The Murray County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on November 16, 2001. Chair Dennis Walgraven, Commissioners Dave Thiner, Lori Gunnink and Molly Malone were present for the meeting. Auditor Treasurer Heidi Winter presented the list of warrants to be paid in the total amount of $136,212.43. Winter along with Ditch Inspector Travis Radke presented information for discussion regarding levies to be placed on properties receiving the benefits of the drainage systems. The spreadsheet contained eighteen columns of information with the beginning balances for each system and the expected year end balance after payments are made. Redetermination of benefits is currently being evaluated with an increase in the number of properties connected to some of the systems expected. Levies are placed on the properties to cover the costs of repairs completed or to be undertaken in the next year. A public hearing is scheduled for November 30 at 5:00 p.m. to discuss the levies and the reasons for any levy changes with the landowners.
Jason Kloss was present for a public hearing held within the commissioners meeting. The purpose was to allow public review of the revisions to the Public Health Ordinance Pursuant to M.S #375.51 subd 1. Southwest Health and Human Services is required by the Minnesota Department of Health to license and enforce MN requirements dealing with Food & Beverage, Lodging, MHP/ RCA, Swimming Pools and Youth Camps. The ordinances presented cover the minimum requirements of MDH and presented few changes.
Jakob Etrheim, Murray County Historical Museum Director, requested the Board’s approval to use a contractor who did not submit the lowest quote for installing building foundations at End O Line Park. Manderscheid Construction’s quote was $16,580 while Glidden Construction submitted a quote of $11,773.50. However, Glidden Const. is unable to complete the foundation in the immediate future. Manderscheid is able to do so. To prevent spring flooding of the General Store and the Grist Mill the buildings need to be moved this fall. The Commissioners agreed to the change in vendors based on that argument.
County Highway Engineer Randy Groves presented three contracts for signatures for the upcoming road projects for which bids were accepted at the previous meeting. All three projects will be undertaken in the spring. Final payment to Wm D Scepaniak Inc was approved for crushing gravel for county road usage.
Human Resources Director Ronda Radke announced the hiring of Eli Ackerman as regular Full Time Lead Mechanic at the highway department. The newly hired part time recycling center employee is Leslie Moran. Both men will undergo criminal background checks, undergo drug testing and a physical. Selena Lopez Cardenas was promoted to Deputy Assessor CMA following completion of her testing. A LELS Union Contract Memorandum of Agreement was approved to allow creation of the new position of Sheriff Sergeant with the agreement to terminate on January 15, 2023. Commissioner Thiner’s was the only negative vote.
Tom Burke, County Administrator led the discussion on the OSHA vaccine mandate that may impact Murray County employees. Employees could face a January 4 deadline for receiving the Covid vaccine if the mandate does apply. Planning is needed for the possibility of open positions if employees fail to comply with the mandate or the testing schedule.
Once again the HVAC system for the Sheriff’s building was under discussion. According to Tom Burke this was the sixth month in a row that it was discussed and no action was taken. The answers to the dampness and musty odors in the building are both expensive. For $360,000 a single Dedicated Outside Air System (DOAS) can be added to the current ten year old system with a life expectancy of perhaps another ten years. $800,000 would replace the existing furnace with a roof top unit with a life expectancy of twenty to twenty five years. Commissioner Malone stated, “Do we make the same mistake and push it (the high cost) down the road for others, or do we move forward?” On a roll call vote, Commissioners Malone and Gunnink voted yes to the $800,000 system, Thiner’s vote was a loud and clear, “NO”. Commissioner Walgraven hesitated in his vote, then he did vote yes.
