By JANEAN SORRELL
McLeod County Board took the following actions at its April 16 meeting:
GRAVEL: Approved a conditional-use permit for BH Aggregate to excavate gravel and granular material, including crushing activities, on property owned by Gregg Brinkman in section 27 of Glencoe Township. The project, spanning approximately 8.65 acres, is slated to facilitate the roundabout project on Highway 212 in Glencoe. Approval comes with conditions, including operational hours and environmental compliance. The applicant must restore the site post-excavation and adhere to mining standards.
SOFTWARE: Approved a three-year state contract quote from SHI in Somerset, New Jersey, for VMware vSphere Foundation licensing, costing $52,752, using funds from the information technology budget. This software enables multiple virtual servers to run on one physical server. The three-year pricing offers a savings of at least $21,000.
DITCHES: Approved the continuation of public hearings for county ditches 18, 19, 26, 27and 38. This includes reviewing and adopting proposed findings and orders prepared by attorney John Kolb from Rinke Noonan for each ditch. Public comments received during previous hearings were considered and the board reviewed proceedings and redetermination of benefits for each ditch system.
AUCTION: Approved the sale at auction for a 2012 Ford Escape through Jeff Martin Auctioneers.
FAIRGROUNDS: Approved estimate from Design Electric Inc. of St. Cloud totaling $134,000 for electrical upgrades at the McLeod County Fairgrounds. Funds from the designated for capital assets budget will cover the three electrical projects. The upgrades aim to support current and future events at the fairgrounds by addressing various electrical needs. Projects include installing additional 50-amp outlets to the inner ring road, security lighting, and 50-amp outlets to the east parking lot and to the area west of the grandstand.
ATTORNEY: Approved a resolution to hire Thomas Borgen as assistant McLeod County attorney. Borgen comes from Redwood County, where he worked as an assistant county attorney since 2021. Prior to that he practiced law in New Ulm for a private firm.
GLENCOE HOTEL: Approved a recommendation from the Economic Development Committee to send written notice of default to Glencoe Hotel Group. This is related to a tax abatement agreement between the county and Glencoe Hotel Group, entered into on Sept. 13, 2023. The agreement granted a property tax abatement for the development of a 51-room hotel with amenities. As per the agreement, construction was to start by Dec. 31, which has not occurred. The written notice notifies Glencoe Hotel Group of its default and provides a 30-day window to remedy the situation by starting construction. Failure to do so could result in termination of the agreement and tax abatement program.
APPOINTMENT: Approved the reappointment of Kevin Lindeman to the Buffalo Creek Watershed District board of managers for a three-year term starting May 18.
WORKSHOP: Set a workshop following the Tuesday, May 7, board meeting at the McLeod County Government Center, 520 Chandler Ave., Glencoe.
