Rock County Commissioners meet April 7
Herreid Board Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse April 7, 2015
The meeting was called to order by Chair Boyenga with all Commissioners present.
Motion by Hoime, seconded by Thompson, to approve the April 07, 2015, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the March 17, 2015, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
1. Resolution No. 07-15, Proclamation Designating April 7th as National Service Recognition Day
2. Rock County Snowmasters Snowmobile Club Trail Agreement
Rhonda Lorang, Luverne Social Service of Minnesota (LSS) Regional Director, introduced Janice Fick, the new site manager at the Luverne Senior Dining facility and together they provided a program update. Fick also stated they are organizing the annual Spelling Bee event and requested $100 to help with the prize awards; motion by Thompson, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the $100 expenditure, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator informed the County Board that Clint Wolthuizen, Rock County Community Library Director, has submitted his resignation effective April 30, 2015; motion by Williamson, seconded by Hoime, to direct the Personnel Committee of the County Board to review the job description and review options in filling the vacant position, declared carried on a voice vote.
Evan Verbrugge, Sheriff, introduced newly hired PT Intermittent Deputy Kyle Watkins and conducted a “Swearing In” ceremony; the County Board welcomed Mr. Watkins.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims; motion by Hoime, seconded by Reisch, to authorize payment of the claims, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available upon request at the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office.
General $58,616.19
General Reserves $1,117.00
Library $7,346.23
Road and Bridge $66,354.64
Transfer Station $7,717.54
Land Management $5,532.10
TOTAL $146,683.70
Claims over $2,000:
Computer Professionals Unlimited 15,787.00
Emergency Automotive Technologies 2,614.45
Fleet Services 5,310.79
Kustom Signals Inc. 4,068.00
Nobles County Aud./Treas. 6,965.00
Rock County Highway 2,310.65
American Van Equipment 2,003.67
Contech Construction Products 4,521.51
Erickson Engineering Co LLC 10,581.00
Midstates Equipment & Supply 29,708.91
Sanders, Inc. 3,426.83
Ketterlings Services 5,654.34
Minnesota Counties Inter-
governmental Trust 2,500.00
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Williamson, to approve the Fund Balance report, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Thompson, to approve a liquor license for the Luverne Country Club, declared carried on a voice vote; the liquor license fee is $500.00.
The Administrator and Auditor/Treasurer reviewed a listing summarizing the each jurisdiction’s tax capacity rates for 2015; presented as information only.
Eric Hartman, Land Management Office Director, presented a conditional use permit (CUP) to expand an existing feedlot of 70 animal units to 670 animal units within 1/4 mile of a nearby dwelling located in the NW 1/4 of Section 33 of Mound Township; there was no opposition at the public hearing. Motion by Williamson, seconded by Hoime, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The LMO Director presented the following (9) conditional use permits (CUP) for gravel extraction, stockpiling and associated processing:
1. Motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to approve CUP with
conditions identified on the permit for Buffalo Ridge Concrete located
in the W 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of Section 28 of Battle Plain Township,
declared carried on a voice vote.
2. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Thompson, to approve CUP with
conditions that include expanded hours of operation identified on the
permit for Buffalo Ridge Concrete located in the W 1/2 of the NE 1/4,
E 1/2 of the NW 1/4, and W 1/2 of the SW 1/4 of Section 10 of Battle
Plain Township, declared carried on a voice vote.
3. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to approve CUP with
conditions identified on the permit for Buffalo Ridge Concrete located in
the SE 1/4 of Section 3 of Battle Plain Township, declared carried on a
voice vote.
4. Motion by Williamson, seconded by Hoime, to approve CUP with
conditions identified on the permit for Northern Con-Agg located in the
NW 1/4 and the E 1/2 of the NE 1/4 of Section 1 of Luverne Township,
declared carried on a voice vote.
5. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to approve CUP with
conditions identified on the permit for Northern Con-Agg located in the
E 1/2 of the NW 1/4 of Section 19 of Vienna Township, declared
carried on a voice vote.
6. Motion by Williamson, seconded by Boyenga, to approve CUP with
conditions identified on the permit for Northern Con-Agg located in the
E 1/2 of the SW 1/4, W 1/2 of the SE 1/4, and the SW 1/4 of the NE
1/4 of Section 36 of Mound Township, declared carried on a voice vote.
7. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Thompson, to approve CUP with
conditions identified on the permit for Henning Construction located in
the W 1/2 of the SE 1/4 of Section 35 of Mound Township, declared
carried on a voice vote.
8. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to approve CUP with
conditions identified on the permit for Henning Construction located in
the SW 1/4 of the SW 1/4 of Section 36 of Clinton Township
9. Motion by Hoime, seconded by Boyenga, to approve CUP with
conditions identified on the permit for Paulette Pronk located in the SW
1/4 of Section 16 of Battle Plain Township, declared carried on a
voice vote.
The County Board thanked the Planning & Zoning Board and Land Management Office for their diligent work in the conditional use permitting process.
Clint Wolthuizen, Rock County Community Library Director, and Marcia Bork, Library Board member, discussed building renovation plans drafted by a library consultant. The consultant’s review indicated several deficiencies, some with potential security risks and ADA non-compliance. The initial draft had an estimated renovated cost of $234,557, however the Director and Library Board members have recommended some changes resulting in a $20,000 savings bringing the project cost to $215,557.00; the Library has $40,000 in contingency funds to be applied to the project. After a considerable discussion regarding how to finance the remain estimated cost of $175,557.00, motion by Hoime, seconded by Reisch, to confer with the Budget Committee regarding the expenditure and to schedule a building/facility walk through at the next County Board meeting on April 21st beginning at 8:00AM, declared carried on a voice vote; Wolthuizen also stated that the consultant indicated that the overall condition of the building was excellent.
Mr. Wolthuizen also expressed his appreciation in being given the opportunity for work to Rock County the past five years and the County Board’s consideration in moving forward with the building renovation project.
Dan Serie, Luverne Baseball Association President, requested authorization to make improvements at the Joe Roberts Field, property owned by the Rock County Highway Department. First improvement would be to move the outfield fencing back to make the fields regulation and the second improvement would be to install outdoor lights; total cost of the improvement project are estimated at $35,000 - $40,000. The reasons for the improvements are due to the increase in participation of program activities. Serie also stated the Luverne Baseball Association is currently organizing a fundraiser campaign to pay for the improvements and requested some type of financial commitment or pledge from the county toward the project; if authorization is given and the fundraising campaign falls short, the project will not move forward. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to authorize the field improvements pending City of Luverne approval and defer the financial commitment/pledge to the Budget Committee, declared carried on a voice vote.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, presented bid results for SP 067-611-007, a bridge replacement on CSAH 11:
Prahm Construction $372,815.00
M-K Bridge Construction $390,074.00
Duininck Inc $468,270.50
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Hoime, to accept the low bid from Prahm Construction for $372,815.00, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator presented an update regarding the safe pedestrian crossing on Highway 75 and that a compromise solution has been drafted that uses (2) overhead mounted Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons; this solution would be used in place of (1) Hawk Light system. A Memorandum of Agreement between the Luverne School District, City of Luverne and Rock County indicates the following: The (2) Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons would be located at the intersections of Highway 75 and Dodge Street and Highway 75 and Barck Street; the lights will eliminate the Crossing Guards at those intersections and also at Adams Ave and the removal of the speed zone and radars; the cost of the (2) Rectangular Rapid Flash Beacons will be paid by the City of Luverne and the Luverne School District with the County Engineer being responsible for the maintenance. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Boyenga, to approve the Memorandum of Agreement with the City of Luverne and the Luverne School District, declared carried on a voice vote. The County Board recognized Commissioner Thompson for her efforts in brining resolution to this long debated safety issue with the Department of Transportation.
The County Board was in receipt of a Public Hearing Notice for a Condition Use Permit scheduled for April 13, 2015.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Boyenga, to approve Resolution No. 08-15, calling for a Public Hearing on May 5th @ 9:00AM to hear public comments regarding a proposed Property Tax Abatement bond for the Rock County Fiber/Broadband project, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator provided a brief FEMA update; nothing new to report.
The County Board was informed the H5N2 Avian Influenza outbreak in Minnesota; presented as information only.
The County Board was informed of an AMC District VIII meeting scheduled for May 28th at Southwest State University in Marshall, Minnesota.
The County Board was in receipt of a letter from Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water thanking Rock County and the Rock County Rural Water Board for the cooperation in allowing LPRW access to the Lewis & Clark system to be conducted jointly with the RCRW connection.
The Administrator discussed agenda details regarding Senator Klochubar’s visit schedule later in the afternoon.
The Administrator provided an update regarding a recent presentation entitled “Be Bloomin”, an internet based service tailored for senior citizens that involves community participation and support; presented as information only.
Commissioner Hoime stated that he attended a Regional Solid Waste and Regional Energy Taskforce meeting in addition to a Community Corrections and Regional Extension meetings.
Commissioners Thompson and Reisch indicated they plan to attend the Southwest MN Crisis Center Annual Banquet scheduled for April 17th in Worthington.
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was declared adjourned.
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