Cass County Board: Commissioners approve emergency declaration for May 12 storm

   PILLAGER— The county commissioners have begun their annual “Road Show” for the summer with their first stop at Pillager City Hall Tuesday, May 17. Board Chair Bob Kangas opened the meeting with County Administrator Josh Stevenson having one adjustment to the agenda. Stevenson requested a resolution regarding an emergency declaration for the May 12 storm that passed through Cass County be added to the agenda for discussion and possible approval.

   Stevenson stated the county has determined approximately $65,000 worth of damage from the May 12 storm, but emergency management coordinator Chad Emery is currently reaching out to area townships, public entities and power companies to determine an actual cost. In order for the county to receive money from the state or federal government as an emergency declaration the damage amount will need to be higher, but the county only has 30 days from date of event to pass the resolution and Emery felt the deadline may be missed if the commissioners wait until their next regular board meeting.

   It was questioned if this resolution would cover individual property damage also, Stevenson stated currently it would not and he was not sure what the total dollar damage would have to be in order to include personal property. Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk motioned to pass the resolution with commissioner Scott Bruns seconding, and all commissioners voting aye.

   Kevin Lee, ambulance services manager for North Memorial Health the presented the first quarter Longville ambulance report. Even though revenue was unfavorable - 67 patients were billed verses a budgeted amount of 61 patients. Lee stated the reasoning for revenue being unfavorable is due to increased revenue deductions and the timing of write offs. It was also shared that first quarter expenses were favorable to the budgeted amounts.

   Lee then mentioned due to the wide spread staffing issues, they have started a Resident EMT program where they pay for people to attend EMT classes in exchange for one year of service as an EMT with North Memorial Health. Currently they are reaching out to high school students in area schools, the students attend classes on-line a couple nights a week during the program. Then they do the hands on training of skills at the Baxter location with going on calls about half way through the training. North Memorial Health will be offering three classes per year with them being summer, fall and spring. For more information on this program or to register you can contact Kevin Lee with North Memorial Health.

   Lynne Harrington representing Deep Portage Foundation then shared a history background of Deep Portage Learning Center. During this presentation she mentioned various dates of when the memorial forest was established, when Deep Portage Conservation Foundation was organized and the various construction phases. 

   It was mentioned during the construction of the resources heritage center the design of the roof was flawed. Back in 2000 the original shake roofing was replaced with shingles, in 2011 an investment of $200,000 was made for a flat roof, increased insulation and ventilation/duct work replacement. Neither of these investments have helped improve the ice dam issues.

   Recently a notice requesting bids for a reroof project was published with bids being due by May 24. It was requested a motion be made to re-convene the Deep Portage committee of the board to discuss the bids and bring a recommendation back to the board at the June 7 meeting. A motion was made by commissioner Jeff Peterson, with Gaalswyk seconding it and all commissioners approving the motion.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Adopted a resolution establishing the withholding for reforestation and trails prior to the tax forfeit distribution in the amount of 30% for reforestation and 20% for trails.

   • Adopted a resolution to continue the Master Partnership Contract with Minnesota Department of Transportation from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2027.

   • Awarded a contract  to Anderson Brothers Construction Co. in the amount of $1,428,444 for work on County State Aid Highway 40 for reclaiming and paving as well as construction of a new right turn lane at the intersection of County State Aid Highway 40 and Minnesota Trunk Highway 371.

   • Awarded a contract to JH Lawn Solutions in the amount of $30,003 for the herbicide application program.

   The next meetings are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 7 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker; the annual planning work session 9 a.m. Friday, June 10 at Deep Portage Learning Center, 2197 Nature Center Dr. NW, Hackensack; AMC District 2 Meeting 8 a.m. Wednesday, June 15 at Beltrami County Board Room, 701 Minnesota Ave NW, Ste 102, Bemidji and commissioner’s board meeting 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 21 at Wilson Township Townhall, 3990 16th Ave SW, Pine River