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   BACKUS — Cass County Commissioners heard a report from County Administrator Josh Stevenson regarding recent discussion at the Jail Steering committee meeting during their regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 21. 

   Stevenson shared recent repairs/replacement of valves and fixtures were conducted in order to begin housing more inmates in Cass County rather than in Itasca County. Cass County plans on reducing their number of contracted beds with Itasca County by ten beds next year with a goal of terminating contracts at the end of next year. Stevenson also shared the committee discussed future needs and how the County can comply with regulations. There may be a need for more programming space and an additional restroom and shower in the dormitory area. With these adjustments, it was recommended to the board obtaining proposals for short-term and long-term plans to update the jail facility and take into consideration the recent capital needs assessment findings. Also, it was recommended exploring the use of Local Option Sales Tax as a revenue source. A motion was made by Board Chair Rick Haaland with Commissioner Bob Kangas seconding the motion and it passing unanimously.

   Land Commissioner Mark Gossman shared the Cass County Land Department was selected for a 2025 Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Leadership Award for their contributions, dedication and leadership towards responsible Forest Management. Special recognition went to Amy Rand for taking the lead role in Cass County’s FSC certification processes over the last 25 years.

   Minnesota DNR Shallow Lake Specialist Jennifer Boucher and Minnesota DNR Shallow Lakes Program Supervisor Nicole Hansel-Welch attend the meeting to share information regarding a possible restoration project at Willow River outlet into Big Rice Lake south of Remer. It was stated that currently there is a water control structure on the outlet which is over 100 years old and is nearing the end of it’s life expectancy. Therefore, the DNR is exploring three options and is seeking the support from the commissioners to move forward with getting public input and conducting project feasibility research. The board approved the support of the project unanimously.

      Deep Portage Executive Director Lindsay Bjorklund shared the annual report for Deep Portage and the five year capital improvement plan. Bjorklund shared a recap of the year from Sept. 1, 2024 through Aug. 31, 2025. Deep Portage hosted 70 overnight schools and 13 day trip schools with approximately 4,400 students this past year. This year summer camp attendance was back up with 325 campers. Deep Portage also hosted 410 youth participants joining through 4-H, FFA and other partner programs; had 700 adults attend retreats and hosted 250 participants in Deep Portage public programs. Bjorklund also shared there were seven new schools/groups attending during the 2024-2025 year and look forward to hosting nine more new schools/groups during 2025-2026.

Pictured L to R (Standing): Mark Gossman – Land Commissioner, Amy Rand – Forest Resource Manager - holding the 2025 FSC Leadership Award, Erik Lindquist – Forest Resource Manager, Kim Oberfell – Forest Resource Manager (Elena Wiley is not pictured but was also recognized by the County Board). Photo Submitted.

   County Facilities Capital Project Manager Tom Boege presented an Architectural Schematic Design from Widseth in regards to the roofs on the Health Human Veterans Service (HHVS) and Annex buildings. Both roofs are beyond their life cycle and have had numerous leaks and patching over the past few years. During the Sept. 16 board meeting the board accepted the bid from Widseth for engineering and design services regarding roofing on both buildings.

   Widseth came back with an Architectural Schematic Design at no additional cost to the county with estimated construction costs for roof replacements. Those costs are estimated at $129,500 for HHVS and $127,500 for the Annex. Boege shared information with the board to consider before making a final decision. First was regarding HHVS by stating it is the newest building in Cass County complex in Walker and has a very low FCI (Facility Condition Index) condition index of .37, which means the cost to correct known deficiencies is low compared to the cost to reconstruct the building over the next 20 years. Secondly, the Annex has a very high FCI condition index of 0.82, meaning the cost to correct known deficiencies is high when compared to the cost to reconstruct the building over the next 20 years.

   Boege also revisited the information from the facility condition assessment where it was shared the estimated cost for all deferred maintenance is $4.21 million, repairing items in fair/poor condition with a medium or high criticality and the estimated cost is $2.74 million. It was also noted the minimum cost to continue operations while improving the items with a high criticality to building operations and adding heating and cooling efficiency could be close to $1.75 million, plus remodeling due to HVAC work could cost an additional $1.53 million for a total cost of $3.23 million. Therefore, Boege stated for cost comparison purposes between performing extensive differed maintenance and a new build, Kraus-Anderson planners, along with the Facilities Capital Project Manager, developed a concept which replaces the Annex with a new structure offering solutions to a multitude of space and operational issues for a total concept cost under $8.5 million.

   After some discussion on whether to invest money into a failing building, Kangas made a motion to approve the continuation of plan development and bidding for roofing and minor improvements on the HHVS and patching of the Annex building, Haaland seconded the motion and it passed unanimously.

   In other business, the county board:

   • Approved the Association of Minnesota Counties policy committee and voting delegate appointments.

   • Received an update from Master Gardener Program Coordinator Matt Moraczewski stating over 6,000 pounds of produce was donated during the season and updates on projects at Deep Portage Learning Center, Northland Community School and Walker City Park.

   • Received the Leech Lake River Watershed Amendment, which is now open for pubic comment through Nov. 7 at 5 p.m.

   • Adopted a resolution supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans, which will be held Nov. 3 through Nov. 11. All County buildings will display green lights during this time to salute and honor the service and sacrifice of our men and women in uniform transitioning from Active Service.

   • Approved the transition of the Cass County Probation delivery system to conform with the Community Corrections Act.

   • Approved the quote from Interstate Traffic Signs in the amount of $7687.50 to provide traffic control to detour County State Aid Highway 1.

   • Awarded the Bridge Load Rating contract to LHB in order to complete load ratings on 11 bridges for an estimated cost of $28,000.

   • Approved the installation of a gate on Old County Road 140 off the turnaround, with the intent that the gate be closed during the winter months to minimize access to the lake on this unmaintained portion of the roadway on a 3-1 vote with Haaland opposing and Commissioner Rusty Lilyquist absent. 

   • Approved bridge replacement projects, one on County Road 116 and two on Country Road 161.

   • Approved the final payment to Marvin Tretter, Inc in the amount of $665,699.10 for the bridge replacement project on County State Aid Highway 43.

   The next meetings are as follows: AMC District 2 meeting 8 a.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 at the Beltrami County Board room, 701 Minnesota Ave NW, Ste. 102, Bemidji; commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 4 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus; Walker Ambulance Service District board meeting 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 17 at the board room in the courthouse annex in Walker; commissioner’s board meeting 9 a.m. Tuesday, Nov. 18 at the Land Department meeting room in Backus and commissioner’s board meeting 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 2 with a public hearing for the Cass County fee schedule, budget and property tax levy beginning at 6 p.m. and the Walker Ambulance Service District public hearing for the budget and property tax levy beginning at 7 p.m. all to be held in the board room in the courthouse annex in Walker.

 

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