Cass County Board: Townships support DNR land purchase with a condition

   BACKUS --  Regional Manager of the Division of Forestry for the Department of Natural Resources, Adam Munstenteiger attended the regular board meeting Tuesday, January 17 to ask for a letter of support in acquiring some parcels currently owned by The Conservation Fund in Cass County. Munstenteiger stated a representative with the DNR attended a Township meeting within each of the two Townships the parcels are located to discuss the possible acquisition.

   Munstenteiger provided a summary of what was discussed and the outcome of the meetings. It was felt that Ansel Township is supportive of the acquisition, however they are concerned if these parcels were to become State Forest there would be an increase of OHV traffic. Therefore, Ansel Township would like to see these parcels designated as a Wildlife Management Area (WMA), which would restrict the public use of motorized vehicles without applying for a special permit. During the initial meeting with McKinley Township there was no specific decision made. The meeting lasted approximately 50 minutes with the township board not clearly stating they supported or did not support the proposal.

   With several citizens from Ansel and McKinley Township attending the county board meeting Commissioner Bob Kangas requested they hear from the Townships as the board will support them. Miles Kuschel, resident of Ansel Township, shared with the board that they are in favor of the acquisition if the parcels are designated as Wildlife Management Area. It was mentioned currently there is an issue in the Foot Hills State Forest with OHV’s damaging trails and forest roads, and it is felt these vehicles would also damage the roads/trails in the newly acquired parcels if designated as State Forest lands. Therefore, the township would be in support of these parcels being designated as WMA due to the fact only non-motorized vehicles are allowed within this location. 

   Kuschel did mention he does not want to limit access during hunting season to older citizens or citizens with limited mobility and asked if the parcels were to be designated as WMA if those citizens would still be able to access their deer stand. Christine Reisz, Brainerd Area Wildlife Manager, stated those citizens could apply for a special permit to allow them to use a motorized vehicle during hunting seasons in order to allow them access.

   Bill Brown, resident of McKinley Township, also spoke on behalf of the township and stated they had the same concerns as residents of Ansel Township regarding the OHV’s. He also provided a brief history of the Potlatch Lands acquired by The Conservation fund. He informed the Board that the DNR acquisition is an opportunity for those lands to once again be open to public hunting as they were before being leased and then eventually sold by Potlatch. After hearing from the two townships that would be affected, Commissioner Jeff Peterson motioned to approve a letter of support with a request to conduct additional public meetings with Townships to discuss how the land will be managed and request WMA designation on the lands to be acquired as State Forest lands based on the feedback provided to the County Board from Townships. Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk seconded the motion, with all commissioners voting aye.

   County Administrator Josh Stevenson reported back to the board regarding a meeting with the Budget Committee of the Board. Discussion regarding how to distribute the remaining American Rescue Plan Act Funds (ARPA) was the main focus during this meeting. It was decided to recommend to the full board to approve a Phase III ARPA application where local businesses, non-profits, local units of government and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe could request funds for a qualifying project with a commitment of matching funds. Any project with the following priorities will be considered: 

   • Expand services to disproportionately impacted communities

   • Expand Emergency Medical Services, Fire Protection, and Ambulance Services

   • Expand workforce housing in critical need communities

   • Expand opportunities for community vaccination clinics

   • Expand childcare capacity and early learning opportunities for our communities

   • Promotes youth participation in after school programs

   • Provides a long-term solution to a problem amplified by the pandemic

   • Provides Broadband Internet to underserved and unserved areas of the County

   • Provides long term natural resource protection

   • Use of ARPA Funds from other local units of governments is part of financial plan

   • Support from other local units of government is documented

   The amount remaining in ARPA funds for this phase is $800,000 and it was mentioned the money for previous applications that have been approved but not funded yet has been earning interest. Therefore, this interest will also be available for various projects. The application period for this phase is to end on June 23, 2023 and all reimbursements must be requested before December 31, 2024. 

    In other business, the county board: 

   • Approved the Courthouse Unit labor contract for the next three years to include a 5% cost of living adjustment and 3% step increases annually, consistent with all other labor agreements. 

   • Approved the Dispatch and Records labor contract within the Sheriff’s Department for the next three years to include a 5% cost of living adjustment and 3% step increases annually, consistent with all other labor agreements, plus a uniform allowance increase, consistent with similar labor contracts.

   • Established a Committee of the Board to determine how to use the funds received from the opioid settlement with Commissioners Rick Haaland and Bob Kangas volunteering.

   • Approved a match payment of 25% to State of MN Emergency Funds which will cover the remaining cost to Cass County Snowmobile Clubs to clean up tree damage on Grant In Aid snowmobile trails from the December 13-15 winter storm event.

   • Approved a letter of support for Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Trunk Highway 210 and County State Aid Highway 1 intersection project.

   The next meetings are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 7 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker and commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 21 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus.