The Murray County Board of Commissioners met on March 1st in their first meeting of the month. Ditch Inspector Travis Radke had two ditch repairs for consideration. County Ditch 20 and Judicial Ditch 14 in Section 9 of Leeds Township has had numerous repairs due to erosion issues in the ditch on 111th St. in Chanarambie Township, Section 23, erosion has been also been an ongoing issue. Radke was advised to seek the advice of an engineer for a solution to fix the erosion at both sites.
Murray County Medical Center Community Engagement Coordinator Darlene Mechtenberg asked for proclamation of the month of March as Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month. Colon rectal cancer is the second cause of deaths in the US. It is preventable! MCMC is able to provide the necessary screening.
The CEO of the Murray County Medical Center, Luke Schryvers, presented his monthly report to the Commissioners. The new computer system, EPIC, is now online. A Community Needs Assessment is being undertaken to find out what is still needed by the public in medical services. A new Human Resources person, Holly Mickelson, has begun her duties. COVID-19, after a sharp increase in January, has all but disappeared in February with no new cases admitted in the past week. Masks are still required within the facility. Net income for the month of January was positive at $25,000. There is $7.5M in cash available.
Justin Hoffmann, Parks Director, explained that a grant request has been submitted in the amount of $400,000 for the Lime Lake Dam project. Rock arch rapids would be installed to improve the numbers of desired fish in the lake. They will improve upstream movement of the fish. The 10% County match needed for the project is in an account.
EDA Director, Justine Wettschreck has worked with Justin Hoffmann in submitting a grant request for $9100 from AARP. The purpose of the grant funds will be construction of sidewalks in the fairgrounds to allow access to several of the buildings for all people.
Zoning Administrator Jean Christoffels had three Conditional Use Permits for consideration of the Board. Allete Clean Energy plans to destruct 65 wind towers in Section 31 of Cameron Township and to replace them with 45 larger towers. The Commissioners approved the CUP. The second permit will allow Schreier’s on Shetek to remove 12.32 acres from the campground. The campground will not be changed or affected by the change. The Board approved the CUP. The final CUP will rezone the 12.32 acres to allow Joe and Marcia Schreier to build a personal residence on the site. This was also approved by the Board.
Highway Engineer Randy Groves, along with Lonn Jackels, presented a revised listing of rental rates for equipment and operators. This had not been done since 2013 so there were some major changes. The Commissioners suggested that an update should be made annually. Bids will be opened on April 4 for seal coating of County Roads 7, 6 and 35.
Human Resources Director Ronda Radke once again discussed the Extension staff opening. It was decided by the vote of the Commissioners to continue with a 40 hour per week position with administrative duties to be added to fill the responsibilities. The title of the position will be: Extension County Support Staff.
The Commissioners ended the meeting with a closed session for preliminary consideration of allegations against an employee. There was no announcement of any action taken during the session.
