Rock County Commissioners
meet Sept. 20
Herreid Board Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse Sept. 20, 2022
The meeting was called to order by the Chair with Commissioners Overgaard, Thompson, Burger and Williamson 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 Williamson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the September
20, 2022, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Burger, to approve the September 06,
2022, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Thompson, to approve the consent agenda,
declared carried on a voice vote.
1. FY23 SSTS Grant Agreement
2. Y23 Health Insurance Renewal w/SWWC; reflects a 9.5% increase
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to go into closed session at 9:03 a.m. for the purpose of discussing union negotiation strategies, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Thompson, to arise from
closed session at 9:40 a.m., declared carried on a voice vote.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve the claims as presented, declared carried on a voice vote. A complete listing the claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office.
SEPTEMBER 20, 2022 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
BREMIK MATERIALS, INC $2,013.54
CHS INC 27,878.36
COUNTIES PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY 6,755.00
ELECTION SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE INC 5,967.50
ERICKSON ENGINEERING 14,448.50
FLEET SERVICES DIVISION-ADMIN FMR 6,596.78
KETTERLING SERVICES INC 16,322.85
LUVERNE BODY SHOP INC 6,645.31
LUVERNE/CITY OF 9,194.33
LYON COUNTY LANDFILL 21,475.78
MAYO CLINIC 2,475.70
MORRIS ELECTRONICS 3,511.72
OPG-3 INC 2,189.00
ROCK COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES 2,734.29
W & N CONSTRUCTION INC 5,374.56
WEX BANK 2,329.04
53 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000 21,313.16
TOTAL $157,225.42
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; motion by Burger, seconded by Overgaard, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Kurtz informed the County Board that Resolution No. 22-22, authorizing conveyance of tax forfeited land to governmental subdivision (City of Hills) for conditional use was rejected by the Department of Revenue as the intended use (daycare facility) was not considered a public use. Kurtz presented a new resolution, #30-22, authorizing the conveyance of tax-forfeited parcels to the City of Hills for the purchase price of $1.00 as per their request to correct a blighted area. Motion by Williamson, seconded by Thompson, to approve Resolution No. 30-22, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator and Auditor/Treasurer led a discussion regarding the 2023 Budget and setting the Preliminary Levy. After considerable discussion,
motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to set the Preliminary Levy at
$6,827,411.00, a 4.5% increase, declared carried on a voice vote.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented an amendment to the Road Use & Repair Agreement with Walleye Wind, stating that wind turbine component delivery route adjustments have been made due to MnDOT restrictions on the proposed haul routes due to the ongoing I-90 construction project. On a recommendation from the Engineer, motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the amendment, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of a proposed ordinance for the sale of Hemp Derived Eligible Cannabis products; the Administrator stated that prior to adopting the proposed ordinance, a Public Hearing must be scheduled to allow for public comment. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to schedule
a Public Hearing on October 18, 2022, at 9:05 a.m. in the Herreid Board meeting
room to allow public comment on the proposed Sale of Hemp Derived Eligible
Cannabis Products Ordinance, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator presented an update of the Opioid settlement, stating Rock County is scheduled to received $14,655.26/yr for the next nine years. Oldre stated that Rock County has been in receipt of several inquiries from organizations about expenditure eligibility, proper spending of opioid funds are as follows:
1. Spend the money to save lives
2. Use evidence to guide spending
3. Invest in youth prevention
4. Focus on racial equity
5. Develop a fair and transparent process for deciding where to spend the funds
6. All expenditures must be approved by board resolution.
The Administrator stated that New Vision Coop has submitted a tax abatement request for new construction at their existing facility at 1856 County Highway 4, Magnolia, MN. The new construction includes the addition of a $1.5 million warehouse and will increase their employee base by (2) new employees. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to set a Public Hearing date of November 8, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. in the Herreid Board meeting room of the Rock County Courthouse, declared carried on a voice vote.
Auditor/Treasurer Ashely Kurtz also stated that she is in receipt of a Rock Home Initiative application from Alex and Sharon Nykamp for new construction located at 329 Rock River Drive, Edgerton, MN, located in Battle Plain township. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to schedule a Public Hearing for November 8, 2022, at 9:00 a.m. in the Herreid Board meeting room of the Rock County Courthouse, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator reminded the County Board of the Rock Strong event sponsored by the Rock County EDA and Sioux Valley Electric scheduled for September 22nd; currently 30-40 invitees have confirmed their attendance.
The County Board was in receipt of correspondence from Representative Joe Schomacker requesting data from the Department of Public Safety Driver Vehicle Services regarding the schedule changes to drivers testing centers in Pipestone, Rock and Murray. The data request references details as to why the Pipestone, Rock and Murray DPS testing center’s office house are being downsized to (1) day per month, what recruitment efforts both locally and at the state DPS offices are being done to recruit additional employees.
The Administrator’s update included activities regarding the installation of security cameras at the Courthouse, budget details and economic development.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the
following meetings: ACE Volunteer Appreciation, Rural Water,
Soil & Water Conservation District and Ordinance development.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings: ACE Volunteer Appreciation, Ordinance development and Regional Development Commission.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings: Economic Development Authority and ACE Volunteer Appreciation.
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings: ACE Volunteer Appreciation, Southwest Mental Health, Community Corrections, AMC Legislative Policy Conference and Personnel Committee of the County Board.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following
meetings: Economic Development Authority, Personnel Committee of
the County Board, Southwestern MN Opportunity Council.
With no further business to come before the County Board,
the meeting was declared adjourned by order of the chair.
(11-17)
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