This meeting is being recorded.
Good morning. Welcome to the Bright
County Board of Commissioners. Today is
August 4th. We'll start out with the
pledge allegiance.
I pledge algiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
republic for which it stands, one nation
under God, indivisible, with liberty and
justice for all.
» Good morning. All right, so we'll start
off with the approval of dispensing of
the minutes.
Do I have any questions?
>> I'll make a motion that we approve uh
all the minutes as presented with no
changes. So we have a first. Is there a
second?
>> Second.
>> All in favor say I.
>> I.
>> Oppose. Same sign. Approved. Unanimous.
All right. So next we have the committee
m minutes.
Any discussion? Any changes?
I'll look for a motion.
>> I'll make a motion that we approve uh
all three as presented.
>> All right. A motion.
>> Motion made by Holland, a second by
Mona. And we'll go ahead and all in
favor say I.
>> I. Opposed.
>> All right. Motion made.
All right. So now did we have time to
review the agenda? Madam Chair,
administration has no changes to the
agenda.
>> All right. So I look for a motion to
approve the agenda.
>> So moved. I'll second. All right. Motion
made by Dietrich. Second by Holland. All
in favor say I.
>> I. I.
>> Opposed. Same sign. All right. Approved.
Next is the consent agenda. Any changes?
Anything needing to have discussion?
I'll look for a motion. I'll make a
motion we approve the consent agenda as
presented.
>> Second. All right. We got a motion by
Holland and second by Commissioner
Dietrich. All in favor say I.
>> I.
>> Opposed. Same sign. All passed.
All right. So, our first timed agenda.
Boy, do I know how to keep a meeting on
task. Mr. Barry.
Good morning.
>> Morning, commissioners. Uh the first
item we have is consideration of the
recommendation from the planning
commission to deny the resoning
application for Kenneth and students and
Yoast. Uh the findings uh minutes, staff
report, and application materials are
all provided in your packet. Uh so this
is just the recommendation on the
findings.
>> Okay. Commissioners, any questions?
All right. So, none being there. And
like you said, we had all the findings
in our packet. So, I'll look for a
motion to findings of the denial.
I'll make a motion that we uh u approve
the findings for denial for the
reasonzoning request.
Is there a second?
I'll second.
Okay. So, we have motion made by
Commissioner Holland, second by
Commissioner Dietrich. Um, all in favor
say I.
>> I.
>> Oppose. All right. Passes.
>> Madam Chair, we have to do a little
formality here.
>> Okay.
>> We just have a brief pause.
>> Yep. Just give me just a minute.
public hearing by commission.
All right, Madam Chair, the findings
have been executed by the zoning
administrator and provided to the
applicants.
>> Okay. Thank you.
And so then the next on our agenda
Barry.
[snorts]
>> Uh yes, this is the uh approval and
adoption and signatures for the
decommission agreement for uh US solar
the MVP project. Uh this is the last
stage and one of the conditions of the
planning commission and an ordinance to
establish a decommissioning agreement
between the county, the developer and
the property owner. Uh it includes uh
specific requirements for when we can
then tap into a letter of credit or
other things if there's some type of
default in maintenance or other things
or at the time solar developer doesn't
properly decommission. the county is
covered through this agreement to pull
on the letter of credit to remove the
equipment from the site. This is this is
the last stage. Uh we actually have the
building permit in front of us. It's the
last thing we needed before we can
actually issue the building permit for
them to start construction.
>> Thank you. I [snorts] think that is a
very important detail and I'm glad that
you pay attention to details.
Commissioners, do we have any questions
for Barry on this?
Motion to approve the and authorize the
signatures for the decommissioning
agreement.
>> I'll second that. All right. Motion made
by Mona and seconded by Holland. So all
in favor say I.
>> I.
>> Oppose. Same sign. Passes.
>> Barry.
>> Don't go anywhere. I have a question. Uh
so I believe that uh planning commission
member Burrell had brought up um
potentially some ordinance changes. Are
we able to look into those for um moving
entitlements around um outside of direct
areas? I know he's brought it up. Um is
there ability to have further discussion
on that? Is that a planning and zoning
thing they needed to look at?
>> Uh that's always something that can be
discussed. We do have the revisers
group. We have a meeting scheduled to go
over potential ordinance ordinance
amendments uh next week.
>> The week after.
>> Isn't that today?
>> Is it today?
>> Yeah.
>> Oh, could be. I didn't look at my
calendar that close this morning. I just
know there's meetings on it.
>> Mhm.
>> Which ones I look at when it's time to
go to them.
>> So, yes. I mean, the commissioners can
bring that up as part of these revisers
meetings and we can have that
discussion.
Commissioner, does that answer your
question? Yeah, I just I I think that he
that that um Commissioner Bell had a a
pretty good idea to h handle some of
these um you know reszoning requests
that we get that
we'd like to, but the planning
commission just overwhelmingly
recommends not to when um there just
there needs to be a way for people to be
able to build on their property on an
easier fashion than uh takes place
sometimes. So,
>> and I agree with Commissioner Moina. Uh,
you know, this last denial is was
[clears throat] very heartbreaking. Um,
and but it is in the middle of uh egg
land and we want to pres preserve our
egg land, but I think Commissioner Bell
has a really good uh um way to solve that. [snorts] And I
think there should be some more
discussions on how to creatively figure
out how we can get entitlements to
pieces of property in the middle of our
egg land uh that would benefit farmers.
So I think uh that will be a discussion
that we'll have here coming up uh today
and and in the future and hopefully uh
we can
especially before we do the land use
plan as well. I think that would be a
smart move on our part.
>> All right. So, maybe for today we can
have a light discussion on it, but
obviously Barry, we don't want to throw
you into things that we're not prepared
for. So, then maybe we can schedule
something down the way a little bit more
to have a little bit deeper
conversation.
>> Yeah, absolutely.
>> Fantastic.
All right. So, we did
>> uh Greg for just for the record for the
decommissioning that those will get
signed and sent to my office.
>> Yes, we'll get it done.
>> Thank you very much.
>> Thanks, Barry.
>> Thank you, Barry.
» Miss Lindsay, good morning. Good
morning, Madame Chair and uh remaining
board members. Um before you is a
request to formally approve the large
group assembly permit for Up the Creek
Bar and Grill. Um this is their annual
street party. um event staff have
reviewed the application and confirmed
that all agreements are in place and all
of the requirements have been met. So
simply seeking your approval, but if you
have any questions, let me know.
>> Second.
>> Okay, that was quick. Well, good. Thank
you for the due diligence on Up the
Creek and making sure they have all
their all their documents in. So, we
have a motion on the table by Muna and
second by Dietrich. So we'll look for a
motion or [laughter]
approval. All in favor say I.
>> I.
>> Opposed. Same sign. Okay. Approved.
>> Thank you,
» Mr. Matt. Good morning.
Again, I want you to notice how
efficiently we are running the meeting
on time. I'm still on time. We got to
get Matt back to his office. He has so
many ditches to take care of. [laughter]
>> Absolutely. Good morning, commissioners.
Um, this matter is related to county
ditch 23 located in Woodland uh
township. Um, the egg and drainage
division is requesting authorization
from the drainage authority to solicit
subcontractor bids uh for ditch cleanout
of ditch 23. Uh there was some work done
late last year, some tree clearing, and
we're simply requesting bids to do a
ditch cleanout. Um it's about 2/3 of a
mile. Um the flow is being restricted
with sediment and vegetation right now.
>> Fantastic. Okay, commissioners, do we
have any questions on CD23?
you know, it's been in the works and
we've worked on it diligently. So, any
questions? Otherwise, I look for a
motion for the recommendation to obtain
quotes and proceed with a repair. So,
moved.
>> Second.
>> All right. So, we got a motion by
Dietrich and a second by Mona. Um, all
in favor say I. I. Oppose. Same sign.
Okay. Passes. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> Have fun.
Mr. Ross, I don't see Ross.
>> Oh, there he is. Sorry. You
>> good?
>> You were blending in back there.
» This is an award presentation. I'm going
to turn it over to Carson. She's
>> Okay. Yes. Bring Carson up. [laughter]
» Good morning.
>> Morning.
Good morning.
Yes. So, um we are here to receive the
award from the Minnesota Recreation and
Parks Association um for a award of
excellence in programming specifically
for the challenge right program for 2025
which was the first year that we did
that. Um the program was to highlight
seven different parks within our park
system. And then um we worked with
different businesses around Wright
County as well to give receive awards
and prizes for those families that
completed all seven hikes. And so it was
a partnership across the county between
us and these businesses. Um we had 100
people register for this program. So
that included 25 families and 12
individuals. Um and so part of the
program they got a commemorative um
buckthorn hiking stick that we my summer
staff did and then um the park
maintenance staff did a really great job
as well with maintaining the park trails
obviously across the county but
specifically they worked really hard on
the seven um trails that were picked out
for this challenge ride to make sure
that they were maintained and easy to
access for those individuals doing this
program. Um, Dileia did a really great
job on reaching out and getting the
sponsorships and then also being in
contact with the families and
individuals as they reached out. And um,
yeah. Yeah. I just wanted to highlight
um, last year for 2025, we did receive
some sponsorships. Um, Arby's was one of
them. Dairy Queen, Runnings, Buffalo
Pizza sponsored our um our end of the
year party or our end of the program
party with their pizza. We had Fleet
Farm, Centralot Cooperative, Buffalo
Companion, Buffalo Companion Animal
Clinic, and then Imagine um gave us some
movie tickets, too. So,
special thanks again for that last year.
>> And then Stacy's here um for MRPA
>> for the awards. I have a little script
to say.
>> [laughter]
>> So, good morning, commissioners. It's an
honor to be here today to present a
Minnesota Recreation and Parks
Association 2025 award of excellence in
programming and events to Wright County
for its outstanding challenge right
program. Before presenting the award,
I'd like to share a little bit about the
Minnesota Recreation and Park
Association. Founded in 1937, MRPA is
dedicated to advancing the parks and
recreation profession throughout
Minnesota. Today, the association serves
approximately 850 members, including
parks and recreation professionals,
board and commission members, students,
retirees, and corporate partners from
municipal, county, state, district,
commercial, and private agencies across
the state. And since 1987, the MRPA
awards committee has recognized
individuals and agencies that
demonstrate excellence in innovation in
parks, recreation, and leisure services.
The committee represents a diverse
cross-section of professionals from
throughout Minnesota and is committed to
celebrating the exceptional programs,
parks, trails, facilities, and services
that enrich communities across our
state. The awards of excellence program
honors initiatives that were either
implemented or significantly enhanced
during the previous calendar year.
Agencies may submit nominations in seven
categories: administrative or management
strategies, communications, parks and
facility, programming and events,
sponsorship and partnerships,
sustainability, and volunteer
initiatives. Each nomination underos a
thorough review and scoring process by
members of the awards committee whom I'm
here to represent. Challenge Wright is
an extan is an outstanding example of
how recreation can inspire people to
explore their community, be physically
active, and connect with the incredible
park resources Wright County has to
offer by encouraging the participants to
visit seven different parks through a
fun and engaging walking challenge. The
program successfully promotes healthy
lifestyles while showcasing the beauty
and accessibility of the county's park
system. Its creativity, community
impact, and ability to encourage outdoor
recreation made it a standout among our
nominations from throughout Minnesota.
Today, it is my pleasure on behalf of
the Minnesota Recreation and Parks
Association Awards Committee to present
Wright County Parks and Recreation with
a 2025 award of excellence in
programming and events for the
challenge. Write the awards committee
would also like to recognize Carson Law
for submitting this outstanding project
for consideration. Congratulations to
Wright County on this well-deserved
recognition and thank you for your
continued commitment to enhancing the
quality of life for your residents
through exceptional parks and recreation
opportunities. CONGRATULATIONS.
[applause]
» Very nice.
I would like to do a picture
if with all of us if you wouldn't mind.
>> Oh yeah. Do you want to stand up here?
>> Oh just us. Should we go up there?
>> Up there.
>> Yeah. Do you [laughter]
>> okay?
>> Fastest picture of my life. [laughter]
» You going to be in the middle. Carson
[laughter]
over there.
Awesome. [snorts]
Thank you.
>> Thank you.
[laughter]
» Thank you. Yeah. Thank you. Thank you.
All right. [clears throat]
That is so wonderful.
>> What a great honor.
>> I love the coordination between uh Ray
Coney and keeping us all together.
That's what creates a wellounded
community. So, thank you again for all
your hard work and thank you for the
award. Beautiful.
All right. That being said, it looks
like we can move on.
>> Oh, do we need to do any action on that,
Greg?
>> No.
Okay.
>> Action.
>> Just kind of just All right. So, Mr.
Mike, good morning.
>> Morning.
» Um, good morning, Madam Chair and board.
So before you today, you have HHS uh
services consent agenda that I would ask
for approval on.
>> Yeah. Well, we um did it through the
consent and yes,
>> you did it.
>> We just listed it twice then.
>> Y
>> but I mean a lot of us would like to be
informed and I'm learning, you know,
make sure
>> don't we have to do it as a health and
human services.
>> Yeah, we're doing it as the health and
human services board. We still have the
consent agenda for health,
>> right? So, we'll go through it, but we
don't need to have um any action on it.
>> Oh, we don't have
>> none of Mike's comments, but we do have
to act on the consent agenda.
>> You have to act on the And then I have
comments after that on two other topics.
>> Oh, okay. So, uh you need a motion to
accept the consent agenda.
>> Madam Chair, members of the board. Yes.
If we could please have a motion to
accept the Health and Human Services
consent agenda.
>> So, I'll second.
>> Thank you. Okay. Um motion on the on the
floor. Everyone in favor say I. I
opposed. Same sign. Okay. Approved.
Sorry about that little
>> That's all right. It's all good. Uh then
next is uh to adopt the resolution of
HHS uh 26-05 to accept a donation in
July of 26. And the total amount of that
is $1,55.
Uh and that was uh from uh special needs
fund 60 plus clinic and outreach uh $3,5
and 750. And the 750 was uh in kind by
Sam Quilting.
>> I'll move to approve. I'll second that.
Okay, we have Commissioner Dietrich with
a motion. Holland second. All in favor
say I.
>> Resolution. Resolution.
>> Roll call vote.
>> Commissioner Dietrich.
>> I I
>> I.
Resolution pass 2605.
>> Awesome. Thank you.
>> Thank you. Well, last thing on the list,
uh, and probably the biggest thing, and
I, um, before I start, I just want to
say a bunch of thank yous. Number one,
to the board. Um, admin, uh, finance,
HR, um, Michelle Miller is here today,
and she's been patiently waiting for
that consent agenda item to get passed.
So, thank you for that. I know I know
she's uh, appreciative. uh Darnell uh
who helped in this journey of their
re-engineering uh Jim uh Amy um
leadership in HHS um admin I can't thank
them enough and again and then also the
leadership of HHS and all the staff
who've been so patient during this
process. So we're kind of here and thank
you uh for approving it. I just want to
give a little bit of a kind of an update
for you as a reminder and and those that
are paying attention uh in the
community. So we uh today uh got
completed the five division
re-engineerings uh which started with
aging, disability and public health on
519 uh business services and financial
services on 6:30 and then today child
and family services. Uh it was done with
a lot of work and um a lot of patience
like I said before and our focus really
was on streamlining uh supporting the
agency longterm, reducing redundancy and
doing uh the best job possible in our
community. And at the end of the day,
uh, we saved1,148.
And I think that's a positive. Um, and
the staff count now is $256 versus 258
before. So, uh, truly was a
re-engineering, not necessarily a reorg.
And, um, this will allow us to move
forward foundationally and continue to
build the department and I think be
second to none. We have great staff,
great people, and this will help get us
to the next level, which uh we start
now. Uh so if there's any questions from
the board, uh feel free to ask. But
super proud of the team upstairs and
where we're going and wanted to share
that with you and the community. So,
thank you,
>> commissioners. Yeah. Uh Mike, I just
want to thank you. uh you came in uh and
listened to all of the staff which was
huge for them and all your staff working
together has been just a sight to see.
It's been great. You have great
leadership uh and uh this is something
that I was hoping for uh since I got
elected and it is beyond anything I
expected. So, thank you so much uh for
everything and for uh all the people
that you serve. Uh I think we're going
to serve them better and more
efficiently and for that I really am
grateful for all all your hard work.
>> Thank you.
>> Yes, and I agree because we've
streamlined everything and the great
leadership. We can't thank you enough
and we are definitely moving forward
very posit positively and for our
communities. So, thank you.
>> Welcome.
>> Okay. Thank you.
>> Thank you.
>> All right. Our next um agenda item is
items to consider. So, this was um and
we see Seth in the audience. This is to
adopt resolution 2649 to establish the
800 megahertz.
>> Yes, Madam Chair, I can take this one
actually for you. This is just
establishing a fee for the 800 MHz
radios and setting out a 2-year plan for
that fee. It's my understanding that
this fee has not been adjusted or uh
moved since about around 2020. So just
looking at an update after six years and
um also showing to our partners out
there what the fee structure will be
going forward for at least one more
fiscal year with a percentage increase.
>> Commissioners, do we have any questions?
>> Motion to approve.
>> I'll second. All right. Motion made by
Moya and second by Holland. All in favor
say I.
>> I.
>> Resolution or that's right. Resolution
vote again. Commissioner Monet. I
>> I
>> All right. Passes resolution 2649.
» All right. So, is there anything else?
Otherwise, we're looking for a motion on
adjournment.
So, moved. Second.
>> All right. Motion is made. Second. All
in favor say I. I.
>> Motion passes.