By Robert Williams

Editor

A discrepancy was found in the plans for County Highway 35 was discussed by County Engineer Jodi Teich during the meeting of the Otter Tail County Commissioners on Tuesday, Feb. 10, along with a speed study petitioned for by Sybil Lake area residents. 

A contract amendment with WSB Engineering Professional Services was approved to address the discrepancy.

“These plans were 100 percent done and in looking for information to respond to a contractor question our staff noticed a discrepancy,” said Teich. “The design had been previously approved as it was in the plans, but in reviewing the soils materials we wanted the consultant to extend that subcut of the road bed an additional foot.”

The amendment is worth $5,356.

“We do think we are going to be able to absorb some of this into the existing contract, but we did want to leave at least $1,000 on the table in case we have questions during construction for the consultant or if he needs some clarifications.”

The total of the contract has been calculated at $411,729, which was approved by the commissioners unanimously.

Teich also requested a Speed Zone Study on CSAH 35 near Sybil Lake and Loon Lake in rural Vergas after several property owners petitioned for a study.

“That’s a tight, winding area right in through there on 35,” said District 2 Commissioner Wayne D. Johnson.

The area to be studied was enlarged to include areas past where just houses are, at the behest of the Department of Transportation (DOT). The study will run from Sybil Lake Road to Sybil Shores Drive and the DOT will proceed with establishing a legal speed zone if the findings of the traffic study are supportive.

“These do take time,” said Teich. “Not generally on the district’s part, but then they go to St. Paul for review. I am working with MnDOT on a couple of outstanding ones that were requested long before I was here.”

Admin

County Administrator Nicole Hansen presented an update to the Board of Commissioners Operating Rules and Guidelines in regards to live stream videos during meetings and available after meetings for three months. After three months, the videos will be deleted. It was also recognized that the meeting minutes are the official recordings of the meetings. Audio recordings are also maintained on the state historical data retention schedule.

The Law Enforcement Labor Services Correction Officers/Dispatchers Collective Bargaining Agreement was approved for the time period of Jan. 1, 2026 to Dec. 31, 2028. 

The updates include minor changes to definitions to align with current Service Team organizational structure which was previously under divisions and updating language from Division Directors to Service Team Leaders throughout the contract.

Changes to cost of living adjustments, benefits, holidays and vacation schedules, sick leave, meal allowances, paid leave, health care and shift differential were included.

Community Development 

Community Development Director Amy Baldwin provided commissioners with a data-heavy Community Development and Housing Annual Report. The report gave an overview and global picture of the work done by the department and why they are involved from housing to childcare, along with highlights and successes from the past year.

Baldwin split up the presentation to the four pillars of the department: housing, workforce, child care and business development.

View the entire report on the county’s website.                                            

Feedlot

Property owners Daryl and Eric Tysdal addressed the county board regarding updating their existing feedlot permit through the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). MPCA requires a public meeting for this feedlot to be held. 

The feedlot permit was requested to accommodate more cows to be purchased by Eric Tysdal. Permission from the county is needed prior to applying for a MPCA feedlot permit.

The Tysdal’s will be under the 300-cow limit and plans are underway to reroute some water runoff from a nearby road. The Tysdals do not need to provide written notice to residents or property owners within 5,000 feet nor do they need a newspaper publication regarding this public meeting as their feedlot consists of less than 300 animal units.

Information Technology

IT Director Rick Kelsven and Deputy Administrator Lynne Penke Valdes used an Office of Justice grant to create a framework regarding Dual Status Youth who are involved in the child welfare (protection) department and the juvenile justice system.

“Figuring out how we wrap around and provide service in an integrated fashion when it comes to those kids in an effort to reduce or deter any juvenile justice involvement,” Penke Valdes said.

A vendor was selected by Kelsven and Penke Valdes and the county attorney’s office. A Wisconsin company, with a large footprint in Minnesota was selected to create an app specific to the county’s guidelines but flexible enough to allow other programs in Human Services to be added later, according to Kelsven.

“It will be a model for this type of work,” he said.

District 5 Commissioner Sean Sullivan stated he did not believe the need for this work has been demonstrated, stating there are roughly 40 kids that would be considered dual status.

“Although I’m sure it does align with what else we have going on, but I’m not sure of the demonstrated need for it or how we’re failing these youth currently,” Sullivan said. “That was never demonstrated for me.”

Sullivan’s comments created a roll call vote and a 3-2 passing vote of pursuing the grant and creation of the app. District 1 Commissioner Dan Bucholz joined Sullivan as the two nays.

Land and Resource 

Land and Resource Director Chris LeClair gave the board the 2025 annual report, including applications approved by the planning commission, board of adjustment and shoreland permitting.

Planning Commission

47 Applications (44 Approved, 2 Denied, 1 Withdrawn)

11 Preliminary Plats; 2 Commercial Planned Unit Developments; 6 Commercial Use Permits (CUP); 3 Non-Dwelling PUD (Storage Units); 2 Planned Unit Development Conversion (Commercial – Residential); 11 Shoreland Alteration CUPS; 1 Solar Panel CUPS; 1 Feedlot Expansion; 2 Type of Dwelling; 3 Conditional Use Permit Amendments.

Board of Adjustment

74 Variance Applications (68 approved, 6 denied)

Shoreland

600 structure permits and 187 shoreland alteration permits

LeClair also reported that since 2020 over $3 million has been given in assistance to county residents ($3,0181,334.88) in financial assistance with septic systems.

Water Management

Otter Tail Water Management District (OTWMD) Administrator Alex Kvidt presented the Management District ‘s annual report.               

Total properties  in OTWMD – Active Maintenance Systems 1,191

Passive Maintenance Systems – 717

OTWMD Issued 33 Permits for new or replacement systems in 2025

Permit Types: 6 Gravity Trench Systems; 13 Pressure Beds; 2 Mounds; 7 Holding Tanks/tank replacements; 5 Tank only replacements.

OTWMD Inspected 47 systems installs in 2025, 37 replacements and 10 new: 9 Gravity systems; 25 pump systems; 6 holding tank systems, 2 tank replacement only systems.

Solid Waste

The sale of a vacant 0.17- acre parcel located between Steve’s Sanitation and the Perham Resource Recovery Facility (PRRF) to PRRF (Prairie Lakes Municipal Solid Waste Authority, or PLMSWA) for $1 was approved. 

The property has sat vacant since about 2013 and the land is surrounded on three sides by PRRF. It is actively traversed by haulers delivering waste. Staff met with the PLMSWA last week to discuss. Its Board agrees with the proposed plan for Otter Tail County to sell the parcel to PLMSWA for one dollar. County Attorney Michelle Eldien prepared the Warranty Deed to complete the transaction.

Trails

Commissioners approved a joint powers agreement between the county and the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources division of Parks and Trails for the development, operations, and maintenance of the Glacial Edge Regional Trail within the boundaries of Maplewood State Park.