Gerdts introduced as chief deputy

Brian Tomford of the county’s buildings and grounds maintenance department presented a proposal to the board to authorize the sale of multiple county properties which could not be developed for public use. The list includes nine parcels of land, seven of which are ten acres or larger, with a combined value of $228,000. The board approved beginning the process of sale and authorized county staff to communicate with neighboring landowners.

Doug Gerdts, new Chief Deputy at the sheriff's office, was formally introduced to the Board of County Commissioners at their meeting the morning of Feb. 21. The board is pleased with the selection of Gerdts, with Chair Commissioner Blair Nelson calling him “a fine choice.” Chief Deputy Gerdts began his duties Feb. 13.

Bridge L5737, located on the western county line in Freedom Township, is structurally deficient and eligible for replacement using Town Bridge and Special Town Bridge funds. Freedom Township is responsible for $10,000 each of bridge approach work and engineering costs, which the township has made an agreement to share equally with Medo Township. Both have already secured right-of-way for construction. Waseca County Public Works received seven bids for the project. It has been awarded to the lowest bidder, Midwest Contracting, LLC, at $528,572. This bid is just over 1% less than the county engineer's estimate for the project. $384,898.95 is slated to come from the regular Town Bridge fund and $132,673.30 from the Special Town Bridge fund.

Maame Yorke, senior land use planner, presented a conditional use permit (CUP) request which the planning and zoning committee voted unanimously to recommend support for. Hannah Hagen, of Otisco Township, requested permission to operate a hair salon on her residential property. The board approved the CUP, provided all necessary building and operations permits are properly obtained, and no wetland is drained or filled for construction.