Wright County City Council — Transcript
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
Committee of the Whole Scheduling for Sheriff's Office
New County Attorney Appointment
Proclamation for Operation Green Light for Veterans
Tax-Forfeited Property Sales Proceeds for Parks
Acceptance of Donations for County Parks
Amendments to Planning and Zoning Ordinances
Publication of Ordinance Summary Language
Acceptance of Anonymous HHS Donation
Local Road Improvement Program Grant Funding Support
Scheduling Public Hearing for Fee Schedule Changes
Votes (16)
Approval of Consent Agenda (General)
Dissent: None
Moved by Unknown [0:02:08] · Seconded by Commissioner Holland [0:02:37]
The general consent agenda was approved with one item (Item R: Sheriff's Office Committee of the Whole) removed for separate discussion due to a board member's scheduling conflict on the proposed date.
Rescheduling Sheriff's Office Committee of the Whole
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Holland [0:05:22] · Seconded by Commissioner Shaheen [0:05:28]
A request for a Committee of the Whole meeting by the Sheriff's office on November 17th faced a conflict. After discussing various alternative dates, including after Veterans Day, Thanksgiving week, and early December, the board settled on December 1st at 10:00 a.m.
Appointment and Oath of Office for New County Attorney
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Holland [0:07:34] · Seconded by Commissioner Shaheen [0:07:38]
County Attorney Lutz introduced Crissa Grapes (Orion), detailing her education from UW La Crosse and UMN Law School, and experience with the Attorney General's office and St. Cloud City Attorney's office. She joins the misdemeanor division, replacing Betsy Larson, and her local residency and marriage to a Sheriff's deputy were noted. The board formally approved her appointment.
Adoption of Proclamation for Operation Green Light for Veterans (Resolution 2652)
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Dietrich [0:09:40] · Seconded by Commissioner Holland [0:09:43]
Alyssa Peterson presented Resolution 2652 for a proclamation to support Operation Green Light, a national campaign involving counties illuminating buildings green from November 4th-11th. The initiative aims to support veterans, especially during their first year post-service when suicide risk is high, and connect them with local resources. This is Wright County's third year of participation.
Authorization to Set Aside Tax-Forfeited Property Sales Proceeds for Parks (Resolution 2664)
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Dietrich [0:11:25] · Seconded by Commissioner Shaheen [0:11:27]
Lindsay introduced Resolution 2664, which requests authorization to allocate 20% of the net proceeds from tax-forfeited property sales towards the acquisition and maintenance of county parks and recreation areas. This resolution is an annual approval and applies to properties forfeited under specific historical criteria.
Acceptance of Donations for Wright County Parks (Resolution 2665)
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Dietrich [0:12:59] · Seconded by Commissioner Shaheen [0:13:02]
Brad presented Resolution 2665 to accept donations from several individuals (Alan and Diane Gapinski, James and Elizabeth Ivers, Daniel Ivers, Karen and Patrick Wheeler) for a memorial bench, and proceeds from the Minnesota Mountain Bike Race Series (Bertram Saddlebuster). The board acknowledged the strong community interest and contributions to the county parks.
Adoption of Ordinance 24-6 Amending Planning and Zoning Sections
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Shaheen [0:15:15] · Seconded by Commissioner Holland [0:15:19]
Mr. Matthias presented Ordinance 24-6 for approval, which amends sections of Wright County code concerning rear yard setbacks (155), feedlots (152), subdivisions (154), and point of sale certification (156.0). He noted the ordinance's journey through the revisers committee and a public hearing with unanimous recommendation for approval by the planning commission.
Adoption of Resolution 2666 for Publication of Ordinance Summary Language
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Dietrich [0:16:53] · Seconded by Commissioner Shaheen [0:16:55]
The Planning and Zoning Office requested and received approval for Resolution 2666, which authorizes the publication of a summary of the newly adopted Ordinance 24-6 in the local paper. This is a procedural step required after an ordinance is passed.
Approval of Health and Human Services Consent Agenda
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Holland [0:18:14] · Seconded by Commissioner Shaheen [0:18:19]
The Health and Human Services (HHS) consent agenda was presented and approved without any items removed for individual discussion.
Acceptance of Anonymous $1,826 Donation for HHS (Resolution 2607)
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Holland [0:19:18] · Seconded by Commissioner Dietrich [0:19:22]
Mr. McMillan requested approval for Resolution 2607 to accept an anonymous donation of $1,826. The funds are designated for 913 tokens for the HHS department. The board expressed its gratitude for the donation.
Resolutions in Support of Local Road Improvement Program Grant Funding
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Shaheen [0:21:28] · Seconded by Commissioner Holland [0:21:30]
The board considered and approved a series of five individual resolutions supporting various entities (Cokato Township, Silver Creek Township, Franklin Township, and for CSAH 18, CSAH 35 & County Road 119) in their applications for Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) grant funding for specific road projects. The Chair highlighted the increasing participation of townships in the program.
Resolution 2667: LRIP Grant Funding for Cokato Township
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Holland [0:21:55] · Seconded by Commissioner Shaheen [0:21:57]
This resolution specifically supports Cokato Township's application for Local Road Improvement Program grant funding for Roads Avenue Southwest.
Resolution 2668: LRIP Grant Funding for Silver Creek Township
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Dietrich [0:22:19] · Seconded by Commissioner Holland [0:22:21]
This resolution specifically supports Silver Creek Township's application for Local Road Improvement Program grant funding for 91st Street Northwest to Bishop Avenue Northwest.
Resolution 2669: LRIP Grant Funding for Franklin Township
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Holland [0:22:42] · Seconded by Commissioner Dietrich [0:22:44]
This resolution specifically supports Franklin Township's application for Local Road Improvement Program grant funding for Farmington Avenue.
Resolution 2670: LRIP Grant Funding for CSAH 35 and County Road 119
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Shaheen [0:23:14] · Seconded by Commissioner Holland [0:23:15]
This resolution specifically supports the application for Local Road Improvement Program grant funding for projects on CSAH 35 and County Road 119.
Scheduling Public Hearing for 2027 Fee Schedule Changes
Dissent: None
Moved by Commissioner Shaheen [0:25:36] · Seconded by Commissioner Holland [0:25:38]
Staff requested to schedule a public hearing for November 17th at 9:30 a.m. to discuss proposed changes to the 2027 fee schedule, which is a requirement under Minnesota Statutes. Despite an earlier discussion about board member conflicts on November 17th, the board decided to proceed with the date to ensure timely posting and avoid significant gaps in the meeting schedule.
Notable Quotes (16)
I think there was a a question from board members that a board member that heard this morning about uh the committee the whole on the date and whether it was going to work for the uh uh consent item R and the sheriff's on a committee the whole on November 17th.
Yeah. If we could put it past the 19th, that would be great.
So you really want to move it back a couple weeks to 10:00 a.m. on December 1st?
This is Crissa Grapes, soon to be if not already Crissa Orion. Crissa came to me first of all she graduated college from the University of Wisconsin, La Crosse...she joins our misdemeanor division...technically Crissa replaces Betsy Larson, my former chief deputy who retired at the end of July.
Look at this, you live in the Wright County and now you work for the Wright County. You're doing everything right.
From November 4th to the 11th, counties across the county country illuminate their buildings green, a visible sign for our veterans as they are seen, appreciated, and supported... The green light is a simple thing, but it's meant to start a conversation to connect veterans with the resources that exist right here at the county level.
resolution 2664 requesting authorization to set aside 20% of the proceeds from tax-forfeited property sales for the acquisition and maintenance of county parks and recreation areas. This is an annual resolution, so even if you pass it this year, it only applies to this year, not future years...
So, I'm here this morning just to bring forth a resolution to accept donations from multiple people...for memorial bench, as well as the proceeds from the Minnesota Mountain Bike Race Series for the Bertram Saddlebuster that we hosted this past summer.
it's always great to see the interest that we have in our parks and it's great to see all the people that are making the contributions whether it's for some of the projects or for the benches and memorials. All great causes, so.
We're looking to approve ordinance 24-6 amending the Wright County section 155 related to rear yard setbacks. Uh section 152 on feedlots, 154 on subdivisions, and 156.0 point of sale certification...Basically adjusting rear yard setbacks um out in the rural areas.
I appreciate the work of the uh Planning Commission and the more importantly the revisers committee on uh vetting all this out and uh making these uh updates to our ordinances.
The uh Planning and Zoning Office would also like to request adoption of resolution 26-66 approving publication of summary language for the adoption of the ordinance that you just adopted 26-4. Um for for that ordinance for printing in the paper.
Before you is we need a resolution to approve $1,826 anonymous donation for 913 tokens given to our department.
Well, I will start off by saying it's great to see number of our townships applying for this LRP program. You know, I look if you rewind back maybe 5, 8 years ago, you were lucky if maybe one or two townships were applying and now to see that many of them are and the program is getting well funded. So, hopefully we can get some awards here to improve our township roads.
Mr. Chair, just looking to formally schedule the public hearing for the 2027 changes to the fee schedule. In Minnesota statutes, we have to have a public hearing whenever we change fees.
I'm inclined to say let's go with it cuz I don't foresee us not having that board meeting. Um cuz [snorts] if we don't, we will be a a significant gap.
Ordinances & Resolutions (16)
Proclamation recognizing Operation Green Light for veterans.
Authorizing set aside of 20% of tax-forfeited property sales proceeds for county parks.
Accepting donations for Wright County parks.
Amending Wright County sections 155 (rear yard setbacks), 152 (feedlots), 154 (subdivisions), and 156.0 (point of sale certification).
County ordinance section related to rear yard setbacks, amended by Ordinance 24-6.
County ordinance section related to feedlots, amended by Ordinance 24-6.
County ordinance section related to subdivisions, amended by Ordinance 24-6.
County ordinance section related to point of sale certification, amended by Ordinance 24-6.
Approving publication of summary language for Ordinance 24-6.
Approving $1,826 anonymous donation for the HHS department.
Resolution in support of Local Road Improvement Program grant funding for CSAH 18.
Resolution in support of Local Road Improvement Program grant funding for Cokato Township Roads Avenue Southwest.
Resolution in support of Local Road Improvement Program grant funding for Silver Creek Township 91st Street Northwest to Bishop Avenue Northwest.
Resolution in support of Local Road Improvement Program grant funding for Franklin Township Farmington Avenue.
Resolution in support of Local Road Improvement Program grant funding for CSAH 35 and County Road 119.
Legal basis requiring a public hearing for fee schedule changes.