Clay County commissioners approve bridge grants, staffing change and homelessness aid in voice votes

The Clay County Board of Commissioners on Feb. 11 approved a package of routine and programmatic items by voice vote, including three Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) bridge grant agreements, a small‑city allotment resolution, the refilling of a welfare fraud investigator position and two housing/homelessness contracts.

The board approved MnDOT grant agreements and supporting resolutions for bridge replacements, accepted the county’s annual small‑city allotment resolution, authorized the refill of a welfare fraud investigator position, and authorized contracts to distribute state local homeless prevention aid and statewide affordable housing aid. Most items passed on voice votes with commissioners saying “aye” and the chair declaring the motions carried.

Why it matters: The MnDOT bridge grants unlock bonding funds for local bridge replacements and road closures; the staffing decision maintains the county’s fraud‑investigation capacity as case volumes rise; and the contracts allocate state Department of Revenue funds to local providers delivering eviction‑prevention and supportive housing services.

Approved items and outcomes - Approval of the agenda — motion by Commissioner Baer, second by Commissioner Ebinger; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Payment of bills and vouchers — motion by Commissioner Kramenhoff, second by Commissioner Ebinger; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Approval of minutes from Jan. 21, 2025 (with one spelling correction requested for Anna Moore on page 10) — motion to approve with amendment; outcome: approved by voice vote. - MnDOT grant agreement and resolution “2020 five‑seven” for SP014614‑1 (Cassaw 14, SW of Glendon; bridge replacement). Justin (county staff, presenter) said the county received “almost $700,000 in bridge bonding” for the project and that the road will close Feb. 20 for construction; motion to approve offered and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote. - MnDOT grant agreement/resolution “2025‑dash‑8” for SAP 14597003 (bridge in the city of Dilworth; county acting as sponsor for the city and the Buffalo Red River Watershed District); motion to approve offered and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote. - MnDOT grant agreement/resolution “2025‑dash‑9” (second Dilworth street, joint project; no county cost impact); motion to approve offered and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote. - Small city allotment resolution (2025‑dash‑10) — annual resolution directing allotment funding to non‑state aid cities and Moorhead for county roads inside the city; motion to approve offered and seconded; outcome: approved by voice vote. Justin noted the packet included the final 2024 turnback payment and that the 2024 payment will be on the 2024 budget. - Refill welfare fraud investigator position (replacement after resignation): Quinn Yeager (county staff) asked to refill the position and explained that 1.25 FTE of the role is funded by a state and federal fraud prevention grant. Yeager reported fraud case counts fell during COVID (from over 500 pre‑COVID to 274 in 2022) and rose to 638 last year; motion to approve the vacant position passed on voice vote. - Contract award and use of Local Homeless Prevention Aid ($303,126) to “CAP LP” (application submitted as a partnership including Moorhead Public Schools and Churches United). Quinn Yeager said the RFP attracted a single application that proposed funding an advocate and shelter advocates and that the aid is paid in two installments (July and Dec. dates listed in the packet); motion to approve selection and contract with CAP LP passed by voice vote. - Contract award of Statewide Affordable Housing Aid ($68,698) to Clay County HRA to support operations at Gateway Gardens and Bright Sky Apartments and tenant assistance; motion to approve selection and contract with Clay County HRA passed by voice vote. - Motion to go into closed session under Minnesota Statute 13D.05 subdivision 3(b) for attorney‑client privileged union negotiations — motion and second; outcome: motion carried; the board entered and later exited closed session. - Direction to human resources to readdress current memoranda of understanding (MOUs) for sergeant pay and deputy first class pay (follow‑up from closed session): motion by Commissioner Eberger (transcript label), seconded and approved by voice vote; outcome: board directed HR to continue negotiations and return with updated MOUs.

Quotes and attributions: The meeting primarily used brief procedural remarks. Justin (county staff, presenter) said the county “did receive almost $700,000 in bridge bonding” for the Cassaw 14 project and that the road would close Feb. 20 for construction. Quinn Yeager (county staff) summarized the homeless prevention aid application and clarified funding and payment timing.

What the record does not show: No formal roll‑call vote tallies were recorded in the meeting transcript; approvals were announced by voice vote and declared “carried.” Specific mover/second names are included above where the transcript records them; where not provided the motion was recorded as offered and seconded but not tied to a full name in the transcript.

Next steps: Contracts and grant agreements will be signed as directed, staff will advertise the bridge closure and proceed with construction scheduling, HR will continue conversations about sergeant and deputy first class pay and return with proposed MOU language or changes for board action.