Observer Report: Rice County Commissioners, 5.13.25

Attendees: All commissioners present

Property Taxes, Denise Anderson

• A: approved
• B: approved
• C: approved
• D: [case went to state supreme court – Tyler v. Hennepin County] approved
  • No solid definition of what the term ‘cost’ is, unclear what the county should pay
  • Purfeerst: Has this always been in existence?
    • A: Yes. If it borders water, timber, or state parks, they can take it
  • Peters: Definition of minerals? Ground deposits are considered minerals as well, and we are rich in that
    • A: Will look into that
  • Hoisington: It automatically goes to the DNR – is that a state mandate?
    • A: correct
  • Hoisington: I have the same opinion as Jim that it seems like a landgrab. While we want to do this, do we have a say in this?
    • A: Auction 1 and 2 we have no choice. Only a choice for auction 3.
  • Malecha: This was approved by the legislature or court?
    • A: The court. We’ve noticed that the court ruling undercuts some county rules. Auctions 1 and 2 will go against Rice County zoning ordinance. 
  • Hoisington: For clarification, if it’s a state mandate then why is it in front of us right now?
    • A: This is more of information so you know I won’t come in front of you when I have forfeited parcels.
  • Hoisington: So this just changes the format?
    • A: We don’t have as much control anymore. We cannot clean a parcel up for the county. We are selling it for the taxpayer who forfeits it and they have the right to get their money back after we deal with it.
  • Purfeerst: When does this go into effect?
    • A: May 2024. But everything was put on hold until the final ruling and document came out. It was an election year so we weren’t ready yet
• E: approved
• F: approved
• G: approved
• H: approved
• I: approved
• J: approved
• K: approved
• L: approved
• M: approved

Environmental Services, Julie Runkel

These are being approved with conditions listed on the Agenda

• A: approved
• B: approved
• C: approved
• D: approved
• E: approved
• F: approved
• G: approved
• H: approved
  • Purfeerst: Do you know what the CPI index of that land is?
    • A: unsure
• I: approved
• J: approved

Information Technology, Allan Klug

• Invoice for year, asking for approved renewal/payment of the invoice. Approved.
  • Peters: The issue we had last week was a fiber cut issue?
    • A: Started that way, then became a cascading failure. The fiber was fixed but connectivity wasn’t resolved, so they had to bring further, more advanced fiber fixing. Connected to failures in Minneapolis. Not related to this, but interesting timing. Would have happened regardless of what we do with our local phone service.

Facilities Department, Chris Kluge

• A: approved
  • Hoisington: Did we get a quote for this?
    • A: Yes, PSC alliance has been working with Wald
  • Malecha: This is a separate issue, which is for something else. Wald specializes in dispatch centers.
• B: approved [2 separate motions]
  • Malecha: Shouldn’t the two quotes be separate? For fixtures versus labor?
    • Mortenson: I don’t know that it matters in terms of the document, but the votes should be separate motions.
    • *B and C become two second motions/approvals
• C: approved [2 separate motions]
  • Purfeerst: What’s happening in the old jail?
    • A: Nothing. This is just the law enforcement side of the building, minus the 911 center remodel. It is 2 floors.
  • Purfeerst: Then, who is using the second floor?
    • A: Community Corrections

Social Services, Megan Thomas and guests

• A: approved donation to Friendship House
• B: approved Proclamation request for National Foster Care Month
  • May has been National Foster Care Month since Reagan declared it in 1981. Rice County has 33 licensed foster homes, serving approximately 60 children.
  • Malecha: Thank you for all you do, important program nationwide.
  • Hoisington: Agreed. On behalf of the board, we are proud to support a program like this
  • Malecha: How many cases do we have in Rice County?
    • A: About 60 kids in placement. About 75 homes, most with a capacity of 4. 

Highway, Dennis Luebbe

• A: approved
  • Malecha: What day will the project start?
    • A: Unsure, we will reach out soon to schedule the pre-construction meeting. Contract contingent upon the Office of Civil Rights approving the business and goal. Heavy contractors indicate plan to start after the 4th of July.
  • Malecha: Why so late? Most of the projects in the past start in April or May
    • A: I think it is the contractor’s schedule
  • Malecha: If we have rain interruption, won’t the project get drained out?
    • A: The dirt work is definitely subject to weather. This is a good bid.
  • Purfeerst: Will this road be closed through the construction period?
    • A: Parts of it. A few places will be closed due to deficiencies. This is more of a pavement rehabilitation project. It will be available at a limited speed and will be open to locals.
• B: approved

Finance, Paula O’Connell

• A: approved
  • Changes to wording in the policy. Considering department transfers to see if other departments can use items before they are disposed of. 
• B: approved
  • Items under $15,000

Administration, Sara Folsted

• D: New policy regarding gun laws. Regular firearms during deer season allowed state wide. Do any counties want to be added to the exception list?
  • Underdahl: It would have been nice to know about this way back because there should be public input. It seems like if we sign on we can still make decisions later, correct?
    • A: Counties named may opt out of restrictions applying to the county. If you say, ‘yes’ we want to be added on then you can maybe change your mind on the restriction later.
  • Underdahl: It seems like that will give us the ability to see if Rice County wants to be shotgun only or other guns as well.
  • Malecha: So, voting yes will expand gun options?
    • A: Voting yes will expand.
  • Purfeerst: Well that’s incorrect, they can use AR-15s at the moment via attachment – Sheriff, any input?
    • Sheriff: I haven’t had time to research this yet. I would reach out to the DNR to see what they suggest.
  • Purfeerst: It seems like DNR is in favor just for the accuracy of the kill of the animal. Minnesota is one of 4 states that have shotgun only laws. At first I was against this because I thought we were so populated that civilians could be injured. Now, I think that the rifle is better because it takes 1 shot rather than 5. Currently can use pistols in county.
• Motion to join counties with expanded firearm rules
  • Mortenson: lack of action → Rice County not added to list of exemptions if the statute passes. If you vote to add Rice County to the list, that would carry forward the current law

*Observer had to leave at 9:40am