DISCUSSED EDA LOAN FOR MN SIGNATURE CARE
The Murray County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on April 5, 2022. Commissioners Molly Malone, Lori Gunnink and Jim Kluis were present for the meeting.
Auditor Treasurer Heidi Winter presented the list of 3.2 Malt Liquor License renewals. The list included: Rolling Hills Golf Club, Cenex Convenience Store, Carlson Corner, Ruppert Oil and Pete’s Corner. The next item for approval was 2022 Liquor Licenses including Breezy Point, Painted Prairie Vineyard, Lake Shetek Lodge and Trails Edge General Store.
Travis Radke presented one ditch repair petition on County Ditch 27 in Mason Township Sections 25 and 31. A camera inspection will be completed to determine the amount of work that may be needed.
Murray County Medical Center’s CEO, Luke Schryvers, presented his monthly update to the Commissioners. The month of February found the patient numbers increasing. However, the finances did not reflect those increases and ended the month at a loss of $173,000. Recruiting continued for a Clinic Manager, Marketing Manager, Dietary Cook, Casual RN and a Casual Pharmacist. Interviews have been scheduled for each of the positions. An offer has been made to a Respiratory Therapist. A search continues for a primary physician with some interest shown but no one has been a good fit for the opening. The EPIC implementation has gone well. Payroll and Human Resources will be transitioning this summer. Response to the Community Health Needs Assessment continues and will be available through April. COVID numbers have dropped dramatically for 123 in January to One in February.
Building Maintenance employee Paul Counter reported on the progress of the restroom renovations in the Courts Building. Some additional taping will be needed on the walls along corridor to meet code, extra tile was purchased for any future changes and a replacement for an exhaust fan will be needed with all of the changes approved by the board. Equipment has been ordered for the HVAC changes to the Law Enforcement Center. It is hoped to have it in place before the high humidity hits this summer.
Zoning Administrator Jean Christoffels presented the Conditional Use Permit required for the expansion of the Swenson County Park. Thirteen new campsites and a new road will be added as well as moving the picnic shelter. A preliminary plat of the Carlson Addition in Section 12 of Mason Township was approved. Thirtyfour feet of length will be added to the seven lots by changing the width of the roadway right of way from One Hundred to Sixty-Six feet (the standard road width). An extension of the CUP granted to Paul and Lucas Erickson on April 7, 2020 for two years was once again extended, this time for six months. This will allow them adequate time to obtain building materials and begin construction.
Christoffels, along with Sarah Soderholm, explained the permit needed from the DNR for placement of AIS-I-LIDS at Regan’s Landing and will also have one on Marsh’s Landing. The devices are reminders to clean boats to prevent the spread of Aquatic Invasive Species. A waiver was approved for submission. A five-year review of the County’s Water Plan was due in 2022. Reasons to waive the review included the continued relevancy of the plan, goals named in the plan still need to be completed and a new comprehensive plan will be completed in the next couple years. $14,400 from a 2020 Capacity Grant will be used on two water quality projects: Lonnie Roach, Sec. 22 Mason Township and Mike Reese, Sec 19 Cameron Township are completing the projects.
Economic Development Director Justine Wettschrek received the Board’s approval of a $250,000 loan to Pallansch Executive Properties LLC for the construction of a MN Signature Care facility in Slayton on the site of the former Golden Living Center. The new facility will house fourteen assisted living residents and ten memory care residents. The loan will run 10 years at 4 percent interest, with interest and principal deferred for 18 months. This fourth mortgage position will be shared with the Slayton EDA. Wettschrek received approval for submission of a grant request to Compeer Financial for the construction of a Bingo/Cattlemen’s Ass’n building in the fairgrounds.
County Highway Engineer Randy Groves was present to open bids for seal coating of sections of various roads within the county. Three bids were opened ranging from $650,510.20 to $494,782.62. With the low bid $100,000 above the engineer’s estimate, it was the decision of the board to reject all bids and to include the project at another time.
County Recorder Karen Brown requested approval of a new three-year contract with Fidlar for the software needed to maintain property transactions.
Emergency Management Director Carl Nyquist asked for action in support of both a MN Senate and a House bill funding the replacement of AMER radios for emergency personnel. The radios are eleven years old and would carry a cost of $988,000 to replace. Situations were cited in which personnel had difficulty communicating during crisis situations.
Human Resources Director Ronda Radke reported the hiring of Mike Carlson as seasonal part time Parks Maintenance worker. Also, Samantha McClellan, has been hired as the Extension Support Staff. Currently working as Secretary for the Board of Commissioners she will be working with the new hire part time as she begins her new duties on April 7.
The final item of business was to approve a resolution commending the commitment and dedication to public service excellence of county staff and officials on April 26th, County Government Appreciation Day.
