Chad Walters

The board conducted several public hearings and regular agenda items. Key discussion topics included a continued public hearing on a cartway petition for Unorganized Township 56-14, resulting in the adoption of findings and orders regarding alignment, damages, and costs. Another public hearing addressed the issuance of an off-sale intoxicating liquor license for a business in Grand Lake Township. Additionally, the board voted to adopt amendments to St. Louis County Zoning Ordinance 62, with specific exceptions regarding data centers, and directed further study on data center zoning impacts.

The agenda focuses on public works and transportation projects, including the acquisition of right-of-way for a reconstruction project on CSAH 11, advance construction agreements for highway reconstruction projects on CSAH 91 and CSAH 98, and a cooperative agreement with Balkan Township for the construction of a new bridge. Finance and budget items include granting financial assistance to the City of Chisholm and accepting a local climate action planning grant, along with a GreenCorps host site award. Regular agenda items include awarding a bid for a bridge rehabilitation project and the appointment of the 2026 Special Board of Appeal and Equalization. Additionally, an amendment to an engineering services agreement for the Rice Lake Road Corridor Project is detailed.

The board discussed multiple infrastructure and administrative items. Key topics included the acquisition of right-of-way for several culvert replacement and intersection improvement projects across various townships and cities. Additionally, the committee addressed revisions to the employee travel policy, the advertisement of positions for the CDBG Advisory Committee, sponsorship of recreation trails, acceptance of supplemental firewise community funds, and land management decisions regarding tax-forfeited property and plat approvals. Administrative actions included the ratification of a labor contract for bailiff-court security employees, authorization of personnel reallocations, and approval of budget changes. The meeting also featured discussions on economic development projects, tribal relations, and regional correction board appointments.

The board focused on several infrastructure and administrative projects. Key actions included approving right-of-way acquisitions for multiple culvert replacement and intersection improvement projects, submitting grant applications to the Safe Streets and Roads for All program and the Railroad Crossing Elimination Grant Program, and amending an engineering services agreement for the Progress Parkway project. Additionally, the board entered into cooperative agreements for forest road maintenance and intersection reconstruction, awarded a pavement marking maintenance contract, authorized construction testing services, and approved revisions to the employee and official travel policy. Various gambling permits were approved, and several budget changes, transfers, and carryforwards were authorized to manage county finances. The board also authorized an advertisement for a committee vacancy and renewed the sponsorship of various recreational trails within the county's grant-in-aid trail system.

The board conducted a public hearing regarding the 2026 Action Plan for U.S. Housing and Urban Development entitlement programs, including Community Development Block Grant, Home Investment Partnerships, and Emergency Solutions Grant funding. Key actions included the award of a bid for the CSAH 100 reconstruction project in Aurora to Ulland Brothers, Inc. and the authorization to enter into a Local Road Improvement Program grant agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation for the same project.