After a 25-minute public hearing last week, the Sherburne County Board voted, 4-1 to approve amendments to the county’s Solid Waste Ordinance.
The amendments cover multiple language changes in 14 different sections of the previous ordinance, including definitions, general requirements, financial assistance, additional requirements, salvage yard facilities, land treatment of leachate and septage.
During public comment, Mike Miller, a representative for Elk River Landfill spoke on the changes and asked for a possible workshop with some of their technical experts to look at some of the language changes in the ordinance.
When it was time to vote, Commissioner Brad Schumacher said he would be willing to sit down for a workshop with experts.
“I would like to listen to whatever professionals they have to give us information... then I’d feel better about approving this amendment,” he said.
Solid Waste Administrator Dave Lucas said the proposed amendments were sent out to all affected stakeholders and the county received feedback.
“We did receive comments back and some of those comments were incorporated into this revised proposed amendments,” he said.
Administrator Bruce Messelt said it would be an issue to hold a workshop with just Elk River Landfill representatives.
“To sit down with one regulated party and talk about the ordinance and not others would violate the procedure and the process for ordinance revisions in your statute,” he said. “That’s why we sent it out to everybody.”
The board voted, 4-1, in favor of the changes, with Commissioner Schumacher voting against.
County Attorney Retirement
The board accepted a letter of retirement from Sherburne County Attorney Kathleen Heaney.
She wrote: “I have had the honor to serve the people of Sherburne County as its County Attorney since 2003. For, that, I will be forever grateful. I would like to extend my appreciation to the County Board for its continued support of the office and our mission of public service and public safety. I leave you in the capable hands of the staff that I have had the privilege to serve with.”
Commissioner Gregg Felber said he was reluctant to make a motion to accept her retirement because he didn’t want to see her leave.
“...but I fully respect the desire of people to actually retire from their long time of public service,” he said. “She’s done a great job for us over her long period of service.”
Heaney’s final day will be April, 30.
Administrator Bruce Messelt said the county board is responsible for facilitating the selection of a County Attorney to serve the remainder of the current elected term (Jan. 2023 - Jan. 2026), either by appointment or special election.
Second Amendment Proclamation
The board voted unanimously to pass a proclamation declaring Sherburne County as a Second Ammendment Dedicated County.
Presented by Commissioner Gregg Felber, the proclamation supports, “both the right of an individual to “keep and bear arms” and to undertake in related enjoyment and recreation derived from the exercise of such right within Sherburne County... and that the Sherburne County Board of Commissioners hereby expresses its support for the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens of Sherburne County to keep and bear arms.”
Solar Panel
The board accepted the donation of a solar panel from Xcel Energy for demonstrative and educational purposes. The panel is identical in size to the current solar panels that are installed throughout the county and will be placed near the front entrance of the Government Center.
Crisis Grant
The board approved the 2025 Crisis Response Grant Agreement in the amount of $198,287.17. The funding will allow for an additional Co-Responder to serve the Sherburne County community. The grant contract agreement term will be from March 1, 2025 through June 30, 2026.
Solid Waste License
The board approved the issuance of a County Solid Waste License to Scheerer Enterprises Inc., DBA Han’s Foreign Auto & Truck Parts in Elk River, allowing the renewed operation of a processing facility. The license runs for five years, ending in December, 2030.
INFRA Grant
The board approved the INFRA (Infrastructure for Rebuilding America) Grant Agreement for the US Hwy. 169/Co. Rd. 4 Interchange. In January 2023, the county board approved an application for an INFRA Grant for the design and construction of the US Hwy 169/Co. Rd. 4 Interchange. The county was extremely fortunate to receive an award of $24,732,000 for the proposed project.
Other Business
In other actions the board:
• Approved the final contract payment of $32,711.34 to North Valley Inc. for Co. Rd. 1 pavement resurfacing and Co. Rd. 15 bridge surface maintenance;
• Approved the reorganization of the assessor’s office by reclassifying one of the Public Specialist staff to an Appraiser Trainee position. The promotion will allow the assessor’s office the flexibility to cross train and result in a reduction of one fulltime employee;
• Approved an office space lease agreement between Santiago Twp. and the Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office. Santiago Twp. has provided office space to the Sheriff’s Office since 2008. The term of this agreement will be from Jan. 1, 2025 to Jan. 1, 2030.
