An emotional segment of the meeting honored the life-saving efforts of first responders during a cardiac arrest incident involving Bradley A. On May 20, 2024, Bradley’s wife, Joanne, called 911 due to her husband’s breathing difficulties. Dispatcher Joel Newberg from Mayo ambulance provided CPR instructions to Joanne over the phone. When first responders arrived, they used an Automated External Defibrillator (AED) and performed CPR. The Fire Department later applied a Lucas device for chest compressions, which helped Bradley regain consciousness. The board expressed gratitude for the teamwork and life-saving actions, presenting certificates and awards to Joanne and the involved first responders, including representatives from Mayo, the Minnesota State Patrol, and local law enforcement.

Following this recognition, the board delved into key infrastructure topics, starting with the change order for the fiber installation project at the Public Works building. The change order was necessitated by unforeseen soil conditions. The contractor detailed the complications, which included encountering solid clay and swampy conditions that prevented standard plowing. Directional boring was proposed as an alternative to minimize disruption and avoid damage to finished areas. Despite concerns over the bidding process and handling of such issues, the board approved the payment for the change order, emphasizing the need to avoid further delays and additional costs.

Another discussion revolved around the amendment to ordinances 385 and 351 concerning Oakill Estates. The proposal aimed to reduce setbacks for accessory structures, specifically sheds, from 30 feet to 5 feet for lots adjacent to open spaces and 10 feet for those bordering other residential lots. This amendment was driven by the impracticality of the current 30-foot setback standard for homeowners with smaller lots. The board ultimately approved the ordinance change, alleviating the burden of obtaining variances for homeowners wishing to add accessory structures.

The meeting also covered the five-year road construction plan for 2025 through 2029. The plan includes the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of County Road 1 and County Road 29, reconstruction of roads within Gilman, and replacement of several bridges. Notably, Bridge 22 over the Rum River and the County Road 51 bridge over the St. Francis River are scheduled for replacement in the upcoming year. The board discussed the funding strategy for these projects, which relies on a combination of federal and state grants, local sales tax allocations, and state aid. The board decided to table the five-year road plan for further discussion, with a 4-1 vote, to ensure thorough consideration of local option sales tax options and project funding.

Additionally, the board reviewed a grant opportunity from the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for courthouse safety enhancements. The proposed grant would fund bullet-resistant glass installations at the court administration and probation public counters, with estimated costs totaling approximately $42,700 and $14,500, respectively. The board unanimously supported the grant application, emphasizing the importance of employee safety.

The board also addressed amendments to an existing contract related to the Benton River project. The project had come in under budget, allowing for additional enhancements such as installing Class II aggregate on new and existing trails and reinforcing shelter footings. The board approved the amendments to ensure the projects proceed with the allocated funding.

In the Health Board segment, new AmeriCorps members and a new community health specialist were introduced. The board also discussed a new funding opportunity from Medica and approved an application for up to $5,000 to address community health needs.

The meeting concluded with discussions on the assessment of maintenance and repair costs for various county ditches. The board emphasized the need for a sustainable financial model to manage these costs effectively, considering the burden on property owners. Proposals included spreading assessments over multiple years to ease the financial impact, with a focus on transparency and clear documentation of decisions. The board approved several assessments for county ditches.