(Editor’s Note: The following article is a combination of two recent meetings with the Sherburne County Board.)
The Sherburne County Board Tuesday authorized the submission of a $1 million Community Energy Grant Application to the MN Dept. of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) to assist in the completion of the Hwy. 25 TIER I environmental review.
In order to accommodate further development within Sherburne County, the Becker Business Park, the Big Lake Business Park and thousands of acres of property that could easily be developed, the county is looking to secure funding to conduct a federal environmental assessment, analyze alternatives, and conduct local official and public engagement meetings.
The funds proposed in the application are specific to the costs of planning the transportation infrastructure to support the community during the energy transition that is taking place in Becker.
“We’d like to submit a grant (application) to help with the environmental process for the connectivity between Hwy. 10 and I-94,” said Public Works Director Andrew Witter. “This will help the entire community in the economic viability.”
The entire cost for the environmental review is estimated at $2 million. There would be a county match of $500,000 to Sherburne and Wright counties to cover the remaining costs.
“If we’re successful in receiving the community energy transition grant,” said Witter, “we would also be looking for other grant opportunities to help with that local match.”
Environmental
Testing
The board approved a Master Service Agreement with Braun Intertec for geotechnical, construction material testing and Phase I environmental site assessment services for the years 2024 and 2025. The board also approved a similar agreement with American Engineering Testing in the event that Braun Intertec is unable to provide services for any unforeseen reasons.
Other Business
In other actions the board:
• Approved an Interim Use Permit (IUP) for MN CSG 2019-33 LLC for a 1 MW Solar Farm on 41.63 acres at 90th St. SE in Clear Lake Twp. , replacing permit #69388, removing the requirement for trees on the west side of the property;
• Approved an IUP for MN CSG 2019-67 LLC for a 1 MW Solar Farm on 18.40 acres off Hwy. 24 in Clear Lake Twp., replacing permit #74251, to change the layout of the solar farm;
• Approved a Conditional Use Permit for Coreen Pearson for a farm-related business on 45.41 acres on 100th Ave. SE in Clear Lake Twp.;
• Approved an IUP for Home Business in an Accessory Building, a hair salon, on 20 acres on 253rd Ave. NW in Big Lake Twp.;
• Appointed the following individuals to serve on the Sherburne County Community Corrections Advisory Board (SCCCAB): - Citizens: Rebecca Tveten; Corrections: Corey Mabis-Rowe, Sherburne County Community Corrections Director; Public Defense: Jordan Krogstad, Sherburne County Chief Managing Attorney;
• Approved a letter of support for Arvig’s application to the State DEED Low Population Density Broadband Grant Program to bring additional fiber to areas within Palmer Twp.;
• Appointed the following alternates to the Waste Management Advisory Committee: Tim Steinbeck - 2024-2026, Christopher Borum - 2024-2026, Mark Rask - 2024-2025 and Jason Belair - 2024-2025;
• Proclaimed the week of May 12-18, 2024 as National Police Week in Sherburne County;
• Proclaimed May 10, 2024 as Child Care Provider Appreciation Day;
• Proclaimed May as Mental Health Awareness Month.
SCORE funds three
organics programs
The board last week approved amendments to the SCORE line item budget to allow for two Source Separated Organics programs.
The State has established aggressive goals for counties to reach a 35% rate for recycling and organics management by the year 2030.
The county approved funding of $20,000 for a School Recycling Incentive Program that would assist schools with adding signs, bins and covering other costs associated with expanding overall recycling.
The Institutional Sector Grant Program ($20,000) would allow institutions such as schools, nursing homes and jails to apply for funding to offset costs associated with implementing a food waste recycling program.
Another $60,000 in reserve funding was approved for municipal yard waste sites for the future Emerald Ash Borer infestation.
It is anticipated that due to the invasion of the Emerald Ash Borer, additional tree waste will be received at the waste sites in Big Lake, Becker, Elk River and Zimmerman. The reserve funding will allow for additional grinding and hauling.
Two more separate SCORE grant applications were also received and awarded funding: $7,500 to the City of St. Cloud for residential yard waste collection, and $2,382 to Crystal Cabinet Works for a paint can crusher and stand.
With the approvals last Tuesday, there will still be $50,000 remaining in the SCORE reserves for future programs.
Steering Committee
The board approved adding the Public Works Director/ County Engineer as a member of the Executive Steering Committee. The committee provides consultation and advice on major policies and initiatives.
Committee members currently include the County Board Chair and Vice-Chair, County Administrator, County Attorney, County Sheriff, County Auditor-Treasurer, HR Director, and HHS Director.
Attorney Agreement
The board approved a Court Appointed Attorney Service Agreement with Carson, Clelland & Schreder P.L.L.C.
The county is mandated by statute to provide court appointed attorney services for Child in need of Protective Services (CHIPs), Termination of Parental Rights (TPR), and Paternity/Contempt Services. The agreement is for a term from May 7 to Dec. 31, 2024.
Other Business
In other actions the board:
• Approved the Office of Justice Program (OJP) funding for the Sherburne County Attorney’s Office Victim/Witness Program for fiscal year 2025 in the amount of $83,200;
• Approved the 1st Quarter 2024 donations totalling $7,999.86 received by the Health & Human Services Dept.;
• Appointed Lucinda Meyers as Dist. 4 Representative on the Parks & Trails Advisory Committee;
• Approved an IIJA Technical Assistance grant agreement of $30,000 from MnDOT. The grant provides funds to aid the county in applying for a federal CRISI Rail Safety grant for the preliminary and final design for an interchange at Hwy. 10 and Co. Rd. 11;
• Accepted the 2024 State of Minnesota Federal Boating Safety Supplemental Patrol Grant in the amount of $5,500, to fund additional boating safety patrol hours during high watercraft use periods on various lakes within the county;
• Approved a $15,000 ARPA grant for prescribed burns in county parks;
• Approved moving forward with formal selection and acquisition of CaseWorks for an electronic document management system for the HHS Dept.
