CALL TO ORDER AND PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
I. A. Roll Call: All Commissioners were present.
B. Approval of Agenda
C. Approval of Minutes – Regular Meeting – March 11, 2025
II. PROPERTY TAX & ELECTIONS: Denise Anderson presented two requests for approvals. Both passed unanimously.
A. Approval of One Day Gambling Permit for Elko Baseball Club
B. Holy Cross Catholic School Tax Exempt Gambling Permit for April 25, 2025 at 6100
37th St W Webster
III. ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES: Julie Runkel presented requests for permits and waivers. The last two raised questions from Commissioner Peters about medical marijuana. All passed unanimously.
A. Waiver of Plat/Giles – Section 23, Webster Township
B. Preliminary & Final Plat/Ellingson – Section 36, Shieldsville Township
C. Waiver of Plat/Tuma – Section 9, Forest Township
D. Conditional Use Permit/Lynch – Section 26, Webster Township
E. Interim Use Permit/Bongers – Section 5, Cannon City Township
F. Proposed Amendments to Ordinance #910 Cannabis and Hemp Retail Business
Registration
G. Ordinance #920 – Temporary Cannabis Event Permitting: ths is a new ordinance modeled on temporary liquor licensing permits. A hearing for comment will be scheduled on April 22 at 9 am.
IV. INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY: Allan Klug
A. VMware vSphere 8 licensing
Alan said the price of this important software has been rising sharply and he wants to switch to something else next year but hasn’t accomplished it yet. We have relied on it fof 10+ years and it’s hard to change. Commissioner Malecha asked about the cost. It more than doubled this year. Approved unanimously.
V. SOCIAL SERVICES:
A. SILS (Semi-Independent Living Services) Contract:
Megan Thomas explained that our current provide of this mandated service has sold the contract to Lutheran Social Services as of April 1, 2025. It is requested to approve the appropriate change of provider name in the contract. The cost in 2024 was about $38,000 out of $58,000 budgeted. The budget for 2025 is about $44,000. State/county split is 85/15. Approved unanimously.
B. Child Abuse Prevention Awareness Month for April Proclamation: Chris Sammon presented the proclamation honoring workers in this field. Approved unanimously. Commissioner Hoisington said he was proud to sign.
VI. SHERIFF’S OFFICE:
A. JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT MINNESOTA ANTI-METHAMPHETAMINE TASK FORCE PROGRAM: Jesse Thomas asked for renewal of this 5-year program. It calls out prioritizing Indian Country. The program regulates task force actions and provides for reimbursement of overtime for county work for this task force. Sheriff Thomas says the reimbursement is capped. Approved unanimously.
B. JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT MINNESOTA ANTI-HEROIN TASK FORCE
PROGRAM Jesse Thomas asked for renewal of this 5-year program. It calls out prioritizing Indian Country. The program regulates task force actions and provides for reimbursement of overtime for county work for this task force. Sheriff Thomas says the reimbursement is not capped. Approved unanimously.
VII. ATTORNEY’S OFFICE:
A. Out of State Travel Request
Brian Mortenson asked permission to use about $1500 of his budget to send Catherine Miller to the annual conference on Karpel software, used in his office for case management, to enhance efficient and full use of the software capabiilities. Approved unanimously.
VIII. HIGHWAY: Dennis Luebbe
A. Engineering and Construction Cooperative Project Agreement with the City of Faribault: Using a state grant plus state aid, Lyndale and Division intersection will be improved. Approved unanimously.
B. Amendment of design contract with the City of Northfield, CR 79, Wall Street Road: request is to authorize increased expenditure for design to $923,463, which is within the sales tax reserve available. Approved unanimously. Commissioner Purfeerst asked how cost sharing works with Northfield. Luebbe said that Northfield pays 45%, Rice County pays 55%. In Dundas and smaller towns, the county pays 100%. About 95% of road work in Rice County is rural.
C. Advancement of bridge replacement for bridge # 88048, CR 78. Newly available state grant and existing state aid will cover this replacement. Approved unanimously.
D. Award of salt shed roofing contract: recommend to use the most competitive 50-year shingle quotation at $27,500. Approved unanimously.
Commissioner Hoisington said he appreciated Luebbe’s relationships with municipalities.
IX. FINANCE: Rick Gieseke presented this resolution with Tony Balata as the administrator for 2025-26 snow season.
A. Resolution # 25-011 authorizing sponsorship of trails operated by the Faribo Sno-Go
Club. Approved unanimously.
X. ADMINISTRATION: Sara Folsted
A. Consent Agenda
1. Extra Time/ Over Time Report 3.7.2025
2. Payment of Bills
3. Personnel Appointments
4. Amendment to Rice County Guardianship Services contract with Scott County
Approved unanimously.
B. Establishing Temporary Modified Hours for the Government Services Building for
2025 for Non-Union Workers.
C. Establishing Temporary Modified Hours for the Government Services Building for
2025 for Exclusive Representatives(s) (Unions).
Both approved unanimously.
XI. ADJOURNMENT
Approved unanimously.
