Swim & dive page 23
2 Second Ave. S., Suite 135, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379 Saturday, January 22, 2022
Same Local Coverage Since 1854.
Vol. 167, No. 42
Coleman receives youth achievement award
PHOTO BY ELLARRY PRENTICE
Micah Coleman (right) smiles Jan. 11 as Buddy King (left) announces that the Sauk Rapids-Rice High School senior has been chosen to receive the 2022 Moses Beasley Youth Achievement Award. Presented by the Higher Works Collaborative, a St. Cloud-based organization working to advance the lives and livelihoods of the African American community, the award honors young leaders.
Sauk Rapids-Rice senior honored by Higher Works Collaborative BY ELLARRY PRENTICE | STAFF WRITER SAUK RAPIDS – Jan. 11 was a typical school day for Sauk Rapids-Rice High School senior Micah Coleman until he was surprised and left speechless. School staff along with representatives from the St. Cloud-based Higher Works Collaborative gathered in the school commons to inform Coleman he had been chosen to receive the Moses Beasley Youth Achievement Award Feb. 19 at the Black Business Expo awards banquet in Waite Park.
The award honors young leaders in St. Cloud and the surrounding area. “You are an admirable leader who is caring and considerate of others, and have been dedicated to your academic career,” said Islam Abuhadid, co-chair of the Black Business Expo awards committee. “You have opened up the doors and created a space for people to be drawn toward you as a role model and friend to lean on. Your work in the community and the relationships you’ve created have inspired the next generation of young Black leaders.”
Coleman page 3
Style on
ER
Second Avenue
Buhs opens Boho Salon in former barbershop space BY SARAH COLBURN STAFF WRITER SAUK RAPIDS – At Boho Salon, Suzie Buhs is working to create the perfect relaxation experience for her clients. From haircuts, color, highlighting and conditioning treat-
ments to waxing, Buhs offers it all. “It’s always been a dream of mine to open a salon and it just felt like the right time,” she said. She took over the space in Sauk Rapids that used to be Lyle’s Barbershop and made it her own. “I wanted to create a space that people can come into and feel really relaxed and just take a minute from all the stress of their life,” said Buhs, whose salon is located at 11 Second Ave. N., unit
102. “I wanted to create a super peaceful, very clean feeling.” Though Buhs said she is admittedly a little eclectic with her décor, she worked in a palette of whites and grays with pops of green accents throughout. Spa music fills the air as does the calming scent of essential oils mingling with the smell of hair products.
Buhs page 2
Large gatherings may incur additional fees Rice intends to recoup city costs BY NATASHA BARBER STAFF WRITER RICE – The Rice City Council aims to recoup costs incurred by its staff as they move forward with
OBITUARIES The newspaper of today is the history of tomorrow.
n, . alo Jan r S o ir e B A oh ha ov y . H B n’s ok d b ve AS f AT r o ma s to ie d A N e f p BY n u uh cu on O , ow s Ka . B oc ec ids T s S p O s s d ly PH uh t Je api er t 11 Ra k B a m n R u zie lie k for op Sa Su ms c Sau ace rsh 02, tri 8 in e sp arbe nit 1 1 h B U t ’s . le N Ly B AR
• Keith B. Benoit • Henry D. Jurek • Virginia E. Plemel • Alvin R. Stumvoll • Leon C. Thelen
large gatherings within city limits. Discussion on the item took place Jan. 18 during a special meeting, which bookended the regular meeting. Large gatherings are defined by the city as events where 250 people or more attend. They require hosts to submit an application permit which is reviewed by city person-
nel and approved or denied by the council. The fee to have city staff review an application is $25. The council proposes to add an hourly fee on top of the $25 application fee for events that need service from public works, police or fire.
Rice council page 4
PUBLIC NOTICES • Mayhew Lake Township Monthly Meeting - pg. 11 • Benton County Board of Commissioners Reg. Minutes, Jan. 4 - pg. 11 • Benton County Board of Commissioners Reg. Minutes, Dec. 28 - pg. 14 and 15 • Probate Notice - Gronau - pg. 11
PUBLIC NOTICES BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES JANUARY 4, 2022 The Benton County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on January 4, 2022 in the Benton County Board Room in Foley, MN with Commissioners Steve Heinen, Ed Popp, Jared Gapinski, Beth Schlangen and Scott Johnson present. Call to order by Administrator Monty Headley was at 9:00 AM followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the ag. Popp nominated Heinen for 2022 Chair of the Board. Second by Gapinski. Nominations were closed and a unanimous ballot was cast for Heinen for Board Chair for 2022. Chair Heinen called for nominations for 2022 Board ViceChair. Gapinski nominated Johnson for 2022 Vice-Chair of the Board. Second by Popp. Nominations were closed and a unanimous ballot cast for Johnson for Board Vice-Chair for 2022. Johnson/Gapinski unanimous to approve the agenda as written. No one was present to speak under Open Forum. Schlangen requested to “pull” Consent Agenda item # 4 for further discussion. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Gapinski to approve Consent Agenda items 1-3 and 5: 1) set the 2022 Per Diem Rate for Boards and Commissions; 2) accept Nadean Inman’s written notice of ling for Auditor-Treasurer as the Benton County Auditor-Treasurer, Elect; 3) accept appointments to the Board of Adjustment, Planning Commission and Solid Waste Advisory Committee; 5) set the minimum salaries for the County Attorney, Sheriff and Auditor-Treasurer for Terms of Of ce beginning in 2023 and authorize the Chair to sign. Schlangen questioned Consent Agenda item #4 to consider an alternative method to disseminate bids and Request for proposals. County Engineer Chris Byrd explained that the resolution would establish where bids would be found, and that he has been advertising bids on the County website for the past 3- 4 years. Byrd stated that construction companies are looking at our website, and since statute allows us to, Byrd feels this is an ef cient way to advertise. Byrd stated that when they have advertised in the paper, it costs approximately $1,000 for each bid. Byrd stated that he has not received any negative feedback for advertising bids on the County website. Motion by Schlangen and seconded by Johnson to approve the alternative method to disseminate bids and requests for proposals and to adopt the resolution and authorize the Chair to sign. Motion carried unanimously. Headley explained that the draft listing of 2022 County Board meeting dates and times re ects the traditional meeting dates of “ rst and third” Tuesday of each month at 9:00 AM; December meetings will be on Thursday, December 8, 2022 (due to the Annual AMC Conference) commencing at 6:00 PM for the “Truth in Taxation Meeting” and the second meeting in December will be on Tuesday, December 20, 2022 at 9:00 AM. Following discussion, Johnson/ Popp to set 2022 County Board meeting dates and times: “ rst and third” Tuesday of each month at 9:00 AM with the exception of December—December meetings will be on December 8th at 6:00 PM (to combine with the Truth in Taxation meeting) and December 20th at 9:00 AM. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Headley requested the County Board consider a policy to implement the COVID Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS) issued by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA). An ETS was issued by OSHA in November 2021 requiring employers with 100 or more employees to implement a mandatory COVID vaccination policy, by allowing weekly COVID testing as an alternative to vaccinations. The ETS requires employers to adopt and distribute policies for how the ETS will be administered. The policy was based on a model policy developed by OSHA, customized by Benton County. It establishes that weekly COVID testing is allowed in lieu of vaccination. Other provisions such as allowing paid time for vaccinations and recovery are consistent with the requirements of the ETS. The policy stipulates that the cost of testing shall be the responsibility of employees (although currently health plans must pay with no out-of-pocket cost to employees). Lastly, the policy establishes timelines for PROBATE NOTICE STATE OF MINNESOTA COUNTY OF BENTON SEVENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT DISTRICT COURT PROBATE DIVISION Court File No: 05-PR-22-17 NOTICE OF INFORMAL APPOINTMENT OF PERSONAL REPRESENTATIVE AND NOTICE TO CREDITORS (INTESTATE) Estate of Russell Harvey Gronau a/k/a Russell H. Gronau, Decedent. Notice is given that an application for informal ap-
pointment of personal representative has been led with the Registrar. No will has been presented for probate. The application has been granted. Notice is also given that the Registrar has informally appointed Melanie Daniel, whose address is 3124 65th St, Swanville, MN 56382, and Riley-Hank Gronau, whose address is 1005 3rd St. N, Sauk Rapids, MN 56379, as co-personal representatives of the Estate of the Decedent. Any heir, devisee or other interested person may be entitled to appointment as personal representative or may object to the appointment of the personal representative. Unless objections are led
SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2022 | Page 11
when employees must attain fully vaccinated status (or begin weekly testing if they do not provide documentation of their vaccination status). Headley stated that the United States Supreme Court will hear challenges to the OSHA ETS on January 4th, but technically the ETS is in effect now and we are obligated to show good-faith efforts towards implementing it. The County Board then proceeded to ask questions of Headley regarding the ETS, and also to make comments. Commissioner Johnson asked what the County would do if an employee refused to follow the policy. Would the employee be forcibly removed from the workplace, asked Commissioner Johnson? Headley replied that he would recommend rst seeking voluntary cooperation, using education and information and only turning to removal from the workplace as a last resort. Headley noted the ETS requires employers to remove employees from the workplace when the employee does not provide a weekly negative COVID test result. Other Board members commented that the OSHA ETS is being imposed on local governments by the federal government, leaving us with no choice but to implement it. It was observed that employers failing to implement the OSHA ETS can face nes of up to $14,000 per violation. Commissioner Schlangen offered comments on the ef cacy of COVID vaccines and the constitutional rights of individuals to have choices. Headley commented that the most disputed aspect of the OSHA ETS will be on who pays for the cost of weekly COVID testing. He noted the ETS does not require employers to pay for testing. Headley stated that if Benton County’s employee vaccination rate is similar to the County population as a whole, the annual cost of COVID testing could be about $700,000 ($100 per test, times 140 employees, times 52 weeks). Headley stated it is likely employee groups will challenge who should pay the cost of testing. For now, Headley recommended the ETS policy state that employees will pay the cost of testing until such time as the Courts or a grievance arbitration establishes otherwise. Johnson moved to table the policy to implement the COVID Emergency Temporary Standard until the Supreme Court has made their decision and will have an Emergency Meeting to adopt the ETS if necessary. Motion seconded by Schlangen. Johnson and Schlangen voted “aye” and Popp, Gapinski and Heinen voted “no”. Motion failed with a two to three vote. Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Popp to adopt the policy to implement the COVID Emergency Temporary Standard issued by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration on January 4, 2022. Motion carried with a three to two vote with Commissioners Gapinski, Heinen and Popp voting “aye” and Commissioners Johnson and Schlangen voting “no”. Johnson stated his no vote was an expression of his personal views on the ETS and that he has supported all year long unity among the County Board. Next, Headley requested the County Board consider appointing Stephen C. Behrenbrinker as Interim County Assessor. Mr. Behrenbrinker served in this capacity in 2018 for approximately three months. Also, Headley requests Board approval of a professional services agreement with Mr. Behrenbrinker, whose preference is to work on an hourly basis as a contractor. The agreement stipulates an hourly rate of $50, with hours work to be determined by the Land Services Director and County Administrator. Motion by Popp and seconded by Johnson to appoint Stephen C. Behrenbrinker as Interim County Assessor and to approve a professional services agreement with Stephen C. Behrenbrinker for County Assessor services, at the rate of $50.00 per hour. Motion carried unanimously. The Regular County Board meeting was recessed at 10:23 AM to conduct a Human Services Board meeting. The Regular County Board meeting was reconvened at 10:27 AM. Next, Auditor-Treasurer Nadean Inman requested the County Board to re-designate the Auditor- Treasurer the authority to designate depository banks. Popp/Johnson unanimous to adopt Resolution 2022-#3, designating depository banks for Benton County, and authorize the Chair to sign. Commissioner Gapinski asked in the future if it would be possible to show the percentage of County funds with the Court (pursuant to Minn. Stat. 524.3-607) and the Court otherwise orders, the personal representative has full power to administer the Estate including, after 30 days from the date of issuance of letters, the power to sell, encumber, lease or distribute real estate. Any objections to the appointment of the Personal Representative must be led with this Court and will be heard by the Court after the ling of an appropriate petition and proper notice of hearing. Notice is also given that (subject to Minn. Stat. 524.3-801) all creditors having claims against the Estate are required to present the claims to the personal rep-
that are allocated to each nancial institution. Inman stated she could provide that information. Also, Inman was asked by Commissioner Popp why we have this number of banks designated as depository banks. Inman replied that some are smaller banks that are not able to obtain the necessary collateral to cover the County’s funds, so we must spread the County’s funds among several banks. Inman also noted we attempt to utilize most all banks that have a presence in Benton County. Next, Inman reported on the two newspaper bids that were received (Benton County News and Sauk Rapids Herald) for publication of the of cial proceedings of the County Board and other publications as required. She noted the rates included in the bids (the legal rate will increase 3% for 2022 as both paper and postage rates have gone up substantially in 2021 and more increases are forecasted for 2022), along with a combined rate for publishing in both papers (continuation of a 30% discount on ads and legal notices). Motion by Johnson and seconded by Popp to designate the Benton County News and Sauk Rapids Herald as the of cial newspapers for Benton County for 2022. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Inman asked the County Board to consider establishment of Benton County Absentee and Uniformed and Overseas Citizens Absentee Voting Act (UOCAVA) for 2022. Benton County is required by Minnesota Statute 203B.121 to establish an absentee ballot board and Minnesota Statute 203B.23 to establish an UOCAVA ballot board. The absentee and UOCAVA ballot board would consist of a suf cient number of election judges or deputy county auditors trained in the processing and counting of absentee ballots as outlined in Minnesota Statutes 203B.121 and 203B.24. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Gapinski to approve a resolution establishing the Benton County absentee and UOCAVA ballot board for 2022. Motion carried unanimously. County Board recessed at 10:43 AM. County Board reconvened at 10:47 AM. Next, Headley requested the County Board review and update County Board appointment to Boards and Commissions. At the rst County Board meeting of the year, the County Board will review its appointments to the various Boards and Commissions. Once any changes are made to those assignments, the County Administrator’s Of ce will notify the affected Board or Commission of the change, including providing each with County Board member contact information. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Gapinski to set the County Board appointments as written with the exception of these changes: • Add Johnson to the Minnesota Transportation Alliance/ Central MN Transportation Alliance along with keeping Schlangen as an appointed member and Popp being the alternate member • Add Johnson to the Highway 23 Coalition along with keeping Gapinski as the other appointed member • Remove the St. Cloud Airport Advisory Board from the listing • Have the Benton Soil and Water Conservation District Board Meetings listed under “Standing Committees of the Whole” The Boards and Commissions that the County Board would like “tabled” include: • Benton County Criminal Justice Committee • Benton County Labor Negotiating Committee • Fair Board Committee Motion carried unanimously. Board members reported on recent meetings they attended on behalf of the county. There were no Commissioner Concerns to report at this time. There were no new Committees of the Whole. Johnson/Gapinski unanimous to adjourn at 11:27 AM. Steven J. Heinen, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-3-1B
resentative or to the Court MAYHEW LAKE TOWNSHIP MONTHLY MEETING Administrator within four Mayhew Lake Township February town board monthly months after the date of this meeting will be Wednesday, February 2nd at 7 p.m. at the JeNotice or the claims will be rome Molitor shop. barred. R-3-1B Date: 1-13-22 /s/ Shari Kris Date: 1-13-22 /s/ Sue Sorensen Deputy Court Administrator Attorney for Personal Representative: Craig Hanson Hanson Law Of ce, PA 130 Division Street, Suite 118 Waite Park, MN 56387 Attorney License No.: 0311297 Telephone: (320)257-3388 Fax: (320)281-7255 Email: craig@hanlawof ce. com.
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Page 12 | SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2022 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
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Page 14 | SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2022 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS REGULAR MEETING MINUTES DECEMBER 28, 2021 The Benton County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on December 28, 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. County Administrator Montgomery Headley requested to amend the Agenda to add two Regular Agenda items right after the Consent Agenda at 9:05 AM to provide the Administrator’s Report and to add the discussion regarding County Board representation to the Benton County Fair Board. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Heinen to approve the amended Agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Superintendent of Sauk Rapids-Rice Schools Brad Bergstrom was present to speak at the Open Forum. Bergstrom wished to express his thanks and gratitude to Sheriff Troy Heck and the Benton County Sheriff’s Department for their efforts in providing additional help by having a presence at the schools and increasing security when there was a threat to the schools through social media on December 18, 2021. Johnson requested to “pull” Consent Agenda item # 11 for further discussion. Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Schlangen to approve the remaining Consent Agenda items 1 – 10 and 12: 1) approve the Regular Meeting Minutes of December 14, 2021 and authorize the Chair to sign; 2) approve the Committee of the Whole Meeting Minutes of November 30, 2021 and authorize the Chair to sign; 3) adopt a resolution establishing commitments of fund balance and authorize the Chair to sign; 4) adopt a resolution to delegate the authority to make electronic funds transfer payments and authorize the Chair to sign; 5) adopt a resolution to set aside the net proceeds for tax-forfeiture land sales to County Parks and authorize the Chair to sign; 6) approve a Client User Agreement with Real Asset Management Inc., an MRI Software Limited Company for capital asset software licensing, support and services and authorize the Chair to sign; 7) approve the MnCCC IFS Support Contract Rati cation and authorize the Chair to sign; 8) approve the 2022 tobacco license applications for Adam’s Tobacco Shop and Westside Liquor; 9) adopt a resolution and approve the renewal of a two-year contract with Anoka County, Midwest Medical Examiner’s Of ce and authorize the Chair to sign; 10) approve the S.C.O.R.E. City of Sauk Rapids Purchase Money Security Agreement for four (4) Chat Chairs, twelve (12) Chat Counter Chairs, and three (3) Buffet Counter Tables – playground equipment and authorize the Chair to sign; 12) approve the Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) Grant with the State of Minnesota and authorize the Chair to sign. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Johnson had requested to “pull” Consent Agenda item # 11 and asked County Engineer Chris Byrd to provide more clari cations on the overages on the nal payment for SP 005-090-003, Foley Safe Routes to School project. Byrd stated that they had received federal money for this project and anything the federal grant did not cover it was added to the costs for the City of Foley. Byrd stated the extra costs involved correcting the drainage to a pond and grading. The additional costs were City of Foley Costs and the City of Foley approved the nal change order before nal approval of the contract. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Heinen to accept the nal payment to Helmin Construction for project SP 005- 090-003; Foley Safe Routes to School project. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Headley requested the County Board to hold a public hearing on the proposed changes to the Benton County fee schedule. County Departments are asked to review and possibly update their fees each year. Generally, this review has occurred in December, with a public hearing held the last meeting of the year for the County Board to consider recommended changes to the fee schedule. The changes to the fee schedule include: • Increasing the Building Plan Review – Residential fee from 50% to 65%. • Increasing the 911 Sign Creation – Platted Parcel from $35 to $50 • Increasing the 911 Sign Replacement or Repair for the cost of the Sign from $10 to $40 • Remove all economic development fees related to revolving fund loans, tax increment nancing and tax abatement applications, since the Benton Economic Partnership is now responsible for these functions through its service agreement with the County. Per MN Statutes, changes to fee schedules may occur only after a properly noticed public hearing. Notice for this hearing was published not less than 10 days prior in the Benton County News and the Sauk Rapids Herald. The public hearing opened at 9:10 AM. No members of the public were present. The public hearing closed at 9:11 AM. Headley informed the County Board that there were no emails, letters or other communications to be read into the record. Headley also stated the Department has not received any comments or concerns from any State agencies, cities or townships. Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Johnson to approve the 2022 Benton County fee schedule. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Headley requested the County Board to consider the nal 2022 Benton County Budget and Levy. A proposed 2022 budget and levy was adopted by the County Board on
PUBLIC NOTICES
September 28th. A Truth in Taxation Public Meeting was County, pursuant to MN Statutes §375.055, Subdivision 1 conducted on December 14. The nal 2022 budget and levy APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 28th day of Demust be adopted and certi ed to the Auditor-Treasurer by cember, 2021. December 31. The summary of major factors in the nal /ss/ Edward D. Popp 2022 budget and levy include: Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: /ss/Montgomery Headley County Administrator Summary of Major Factors in the Final 2022 Motion by Johnson and seconded by Gapinski to apBudget and Levy • The nal 2022 levy increases 5.9%, or $1,192,978 from prove the Resolution setting the 2022 County Board mem2021, to a total property tax levy of $21,412,944 (“gross” ber salaries. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Headley requested the County Board set the Per increase partially offset by expected 1.14% growth from Diem rate for 2022. The Resolution states: new construction) • With this levy change for 2022, the 10-year average levy BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS RESOLUTION 2021 #________ change for Benton County is a 0.8% increase WHEREAS, MN Statutes §375.055 and MN Statutes • The nal levy increase falls below the 7.7% expected growth in the County’s payable 2022 tax capacity, which §375.06 allow the County Board to establish a schedule of translates into a reduced County tax rate in 2022; the es- per diem payments for County Commissioners for each day timated 2022 County tax rate will fall from 55.21% to necessarily occupied in the discharge of their duties while 54.30% of tax capacity (down from a peak of 77.74% in acting on any committee under the direction of the Board; and 2013) WHEREAS, said statutes also permit County Board • Based on a median house value of $250,000 and expected 5.3% value growth in 2022, a homeowner’s County proper- members to be reimbursed for necessary expenses, includty taxes would increase $57.32 in 2022, or $4.78 per month ing traveling expenses, while performing the of cial du• The nal 2022 operating budget totals $49,276,951, an ties of County Commissioner, as set by Resolution of the increase of $6,763,058, or a 15.9% increase from 2021; County Board; and, WHEREAS, MN Statutes §375.055, Subdivision 5 $3.9 million of the increase is due to a larger 2022 road provides that County Board members may participate in construction program • The nal 2022 levy increase is comprised of the following any group health insurance program instituted by the County Board for County of cers and employees. major elements: NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Ben• Employee compensation and bene ts $1,382,271 • New positions 554,683 ton County Board of Commissioners that: • Restore Highway capital equipment funding 330,000 1. In addition to annual salaries, County Commissioners • Use ARPA funds for revenue losses (671,903) may receive a per diem payment for attending meetings • Revenue offsets of new positions (255,472) of commissions, committees and boards when such atten• Use additional reserves to reduce levy (211,761) dance is designated by the County Board. Pursuant to MN • All other operating and capital budget changes 65,160 Statutes §375.055, Subdivision 5, members of the County Total Levy Change for 2022 $1,192,978 Board shall not receive a per diem for services on the Board • The nal 2022 budget includes the following “Policy Is- of Auditors, the Board of Equalization, or the Canvassing Board. As a matter of County Board policy, per diems shall sues” from County Board action: • New positions in Human Services, including a Homeless not be paid for regular and special meetings of the County Outreach Social Worker, a MNCHOICE Assessor Social Board. Per diems for 2022 shall be as follows: a. Site inspections as part of the duties of a speci c Worker, a Public Health Nurse (First Steps Collaborative) board, committee or commission: $10 per site, not to exand Adult Services Case Aide • An additional Help Desk position for Information Tech- ceed ve sites. b. All other boards, committees, commissions, when nology and a Human Resources Professional position • A 20 hour per week Investigative Aide in the Sheriff’s the individual commissioner or the full board is designated by the County Board to serve on said body: a per diem of Of ce • Increased funding to the Benton Economic Partnership by $70. 2. County Commissioners may collect only one per diem $50,000 to allow BEP to hire support staff • Employee compensation and bene ts comprise the largest each day, regardless of how few or many separate duties portion of the 2022 levy increase; the 2022 budget funds a connected with the of ce are performed in such day. 2.5% general wage increase in all labor agreements, plus 3. In addition, pursuant to MN Statutes §375.055 and step increases and the effects of the 2021 wage study. Also, §375.06, each County Commissioner may be reimbursed the nal 2022 budget includes a 12% increase in employee for necessary expenses incurred in performing the duties health insurance premiums, based on the recommendation of of ce. Travel in personal vehicles on of cial County business shall be reimbursed at the current standard mileof the County’s health insurance broker • The County’s general revenue fund balance at the end of age rate promulgated by the Internal Revenue Service or 2020 stood at 6.8 months of expenditure coverage, versus a at another rate as determined by the County Board. Meal goal standard of 5 months expenditure coverage; this level and other expense reimbursement such as registration and allows a modest usage of reserves during 2022 to help re- lodging shall be reimbursed pursuant to the Benton County Personnel Policies. duce the County levy Motion by Heinen and seconded by Gapinski to adopt 4. County Commissioners shall be eligible to participate a resolution setting the 2022 Benton County Property Tax in workers compensation and optional bene ts programs instituted by the County Board for county of cials and emLevy at $21,412,944. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Heinen to adopt ployees. The employer-funded portion of health insurance a Resolution setting the 2022 Benton County Budget as premiums for County Commissioners shall be the same amounts as provided non-union employees. presented. Motion carried unanimously. Next, State statutes require the County Board to an- 5. The County Administrator is directed to publish this nually set the salaries of the County’s Elected Of cials by Resolution in the of cial newspaper of the County and one Resolution. Headley requested the County Board to ap- other newspaper in the County, pursuant to MN Statutes prove a Resolution setting the 2022 salaries for the Audi- §375.055, Subdivision 1. tor-Treasurer, County Attorney and Sheriff. The amounts APPROVED AND ADOPTED this 28th day of December set forth in the Resolution (6% increase) re ect County 2021. /ss/Edward D. Popp Board consensus from the November 30th Committee of Chair the Whole Meeting: Benton County Board of Commissioners Auditor-Treasurer $106,280 ATTEST: Sheriff $125,269 /ss/Montgomery Headley County Attorney $135,094 County Administrator Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Heinen to apMotion by Johnson and seconded by Heinen to adopt prove the Resolution setting the 2022 salaries for the Auditor-Treasurer, County Attorney and Sheriff. Motion carried the Resolution to set the County Board per diem rate for 2022. Motion carried unanimously. unanimously. Next, Headley requested the County Board to consider Next, Headley requested to set the County Commissioner Salaries for 2022. Per MN Statutes §375.055, reorganizational changes regarding the Land Services DeCounty Boards establish the annual salaries paid to County partment. A potential reorganization of the Land Services Commissioners. Such salary shall be effective January 1, Department was discussed at the December 20th Commit2022. The amount set forth in the Resolution re ects Coun- tee of the Whole. Consensus was reached on the following: ty Board consensus from the November 30th Committee of • Place the Department of Development (DoD) within the Land Services Department the Whole to keep their salaries unchanged. BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS • Rename the Department of Development to “Planning and Zoning” RESOLUTION 2021 - #_____ WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute §375.055 requires that • Promote our current Department of Development Directhe salary of the County Commissioners be set annually by tor to the Land Services Director and submit an updated position description to David Drown and Associates for Resolution of the County Board; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Ben- review ton County Board of Commissioners that effective January • Recruit for a County Assessor who would manage the As1, 2022, the salary of each member of the Benton County sessor function under the direction of the Land Services Director Board of Commissioners shall be $30,765 and BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County AdminBENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS istrator is directed to publish this Resolution in the of cial newspaper of the County and one other newspaper in the page 15
PUBLIC NOTICES BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS from page 14 There were three motions that were requested with this Regular Agenda item. The rst one was to approve the reorganization of Land Services to place the Department of Development (DoD) within Land Services and rename DoD to “Planning and Zoning”, adopting the Benton County organizational chart dated December 28, 2021 as submitted. Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Heinen to approve the reorganization of Land Services to place the DoD within Land Services and re-name DoD to “Planning and Zoning”, adopting the Benton County organization chart dated December 28, 2021 as submitted. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Headley requested a motion to authorize the recruitment of the County Assessor position and name two County Board members to a County Assessor selection committee. Heinen and Gapinski volunteered to be on the County Assessor selection committee. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Schlangen to authorize the recruitment of the County Assessor position with Heinen and Gapinski appointed to the County Assessor selection committee. Motion carried unanimously. Last, Headley requested a motion to appoint Roxanne Achman as Land Services Director effective January 10th, 2022 and authorize the submission of an updated Land Services Director job description to David Drown and Associates for review. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Gapinski to appoint Roxanne Achman as Land Services Director effective January 10, 2022 and authorize the submission of an updated Land Services Director job description to David Drown and Associates for review. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Headley invited Information Technology Director Steve Stang to discuss the Electronic Document Management System (EDMS). The County has 2 enterprise EDMS systems, OnBase and Meta le. Meta le was implemented in the early 2000’s and is considered proprietary, has limited features, and no longer meets the needs of the County requiring it to be replaced or consolidated with a new or current EDMS system. OnBase was rst implemented in the Human Services Financial unit in 2013 and has grown to include all HS divisions. OnBase is one of the industry leaders in EDMS and HS has plans to continue expanding OnBase’s features and functionality. Stang stated that we have convened an EDMS Committee and invited all departments to evaluate the County’s current EDMS environment and recommended a plan to move forward. The committee learned about EDMS and reviewed scenarios which included expanding OnBase to replace Meta le or replace Meta le with a new EDMS system. After reviewing the aspects of cost, features, and ef ciency, the EDMS Committee recommends expanding our current EDMS system (OnBase) to replace Meta le and expand to any departments that do not have an EDMS solution. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Heinen to approve the EDMS project as recommended by the EDMS Committee and funded in the CIP. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Headley provided information on the OSHA Emergency Temporary Standard (ETS). Headley stated that he will bring to the County Board a policy to be adopted at the January 4th Regular Board Meeting. The policy will include employees providing their vaccination status; Benton County will allow those that are unvaccinated to provide weekly testing results at the employee’s cost (our health insurance plan is currently paying for tests with no out-ofpocket costs to employees); the test must be administered by a medical professional and the test cannot be an athome test; if the employee does not provide the test results, the employer will have to remove the employee from the workplace until negative test results are provided. Headley stated that once this policy has been adopted by OSHA, we will have until January 10, 2022 to obtain the evidence of vaccination of our employees and will start testing unvaccinated employees in February. Benton County will provide employees information on testing options, however there will be no paid time to go get tested. The OSHA ETS does allow time for vaccination and recovery from the side effects of vaccination. Headley stated he is unsure at this time if Elected Of cials are included in the OSHA ETS and will have an answer at the January 4, 2022 Regular Board Meeting. This item was for informational purposes only. No action was taken; no motion was made. Next, Headley provided information on the old Foley High School property. Headley stated that Braun Intertec received the “go ahead” for the Phase 1; study of the soils and groundwater. Headley stated that County Engineer Chris Byrd provided names of other rms to contact to get quotes for a Phase 2 study. Headley stated that he will bring this to the City of Foley Planning Commission for rezoning and plans on attending the February Planning Commission meeting. Headley stated we need to have a nal certi cate of the survey and that Assistant County Attorney Michelle Meyer is working on a purchase agreement. We are also working on getting a nal legal description of the property. Headley stated that we will have contingencies in our purchase agreement for the rezoning and potential soil contamination. This item was for informational purposes, no action was taken; no motion was made. Next, Headley wanted to inform the County Board that Steve Behrenbrinker has agreed to be our Interim County Assessor during our transitional period while we are hiring for a County Assessor. Headley stated that we will be bringing Behrenbrinker on at the same hourly rate he was
SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2022 | Page 15
paid the last time he was the Interim County Assessor, and that Behrenbrinker requested to do as much work remotely as possible. Headley stated Behrenbrinker will be paid as a contractor and he will bring this to the County Board at the January 4th Regular Board Meeting. This item was for informational purposes only. No action was taken; no motion was made. Then, Headley discussed the possibility of having County Board representation on the Benton County Fair Board. Headley received this request from Commissioner Heinen and stated that Fair Board member and Treasurer Mary Ostby suggested the County Board consider such an appointment. Heinen stated that he has had conversations with Ostby and feels that it is very important to have a Board Member on the Fair Board. The Fair Board meets on the 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM at the Fairgrounds of ces. Headley stated this will be on the January 4th Regular Board Meeting when we review and update the County Board appointments to Boards and Commissions. This item was for informational purposes only. No action was taken; no motion was made. Next, Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck requested the County Board approve the amendment to the 2021 contract with CentraCare extending the agreement to March 1, 2022. In October of 2021, the County Board approved a 3-year contract with CentraCare for jail medical services. Prior to CentraCare’s approval of this contract, CentraCare and the Benton County Jail encountered irreconcilable differences regarding the management and provisioning of care at the jail. On December 8th, we received notice from CentraCare that CentraCare would not be signing the 3-year contract and wished to terminate their role as the Benton County Jail’s medical provider. Our current contract with CentraCare will expire on December 31, 2021. This would not provide our jail with enough time to secure a new medical provider. To assist with the transition to a new medical provider, CentraCare has agreed to continue in their role as our medical provider through March 1, 2022. We are in the process of negotiating a contract with another medical provider and anticipate this new provider will be ready to assume the role of our medical provider by March 1, 2022. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Gapinski to approve the amendment to the 2021 contract with CentraCare extending agreement to March 1, 2022. Motion carried unanimously. The Regular County Board meeting was recessed at 9:56 AM to conduct a Human Services Board Meeting. The Regular Board meeting reconvened at 10:00 AM. Next, Byrd requested the County Board consider a Resolution in Support of a City of Rice Transportation Alternatives Grant application. The City of Rice would like to submit an application to the Transportation Alternatives program to receive the funds to build a trail known as the Fox Meadows Connection project. These are Federal Funds and since Rice is a city under 5,000 population the County must be the “Sponsoring Agency.” It is anticipated that the City of Rice will be responsible for any design costs and any local match costs associated with the construction of the project. As the County Engineer, it is recommended that the County negotiate an agreement with the City stipulating what participation (cost or staff time) the County would have in the design and construction of any project and any long-term maintenance requirements. Motion by Gapinski and seconded by Johnson to approve the Resolution in Support of a City of Rice Transportation Alternatives Grant application. Motion carried unanimously. Next, Byrd wanted to discuss the APO Solicitation for Federal Funding and Resolution of Local Match Funding. The APO is soliciting for projects to be considered to receive Federal Funding for scal year 2026. The deadline for project submittal is January 3, 2022. A resolution would also be needed to certify the availability of local match funding. In the County’s 5-year road construction CIP CSAH 3 is identi ed as a full-depth reclamation project from the CSAH 1 (Mayhew Lake Rd) to Popple Creek. This roadway is eligible for partial federal funding. The roadway does not lie entirely within the planning area of the APO and therefore can only receive a maximum of 80% Federal funds of the costs within the planning boundary. Byrd is proposing to request $1,750,000 of Federal Funds. The remainder of the project would be funded with State Aid Construction dollars. Motion by Johnson and seconded by Schlangen to apply for the APO Solicitation for Federal Funding and adopt the Resolution of Local Match Funding. Motion carried unanimously. Next, County Board members reported on Commissioner updates and recent meetings they attended on behalf of the County. Under Commissioner concerns, Heinen wanted to discuss a request from some organizations for potential changes to our County’s assignments to external Boards and Commissions. Headley noted that this item would be on the January 4th County Board Agenda and that the current listing will be in the Board’s January 4th meeting packet. There were no new Committee of the Whole Meetings to add at this time. Motion by Heinen and seconded by Johnson to adjourn the Regular Board Meeting at 10:31 AM. Motion carried unanimously. Edward D. Popp, Chair Benton County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Montgomery Headley Benton County Administrator R-3-1B
SPORTS
SAUK RAPIDS HERALD | SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2022 | Page 17
Connection n
m in that direction.” me On the wrestling mat, b both Thorsten and Gilbe ertson have their eyes set “So I knew how talented and o the NCAA Division III on Gilbertson added confident he (Logan Thorsten) U Upper Midwest Regional that he watched Thorscheduled for Feb. 25 in was as a wrestler. And I was really sten defeat some of his Eau Claire, Wisconsin. excited when I heard he was coming From Storm teammates. F there, they hope to “So I knew how a advance to the NCAA Di(to SJU).” talented and con dent v vision III Championships - Ben Gilbertson he was as a wrestler,” he M March 11-12 in Cedar of Logan Thorsten said. “And I was really R Rapids, Iowa. excited when I heard he “It’s really exciting to was coming (to SJU).” educat think about how things Gilbertson, an tion camps a going now and to are elementary education maa- she would work at in r realize how much time we is looking at majoring in jor, hopes to one day work the St. Cloud area,” said both still have left here,” accounting. in special education. It Gilbertson, who is also said Thorsten, who is “I’ve always been a is a path he was inspired part of the SJU disc club, also a member of the SJU to follow by his mother, a program in its rst year numbers guy,” he said. “I Ultimate Frisbee club. “To like working with money. see how much we’ve imAmy, who works as a on campus. “Working speech-language patholo- there helped me become a I had an uncle who gradu- proved already, and how gist in the Sauk Rapidsbetter person. And that’s ated from St. John’s, and I much more we still can had a cousin who majored improve, has me really Rice School District. the kind of work I’d like in accounting and loved “When I was younger, to continue doing in the excited about the future. the program here. So she used to take me with future.” her to help out at special Thorsten, meanwhile, that’s what kind of drew
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Page 20 | SATURDAY, JANUARY 22, 2022 | SAUK RAPIDS HERALD
SPORTS
Storm gymnasts welcome return to competition Alexandria defeats SRR after long break
Junior co-captain Carley Weisenbeck goes through her floor routine Jan. 18 at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School. Weisenbeck scored 8.45 on the floor to place second on her way to placing second in all-around.
BY TOM FENTON STAFF WRITER
PHOTOS BY TOM FENTON
Freshman Ava Plemel concentrates on her bars routine for the Storm gymnastics team Jan. 18 at Sauk RapidsRice Middle School in Sauk Rapids. Plemel returned to the lineup after missing time with an injury and placed third in the all-around competition.
Freshman Bella Rudolph pushes off the vault as the Storm gymnastics team hosted Alexandria Jan. 18 at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School. Rudolph placed second on the vault with a score of 8.9.
The 2021-22 schedule for the Sauk RapidsRice gymnastics team has been anything but routine. Not coincidentally, the Storm have had issues with consistency as lineup changes and postponements have led to near-constant disruptions to the norm. Head coach Liz Walek is hoping those issues are behind her team, and the Storm looked to make signi cant progress in a 130.25-126.45 Central Lakes Conference loss to Alexandria Jan. 18 at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School in Sauk Rapids. “We are de nitely in a building and growth process right now,” Walek said. “We’ve had a few meets postponed or canceled, which has made it a bit more challenging to get back into the groove of competing. Thankfully, we have a full two weeks of dual meets and the conference meet to hopefully continue our progress and move forward with momentum.” Junior co-captain Carley Weisenbeck returned to the lineup after missing a few weeks with illness and family commitments. Her presence was immediately noticeable. Weisenbeck was second in the all-around competition with a score of 33.25 to nish behind Alexandria’s Ailynn Fet-
Sophomore Kailey Reinert sails through the air during her floor routine Jan. 18 as the Storm gymnastics team faced Alexandria at Sauk Rapids-Rice Middle School. Reinert scored 8.15 in the event to place fifth. tig, who scored 35.2. “It felt great to be back competing, and I thought the meet went very well,” said Weisenbeck, who placed second on the beam and oor and was third on the
bars. “I thought we put up a good ght against Alexandria, and I hit all of my events. I am excited to return to practice, get back to some bigger skills and work on my endurance in prepara-
PHOTOS FROM THESE EVENTS NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE
Nordic ski at Collegeville Gymnastics against Alexandria Scan the QR code with your camera on your smartphone
Boys basketball against Maple Grove Boys swim and dive against Apollo Find them online at www.saukrapidsherald.com under ‘photos’
tion for the next meets.” The Cardinals entered the meet ranked 18th in Class AA with an average team score of 137.325. Things were not completely back to normal for the Storm, who were without junior cocaptain Liberty Kosloski. She is nursing an injury, but Walek does not expect Kosloski to miss much time. SRR had third- and fourth-place all-around nishes, respectively, from freshmen Bella Rudolph and Ava Plemel. Rudolph’s entertaining oor routine earned her third place in that event with a season-best score of 8.425 and added a second-place nish with an 8.9 on the vault. Sophomore Sophia Markfelder, who was named a CLC Performer of the Week with a season-best 8.15 on the bars against Sartell Jan. 4, placed fourth against the Cardinals in that event. The Storm were scheduled to compete at the eight-team Anoka Invitational Saturday, Jan. 22, and to travel to Tech High School in St. Cloud to face the Crush Tuesday, Jan. 25, before competing at Willmar Thursday, Jan. 27. Alexandria 130.25, SRR 126.45 Beam: 2. Weisenbeck 8.4 of 10 points, 5. Markfelder 7.3, 7. Plemel 7.0, 8. Kendra Teff 6.75 and 9. Rudolph 5.6. Floor: 2. Weisenbeck 8.45, 3. Rudolph 8.425, Markfelder 8.425, 5. Kailey Reinert 8.15 and 9. Plemel 7.25. Vault: 2. Rudolph 8.9, 4. Weisenbeck 8.8, 6. Addison Breth 8.55, 8. Reinert 8.25 and 10. Plemel 8.15. Bars: 3. Weisenbeck 7.6, Markfelder 7.6, 8. Teff 6.95, 9. Kinslee Skajewski 6.9 and 10. Plemel 6.8.