Good morning everyone. It is Tuesday, October 7th. We'll call the Wright County Board of Commissioners to order. We'll begin with the pledge of allegiance. 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. It is great to see a room filled again. Uh it tells us that we have great and important information to discuss. Uh, first item on the agenda today is the approval of the minutes from the September 23rd meeting. At this time, I'll stand for a motion to approve or for modifications. >> I'll make that motion. >> We have a motion by Commissioner Holland. >> Second. Second by Commissioner Mina. Any discussion hearing? None. All in favor say I. >> I. Same sign. All right. Minutes are approved unanimous. Second is today's agenda. Is there any additions or corrections to today's agenda, administration? >> Uh, nothing from administration, but I believe county attorney Loots has something, Mr. Chair. >> Uh, good morning, Mr. Chair, commissioners, administrator Kryser. Um, as the board knows, our Wright County court services began the process of transitioning to a community corrections um, probationary model earlier this year in a resolution that was approved by the board authorizing court services to go forward with that. Um it's been full steam ahead on our end. Um recently we encountered an issue with the department of corrections uh regarding the responsibility of payment or provision for carryover with respect to vacation and sick time acrewed by some of the employees. I believe there's 11 employees interested in becoming county employees. And because of that issue regarding the responsibility of payment, the department of corrections has uh stopped transferring information to court services. Uh because of that, um I have a couple of items that I am requesting be petitioned to the agenda today with respect to the transition to a CCA county. Uh the first one is an amendment to the previous resolution um making the date November 10th, 2025. uh by which we begin facilitating the provision of services, probationary services under the CCA model. Um the original resolution was October 31st. So it's about 10 days. We're actually hoping to to speed it up and go a little a little bit earlier in the month of October, but with encountering this issue, um we're asking that the date be extended to November 10th, 2025. And also with respect to that amended resolution, uh there may be the necessity of some litigation to uh figure out the issue that we've encountered with the department of correction regarding the vacation and sick time uh responsibility. So uh we're asking to utilize the services of of John Edison's law firm. We've already engaged him with a letter that he wrote to the Department of Corrections addressing our position with respect to this issue. Uh, so we're asking to um have the board authorize litigation with the Department of Corrections on this issue and also to use John Edison's law firm in con in conjunction with my office. >> All right, we'll just go right at it since we've already had the uh discussion here on the added agenda item. Is uh board members okay with uh having the discussion right now on this item since uh County Attorney Lutz has uh informed us in great detail here of the current actions uh taking place. Uh I appreciate your time uh Mr. Loots uh in the discussions that we've had as well as uh Mr. McMillan and administration over the last week or so in trying to uh work forward on this transition from uh probation services to community correction. Um it I this resolution I'm going to ask that board members support. It's relatively close to a housekeeping item. uh we're just going to extend it 10 days in the short term here uh from October 30th as uh Mr. Loot stated to uh October or to November 10th uh in hopes that we'll be able to uh smooth out some of the things that we have there. But we're also asking just in light of the short side that things are not that we have uh outside counsel available for us to help move forward if we can't get that over that hurdle. Uh so >> I'll make a motion to accept that. All right, we have a motion by Commissioner Holland. >> Second, >> uh second by uh Commissioner Dietrich. This would be to approve the amended resolution uh that extends the transition date from October 31st to November 10th and then as well as the uh added of retaining outside counsel for uh if there would be the need for outside potential litigation. >> Yes, that's correct, Mr. Chair. And since it's an amended resolution, I just want the board and for the record to reflect that we're going to assign it number 25- 25A as the number on this resolution. The original resolution was 2528, so we'll just add an A onto it. All right. Any other discussion, board members? All right. This would be a resolution. So, we are approving resolution 25A uh as board members have been uh educated on here. uh and have received and looking for an approval on that uh which would be replacing uh resolution 2528. Any other discussion? Hearing none. Resolution vote. Commissioner Moa >> I >> I >> I >> I >> All right. Resolution passes unanimous. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. Chair. And then um and commissioners also petitioning to add on a proposed resolution appointing members of the uh community advisory board or committee which is required under the uh community corrections statute. Um the original resolution 2025-28 uh the board approved the formulation of an advisory board or committee and it also approved um director McMillan to develop a comprehensive plan which that board um actually reviews and approves. So there's 11 members uh that are identified in the resolution and the statute requires the the county board to appoint them. So, we're asking for the appointment of the 11 the 11 members identified in the resolution. >> And this action is uh the appointment as well as the uh acknowledgement of the plan and being able to submit the p uh plan to the uh state DOC. Correct. >> Uh correct, Mr. Chair. >> Any discussion? >> I think it's a great slate of uh of uh people on this and so yes, I support this this committee. >> Thank you. Yeah, everyone was very willing to to serve recognizing that it's going to be a good thing for all of Right County. >> Okay. >> All right. Um I'll stand for a motion to >> I'll make a motion to accept uh this community board. Is that what it is? >> And uh >> advisory >> and plan. >> And plan. >> Yes. All right. Motion by Commissioner Holland. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Moina. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. Uh all in favor say I. >> Mr. Sure. It's a resolution. >> I'm sorry. You're right. My bad. >> Uh resolution vote. I'll start it off. I >> I >> I >> I >> All right. Resolution passes unanimous. >> Thank you very much. Yep. >> All right. And now uh back to the uh approval of the agenda. >> I'll make a motion to approve the agenda. >> All right. I'll second that. >> Motion by Commissioner Mo, second by Commissioner Holland to approve today's agenda as presented. Uh any other discussion? >> I I have one question. Um the two resolutions we just passed, those will be added online after the meeting. Correct. Just so that they're accessible to the public. >> Yes, Mr. Chair. Yes. Thank you. >> Brian's probably working at it as we speak. All right. Uh we have a motion, a second on the approval of the agenda as presented. >> Uh hearing no discussion. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos same sign. All right. Agenda is approved unanimous. Today's consent agenda. Would anyone like to remove anything from today's consent agenda for further discussion? Hearing none, I'll stand for a motion to approve the consent agenda. >> So moved. >> Motion by Commissioner Holland. >> Second. Second by Commissioner Moina. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos. Same sign. All right. Motion passes unanimous. Uh first attended uh timed agenda item. We are going to put our health and human services hats on and enter into the health and human services portion of the agenda. and I invite Jamie Goodram to come to the podium. The first item on the Health and Human Services agenda would be the approval of the consent agenda for Health and Human Services. I will stand for any questions or for a motion to approve the Health and Human Service. >> I believe we would like to remove um item one. 14 1.4 >> 1.4. Okay. And with that then that would um also denote the retainment of Chad Miller on the opioid council until further notice. >> All right. So we'll just uh we'll just hold that one off and uh deal with it at a later time. >> Sounds good. Thank you. >> Mr. Chair, we're just going to put that one on the table, lay it over for for a future meeting. >> Free meeting. Yep. So uh consent agenda for uh 14 is removed. And at this time, I'll stand for discussion or a motion on the approval of the remaining Health and Human Services consent agenda items. >> Motion to approve the uh consent agenda as amended. >> I'll second that. >> Motion by Commissioner Mo, second by Commissioner Holland. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Opposed. Same sign. >> All right. Motion passes unanimous. >> Thank you. >> Now, Jamie, we have the floor. >> Yes. I would like to invite up to um to the podium Teresa Novachek. Today is Terry's last day. Um Christine, if you'd like to join us as well. Christine Tricler is Terry's supervisor. So um Terry has been with Wright County for 10 years, but we have like to go back a little bit further in time. And I think Christine will be sharing with you some of uh Terry's past I won't say exploits, I'll say past experiences. >> All right, Mr. chair, members of the board, thank you for your time. Um, I just want to honor Terry. Today happens to be her 10 year anniversary here at Wright County. And it's also the day that, and I'm not going to get emotional, so I'm not going to look at Terry. Um, it's also the day that we're going to send her off into retirement. Um, I first met Terry about 12 years ago when I was a family therapist on one of our child protection cases here and Terry was the guardian at Lightum. Um, so it was then that I first came to admire Terry's rigor and passure passion for children and the families she serves. Um, she has touched the lives of countless families and children through her work. Um, her impressive career journey has taken her to Texas where she was a child welfare worker. Um, she also worked for the department of the army family advocacy in Germany. Um she worked for a number of years in Arizona for the department of children youth as a child protection ongoing case manager, a child protection investigator and as a supervisor of child protection investigations. Then in 2013 she moved back to her hometown of Monaceel, Minnesota where she became a guardian of light for the 10th jud judicial district. Um, in 2015, Terry came to work with us as a in-home skills counselor where she works with families involved in child protection. And, um, Terry's known for rolling up her sleeves and doing good oldfashioned social work with families. She helps them clean up the conditions of their home. Um, learn how to make appointments. Um, she'll she's ridden the bus system with families to help them learn how to find their way about. Um, there really is not a lot that Terry won't do for families. Um in addition to 35 years of her life that she's committed to child welfare, she also was a foster parent. Um she fostered children from 1992 to 2000. Um and cared for 12 different children in her home during that time. Um families involved in child protection have reached out to us to thank Terry for her services, which as you know is not a common occurrence when you're working um with child protection. Um, Cherry will be greatly missed by all of us, but we know um her love of the great outdoors, she will put lots of miles on the RV and her hiking boots there. >> Terry's a valued contributor to our a to our entire agency. And is there anything you'd like to say, Terry? >> I can't. >> Um, we'll be celebrating Terry upstairs today, I think, at after the meeting. 10:30. >> 10:30. >> Um, certainly are welcome to join us. Um, and Terry has a lot of her co-workers here and we're all very um, happy for her yet sad to see her go. So, thank you so much, Terry. Thank you for your service. Terry, I I really, it's hard to put into words. Somebody who actually takes their life passion and puts it into work and does such amazing things for the people in our community. I can't thank you enough. Uh I your shoes are immense to fill. Uh I don't know that we'll ever be able to accomplish that, but I can't say thank you enough for all the things you've done and the people's lives that you've touched. You've made an impact in our community and it will not be forgotten. Thank you, Terry. >> And we would like to take an opportunity to have her have a picture. Michelle is ready with a camera. >> Yeah. Come on up. Um Christine, if you want to, I can take it with you and Christine. >> Sure. Thank you. >> We going there. We here. We're coming that way. All right. >> Here, Michelle. Let me direct. You get in >> stories like this make me feel like I need to really step up my game in life. Beautiful. >> Thank you. [Applause] >> Thank you board. I appreciate it. Um, next we have adoption of um, proclaim October 15th as county and tribal financial worker and case aid day. >> Well, anybody that knows me knows that this is one of the uh, near and dear uh, resolutions that we pass every year. Uh, I've got to firsthand experience the hard work and dedication that those individuals uh, do on the second floor. uh they work uh very challenging situations and very large case loads. We can't thank them enough for the hard work and the great things that they do and the uh services that they bring to the individuals in this county. Uh I will happily support and ask that my fellow board members support a resolution uh proclaiming the October 15th as county uh financial workers and case aid workers in Wright County. >> Thank you. I will make the motion uh to for that. >> All right. Is it a resolution? >> It's a resolution. Yes. Motion by Commissioner Holland. >> Second. >> Second by Commissioner Dietrich. Any further discussion? >> Resolution. Commissioner Holland. >> I >> I >> I resolution passes unanimous and I hope you send me an invite when you guys have that uh gathering up there. >> We we will and I just couldn't agree more. I was first I mean I worked in Wright County since 1992 along with financial workers but until I took over as the director of um actually the financial services manager I really came face to face with the the work that they do and the um you know the I would say the immense um um significant things that they do for the families here. If you think about, you know, Maslo's hierarchy of needs, they're definitely that bottom tier where people have to have their um food needs met, their health needs met, and their security needs met. And these are the folks that are doing it on a regular basis, and they do fantastic work. So, I appreciate them, and thank you for that resolution vote, >> and they do it with a state antiquated system and with a rulebook that changes monthly, >> 100%. Um, and more to come on that. Actually, I think I have an item coming up here after the next um, resolution. The next resolution is to accept our September 2025 donations. We've had donations um, in the amount of $5,000 from our Wright County area United Way for their child safety seat program and $195 in donations from our HHS staff for our HHS donation closet. And I would ask for you to approve that resolution as well. >> All right. Uh stand for a motion to adopt a resolution HHS 2511 accepting September 2025 of donations. >> So moved. >> Second. >> Motion by Commissioner Mo, second by Commissioner Dietrich. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. Resolution vote. Commissioner Dietrich. >> I >> I >> I resolution passes unanimous. Next is on to director's comments. >> Yes, thank you. I have two comments today. The first one as we're saying sadly saying goodbye to Terry um as her retirement looms. We are welcoming a new HHS supervisor and I would ask that Tina join me. Um Tina has worked in Wright County um for about a year. She is our new collaborative health our new collaborative health supervisor. She started with Wright County in June of 2024 as a public health nurse and disease prevention and control and refugee and immigrant health. A longtime Right County resident, Tina works in Del lives in Delano with her family and attended Delano schools growing up. She received her RN 14 years ago and she worked at Delano schools as a licensed school nurse for seven years prior to coming to Wright County and we're very happy to have her fill the role as collaborative health nurse or supervisor. So, welcome to Tina. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> Welcome. Do >> you like to say anything? >> Uh, no. Just excited to be here my new role in Reich County. Continue my career here. Thank you. >> Thank you, Tina. >> Um and then my my other item is kind of related to what you were talking about earlier, Commissioner Vetch, about the um to find my notes. So, um our antiquated system. So there has been an opportunity the counties this um in the absence of the state promoting some new systems for the um for the counties as far as eligibility um Mstead County did put forward and received a grant to start um to look at a um a collaboration amongst counties and maybe Kim can help me out here um where it's going to simplify and um I think what they're going to be doing is taking a look at our min benefit systems and pulling that information um and Maxis and collaborate putting it all together. So basically we'll have a better fundamental use of the the systems that we currently have helping them speak to each other. Um and with this we're anticipating a reduction in phone calls because people will be able to access their information directly. Um we're one of a few pilot counties that has started this. Kim said that the state immediately once they announced that right county was kind of live on this saw their numbers at the state go up with people accessing it. Um, and I think anytime people are accessing it, what is we call it case tracker, but it does it have a different name? >> So, we do have um the case status tracker going on. >> Oh, I'm talking about something else. >> Well, so no, we have the case status tracker going on and Jamie's exactly right. We're in a great position right now. Um, they noticed um a huge improvement. The second right county started their promotion. you when you come to the second floor next week um to join our celebration, you'll see all over the place there's um stuff to explain what this case status tracker is. Um but it is already um benefiting our clients. To Jaime's other point, um Olmstead County got a grant um to and what they have done is they've reached out to a place called Clarity Solutions and Clarity Solutions is going to write a script that will enable us to download the information into from or into MN benefits to Maxis. So that's going to affect our air rates or positively >> we hope positively affect the air rates. So >> for a snap >> now it's not going to be so much well once they complete this they're not going to have so much manual entry. So when that gets done and then on the other side we have this case status tracker where people are going to be able to look it up. It's although our systems are antiquated we're taking that in between step to bridge the gap so that we can um we have to do it ourselves. >> Yeah. county. Great. >> So, in theory, this will overlay over uh MN benefits and Maxis and and self-populate uh address changes, uh income verification updates so that you're not manually having to go into multiple different systems and actually have to make that that manual transaction three or four times. >> We're in the we're in the baby steps of it. So, I think, you know, I think the oversight will probably still be, but I think anything that we can divert some of the questions and some of the again the manual manipulation of the old systems, you know, is going to save us in the long run. >> So, we're probably not quite that far yet, >> right, >> Mr. Chair? What was the grant that they applied for from >> So, it was actually a SNAP grant. Um, SNAP had this grant out there and they So, what happened was um, big shout out to Jamie and our business services group who was a part of this um, very small number of counties that came together and uh, it was approved in the budget. We only put $6,000 toward this for this work um, for Clarity Solutions. And then when we found out what they were able to do with our scripts, um, Olmstead County recognized that and said, "Oh my goodness, could you do this?" When they found out that they could, they applied for this SNAP grant. And first of all, when they applied, um, they just thought, "We'll see." Um, and then they came back to Mstead and they said, "Would you take half?" And Olmstead said, "We'll take anything you can give us." And then um they ended up getting the grant in full, the entire amount they had asked for, not in half. And so all of the first six counties that are a part of this, I think it's six, um will benefit from this initially, but also we'll share it with all of the other counties so that we all are headed in the right direction. So it's a great place for Wright County to be. Mstead's heading the charge. I'm glad I'm glad we didn't have to. Olmstead stepped up and did all of that work involved. We were just the support that they needed to uh move forward. >> Thank you. Turning that uh it's really great that now uh they're putting shining a light on it. It it made the Star Tribune uh the antiquated system. Uh AMC is pulling the charge on that. Uh you know, I think the more we push, the more they have to see that we need some change. So this is very exciting because >> well I think HR1 is adding to that push as well. So yes, we've got push coming from both sides from the local governments and from the federal government. So yes, Minnesota needs to do something in the interim. >> It only took maybe 15 years of complaining about it to maybe get some action. >> That's happening. >> And those are all my comments unless you have any other questions. >> No. Thank you, Jamie. >> Yeah. Thank you. And we are a few minutes early to start our public hearing. So we'll move on to items for consideration. First one would be approve resolution 2557 in the final acceptance of contract 257 in authorized final payment on the uh corrective asphalt materials to uh corre corrective asphalt materials LLC in the amount of $114,400. >> So moved. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner Dedrich. >> I'll second. >> Second by Commissioner Holland. Any further discussion? Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> I. >> Oppos. Same sign. All right. Motion P. Oh, sorry. Resolution. Resolution vote. Commissioner Mo. We're back over there. >> I >> I >> I >> I. >> All right. Resolution passes unanimous. All right. Next is set the agenda for the October 14th workshop which is included in the packet. Uh at this time, I will stand for a motion to approve it or for any modifications or additions. Okay. Motion. >> Motion to approve. >> All right, I'll second. >> Motion by Commissioner Moa, second by Commissioner Holland. Any discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppose. Same sign. All right. Motion passes unanimous. And we have just enough time to finish. Our last item for consideration is to set the time and date for public hearing related to the fees and services schedule uh which will be discussed at the workshop next week. uh tenatively looking at Tuesday, November 4th at 9:30 during the county board meeting on that day. >> Motion to approve. >> All right. Motion second. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner Moina, second by Commissioner Holland. Any further discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> I. >> Oppos. Same sign. All right. Motion passes unanimous. And now we are on to our 9:30 public hearing. Uh we'll got a few individuals coming into the room here. We'll let them get uh situated and I am going to turn it over to staff. Is there a staff administrator Kaiser who's going to give a brief overview before we go into the public comment or >> I can Mr. Chair um the board previously received or finance department previously received a petition to create a lake improvement district on Lake Crawford. Um that was noticed then for public hearing. The board accepted it. finance department of course reviewed it found it to be complete. Uh we noticed it for public hearing today starting at 9:30 in another 3 minutes but the we did receive comments back from the department of natural resources. They are giving approval to the proposed boundary for the lake improvement district and lake Crawford. Um specifically the purpose of the lake improvement district is to manage curly leaf pondweed, manage native submerged aquatic plants that are present at nuisance levels, monitor water quality, and for conducting research to determine the source of mucky sediment in the lake and removing debris from the lake such as solid debris uh trash and other solid waste from the lake. Um those are the the stated purposes of the lake improvement district. Um I believe the letter from the DNR it is in the packet. Um the process here today is to hold the public hearing. Mr. Chair, um gather public comment and then within 30 days after today's date, the board is required by rule and statute to adopt a resolution either approving or denying the lake improvement district. Um staff would anticipate that whatever board direction we are given today, uh we'd come back on October 24th or 21st, the next board meeting. >> Thank you. Uh Mr. Kryser, I have nothing to add. >> All right. So, uh I I appreciate the individuals and their efforts in uh putting all the information together and educating individuals prior to this and getting that information out there and submitting the proper documents to the county as well as to the DNR uh to bring it to the point where we are at at this time as far as the public hearing goes. Um at this time, uh we'll be opening the public hearing in just a minute here. Anyone that wishes to speak regarding this uh regarding the Lake Crawford Lake Improvement District, please come forward to the podium, state your name and your uh township or city of residence uh for the record and please keep your comments uh to no more than 3 minutes. Uh so at this time uh we are at 9:30 just about here just a few seconds but we'll call it close enough. If you wish to uh speak uh regarding the Lake Crawford Lake Improvement District, please come forward at this time and uh put your name and your uh city or township of residency for the record. >> Uh good morning, commissioners. >> Morning. >> Uh my name is Jerry Ericson. I live on the north shore of Crawford Lake with my wife, which is in Rockford Township. Um we uh approve the lid. We um would like to have the lake be used as a lake is supposed to be used, you know, rec recreational and fishing. And at this point when we go out, uh you maybe get 100 yards and you got to stop and remove plants. And I know there's got to be plants in a lake, but it's gotten a little bit overkill. Uh, matter of fact, there's times where the plants get into the motor water intake and then you got to stand on your head, try to get that clean so you can keep on going. And I'm 71. I'm getting told for that. So, I would appreciate your uh consideration and like I say, we approve it. Thank you. >> Thank you, Jerry. >> Anyone else wish to speak uh regarding the lake improvement district on Lake Crawford? >> Good morning. My name is Bill Euno. I'm on the U Crawford Association board and the lid board. Um, a couple benefits I see. Uh, it'll be much easier for us to get grants for the lake um to stock the fish to control the weeds, the water testing, which you've heard about. Also, I understand if you have a lake association, a lid, your resale value on the house is improved on that end, too. So, all uh quick benefits which I'd like to throw out there. Thank you. >> Thank you, Bill. >> Would anyone else like to uh make a comment? >> My name's Lloyd Leonard. I'm also on Crawford Lake in Wright County and I'm just here amongst a few of us just to support the lid thing to get everyone to help make our lake better. Right. Thank you. All right. Anyone else wish to speak? >> Hi, my name is Craig Fouch. We uh actually own three properties on uh Crawford Lake. We've been there for 42 years. Uh started uh as a young couple and now we're an old couple on Crawford Lake. And we've seen it come all the way from no weeds but no fish. uh water skiing out there and swimming off the beach to uh becoming weed choked at sometimes. So, we've been looking forward to uh this lid for several years and I want to thank Jerry Mary for all the work they've done to get this through and they seem to have uh the neighbors all are looking forward to it. I don't see I haven't heard any opposition whatsoever. Uh, but I think this is something that I wish every lake in Wright County could do because I think it's going to it's going to keep our lake alive for a lot longer having a formal something formal in place for it. So, thank you. >> Thank you, Craig. Would anyone else like to uh speak? Would anyone else like to comment on the uh Lake Crawford improvement district one last time? Would anyone else like to uh comment on the Lake Crawford improvement district? Hearing none, at this time I will close the public hearing at 9:33 and bring the discussion up here to the dis. Uh first and foremost, I'm going to say excellent job to uh the individuals in this room and the individuals in uh involved in bringing forward this lake improvement district. Uh you you did it the right way. uh you you put the time and and diligence in there into educating people as to why and it it makes it able to come forward in a way that makes it not contentious. Uh not all the time can we get lake improvement districts that move forward uh very unopposed as this one has. Uh so uh kudos to you in doing so and and seeing the benefits and educating everyone on those. Uh at this time, um I guess the recommendation would be uh to move forward with the uh implementation of a lake improvement district to the October 21st county board meeting would be the recommendation that I'd be looking for action by county board members at this time. >> Mr. Chair, I'll make that motion to move. >> All right. Motion by Commissioner Dietrich. >> I'll second that. >> Second by Commissioner Holland. Is there any discussion? >> Hearing none. All in favor say I. >> Oppose. Same sign. All right, motion passes unanimous. All right, and with that, that brings us to the conclusion of today's agenda. Uh, unless there's any parting comments, I will adjourn the county board meeting at 9:34. This meeting is no longer being recorded.