Rice County Board of Commissioners Meeting Tuesday, June 27, 2023
Present: Jeff Docken, Jim Purfeerst, Steve Underdahl, Gerry Hoisington, Galen Malecha
Approval Agenda: approved
Approval minutes 6/13/23: approved
Property Tax and Elections: Denise Anderson
- Application for On-Sale Wine license for Webster Sports and Recreation Associaion, 4633 40 th Street West, Webster, MN, 55088 for the licensing period of July 1, 2023, through June 30, 2024. Discussion: why can’t we extend these licenses for more than a year at a time (Docken)? Due to both MN and local statutes. Motion approved unanimously. The following were all approved without discussion and unanimously:
- Exempt Gamblin License for Most Holy Trinity Church, 4939 N Washington, Vesili, MN on August 20, 2023
- Exempt Gambling permit for Ducks Unlimited Northfield Chapter #113, 6797 Canby Trail, Northfield, MN 55057 on July 27, 2023
- Application and permit for a 1 Day Temporary On-Sale Liquor license for the Rotary Club of Northfield at Red Barn Farm of Northfield, 10063 Street East, Northfield, MN 55057 on July 20, 2023
- Tobacco license application for Lake Country Convenience and Bait, 15090 Shieldsville Blvd, Faribault, MN, 55021: July 1, 2023- June 30, 2024
- Resolution #23-023, Resolution establishing UOCAVA Ballot Board for Special Election on November 7, 2023
- Renewal of the On-Sale 3.2% Malt Liquor license for the Webster Sports and Rec Association, 4633 40 th Street West, Webster, MN55088 for the licensing period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024
- Renewal of the On-Sale, Off-Sale and Sunday Liquor license for The Lodge on Lake Mazaska, 7710 153 rd Street West, Faribault, MN,55021 for the licensing period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024
- Application for Wine license for Winjum, Inc, 17759 177 th Street West, Faribault, MN, MN 55021 for the licensing period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024
- Application for On-Sale 3.2 Malt liqiuor license for Winjum, Inc., 17759 177 th Street West, Faribault, MN, 55021 for the licensing period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024
- Application for Consumption and Display Permit (Set Up) for Winjum, Inc., 17759 177 th Street West, Faribault, MN, 55021 for the licensing period of July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
- Renewal application for an On-Sale, Off-Sale and Sunday liquor license for Boonies Bar and Grill, 3301 Millersburg Blvd., Faribault, MN, 55021 for the licensing period July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024.
Public Health Nursing: Deb Pufeerst
- Renewal Dental Hygiene Service Agreement with Health Finders Collaborative. Space provided 1-2 days per week at WIC space for dental hygienist (via HFC) Services provided at no cost to children, who are under or not insured. Services were temporarily suspended during 2020-2021, due to the Pandemic. This request is for the period of June 2023-December 2024. Approved unanimously.
Attorney’s Office: Brian Mortenson
- Court Appointed Counsel Contract, Collin Colby- Colby Law Services to provide services as contract attorney for court appointed work, public services to parents who cannot afford legal representation. Mr. Colby comes recommended by various judges and those who have worked with him. Approved unanimously.
Parks and Facilities: Matt Verdice
- Approval of Bids for A/V Technology for Public Safety Center. 6 bids reviewed, with the lowest at 440,000. Company has worked in the building previously. Funds are part of the budget already allocated. Approved unanimously.
Highway: Dennis Luebbe
- Highway updates:
- Wrap up street /storm sewer projects by end of July. Ryan working with city, other contractors working in coordination to finish this summer.
- County road 76 project should finish up by end of next week. County road 1 to industrial park in Faribault. Road 52 and 59 work near Vesili to begin after holiday (July 4).
- Maintenance: 74 miles gravel road will be looked at after recent storms and rain
- Significant Capitol request out of road and bridge fund coming. Another request will come (450,000) to replace aging equipment (storage tank, underground). Prices higher to have above ground tanks versus underground. Tanks are 30 years old, not fiberglass; risers that access the tanks need repair, pump (1) only as waiting for parts to fix second pump handle.
- DOT: crossover work on interstate will begin after holiday- bridge work and resurfacing.
- Lonsdale: Project is a couple of years out, cost share with state of MN, hoping state will cover cost of roundabout entirely. State initiated the project for the roundabout.
- Quadrennial traffic count underway; folks may notice the markers around town.
- Detour along 9 north from Northfield (Hwy 3). Closures after 4th, through October for road work.
- Large development anticipated southern part of city next 20 years. Study looking at roads, etc.
- Sanitary sewer very north side county fairgrounds easement, in the attorney’s office, for study.
- Dennison: working with mayor regarding speed signs for public safety concerns.
- Plans for 35/19 round about continue, with final bids due. Plans are completed, not final signature.
- County Road 79 (Wall Street Road, Northfield): feasibility study completed. City Council Northfield approved study 6/23. County 79 (Wall Street Road). Narrow corridor with challenges, one major intersection, questions about traffic control at that intersection (currently 4 way stop).
- Does not warrant more than that, such as a roundabout; recommendation in study to purchase land to accommodate anticipated traffic in the future. Might be prudent to build roundabout now, will not be less expensive in the future. Will be a no parking area due to narrowness. Existing culvert will need to be lengthened -expensive. Might be cheaper to build a bridge (or two) or a combined structure. Being examined. Estimate 7 million dollars for a one-mile project.
Administration: Sara Folsted
- Consent agenda; approved unanimously
- Ratification of the Juneteenth Holiday MOAs for the Collective Bargaining Agreements- approved unanimously
- Adoption- of the Juneteenth Holdiay for non-union employees- approved unanimously.
- Out of state travel request- Folsted- approved unanimously.
- 2023 Public Open Forum dates. Open forum dates to be the second Tuesday of every month at 8:00 am for remainder of 2023. Motion: Purfeerst, second Malecha. Approved unanimously. This will start July 11, 2023.
