Douglas County Board Meeting May 6 2025

Douglas County Sheriff Troy Wolbersen publicly recognized Sgt. Jacob Asfeld on May 6 for the actions he recently took to save a 4-year-old boy. At the county board meeting, he shared how Asfeld was the first to respond to a 911 call for help at a nearby preschool. The boy had an item stuck that impaired his breathing. He was limp and was turning blue. Asfeld calmly performed life saving techniques to dislodge the item. The boy immediately responded and was taken to Alomere Hospital and reunited with his parents. Sheriff Wolbersen said it's important for the public to know that the quick actions of first responders do save lives. He said he's proud of Sgt. Asfeld for saving this young boy and he thanked the board for letting his office present the award at their meeting. Chief Deputy Jason Peterson and other members of the sheriff’s office also attended to share in the appreciation.

Lee Katzmarek will now serve as the Douglas County Coordinator and HR Director. Commissioners appointed Katzmarek to the new position which will officially begin May 12. Commissioners have been researching their options to fill the former County Coordinator position. After consulting with the Association of Minnesota Counties and conducting other research, they determined combining the coordinator and HR duties is the best way for the county to move in a new direction. 

Social Services

Director Tabitha Kremmin asked commissioners to accept donations from the three sponsors of this year’s Senior Expo. The Expo is for any older resident of Douglas County interested in learning how to protect themselves from losing money to fraud. It will be held Thursday, June 26 from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  at St. Mary’s Church in Alexandria. The sponsors are Sanford Health, Evansville Care Campus, and Bethany on the Lake. Each contributed $300.

Public Works

County Engineer and Public Works Director Tim Erickson received permission from commissioners to apply for a $250,000 grant to develop a comprehensive safety action plan. This plan would set an eventual goal of zero roadway deaths and serious injuries in our region by identifying high-injury areas and providing high-impact strategies to improve safety.  

Park Superintendent Brad Bonk brought forward a permit request from Garfield resident Ken Hanson for the English Cocker Spaniel Club of America to use Chippewa Park for its 2025 AKC Championship event October 31 and November 1. Bonk said he came before the board to make sure they approved of blank shells being fired in the park during those trials. The discharge of firearms is not usually allowed in county parks. Bonk explained that when they throw the bird out for the dogs during the exercise, they fire a blank shell. Board Chair Jerry Rapp said, “I don’t see any problem with that at all.” 

The county’s new Drainage and Ag Inspector Mike Anderson brought forward a request by a landowner in Millerville Township to do some repair work on County Ditch #4-16. That work will include rip rap and excavation. Commissioners approved the request. Anderson also presented the Drainage and Ag Report for 2025 which includes a list of all  projects for the year and the special assessments and loans for the legal drainage system in Douglas County.

Land and Resource Management

Director Dave Rush brought forth several items recommended by the Planning Advisory Commission. One allows for up to 30 chickens on a property in the Natural Environmental Shoreland district of Lake Nelson. No roosters will be permitted.

Another item was for a guest cottage on North Union Lake.  Because the property is in the Natural Environment Shoreland district the property owners need a Conditional Use Permit to retain the park model structure they used while building their new home. The unit may not be used for short- or long-term rental or have cooking facilities.

Emergency Management

Director Julie Anderson introduced two Alexandria Area High School students she’s working with on a campaign called Alexandria Aware. Regan Tatge and Zach Hammer shared with the commissioners their efforts to get high school students to sign up for Code Red, the county’s opt-in emergency alert system, and build emergency supply kits. The campaign also includes a survey and a flier to share information on the radar gap that affects Douglas County. That gap is from a lack of National Weather Service radar coverage which means the radar image a person sees on their computer or phone is not entirely accurate. Tatge and Hammer are in the CAPS Human Service class which is designed to connect students with working professionals so they can learn about opportunities to serve their communities.