[0:00] Board, we have a consent calendar before us, unless someone wishes to pull the item off for discussion, a motion to approve would be in order.

[0:10] I'll make a motion to approve as listed A through K. Second, we've got a motion from Commissioner Kawasaki, second from Commissioner Johnson to approve the consent calendar as published items A through K. Any discussion?

[0:26] Stephanie, would you call roll please?

[0:28] Commissioner Wife, I, Commissioner Freezo.

[0:31] All right.

[0:32] Commissioner Johnson.

[0:33] All right.

[0:33] Commissioner Kawasaki.

[0:35] Aye.

[0:35] Commissioner Beron.

[0:36] Aye.

[0:36] consent calendar passes.

[0:38] Five zero.

[0:39] Thank you.

[0:40] Our next item is human resources.

[0:43] Angie.

[0:44] Yeah.

[0:45] Angie, no less than a human resources director.

[0:47] I'm here today to ask approval for resolution,

[0:49] appointing Kevin Corbett as County Administrator.

[0:52] We have concluded our negotiations with Kevin to agreement.

[0:57] The salary is listed on the resolution is 188,700.

[1:02] We updated the contract from Molly's current contract to identify that the administrators

[1:08] employ benefits package, mirrors that of the department heads and deputy directors.

[1:13] That is what we were paying right now, but it wasn't outlined in the contract, also to

[1:19] for it with current law. The county attorney's office has reviewed it. Kevin is comfortable

[1:24] with it and has agreed to it and we are recommending approval. Any questions for Nancy?

[1:32] Angie, I'm sorry.

[1:37] The members of the board, what is your pleasure?

[1:42] I don't know.

[1:44] to approve the resolution.

[1:48] Get a motion to approve the resolution with the Pointing Kevin Corbett, as County Administrator, effective January 29th.

[1:57] We have a second.

[1:58] I'll second that.

[1:59] Got a second.

[1:59] Motion from Commission.

[2:00] A Cresult second from Commissioner Kawasaki.

[2:04] Any discussion?

[2:05] Well, I would just like to say, Mr. Chair, we would bless the last several years under administrative

[2:13] of Mallier Works leadership and Kevin and Molly enjoyed just a fantastic relationship.

[2:22] The fostered good leadership throughout the county, so it's a natural progression.

[2:31] Molly has, like, Jim Schug, she worked with Jim Schug and had that same sort of relationship.

[2:38] And we all recognize Jim is going to be a legend around Washington County.

[2:45] And I remember when we pointed Molly that I was a convinced that she in turn would become a legend around Washington County.

[2:56] Certainly lived up to my expectations and I have no doubt Kevin will excel at those same qualities.

[3:07] So I'm very very happy that they work so long together and it's going to be my

[3:17] mind.

[3:18] It's going to be seamless.

[3:19] I don't know.

[3:23] Commissioner Kawasaki.

[3:24] It would agree totally with Commissioner Cresals comments and yeah Kevin's been

[3:30] really kind of prepared for this for a number of years and I know speaking with different

[3:37] residents have reached out to me in different professionals and differently elected from

[3:42] all over the region, concurring at Kevin as early the right choice and I know as a board

[3:49] we know that and it's unfortunate they have such a smooth succession and I know with other

[3:56] top directors and department heads we try to plan for smooth transition and this is a great

[4:03] example of that. Any other Commissioner White? Thank you Mr. Chair, you have a great

[4:09] succession planning. And of course Kevin's got great background in county government. And

[4:15] so it's an exciting time. The county is certainly on the right course. And so you know, no

[4:21] change of direction is needed. And Kevin is definitely top candidate. I'm so glad that you

[4:28] were able to come to a viable contract

[4:31] and really looking forward to the next few years.

[4:35] We'll miss Molly, we will see her, though, frequently I'm sure.

[4:40] Mr. Johnson.

[4:41] Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[4:43] Basically, I just quick comments.

[4:44] I mean, through Molly's leadership,

[4:46] she has set us up in having Kevin join

[4:49] and is moving forward with all the projects we have come on.

[4:52] And basically, as far as I can see,

[4:54] is we have a pretty seamless transition so we can never, we can,

[5:00] Not skip a beat and we just keep moving forward. So thank you. And Molly and Kevin, you know, making that possible, continuing to make it so we can do the people to us. Thank you.

[5:12] Any further discussion at the resolution?

[5:16] Seeing none, I think everything's been said, Kevin, we look forward to a long tenure of work with you, assuming this resolution passes, which it sounds like it may.

[5:27] Stephanie, would you call roll, though?

[5:29] Commissioner White, I Commissioner Cresso.

[5:32] Commissioner Johnson.

[5:34] Hi.

[5:34] Commissioner Kawasaki.

[5:35] Hi.

[5:36] Commissioner Miran.

[5:37] Resolution passes 5-0.

[5:40] Congratulations, Kevin.

[5:49] Thank you very much.

[5:50] We'll move on to our next item of business, which is public works.

[5:53] And we have Jan Lucky, a planning director coming before us this morning,

[5:57] with an agreement for financial services for the Gold Line Joint Powers Board.

[6:03] Good morning. Good morning, Mr. Chair, commissioners.

[6:07] As stated, I'm J.M. Lucky. I'm the Planning Director for Washington County Public Works.

[6:11] Before you today is an agreement that was approved by the Gold Line Joint Powers Board in November 2019,

[6:16] the purpose of the agreement is to obtain financial and legal services for the Gold Line bus stop

[6:22] a transit project from Washington County. The duration of the agreement is from the date of your approval.

[6:27] A few December 31st of 2024, they also also be terminated by 60 days written onus by

[6:34] Ida Party.

[6:35] Pretty agreement, the amount of annual funding for financial legal services is to be

[6:40] set in the annual operational budget or administrative budget of the Gold Line

[6:44] Joint Powers Board.

[6:46] In November, the Gold Line Joint Powers Board adopted their 2020 budget, which included $45,000

[6:52] for financial services and $75,000 for legal services.

[6:56] This funding supports accountant services within the public work department and roughly half-time

[7:01] physician within the attorney's office.

[7:04] These positions were contemplated at Board Workshop's and personal committee meetings last

[7:09] fall and included in your adopted 2020 budget.

[7:13] Before I turn it back to you, Mr. Chair, Mr. Family Reminder, that Ramsey County is a 50% partner

[7:19] within the funding partner within the Gold Line Drain Powers Board.

[7:22] And it was that, without hesitation, that they expressed their intent or their interest in contracting with Washington County for financial and legal services.

[7:31] That is a great testament to our staff, including Tab of the Handson, Eric Ellison, and Kevin Magnison.

[7:38] So their talent has been and will continue to be critical to moving the gold line project forward with the adoption or approval of this agreement before you today.

[7:49] And I would be happy to answer any questions.

[7:55] Very good.

[7:56] Questions for Jan?

[7:58] All right.

[7:59] Kawasaki.

[8:00] Maybe to start, I'll make the motion to approve the agreement

[8:06] of financial services for the goal-line joint powers

[8:10] board between Washington, County, and the goal-line

[8:12] joint powers board.

[8:14] Second.

[8:15] We have motion from Commissioner Kawasaki,

[8:17] a second from Commissioner White,

[8:19] to approve the agreement for financial services

[8:21] for the Gold Line Drink Powers Board.

[8:23] Discussion.

[8:24] Commissioner Kawasaki.

[8:27] Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[8:29] This survey on the Joint Powers Board with Commissioner White.

[8:32] This is just another step in the process.

[8:37] Really, the process of getting the Gold Line built to date has been very smooth.

[8:42] But it requires we're going to enter a phase of needing management of finances.

[8:46] And we're getting good legal counsel all the way along the way in the development process.

[8:56] And that good legal service really saves us money by staying ahead of the game and

[9:03] a good management of the process and in the different hurdles we go as we acquire properties

[9:10] and of things. We're quads acquiring properties in right ways and all sorts of technical steps

[9:18] in the process of building the coal line. We're not there, but this is an actual step. Thank you.

[9:25] Mr. Lake. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Thank you, Jane. I agree with Commissioner Karlesky's comments.

[9:31] And I would just like to also say that it is an established practice to identify

[9:38] a fiscal agent, when multiple legal partners are involved, especially in these regional projects,

[9:45] and so this is not unusual or uncommon, and I just want to make sure that that's on the public record.

[9:52] And as far as the gold line, Washington County has led on this project from the beginning.

[10:00] County commissioners have always been supportive of the gold line project but made it clear early on 10 years ago that they would expect to see the leadership come from Washington County.

[10:13] We would have the end of the line, you know, of course, established at our within Washington County.

[10:21] And so that has been a very good working relationship with Ramsey County commissioners. So again, very straightforward.

[10:28] forward and we certainly have the talent in our financial services department. I have

[10:34] the highest level of competence in their abilities as we work through this.

[10:41] Any further discussion?

[10:44] Thank you, Jan, for bringing this before. She's been working as a planning director on this

[10:50] issue for a long time now and we appreciate your leadership from a staff perspective.

[10:55] We do have a motion from Commissioner Karwasky and a second from Commissioner White to approve

[10:59] agreement for financial services for the Gold Line Joint Powers Board between Washington

[11:04] County and the Gold Line Joint Powers Board. Seeing no further discussion, all in favor

[11:10] that motion say aye. Aye. All opposed? I have motion carries. Thank you.

[11:16] Thank you, Jen. We'll move on to our sheriff's office. I understand Chief Deputy Brian

[11:21] Mueller is before us with a donation.

[11:31] Yes, thank you, Mr. Chair and commissioners. My name's

[11:33] Washington County Sheriff's Office, Chief Deputy, and I'm here to ask today if you're approval

[11:38] resolution for the Sheriff's Office to accept a donation from Mark Alman for automatic external

[11:44] defibrillation equipment, otherwise known as a ED equipment. This is in amount of $4,490.

[11:50] This like saving equipment consists of 10 cardiac science, AED pads, and 10 cardiac science,

[11:56] AED lithium batteries, and as you know with any of this technology, it's very expensive,

[12:00] So, we're very grateful for this donation.

[12:03] We're proud to have this AED equipment in every month's squad in our fleet, and it's truly

[12:07] a life-saving tool for our deputies when they face someone or when they deal with someone

[12:11] facing a cardiac emergency.

[12:14] Like I think Mark Altman and his wife Susan for the great generosity, the almonds are

[12:18] a county residence, and it's been a long time supporters of the Sheriff's Office, if you

[12:22] know in the past we've been up here asking for your approval to receive donations from them

[12:27] in the past.

[12:28] Last year, if you remember, they donated over $4,700 worth of AED equipment and, again,

[12:34] have done so over the past several years.

[12:36] So at this time, I ask you a approval to accept the resolution for this donation.

[12:41] Since the Altman's Residence of Marine on St. Croix, which is part of District 1, I will

[12:46] move the resolution authorizing the Sheriff's Office to accept the donation of $490.

[12:54] Second.

[12:55] Second.

[12:55] motion and a second from Commissioner Wight, any discussion.

[13:00] Just as part of the discussion, you know, how important donations are to the county.

[13:06] And we are required by resolution to accept those donations as they come in.

[13:12] But this is a significant one, and we appreciate the generosity of the

[13:24] county that have a desire to support the activities that are ongoing here, but this one,

[13:32] I think, you know, certainly has the intent and the opportunity to protect public health

[13:39] and safety, which is one of our main charges, and we appreciate the donation.

[13:45] Any other comments?

[13:48] Mr. Johnson.

[13:49] Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[13:50] I think we're a question about this one and learn a little bit about these.

[13:55] Do we have these in every vehicle, every share, every vehicle?

[13:59] Every Mark Squad out there, yes, so we have somewhere on Mark Squad that do not have that,

[14:02] but every Mark Squad that you see, every share, self-asquad has this equipment.

[14:06] How often do they need to be swamped outers, which are the sort of time table on them?

[14:12] There is a time table, I don't have that exact number of years and I think it's somewhere

[14:16] that's rather on the wrong of five years

[14:18] that we have to rotate the batteries and some of the equipment.

[14:22] So this one more thought, I saw it in the paperwork here

[14:26] I was talking about the separate monies for pads and stuff like that.

[14:30] So I'm assuming once a pad is used,

[14:32] it needs to be thrown away.

[14:33] It looks like they use them differently

[14:35] than I remember the little clerch.

[14:37] Now, now I see on TV, it seems like they're separate pads

[14:40] and everybody steps away as at the way they operate.

[14:42] Yes, Mr. Chair, Commissioner, there are several pads that we take out and there are one time

[14:48] use and then we dispose of them whether or not the shock was a visor not.

[14:53] Well, last question, how often do we have statistics of how often they've actually had to

[14:58] be put in use?

[15:00] I do not have it for you right now. I definitely can get that. I can tell you that on almost every medical, hard deputies, deploy on scene with all of our medical equipment. This is one piece, the AD, Narcan, some of the other equipment that we have, when we respond to an unknown medical. So, a lot of times the equipment is on scene. Sometimes it is actually put on a patient to we realize exactly what kind of medical treatment is needed.

[15:22] Okay. Thank you. Any further discussion on the resolution accepting the donation from the

[15:28] Altlands?

[15:31] Stephanie, would you call roll, please?

[15:32] Commissioner White. I, Commissioner Creasal.

[15:35] All right. Commissioner Johnson.

[15:37] Commissioner Kawasaki.

[15:38] All right.

[15:38] Commissioner Miran.

[15:40] All right.

[15:40] Resolution passes 5-0.

[15:42] Thank you. Thank you. Chief Deputy.

[15:44] Appreciate it.

[15:46] We'll move in to General Administration, Molly.

[15:49] Good morning, commissioners.

[15:50] The first item is a motion to adopt a motion directing the County Administrator to sign a letter of consent as required by Executive Order 13888, enhancing state and local involvement in refugee resettlement.

[16:07] This item was discussed at a workshop last week.

[16:11] Kevin Corbett has done the research on it and is here to answer any questions you may have.

[16:16] And if not, I would ask for a motion of support.

[16:19] And before we move forward with that, there are some people that want to address this particular issue.

[16:25] We didn't have the public comment cards at the beginning of the meeting, but we're going to open up and allow for that public comment to occur now prior to the board taking consideration on this issue.

[16:36] So I have a sort of Chris Salman that, from Woodbury,

[16:43] that wishes to address the board.

[16:49] If you'd come forward to the microphone here

[16:51] to my left, you are right.

[16:54] And we're happy to hear any comments that you may have

[16:57] on this particular issue.

[17:04] Ladies and gentlemen, I firmly believe that Minnesota,

[17:08] particularly, has done more than a chair

[17:10] of refugee resettlement.

[17:12] It is a burden on our taxpayers, our schools, our medical system, and I realize that all across

[17:20] the state, several counties this morning, are voting on this.

[17:24] None of them advertise this to their residents, to their taxpayer residents.

[17:30] And I just think that's kind of a sneaky way to go about governing something that's this

[17:35] important should be put out before the public.

[17:37] But it is not a decision to be made by four or five people who consider themselves all knowing

[17:44] you are not.

[17:46] I know that you've had a lot of input from different government programs, officials, and

[17:52] from several nonprofits, all of whom have something vested in this.

[17:57] The taxpayers have something vested in this too, and they should have a say in how their money

[18:02] spent,

[18:08] by the way, is a refugee, really a refugee if they can go back to the country from

[18:15] which they come for vacations, weddings, and funerals, if you are a refugee you are supposed

[18:21] to be fleeing because you fear for your life, not for economic prosperity.

[18:28] Thank you.

[18:30] Then we also have comments from Joe Salman who submitted a green card here, if you'd like to come to the microphone.

[18:39] If there's anyone else that cares to comment on this issue, you're welcome to come up and introduce yourselves as we continue the public opportunity here for comment.

[18:53] Good morning. Good morning. My name is Joe Salman. I'm from Woodbury.

[18:57] And my concern about refugee resettlement is that we can't take care of our own people, basically.

[19:06] We have too many homeless, too many veterans that are living in shelters or on the street.

[19:14] And we're going to let people come in and not take care of those people first.

[19:21] That's very, very wrong.

[19:23] And then secondly, I have Crawford, let's put it that way, with about 30 people at five

[19:32] or six different days of the week, all long term would be residents.

[19:38] Many retired, and they're main concern with refugee resettlement is that we are having trouble

[19:48] paying our tax bills.

[19:49] they keep going up and up, but every retirement stays the same.

[19:54] So that's why the State of Minnesota has so many people leaving, that the fact of the

[19:59] matter is that...

[20:00] We really have to take care of our own first, and then we can worry about taking care of the rest of the world.

[20:08] Currently we have a massive Mexican return. We're returning Mexicans back in deep into Mexico, not just across the border.

[20:20] And so I think you need to consider that because that's very important and I guess that's it.

[20:30] I just would reiterate what Chris said as well.

[20:33] Thank you very much.

[20:34] Thank you.

[20:35] I've gotten, and all of it is that Ashley or Ali, but come forward to introduce yourself if you would.

[20:43] I see that the green card indicates you're from Woodbury.

[20:49] Ali, what a very Woodbury Minnesota.

[20:51] I just want to reiterate everything they said I won't repeat it, but I do want to say as a mother in the community having four children and having grandchildren.

[21:00] What I see with the big, the large influx of refugees, you're asking us to assimilate.

[21:06] The schools are changing, the work areas changing.

[21:10] And I am all for helping people and bringing people here who love America, who want to take advantage of our opportunities in our freedom.

[21:19] My heart is there, but you can't ask us to assimilate to their ways and the schools are getting ugly.

[21:25] You've seen a Minneapolis, they're losing students and they're losing them mostly from the African American community.

[21:32] I see an Eastridge.

[21:34] I took my daughter out in 11th grade because of the situation in that school and I put her into a private school.

[21:41] That should have to happen.

[21:44] I'm asking you guys to please take this into consideration.

[21:47] I don't know what your sources are

[21:48] where you gather your information to come to a conclusion.

[21:51] But I ask you to put Americans first, please.

[21:55] Thank you.

[21:57] I don't have any other cards,

[22:00] but if there's anyone else just go ahead up to the podium

[22:03] and state your name and address

[22:05] or your location within Washington County

[22:08] and we're happy to hear any comments you might have.

[22:11] Hi, my name is Kathy Bracette, and I am actually from Plymouth, Minnesota.

[22:16] There is a why I'm here is that I've been attending meetings across the state everywhere

[22:24] from St. Claude to little falls to Rochester, and there's a condom theme is that they're

[22:34] having issues with resettlement. The biggest thing that they are experiencing, I won't go

[22:42] into all of the other things, but there have been stated before, but there are issues in the

[22:47] schools and people are different school districts are losing teachers because we have refugees

[22:56] that are coming here that are, they're not as simulating, they're integrating, but they're not

[23:04] and what was said before, we want people here that love our country.

[23:11] And that's basically, it's all across the state.

[23:14] And I would really encourage you to take information

[23:19] from some of these smaller organizations that are actually reporting

[23:24] what is happening.

[23:26] So thank you very much.

[23:27] Thank you, Kevin. Anyone, anyone else carried a comment on this particular issue?

[23:36] Seeing none, Kevin Corbett, our deputy director, us and background information for the board,

[23:41] as we consider our position here in Washington County, Kevin.

[23:46] Good morning, Mr. Chair and Commissioner, as I'm Kevin Corbett, the Deputy Administrator.

[23:50] Much of the information I'll be sharing this morning was also shared with the board

[23:53] at last week's public workshop. We held on this item. I'll also try to supplement and

[24:00] point out where we've got their new information since the workshop to share with you. As

[24:05] you know, in December, a number of counties in Minnesota, including ours, receive the letter

[24:09] from nonprofit agencies making us aware of a recent presidential executive order related to

[24:14] their federal refugee admissions program. The executive order requires state and county consent

[24:20] for refugees under this program to be resettled within a county.

[24:25] Just a little bit about the federal admissions program, and these are all facts taken from

[24:29] information shared with us by the Department of State, so the federal government, Minnesota's

[24:34] office of refugee resettlement, as well as a webinar that was put on by the Association

[24:40] of National Association of Counties, and on that webinar there were individuals with the Department

[24:47] state and with a non-profit agency as well providing information to the counties.

[24:54] So the program, as was stated, is designed to resettle refugees forced from their homes.

[25:00] Do you want to do a violent persecution? More than 70% of the individuals enter the program are women or children.

[25:07] The federal government sets a cap on the number admitted through this program each year, and for fiscal year 2020, which is the federal fiscal year and right now,

[25:17] that number has been set at 18,000 refugees. This is much lower than the historical average of between 85 and 95,000 individuals admitted each year through this program.

[25:28] Vending of potential refugees is done by eight different federal agencies, including Homeland Security, the Department of State, and the Federal Department of Human Services.

[25:39] Roughly, 20 different assessments are completed, including five background checks, biometric security checks, and in-person interviews with Homeland Security officers.

[25:48] In the last year, this is a calendar year for us versus a fiscal year, but in the last year there were nine refugees

[25:55] resettled within Washington County, five in Oakdale, and four in Woodbury.

[26:00] In Minnesota, as a whole, there were less than 900 settled in Minnesota in the last year.

[26:06] Most placements are made with family members who already established in the area, and the

[26:12] Statistic that was given by the state office was that 95% of the people that are settled in Minnesota

[26:19] We're joining family members that were already established in a community. That's a little higher than the national number that was shared on the Venetio webinar

[26:27] I think that number was about 80% are joining

[26:31] Family members and 20% are community area where there's no connection

[26:37] The placement of refugees through this program has been occurring for quite some time the change right now

[26:43] that we're dealing with is the local role in that the executive order now requires consenting

[26:49] by the state and the county to these initial placements. If a county does not provide consent,

[26:55] I think there's some items that you need to be aware of. So if they do not provide consent,

[27:00] initial placements cannot be made in that county by the non-profits that work with those individuals

[27:05] being placed. However, one item that we did learned that was different from the workshop last

[27:09] week, and it was through the Naeco webinar, and it was a information provided by the Department

[27:14] of State at the federal level, is that regardless of whether a county provides consent

[27:19] or not, they will still be replacing spouses and minor children in a county regardless of consent

[27:27] if they are joining that spouse or their mother or father.

[27:31] And so that is the one difference from what we had shared last week.

[27:39] After the initial placement as a county is made,

[27:43] regardless of consent, a refugee may move to any county within Minnesota,

[27:48] or any county in the country.

[27:52] The federal funds that are provided through this program

[27:54] to the non-profits to help with the initial placement and settlement

[27:58] Can only occur in counties where consent has been provided that initial placement help cannot be spent in counties that have not provided consent.

[28:10] And then just there was a question about what the FEDO funds for the initial placement are use for and it's used for things like rent, damp damage deposits, furnishing clothing, food and others.

[28:21] The executive order asks for consent by the chief executive officer of the county or the

[28:29] county equivalent because in some states there are not counties but there are similar

[28:32] governmental units. It does not define who that is. The federal government has said that

[28:37] they would take consent from either the county administrator or the county board chair.

[28:44] As I mentioned, the workshop was held with the board last week. I also had an opportunity

[28:49] to talk with the Executive Director of Arrive Ministries, one of the individual nonprofits

[28:55] that helps with the settlement and placements, and then a number of staff also listen

[29:00] to the webinar hosted by the National Association of Counties.

[29:05] The board action today is to direct the county administrator or the board action for the board

[29:10] to consider today is to direct the county administrator to sign up letter consent required by

[29:15] executive order. One change in the letter that you saw from last week is the time period.

[29:21] This was again information that was learned through the NACO webinar, but it stated that the

[29:25] consent is for the federal fiscal year. So the federal fiscal year for 2020 ends on September

[29:32] 30th of 2020. So what our letter states, the draft that we provided to you, if you act

[29:38] formally today, is our consent will be given which for now we now in September 30th of 2020,

[29:44] and the board would have to reconsider this item again prior to that for consent for the following federal fiscal year.

[29:51] So with that Mr. Chair and Commissioners, that's the information that we've gathered on this decision

[29:56] and we're able to answer any questions that you might have.

[30:09] Mr. Chair and Commissioners, the gentleman asked about the cost per settlement. I have seen some information that's been shared with the Commissioners via email about the cost that spent on the average refugee. I do not know the source of information that was included in emails sent to us.

[30:29] What we are aware of is that there are a number of things that happen, so we talked about the initial placement cost.

[30:36] In the NACO webinar, it talked about the federal government through that refugee emissions program,

[30:41] spans about $2,000, a little more than $2,000, but that initial placement assistance.

[30:48] After that placement, there are federal funds available that are administered through state programs

[30:54] to provide assistance to these refugees after they've settled in an area, and that is roughly

[31:01] for about an eight or nine month period.

[31:04] The gentleman that I spoke with the Rive Ministries also talked about additional help that

[31:09] these nonprofits provide to them, and much of that help comes from donations from individual

[31:15] businesses or grant funds that that nonprofit receives.

[31:19] There's also I'm certain that there are federal programs and state programs for assistance

[31:25] that these refugees may be eligible for if they meet the income requirements or the

[31:31] other eligible requirements that are part of those programs and they could get assistance

[31:35] from that those programs going forward.

[31:38] These individuals do enter the country legally through this program and they are eligible for

[31:43] other assistance programs like anybody else that's living in the country.

[31:47] The gentleman asked about the $50 or $60,000 per year.

[31:52] I do not know the source of that or the study.

[31:54] I have seen it in the emails that we're shared with us.

[31:57] I just don't know where that's coming from.

[31:59] What are the number in voting for that, let me say a few questions.

[32:04] Just please, this is board discussion now.

[32:08] We provided an opportunity for public comment earlier and we're going to limit that at

[32:12] this time.

[32:14] We were open to that discussion earlier.

[32:15] Commissioner Cresial, you have a question.

[32:18] Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[32:19] Kevin, you and I have some conversations last week regarding the refugee program.

[32:29] Would you maybe talk about the financial impact to Washington County taxpayers, particularly

[32:36] lovely funding?

[32:39] Mr. Chair and Commissioner Cresial, certainly that was a discussion item at the Work

[32:45] last week and we did some additional work with our community services staff to identify

[32:51] potential programs that a refugee place within Washington County may have access to.

[32:58] Those programs are federally in state funded programs. There is little to no county property

[33:05] tax levy going into programs that they may be eligible for. So from a perspective of financial

[33:12] systems being provided to them. There may be some of that systems being provided. It's being

[33:17] done through federal and state programs, and not through county-levy dollars. Now there

[33:22] are some programs where we do the administration of that, and so we may have staff that

[33:27] are working on eligibility, so it's staff time on those kinds of programs, but the actual

[33:32] assistance dollars are for the most part federal and state funds.

[33:37] two more questions that I couldn't measure here. Kevin, we also had a conversation about what

[33:43] impact of any this would have to our ongoing efforts to address homeless and us veterans

[33:52] and mental health concerns. Do you want to speak to that? You had mentioned to me that those

[34:01] or funded a second, we've a go ahead, you know.

[34:05] Mr. Chair and Commissioner Cresso, the information

[34:08] that was provided to us on that question

[34:10] by our community services staff is that,

[34:12] oftentimes, the programs that are designed

[34:14] to help those different populations

[34:16] are funded at the state and federal levels

[34:18] for those populations of people,

[34:21] because you aren't spending some money someplace else,

[34:25] doesn't automatically mean

[34:26] that money's available for a different subset

[34:28] of individuals that have needs.

[34:30] So I think, well, obviously, overall spending of government is a concern to all of us, it doesn't necessarily mean that if we did less than one program there would be more in another area.

[34:41] And final question, just to have you restate it, if a refugee came to America and settled

[34:50] in a horse county and I'll just say Ramsey County, I don't know where they're on.

[34:54] on this. The next week, next day they could, they'll, they'll, uh, freedom.

[35:00] Welcome to Washington County, or Bell Traami County, wherever they want to relocate to a so it's, you're not, you know, I don't see this prevenient refugees from anywhere in America.

[35:15] There's one county, they're willing to go to, you know, particularly if, you know, this is a federally initiated immigration program.

[35:30] Mr. Chair and Commissioner Cresso, I mean, that question was asked directly of the staff member from the federal department of state who was leading that discussion in the webinar.

[35:39] And I think the way he responded that question is that once a refugee is recital to the initial placement, which has to be made in a county that has provided consent, they are free like anybody else in this country to move to wherever they choose.

[35:54] And so that was the response that he was given that it's a free country and anybody here living illegally can move to wherever they want, including to a county that hasn't provided consent.

[36:04] Thank you.

[36:06] Any other questions?

[36:08] Mr. White.

[36:09] Thank you.

[36:10] Thank you, Kevin Carbed.

[36:12] This is not a new program.

[36:14] Did you want to state approximately the time frame that it began in the United States?

[36:19] I know that it's several presidential administrations have made changes to the program as they have started a new term of office.

[36:30] And so I think it's important to realize just because it's in the news right now.

[36:35] This has been around for many years with each president, I believe, when President Trump's administration, when he first took office, suspended the program for three months,

[36:48] so that he could look at and evaluate the screening that is done overseas to make sure that

[36:56] the FBI Homeland Security and Department of State and Defense also looked at this to

[37:03] make sure that there was appropriate screening for any terrorism groups that might be

[37:08] trying to relocate here.

[37:12] Mr. Chair and Commissioner Wike, there is information that was brought in last week on

[37:19] the background of the program. It says that the Refugee Admissions Program was established

[37:24] by the Refugee Act of 1980, and then it's managed by the Department of State.

[37:34] We heard at the workshop last week, and I did also participate in the conference call

[37:40] portion of the National Association of Counties webinar on this, on the most recent changes

[37:46] to the program, the most recent change from the Presidential Administration is, again,

[37:52] to lower the number of refugees that will be allowed into the United States as a whole.

[37:58] They told county officials and others on the call that if you had refugees resettled into

[38:06] county in 2019, whatever that number is, you could likely expect a number much lower than

[38:14] that for the coming calendar or fiscal year, U.S. calendar. So I think that's important

[38:21] to note also that in 2019, we had nine refugees resettle here. We've heard at the workshop,

[38:30] and again reiterated on the NACO call, that the majority of the time, this is not initiated

[38:35] by the refugee that is living outside the US. These agencies look for candidates, identify them,

[38:45] talk to them about possibly leaving their homeland and starting over in the United States,

[38:50] and if they agree, they are given rigorous and quality training. So in all aspects of the program,

[38:58] so that they know what to expect and participate fully when they arrive. They are issued a social

[39:04] security number when they first enter the United States and if part of the program is to receive

[39:10] job training, they're given that. It's also stress that not every refugee is financially

[39:16] destitute either. Many come here and have financial means. They may have been running a small business

[39:23] or a business operation in their homeland country and they bring that to the United States.

[39:33] They're

[39:33] employing our citizens and others in the media area.

[39:38] I think it's very important again, the underlying the dynamics of the fact that

[39:42] a county that does not opt in really is just leveraging economic sanctions

[39:49] against these nonprofits in the Twin Cities that are identified and responsible for providing

[39:54] support to refugees that need financial assistance.

[39:58] If they don't need financial assistance,

[40:00] So as far as housing or food, then they are given the opportunity to look at career training and any type of, you know, if they need appropriate clothing, that type of thing for interviews and so they become fully integrated and functioning members of our society.

[40:20] The city that I represent would vary also has a growing minority population and now the

[40:27] demographics show the population exceeds 20% of people of color.

[40:33] And so as far as any type of, you know, refugee population that comes into the United States

[40:41] to look at that, I think is really irrelevant.

[40:43] The entire Twin Cities and Minnesota has a growing in more diverse population and it's certainly something that the county values and we are trying to keep up finding and identifying qualified candidates for jobs within the county so that our workforce more accurately reflects the citizens that we are serving.

[41:06] So, I do support this, I've had contacts from people on both sides of the issue, I do appreciate their input.

[41:17] Again, the timeline on this was rather short, as far as the federal government, notifying counties in December, I believe, with the final details on the changes of the program and so then the initial deadlines now are in January.

[41:33] Again, just for the public record, we're not trying to rush this.

[41:37] We are trying to react to federal requirements of the program.

[41:43] Our state and federal partners are not always cooperative in terms of financial support with county program aid

[41:53] that we advocate for every year in our legislative platform.

[41:57] And again, the timelines sometimes are unnecessarily short.

[42:01] And so, I support having this before us today rather than having the public wonder, again, that could be the kind of final deadline is June and it is an opt-in.

[42:14] So, counties that perhaps decide they don't want to opt in and they not have it on their agenda at all.

[42:21] I think this increases transparency and accountability.

[42:24] And all of the questions have been answered, staff, I did an immediate assessment in December

[42:32] as soon as we were all notified of this and then we have taken the time to assess it,

[42:37] starting with the public workshop last week.

[42:40] We did not have any members of the public or the media attend that workshop, which was held

[42:45] right down the hall.

[42:47] So, again, I think that's your way to make remarks.

[42:52] Thank you. I want to wrap up the questions here that the board may have Kevin, Commissioner,

[42:59] white reference deadlines. Can you talk about those a little bit more, please?

[43:03] Yeah, Mr. Chair and Commissioner. Just a couple items to the executive order was signed on September 26, 2019.

[43:11] The first time the county was made aware of this was through the letters that came in December.

[43:15] The emails that came in December from the nonprofit agencies.

[43:18] Shortly thereafter, the federal government did issue guidance, which usually comes out after

[43:23] an executive order that gives you a more idea about how to implement that executive order.

[43:28] So I think what was happening is the State Department of Human Services was waiting for

[43:31] that guidance.

[43:32] Once that came out, then the State Department of Human Services shared the information with

[43:36] the counties and provided information to administrators up at the AMC conference in St.

[43:42] College in early December.

[43:43] And so the deadlines that we're facing is that the executive order as a deadline of June 21st of 2020 to provide consent.

[43:54] However, the federal Department of State has said they are making decisions on refugee placement for fiscal year 20, which is when we're in right now right now.

[44:04] And so they have said that they have asked for counties to act on this prior to January 21st,

[44:11] so they continue their planning and they continue to, if there's an individual who wants

[44:16] a settle in the certain area, they know whether or not consent has been granted or not,

[44:20] and what services are going to be provided to them by these nonprofit entities.

[44:24] So that January 21st date is the direction coming out about the federal and state government

[44:30] asking for counties to act on this issue.

[44:36] We'll continue the discussion, we'll continue the discussion here at the board level.

[44:41] Are there any other questions or comments?

[44:44] Commissioners?

[44:45] Commissioner Karwaski?

[44:53] We've allowed for public comment.

[44:56] I want to provide for opportunities for the board.

[45:01] Thank you, Mr. Chair. A lot of good information has been shared here this morning by the board and Kevin, I appreciate the presentation of information.

[45:12] My one question I have left, because we did have workshop and I'm looking at this for a number of weeks.

[45:19] I think you present that I want to be clear, is that each year we'll be able to monitor

[45:26] the immigration situation and how things are working for our county.

[45:33] Mr. Chair and Commissioner Kawasaki, that is correct. Under the executive order,

[45:38] the federal guidance from the State Department says that the county's must provide

[45:43] consent annually. So there needs to be an action taken during each of the, you know, prior

[45:48] to the fiscal year, the federal government provide consent for the following fiscal year.

[45:53] The State Department of Human Services through their refugee program does provide information

[45:59] to us about how many initial placements are made in the county each year. They also provide you

[46:05] us the location, the city that those placements are made. So that information will be available to the

[46:10] board whenever you have to address this issue each year. I would point out to, and I think

[46:17] the board knows this, obviously, but what we're talking about today is a federal program

[46:22] where the federal government sets the rules, sets the number of placements that are being made,

[46:27] the only thing the county is talking about today is whether or not provide consent or not

[46:31] under this executive order. And so, if individuals are concerned about the program, how it's

[46:37] Minister, how they're using nonprofits to do it.

[46:40] That's not something the county board can affect today,

[46:44] or at frankly, at any time, because these are not county programs.

[46:47] This is a federal program administered through the state of Minnesota,

[46:51] and we must kind of follow those rules that they set for us through this program.

[46:57] Any other questions?

[46:59] Commissioner.

[47:00] Commissioner.

[47:01] Commissioner.

[47:05] Again, as for order here, we've had an opportunity and we've allowed for board questions

[47:12] and discussion here at turn to Commissioner Johnson.

[47:16] Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[47:17] I would like to move to adopt a motion directing the County Administrator to sign

[47:21] letter consent as required by Executive Order 1388 enhancing state and local involvement in

[47:28] refugee resettlement with a review after the fiscal federal fiscal year of September

[47:37] or 29th, September 30th of 2020.

[47:44] On second, the motion.

[47:45] Get a motion from Commissioner Johnson, a second from Commissioner White, further board

[47:50] discussion on the motion before us.

[47:55] Commissioner Johnson.

[47:56] Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[47:57] I've been listening to the questions I've received a bunch of emails for, and against this,

[48:05] I've been listening to the questions, really none of them are pertinent to this issue.

[48:11] This issue is strictly a monetary issue on whether we want to put burden on our charities or not.

[48:19] It's strictly something that has been put on us to stay.

[48:24] Again, this is a monetary issue. Whether we vote no or yes, the number of people who move

[48:34] into our county will not change. There is no change in this. They will move from one county

[48:41] to another county. This has been going on forever. You referenced Easter. I have two students

[48:46] who go to Easter. I can tell you whether we had nine people move into the county last year

[48:52] has no reflection of the challenges they have at East Ridge. East Ridge is challenged because

[48:58] we have people moving to our county by 4 and 500,000 dollar homes and deciding to live

[49:06] in Washington County because this is a destination that everybody wants to move to. The numbers

[49:12] show that. So then, so really when it boils down to and that's where I'm struggling is there's

[49:19] So much misinformation about what this is really discussing.

[49:24] This is discussing, whether we want to continue to allow charities to do the great work

[49:30] that they are doing and not burden them unnecessarily because they continue to do the work.

[49:36] That's all this boils down to, and the decision, and unfortunately, the federal government

[49:41] has decided to make this a political issue instead of addressing what's really important.

[49:46] So this boils down to, if we vote no, we put a challenge, an extra burden on our charities,

[49:55] and make them go through extra steps, move people to a separate calendar.

[50:00] Only for a few days and then move on to their final destination. That is what's extroverted on everybody and prevents success going forward.

[50:08] A yes vote allows people to continue to do the work and we constantly are relying on charities to do the work that we can't do in this county.

[50:18] If it wasn't for charities and volunteers, so much work would not get done, and I can tell you the financial burden on the county would be huge at that point.

[50:28] The amount of services that our charities and our volunteers to in this county.

[50:33] We see this all the time, people donating money, donating services.

[50:38] We rely on that as a county.

[50:40] How can we turn around and say, we're going to put extra burden on you.

[50:43] It just doesn't work.

[50:44] So when we talk about putting extra burden on county, imagine if these people were not here for us.

[50:52] Imagine the amount of work that would not get done.

[50:54] Imagine the extra funding and levied effects that would be as a result of trying to cover those services.

[51:02] So, when you've well gone to what this actually has to do with that it has nothing to do with the amount of people that are moving into a county.

[51:11] One today tomorrow, forward, last 20, 30 years.

[51:16] It has nothing to do with that.

[51:17] It's this strictly, are we going to say yes,

[51:21] we want the charities to get the federal funding

[51:25] to resettle people and make their life easier.

[51:30] That is the bottom one.

[51:32] Thank you.

[51:33] Further discussion?

[51:34] Commissioner Cresdle.

[51:35] Thank you, Mr. Chair.

[51:37] You know, I look at this, I don't know.

[51:40] I'll say somewhat different way in a way.

[51:44] First of all, I strongly support

[51:46] protecting our borders. I don't think we should have just unfettered access where, you

[51:52] know, because God forbid, who's crossing the borders that comes here without regard to

[51:59] whether they're on as hard work and people that just want to look for opportunity after

[52:07] bringing drugs in, what have you? I support border security. Now haven't said that, I also support

[52:16] legal immigration that the immigrants that are coming here are fully vetted.

[52:27] I mean, how many or eight organizations, they went through that process to bet these people?

[52:33] These are refugees.

[52:35] So I'm a little confused because we're not going to allow legal immigration.

[52:41] Regardless of why they're coming there, you know, they're under threat of the country.

[52:45] They're living in. They could be murdered tomorrow or if they're just want to come here

[52:49] period.

[52:52] So I'm a little confused because if we're going to start, if we're going to go

[52:57] down that road, then this federal government ought to come up with a policy that slams the

[53:01] door shut period on immigration. Well, that's not the case. America was founded on immigration.

[53:09] And if there's a legal process that we follow, so be it.

[53:15] And I certainly support that.

[53:17] I mean, I'll have, it can get personal to me.

[53:20] I'll indulge me for a minute here.

[53:23] I mean, I work by racial family and my family.

[53:26] My brother is a by racial family.

[53:29] So, and when I came that, when I had non-Hodchkins lymphoma five years ago,

[53:35] the doctor that referred me was Dr. Rain.

[53:37] And he referred me to Dr. Jagged, or on a call to just, who has never been from India.

[53:44] And God bless him.

[53:46] I'm glad somebody didn't slam the door on him because he cared my medical care, not

[53:54] actually going to go home.

[53:55] I just had a check-up by your check-up and it's gone.

[53:58] So it's not that we're not going to have productive people and smart people coming to America.

[54:05] And particularly, if we're going to slam the door in immigration, the legal process, send the

[54:10] Statue of Liberty back to France, change the word, you know, and so I beg your pardon?

[54:20] I didn't catch that.

[54:22] I didn't catch that.

[54:26] That's right.

[54:27] We're having our discussion on the, I just use that as an example why it's important to me.

[54:34] But again, it goes to a federal policy and if they want to shut down immigration and go for it, you know, that's it.

[54:46] We deal with that stuff that's ain't done on our plate and they can move to the end of the county tomorrow.

[54:52] Come to Washington County.

[54:53] And if they don't like it, here's a go-to-ville tram, you might welcome them with open arms.

[54:58] Other discussion?

[55:02] Just a couple of things I want to address, you know, was suggested earlier about this being a sneaky process. The reality is we had a board

[55:11] workshop last week, which was published as part of our agenda in a workshop. It was published for today's agenda. And obviously, that's put online. And people are aware of it because

[55:27] As was indicated by a number of the county commissioners here, I've received a significant number of comments over the course of the last couple weeks, both pro and con to this particular issue.

[55:41] Obviously we had people that were here at this board meeting interested in the issue, so it wasn't secret.

[55:48] It's been properly noticed and we appreciate the input that we receive from the public on these issues.

[55:55] There's a time in place for that, and we've certainly allowed for that process to take place.

[56:03] But this is again open and direct from the county boards perspective.

[56:10] And I appreciate all of the background work that staff has gone through in preparing this for both workshop and county board consideration.

[56:18] And I also appreciate Commissioner Johnson's motion including a review at the end of the fiscal year so that we do allow ourselves to review this prior to a county board providing consent or denying consent to that for the next fiscal year provides us an opportunity to review just as we have in preparation for this action today.

[56:48] So we have a motion directing the County Administrator to sign a letter of consent for

[56:54] Washington County as required by Executive Order 1388 in enhancing state and local

[57:00] involvement in refugee resettlement.

[57:02] That motion came from Commissioner Johnson.

[57:04] We have a second from Commissioner Wight.

[57:06] There are any further discussion of the county board level.

[57:11] I will just mention that I think all of us as county board members are open to continue

[57:16] discussion with our constituency on these issues and certainly will work to disseminate additional

[57:23] information, particularly after we have that fiscal year review in September so that we

[57:31] can analyze again the impact it's had to wash any county. Any other discussion? Seeing

[57:38] down all in favor of the motion say aye.

[57:41] All right, opposed.

[57:42] I have it motion carries.

[57:44] Thank you, Kevin.

[57:47] Molly anything additional under the administrative.

[57:50] Thank you, commissioners.

[57:52] The only other item is to remind you

[57:54] that next week there is no board meeting

[57:56] as of January 1st.

[57:59] We adopted a new meeting schedule.

[58:01] And so the next meeting of the county board

[58:04] will be on Tuesday, January 28.

[58:07] And, well, there's any questions from commissioners?

[58:10] That's the end of my report.

[58:11] Any questions from Oli?

[58:14] Seeing none, we'll move into commissioner reports.

[58:19] Commissioner Kawasaki, would you like to begin?

[58:21] Oh, sure.

[58:22] Are my rushing yet too much here?

[58:23] Oh, I can.

[58:25] He's used to go in my ass.

[58:27] Oh.

[58:28] Yeah.

[58:29] Oh, really, just kind of getting up and running, the highlights for me is that, uh,

[58:35] of six, 22 education foundation meeting,

[58:39] attended the swearing in ceremony of new met-council chair,

[58:44] Charlie Zellie, with my involvement with Tab,

[58:49] being involved with the met-council a lot on that,

[58:52] that was their involvement with Goldline,

[58:54] will be involved with Charlie Zellie too.

[58:57] So that was a very nice event.

[59:01] We welcome and congratulate him on his appointment

[59:04] as my cultural chair. I did go to a woodberry chamber, open for business networking event at

[59:16] math, math, magnesium. So if you have a youth in the county that is struggling with math,

[59:23] this is a kind of a innovative way to get your student on track and up to speed, they're doing a

[59:31] I also attended a second with very chamber of Gala that recognized the community volunteers

[59:42] and acknowledged them and recognized them as very good event, and went to a legal woman

[59:49] voter meeting last night, and lastly, I completed my state-sponsored Board of Appeals.

[1:00:00] And equalization training and a pass on certified to pull fill that roll if needed. Thank you.

[1:00:10] Commissioner Johnson. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Start off here by, we had an emergency.

[1:00:16] We had a MESB board meeting for where it was just housekeeping for the first year talking about

[1:00:24] collecting of officers and organizational meeting as we move forward and the challenges coming

[1:00:29] up this next year.

[1:00:31] I serve on this with Commissioner Miran who did finish up his chair position and we now have

[1:00:40] a new chair from Ramsey County and some day I will get her last name right but I was Commissioner

[1:00:45] and she will take over going forward.

[1:00:50] And so then we also had a great river rail commission meeting,

[1:00:56] another first of the year meeting,

[1:00:58] housekeeping items, elected officers,

[1:01:02] essentially everybody who was an officer and chair,

[1:01:04] stayed on.

[1:01:05] They have so much fun.

[1:01:06] They decide they want to do another year.

[1:01:08] We talked about going forward,

[1:01:10] continually continuing to

[1:01:14] get the name new name out there, the new agenda, the new direction. We all recognize

[1:01:21] this is probably the most important year of our commission coming up. And this year

[1:01:29] will determine where a lot of this will go for it. And specifically where the

[1:01:35] bonding comes in and the bonding and stuff. And we are all hoping we all have our

[1:01:42] dedicated ourselves to get this through just because it is so important and we're

[1:01:49] reviewing the direction of this commission after May and what happens after May.

[1:01:56] So the next thing is that we had the intended along with commissioner.

[1:02:02] Crystal and Commissioner White, the Valley, I guess re-grandopening or grandopening.

[1:02:09] Library, what an awesome place, the Leadership of Commissioner,

[1:02:12] Teresa, is just really showed there along with the members of Library Board.

[1:02:18] Well, before I got out there, I'm just getting to take the victory lap with everybody along with Amy,

[1:02:25] and also Keith, where they are beautiful, it shows the direction and the future of the libraries.

[1:02:30] So I was able to really see the vision and the leadership through the Mr. Commissioner

[1:02:38] Crystal to see to get this unique opportunity completed.

[1:02:43] So I was very impressive.

[1:02:45] Last thing I'm just going to mention to you is tonight is a mention of last week, but tonight

[1:02:51] is the ribbon cutting, a grand opening to the Hero Center in Cottage Grove, which is

[1:02:58] by the South Center and that starts at 5 o'clock, I think 5 till 730 for the public to

[1:03:06] come in, take a tour, very exciting opportunities I look forward to seeing how our Sheriff's

[1:03:11] Department was able to take advantage of that along with a different wood variant cottage

[1:03:15] growth, this is leading edge down down there and the opportunities which I think going forward,

[1:03:24] an opportunity is to have local leaders go through some of that virtual training down there.

[1:03:28] And I can tell you, after going through it, some of the understanding of what our officers

[1:03:35] and fire in EMEAS, EMEAS go through, I think we'll open up the discussion, and in my opinion,

[1:03:43] personally, totally respect and it's always been the respect with the next level of respect

[1:03:48] of the challenges that our public safety has to go through and the decisions and the split

[1:03:55] decisions and right and wrong and it's just I could talk on and on but it just really

[1:04:00] opened my eyes going through that just two three minutes that I was able to do it.

[1:04:05] So that's it.

[1:04:06] Thank you.

[1:04:07] Thank you.

[1:04:07] Commissioner Carlisce.

[1:04:08] He had something missed.

[1:04:10] Mr. Chey.

[1:04:11] I forgot to disclose Thursday night I'll be staying overnight in St. Claude for the

[1:04:18] micah conference Minnesota interconi association that I'm a board member and vice chair of

[1:04:26] we'll be meeting with legislators. I want to close that thank you.

[1:04:31] Commissioner Johnson is actually selling his work celebrating his birthday today and on behalf of the board

[1:04:38] I want to present you a card and congratulations on making another year.

[1:04:44] Thank you.

[1:04:45] We're not allowed to provide you a financial gift like, but you would have liked what I was thinking about getting you.

[1:04:52] Well, if you're willing to say no, it looks like that.

[1:04:55] Can we just say I'd provide a round of applause for that?

[1:05:02] Thank you, Mr. Chair, and I'll start off with the grand opening at the Belly Branch Library and appreciate the Commissioner Waken, Commissioner Johnson, particularly Commissioner Johnson, Commissioner Johnson serves on our Washington County Library Board, and really appreciate his leadership while he was speaking.

[1:05:26] And when I was speaking, we all recognized this as a team effort.

[1:05:31] You know, all the commissioners were supportive of this as well as our staff and they really appreciated it.

[1:05:38] Commissioner Johnson was way too kind and as remarks towards me,

[1:05:44] but, you know, I kind of wish of what I kept going on.

[1:05:47] And a great job, but that got me off seriously.

[1:05:51] There were 300 people that showed up.

[1:05:54] And that's remarkable.

[1:05:56] People are so impressed with that day.

[1:05:59] I had a meeting yesterday down there with the group with Sarah Meirner,

[1:06:04] group of library supporters and looking towards the future

[1:06:08] and things like that.

[1:06:10] And a couple nights ago last week they had 90 people show up for

[1:06:15] community event there and will be or something like that. So people down there excited

[1:06:19] day and we, you know, I know, Commissioner Kavalski and Commissioner Kavalski and Commissioner

[1:06:24] Kavalski and Commissioner Kavalski and Commissioner Kavalski and Commissioner Kavalski

[1:06:24] didn't be there, but the people really appreciated. You're supported. I just wanted to

[1:06:30] share that. Last week I met with staff. I'm going to do be doing a Tom Hall forum on

[1:06:37] transportation, which represented a Christian Senate. Staff was willing to meet with me and we

[1:06:45] I talked about some transportation issues in that that are getting me fully up to speed on that.

[1:06:53] It's going to be more of a listening session, more than anything, and also I had to open up.

[1:07:00] I tend to have an open house for middle or excavating the aggregate mining permit removal.

[1:07:07] Renewal.

[1:07:07] And it's pretty good turnout, but a lot of questions asked about

[1:07:13] hall roads and speed and what have you and those staff are responding to.

[1:07:21] And I'm pretty sure that the operator wants to be a good neighbor to the community.

[1:07:28] So, you know what it is, what else?

[1:07:34] I think that just about might do it.

[1:07:38] You almost get a control, we had an organization, we have an organization, we can, I attend it, so thank you.

[1:07:45] But that almost was it, but Commissioner Cresult, it's not your birthday, but we do have a certificate of recognition from Washington County to present to you in grateful appreciation and recognition of 15 years of dedicated service here on the County Board.

[1:08:05] What? Why was night 12?

[1:08:08] So I'm curious, how many Commissioner reports you've provided over that 15 years?

[1:08:15] How many meetings you've attended to serve your constituency?

[1:08:21] And also as a tenured member of the board, just the guidance you've provided as new board members have come on,

[1:08:30] the critical analysis of the decisions that this county board makes.

[1:08:35] I know I appreciate the work that you've done in the time that I've been on the board and prior to that.

[1:08:41] The leadership of really a county that's been well-run for many, many years.

[1:08:47] So in recognition of your 15 years of service, I want to present to you.

[1:08:52] Thank you.

[1:08:53] This black.

[1:08:54] Thank you, Mark.

[1:09:01] You know, in the 15 years I've been here, I am pleased to say the Washington County Board of

[1:09:08] Commissioners has always been a very respectful, functional group, no dysfunction,

[1:09:14] a product of all the former commissioners I served with and even the ones I didn't serve

[1:09:19] with that predated us, like Commissioner Wally Abrahamson and those like staunch conservatives

[1:09:26] that help formulate a discreet constraint policy that keeps our taxes low and our tax rate

[1:09:33] low and things like that, but thank you, Mr. Chair. I said, certainly appreciate this

[1:09:39] and thank you to all the department heads and leaders and employees.

[1:09:44] And like Commissioner Johnson, I don't think in the 15 years that you've been serving,

[1:09:48] that you've lost ahead of hair. Well, only when I went to some treatments, it come back

[1:09:54] strong and strong. Commissioner White. Thank you, Mr. Chair. Congratulations.

[1:10:02] So, as far as Commissioner, I had been thinking that perhaps our board could send a letter of congratulation and thanking him for his service when you're approached by the governor and perhaps he applied, I'm not sure, but obviously, too, relatively new that make council chair is considered a full-time position now in the 20 minutes.

[1:10:29] In cities, we do have a number of projects and requires many interactions with the mid-Consol.

[1:10:37] And I had that at the top of my Commissioner Report to send a letter signed by our chair.

[1:10:44] I'll leave that up to staff if we want to identify any specific projects.

[1:10:52] But anyway, we can just tell them we look forward to meeting them and discussing things in detail.

[1:10:58] Now, as I said earlier, I did call in to the Nikol Webinar regarding the refugee resettlement

[1:11:05] program changes.

[1:11:06] It was interesting to just even hear questions that were submitted by WebEx, you know,

[1:11:12] from other county officials around the country.

[1:11:15] And there is a lot of misinformation, and that was something that was brought up.

[1:11:19] So I think that's always kind of the name of the game, though.

[1:11:23] The public's busy, so, you know, they don't have time necessarily grasp all of the details

[1:11:28] And so it's our job to sort through that.

[1:11:31] So I do want to thank Nikolay Leadership, though.

[1:11:35] Our membership in Nikolay pays us dividends, I think,

[1:11:39] in the research and just these additional resources,

[1:11:44] even to just hear and understand that what we learned in the workshop

[1:11:48] actually was accurate, too, as I thought was very good.

[1:11:52] Especially since a lot of this was newer and as is often the case,

[1:11:57] counties are just in react mode where an administrative arm of state and federal government.

[1:12:02] So, all right.

[1:12:03] These sets the structure in the state of Minnesota.

[1:12:06] As stated, I did attend the organizational meeting of the mosquito control board.

[1:12:10] That's an unusual date early in the month.

[1:12:13] So that preempted my ability to attend as an alternate,

[1:12:17] the great river and rail meeting.

[1:12:20] But now that should not be a conflict moving forward as a member of the full commission.

[1:12:25] I would then be attending meetings later in the month.

[1:12:29] I think it's the fourth Wednesday.

[1:12:31] So that shouldn't be a problem moving forward.

[1:12:35] And then after the meeting,

[1:12:37] I talked to the board director,

[1:12:39] and said I thought that I saw that they only list

[1:12:41] the agenda online for commission meetings.

[1:12:44] And I wondered if there was a reason

[1:12:46] they didn't provide the full meeting packet

[1:12:49] when they noticed publicly notice the meetings.

[1:12:51] Again, the mosquito control board meetings happen

[1:12:54] at the Metro County's government center on the corner of Transferrode and University Avenue.

[1:13:00] And perhaps there would be members of the public that would like to attend and have the background.

[1:13:04] It is, you know, the example is that cities in the counties typically provide the full packet or the member has a chance to just click on a link for an agenda.

[1:13:16] He said he didn't see any reason they couldn't do that, so I think that's more transparent, countable.

[1:13:22] there are individuals that would want to read that level of information.

[1:13:27] I did attend different social events as far as belonging to the very chamber.

[1:13:33] I have renewed my membership for this year. In general, I won't be reporting on social events.

[1:13:38] I consider that too political. However, as far as the Gala,

[1:13:44] I would just point out during the award presentations,

[1:13:47] citizens of the year, I was identified as Roger Green and he does serve on our CDA board of directors so that other CDA commissioners and the director of the CDA are aware of that.

[1:14:00] And maybe extend congratulations.

[1:14:02] I think that might be important.

[1:14:04] And as far as the Heroes Center for Commissioner Johnson, public safety worker of the year was workers of the year because it was the Cottage Global Enforcement Officer and the Woodbury law enforcement officer that were recognized.

[1:14:17] nice for that, and that does tie to Washington County our programs, and it also shows that

[1:14:23] I think the business community then values that type of infrastructure, and there are

[1:14:28] public funds that are going into the here-all centers. So this is where in 2020 I thought it

[1:14:34] was a great suggestion and it's optional if commissioners want to try to report on more social

[1:14:41] events that if you can find a tie to either new county policy, renewing county policy or

[1:14:48] some tie to some of our programs. As far as the Valley Library, re-ground opening and

[1:14:56] and congratulations to staff that was amazing.

[1:15:00] This space to be in, it was very inspiring. The public was very excited. A lot of young children. I tried to take photos. And again, for some of those events, I tried to post that just on social media so that the public can see. It kind of extends the awareness to. It's not that far to drive. Obviously, from woodbury, my constituents may travel into AFTERN because AFTERN is a lovely city to visit.

[1:15:30] as it, and then they would be in proximity to this new library.

[1:15:34] So, brings awareness and congratulations again to Commissioner Krisel for his leadership,

[1:15:39] but for Commissioner Krisel's tenacity, I'm not sure that it might have taken the shape

[1:15:44] that it did, and it is very, very well done given the financial constraints that was placed

[1:15:51] on that location.

[1:15:53] And then I did attend the Woodbury Heritage Society meeting, I'm a member again now, I think

[1:16:00] for a second year.

[1:16:01] What is pertinent to the county is that they had a member of the city's park staff to

[1:16:07] a presentation on the Valley Creek Park Concept Plan and Washington County holds a conservation

[1:16:14] easement over part of that parcel.

[1:16:16] And so the city is in the process right now of developing a project budget, you know, how

[1:16:22] to use the grant money that they've been awarded.

[1:16:25] The concept plan really is under construction at this time.

[1:16:29] The city council is going to hold

[1:16:31] at their next formal public workshop in April.

[1:16:34] And so some of the intersections

[1:16:35] are some of the direction and input from the county

[1:16:39] to the city having included things like suggesting

[1:16:43] that the city formally include the BELLON Conservancy

[1:16:46] in this process.

[1:16:48] And interesting fact that I don't think that I've heard before, or that I at least learned

[1:16:56] on Sunday, was that the Valley Creek Troutstream has been identified as one of the top

[1:17:03] 10 trout streams in the country, which I had previously been unaware of, or that was the

[1:17:11] statement from Mike Adams from the city of Wibery.

[1:17:14] We've always known that that trout stream was very important, and then it travels underground

[1:17:21] the headwaters on this parcel right in proximity, just immediately south of the Miller-Bine

[1:17:27] structure that is still there, and travels underground for a while and then surfaces to the

[1:17:34] east in the city of Afton, and anyone who's driven through stage culture, through some

[1:17:41] that area. It's just very beautiful and so for the natural environment and protection and

[1:17:49] conservation efforts on the county does have input with the city on this project. And I

[1:17:55] thought it was very interesting. And to attend that meeting and actually have them present

[1:18:00] on a topic that is their park master planning in an update. And the PowerPoint presentation by

[1:18:08] My Adams was very well done, so I want to thank him for his leadership as well.

[1:18:15] So Washington County has invested financially in that conservation easement, and I just

[1:18:20] wanted board members to be aware of their progress and certainly the next state, initially

[1:18:26] they were going to have a public workshop in March, but have pushed it back for other schedule

[1:18:34] conflicts to April.

[1:18:35] That concludes the report.

[1:18:38] Thank you, Commissioner White.

[1:18:39] I'm going to mention three things that were part of a very busy week for me.

[1:18:44] But we held a water consortium meeting that had record attendants.

[1:18:48] I think there was probably about 80 people in attendants there.

[1:18:53] The topics were really about climate change and flood mitigation.

[1:19:02] And you know, talk about flood occurrences and mitigation efforts.

[1:19:09] So, was well attended many of our county staff were there because of the nature of the discussion.

[1:19:16] Commissioner Johnson and I both attended an orientation with New Park Mayor Lund yesterday afternoon

[1:19:24] As he will be coming on to the recycling and energy board as the exofficial appointee from Newport.

[1:19:34] That's allowed within our organizational structure and so we had a good orientation for him yesterday.

[1:19:42] And then the county board, just for report here, did interview a candidate from District 1 for the Library Board this morning.

[1:19:50] We appreciate people that come forward with a willingness to serve the county in many cases their areas of exit.

[1:20:00] And so we did have that interview this morning. As we consider adjournment, I want to make sure the public is aware of the workshops that are coming up.

[1:20:13] We have a board workshop with public works to review plans for a West Central Service Center as recommended by Studies, Perform for Washington County Workplace Guidelines and Strategic Facility Plan.

[1:20:25] We also have a board workshop to discuss potential updates and modifications to the county's

[1:20:32] current transportation sales use in exercise tax and then the final workshop would be with

[1:20:38] administration as an update on our 2020 strategic plan and then following those workshops

[1:20:45] we do have a personnel committee meeting scheduled for today.

[1:20:49] We have not had any board correspondence, official board correspondence this past week, and

[1:20:58] unless there are other issues, motion to adjourn would be in order.

[1:21:04] Second, we got a motion from Commissioner Weik, second from Commissioner Kawasaki to adjourn.

[1:21:09] I apologize for going a little longer, but I think we provided a nice opportunity for the

[1:21:14] public to provide input in our decision process here today.

[1:21:18] Paul and favor the motion to adjourn, say aye.

[1:21:22] Aye.

[1:21:22] All opposed.

[1:21:23] I have it, motion carries, and we are adjourned.

[1:21:26] You know, I thought last week we were all week.

Washington County Board of Commissioners

Agenda

Transcript