The Sherburne County Board of Commissioners opened the new year with a long agenda of organizational items during the first meeting of the year Tuesday.

 

The first order of business was electing a new chairperson and vice-chair, The board voted in Lisa Fobbe as board chair and Tim Dolan as vice chair.

 

Those two commissioners were also chosen as chair and vice chair of the Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) and the Regional Rail Authority (RRA) for 2018.

 

The board awarded the bid for official county publication. Elk River Star News won the bids for publication of Delinquent Tax List, Financial Statement and Commissioner Proceedings. The Citizen-Tribune won the bid for the Alternate Publication of Financial Statement.

 

The board approved an application for an easement from the State of Minnesota. Public Works Director Andre Witter aid the county needs additional right-of-way for a reconditioning project on Co. Rd. 16. Part of that right-of-way lies on state land. There is a $2,000 application fee involved.

 

The board approved a conditional use permit for a 36’x50’ personal storage structure for Christopher and Michelle Wampach on their 20.1-acre parcel on Co. Rd. 1 in Orrock Twp.

 

The board approved a negative declaration for an Environmental Impact Study (EIS) for Sleepy Oaks, an 80-acre proposed single family subdivision in Palmer Twp. The project consists of 41 lots in the Shoreland Residential District of Rush and Julia lakes. Commissioner Felix Schmiesing, who proposed the project and was requested the EIS decision, recused himself from the vote and discussion. 

 

The board approved the receipt of a $40,000 grant from the Initiative Foundation to be used for a rail impact and feasibility study for future rail development and rail park in the Big Lake/Becker area. Total cost of the study is $85,000, which will be shared as follows: Initiative Foundation -$40,000; Regional Rail Fund - $22,500; Sherburne County Public Works - $10,000; City of Becker - $10,000 and City of Big Lake - $2,500. 

 

The study is expected help prepare for future rail development and put the county and cities in the best position to apply for Federal EDA funds through the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) grant process.

 

In other action the board:

 

• Set the next annual meeting for the HRA and RRA for Jan. 8, 2019.