Itasca County Forest Recreation Specialist Sara Thompson asked the board to approve a grant application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for participation in a federal electric off-road vehicle (ORV) data-gathering project.
Thompson says the grant would be for $2 million dollars and comes from the $100 million dollars appropriated for the Smart Grants Program established in the federal Bipartisan Infrastructure Law.
Thompson says she was contacted by Plum Catalyst, who would partner-in on the project, which will focus on data collection and reporting of electric ORV performance and capacity in rural wilderness and trails.
Itasca County would be the project manager while Plum Catalyst would do a lot of the data collection and reporting, alongside Polaris.
Those participating in the project would be using advanced technology and mobile sensing systems to evaluate the performance and identify the needs for future clean energy solutions in off-road environments.
The board provided their support to apply for the grant.
“It’s a great opportunity to showcase our trails,” said Itasca County Commissioner Cory Smith (D1).
The board welcomed John Prepodnik as the new Itasca County Veteran Services Officer.
Prepodnik steps in as a six-year Navy Veteran, as well as another six years in the Minnesota National Guard. He achieved his master’s degree following his time in service and says he is really looking forward to the position.
“This is an exciting opportunity for me,” Prepodnik said in his introduction.
On Tuesday, the board opted for Itasca County to participate in the Minnesota Property Tax Forfeiture Class Action Settlement following the conclusion of Tyler v. Hennepin, a Supreme Court case that paused the sale of tax-forfeited land around the state. The class action settlement derives from the latest legislative session, in which the state set aside money to fund the statewide settlement.
Tyler v. Hennepin was a case involving the unethical practice of a government seizing tax-forfeited property that exceeds the value of the debt - essentially taking all when they are only owed some - which was ruled a violation of the Fifth Amendment’s Takings Clause.
Now that the case was settled, the counties around the state are able to buy and sell tax-forfeited land, but under a new process moving forward.
It was under the strong recommendation of Itasca County Attorney Jake Fauchald, as well as Land Commissioner Kory Cease, and Auditor/Treasurer Austin Rohling that the board opted into the settlement, suggesting that likely every county in the state will be participating.
Fauchald suggested there could be tremendous liability to the county by not doing so, and that opting-in would likely wrap-up what has been a long-term legislative priority of the county.
Also from County Attorney Fauchald: He says there are two job offers extended to “two highly qualified candidates” to join his office, currently waiting to be accepted.
He also delivered a statement regarding the recent fatalities on Highway 169, saying:
“Those matters are under investigation, once my office receives the full investigations, my office will consider whether criminal matters.”
The investigations are on-going.
Itasca County Commissioner Cory Smith (D1) hinted that a potential manufacturer may choose to expand into this area, but kept the company anonymous, only saying he was part of a meeting that he was “very excited and very happy with.”
Commissioner Casey Venema (D5) says the Highway 169 coalition is fully developed, official, and ready to move forward.
On the Boswell Energy Center spill, Itasca County Board Chair John Johnson (D3) says he
spoke to a member of MN Power and the MPA is active, on the scene quickly and it’s “looking very good in terms of their mitigation efforts.”
IMCare Director Sarah Anderson presented the new IMCare Compliance Plan, Standards of Conduct, and Policies and Procedures to the county board on Tuesday. The plans Anderson presented are training and education tools to guide IMCare employees on laws, regulations, ethical standards, and compliance. The board approved the plans.
The Itasca County Board scheduled a public hearing regarding the adoption of a Short-Term Rental Ordinance, for Wednesday, Aug. 14. This meeting is a follow-up to the previous meeting held on April 2.
Environmental Services Director Katie Benes says a copy of the proposed ordinance can be found on the department website.
The board discussed the prospect of reopening a public boat landing at the Canisteo Mine Pit.
The former boat landing on the southwest corner of the pit was closed years back when mining activity resumed, but operations have since ceased.
The lack of a public boat launch has not prevented the public hoping to fish or recreate on the flooded mine pit, causing a safety concern.
Johnson says there currently is not an efficient or safe and easy way to launch on Canisteo, leading to what he called “renegade” boat launches into “non-sanctioned areas,” leading to safety concerns and trespassing.
The board also discussed the difficulty any emergency services would face reaching the pit if there was ever the need.
There is an active DNR project funded by the legislature to install a water level mitigation system at the Canisteo Mine Pit, adding to the safety concern.
Kory Cease says it would be a decision the state and DNR would have to make and will look into the matter.
In other matters at Tuesday’s meeting:
Commissioner Warrants totaled: $2 million.ICHHS Warrants totaled: $1.5 million.Created a Grade 10 Road Deputy position for the Sheriff’s Department.Approved a one day liquor license for North Central Minnesota Farm and Antique Association for August 10, 2024 at the Blackberry Farm.Accepted a 2025 Child Welfare / Juvenile Justice Screening Grant in the amount of $50,060.Authorized Itasca County Public Health to submit an application for up to $900,000 in response to the Minnesota Department of Human Services/Behavioral Health Division’s RFP to Provide Opioid Epidemic Response Services.Approve the Forest Service Stewardship Agreement between Itasca County and the Chippewa National Forest Service.Adopted a resolution approving the conveyance of county and city-owned property to the GREDA.Approved the Memorandum of Agreement between Cass County Sheriff's Office and Itasca County Sheriff's Office.
To view the Itasca County Board meeting in its entirety, it can be found online at watchictv.org/
ICTV is a nonprofit that connects, informs and empowers the community through diverse media. With program topics as wide ranging as government meetings, traffic updates, human interest stories and education, ICTV tells the story of our community. ICTV is funded by the Grand Rapids Area Cable Commission, the Blandin Foundation, Itasca County, our members, donors and service income.
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