The regular meeting of the Murray County Board of Commissioners was held on Tuesday, November 02, 2021. Chair Dennis Welgraven presided. Members of the board David Thiner, Jim Kluis and Molly Malone were present. Commissioner Lori Gunnink attended via Zoom.
Ditch Inspector Travis Radke presented a list of County Ditch repair petitions that were approved by the Board. Included on the list was JD14 in Chanarambie Township where a tile separation was repaired. On JD22 150ft of collapsed tile was replaced. In Mason Township on CD76A tile was replaced in an area that had seen repeated incidents of collapse. On JD16 in Cameron Township 300ft of tile was repaired and the outlet was realigned. In Bondin Township, JD20,an outlet was being slowed by a beaver dam which was removed. In addition, JD10 in Sec. 18 Lime Lake Township a new private tile was installed alongside the ditch for 1700 ft. An ongoing petition on CD34, Ellsborough Township requires cleanout of 1600 ft, however a landowner will not allow spoils placed on his land, so improvements have been made to the ditch at that sight.
Murray County Medical Center CEO Luke Schryvers presented his monthly report. September was a good month with increased activity in most areas. Staff is undergoing intensive training on the new EPIC system with completion expected in March. Covid testing continues with 170 new cases found. Covid vaccinations continue with only 54.1% of Murray County’s population having completed those. This is one of the lowest percentages in the state. Cash on hand and funded depreciation total $4.8M in addition to $3M in Covid relief funds. Net income for the month was $114,000. Schryvers requested the transfer of $140,761 for the purchase of a new ambulance chassis. The funds come from assessments to each township and city within the county for the express purpose of funding an ambulance purchase.
Zoning Administrator Jean Christoffels received the approval of three Conditional Use Permits. Midcontinent Communications will construct a tower in Skandia Township, Sec. 7 (Anderson). Another tower will be constructed in Lowville Township, Sec. 2, (Dahlhoff’s). The towers will be used to provide high speed internet to customers within a seven mile radius of the tower. The towers will receive government funds with subscription costs to be regulated. The third CUP will permit Nathan & Katie Goergen to continue to plat Goergen Heights Fifth Addition on Lake Sarah. They will be required to hook up to the central sewer system. The lot cannot be further divided.
Jakob Etrheim, Director of End O Line Park received approval to spend $25,573.50 as budgeted to move both the General Store and the Grist Mill to higher sites within the park. Both buildings are currently flooded almost annually causing deterioration.
County Highway Engineer Randy Groves presented resolutions and bridge bonding agreements for three State Aid projects for which bids were accepted at the previous meeting. An invoice has been submitted to MnDot for wear and tear on the Highway 59 detour road. Due to the longer than expected days of use the price was increased from the previous $28,000 to $63,719. The monies are expected to cover the costs of future repairs to the detour roads.
Human Resources Director Ronda Radke informed the board of the hiring of Brian Miller as Highway Maintenance Worker to begin on November 15 following completion of a successful background check and drug testing.
Sheriff Steve Telkamp informed the board by letter of his intention to create a Patrol Sergeant position with supervisory responsibilities. This has been a subject of discussion at several meetings of the Commissioners. Because of the absence of the Sheriff from his duties Chief Deputy Heath Landsman has had to assume 24/7 supervision of the department. This, however, is the first direction to be given by Sheriff Telkamp in filling the void in supervision. With three “aye” votes, approval was given to Commissioner Kluis’ motion to create the new position of Patrol Sergeant until January 2023 and the installation of a sheriff. The $7000 in additional funding for the position will come from within that department’s budget. Commissioner Malone had asked for the clarification on the motion that the action came as a result of the Sheriff having abandoned his position. Commissioners Gunnink and Thiner declined to vote.
