We can roll the tape. [Music] [Music] [Music] [Music] Good afternoon. I'll call to order this meeting of the Henipin County Board of Commissioners on Tuesday, July 8th, 2025 at 1:30 p.m. Y test. I'm Irene Fernando, chair of the board and District 2 Commissioner. I'm joined by District 1 Commissioner Jeff Lundy, District 4 Commissioner Angela Connley, Vice Chair and District 5 Commissioner Debbie Gotel, District 6 Commissioner Heather Eden, and District 7 Commissioner Kevin Anderson. Henipin County acknowledges that the magnificent land and vibrant waterways from which our institutions benefit are located upon the cultural, spiritual, and indigenous homeland of the Dakota Oate. Henipin County calls attention to the Dakota people's ongoing connection to this special place. Onto the agenda, the first item is the pledge of allegiance. Please join me. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Next is the approval of the agenda. I would move it with one um with one change. I'd like to move 13E to right after Henipin highlights and before um minutes with that amended agenda. May um I've move moved it. Is there a second? Thank you, Commissioner Anderson. All those in favor, please say I. I. Opposed? Motion carries. Three is Henipin Highlights honoring speaker ammerita Melissa Hortman offered by all commissioners. At our committee meeting on June 24th, we recognize and acknowledge the events of June 14, including the political assassination of Madame Speaker Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark, as well as the attempted murder of Senator John Hoffman, his wife Yevette, and their daughter. As a board, we would like to take this moment to specifically honor Representative Melissa Hortman and her family and celebrate her life and legacy. I'd like to ask the clerk to read the proclamation that we will vote on after this highlight and then I will invite colleagues who would like to speak to share their messages for Melissa Hortman and her family. Whereas Melissa Hortman served for more than 20 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives where she represented her constituents in an NOA and Henipin counties. And whereas representative Hortman served as speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025. And whereas during her tenure in the legislature, Speaker Amarita Hortman championed transformational legislation in the areas of environment and energy, education, and healthcare that impacted all motans. And whereas outside of her work as a state representative, Hortman also worked for the Henipin County Attorney's Office for a number of years and served as assistant Henipin County Attorney from 2013 to 2016. And whereas Speaker Amarinda Hortman was an exceptional leader who served with compassion, focus, wisdom, humor, and a devotion to the people she served. And whereas in honoring her memory, we look to the direction of her children who stated, "The best way to honor our parents' memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little bit better for someone else." And whereas we extend our deepest condolences to Melissa and Mark Hortman's children, family, friends, and community for this unimaginable loss. Therefore, be it resolved that the Henipin County Board of Commissioners recognizes and honors the life and legacy of Speaker Amarita Melissa Hortman. And be it further resolved that the Henipin County Board of Commissioners denounces political violence and the intensifying violent rhetoric that threatens the livelihoods of our public servants at all levels of government. So, we will um move and uh vote on that item after the Henipin highlight. I'll share that an estimated 1500 people attended the candle light vigil on Wednesday June 18th honoring Melissa and her husband and on Friday June 27 thousands of motans and political leaders from across the country including former President Joe Biden paid their respects to Madam Speaker Hortman her husband Mark and their dog Gilbert as they lied in state at the Minnesota state capital. Lying in state is a rare honor reserved for high-ranking public officials and Melissa was the first woman to lie in state in Minnesota. The Lowry Avenue Bridge was also lit green on June 27 and 28 in her honor to recognize her commitment to environmental causes. It will also be lit again tonight. It is incredibly clear the magnitude of impact Melissa had on the state of Minnesota, its residents, and furthermore, her impact on the country as a nationally recognized leader on energy policy. She leaves behind an incredible legacy that will be remembered for generations to come. Every time a student sits down to eat lunch at school, a new parent takes family leave, or a motan subscribes to a community solar garden. I'll open up the floor to see if any colleagues would like to share some words. Commson, um, it's it's really hard for me um to to talk about Melissa and even looking at her her picture. um is is painful. I was with her two days before she was um senselessly murdered. Um and uh and and in the picture that we're seeing in my mind, that's not her seat. Um that's where she sat the very last session. Um but I when I was elected in 2018, her her seat was on the speaker's rostroom. And so speaker ammeritus is not what I will ever call her. She is speaker to me. Um she was the longest serving speaker in Minnesota's history. Um and proudly I elected her all three times along with 70 of my colleagues. Um she's balanced three state budgets. She kept uh 70 people together and 68 uh people together. And I can tell you that is um an incredibly challenging thing to do because not all Democrats are the same. we have uh varying views on things and we're discussing things um like paid family leave where she stood for that um and made that a priority when we had the trifecta. She did not want to waste that trifecta. She was there when um marriage equality was passed and she knew that there were things that needed to be done during that moment that we had that majority um in 2022 that uh we didn't waste we passed universal school meals and those of us that grew up with um free and reduced lunch know that you used to get a a different color ticket and uh that was me and sometimes I wouldn't eat lunch and that was something that we fought for as a caucus. There was restore the vote where people were were defined where they be on probation in the state of Minnesota for a very long time and they still were not able to vote. It was something that we were able to push through and it was because of Melissa's help that we were able to do that clean energy. When I think about the things that she done, she loved clean energy. It was like her policy passion. Um and she would start talking about it and honestly I would not it would go over my head. I was like I don't know what you're saying. Um, but she loved that and she was uh very wonky. But at her funeral, um, I will say one of the things that in public service and in all of the roles that we we do here, we forget. Some people will just take and take until there's no more to give. Um, Melissa, we heard from a good friend of hers that a lot of us didn't even know because a lot of us are work colleagues, right? um and her friend got up there and she knew the kids from growing up and um she painted this picture of Melissa that I had never seen before and I loved it. I loved the idea from of of Melissa being able to have her margaritas which she loved um but have them and not be thinking about always work and the fights that we have to fight. And so she was an amazing woman um and I'm honored to be playing tribute to her today. Commissioner Lundy. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, you know, I I think uh Commissioner Ellison uh spoke much more eloquently than I could. Um I just knew, you know, Melissa from being my state rep. Um so, and uh or one of my bosses, as I like to say, and her husband, Mark, who I had conversations with as well. Um you know, knew where they lived. It was on that doornocking uh track that we all do. And so for many years, uh, it was my privilege, uh, to represent her, uh, when I was member of the city council and as mayor. Um, I am always struck by, and I think it's a a good lesson that when someone, uh, passes, whether it's tragically and senslessly, as in Speaker Hortman, or whether it's just from uh, living a full life, that you always hear the stories after their passing. And I think sometimes as elected officials, it's okay to say that. And what I heard is that people disagreed with her but respected her or disagreed with her and yet she helped them get something for their her their community. And I think sometimes we jump past those moments where people do things that we all agree with uh because we're so focused on the yes and the nos and what side and what party and all this and that. Uh there's so much opportunity I think and I think now more than ever with the tenor and the conversations that we aren't having because everybody's yelling and you know making up wild things that you know taking a moment to thank people while they're here uh for the work that they do would be a really good step. It doesn't take a tragedy or someone passing for us to be able to acknowledge that someone did something uh out of kindness uh so that people may see the fact that we're all together in this um that we're all striving to help people and that we all are trying to get to the same spot. We just might have different paths. So um thank you Commissioner Connley. Thank you. I'm I'm so happy that we can continue um to lift up Speaker Hortman and her family's legacy today. And I um am moved by the fact that when someone dedicates their life to public service, that is a special quality in a person's character that I don't think can be duplicated. when someone says, "I am turning my life over to the service of the public and will do everything that they can um to pass policies that change people's lives, to pass policies and laws that save people's lives, that put food in children's mouths. This is uh this is work that often sometimes goes without thanks, but it's work that is life-changing." and and I um I think it's a privilege to be able to serve in that capacity and I also am so grateful for the final resolving clause that as a board we are denouncing political violence and we are calling it out for what it is and that's intensifying violent language and rhetoric directed at public servants people who I admire the most who dedicate themselves to the betterment of others. Others often most um uh often le less fortunate than our than our own selves. Um giving all of us giving all of ourselves to the service of others is something that we should lift up and should never um result in a target. So again, um I know that my family will be um doing something whether big or small to make our community just a little bit better for someone else. Whether that be we plant a new plant before the summer's out or we plant a tree, we're going to do something um to continue to honor the the legacy of Speaker Hortman and her family and um to ensure that we continue to denounce um the extremely divisive um environment that our political landscape has become. Thank you, Commissioner Anderson. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, you know, I think the I met Speaker Hortman probably in maybe her second campaign um, and was immediately struck by how dedicated she was to her community and getting to know her over the years in various roles, whether it was in the community as an elected official, um, seeing her work and her passion for trying to do what she saw was right. regardless of um the political odds. um or if it was going to gain her political favor. Um I think was a testament to that commitment to public service to trying to help people. And I hope that in the work we do that so often overlaps with state uh policy that we're able to follow in that same uh that same vein. So thank you I could help. Thank you. The speaker presided over one of the most productive legislators during that trifecta. We'll probably not see that maybe in our lifetime. Again, the work that she did was absolutely incredible. And to my colleague Heather Ellison, I'm sure you're feeling this pretty deeply having just worked with her and coming to the county board. and you know her leadership style um better than anybody. She was a master negotiator, but she she gained her leadership through respect and that's very different than a lot of other leadership we see today and that is something well accomplished. People really respected her and that's why they fell in line and that's why they supported her. Um all of us on this board were touched by her one way or another, some of us more than others. Um, I think we're all still processing this grief and I think we're feeling the weight of her loss and we will feel it for a very long time. Thank you. Yes, thanks uh thanks for all of the words colleagues. Um, I'll re um I'll repeat what how I had described her when we spoke about her a couple weeks ago. just to place a a a kind of a picture. You know, Melissa was very personable. She was attentive, open, determined. She had a quiet fierceness, a balanced tenacity, and an inquisitive studiousness. I mean, she really, you know, I'm uh Jeff's normally the one that kind of swears to I mean, she was a total badass, you know, and um I met her closer to 30 than 40 my age when I started uh in politics. And there were a number of women who had to run three times, two, three, four times to win. Um and that's this whole category of like resilience and tenacity. um and her we're going to feel her loss for a long time and obviously very different circumstances but with the trifecta being named uh multiple times the the two women who led those chambers in 23 you know are both no longer with us uh Senator Carrie Zitzik and so from a Henipin perspective Henipin former county workers you know we lost Diane not not long prior to that and so no one should have to live in fear when they choose public service or choose to run for office. And so I hope the workforce and residents are hearing um us take this seriously. And I hope people still run. I can't quite recommend the job, but I hope people are moved enough to run anyway. As a reminder, this was the Henipin highlight portion. will um we will vote on this proclamation if there's no uh nothing further on the Henipin highlight portion. So the amended agenda moved 13E honoring the life and legacy of speaker Ammerita Melissa Hortman offered by all commissioners uh which was um already read uh by Maria Rose uh to immediately after the Henipin highlight. So I will move that. May I have a second? Second. Second by everybody. It's already been read. Any further discussion? Colleagues, prior to voting, all those in favor, please say I. I. I. Opposed. Motion carries unanimously. And I know we're sounding very somber up here because it is very sad. And we will seek to live up to her legacy through our governing and through our personal lives. The next item on the agenda is 4A, which is the minutes from the June 10, 2025 meeting. May I have a motion, please? So moved. Second. Thank you, Commissioners Lendy and Connley. Any um any corrections or notes to minutes hearing and seeing none, all those in favor, please say I. I. Opposed? Our minutes are approved. Item 5 A through C are correspondence and 5D to 5X are department communications. Uh may I have a motion to accept and refer as recommended? So second. Thank you. Commissioners Lundy and Anderson. All those in favor please say I. I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. Six is commendations for which we have none. Seven is commissioner communications and we have several. The first one up is the grand reopening of Crystal Cove Aquatic Center offered by Commissioner Lundy. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh, last week I got to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony for the grand reopening of the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center in Crystal. In 2023, the Heniper County Board awarded the city of Crystal a $300,000 play area grant through our youth activities grant program to support capital improvements at the Crystal Cove Aquatic Center. The 55-year-old main pool was experiencing leaks and needed replacement. A community survey found overwhelming support to repair the pool and a public engagement effort reveals significant support for incorporating additional features at the aquatic center such as a climbing wall, jumping platforms, rope swing, shade structures, and improving the slides. This grant along with support from the Minnesota legislature helped extend the useful life for the facility while introducing new amenities that encourage youth and teens to become more comfortable in and around water. Lastly, since 2009, the Henipin County Youth Sports Sports Activity Grants have provided funding to local governments within Henipin County to support programming, purchases, and capital improvements related to youth activities, including play areas, sports equipment, arts, and music programming, and water safety. This is a program unlike any other that exists in the country and has invested millions of dollars back into our communities to support our youth. I would just add additional point that I think is as important as this board and this county helps put money into cities to help train the next generation of lifeguards and the water and safety instructors and I can tell you that uh having seen it every city host the lifeguard training for the express purpose of recruiting lifeguards because it's very hard uh to find them. Uh my son has gone through WSI. He's actually going through lifeguard train at the U of M. And the first thing they have is a table to sign U of M students up to be lifeguards. That's how uh I'll put it desperate they are. And I would just say this is I like to annoy my sons with dad things. Um you know the day you wish you had taken another swim lesson is a day too late. Yeah. And in our uh state of lakes uh we want everyone to feel comfortable and safe in water and that means getting them into water. Thank you. Thank you. Next is celebrating Junth offered by Commissioner Connley. Yes, thank you Madam Chair. So last month June 19th was Junth also known as Freedom Day. Junth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. And this year marks just four years since Junth was declared a national holiday. And I do believe that the county board took an action to make it a a county holiday. Prior to that, we had several teams of Henipin County staff out at events all across the county celebrating, talking with community members and sharing a lot of information about uh county resources that we offer. And we also had our own Junth celebration for Henipin County staff that I had the pleasure of stopping by. Uh that was on June 17th and it featured a wonderful performance from known MLS choir which we all know and love. I'm also just proud that we had a lot of county representation at all the different events throughout the county and I want to certainly thank all of our staff who attended a Juneenth event on behalf uh of the county. These events are just great opportunities to learn history and to connect with residents and community members. And um if you're able to throughout the summer, there are history tours at uh Fort Snelling uh weekly that teach you all about uh the black history that resides right here in Minneapolis in Minnesota in Henipin County. Thank you. Thank you. We have an inmemoriam um of Andy Hoff, Council Member Andy Hoff, offered by Commissioner Lundy. Thank you, Madam Chair. Uh I'm deeply saddened to share that longtime New Hope City Council member Andy Hoff passed away on Friday, May 30th. Council Mayor Hoff was a dedicated public servant. He was first elected to the New Hope City Council in 2004 and and was serving his sixth term after being reelected in 2024. Beyond his work on the council, Hoff al served also served on the Northwest Suburbs Cable Communications Commission for 18 years, better known as CCX. Hoff and his late wife, Wanita were major supporters of CCX Meda. Wanita was a longtime host of Northwest City Politics, a program that brought local government into the homes of residents in the Northwest Metro. They truly understood the power of local media and connecting residents and sharing important community stories. On behalf of the board, I would like to extend our heart heartfelt condolences to Andy Hoff's family, friends, and community. He will be deeply missed by the New Hope community and beyond. I just want to add that uh Wanita's program, which ran for 20 years, where she would inter interview any elected official who saw the desire to come talk to her, which meant an hour. Uh her husband was always manning the camera. Uh so Andy was there and uh Wanita always ended every program with if people want to know more, if they want to get involved, how can they? And that was her whole goal was just to get people involved with their communities and understand what was happening and it was uh that was her whole goal and she did it for nearly 20 years uh and a volunteer basis. So thank you. Thank you. And our last commissioner communication is celebrating pride which I'll read. June was also Pride Month, a month to recognize and celebrate our lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, questioning, and interex communities. The last weekend in June was the Twin Cities Pride Festival. Henipin County has participated in the Twin Cities Pride Festival for many years, and we had the privilege of participating again this year. We had lots of staff out representing us at Pride, including uh including individuals from the Red Door Clinic, Henipin County Libraries, Foster Care and Adoption, Henipin Healthcare, and Human Services. Earlier in the month, our LGBTQIA plus employee resource group hosted their annual Pride celebration, which included drag performances and was a fantastic community building event. On behalf of the board, we hope everyone had a very happy and affirming Pride Month. Moving on to the agenda. Beautiful bridge photo. Moving on to the agenda is 8 the claims register, 8 A's for the period ending June 20, 2025, 8 B for the period ending June 27, and 8 C for the period ending July 4th, 2025. May I have a motion for the full block, please? So moved. Second. Thank you, Commissioners Connley and Kotel. All those in favor of the of the three claims registers, please say I. I I opposed. Motion carries. Nine is consent. These are items that would have passed unanimous unanimously out of committee. Um may I have a motion for 9A to 9, please? So moved. Second. Thank you, Commissioners Lundy and Anderson. Uh any any items that uh colleagues would like to highlight prior to us voting hearing and seeing none. I think all those in favor of the consent agenda, please say I. I. I. opposed. Motion carries. 10 are non-consent items. These are items that would have passed out of committee but not unanimously for which we have none. 11 are progressed items. These are items that would have moved from committee to board without a vote. First is 11A loan to Henip and Healthcare Systems Inc. for capital capital medical equipment purchases. Um I'll move to lay this over to the July 29th board meeting. I'll second. Thank you, Commissioner Kotel. For the second with comfortable voting, all those in favor of the labor motion, please say I. I opposed. Motion carries. 11B is the 2025 watershed board appointments. Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek Watershed District Board. So, um, colleagues for 11B and C will be taking up appointments for our community advisory boards, which for those watching at home has kind, um, is a singular appointment process. But I do want to, um, acknowledge Commissioner Eden's comments from committee, which I, I know we've received and uh, agreed that there can be an iterated way by which we consider these appointments in the future. Um but for now this is what's before us and just want to acknowledge uh your great discussion from a couple weeks ago. So 11B. Yes. Go ahead. I add that too. And I think too I think that was a really great point that Commissioner Eden brought up and not only for this the watersheds but for other really popular places where we have a lot and I think a good review overview of all this and everything and where we should be and everything is going to be really helpful for us and thoughtful about who wants to serve. Yes. So really thank you for for raising that. Okay. So we have 11B um there are six applicants for two at large spots. Um as uh as we for those who've seen this process before we will be naming a single name. Um the clerk will guide us as to who is speaking a name into the microphone. We did receive a memo for this particular body to quote fairly represent the hydraolog the hydraologic areas of the district. So I just wanted to invite admin or somebody to speak on um any guidance that the public might want to hear. Chair commissioners, I'm going to refer to Britney McCormack from the county attorney's office who's very familiar with this topic. Great. Thanks. Welcome. Um, oh, sorry. Um, as with all other watershed district appointments, the statute advises you to fairly represent the hydraologic areas of the district as you make your appointments. And the memo from Environment and Energy staff addresses that topic and gives you a table uh delineating where each applicant resides um based on um the geography of the district and where each um current and ongoing manager resides as well. Great. Thank you. Okay, colleagues, are we ready to vote? Okay. Miss Rose, Commissioner Lundy, Thomas Duval, Commissioner Connley, Thomas Duval, Commissioner Gautel, Thomas Dval, Commissioner Elderson Eden Thomas Dval Commissioner Anderson Thomas Dval Commissioner Fernando Thomas Duvel and congratulations to Thomas Duvel for attaining a majority of the board. We have one more vacancy for this uh body. So we'll proceed. Commissioner Connley, David Ziggler, Commissioner Gotel, David Ziegler, Commissioner Eden, Leslie Storving, Commissioner Anderson, David Ziegler, Commissioner Lundy, David Ziggler, Commissioner Fernando, Leslie Stoing. So, um, in the memo, uh, David Ziggler would have needed a supermajority. And so, I think we'll just try one more time. Commissioner Conley, Leslie Stovering, Commissioner Goautel, David Zagler, Commissioner Eden, Leslie Storving, Commissioner Anderson, Leslie Stoing, Commissioner Lundy, Leslie Stoing, Commissioner Fernando, Leslie Stoing, and congratulations to Leslie Soing for attaining the amount of votes needed. And Miss Rose, I think that's complete for 11B. Is that correct? Thank you. 11 C is the 2025 community advisory board applicants and appointments for the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act Board, WA. We will follow the same process. Um there's a couple sections on this one. The first will is the private sector business section. There are three applicants for one spot. Um Miss Rose, please take us through. Commissioner Gotel Amanda Roo Commissioner Eden Commissioner Anderson Amanda Roo Commissioner Lundy Amanda Roo Commissioner Connley Amanda Amanda Roo. Commissioner Fernando. Amanda Roo. And congratulations to Amanda Roo. We have one more section for the WI WA board and that's the higher education section. There's one applicant for one spot. So we can verbally um move may I have a motion to appoint uh Julio Vargas Essex to the WA? So moved the higher education representative. Second. Thank you. Commissioners Gotel and Connley. All those all those in favor of the motion please say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. And congratulations to Julio Vargas Essex. So um those were our appointments for today. For those uh watching at home, I know this is a very particular process, but want to express gratitude for all of the residents who apply for community advisory boards. And then again, um gratitude to to those who staff these boards as well as the colleagues for what we know will be an iterative process as we seek to um ensure that these boards represent communities and are uh reflecting, you know, kind of the modernization, if you will, of how we might um approach these. Um any discussion on uh the section? Go ahead, Command. Thank you, Madam Chair. And I just want to thank um David Ziegler who served three three terms um on the Riley Purgatory Bluff Creek watershed district. I had called him actually before this to thank him for his service and let him know how I would be voting. Um and it's by no means uh equality to what he his service has been very much appreciated. Um and it's just a fundamental belief that I want to make sure that our boards have um different voices represented on them. So thank you. Thank you. Anything further? We will move to 12 which is old business. These are items that would have been seen by this board previously and laid over to today for which we have none. Uh 13 on the agenda is immediate approvals and we have several items. First is 13A to award a contract to Donler Construction for the city hall jail medical unit expansion project at just over $2.3 million. May I have a motion, please? So moved. Second. Thank you, Commissioners Anderson and Lundy. Mr. Huff, chair, commissioners. Uh, consistent with county practice, the purchasing rules, this is before you as an immediate approval item. This was an award of a contract to Donar Construction as was stated uh using the best value procurement process uh with a request for proposals. Marggo Geffen, our chief facilities officer for the county is present. She can talk about the specifics here and what we're asking Don to do to the adult detention center, our oldest uh portion of the jail. Thank you. Welcome facilities request to approve a construction contract for the medical unit expansion project in city hall the adult detention center. Currently all residents booked into the ADC are seen by Henipin healthcare providers in a very small space on the fourth floor and then about 60% of those residents continue with some sort of care from Henipin Healthcare. This project renovates that space in addition to adding space on the first floor, two more rooms, doubling the capacity for care at the jail. At the same time, this project creates a better space for visitors who are coming to visit their loved ones in the ADC. Thank you. I'm happy to answer any questions. Uh questions. Oh, Commissioner Edlesen. Thank you, uh, Madam Chair. Um, and Marggo, good to see you. I I guess I have a question. In terms of priority com um commit or civily committed people uh will they be in this space? Madam chair commissioner I don't know the answer to that but I can find that for you. Thank you commissioner gone. Thank you madam chair. Um do you want to finish that? I know the answer to that actually. Go ahead Miss Gavin. That's wonderful by the way. Okay. Just takes me a minute. Uh this is a lower acuity um for instance OBGYn on the fourth floor lower acuity on the first floor. If patients need to go to the hospital then they will do that. Thank you. Thank you Commissioner Connley. Thank you. So my question is really just about the the um the contract itself. So this is a large contract uh 2.3 million to do this work. I'm interested in DNLAR and perhaps the NBE goals. Um I I realize this is a best value procure procurement, but I'd like to know what sort of um percentages this uh company will need to meet in terms of minority business and womenowned business partnerships. Thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair, Commissioner. Um our team is working with purchasing to identify what those goals are. Um, this project was approved in the 2023 CIP. And so we're working with purchasing on identifying both the contracting goals and also um there are workforce goals as part of this that are um from the state. Thank you. And just as a followup, do you know offhand what like what the standard goal is or what like the absolute minimum is or is there's there's like a threshold that they have to meet? What is that? Thank you, Madam Chair and Commissioner. So that's determined by the purchasing team based on availability in the market. So if there are a number of drywall um trades available then that number will be higher. If there's a plumbing number and the disparity in the market um or the number of available contractors are smaller then that number will be smaller. So purchasing works really hard to identify where those opportunities to hire small businesses in the market. Great. Thank you. Thank you. Anything further? Seeing and hearing none. All those in favor of 13A, please say I. I. Opposed. Motion carries. 13B is recognizing pre-trial probation and parole supervision week, which is July 20th to 26, 2025. Um, I'll move it. May I have a second? Thank you, Commissioner Connley. And I think I'm handing it over to Commissioner Lundy who chairs our law, safety, and justice committee. Thank you, Madam Chair. Um, this year, July 20th, 206 is a national pre-trial, probation, and parole supervision week. It is an opportunity to recognize these workers that play an important role in our criminal justice system. I'll have the clerk read the commendation and we'll have some additional remarks after. Whereas National Pre-Trial, Probation, and Pearl Supervision Week is observed annually during the third week in July. And whereas Community Corrections is an essential part of the criminal justice system nationally and in Henipin County. And whereas the Department of Community Corrections and Rehabilitation is the largest county corrections agency in the state. And whereas DOCCCR's dedicated staff and volunteers work to enhance community safety by promoting community restoration, reducing the risk of reoffence by delivering correctional supervision services to more than 21,000 juveniles and adult probation and parole clients at any given time. And whereas county probation and parole agents strive to act as guides, helping clients navigate complicated systems and connecting them to supportive resources that improve life outcomes, reduce disparities, and positively impact community safety. Be it resolved that the Henipin County Board of Commissioners hereby declares July 20th through the 26th, 2025 as pre-trial, probation, and parole supervision week with special gratitude to the staff and their positive impacts on their clients and the greater Henipin County community. Thank you. I just thank you for that. I just wanted to thank the Henipin Countyy's probation parole professionals for your service, dedication, vital contributions to safety and well-being of residents. I just want to highlight that sometimes people who are in our care because of justice related issues sometimes finally receive care for the addiction, mental health and other uh things that have really driven them down a path. And so the our professional probation parole professionals help bridge that because once they get out we need them to continue that success so they become productive citizens because they become whole again. And I I think you know that key component where everyone wants to see someone once in the justice system and know more uh and having professionals who care about that with the compassion uh really speaks to that. So thank you. Yeah, thank you. And I I totally agree. Um Henipin County has a long tradition of working one-on-one with individuals with their families uh seeking to pursue educational opportunities, job and employment. um services as uh you mentioned, Commissioner Lundy, and we know that families are better whole and that people um have stronger outcomes with this type of approach and so I'm very grateful to this board and to boards previously for prioritizing and of course um very grateful for the workforce that is uh doing that work every day. Are there any is there anybody here for that this item? Just double checking because it's a week. Um any other comments? Hearing and seeing none. All those in favor of 13B, please say I. I. Opposed. Uh motion carries. And July 20th to 26th is pre-trial probation and parole supervision week. 13 C is the appointment of Patricia Fitzgerald as a director of facilities operations effective August 10, 2025. May I have a motion, please? So move. Second. Thank you. Commissioners Anderson and Gotel. Mr. Huff chair commissioners. Uh for well over a dozen years I've had the privilege of making recommendations to the county board consistent with statute for your directors and uh today's no exception to that. Uh we have two director positions that we're seeking. They're new director positions in the organization. They will work with your uh recently appointed chief facilities officer for Henipin County buildings as well as Henipin Healthcare System buildings. So, consistent with statute and our open uh appointment policy, uh I am bringing forward the name of Patricia Fitzgerald to be your first uh director of facilities operations. Uh Patricia has been with the organization 16 years, is currently a director uh in the housing economic development area and has been an innovator in creating uh what you all know as a nationleading program referred to as Elevate Henipin. And there are many uh subp parts to that to help support small businesses in our community. She's a superstar. uh she's helped de lead strategic direction in this organization. I'm pleased that she brought her name forward to be considered for this role. As her prior life before joining Henipin, she uh worked in small business uh and was an employee of a company that uh played an active role in development. So she has real estate experience, design experience, construction experience in mixed use and residential commercial buildings and single use tenant spaces. So uh I recommend her uh and I'm excited for her in her new opportunity here at in the headup and family. So thank you. Thank you. Uh any comments, colleagues? We know Patricia's work very well. Excited to see her move into this great position. She's a superstar where she was. She's going to be a superstar here. Absolutely. Are you all planning on speeches by the way? Yeah. So, we'll we'll vote and would invite uh you to come up. Um all those in favor of this director appointment, please say I. I opposed. Motion carries. Congratulations to Patricia Fitzger. [Applause] Thank you, Madam Chair, commissioners. Um I thank you for the opportunity just to express my gratitude. Uh, I'm honored to accept this position. Um, and I would really like to say thank you first to Kevin Docky for being such an incredible, wonderful mentor all these years. Um, and I want to thank the amazing team of people that I've had the privilege of working with and implementing the county's community investment and business support strategies. Their talent, dedication, and the outcomes they deliver are truly inspiring. Um, a large part of what drew me to this new role is that I'm equally impressed with the talented team and facility services, their hard work, their depth of expertise, and the excellence they deliver every day throughout the county's portfolio of spaces. And lastly, thank you, Administrator Huff, Commissioners, and Marggo Geffin, of course, um, for the opportunity to begin this new chapter in my career at Henipin and for the opportunity to support another incredible high-erforming team who does exceptional work in the service of the county's facilities. Thank you. [Applause] Next, we have another appointment. 13D is the appointment of Luda Tronda Falava. Oh, I've never said your first name. Lud Miller. Lud Miller Tronda Falava as a director of security effective July 8, 2025, which is today. Uh, I'll move it. May I have a second? Second. Thank you, Commissioner Connley. Uh, Mr. Huff, chair, commissioner is another superstar with extensive experience in the county organization. Luda as we refer to her and she is always excited, energetic and positive individual has been with the organization eight years. She has helped transform uh the security division within the facility services area. uh she's reshaped its structure, played a key role in hiring, establishing his priorities and then uh which is I think one of the testaments to her as an individual and her compassion and and uh service to our residents. She reflects uh in the culture and vision of the organization a trauma-informed uh focus and it's customer service centered. uh you all know her from a few years ago and her innovative idea of establishing safe spaces which uh that program now has been modeled all over the country. Uh we have she has and her team has supported over 100 individuals impacted by human trafficking and domestic violence. So, uh, I am pleased to, uh, make this recommendation here to you this afternoon, and I look forward to hearing great things, uh, from this new team that, uh, Margot will lead, and, uh, I can't wait to see and read about all the innovative ideas and strategies they adopt and pursue. Absolutely. Any comments? I will say that uh Luda worked with no wrong door for that particular project but that kind of exemplifies what you're talking about just the collaborative nature of ensuring the work gets done. So uh seeing uh no comments all those in favor of Aluda as our new director of security effective today please say I opposed motion carries. [Applause] Uh good afternoon, Madame Chair and commissioners. Uh I want to sincerely thank the board of commissioners, David Huff, uh Margot Gaffin for appointing me as a security director. Uh I'm honored, humbled, grateful for the trust you have placed in me. Security is not just about systems and procedures. It's about people. It's about ensuring every employee, visitor, and member of our community feels safe, respected, and supported. And I'm committed to continuing this mission with integrity and transparency. This role is not something that I step alone. I'm fortunate to lead an amazing team of talented individuals. People who bring not just skills and professionalism but lived experience, compassion and deep dedication to this work. They truly the heart of this division and this appointment is as much reflection of their hard work as it is of mine. Thank you again for this opportunity and I'm really proud to lead and more and prouder to serve. Thank you. Thank you. And I see a lot of your team here. Would you all mind rising just so you could be recognized? [Applause] Quite the team you have there, Margot. I see what's going on. [Laughter] That is the last item of our agenda because the publish agenda 13E was moved uh to after highlights. And so before taking a motion to adjourn, just acknowledging that the published agenda um had uh was the item that we've already voted on to honor Speaker Hortman. Just expressing some gentleness with one another. Um there's such an immense amount of loss these last handful of years, but particularly it seems as though um yeah, lot lots of funerals this year already. And so I just want to extend uh condolences to anyone who is experiencing that loss or perhaps has a family member or someone in their life near the end of their lives. Um and so just trying to offer some gentleness and some care uh to everyone out there. Uh that being said, may I have a motion to adjurnn? So moved. Second. Thank you, Commissioners Gotell and Lundy. All those in favor, please say I. I. I. Opposed. And we are adjourned. But don't go too far. We have the vice chair of the rail authority, Commissioner Lundy, who will be taken over in a second. One, two, three together. 15 seconds. They're set. Challenge accepted. like to call today's meeting at H County Regional Rail Authority. We have three items. Approval of the agenda, the minutes from June 10th and the claim to register ending May 30th. Ky motion and a second for all three. So move. Second. Motion and a second. I see no discussion. All those in favor say I. I. Opposed. With that, the agenda is complete. The meeting is adjourned. Take that, Chair Green. Oh god.