Crow Wing County Board Approves Solid Waste Ordinance Amendments and Addresses Shelter Funding

The Crow Wing County Board of Commissioners convened to tackle a variety of issues, with decisions including the approval of amendments to the solid waste ordinance and a preliminary funding allocation for a year-round operation of the Bridge on 7th warming shelter.

The board’s decision to approve amendments to the solid waste ordinance marked a step forward in strengthening local waste management policies. The ordinance, last updated in 1994, required revisions following the approval of the county’s ten-year Solid Waste Management Plan by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The amendments focused on refining licensing requirements for haulers, addressing nuisance language, and clarifying facility and inspection standards. A consultant, Burns & McDonnell, assisted in drafting these changes.

During a public hearing on the ordinance, two comments were noted. One suggested that the county organize waste collection by assigning specific haulers to designated districts, while the City of Nisswa requested clarification on certain sections. The board confirmed that any such organizational changes would require municipal agreement due to local jurisdiction over stricter ordinances. Following the hearing, the amendments received unanimous approval from the board.

In addition to regulatory updates, the meeting addressed a pressing community need: funding for the Bridges of Hope-operated warming shelter. The board considered a proposal from the opioid coalition to allocate $200,000 over two years to support the shelter’s transition to year-round operation. The shelter, which opened in December 2021, has primarily operated seasonally, but recent city ordinance changes in Brainerd prohibiting camping on public land have increased the demand for continuous service. The proposed funding aims to cover operational costs, with $100,000 allocated per year.

Jana, the director of Bridges of Hope, outlined the shelter’s funding sources, including donations and local business support, while emphasizing the urgency of securing city council approval for the extended operation. Commissioners debated the timing of the funding allocation, with some expressing concern about committing funds before receiving city approval. Despite differing opinions, the board ultimately passed a motion to allocate the $200,000 as a placeholder, with a vote of 3 to 1.

The board also engaged in a thorough discussion regarding a petition to vacate part of Hartley Drive. The request, supported by a petition from affected neighbors, highlighted the inconvenience and disturbances caused by the mislabeling of the private driveway as a public road on maps. The board examined the historical context and legal implications of vacating the road, with a county engineer advising against the vacation due to potential future development needs. After detailed deliberation, the board decided to table the petition to allow for further research and public input.

In addition to these topics, the board considered the allocation of funds for K9 expenses within the sheriff’s department, confirming that the $30,000 budget was intended for ongoing costs rather than new acquisitions. The conversation extended to the appropriate use of opioid settlement funds, with concerns raised about potential misallocation.

In closing, the board discussed the county’s obligations under a new law requiring the transfer of unused state seals and engravings to the Minnesota Historical Society, expressing frustration over the requirement and agreeing to investigate potential alternatives.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
County Administrator:
Deborah A. Erickson
County Council Officials:
Paul Koering, Jon Lubke, Steve Barrows, Rosemary Franzen, Doug Houge

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