LWV observer – Georgiana Campbell
All Commissioners present.
A wide range of topics was discussed at this meeting, from reorganization at the solid waste department to business subsidies to drainage records modernization.
Solid Waste – Michael Cook - Because of the “single stream recycling” now in place, the solid waste organization will need two fewer people. Since one of the positions is vacant now, they need to lay off only one employee. Since some of the equipment used in the past, such as balers and conveyers, are no longer needed, they will be sold. Sealed bids will be accepted January 9 and the items sold separately.
Public Health – Mary Ho presented for approval a childhood immunization grant agreement between Rice County and the Minnesota Dept. of Health. This will be for follow-up activities for infants born to mothers “who test positive for Hepatitis surface antigen.” This was approved by the commissioners as was an affiliation agreement between the County and the Loretto Heights School of Nursing (located in Colorado) making it possible for a local nursing student to do her clinical practicum in Faribault.
Economic Development – Deanna Kuennen, Dept. Head, presented two resolutions regarding business subsidies for the Moventas Project. Moventas is a Finnish company which manufactures wind turbine gears. There was a public hearing regarding each of these resolutions. Only one member of the public, Nancy Marth, spoke regarding this project. Despite the original estimates of the large amounts of money the county would realize from this project, she questioned how much the tax base would benefit and the extent to which well-paying jobs would exist. The resolutions approved applications for two business subsidies for the Moventas projects, one being a Minnesota Investment Fund application and the other for a JobZ business subsidy. Both of these subsidy applications were approved by the commissioners.
Highway Dept – Dennis Luebbe presented road plans for the future. There were proposed plans for County Road 76 infrastructure improvement, a draft for a capital improvement plan in 2009-2013, and a local road improvement program, aimed at improving road safety.
Planning and Zoning – Julie Runkel presented four requests for the commissioners’ approval, including one for an amendment to the Rice County Zoning Map. The others involved a CUP request and a request for a waiver of plat. All were approved.
Auditor/Treasurer – Fran Windschitl reported that the company, TriStem, which was engaged to review the electric and gas bills paid by Rice County, found no detectable errors. This was, of course, a good thing. Secondly, Windschitl asked for approval of a grant application to be used for Drainage Records Modernization in the amount of $46,500.00. If a local government unit administers public drainage systems and wants to modernize the drainage records, this grant is available. Rice County administers 62 ditch miles and 10 tile miles. The commissioners approved the grant application,
County Administrator, Gary Weiers requested approval of the creation of a Health Savings Account for Rice County. After brief questions and discussion, the commissioners approved the request.
The meeting adjourned.