Pine County commissioners approve bridge contract, personnel and facility reorganizations; board accepts donated K-9 pending certification

Pine County commissioners on Feb. 17 advanced a series of routine and project actions, approving a bridge construction contract, multiple personnel and facilities changes and acceptance of a proposed donated K-9 pending certification and legal paperwork.

The board first adopted an amended agenda that added a MnDOT local bridge agreement and then approved the minutes and consent items. During public comment resident Glenn Sladek urged the county to disclose details about aerial spongy moth treatments, saying he had been surprised by past spray operations and asking officials to "do the homework" and inform residents.

In substantive business, public works reported three competitive bids for the Bridge 46 Sturgeon Lake project and recommended awarding the work to Redstone Construction for $2,020,441.95. Public works staff said the contractor planned to start within weeks and to schedule work to meet state water restrictions, aiming for early June completion to avoid mid-summer closures. Commissioners moved and approved the award on a roll call vote.

The board also approved an MnDOT agency agreement that brings $866,946.50 in state funding toward the project and a related resolution governing project requirements and paperwork.

On facilities, the board approved a facilities committee recommendation to reorganize staff locations with zoning, soil and water moving to the MPGC south side, repurposing the Silver Building for sheriff operations and authorizing up to two shipping containers for evidence storage. Officials said the reorganization is largely a repurposing of existing positions and would require only minor interior work.

Personnel items advanced by the personnel committee passed as a package. The board authorized recruitment for a higher deputy sheriff position in anticipation of leaves and retirements, and approved several job-grade adjustments in public works, environmental services and highway maintenance; staff said the changes would increase costs but expected managers to manage within budget constraints.

Public safety discussion centered on a proposed donated canine that a deputy procured and trained privately. County speakers described the donation as roughly a $20,000 value with ongoing maintenance costs estimated at about $10,000 a year; certification is required before the dog may be accepted and placed into service. The sheriff’s office said the county would accept the animal as county property while in service and that typical MCIT liability coverage would apply. Commissioners moved to accept the donation contingent on certification and final legal review; the motion passed.

The meeting included routine committee updates — solid waste equipment purchases, library joint-powers work, highway resurfacing planning and conservation district accomplishments — and closed with adjournment.

Votes at a glance

- Adopt agenda as amended — motion passed (unanimous roll call as required by quorum rules). - Approve Feb. 3 minutes — motion passed. - Approve consent agenda — motion passed. - Facilities committee recommendations (reorganization, shipping containers) — motion passed. - Award Bridge 46 contract to Redstone Construction ($2,020,441.95) — motion passed. - Approve MnDOT agency agreement and resolution ($866,946.50 in funding) — motion passed. - Approve personnel committee items (recruitment, grade changes) — motion passed. - Accept proposed donated K-9 contingent on certification and final legal paperwork — motion passed.

The board also approved other routine motions and heard presentations from Pine Soil & Water Conservation District and the Pokegama Lake Association. The next regular meeting date was not changed at adjournment.