LWV observer- Georgiana Campbell
This meeting was a regular Committee of the Whole Work Session. However, the morning began with the 20 minute time period alloted to Rice County taxpayers each year who want to question their property assessments and to suggest that their property taxes are too high. One person with such a concern was present. The assessor was also present and responded to questions. He will review the records and have answers by the next scheduled property tax discussion.
The next discussion was of the State Highway 60 Detour Agreement. Carol King, representing the Faribault City government, presented the city’s concern that it can not afford to pay the amount of money required to repair damage done to official detour roads. A Mn/DOT representative was present at this meeting of the commissioners and stated Mn/DOT’s position: The work on Highway 60 was not a Mn/DOT project and Mn/DOT had informed Faribault that Faribault was responsible for negotiating with local agencies regarding payment for damages done to local roads used as detours during work on highway 60. So the County does not want to pay; there was no signed agreement between Faribault and the county. Nor does the State want to pay since Faribault signed an agreement with Mn/DOT accepting all responsibility for detour impacts. Faribault states that it can’t afford this expense (or at least, not the entire amount). It is planned that the problem can be worked out by the parties involved. Mm/DOT representatives offered their help, if needed, in resolving this issue. Commissioner Malecha stated his hope that all parties could work together and avoid further disagreement.
Michael Cook, Solid Waste Director, was present to update the commissioners on the coming recycling changes. The Solid Waste Committee has met with the haulers to discuss these changes which will move the county to a “single stream recycling collection,” beginning August 4 of this year. Two of the issues appear to be the distribution of carts - would Rice County pay for the distribution of carts within the municipalities ? Secondly, how will the increasing fuel costs be handled? There will be further discussion on these items.
Planning and Zoning - Julie Runkel
There were four zoning ordinance amendments. To allow: 1) administrative renewal for temporary farm dwellings 2) temporary permits for longer than 8 months for a temporary asphalt plant, a highway construction yard and for equipment placement at approved extraction and excavation conditional use permit sites. 3) an amendment , allowing swimming pool, tennis courts, and recreational facilities as a permitted use in the Shoreland District. All were approved.
Also considered: 4)a zoning ordinance map amendment to change Rice County’s current wild and scenic district boundaries so that they would correspond with legal boundaries set by the state. The DNR has requested that Rice County resolve these mapping errors. Available maps pointed out five areas. There was some discussion on this matter. Commissioner Plaisance emphasized that the farmers in the area should be consulted.
Commissioner Bauer requested discussion of: 1) County’s policy for sale of excess right- of- way and (2) use of county right-of-way for private utilities. A representative of the County Attorney’s office who had researched the legalities involved in the right-of-way issue was present to answer questions. It appeared to be a complex matter, needing further research.
Administrator - Gary Weiers presented for approval the appointments to the Regional Radio Board. Those appointed must be “engaged in law enforcement, fire suppression, EMS, public works, emergency services and other public safety related activities”. These people will work for effective use of inter-operational communications systems between agencies and services in Southeast Minnesota. The appointments (Dennis Luebbe - County Engineer, Mike Monge- Faribault Fire, Mark Taylor - Northfield P.D., Dave Augustin-North Ambulance, Gary Weiers - County Administrator. These appointments were approved by the Commissioners.
