[{"_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",6742444,"mediaKeyId","5343222-d6597c489b6c5797a5c9fd685edc022c","parentId",5343222,"title","Blue Earth County adopts multiple drainage findings: benefits redetermined and contracts accepted for Ditch 74, 35, 16 and 57","audioSeconds",1056,"startMs",1904000,"endMs",2960000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5343222-d6597c489b6c5797a5c9fd685edc022c&start=1904&end=2960","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5343222-d6597c489b6c5797a5c9fd685edc022c/thumbnail_1904000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6742444/Blue-Earth-County/Minnesota/Blue-Earth-County-adopts-multiple-drainage-findings-benefits-redetermined-and-contracts-accepted-for-Ditch-74-35-16-and-57","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6742444-3ee6e8c7ba5523b77ebb8519f1df7d01/orig.mp4?Expires=1773678468&Signature=Eghwdg98c1WYbahFoxEJtp3YL2HT57k4xAoeQ1tS3kC63X5FLgpnFP50xC3PA2TorpdTk3h7ogcl1zCSyRhlqQDibYxTGaesm7JVc29QkoA9tpvnlvG~U5u8tyJP2X73qCRKOysUCWjchzqrwFqiPXfmHP2ucuTcm2LSfYTDjNW9vkPJh4Y7N2ftqPWlvs3BS5B09quB2XDt1DreSZAlYFZU5wIoTrwFzXUS7JJaPFr7HAo0BnoUWZLjHZOzT2RRM4ADXJpB5Gp2gPbdFxtlwQ-FDAEH7L2KOR21t-V~gE8APKZ4sn9gd2xVuf746KsEqi~4wfhG5g8Qq4EORXOg3Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Blue Earth County, MN","date","2025-07-10T01:13:07.65Z","article","Blue Earth County commissioners on July 8 heard technical engineer and viewer reports across multiple drainage items and adopted findings and orders in each case.

Ditch 74: At a continuation hearing focused on the Greenwald and Czarne properties, viewer Mark Behrens reported he received maps showing those parcels have field tile that drains out of County Ditch 74. He said the viewers reduced the benefits on tiled acres by 90% (leaving a small residual benefit because a very large storm could route some water back to the ditch). The board adopted the viewers' findings and order to update the redetermination of benefits for County Ditch 74.

Ditch 35 acceptance: ISG engineer Chuck Bridal presented final acceptance reports for two bid packages (a large pipe/open ditch package and tile work). He described installation of a 60-inch pipe, ditch cleaning and tile bores under Highway 22, gave final cost totals and noted a 3‑year warranty for tile and a 1‑year warranty for open ditch work. The board accepted the engineers' report and directed final payment processing to contractors as documented in the engineer’s final pay requests.

Ditch 16 outlet and Ditch 35 removal/outlet petitions: ISG engineers and viewers reviewed a petition to move roughly 5.1 acres from County Ditch 35 into County Ditch 16 and presented hydraulic analyses showing negligible downstream impacts. Viewer Mark Barrons recommended a $100/acre outlet fee and benefit assignments; the board approved the drafted findings and orders granting the petition. Relatedly, the board approved an order reducing benefits on the petitioned acres in CD35 to 1% of prior benefits.

Ditch 35 petition to outlet additional acreage (31.75 acres) and Ditch 57 removal: The board approved a petition to add 31.75 acres into CD35 from CD57, after a viewer proposed a $1,900/acre one-time buy-in and added benefits to CD35. Panel testimony noted the large improvement recently completed on CD35 and that the outlet fee reflected those costs. The board also approved the separate petition removing the same 31.75 acres from CD57 and adopted the viewers’ recommendations to reduce benefits on those acres by 99% in CD57.

Public comment: The transcript records limited or no public comment on these items at the hearings; staff and appointed viewers provided the technical record that the board used to act.

Board action: For each hearing the board moved to adopt the applicable findings and orders and the motions carried. The transcript does not record detailed roll-call vote tallies.

What to expect: The adopted findings update the formal benefits and damages rolls and authorize final contractor payments and warranty periods as described in the engineer reports. Landowners affected by benefit reductions or outlet fees will receive documentation as part of the drainage records.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","The Blue Earth County Board of Commissioners Meeting for July 8tth, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Blue Earth County commissioners adopted viewers’ and engineers’ reports July 8 after technical hearings on multiple drainage matters affecting Ditch 74, Ditch 35, Ditch 16 and Ditch 57.","taxTitle","Blue Earth County , Minnesota","taxId",52764,"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},6742442,"FEMA denies public‑assistance coverage for Blue Earth County dam powerhouse; board wary of appeals",216,7164000,7380000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5343222-d6597c489b6c5797a5c9fd685edc022c&start=7164&end=7380","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5343222-d6597c489b6c5797a5c9fd685edc022c/thumbnail_7164000.jpg","/articles/6742442/Blue-Earth-County/Minnesota/FEMA-denies-publicassistance-coverage-for-Blue-Earth-County-dam-powerhouse-board-wary-of-appeals","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6742442-95a6ec44f78840fd0274bfe14ab87b17/orig.mp4?Expires=1773678468&Signature=HKZPtA-~-~mv6Txz5~jUpCyXanehmySMJpmw3HuzWBxhCJ0eEH~SazJIJ3Elr27ebUJxfqpHBCp9T41fBVVTkS1dwHaUXgCTubxvUc37aH3rPDu7jWQsloYB33zROrJr9KfZwH4f8cyH2CAkQVlY2MZmEeuDRtpwX6qV712O5L5xfk-U2m15fKeESzukqwDdlTY8z8r8z6jufgB9fPWgjlbMENihZ8PlsgNoSgeomQD4GggX5K5dwLoGsxg5uj6ozxDppy3iigIiqA0snNE7hF8gZSpEH0uujkOwlKNasgWrkMSUJZE25v3TJJN8VyEczIUBqbazSXkxrPs3--P0yQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Blue Earth County staff told commissioners on July 8 that the Federal Emergency Management Agency denied the county’s request for Public Assistance funding to cover repairs or removal related to the dam powerhouse, tainter gates and associated electrical equipment, and the board discussed next steps.

FEMA determination: County staff summarized a temporary stabilization determination memo dated June 16, 2025. FEMA denied Public Assistance for powerhouse equipment and the tainter gates on several grounds cited in the memo: the powerhouse and gates were inoperable prior to the incident period (county records cited damage from 2019–2020 and an earlier decision to surrender the FERC license), the substation is private property and the county had stated it did not intend to reactivate the facility. FEMA concluded the facility was not an eligible public facility for PA purposes and therefore denied associated funding, including funds to remove roughly 535 cubic yards of sediment from within the powerhouse.

County response and board discussion: Staff recommended coordinated review by county counsel, project engineers and administrators if the board wanted to pursue an appeal. Several commissioners expressed skepticism that an appeal would succeed, noting the county had previously surrendered the license and had said it would not reactivate the powerhouse. One commissioner said the sediment removal is the component they were most concerned about and that pursuing that narrower reimbursement might be more productive than a full technical/legal appeal. The general direction from the board was cautious: commissioners were not unanimous but indicated reluctance to launch a prolonged or expensive appeal expecting a different outcome.

What to expect: Staff said an appeal would require significant legal and technical coordination and could be a lengthy process with uncertain results. The county will evaluate whether to pursue limited follow-up regarding sediment removal, but the transcript records no firm direction to file an appeal.","FEMA denied Blue Earth County’s request for Public Assistance funding for the dam powerhouse and tainter gates, saying the facility was not an eligible active public facility at the time of the incident.",{"_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},6742445,"Blue Earth County approves financing plan to convert public housing to RAD project-based vouchers",157,1077000,1234000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5343222-d6597c489b6c5797a5c9fd685edc022c&start=1077&end=1234","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5343222-d6597c489b6c5797a5c9fd685edc022c/thumbnail_1077000.jpg","/articles/6742445/Blue-Earth-County/Minnesota/Blue-Earth-County-approves-financing-plan-to-convert-public-housing-to-RAD-project-based-vouchers","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6742445-06160a2f3a19edee4a89ad4d8ad85c63/orig.mp4?Expires=1773678468&Signature=Iv540GtRtpG2oheF4nKJhjsnbN138d5hO6taR~EX6q0hSGQF3HWvv1rkODw~ReSTzvylbXm4hszog4J6L77bX0Bk2M7QL~iFc2ffbqS8ebjsvYgNfwF5O5VTdHHTNvsr-KAUzU4~lNN2L2Ta7V8PGlAhmVtHTnmi9cd6bUSSUr-Due0xtoHU~qE0BOvdgCpA3zBN7QoBUdAY07TSApo5LtehxqUc1ky7a62NL0jRDUSvRzKrHJ6MKbO73aXq07TXGwRjfYtOPTdoAFI7XJ3lV6uLN9JmH48GqyMjnzPbGWvTtzl77Ya0cD~5ClNt6uo5cJLDUNFAmDU9W6U1mlePvA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Blue Earth County commissioners on Tuesday approved a resolution to submit a financing plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to convert 56 public housing units through a RAD (Rental Assistance Demonstration) Section 18 project-based voucher conversion.

Nancy, a county housing staff member, told the board the county already began repositioning public housing and that 19 units will convert on Sept. 1 as the first phase. She said the proposed financing plan covers the remaining 56 units and follows a consultant-prepared comprehensive needs assessment, a 30-year capital improvement plan, an environmental review and title work required for conversion. \"All residents that are in the Breckenridge buildings and the scattered sites have the right to remain in their units,\" Nancy said, adding residents will continue to pay 30% of their income for rent.

Why it matters: Staff said converting to project-based vouchers will streamline programming, reduce reporting burdens and let the authority set contract rents up to 110% of fair market rent (public housing rents are about 80%), with the voucher subsidy making up the difference. County staff provided a reserve and capital funds summary and said HUD’s projections indicate adequate replacement reserves to support the conversion process.

Board action: A commissioner moved to adopt the resolution authorizing staff to submit the financing plan to HUD; the motion was seconded and carried without recorded dissent. The paperwork will be forwarded to HUD for review as the next step.

What the approval does not do: The board’s vote authorized submitting the financing plan to HUD for review; it did not itself execute HUD contracts or change individual tenant terms beyond the protections staff described. The record contains no public comments opposing the plan at the meeting.","The county board approved a resolution authorizing submission of a financing plan to HUD to convert 56 remaining public housing units from public housing to RAD Section 18 project-based voucher status, after staff said the change would stabilize revenue and allow capital funds to be saved for future improvements.",{"_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},6742443,"County approves Public Works bids, annual reports and Eagle Lake engineering contract; awards EV grant funds",405,5994000,6399000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5343222-d6597c489b6c5797a5c9fd685edc022c&start=5994&end=6399","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5343222-d6597c489b6c5797a5c9fd685edc022c/thumbnail_5994000.jpg","/articles/6742443/Blue-Earth-County/Minnesota/County-approves-Public-Works-bids-annual-reports-and-Eagle-Lake-engineering-contract-awards-EV-grant-funds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6742443-7ebc12915f25359e6a0492fedb75f973/orig.mp4?Expires=1773678468&Signature=dD11k00L6BuqP76Fbq48fgvyliGvapsRdipasE67UqjQyzlj1pcXDUeNX4HueLMrPyS~b-rpoQ3QIRp54gVikm-Ed9OqIWP7gBBZOKBRekJ65Cy6xxtrI0zlsqURjtC~5wAelfPPPADtlCZJSHA46HTVp5NkhvUhejWiWATvPUPDSfERdAlt0idyjR-61LOIlSxFFqV3GX0-8GM-e4n3zL1ic0FzM47pdFqBSXapdi-awKgcORxDa7HC7AflZJ1Zv~b1TqBXRLx-w5oVX3bZvNKkx2keKb67yJrVvIP9esAYlKBuWKkASTnKHVxtykjKsmpwSd53otCwZXm~n5QUAg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Blue Earth County commissioners on July 8 approved several Public Works procurement and reporting items and accepted federal and state agreements tied to local projects.

Contracts and awards: Public Works recommended and the board approved awarding the CSAH 40 slope repair contract to R & E Enterprises (low bid $246,407.50, substantially under the engineer’s estimate). The board also awarded the 2025 Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) contract to Safety Signs Incorporated after the bids were higher than the engineer estimate but the project advanced through MnDOT approval.

Annual reports: The board approved the Public Works 2024 annual report (summarizing county road miles, expenditures and major projects) and the Parks Department 2024 annual report (camping nights, reservations and revenues). Public Works staff summarized construction and maintenance expenditures and noted that approximately 70% of the budget is spent on construction.

Eagle Lake trail project: The board approved MnDOT contract 1060249 that lets the county administer federal preliminary engineering funds for a shared-use trail and sidewalk in Eagle Lake, adopted the associated agency agreement (SP7090006) and approved a project sponsor agreement with the City of Eagle Lake to document responsibilities between the county and the city.

Fleet and sustainability: Public Works announced it received FY2026 Carbon Reduction Program funds to cover 80% of the purchase price for two electric pickup trucks; county match is budgeted. Staff said operational constraints mean EVs are best used by employees who return vehicles nightly for charging.

Other items: The board approved an increase to Ponderosa Landfill's mattress recycling fee to $25.64 per unit, effective July 14, 2025, to reflect higher recycling costs after the county used additional recyclers.

Board action: All motions to award contracts, approve reports, authorize agreements and accept the CRP grant carried on voice votes; no roll-call tallies were recorded in the transcript.","The board awarded construction contracts for a county slope-repair project and a highway safety improvement program contract, approved Public Works and Parks 2024 annual reports, authorized MnDOT contract administration and a project sponsor agreement with Eagle Lake, and accepted Carbon Reduction Program funds for two electric pickup purchases.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Blue Earth County adopts multiple drainage findings: benefits redetermined and contracts accepted for Ditch 74, 35, 16 and 57

FEMA denies public‑assistance coverage for Blue Earth County dam powerhouse; board wary of appeals

Blue Earth County approves financing plan to convert public housing to RAD project-based vouchers

County approves Public Works bids, annual reports and Eagle Lake engineering contract; awards EV grant funds