Eric Buitenwerf

The meeting commenced with the reading of meeting procedures, followed by the election of officers, resulting in the selection of Veronica as chair, Tim as vice chair, and Ken as secretary. The board then addressed agenda items concerning Variance Application 65-B25 for Bethany Bible Camp, involving requests for variances related to expanding a deck adjoining the dining hall, rebuilding the Sarah cabin (which was destroyed by a windstorm), and replacing the cook's cabin. Part one, concerning the deck expansion, was approved with conditions mandating a site inspection to verify location relative to the shore impact zone and requiring the deck enclosure to remain open air. Part two, regarding the replacement of the Sarah cabin to meet current health regulations for bunk spacing, was also approved.

The board meeting addressed several key items, including the approval of the agenda and consent agenda items. New business focused on obtaining a building assessment proposal from ICS to evaluate capital needs, repairs, and mechanical systems across four buildings, specifically to maximize repair dollars available for Regency under the small cities program. The board also discussed the development of an HDA disposition policy for property sales, addressing concerns regarding the timeframe for developers to complete intended use of purchased land and the requirement for public notice when selling property, even when responding to an unsolicited offer. Clarification was sought regarding whether this policy applies to already developed properties versus vacant land.

The meeting included the organizational session for the new year, during which the board chair and vice chair for 2026 were elected. Key agenda items discussed included the review and update of committee assignments, noting required personnel changes and adding the Northern Counties Coalition to the list of authorized meetings. The board also addressed updates to the meeting procedures and bylaws for 2026, including setting regular meeting dates. During the subsequent regular board meeting, the agenda was amended to include establishing minimum salaries for the sheriff and attorney positions due to the upcoming election year. The consent agenda was approved. Discussions also covered county employee recognition, final project approvals for road work involving HIPP dollars and an FDR project, the purchase of snow equipment recommending Tow Master over Bert's due to quality and service concerns, the purchase of a new John Deere loader to replace a 1990 unit, and the purchase of a 2026 MAC truck chassis to standardize the fleet.

The meeting included an update on agenda amendments, where an item on a survey update was removed due to staff illness, and a project update from Austin with ICS was added. The consent agenda was approved. A presentation was given regarding county employee recognition, including new hires and service awards for five, ten, fifteen, twenty, twenty-five, and thirty-five years of service. The presentation also highlighted recognition submissions to the Association of Minnesota Counties. The Community Health Manager provided an update on various programs, including evidence-based home visiting, WIC, Prime West case management, car seat distribution, and expansion of the foot care clinic, noting upcoming discussions regarding opioid and cannabis funds. A representative from the League of Women Voters presented the post-election review findings, confirming that Minnesota elections are verifiable and accurate, noting the thoroughness of the hand-counting process in Hubard County and expressing confidence in local election officials. Finally, a detailed construction project update was provided, covering progress on the Government Center Level One (transitioning from Phase 1A to 1B), the Law Enforcement Center renovations (Unit C Phase 1A), new construction for the garage and sallyport, and the East Side addition. The presenter confirmed that projects are on schedule and budget, with several key milestones achieved, such as pouring the slab on grade for the garage and installing detention frames at the Law Enforcement Center.

The meeting commenced with the approval of the agenda and public input session, which was closed due to no attendees. The consent agenda was also approved, although one member inquired about the follow-up date for the Fan Industrial Park update. The primary discussion centered on the 2026 budgets for four managed properties: Meadows Edge, Meadow View, Cornerstone, and Regency. The presenters detailed the financial projections, noting that Meadows Edge shows a cash flow loss due to loan reamortization, while Cornerstone and Regency project positive cash flow. The overall combined budget for the four properties shows a loss, which is partially offset by existing cash balances in the individual property accounts. Discussions also focused on strategies to improve financial performance and tenant retention at Meadows Edge and Meadow View, including potential rent increases, charging tenants for internet services, and making aesthetic improvements to common areas (e.g., artwork, paint colors, lawns, and adding garages). A significant portion of the discussion addressed accounts receivable, tenant damage charges (including issues related to pet urine causing subfloor replacement), and the strategy of using low deposits to fill vacancies. The Board considered the feasibility and cost of adding garages to the properties.