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   WALKER —  Mike Paulus, Executive Director of Cass County Economic Development Corporation (EDC), requested the board approve a letter of support for the Ah Gwah Ching housing project during the regular commissioner’s meeting Thursday, Dec. 5. With Commissioner Neal Gaalswyk attending by Zoom from South Dakota, Commissioner Rick Haaland was acting Chair.

   Paulus shared with the board this project would bring approximately 14 - 15 one-acre lots to the Walker area for affordable workforce housing. Currently there is support from the City of Walker, Leech Lake Financial Services, Walker Hackensack Akeley School District and Habitat for Humanity. Paulus also shared the school district is anticipated to relaunch it’s trades program with this proposed development site and also provide some of the volunteer power for this Habitat for Humanity program. 

   One question asked by the commissioners was how this project was going to be funded. Paulus stated funding would be by EDC with the possibility of coming before the board for additional support. Gaalswyk stated he felt this was a great program and made a motion to support the project, with Commissioner Bob Kangas seconding the motion. In a role call vote all commissioners present approved the motion unanimously.

   Citizens Mark and Barb Anderson attended the meeting to request the commissioners remove the stop work order that was placed on their remodel located on Gull Lake. It was stated a variance and building permit was applied for and granted in April 2023 with a condition stating “this project as proposed by the applicant is an addition to an existing structure. Approval of the variance does not allow for the proposed additions to be done in conjunction with a rebuild of the existing structure. If the existing structure is found to be in need of a rebuild, the applicant will cease work immediately and submit a request for an additional variance. Tearing down and rebuilding the existing structure will cause this variance to be voided.”

   It was then stated in October 2023 a visit to the property was conducted to discuss potential options to be able to complete the project while obeying the variance. Cass County Environmental Services Department (ESD) provided four options to the Anderson’s and their builder. Anderson’s stated in April 2024 they requested a hearing with the planning commission to amend the condition placed on their original variance. During the hearing held in May, the Anderson’s decided to continue with the current variance by choosing the option of keeping the lower-level Northeast, Northwest and Southeast wall and replacing one upstairs wall which would not require an amended variance. 

   According to paperwork provided by the Anderson’s, construction began in July 2024 and a Stop Work Order was issued by ESD in November 2024. The responding paperwork from ESD stated a site visit was conducted in November with the inspector visually seeing the entire upstairs removed along with the southeast and southwest lower-level walls, which is why the Stop Work Order was issued. During the meeting Anderson’s informed the commissioners they have sought out professional advice from an Environmental Engineer, whom supported their project. 

   During discussion between the commissioners, Gaalswyk stated they rely on the opinion of the planning commission, value their expertise and have never went against or overruled their decisions. All commissioners felt there was not enough information given to them in order to over-rule the planning commission and remanded the request back to the planning commission for consideration.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Recognized the following employees for one year of service with the county: Hunter Furstenberg, Deputy Sheriff; Travis Hemp, Deputy Sheriff; Brent Passarella, Technical Support Specialist and Lisa Shadick, Auditor-Treasurer.

   • Discussed a resolution request from Sourcewell to nominate an individual to the Sourcewell Board of Directors to serve a four-year term. No candidates were nominated, therefore no action was taken.

   • Reviewed the committee applications and appointments with further discussion at a later meeting.

   • Approved the Cass County Public Health Community Health Improvement Plan 2025-2029.

   • Heard from Selena Roque, State Health Improvement Partnership Coordinator, with an update on partner strategies, priorities and settings in policies, systems and environmental changes.

   • Received the 2024 general election results and heard 19,441 votes were cast of the registered voters.

   • Approved the removal of four tax forfeiture parcels from the over-the-counter list due to the purchase price needing to be re-evaluated. These parcels will again be available for purchase during the February 2025 land sale.

   • Approved selling tax forfeit properties online through Public Surplus and adopting a resolution establishing the tax forfeit land sale beginning on February 14, 2025 and concluding in 30 days. 

   • Approved the US Department of Agriculture Forest Service Temporary Special-Use permit for the County State Aid Highway 53 bridge replacement project.

   The next meetings are as follows: Commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Dec. 17, at the Land Department meeting room in Backus and commissioner’s board meeting, 9 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 7, 2025 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker.

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