[Call Board of Commissioners Meeting to Order]
[00:00:10]
THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC FOR WHICH IT STANDS ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL.
[Approval of Agenda]
YOUR CELL PHONE. FOR THE NEXT SEGMENT, WE'LL SEE THE AGENDA AND ANY CORRECTIONS ARE.ASKED TO. ADD AN ITEM TO THE AGENDA.
I'LL SECOND IT, MR. CHAIR, BEFORE I INTRODUCE.
AND BEFORE THE IDEA IS SHARED WITH THIS COUNTY BOARD.
I'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH MY FELLOW COMMISSIONERS THAT IN MY 30 YEARS OF SERVICE ON THIS COUNTY BOARD. I'VE NOT EXPERIENCED WHAT WE'VE EXPERIENCED IN THE PAST YEAR, FROM SNAP BENEFITS BEING CUT TO ICE AND BORDER PATROL AGENTS BEING PLACED INTO OUR STATE. WHEN. I CAN'T REMEMBER A TIME IN THESE PAST 30 YEARS OF THERE BEING AN IMMIGRANT CRIME WAVE CAUSING PROBLEMS TO PUBLIC SAFETY IN OUR COUNTY.
IT WAS MY INTENTION. MISTER CHAIR MEMBERS.
TO INTRODUCE AN IDEA SEEKING WAYS THAT THIS COUNTY BOARD COULD HOPE TO BETTER REPRESENT VULNERABLE CITIZENS FROM THIS SURGE OF FEDERAL GOVERNMENT APPOINTED ICE AND BORDER PATROL AGENTS WHO HAVE COME TO OUR COUNTY IN RECENT DAYS, TAKING PEOPLE AWAY FROM LATINO RESTAURANTS, OUT OF THEIR BUSINESSES, KNOCKING ON DOORS OF LATINO FAMILIES AND COUNTY MOBILE HOME PARKS, AND FOLLOWING SCHOOL BUSSES WITH HISPANIC CHILDREN TO THEIR HOMES.
IT WAS MY INTENTION TODAY, MR. CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS, TO HAVE THIS BOARD CONSIDER ALLOCATING RESOURCES TO OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO HOPE TO PROVIDE ADDED PROTECTION FOR THOSE VULNERABLE AND FRIGHTENED RESIDENTS TO GIVE THEM COMFORT AND HOPE DURING THIS SURGE BY THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ONTO OUR COUNTY AND CITY STREETS.
IT IS MY HOPE, FELLOW BOARD MEMBERS TODAY THAT WE COULD FIND SOME COMMON GROUND TO PROVIDE SERVICES FOR OUR FRIENDS AND NEIGHBORS WHO ARE APPARENTLY BEING TARGETED BY FEDERAL GOVERNMENT AGENTS IN A MANNER WHICH HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN IN THIS COUNTY.
BUT ALAS, AND MAYBE FORTUNATELY SO I'VE BEEN ADVISED BY PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY WHO I RESPECT. I REALIZE THAT INTRODUCING SUCH AN IDEA OF HOPE MIGHT ACTUALLY PUT A TARGET ON OUR COUNTY AS A WHOLE.
AND I'M GOOD AND FAITHFUL COUNTY EMPLOYEES WHO ARE DOING THEIR BEST TO HELP OUR RESIDENTS. SO AT THIS POINT, MR. CHAIR AND BOARD MEMBERS, I'D LIKE TO ANNOUNCE THAT I WILL NOT INTRODUCE THIS PROPOSED IDEA, WHICH HAS BEEN ON MY MIND SINCE THIS TOPIC WAS ADDRESSED AT OUR JANUARY 20TH WORKSHOP, WHERE WE HAD MOSTLY FULL DISCUSSION ON IT.
HAVING SAID THAT, I WOULD INVITE FURTHER DISCUSSION AT THE COUNTY LEVEL TO HELP US FIND SOME COMMON GROUND ON WHERE WE GO FROM HERE.
FIND A WAY TO CONVINCE THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT TO END ITS 3000 PERSON INSURGENCY FORCE WHO TAKE RESIDENTS WHO HAVE BEEN LIVING PEACEFULLY HERE IN OUR COUNTY, WHO PUT SHINGLES ON OUR HOMES, WHO WORK IN FARMING OPERATIONS,
[00:05:04]
WHO PREPARE MEALS, WHO DO JANITORIAL SERVICES, WHO RAISE THEIR FAMILIES AND GO TO CHURCHES IN OUR COUNTY AND WHO HAVEN'T BEEN A PUBLIC SAFETY THREAT. HOW CAN WE COME TOGETHER TO FIND THAT WAY? SO I'M ASKING, CAN WE FIND A COMMON PURPOSE? DO WE MAKE A STATEMENT WHICH DISAGREES WITH THE ICE BORDER PATROL KILLINGS OF TWO MINNEAPOLIS RESIDENTS DURING THESE COLD, DARK DAYS OF JANUARY 2026? MISTER CHAIR MEMBERS, I WOULD INVITE INPUT TO HELP FIND THAT COMMON GROUND, THAT COMMON POSITION, THAT LIFE OF CALM AND PEACE WHICH HAS BEEN RUDELY INTERRUPTED THIS MONTH IN OUR CITIES AND OUR COUNTIES AND IN THE STATE OF MINNESOTA. IF OTHER FOLKS HERE WANT TO ADD THE IDEA THAT I HAD SHARED YESTERDAY WITH THE ADMINISTRATION, THAT'S UP TO YOU. BUT I WOULD WITHDRAW MY MOTION TO ADD TO THE AGENDA TODAY, MR. CHAIR. THANK YOU FOR YOUR TIME.SO WITH THAT IN MIND, I ASK FOR A MOTION TO APPROVE THE AGENDA AS PRESENTED. SO MOVED. SECOND.
SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE, AYE.
ALL RIGHT. NEXT ITEM IS APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA.
[Approval of Consent Agenda]
IS THERE ANY ADDITIONAL ITEMS? MR. CHAIR, THERE ARE NO CHANGES TO THE CONSENT AGENDA ITEM.OKAY. ANYONE WANT TO PULL ANYTHING OFF THE CONSENT AGENDA? IF NOT, DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? SO MOVED. SECOND. SECOND.
MOTION SECOND. ALL IN FAVOR OF THE CONSENT AGENDA AS PRESENTED.
OKAY. NEXT ITEM IS PUBLIC APPEARANCES.
ANYONE FROM THE PUBLIC THAT WOULD LIKE TO APPEAR TODAY BEFORE THE BOARD? I SEE NONE, SO WE'LL MOVE ON TO FINANCE.
[Finance]
HEATHER. GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.THIS MORNING MY ITEM IS TO CONSIDER RESOLUTION TO APPROVE THE QUARTER FOR 2025 DONATIONS. YOU WILL SEE FOR QUARTER FOUR THE DONATIONS RECEIVED.
FIRST ITEM IS THE NORTH MANKATO AMERICAN LEGION NUMBER 518, AUXILIARY FOR $200 FOR OUR VAN PROGRAM.
THE SECOND ITEM WE HAVE VARIOUS DONATIONS OF $720 FOR THE VAN PROGRAM.
AND THEN WE ALSO HAD A COUPLE OTHER FOR OUR VAN PROGRAM, WE OUR VETERAN SERVICES, WE HAD MANKATO ELKS LODGE DONATE $1,000 WORTH OF GIFT CARDS TO KWIK TRIP.
AND WE ALSO HAD SOUTH CENTRAL BEYOND THE YELLOW RIBBON.
ALSO DONATE GIFT CARDS FOR KWIK TRIP AND HY-VEE FOR THE VETERANS PROGRAM.
AND THEN IN ANOTHER SECTION WE HAVE IS THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT.
WE HAVE THE AUTO RESTORERS CLUB DONATE A TOTAL OF $1,000, 400 OF THAT FOR SHERIFF POSSE AND 600 FOR THE K-9 DEPARTMENT.
WE ALSO HAD THE REDMOND CLUB DONATE $10,000, OF WHICH $576 GOING TOWARDS BALLISTIC PLATE HARNESS AND $2,306 FOR SMALL DRONE INTERIORS.
AND THEN THE LAST ITEM FROM REDMOND CLUB WAS $7,118 FOR THE K-9 DEPARTMENT KENNEL AND SUPPLIES. AND THEN THE LAST ITEM FOR DONATIONS THIS QUARTER WAS VARIOUS DONATIONS FOR OUR PUBLIC HEALTH LOAN CLOSET OF $483.
THE TOTAL FOR QUARTER FOUR 2025 WAS $15,403.
AND I'M LOOKING FOR APPROVAL BY RESOLUTION.
WE WANT TO THANK ALL OF OUR DONORS. WE APPRECIATE THE THEIR HELP ON PROVIDING THOSE SERVICES FOR OUR RESIDENTS.
AND SO THIS IS AS A RESOLUTION WE NEED TO CALL ROLL, PLEASE. COMMISSIONER. KOLARS.
YES. COMMISSIONER. DRANTTEL. YES.
COMMISSIONER. DEHEN. YES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT. NEXT ITEM IS THE PUBLIC WORKS.
[Public Works]
CONSIDER RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR DISSOLUTION OF TRUNK HIGHWAY 169 COALITION.[00:10:03]
MORNING, MR. CHAIR, MEMBERS OF THE BOARD AND STAFF, I'M HERE TO TALK ABOUT THE RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT FOR THE DISSOLUTION OF THE TRUNK HIGHWAY 169 COALITION.WE DISCUSSED THIS TOPIC AT OUR LAST BOARD WORKSHOP.
AND SO A LITTLE BACKGROUND ON THIS ITEM.
IN DECEMBER, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL FROM THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OF THE TRUNK HIGHWAY 169 CORRIDOR COALITION. AND BASICALLY IT WAS RECOMMENDING TO THE MEMBERSHIP THAT THE MAJOR PRIORITIES FOR WHICH THE COALITION WAS FORMED HAD BEEN COMPLETED, AND THEY WERE RECOMMENDING DISSOLUTION OF THE COALITION.
I INCLUDED IN THE BOARD PACKET THAT INFORMATION THAT WAS PROVIDED IN DECEMBER ABOUT THE COALITION. I ALSO INCLUDED THE EXECUTED JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT THAT ESTABLISHED THE COALITION IN 2011.
AND THEN I'VE ALSO DRAFTED A NICOLLET COUNTY RESOLUTION OF SUPPORT OF THAT DISSOLUTION OF THE 169 COALITION. AND SO I WAS HERE WHEN THE, WHEN DISCUSSIONS BEGAN WITH THE FORMATION OF THE TRUNK HIGHWAY 169 CORRIDOR COALITION.
THE IMPETUS FOR PUTTING THE CORRIDOR COALITION WAS TO INCREASE MOBILITY THROUGH THE CORRIDOR AT THAT TIME, IF EVERYBODY REMEMBERS A BIG DRIVER OF THE COALITION WAS THE EXTREME BOTTLENECKS THAT WE WERE SEEING AT THE 494 AND TRUNK HIGHWAY 169 INTERSECTION IN THE TWIN CITIES.
MAJOR GRIDLOCK THERE. A VAST MAJORITY OF THIS REGION'S RESOURCES AND PEOPLE TRAVEL THROUGH THAT AREA. AND SO MAKING IMPROVEMENTS TO THAT INTERCHANGE WAS WAS HIGHLY IMPORTANT.
ALONG WITH WE HAD BOTTLENECKS WITH STOPLIGHTS IN JORDAN NEAR CHASKA.
AND SO OVER THIS TIME, THE COALITION HAS ADVOCATED AND RECEIVED AND HELPED RECEIVE FUNDING FOR VARIOUS COMMUNITIES ALONG THE 169 CORRIDOR.
AND THOSE MAJOR PRIORITIES HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.
SO FOR THE COALITION'S ADOPTED BYLAWS, THE COALITION CAN BE DISSOLVED WHEN TWO THIRDS OF THE VOTING MEMBERSHIP AGREE BY WRITTEN AGREEMENT TO DISSOLVE THE COALITION, AND THEN ALL THE OBLIGATIONS OF THE BOARD HAVE BEEN PAID OR OTHERWISE DISCHARGED IN FULL. AND SO IF THE IF THEY RECEIVE TWO THIRDS OF THE VOTING MEMBERSHIP AGREEING TO THIS BASED ON HOW MUCH OUR DUES HAVE BEEN IN THE PAST ANY REIMBURSEMENT OF FUNDS THE COALITION HAS WOULD BE PRORATED BASED UPON THAT.
SO I'D BE MORE THAN HAPPY TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS ON THIS ITEM, BUT I'M HERE RECOMMENDING THAT THE COUNTY BOARD APPROVE THE ATTACHED RESOLUTION SUPPORTING DISSOLUTION OF THE TRUNK HIGHWAY 169 CORRIDOR COALITION.
MR. CHAIR, I'D LIKE TO MAKE THAT MOTION.
I HAVE A COMMENT AFTER DISCUSSION.
SECONDED THE MOTION A SECOND, MR. KOLARS. THANK YOU. THIS BOARD HAS BEEN FAVORABLE TOWARD IMPROVING HIGHWAY CONSTRUCTIONS ACROSS OUR COUNTY AND ACROSS SOUTHERN MINNESOTA FOR MANY, MANY YEARS. MARK. DEHEN AND I HAVE BEEN ON THE HIGHWAY 14 COALITION, WHICH FINALLY GOT THE END OF THE NICOLLET TO NEW ULM HERE A FEW YEARS AGO, AND IT'S GONE BACK LIKE 50 YEARS.
WE YOU HAD MENTIONED AT OUR LAST WORKSHOP, MR. CHAIR, REGARDING THE FUTURE.
AND, AND I KNOW YOU HAD ASKED SETH AT THAT TIME, DOES THIS WORK OF THE, OF THE CORRIDOR COALITION COVERED THAT WORK THAT WE'VE BEEN HOPING TO FUND? AND I DON'T KNOW IF THAT'S MY QUESTION OR IF IT'S A GENERAL QUESTION, IF YOU'LL ALLOW ME, MR. CHAIR. SURE.
YES, THOSE PROJECTS ARE IN MNDOT'S EXTENDED PLAN AND WILL BE CONSTRUCTED HERE IN THE FUTURE. THOSE IMPROVEMENTS WILL BE MADE THROUGH MANKATO.
SO THEN, IF I MAY, IN YOUR ESTIMATION, YOU'RE SATISFIED WITH THE WORK OF THIS COALITION AND THAT IT'S OKAY FOR US TO JOIN THE DISSOLUTION? YES. THE MAJOR CORRIDOR PROJECTS IDENTIFIED THROUGHOUT THE CORRIDOR HAVE BEEN COMPLETED,
[00:15:01]
OR THEY'RE SLATED FOR FUTURE FUTURE WORK.AND REALLY WHAT WE'RE GETTING DOWN TO NOW IS THERE WILL BE, YOU KNOW, FUTURE NEEDED IMPROVEMENTS ALONG THE CORRIDOR, BUT THEY BECOME MORE COMMUNITY SPECIFIC IMPROVEMENTS THAT THOSE COMMUNITIES WILL, WILL ADVOCATE FOR AS THEY THEY SEE FIT.
AND MR. CHAIRMAN, MAYBE, HOPEFULLY THIS BOARD AND FUTURE NICOLLET COUNTY BOARDS WILL BE WILLING TO JOIN IN THOSE TYPES OF COALITIONS THAT WE'VE BEEN PART OF FOR SO MANY YEARS TO ADVOCATE FOR THE BLOODSTREAM OF MINNESOTA, WHICH IS GOOD TRANSPORTATION.
EXACTLY RIGHT. OTHER COMMENTS I WOULD JUST SHARE.
I AGREE WITH COMMISSIONER KOLARS.
THIS HAS BEEN A A USEFUL CO COLLABORATION FOR THE LAST FEW DECADES, MUCH LIKE HIGHWAY 14 WAS.
BUT WE HAVE NOW REACHED THE END OF THOSE REQUIRED PROJECTS.
MOST OF THOSE ARE EITHER ARE SCHEDULED FOR THE SHORT TERM FUTURE TO BE COMPLETED.
AND I THINK IT'S TIME THAT THE COALITION CAN GO AHEAD AND BE DISSOLVED.
SO DO WE NEED TO READ THE RESOLUTION OR ARE WE COMFORTABLE JUST APPROVING IT? I BELIEVE SETH PROVIDED A SUMMARY OF THE RESOLUTION.
READ IT IN. BUT HOWEVER, IF THE BOARD WOULD LIKE IT.
ALL RIGHT. SO A MOTION AND A SECOND TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION.
ANDY, WILL YOU PLEASE CALL THE ROLL? COMMISSIONER. KOLARS. YES.
COMMISSIONER. HELGET. YES. COMMISSIONER. ZINS. YES.
ALL RIGHT. ALL RIGHT. NEXT ITEM IS PROPERTY SERVICES.
[Property Services]
FIRST ITEM IS TO SET A PUBLIC HEARING FOR ZONING ORDINANCE REVISIONS.GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
SO AS YOU KNOW, THE PROPERTY SERVICES DEPARTMENT IS CURRENTLY WE HAVE BEEN DRAFTING REVISIONS TO THE ZONING ORDINANCE SPECIFICALLY FOR THE SECTIONS OF OUR COUNTY FLOODPLAIN ORDINANCE, AS WELL AS OUR COUNTY SEPTIC ORDINANCE.
AND THEN YOU'VE HAD A CHANCE TO TAKE A LOOK AT THOSE AT THE PREVIOUS BOARD WORKSHOP.
SO REALLY, THE NEXT STEP FOR THAT PROCESS IS TO BE ABLE TO HAVE THOSE WILL BE THOSE WILL BE GOING TO THE COUNTY PLANNING COMMISSION FOR THEIR RECOMMENDATION.
AND THEN SUBSEQUENTLY THE STEP AFTER THAT IS FOR THEM TO HAVE A PUBLIC HEARING WITH THE COUNTY BOARD. SO TODAY WE ARE REQUESTING THAT YOU CONSIDER FEBRUARY 24TH AT 10 A.M.
AS A PUBLIC HEARING TIME SLOT FOR THE PUBLIC HEARING FOR OUR OUR ZONING ORDINANCE REVISIONS. DO I HAVE A MOTION? SO MOVED. SECOND. SECONDED.
OKAY. MOTION SECOND. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? WE DID HAVE AN OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THIS WHEN WE HAD OUR BOARD WORKSHOP.
WELL, THIS IS ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
AYE AYE. OKAY. MOTION CARRIES.
ALL RIGHT. AND THEN THE NEXT ITEM.
THANK YOU. THAT'S THAT'S ALL WE NEED. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH. NOW, WE HAVE CONSIDERED THE MINNESOTA RIVER MANKATO WATERSHED COMPREHENSIVE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN AND RESOLUTION.
GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIR, AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
I'M HERE ON BEHALF OF THE MINNESOTA RIVER MANKATO WATERSHED PLAN COMMITTEES.
YOU HAD A CHANCE TO LISTEN TO.
I THINK YOU WERE ALL THERE LAST WEEK TO LISTEN TO BLAKE KIND OF GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON WHERE THEY'RE AT. AND THEN THE NEXT STEP RIGHT NOW IS TO APPROVE THE RESOLUTION.
SO I'LL GIVE YOU A LITTLE BACKGROUND THAT HE GAVE ME.
NICOLLET COUNTY TOOK PART IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE MINNESOTA RIVER MANKATO COMPREHENSIVE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN THROUGH A PLANNING MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT AND BY PARTICIPATING ON THE POLICY COMMITTEE RESPONSIBLE FOR OVERSIGHT OF THE PLANNING PROCESS.
THE MINNESOTA RIVER MANKATO WATERSHED PLANNING PARTNERSHIP WAS FORMED IN 2024 TO DEVELOP, ADOPT AND CARRY OUT THE COMPREHENSIVE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN.
PARTNERS IN THE EFFORT INCLUDED THE COUNTIES AND THE COUNTIES AND SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION DISTRICTS OF BLUE EARTH, LE SUEUR AND NICOLLET, ALONG WITH THE CITIES OF LAKE CRYSTAL, MANKATO, NORTH MANKATO AND SAINT PETER.
HOUSTON ENGINEERING WAS ENGAGED TO SERVE AS THE CONSULTANT LEADING PREPARATION OF THE PLAN. THE FINAL LOCAL ACTION IN THE PLANNING PROCESS REQUIRES EACH PARTICIPATING GOVERNING BODY TO PASS THE RESOLUTION, SUBMITTING THE PLAN TO THE BOARD OF WATER AND SOIL RESOURCES FOR REVIEW AND ADOPTING THE PLAN CONTINGENT UPON BOWSER APPROVAL.
AFTER LOCAL ADOPTION, THE BOWSER SOUTHERN REGIONAL COMMITTEE WILL REVIEW THE PLAN IN EARLY 2026 AND WILL RECOMMEND THE PLAN FOR FINAL CONSIDERATION BY
[00:20:02]
THE STATE BOWSER BOARD UPON BOWSER APPROVAL.A JOINT POWERS COLLABORATIVE WILL BE ESTABLISHED TO IMPLEMENT THE PLAN.
SO TODAY WE'RE ASKING APPROVAL OF THE RESOLUTION TO SUBMIT, ADOPT AND IMPLEMENT THE MINNESOTA RIVER MANKATO COMPREHENSIVE WATERSHED MANAGEMENT PLAN. DO I HAVE A MOTION? I SO MOVED. SECOND, SECOND DISCUSSION.
MR. COMMISSIONER DRANTTEL HAS BEEN A PART OF THIS.
ARE YOU SATISFIED WITH THE DIRECTION? I AM A LOT OF BACKGROUND WORK WENT INTO IT BEFORE IT GOT TO THE POLICY COMMITTEE.
THIS IS A FAIRLY UNIQUE WATERSHED DISTRICT FOR THESE ONE WATER ONE PLANS BECAUSE IT INVOLVES THREE COUNTIES, THREE CITIES, THREE WATER OR THREE SOIL AND WATER. IT, IT IS A PLAN.
IT'S NOT A, IT'S A ROADMAP, BUT IT'S NOT A CHISELED IN STONE PLAN.
AS WE START GOING ALONG SIMILAR TO OTHER ONE WATER ONE PLANS, IT'LL MORPH AND CHANGE.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT, SO WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
PLEASE CALL THE ROLL. COMMISSIONER.
DEHEN. YES. THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
THANK YOU FOR ALL THE WORK ON THIS. ALL RIGHT.
WITH THAT, WE WILL MOVE TO ADMINISTRATION.
[Administration]
CONSIDER THE AIA DOCUMENT B132212019 WITH BETTER JOHNSON ARCHITECTS.GOOD MORNING, MR. CHAIR AND MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. I HAVE ONE ITEM FOR YOUR CONSIDERATION BEGINNING ON PAGE 100 OF YOUR BOARD PACKET.
IT STATED THE AIA DOCUMENT FOR B 132 DASH 2019 WITH BETTER JOHNSON ARCHITECTS.
THIS IS A STANDARD AGREEMENT FOR ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES AND HAS BEEN USED PREVIOUSLY IN OTHER COUNTY CONSTRUCTION REMODELING PROJECTS.
THIS AGREEMENT IS FOR THE SERVICES OF JOHNSON ARCHITECTS FOR THE PROPOSED ROOF REPLACEMENT OF THE GOVERNMENT CENTER.
THIS PROJECT IS INCLUDED IN THE APPROVED 2026 TO 2030 CAPITAL IMPROVEMENT PLAN.
THE PROJECT IS ESTIMATED AT $500,000 BASED ON 2025 PROJECT NUMBERS, AND IS PROPOSED TO BE PAID OUT OF COUNTY RESERVES TO COVER THE COST OF THE ARCHITECTURAL SERVICES, AS WELL AS THE REPLACEMENT IF THE BOARD DETERMINES TO MOVE FORWARD WITH THE PROJECT FOLLOWING THE DESIGN AND BIDDING PHASE.
AS NOTED IN THE AGREEMENT. INTEGRITY GROUP, INC. WILL BE THE CONSTRUCTION MANAGER.
CONSTRUCTION IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN IN THE SPRING AND SUMMER OF 2026 AND LAST APPROXIMATELY A MONTH, PROVIDED WEATHER CONDITIONS ALLOW IT TO.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND AGREEMENTS WILL BE BROUGHT FORWARD FOR THE BOARD'S CONSIDERATION FOLLOWING THE BIDDING OF THE PROJECT.
THE BIDDING WILL BE RELEASED BASED ON A BALLASTED ROOF REPLACEMENT.
THIS SPECIFIC PROJECT HAS BEEN DISCUSSED AT THE RECENT BOARD WORKSHOP LAST WEEK, AS WELL AS IN AUGUST OF 2025 AND SEPTEMBER OF 2025.
BOARD WORKSHOPS. THE COST OF THE ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES IS 9.755% OF THE ESTIMATE, BASED ON THE ESTIMATE OF $500,000, OR APPROXIMATELY $48,000.
MR. CHAIR, I AM REQUESTING APPROVAL OF THE AIA DOCUMENT B 132 DASH 2019 BETWEEN NICOLLET COUNTY AND JOHNSON ARCHITECTS INCORPORATED AND AUTHORIZED THE BOARD CHAIR TO SIGN THE AIA AGREEMENT VIA DOCUSIGN, AND I'M AVAILABLE TO ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS YOU MAY HAVE. ANY QUESTIONS? THIS IS A PROJECT THAT WE'VE TALKED ABOUT BEFORE.
SO DO I HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE? I'LL MOVE IT. MR. CHAIR, A SECOND.
I'LL SECOND IT. ANY FURTHER DISCUSSION? IF NOT, ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE.
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. ALL RIGHT.
AND WITH THAT, WE WILL MOVE ON TO THE COUNTY ATTORNEY UPDATE.
[County Attorney Update]
THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD. SINCE WE LAST MET.I HAVE HAD SEVERAL EXTRA MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH MICAH.
IS THAT BETTER? THAT'S BETTER. OKAY. THERE WE GO. SINCE WE LAST MET, I'VE HAD LOTS OF EXTRA MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS WITH STAFF AND OTHERS REGARDING THE VERY UNIQUE ISSUES FACING THE COUNTY AND ITS EMPLOYEES.
SO HAVE SPENT A CONSIDERABLE AMOUNT OF TIME ON THOSE TOPICS.
IN ADDITION TO THAT, I'VE BEEN PLANNING A CONFERENCE FOR EDUCATION SUCCESS THAT MEMBERS OF THE BOARD ARE INVITED TO ATTEND AND COMMISSIONER HELGET WILL BE SPEAKING AT.
THAT'S SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 4TH.
ABACUS DAVIS. WE'LL BE FOCUSING ON TOPICS SUCH AS CYBER USE OF MEDIA AND CYBER STALKING OF OUR STUDENTS.
COMMISSIONER HELGET WE'LL BE TALKING ABOUT CURRICULUM ABOUT HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS AS WELL AS TALKING ABOUT TRAFFICKING OF OUR STUDENTS.
THAT CAN OCCUR WITHIN THE RURAL COMMUNITIES.
SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED IN ATTENDING, PLEASE LET ME KNOW AND I'LL MAKE SURE THAT
[00:25:02]
YOU GET THE REGISTRATION INFORMATION.AND THEN IN A LITTLE UNDER TWO WEEKS, WE'LL BE EXPERIENCING THE POLAR PLUNGE.
SO THANK YOU ALL. ANSWER ANY QUESTIONS.
QUESTIONS FOR THE GOOD THING THE POLAR PLUNGE WAS ON SATURDAY.
EXACTLY. ALL RIGHT, THEN WE HAVE COMMISSIONER REPORTS.
[Commissioner Committee Reports, Meetings & Conferences]
MR. ZINS. WHY DON'T YOU START? SINCE WE LAST MET FOR THIS BOARD MEETING.I'VE HAD A JUST A BOARD WORKSHOP WITH THE REST OF YOU.
COMMISSIONERS, AS WELL AS THE PERSONNEL COMMITTEE MEETING. THANK YOU.
I'VE HAD A COUPLE HR MEETINGS ONE WATER, ONE PLAN MEETING TRAVERSE DES SIOUX LIBRARY SYSTEM, OUR LEGISLATIVE MEETING WITH OUR OTHER ELECTED OFFICIALS, WHICH IS ALWAYS VERY BENEFICIAL CONTACTS THAT GO ON THROUGH THE YEAR.
I DID THE AMC WEBINAR THE SAME DAY AS OUR BOARD WORKSHOP AND OUR DEPARTMENT HEAD.
HELGET. I HAD THE MVAC CHILD DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING.
I HAD THE WORKSHOP WITH YOU ALL AND I HAD THE LEGISLATIVE UPDATE.
I HAVE SPENT A LOT OF TIME IN COMMUNITY THE LAST THREE WEEKS WITH SOME OF OUR MOST VULNERABLE CITIZENS. I WANT TO THANK COMMISSIONER KOLARS FOR HIS WORDS TODAY.
I DISAGREE THAT SILENCE IS SAFETY.
THIS ISN'T HIDE AND SEEK, AND IT MAY KEEP THESE AGENTS FROM HARASSING US. BUT OUR SILENCE, TO MY UNDERSTANDING, FROM COMMUNITY FEELS LIKE COMPLICITY BECAUSE IT DOESN'T PROTECT THEM.
I HAVE SPENT INTIMATE TIME WITH SOME OF THESE FAMILIES, AND THEIR HARASSMENT BY AGENTS IS EXTRAORDINARY.
WE HAVE SCHOOL BUSSES FOLLOWING.
WE HAVE AGENTS FOLLOWING SCHOOL BUSSES.
ROUTINELY. WE HAVE AGENTS KNOCKING ON DOORS WITHOUT WARRANTS WITHOUT ANSWERING QUESTIONS.
WE HAVE CHILDREN HIDING UNDER BEDS.
ALMOST ALL OF THE CHILDREN ARE AMERICAN CITIZENS.
WE ENJOY MANY OF THE PRIVILEGES AND PROTECTIONS OF BEING WHITE PEOPLE IN THIS COUNTY. SOME OF US HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF WEALTH.
SOME OF US HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF OWNING A GUN WEARING BULLETPROOF VESTS.
AND WE CAN'T EXIST IN THESE ROLES FOR OUR OWN SELF-PRESERVATION.
I'VE BEEN HEARING THAT, AND I'M LISTENING. I PROMISE YOU, I AM LISTENING TO THE SAFETY CONCERNS FROM FROM SOME OF YOU.
AND AGAIN, I JUST WANT TO SAY THAT WE CHOOSE THESE ROLES TO REPRESENT AND PROTECT AND SERVE CITIZENS. WE'RE NOT HERE FOR THE JOB.
I JUST ENCOURAGE EVERYBODY TO THINK ABOUT THEIR, THEIR LEVEL OF SELF PRESERVATION AND MAYBE SIT IN SOME QUIET TIME TODAY AND ASK THEMSELVES IF PUBLIC SERVICE REALLY IS THE JOB FOR YOU.
AND IT'S OKAY TO SAY THAT IT'S NOT.
IT IS SCARY. I'M SCARED, BUT I'M NOT MORE SCARED THAN THE WORKER BEING FOLLOWED HOME FROM WORK.
I'M NOT MORE SCARED THAN THAT KID HIDING UNDER THE BED.
COMMISSIONER KOLARS. THANK YOU.
COMMISSIONERS. IF YOU HADN'T SEEN IT.
OUR FELLOW COMMISSIONER HAS BEEN FEATURED IN MINNESOTA COUNTIES.
COMMISSIONER HELGET FIRST YEAR COMMISSIONER TALKING ABOUT HIGH ACUITY MENTAL HEALTH SERVICES. SO CONGRATULATIONS FOR BEING PUBLISHED AGAIN.
AREA TRANSPORTATION PARTNERSHIP WITH SETH GREENWOOD AND OTHERS IN OUR AREA.
LEGISLATIVE MEETING WITH YOU FOLKS, OUR WORKSHOP THAT WE ADDRESSED EARLIER TODAY WITH THE TOPIC OF I GUESS THE TOPIC WAS CIVIL UNREST, BUT WE TALKED ABOUT PUBLIC SAFETY.
MARK AND I ATTENDED THE TRANSIT MEETING, THE TRUE TRANSIT ADVISORY.
AND MARK, I KNOW THAT YOU MAY WANT TO REPORT MORE ON THIS, BUT THERE WERE 700 FEWER RIDES IN 2025 BECAUSE OF A LACK OF BUSSES.
THE 2026 BUDGET IS SET, BUT THEY NEED MAY NEED TO INCREASE THEIR FEES AND MARK. YOU CAN TAKE IT FROM THERE AS YOU'RE MORE INVOLVED IN THAT COMMITTEE.
[00:30:04]
THANK YOU. THANK YOU. SO PART OF THE REASON THAT WITH REGARD TO THE,[Chair’s Report]
THE TRUE TRANSIT ISSUE WE ARE SEEING SOME CUTBACKS IN FEDERAL FUNDING.SO WE ARE TRYING TO PREPARE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN MANAGE THE BUDGET AND MAKE THE, THE TRANSIT SYSTEM FAIR AND EQUITABLE TO THOSE THAT ARE USING IT.
THEY HAVE HAD A11 FEE FOR SERVICE FOR SEVERAL YEARS.
BUT IT SEEMS UNFAIR TO THE LOCAL RESIDENT TO PAY THE SAME FEE THAT SOMEONE FROM 30, 40 MILES AWAY IS PAYING.
SO THEY'RE TRYING TO COME UP WITH AN EQUITABLE WAY OF DOING THAT, BEING RESPECTFUL OF, OF FINANCES FOR ALL OF US.
BUT WE ARE, ARE GOING TO BE REQUIRED TO PUT IN MORE FEES OR FUNDS FROM FOR COUNTY SUPPORT OF THIS ONGOING EFFORT.
SO WE'RE TRYING TO DO THAT EQUITABLY AND BE MINDFUL OF THAT.
AND WE'RE WORKING ON A MODEL THAT I, AFTER A GREAT DEAL OF DISCUSSION AND REWORK, I THINK, IS LOOKING LIKE IT'S GOING TO BE REASONABLE AND STILL MUCH CHEAPER THAN ALTERNATIVE IDEAS LIKE UBER OR LYFT OR TAXIS OR WHATEVER.
SO BUT WE ARE BEING VERY MINDFUL OF, OF FINANCES BECAUSE THERE'S FINANCIAL PRESSURE ON ALL THE ENTITIES THAT ARE INVOLVED.
FOR THOSE THINGS I TEND TO ATTEND IN A BUSINESS AFTER HOURS AT THE BENEDICTS RESTAURANT FOR GMG, WE HAD OUR LEADERSHIP PRESENTED AT THE LEADERSHIP NICOLLET COUNTY LAST WEEK. FOR THOSE PEOPLE GOING THROUGH THAT THAT VERY VALUABLE PROGRAM, WE HAD OUR LEGISLATIVE WORKSHOP AND COMMISSIONER DRANTTEL COMMENTS.
IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO SEE THE THE LEGISLATORS IN A SETTING HERE SO THAT WE CAN CREATE SOME RELATIONSHIPS WITH THEM TO HELP THEM UNDERSTAND OUR CONCERNS AND OUR NEEDS AND TO WORK WITH THEM TO SEE THOSE THINGS GO FORWARD.
WE HAD OUR, OUR WORKSHOP WITH SOME WELL-ROUNDED DISCUSSIONS.
I ATTENDED THE LHC MEETING ON MENTAL HEALTH.
I ATTENDED THE ADVANCING THE TRANSFORMING TOGETHER 2040 PROGRAM THAT GMG PUT ON.
AND WE HAD THE TAC MEETING THAT I WAS JUST SUGGESTING.
AND JUST TO COMMISSIONER HELGET COMMENTS.
I AM SYMPATHETIC TO ALL OF THAT.
I JUST, WE HAVE TO STAY WITHIN OUR JURISDICTION AND THERE ARE LIMITATIONS ON WHAT WE AS A, AS A COUNTY BOARD CAN DO.
AND WE KNOW THAT OUR LAW ENFORCEMENT AND OUR FRIENDS ARE THERE TO SUPPORT OUR CITIZENS AND DO WHAT THEY CAN DO TO ENFORCE STATE AND LOCAL LAWS.
BUT FEDERAL FEDERAL JURISDICTIONS ARE OUTSIDE OF OUR, OUR PURVIEW AND WE HAVE TO BE ABLE TO WORK WITH THEM TO THE BEST THAT WE CAN TO INSTILL, ENSURE THE RIGHTS OF OUR CITIZENS.
SO WITH THAT, I WILL CALL AN END TO THE TO THE COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING AND WE'LL START THE DRAINAGE AUTHORITY MEETING.
WE NEED A MOTION TO APPROVE THE PER DIEMS AND EXPENSES.
OH, I'M SORRY ABOUT THAT. FORGOT ABOUT THAT ONE. DO I HAVE A MOTION TO ADDRESS THE PER
[Approve Per Diems and Expenses]
DIEMS AND EXPENSES? JUST A SECOND.SECONDED. OKAY. ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. OKAY. SO THEN WE'LL ADJOURN THE THE COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING AND WE'LL MOVE INTO
[Adjourn Board of Commissioners Meeting]
THE DRAINAGE AUTHORITY MEETING. FIRST ITEM ON THAT IS APPROVAL OF THE AGENDA.[Call Drainage Authority Meeting to Order: Chair]
AGENDA WAS PROVIDED FOR YOU IN ADVANCE.MOTION TO APPROVE. I HAVE A SECOND.
SECONDED. ALL RIGHT. WE HAVE A MOTION AND A SECOND.
ALL IN FAVOR? AYE. MOTION CARRIES.
ALL RIGHT. NEXT ITEM IS APPROVAL OF THE CONSENT AGENDA, WHICH WAS JUST THE MEETING MINUTES FROM THE LAST MEETING.
MOTION CARRIES. AND THEN WE WILL MOVE ON TO PUBLIC APPEARANCES.
THERE APPEARS TO BE NO PUBLIC.
SO MOVE ON TO PUBLIC SERVICES.
AND THE FIRST ITEM IS CONSIDER CD 38, A CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT.
MR.. KOPET. WELCOME. THANK YOU, MR. CHAIR. MEMBERS OF THE BOARD.
AS YOU MAY RECALL, ON NOVEMBER 25TH, 2025, THE DRAINAGE AUTHORITY ACCEPTED THE BID FOR THE COUNTY DITCH 38 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FROM MSB, EXCAVATING AND TILING IN THE AMOUNT OF $380,113.60.
INCLUDED IN THIS PACKET IS THE CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT AND THE NOTICE TO PROCEED.
SO TODAY I'M ASKING THE DRAINAGE AUTHORITY TO APPROVE THAT CONTRACT AND AUTHORIZE AND THAT YOU SIGN THE CONTRACT AND THE NOTICE TO PROCEED AND THEN AUTHORIZE THE CONTRACTOR TO BEGIN WORK IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE APPROVED PROJECT PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS.
THIS CONTRACT HAS BEEN REVIEWED BY OUR COUNTY ATTORNEY AND ALSO OUR PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR.
OKAY. DO YOU HAVE A MOTION TO APPROVE THIS CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT?
[00:35:06]
SECONDED. MOTION TO FURTHER DISCUSSION.WE HAVE SOME DISCUSSION REVIEW ON THIS PREVIOUSLY.
ALL RIGHT. ALL IN FAVOR, SAY AYE. AYE AYE.
NEXT ITEM IS CONSIDER APPROVAL OF THE FINDINGS OF FACT AND ORDER OF THE ESTABLISHMENT FOR CD 61 IMPROVEMENT PROJECT.
A PUBLIC HEARING WAS HELD ON JANUARY 6TH, 2026, REGARDING THE FINAL ENGINEER'S REPORT FOR THE IMPROVEMENT OF COUNTY DITCH 61.
AT THAT HEARING, CHRIS OTTERNESS, THE ENGINEER FOR HOUSTON ENGINEERING, PRESENTED THE FINAL ENGINEER'S REPORT.
MARK BEHRENS PRESENTED THE FINAL VIEWERS REPORT.
ADDITIONALLY, THE MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES ADVISORY LETTER WAS READ INTO RECORD FOLLOWING PUBLIC COMMENT AND THEN THE HEARING, THE DRAINAGE AUTHORITY MADE A MOTION TO ORDER AND ADOPT THE FINAL ENGINEER'S REPORT AND FINAL VIEWERS REPORT AND DIRECT THE PROPERTY AND PUBLIC SERVICE DIRECTOR TO PREPARE THE FINDING OF FACTS AND IN ORDER FOR CONSIDERATION AT THE NEXT REGULARLY SCHEDULED DRAINAGE AUTHORITY MEETING.
SO ATTACHED IS THAT FINDING OF FACTS TO ESTABLISH THE COUNTY DITCH 60 ONE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT, AS REFLECTED AT THE JANUARY 6TH PUBLIC HEARING.
SO TODAY I'M ASKING APPROVAL FOR THE FINDING OF FACT AND ORDER FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE IMPROVEMENT PROJECT FOR COUNTY DITCH 60 ONE.
SECONDED. FURTHER DISCUSSION? QUESTIONS OR COMMENTS? IF NOT.
ALL RIGHT. WITH THAT,
WE WILL ADJOURN THE DRAINAGE AUTHORITY MEETING. THANK YOU, MR. KOPET. THANK YOU. ALL
RIGHT. HAVE A GOOD DAY.
* This transcript was compiled from uncorrected Closed Captioning.