By Joanne Bergman The Murray County Board of Commissioners met on Tuesday, April 04, 2023 in the regularly scheduled first meeting of the month. The Board accepted the donation to the Murray County Ag Society from the Land O Lakes Foundation to help defray expenses. The Ag Society is the legal entity directing the fair activities with the leadership of the Murray County Fair Board.
Murray County Medical Center CEO Luke Schryvers presented his report on the February activities. Physician recruitment continued with phone interviews with two potential providers. On site visits will be arranged in April and May for those two. A new Human Resources Director will be needed following the resignation of Holly Mikkelson as of March 30. Applicants are being interviewed; however none of those are local persons.
Floor replacement is being completed in the clinic patient rooms and hospital outpatient rooms with Covid funds. Two nurses, Donna Thomson and Kay Platt, have received the “Good Catch” award from the MN Hospital Ass’n for their patient safety efforts. Urology services are still as a replacement for Dr. Rosen. Discussions are under way with monthly services hopefully in place in the next couple months. A water line break in the ceiling of a patient room in the clinic was fixed. New wall, ceiling, flooring and much of the equipment will need to be replaced. Patient statistics were down from those with an increase in patient receivables. Final figures show a positive net income of $87,597 for the month and $159,707 over year to date.
Highway Engineer Randy Groves was present to open bids for reflective paint on various highways as part of a Highway Safety Improvement Project. Sir-Lines-A-Lot was apparent low bidder with a price of $583,024.69. This was a price well above the estimated cost. A construction contract with the same company was approved for overlay projects on CSAH 8,17,22,42,45 and 5 at a cost of $3,356,785.05. The projects are slated for completion by August 26,2023. Commissioner Welgraven expressed his “Thank You” to highway personnel for their work in snow removal and the current good condition of the County’s gravel roads.
Zoning Administrator Jean Christoffels presented the Preliminary Plat of Sunrise Shores Addition. The plat consists of 34.59 acres in N1/2NW ¼ in Section 21, Lake Sarah Township. Five riparian lots and three non-riparian lots are planned. A Right to Farm Notice will be included in the plan. The Commissioners approved the plat.
The Conditional Use Permit of Bavaria Solar LLC was extended for one year to June 7, 2024. Planning has continued for the 1mw Community Solar Garden in Leeds Township. Construction is expected to begin in the 3rd quarter of 2023.
Development of the Pelican Bay Addition in Section 24 of Lake Sarah Township will be allowed to continue. Twentynine lots and two outlots are planned in an area of grassland and former gravel mining. All wetland and historical concerns have been addressed.
Murray County Assessor Chad Benda presented an overview of land and residential values. Tax statements are reflecting the 40-55% increase in market prices of both. That is not an indication of an equal increase in the taxes to be paid on the properties. Sale prices are tabulated with market value needing to meet State requirements within certain percentages. The change over from local assessors to County personnel assessment is nearing completion. With the change, Benda explained there is increased consistency across the County of building conditions and depreciation.
Human Resources Director Ronda Radke informed the Commissioners of the hiring of Jaden Hennings as Highway Maintenance Worker. He will begin on April 11th.
Emergency Management Director Carl Nyquist lead the discussion on the fish kill and oxygen levels of the lakes. He has been in conversation with DNR and MPCA on allowable procedures for removal and disposal of dead fish along the shoreline. So far he has had no definitive answers. Several factors have caused the problem including the drought of the past summer, the amount of snow on top of the ice blocking sunlight, and lack of oxygen. Disposal suggestions that he has been given include composting, spreading on crop fields and leaving them as is. Disaster aid would require cleanup costs over $18,000 with the County providing 25%. There is no requirement that property owners do a clean up. More information will be provided at the next meeting in two weeks.
