Present: Docken, Purfeerst, Malacha, Hoisington, Underdahl
Outside Agency: MICA Matt Massman, Steve Novak, Nancy Silesky. (MN Intercounty Association). Presentation on 2024 Legislative Session Priorities and outcomes. Tyler Settlement for 109 million dollars, good for counties. Tax Forfeiture Policy Changes discussed. No changes to state aid. No local Sales Tax for Cities and Counties. No Construction Materials Sales Tax Exemption for Local Projects.
Transportation: Policy and budget bills passed; Bonding Bill did not pass. Health and Human Services: Emergency Medical Services Funding Bill passed. MN African American Family Preservation and Child Disproportionality Act (Layla Jackson Law) passed. Education/Children and Families Finance (Pinto). Human Services Budget passed as stand-alone bill. Environment and General Gov’t: bills regarding packaging waste reduction, ground water protection and nitrates passed. 2025 Legislature convenes January 14, 2025.
Environmental Services: Julie Runkel. Public Hearing regarding Ordinance Regulation Cannabis Use in a public place and Moratorium on the Operation of Cannabis Businesses.
NO ONE spoke. Public portion meeting closed.
Resolution #24-025 passed: Adopting Ordinance Regulation use of Cannabis in a public place.
Interim Ordinance- authorizing a study and imposing a moratorium on the operation of Cannabis Businesses. Passed.
Property Tax and Elections: Several liquor license renewal applications passed.
Social Services: Megan Thomas. Contract with Department of Human Services-Supported- Decision Making Grant. On year grant opportunity, options to move evaluate and move forward have been considered. Passed.
Highway: Dennis Lubbe. Several service contracts, road maintenance agreements passed.
Township bridge replacement agreements (3), all with Northfield Township. Passed.
Award of contract for emergency culvert repair on CSAH2. (West of Lonsdale). Passed.
Administration: Ratify Resolution #24-027 Declaring State of Emergency June 2, 2024
Ratify Resolution #24- 028 Declaring State of Emergency for June 16, 2024. Both passed.
Temporary Change in the Usage of Employee Accrued Sick Leave per Rice County Personnel Policies and procedures, Policy #3300 Sick Leave for Personal Flood Related Time- Off. Discussion around length of time to open the sick leave, such as end of calendar year, 5 days or 40 hours. Motion passed.
Update on Rain/ floods- flooding events started around June 2, and continue in Rice County. Both flooding and damage have/ will be documented by drones. Many county and township roads have been closed. Morristown significantly impacted; river is level with their dam. Sandbags have been established at the dam. Faribault flooding near woolen mills, along river. Flooding in Northfield, downtown, Carleton, etc. New web page set up with resources listed for county residents. As of this morning, over 55 damage reports reported, with many more expected.
Teams met in Northfield on Sunday with officials, Senators and Rep Craig to discuss concerns. Today a phone line will be added for questions and again, resources. Open during normal business hours. Will be advertised. Solicitations will begin for volunteers for help with clean up, including Red Cross, Salvation Army and others.
Waters somewhat level in Morristown, Cannon is down a little bit. Working with Red Cross and Salvation Army to manage monetary and physical donations.
Adjourn
