Polk County public meetings in 2022
11 substantive meetings from 2022, with official agendas or minutes and plain-English summaries.
Board of Commissioners
The Board adopted the 2023 budget with a total net levy of $26,897,712 and established a new wage grid for non-represented personnel. Several mental health service contracts with Alluma and Sanford were approved, and a new safety compliance contract for the Highway Department was signed.
- Approved 2023 budget and net levy of $26,897,712 (unanimous)
- Adopted 2023 wage grid for non-represented personnel and department heads (unanimous)
- Approved $17,400 annual safety compliance contract for Highway Department (unanimous)
- Approved $60,000 DTN Weather Forecasting System invoice (unanimous)
- Approved two-year mental health contracts with Sanford ($357,200/year) and Alluma ($873,135/year) (unanimous)
- Approved 2023 Draft Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Plan (unanimous)
- Denied motion to name Garrett Borowicz as County Land Surveyor (2-2)
- Approved $5,902 tax abatement for Mabel Joan Mosher due to clerical error (unanimous)
Social Services Board
The Board unanimously approved the meeting agenda, previous minutes, and a series of cases and claims. Several personnel changes were noted, and various contracts were referred to the County Board for further action.
- Approved minutes from November 15, 2022 (unanimous)
- Approved meeting agenda for December 20, 2022 (unanimous)
- Approved Cases and Claims, including Administration costs of $115,040.26 and Medicare Part B of $5,953.00 (unanimous)
- Approved warrants for payment on 12/09/2022 totaling $121,369.11 (unanimous)
- Approved warrants for payment on 12/23/2022 totaling $115,040.26 (unanimous)
- Approved warrants for payment on 11/15/2022 totaling $30.00 (unanimous)
- Approved warrants for payment on 12/14/2022 totaling $15.00 (unanimous)
- Approved warrants for payment on 12/23/2022 totaling $1,656.46 (unanimous)
Board of Commissioners
The Board authorized the creation of a multi-county public water district with Norman and Clay counties to ensure sustainable potable water access. Other key actions included approving several labor MOUs, awarding a $180,900 diesel fuel contract, and authorizing a housing development loan in Fosston.
- Approved formation of West Central Regional Water District (unanimous)
- Approved MOUs for Dispatchers, Highway Engineers, Solid Waste, and Courthouse employees (unanimous)
- Awarded 2023 Diesel Fuel quote to Northdale Oil for $180,900.00 (unanimous)
- Approved $300,000 loan for James B. Palubicki for Fosston workforce housing (unanimous)
- Approved $185,267.26 in ARPA fund reimbursements for county departments (unanimous)
- Approved Adult Mental Health Initiative/Community Support Plan Grant up to $3,769,988.00 (unanimous)
- Awarded mower tractor rental to Valley Plains Equipment for $27,000.00 (unanimous)
- Tabled County Land Surveyor 4-year appointment until December 20, 2022 (unanimous)
Board of Adjustment
The Polk County Board of Adjustment will hold a public hearing on December 2, 2022, to consider Ottertail Power Cooperative's request for a variance to reduce the required setback from 50 feet to 38 feet for a new electrical control house on a parcel at 21462 420th Street SE, Winger. The hearing is open to the public, and property owners within 500 feet of the site are specifically invited to appear.
- Variance to reduce building setback from 50 ft to 38 ft for Ottertail Power Cooperative
- New electrical control house building at 21462 420th Street SE, Winger, MN
- Parcel #72.00068.00, approximately 7.57 acres in Section 9, Township 147, Range 42
- Public hearing scheduled for December 2, 2022 at 9:45 a.m.
- All property owners within 500 feet of the proposed variance are invited to attend
Board of Commissioners
The Board approved the county's Emergency Management Plan and distributed $88,270.63 in American Rescue Plan funds to the Public Health fund. The Board also authorized sponsorship for City of Fosston trail grants and approved a landfill project change order. A proposed moratorium on THC edible sales was referred back to staff for further research.
- Approved $88,270.63 American Rescue Plan distribution to Public Health fund (4-0)
- Approved Polk County Emergency Management Plan (unanimous)
- Approved $11,000 Change Order #1 for MSW Landfill Phase 14 Project (unanimous)
- Approved list of individuals for Opioid Settlement Advisory Council (unanimous)
- Approved acting as legal sponsor for DNR Trail Assistance Program (4-0)
- Approved acting as sponsoring agent for City of Fosston FIT trail expansion (4-0)
- Approved waiver of 30-day notice for City of Fosston New TIF District 1-14 (unanimous)
- Reappointed Wayne E. Nelson to Marshall & Polk Rural Water Systems Board (unanimous)
Board of Commissioners
The Board approved a resolution to act as the legal sponsor and fiscal agent for the Crookston Driftbusters and Sandhill Snowcruisers Snowmobile Clubs. This sponsorship for state funding applies to the years 2023-2025. The Board also designated representatives for the MCIT Board of Directors.
- Approved Resolution 2022-73 to sponsor Crookston Driftbusters and Sandhill Snowcruisers Snowmobile Clubs (4-0)
- Designated Commissioner Lee as Delegate and Commissioner Willhite as Alternate for MCIT Board of Directors (unanimous)
- Supported Commissioner Willhite as candidate for MCIT Board of Directors (unanimous)
- Approved November 22, 2022 agenda (unanimous)
Board of Commissioners
The Board approved the Clearwater River Watershed Management Plan and extended the county's Comprehensive Local Water Management Plan to 2025. Multiple contracts for social services, highway maintenance, and snow removal were authorized. The Board also approved several personnel replacements and a gambling permit for St. Joseph Catholic Church.
- Approved Clearwater River Watershed Management Plan (unanimous)
- Adopted Resolution 2022-71 to extend Comprehensive Local Water Management Plan to Dec 31, 2025 (3-0)
- Awarded EGF facilities snow removal to A+ Yard and Snow LLC at $200 per event (unanimous)
- Approved $50,000 contract with Village Family Service Center (unanimous)
- Approved $7,950 contract with HSL Consulting, LLC (unanimous)
- Approved $1,450 agreement with TriMin Systems Inc. (unanimous)
- Approved gambling permit for St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fertile, MN (4-0)
- Authorized replacing two part-time highway positions with one full-time Maintenance Man II (unanimous)
Social Services Board
The Board approved the meeting agenda, previous minutes, and a series of cases and claims. Several personnel changes were reported, and multiple contracts were referred to the County Board for further action.
- Approved October 18, 2022 meeting minutes (unanimous)
- Approved November 15, 2022 meeting agenda (unanimous)
- Approved Cases and Claims including Admin, Medicare Part B, and Non-Public expenditures (unanimous)
Board of Commissioners
The Board adopted a priority list for bridge replacements and rehabilitations through 2025. They also approved a preliminary plat for the Buhns Bay Addition and a PUD amendment for Backlot Developments. Additionally, the Board approved a $10,000 settlement agreement with a former employee.
- Approved Bridge Replacement Priority List Resolution 2022-70 (4-0)
- Approved $485.00 per event snow removal contract with Total Lawn Care (unanimous)
- Approved screening condition PUD amendment for Isaac Larson (unanimous)
- Terminated Resolutions 2015-19 and 2016-9 via Resolution 2022-69 (4-0)
- Approved Preliminary Plat for Buhns Bay Addition (unanimous)
- Approved $10,000.00 settlement agreement with Cynthia Muggli (unanimous)
- Approved Auditor Warrants (unanimous)
Board of Commissioners
The Board established an Opioid Settlement Advisory Council to determine the spending of opioid litigation settlement funds. Other actions included approving several infrastructure agreements and gifting a trailer to County EMS.
- Established Polk County Opioid Settlement Advisory Council (5-0)
- Approved gifting 1997 Camper Trailer to County EMS (unanimous)
- Approved Agency Agreement with Grove Park Township (unanimous)
- Approved BNSF Railroad Company agreement for CSAH 41 crossing upgrade (unanimous)
- Approved work in County Ditch 85 and named Richard Sanders as Engineer (unanimous)
- Approved NDDOT and NDSHPO agreement for Climax Bridge replacement (unanimous)
Board of Adjustment
Mike Trosen is requesting a variance to reduce the setback from the Fisher St SE right-of-way, dwelling, and property line from 10 feet to 2 feet. This change would allow for the placement of a new septic tank at 11558 Fisher ST SE.
- Variance request: reduce setback from 10' to 2' at 11558 Fisher ST SE, Mentor, MN
- Proposed work: installation of a new septic tank