WE HAVE PLN 2515, WHICH IS THE REQUEST OF CHRISTINE ENGEL FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A DOG TRAINING KENNEL ON PROPERTY OWNED BY PAUL AND MARIE ENGLE, WHO ARE HER PARENTS. THIS PROPERTY IS LOCATED IN RURAL BELGRADE TOWNSHIP, ABOUT TWO MILES NORTH OF UPPER NORTH MANKATO, AT THE INTERSECTION OF TOWNSHIP ROAD 186 AND 486TH STREET.

NOW, THIS ITEM ACTUALLY DEPENDED ON THE PREVIOUS PASSAGE OF A VARIANCE AT THE BOARD OF ADJUSTMENTS AND APPEALS HEARING THE SAME NIGHT.

AND THAT WAS FOR A REDUCTION IN THE PROPERTY LINE SETBACK FROM FROM 100FT TO ABOUT 60, 68FT. AND THAT WAS THAT WAS REQUIRED BECAUSE OUR ORDINANCE FOR ANYTHING THAT QUALIFIES AS A CANDLE UNDER OUR ORDINANCE, THERE IS A 100 FOOT SETBACK FROM THE PROPERTY LINES AS WELL AS A 500 FOOT SETBACK FROM ADJACENT RESIDENCES.

THIS AREA IS VERY SPARSELY POPULATED, SO THERE WERE NO ADJACENT RESIDENCES.

BUT THE VARIANCE FOR THE PROPERTY LINE SETBACK REDUCTION WAS APPROVED.

AND SO WE WOULD BE. ADDITIONALLY, THERE WAS THERE WAS ONE CONDITION ADDED TO THIS THE BOARD ADDED A CONDITION THAT ON SITE FACILITIES SHALL BE DESIGNED TO ACCOMMODATE ALL WASTE GENERATED FROM THE KENNELS, INCLUDING HOSING AND CLEANUP.

THAT WAS JUST ADDED TO REITERATE, ONE OF THE STANDARDS THAT IS IN OUR OUR KENNEL ORDINANCE.

THIS PROJECT'S A LITTLE BIT DIFFERENT FROM A TYPICAL KENNEL BECAUSE IT ONLY CONSISTS OF, OF TRAINING MOSTLY ONE ON ONE PRIVATE SESSIONS AS WELL AS OCCASIONAL CLASSES, 1 OR 2 CLASSES A WEEK THAT MIGHT HAVE UP TO EIGHT PARTICIPANTS.

THE APPLICANT WAS ESTIMATING ABOUT 25 ATTENDEES PER WEEK ON ON AVERAGE, WITH A SOMEWHAT FLEXIBLE SCHEDULE, BECAUSE SHE DOES WORK A 9 TO 5 FULL TIME JOB DURING THE DAY.

AND SO WITH THIS, THERE WAS ALSO A RELATED CONDITION THAT HAD BEEN ADDED TO THE VARIANCE.

JUST TO REITERATE THAT THERE WOULD BE NO OVERNIGHT BOARDING BECAUSE THIS FACILITY FOCUSES ON,

[00:20:06]

IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT PLN 2515.

SO MOVED. SECOND. ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? HEARING AND SEEING. NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AND THEN FINALLY WE HAVE PLN 2517. THIS IS THE REQUEST OF ANDREW EMMICK FOR A CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A LEVEL TWO HOME OCCUPATION.

THE HOME OCCUPATION WOULD BE LOCATED AT HIS PROPERTY ON RED OAK DRIVE, WHICH IS LOCATED TO THE SOUTH OF NICOLLET OFF OF COUNTY ROAD 23 IN A SMALL RURAL SUBDIVISION. IT QUALIFIES AS A LEVEL TWO HOME OCCUPATION, EVEN THOUGH IT WILL ONLY HAVE IT WILL ONLY HAVE ONE EMPLOYEE AT THIS TIME. HOWEVER, IT STILL QUALIFIES AS A LEVEL TWO BECAUSE THE PLAN IS TO OPERATE IT IN AN ACCESSORY STRUCTURE IN AN EXISTING SHED ON HIS PROPERTY.

BECAUSE OF THAT, THIS PROJECT ALSO REQUIRED A PRECEDING VARIANCE, AS HIS HOME IS LOCATED IN THE CONSERVANCY ZONING DISTRICT, WHERE THE OPERATION OF A HOME OCCUPATION IN A SEPARATE BUILDING IS NOT NORMALLY ALLOWED.

THAT WOULD BE ALLOWED IN RESIDENTIAL DISTRICTS IN AGRICULTURAL DISTRICTS, BUT NOT IN CONSERVANCY.

THE. THE SHED IS ONLY A FEW FEET INTO THE CONSERVANCY DISTRICT, BUT BECAUSE IT IS IN THAT DISTRICT, THE PROJECT DID REQUIRE A VARIANCE AND THAT WAS APPROVED AT THE THE BAR HEARING THE SAME NIGHT.

AND THE BASICALLY THE, THE AIM OF THE BUSINESS WOULD BE TO FOCUS ON ELECTRICAL CONTRACTING.

HE WOULD ONLY USE THE SHED ON HIS PROPERTY FOR STORAGE OF MATERIALS AND BASICALLY PAPERWORK FOR PARKING HIS VEHICLE AND ALL OF THE, THE REAL WORK OF THE PROJECT WOULD OCCUR OFF SITE AT THE, AT THE DIFFERENT AT THE, THE DIFFERENT PROJECT LOCATIONS.

SO THERE WOULD BE NO OUTSIDE STORAGE ASSOCIATED WITH THIS PROJECT.

ANYTHING ON HIS PROPERTY WOULD BE KEPT WITHIN THE EXISTING SHED.

WE DID HAVE A COUPLE OF, OF NEIGHBOR CONCERNS.

ONE, ONE QUESTION WAS MOSTLY CONCERNED ABOUT THE POTENTIAL FOR EMPLOYEES OR ANY OUTSIDE STORAGE THAT WOULD CHANGE THE APPEARANCE OF THE PROPERTY.

AND THERE ARE NO OUTSIDE EMPLOYEES PLANNED AT THIS TIME, EVEN IF IN THE FUTURE HE WANTED TO MODIFY THE PERMIT.

THE OUTSIDE EMPLOYEES WOULD LIKELY MEET HIM AT THE SITE AND WOULD NOT BE MAKING ADDITIONAL TRIPS TO THE HOME STORAGE SITE.

AND THEN THERE WAS A, A SECOND QUESTION REGARDING THE TYPES OF DELIVERIES THAT WOULD BE THAT MIGHT OCCUR TO THIS BUSINESS.

OUR ORDINANCE REQUIRES THAT ANY YOU KNOW, NOISE OR VIBRATION OF A HOME OCCUPATION IS, YOU KNOW, IN KEEPING WITH WHAT IS TYPICAL FOR THE SURROUNDING NEIGHBORHOOD AND IN THIS CASE, THE.

THE APPLICANT STATED THAT THE. THE DELIVERIES WOULD BE MADE USING KIND OF SMALL DELIVERY VEHICLES THAT YOU WOULD ASSOCIATE WITH ONLINE SHOPPING AND NOT, NOT MAJOR SEMIS ATTEMPTING TO ENTER THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

AND SO WITH THIS, WE WOULD BE LOOKING FOR AN APPROVAL OF THE CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT ALONG WITH APPROVAL OF THE FINDINGS OF FACT. THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT DASH 25 DASH 17.

MADAM. MADAM CHAIR, I'D JUST LIKE TO LET YOU KNOW THAT I NEED TO RECUSE MYSELF FROM ANYTHING WITH THIS.

CORRECT. THANK YOU. I MOVE TO APPROVE IT. MOVE TO APPROVE.

IS THERE A SECOND? I'LL SECOND IT. ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS AND OR COMMENTS.

I JUST WANT TO THANK YOU FOR CLARIFYING. THE DELIVERY QUESTION.

I THINK THAT WAS A A CONCERN OF SOME OF US HERE.

SO THANK YOU. ANY ADDITIONAL COMMENTS OR QUESTIONS? HEARING AND SEEING. NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? THANK YOU. THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

ALL RIGHT. NUMBER TEN ON OUR AGENDA. ADMINISTRATION.

[Administration]

AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. HERE. SO I HAVE TWO ITEMS BEGINNING ON PAGE 139 OF YOUR PACKET. THE THIRD ITEM UNDER THE ADMINISTRATION WILL BE PRESENTED BY THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.

[00:25:07]

THE PURPOSE OF THIS RESOLUTION IS TO RECOGNIZE AND HONOR THE DISTINGUISHED SERVICE OF SHERIFF LANG AS HE ANNOUNCES HIS RETIREMENT AFTER 22 YEARS OF DEDICATED SERVICE TO THE PEOPLE OF NICOLLET COUNTY. THROUGHOUT SHERIFF LANG'S CAREER, HE HAS DEMONSTRATED UNWAVERING COMMITMENT, LEADERSHIP AND INTEGRITY IN SAFEGUARDING THE COMMUNITY, ENSURING THE FAIR AND EFFECTIVE ENFORCEMENT OF LAWS.

MADAM CHAIR, I'M REQUESTING THE BOARD CONSIDER THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION ACKNOWLEDGING AND ACCEPTING THE RETIREMENT OF SHERIFF LANG, EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31ST, 2025. WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO READ IT INTO THE RECORD? PLEASE DO SO. RESOLUTION FOR THE RETIREMENT OF THE SHERIFF.

WHEREAS DAVE LANG WAS SWORN IN AS THE NICOLLET COUNTY SHERIFF ON JANUARY 7TH, 2003.

AND WHEREAS SHERIFF LANG HAS SERVED THE CITIZENS OF NICOLLET COUNTY IN A FAITHFUL AND MYSTERIOUS MANNER FOR SIX TERMS, AND. WHEREAS SHERIFF LANG HAS ANNOUNCED HIS PLANS TO RETIRE FROM THE ELECTED OFFICE OF SHERIFF ON DECEMBER 31ST, 2025. AND NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT THE NICOLLET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DOES HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE AND ACCEPT THE RETIREMENT OF NICOLLET COUNTY SHERIFF DAVE LANG, EFFECTIVE DECEMBER 31ST, 2025 AT 11:59 P.M. DATED THIS 20TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2025.

THANK YOU. YOU HAVE HEARD THE RESOLUTION. IS THERE A MOTION FOR APPROVAL? SO MOVED WITH REGRETS. THANK YOU. IS THERE A SECOND? ANY FURTHER COMMENTS? QUESTIONS? I'D JUST LIKE TO PERSONALLY THANK DAVE FOR HIS LONG CONTINUED SERVICE TO THE COUNTY.

I CONCUR. HE'S BEEN MORE THAN GENEROUS WITH HIS TIME WITH ME THESE THESE TEN MONTHS THAT I'VE BEEN IN OFFICE.

AND I REALLY APPRECIATE IT. AND HE WOULD PROBABLY BE HERE TODAY IF HE DIDN'T HAVE HIS FOOT UP ON A PILLOW.

AND DAVE HAD A LITTLE SURGERY LAST WEEK EARLY THIS WEEK.

SO HE'S OR IS IT FRIDAY WHENEVER HE'S OUT OF COMMISSION FOR A WEEK OR SO.

SO HOPEFULLY HE'S PAYING ATTENTION ON OUR LIVE STREAMING.

YEAH. WELL THAT'S TECHNOLOGY. WE KNOW HOW THAT WORKS WITH DAVE.

SO ALL THOSE IN FAVOR OF THE RESOLUTION? THANK YOU.

THE NEXT RESOLUTION IS TO CONSIDER TO ESTABLISH A POSITION REVIEW PROCESS.

IN RECENT YEARS, STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS HAVE INCREASINGLY SHIFTED FINANCIAL RESPONSIBILITIES FOR MANDATED PROGRAMS AND SERVICES ONTO COUNTIES.

THESE COST SHIFTS HAVE PLACED SIGNIFICANT PRESSURE ON COUNTY BUDGETS, IMPACTING THE COUNTY'S ABILITY TO MAINTAIN ESSENTIAL SERVICES WITHOUT RAISING LOCAL PROPERTY TAXES OR REDUCING REDUCING SERVICE LEVELS.

COUNTIES ARE NOW EXPECTED TO ABSORB A GREATER SHARE OF EXPENSES RELATED TO HUMAN SERVICES, PUBLIC SAFETY CORRECTIONS AND ADMINISTRATIVE FUNCTIONS THAT WERE PREVIOUSLY FUNDED IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY STATE AND FEDERAL SERVICES.

AS A RESULT, COUNTIES MUST TAKE A MORE STRATEGIC APPROACH TO MANAGING PERSONNEL COSTS, WHICH REPRESENT A SUBSTANTIAL PORTION OF COUNTY EXPENDITURES.

THE PROPOSED RESOLUTION IS TO AMEND THE HIRING PROCESS AND IS A NECESSARY AND PROACTIVE STEP TO ENSURE THE COMPANY REMAINS FINANCIALLY SUSTAINABLE.

BY REVIEWING AND ADJUSTING THE POSITION REVIEW PROCESS, THE COUNTY CAN ALIGN STAFFING DECISIONS WITH AVAILABLE FUNDING, OPERATIONAL PRIORITIES AND LONG TERM FINANCIAL PLANNING.

THIS SUPPORTS FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY BY ENSURING THAT STAFFING LEVELS AND CLASSIFICATIONS REFLECT CURRENT BUDGET CAPACITIES AND WORKLOAD NEEDS.

IT PROMOTES EFFICIENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY THROUGH BETTER WORKFORCE PLANNING, POSITION REVIEW, AND ALIGNMENT WITH MANDATED SERVICES.

IT ENCOURAGES FLEXIBLE STAFFING STRATEGIES SUCH AS CROSS-TRAINING, INTERNAL PROMOTIONS, AND TECHNOLOGY SUPPORTED EFFICIENCIES TO MITIGATE THE IMPACT OF FUNDING SHORTFALLS. IT ALSO MAINTAINS SERVICE QUALITY FOR RESIDENTS WHILE CONTROLLING PERSONNEL RELATED COSTS.

THIS RESOLUTION DEMONSTRATES THE COUNTY'S COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIBLE GOVERNANCE AND ADAPTABILITY IN THE FACE OF EXTERNAL FISCAL PRESSURE.

CURRENTLY, AN INFORMAL PROCESS HAS BEEN IN PLACE FOLLOWING THE VACANCY OF A POSITION OR THE CREATION OF A NEW POSITION.

THE NEW PROCESS WOULD REQUIRE DEPARTMENT HEADS TO COMPLETE THE POSITION REVIEW PROCESS FORM. FOLLOWING AN ANALYSIS OF THE CURRENT POSITION AND DEPARTMENT IMPACT.

A MEETING WOULD THEN BE SCHEDULED WITH A PERSONNEL COMMITTEE TO REVIEW THE DOCUMENTATION AND DETERMINE IF THE CREATION OR BACKFILLING OF A POSITION IS WARRANTED.

CRITERIA SUCH AS FUNDING SOURCES, THE RETURN ON INVESTMENT, OR THE VALUE ADD OF THE POSITION.

THE NUMBER OF USERS OF PROGRAMS, DEPARTMENT RESERVES, REVIEW OF PROGRAMS FOR POTENTIAL MODIFICATIONS AND MANDATED VERSUS NON-MANDATED SERVICES WILL BE CONSIDERED DURING THIS CONVERSATION. JUST TO LET YOU KNOW, THE DEPARTMENT HEADS ARE AWARE OF THIS CONVERSATION PREVIOUSLY, AS WELL AS THE INTENT TO PRESENT THIS TO THE BOARD FOR CONSIDERATION.

AND ALSO, WE'VE ALSO NOTIFIED THE UNIONS OF THIS IN CLASSIFICATION FROM INFORMAL TO FORMAL PROCESS THAT WOULD BE REQUESTED.

MADAM CHAIR, I AM REQUESTING THE BOARD CONSIDER THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A POSITION REVIEW PROCESS EFFECTIVE ON NOVEMBER 1ST OF 2025.

AND WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO READ IT INTO THE RECORD? SURE.

[00:30:12]

WHEREAS, THE COUNTY OF NICOLLET HAS BEEN AND WILL BE SUBJECT TO CHANGES IN FUNDING MANDATES AND COST RESPONSIBILITIES FROM STATE AND FEDERAL GOVERNMENTS THAT SHIFT COSTS ONTO THE COUNTY. AND WHEREAS SUCH COST SHIFTS INCLUDE INCREASED ADMINISTRATIVE BURDENS, HIGHER COST SHARES, REDUCED FEDERAL FUNDING, STATE FUNDING, NEW SERVICE OBLIGATIONS WITHOUT FUNDING, WHICH STRAIN THE COUNTY'S BUDGET IMPACT SERVICE DELIVERY AND MAY REQUIRE INCREASES IN LOCAL TAXES OR REDUCTION IN SERVICES. AND WHEREAS IT IS IN THE INTEREST OF THE COUNTY AND ITS RESIDENTS TO PROACTIVELY MONITOR SUCH COST SHIFTS AND MAKE INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT STAFFING, BUDGETING AND SERVICE CAPACITY IN RESPONSE.

AND WHEREAS, THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE AND BUDGET COMMITTEE HAVE MET ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND DISCUSSED VARIOUS COST SAVING MEASURES PERTAINING TO THE COUNTY'S PERSONNEL SYSTEM.

AND WHEREAS, IN AN EFFORT TO ENSURE PRUDENT USE OF TAXPAYER RESOURCES, THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE HAS RECOMMENDED THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A POSITION REVIEW PROCESS, AND WHEREAS THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE RECOGNIZES THAT THERE WILL BE SITUATIONS THAT REQUIRE THE FEELING OF A POSITION DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE WORK AND MANDATED SERVICES. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT EFFECTIVE NOVEMBER 1ST, 2025, THE NICOLLET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DOES HEREBY TAKE ACTION TO IMPLEMENT A FORMAL AND TRANSPARENT POSITION REVIEW PROCESS WHICH WILL APPLY TO ALL TYPES OF POSITIONS, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FULL TIME, PART TIME, TEMPORARY PAID INTERNSHIPS AND CONTRACT STAFF.

THE PROCESS WILL REMAIN IN EFFECT UNTIL ACTION IS TAKEN TO RESCIND BY THE BOARD.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT THE NICOLLET COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ALSO TAKES ACTION TO ASSIGN THE PROCESS TO THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE, BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED THAT DURING THIS TIME OF STATE AND FEDERAL COST SHIFTS, THE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS DOES HEREBY INSTRUCT ALL DEPARTMENT HEADS TO CLOSELY MONITOR EMPLOYEE OVERTIME HOURS AND TO LIMIT TO WHAT IS NECESSARY. THIS RESOLUTION IS DATED THE 20TH DAY OF OCTOBER 2025.

THANK YOU. IS THERE A MOTION TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION? SO MOVED. SECOND, THIS IS NOT THE FIRST TIME WE'VE DONE THIS PROCESS.

BACK IN 2010, 11 AND 12, WE HAD A SIMILAR PROCESS AS WE WENT THROUGH.

EQUALLY CHALLENGING TIMES. IT JUST FORMALIZES THE PROCESS.

CORRECT. I THINK IT WAS CALLED THE CRITICAL REVIEW AT THAT TIME, IF I'M NOT MISTAKEN.

CORRECT. AND I DON'T KNOW HOW MUCH MONEY WE SAVED DURING THOSE TIMES.

IF YOU HAVE ANY OF THAT HISTORY. MANDY SHOULD HAVE ASKED YOU BEFOREHAND, BUT THERE WOULD HAVE BEEN SOME SAVINGS.

CORRECT? WHEN I DID SOME RESEARCH ON IT, I WAS UNABLE TO FIND AN ACTUAL DOLLAR AMOUNT BASED ON THE RECORDS THAT WERE KEPT.

BUT WE DO ANTICIPATE SOME FORM OF COST SAVING SAVINGS.

AND MADAM CHAIR, I THINK AS WE LOOK AROUND TO OUR NEIGHBORING COUNTIES, ESPECIALLY THE BIGGER ONES, MANY OF THEM ARE STARTING TO FURLOUGH SOME FOLKS.

AND SO THIS DOESN'T INCLUDE THAT STEP AT THIS POINT, CORRECT? NO, BUT IT DOES GIVE US A CLOSER LOOK AT POSITION REQUESTS AND BACKFILLING AND SHIFTING PERHAPS JOBS AMONGST DEPARTMENTS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

IT GIVES US SOME FLEXIBILITY. CORRECT. AND I DID MENTION THAT THERE'S BEEN AN INFORMAL PROCESS IN PLACE ALREADY, AND THOSE CONVERSATIONS HAVE BEEN HAPPENING WITH DEPARTMENT HEADS. WHEN A VACANCY HAS COME UP OR WHEN THEY'RE LOOKING AT A NEW POSITION, THEY'RE ALWAYS LOOKING AT OPPORTUNITIES WHERE THEY CAN CROSS TRAIN OR THEIR EFFICIENCIES THAT COULD HAPPEN WITH SMALL CHANGES WITH IT.

SO THIS JUST REALLY FORMALIZES THAT PROCESS. ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? I SUPPOSE IT'S A RESOLUTION WE SHOULD BE CALLING THE ROLE.

YES. COMMISSIONER. YES. COMMISSIONER. YES. COMMISSIONER.

KOLARS. YES. COMMISSIONERS. MS. YES. COMMISSIONER.

DRANTTEL. YES. THANK YOU. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS THE DESIGNATION OF A HEARING OFFICER FOR POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS AND DANGEROUS DOG HEARINGS. DANGEROUS DOG AND DANGEROUS DOG ORDINANCE.

THANK YOU, MADAM CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.

BEFORE YOU TODAY IS A REQUEST THAT THE BOARD DESIGNATE, DOCTOR SHELLEY MILLER OF KIND VETERINARY CLINIC AS THE HEARING OFFICER. IN THE EVENT THAT THERE HAS BEEN NOTICE ISSUED BY THE NICOLLET COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE OF A POTENTIALLY DANGEROUS OR A DANGEROUS DOG UNDER OUR COUNTY ORDINANCE, IF THAT DESIGNATION IS MADE BY THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE.

THE OWNER OF THAT DOG HAS THE RIGHT TO REQUEST A HEARING, AND THE ORDINANCE THEN PROVIDES THAT A VETERINARIAN WOULD SERVE AS THAT HEARING OFFICER.

SO I'M ASKING FOR THE BOARD TO APPOINT DOCTOR SHELLEY TROUT MILLER.

HER RATE OF REIMBURSEMENT IS $100 PER HOUR. THE ANIMAL'S OWNER IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ACTUAL COSTS OF THE HEARING UP TO.

I BELIEVE IT'S $1,000. IF THE DESIGNATION THAT WAS ISSUED BY THE DEPUTY IS UPHELD.

[00:35:03]

ANY FURTHER CONVERSATION? IS THIS. IS THIS INCIDENT GENERATED OR IS THIS JUST IN PREPARATION FOR FUTURE.

THE SPECIFIC INCIDENT GENERATED. OH, IT'S JUST I WAS GOING TO ASK THE SAME THING.

I HEARD THAT THERE WAS SOMEBODY WHO WAS BITTEN BY A DOG NOT NOT THAT LONG AGO.

AND THE, THAT BROUGHT ABOUT THE NEED FOR A HEARING.

SO THIS DESIGNATION WILL CONTINUE FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE IN THE EVENT THAT THERE'S ANOTHER DESIGNATION.

THANK YOU. ANY ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS? HEARING AND SEEING? NONE. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. THANK YOU. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS THE COUNTY ATTORNEY UPDATE.

[County Attorney Update]

AS WE HEARD EARLIER, WITH RESPECT TO COMPUTER SCAMS AND COMPUTER TARGETING, THOSE THINGS ARE ON THE INCREASE, AS IS THE NUMBER OF DIFFERENT PHISHING EFFORTS AND PHONE CALLS THAT PEOPLE ARE RECEIVING.

AND SO WE WERE ABLE TO MEET WITH A NUMBER OF CASE MANAGERS FOR SENIORS TO TALK ABOUT THINGS THAT CAN BE PUT IN PLACE FOR LOOKING FOR VULNERABLE ADULT EXPLOITATION.

ACTUALLY IT WAS A PRETTY WIDE GEOGRAPHIC AREA OF CASE MANAGERS FROM A NUMBER OF COUNTIES THAT WE WERE ABLE TO TALK TO. AND SO CONTINUE TO SPREAD THE WORD TO TRY TO PREVENT CRIME BEFORE IT HAPPENS.

THANK YOU. NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS COMMISSIONER COMMITTEE REPORTS.

[Commissioner Committee Reports, Meetings & Conferences]

I ATTENDED ATTENDED THE TRAVERSE DES SIOUX LIBRARY BOARD MEETING FOR OUR CHAIR.

WHO WAS AWAY THAT DAY. AREA TRANSPORTATION BOARD THE ROAD TOUR WITH THE MAJORITY OF THE BOARD.

OUR AMC DISTRICT SEVEN MEETING IN RURAL JANESVILLE, ALMOST WASECA COUNTY.

AT THAT MEETING, WE LEARNED THAT THE AVERAGE LEVY OF OUR TEN NEIGHBORING COUNTIES IS 7%.

SO WE'RE ALL IN THAT SAME BOAT. DIVERSITY COUNCIL THE AMC ZOOM ON SNAP BENEFITS.

AND I'M SURE THAT WITH CASSIE HERE AND MANDY AND MARIE, SOME OF THE PRESENTERS GAVE A REVIEW OF HOW THE FEDERAL SHUTDOWN HAS CAUSED UNCERTAINTY AND WORRY AMONG SNAP RECIPIENTS AND EFFORTS AT THE STATE TO FIND SOLUTIONS AND STRATEGIES TO PROTECT THE VULNERABLE. THERE'S NO WORD FROM THE FEDS YET ON NOVEMBER SNAP BENEFITS, BUT IT DOESN'T SOUND GOOD. I UNDERSTAND THAT THE USDA COULD RELEASE MONEY IF THEY WANTED TO, BUT APPARENTLY THEY DON'T. SO NOW HERE IN MINNESOTA, GOVERNOR WALZ HAS RELEASED $4 MILLION MORE THAT WILL GO TO SOME 300 FOOD BANKS ACROSS THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. JUST TO INFORM, CARVER COUNTY HAS 4500 FAMILIES AFFECTED IN THEIR POPULATION OF 112,000 PEOPLE.

AND I THINK MEEKER COUNTY REPORTED 800 HOUSEHOLDS AFFECTED.

AND THEY'RE REACHING OUT TO COMMUNITY PARTNERS, INCLUDING SCHOOLS, CHURCHES, MEDICAL CENTERS TO ASSIST IN THIS NEED.

AS THE HUNGRY GET HUNGRIER, NO. ONE SEEING AN EARLY END TO THE SHUTDOWN AND I JOINED MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS AND CONCERN ON HOW THE STATE AND THE COUNTIES CAN PROVIDE AN EXTENDED TIMELINE TO OUR FAMILIES IN NEED.

HOWEVER, I'M ENCOURAGED TO KNOW THAT AT HHS, YOU FOLKS HAVE SET UP A FOOD FOOD BANK OF SORTS.

CASSIE. AND MAYBE YOU MIGHT WANT TO ELABORATE ON THAT IN A MOMENT.

COUNTY HEALTH MEETING YESTERDAY AND TODAY'S COUNTY BOARD.

THANK YOU. THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER. HELLGATE.

I ATTENDED THE PUBLIC WORKS TOUR LAST TUESDAY, WHICH WAS OUTSTANDING.

IT ALLOWED US TO RIDE ALONG INTO ALL PARTS OF OUR COUNTY AND JUST REALLY APPRECIATE THE TECHNOLOGY, THE INGENUITY. THE CONSERVATION EFFORTS AND THE COOPERATION OF OUR PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT WITH NATURE AND WITH SMALL COUNTIES AND OUR NEIGHBORS. JUST A HUGE SHOUT OUT TO THAT DEPARTMENT.

I HAD A COMMUNITY CORRECTIONS MEETING WITH THE COUNTY ATTORNEY AND LOCAL PRINCIPAL AND OTHERS TO DISCUSS SOME CONCERNS RELATED TO SOME INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE WHO ARE RELEASED FROM SEX OFFENDER CHARGES.

[00:40:08]

AND I REALLY APPRECIATE AGAIN, THE TIME THAT THE SHERIFF'S OFFICE CONTINUES TO EXTEND TO, TO ME AND TO ALL OF US WITH QUESTIONS.

AND THEN YESTERDAY I MET WITH INDIVIDUALS AT THE FOOD SHELF AGAIN TO DISCUSS THE GROWING NEED IN OUR COMMUNITY.

THEIR FOOD COSTS ARE UP 40% ALREADY THIS MONTH.

AND NEXT MONTH OBVIOUSLY LOOKS TO BE QUITE A BIT WORSE.

THEY ARE REALLY DESPERATE FOR VOLUNTEERS AND THAT DONATIONS.

AND I THINK WE WILL DISCUSS THAT FURTHER IN THE COMING WEEKS.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONERS. MS. I HAD A LIGHT SCHEDULE SINCE OUR LAST BOARD MEETING.

JUST HAD PLANNING AND ZONING MEETING AND ALSO DID THE ROAD TOUR WITH THE REST OF YOU.

THANK YOU. COMMISSIONER DEAN. I HAD AN MRI MEETING AT THEIR NEW FACILITY.

I ATTENDED THE REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT ALLIANCE'S STATE OF THE ECONOMY EVENT AT GUSTAVUS KEYNOTED BY FORMER STATE LEGISLATOR KURT SELLERS. AND THEN I ATTENDED THE 169 RECONSTRUCTION MEETING LAST NIGHT WITH TO SEE WHAT THEY'RE GOING TO DO FROM BROADWAY TO UNION STREET. THEY'RE GOING TO DO A LOT.

THEY'RE GOING TO DO A LOT. LEAVE IT AT THAT. LET'S HOPE IT DOESN'T RAIN.

I ATTENDED THE LIAISON COMMITTEE WITH THE CITY OF SAINT PETER AND COMMISSIONER HELLGATE.

I ALSO ATTENDED THE ROAD TOUR AND KUDOS TO OUR BUS DRIVER WHO KEPT THE BUS ON THE ROAD IN THAT WIND.

NICE TO SEE OUR PROJECTS. AND THEN TODAY'S EVENT.

NEXT ON OUR AGENDA IS APPROVAL OF FUTURE MEETINGS COMING UP.

MANDY, I'M SORRY. I'M GETTING AHEAD OF MYSELF. I THINK WE'RE CLEAR.

DO WANT TO MENTION THAT NOVEMBER 4TH, NEXT TUESDAY WILL BE THE FIRST HUMAN SERVICES AND COMMUNITY HEALTH BOARD WORKSHOP.

THAT WILL BE AT 1030 IN THE RIVER ROOMS IN THE HHS BASEMENT AS WELL AS ON NOVEMBER 10TH.

THAT IS A MONDAY. TYPICALLY THE BOARD MEETS ON TUESDAYS BECAUSE OF VETERANS DAY.

THE MEETING WAS MOVED UP TO MONDAY. OKAY. THANK YOU.

[Approve Per Diems and Expenses]

WE HAVE A MOTION. IS THERE A SECOND? ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. WE CAN AGENDA, MADAM CHAIR. JUST QUICKLY, BEFORE WE ADJOURN.

I'D JUST LIKE TO EXPRESS OUR CONDOLENCES TO LONG TIME EMPLOYEE KEVIN AND MICHELLE STOLPE FOR HIS RECENT PASSING.

THANK YOU. AND WITH THAT. ALL RIGHT WE'LL ADJOURN.

[Adjourn Board of Commissioners Meeting]

[Call Drainage Authority Meeting to Order: Chair]

SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. NEXT IS THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH MERELY HAS THE MINUTES OF OCTOBER 14TH.

MOVED TO APPROVE. THANK YOU. IS THERE A SECOND? SECONDED. ALL THOSE IN FAVOR? AYE. ANY PUBLIC APPEARANCES FOR DRAINAGE? HEARING AND SEEING? NONE. WE WILL ADJOURN THE DRAINAGE AUTHORITY MEETING.

* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.