Crow Wing County board meeting roundup: key approvals, appointments and grants (Jan. 28, 2025)

The Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners met Jan. 28 and took a series of routine and substantive actions, including contract awards, appointments, a public‑health emergency abatement payment and grant authorizations.

Why it matters: The board’s actions set procurement and grant‑funded work in motion for county services and infrastructure (park trails, jail meals, bomb squad equipment) and confirm appointments that affect regional public‑safety communications and sanitary‑district governance.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of regular meeting minutes (motion passed, roll call all ayes). - Consent agenda (motion passed, roll call all ayes; staff noted contract number 24019 for final payment request on project CP018-133-005). - Public health emergency abatement (Dews Road septic): Motion to approve county payment for emergency abatement (mover: Commissioner Franzen; second: Commissioner Coring). Outcome: approved, roll call all ayes. - Contract award — Milford Mine Memorial Park (contract 11262024): Award to Minnesota Boardwalks for $1,225,228.96 to construct 2.2 miles of trail/boardwalk (mover: Commissioner Lee; second: Commissioner Lubke). Outcome: approved, roll call all ayes. - Jail kitchen services: Motion to extend/approve contract with Summit Foods (mover: Commissioner Lubke; second: Commissioner Lee). Outcome: approved, roll call all ayes. - Agreement with Brainerd Jaycees (ice fishing event services): Motion to authorize Sheriff and County Administrator to sign agreement for event services (mover: Commissioner Franzen; second: Commissioner Lee). Outcome: approved, roll call all ayes. - 2024 State Homeland Security Program grant (bomb squad): Motion to authorize entering into grant agreement with Minnesota Department of Public Safety for 2025 bomb squad equipment and training (mover: Commissioner Franzen; second: Commissioner Lee). Outcome: approved, roll call all ayes. - Appointments: Northeast Minnesota Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) delegates — 911 operations Lieutenant Jessica Turner (delegate), Emergency Management Director Clayton Bard and Emergency Management Coordinator Liz Gleeson (alternates); Serpent Lake Sanitary Sewer District board appointments — Brad Ingersoll (City of Deerwood representative) and reappointment of Jim Traylor (City of Crosby representative), terms through Dec. 31, 2028 (motions passed by roll call all ayes). - Resolution to rename RAISE grant references to BUILD grant in county application documents for the 371 corridor improvement application: Motion to adopt amended resolution updating naming throughout application (mover: Commissioner Franzen; second: Commissioner Lubke). Outcome: approved, roll call all ayes.

Discussion highlights and context

- Funding and procurement: Land Services said the Milford Mine boardwalk project is funded in part by Minnesota DNR grants and proceeds from sales of timber and tax‑forfeited land; staff emphasized no levy funds will be used for that contract. Commissioners asked about contractor experience and performance guarantees.

- Jail food services: Jail administration presented cost comparisons, calorie and meal requirements and noted Summit Foods leases the county kitchen for catering to other county facilities; facilities staff manage lease terms.

- Public safety and grants: Bomb squad leadership described broad regional response coverage and state funding and reimbursement for equipment and out‑of‑jurisdiction responses; the board authorized the annual grant agreement.

What’s next: Staff will execute contracts and grant agreements, monitor contractor performance and complete appointment paperwork. Several items were routine approvals; staff identified next steps for scheduling a public hearing to repeal an outdated alarm ordinance per the sheriff’s office request.

A full transcript and board packet contain roll‑call vote details and the documents referenced during the meeting.