[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-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",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":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,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6191672,"mediaKeyId","4465552-cfc7b746d8d21e29833281df854f3ba6","parentId",4465552,"title","Commissioners discuss potential full-time juvenile facility and mental-health needs; study to continue","audioSeconds",278,"startMs",2882000,"endMs",3160000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=4465552-cfc7b746d8d21e29833281df854f3ba6&start=2882&end=3160","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4465552-cfc7b746d8d21e29833281df854f3ba6/thumbnail_2882000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6191672/Houston-County/Minnesota/Commissioners-discuss-potential-full-time-juvenile-facility-and-mental-health-needs-study-to-continue","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191672-8f361782f2b8f7c055911e737bc93d78/orig.mp4?Expires=1774844701&Signature=Ddkg-sx-EPEnHpB~BCJl1RCvgcaFRTPm9DVslLd7EaBtbQEE8Qev6dIoHebwjm1RZQ7a6NXIHHKpClIub876WBh9gX8HRZ15SeOk3fa7Kjcyiz45kIIux5RbeCR8G4OqMSmYKKsYUlRz78jQlJ990usOyrTitOIlQij56BsW7VoBIK0~AQFFWy4u5GWVnCZA9ocZbve-XpkFUbSZFOwNY84Oi~Gdo948V~3lEP6Z08EC-PSK7SYsV9YsgneOqvVyHZvLUHZcBIqnLF7OeVp6P8MtA2z4R6fdAa01KO8VCw~OWCcADIZOnWS2Ej4BKkPPIbBM7y0AaOa~bQhQdq1slQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Houston County, MN","date","2025-06-18T19:57:12Z","article","Houston County commissioners and members of the local Criminal Justice Collaborative (CJC) discussed whether to pursue a full-time juvenile facility, and they agreed more study and data-gathering are needed before any formal proposal.

Commissioners said a shift to a full-time juvenile facility would require additional staff and compliance with state guidance on minimum staffing levels. One commissioner who participated in the CJC work group said he had contacted other counties and found mixed reactions; those contacts encouraged further analysis on bed need and operational costs.

Commissioners framed the discussion in the context of a broader mental-health and substance-use crisis. “We are in a huge mental health crisis,” one commissioner said, citing increased drug use, fentanyl and methamphetamine as drivers of greater demand for detention and treatment resources. Commissioners said juveniles with behavioral-health needs cannot simply be released to fend for themselves and that local capacity is limited.

Several commissioners emphasized the need to inventory regional placement options, cost models, staff-to-resident ratios, and whether a local facility would be financially sustainable or create additional burdens. They also noted potential offsets: placing juveniles locally could reduce travel and legal expenses now borne by county attorneys and courts when youth are sent to distant facilities.

Decision versus discussion: no formal action was taken; the board directed the CJC/work group to continue developing information, including staffing models, state requirements and cost estimates, for a potential future proposal.

Next steps: the CJC/work group will gather data on demand, staffing formulas and nearby facility capacity and return with recommendations; commissioners and staff will continue outreach with partners to assess feasibility and fiscal impacts.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Official Houston County Board Meeting 5-20-25","oneSentenceSummary","Commissioners and justice-collaboration members discussed feasibility of a full-time juvenile facility, noting staffing, state guidance and the region’s mental-health and substance-use trends; workgroup will gather data and report back.","taxTitle","Houston County, Minnesota","taxId",73152,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6191677,"County approves purchase of used pressure washer to reduce recurring rental costs",184,588000,772000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4465552-cfc7b746d8d21e29833281df854f3ba6&start=588&end=772","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4465552-cfc7b746d8d21e29833281df854f3ba6/thumbnail_588000.jpg","/articles/6191677/Houston-County/Minnesota/County-approves-purchase-of-used-pressure-washer-to-reduce-recurring-rental-costs","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191677-feb159e3b9cf3340f9173bb18a66dcac/orig.mp4?Expires=1774844701&Signature=DEwb6LqUU1zevQX8hdMi2Iu-obXWwrA23zvP0MB2GfZ33~qlrbe-8-~aSgrsrKeT5i4oWYpBq5fKBt6VRcwHG3nrJUCf6xD71KJeyDNS6LJQBuj442eqD1YmPMvwizryeqej1I200-qKsyJnom6dITDXsP8lHOnuwUEyplMd68yhOiOzJX-93Cn67UEtA3D0s4FiPC2Yihcuc1ehrpYFRtMNEKQdu5MQv11naSnCBdC-mjA5KVgbeOlAra1Q1C2zDgqJbxWYIxYJ-ymcHu5a0gl1oGJrlOtRpr6KGi1vU7pJPX6Pn8w4wPyvW2t2xeYqHkjm4bE127aa~PZ~CfvY5g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Houston County commissioners approved purchasing a used pressure washer for the highway department to support bridge deck cleaning and sealing, a task for which the county has historically rented equipment.

County staff said the department typically spends $2,500 to $4,000 a year renting pressure-washing equipment when preparing bridge decks for sealing. A vendor offered a used pressure washer with approximately 28 hours of use for $8,500; with a $1,000 trade-in for the county’s older unit, the net purchase price would be $7,500.

Staff argued buying the unit would be more cost-effective over two to three years, would allow year-round availability and remove scheduling constraints tied to rentals. The board approved the purchase by voice vote.

Operational details discussed included mounting the unit on a trailer, carrying water tanks (about 500 gallons) and using roughly five gallons per minute during operations. Staff said the unit would be stored at Spring Grove during off-season and used at multiple washing stations to support county work.

Actions: the board approved the one-time purchase of the used pressure washer and authorized necessary budget adjustments; staff will manage trade-in and equipment storage logistics.

Discussion versus decision: commissioners debated rental costs versus purchase and operational storage; the board approved the purchase as recommended.","The board approved buying a lightly used pressure-washer unit for highway/bridge deck maintenance, trading in an older unit and projecting a two- to three-year payback compared with annual rental costs.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6191682,"Sheriff seeks ordinance for side-by-side/UTV use; board schedules public hearing",1384,930000,2314000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4465552-cfc7b746d8d21e29833281df854f3ba6&start=930&end=2314","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4465552-cfc7b746d8d21e29833281df854f3ba6/thumbnail_930000.jpg","/articles/6191682/Houston-County/Minnesota/Sheriff-seeks-ordinance-for-side-by-sideUTV-use-board-schedules-public-hearing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191682-7c399554f05409a4b899886912afb415/orig.mp4?Expires=1774844701&Signature=DWeUoQVqkr1WM~Mw6Z0z4p0~zEEOuEyRJGbUK2TuUyR3Sk2tq9JztN76TL843fOcy3u3x-U6x-nxkMDTApQZrNX4oUk9NNFnHTJsDCCZhvMzPWHGM31Wd9voGVHo4Ydc5FfkrbVGVCTsDMlXlZwgXXpUGGBj1FZSNC~Twwq5CESHAndZVLbg8X1EnH4a2DmviNpOH3N7oiXVn~mlHhHkdrTgLUgeriBzoQGBeJxk6IpxUib3Lnhh327jO32wXzWQbeaMXopPJLYzBe6W~hVFnAJ3fnLQe3b2fKCkOl4zOaE9sfBi-8FEyeeq28qQ3PxwPf~9JwveqqoCrD7~nkhlhA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Sheriff Swedberg asked the Houston County Board of Commissioners to adopt a county ordinance to regulate special use vehicles — including side-by-sides, utility terrain vehicles and golf carts — and to schedule a public hearing so residents can comment.

“State law does allow counties and cities to make ordinances themselves to regulate special use vehicles,” Sheriff Swedberg said, citing Minnesota Statute 169.045. He said side-by-side use is growing in the area and that a local ordinance would clarify ambiguities in state statute and create a permitting process.

Swedberg explained the proposal envisions county-issued permits, handled by the sheriff’s office, and noted the statute limits permit duration to a maximum of three years. He said the county could set the permit fee at the board’s discretion; examples cited during discussion included a local city that charges $25 per sticker and other counties that charge nominal fees.

Board members stressed the need for public education and outreach ahead of formal adoption, and raised enforcement and coordination questions for cities and town governments. Commissioners discussed exemptions for agricultural (AG) permits and said an AG-exempt permit would supersede the county permit if the vehicle is being used for farm operations.

The board discussed scheduling a public hearing; after confirming availability, the commissioners set the public hearing for Tuesday, June 24 at 9:30 a.m. for formal public comment and possible future action. Staff confirmed the sheriff’s office will post the notice and accept questions prior to the hearing.

Discussion versus decision: the board did not adopt the ordinance at the meeting; it set a public hearing date for additional public input and possible subsequent action. Commissioners emphasized the need for outreach explaining classifications (golf carts vs. UTVs), age and licensing restrictions, and coordination with cities that have their own regulations.

Authorities: the sheriff and staff cited Minnesota Statute 169.045 as the statutory authority enabling counties to enact local regulation of special use vehicles.

Next steps: the sheriff’s office will publish the hearing notice on the county website and at the auditor’s office and receive questions in advance; after the hearing the board may vote to adopt an ordinance and set a permit fee schedule.","Sheriff Swedberg presented a proposed county ordinance to regulate special use vehicles (UTVs, side-by-sides, golf carts) under Minnesota Statute 169.045; the board scheduled a public hearing for June 24 at 9:30 a.m. for further input.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6191687,"Houston County approves Oakland Drive bridge replacement, accepts state bridge grant",234,236000,470000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=4465552-cfc7b746d8d21e29833281df854f3ba6&start=236&end=470","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/4465552-cfc7b746d8d21e29833281df854f3ba6/thumbnail_236000.jpg","/articles/6191687/Houston-County/Minnesota/Houston-County-approves-Oakland-Drive-bridge-replacement-accepts-state-bridge-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6191687-23757c0a652b37810e5727f6358127ed/orig.mp4?Expires=1774844701&Signature=UjCNjN4D7RSEjN5sZLFJyuOk5RoTHNGFIv8GWNf3lk~~gJFtLreSsdQXJ1ZtuANZsZ1z19Gs4dU2bxuSIDjMeNGORiIdRWNCPMqG3uWo7Zztqd0vcZ49r-8HPJfDIj2foh8cudhSG1VBtD9db0Hvoqgha5AZ~iRcLDQIFXPOuXT2GhrkwkKMMuguLTDwlTi16L6m9HjxAVIm7VyqAsZlEwFR7bXgr4zatSewlJHn0GI8dEX3~ic2~prHqnjs-86wgVHWg~UoNfwN74h8O~ipeOwdQOv1aCGuc8fiNBxSDbtCDX9qIPwkKKSET9T~uVbFokvaduRQo52YFkW6ipOAng__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Houston County Board of Commissioners approved awarding a contract for the Oakland Drive bridge replacement in Wilmington Township and accepted a state Local Bridge Replacement Program grant to pay most of the project cost.

County staff recommended awarding the contract to Minnewa Construction for SAP 028599101. The board approved the award by voice vote. Staff said the project is a full bridge replacement and “potentially 3, 4 months of closure.”

The board then accepted the grant agreement tied to the same project. County staff told commissioners the LBRP grant will cover $539,044.71; Wilmington Township will provide $20,000 and town bridge account funds will cover roughly $70,000, leaving the grant and local contributions to fully fund the bid as presented.

County staff described additional work required by the state Department of Natural Resources to remove an old abutment in the stream and noted environmental/stream work would be part of the contract. Staff also said the existing bridge uses welded steel joints that are now considered a deficient design, supporting the need for full replacement.

Commissioners asked operational questions including timing and detour/closure impacts; staff said a schedule had not yet been provided and confirmed the crossing will be closed during construction. One commissioner asked that staff contact a nearby elderly resident so she knows when closure will occur.

Actions taken at the meeting:
- The board approved awarding the construction contract for SAP 028599101 (Oakland Drive, Wilmington Township) to Minnewa Construction; the award passed by voice vote. (Motion and formal mover/second were on the record; vote recorded as voice approval.)
- The board accepted the Local Bridge Replacement Program grant for the same project and authorized the grant agreement; the motion to accept passed by voice vote.

Discussion versus decision: the board’s approvals were formal votes on contracting and on accepting the grant. Staff provided design and funding details during discussion; commissioners questioned schedule and resident notification but did not amend project scope.

Proper names and identifiers mentioned in the meeting include: Oakland Drive; Wilmington Township; Minnewa Construction; SAP 028599101; Local Bridge Replacement Program (LBRP). Staff also referenced the Department of Natural Resources regarding in-stream work.

The board next steps include executing the contract and the grant agreement and coordinating construction timing and public notices with the township and contractor.","The Houston County Board approved a contract to replace the Oakland Drive bridge in Wilmington Township and accepted a Local Bridge Replacement Program (LBRP) grant to cover most of the cost; county and township funds will cover the remainder.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Commissioners discuss potential full-time juvenile facility and mental-health needs; study to continue

County approves purchase of used pressure washer to reduce recurring rental costs

Sheriff seeks ordinance for side-by-side/UTV use; board schedules public hearing

Houston County approves Oakland Drive bridge replacement, accepts state bridge grant