Rock County Commissioners meet Feb. 16
Herreid Board Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse Feb. 16, 2021
The meeting was called to order by Chair Williamson with all Commissioners present; also in attendance were County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, Administrator Kyle Oldre, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum and Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the February 16,
2021 County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve the February 2,
2021 County Board minutes with corrections, declared carried on a voice vote.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented Resolution No. 04-21, supporting MnDOT Local Road Improvement application for Clinton Township for improvement on 61st Street from CSAH 11 to 90th Ave; motion by
Burger, seconded Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Burger, to approve Resolution No 05-21, supporting a MnDOT Local Road Improvement Program application for the City of Luverne for improvements on Freeman, Hatting and Mead streets, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Engineer presented the 5-year Road and Bridge Construction Plan for 2021-2026. There was a discussion regarding the CSAH 4 project scheduled for 2022 as the Engineer stated that the project includes cemented shouldering on each side of the road to accommodate bike/pedestrian traffic lanes from the Luverne City Park to CSAH 9; the cost for that feature is estimated at $300,000. Motion by Burger, seconded by Thompson, to approve the 5-year Road and Bridge Construction Plan as presented, declared carried on a voice vote. The Engineer was directed to review options for a bike path lane separate
from CSAH 4 plan that is identified in the Road & Bridge Construction plan.
Emily Crabtree, Luverne Area Community Foundation (LACF) Executive Director, presented an update of the Ashby Memorial Bike Trail, a privately funded bike path beginning at the Luverne City Park and ending at CSAH 9; construction of the 1.35 mile path is scheduled to begin in the spring 2021 with completion in October 2021, pending the approval of perpetual easements and land donations from property owners along the proposed route. Upon completion, the LACF is requesting Rock County to assume ownership of the path and a property donation from the Rock County Sportsman Club; after considerable discussion, motion by Burger, seconded by Reisch, to accept both donations – the 1.35 miles of bike path and property from the Rock County Sportsman Club located along the path, declared carried on a voice vote.
Calla Jarvie, Rock County Community Library Director, stated that the Blandin Grant of May 2018 is officially closed out and that they utilized the entire grant of $75,000 for broadband infrastructure enhancements along with donations from PC’s for People valued at $5,000. Jarvie stated that she looks forward to future
endeavors in working with the Blandin Foundation.
Jarvie stated that she has applied to participate in a fellowship program through the University of Kentucky for Third Grade Reading Literacy made available through the Rural Library Institute; presented as information only.
Jarvie also provided an update of the NACO Leadership Training of which she has enrolled in; she stated that she enjoys the training and is very appreciative of the opportunity.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims for payment; motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote. A complete listing of the claims is available upon request at the Auditor/Treasurer's office.
FEBRUARY 16, 2021 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
BURLINGTON-NORTHERN/SANTAFE RAILWAY COM $2,676.80
BUTLER MACHINERY CO 4,632.97
CHS 7,003.74
COUNTIES PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY 6,731.00
COUNTRY CUPBOARDS INC. 3,250.00
IDENTISYS INC 2,224.20
KETTERLING SERVICES INC 7,950.62
LYON COUNTY LANDFILL 12,208.56
MORRIS ELECTRONICS 25,350.84
NOBLES COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER 11,700.00
OPG-3 INC 3,615.70
PLUM CREEK LIBRARY SYSTEM 19,990.58
ROCK COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES 2,354.76
STAPLES ENTERPRISES INC 2,556.72
TOLLEFSON PUBLISHING 2,215.99
59 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000 21,947.13
TOTAL $136,409.61
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; the Auditor/Treasurer stated that the report reflects the first half of maintenance funds received for the Highway Department and Gas Tax distribution to townships. Motion by Burger, seconded
by Overgaard, to approve the Fund Balance report, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator informed the County Board of potential legislation changing the tax classification for Solar Farms from Ag to commercial which will have large impact on the property tax collected. The Administrator encouraged the County Board to reach out to Senator Weber and
request no changes be made on the tax classification for Solar Farms.
The Administrator informed the County Board that a second round of COVID-19 vaccinations is scheduled for March 3rd and that the next tier of individuals eligible to receive vaccinations are people that are age 75 and over and teachers.
The Administrator stated that applicants for Business Relief Grant funds will be receiving their checks this week. Some requests were modified due to result of the Department of Revenue form 185 query that confirmed receipt of state funding. The state funding amount was subtracted from the original amount requested and then calculated at a percent distribution formula to determine the amount to be received.
The Administrator informed that County Board of additional federal funding relating the COVID19; Rock County is forecasted to receive $1.8 million in federal relief funds.
The County Board was in receipt of correspondence from Gevo/Agri Energy, stating their intent to keep the Luverne plant operational with future plans of converting it to a Net Zero plant, similar to the proposed site in Lake Preston, South Dakota.
The County Board reviewed drafts of images of a logo for
Rock County; it was determined to do additional research.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he had attended the following meetings: Rock-Nobles Community Corrections, Union negotiations, Tax Abatement.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she had attended the following
meetings: Tax Abatement
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he had attended the following meetings: Business Relief, Magnolia Township, Transit Advisory, Kenneth City
Council and had the opportunity to tour Next Era facility located in Juno, Florida.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he had attended the following meet-
ings: Rural Water.
Commissioner Williamson also informed the County Board on HF 90/ SF 163, legislation that would eliminate the shotgun only zone for deer hunting in southern MN and allow rifles to be used. After considerable discussion, motion by Burger, seconded by Williamson, directing the Administrator to draft
a letter opposing the proposed legislation, declared carried on a voice vote.
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was
declared adjourned by order of the Chair.
(04-08)
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