LWV Observer – Georgiana Campbell
This meeting was concerned with some areas not regularly discussed.
Jim Haas, head of Community corrections, brought us up to date on out-of-home placements with information on the number of individuals in detention placements and those in correctional placements. Those in correctional situations in 2009 numbered from 10 to 8 and the cost for each ranged from 11,076 to 6,794.
Electronic Home Monitoring needs to have some qualified persons who can provide this service. There is a grant offered by the state of Minnesota to a county that has individuals who are qualified to perform the needed services. The state of Minnesota will pay for services performed by the Grantee under this grant agreement.
Gary Weiers -administration: Brought forward to the Board for approval the 800 MHz complete system implementation. This refers to a communication system for our region (Rice and Steele Counties included) which has been operating for some time but has aged and may need to be upgraded or replaced. It is used by the police, the fire department and other EMS personnel. The commissioners approved implementation of the 800 MHz complete system.
Michael Cook – representing Solid Waste, returned for more discussion with the commissioners of the River Bend Educational Agreement . For this meeting Mr. Cook was able to present a lower cost. The commissioners approved of the cost reduction and so the county will continue to work with River Bend Nature Center on the waste reduction issue.
Parks/Attorney: Joe McGough and Meredith Erickson. These two presented to the Rice County staff the resolution which describes the property donation by Friends of the Cannon River Wilderness Area of a 20.5 acre parcel to Rice County. This land would abut the current Cannon River Wilderness Area Park. There was discussion by the Commissioners of troublesome situations that might arise as a result of the county holding this land, but eventually these problems were no longer seen as a problem and the commissioners agreed to accept the additional land.
Planning and Zoning: Julie Runkel, Head. There were 6 CUP’s (conditional use permits) to be considered. Some of the requests facing Planning and Zoning were complex and had led to much discussion at the recent Rice County Planning Commission meeting, but on this Tuesday resolution was achieved.