Goodhue County board approves letter supporting Wakuda Township's trail-resurfacing grant application

The Goodhue County board voted to sign a letter of recommendation supporting Wakuda Township's application for a resurfacing grant for the Wakuda Trail.

Board members were told the trail has existed for 19 years and that a grant, if awarded to the township, would cover about 75% of resurfacing costs while the township would cover the remaining 25%. The board heard that members of a local grant committee, including John Schuler, had not realized early in the process that letters of support were required and were now seeking endorsements from local partners, including the county board.

A motion to sign the letter was moved, seconded and carried on verbal assent. The minutes record the procedural vote as "all those in favor say I" followed by affirmative responses; specific individual tallies were not recorded.

Resident Margie Toma, speaking after the vote, thanked the board for its support and said the trail is used year-round by people from nearby communities. "If you do, please come up to a mic" she told the board when asked to identify herself; she then stated her name for the record. She said the letter must be attached to the township's grant application, which is due March 31, and asked the board to confirm delivery logistics so the letter could be included in the submission.

The board did not set further conditions in public discussion. Next steps recorded in the meeting were for staff or the maker of the motion to provide the signed letter so it can be attached to the township's application before the stated deadline.