The Great River Regional Library (GRRL) had another strong year in 2023.
Last Tuesday during an annual update to the Sherburne County Board, GRRL Executive Director Karen Pundsack said the three branches in Sherburne County were very busy. There were nearly 10,000 borrowers in Elk River, 3,000 in Big Lake and 2,500 in Becker.
“That means someone used their card in one location over the last year,” she said.
The circulation in Elk River alone was over 200,000.
Locally, the Becker branch had a tiny art show as part of their summer reading program in 2023. There were 425 participants. The Becker art show opened April 11 this year.
The Big Lake branch hosted Pedal to the Metal - a traveling foundry where participants were able to engage in the metal casting process. It allowed them to create small-scale sculptures.
The Elk River branch saw lots of new faces last year. There were seven new staff members in 2023, with another two starting in November, 2022.
They all spent time training and engaging in outreach in the community.
The branch also got new flooring, while staff spent time modifying the floor plan to make the space more inviting to patrons.
Pundsack said people continue to use digital circulation.
“Digital circulation is something that is continuing to grow exponentially, especially since COVID,” she said, “and we’ve been investing in that platform because there’s a lot more interest in it.”
Last year was a record year for GRRL’s summer reading program with almost 13,000 kids participating.
“We expect next year to be a very strong year as well,” said Pundsack.
SHIP Grant
The board approved and accepted the Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP) Grant Amendment between the MN Dept. of Health and Sherburne County for an additional $21,912 for the Nov. 1, 2023, to October 31, 2024 budget period. The funds will be used to implement commercial tobacco retail store audits through the state’s technical assistance provider, Counter Tools.
Park Agreement
The board approved an amendment to the 2022 - 2024 County Park Natural Resource Agreement with Natural Resource Service, Inc., to include additional prairie restoration and oak savanna enhancement work at Two Inlets Bdé Heḣáka - Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park.
The county was awarded funding through the Lessard Sams Outdoor Heritage Fund for restoration of 113 acres of native prairie and enhancement of 11 acres of oak savanna within the park. The cost of the restoration work is $207,005.14.
Social Services Contract
The board approved a one-year contract renewal with Lutheran Social Services for the Keeping Families Together Program at a cost of $79,053.
The contract renewal allows Lutheran Social Services to continue to provide intensive case management and family preservation services with the focus on permanent affordable housing with families currently involved in the child welfare system in Sherburne County.
Staff Reclassification
The board approved the reclassification of one Survey Technician III position to an Assistant County Surveyor position to increase and improve upper level management services and develop a process for succession planning. The reclassification will cost an additional $4,201.60.
Solid Waste License
The board approved issuing a County Solid Waste License to Scheerer Enterprises Inc. - DBA as Han’s Foreign Auto & Truck Parts in Elk River, to allow the operation of a salvage yard/processing facility for motor vehicles, parts of motor vehicles, covered electronic devices and other types of recyclable materials.
The license sets forth standards for receiving and screening, storage and processing of acceptable waste materials, and also requirements for how to manage unacceptable waste items that may be received from time to time.
The license covers the period from April 2, 2024 through March 31, 2025.
Other Business
In other actions the board:
• Approved a professional service Agreement with GTRE Commercial (Gordon Tuchenhagen) to appraise 66 parcels for the Co. Rd. 44 project from Hwy. 10 to Co. Rd. 1 in Elk River at a cost of $74,250;
• Approved a professional services agreement with Turf Enterprise Inc. for Phase II deconstruction of 11 buildings at Two Inlets Bdé Heḣáka - Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park at a cost of $118,312;
• Approved the 2024 State of MN Annual County Boat and Water Safety Grant in the amount of $15,906, to purchase equipment and supplies for boat and water enforcement and to fund overtime shifts for enforcement on various lakes within the county;
• Proclaimed the week of April 14-20, 2024, as Public Safety Telecommunications Week in Sherburne County;
• Approved a joint powers agreement with the MN Dept. of Corrections to allow the County Attorney’s Office to charge up to $15,000 for time expended on prosecution of crimes that occur within the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud during the state fiscal year 2025;
• Approved the appointment of Assistant County Attorney Joel Whitlock, who is replacing the retired Roger Fellows and will be handling gross misdemeanors and felonies.
