Cass County Board: Out-of-home placement remains consistent in 2022

   WALKER—Michele Piprude, Health, Human and Veterans Services (HHVS) director, along with Jim Schneider, Director of Probation presented the annual Screen Team report to Cass County commissioners Tuesday, March 7.

   It was stated during 2022 a total of 34 juveniles/children who were screened went into an out-of-home placement for over 30 days, which is the same number as 2021. Piprude mentioned the goal of the department is to place juveniles/children into relative foster care, with 19 placements being in this preferred method. Ten of the juveniles/children were placed in nonrelative fostercare, with four going into residential care, one into a residential group home and four being discharged and having not returned to placement.

   The majority of the children were placed outside their own home for neglect, followed by alcohol/drug abuse and a few for behavior problems.

   The majority continue to be age 15 and younger, with there being an equal number of girls and boys being screened. The majority of the juveniles/children screened were White, with eight being Native American and none being Black. 

   For the complete Screening Team Annual report go to www.casscountymn.gov.

   Board Chair, Commissioner Scott Bruns then opened up the meeting for the public hearing regarding the Cass County Land Use Ordinance 2022-02. Jeff Woodford, Environmental Service Director, informed the board that there were two formal requests received prior to the meeting plus many other comments received, which were included in the board packet. One of the formal requests was from a resident near Cass Lake requesting a change to the ordinance regarding Multi-Family dwelling be changed to acceptable or some variation that would make it acceptable with or without a permit. 

   The second formal request was received from the Fairview Township Board of Supervisors requesting the restrictions regarding stairways and hill lifts be revised to allow for both to be placed into the bluff or steep slope and exceed the current eight foot limit.

   Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk had some concerns regarding the section outlining Agricultural Uses stating he felt the wording regarding when new permits are required for agricultural structures could lead to some disputes and is confusing. Therefore, Gaalswyk motioned the Land Use Ordinance be sent back to the Planning Commission for rewording in this section and brought back to the board at a future meeting for another reading. Commissioner Jeff Peterson seconded the motion, with all commissioners voting aye.

   In other business, the commissioners:

   • Approved the Health, Human & Veterans Services contract for the next three years to include a 5% cost of living adjustment and 3% step increases annually, plus updated the procedures for internal job postings. 

   • Nominated Commissioners Gaalswyk and Peterson as Cass County Representatives to attend the April 19 assembly which is part of the 2023 Students of Character Celebration.

   • Approved a letter of support to be sent to area legislators regarding the concern for inadequate funding for training and equipment for local Emergency Medical Services First Responders.  

   • Approved the 2022 Cass County Household Hazardous Waste Community Collection events and advertisement schedule.

   • Awarded a contract to PCI Roads, LLC in the amount of $165,696.70 for the sealing of 12 Cass County bridges, which will extend the life of each bridge by approximately seven to ten years.

   • Adopted a resolution agreeing on a local match of 20% for the Construction Cultural Resource Monitoring on County State Aid Highway 70.

   • The next meeting are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, Mar. 21 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus and commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, Apr. 4 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker.