The Sherburne County Board of Commissioners met Tuesday morning, receiving several agency updates, as well as recognizing the formation of a Mental Health Action Team. However, the biggest news of the morning came on a 3-2 vote as the commissioners narrowly approved a recommendation to change the zoning ordinance regarding the representation on the Board of Adjustment.
Currently, several township elected officials serve on the seven person Board of Adjustment, which according to the county’s website, meets monthly to “review variance applications and other appeals to administrative decisions made by the Zoning Administrator relating to the Zoning Ordinance.”
For several months, the commissioners have been debating the idea to involve more citizens in government by prohibiting township elected officials from serving on the board. The change has been met with some resistance from local elected officials who wish to continue serving on the board, with the commissioners and supervisors having even held a meeting to discuss the concept.
At Tuesday’s meeting, Planning & Zoning Administrator Nancy Riddle presented the ordinance with updated language that would prohibit the elected officials from serving unless “the Board of Commissioners finds that there is a lack of qualified and desirable applicants following advertisement and solicitation for a vacancy on the Board of Adjustment . . . “
Other proposed language would limit members of the Board of Adjustment to two, three-year terms and would also seek to “ensure geographic diversity when making appointments to the Board of Adjustment so that at least one but no more than two members of the Board of Adjustment reside in any single Commissioner District.”
The final proposed change would require one, instead of current two, Planning Commission member to serve on Board of Adjustment.
Commissioner Tim Dolan spoke in favor of the new language, noting that there had been much discussion at workshops and meetings, where everyone’s input was taken into account to try and find a workable solution for the “greater good” of the county.
However, Commissioner Felix Schmiesing noted that he had concerns with the proposal that he had been communicating all throughout the process and he planned to vote against the recommended language.
“I believe that the Planning Commission should be weighing in on it,” Schmiesing said.
Commissioner Lisa Fobbe also expressed her concerns with the changes, noting her discomfort with the process used to get to the decision.
“I’ve said all along that I don’t disagree with the goals [of the changes],” Fobbe said. “What is possibly even more important is the process . . . that’s been difficult and challenging.”
Board Chair Raeanne Danielowski then shared her opinion, stating that she was supportive of the change because it would open government up to more citizen involvement. She noted that the new language “leaves the door open, if we are not successful in getting those citizens involved, then we have the supervisors to fall back on.”
With discussion finished, Schmiesing requested a roll call vote to ensure that each Commissioner’s position was clearly noted in the minutes. The motion to approve the recommendations passed with Dolan, Danielowski and Barbara Burandt voting “aye” and Schmiesing and Fobbe voting “naye”.
With the approval, the proposed change to the ordinance now moves to the Planning Commission for a public hearing as required by state statute. That group may elect to make recommendations to the County Board, but does not have the authority to accept or reject the proposal.
Mental Health
The board had a pair of agenda items dealing with mental health, the first one being the adoption of a proclamation to designate May as Mental Health Month.
Victoria Johannes, Supervisor of the Behavioral Health and Protection Unit, shared a good deal of information regarding HHS efforts in the areas of prevention and case management.
She noted that one in four people each year will be affected with a mental health issue and also brought attention to the billions in dollars of costs associated with untreated conditions. In just the past month, HHS has worked with 25 clients who were evaluated in the ER or admitted for inpatient services. Out of the 14 case managers in Sherburne County, six have lost a client to suicide, leading to a high rate of secondary trauma among staff.
Staff also shared a pair of success stories, highlighting both an adult and a child who have utilized HHS case management and achieved an excellent outcome in their personal lives.
Amanda Larson, HHS Director, next presented information about Sherburne’s MAT or Mental Health Action Team. The initiative brings together several key staff, including J. Hancuch of Community Corrections, Attorney Kathleen Heaney and Sheriff Joel Brott to create a more intensive partnership for focusing on prevention with the county’s “high system utilizers,” or people who have frequent contact across the departments.
Because of data privacy laws, departments are not allowed to share information with each other unless there is a signed release of information and securing this document is one of the key elements to the new initiative.
Heaney explained to the board that in the past year, there has been a 24% increase in the number of civil commitments in the county and she believes the MAT will help to “give people the tools they need to live constructive lives in our community.”
In Other Business, The Board:
• Heard from Administrator Bruce Messelt that for the 27th year in a row, the county received the Government Finance Officers of America award for Distinguished Comprehensive Annual Financial Reporting. The award commends Diane Arnold and her staff for excellence in auditing records and financial documentation;
• Listened to Greg Ridderbusch give an update on Connexus Energy and their efforts at innovation and reliability in electricity;
• Received an update from Barb Chaffee, Central Minnesota Jobs and Training Services, about the organization’s ongoing efforts in helping dislocated and unemployed workers;
• Approved an IUP for Mining for Merlin Valerius;
• Approved an IUP for a Contractor’s Yard for Ryan Boogren;
• Approved a Final Simple Plat of Schumacher Acres-Cantlin Lake Properties;
• Adopted a resolution for the reclassification of an Office Assistant to Administrative Assistant I in the Assessor’s Office to allow for cross-training of employees;
• Approved a response letter to the Elk River Landfill regarding certificate of need for Cell 20 in the area of Solid Waste;
• Granted permission to Public Works Director Andrew Witter to issue special hauling permits for road construction materials, as this will help to keep the wear and tear on county roads to a minimum. In another motion, the board approved the reappointment of Witter to another 4 year term as County Engineer;
• Heard from staffer Nicole Ruhoff regarding the county’s ongoing pandemic response. A week ago, Sherburne County had the state’s highest 14 day average of covid positive infections per capita, but this week Sherburne moved to third;
• Heard from Assistant Administrator Dan Weber that the ARPA financial guidance has again been delayed and he hopes to receive it next week so the county can begin planning for their Federal aid;
• Learned that the broadband survey will kick off soon and the board encourages all residents and businesses to participate in order for the county to have accurate data that will help identify gaps in coverage, as well as opportunities to bring high speed internet access to all residents.
