Rock County Commissioners meet May 21
Herreid Board Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse May 21, 2024
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Overgaard with Commissioners Reisch, Williamson and Thompson present; Commissioner Burger was absent. 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 Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the May 21, 2024, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to approve the May 07, 2024, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Elizabeth Hoffman, Plum Creek Library System Director and Levi Blanchard, Finance Administrator presented a program update. Hoffman discussed a review of 2023 and the goals for 2024 to include the stabilization of broadband internet connections for member libraries at will benefit from federal e-rate funding, enhance continuing education for member library staff, promote library services and strengthen partnerships to improve services.
Hoffman stated that Rock County’s appropriate will remain the same as the state has increased funding; also announced that Plum Creek Library will be celebrating its 50th anniversary. The County Board thanked Hoffman for the program update.
Michelle Baumhoefner, A.C.E. Executive Director along with Linda Wenzel, Local Program Manager presented a 2023 program update. Baumhoefner stated that of the 9-county southwest region, 8-counties are now member of the regional organization with the new member being Pipestone County in 2023. Cumulative hours of service totaled 271,141 hours, the equivalent of 130 FTEs at a cost of $1.97 per hour. Local statistics reflected 635 volunteers donating 51,377 hours at 63 locations, the equivalent of 24 FTE’s at $.42 per hour. Wenzel stated that Rock County has wonderful volunteers; the average age of volunteers is 66 years. Wenzel is looking to expand volunteer services to include Respite Support. The County Board thanked Baumhoefner and Wenzel for the successful program update.
Nick Leske, UCAP Transit Director and Shelly Pflaum, UCAP Mobility Specialist together presented a program update for transit services in Rock County to include Volunteer Driver services. Transit statistics indicate ridership remains steady at 21,462 totaling 45,771 miles in Rock County. Rock County was in receipt of a new bus (ordered in 2021) and another has been ordered in 2023 (delivery is to be determined). Leske briefly reviewed the 2025 Operating Grant stating that systems are allowed a 5% increase; local match/share are required which are covered by fares.
Leske and Pflaum reported that the SWMN Regional Transportation Coordinating Council (RTCC) is working to improve transportation needs in the southwest region with a focus on addressing issues identified in the Human Services Public Transit Coordination Plan; these services would include support for volunteer drivers and resources. Pflaum indicated the number of volunteers drivers decreased during Covid and the numbers have not come back. Pflaum also identified how the Volunteer Driver program collaborates with A.C.E. in the recruitment of volunteers – the Volunteer Driver’s program screens, trains and reimburses volunteer drivers the IRS rate and A.C.E. logs the volunteer hours. Pflaum stated that due to the lack of volunteer drivers, it is difficult to market and promote these services.
The County Board thanked Leske and Pflaum for their program updates.
Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director presented a condition use permit for L & O Power Cooperative for a proposed electrical substation located in the NW corner of the N@ 1/4 of Section 22 of Martin Township, at the intersection of 60th Avenue and 41st Street (County Highway 6). A Public Hearing was held on May 20, 2024, where public concerns were heard and addressed. Motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the conditional use permit for L & O Power with the condition that the site have an E911 address, declared carried on a voice vote.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims with an additional claim of $205.00 payable to Rich Opseta for service on a generator, the expenditure is to be paid from Emergency Management. Motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the claims as presented, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available upon request at the Auditor/Treasurer's office.
CLAIMS OVER $2,000
BREMIK MATERIALS DBA $5,760.79
BUTLER MACHINERY CO 7,028.63
CHS INC 3,361.24
COUNTIES PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY 7,460.00
ERICKSON ENGINEERING 7,190.00
FALLS ARCHITECTURE STUDIO LLC 16,132.50
KETTERLING SERVICES INC 15,194.40
LUVERNE/CITY OF 8,506.52
LYON COUNTY LANDFILL 21,999.96
MORRIS ELECTRONICS 9,716.82
OCV LLC 2,995.00
RICHARZ REPAIR 6,113.06
ROCK COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPARTMENT 3,677.09
ROCK COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES 4,377.29
STAPLES ENTERPRISES INC 2,207.34
TRUENORTH STEEL 18,931.56
WALKER CONSULTANTS 2,142.50
65 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000 27,112.86
TOTAL $169,907.56
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report which reflected the collection of the first half of real estate taxes. Kurtz stated that the first half of settlement will be distributed within the week Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the Fund Balance report, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Auditor/Treasurer requested authorization to re-issue lost warrant number 102154 payable to Kyle and Nicole Woodley for $152.00; motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator led a discussion regarding the Southwest Mental Health Consortium stating the organization has cash flow issues and the timelines of when they receive their block grant funding. The organization has requested from member counties funding to assist with the cash flow issue; Rock County’s amount is $24,358.00. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to pledge $24,358.00 from the Human Services reserves fund, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was informed that the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the permit for the Elk Creek Solar Project; construction timeline is in 2025.
The Administrator briefly discussed the 2024 legislative wrap up; no additional discussion. Also stated that he attended the following meetings: T-Mobile, Emerald Ash Borer, UCap, MACA and briefly discussed building updates.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Rock-Nobles Community Corrections, Southwest MN Opportunity Council, Building Committee.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Building Committee.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events: UCap, Extension Educator interview, Southwest Health & Human Services and Planning & Zoning.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/events: none
With no further business to come before the County Board, to adjourn, declared carried on a voice vote.
(06-13)
