The Cass County Dive Team’s purchase of a vehicle to transport equipment and the Master Gardener Program were both discussed at the May 7 County Board meeting.
The Board moved to accept grant funds from the Soil and Water Conservation District of $77,000 for the new equipment.
Sheriff Bryan Welk asked Commissioners to a accept a donation of $47,928 so the Dive team could purchase a pick-up capable of handling their trailer and equipment. The county would own the vehicle and maintain the equipment.
Only $5,000 of county funds go to this invaluable service. The commissioners accepted the donation and praised the Dive Team.
Matt and Laura Moracewski delivered a detailed description of their current Master Gardener activities and vision for the future of the program for Cass County. The goal is for “healthy eating and healthy living.”
Sine Moracewskis rebuilt the Remer Community Garden four years ago, in part with County SHIP funds, the garden has been the biggest giving garden in the state of Minnesota. The garden was recently featured in a University of Minnesota video and pamphlet that highlighted their achievements in donating more than 10,000 pounds of fresh produce to local food shelves in the last four years.
Health, Human and Veterans Services Director Buhlmann is anxious to see the program expand and hosted an open meeting Monday. Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk thanked the Moracewskis and encouraged their continued efforts.
Stephen Henry, Aquatics Invasive Species lake technician, was recognized for one year of service with the county. The board also approved the updated Employee Recognition Policy.
Chief Financial Officer Becky Toso asked to establish a public hearing June 4 at the regular board meeting for adoption of the 2024 County Capital Improvement Plan. The final draft will be posted on the county website for review pending input from the board.
A discussion was led by Gaalswyk about what an acceptable capital improvement fund balance should be. He expressed concerns that the fund balance was getting too low and that the board should establish an appropriate target.
A levy increase was discussed but Commissioner Jeff Peterson thought each department should take a hard look about what they want versus what they really need. He was concerned that the board was saying “yes” to every funding request.
Some proposed plan expenditures are related to extending the useful life of buildings and equipment, while others include the need to identify costs with timelines for interior and exterior building updates, supply storage and office space.
Another proposed plan expenditure was the urgent need to update the Pine River Transfer Station and lack of matching funds from the state. The board asked for an analysis of the impact of a $900,000 levy, compared the capital plan fund balance over time.
Administrator Josh Stevenson offered to reconvene the Capital Improvement Plan department head meeting and report back with an amended draft. The board agreed that the public would still have time to review that draft before the public hearing.
Land Department head Mark Grossman received approval of a resolution for donation of Parcel 31-029-1100 from Northern Waters Land Trust to Cass County and the property abstract update not to exceed $5,000. The donation protects 0.75 mile of snowmobile trail and is supported by Byron Township.
Highway Engineer Darrick Anderson asked the board to accept $77,000 to purchase a new brine maker. Working with SWCD manager Dana Gutzmann, who wrote the grant, he explained how the new brine maker increases capacity and decreases staff time required to make brine during winter storms. The automated system can run through the night eliminating the need for employees to manually operate the machine. The current brine maker will be donated to the Leech Lake Band. The motion was approved.
Anderson received approval to award a contract to H&R Construction for $288,485.50 to bring all non-compliant guard rails on county bridges up to new standards. This will also update some broken posts on existing guardrails on CSAH 5.
The final motion was to approve the local bridge program grant agreement between MnDOT, Crow Wing and Cass counties and authorize the county engineer to sign documents.
The bridge replacement program pays up to 50 percent of eligible items with Cass and Crow Wing splitting the balance.
Based on the awarded bid, LBRP will pay $193,565; and Cass and Crow Wing, each $243,291.
The next commissioners’ meeting is May 21, 6 p.m., Pine Lake Town Hall.
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