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BACKUS - The Tuesday, May 5, Cass County Board Meeting was conducted in the same manner as previous meetings, with several county officials attending remotely.

Board members Dick Downham and Scott Bruns joined via phone conference along with presenters due to COVID-19 regulations and social distancing.

Cass County Administrator Joshua Stevenson shared that the local Boards of Appeal and Equalization meetings began April 6. It was noted that 20 of the meetings were held in person using social distancing recommendations, 3 via Zoom video conferencing, 10 as teleconference meetings and the remaining 46 were going to be held as open book meetings scheduled for May 5 and May 6.

Limiting public access to county buildings through May 19, with courtrooms and court proceedings remaining open, to coincide with Gov. Tim Walz's stay-at-home order, was motioned and seconded by Commissioners Bob Kangas and Dick Downham with all members approving by a roll call vote.

There was inquiry on the activity level at the courthouse and whether this was limiting the public from receiving necessary services. It was noted that the activity level has been consistent, but the amount of building permits being issued has increased.

Stevenson brought forth a request from Bi-County Cap for a commissioner to sit on their board. Commissioner Scott Bruns volunteered to sit on this board and commissioners voted and approved his appointment.

In other business, the county board:

Awarded the contract for jail controls upgrade to Stanley Convergent with a bid of $365,000.

Awarded the contract to replace the current camera system in the Cass County Detention Center to All State Communications with a bid of $213,836.

Reviewed and awarded Contract 72003 to Anderson Brothers Construction Co. with a bid of $3,428,479. Contract 72003 includes county state aid highways 72 and 73 and County Road 136. It was also noted that the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe will pay half of the repairs for improvement on County Road 136

Awarded the contract for improvements on county state aid highways 7, 8, 9, 45 and 78 to Allstate Pavement Recycling and Stabilization with a bid of $99,080.

The next board meeting will be 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 19, at the Land Department Meeting Room in Backus rather than the previously scheduled location of Leader Community Hall.[[In-content Ad]]

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