Pipestone County

The meeting agenda included several procedural items, such as the approval of consent agenda minutes and warrants. A scheduled public hearing at 10:00 a.m. was postponed until February 24th at 10:30 a.m. due to improper publication notice; the plan is to publish notices in multiple newspapers going forward. Key discussion points included setting bid opening dates for various projects: the Twins Five reconstruction project, the Outing Township bridge project, County 25 project, Cohort Contract Number One, and Contract Number Two bids for April 9th. Final payments were approved for the 18 Federal Overlay project, which came in under budget, and the award for the 2026 overlays was recommended for approval. Administrative items involved approving right-of-way payments for a Road 15 project, authorizing the purchase of survey truck equipment, approving the award for seal coating bids, and recommending approval for a lease agreement with Southwest Health Service at a staggered rate. Personnel matters included establishing a seasonal wage rate of $20 per hour for maintenance workers and approving resolutions to amend personnel policies regarding non-union employee vacation cash-out benefits and to update sick and safe time policies to align with new state legislation. Updates were also provided on an open Jailer Dispatcher position, tentative agreements reached with union bargaining units, and ongoing negotiations with the jailer dispatcher unit regarding wages.

The meeting included a public hearing regarding a proposed 2400-head finisher feed lot in grain section 23, proposed by Daniel Bowman under Pacific Cascade. Discussion centered on compliance with county setback requirements and a variance application with Graange Township due to a local ordinance requiring the barn to be on 80 acres under the same title. It was confirmed that the closest neighbor setback requirement was met, and the manure management plan was completed. The manure generated is intended for on-site application across approximately 305 owned acres plus 145 adjacent acres. The meeting also addressed proposed changes to an ordinance concerning property assessment fees for solid waste funds. Key changes involved rounding figures for assessment units, such as setting a fixed unit value for schools (12) and businesses (3), which is projected to increase annual revenue to fund the solid waste fund without requiring future increases to the current $44 assessment per unit. The board ultimately passed a resolution related to these proposed changes.

The meeting agenda was approved unanimously. The consent agenda covered the approval of warrants for Commissioners and the Hospital, as well as warrant details exceeding $2,000. The board rescheduled the Solid Waste Management Services Public Hearing to February 24, 2026. The County Engineer provided updates, including approval for Right of Way payments, the purchase of a pickup topper and storage unit from Radco, approval of final payment for the CSAH 18 overlay to Knife River Corporation, and setting electronic bid opening dates for several road projects in March and April 2026. Bids were awarded for the 2026 State Aid Overlays to Duininck Inc. and the 2026 Seal Coat project to Morris Sealcoat and Trucking Inc. The board approved an amended lease agreement with Southwest Health and Human Services for the Public Services Building. Human Resources presented and received approval for the 2026 seasonal wage rate for the Seasonal Maintenance Worker position, as well as two resolutions: Resolution 59-14-2026 concerning cash-out of accrued vacation leave for non-union employees, and Resolution 59-15-2026 amending the Earned Sick and Safe Time (ESST) policy. Updates were given on labor negotiations and the hiring status for the Jailer/Dispatcher position. The board approved the six-driveway access plan for the Pipestone Development Company housing project on 8th Avenue Northwest. Finally, the purchase of window blinds for the Sheriff's Office was approved, and committee reports for January 2026 were reviewed.

Key discussions included approving auditor warrants, including an add-on warrant, and reviewing personnel items such as the 2026 pay plan with a proposed 3% increase. Project updates covered the completion of the 2025 ground pressure project and preparations for the 2026 seal codes and overlays. Approval was sought for the final payment on the 2025 gravel crushing project. Maintenance updates detailed beaver dam removal, sanding, cleanup efforts, and an incident involving a hydraulic line blow-out on a piece of equipment which resulted in a small fire, necessitating repairs. There was significant discussion regarding the upcoming mandatory change to rifle use for deer hunting in 2026, leading to a motion to schedule a public meeting on February 3rd to gather public opinion. Other items included reviewing a Memorandum of Understanding with Retrospect for client data services, discussing funding challenges for various sectors, and reviewing updates on personnel and the solid waste ordinance, which had not been updated since 1991. Additionally, discussions touched upon a contract review and potential litigation firm agreements.

The meeting commenced with procedural items, including a request to amend a date in the consent agenda item number three. Public comment was heard from a resident regarding the county abatement program for new construction, expressing concern over procedural timelines for application after construction commencement, particularly concerning permits and footing installation. The board proceeded with scheduling a Roads Bridge Hearing for 2026 on February 25th. Final payments were approved for two 2025 box cover contracts with ANC Excavating, both of which came in under the estimated amount. A request for the purchase of signs was discussed, recommending the low bid from MRI for inventory replenishment, noting that old, non-reflective signs are being replaced as they degrade or as part of routine rotation.