The Murray County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, May 17, 2022.
Auditor Treasurer Heidi Winter presented the Gambling Permit Applications of Currie & Country at Key Largo. This was for continuation of an ongoing event under the new ownership of the facility. Approval was given to the request.
Ditch Inspector Travis Radke had only one repair petition to present. That was from Gerald Jarmer on Judicial Ditch 2 in Section 21 Lime Lake Township. The intakes are not working on both sides of County Road 38, presumably from roots growing in the ditch.
Historical Museum Jakob Etrheim received approval for submission of a grant application. The request will be for $177,270 for repair of the 52 windows in the Dinehart Holt House. Also, included will be a permanent support system for the interior staircase. The request included $10,000 in matching funds. The request was approved; however both Commissioners Dave Thiner and Jim Kluis voted “no” on the issue citing the additional costs usually attached to the grant projects.
Environmental Administrator Jean Christoffels presented the Redwood-Cottonwood Rivers Control Area Joint Powers Agreement. Murray County’s share of the area covers 111 sq.miles, or 5.47% of the area at a cost of $4,320 to Murray County. This was an updated agreement and was approved.
Bill Schuna - MN Department of Natural Resources received approval of a land acquisition in Section 19, Dovray Township. When questioned, Schuna assured the Board that the County Ditch running through the area would remain under the control of the ditch authority.
Chief Deputy Heath Landsman received approval to purchase a second firewall for the dispatch/deputies so that there would be no disruption of service during periods during which the current firewall is being updated. He also requested $7500 in ARPA funds for Murray County’s share in the purchase of a bus for a tactical response team. The team is a High Risk Entry and Arrest Team serving eight southern MN counties and three Iowa Counties serving a total of 160,000 people. Their current vehicle is twentyone years old with an estimated 175,000 miles (gauge doesn’t work). Landsman was instructed to present the request to the ARPA committee and to return with its decision.
The Golf Cart Ordinance was once again a topic of discussion. A committee has met with residents of the lakes area and has formulated some changes to that ordinance. If approved, only the golf cart will need a permit, not each driver. A driver’s license will be required of the driver of any golf cart. A question of how to deal with fees already collected and three year permits al ready issued will be addressed with updated language in the amended ordinance. A Public Hearing was scheduled for the June 7th meeting of the Commissioners. County Attorney Travis Smith commented that golf carts are the only “vehicle” not addressed in MN statutes leaving regulation to the local government. Safety continues to be the focus of the ordinance due to the number of young people using the carts. Until an amended ordinance is put into effect the current regulations continued to apply.
A Public Hearing was held on the application of the new owners of Key Largo and of Lake Shetek Lodge/Pelican Cove. On/Off Sales and Sunday Liquor licenses were approved for both facilities. The application of Antonio Moreno, the new owner of Carlson’s Corner for a Sunday Liquor license will be considered at a Public Hearing on June 7th.
Heidi Winter presented a purchase request for new software and a dedicated computer to use during elections. The $10,323.50 costs will be covered through a grant obtained for that purpose. Her office handles ballots of twenty-nine precincts. Eleven of those are in person locations and eighteen are mail in precincts.
IT Administrator Jason Lohrenz requested the replacement of the eight-year old County Storage Server. New technology has no moving parts so there should be no breakdowns. The cost has dropped unexpectedly $6000 to $28,773.00 since budget talks held last summer.
Highway Engineer Randy Groves received approval for the purchase of a 2022 Cimline M2 Rubber Melter at a cost of $78,500. The unit is currently rented at $6400 a month each year for 2-3 months each. Groves also presented a revised listing of eight bridges in need of replacement in Murray County. These are on county roads since township bridges have already been updated.
Human Resources Director Ronda Radke announced the hiring of Emily Ackerman as Full Time General Assistant at $22.02 pr hr beginning June 6. Following the interviews of May 11 an offer was extended for the position of County Administrator. The offer was countered with a request for additional salary due to the number of employees that fall under the supervision of that person. Commissioner Malone made a motion to place the Administrator at One Dollar over that of the highway engineer for a total of $126,985. Commissioners Thiner, Gunnink and Malone voted in favor of the motion.
In closed session following the regular meeting it was voted to set the assessment value at $848,000 for taxes payable in 2020 and 2021 on a parcel of land with the petitioners paying the costs of the legal action. The value of the land had been assessed at $1,154,300. Commissioners Kluis was the lone “no” vote.
