Crow Wing County is one of three places under consideration for the location of a new psychiatric residential treatment facility.
The Crow Wing County Board at its June 14 meeting approved a letter of support on behalf of Cambia Hills, an organization that currently operates a day treatment and residential treatment program in Duluth.
The proposal is in response to a request from the Minnesota Department of Human Services Children's Mental Health Division, which based upon a recent gaps analysis identified a need for greater availability to these services for young adults.
"Children, adolescents and young adults are turned away from hospital units, the state's Child and Adolescent Behavioral Health Services program, and our children's residential treatment facility system because they exceed available staffing, resource, competencies and training due to their mental health, physical health or substance related disorders," the request for proposals stated. "It has been reported that these children and youth often move from one placement to another, are placed in facilities out-of-state, or return to their families without the appropriate treatment or supportive services in place."
Crow Wing County is one of three places Cambia Hills is considering locating a facility, along with St. Louis County or Itasca County.
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Before unanimously approving the letter, commissioners discussed adding to the letter its preference for the facility to be located in Crow Wing County.
"It just would be awfully nice to have this service for our kids," said Kara Terry, community services director.
In other business June 14, the county board:
Added fees related to correctional services to the community services fee schedule, following a public hearing during which no comments were received.
Heard a request from resident Sarah Barrett-Reiner during open forum for the board to reconsider its policy on farm field approaches.
Passed a resolution maintaining the Central Minnesota Housing Partnership as the administrative body for implementing the Rental Rehabilitation Deferred Loan Program by the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency in Crow Wing County.
Awarded a contract to Holmvig Excavating for the development and construction of walking trails and foot bridges for the Milford Mine Memorial Park project. The bid was for $56,249. The 2016 budget for the project is $140,000.
Approved a contract amendment between the state and the Crow Wing County Jail. The amendment extended the contract for another year and doubled the contract amount from $2.21 million to $4.42 million. The changes were made to account for the increase of Minnesota Department of Corrections prisoners housed in Crow Wing County.
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Increased the 2016 budget for land services by $15,383 for the ongoing remonumentation project.
Chose to provide no comment on a proposed modification to a tax increment financing district in the city of Crosby. The modification would expand the project area in which tax increments are authorized to be spent. Adjustments to the plan would also include one based on an expected increase in tax revenue. A public hearing on the changes is planned for 6 p.m. Monday at Crosby City Hall.
Approved an agreement with the city of Crosslake to allow Consolidated Telephone Company easements on a plat on County Highway 16.
Approved a resolution vacating right-of-way on County Highway 8. According to the resolution, County Highway 8 was reconstructed in 1977 and portions of excess right-of-way were kept for the "purpose of maintaining legal access to properties where the new alignment moved away from existing properties." A property owner recently purchased property containing the excess right-of-way and requested the county vacate it.
Entered an agreement with Morrison and Todd counties for the operation of the household hazardous waste management program. The counties have operated together under a regional program since 2003.
Supported a lawful gambling application for an exempt permit for the following: the Crow Wing County Fair Association, for the Crow Wing County Fair; and for the Mission Township Fire Fighters Relief Association, for events on July 16 and Sept. 18.
Supported a new premises gambling permit application for Confidence Learning Center to be at The Sidetrack in Unorganized Territory.
Approved a new tobacco license for A-Pine Express in Jenkins.
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Approved a temporary on-sale liquor license for the Brainerd Lakes Curling Club for Sept. 9-11.
Approved a new 3.2 percent malt liquor off-sale license application for Sullivans Resort & Campground in Unorganized Territory.
Accepted a $2,400 donation from the South Long Lake Church to be used to purchase car seats and grocery gift cards for families served by the children and families services division in community services.
Accepted a $500 donation from the Brainerd Jaycees to the Crow Wing County Mounted Patrol.
Approved the following new positions: a lead worker and a seasonal grounds worker in the facilities department and an assessment specialist in land services.
Approved the transfer of a full-time equivalent position from the finance department to the information technology department within administrative services. The listed justification was technology demands.
Accepted the promotion of Nick Mielke to business manager in the highway department. Replacement staffing was approved for an associate analyst due to the promotion.
Approved the hiring of the following people in community services: Sara Jurek, social worker; Kelly Syrdal, financial worker; Erik Hidalgo, financial worker; Kaye Ringwelski, probation agent; Preston Windorski, probation agent; Krista Finnerty-Jones, probation agent; Shannon Himley, probation agent; and Bob Tautges, probation agent.
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Accepted the departures of the following employees: Janelle Kolle, senior technical/administrative specialist in the sheriff's office; Brad Horn, maintenance technician in facilities; Deanna Witter, support enforcement aide in community services; Brent Parker, technical support intern, information technology; Jessi Louis, senior technical/administrative specialist in the sheriff's office; and Sandy Cosert, administrative/technical coordinator in land services. Replacement staffing was approved for the sheriff's office positions and the intern position in IT.
CHELSEY PERKINS may be reached at 218-855-5874 or chelsey.perkins@brainerddispatch.com . Follow on Twitter at www.twitter.com/DispatchChelsey .
