- Communications
- Protective Vests for all First Responders Presentation presentation by Suzy Rook
- Following a Northfield EMS/Northfield Area Fire & Rescue Services fundraiser earlier this year to supply all rescue personnel with protective vests (sponsored by the Defeat of Jesse James Days Committee), Commissioner Malecha, in his capacity as DJJD general chair, Northfield EMS’ Brian Edwards and NAFRS Fire Chief Tom Nelson wondered if it is possible to get federal legislation to reimburse agencies for protective vests for all emergency responders. Currently, the U.S. government offers reimbursement for law enforcement, a designation that includes correctional officers. Minnesota provides similar funding and recently adopted legislation to include all emergency responders, though procedural details are still being ironed out. We have put together a small committee, which includes Joe Johnson, Sheriff Jesse Thomas, Suzy Rook, and the chiefs of other first responder agencies in Rice County to move this initiative forward. We ask that the Rice County Board of Commissioners be the first to officially back this work and authorize the chair to sign a letter of support.
- Next Step: Would like to see a resolution drafted, sent to attorney’s office.
- Purfeerst: Within the state of MN, it would be all or none for the counties, or are different agencies getting these — in terms of getting the funding.
- A: We’re looking for a letter of support to take it to senators and representatives. Not all counties would have to participate. Currently state of Minnesota reimburses for components of vests.
- Purfeerst: What is the life of a vest?
- Hoisington: If this had been put in place, three families were forever changed because of what happened in Burnsville. IF this is one way we can protect everyday heroes, we should.
- Underdahl: We should be focusing at state and federal level
- A: State covers 50%. Each vest is $2,000. Would like federal government to contribute.
- Underdahl: Eventually we’re going to have to put local dollars toward it to, so we should look at all sources
- EMS workers and private entities respond to 911 calls, and we want all protected
- Malecha: Senator Chizinski was there
- A: And Rep Craig has been supportive
- Underdhal: I know those vests are very warm. Are we solving one problem and creating another?
- A: Yes. It will have to be an operational decision about when to wear it.
- Docken: Should we be looking to the League of Minnesota Cities to support this, too?
- A: We can work with the county administrator to connect to these other groups.
- Parks Agreement for consideration: Cannon River Wilderness Park- Great River Greening – Cooperative Agreement on management plan for buckthorn removal, along with silver poplar and honeysuckle.
- Great River Greening (GRG) is a non-profit conservation organization organized for the purpose of restoring natural areas and open spaces, and is funded from the Outdoor Heritage Fund. Funding for the Cannon River Watershed Habitat Protection and Restoration Program has been approved, and includes a proposed $288,900 contribution towards a partnership with Rice County to develop a management plan for portions of the Cannon River Wilderness Park. Earlier this fall, Jennifer Grommes, with GRG met with representatives of the Friends of the Cannon River Wilderness Park group, and county staff to assess the park area. Jennifer’s management plan developed from this review includes enhancing 24 acres of the oak savanna area of the park, and 24 acres of buckthorn control. An ‘in-kind’ local match of at least $4,000 of administrative, direct labor, or third party labor hours is required under a proposed Cooperative Agreement. This Agreement can be formally approved on November 26th. Work could commence later this year, with the Agreement terminating on June 30, 2029.
- Malecha: I’m all for it.
- Purfeerst: Have you ever tried using goats?
- A: Yes. Goats have to be out there every year for 3-5 yrs, because they don’t kill buckthorn. They just stress it out. It would be hard to use them in that area, due to the landscape and trails, but they could be used. First focus is on using machinery. If the buckthorn was more in the ravines, they would consider that.
- Purfeerst: In total support
- Hoisington: In full support.
- Underdahl: Full support. Glad to see the financial support for it.
- Parks Professional Services Contract – Barr Engineering- King Mill Dam Maintenance
- The County owned King Mill Dam last had repair and maintenance work completed in 2009 to address deteriorated gate seals, and hydraulic cylinder leaks. Similar work is needed again. Barr Engineering has submitted a proposal to develop plans to address the seal and cylinder repair, and review the hydraulic pump and electronic lake level sensors and related electrical controls. Facility Manager Chris Kluge and I both recommend approval of Task 1 and Task 2, for a total cost of $25,000. The Highway Department will oversee the bidding and the construction management. Funding for the design is likely to come from reserves. Construction funding will need to be addressed.
- Purfeerst: 15 years is a long time to go without review, so we need to do it.
- Hoisington: It’s not something we have a choice about
- Underdahl: It’s better to be proactive
- Malecha: Where’s the money going to come from?
- A: We’ll talk about it in committee.
- Highways
- 2045 Transportation Plan/ County Road 9 Jurisdictional Study
- The Board approved the update to the existing County Transportation Plan, including a Jurisdictional Study of County Road 9, earlier this year. Background information has been gathered and preliminary ideas for the County 9 alignments.
- Open House: Dec 3 at Buckham West from 5-7 pm.
- To talk about jurisdictional challenges, working with State of MN, on Trunk Highway 9. If it were to become a trunk highway, there would be some expectation that the county take over responsibility.
- Study to be wrapped up April 25.
- Hoisington: How did the conversation get started with the state? Who initiated?
- A: We did, looking for potential funding sources for the interchange itself. What will be our cost share, as the county? This is one part of the exploration to reduce the county’s costs.
- Docken: This has been a conversation for 16 years. Commends Dennis Luebbe for always looking for ways to lessen the cost burden on the county.
- Lubbe: Thanks for your commitment to transportation.
- Decker Avenue Study
- Will be approved and presented to board in early 2025
- I-35 interchange study document is almost finalized.
- Will be presented to the county commissioners
- Myron Malecha has been with the Highway department for 25 years. Extending recognition.
- Bridgewater Township development project with Corex. Right of way partnership moving forward.
- Dam safety grant: applied for $150k to State of MN
- Purfeerst: Decker Ave study: Is state open to roundabout?
- Luebbe: The state is not supporting a roundabout at this time, as there is not enough traffic. They are planning other improvements on trunk highway 19 into Northfield and through Lonsdale. Maybe one day a roundabout would be appropriate there, but there is not enough traffic at that intersection as of now.
- Hoisington: Interest in taking a tour of these sites?
- Luebbe: We haven’t had a road and bridge tour for a few years. Could do next spring.
- Sheriff Jesse Thomas
- Request for setting the 2025 salary for the Rice County Sheriff
- Last year: Northfield Police Chief salary was $170,000. Sheriff asked to be paid at that rate.
- Seeking 8% raise for next year.
- County Attorney Mortenson
- Request for setting the 2025 salary for the Rice County Attorney
- It’s tough to know what to ask for, when we don’t know what the people who report to him will make.
- He requests a raise for himself at the same rate of that for his staff.
- Seeking 8.5% increase next year, which is what he hopes the attorneys will receive, as well.
- Rick Gieseke, Deputy Administrator Community Services
- Budget narrative presentation
- Underdahl: We hear a lot about, with school districts, there were dollars generated, but mandates ate up all of the money. It’s difficult because we want to address the needs of those who ended the help, but there is a significant cost for it, and it becomes a lot for counties to carry the load, and the state seems to keep shedding its responsibility. It’s difficult for the county, because of the tax burden on property owners.
- Hoisington: The demand for your services has doubled since covid?
- A: Maybe not double in all areas, but in some more than that.
- Hoisington: It’s a difficult spot.
- Purfeerst: It is a tough spot to be in. Congratulations on the work you’re doing.
- Docken: Well said. It’s difficult when state expenses land on the county. Thank you for all of your work. It’s going to be a tough road.
- Malecha: Puts us in a tough spot. Wages are not keeping up with inflation. We’re a provider of services — that’s our job, and we’re going to have to figure out how to provide those services.
