In a split vote last week, the Sherburne County Board modified a number of conditions for a conditional use permit (CUP) for a wine bar in Santiago Twp.

The issue last came before the board in December. At that time, the board debated whether to revoke the permit due to violations, or modify some of the conditions of the CUP to clarify what was expected of the permit holder. They decided to send it back to the planning commissions for modifications.

Last week, those modifications were up for a vote. They included limiting the number of signs to one; removing additional parking spaces created without permits; requiring patrons to leave the area no more than 15 minutes after listed closing hours; limiting the number of employees to residents of the property or their adult children.

Last Tuesday, members of the board each gave their opinion before the vote, with Commissioners Raeanne Danielowski, Andrew Hulse and Brad Schumacher in favor of modifying the conditions. Commissioners Gary Gray and Gregg Felber voted against.

CAMHI Grant

The board accepted and executed a contract for the 2026 Community Outreach Program Grant Award of $168,329 from CAMHI (CommUNITY Adult Mental Health Initiative). The grant will fund and provide resources and referral to those with Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) that are in the Sherburne County Jail, or those in the community with SPMI that are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Transportation Grant

The board approved a resolution in support of sponsoring the Surface Transportation Block Grant Program (STBGP) for Co. Rd. 23 improvements in the City of Becker.  The county is working with the City of Becker to increase safety for all modes of travel along Co. Rd. 23 in the City of Becker.     

The proposed project includes construction of approximately 1.3 miles of road and corridor improvements on Co. Rd. 23 from Hwy. 10 to south of Edgewood Street.

The total estimated project cost is $3,668,727.79. The county is eligible to receive $2 million in grant funding to complete the project, leaving a local cost share of $1,668,727.79 The project is currently programmed in the county’s five-year Capital Improvement Program, with the local match coming from a combination of Local Option Sales Tax, state aid and city funds. If the grant is approved, funding accounts will be created and amounts budgeted allocated in the year the project is constructed, anticipated to be 2029.