Rock County Commissioners meet Feb. 6
Herreid Board Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse February 6, 2024
The meeting was called to order by Chair Burger with all Commissioners
present. Also in attendance were Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum, County
Attorney Jeff Haubrich and Star-Herald Reporter Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to approve the February 06, 2024,
County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to approve the January 16, 2024,
County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard, to call a Public Hearing order
at 9:03 A.M. for the purpose of hearing comments to proposed amendments
to the Rock County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 113 Tobacco Sales and Use,
declared carried on a voice vote.
Paula Bloemendaal, concerned citizen spoke in opposition of the proposed
amendments; the increase in retail tobacco outlets results in more exposure to
youth. David Ring and Dean George, Kiwik Trip representatives, spoke in agreement
with the proposed changes stating sales to youth are compliance issues and
are addressed through employee training.
Motion by Thompson, seconded by Reisch, to close the Public Meeting at
9:25 A.M., declared carried on a voice vote.
Chair Burger requested comments from the County Board; after considerable discussion, motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to adopted Resolution No. 04-24, Title and Summary of Amendments to the Rock County Code of Ordinances, Title XI, Chapter 113, Tobacco Sales and Use, declared carried on a 5-0 vote.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the consent agenda,
declared carried on a voice vote.
1. Rock County Fees Schedule (full listing is available at the Rock County
Administrator’s office or on county’s web site.
2. Safe Assure Annual Renewal - $7,382.68
3. Resolution No. 03-24, State of MN DPS-BCA JPA(s) for the Rock County
Sheriff’s Office and County Attorney
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer presented the claims with an additional claim of $15,422.16 for construction costs on the Kahler Terrace project; motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available upon request at the Auditor/Treasurer's office.
FEBRUARY 6, 2024 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
A & B BUSINESS INC $2,849.60
A.C.E. OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA 5,894.00
BEAVER CREEK TOWNSHIP 9,819.65
BUTLER MACHINERY CO 3,172.04
CCP INDUSTRIES INC 2,208.30
CENTERPOINT ENERGY 3,318.32
CHS INC 14,026.95
COUNTIES PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY 7,210.00
DS SOLUTIONS, INC 2,016.00
FIDLAR TECHNOLOGIES INC 2,039.67
JOHNSON CONTROLS 17,177.10
LUVERNE/CITY OF 6,959.89
MCGILL RESTORATION INC 82,751.78
MN SHERIFFS ASSN 4,889.73
MORRIS ELECTRONICS 13,981.87
NOBLES COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER 11,760.00
NUSS TRUCK & EQUIPMENT 152,312.59
OFFICE OF MN.IT SERVICES 3,373.77
PLUM CREEK LIBRARY SYSTEM 3,250.00
ROCK COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER 2,040.54
SAFEASSURE CONSULTANTS INC 7,604.16
SANFORD HEALTH 4,771.00
SEACHANGE 9,793.17
SHORT-ELLIOTT-HENDRICKSON INC 3,106.47
SOUTHWEST HEALTH & HUMAN SERVICE 29,125.23
STAPLES ENTERPRISES INC 2,688.75
SW MN REGIONAL PUBLIC SAFETY BOARD 5,000.00
SW REGIONAL SOLID WASTE COMMISSION 2,500.00
TOLLEFSON PUBLISHING 5,891.20
WALKER CONSULTANTS 15,422.50
WAUSAU EQUIPMENT COMPANY INC 4,266.97
73 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000 42,010.37
TOTAL $483,231.62
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report which reflected year end settlements and Highway and Town road allocations. Motion by Overgaard,
seconded by Thompson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, requested approval of a Joint Powers Agreement between Rock County and the City of Ellsworth for CP 0067-401-027, multiple street mill/overlay projects within the City of Ellsworth. The Engineer stated he already has the resources in the area for SAP 067-601-015, TH 75 to the Nobles County line, so with approval of the JPA, he will assist the City of Ellsworth with the project. Motion by Reisch, second Williamson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Engineer requested to purchase (3) Tandem Axle Pup trailers for a total price of $175,650.00; the equipment purchases are identified on the CIP which also identifies wind turbine revenues to pay for the expenditures. Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The County Board was in receipt of a Public Hearing Notice for an amend-
ment of the Permit Conditions by Elk Creek Solar, LLC; the public hearing is scheduled for February 12, 2024, at 1:00 P.M. at Grand Prairie Event Center in Luverne, MN.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Reisch, to approve an Office Expense
Reimbursement Agreement between Rock County and Klosterbuer and Haubrich Law
Offices for clerical support of the County Attorney’s Office, declared carried on a
voice vote.
Deputy Administrator presented the following building updates: repair to the elevator at the Courthouse should begin February 6th; water testing will be begin on the Kahler Terrace project with a March 17th completion date; bid documents are being prepared with a bid letting at the end of February for the office renovations in the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office and Land Records Office; it was the consensus of the architect and design team to replace the carpeting in the courthouse with a hybrid option of carpet squares within the offices and tile/lament flooring within the hallways.
Motion by Burger, seconded by Thompson, to approve 2024 Boards
and Committee Appointments, declared carried on a voice vote.
Advocate Connect Educate
Sherri Thompson
Greg Burger (Alternate)
Ag Society
Gary Overgaard
AS400 Computer Committee
Kyle Oldre
Ashley Kurtz
Rachel Jacobs
Shawn Sweeney
Lana Henrichs
Association of Minnesota Counties
All Commissioners
Kyle Oldre
Mark Sehr
Susan Skattum
AMC Policy Committees
Environmental & Natural Resources – Overgaard
General Government – Reisch
Health & Human Svcs – Thompson
Public Safety – Burger
Transportation – Williamson
AMC District VIII Committees
Ag & Transportation – Overgaard
Ag & Rural Development Task Force- Burger & Overgaard
ATP – Burger (alternate)
Land Use – Overgaard
Health & Human Services - Thompson
Audit Committee
Greg Burger
Jody Reisch
Kyle Oldre
Susan Skattum
Ashley Kurtz
Lana Henrichs
Budget Committee
Greg Burger
Jody Reisch
Kyle Oldre
Ashley Kurtz
Susan Skattum
Buffalo Ridge Regional Railroad Authority
Stan Williamson
Sherri Thompson
Kyle Oldre, Exe Sec
Ashley Kurtz, Treas
Susan Skattum
Buildings Committee
Jody Reisch
Stan Williamson
Kyle Oldre
Children’s Justice Initiative
Stan Williamson
SWHHS Rep
Compliance Committee
Eric Hartman
Ashley Kurtz
Rachel Jacobs
Extension Committee
Gary Overgaard
Stan Williamson
Kurt Elbers
Lynette Jauert
Anna Haas
Matt Fodness
Kory Kruse
Jordan Papik
Lanae Elbers (youth)
Brianna Kingsinger (youth)
Judicial Ditch Advisory Board
Stan Williamson
Gary Overgaard
Eugene Peterson
Dean Wenzel
Roger Brockberg
Kanaranzi-Little Rock Watershed
Bill Jansma
Law Library Committee
Jody Reisch
Tim Connell
Damon Eisma
Luverne City/County Liaison Committee
Jody Reisch
Gary Overgaard
Kyle Oldre
Luverne Community Economic Development Corporation
Jody Reisch
Kyle Oldre (Alternate)
Lyon County Regional Landfill
Gary Overgaard
Greg Burger (Alternate)
Multi County HRA
Jody Reisch
Personnel Committee
Greg Burger
Jody Reisch
Jeff Haubrich
Kyle Oldre
Daryl Fuerstenberg
Highway Union rep
Arlyn Gehrke
Ashley Kurtz
Personnel Board of Appeals
Craig Oftedahl
Jill Wolf
Todd Holthaus
Private Industry Council Chief Elected Officials Board
Jody Reisch
Planning & Zoning Committee
Gary Overgaard
Brad Petersen
Gordon Mulder
Kurt Wenzel
Dave DeBoer
Mark Vander Pol
Jed Matthiesen
Mary Thompson (non-voting member)
Eric Hartman (non-voting member)
Jeff Haubrich (non-voting member)
Planning & Zoning Board of Adjustments
Brad Petersen
Gordon Mulder
Mark Vander Pol
Kurt Wenzel
David DeBoer
Jed Matthiesen
Plum Creek Library Committee
Sherri Thompson
Greg Burger (Alternate)
Rock/Pipestone County Collaborative
Jody Reisch
SWHHS Rep
PIC Representative
Todd Holthaus
SMOC Rep
Craig Oftedahl
Jon Ramlo
Public Health
Kyle Oldre
Rock County Community Library
Sherri Thompson
Barbie Meinerts
Marilyn Bergman
Molly Carbonneau
Margie Fuerstenberg
Holly Wessels
Vonnie Nergaard
Rock County EDA Committee
Gary Overgaard
Jody Reisch
Tammy Johnson
Keith Elbers
Tim Gust
David Riphagen
Lanette Elbers
Dennis Madison
Josh Tuene
Kyle Oldre (ex-officio)
Ashely Kurtz (ex-officio)
Jeff Haubrich (ex-officio)
Rock County Opportunities
Nancy Walker
Rock County/HBC School Liaison
Stan Williamson
Jody Reisch
Kyle Oldre
Ali Breuer
Jeff Haubrich
Evan Verbrugge
Rock County Historical Society Advisory
Gary Overgaard
Rock County/Luverne School Liaison
Sherri Thompson
Gary Overgaard
Kyle Oldre
Stacy Schepel
Jeff Haubrich
Evan Verbrugge
Rock/Nobles Community Corrections Advisory Board
Greg Burger
Jody Reisch
Jeff Haubrich
Jon Ramlo
Rock/Nobles Community Corrections Executive Board
Greg Burger
Jody Reisch
Jeff Haubrich
Rock County Rural Water
Stan Williamson
Chad Overgaard
David Roozenboom
Matthew Sorenson
Casey Westphal
Eric Binford
Scott Loosbrock
Rock County Veterans Memorial
Rick Peterson
Gregg Groepel
Kyle Oldre
Safety Committee
Kyle Oldre
Susan Skattum
Mike Aning
Robert Wenzel
Jeff Stratton
Arlyn Gehrke
Justin Feikema
Gary Kurtz
Soil & Water Conservation District Board
Stan Williamson
SWCD/Rock County Liaison
Stan Williamson
Jody Reisch
Roger Hoff
Jim Veldkamp
Southwest Health & Human Services
Gary Overgaard
Greg Burger
Suanne Ohme
Southwest Health & Human Services Nursing Hands Partnership Committee
Greg Burger
Southwest MN Adult Mental Health Consortium
Greg Burger
Southwest Minnesota Opportunities Council
Jody Reisch
Southwest Regional Development Commission
Sherri Thompson
Keith Elbers
Emergency Communications Board
Jody Reisch
Kyle Oldre (alternate)
Southwest Regional Radio Committee
Evan Verbrugge
Southwest Regional Rural Energy Task Force
Gary Overgaard
Greg Burger (Alternate)
Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERT)
Gary Overgaard
Southwest Solid Waste Board
Gary Overgaard
Greg Burger (Alternate)
Southwest Regional EMS Board
Harlan Vande Kieft
Jody Reisch (alternate)
SWMN Tourism
Jane Lanphere
Travel Southwest/Explore SWMN
Jane Lanphere
Amber Lais
Wendell Buys
Commissioner Reisch stated that he attended the following meetings/events: Hills Daycare event, Southwest MN Opportunity Council, Union meeting.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/
events: Hills Daycare event, Rural Water, City of Beaver with Rural Water, Rock-
Nobles Cattlemen’s banquet.
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/
events: Southwest Health & Human Services, Hills Daycare event, Solid Waste,
Rural Energy and AMC Extension.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/
events: LIFT and Rock-Nobles Cattlemen’s Banquet.
Commissioner Burger stated that he attended the following meetings/events:
Southwest Health & Human Services, Hills Daycare event, Union meeting.
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting
was adjourned by Order of the Chair.
(03-07)
