Ms. Kramer reported Dodge County was recently approached by Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation (MERC) requesting a utility easement for a natural gas line. This work is being completed in conjunction with the work on Highway 57. Minnesota Energy Resources would like to proceed quickly on this matter as the work is in progress on the road. The Finance Director asked Mona McAndrew to review the document for recordability and she found a few corrections and notified MERC. Ms. Kramer recently received a copy of the corrected document. It was noted Mr. Kiltinen was not available to review the document prior to submitting the Board memo. Questions were raised regarding the proposed location of the gas line on the fairgrounds property. The Finance Director noted this is a time sensitive item that is trying to be coordinated along with the Highway 57 project that is taking place in Kasson this summer. Commissioners Allen and Kenworthy reported they did not like the proposed location of the new gas line. It was suggested that the County Attorney be allowed to negotiate the gas line location on the fairgrounds with Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation on behalf of Dodge County. Commissioner Peterson stated he'd like to see them stay away from the buildings and any potential building locations. Motion by Peterson seconded by Allen to approve and authorize the Chair and County Administrator to sign a corrected Gas Easement with Minnesota Energy Resources Corporation for a utility easement agreement as recommended and allow the County Attorney, after communicating with Commissioner Kenworthy, (the county's Fair Board representative) to negotiate the location of the gas line at the fairgrounds on behalf of Dodge County. Motion Adopted [Unanimous] Bills Reviewed Ms. Kramer reviewed bills with the Board. Motion by Peterson seconded by Toquam to approve the bills as discussed in the following amounts from the appropriate funds as determined by Finance: 01 Revenue Fund $ 91,157.43 13 Road and Bridge Fund $ 182,031.68 16 Environmental Quality Fund $ 139,7007.49 Total $ 412,896.60 Motion Adopted [Unanimous] Elizabeth Harbaugh, SSTS Program Manager & Lauren Cornelius, Environmental Services Director Septic in Shoreland Ms. Harbaugh met with the Board to discuss Minnesota Shoreland Rules 6120.3400 Subp. 3 Item D (included in the Board packet). Enforcement of the Rule included amendment to Dodge County Zoning Ordinance Chapter 21 and Chapter 14 adding the language of: “Any time a permit or variance of any type is required for any improvement on, or use of, the property in the Shoreland Overlay District” to the Ordinance with Board approval on July 14, 2020. Since adopted into the Ordinance the enforcement has been as follows: Any property with shoreland boundary located on the property would require a septic system compliance inspection for any permit for an improvement on the property including any structure that would require a Zoning Permit. Recently this inspection requirement has been brought into question and it was requested that Environmental Services bring to the Board several options for possible revisions to the rule language that is currently in the Zoning Ordinance, should the Board wish for the Environmental Services to amend the Ordinance. Potential Options: 1. Leave current language as is. 2. Change the language to not require septic inspections when the septic system serving the dwelling or structure on property or the proposed structure is not within the shoreland buffer boundary. 3. Change the rule language in the Ordinance to require compliance inspection of the septic system only if the proposed structure has plumbing and the proposed structure is to be located within the shoreland boundary. Recommendation: It is the recommendation of Environmental Services to utilize options either 1 or 2. The Environmental Services staff believes these are the best options due to the environmental benefit of the protected water courses within the County by having compliant septic systems on properties that are located in the Shoreland Overlay District. Environmental Services staff does not believe option 3 to be an acceptable alternative as Dodge County is not delegated for building code and would not know if plumbing was added to the structure. In addition, this would not address potential non-compliant systems serving properties located in shoreland. Commissioner Allen stated he doesn't support the Ordinance requirement for septic system compliance inspections when a structure is added onto and the addition doesn't include any plumbing. Mr. Allen reported he would prefer to have things be looked at individually rather than applying a rule to everything. Commissioner Allen commented he could support Option 2 as listed above. Commissioner Tjosaas reported that he too supported Option 2. Commissioner Toquam stated this is another instance where they adopted a plan but didn't have anything to apply it to at the time, therefore they couldn't foresee the impacts their decision would have down the road. Ms. Toquam indicated she would agree with Option 2 but noted she doesn't agree with requiring an inspection on a property when the addition isn't located in the shoreland. Ms. Cornelius reported Option 2 doesn't resolve the issue for one of the properties listed in their Board packet material since all of the property is in the shoreland boundary. The SSTS Program Manager discussed other options including the option to request a variance. Commissioner Toquam indicated she would support applicants applying for a variance if needed. Ms. Toquam noted the county may have more requests like this in the future and if they decided to add more rules and regulations to things like the shoreland buffer district people might become more inclined to add structures and plumbing without notifying the county. Motion by Allen seconded by Kenworthy to update the Dodge County Zoning Ordinance Chapter 21 and Chapter 14 as recommended to change the language to not require septic inspections when the septic system serving the dwelling or structure on property or the proposed structure is not within the shoreland buffer boundary. Commissioner Kenworthy stated this is another reason they should be looking at building codes in Dodge County. Motion Adopted [Unanimous] Lauren Cornelius, Environmental Services Director & Ken Paulson, Solid Waste Facility Manager Transfer Station Tractor Mr. Cornelius and Mr. Paulson met with the Board to discuss a Transfer Station tractor purchase request. The Transfer Station has allotted $250,000 in capital to purchase a new tractor and trailer. The trailer purchase was brought to the Board and approved at the May 10, 2022 County Board meeting. Included in the Board packet were three quotes for a tractor. Environmental Services is recommending moving forward with Western Star which they feel is a better-quality tractor. Truck Center Companies, Mankato, MN 2023 Western Star 49X Nuss Truck & Equipment, Roseville, MN 2024 Mack Pinnacle RIHM Kenworth, Albert Lea, MN 2023 Kenworth T800 RIHM Kenworth, Albert Lea, MN 2023 Kenworth T880 Cost $148,444.00 $124,135.00 $164,501.00 $164,916.00 Trade-In *$25,000.00 $25,000.00 $40,000.00 $40,000.00 TOTAL $123,444.00 $99,135.00 $124,501.00 $124,916.00 * Estimated Value The Environmental Services Director informed the Board that she received a new quote for the Western Star, the new quote amount is $122,892. Commissioner Allen wanted to know why they were recommending the purchase of the Western Star. Mr. Paulson informed the Board that he had an opportunity to talk to businesses that have used this equipment in addition to the people that service this equipment and has learned that the Western Star is a better built tractor that needs less maintenance than the other two brands. This is the reason they are recommending the purchase of the Western Star. Motion by Allen seconded by Peterson to approve and authorize Environmental Services to purchase a Western Star 49X tractor from Truck Center Companies in Mankato, MN at a cost of approximately $122,892. Motion Adopted [Unanimous] Matt Maas, PSAP/Emergency Management Director BCA Joint Powers Agreement Request Mr. Maas reported it has recently come to his attention the 5-year Joint Powers Agreement that Dodge County has with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has expired. This Joint Powers Agreement allows Dodge County Sheriff’s Office access to criminal justice data through the BCA’s Criminal Justice Data Network. This access is essential for the law enforcement operations within Dodge County. At this time the Emergency Management Director is requesting that the Board approve the proposed Joint Powers Agreement, Court Data Amendment and resolution authorizing such access. Commissioner Peterson offered the following resolution (#2022-36), seconded by Commissioner Allen: Resolution Approving State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements with the County of Dodge on Behalf of its County Attorney and Sheriff WHEREAS, the County of Dodge on behalf of its County Attorney and Sheriff desires to enter into Joint Powers Agreements with the State of Minnesota, Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to use systems and tools available over the State’s criminal justice data communications network for which the County is eligible. The Joint Powers Agreements further provide the County with the ability to add, modify and delete connectivity, systems and tools over the five-year life of the agreement and obligates the County to pay the costs for the network connection. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the County Board of Dodge, Minnesota as follows: 1. That the State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements by and between the State of Minnesota acting through its Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the County of Dodge on behalf of its County Attorney and Sheriff are hereby approved. 2. That the PSAP/Emergency Management Director - Matthew Maas, or his or her successor, is designated the Authorized Representative for the Sheriff. The Authorized Representative is also authorized to sign any subsequent amendment or agreement that may be required by the State of Minnesota to maintain the County’s connection to the systems and tools offered by the State. To assist the Authorized Representative with the administration of the agreement, Chief Deputy Ryer Anderson is appointed as the Authorized Representative’s designee. 3. That the PSAP/Emergency Management Director - Matthew Maas, or his or her successor, is designated the Authorized Representative for the County Attorney. The Authorized Representative is also authorized to sign any subsequent amendment or agreement that may be required by the State of Minnesota to maintain the County’s connection to the systems and tools offered by the State. To assist the Authorized Representative with the administration of the agreement, Chief Deputy Ryer Anderson is appointed as the Authorized Representative’s designee.
