Rock County Commissioners meet Oct. 6
Rock County Commissioners meet Oct. 6
Rock County Board of Commissioners 9:00 A.M.
Herreid Board Meeting Room/Zoom Video Meeting Oct. 06, 2020
The meeting was called to order by Chair Overgaard with all Commissioners present. Also in attendance were County Administrator Kyle Oldre, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum and Star-Herald Reporter Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all who were in attendance.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Williamson, to approve the October 06, 2020, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to approve the September 22, 2020, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Burger, to approve the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
1. Resolution No. 18-20, Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water Appointments
2. 2021 SSTS Block Grant - $18,600
3. 4-Yr Re-appointment Tom Houselog, County Assessor, effective 01/01/2021
Ryan Holtz, Rural Water System Manager, presented a review of the current rural water system citing the following concerns: demand is increasing with new hook ups and usage of existing customers, MN Department of Health is demanding a 1-day storage of water (currently not at that level), request from City of Luverne to construct an interconnect with Rural Water which will benefit both entities as it will provide a redundant circle and additional water for fire protection, and low pressure issues with the northern part of the system. Holtz requested to move forward with an improvement project that would include the following: construction of a new 250,000 gal water tower located in the systems north services area, 2.25 miles of 8” water main along CR 147 /Warren Street and control valve/pump station. Preliminary cost estimates are $2.5 - $2.9 million and Holtz stated he will utilize federal EDA fund, USDA Rural Development funds, and Drinking Water Revolving Funds. On a recommendation from the Rural Water Board, motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to authorize Holtz to move forward with the grant applications, declared carried on a voice vote.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims and per diems of $500.00; 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.
OCTOBER 6, 2020 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
A & B BUSINESS INC $4,223.82
A.C.E. OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA 4,782.00
BROCK WHITE 3,905.00
CLIFTON LARSON ALLEN LLP 31,500.00
COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION 4,993.32
CONTECH ENGINEERED SOLUTIONS LLC 22,833.57
DILIGENT CORPORATION 3,000.00
FLEET SERVICES DIVISION-ADMIN FMR 7,034.42
GRAINGER 15,799.56
MORRIS ELECTRONICS 53,433.80
NOBLES COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER 10,620.00
NUTRIEN AG SOLUTIONS 3,095.28
RACOM 7,711.76
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA 19,842.59
WEX BANK 2,158.65
WILLIS INC DBA SCALE CENTER 2,021.29
53 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000 16,871.78
TOTAL $213,826.84
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 Auditor/Treasurer presented a brief elections update with no action taken.
Tom VonBische and Mike Weich, Next Era Project Managers, attended the meeting via telephone and requested approval of the Walleye Wind Decommissioning Plan; the decommissioning plan was tabled from the previous meeting to address questions regarding the decommissioning of the (7) MinWin turbines that were purchased by Next Era. Weich stated that those turbines already have a decommission plan approved by the State of MN Public Utilities Commission and Next Era will comply with those plans. The Walleye Wind turbines will have a 30-yr life and a bond will ensure there are funds for the decommissioning costs; certain components are sold and the fiber glass blades are recycled. The decommissioning of the (7) MinWin tower and new construction of Walleye Wind are expected to begin in the summer of 2021. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the Decommissioning Plan for the Walleye Wind Project, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of the financial data from Rock County Opportunities with no action taken.
The County Board was informed of the upcoming Community COVID Testing event scheduled for October 13-15 at the Prairie Event Center, 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Thompson, to authorize the Chair to sign law enforcement agreements with all cities in the county, the 1-yr contract reflects a 5% increase; motion declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of a tax abatement request from Momadic Properties dba A-1 Jet located in the Greenvale Addition, Auditor’s Plat #1 in the City of Luverne; motion by Reisch, seconded by Burger, to set a Public Hearing for November 3rd at 9:05 a.m. in the Herreid Board meeting room, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was informed that currently there are no Commissioners certified to serve on the Board of Appeals; the Assessor recommends 2-3 Commissioners become certified and the deadline for re-certification is Feb. 1, 2021.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the health insurance group rates with the Soutwest/West Central Service Cooperative for 2021 which reflects a 8.1% increase, declared carried on a voice vote.
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings: Union Negotiations and City/County Liaison.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings: no meetings.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings: Rock County Opportunities, Landowners meeting with County Engineer Mark Sehr.
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings: Southwest Health & Human Services Finance Committee, and Union Negotiation.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings: Solid Waste, City/County Liaison, and met with a Hardwick property owner regarding street project.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to go into closed session at 10:55 p.m.for the purpose of discussing union negotiation contract details, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to arise from closed session at 11:36 a.m., declared carried on a voice vote.
With no further business to come before the County Board, motion Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to adjourn, declared carried on a voice vote.
Gary Overgaard, Chair
Attest:
Kyle J. Oldre, Clerk to the County Board
(11-12)