Resolution for #10 project signed

On August 28, 2018, the Red Lake County Board of Commissioners met for the regular meeting with all members present: John Lerohl, Dave Sorensen, Chuck Simpson, Al Remick and Ron Weiss.

The meeting was opened by Chairman Dave Sorensen with the pledge of allegiance. There were no changes or additions to the agenda.

Jennifer Erdmann, Community Program Assistant for the RSVP (Retired and Senior Volunteer Program) of the Red River Valley came before the board of commissioners to thank them for their past support and to report on the benefits received by supporting this program. 

Erdmann started with some statistics that included 42 years of service to this area, 600 active volunteers and highlighted some of the programs that are used in the area such as Groceries to Go and the Handyman Program. Erdmann also talked about RSVP outcomes. Nearly 5000 persons served in impact programs. 277 volunteers average 1-2 hours a week of volunteer service for increased health benefits. 400+ students are served by Reading Buddies with 77% of students meeting grade level expectations. The SAIL, Groceries to Go and the Handyman program helps seniors to live an independent life longer. 

Some of the other programs are SAIL (Stay Active In Life) which used to be called Bone Builders is a popular and there are many classes in most communities, Reading Buddies where seniors can donate time to help children with their reading skills. 

Loneliness is a big decider on the quality of life and it has been found to be just as bad as smoking to be lonely on your health. Volunteering helps people make new friends and gives them a sense of purpose.

Jeremy Johnson from the Red Lake County Highway Department needed a resolution signed for RLC CSAH #10 so they could begin work, Lerohl made the motion, Weiss seconded, carried. He also brought a plan with Terrebonne Township on 2 bridge replacements that will need to be done. This was just the preliminary plans but need approval for the agreement between Red Lake County and Terrebonne Township to move forward. Simpson made the motion with Remick seconded, carried.

The minutes were approved with a motion by Lerohl, seconded by Remick, carried. Expenditures were approved with a motion by Lerohl, seconded by Simpson, roll call vote, carried.

Sheriff Mitch Bernstein came to the board concerning the 2019 Capital Outlay budget. He wanted to update the commissioners on the upcoming purchase of a 2018 Chevy pickup he would like to buy. He has to order by September 15th but it would not come out of the funds until 2019. They are trading in a 2012 pickup. Members of the board asked about SUV and Bernstein pickups are cheaper to buy and cars are not available for law enforcement anymore. Approval to order was made in a motion by Weiss and seconded by Lerohl. Carried.

Committee Reports 

Simpson didn’t have any to report on. Weiss reported that he attended a meeting dealing with 1W1P (One Watershed, One Plan) concerning sidewater inlets.

Remick had attended the County Safety meeting where flu shots, how to use a fire extinguisher, and highway safety issues were talked about. There has be 75% participation in meeting this year, which is up from last year.

Lerohl had a HRA meeting where they discussed Lee Meier’s retirement and replacement. Ads will be going out for the position. Christine Anderson from Small Business Development Center had talked about Red Lake Falls, Warren and Crookston and building affordable housing  with Homark building the homes, and then placing them in the three towns.

Sorensen had attended the NW Mental Health meeting and things are going well, grant for next two years was talked about.

Angie Lundeen from Human Resources came with information requested by the board for an estimate for rebuilding the Employee Compensation policies. They had a cost from one company of $12,400 to 25,536 from start to finish depending on if it was a partial or total rebuild. The last time the county had the Employee Compensation policies looked at was in 1992. Sorensen said Kittson had it done last year and asked Lundeen to talk to them about what they did and which company they used. Angie said she will have more information and possible another quote for the next commissioners meeting.

The meeting was adjourned.