After a 15-minute discussion, the Sherburne County Board voted to accept a grant from the Carbon Reduction Program Project for electric charging stations and electric vehicles during the last meeting in December.
The Public Works Dept. and county administration are partnering on a county-wide initiative, working towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions through electrification of county fleet vehicles. The project is eligible for funding through the Federal Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act Carbon Reduction Program.
The county was awarded a grant for five charging stations and five electric vehicles to be located at the Government Center. The total project cost estimate is $635,200. The grant program would provide $508,160 (80%) of the project cost. The county cost share is $127,040 (20%).
The board also approved applying for two other Carbon Reduction Program grants. The first is a grant of $242,400 to cover 80% of the cost for eight lower level charging stations and three electric vehicles. The other is a grant of $239,000 to cover 80% of the cost for two charing stations and three electric vehicles.
Before the vote, Commissioner Gregg Felber said he wasn’t in favor of subsidizing the electrical vehicle industry.
“I have an objection to the government forcing electric vehicles on people,” he said. “If they were actually a good idea and actually a profitable business, private industry would take care of that. I don’t think government funds should be used to promote a particular business.”
Commissioner Raenne Danielowski said the county would benefit from accepting the grant to replace some of the county’s aging vehicle fleet.
“Someone is going to get these dollars,” she said. “This helps our county levy dollars in saving revenue.”
Commissioner Andrew Hulse said he wanted to be sure there was an actual benefit.
“I don’t have an issue with accepting grant dollars, especially when it’s going to lower our levy cost,” he said. “But I would like us to put some metric around the cost of ownership and operation of these vehicles compared to our gas vehicles, so in the future we have a good baseline of which is the more efficient over time.”
The board voted, 4-1 to accept the grant. Commissioner Felber voted against.
Therapy Dog Policy
The board approved an HHS Dept. policy governing a Therapy Dog Program. HHS staff have identified a need for a therapy dog in the adult mental health area. The role of the HHS therapy dog would be to work primarily with the Adult Mental Health Outreach Worker to assist with individuals on emotional regulation, decreasing isolation, establishment of trust and rapport, and regulation of mental health symptoms. HHS is recommending covering one-time upfront costs relating to procurement/initial training of the dog, up to $4,500, from existing department reserves.
Homeless Outreach
The board approved the PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) Grant Contract between CAMHI (CommUNITY Adult Mental Health Initiative) and Sherburne County. CAMHI provides outreach and case management services to adults who are homeless, at imminent risk of homelessness, or are residing in an institution or other segregated setting and will be homeless upon discharge. CAMHI will be contracting with Sherburne County for the amount of $95,282, which will be used to pay employment costs for one of Sherburne County’s two housing staff.
BNSF Agreement
The board approved a negotiation letter to BNSF for a railroad crossing agreement.
Sherburne County Public Works was successful in securing approximately $2.6 million in grant dollars to improve the safety of the intersection of Co. Rd. 65 and 45th Ave. SE in Haven Twp. by realignment of the intersection to be a perpendicular crossing with both the BNSF rail and Hwy. 10.
The board of commissioners approved the BNSF Grade Crossing Construction and Maintenance and Easement Agreement at the November 5, meeting. BNSF requires a letter for their files that acknowledges the negotiations between the parties.
Other Business
In other actions the board:
• Approved an agreement between the MN Dept. of Health and Sherburne County for the Cannabis and Substance Use Prevention (CSUP) Grant in the amount of $120,814 for the budget period of Nov. 21, 2024 to Oct. 31, 2025;
• Approved a joint powers agreement with Mille Lacs County for the Co. Rd. 1/Co. Rd. 18 design services for improvements along the Sherburne-Mille Lacs County line. The current estimated total cost of engineering services for project development of the jointly selected consultant is $151,172, exclusive of costs related to any Right of Way acquisition that may be required;
• Approved a Preliminary and Final Simple Plat of “Robeck Addition” consisting of two lots. on 21.59 acres on 237th Ave NE in Livonia Twp.;
• Approved an Interim Use Permit (IUP) for a Home Business in an Accessory Building - Dog Grooming on 1.75 acres on 281st Ave. NW in Blue Hill Twp.;
• Approved an IUP for a Home Business in Accessory Building - Design and Engineer 10 Meter Radios, on six acres on 164th Street in Orrock Twp.;
• Approved an IUP for Solar Related Business (operations and service site) on 5.17 acres on 80th Ave. in Clear Lake Twp.;
• Approved a conditional use permit for Communication Towers and Antennas on 140.82 acres on 115th Ave. SE in Clear Lake Twp. Xcel Energy plans to construct a private 140-ft tall monopole communication tower to support communication between Long-Term Evolution (LTE) network and their equipment for security reasons;
• Approved a one-year renewal of the county’s Solid Waste License for Elk River Landfill, Inc.;
• Approved applying for Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding for the Co. Rd. 11/ Co. Rd. 16 roundabout. The funding is estimated at $750,000. Funding accounts will be created in the year the project is constructed.
