Rock County Commissioners meet June 7
Herreid Board Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse June 7, 2022
The meeting was called to order by the Chair with all Commissioners present. Also in attendance were 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 Thompson, seconded by Burger, to approve the June 07, 2022,
County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Williamson, to approve the May 17, 2022,
County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Burger, to approve the consent agenda,
declared carried on a voice vote.
1. Sheriff App Support & Maintenance Renewal - $2,995.00
Bonnie Christianson, University of MN Extension Regional Director and Kelsie Maeschen, 4H Youth Director, presented a program update. The 4H program in Rock County consists of (7) clubs with 174 youth; 2021 saw an increase of 31 new members. 4H members Brianne Kingsinger, Fox Forrest and Egypt Forrest read testimonials on how the 4H program has benefited them by being involved with learning project development and leadership skills. The County Board thanked them for their program update.
Jane Lanphere, Luverne Area Chamber Director, presented an update on behalf of the Southern MN Tourism Association(SMTA). The SMTA is a collaborative regional marketing association promoting travel to Rock County, one of 36 counties across southern Minnesota. Lanphere thanked the County Board of the past support to SMTA and requested a new funding model of $.05/per capita based on the 2020 census; the new amount for 2023 would be $485.20. As to date, Lanphere reported that the Luverne Convention Visitors Bureau (CVB) has counted 2,047 visitors to area. It was determined to forward the new funding request to the Budget Committee with the potential to adopt as part of the 2023 budget.
Lanphere also presented an update regarding Explore Southwest Minnesota Tourism Association, formerly known as Travel Southwest; the organization is comprised of the 9-counties located in the southwest. Lanphere stated that the organization has partnered with the SW Regionals Development Commission (SRDC) for marketing services and feels that the organization is making great strides in promoting our area as a tourism destination. Currently, the Luverne CVB has been paying the membership fees and Lanphere stated that Explore Southwest Minnesota Tourism Association is requesting all nine counties to pay the $1,000 membership, effective 01/01/2023. It was determined to forward the new funding request to the Budget Committee with the potential to adopt as part of the 2023 budget. The County Board thanked Lanphere for the presentations and recognized the efforts of the Luverne CVB, the Southern MN Tourism Assication and the Explore Soutwest MN Tourism Association in promoting our area as a tourism destination and the positive economic impacts it has to Rock County and the surrounding areas.
Jason Overby, Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water (LPRW) Systems Manager and Rod Spronk, LPRW Board Member, briefly reviewed the 2021 audit which reflected a net increase of $819,959 in assets and a ten percent reduction in long term debt.
Overby also stated that the system had a total of 84 new hookups and that of the 84, 3 were new customers in Rock County; Rock County has a total of 101 customers on the LPRW system. He also reviewed details of their Capitol Improvement Plan to include the following: SCADA system install, pursuing an additional treatment plant in the Tyler-Russell area, construction of a new office to be located in Lake Benton, connecting the City of Rushmore, acquiring more water from Lewis & Clark and Osceola water systems, and system improvements in Rock County utilizing funds formerly known as ARPA funds. Overby stated that LPRW has a $12.5 million request in the state bonding bill. The County Board thanked Overby and Spronk for the update.
Calla Jarvie, Library Director, presented a conference follow up that she attended in Arizona. Conference attendance was a requisite of the Rural Library Fellowship with the mission of improving the reading level of third grade youth. Jarvie also stated that she is wrapping up her individual
project of creating local celebrities to read a story and recording the event.
Eric Hartman, Land Management Director, presented a zoning amendment request from Dean and Jennifer Tofteland, changing a parcel of land (34 acres) located in Section 12 of Luverne Township classified as A2 to R1 to allow for the development of residential lots. Concerns addressed at the Public Hearing included the following: the proximity to the Rock County Sportsman’s Club, an active Buffalo Ridge Rail Line, campground and bike trail. Hartman stated that Tofteland would draft covenant language stating that potential property owners will waive claims that the entities are a nuisance. On a recommendation from the Planning & Zoning Committee, motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve Resolution No. 23-22 a zoning amendment changing the classification of A2 to R1 in Section 12 of Luverne Township, declared carried on a 4-0 vote with Commissioner Overgaard abstaining.
Tom Hunstad, Johnson Controls Account Manager, reviewed a construction proposal to upgrade obsolete and enhance existing HVAC equipment for the Health & Human Services building, Library and Courthouse buildings. The proposal is a result of an assessment conducted 2021 and Sourcewell awarding the bid to Johnson Controls. The project bid is $1,419,00.00; the Administrator stated that HVAC improvement/replacements were identified in the 2022-2026 CIP and as to date, the bond proceeds are at $1.9 million. After discussion, motion Burger, seconded by Thompson, to approve the bid contract with Johnson Controls for
facility HVAC upgrades, declared carried on a voice vote.
Michelle Baumhoefner, S.W. MN ACE Executive Director and Linda
Wenzel, Local ACE Program Manager presented a program update. Regional
highlights included the following:
•2,232 Southwest Minnesota ACE volunteers recorded 228,695 hours of service
at 322 active volunteer stations
•The cost per hour of volunteer service of all ACE volunteers was $1.88
•The Minnesota value of Volunteer Time is $32.33/hr; ACE of SW MN volunteers
donated $7,393,709 of service in 2021
Wenzel reported local statistics at 590 volunteers donated a total of 44,917 hours at 59 locations; Rock County was fortunate to enroll 147 new volunteers, the average age of the volunteer is 62 years of age. Wenzel also stated that they were awarded a grant for dementia awareness and education; it is her goal to engage and train Peer Helpers (school youth) for dementia awareness. The County Board thanked Baumhoefner and Wenzel for the program update.
The Administrator presented the claims for payment; motion by Williamson, seconded by Thompson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote. A complete listing of the claims is available upon request at the Auditor/Treasurer's office.
JUNE 7, 2022 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
A & B BUSINESS INC $2,795.74
BAKER & TAYLOR 2,294.47
BREMIK MATERIALS, INC 17,220.29
COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION 2,091.66
FLEET SERVICES DIVISION-ADMIN FMR 7,091.68
FORUM COMMUNICATIONS PRINTING 2,034.10
M-R SIGN CO INC 10,415.36
MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC 18,617.00
NOBLES COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER 10,510.96
QUADIENT FINANCE USA INC 4,000.00
SERVICEMASTER RECOVERY MANAGEMENT 62,563.20
TK ELEVATOR CORPORATION 2,453.62
TOLLEFSON PUBLISHING 6,747.25
TRANSOURCE TRUCK & EQUIPMENT INC 2,325.00
WEX BANK 5,457.38
WIDSETH SMITH NOLTING & ASSOC, INC 12,813.00
ZIEGLER INC 17,787.36
55 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000 27,919.51
TOTAL $215,137.58
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; motion by Burger,
seconded by Thompson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of the May 10th Primary results; no action was needed.
The County Board was in receipt of 2-yr Lease Renewal with the MN Department of Public Safety Driver & Vehicle Service; motion by Thompson,
seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator informed the County Board that Chair Jody Reisch signed a disaster declaration for weather related storms that occurred on May 31, 2022; Oldre stated that the county experienced enough damage to
qualify for the state disaster as several utility poles were broken throughout Rock
County. By consensus the board supported the resolution.
Oldre gave a brief legislative update stating that very little was accomplish – no
bonding bill and no tax bill and that there is little to no chance of a Special Session
being scheduled.
The County Board was in receipt of a Sioux Valley Energy Annual
meeting scheduled for June 7th in Sioux Falls, SD.
The County was reminded the District VIII AMC meeting scheduled
for June 9th in Pipestone, MN.
Updates from the Administrator’s office include: MACA meeting, ground breaking ceremony for Walleye Wind and Elk Solar, reviewed end of legislative session meetings, Emergency Management activities due to the May 31st storm, interviewed candidates for Administrative Assistant
position in License Center and attended webinars for WEX transition.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings:
no meetings to report. Thanked all those gave their support to the Williamson
family over the past several months.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings: Southwest Health & Human Services, AMC End of Legislative Session, and Canvassing Board.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings: Solid
Waste, Rural Energy, Planning & Zoning, Canvassing Board and will be attending
the Sioux Valley Electric annual meeting. Also stated that Mark Sehr
and Eric Hartman will be presenting information at a future meeting regarding the
status of the Rock County Transfer Station.
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings: Southwest
Health & Human Services, (2) Southwestern MN Mental meetings – Regular
and Special Meetings were the organization will be requesting additional
funding or will have to downsize the operation.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings: no meetings
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was
declared adjourned by order of the chair.
(08-18)
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