The Polk County Boards of Commissioners met on Tuesday, August 20, at the Polk County Government Center.
Some items on the County Board Members Issue Forum;
West Polk SWCD is requesting an allocation increase of $6,880 for a total of $50,000 for 2025. This allocation will cover insufficient delegated County programs, the Wetland Conservation Act, and the Local Water Management in the amount of $30,000. The remaining $20,000 will support West Polk SWCDs services that have no grant funding. Nicole Bernd, District Manager of West Polk SWCD, explained to the Commissioners that state grants cover 80% of their budget. Bernd asked that if the Commissioners should decide not to approve this allocation increase, she would like to be given a reason, as an increase has not been approved in years past.
The Board of Commissioners approved items laid out by Social Services
- Letter of Support for Alluma to Provide Outpatient Substance Use Disorder Treatment Services out of Fosston, MN.
- Tri-Valley Opportunity Council Housing Services Contract Amendment
- Replacement of Social Services Board Lay Person, appointment of Rani Bhattacharyya
- Family Resource Center Facility User Agreements for the cities of Fertile, East Grand Forks, and Fosston
Planning and Zoning-
Aquatic Invasive Species Project Request
Jacob Snyder, Assistant Environmental Services Administrator, asked the Board of Commissioners to approve Aquatic Invasive Species Project Request – ULSID. This project is to treat Union Lake for Eurasian Watermilfoil. “Union Lake Sarah Improvement District was seeking funding to spray Eurasian Water Milfoil on Union Lake,” said Snyder. Currently, surveys are suggesting that there is no Eurasian Water Milfoil or Curly Leaf Pond Weed on Lake Sarah. In a joint effort, the Aquatic Invasive Species Taskforce and the ULSID will pay for the cost of the lake restoration project. “We are looking at about a 50/50 split to have lake restoration come in; they have a chemical applicator to spray for Eurasian Milfoil,” said Snyder. The chemical used does not just target Eurasian Milfoil; it will target all species of weeds. Snyder explained that most weeds do not typically come to the water surface where the Eurasian Milfoil does and that the focus is on those weeds as they can get into your propeller and be spread. The Board approved the project request.
A motion to approve awarding a Low-Income Septic Fix-Up Grant and Loan to a resident to upgrade a failing septic system and to award the bid to Great Northern Septic, Brandon Maygra L#4100, who was the lowest bidder at $13,200.00, to install the septic system was presented to the Board. The low-income septic grant will cover $6,500.00, and the remaining balance of $6,700.00 will be run through the County SSTS Loan Program. Funds are running low, so Snyder explains the plan for getting the septic system fixed. “We didn’t have enough to cover the full cost of the septic upgrade or 80% of that, so we did a little bit of a hybrid today.”The Board of Commissioners approved the motion.
The board approved FINAL PLAT – “Woodside Acres Addition” for Developer Issac Ness.
Tri-Valley Opportunity Council
Jason Carlson of Tri-Valley Opportunity Council asked the Board of Commissioners to approve the Chair to sign Tri-Valley Opportunity Council’s petition to vacate the public Right-of-Way around the Polk County Development Achievement Center, parcel #82.02266.01. This Right-of-Way runs between Carmon School and the Polk County DAC and was never developed. Carlson says the TVOC is petitioning in anticipation of a future project. “It’s in anticipation of a possible project for the area special ed cooperative, just to open up some options for the property,” Carlson says that the need or desire for this comes from the fact that they are putting a bus shed out in the area and doing so will make it hard to accommodate both projects so this is just paving the way to make both projects happen if they are funded. Carlson feels going back to the city with the Commissioners approval and Chairs signature is a big step forward. “This was contingent on 100% of the adjacent homeowners agreeing, so this was the first step in the process, and it’s very much appreciated.”
Chuck Whiting – Administrator
One of the items covered by Chuck Whiting, the County Administrator, was Resolution (2024-63) designating the City of St. Paul Port Authority to Administer the MinnPACE Clean Energy Program on Behalf of Polk County. In summary, this is a clean energy program that the State has established for businesses to partake in, and the St. Paul Port Authority has been designated by the State to administer this program in the State of Minnesota. Anna Peterson from the Clean Energy Resource Teams NW Region was on hand with some information on the program. This program is very important to Peterson as her family farms in the area. “It is very close to my heart because we are a farm family, I just really want to help these small businesses in Northern Minnesota and Agricultural businesses in Minnesota realize what their potentials are in clean energy and sustainability,” said Peterson. The Board of Commissioners approved the Joint Power with the St. Paul Port Authority.
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