League of Women Voters of Northfield

LWV Observer – Georgiana Campbell

Sheriff’s Office – Sheriff Richard Cook asked for approval of an Off Highway Motor Vehicle Grant (ATV). This grant covers the labor and equipment costs related to enforcement of off highway vehicle regulation. The commissioners approved.

Public Health - Mary Ho – The news here is that flu season is very near. An agreement between Rice County and Blue Cross – Blue Shield of Minnesota was approved. It makes Rice County Public Health a “Flu Stop at Work” vendor. It provides a $23.00 reimbursement per injectable vaccine given.

Auditor-Treasurer – Fran Windschitl presented a request for approval of a drainage project on property owned by the Minnesota DNR. It would create a wetland. The request was approved by the commissioners.

Highway Dept. – Denis Luebbe asked for approval of final payments for a bridge replacement and for two seal coat projects. Also requested was approval of a resolution which would o.k. a speed zone study request on CSAH 4. These requests were approved.

Planning and Zoning – Director Julie Runkel brought to the commissioners for their approval a resolution regarding the Environmental Assessment Worksheet which was required for the proposed McDonough Farm Development in Wells Township. The findings were: ” no significant impact” meaning that the development does not have the potential for significant environmental impacts. The resolution passed.

Economic Development – Deanna Kuennen. A resolution which would support the Moventas project’s application for a $500,000 grant for the Moventas project’s infrastructure was presented and approved. It was a required part of the application and makes clear that the County will act as the project’s legal sponsor. When the state approves the application, the County will commit $2,400,000 toward the local match requirement. The commissioners approved the resolution.

There was a closed session (no observers permitted) for discussion of the host fee (at the local solid waste disposal area). This discussion followed the Sept. 15 District Court judgment that Rice County should pay the host fee to Bridgewater Township, within which the landfill is located, instead of to the county. The host fee will be added on to the existing tipping fee. Up to now the host fee was paid by the haulers to Rice County. Now the haulers will pay the tipping fee and also the host fee Several commissioners expressed their displeasure with the new arrangement.