Rock County Commissioners meet Oct. 8
Rock County Board of Commisioners October 8, 2024
Rock County Law Enforcement Center/Training Room 9:00 A.M.
The meeting was called to order by Chair Burger with all Commissioners present. Also in attendance were Administrator Kyle Oldre, Deputy Administrator Susan Skattum, County Attorney Jeff Haubrich, Sioux Valley Energy Representative Brandon Lane and Star-Herald Reporter Mavis Fodness.
The Pledge of Allegiance was recited by those in attendance.
Motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve the October 08, 2024, County Board agenda, declared.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Thompson, to approve the September 17, 2024, County Board minutes, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Williamson, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the consent agenda, declared carried on a voice vote.
1. Resolution No. 14-24, Lincoln-Pipestone Rural Water Board Appointments Janice Moen, Ryan Blom, Jeff Davis
Eric Oye, Veteran’s Service Officer, presented an update on a conference that he attended. Overall, the training was great and were considered continuing education credits required to obtain certification. He stated that many of the attendees were colleagues from his military career. The County Board thanked Oye for his update.
Calla Jarvie, Library Director presented an update from the Association of Rural and Small Libraries conference of which she was a presenter. Jarvie’s presentation referenced the relationship established between Farm Bureau and the Rock County Library and large amount of resources Farm Bureau offers in promoting agricultural and how the Rock County Library has utilized those resources for programming. The concept of libraries establishing a relationship with agriculture organizations was highly received by all attendees. The County Board thanked Jarvie for her presentation.
Ashley Kurtz, Auditor/Treasurer presented the claims and per diems of $1,800.00; motion by Williamson, seconded by Thompson, to approve the claims and per diems as presented, declared carried on a unanimous vote. A complete listing of the claims is available at the Auditor/Treasurer’s office.
OCTOBER 8, 2024 CLAIMS OVER $2,000
A & B BUSINESS INC $2,849.60
A.C.E. OF SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA 5,894.00
BUSSE PLUMBING, HEATING, & A-C INC 3,131.18
CHS INC 8,589.14
CLIFTON LARSON ALLEN LLP 4,708.20
CONVERGINT TECHNOLOGIES LLC 3,354.46
DMC WATERJET, LLC 4,759.92
EMPIRE BUILDING CONSTRUCTION 106,558.24
ERICKSON ENGINEERING 3,716.50
FIALA/ERNEST G 2,200.00
FLEET SERVICES DIVISION-ADMIN FMR 9,176.54
GRAHAM TIRE-WORTHINGTON 2,643.00
LIBERTY TIRE RECYCLING LLC 2,503.60
LUVERNE LAWN CARE LLC 3,432.96
LYON COUNTY LANDFILL 18,049.20
MCCLURE ELECTRIC 18,000.00
NOBLES COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER 12,180.00
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINN 7,546.00
ROCK COUNTY AUDITOR-TREASURER 4,516.41
SCHOMACKER FLOORING & APPLIANCE 19,700.96
SEACHANGE 4,721.85
TOLLEFSON PUBLISHING 2,467.46
VIKING ELECTRIC LLC 4,277.90
WAYNE'S AUTO BODY 3,632.60
WAYTEK, INC 5,997.64
86 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2,000 37,236.15
TOTAL $301,843.51
The County Board was in receipt of the Fund Balance report; motion by Overgaard, seconded by Reisch, to approve, declared carried on a voice vote.
Kurtz briefly presented an election update stating that her office is currently issuing a high number of absentee ballots.
Evan Verbrugge, Sheriff and Representatives from the Buffalo Ridge Drug Task Force Chris Lewis, Commander and Edison Dengler, Assistant Commander gave a Drug and Violent Crime Task Force presentation. Verbrugge is requesting membership to the Drug Task Force as part of the 2025 budget discussion.
Mark Sehr, Engineer, requested final contract payment of $25,394.56 to Northwest Asphalt & Maintenance for SAP 067-030-017, various bituminous mastic crack filling projects. Sehr stated additional material was used due to the width and depth of the repairs making the final contract $488,891.20. Motion by Reisch, seconded Overgaard, to approve the final payment of $25,394.56, declared carried on a voice vote.
Sehr requested approval of Resolution No. 13-24, a request to MnDOT to transfer $812,978.09 of Rock County’s Municipal Construction funds to its Regular Construction Account. As per Minnesota Statute 162.08, Subd 4 (b), the county can request to expend accumulated Municipal Account funds on County State-Aid Highways within the county outside the cities having a population of 5,000 or less. Motion by Overgaard, seconded Reisch, to approve Resolution No. 13-24, declared carried on a voice vote.
As per Resolution No. 13-24, motion by Reisch, seconded by Williamson, to schedule a Public Hearing for November 5th at 9:00 A.M. at the Rock County Law Enforcement located at 1000 N. Blue Mound Avenue, Luverne, Minnesota, to allow for public comment regarding the proposed transfer of Rock County’s Municipal Construction funds to its Regular Construction Account, declared carried on a voice vote.
Sehr briefly presented a construction update; after discussion it was determined to schedule a Road Tour following the October 22nd meeting.
The County Board was in receipt of an invitation to be a member of the Rural Counties Caucus organization. After discussion, it was determined to take no action.
The Administrator led a discussion regarding the replacement of Commissioner’s computer equipment, which was purchased seven years ago; several of pieces of equipment are not functioning due to battery life issues. A price quote from Morris Electronics indicates the replacement cost to be $2,001.79 per computer for a total of $10,008.95. Motion by Thompson, seconded by Overgaard to approve the purchase, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator also discussed other technology needs: (2) Servers w/additional storage $18,475.00 and Storage Chass $19,587.50; the equipment is needed to stay current with data storage needs.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the purchase of servers for $18,475.00 from Morris Electronics, declared carried on a voice vote.
Motion by Reisch, seconded by Overgaard, to approve the purchase of a Storage Chass for $19,587.50 from Morris Electronics, declared carried on a voice vote.
The Administrator stated that FEMA representatives are conducting the Public Assistance reviews and are utilizing space at the new National Guard Armory building to meet with the applicants.
The Administrator stated he has scheduled a building assessment review with Brightly to take place in early November.
The Administrator informed the County Board that the county’s request to take possession of the old Armory Building on Freeman Street has been received by the Department of Military Affairs and the county is awaiting the title transfer. The Administrator was informed that due to the dollar amount that was provided toward the project exceeded the estimated market value, therefore, there are no restrictions for the use of the building.
The County Board was in receipt of the 2025 AMC Legislative Priority Ballot identifying (18) items, each county is requested to select (5) of the (18) items to be considered as an AMC legislative priority for 2025. The ballots will be collected at the upcoming AMC District VIII meeting scheduled for October 24, 2024.
The County Board was in receipt of the MCIT Notification of Delegates for the 2024 Annual Meeting; it was determined to keep the delegates the same: Kyle Oldre and Sherri Thompson as alternate.
The County Board was in receipt of guidance information from Southwest Health & Human Services in developing an ordinance for regulating Cannabis. No action was taken.
There was a brief discussion regarding the status of the Southwest Mental Health Consortium JPA; no action was taken at this time.
The Administrator reported on the following activities: reviewed highlights of the MACA/MCHRMA Fall Conference, a local business regarding Planning & Zoning issue, RAISE grant de-briefing, Mental Health Consortium, local resident regarding Rock County’s flood map.
Commissioner Reisch attended the following meetings: no report.
Commissioner Williamson attended the following meetings: no report.
Commissioner Overgaard attended the following meetings: Mound Township, (2) Southwest Health & Human Services meetings, Solid Waste, Land Use.
Commissioner Thompson attended the following meetings: LIFT
Commissioner Burger attended the following meetings: (2) Southwest Health & Human Services meetings.
With no further business to come before the board, the meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair.
(12-19)
