The Sherburne County Board Tuesday approved almost $300,000 in ARPA expenditures covering six different projects or services. They are:
• $109,122 to cover excess Out-of-Home Placement costs in Health & Human Services;
• $68,960 to cover the cost of a healthcare assistance case aid;
• $40,000 to improve the switching network in the sheriff’s department;
• $35,000 for security cameras and software for Grams Park;
• $28,299 to cover the cost of a housing outreach specialist;
• $7,000 to increase cellular coverage for public safety.
The board also approved a commitment letter for up to $10,000 to support Midco’s application for a DEED Border to Border Grant to supply broadband to 114 unserved and underserved properties in Baldwin Twp. The township has also committed $5,000. Total project cost is approximately $550,000.
Park & Trail Grants
The board approved three resolutions in support of applications for Legacy Amendment Grant Funding from the Greater MN Regional Parks and Trails Commission for improvements to the Great Northern Regional Trail and Two Inlets Bdé Heḣáka - Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park.
The grant applications include:
1). $50,000 for development of a cultural landscape and messaging plan for Two Inlets;
2). $528,000 for acquisition of Critical Inheld Land within the boundary of Two Inlets;
3). $480,000 for trailhead construction and trail development along the Great Northern Regional Trail between Elk River and Zimmerman.
Each grant, if awarded, requires a 20% match.
Farm Friends Barn
The board approved a lease amendment and granary transfer agreement with Farm Friends Barn. The granary will be removed from Two Inlets Bdé Heḣáka - Omashkooz Zaaga’igaans Regional Park as part of the park restoration and relocated at the Farm Friends Barn site. Under the agreement, the county will not be held liable to cover any expense associated with relocating the granary.
Nutrition Agreement
The board approved an agreement for the Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) between the MN Dept. of Agriculture and Sherburne County. The program provides checks to clients through the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) program for the purchase of locally grown fresh fruits and vegetables.
Other Business
In other actions the board.
• Transferred $400,000 from an excess of the 2023 budget to the year end savings (YES) account to be used for future unanticipated one-time capital purchases and/or significant budget variances;
• Approved entering into a professional services agreement to assist the Planning & Zoning Dept. with the environmental review of a possible gravel mine in Haven Twp.;
• Approved a Registered Land Survey (RLS) at the request of property owners Jagodzinski and Ostrander in Big Lake Twp. in order to clear up property boundary issues;
• Approved a joint powers agreement with the City of Zimmerman for the Great Northern Trail. The county is building a pedestrian trail from Main Street to 5th Ave. North. The agreement outlines the ownership and maintenance of the improvements by the City of Zimmerman;
• Approved an IUP for James Lorge for an outdoor fitness facility on 112.28 acres on Co. Rd. 79 in Big Lake. Twp. Activities on site may include stations for a log carry, tractor tire flip, pull ups, rope balance walk, sprint areas, squat/lunge areas and obstacle course;
• Approved an Interim Use Permit (IUP) for MN CSG 15 LLC for a 1 Megawatt Solar Farm on 50.5 acres off Hwy. 24 north of Co. Rd. 8 in Clear Lake Twp.;
• Proclaimed April as Child Abuse Prevention Month;
• Proclaimed May 5 - 11, 2024 as Correctional Officers’ Week;
• Proclaimed April 30 as National Therapy Animal Day.
