A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the allocation of beds for emergency sheltering of homeless individuals in Crow Wing County. The county had been waiting for a response from the Department of Human Services (DHS) regarding the transfer of 20 unused beds from a previous mental health project to an emergency shelter. The proposal aimed to create a pool for covering the costs associated with emergency sheltering at the Bridge on 7th, facilitating a cost-neutral transfer. The board was informed that a response from DHS had been received by the end of November, enabling the county to proceed without utilizing opioid funds, as initially proposed by the opioid coalition.

The financial allocation for this initiative would amount to up to $181,400, supporting emergency sheltering for individuals with disabilities experiencing homelessness from January 1 through June 30, 2025. A follow-up request for the subsequent fiscal year was anticipated, with an estimated allocation of $162,200 if funding levels remained consistent. The board unanimously approved the contract with the state of Minnesota and Bridges of Hope, the emergency shelter provider.

In addition to the sheltering initiative, the board focused on the safety concerns along Highway 371, particularly in the Nisswa area. The county engineer presented an information-only item related to the comprehensive transportation plan, emphasizing the need for safety improvements due to the prevalence of fatal and serious crashes on the state highway system. There was a particular focus on new intersection developments and the potential for federal funding to support these efforts.

The proposal under consideration involved a federal funding request ranging from $20 to $25 million. This funding would support low-cost safety strategies, such as electronic message boards to alert drivers to hazardous conditions, including blowing snow. The proposal also highlighted the potential for the application to qualify for 100% federal funding due to the classification of some areas in Crow Wing County as having persistent poverty, as identified in the 2020 census. Concerns were raised about the financial capacity of local entities like Nisswa and Baxter to contribute to any necessary local match.

The board members expressed optimism about their chances of obtaining the grant, given the project’s priority status with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). They also emphasized the importance of collaboration with local agencies and the necessity of city council support from Nisswa and Baxter. The board acknowledged previous successful partnerships with MnDOT, which had resulted in infrastructure improvements, and highlighted the need for ongoing public outreach and community input once funds were awarded.

Further discussions at the meeting included the approval of a new public health nurse position focused on cannabis and substance use prevention. The position, funded by a $116,000 grant, would cover various tasks, including grant reconciliation and community prevention efforts. While cannabis was a priority, the position would also address a broader range of substance abuse prevention initiatives. Concerns were noted about the potential discontinuation of the position if the grant were to end, but the board approved the new role with four votes in favor and one dissenting vote.

The board also addressed a public health nuisance issue concerning a property on Rebel Road in Mayfield. The property, which included significant household waste and deteriorating trailers, required abatement due to safety concerns, particularly open burning and combustibles. The board unanimously approved an amended resolution to address the nuisance, with costs assessed to the property as per statutory requirements.