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Pipestone County Commissioner Meeting
July 22, 2025
The Pipestone County Commissioners met with Chairman, Chris Hollingsworth, Commissioners, Luke Johnson, Dan Wildermuth and Dallas Roskamp. Commissioner Doug Nagel was absent. County Administrator Steve Ewing was also present. Chairman Hollingsworth called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
AGENDA
Motion by Wildermuth, seconded by Roskamp to approve the agenda. Ayes, Johnson, Wildermuth, Roskamp, Hollingsworth. Nays, none. Absent, Nagel. Motion carried.
CONSENT AGENDA
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Wildermuth to approve the consent agenda as follows:
1. Approve Commissioners Minutes 7/8/2025
2. Approve Commissioners Warrants: $167,782.75
3. Approve Auditors Warrants: 7/11/25, 7/18/25
4. Approve Hospital Warrants $934,609.31
5. Approve Treasurers Report June 2025
Ayes, Johnson, Wildermuth, Roskamp, Hollingsworth. Nays, none. Absent, Nagel. Motion carried.
As per Minnesota Statute 375.12 the following Commissioner Warrants information is presented:
Rebuilding Together Twin-Cities (vendor name at payment), 36,428.00 (total amount)
Axon Enterprise Inc, 19,949.16
ACE of Southwest MN, 17,750.00
League of MN Cities Ins Trust P & C, 13,656.00
Erickson Engineering Co Inc, 13,294.50
Polito, Inc, 9,000.00
Avenu Insights & Analytics, 7,644.09
Election Systems & Software, Inc, 6,762.31
Nobles County Auditor Treasurer, 4,650.00
SHI International Corp, 4,464.16
Pipestone Publishing Co Inc, 2,571.55
Papik Motors, 2,316.88
S W DUST TREATMENT INC, 2,133.00
Motorola Solutions Connectivity, Inc, 2,071.40
WARRANTS OVER $2,000, 142,691.05
NUMBER OF CLAIMS UNDER $2,000, 59.00
WARRANTS UNDER $2,000, 25,091.70
TOTAL, 167,782.75
PROJECT UPDATES, PROJECTS UNDER CONTRACT, PROJECTS IN THE PLANNING STAGE
County Engineer Nick Bergman provided information on project updates, projects under contract and projects in the planning stage.
Engineer Bergman distributed the Annual Report of the County Highway Department for the year ending 2024. Copies of the report are available for viewing at the Highway Department Office.
Engineer Bergman requested Right of Way Payments for project SAP 059-599-150 to Wilbur and Barbara Van Grootheest in the amount of $310.00 to be paid as an Auditor Warrant. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Wildermuth to approve the payment. Ayes, Johnson, Wildermuth, Roskamp, Hollingsworth. Nays, none. Absent, Nagel. Motion carried.
Engineer Bergman requested that the board set a bid opening date for August 26, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. for 2025 box culvert projects -Contract #3 for SAP 059-599-026 (Osborne Township: 11th Street, ¾ mile West of CSAH 1), SAP 059-599-150 (Troy Township: 40th Ave ½ mile South of CSAH 8), SAP 059-599-155 (CR62: 1 ½ miles South of TH 30). This is the third box culvert contract for 2025. Motion by Johnson, seconded by Roskamp to set the bid opening as requested for August 26, 2025 at 10:30 a.m. Ayes, Johnson, Wildermuth, Roskamp, Hollingsworth. Nays, none. Absent, Nagel. Motion carried.
Engineer Bergman requested that the board approve increasing the gravel crushing quantity by up to 25%. Crushing is going very well and the county has a very competitive price on crushing; 2024: 1.80 per ton, 2025 $1.77 per ton. The 25% extra would cost $49,560. Motion by Wildermuth, seconded by Roskamp to increase the quantity by 25% at $1.77 per ton. Ayes, Johnson, Wildermuth, Roskamp, Hollingsworth. Nays, none. Absent, Nagel. Motion carried.
Engineer Bergman requested a letter of support from the City of Pipestone for the FLAP grant for the trail around the South side of the Pipestone National Monument. Consensus of the board was to have Engineer Bergman sign the agreement on behalf of the County.
Engineer Bergman reported that the Main Street project in Edgerton is complete, and next week blacktopping will be complete to the John Deere, C&B Operations corner at 175th Avenue and 16th Street.
PERSONNEL
Human Resources Director, Charlotte Seager presented a request for the voluntary Transfer of County Assessor Chris McChesney to Deputy Assessor position effective August 1, 2025. This transfer will result in a change in salary based on the Deputy Assessor classification; Pay Grade C41, Step D at $37.94 per hour. The County Assessor position will be filled by Jean Nelson on July 28, 2025. Motion by Roskamp, seconded by Wildermuth to approve the Voluntary Transfer. Ayes, Johnson, Wildermuth, Roskamp, Hollingsworth. Nays, none. Absent, Nagel. Motion carried.
Director Seager reported that Jayden Hoss, full-time EMT has submitted his resignation for his full-time position. He will remain on staff as a part-time EMT and Jailer/Dispatcher while he pursues a degree and career in law enforcement. Alexis DeGroot was promoted to Senior Appraiser effective June 1, 2025 following her successful completion of two board-approved income courses. This is a key step towards higher level accreditation within the Minnesota State Board of Assessors system. She is working towards her CAMA accreditation. Daneal Haupert, Highway Administrative Support Specialist, has agreed to extend her temporary work agreement, increasing her hours per week from 3 to 4 days, through December 31, 2025. The Highway Department has the funds available to cover the increased expense. Pam Thies, retired Deputy Treasurer 1, has entered into an Independent Contractor Work Agreement effective July 14, 2025 to provide temporary assistance on an as-needed basis to train and support the transition of her newly hired replacement, Mallary Gunnink.
PAID FAMILY MEDICAL LEAVE LAW
Peter Brown, representing Integrity Benefit presented information to the board regarding the recently enacted law by the State of Minnesota for employers to provide Paid Family and Medical Leave benefits for employees. Minnesota’s path to establishing a Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) program has been more than a decade in the making, resulting in one of the most comprehensive paid leave initiatives at the state level in the United States. The county must be in compliance with the law. The Minnesota Legislature passed amendments to the PFML law, increasing the payroll tax rate from the original 0.7% to 0.88% based on the actuarial recommendations ensure sufficient program funding. The program will officially launch in 2026. Mr. Brown is recommending that the board continue to work with Integrity Benefits and vendor MetLife for the mandatory PFML program. Consensus of the Board was to work with Integrity Benefits and to bring back documents for obtaining bids for the PFML Program. As of this meeting the state has yet to issue regulations and/or operational guidance to employers.
Commissioners thanked Mr. Brown for the presentation and information.
MARRIAGE LICENSE FEE INCREASE
County Administrator, Steve Ewing presented a Request for Board Action from County Recorder, Emaleigh Rippentrop to update the County Fee Schedule to reflect the increase in marriage license fees ($10.00). Due to action during the 2025 Legislative Session, both the Regular and Reduced Licenses are to increase by $10 effective July 1, 2025. M.S. 517.08, Subd. 1c. The $10 increase will go to the Minnesota Victims of Crime account in a special reserve fund under section 299A.708. Regular Marriage Licenses will now be $125 and Reduced Marriage Licenses will be $50. Motion by Wildermuth, seconded by Roskamp to approve the fee schedule increase. Ayes, Johnson, Wildermuth, Roskamp, Hollingsworth. Nays, none. Absent, Nagel. Motion carried.
RECYCLING CONTRACT DISCUSSION
Solid Waste Officer, Kyle Krier and Mr. Norm Van Dyke from Van Dyke Sanitation Inc. attended the meeting to discuss the current recycling contract. Cardboard has been hauled by Van Dyke Sanitation to the recycling center in Slayton, Minnesota. Murray County has recently closed the center and is no longer taking cardboard. Cardboard will now be hauled to Millennium Recycling in Sioux Falls, S.D. and that increases the mileage and cost to transport the cardboard a longer distance. Mr. Van Dyke is requesting an increase in payments for hauling the cardboard. Commissioners and Mr. Van Dyke had discussion and decided that the Solid Waste Committee meet with Van Dyke Sanitation to work on a solution to the transportation and payment for cardboard that is recycled in Pipestone County due to the closure in Slayton. The committee will meet with Van-Dyke Sanitation on July 25th at the Southwest Government Center.
SHERIFF DEPARTMENT 2026 BUDGET MEETING
Sheriff Keith Vreeman and Chief Deputy Mike Hamann attended the meeting to review the proposed 2026 budgets for Sheriff, Dispatch, County Jail, and Enhanced 911. No action was taken.
Motion by Johnson, seconded by Roskamp to adjourn the meeting at 10:46 a.m. Ayes, Johnson, Wildermuth, Roskamp, Hollingsworth. Nays, none. Absent, Nagel. Motion carried.
Chairman Hollingsworth adjourned the meeting at 10:09 a.m.
Chris Hollingsworth
Pipestone County Board Chairman
ATTEST:
Steven Ewing
County Administrator