- PROPERTY TAX & ELECTIONS: Sara Folsted on behalf of Denise Anderson
- Resolution #24-044/Resolution Adopting & Confirming Special Assessments for 2025 Circle Lake Improvement District
- Resolution #24-042/Resolution Adopting and Confirming Roberds Lake Special Assessments for Delinquent Utilities
- ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: Julie Runkel
- Resolution #24-048/Adopting Amendments to the Rice County Zoning Ordinance and Map Regulating Short-Term Rentals, Cannabis and Hemp Businesses, and Industrial Districts
- COMMUNICATIONS: Suzy Rook and Joseph Johnson
- Approval of Resolution No. 24-050 Endorsing Federal Legislation to Reimburse Body Armor Costs for All Emergency Responders.
- Resolution
- RESOLUTION NO. 24-050 ENDORSING FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO REIMBURSE BODY ARMOR COSTS FOR ALL EMERGENCY RESPONDERS WHEREAS, the Patrick Leahy Bulletproof Vest Partnership, enacted in 1998, allocated funds to reimburse up to 50% of the cost of body armor vests for law enforcement and correctional officers, the bill does not provide similar reimbursements for other first responders: EMTs, paramedics and firefighters; and WHEREAS, since fiscal year 2015, body armor vests have been directly attributable to saving the lives of at least 305 law enforcement and corrections officers (based on Office of Justice Programs data, April 2023.). Forty-three of those body armor vests were purchased, in part, with BVP funds; and WHEREAS, the proliferation of guns in the U.S. and increasing societal unrest has led to a significant uptick in violence against all emergency responders, including fire and EMS personnel, according to sources that include the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and research published in the National Library of Medicine; and WHEREAS, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported in 2017 that 2,000 EMS professionals are injured each year in a violence-related incident. This results in lost workdays for EMS professionals (22 times higher for EMS providers compared to the national average); and WHEREAS, the state of Minnesota recently adopted rules to guide 2023 legislation allowing reimbursement for body armor vests for EMS and fire personnel in addition to existing reimbursements for law enforcement and correctional officers’ protective vests, but not all states have approved similar funding; and WHEREAS, emergency responders provide critical services to our communities and we strive to provide equipment that allows them to do their jobs properly, efficiently and safely; and NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Rice County Board of Commissioners endorses the effort to provide federal funding for body armor for all first responders and urges Congress to pass legislation providing additional funding for body armor vests and broadening the requirements to include fire fighters, and rescue and EMS personnel, whether serving their community in public and private entities.
- Discussion
- Underdahl: Should we include social workers, too?
- Malecha: That can be added. Is that a friendly amendment?
- Docken: Yes. I just don’t want to take away from the law enforcement part.
- Folsted: There could be some discretionary extra use. In any situation there might be an additional responder that locally they can determine how to handle it. Community based coordinators are ride along.
- Docken: Right, I don’t want it to be too limiting. These vests are for each individual.
- Rook: Community based coordinators are going into situations where people are very emotional.
- (In audible contribution from Rick Gisseke)
- Malecha: Could we consult the Sheriff?
- Thomas: I would look at the original language for the federal language. I wouldn’t try to roll too many people under the first responder umbrella, because the community coordinators aren’t going in by themselves.
- Rook: We can try to work this through and come back with this.
- Docken: Withdraws motion until exact wording is developed.
- Docken: I don’t want to play down the fact that he social workers get into situations where it might be worrisome, but I don’t want to take it away from the first responders. Generally, we have a law enforcement in these situation where we know its volatile.
- Malecha: We could look at doing two different resolutions. We could pass this one, and then look at a second one, so it doesn’t water this one down.
- Underdahl: The reality is that these two would get combined at some point. I understand the Sheriff’s point about existing language, but it’s from 1998. The way we deal with situations has changed. My goal is that we don’t send people into harm’s way without adequate protection. We all know these situations can turn violent and deadly quickly. If we have a chance to call for legislation, I don’t want to fall short of asking for all we need. That’s my concern.
- Malecha: Do you want two resolutions or combined?
- Underdahl: If we do two separate, either they’ll get combined or one gets dropped.
- Malecha: Motions have been withdrawn and resolution has been tabled. Please bring it back with revised language in a couple of weeks.
- PARKS Department: Sara Folsted on behalf of Dennis Luebbe
- Approval of Professional Service contract for King Mill Dam maintenance and repairs
- The need for maintenance and repairs on the King Mill Dam was presented at the November 19th, 2024 Committee of the Whole meeting. The proposal from Barr Engineering, Task 1, includes developing design plans for the repair of the 4 hydraulic cylinders and the 2 gate seals. Task 2 will include investigation and developing system repair and upgrade plans for the electrical control systems. I recommend approval of Task 1 and 2.
- Discussion: None
- Voted unanimously to approve.
- Approval of Cooperative Agreement with Great River Greening
- As discussed in the Committee of the Whole meeting, this will be a 5-year agreement with Great River Greening. Great River Greening (GRG) is a non-profit conservation organization organized for the purpose of restoring natural areas and open spaces, and is funded by 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.
- Discussion: None
- Voted unanimously to approve.
- RECORDER’S OFFICE: Mike Fangman
- Approval to replace the current Server
- The current server is no longer compatible with the recorders’ office needs. As discussed in the Committee meeting on November 5th, it was agreed to go forward with the replacement.
- Discussion: None
- Voted unanimously to approve.
- PUBLIC HEALTH/NURSING: Deb Purfeerst
- Agreement Renewal – Kristin Cook – Physical Therapy
- Original agreement signed by Board in March 2021. Terms of this proposed 2025 agreement are the same as the 2024 agreement. These services are provided for home care clients and billable to third party reimbursement sources.
- Discussion: None
- Voted unanimously to approve.
- FINANCE: Paula O’Connell
- 2024 Faribo Sno-go Club Equipment grant purchase
- On January 23, 2024 the board approved resolution 24-007 supporting the Faribo Sno-go Club to apply for an equipment grant. The 2024 Federal Recreational trail Program grant was awarded for a maximum amount of $75,000. The grant, along with funds from the club ($31,378), will purchase rubber tracks for their grooming equipment. Quotes have been received and they will purchase from a MN company, Mattracks.
- Discussion: None
- Voted unanimously to approve.
- ADMINISTRATION: Sara Folsted
- Consent Agenda
- 1. Extra Time/ Over Time Report 11-01-2024
- 2. Payment of Bills
- 3. Personnel Appointments
- Re-appointment of the County Recorder/County Surveyor
- Appointment of the County Assessor
- Hoisington: We have really quality employees, and I’m happy with our county.
- Ratification of Local 49 International Union of Operating Engineers Union Contract for 2025, 2026 & 2027
- Hoisington: This is an accomplishment to get this taken care of.
- Adoption of Resolution #24-045 Non-union Wages & Benefits for 2025, 2026 & 2027
- Extending the maximum 2024 year-end vacation carry-over for non-union and bargaining employees
- Under the Rice County Personnel Policies and Procedures, Vacation Leave Policy #3200, and collective bargaining agreements, the maximum vacation year-end carryover is defined as twenty-five (25) days or two hundred (200) hours as applied only in the case of severance pay and on December 31st of each year. Additional vacation accruals over the yearly maximum of twenty-five (25) days will be forfeited.
- PUBLIC HEARING –
- Ordinance #910 – Cannabis & Hemp Retail Business Registration
- Resolution #24-049/Adopting Ordinance #910 Cannabis and Hemp Retail Business Registration
- Public hearing to adopt the ordinance effective in Dennison, Nerstrand, Morristown and any townships. Northfield, Lonsdale, Faribault have adopted their own ordinances.
- No public comment given.
- Discussion: None
- Unanimously approved.
- Adjourned at 9:04 am
