LWV Observer - Georgiana Campbell
This was a short meeting, lasting 40 minutes. One commissioner, Plaisance, was absent. There was discussion of five agenda items and the last item, approval of the consent agenda, was approved without discussion, ending the meeting at 9:10.
Deanna Kuennen, (Economic Development) presented a resolution laying out Rice County Housing and Redevelopment Authority Administration services. Back in February, 2008, the city of Faribault notified Rice County it could not provide HRA services to the county under the current financial arrangement. The county formed a task force to study the situation. At the May 20 commissioners’ meeting, discussion was held and staff recommendations received. The County Commissioners supported the recommendation to administer HRA service directly with the county staff. This would save the county $181,000 in 2009, So the County Staff will provide HRA services previously supplied by the City of Faribault. Rice County will also form an advisory committee that will use the expertise of current HRA members to shape future housing programs. The Commissioners themselves will serve as the Governing Board of the Rice County HRA. They will also create an HRA levy to “enhance the housing program”. There was discussion about the money the county would spend, since the HRA offices would move to the 4-H building located on the county fair grounds, and it would cost money to restore that area. Commissioners Gillen and Brown raised several questions about how the financial and administrative aspects would be handled, but received satisfactory answers. The resolution was approved 4-0.
Public Health (Mary Ho) asked for alternative care and waivered service contract renewals. A long list of these was approved by the commissioners.
Mark Shaw (Social Services) presented contract amendments which would extend mental health care during the summer for three people. These were approved.
Human Resources (Kerie Anderka) presented results from Gary Weiers’ Performance Review. The responses were favorable.
There were six requests for renewal of liquor, gambling, and tobacco licenses. All were approved.
