FARIBAULT COUNTY
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
APRIL 4, 2000
The Faribault County Board of Commissioners met in regular session at the Courthouse in the City of Blue Earth at 9:00 a.m. on April 4, 2000. The following members were present: Gordon Benson, Virgil Klatt, Loren Lein, Paul Meyer, and Ralph Prescher, Commissioners. Auditor John Thompson were also present.
The meeting was called to order Chairman Prescher.
The pledge of allegiance was recited.
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Meyer/Klatt motion carried unanimously to approve the synopsis, as corrected, and the official proceedings of March 21, 2000.
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Benson/Meyer motion carried unanimously to approve agenda of April 4, 2000.
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The calendar was updated. Committee reports were presented.
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Meyer/Lein motion carried unanimously to approve request from J. Franzen to attend bridge safety inspection seminar March 29 at Mankato; B. Schultz to attend Mn Dept. of Veterans Affairs spring training conf. April 11-13 at Minneapolis; L. Eastman to attend Mn Dept. of Veterans Affairs spring training conf. April 18-20 at Minneapolis; R. Perrizo to attend Mn County Highway Accountants Assoc. conf. May 10-12 at Duluth; D. Severson to attend DOC field services clerical training April 19-20 at St. Cloud.
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During public comment eighteen citizens attended.
Kevin Mertens, President of the Faribault County Pork Producers, presented and read a letter to the board. Another letter was given to the board to consider.
Ken Haase of Blue Earth spoke on the issue that the moratorium was not discussed openly and felt that the issue was unfairly imposed upon family farms. Haase requested the board reconsider it’s position and also felt the process without a full board present was not right.
Karl Dekinger of the Minnesota Department of Health spoke regarding psuedorabies in Faribault County. Dekinger felt that the problem is under control and a moratorium is not an effective measure to fight the psuedorabies problem. Dekinger also addressed the issue of dead animal processing. Rendering services are still available to producers and his talks with local rendering plants lead him to believe services will be available into the future. Discussion was held on what Iowa has done with psuedorabies. Affects on dogs, cats, cattle, sheep, and horses were also discussed.
Rex Olberman of Martin County spoke on the need for producers and neighbors to get along.
Dale Stevermer discussed the pending legislative changes to feedlot rules. Attorney Roverud stated that Faribault County’s feedlot ordinance may be more restrictive than state rules.
Commissioner Lein state the need for everyone to be represented with the dead animal/carcass removal issue.
Don Haase asked about laws on free roaming dogs. Attorney Roverud stated the county had no ordinance and was covered by state statutes.
Gary Wehrenberg of the Faribault County Soil and Water stated that enforcement of the feedlot ordinance is done with spot checks and after receiving complaints. The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency also does enforcement.
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Benson/Klatt motion carried unanimously to adopt Resolution 00-CB-13 rescinding the moratorium on swine confinement facilities as approved by Resolution 00-CB-11 adopted March 21, 2000. Commissioners Benson, Klatt, Lein, Meyer, and Prescher voted yes.
R E S O L U T I O N
Now therefore be it resolved, that the Faribault County Board of Commissioner’s do hereby rescind in its entirety Faribault County Board of Commissioner’s Resolution 00-CB-11 placing a moratorium on swine feedlots which was adopted March 21, 2000.
Lein/Meyer motion carried unanimously to set June 6, 2000 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ag Center in Blue Earth for a public hearing on feedlot rule changes and other feedlot related issues including dead animal strorage.
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Public Works Director John McDonald met regarding office business.
Lien/Klatt motion carried unanimously to approve bid received from Koch Materials of St. Paul for bituminous MC-3000 of $1.0168 per gallon for 117,600 gallons (reduced due to price).
Klatt/Meyer motion carried unanimously to readvertise for bids on CP 20-600-02, maintenance gravel surfacing at McDonald’s recommendation, setting date at 11:00 a.m. May 12, 2000.
Meyer/Klatt motion carried unanimously to purchase a manufactured home from Countryside Homes of Mankato for $55,500 due to quality of product. One other bid was received from Matchmakers Homes of Mankato for $52,900.
Lein/Meyer motion carried unanimously to hire Verlyn Ripley of Winnebago as Woods Lake Park Caretaker.
Meyer/Lein motion carried unanimously to approve amendment of SRF Consulting to include a $11,370 for additional surveying required by the State Historical Preservation Society for an expanded cultural resource study.
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Treasurer David Frank met regarding ISTS grant application.
Meyer/Klatt motion carried unanimously to approve a grant of $1,377.75 to Elton Rhoda of Elmore on Parcel No. 07.030.0900.
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Veteran Services Officer Bryan Schultz met regarding purchase of new van to replace 1996 fifteen passenger van.
Lein/Benson motion carried unanimously to approve the purchase of a new Veteran Services van to be purchased with funds donated by local veteran organizations.
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Ditch inspector position was discussed. No action was taken.
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Lein/Meyer motion carried unanimously to approve abatements and additions of taxes payable in 2000 for the following: Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency on Parcel No. 21-017-0110 abatement of $9,484; Blue Earth Valley Communications, Inc. on Parcel No. 21-017-0100 addition of $11,494; Naoma Bruellman on Parcel No. 26-200-0250 abatement of $44; David and Denise Pfaffinger on Parcel 10-011-0400 abatement of $504; and Farmland Harvest States LLC on Parcel 26-002-5100 addition of $516.
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Tabled action on Master Strike Plan until future meeting.
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A letter from the Environmental Assessment Office was discussed. The issue of requiring local governments to comply with solid waste plan was referred to the county attorney.
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Jack Quinlivan, Katie Quinlivan, and Sandy Borseth of the Faribault County Local Redevelopment Agency met to discuss the Walsh Visa Program. The details of the program were discussed.
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Benson/Meyer motion carried unanimously to pay bills totaling $80,932.78 as follows:
COUNTY REVENUE FUND $ 44,499.73
PUBLIC WORKS FUND 25,338.52
COUNTY LIBRARY FUND 437.62
DARE 237.63
DITCH FUNDS 10,419.28
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$ 80,932.78
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The meeting was recessed to April 18, 2000.
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Ralph Prescher, Chairman John Thompson, Auditor
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