Wright County board amends Buffalo Lake no‑wake rule, approves downtown demolition grant application and several routine measures; hires building inspector

The Wright County Board of Commissioners on July 8 approved a set of measures including concurrence with an emergency no‑wake restriction on Buffalo Lake (amended from 600 feet to 300 feet), authorized a county application for a state redevelopment grant to demolish the downtown government center, adopted changes to county cannabis registration and licensing procedures, and voted to fill a budgeted building‑inspector position after a split vote.

The board’s action on the Buffalo Lake restriction — recorded as Resolution 25‑40 — followed a lengthy discussion about enforcement limits and the purpose of the restriction. Administrator Kreiser told commissioners the county concurrence would “remain in effect for 30 days or until the water level reaches 916.5 feet.” Commissioners and staff repeatedly described the measure as primarily educational and protective of shoreline property; the board amended the city of Buffalo’s original 600‑foot buffer to 300 feet before adopting the concurrence unanimously. Commissioners asked that publicity for the restriction include a nonemergency phone number and a clear notice not to use 911 to report wake violations.

On redevelopment, the board adopted Resolution 25‑41 authorizing staff to apply for a state redevelopment grant for demolition of the Downtown Buffalo Government Center. County redevelopment staff said the total project is expected to cost about $2,000,000 and that the county would be responsible for a 50 percent match of roughly $1,000,000, which officials intend to cover from county fund balance. The board approved submitting the grant application, with staff saying awards are expected in the fall and, if successful, demolition would likely begin in spring.

At a public hearing the board approved Ordinance Amendment 25‑2, which changes the county’s cannabis registration process to a first‑come, first‑served registration for limited local licenses and aligns administrative fines with the county’s tobacco ordinance. Sarah Grotius of public health summarized the change: “we're now changing that over to a first come, first served application process.” The board also approved a companion resolution for summary publication.

The meeting included several other formal actions: approval of a variance request tied to State Park Road grant work near Crowfoot (Resolution 25‑39) and the related contract award for Corinna Township road work to Knife River; a motion to set a public hearing on County Ditch 19 for Aug. 14 at 1 p.m.; approval of county lease documentation for Soil and Water at 311 Brighton Avenue; denial of a tobacco license for Costless Tobacco Shop because it is “too close to a youth oriented facility;” and affirmation of a seven‑day suspension recommendation for VIP Tobacco following a hearing officer’s findings.

The board approved a purchase agreement with French Lake Township for the former township highway shop (PID 209000153406) for $110,000 and authorized signatures on that agreement; that motion passed 4–1. Finally, after debate about a hiring freeze and county budget uncertainty, the board voted 3–2 to fill a previously budgeted building‑inspector position in planning and zoning. Commissioners and staff said permit volume and inspection turnaround times have risen substantially; staff reported permit revenue of roughly $1,000,000 and average inspection wait times near 20 days, with some permits delayed as long as about 50 days.

Votes at a glance (actions taken)

- Approve minutes (June 24): motion by Commissioner Dietrich, second by Commissioner Moyna; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Approve agenda and consent agenda: approved, unanimous. - Resolution 25‑39 (Crowfoot/State Park Road variance): motion by Commissioner Moyna, second by Commissioner Dietrich; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Corinna Township contract (Knife River): motion by Commissioner Dietrich, second by Commissioner Moyna; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Set public hearing: County Ditch 19 on Aug. 14 at 1 p.m.: motion by Commissioner Shane, second by Commissioner Moyna; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Denial of Costless Tobacco Shop license: motion by Commissioner Dietrich, second by Commissioner Holland; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Affirm hearing officer recommendation to suspend VIP Tobacco seven consecutive days (hearing officer: Scott Anderson): motion by Commissioner Moyna, second by Commissioner Holland; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Lease with Wright County Soil and Water, 311 Brighton Ave.: motion by Commissioner Shane, second by Commissioner Holland; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Resolution 25‑40 (concur with City of Buffalo emergency no‑wake restriction on Buffalo Lake), amended to 300 feet from shoreline: motion to amend and approve by Commissioner Dietrich, second by Commissioner Moyna; outcome: approved, unanimous. Board asked administration to clearly publicize a nonemergency contact number and request that residents not call 911 for enforcement complaints. - Resolution 25‑41 (apply for DEED redevelopment grant for downtown demolition; $2,000,000 project estimate, county match ≈ $1,000,000): motion by Commissioner Shane, second by Commissioner Holland; outcome: approved, unanimous. - Ordinance Amendment 25‑2 (cannabis registration/first‑come, first‑served; administrative fines aligned with tobacco ordinance): motion by Commissioner Shane, second by Commissioner Holland; outcome: approved, unanimous. Companion resolution for summary publication: approved, unanimous. - Purchase agreement with French Lake Township (former highway shop, PID 209000153406; $110,000): motion by Commissioner Shane, second by Commissioner Holland; outcome: approved, 4–1. - Hiring of budgeted building‑inspector position (planning & zoning): motion by Commissioner Dietrich, second by Commissioner Moyna; outcome: approved, 3–2.

Why it matters: The Buffalo Lake concurrence is intended to protect shoreline infrastructure and private property during unusually high water, but commissioners and staff repeatedly cautioned that enforcement resources are limited and emphasized public education and the use of the nonemergency line for complaints. The redevelopment grant, if awarded, would accelerate the county’s downtown site cleanup but carries a significant local match. The cannabis ordinance change responds to the state licensing rollout and attempts to avoid a lottery system; the county’s first‑come approach and the added limits reflect the statutory cap tied to local population. The inspector hire addresses a permitting backlog county staff say is already affecting building timelines.

What’s next: Administration will publicize the Buffalo Lake no‑wake restriction and nonemergency contact guidance; staff will submit the DEED redevelopment grant application by the Aug. 1 deadline; planning and zoning will proceed to fill the approved inspector position; and county staff will continue processing cannabis registration requests and the French Lake purchase closing as scheduled (county staff said the purchase aims to close by the end of the month).