PERSONNEL ITEMS UNDER DISCUSSION
The Murray County Board of Commissioners met on January 25 with Chair Molly Malone presiding.
Economic Development Ass’n director Justine Wettschreck presented an update of activities. In 2021 two loans totaling $200,000 were awarded to new businesses. There are currently two additional loans in the approval process. She has had contact with childcare providers and is working to find sources of grants for expansion. A new website is underdevelopment as Acres of Opportunity.com. A group is considering development of a trail/path in Fulda. The City of Chandler did not qualify based on population for a housing grant.
Shelly Lewis presented the request for the quarterly allocation of the Soil & Water Conservation District in the amount of $49,079.75. Two contracts and five projects have been completed.
Parks Director Justin Hoffmann presented an update of activities for 2021. Camping fees have risen in each of the last five years as improvements have been made to parks. Seasonal campsites with the exception of one site have been reserved and paid for. Surveys completed by campers have been positive overall. Changes have been made as a result of any negative comments. The new tile installed in the fairgrounds has made an improvement in drainage. Improvements to the Creative Arts Building were well received. Hoffman received approval of a new rental agreement for fairground buildings. The $500 damage deposit will be dropped, as it was difficult to handle for both the County and the renters. Renters will assume all responsibility for any damages to buildings with the new agreement. Staff does inspect facilities following every rental.
Payment was approved by the Commissioners for the Code Red system at a cost of $7,989.63 (less than $1 per person) based on per capita of 8179. The system provides public alerts to those who sign up on the County website.
County Highway Engineer Randy Groves presented the Environmental Assessment Worksheet completed by Houston Engineering for CSAH 13 (Valhalla Road). The worksheet outlines changes that will occur to Lake Shetek if the road is rebuilt to allow pedestrian paths along each side of the roadway. Following the high level of flooding in 2018 reconstruction of the road for public safety has been under discussion. There will be a 30-day comment period on line and a public meeting for citizen comments. They will all become part of the public record for the project. An Advance Construction Agreement was approved for the construction of a new bridge over the Des Moines River in Currie. Construction is expected early in 2023 with a three-month completion date. The plan is to have the highway reopened in time for the summer tourist season.
Chief Deputy Heath Landsman asked for payment of the Buffalo Ridge Task Force appropriation of $36,805.50. Salaries of officers participating in Task Force operations are reimbursed by the State of Minnesota on a quarterly basis. In 2022 the yearly amount will be $301,119.
Human Resources Director Ronda Radke once again discussed the open Dispatcher position. The part time position will be eliminated with duties added to the job description to make a full time job. Since June there have been no applicants for the part time job. By eliminating overtime for the current five dispatchers there will be a savings of $1590 with the addition of the sixth person. The Personnel Committee is considering job description changes for the Extension Office Secretary with a reduction of hours as the retirement on February 28 of Nancy Pieske approaches. The need for someone to serve and to clean up after the noon meal at Sunrise Terrace was discussed. This has become a need following the discontinuation of the service by the Murray County Medical Center due to lack of personnel.
