[PAGE 1] ADJOURNED MEETING OF THE COUNTY BOARD March 5th, 2024 The Board of Commissioners of Freeborn County met in the Freeborn County Boardroom at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5th, 2024. Members present: Commissioners Forman, Edwin, Kaasa, Shoff and Eckstrom. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance. Commissioner Forman offered the following motion; MOVED, approving the agenda as presented. Motion seconded by Commissioner Shoff. After discussion, a vote was taken and the Chair declared the motion approved. Commissioner Shoff offered the following resolution; RESOLUTION No. 24–079 Approval of the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners Consent Agenda as provided in the Freeborn County Board Rule of Procedure 9(A) WHEREAS, the Freeborn County Board is the governing body of Freeborn County, and; WHEREAS, the Freeborn County Board has implemented a Consent agenda to perform the duties of the board in a more effective and efficient manner, and WHEREAS, the following items have been placed for approval of the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners on the current Board meeting Consent Agenda as provided by the Board rules of procedure, being routine and of a regular action; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, to place the following are hereby approved for appropriate action: 1) Approval of the February 20th, 2024 minutes; 2) Approval of Regular Full-Time Status Employees; 3) Approval of Drainage Repairs Resolution seconded by Commissioner Kaasa. After discussion a vote was taken and the Chair declared the resolution adopted. The Commissioners provided Board Committee updates. Chairman Edwin asked if there was any public comment and there was none. Commissioner Forman offered the following resolution; RESOLUTION 24-080 AMENDMENT TO CONDITIONAL USE PERMIT #94 RESOLVED, that Conditional Use Permit #94 is hereby amended to reflect the addition of a new 20’ x 80’ (1,600- SF) lean-to on the existing 37’ x 80’ (3,000-SF) structure, for the purposes of storage, be and is hereby approved. Resolution seconded by Commissioner Eckstrom. After discussion a vote was taken and the Chair declared the resolution adopted. Commissioner Eckstrom offered the following resolution; RESOLUTION 24-081 Authorization to Submit a Grant Application for PLSS Monument Restoration Grant [PAGE 2] WHEREAS, The Freeborn County Highway Department has the opportunity to request funding from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) for the project titled “PLSS Restoration in Freeborn County - T102R21” up to the amount of $150,000 in Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF); and WHEREAS, The Freeborn County Highway Department has reviewed the funding request and the “Duties of a Fiscal Agent” document provided by the State and is fully aware of the work that will occur if funded, the project timeline, and the project budget. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Freeborn County Board authorizes the Freeborn County Highway Department to submit a proposal for the project titled “PLSS Restoration in Freeborn County - T102R21” up to the amount of $150,000 for grant funding from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) from the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR); and IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Freeborn County Board authorizes the Freeborn County Highway Engineer to act as a fiscal agent if funding is awarded for the 2024 project titled “PLSS Restoration in Freeborn County - T102R21”, and will comply with all terms as stated in the fiscal agent agreement. Resolution seconded by Commissioner Kaasa. After discussion, a vote was taken and the Chair declared the resolution approved. Commissioner Eckstrom offered the following resolution: RESOLUTION 24-082 Approving Consulting Services for Paved Multiuse Trail in Cooperation with the City of Albert Lea WHEREAS, Freeborn County is fee title owner of retired railroad property that exists from Commercial Street in Albert Lea to the City of Hartland that was acquired with the intent to construct a paved trail facility for public use; and WHEREAS, the City of Albert Lea has partnered with Freeborn County to promote the development of the trail including a Trail Action Plan funded with an Active Transportation Grant from the State of Minnesota; and WHEREAS, Freeborn County solicited proposals for planning, design, and the development of construction drawings to advance the trail project and begin the effort of obtaining grant funds to build the project; and WHEREAS, two proposals were received and evaluated by a committee consisting of representatives from the City of Albert Lea and Freeborn County and a recommendation has been made that HDR, Inc. submitted the most favorable proposal; and WHEREAS, the City of Albert Lea and its residents will benefit from the completion of this project and has committed to share in 50% of the consulting fees estimated at $150,000 for the initial construction phase that includes trail construction and bridge improvements from Fountain Street in Albert Lea to the City of Manchester (CSAH 25); and WHEREAS, Freeborn County will hold and administer the consulting contract with HDR, Inc. in cooperation with the City of Albert Lea, and WHEREAS, Freeborn County is committed to developing the entire trail property currently owned by the County including additional property purchased by the City of Albert Lea from Commercial Street to West Ninth Street and will share in the Design fees associated with constructing the trail on these properties in future phases. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Freeborn County Board of Commissioners approves entering into an agreement with HDR, Inc. for planning, engineering, and grant application services included in their proposal dated December 22, 2023 and cost amendment on January 2, 2024; and IT IS FURTHER RESOLVED, that the goal of the initial project shall be paved trail construction and bridge improvements using state and federal grant funds from Fountain Street in Albert Lea to the City of Manchester; and [PAGE 3] IT IS RESOLVED, that payment shall be made for these consulting fees from funds committed for trail maintenance in the Parks and Recreation budget. Resolution was seconded by Commissioner Shoff. After discussion, a vote was taken and the Chair declared the resolution approved. Commissioner Shoff offered the following resolution: RESOLUTION 24-083 ACCEPTING THE RESIGNATION OF ASHLEY HALL WHEREAS, the Freeborn County Probation & Pre-Trial Services has the responsibility for providing a quality service with integrity and accountability to the citizens of Freeborn County; WHEREAS, the Freeborn County Board is the appointing authority for all county employees; WHEREAS; Ashley Hall has been employed as a Veteran’s Court Coordinator since August 1st, 2022 and is resigning her position effective May 1st, 2024, NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, to accept the resignation of Ashley Hall as a Veteran’s Court Coordinator effective on or about May 1st, 2024. Resolution was seconded by Commissioner Kaasa. After discussion, a vote was taken and the Chair declared the resolution approved. Commissioner Kaasa offered the following resolution: RESOLUTION 24-084 PERMISSION TO FILL THE FREEBORN COUNTY ELIGIBILITY WORKER POSITION WHEREAS, the Freeborn County employees have the responsibility for providing quality service with integrity and accountability to the citizens of Freeborn County; WHEREAS, the Freeborn County Board is the appointing authority for all county employees, and; WHEREAS, Michael Osmundson, Freeborn County Eligibility Worker has accepted another position within DHS as a Social Worker / Case Manager CPCW starting March 25th, 2024 so this leaves a vacant Eligibility Worker position. His last day as Eligibility Worker will be March 22nd, 2024; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the board approves the filling of the vacant Freeborn County Eligibility Worker position. Resolution was seconded by Commissioner Forman. After discussion, a vote was taken and the Chair declared the resolution approved. Commissioner Forman offered the following resolution: RESOLUTION 24-085 PERMISSION TO FILL THE FREEBORN COUNTY ELIGIBILITY WORKER POSITION WHEREAS, the Freeborn County employees have the responsibility for providing quality service with integrity and accountability to the citizens of Freeborn County; WHEREAS, the Freeborn County Board is the appointing authority for all county employees, and; WHEREAS, John Leibeg, Freeborn County Eligibility Worker has accepted another position within DHS as a Social Worker / Case Manager CPCW starting March 25th, 2024 so this leaves a vacant Eligibility Worker position. His last day as Eligibility Worker will be March 22nd, 2024; [PAGE 4] NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the board approves the filling of the vacant Freeborn County Eligibility Worker position. Resolution was seconded by Commissioner Shoff. After discussion, a vote was taken and the Chair declared the resolution approved. Commissioner Kaasa offered the following resolution: RESOLUTION 24-086 PERMISSION TO FILL THE FREEBORN COUNTY VETERAN’S COURT COORDINATOR POSITION WHEREAS, the Freeborn County employees have the responsibility for providing quality service with integrity and accountability to the citizens of Freeborn County; WHEREAS, the Freeborn County Board is the appointing authority for all county employees, and; WHEREAS, Ashley Hall, Freeborn County Veteran’s Court Coordinator has resigned her position effective May 1st, 2024; NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the board approves the filling of the vacant Freeborn County Veteran’s Court Coordinator position. Resolution was seconded by Commissioner Eckstrom. After discussion, a vote was taken and the Chair declared the resolution approved. Commissioner Forman offered the following resolution: RESOLUTION No. 24-087 Approval of Claims RESOLVED, that the following claims be allowed and paid on or before March 8th, 2024. FUND NAME AMOUNT 01 General Fund $ 434,203.92 03 County Road & Bridge $ 559,870.03 05 Human Services $ 181,473.54 06 Public Health $ 64,420.69 31 Capital Improvements $ 38,473.37 40 County Ditch $ 28,730.28 70 Trust & Agency $ 54,971.99 73 Payroll Clearing Fund $ 4,981.30 74 Turtle Creek Watershed $ 795.23 77 Recorder’s Clearing $ 2,749.00 80 Tax Collection Fund $ 475.00 FUND TOTALS $ 1,371,144.35 Number of Claims not exceeding $300 – 35 Dollar amount of claims not exceeding $300 – $ 3,923.45 Resolution seconded by Commissioner Shoff. After discussion, a vote was taken and the Chair declared the resolution adopted. Chair, Commissioner Edwin adjourned the meeting at 9:06 a.m. until 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, March 19th, 2024. By: ____________________________ Attest: _____________________________ Brad Edwin Erin Hornberger Chair County Clerk