By Joanne Bergman The Murray County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, September 03, 2024 with Commissioners Meier, Walgraven and Thiner in attendance.
A hearing date of Septemer 17 was set for a new liquor license for The Store on Valhalla Road. The business has recently changed ownership. A new Tobacco License was approved at this meeting, also for The Store.
The Board approved an amended Order to appoint Viewers for Group 2 and for Group 3 for the Redetermination of Benefits for listed ditch systems. Viewer Aaron Goeman has left the company and with the Board’s action Scott Henderson will become his replacement.
The process of Redetermination of Benefits has been dismissed for County Ditch 28. The landowners will be beginning the process to abandon the ditch.
A Public Hearing was held to hear comments on a Cannabis Moratorium. The action was approved that calls for an interim zoning ordinance through January 1, 2025. This will allow time to develop an ordinance that will control the number and location of such businesses within the County.
Facilities Manager Nathan Wurpts requested the purchase of a new lawn tractor and associated implements partially funded with 2025 budget funds. The replacement of the 2017 unit at this time will begin a three year rotation of equipment with continued warranty coverage for repairs.
Murray County Medical Center CEO Luke Schryvers presented a monthly review of activity. Melanie Behrends and Dan Woldt have completed their first six months and have done a great job of establishing their practices. There will be changes in October with Dr. Clark starting cardiology outreach replacing Dr. Petrasko. Dr. Steffen will continue having transitioned to North Central Heart. Dr. Larson will replace Dr. Gillett with urology services. Dr. Jaeger will begin OB/GYN outreach services.
Patient numbers have shown increases in all categories. Gross income is also above budget in the hospital inpatient and outpatient areas. Clinic revenue is also above budget. On the negative side expenses are also above budget. The bottom line shows a positive year to date amount of $306,849.
Zoning Administrator Jean Christoffels presented four Conditional Use Permits. Dan and Amy Woldt were approved for the construction of a two story addition to their home in Section 1, Mason Township. An alternate elevation method will be used that will allow storage beneath the structure with a restriction that it will never be a finished space. Dean Duis was given approval for a 490 animal unit feedlot in Section 30, Des Moines River Township. A Preliminary Plat was approved for Frisvold Point Addition on 6.16 acres in Section 30 Shetek Township. The plat consists of three building lots. Dillon and Chandra Carlson, Section 30 Shetek Township, were given approval to repair an existing shoreline with a rock retaining wall. Approval was given to use budgeted water quality dollars of $14,400 for each of two years to Kris and Janet Jeppesen. The funds will provide support of their effort to stabilize shoreline along their property in Section 1, Mason Township at a cost of nearly $89,000. It is estimated that there has been a loss of 340,000 cu ft of soil over the past 31 years.
County Administrator Carolyn McDonald explained an addition to the Door Security Policy. As of September 3, all office doors accessed with employee fobs must remain closed and locked during all business hours. The action was taken for the safety of employees as a result of an earlier security assessment.
