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The Murray County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on April 26, 2022.
The first item of business on the agenda was to present a Retirement Award to Carol Veldhuisen. Carol has served as Director of Sunrise Terrace since 2013. She first began her work with Murray County at the hospital in 1994. In 1997 she moved to Sunrise Terrace as housekeeper. She states, “She has enjoyed her work with the County. She will miss it.” The newly hired director, Jessica Bjerke, was on hand to be introduced to the board.
Auditor Treasurer Heidi Winter presented a list of bills related to the drainage systems that totaled $14,085.50. Of those bills $12,251 were for engineering and $1734.50 for legal fees. It was agreed by the Commissioners to drop further efforts to collect the cost of repairing the ditch following the collapse of State Highway 30 near Lake Wilson. There seems to be no intention by the DOT to pay the claim. Any further action will need to be continued by landowners in that ditch system.
A Resolution was approved to participate in the 2022 Performance Measures Program. The County has participated in the Start of MN program since 2011, according to Winter. The County receives a small stipend for submitting data that earns exemption from select levy limits set by the State.
Payment #3 was approved to Doom & Cuypers for the Courthouse Bathroom Project in the amount of $37,055.70. Final work will be completed by April 29 with funds retained for any final work left uncompleted.
The ARPA Funding Committee made up of employees presented the parameters and allocations for the use of $1,591, 588 of American Rescue Plan Funds. The intent of the program is to provide support for governments responding to the impacts of COVID-19. The committee allocated $500,000 to Public Safety. Examples: hand held radios, remote dispatch and fire repeaters. $500,000 was allocated as matching funds for Broadband projects. $300,000 was allocated to Infrastructure. County owned building projects, e.g. HVAC, sewer and water would qualify for the funds. $150,000 was allocated for a consultant to seek and write grants, provide assistance with grant reporting and administration for county, city and townships. The balance of $141,588 was allocated as Miscellaneous county government projects that will benefit and be in the spirit of the ARPA funds. Examples are technology updates, small equipment and meeting room updates. The Commissioners, prior to disbursement, will review all fund requests.
Ditch Inspector Travis Radke had two ditch repair petitions for consideration. Both called for repair of a large hole over the main line, the first in Skandia Township, Sec. 25 and the other in DeMoines River Township, Sec. 14.
Shelly Lewis presented the Murray Soil & Water Conservation District report of activity. This was followed by an allocation request for the quarterly funds budgeted to the district. This was followed by a discussion of the possible request to serve as administrative and/or fiscal lead for the upcoming DesMoines River cleanup efforts.
Emergency Management Director Carl Nyquist presented the costs to replace the warning siren at Lake Sarah East County Park. The current siren has malfunctioned and repair parts are no longer available. The cost of the siren of $13,079 along with installation was approved at a cost of no more than $20,000 with payments to be made from ARPA funds allocated to public safety.
Human Resources Director Ronda Radke reported the hiring of Carter Kresko as seasonal Parks Maintenance worker. Kresko returns for his second season. The details for the interviewing process of a new County Administrator were discussed. Department heads and the entire Board of Commissioners will be involved in the process set for May 10.
