Rock County Commissioners meet May 2
Herreid Board Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse May 2, 2023
The meeting was called to order by Chair Thompson with all Commissioners
present. Also in attendance were County Administrator Kyle Oldre, County
Attorney Jeff Haubrich, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum, and Star-Herald
Reporter Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the May 02, 2023,
County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Burger, to approve the April 18, 2023,
County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Tom Suppes, MCIT Risk Management Consultant, presented the
MCIT 2023 Member report; no action was taken or required.
Fred Wilgenburg, Rock County resident, informed the County Board of an assessment error regarding the age of a building structure that was moved onto his current property in 2003 and then had major renovations and new construction conducted to the 1940’s dwelling; the entire renovated dwelling was identified as new construction. Rock County Land Records Director Rachel Jacobs stated that the dwelling has been re-assessed and the corrected value has reflected a decrease. Mr. Wilgenburg requested an abatement to correct the in excess of taxes collected over the past 20-years. After considerable discussion with those present, the County Board directed the Land Records Office Director to research the issue and report back to the County Board at the next meeting.
Ryan Holtz, Rural Water Systems Manager, informed the County Board that Rural Water has been awarded a State of Minnesota Public Health grant of $50,000 to study the depth level where nitrates are contaminating the well fields. The data from the study will help determine where to focus on the corrective measures to implement. Rural Water will partner with Land Management to conduct the study.
Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director, presented the
following conditional use permits for approval:
1. Spring Lake Express to conduct gravel extraction, stockpiling
and processing located in the NW 1/4 of Section 13 of Vienna Township;
motion by Overgaard, seconded by Burger to approve and abide by all conditions
identified on the permit, declared carried on a voice vote.
2. Central Specialties for the placement and operation of a temporary hot
mix asphalt plant located in the NW 1/4 of Section of Vienna Township;
motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson to approve and abide by all
conditions identified on the permit, declared carried on a voice vote.
3. Central Specialties for the placement and operation of a temporary hot
mix asphlt plant located in the E 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of Section 23 of Denver
Township; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve and
abide by all conditions identified on the permit, declared carried on a voice vote.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, requested approval to bid let SP 067-601-014, a bridge
replacement (#76501) on CSAH 1 over the Kanaranzi Creek; motion by Burger,
seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote. The funding
formula for the project will be as follows:
MVLST LBRP Funds $362,745.76
Federal Funds (BROS) $710,000.00
RCHD CSAH Funds $25,174.24
$1,097,920.00
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims and per diems of
$1,700.00; motion by Williamson, seconded by Burger, to approve, declared
carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available
upon request at the Auditor/Treasurer's office.
MAY 2, 2023 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
A & B BUSINESS INC $2,849.60
BREMIK MATERIALS, INC 31,341.93
CENTERPOINT ENERGY 2,949.66
CMRS-FP 2,000.00
HANCOCK CONCRETE PRODUCTS CO IN 339,506.20
JOHNSON CONTROLS 128,206.40
LUVERNE LAWN CARE LLC 12,342.68
LUVERNE/CITY OF 88,173.53
MN COUNTIES COMPUTER COOP 7,314.72
NOBLES COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER 4,320.00
PICTOMETRY INTERNATIONAL CORP 16,916.34
QUADIENT FINANCE USA INC 8,040.00
ROCK COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER 2,331.13
ROCKMOUNT RESEARCH & ALLOYS INC 2,067.76
TOLLEFSON PUBLISHING 3,000.00
TRANSOURCE TRUCK & EQUIPMENT INC 3,278.87
WAYNE'S AUTO BODY 7,199.59
ZIEGLER INC 5,583.42
55 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000 24,013.50
TOTAL $691,435.33
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Auditor/Treasurer requested approval of the following tax abatements:
1. Parcel 02-5002-000 - $40,250.00; updating the parcel records to reflect trans-
mission lines only. Motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, to approve,
declared carried.
2. Parcel 20-0160-032 - $1,928.09; unpaid taxes on a mobile home due
to a transfer of title error. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard,
to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
3. Parcel 20-2045-000 - $948.00; correcting classification of Assessment Code. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board discussed the election mail-in ballot process with the Auditor/Treasurer and to determine which process to utilize in the precincts – mail-in ballots or in person voting. While the County Board stated that a majority of the precincts do not wish to change the current mail-in ballot process, the Auditor/Treasurer and elections staff report that many Rock County constituents are dissatisfied with the process and become angry; at times, staff feel threatened and do not feel safe while enforcing elections compliance. After considerable discussion, motion by Reisch, seconded by Burger, to table the issue until the June meeting to allow the legislative process to be completed.
The Administrator led a follow up discussion regarding the Rock Strong event
stating that it was well attended and it had good information.
The Administrator stated that he received notice from DNR regarding an upcoming meeting with DNR, FEMA and Engineers to determine the scope of the project to update/correct the flood maps for Rock County; that date is forthcoming.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, to accept the resignation of Sergeant
Jeff Wieneke effective June 30, 2023, and thanked him for his 32 years of in the
Rock County Sheriff’s Office, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator requested approval to submit a legislative request to amend MN Statute 169.868 Special Freight Distribution Permits to include District 7; motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator presented the following legislative updates:
•Proposed amount for County Program Aid has been reduced
•Policy/Public Safety Aid – new monies, a 1-time allotment will be issued to
all municipalities
•Cannabis – local licensing requirements will be 1-license per 10,000 population
•Paid Family Leave – still moving forward with a funding requirement of .7% salary
tax
The County Board was in receipt of a Fund Balance report of all Minnesota
counties; the document was conducted of the State Auditor’s Office.
The Administrator presented an activity update from the Administrator’s office:
•Attended Governor’s Emergency Management Conference, to maintain
certification compliance.
•Rock County Economic Development Authority meeting
•Attended a meeting with engineers regarding repairs to the Kahler Terrace
•Informed the County Board of building issues at the TCI building site
currently occupied by Southwest Health & Human Services
•Business project regarding the BRRRA
•Working with City Administrator to confirm joint meeting date
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events:
Rock Strong EDA event, Southwest MN Opportunity Council
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following
meetings/events: Rock Strong EDA event
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Denver Township, City of Hardwick EDA project, Rock Strong EDA event
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Southwest Health & Human Services, (2) SWHHS Personnel Committee, Opioid Settlement committee, Southern Prairie Community Care, Supporting Hands Family Nursing Partnership. Burger informed the County Board that his request of $100,000 of distribution from Southern Prairie Community Care to Southwest Health & Human Services was denied.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: Plum Creek, A.C.E. Annual meeting, Rock Strong EDA event.
With no further business to come before the County Board, motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard, to adjourn the meeting, declared carried on a voice vote.
(06-22)
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