Benton Ag Plus - November 6, 2021

BENTON AG Plus

SERVING RURAL BENTON, MORRISON, MILLE LACS AND KANABEC COUNTIES

A time for

Sauk Rapids Herald | Saturday, November 6, 2021

2021 growing season wrap-up The 2021 growing season has been a master class in dealing with drought. Never did I think about having to water trees to keep them alive. Yet, I have seven 5-gallon buckets with holes drilled into the bottom to accomplish that University of MN Extension task.

On the crops side,

by Nathan Drewitz issues with pests on the “wrong” crops, variability in pesticide effectiveness, extreme differences in drought-stressed varieties and hybrids, and even droughtstressed waterhemp made this a great year to learn something new. Frost-damaged corn in June might be the perfect symbol for this past season. With all these issues to contend with, the question I ask is what to take away from the season?

In a season like this last one, our first reactions can be to make severe changes to how we approach management decisions. However, many of the above listed issues cannot be effectively handled through management decisions because they deal directly with environmental conditions. Instead, I am sifting through these issues and looking at which ones may return next season that can be impacted through management decisions.

Corn rootworm control is such an issue.

While the drought had its impact on the numbers seen in fields throughout our area, I also expect this to be an issue next year. While continuous corn acres are the easy target in 2022, also consider those soybean acres with volunteer corn as having potential rootworm issues.

Volunteer corn can provide a bridge to next year’s corn crop for corn rootworms. Current management decisions should consider traits to look for when determining corn hybrids for next season.

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Growing season page 3B

transition

Falconer retires from role as fair secretary

BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER

SAUK RAPIDS – There comes a time in a person’s life when they need to step back to step forward. Laura Falconer is stepping forward into her life as she says goodbye to a role she has filled for over two decades.

Falconer is retiring from her position as executive secretary of the Benton County Agricultural Society. After 25 years of coordinating logistics for the Benton County Fair alongside her full-time employment as an insurance agent, she will dial back her workload, making time for her children, grandchildren and simpler things like mowing the lawn. The fair board is accepting applications for her position.

“When you do something, you know when it’s time, and it’s time,” Falconer said. … “I don’t want to be the one who put in 40 years. It’s time

PHOTO BY NATASHA BARBER

Laura Falconer sits at her desk Oct. 22 inside the Benton County Fairgrounds office in Sauk Rapids. Falconer is retiring from her position as fair secretary, and the fair board is looking for an applicant to fill her role. for somebody else to come in and change it the way they want or make it their own.”

Falconer has been involved with the Benton County Fair for as long as she can remember. Her father, Ken Neeser, was a fair board director when

she participated in the county’s 4-H program.

After aging out of 4-H, Falconer returned to the fairgrounds, helping in the grandstand.

In the mid-1990s, former fair board secretary Ethelyn Gadway took the same rite of passage

as Falconer does now. It was then that Falconer was approached by ag society directors to consider the secretary position.

“So, I put my application in, and I got the job,” Falconer said.

Falconer page 3B

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Page 6B | SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2021| SAUK RAPIDS HERALD

THE RIGHT TO VERIFICATION OF THE DEBT AND IDENTITY OF THE ORIGINAL CREDITOR WITHIN THE TIME PROVIDED BY LAW IS NOT AFFECTED BY THIS ACTION. NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that default has occurred in conditions of the following described mortgage: D AT E O F M O R T G A G E : February 23, 2018 MORTGAGOR: NATHAN POHL, A SINGLE MAN. MORTGAGEE: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc., as nominee for Bay Equity LLC its successors and assigns.

DATE AND PLACE OF RECORDING: Recorded March 2, 2018 Benton County Recorder, Document No. 428058.

ASSIGNMENTS OF MORTGAGE: Assigned to: Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. Dated April 2, 2018 Recorded April 6, 2018, as Document No. 428677.

And assigned to: U.S. Bank National Association.

Dated February 25, 2019 Recorded February 25, 2019, as Document No. 434407 and

by Document Dated September 8, 2021 Recorded September 9, 2021 as Document No. 455166.

TRANSACTION AGENT: Mortgage Electronic Registration Systems, Inc. TRANSACTION AGENT’S MORTGAGE IDENTIFICATION

PUBLIC NOTICES

NOTICE OF VOLUNTARY MORTGAGE FORECLOSURE SALE NUMBER ON MORTGAGE: 1006166- thereof; 0004059557-2 PURSUANT to the power of sale LENDER OR BROKER AND contained in said mortgage, the above MORTGAGE ORIGINATOR STATED ON described property will be sold by the Sheriff MORTGAGE: Bay Equity LLC of said county as follows: RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE DATE AND TIME OF SALE: December SERVICER: U.S. Bank National Association 2, 2021 at 10:00 AM MORTGAGED PROPERTY PLACE OF SALE: Benton County ADDRESS: 130 8th Ave, Foley, MN 56329 Sheriff’s Of ce, 581 Highway 23 Northeast TAX PARCEL I.D. #: 13.00480.00 Foley, MN LEGAL DESCRIPTION OF to pay the debt then secured by said Mortgage, PROPERTY: and taxes, if any, on said premises, and the The Westerly 170 feet of Lot 4 and the costs and disbursements, including attorneys’ Westerly 170 feet of the South Half of Lot 5, fees allowed by law subject to redemption “Park Lots Addition To Foley, Benton County within six (6) months from the date of said Minnesota”, Benton County, Minnesota. sale by the mortgagor(s), their personal PIN# 13.00480.00 representatives or assigns unless reduced to COUNTY IN WHICH PROPERTY IS Five (5) weeks under MN Stat. §580.07.

LOCATED: Benton TIME AND DATE TO VACATE ORIGINAL PRINCIPAL AMOUNT OF PROPERTY: If the real estate is an ownerMORTGAGE: $157,102.00 occupied, single-family dwelling, unless AMOUNT DUE AND CLAIMED otherwise provided by law, the date on or TO BE DUE AS OF DATE OF NOTICE, before which the mortgagor(s) must vacate INCLUDING TAXES, IF ANY, PAID BY the property if the mortgage is not reinstated MORTGAGEE: $179,711.39 under section 580.30 or the property is not That prior to the commencement of this redeemed under section 580.23 is 11:59 p.m. mortgage foreclosure proceeding Mortgagee/ on June 2, 2022, unless that date falls on a Assignee of Mortgagee complied with all weekend or legal holiday, in which case it is notice requirements as required by statute; the next weekday, and unless the redemption That no action or proceeding has been period is reduced to 5 weeks under MN Stat. instituted at law or otherwise to recover the Secs. 580.07 or 582.032. debt secured by said mortgage, or any part MORTGAGOR(S) RELEASED FROM

BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES OCTOBER 19, 2021 The Benton County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on October 19, 2021 in the Benton County Board Room in Foley, MN. Call to order by Chair Ed Popp was at 9:00 AM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the ag. A roll call showed Commissioners Beth Schlangen, Scott Johnson, Ed Popp, Jared Gapinski and Steve Heinen present.

Gapinski requested to amend the Regular Agenda.

Gapinski would like to add a letter to Congressman Emmer under Commissioner Concerns at 9:50 AM. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Heinen to approve the amended agenda. Motion carried unanimously.

No one was present to speak under Open Forum.

Johnson requested that Consent Agenda Item # 1 be “pulled” for further discussion. Schlangen requested Agenda Item # 6 to be “pulled” for further discussion. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Heinen to approve the remaining Consent Agenda items 2 -5 and 7: 2) approve the Special Meeting Minutes of September 28, 2021 and authorize the Chair to sign; 3) approve the Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes of September 20, 2021 and authorize the Chair to sign; 4) approve the Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes of September 22, 2021 and authorize the Chair to sign; 5) approve a January 2022 general wage adjustment for non-union employees; 7) approve a contract for Outside Labor Attorney Services and authorize the Chair to sign. Motion carried unanimously.

Johnson requested a correction on Consent Agenda Item # 1. In the paragraph talking about the County’s Highway Access Policy, where it states: “Motion carried with a three to one vote”, it should be changed to “Motion carried with a three to two vote”. Commissioner Schlangen added a spelling correction of the word “grant” and to add the date of Monday, October 25, 2021 to the Committee of the Whole Meeting. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Heinen to approve the amended Consent Agenda item # 1 regarding the Meeting Minutes of October 5, 2021. Motion carried unanimously.

Schlangen requested to pull Agenda item # 6 regarding our health insurance. Schlangen questioned if Benton County employees pay 6% of the increase and Benton County pays the other 6% of the increase. County Administrator Montgomery Headley clari ed that it is 12% of total premiums paid and that is divided 50/50. Schlangen then asked if we are able to deduct our health insurance premiums from our quarterly 941 tax form. Headley stated that because we are a government agency, we do not qualify for that tax credit. Most of those tax credits apply to private entities. Motion by Schlangen and seconded by Johnson to approve Consent Agenda item # 6 to adopt the 2022 health insurance contributions for non- union employees. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Headley requested that we table the topic to consider appointing a County Board Member to the Mississippi River St. Cloud One Watershed One Plan Policy Committee until we had heard back from Benton Soil and Water Conservation District.

Next, County Engineer Chris Byrd requested the County Board award a construction contract for project SAP 005-599-026. This project is the replacement of bridge L9200 on Sucker Creek Road, over Sucker Creek.

The lowest responsible bidder was Marvin Tretter, Inc. of Pierz, MN. Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Johnson to adopt a resolution to award a construction contract to Marvin Tretter, Inc. for project SAP 005-599-026. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Property Management Director Jeff Dingmann

requested the County Board consider approving a ve-year cleaning contract with St. Cloud Cleaning Company for janitorial services in Benton County Buildings from January 1, 2022 to December 31, 2027. Dingmann noted that there were 9 separate bids received. Dingmann stated that the Contract allows for termination by both Benton County and St. Cloud Cleaning Company. Also, the Contractor shall be paid $13,987.00 per month for their services. Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Schlangen to approve the ve-year cleaning contract with St. Cloud Cleaning Company for janitorial services in Benton County. Motion carried unanimously.

The Regular County Board meeting was recessed at 9:24 AM to conduct a Human Services Board Meeting.

The Regular Board meeting reconvened at 9:39 AM. Next, the County Board had requested signage for the Highway Department on TH 25. Dingmann received a proposal for signage at the Highway Department and to refurbish existing signs in Foley from Scenic Signs in Sauk Rapids. The proposal includes a sign similar in design to the two existing monument signs in Foley along TH 23.

The proposal also includes refurbishing the two existing 10-year-old signs. Motion by Heinen and seconded by Gapinski to fabricate and install a new sign and to refurbish existing signs in Foley. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Headley asked the County Board to consider a request from Anoka County for one contracted bed at the East Central Regional Juvenile Center. Anoka County has requested that Benton County re-join the East Central Regional Juvenile Center Joint Powers Organization and contract for one bed in this facility. Benton County uses this facility currently and pays the non-member rate.

Anoka County reports that Benton County has consistently used approximately one bed all year long over the past ve years. The current non-member daily rate is now $330 and will increase to $340 in 2022. The 2022-member rate will be $285 per day. The potential savings would be $21,170 annually by paying the member rate. One consequence of being a contracted member is that members share in any year-ending shortfall (non- contract beds not lled) in proportion to the number of beds the County contracts for.

Anoka is seeking new members to help to ensure the longterm viability of the juvenile facility. Headley stated that he does not have a recommendation for the County Board, and he is conveying the request at this time. There was a consensus from the County Board to table this discussion until a future meeting where they can obtain more information on comparisons between the Anoka facility vs. the Willmar facility, what our ve-year bed history is, and what our daily usage at Anoka was in 2020 and in 2021.

Next, County Board members reported on Commissioner updates and recent meetings they attended on behalf of the County.

Under Commissioner concerns, Gapinski requested to send a letter to Representative Tom Emmer to address broadband internet service to unserved and underserved areas of our County. It was discovered that another federal broadband program called Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (RDOF) could prevent us from investing American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds in large portions of our County.

Both ARPA and RDOF have similar goals, but many or our residents could be left without broadband service despite signi cant federal resources available for broadband.

Popp requested to include Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith on the letter. Motion by Heinen and seconded

by Johnson to include Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith and to authorize the Chair to sign the letter. Motion carried unanimously.

Next, Headley stated he had just conversed with Kendra Sommerfeld from Benton County Soil and Water Con-

FINANCIAL OBLIGATION ON MORTGAGE:None “THE TIME ALLOWED BY LAW FOR REDEMPTION BY THE MORTGAGOR, THE MORTGAGOR’S PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVES OR ASSIGNS, MAY BE REDUCED TO FIVE WEEKS IF A JUDICIAL ORDER IS ENTERED UNDER MINNESOTA STATUTES, SECTION 582.032, DETERMINING, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THAT THE MORTGAGED PREMISES ARE IMPROVED WITH A RESIDENTIAL DWELLING OF LESS THAN FIVE UNITS, ARE NOT PROPERTY USED IN AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION, AND ARE ABANDONED.” Dated: September 27, 2021 U.S. Bank National Association Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee LIEBO, WEINGARDEN, DOBIE & BARBEE, P.L.L.P. Attorneys for Mortgagee/Assignee of Mortgagee 4500 Park Glen Road #300 Minneapolis, MN 55416 (952) 925-6888 19 - 20-002242 FC THIS IS A COMMUNICATION FROM A DEBT COLLECTOR. R-39-6B

servation District and said they do not have an opinion as to who they would like appointed to the Mississippi River St. Cloud One Watershed One Plan Policy Committee Motion by Gapinski to appoint Johnson to the Mississippi River St. Cloud One Watershed One Plan Policy Committee and to have Popp as an alternate. Seconded by Heinen Motion carried unanimously.

Heinen/Johnson to set Committees of the Whole: Tuesday, November 2, 2021, discussion on contracted building inspector, County Board Room, Foley, at approximately 10:30 AM or upon adjournment of Regular Board Meeting. Motion carried unanimously.

Motion by Johnson and seconded by Gapinski to recess Regular Board Meeting at 10:23 AM to conduct both Closed Sessions: 1) to conduct a closed session of the County Board under MN Statutes §13D.05, Subdivision 2(3) for a discussion that will include private health and medical data on an employee; 2) to conduct a closed session of the County Board pursuant to MN Statutes §13D.05, Subdivision 3 to develop or consider offers or counteroffers for the purchase or sale of real property. The properties that are being considered are parcel 1301123000 (property adjacent to Court facility property) and parcel 130030201 (old High School property). Motion carried unanimously.

Regular Board Meeting reconvened at 11:02 AM. Next, Sheriff Troy Heck requested a temporary increase in authorized Patrol Deputy positions to cover an employee on leave. Heck would like to add one Patrol Deputy while said employee is on leave, and once this is resolved, we will drop back down to the normal allotment of Deputies. Heck anticipates this is going to be a longterm absence and a minimal cost increase to our budget for the additional Temporary Patrol Deputy. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Gapinski to authorize an increase of one Patrol Deputy to cover an employee on leave. Motion carried unanimously.

Last, Heck was looking for an approval of the contract for jail medical services with CentraCare through 2024 Heck stated that from the inception of their relationship with CentraCare, the compensation they have paid CentraCare has been less than the cost of services provided by their staff. CentraCare has sought to obtain a level of compensation that more closely re ects the cost of the services provided to the jail. Heck believes this contact continues to re ect a competitive price point in the jail medicine industry. Normal medical in ation, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics is about 5.25% long term. Applying this annual in ation rate shows a projected cost of $272,817 in 2022 from another provider. When comparing this bid, we must consider switching providers would require the additional expense of purchasing our own electronic medical record system (EMR). The estimated cost for an EMR is $30,000 with annual maintenance fees being an additional expense. The proposed contract with CentraCare would be $243,750 for 2022, $280,313 in 2023, and $322,141 in 2024. The preliminary Sheriff’s budget for 2022 set by the County Board has suf cient funding to manage the proposed increase for 2022. Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Heinen to approve the contract for jail medical services with CentraCare through 2024.

Motion by Johnson and seconded by Heinen to adjourn the Regular Board Meeting at 11:17 AM. Motion carried unanimously.

Edward D. Popp, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-44-1B

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