In a rare Wednesday afternoon meeting, Douglas County Commissioners heard from residents concerned about a temporary concrete plant, moved forward with an offer to purchase a plot of land near the county’s public works building, held a public hearing for a micro distillery, and heard from the executive director of the Alexandria Senior Center.
Board Chair Charlie Meyer called the June 14 meeting to order at 1 p.m. It began with a public hearing regarding an application for a micro distillery that will sell its products on site. Commissioners granted the license to Ida Graves which is located at 5422 Lake Ida Way NW in Alexandria. The company produces vodka, gin, aquavit and amaro.
Auditor Treasurer
After reviewing research from Auditor Treasurer Vicki Doehling, the county also set a Micro Distillery License Fee of $300 and a Cocktail Room License Fee of $400 which the board approved. This is the first of its kind licensing in Douglas County.
Commissioners also granted a permit to allow the consumption and display of intoxicating liquor at the Alexandria Shooting Park, located just south of Highway 94 on County Road 87. There is a banquet hall located at the shooting park which is considered a recreational club. The state will do an inspection and final authorization.
The board also approved a resolution to allow the Minnesota High School Rodeo Association to hold a raffle at the Rose City Bar & Grill in December.
County Coordinator
County Coordinator Heather Schlangen shared with commissioners that the Minnesota Legislature moved up the implementation date of Juneteenth which is now a state holiday. Originally it was going to be effective in 2024, but the Legislature amended that to 2023. Therefore, Douglas County will recognize June 19 as a holiday in 2023 and the county will be closed to public services.
Finance
Approve purchase of a new, upgraded election reporting systems software and PC to a Windows 10 version.
Douglas County Sheriff
Sheriff Troy Wolbersen asked the board to accept a $200 donation from DeWayne and Dorothy Bisek to honor the memory of Pope County Deputy Josh Owen. The funds will be used for the Dive Team.
The board also accepted a $200 donation from the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association to be used for the Douglas County Sheriff’s Honor Guard.
Land and Resource Management
A Conditional Use Permit application for a temporary concrete plant in LaGrand Township drew a crowd to the board meeting. This was not a public hearing. That occurred at the Planning Advisory Commission meeting which was held on May 23. The temporary concrete plant is needed to produce material for the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s project to repave 3 miles of westbound I-94 in early August. The mobile concrete batch plant is 70 feet tall. Haul routes may include Magnuson and Englund Roads in LaGrand Township. Commissioners approved the permit with conditions. It can be in operation from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday for a total of 16 days between August 1 – October 15. Approximately 20 trucks will be hauling every hour during the days of operation. The plant is expected to create noise and dust that may negatively impact nearby properties. Dust has already been a concern for neighbors because the contractor currently working on the state’s roundabout near the Pilot Gas Station is using the gravel mine property for that project as well. Commissioner Jerry Rapp said dust control has not been acceptable and must improve. Commissioner Tim Kalina said he is also not impressed with the contractor’s dust control and that they are putting their profit ahead of the concerns of the people.
The board also approved the required conditional use permit for a bulk fuel storage and filling facility north of the city of Garfield off County State Aid Highway 12 at the end of Laguna Lane. The property had a conditional use permit for construction and agricultural equipment repair but not one for use to fill bobtail trucks that deliver to residential and commercial customers in the area. Hiway Amoco Bulk Propane Storage and Distribution uses this property to load bobtail propane trucks from both the 18,000 gallon and the 28,000-gallon propane storage tanks.
Public Works
Commissioners approved a resolution in support of a grant application for the new Kensington Loop ATV Trail in Douglas County. The application for funding will be sent to the Minnesota DNR. Brad Bonk, superintendent of Douglas County parks will sign the agreement. This trail is on gravel roads in the county and the funds will be used for blading the impacted roads.
Drainage and Ag Inspector Tom Anderson asked for permission to enter into agreements to repair drain tile on County Ditch #3 Branch 11 for $14,610 and County Ditch #10 for $15,220. The landowners on Ditch 3 attended the meeting and inquired about an improvement project rather than a repair. The board agreed to give them time to think it over and tabled a decision until the July meeting. Commissioners approved the needed work on County Ditch #10.
Board of Commissioners
Commissioners approved moving forward with an offer of $700,000, to purchase land near the Public Works building owned by the Douglas County Ag Association. The land includes 3.69 acres on which sits the Viking Speedway. As part of the agreement, the county will offer to lease it to the racetrack for ten years. The land purchase proposal includes the city of Alexandria agreeing to vacate both Cardinal Lane and 5th Avenue West. The land will be used for future county buildings if the purchase offer is accepted.
Commissioners accepted the donation of one AED generously donated by Douglas Machine for use at the Brophy Park Visitor Center.
Board members heard from Shelli-Kae Foster, executive director of the Alexandria Senior Center. She shared with commissioners why she is asking for a commitment of $25,000 from the county in 2024 instead of the $5,000 received last year. Traditionally funding commitments are done later in the year, but Foster explained the senior center is being asked to sign a letter of intent by June 22 to move forward with the Alexandria Area YMCA’s expansion project. That project would create a 10,000 square foot addition to the Y for a new senior community center. The Alexandria Senior Center currently has 650 members and provides programs, weekly in-person dining, and preparation of 145 meals which are delivered through the Meals on Wheels program. On average volunteers log 1,000 hours each month. Four specific volunteers put in thirty hours a week each to accomplish certain tasks. Membership includes residents from across the county. For example, 115 members live in LaGrand Township, 40 live in Alexandria Township and 28 reside in Ida Township. The board approved $15,000 for the center for 2024.