Traverse CountyCommissionRegular Board MeetingApril 21, 2026The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Commission Chair Jerrel Olson. Other Commissioners present were Dwight Nelson, Chad Metz, Kayla Schmidt, and Mark Gail. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The agenda was unanimously approved by a motion from Schmidt, seconded by Metz with the following additions Statewide Affordable Housing Aid and County Flag. No conflicts of interest were declared. The March 3 Board minutes were unanimously approved by a motion from Nelson, seconded by Metz.HighwayCounty Engineer Chad Gillespie and Highway Supervisor Brian Koch appeared before the Board to provide a department update. On a motion by Metz, seconded by Nelson, the Board unanimously approved the gravel project quote CP 26-01 to CT Sibson Gravel and Crushing for $83,987.64. Gillespie also had the grant agreement for the box culverts on CSAH 6 and the contract for box culvert projects 078-606-026 and 078-599-058 for signatures. Gillespie informed the Board that dust control notices have been sent out. Traverse Care Center/Prairie View Place Regional Director SNF Operations Michelle Ehrenberg appeared before the Board with a quarterly update on Traverse Care Center and Prairie View Place. Ehrenberg introduced the new Director of Nursing and shared Administrator. She informed the Board that they are running between 85-90% for their census. They are now taking weekend admissions and they have CAN and TMA training available. The furnace at Prairie View Place is the last one that needs updating. The quote from Ellingson Plumbing, Heating, A/C & Electrical in the amount of $11,916.00 was approved unanimously upon a motion by Nelson and seconded by Gail. County CoordinatorUpon motion by Schmidt and seconded by Gail, the following bills were approved unanimously. ADVANCED CORRECTIONAL HEALTHCARE, INC. $5,510.08BRANDON COMUNICATIONS $61,996.36COUNTIES PROVIDING TECHNOLOGY $5,728.15DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES ECPN $9,013.76ELAN FINANCIAL SERVICES$7,039.82END OF THE WOODS TASK FORCE $3,000.00GAZETTE PUBLISHING, INC.$5,885.25HORIZON PUBLIC HEALTH$6,827.25MNCCC $10,080.00PICTOMETRY INTERVATIONAL CORP. $24,867.34REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MINN $26,050.00TRI COUNTY COOP OIL ASSOC $2,146.86TRUE NORTH SURVEYS, PA$47,800.20WEST CENTRAL REGIONAL JUVENILE CE $4,880.00WILKIN COUNTY $8,810.00CHAMBERLAIN OIL COMPANY $2,389.56UNLIMITED AUTOGLASS, INC. $2,754.59Per M.S. 375.12, the number of claims totaling $2,000.00 or less were 59 in the amount of $24,157.07.There was discussion regarding the Wind and Solar Ordinance. Metz received an email from Sean Lawler from Geronimo Power. Lawler went through our ordinance and highlighted the areas that are generally workable but likely to prompt discussion or concern from developers, what would be challenging and may require refinement to allow development and what is high risk of preventing development altogether. The Board heard from the public. Gail made a motion to send our Wind and Solar Ordinance back to the Planning and Zoning Committee to review the highlighted areas, Metz seconded, followed by discussion. The motion passed 3 - 2 with Nelson and Schmidt opposed. Lisa Zahl, County Coordinator informed the Board that our Veterans Service Officer Jeremy Sharp resigned and his last day was April 17. Wilkin County has hired a new shared Veterans Service Officer Trevor Beving, his office hours will be Thursday and Friday in Traverse along with every other Wednesday. The Statewide Affordable Housing Aid (SAHA) Committee met and Zahl presented the application and flyer for the SAHA funds that Traverse County has received. Upon a motion by Metz and seconded by Nelson the flyer and application were approved unanimously. The Board also gave the committee the authority to approve the awards with the understanding that we will only use the amount that we have received so far and do another round of grants the following year. Zahl presented a quote from Allied Flag & Frame for a 4 x 6 County Flag in the amount of $95.00. Our current flag needs to be replaced. Upon a motion by Nelson and seconded by Gail it was approved unanimously to order two flags. Public Comment PeriodComments were received regarding comments that were made by the public during the Wind and Solar discussion. There was a comment about the recycle bins at the County Park and if we would like to keep them down there or have them moved. Zahl will reach out to Chad Gillespie and Lynn Siegel regarding the bins. Committee ReportsSchmidt attended meetings for Social Service Preplacement, Traverse Care Center/Prairieview Place, County Audit, Bois de Sioux Watershed, AMC Legislative update. Nelson attended the Soil and Water, Horizon Public Health, Extension, Traverse Care Center/Prairieview Place, and Bois de Sioux Watershed. Olson adjourned the meeting at 10:04 a.m.__________________________Lisa Zahl,County Coordinator__________________________Jerrel Olson, Chair(Publ. May 20, 2026)
