agenda, and I'll read that for the benefit of the the audience. The first one is to approve the minutes of the April, pardon me, the May 19th, 2026 meeting. Secondly, to approve the bridge priority list for county and township bridges. Third, to approve Lake Zumbro Forever request for financial assistance for mechanical dredging activities on Lake Zumbro. Fourth, the temporary liquor sales for the Viola Gopher count. And lastly, to renew the Olmsted County Winona County professional services agreement. I would like to pull item one. If there is a motion to approve A, B, D, and E in block, maybe we could take that. >> Yeah, I'll I'll move to approve all the ones except the exception that you want to talk about. >> Okay. So, is there a motion? There is a motion. There's a second somewhere, I hope. >> Second. >> Okay, there's a second. All in favor, say I. >> I. >> And [snorts] A, B, D, and E are approved. Item E, we have a little work to do on it, and we've done the work. County Attorney has done the work. It's on page 20 of your agenda, if you happen to look at it. Paragraph B, there's a section that deals with the whole question about the the the the county would uh would allocate money to Lake Zumbro Forever, at $50,000 a year maximum. But it does also in that same paragraph provide that uh the Lake Zumbro Forever group can roll out or can roll over county contributions from year to year. So, it conceivably they could have $70,000, for instance, but only be able to spend 50 $50,000 under the language of the of the agreement. And so, with the good help of our County Attorney, he's provided some amendment language, which I Maybe I'd just read it. Uh I don't have copies for all of you, but that just trust me on like uh page 26 of this document. Now, it's not page 20 anymore. Uh Olmsted County will provide payment up to $50,000 in annual funding. That's in the agreement. Then we're going to add plus any amount rolled over from a prior calendar year, period. And uh that would have in essence be the amendment. That makes it the allowable that they can use or to be paid for more than $50,000 a year if in fact they roll some over. Is there a motion to approve that? >> So moved. >> Okay, there's a motion and is there a second? There's a second. Uh all any discussion? Uh then all in favor of uh of this amendment, which I'll provide to the county clerk so they can properly record it. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed nay and it is adopted. >> So point of order. Then do we have to go back and approve the agreement with that amendment? >> We just did. >> Or no, we only approved the amendment. >> Yeah, I'm sorry. Yes, thank you. >> You got it. >> Uh so now to approve item uh >> So moved. >> C as presented as amendment amended rather. All in favor as in the motion and is there a second? There's a second. All in favor say I and >> I. >> It is I and it is approved. Thank you. You caught me. >> Yeah, sorry. >> Uh So now discussion and decision items, we're going to hear from the approval of the transfer of county real property. And this involves a veterans home. And Jenna Gilbertson is going to present. >> Yes, good morning, commissioners. Thank you. Jenna Gilbertson, division administrator of Health, Housing, and Human Services. This is a matter that was before you as the HRA board on May 14th, so I know you're familiar with the context here, but perhaps just by way of recap, on May 14th at the HRA board, we heard a presentation from one of our valued local partners in service to veterans, the Minnesota Assistance Council for Veterans, or MAC-V as it is otherwise known, um about their hope for a project and an effort to serve um veteran families who have experienced homelessness in our community. So, at that time, there was an ask of um the county to consider contributing property to this project. It was approved at the HRA board. We are here today to ask for your final approval in that matter as well. So, it would it falls under the transfer of county real property because we would transfer the ownership from the county to the HRA in order to help make some of this happen. >> Any questions of presenter? If not, is there a motion? >> I move to approve the transfer. >> Motion by Mr. Mueller first, second is by Mr. Wright. Any discussion on this? >> Yes. >> Yes. >> Yes, sir. Uh first of all, I really appreciate working with MAC-V on this. I mean, it was it's a great project. It not only helps uh our goals of meeting the housing needs for those people, including the veterans, and also working with our own veterans association, who has been very active in working with the veterans in in the area, but it also brings in our working relationship with another housing builder, and that's Lennar. And I think that that's also will benefit the county in the future, so it's a great project. >> Thank you. >> And what else? I think we're all on board with this one. It is a great project and I really get asset for our community. Uh all in favor then say I. >> I. >> Opposed then it is carried. Thank you so much Mr. Gilbert. Moving on then to uh our next item is to approve the annual voluntary state measures program report uh Ms. Miller, welcome. >> Good morning Mr. Chair Commissioners, Debra Eric Miller, I'm director of policy analysis and communications. And I'm here to provide just a brief overview and update on this Minnesota performance measures program. And before I start, I just want to acknowledge that although I am the messenger today, I did not do the work associated with the report that's in the packet. So I want to give um acknowledgement to my colleague Fermin Espinosa and Pat. Um he has been doing this work for a number of years compiling the report each year. And then also to all the departments who contribute the the measures that are associated with it. So I will just give a brief background and overview of the program and Olmsted County's participation in it. I'll review selected Olmsted County measures and then we are seeking board approval for participation and submission of our annual report with measures by July 1st. So this program started in 2010. The state legislature created the Council on Local Results and Innovation. And in 2011 they created the initial 10 measures. And these measures were created to help residents, taxpayers, state and local officials with determining the efficacy of counties and cities in providing services and to offer transparency into those services. There were some revisions to the program in 2012 and in 2013 to expand the number of measures to choose from so that grew to 27 and the requirement is still for us to select 10 of those 27. And it also was to increase participation in the program at that time. So, as of 2025, there were 28 counties, about a third of our 87 counties, and 39 cities in Minnesota participating in this program. And that of course includes Olmsted County. So, again, this is a voluntary participation in the program, and we have been participating since 2012. So, basically since the very beginning. And county city participants are eligible for some uh reimbursement, some funding for participation in the program and for meeting all of the requirements. It's a population-based formula, and so we currently um uh receive about $21,000 annually, and the maximum is $25,000 annually. And we currently use these funds for our triennial resident survey um to fund that project, and then we've actually been able to reduce the cost of that survey in recent years, and so we've had a little bit of extra money, which we've used um to provide access to community engagement training. So, this slide just shows a quick overview of where we stand with the measures. So, again, there are 10 measures that we have chosen to report on, and they're organized under four of our strategic priorities. So, community safety and well-being, responsible growth and development, environmental sustainability, and community trust and engagement. There is an 11th measure under responsible growth and development that doesn't have a color. Um this is related to tracking a veteran population in Olmsted County, and then federal dollars secured per veteran. So, these are just measures that we just track historically, but there's no target or goal associated with them. So, as you can see by the color coding here, we have met um in 2025, or in the most recent report, the one before you, we've met the target goal on eight of the 10 measures. I also just want to note that as you read the report, usually it's the the recent year that we're reporting on, so in this case 2025, but some of the measures are lagging, so they might be 2024 data rather than 2025, and that's noted in the report. So, I'm just going to spend a few minutes sharing with you a sample of the measures that are in this report. So, the first one falls under the community safety and well-being strategic priority. D and O or Dodge and Olmsted Community Corrections or D and O Community Corrections supplies these data for the report, and they have two measures related to recidivism among adults after completion of supervision. So, in both cases, the target goal was met for the most recent year in 2025. So, in the first, the table at the top, the target goal is that 85% of individuals who complete probation and supervision for a felony offense remain free of a new felony conviction for 3 years post discharge. And again, this goal was met. The second table shows that the target goal of 75% of individuals who complete prison sentences and supervised release also remaining free of a new felony conviction 3 years post discharge. And again, the goal was met. Several initiatives contribute to these outcomes through the work of D and O Community Corrections as shown in the report. These includes methods such as applying research-driven practices, motivational interviewing, and using validated risk assessment tools. It also includes some specific types of programming they use such as intensive supervision and cognitive skills programming. >> [sighs] >> The next highlight um supports strategic priority of responsible growth and development, and these measures are provided by our finance department. The measure reflects our bond ratings from Standard & Poor's and Moody's Investors Services. Now, as you can see in the top table, the S&P has not been rated since 2023 when the goal was met, and we continue to receive the AAA bond rating from Moody's in 2024 and 2025. The reason that there's a year not rated for the S&P is that there's no requirement for an issuer to maintain ratings from multiple credit rating agencies, and many local governments only rely on a single rating. So, given Olmsted County's long-standing history of strong financial management, the additional value provided by maintaining both is limited. So, consistent with guidance from our municipal advisor, a single rating strategy is appropriate, and that helps us save costs on the rating and then the reduced administrative effort. Again, many initiatives contribute to these performance metrics, such as our internal controls, maintenance of healthy fund balance, and a 5-year CIP, which is reviewed and updated annually. The next measure highlights our strategic priority of environmental sustainability, and these measures are provided by our environmental resources department. There are three sub-measures here, all related to recycling and solid waste processing. The first top chart is our recycling rate. The target goal is greater than 45% of material is recyclable, which we have not met in 2025 or in previous years. Uh but, as you know, numerous efforts are underway to improve this metric, including a comprehensive uh and cohesive public education campaign to promote recycling, as well as the upcoming groundbreaking and construction of a new materials recovery facility. The second measure relates to the percent of processable waste by the waste-to-energy facility. The target goal is 90% or more. This was met in the most recent year. It was actually over 100%, 101%. And the reason for that is that there is waste that is uh comes directly to the waste-to-energy facility, which is this measure, but there is also waste that can be reclaimed from the Kalmar landfill and then processed at the waste-to-energy facility. So, that is actually additive to that measure, which is how we can get over 100%. And then finally, the third component is household participation rate in our hazardous waste program. And this has a target rate of 10% or or more of all whole households using our facility, and that goal is met in 2025 with an estimated 15% of households. And finally, the last metric supports our strategic priority of community trust and engagement, and these measures are provided by our property records and licensing department. This measure looks at post-election audit accuracy. So, after an election, the voting system and hand count are reconciled by choosing randomly from among three pre- precincts, and the accuracy rate target goal is less than .5% so, less than 1% um variance between the those two. We have met this goal with 0% variance, no variance um in the last election year of 2024, statewide election year of 2024, as well as the previous years that are noted in the table in the report. To support these metrics and achieve the target goal, the elections team must carefully prepare ballots and tabulating systems for 110 precincts and more than 102,000 registered voters. They also train more than 1,000 election judges every 2 years to support election accuracy. So, this concludes the highlights of my presentation. I will turn it back to you, Mr. Chair, for any questions and discussion. I I know that department heads are also in the audience if there's any detailed questions, and then also to initiate the next steps for the board approval that we need by July 1st to continue our participation in the program. And then please note that, assuming approval occurs, the full report will be available on our website at the link which is shown on this slide. Thank you. >> Okay, thank you so much. A wonderful report, Ms. Miller. Any questions uh on any of the items uh that were presented? Comments? Terribly quiet. >> [laughter] >> I would I would just say I just find this kind of intriguing and interesting. I'm glad we're doing it personally. I think it gives us a the ability to at least take 10 items out of our menu of 200 or 493, I think, services provided and measure them and uh And it's uh and I'm sure we did 493, we'd we'd we'd be as successful, but uh >> That's right. It's all about >> It is uh it's it's very interesting and I think enlightening and reflecting on I think of our county and what it does and how it does it. Anybody else? Well, thank you so much, Ms. Miller. I appreciate the report. Moving on then into informational items, we have uh two updates today. Uh one Pardon me. Yes. Uh Pardon me. Mr. Chair, is the production okay? >> Uh well, no, actually I we we do have an action item on that last that last item that >> Well, I'm sorry. >> requires you to approve the report and our continuation in the program. >> Pardon me. Yes, we definitely want to I make a motion to approve the report as presented. >> So moved. >> Second. >> And there is a motion and a second. And any discussion further? If not, all in favor say aye. >> Aye. >> The motion is approved. >> Well done. >> Well, thank you, Mr. Chair. >> [laughter] >> Sorry. Okay, now moving on to discussion item Pardon me, informational items. We have a uh reports from the city of Chatfield and another later on and city of Oronoco. So, who's going to uh present this report? Ms. Peterson? >> It'll be both of us this time. >> Both of you. Yes, wonderful. >> Commissioners, thank you for allowing us to come and share a little bit about Chatfield with you. So, I'm Michelle Peterson, the city administrator. >> I'm Allison Bentley, the community development director. >> Wonderful. >> So, Allison wears a couple different hats, but we'll we'll get into that in a few more minutes here. So, first I want to talk about this initiative from DEED and their new campaign, Choose Minnesota. I'm not sure if you've seen this or not, but Choose Minnesota talks about supporting locally, supporting our local businesses, shopping locally, dining locally, and the benefits to that. That it's not just an economic benefit, but the also the coordination and connection between people. The funny thing about this is our local leaders recognized this and how important supporting locally is many years ago. In fact, in 2020, they created the Chatfield Alliance. Here's where the the many hats comes in. Allison also serves as a staff person for the Chatfield Alliance, and I would like her to share a little more information about what they do in our community. You'll see a little similarity there. >> Yeah. So, the Chatfield Alliance also goes by Choose Chatfield. Um started in 2020 with eight members. Again, looking to engage with the community through collaboration of community events, starting a Facebook page called Choose Chatfield, um conduct business ribbon cuttings, um and then also assisting with graphic design services for local nonprofits or businesses that don't have that entity uh within their organization. Um over the last year we've had over 6,000 or excuse me, 624,000 views on our Facebook page with almost 3,000 members. So, again, a great thing uh for our community. >> Oop, this is being too fast here. Thank you. >> Okay, thank you. >> Thanks. [clears throat] >> Here we go. Okay. Thank you. So, these are just a few of the things that we do. Uh we help market our Growers and Makers Market that's on Thursdays. Uh 2 years ago, we moved this from the city park where they had little to no recognition with about five vendors to closing Fourth Street between our Chatfield Center for the Arts and our city park and we've gained over 30 vendors, having a food truck each week, and starting music in June and July. So, a great community event on Thursdays. Few pictures of our ribbon cuttings over the last year. Also, graphic design services and then collaborations that we do with different organizations in the town again, and then also bringing in different businesses for giveaways and things like that. These are two of our bigger events that we help promote. Uh Chatfield Chill Fest, which is the first weekend in February. Again, great things to do. Um a big vendor market. If there's snow, um snowmobile race, uh snowshoeing, different things like that. And then we host a community social on Saturday evening, um getting local hot dogs from our um local vendor in town, and just kind of a creating a community event. And then happens the first weekend in October October. And we partner with our local Chatfield FFA chapter, um and they do a fall fest with different things for egg. Um so, it's a great partnership. The Michelle has handed out to you also our community guide, which we try to create every 2 years. Um again, it's in our visitor center as well as uh all of the Root River Trail towns. So, from here to Caledonia. Again, trying to promote all of our towns that have uh different entities within them. We also host a community cocktail four times a year. Um this usually includes three to four questions that we have either gotten back from feedback within the community or that we have come up with um as members. Um they can include What is the Chatfield Alliance? Should we build a veterans memorial? Um Does Chatfield need more parks? Different questions that again we can get answers to that um helps us promote Chatfield. Few happenings around town. Our Care Center is celebrating their 50th anniversary, which is a huge milestone for care facilities. Um so again we partnered with them to help them create a logo. So that was a great partnership. Uh they have um 15 independent living rooms that opened in 1990, 20 assisted living rooms, which opened in 2006, and over 70 rooms in their skilled nursing center. So again, a great asset in our community. These are just a few of the things that they do out there. Again, creating a home-like environment for their residents. Um staff get involved as well as different organizations in in town. As our Blooms for Every Room is coordinated by Big Girl Stickers and Stems with sponsorships from people within the community to make sure that everyone um in the care facility has a bouquet of flowers. Then recently in October of 2025, we launched the Hilltop Estates building incentive program. We were able to use uh funds from some sale of our lots to provide $10,000 worth of closing costs to buyers up here in um this Hilltop Estates. And again with different partnerships um with the builder of GQ Homes, again it has a savings of up to $24,000 for buyers, which we're hearing is huge um especially with interest rates rising, um things like that that it gives first-time home buyers the chance to locate be located in Chatfield. >> And the key thing about that area, um we have a tax abatement on that. And so we're limited, the clock is ticking. And so we wanted to try to push the sale of these lots as much as we could. Hence, what we came up with the housing incentive and it has made a difference. We But, I'll let you finish now. >> Yeah, uh we closed on our first house in 2025 and then recently closed last Friday on our second house with a third and fourth to follow this fall upon the completion of the build. So, again, it's growing and we have funding for eight homes. Uh then we opened our Grand Street Apartments in January of this year. Um back in 2022, they had an eight two-bedroom unit uh rental market property that again burned down. So, they were able to build it a little bit bigger and turn um the way that it was positioned on the lot. So, again, offering 14. These are all fully housed um as of now. So, we were able to get a workforce housing development program grant for 475,000 as well as a part of a TIF district. Which turns it back over to me. Um as I mentioned last year when I was here, our police chief of almost 30 years was retiring. He has since and we have a new chief, Keegley, that has taken over. Um Scott worked with us before as a full-time officer and had stayed on part-time as he went to work with Fillmore County. Um even in his short two months on the job, he's met with some challenges, but he has met them successfully and I I think that speaks a lot of his character. Oops. Sorry. We also have some big changes coming. We have a wonderful library that has several great opportunities, um story time, workshops, community book club, all sorts of fun summer activities. Our librarian of also 30 years it will be retiring this year. So, lots of changes, but I think that also speaks to a story that my predecessor had been with the city for 30 years, a police chief for 29 years, a librarian for 32 years. It's a really wonderful community to serve. So then I wanted to just share a little bit about our ambulance. We keep continuing to try to think outside of the box and change. We know that the structure of a completely volunteer service from before years ago just isn't sustainable. And so how do we do that? So we look for different funding opportunities. We've just recently increased our staff and added two more part-times, maybe taking us to two full-time and three part-time EMTs. So far I think it's working really well, still supporting our volunteers, but also taking a little bit of that burden or not burden, but that edge off by having some staff members. We have a new fire chief this year, Peter Erickson. And last year we ordered a new fire truck. That's expected to come in in 2028. Just shuffle just not too long a time, but Um we also are going to be working on our lead service line, hopefully this year. We'll We'll keep our fingers crossed. We were very fortunate that we only have 15 lines. So I know that's a great contrast to a lot of communities, but we're thankful for that. Our other >> Mhm. >> Oh, it works. Sorry. [laughter] Okay. Water. Drinking water. I know that's a big discussion in our area right now, too. So the picture on the left is our in-ground tank. That was built in the 1890s, so roughly 136 years old. In the 1960s, they went in and relined it. Um when it was built, it was a 400,000 gallon tank. Now it's down to about 300,000 gallons. We know it's time to do something with it. We've known that. Adjacent to this in the 1960s, they built a 100,000 gallon tank. That tank is now showing signs that it will be failing. So within the next 5 years, we have a ticking clock here, we need to get our in-ground tank replaced and we'd like to do that with the same size as the original, a 400,000, and remove the above-ground tank. That'll be a big project for a small community with not a lot of ratepayers, so we are looking for ways to offset that. Our last little story is our wastewater treatment facility. So, we use a reed bed system to process our biosolids. The benefit to that, there is literally little to no smell that comes off of that. In addition, it's been over 20 years since we had to land apply. The plants take care of everything. The downside is that the EPA actually has determined that these reeds are an invasive species. So, now the MPCA has said you can't use them anymore. I struggle with that because it's like, oh, they're working so well. Um, so now the process to try to find a native plant that works just as well as the invasive species. So, ongoing process. We have applied for some grant funding to work with the Uni- University of Minnesota to try to help study these new plants and and figure out what could work better. Um, or work equally as well. The other option we have is we could switch our processes. Of course, that's going to be a big difference to our community and in a smaller community with great big hillsides, it could really have an impact. Um, so, any offer any improvements that we do will uh bring save on energy and labor costs. And I was going to switch to that, I apologize. So, this is a reed our reed beds. That upper picture shows before the plants have started growing and then in the bottom picture you can see the plants. So, it just looks like a field. Looks very nice. >> Can I just ask you do you do you do you grow the plants in the biosolids? How Is that what we're doing it >> Correct. The biosolids are filtered in through the underground pipes and the plants soak up the nutrients. >> What do you do with the plant? You harvest them? Do you cut you cut them at some point? >> to cut them off in fall. Yeah. >> I'm sorry. >> Thank you, girl. >> Fascinating. >> It is. It's very cool. >> What? >> Thank you. >> Why why do they care that they're invasive? Are they leaving your site? >> Uh there is evidence that they have there are plants growing in the property next to our facility. Um but this really like I said, it's the EPA. It's a nationwide determination and then so the MPCA adopts what the EPA has to say and as much as I understand, there's also I think we have to look at both sides of the equation. So. >> Yeah. >> That's a little bit about what Chatfield has going on. So thank you very much for your time. >> Any questions of the Chosen Valley? >> [laughter] >> I agree with the same. Thanks. >> Just one last little plug. If you don't follow Choose Chatfield on Facebook, I'd recommend you do cuz she shares all of our wonderful events happening. So make sure to check it out. >> Thank you. >> Commissioner Miller. >> I just got one question. I didn't hear anything about Western Days. >> Well, so that's kind of funny. So Western Days is a is an animal all in its own. That is a group of volunteers >> Mhm. >> that put it on for the city um or on behalf of the city. They do have partnerships with a youth organization. I know the Chatfield Alliance does try to help promote it as much as possible, but that's why it's it's just uh it's a different >> Okay. >> It just pops up in my head, Chatfield and Western Days and all that. So. >> It's a big part of our community and I know you'll see a large part of our community come out to support those events. >> Don't go away, Commissioner Podolski Smith. >> I've got a question here looking through your brochure. What is Trash and treasure days? >> [laughter] >> It's our garage sales that happen every May. It's usually the first weekend in May. And that's kind of what they deem it as, you know, one man's trash is another man's treasure. So, they call it trash and treasure days. >> Indeed. >> After that weekend, then whatever is left, our city garbage service comes through and takes away anything that's left. >> Very good. >> I'm good. Oh, anybody else? Yes. >> Commissioner >> I know that the Highway 52 construction at Marion's been a big issue, but and that should be done soon, hopefully. But, what other issues does does Chatfield have? I mean, what do you what do you see as your challenges going forward? >> Uh we have a few. Um the water, the infrastructure replacement. That's going to be a challenge for the community, both water and sewer. Um we also have another Highway 52 project that will be happening between Chatfield and Fountain next year. That will be another challenge um just for anybody that's commuting south of us. Um I think there there's also, you know, as you as we grow, hopefully we try to think to the future. Sometimes we get it right, sometimes not quite right. So, we have a segment of town on the Olmsted County side of of town um that we would like to connect it up so that it can connect to a county road and then connect to 52 so that that area has two outlets. Right now, there's only one. Um I think that's probably one of our bigger ones. I think along with a lot of other communities, we have businesses that are, you know, struggling finding staffing. Um so, we try to work with them as best we can and offer any support and encouragement and those [clears throat] are the big ones. >> I think I remember from a past report, Chatfield imports more more employees into town than they export. Is is that correct? >> equal. >> About equal? >> Yeah, it's about 8,000 that go in and 8,000 that go out every day. >> Pretty incredible for a small town near Rochester to be that equal, so that's that's good. >> Could you say those numbers again? >> It's around 8,000 that come in and out of Chatfield every day. >> Wow. >> Mhm. And it's funny, you think it takes less time to go from Rochester to Chatfield than it does to go from one corner of Rochester to the other. >> Yeah, I know that. >> [laughter] >> So, I have one about uh we worked several years in a performing arts center. Uh How was uh I'm sure you're going to tell me it's doing wonderfully, but just tell me that. And uh what what kind of venues do you have? >> So, the Chatfield Center of the Arts um partners with the school to offer their um music programs usually two to four times a year. Again, they have different bands that come in. They do the Western Days play. Um they do school plays. It's continuing to grow. I think like with everything in our environment, they're needing to shift and pivot and kind of do different things. So, I think right now they're working on a new plan to instead of maybe every weekend having shows, having fewer shows, but bigger shows to kind of bring bigger crowds in. Again, that not only helps them, but helps restaurants, gas station, kind of everything in town. >> Does the city manage that or is it a is it a separate group? >> No, it's managed by um CCA Inc. So, Chatfield for the Center of the Arts Inc. So, they have their own board. We just oversee the building. >> Anyone else? If not, thank you very much. These are very informative. I really appreciate you coming up and presenting to us. Uh So, now we move off to Oronoco. And uh >> Good afternoon. I'm Melissa Griggs. I'm the administrative assistant for the city of Oronoco. I do have with me Mayor Ryland Eyecorst. Uh we are down a city administrator right now, so this brings us to you today. Our city administrator recently resigned to join the greater Fairmont, Minnesota area as their city administrator. Um so we're about 30 days into that. Um we are a part, obviously, of Olmsted County District 7. Um oh. >> And now it's like the best history. >> Um a lot of our presentation today um is focused on community growth. Um you will know uh Oronoco is one of the smaller surrounding uh communities that we're just kind of getting up and on our feet as far as uh infrastructure is concerned in the last several years, and that is now finally paying off and bringing in that commercial development, and we're able to support and draw in uh more developers for housing. Um right now we are currently listed, the city of Oronoco, as the 17th fastest-growing city in Minnesota. Uh little bit of demographics. I had There's a little bit of variance between um census data that was available from 2024 and what the uh the statistics are on World Population Review. This is kind of combination of both. Um I think from administrative perspective, we would err on the side of we're going to go with we're right hovering around 2,000. I think World Population Review is a little high. Census data is slightly outdated. Um so that graph, that 2155 for population, I think is probably realistically closer to uh 2,000 um just given our daily operations. Um let's see. Households currently have listed 522 is our number of households. Poverty level at 2.9% Population by range is interesting. Um we do have a lot of young families moving into the area, so that's really bringing up our numbers of young families. Oronoco uh is a uh dual school zone, so we We have the opportunity for our um youth to attend either the Pine Island School District or the Rochester School District. Um, so that's kind of an interesting perspective. As a city, we support both of those youth sports programs and fundraisers and things of that nature. Um, household income, uh, we again is growing with the young families and the development that is coming out into Oronoco. I think our our average new development homes are um, somewhere in the range of $600,000. Um, new housing development to support some of that, uh, you know, new new families coming out into our area. Right now, we [snorts] have three different projects that we're looking at. Um, Kaiser Washnock is looking at some mixed single-family and multi-family housing on 43 acres that would hopefully deliver between 75 and 100 units. That's on the east side of Oronoco. You see on the map and that upper right-hand black dot or the black location pin is where that's located. Um, for reference, the Oronoco Crossings. So, that's something, um, that's a a tract of land that's currently owned by the People's Energy Cooperative and they are looking to work with Kaiser Washnock the possibility of a proposed senior-focused multi-housing project. Um, they're looking at 9 to 12 units possibly over there. Um, and then the Pine Southwest Condos. This is something that you might have seen in our presentation last year. Um, this was sort of still in the development phase last year. This is a 14-acre development with 56 residential units um, and a community recreation facility of its own. Um, we're hoping that they're going to be breaking ground here in 2026. They're kind of a little bit little bit behind. We were hoping for that development to start last year. Um, some important things to note, um, about our new housing development. Oronoco is very small and other than a couple of triplex and fourplex homes that are for rent, we do not currently have any multi-housing facilities at all. We do not have any senior housing facilities at all. So, these are new things coming into our community. The residents are very excited, and these are the types of developments that the residents have been hoping for. So, we're kind of excited about these things taking place. This is just a little bit more about that that condo community I just mentioned. This is the Pine Southwest community that if you're familiar with the area, it's kind of up in that same region region where the two sisters restaurant is. This would kind of be in that developable area that surrounds that and then abutting to the adjacent Cedar Woodlands area. The first phase of this is going to be just four of the four-unit buildings, I believe. These are all single-story patio homes. And again, they do have that recreation facility on site. They are also putting in green space courtyard type of deal, maybe fountains. They're adding some sidewalks and walking paths, so that the existing residential community that surrounds that area is pretty excited about those features. Commercial and business development from the Field of Dreams. If you build it, they will come. It's kind of our motto. This is how we've been operating since we completed our our wastewater facility just last 2024. Certainly, we are a very small community. I know there's there's been a lot of talk about putting the horse before the cart with our water and sewer facility and projects. But in all honesty, that was the thing that we needed to do to not only support our residents with failing systems, but to draw in future development both commercial and residential. So, these are some of This is some of the new commercial business that we've seen um last through last year and um going into this year. We did complete This is com- These The first two are complete. They're going to have certificates of occupancy here within the next 30 to 60 days. We've welcomed LDM Electric and Steinbrook Communications. This is a second location for them. Uh they are located uh north of the Twin Cities right now for their main hub. Junge's Flooring, I'm sure you're familiar with. They are been of Rochester, a family-owned company for many, many years. They have just built their new facility in Orinoco and they will be moving out here this summer for their relocation. Uh in our historic district, right on Minnesota Avenue, we have an an old building that has been rehabbed by Jeff and Julie Green, who you might know owned Shades of Green here in Rochester for several years. Um this facility is a combo facility. So, Greeners Pub and Cocktail Lounge and Pretty Please and Thank You. That's Jeff on the left. He's going to be running the um fire uh fire firebrick pizza. I I don't know if I'm saying that right. Um Dirty Sodas, they did get a they did get a um an alcohol license. They are going to have gambling, so it will be a full kind of pub and cocktail lounge establishment. And then in the far end of that facility, Julie is opening um sort of like a general general store, like an old-time general store, which really fits historically within Orinoco and I think the residents are really excited about that. Um Next up, Fox and Fern Floral, also previously of Rochester, just relocated to um again our Minnesota Avenue historical district. Um she is opening her commercial uh shop right next to the river there, right next to Alice Park. Um I think she's al- already actually partially moved in. Um our new and upcoming project has not broken ground yet, but we do have we are looking forward to that um more of those plans coming in this summer and this fall. It's Fire Safety USA is building their main um facility there. The coming soon, I didn't have a photo, but I did want to note that Orinoco did um welcome Matchbox Farms. It's our first um cannabis indoor grow facility into Orinoco this year. Uh they have a retail outlet in Owatonna. So, this is an indoor facility for growing only growing and packaging, I'm sorry, and then those goods are transported to the retail facility in Orinoco or in um Owatonna. Uh projects and plans. So, right now a few things that we have going on this spring and this summer, we are working to get a lot of our park trails in our Riverwood Hills area paved. Um that's going to add additional ADA access um as well. We also are adopting to help support some of the expenditures that come with those things a park bench adoption program and our parks and trails uh committee has worked really hard on that. Uh of course we continue to work always with the Zumbro River regional water trail improvements offering better access uh to the Zumbro River. Um facilities assessment plan we just completed. We don't have a formal report, but we did have a debriefing that was not so hot. So, that is one of challenges that we're going to be looking at in the next I would say 5 to 10 years uh for both our city hall facility and fire department locations. New logo and dot gov implementation. You might have seen throughout this uh presentation on each page page I made sure to include our new logo. It's fun. It's colorful. Um we've been kind of excited to just have something new. Uh and then the dot gov implementation uh the entire city will be moving over to that I feel like July or August um to become compliant it those access needs. Um we just in April City Council approved all new and updated zoning ordinances. And our EDA is going to be working here 2027 and 2028 um to update our very dated 2006 comprehensive plan and flow. Uh let's see. Couple of fun things to note. Uh our biggest project that we have coming down the line is we are going to be start starting to work on our phase 1B of our original wastewater facility plan amendment. Um this is going to extend and bring um additional services to the unserved areas that we were not able to get to in the phase one uh that ran 2021 through 2024. This will go to help protect public health, water quality, and help to support that sustainable growth that we're looking at. Time frame to break ground on that project and for construction anyway, it's going to be closer to 2029 2030. Um the city and the engineers do need to take some time to secure funding for that project. Above that photo, you will see that our left to right public works director, uh mayor, city administrator, and city engineer were awarded uh the same uh oh engineers award this year and that was for that project that um wastewater facility um a phase one. Um that was really exciting for us. It was a lot of hard work. I know you guys are going to be hearing a lot about the folks north of us that are putting together their plan for their um their wastewater uh facility and um and treatment and although uh you know, it was kind of tough going and it was a lot of work to get there. We now are looking at phase 1B and just are so grateful that we did that. We didn't wait to be a part of a larger plan and that that we built our own facility um because it's gotten us on the road to improvement a little bit faster. Um kind of a summary, uh steady population growth, um housing development, uh looking at single-family, multi-family, and senior housing. We do have quite a diverse resident need um for all of those things. Economic growth with new and expanding businesses, obviously, we've got permits and licenses coming in for those monthly. Um and then key initiatives are the wastewater, uh zoning, parks and infrastructure. So, with that, I think that's kind of my last That's my last slide. >> Thank you so much, Ms. Ms. Griggs. Any any questions of Ms. Griggs on anything that's been said or not said? Yes. >> Can you go over [clears throat] So, you got a report on your city council building that There's There's issues with the building, city council >> Not particularly issues, but they're very aged, very dated. We have air quality issues. Um we have mechanical issues. We've got the structural issues. Um so, Kraus-Anderson has been working with us to address and assess those needs. Um they we're very much in the initial stages of that. Um That report has not been seen by council yet, uh but it is going to be our our second large challenge that we're going to be working on here, I would I would imagine. >> Yeah. Anyone else? Mayor Icorse, do you want to say anything? >> Sure. >> This is uh C- This is the uh most ardent greatest mayor that I ever worked with. >> Aw. >> [laughter] >> I have a letter to prove it. Uh Commissioner Jaworski, thank you very much for this opportunity to share our status with you. Um it's growth is exciting, uh no doubt, and but with that comes challenges. Um the one of the uh challenge we have is land uh within our current city limits. We only have couple parcels that are open for R2 development, and so annexation is going to help us with our growth um to help us with our um affording wastewater treatment plant. It's a state-of-the-art. I invite anybody that would like to come out and visit sometime. You're more than welcome to come out. We'd like to share it with you as well. But um I think that's probably the >> [clears throat] >> the biggest challenge we had ahead of us, but um in addition to the wastewater, we're also seeing more lot splits. Uh Oronoco is noted for large lots, and we've seen uh several people doing lot splits for either family members or to uh just uh sell the land and for other people to build on. So, we're hopefully seeing more of that inclusive type building within our city limits as well. So, good. >> Questions? Comments? >> I'm good. >> Yes, Commissioner. >> Uh about first responders in Oronoco Township, any any movement there? >> Currently, like the contract is with is with Pine Island for the Township. Um that was an internal thing that happened last year. Um that's a contract that is renewable every year, and and the Township decided to not renew um with the Oronoco first responders last year, and and and took a contract with Pine Island. >> That was in March of '25, wasn't it? >> It was. >> And so then they continued on that '26. Yeah. >> The Township indicated they're very willing to have the conversation on an annual basis. So, we'll honor that and provide the information >> And anyway, is there any anyone else? >> Mr. Chair. >> Yes. >> I [clears throat] compliment you on your very colorful logo. >> [laughter] >> You have very good designers. Games and Moguls, huh, Greg? >> You know, it's funny because people think oh, it's just a logo. Don't waste the time and the money, and is that really necessary? If you've seen what Oronoco was using for a logo, it really wasn't a logo. It was a piece of letterhead from snipped off of something from 30 years ago. It's very difficult to work with digitally or on any kind of apparel or any of our public works um fleet. It was very difficult to work with. So, actually this is something we did really need and we are appreciative to have something new to work with there. >> Logos make a difference. >> So, I thought. >> One other quick comment. >> Yes. >> Very active age-friendly Orinoco age group. Um it was helped originated from the Olmsted County age-friendly. Uh we're incorporated nonprofit and we have about 25 30 members in it. It's very active on a monthly basis. So, uh they're also uh pushing for senior housing and so they're a a big uh input of comments into our EDA EDA because the wastewater treatment plant was developed about 3 years ago. So, we're in the infancy of our EDA which a lot of cities have had for 40 50 years. So, we're anxiously moving ahead with our EDA organization as well. So, >> Great. Well, thank you so much to both Chatfield and certainly Orinoco for being with us today and presenting us some great information and uh uh each city has a lot of pride and I know that I know that uh each does that uh you're doing fabulous work. Thank you. And we're always here for you if you need us. So, moving on to um board and committee reports, are there any? >> Mr. >> No report. >> No report. >> No report. >> Mr. Hopkins. >> What? >> I have a report. >> Good. >> Okay. [laughter] So, as as many of you know, uh this is the inaugural year for uh transforming trash which is Olmsted County's artist in residence program. Our first artist has been here for a couple of weeks. She's been very busy at the Kalmar Landfill, uh welding ferrous metal and other metals that she's found in the metal heaps. And I I understand that she's building at least three uh compelling sculptural creatures. And uh she'll have a We're we're hosting an art show for her on Monday, June 15th at our historic Chateau Theatre at 5:00. It's open to the public. And this is where her pieces will be unveiled. She'll give an artist talk. And I think it will be a really special, pretty spectacular night. And I invite everyone to attend. >> Great. Uh and I I will just report quickly last Thursday Commissioners Rossman uh Wright and myself uh Tony Hill and Lorenzo Muños completed a 13-week uh NACO, which is the National County Organization uh uh program, if you will, on on renewable that's a renewable energy academy. And we combined with 13 other counties from across the country and uh just talked about the energy future. Each Each county picked a project, a direction. We we picked one which we're going to pick anyway, which is community involvement around and education around the uh solid waste system in Thurston County. And so I suspect we'll be looking at that at this board meeting at perhaps at physical development at some point. But uh good experience and uh it's kind of fun to hear what uh and listen to and learn from other counties across the country in this area. So that would be it. Anyone else? If not, is there a motion to adjourn? >> So moved. >> Motion and a second. And all in favor say I. >> I. right. >> We are adjourned and we are on a tour at this point, uh going on a tour instructions. Yes. >> Yeah.