Dakota County  
General Government and Policy  
Committee of the Whole  
Minutes  
Tuesday, February 3, 2026  
9:30 AM  
Conference Room 3A, Administration  
Center, Hastings  
(or following County Board)  
1.  
Call to Order and Roll Call  
The meeting was called to order by Chair Workman at 10:20 a.m.  
Commissioner Mike Slavik  
Present  
Commissioner Joe Atkins  
Commissioner Laurie Halverson  
Commissioner William Droste  
Commissioner Liz Workman  
Commissioner Mary Liz Holberg  
Commissioner Mary Hamann-Roland  
Also in attendance were Heidi Welsch, County Manager; Tom Donely, First Assistant County  
Attorney; and Jeni Reynolds, Sr. Administrative Coordinator to the Board.  
The audio recording for this meeting is unavailable due to technical issues.  
2.  
Audience  
Chair Workman noted that all public comments can be sent to  
CountyAdmin@co.dakota.mn.us  
No comments were received for this agenda.  
3.  
Approval of Agenda (Additions/Corrections/Deletions)  
Approval of Agenda (Additions/Corrections/Deletions)  
Motion: Mary Hamann-Roland  
Ayes: 7  
3.1  
Second: Mike Slavik  
CONSENT AGENDA  
On a motion by Commissioner Hamann-Roland, seconded by Commissioner Droste, the  
Consent agenda was approved as follows:  
4.  
County Administration - Approval of Minutes  
Approval of Minutes of Meeting Held on January 20, 2026  
4.1  
Motion: Mary Hamann-Roland  
Ayes: 7  
Second: William Droste  
REGULAR AGENDA  
County Board/County Administration  
Legislative Update  
5.  
5.1  
Mary Beth Schubert, Communications and Public Affairs Director briefed this  
item. Due to technical issues lobbyist were not able to join via interactive  
technology. They will provide a state legislative update via other means.  
Parks Director Niki Geisler gave a brief overview of Legislative-Citizen  
Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR). The Committee supported  
submitting proposals for the following five projects to the 2027 LCCMR for grants  
from the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund.  
- Veterans Memorial Greenway- Native American Veterans Restoration, Native  
Plantings, and Enhanced Memorial  
- System-wide ADA Improvements  
- Spring Lake Park Reserve Interpretive Messaging Plan Implementation  
- Spring Lake Park Reserve Restoration Project  
- North Creek Greenway Natural Resource Restoration, Pollinator-Themed  
Interpretation, and Greenway - Neighborhood Access at the Minnesota Zoo  
The total of the requested projects is $3,211,379 and would require a 25%  
match of the total project cost totaling $1,070,460. The grant-match requirement  
would not draw funds from the County General Fund or levy.  
This item was on the agenda for informational purposes only.  
Information only; no action requested.  
2025 Board Priorities Fourth Quarter Update  
5.2  
Senior Leadership staff presented this item and responded to questions. This  
item was on the agenda for informational purposes only.  
Information only; no action requested.  
6.  
7.  
Public Services and Revenue  
Update On Impact Of Library Digital Book Pricing  
6.1  
Library Director Jennifer Reichert Simpson briefed this item and responded to  
questions. This item was on the agenda for informational purposes only.  
Information only; no action requested.  
County Manager/Deputy/Director's Report  
County Manager Heidi Welsch referenced the Director's Report that was handed out.  
8.  
Future Agenda Items  
Commissioner Halverson requested that Commissioners receive a weekly update regarding  
Incident Command. Commissioner Atkins requested future discussion on federal law  
enforcement and use of County property.  
Following committee discussion, County Manager Heidi Welsch will bring an informational  
update on Operation Metro Storm to County Board on February 17, 2026.  
9.  
Adjournment  
Adjournment  
Motion: William Droste  
9.1  
Second: Liz Workman  
On a motion by Commissioner Droste, seconded by Commissioner Workman,  
the meeting was adjourned at 12:29 p.m.  
Ayes: 7  
Respectfully submitted,  
Jeni Reynolds  
Sr. Administrative Coordinator to the Board