Rock County Commissioners meet Oct. 3
Herreid Board Room 9:00 A.M.
Rock County Courthouse Oct. 3, 2023
The meeting was called to order by Chair Thompson with Commissioners, Williamson and Overgaard present; Commissioners Burger and Reisch were absent. Also in attendance were County Administrator Kyle Oldre, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum, County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, Sioux Valley Electric Economic Development Representative Brandon Lane 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 October 03,
2023, County Board agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to approve the September 19,
2023, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Kari Voss-Drost, Assistant Director of the Southwest Crisis Center, Dulce Willardson, Program Manager and Alejandra Lopez Solorio, Child & Family Advocate together presented a program update stating that the agency represents crime victims in the southwest area that include (5) cities, and (6) counties by providing support, advocacy, and hope to individuals and families impacted by sexual and domestic violence, sexual exploitation and child abuse. The agency served 45 people in Rock County in past year. Voss-Drost informed the County Board that Crime Victim Service Programs across the state are experiencing funding cuts due to the limited availability of federal and state funds for next biennium. Also, stated that October is Domestic Violence month. The County Board
thanked the Southwest Crisis Center representatives for their presentation.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer, presented the claims and Per Diems of
$2,500.00; motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard, 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, 2023 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
A & B BUSINESS INC $2,849.60
BISBEE PLUMBING & HEATING 12,785.00
BUTLER MACHINERY CO 2,519.27
CONVERGINT TECHNOLOGIES LLC 6,504.47
FLEET SERVICES DIVISION-ADMIN FMR 2,151.92
M & EM HANDYMAN LLC 3,000.00
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINN 21,379.57
ROCK COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER 4,813.67
ROCK COUNTY OPPORTUNITIES 2,607.27
SHORT-ELLIOTT-HENDRICKSON, INC 5,865.37
ZIEGLER INC 5,507.66
59 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000 22,017.25
TOTAL $92,001.05
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Auditor/Treasurer informed the County Board of a potential tax court settlement with Centerpoint Energy. The assessment on gas lines are determined by the state and Centerpoint is contesting the assessment value; if successful in tax court the county will have to recalculate tax and refund with interest the overpayment; this would involve collecting the overpayment from all jurisdictions that received the tax distribution.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, requested approval of Resolution No. 16-23, Supporting
a Transportation Alternatives Program Grant Application and establishing Rock County as the sponsoring agency for the Blue Mounds Trail Project; the project will include a pavement rehabilitation project on the Blue Mounds Trail from Luverne and ending in the Blue Mounds State Park (4.74 miles). Motion by Thompson,
seconded by Williamson, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Engineer was in receipt of the following bids for SAP 067-030-016, the
County wide crack saw and sealing project:
Lot Pros Inc. $170,244.03
Asphalt Surface Technologies Corp $301,816.97
Allied Blacktop Company $365,805.40
Northwest Asphalt & Maintenance $366,812.76
Doctor Asphalt $371,798.86
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Williamson, to accept the bid from Lot Pros
Inc for $170,244.03, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Engineer presented a request to purchase a 2024 GMC Sierra 3500
SRW Pickup for $60,303.40; the new purchase will replace Unit #260, a 2013 Ford
Crew Cab F150. The quote is from North Country GM which is from the state bid.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Thompson, to approve, declared carried on a
voice vote.
Eric Hartman requested to repair and expand the recycling sheds in Beaver
Creek and Hills with both sheds receiving new containers; Beaver Creek will see an additional bay with a 6-yard container while the Hills shed will receive some construction repairs. Motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard to approve (2) 6-yard containers for $4,400 and up to $5,000 for construction repairs, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator informed that Barbara Verhey, Assistant Rock County
Librarian, announced her retirement effective December 31, 2023. The County
Board thanked her for her 41 years of service.
The Administrator informed the County Board that new security cameras
have been installed on the Courthouse. Oldre also discussed roof and soffit repairs needed on the Rock County Veterans Memorial. The Administrator requested approval
of a bid from M & Em Handyman, LLC for $12,243.92 to complete those repairs;
motion by Williamson, seconded by Thompson, to approve, declared carried on
a voice vote.
The Administrator presented an update regarding Rock County Emergency Board comprised of Farm Services Agency, NRCS, SWCD and Emergency Management regarding the drought status in Rock County; Rock County’s status has moved from a D2 Drought Severe to a D3 Drought Extreme. The Natural Disaster designation allows the US Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency to extend emergency credit to producers recovering from natural disasters. The new D3 status will be utilized for Rural Water seeking funding for deeper wells and above ground water storage.
There was a brief discussion regarding the Cannabis Ordinance that was adopted at the 09/19/2023 County Board meeting. The Chamber Office is organizing a Public Forum in January and will be discussing licensing; presented as informational.
The County Board thanked County Attorney Jeff Haubrich for his presentation
at Rotary regarding the legalization, usage and licensing of cannabis.
Commissioner Williamson stated that he attended the following meetings/
events: no report
Commissioner Overgaard stated that he attended the following meetings/events:
Solid Waste, Rural Energy, Historical Society Annual meeting.
Commissioner Thompson stated that she attended the following meetings/
events: Plum Creek, LIFT, A.C.E.
With no further business to come before the County Board, the meeting was
declared adjourned by order of the Chair, declared carried on a voice vote.
(11-16)
