The June 24 meeting of the Rice County Board of Commissioners was called to order at 8:30 am. All commissioners were present. They approved the agenda and June 10 minutes.
The first item of business was a presentation by SMIF (The Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation) by Alissa Oeltjenbruns reviewing the current work of the organization. Commissioners appreciated SMIF’s work.
Next Denise Anderson presented a request for approval of resolution #25-025 for PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) assessment for one property in the County and 14 liquor license requests. Each was unanimously approved.
Next County Assessor Joshus Schoen presented a request to pay for a discounted upgrade in resolution of the semiannual airphoto survey of the county. The vendor, Eagle Vew, accidentally surveyed the entire county at 3-inch resolution (instead of only the fraction of the county that had actually been ordered). As a result they are offering this higher resolution an an 80% discount. The enhanced result is very useful to the county and the public, and will be paid for out of the Recorder’s Compliance Fund in the amount of $12,390. Commissioners Purfeerst and Peters emphasized how useful this is to the public, with almost a million uses per year. Unanimously approved.
Joe Jackson from the County Sheriff’s office requested approval of renewing a joint powers agreement with Region One SERHSEM (Southeast Minnesota Homeland Security Emergency Management) providing enhanced authority to the Joint Powers authority to carry out certain administrative tasks related to its functioning. Jackson reported that SERSHEM has been very effective in responding to disasters and well as in providing training opportunities. Unanimously approved.
Mark Hedenstrom and Megan Thomas presented requests for approval of four initiatives in the county’s provision of adult services.
Currently LBSA (Laura Baker Services Association) is licensed for 30 beds with individual client rooms in 6-person cottages. They wish to retain that license, although since Covid not all beds have been used. They plan to downsize if and when demand diminishes. For comparison, about 400 individuals are living in other settings within the county with home and community-based services through the Developmental Disabilities waiver. Request to continue as existing was unanimously approved.
Megan Thomas presented a request to change how services are provided to one individual under Rice County’s care but living in Duluth. The solution is for Rice County to engage an organization named Web Med to provide services in Duluth, with payment to be covered by Rice County at a rate lower than the state rate. In response to a question it was explained that Rice County is responsible because this person initiated treatment when living in Rice County. Request was unanimously approved.
Megan Thomas requested that the Board approve acceptance of a $1000 microgrant to Friendship House to enhance their garden, to be supplemented with $154.97 from another source in their budget. Request was unanimously approved.
Megan Thomas requested approval for extending last year’s contract for SPM (Supported Decision Making) as an alternative within Guardianship, which provides more freedom and choice to clients in navigating their needs. Hoisington asked how many people are covered and who funds the program. Background materials provided clarify that $173,123.01 remains from last year’s Minnesota State grant, which will fund this year’s program, which tends to save money compared to guardianship for clients able to use it. The goal is to support 8-10 individuals per month. The request was unanimously approved.
Next the Board took on its other role as the Drainage Authority and heard Dennis Luebbe of the Highway Department request approval of the interfund transfer of $80,000 from the General
Fund to the drainage system account for ditches: CD-14, CD 32A, CD-20, CD-30, CD-26 and CD-12, for the purpose of funding repairs pending resolution of appeals of FEMA disaster assistance denial. Failing this appeal, the affected adjacent landowners will repay the General Fund.
Sara Folsted requested approval of the consent agenda. It was unanimously approved.
Sara also asked approval for using State funds from Local Homeless Prevention Aid (LHPA) in the amount of $120,366 to assist appropriate families and teenagers in the County. It was unanimously approved.
The Board voted to adjourn.
Report by Orick Peterson
