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   WALKER — Board Chair Rick Haaland requested an addition in regards to an Employee Appreciation Day be made to the proposed agenda at the regular meeting Tuesday, June 3. Commissioner Bob Kangas made a motion to have an Employee Appreciation Day on July 1st and August 5th, while Commissioner Rusty Lilyquist seconded the motion.

   During the discussion County Administrator Josh Stevenson stated that an Employee Appreciation Day Ice Cream Social could take place after one of those Board meetings. It was also noted the board would need to make a motion to direct staff to acquire all needed supplies and authorize County funds to be spent on this activity. Stevenson then stated with County funds being utilized the event needed to be open to the public and an hour to hour and half time frame would need to be allowed for all staff to attend while still keeping coverage for job duties. Stevenson then mentioned holding the event on the front lawn of the Courthouse and in event of rain moving the event into the Commissioners Board room. After the discussion, the motion was amended to establishing an Employee Appreciation Day Ice Cream Social a half hour after the regular July 1, 2025, County Board meeting and direct the County Administrator to purchase a variety of ice cream and root beer for the event. The motion was then passed unanimously.

Commissioner Gaalswyk, Commissioner Lilyquist, Commissioner Kangas, Probation Team Leader – Brad Mesenbrink (with MACPO Outstanding Performance Award), Commissioner Bruns, and Chairman Haaland. Photo by Josh Stevenson

   During the approval of the consent agenda, Lilyquist requested the awarding of the forest road improvement contracts be pulled for discussion/clarification. Land Commissioner Mark Gossman was in attendance to answer and explain the request. Lilyquist’s main question was in regards to the maintenance to Forest Road/Snowmobile Trail.T140 R27 Section 18 in Trelipe Township. Gossman clarified that only a small portion of the road would get fill to fix low holes, but the portion of the road indicated on the map in a dotted line would be repaired. A motion was made, seconded and passed unanimously to award the Forest Road Improvement Contracts to various companies for each project numbered one through eight.

Chairman Rick Haaland presented Jailer Edward Volkl for one year of service with Cass County. Photo by Josh Stevenson

   Chair Haaland recognized Brad Mesenbrink, Cass County Probation Team Leader, for receiving the 2025 Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers Outstanding Performance Award. This award is to be given to a probation officer in good standing with the Minnesota Association of County Probation Officers. It is presented to an individual who has demonstrated professionalism and leadership within their county and in the field of probation. Who has worked in communities and the criminal justice system to promote the field of probation and bring new corrections-related services to clients. Who also is an incredibly hard-working individual who merits recognition. Probation Director Jim Schneider stated the whole probation department nominated Mesenbrink for this prestigious award due to his dedication to the field. Schneider also shared that Mesenbrink not only has supervisory responsibilities, but also carries a caseload of both juveniles and adults.

Chairman Rick Haaland presented SWCD Resource Conservationist Alyson Bergstrom for one year of service with Cass County. Photo by Josh Stevenson

 

   In other business, the county board:

   • Recognized Edward Volkl, Jailer and Alyson Bergstrom, SWCD Resource Conservationist for one year of service with the county.

   • Received and filed the 2025 Annual Wage Review from DDA Human Resources Inc.

   • Adopted a Resolution supporting the Minnesota DNR to acquire 2974 acres from The Conservation Fund utilizing Reinvest in Minnesota Funding contingent upon minutes from both Townships showing support.

   • Held a public hearing regarding the County’s Capital Improvement Plan. With no public input a motion was made to adopt the improvement plan and was approved unanimously.

   • Awarded the Highway Department flooring replacement to Executive Interiors in an amount not to exceed $38,660.98.

   • Awarded concrete work for a pre-cast concrete tank pad for the Sheriff’s office generator to Lakewood Petroleum Services, LLC not to exceed $1,700.

   • Awarded the Sheriff’s Office generator fuel supply line project to Up North Plumbing and Heating Inc. not to exceed $4,200.

   • Heard an update regarding the Pine River One Watershed One Plan and was informed of the public comment period, which is to be held 2 p.m. Tuesday, June 17 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus.

   The next meetings are as follows: Annual Planning Work Session, 9 a.m. Thursday, June 12 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus; County Board of Equalization, 2 p.m. Monday, June 16 at the boardroom in the courthouse annex in Walker  and commissioner’s board meeting, 6 p.m. Tuesday, June 17 at Wabedo Township hall, 4742 County Rd. 54, Longville.

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