Rock County Commissioners meet March 19
Herreid Board Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse March 19, 2024
The meeting was called to order by Chair Burger with all Commissioners present. Also in attendance were Administrator Kyle Oldre, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum, County Attorney Jeff Haubrich and Star-Herald Reporter Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to approve the March 19, 2024, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve the March 02, 2024, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Calla Jarvie, Community Library Director, presented a 2023 Program Review and informed the County Board of the following: patron visits have increased, circulation remains steady, the current collection is good, programming remains strong, wireless sessions and web site hits have significantly increased. Overall, the activity numbers and services that are being utilized are very good.
Jarvie stated that the Library has (2) new part-time intermittent employees, Tyler Johnson and Shateen Lichter, and that they have been a great addition to the library team. Jarvie also stated that the Library has partnered with Rock County Farm Bureau in promoting farm activities at the Library, March 18-22. Jarvie stated that the Rock County was the recipient of a media grant of where the library purchased an electronic translator device. The County Board thanked Jarvie for the activity update.
Doug Bos, Assistant Director and Brandon Bosch, Engineering Technician of the Land Management Office presented a Y2023 Feedlot Summary Report stating that there are 614 feedlots in the county of which 539 are MPCA funded. MPCA base funding is $65,500, an increase due to an estimated $7,350 in performance credits; the total feedlot budget is $111,200. The Land Management Office is required to inspect 7% of total number of feedlots and overall, producers are doing a great job with reporting and compliance. After discussion, motion by Thompson, seconded by Williamson, to approve the 2023 Feedlot Report, declared carried on a voice vote.
Ryan Holtz, Rural Water Systems Manager, informed the County Board that Rural Water has been awarded $1 million in Congressional Directed Spending for the construction of a water tower. Project cost for the construction is $1.6 - $1.8 million; Rural Water is pursuing other grant options and financing options if needed to complete the construction. The County Board thanks Holtz for his efforts in pursuing grants and low interest financing opportunities for improvements to the Rural Water system.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote. A complete listing of the claims is available upon request at the Auditor/Treasurer's office.
MARCH 19, 2024 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
ALPHA WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS CO $2,159.50
CHS INC 6,095.57
COUNTIES PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY 7,210.00
ENVIRONMENTAL SYSTEMS RESEARCH 7,447.00
FALLS ARCHITECTURE STUDIO LLC 5,556.25
FLEET SERVICES DIVISION-ADMIN FMR 10,476.88
HILDI INC 3,900.00
KETTERLING SERVICES INC 11,208.31
LUVERNE/CITY OF 8,472.53
LYON COUNTY LANDFILL 17,578.20
MASTER BLASTER 4,490.70
MORRIS ELECTRONICS 8,017.14
RETROFIT COMPANIES, INC 2,199.84
ROCK COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES 4,023.35
STAPLES ENTERPRISES INC 3,114.95
SWMACDE ENVIRONMENTAL FAIR LYON 2,000.00
TK ELEVATOR CORPORATION 6,952.05
TOLLEFSON PUBLISHING 2,350.04
WALKER CONSULTANTS 5,357.50
WAUSAU EQUIPMENT COMPANY, INC 3,614.92
65 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000 29,548.62
TOTAL $151,773.35
The Auditor/Treasurer presented the Fund Balance report of which reflected an issue with the Transfer Station balance and upcoming shortfall due to repair expenses on the track crawler equipment. The Auditor/Treasurer discussed fund transfer options, with the recommendation of transferring $41,331.28 from the Landfill Contingency fund to the Transfer Station fund; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve the transfer, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the Fund Balance report, declared carried on a voice vote.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented the bid results for SAP 067-609-024, a bridge replacement project on CSAH 9 over the Elk Creek, south of CSAH 16:
M & K Bridge Construction, Inc. $736,282.50
Prahm Construction Inc. $765,441.50
ICON Constructors, LLC $816,485.00
Structural Specialties Inc. $944,462.26
On a recommendation by the Engineer, motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to accept the bid from M & K Bridge Construction, Inc. for $736,282.50, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator led a discussion regarding the licensing of Cannabis. Currently, Rock County is mandated to have (1) license, however if an municipality wanted to allow more that what Rock County is zoned for, the municipality would have to adopt their own ordinance that would identify the number of licenses allowed within their boundaries. After discussion, it was determined to send a letter/survey to the city municipalities to gather their input regarding the cannabis license issue.
The Administrator led a discussion regarding proposed legislation, the 2024 Governor’s Supplemental Budget Recommendations; presented as information only.
The Administrator also stated that he attended a meeting with the City of Magnolia regarding a proposed project on the BRRRA, a Community Corrections meeting; has also been tracking various legislative issues, presented a number building updates and stated that currently, Rock County has (3) active job announcements: Deputy Sheriff, Veteran’s Service Officer and Administrative Assistant with the University of Minnesota Extension.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Canvassing Board, City/County Liaison, Community Corrections, Southwest MN Opportunity Council.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Soil & Water Conservation District and that a Luv1LuvAll/Brain Health meeting is scheduled for March 21st.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: City/County Liaison, Extension.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: Canvassing Board, Southwest Regional Development Commission and City of Magnolia Council meeting.
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Community Corrections, Sharing Hands Finance meeting.
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was adjourned by Order of the Chair.
(04-11)
