[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6298147,"mediaKeyId","2505414-1eee8ddb06cbac8a47004b49a19cba74","parentId",2505414,"title","Board approves routine minutes, agendas and multiple resolutions; summary of votes and actions","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2667000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505414-1eee8ddb06cbac8a47004b49a19cba74&start=2667&end=2667","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505414-1eee8ddb06cbac8a47004b49a19cba74/thumbnail_2667000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6298147/Wright-County/Minnesota/Board-approves-routine-minutes-agendas-and-multiple-resolutions-summary-of-votes-and-actions","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298147-b8b4d81f323c951b0cf296824327960f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160026&Signature=H12S555wpM45rAPrMOf93k-mQ3ewWdShJctdzuVCIezaHJYswyhvgJZ3kukFHKxT4lYl0t-QVhT7TITIRzn9bixSaeJz~B8~owW2sHCPuoIPe5YBFzFyK1swjByUXXG8RgitbtL35EiE~23T7sy7HJzN1FZHgTiKnRqbyjXZb8Y99Coa-wyiLxGxpxcY6k9dmrRb~npf2lAQCGs26YZMMpYVy7uQ9PwHLTFg5rxZeZnYdmxy1AbpH4du0AqZK~5mhpOqEUqsLY-6C2dSNJ6utG3jc2LrBqn6H1-xiKMPg8i~kkGode1P7tfRD1JeC9AfeSSW39KzfT0ntsW9WQiAdg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Wright County, MN","date","2025-03-05T04:42:49Z","article","The Wright County Board of Commissioners on March 4 handled a slate of routine and procedural items, approving minutes and agendas, adopting ceremonial proclamations and passing several resolutions and contract awards. Most measures passed unanimously; one contested item (rezoning in Kolkata Township) passed 4-1 and is covered in a separate report.

Key roll-call and consent items
- Approved board minutes for the Feb. 18 county board meeting (motion: Commissioner Holland; second: Commissioner Shane). Vote recorded: 4-1 (motion passed 4-1). The committee-of-the-whole minutes for Feb. 18 were approved unanimously.
- Approved the meeting agenda as presented (unanimous).
- Approved the consent agenda with removal of item E for separate discussion (motion by Commissioner Dietrich; second by Commissioner Moyna); vote recorded as passed (transcript indicates passage; board proceeded to separate item E).

Ceremonial and proclamations
- Proclaimed March 16–20, 2025 as National Surveyors Week in Wright County (motion by Commissioner Dietrich; second by Commissioner Moyna). Resolution passed unanimous.
- Proclaimed March 2025 as Social Work Month in Wright County (HHS resolution HHS 02/2003). Resolution passed unanimous (see separate coverage for HHS details).

Drainage, ditch and engineering actions
- Approved joint ditch appointments by commissioner district (motion passed unanimous). The board changed the appointment method to commissioner districts to ease coordination with other joint-ditch authorities.
- Amended findings and appointed viewers for the redetermination of benefits for Judicial Ditch 1 (joint ditch) and County Ditch 7; both resolutions passed unanimously.
- Accepted a bid from Houston Engineering in the amount of $18,800 to complete a reestablishment of records for County Ditch 23 following township repair requests. Motion passed unanimously.

Infrastructure, grants and regional partnerships
- Approved and adopted a county resolution to join the Central Mississippi River Partnership as a nonprofit affiliate to better position regional lobbying and include private-sector affiliate members; the board discussed dues and the fact annual dues had been budgeted previously (Wright County $25,000 was referenced as the current annual fee under the JPA). The resolution passed unanimous.
- Approved an updated resolution requesting variances from the State Park Road account after negotiations with MnDOT reduced the number of variances; resolution passed unanimous.

Administration and personnel
- Approved Personnel Committee recommendations (housekeeping changes to personnel policies, reclassification rules, ID cards and hybrid-work procedures; updated records manager job description). Motion passed unanimous.
- Approved the workshop agenda for March 11 with one timing change and additions (state forecast discussion and French Lake highway shop update). Motion passed unanimous.

Other administrative actions
- Approved a letter of support for Functional Industries to request grant funding for a new van (unanimous; covered in separate HHS article).

Why it matters: The actions maintain county operations (minutes, agendas, personnel policy housekeeping), advance infrastructure and drainage work through viewers and engineering contracts, and move Wright County into a nonprofit regional partnership for federal advocacy. Most items were routine; the rezoning item prompted substantive exchange and a 4-1 split vote.

Provenance: Individual motions, roll-call votes and resolution passages are recorded in the March 4 meeting transcript. Details for the rezoning item are reported in a separate article.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Wright County Board Meeting 3/4/25","oneSentenceSummary","At its March 4 meeting the Wright County Board approved meeting minutes and agendas, adopted several resolutions and motions—including surveyors week, ditch appointments and contract awards—and approved participation in regional infrastructure planning; most actions passed unanimously, with the Kolkata Township rezoning passing 4-1.","taxTitle","Wright County, Minnesota","taxId",13660,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6298152,"Board proclaims March 2025 Social Work Month; HHS reports lowest-ever out-of-home placements and cost savings",346,2000000,2346000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505414-1eee8ddb06cbac8a47004b49a19cba74&start=2000&end=2346","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505414-1eee8ddb06cbac8a47004b49a19cba74/thumbnail_2000000.jpg","/articles/6298152/Wright-County/Minnesota/Board-proclaims-March-2025-Social-Work-Month-HHS-reports-lowest-ever-out-of-home-placements-and-cost-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298152-be47a2f7f26f6668d202a1d945092785/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160026&Signature=FphHufNVBIZs-KjtjALejw1fmJFFC~4HH4o5nQ52GslHmRKTFrcbMrf31s3iiJLZtVZEpjN3855EzUqYTYHSur8wJrLJJi6QTKCY-t7rBBjTOPpnAxK6Q9ZxIiOYiQpuzt~z5LuLN-tRHevkNQinCxMdfe6l-brRCIKzTDq7zWHu0-jneh6e1XyR3ocCNQot6uqu43tCSuMaAGKkGaJtTSiFWgwQ4q0ySmWPILPw7jgcyKo6n9S0SjiUqoQjkjxmGpcGkKV4SwF~U5MdUtiAnArs-khx9CA~J1eONb5hasoBuMpQvN5UObC5SQMkT86ggXMO2lBIZmt1WxfTJdhw~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wright County Board of Commissioners on March 4 proclaimed March 2025 as Social Work Month and heard Health and Human Services staff highlight program changes tied to sharply lower out-of-home placement counts.

Jamie (Health & Human Services) invited social services managers Michelle Miller and Jill Pooler to brief the board. Miller and Pooler described the month’s theme, “Social Work + Action,” and summarized services: child protection, family-strengthening supports and prevention-focused work. Jamie told the board that, as of January, 69 children were in out-of-home placement — the lowest January total the county has recorded — compared with 165 in January 2018. Miller and Pooler credited prevention efforts, case navigation and program redesign for part of the decline.

Commissioners and staff noted the decline appeared alongside roughly 2,300 reports screened annually and that improved front-end responses and new programs reduce the necessity for placement while also saving county funds. Jamie reported the out-of-home placement budget came in approximately $1,500,000 under budget for 2024.

Separately, the board approved a letter of support for Functional Industries’ application for a grant to purchase a new van to assist senior transportation and community programming; the motion passed unanimously.

Why it matters: Declines in out-of-home placements can indicate effective preventive and in-home support services, with potential cost savings and reduced disruption for children and families. HHS staff emphasized the intention to keep expanding community programs and preventive supports.

What’s next: Staff said Social Work Month events are planned the week of March 11–18 and the department will continue to report key performance measures to the board. The letter of support will be signed and transmitted for Functional Industries’ grant application.

","Wright County proclaimed March 2025 Social Work Month and Health & Human Services staff reported a drop in children placed out of home to 69 in January (down from 165 in January 2018), credited in part to preventive services and program changes; the board also approved a letter of support for Functional Industries’ grant application.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6298157,"County hears multi-decade update on Pelican Lake management plan; officials monitor long-term outlet level",642,1318000,1960000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505414-1eee8ddb06cbac8a47004b49a19cba74&start=1318&end=1960","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505414-1eee8ddb06cbac8a47004b49a19cba74/thumbnail_1318000.jpg","/articles/6298157/Wright-County/Minnesota/County-hears-multi-decade-update-on-Pelican-Lake-management-plan-officials-monitor-long-term-outlet-level","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298157-f348ddcab00a840fdada66e0aeda0963/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160026&Signature=JbaosC1CLBT69yx9IzeBlbyNFJZsTZW003Iu~sQIG5QrRjQN1qM7pFSj3qj6vpsJWSNQRObJc4mHaZfBBuk8f52uD1itRbOAL2fM3dtF2f3szASix8AHiNyGawW0gnuPXBv8PFE5xEgwZLaTwouxc0Sj9cspKyshVMhVKIalGmTPoC1qoTFhqM1n9325Urbyd9Lr3KwuXejnSjVkQo5vanGWk5YYc1gap5fNvgfbecfLtmfrQ4BB9g0qqNAuw9-XwJoRYAAD0uHZSfhCICkwpfTnvWkqsPS-NwggRzbIEDXwTzea8W7-QZ8254-FYpgZkhWvmiUcKwGsqhTjUQvrSw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Wright County commissioners on March 4 heard an overview of the Pelican Lake management plan, a decades-long effort to restore and protect a shallow, 3,800-acre lake that managers say supports migratory birds and sensitive shoreline habitat.

Peter Borrash, presenting for the lake management team, told the board Pelican Lake is a large, shallow lake (under 15 feet deep) whose water level rose more than six feet between the 1970s and early 2000s due to drainage changes and lack of an outlet. That rise expanded open water and altered habitat, prompting decades of study, targeted land acquisitions and a drawdown project intended to return the lake closer to its historic shallow-lake condition.

Borrash outlined that, beginning in about 2012–2014, the project used temporary pumping and later a gravity outlet to lower the lake. Pumping ceased in 2021; managers said the most recent low point was recorded in 2023 because of a multi-year drought. Current monitoring shows the deepest point is just over 10 feet, compared with about 8.5 feet at the previous low point following drawdown surveys.

County purchases and federal and state holdings now protect roughly 2,000 acres around the lake and between one-half and two-thirds of the shoreline, according to the presentation. The management approach is to maintain a long-term outlet level by gravity; Borrash emphasized that any future drawdown beyond the managed level would require a formal permitting process and environmental review because it would constitute a change to historic water levels.

Commissioners and other officials who had participated in earlier phases of the project thanked the presenters and noted the effort’s contentious history and long timeline. Commissioners said local residents are beginning to see the lake at its long-term managed level and appreciate the work.

Why it matters: Pelican Lake is ecologically significant as a shallow-lake system for migratory birds and waterfowl. The project combined engineering, land acquisition and regulatory coordination. The gravity outlet aims to maintain managed levels without continuous pumping but requires monitoring and permits for any additional drawdown.

What’s next: Staff said monitoring will continue and triggers in the lake management plan could prompt reevaluation of a drawdown; any proposal to lower water levels beyond the managed target would need a permit and environmental review per state rules.

","County officials received an extended update on Pelican Lake's multi-decade management program, including a drawdown completed in the 2010s, land acquisitions to protect shoreline, and a gravity outlet intended to maintain a long-term managed level; further drawdowns would require permits and environmental review.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6298161,"Commissioners approve 0.048-acre rezoning tied to lot-line adjustment in Kolkata Township amid precedent concerns",374,841000,1215000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505414-1eee8ddb06cbac8a47004b49a19cba74&start=841&end=1215","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505414-1eee8ddb06cbac8a47004b49a19cba74/thumbnail_841000.jpg","/articles/6298161/Wright-County/Minnesota/Commissioners-approve-0048-acre-rezoning-tied-to-lot-line-adjustment-in-Kolkata-Township-amid-precedent-concerns","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298161-6eb945e1c9ceaee7beff55462af3324a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771160026&Signature=Kq40AcGLBfzzb06M9p7pb80ujlfKX5RJL-MVl~71Y1w3OgpHP~mhoaIdOI9SskezVob1xeOjDnhwWdCjpiHWS2oM61-Qo94BYFlFAOPylodYWc1IJLaU4XvxgGfiTFUmHiXA~2F-8bzVj5ZijDoLAK1x-VC5C-bjxEbEEbKNkLXl2rp42WjMXFNVbmiIIdJ~pQFB33tAYcMpqRQL8xj1K3BiXYmWqUfkSDTJTJ2VHjI1G5aU96ryygba83Ad0ICbCkXHiD-dF7STl11zGXwOg88qM-lq1bpy77NQReHsDtylDi84EykaVYU7IwnP-YVLbTVoW0ORqBemp1HJ8nRJlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Wright County Board of Commissioners on March 4 approved a rezoning request that will adjust a lot line by 0.048 acres to regularize an existing structure that extended over the original property boundary.

County planning staff told the board the affected parcel had been properly created in the 1980s and that rezoning plus an amendment of the prior subdivision approval was the only practical way to avoid split zoning and bring the property into compliance without demolishing structures. The planning commission had recommended approval.

The issue drew concern from Commissioner Dietrich, who said approving the rezoning could set a precedent for allowing structures built over parcel lines to be regularized instead of requiring owners to move buildings back to meet setbacks. Planning staff and other commissioners said the landowner owned both parcels, the adjustment is a narrow sliver of land (0.048 acres), and forcing demolition would impose an undue hardship when a rezoning and subdivision amendment could correct the record and avoid a split-zone property.

After discussion, Commissioner Shane moved to approve the rezoning; Commissioner Holland seconded. The motion passed 4-1. Commissioners voting yes were Shane, Holland, Moyna and Chair Veitch; Commissioner Dietrich voted no. The board put a condition in practice that the subdivision amendment would be processed simultaneously and be null and void if the rezoning was not approved.

Why it matters: Rezoning to cure minor lot-line errors is a recurring land-use tool; the board’s decision underscores a preference in this case for administrative remedies that avoid demolition when the owner holds contiguous parcels and the change aligns with the land-use plan. At least one commissioner emphasized preserving ordinance setbacks when feasible, and raised concern about future precedent.

What happens next: With the rezoning approved, county staff said the subdivision amendment necessary to transfer the 0.048-acre sliver will proceed; if the rezoning were reversed, the subdivision amendment would be nullified, per the condition run concurrently on the filings. No further public hearings were recorded on the transcript.

Sources and attribution: Statements attributed to \"Planning staff\" and to Commissioners Dietrich, Shane, Holland and Chair Veitch are drawn from the March 4 meeting transcript.

","The Wright County Board of Commissioners approved a rezoning request to legalize a 0.048-acre lot-line adjustment and avoid a split-zoned parcel after planning commission recommendation; one commissioner voted against the measure, citing precedent and setback enforcement concerns.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Board approves routine minutes, agendas and multiple resolutions; summary of votes and actions

Board proclaims March 2025 Social Work Month; HHS reports lowest-ever out-of-home placements and cost savings

County hears multi-decade update on Pelican Lake management plan; officials monitor long-term outlet level

Commissioners approve 0.048-acre rezoning tied to lot-line adjustment in Kolkata Township amid precedent concerns