County Commission - Regular Meeting

That's That's too bad. That's Firebird's fault. You're feeling guilty.

Well, I'm not glad for the kid, but you know, because that could be a career-ending thing if he had any scholarships. Yeah. Wasn't he signed that with he was recruited Travis Best playing a game they were up by 50 Neo he had a full ride to NDSU lost it that kid across the country

that's mean it's back I mean I'm going back 25 years they didn't have that recruit across the barely had phones. Has stretched string played him? He's a tough guy. Yeah. I think that like the first game that we had played him, it's kind of cool. It's like the sunshine. You guys ready?

Um, good morning everybody. It's 8:00. We will call the meeting to a county Ramsey County Commission meeting to order. We'll start off the pledge of allegiance. Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. I guess I should Jeff, did I need to hit that G or we're okay? No, we're good. You're good. Okay. First thing on the agenda is approval of minutes.

I do have a correction, Mr. Chairman. Um, under the highway agenda, since I wasn't here, I didn't make a motion. Oh, I'm not sure who made that that motion, but Which one is that on on the uh under rate the first item under the highway agenda?

We can fix that. Yeah. Or we will fix that. So with the um fixing of the minutes, we have a motion to approve. So move second. We have a motion. We have a second to approve the minutes as fixed. All in favor say I. I. All oppose. Same sign. Approval pass. Approval of bills. I move to approve. We have a motion. Do we have a second?

Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Roll call, please. Hortis. Hi. Fris. Hi. Will Hel me. Hi. Bulk. Hi. Um, the next one is approval of treasury checks. Right now, approval of financial reports is on there, but he said we need some updating on that. There's nothing to roll right now. So we'll move on to approval of treasury check. Move to approve. Motion of a second. Second.

A motion. We have a second. Roll call, please. His hi. Fred. Hi. Will Helme. Hi. Vulk. Hi. Motion passes. Approval of the agenda. Is there anything to add or remove? Anybody else?

I will move to approve the agenda. Second. We have a motion and a second to approve. All those in favor say I. I. I. I.O. Same sign. Agenda approved. Next thing on the agenda, water resource district board.

Absolutely. Please. Yes.

You want to hit the button, John, please? Thank you.

Okay. Good morning. Uh, we actually just got our meeting going here. So, we are just kind of getting started, but we will be talking about we have one drain tile request, permit request that we will will be approved and sent to the state. And other than that, really, there's couple other little things that we have to take and discuss, but otherwise, it's going to be we have we have a nice gallery this morning, so there's going to be some discussion. I do know there's going to be fantra townships here representing themselves to question or maybe look at upsizing some culvers due to the um county 9 covers that were put in for part of that FEMA project. So I think but what do we have time? What's that?

Pretty much normal business. Pretty much normal business. Yes. Any questions for me? All right. Well, thank you guys. Thank you. Jason. We'll hop right into business. Invoice came in from TJB Construction for the apron and the salt shed for 19,88750 asking for a motion to pay that.

So moved. Second. We got a motion and we have a second to pay. What was the amount? 19,88750. I'm sorry. Okay. 19,88750. Right. Yep. So, we have a motion. We have a second to pay that amount. Roll call, please. His hi, Chris. Hi. Will Hel me. Hi, Bulk. Hi. Motion passes.

All right. The next one is u I'm asking for a motion to pay the invoice from closed construction for the Devil's Lake yard stockpile of gravel for $19,500. So moved. Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Roll call, please. His hi. F. I. Sneeze will hel me. Hi, Bulk. Hi. God bless you. Bless you.

All right. The next one is an invoice from close again. That 20% retainer I held last meeting to finish up Ramsey County 4 and 7. They have um Shane Heides. This is one of the residents who called me said that thing was like concrete through those spots. Very happy with how that turned out. So, I'd like to pay the rest of the the bill on that for 47,81475. I'm asking for a motion to pay. I'd move to approve 4781475 for post construction completion. Second. We have a motion. We have a second. Any other discussion? Hearing none. Roll call, please. His.

Frith. I. Will helmy hi fulk hi.

Uh next order business KLJ has uh looked into per our request uh crossing on 96th Avenue the crossing the Edmore Um the rate appears to be $10,000 to do the hydraulic study on this. They're going to have to uh step in and survey this. Like I say, currently it's a low water crossing. It's in fans 31 and overland 36. It's all rusted out and it's not passable currently. So, I'm asking for a motion to move forward with the hydraulic and engineering study on that crossing. Need a motion to sign that agreement and to pay the $10,000 as the work is completed. So, I guess now we're just looking for a motion to sign the agreement.

So moved. Second Paul, I do have a question on that. Is that boots on the ground type of thing or is that IWI or um both both we have two person survey crew for 15 hours to go out and actually do um cross-section area. Okay.

To pull that that dip. I did run that profile tool on there. Looks like the roadway drops about six feet down over the pipes. And um so we look at either I guess our scope is to look at two different options. Either putting in a Cobra that's sized for the 25 year flow or actually I guess on a township road it could give you 10 or 15 for a structure. Um or do a low water crossing with like a a box cover, a smaller box cover that they be able to drive on the top of and then armor the slopes so it wouldn't wash out when the water goes over. Sure.

And one of those done in Grand Forks County this summer as long as it's done in another county. As long as it's not done like channel. I'm just using that example because that washes out and it's been repaired a few different times. Yeah. Um I think it's too much of a drastic uh drop like you had said. Well, my initial use that as example so that it doesn't happen like that.

My um initial thought is my personal preference would be to put a culvert in and build a road back across it like we did on the other low water crossing. We've tried a few of these now and we're just not seeing the results we want. They're constant maintenance and washing and this is a different style that he's looking at. Definitely open to looking at all options. Cost of course will be the key factor on this crossing. But but I agree I would I agree with you Jason. If we're going to do something, let's do it for the long haul. Yeah. So that it isn't a whole bunch of maintenance, right? And and the problem with this site is that it you know you're going through a some pretty soft areas. There's not even any gravel over the section. Yeah.

To get back there, it's going to be tough for access to whatever you do to fix it. If you put in pipes and raise the road, you wouldn't all you'd be calling back there's the pipe, which would probably be the cheapest option. And but we'll we'll figure out what was going to make sense, I guess, is what the purpose of is that on the Edmore cooling or is that on Yeah, it's right on the edore. It's not on a lateral or anything. It's on the more itself. So, that does and you don't transverse a lot of water. So, right. And just upstream of there, you know, quad box here a couple years ago. So, okay. Yeah. The big quad box on four, right? Upstream of this. So, there's more drainage area in between. Sure.

Would be bigger if it was sized the same way. Yeah. That answers everything, Jeff. Yeah, it does. So, we have a motion and we have a second. Any other discussion? And and this is just to to come up with a a plan plan size preliminary engineering basically. Yeah. Not even not even that. No, it's not even our design. Yep. Then we know I guess wouldn't be any right away or that stuff. This is not a set of plans. Just figuring out what size there and give you two options pick from. Sure. Thank you. Yep.

So, we have a motion. We have a second to basically just a sign. Commissioner, all those in favors saying I I oppose. Same sign. Motion passes.

All right. The next thing we were looking at, it's been talked about for a while. Um, within the shop grounds, we finally got around to looking for a snow pusher. Better late than never. um something we'd been budgeting for. The RDO did not um return our quote. The low quote came in this uh from Ironhide. The snow pusher would attach right directly to the loader. No chains, no bucket. You hook the Peton roller hook up right to this coupler. And uh the 14T came in at 12,500 and the 16 foot came in at 13,000. The two low coats and they're both from Ironhide. So I'm asking for a motion to buy the SP16 from Iron Hide.

So moved. So I got one thing. So the the hookup that you're doing? Yeah. So which loader do we have? It'll go on both of our payloaders. We have a 624 and a 64. before we purchase that because we ran into an issue with our 624. Measure the cutting edges because sometimes they don't fit well on our they should I believe on the pushers from Iron High they will. Okay. But we ran into an issue and then we had when we bought them we had to Did you are you hooking yours right to the bucket? Yes.

And ours buckets come off on the quick attach and we'll hook the snow pusher directly to the lower arms. This is going to hook on. It'll hook right on to the It be part just a regular attachment just like a bucket. The bucket will be gone and we can put that on either loader. The old one or the new one. They both have that same Peton roller. Okay. Less weight. So, we ordered it specific for that. So, we could use it on either loader. And my plan is or my option will be or pitched to be to Rogers, we could make short work of this parking lot right here too, but I haven't talked to him yet. I haven't we're purchasing it for us. But, yep. It's something that we could use like the 16 versus the 14.

Yeah. Just for there was only $500 or $600 difference. We had bid 14s and then when they came in with quotes at five and $600 a piece they both did a 16 foot quote too. So it's like well for two more feet we're only paying 600. When you're talking 13,000 that seemed like the logical choice. Okay. Fair enough. So, we're looking just to put in uh or we have a quote. So, you're looking to buy this? Yeah. Looking to buy the Iron Hide for $13,000. What's that?

Uh, no. Because I didn't realize that the 16 foot he was going to send a 16 foot quote. Again, I did this on Thursday and he reququed me everything on Monday. So, mine has it, I guess. I'm sorry. I should have sent that to you this morning. That's okay. I'll make you a copy though. I got all the figures on here from Butler as well on mine. Okay. Guess we're looking for a motion. I have a I made a motion. Just need a second. Second question on that. Jeff, you made a motion for the 16 foot. Yeah.

Okay. So, we have a motion. We have a second for 13,000 for the 16 ft from Iron Hide. All those in favor? Oh, we got to do roll call because we're going to purchase it. No, we're not going to pay for it. Just uh All those in favor say I. I. All oppose, same sign. Motion carries.

Uh just a couple housekeeping things. Don't really need anything here. They're just for you guys to know. We're putting in a couple windshields. Steve Hman was our low quarter on that on just under $1,000 for both windshields. actually was like $5 low on that. So, that was really competitive bids. Um, we're looking at replacing the south door in the Devil's Lake shop. I have only received one quote back on that from PS Doors, so I haven't acted on that yet. I'm still trying to find someone else that would like to quote that. I don't like to just take one and run. Um asking the next thing we'll get into then will be asking for a motion for the chairman to sign the maintenance certification for county federal aid projects done uh this past year. This is for all the federal aid and highway projects. Maintenance is in accordance to the or with North Dakota construction management maintenance agreements and I'm also required to sign this agreement. So I would like a motion for

us to sign this. So move second. So we motion we have a motion and a second to sign the maintenance certification for the county federal project. All those in favor say I. I. Those opposed same sign. Motion carries.

Um the next thing is just uh salt has been ordered and and it's actually delivered. It's here now. So, they're going to mix that today. Get that done. We're going to blade all the townships or as much of everything again as if as much as we can until the roads freeze. We're just going to keep blading. I know that um some of them haven't been done. If there's only a couple that haven't been done enough times, everything else has been covered. We'll sort that out at the end. Um Jason, I know the salt truck, is that still delayed?

It is delayed. They're hoping to have it in December. We'll have we have the one new one and we have an old one and then if we have to use the end dumps, we can. They do have salt sanders as well. So, we could go up to four. As of right now, we only have two drivers. Um, that's one of the things I was going to touch on. The radio ad was a huge success. I think we've had 10 or 10, nine or 10 applicants as of this morning. We've already actually started to interview. So, um, yeah, that's went over well. Every single one that's came in has said that they heard it on the radio. Wow. So, that's really been a good change. We from one or two applicants to 10 is good. Um, what's the size?

I'm sorry. What's the size on that overhead door that you're replacing? It is a 14 by 13 and a half. Okay. I do have their quote here, but like I say, I hate to just take one quote and act on it. So, I'm trying to see if we can get anyone else to to quote that. The nine applicants asked for two jobs, right? Yes. Two positions. There's going to be some reshuffleling of the deck and I'll explain that more once we get everything filled, but Yep. I just we're talking

you guys, right? Yep. And with um Nicole, what we've decided on that with the HR, she's been hand handinand with us, helping me design the interview questions properly and things like that. We uh are offering one we're offering them as full-time positions, but we're telling them there's two positions open and we're just being honest. You know, we'd like to fill one permanently and if we need to make changes though, we will this, you know, it's it's based on going to be based more on performance and if they can meet the expectations. So, we're putting that right up front. Um then the last thing I had is um I had a private contractor reach out to me yesterday. He wants to do township work and it's that reclaimer coming up again. He wants to rent the reclaimer and then work for the township. Um I we've we did let one township rent the reclaimer earlier this fall or I did Harding. They did four miles of road with it. But I don't feel

Well, I got a I got an issue with that. So do I. That's what I was going to say. I don't feel that. Why are we going to rent our equipment out for them to hire when they can hire us to Well, we wouldn't have time right now is the thing. You know what I'm saying though? Right. But I think if a private contractor is going to do it, they should lease their equipment from Iron Hide or Butler or John Deere, whichever they contract or, you know, whichever they prefute. Because I'm just worried that if we start leasing equipment for that, then pretty soon they're going to want to lease our graders and so on and so on. Where do where do we draw the line and say no? That's my concern. The one thing if it was the township itself that wanted

Well, that's what we'd had with Harding Township themselves rented it. the township supervisor hooked it to his tractor and pulled it up and down the road four miles and then brought it back. I that's what we did there.

Talking this reclaimer, I do think kicking the can kind of down the road, but maybe next spring. I do think we need to look in uh to the machine such as they're using out west where it when it reclaims it regrinds everything and then you don't have trash. I know prior to you taking the job, uh, it was looked at, but we just never Kevin I don't think fell through on it because I think it's expensive, but I think it's something we should look at. That's that's just my opinion. I've seen how they do it out there and then they reclaim all the roads every year and you don't have that trash. So when it reclaims it, grinds it. Yeah.

So then you can use that dirt or uh gravel that you reclaim right away. Like you can blade it right away. It's not where you have to wait, let it the grass die off. Well, I agree. Our roads need some serious shoulder work. The whole county, township, the whole system, they hold water on the edge. And I'm just saying that we need to look at the equipment that's out there, right? I agree. To do a better job.

Yep. I agree. We got we've been talking with some of the townships as well. They're getting on board with it too. Menowan is very interested. Harding, you know, a lot of them are and figuring out a solution. So, um yeah, we're we're looking at different things. We've been I've been looking at some things that mount to the grers so they can reclaim and and blade at the same time. Yep. That's what this piece does.

So, that's kind of similar what you're talking about. We're trying to figure out some options because yeah, we need to do some shoulder edge work. And the reason that I bring this up to the other commissioners here is if we're having townships asking to rent this, maybe that's we need to move on and and try to get something to more satisfy our patrons. And not to not to keep going on about this, but the the whole reason this is occurring is because nobody wants a window anymore because everything's much bigger and wider. So we can't really go out and pull the shoulders and leave a two-ft chunk of window on the road anymore. Chunky wind row. So that's So every time the blade operators keep stealing from the edge, well can only steal so much.

And now you're seeing this problem we have of troughing and water standing. So I guess the question was if we were going to allow the cont a contractor to come in and borrow and rent.

Well, I just think that we should look at it. That is the main question for today. I basically I mean I know I'm I was going to say no to this already. Um unless you guys felt differently, but I don't even know at this point now if this thing's starting to spiral if we should even be renting the reclaimer to townships at this point. I mean we want to continue to do that. Are we just going to because now that maybe the I mean let's be honest the township could come pick it up for me and as far as I know the township's doing it and then you're private guys. Do you know does RDO or Hyde or other companies have reclaimers that they lease out?

They I'm sure they do. They're probably not the same type of thing, but I know there's road shoulder reclaimers all around. I'm sure somebody could find something. There's attachments for GR, you know, grinders for Bobcats. There's a lot of different things they could use. Let's not get in business. I don't think we should get in the business of renting. Yeah. I Yeah. Uh, Commissioner Hodus and I had a little conversation at my office one day about this. He knows where I stand on it. This is This is the thing. The piece of equipment is insured under our insurance. So, and I'm pretty positive that we are not insured

to rent equipment. That'd be a totally different clause. So, I just think our hands are actually tied with our insurance. And I think and I'm glad we I'm glad that we did the four miles in Harding. I really am because everyone can go look at that road and see that it works. All the naysayers about the reclaimer, there's a lot of them. You know, you've ran into opposition on that. If you do it a couple passes, it works. It doesn't fix itself in one year. It takes a couple of years.

Yeah. So, anyway, that's where we're at with that. We will visit with him and let him know that we're not going to be renting that any longer. Um, anything else for me? I think I'm good here. I'm going to go visit with the water board about the 96th Avenue crossing. So, anybody else have anything for Jason? Yep. Thanks, Jason. Thank you, guys. Paul, with that, we'll move on to unfinished business. Engagement of the letter for bond.

So, I guess I will uh take this up. Uh this is a an engagement letter for an attorney uh to help with our bond for law enforcement center. We've been talking about uh a new law enforcement center for quite some time now. Probably one of the only ways that we're going to be able to afford something of that magnitude would be to bond for it. And since nobody with the county has any experience with creating a bond, um, this is the bond attorney that works with Northland Securities, the securities company that the county has worked with on our financial stuff in the past. And this is the attorney that they recommend, Mr. Scott Wagner. And talking with Daniel, we thought that that was a fairly fair price. Um, you know, and Mr. Wagner, I think, thinks that it would be relatively simple process. If it's just Ramsey County and they're uh doing it if it's the other counties and we create a joint bond with the other counties, then it could get a little more complicated, I think, is what he said. So, as the question I got asked is, we're looking for a bond. Why is the jail not splitting the cost?

Well, they certainly can. And I think STAR is here to maybe talk about that. Maybe, maybe not. But that's something that I plan on bringing up with law enforcement center. And I'm just I got asked a question and I said I would bring it 100% reasonable request. The reason that we have to go through the county for this bond issue is that the law enforcement center is not a taxing entity does not have that. They they understood that portion. They were just wondering why we weren't going to split the cost.

And I and I think that's reasonable ass that we can bring forward to the next law enforcement center um meeting. But I think in order to get Mr. his wheels starting to turn towards this. I think would be beneficial that we go ahead and uh approve this engagement letter with his bond attorney because with the change of legislation, bonds can only be done on even number of years uh during a primary or a general election. And so with that in mind, if we miss next year's deadlines for this, then we owe it to 28. And you know, even after a bond

just to get it on ballot.

Yeah. Just to get it on the ballot. And once the bond is approved, then it's going to still take some time to get that construction mobilized and activated and things like that. And that, you know, an 18 month 24 month period to build the building. So, it's um considerable time um and certainly timing is of the essence with with the facility as it continues to age and and knock on wood that we don't have busted pipes or something else go wrong structurally with the facility that would create a closure of it.

Because ultimately the fear is If the jail shuts down here in the next two years because of some pipe or something, our our jail costs, the amount of individuals we have incarcerated would be astronomical to transport them to Minot, Grand Forks, even to Rugby would be astronomical and they couldn't fit our entire population that we have to Ramsey County on a regular basis. The concern is is it becomes more expensive the longer we wait as well. Not only in costs, but just in if the jail shuts down before we have an alternative in place. I I mean, I can certainly work to have less people incarcerated for Ramsey County, but the sheriff's department comes into contact with people who have to go somewhere. They have to be incarcerated sometimes, and that's just not a cost that we can avoid. Public safety is paramount for our community and that's one of our main duties and um as county commissioners is making sure that we provide a safe community. And if that in requires incarceration of people, individuals that are a threat and danger to society, then we need to make sure that they have a place to uh stay. And that's something that's constitute we're bound constitutionally by and and uh a century code by is that counties are responsible for the incarceration of inmates and creation of a either a jail or a contract with another entity to u meet those needs for those inmate costs. Um, Sheriff Lang has provided an update on what transportation costs roughly would be based on our average number of inmates would be about $1.5 million annually. Uh, to transport individuals to various uh other facilities

and that's providing if that facility had had vacancies for it. Um, you know, we're seeing this across the state and across the country is that facilities are becoming and beds are becoming a very short supply. No. And just so I understand, Jeff, is that 1.5 only for transportation costs, not for the housing on top of that? Uh total average cost per year based on 40 inmates would be 1.482. Is that does that include the cost per day?

Yes, it does. It uh we averaged at a hundred

dollars a day. We average right around 35 to 40 inmates a day. So we figured out at 40. So you come in at 1.4 4 million. Um, basically what it comes down to is just shy of $38,000 prisoner a year. This is on the low end. This is the closest facility. It's 180 mile round trip. That's Grand Forks. And there ain't no way they're going to take our 40. So, and this was done last year, so you could probably increase this a little bit for the cost because I know some of the other jails went to $110 a day. So, I you know, we'd have to update this. But, um, that's a lot of money. And on top of that, you may have to hire another employee just to do transport

more with transports. Because if you transport them out and they got court and if they have a jury trial here, you're running back and forth two, three days. It's hard to figure that into the equation, too, because it's an unknown. Absolutely. Thanks. So, basically, we're looking for a motion for the engagement letter of the bond. how we would like to see that or if we would like to see that.

Just a little bit more detail. Um, and I know you probably have the letters in front of you. Um, Mr. Wagner's hourly rate is $350 an hour. Um, I do not believe that his costs would be extraordinary. Um, the ultimate plan is that we move forward with the bond as he puts together. And if we choose to do that and the bond succeeds, his costs come out of the the bond itself, we would not have to pay that directly. It would come out of the bond proceeds. Uh however, if we choose not to move forward, uh or if the bond fails for some reason, we would be responsible for paying his entire cost. U again, I I think the value that he brings is worth whatever fee we may incur. Um, but I I do I have to agree with Sheriff Lang and Commissioner Frith that this is something that the county needs just so that we have it secured for the future. So, I I do encourage you all to at least think strongly about it, think about what alternatives we have before making the decision of whether or not to proceed with the bond uh engagement letter. Do we have funds available to move forward with this?

Depends on what the cost. I mean I I I see in here for example, you know, that I'm reading 10,000 general or might be 20. So I'm just reading. I don't think it would be over the 20, right? I mean I don't how it reads but it could but odds are certainly it won't and you know it's one of those things and and he does this a lot. This is what he specializes in so he's got a pretty good idea. Um it's going to be from that in that middle role though I'm guessing. Yeah.

It's not an overly complicated bond. we get into the multi-county bonding issue that becomes more expensive but that would be more of a cost share when other counties decide to actually get on board I would assume is how we would work that out right or or the cost share with the LC also a possibility

so my thoughts are you would cost share with the LEC because I don't think we put the burden on the other counties when they're part of the LEC. So basically, if the LEC was to say, "Yes, we're going to split this with you," they would obviously Jeff, you're the chair there, would present that to the other counties and then their share would already be included, right? And and correct me if I'm speaking out of ter that's how I would like that that's exactly how I would propose it to the other board members because then everybody would have a little bit of skin in the game, right? We would be basically picking up a little bit more than 50% because we're part of the LEC also.

Yeah. So you'd have the 50% plus whatever it would splitting the four ways that it is. You know what I'm saying? In general, that's how the big picture would look. And my hopes is that it'd be a successful bond all those costs that we Mr. Back to the bond itself. Correct. So basically we're looking at or we're looking or Jeff I believe you're looking for some kind of motion whether it's split or how it would work that we enter into an engagement engagement

with Arnston Stewart Wagner attorneys at law and to provide the bone bond council for the new lake region law enforcement center is how I is That sound about right, Daniel? It does. Uh, it leaves out the cost share portion with the LACE. Do you want to start the Do you want to agree to the engagement letter before getting that commitment from the LEC board? Well, I think regardless, I think Ramsey County is going to be on a hook for something.

Absolutely. Um certainly a big portion of that is going to fall on you know Ring. So I think going ahead with it prior to the um cost share with the LEC would be prudent um just to get the wheels of motion

and that we can you know certainly bring that request to the law enforcement center board uh moving forward. then I I think the motion is made is more than appropriate and it gives Mr. Wegner the the answer he needs to start getting dates together and start getting details for the commission. So with that, Mr. Chairman, I'd make that my motion. So the motion is to get the wheels turning with

to go ahead and agree on the engagement letter with the council of Arnston Stewart Wner. Anybody have any anything else or do we have a second? I will second. We have a motion and we have a second. Do we need a roll call or do Mr. Chairman? I'd like to make a comment. I am absolutely in favor of moving forward for this, but do we have a clear-cut path of where the funds are going to come from

if it doesn't fail or if it fails? Yeah.

No. So, this bonding process is something that will last into November of next year at its longest. Um, I can't imagine that the law firm that we're going to be entering this contract with is going to be demanding the entire sum upfront on December 1st. Uh, perhaps we can have the conversation of having that payment start on Jan 1 of 2027 so that we can budget for it in the next coming year. Um perhaps the motion could be modified to have that detail solved. If that payment is due until January 1 of 2027, then we can move forward with the letter as the engagement letter is submitted. Or if we need to get some sort of variance from Mr. Wgner, that would also solve that question. But um certainly not budgeted for, but we could figure out a way to move forward. The letter itself doesn't specify when payment would be due afterwards. So that would be some sort of some flexibility at that time

and depending on how the LEC or the chair presents this to the LEC. Depending on what that is, too. That cost could be half, right? Yeah. I mean, that helps. That would help. I'm just using that out there because I think that help would help on both ends because they're not going to have it. The the LEC is not going to have it in their budget either. But on the same token, like Jeff was saying, if we're going to get this on a bond, we're going to have to probably proceed in some way. And that it still doesn't answer your question. I get that. Yeah, I would be in favor of it if it's splitting with the LC.

Well, that's not something we're going to know this month. Yeah, you know, because we'll meet again on the second meeting of November as county prior to the LEC meeting, their monthly, the LEC meets the third Wednesday of the of the month, we'll meet that third Tuesday. And so then we'll be already a month month into it before that get

I'll be honest with you Jeff I I am also leaning towards what Mr. H what is this is saying just because it is a I get it's our county jail 100%. But I would like to see some kind of lac saying that they need it just as bad as we do. Right. And I would really hope that um Go ahead. I would really hope that the other counties would be on board. And I don't know if you can speak for that or

I don't know that I can speak for the other counties, but I probably could assure you that we probably have money somewhere due to our increased numbers in state people that we're housing right now and we do have money for a building fund in another account. So there is money there. I just don't I don't know that I've seen the letter or the cost. Right. So, we would have to present that to the LC board for their approval.

So, the LEC would have the money available for 50% share if that was to happen.

Right. Right. Right. Yep. And if not, if not the full amount. You know, I can't speak for the other five, right? Four counties either. Um but certainly that would be part of our proposal coming forward to the MLC board would be we need to engage as bond attorney to move forward with getting this closer to the vote of the people. So qu question for you Jeff. Do you think this is something that we could do a teams thing and with the LEC as far as like a special meeting maybe, but just do a on this specific to be able to push it forward by next meeting to speed up the process a little bit. You know what I'm saying? So that we have

other counties in you're saying or just we have a LEC special meeting on this so that we can bring it back to the table by next meeting to have a decision. We could we could probably work because then we're not going that extra month or five weeks. We would be less than two weeks out, right? I mean, if that's going to help make your guys's decision. I know we have a of a a motion in a second, but just to clarify to make sure and then we would know if we have to fund it ourselves.

I would feel better. I mean, it's one of those things where I think the sooner we get the ball rolling, the better. I agree. But yeah, I would I would feel better if we knew that the LEC was on board with this. I know she's on board. Yep. It's just we have to get We're not just one. That's

Yeah. Uh contingency motions can get messy, but there's something that you can do as well. uh if the motion that Commissioner Frith made was amended to moving forward if the uh LEC uh joins in the cost share. The problem is I don't think Wagner will be beginning work on a conditional promise um because we're wanting to get Mr. Wagner to move forward and then if the LEC decides not to join in

but with the with a contingency if LEC has a special meeting in two days then at least we could move forward the third day. Sure. So it could be as as long as it's specified when it moves forward. So yeah, uh the commission here this morning could say move forward based on their uh engagements and then if it doesn't happen by next commission meeting the motion would fail at that point essentially then we'd have to make a decision one week

so that there's no delay between now and the next meeting in between tracking. Yeah, you guys understand that the way he said that. I know it's your motion, Jeff. So, clear as mine. So, is that something you would like to

Well, if that's the way that we're going to get the the county to approve on it, then yes. Um, you know, because I want to get this ball rolling and sooner the better. Um, so if we if we need to have a special meeting with the law enforcement center board of directors in order to move forward with this, then let's go ahead and do that and we'll schedule a meeting as soon as possible with the LEC board and um get that done. And uh so I would um your motion.

Yeah. and with added contingency three days to get have a LEC meeting or or just the motion contingent on the LEC board agreeing to cost share and that way if they agree in the next few days or within the next week it can move forward. We can let Mr. Wagner know and then if they don't agree then we'll come back in two weeks to address the issue again. So are you willing to amend your I would amend my motion to state that that contingent upon the LEC agreeing upon a cost share and you

I will second the motion. So, we have a motion. Is are you good with that, Otis? Since you asked a question, you're So, we have a motion. We have a second and roll call. Right. Would this be a roll call? Roll call, please. Hodis. Hi. F. Hi, Will. Helme. Hi. Hulk.

Hi. Next thing on the agenda, new business, operation of green light. Basically, all we're looking for a motion if I remember right. Can I can I read that? Ramsey County participant in the 2025 operation green light. Uh Devil's Lake Northakota. Uh in advance of upcoming veter veterans day holiday, Ramsey County announced plans to illuminate county buildings green from November 4th to 11 as part of Operation Green light for veterans a nationwide effort uniting counties to support military veterans. You guys need me to read the whole thing? Basically, this is saying that we're in support of having the green light. It doesn't cost us any money. So, let's just support it. If if I could get a motion.

I had moved to support the Ramsey County to participate in Operation Greenlight for our veterans. Second. We have a motion, a second. Any other discussion? No other discussion. All those in favor say I. I. I. Those oppos same. Motion carries. Thank you. December 26 discussion must be meeting. Is that what that's Friday after Christmas? I'm I'm bringing it forth before I am approach

approached. Um, December 26th is the Friday after Christmas, which lands on a Thursday. Pardon? Christmas lands on a Thursday. Yes.

Yes. Um so I am bringing forth um asking for um the commissioners to consider um giving the employees the December 26th off as well. Personally, I'm in favor of it. And the only reason being is I used to work in the courthouse and that day after holiday is as worthless as time can be. But I get our community also needs to have access to Any other discussion?

I think we've kind of set a precent precedent on days like this in the last few years, haven't we? whether it be Fridays immediately after a holiday or Monday before. I will say that having these extra days off is a big part of what makes being a county employee uh beneficial to our our employees here at Ramsey County. It's having a little extra time with family over these holidays is very much appreciated by all of our employees, all of our departments. Um, also, if the commission decides to have the courthouse open on that Friday, the employees will be here and we'll be doing our jobs as we normally would. But to Commissioner Hodus' point, that's those days are very low in traffic. not a whole lot of people are coming in on those days. Um so you get the um appreciation of the county employees uh who would be here if the courthouse wasn't closed. Um and I think it shows them that you all are thinking about what you can do for them over the holidays to make the holidays a little bit better and spend more time with family.

I'll be honest with you. I'll be in favor with it. If we only do Christmas, I'm not in favor of planning on doing Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's because they all fall on Thursday this year and I don't want to have it come back on Candy because Candy asked. I appreciate her coming in here and taking Thanksgiving's already taking Thanks. Thanksgiving is already in the handbook. is already in the handbook as far as Friday after Thanksgiving. That was something that was negotiated out Columbus Day was uh was taken off as a holiday.

Yeah. I'm just using an example because I look further ahead. Yeah. January 1 is a Thursday also. Y just don't want to all of a sudden we're back in here doing this same thing. All right. Let's I'm looking to make this whole as one time. Yeah. You know what I'm saying? Yeah. One or the other. Just and I feel Christmas is more important time to spend with family than it gives people the I will give I will say that it gives people the travel day. Yep. 100% agree with you. But I just want that to be open on the table.

Yep. I would move that we grant our county employees the Friday after Christmas uh for this and to not give other unspecified Mondays, Fridays up because of the holiday that aren't already in our handbook. To be clear, uh, the day, so Christmas Eve, that's a half day. No, that's a full day. Okay. I just wanted to That was changed. Yep. That was changed.

That was a um Yes. Yep. Because that was skeleton. So you'll be having 24, 25, and 26. I will second motion to give the 26th off. We have a motion and we have a second. Any other discussion? Hearing no other discussion. All those in favor say I. I.

All oppose same sign. Motion carries. Visitors and delegations. Anybody have anything from the audience? Sorry. Did you have anything for us today? No. Sheriff hearing none.

No. Let's try for tomorrow afternoon. Okay.