Rock County Commissioners meet Nov. 5
Rock County Commissioners meet Nov. 5
Herreid Board Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse November. 5, 2019
The meeting was called to order by Vice Chair Overgaard with Commissioners Reisch, Thompson and Williamson present and Commissioner Burger absent; also in attendance were Administrator Kyle Oldre, County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, and Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to approve the November 05, 2019 County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Thompson, to approve the October 08, 2019 amended minutes, declared carried on a voice vote. The amendment was to correct a number of items that were arrantly not included when approved on October 22, 2019.
Motion by Reisch, seconded Thompson, to approve the October 22, 2019 County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Nextera Representatives Tom VonBische, Mike Weich and Thomas Michel presented a Walleye Wind project update. Nextera, an ower/operator energy company from Juno Beach, Florida has purchased the wind rights of the Walleye Wind project from Renewable Energy Systems (RES) along with the (7) existing wind turbines in Beaver Creek township. The project scope includes the construction of (36) new turbines to produce a 111 mega watt wind farm; the existing turbines will be decommissioned. Potential site locations of the turbines will be in Beaver Creek and Springwater townships and the western half of Mound and Luverne townships; tax revenue is estimated at $15-$20 million. The project timeline will be as follows: permitting and design process to begin in 2020; construction to begin in August of 2021 – December 2021. The permitting process for the turbines will be through the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission; local permitting will be for the construction of a sub-station and Met towers. Nextera will be hosting an Open House event at Springbrook Event Center in Beaver Creek on December 4.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims; motion by Reisch, 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.
NOVEMBER 5, 2019 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
A & B BUSINESS INC $2,319.21
ALLIANCE COMMUNICATIONS COOP 4,398.80
COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION 3,159.32
FLEET SERVICES DIVISION-ADMIN FMR 5,713.81
HENNING CONSTRUCTION, INC 12,561.76
KETTERLING SERVICES INC 11,160.05
KRIS ENGINEERING INC 3,025.94
LUVERNE/CITY OF 38,459.76
MORRIS ELECTRONICS 16,430.63
SNOW WHEEL SYSTEM INC 3,067.00
ZIEGLER INC 7,086.50
53 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000 20,312.14
$127,694.92
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report which reflected the settlement of the second half residential tax collection; motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of the Y2020 tax capacity rates for all municipalities within Rock County; presented as information only.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to list all county commissioners as signature authorities at Security Savings Bank Luverne, declared carried on a voice vote.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, requested to approve of Resolution No. 28-19, a Y2020 County State Aid Highway Fund Advance of $1.165 million from the State Aid Regular/Municipal Construction Account, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of correspondence from AMC regarding transportation funding and the county’s role in both federal and state transportation infrastructures; presented as information only.
The Engineer stated that work on the bridge project on county road 52 has been delayed due to the lack of BNSF personnel being present at the construction site.
The Administrator informed the County Board of the MCIT voting delegates for 2019 are Oldre and Thompson (alternate); no action was taken.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to appoint the following individuals with terms to the Rock County Economic Development Authority effective January 1, 2020, declared carried on a voice vote.
Tammy Johnson – 2 year term
Keith Elbers – 3 year term
Lanette Elbers – 3 year term
Tim Gust – 1 year term
David Riphagen – 2 year term
Josh Tuene – 1 year term
Chad Overgaard – 3 year term
Commissioner Overgaard
Commissioner Reisch
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings and events: Luverne City/County Liaison.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings and events: AMC District 8 meeting.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings and events: no report
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings and events: City/County Liaison, 4-H Banquet which Overgaard congratulated all participants and staff on a successful year.
With no further business to come before the County Board the meeting was declared adjourned.