Dakota County

Board of Commissioners

Minutes

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

1. Call to Order and Roll Call

9:00 AM

Boardroom, Administration Center,

Hastings, MN

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.

Pledge of Allegiance

The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. by Chair Slavik who welcomed everyone. Chair

Slavik acknowledged the recent Annunciation Church tragedy and a moment of silence was

observed. The meeting was opened with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Audience

Chair Slavik noted that all public comments can be sent to CountyAdmin@co.dakota.mn.us

No comments were received for this agenda.

Agenda

Resolution No: 25-412

4.1

Approval of Agenda (Additions/Corrections/Deletions)

Motion: Mary Hamann-Roland

Ayes: 7

Second: Liz Workman

CONSENT AGENDA

On a motion by Commissioner Halverson, seconded by Commissioner Droste, the Consent

agenda was approved as follows:

County Administration - Approval of Minutes

Resolution No: 25-413

5.1

Approval of Minutes of Meeting Held on August 26, 2025

Motion: Laurie Halverson

Ayes: 7

Second: William Droste

Central Operations

Resolution No: 25-414

6.1

Authorization To Execute Contract With QualityLogic, Inc. For Digital

Accessibility Services

Motion: Laurie Halverson

Second: William Droste

WHEREAS, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Title II requires that,

beginning April 24, 2026, public entities with populations of 50,000 or more

ensure that all web content and mobile applications comply with the Web

Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.1, Level A and AA standards; and

WHEREAS, Dakota County has made meaningful progress toward compliance;

however, significant work remains to bring all digital content, websites, and

mobile applications into full alignment and to establish sustainable processes for

maintaining accessibility over time; and

WHEREAS, staff issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Digital Accessibility

Services on March 17, 2025. The RFP sought a vendor with the expertise to

ensure compliance, expand accessibility for individuals with disabilities, and

strengthen inclusivity across the County’s digital properties; and

WHEREAS, a cross-department project team, including Central Operations

Administration, Communications, Human Resources, and Information

Technology, reviewed 19 proposals and invited five vendors for demonstrations;

and

WHEREAS, the team recommends QualityLogic, Inc. as the preferred vendor

who brings extensive experience supporting digital accessibility initiatives for

state and local governments; and

WHEREAS, QualityLogic, Inc.’s services will:

Conduct a comprehensive assessment of County websites, applications, and

digital content;

Identify accessibility gaps and provide an actionable Digital Accessibility

Plan;

Recommend strategies to meet compliance and usability standards;

Build internal staff capacity through training and resources;

Provide remediation support for documents and code to expedite progress;

Establish a foundation for long-term self-sufficiency and compliance

; and

WHEREAS, the project team and QualityLogic, Inc. will closely collaborate with

the public website platform replacement team to ensure alignment with the

county’s accessibility priorities and compliance requirements; and

WHEREAS, staff seeks approval to engage QualityLogic, Inc. to provide digital

accessibility services that will enable Dakota County to meet ADA Title II web

and mobile accessibility requirements, improve digital access for individuals with

disabilities, and ensure the County’s digital services are inclusive, sustainable,

and compliant into the future; and

WHEREAS, sufficient funds are available Central Operations Administration

budget to support these services.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby authorizes the Deputy County Manager to execute a

contract QualityLogic, Inc. for the digital accessibility services, for the period of

September 9, 2025, through September 9, 2026, in an amount not to exceed

$109,767, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s office as to form.

Ayes: 7

County Board/County Administration

Resolution No: 25-415

7.1

Authorization To Amend 2025 County Board/Committee Of The Whole Meeting

Schedule

Motion: Laurie Halverson

Second: William Droste

BE IT RESOLVED, That the budget workshop scheduled for September 16,

2025 start at 8:30 a.m., Administration Center, conference room 3A, Hastings;

and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners

hereby schedules a Physical Development Committee of the Whole on

September 16, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. (or following the budget workshop),

Administration Center, conference room 3A, Hastings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners

hereby schedules a Community Services Committee of the Whole meeting on

September 16, 2025 at 1:00 p.m., Administration Center, conference room 3A,

Hastings; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners

hereby schedules a General Government and Policy Committee of the Whole on

September 23, 2025, 10:00 a.m. (or following the Regional Railroad Authority

meeting), Conference Room 3A, Administration Center, 1590 Highway 55,

Hastings, MN.

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 25-416

7.2

Acceptance Of Resignation From Member Of Public Art Committee

Motion: Laurie Halverson

Second: William Droste

BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of Commissioners hereby

accepts the resignation received by Ankit Mukhopadhyay, At-Large Youth

representative on the Public Art Committee and authorizes staff to begin the

process to fill the vacancy.

Ayes: 7

Community Services

Resolution No: 25-417

8.1

Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreements With Dakota County School

Districts For School Wellness Projects Funded Through Minnesota Department

Of Health Statewide Health Improvement Partnership Grant

Motion: Laurie Halverson

Second: William Droste

WHEREAS, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 375A.04, the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners is, and performs the duties and exercises the powers of, a

community health board under Minn. Stat. ch. 145A, including the responsibility

to prevent disease and to promote and protect the public health of Dakota

County residents; and

WHEREAS, Dakota County Public Health has 15 years of experience working

with school districts located in Dakota County on school-based prevention

interventions and initiatives and this work is funded by the Minnesota

Department of Health (MDH) Statewide Health Improvement Partnership (SHIP)

grant; and

WHEREAS, SHIP funding supports community-driven solutions to expand

opportunities for active living, healthy food access, commercial tobacco-free

living, and mental wellbeing; and

WHEREAS, these initiatives provide Dakota County’s School Districts the

opportunity and resources to enhance prevention efforts, and provide

cost-effective, evidence-based best practices in chronic disease reduction via

policy, systems, and environmental changes; and

WHEREAS, interventions are grounded in equity to ensure the initiative benefits

all demographic groups with a priority focus on addressing barriers and ensuring

safety for lower-income students, students of color and others facing significant

disparities; and

WHEREAS, all ten school districts in Dakota County are provided an opportunity

to apply and opt-in to non-competitive funding to support internal wellness

efforts for students and staff; and

WHEREAS, these applications will be due in fall 2025 and districts will have until

October 2026 to use the funding upon approval of initiatives.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to enter into

joint powers agreements with School Districts throughout Dakota County for

school wellness projects for the term upon execution of the joint powers

agreements through October 31, 2026, with a total not to exceed for each district

as follows, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s office as to form:

· Special School District 6

$ 8,629.77

· Independent School District (ISD) 191 $15,249.87

· ISD 192

· ISD 194

· ISD 195

· ISD 196

· ISD 197

· ISD 199

· ISD 200

$12,215.65

$13,220.49

$3,940.53

$14,855.81

$10,836.47

$12,255.06

$10,008.96

· Intermediate School District 917

Ayes: 7

Physical Development

Resolution No: 25-418

$8,787.39

9.1

Authorization To Award Proposal And Execute Contract With Native Resource

Preservation For Spring Lake Woodlands Restoration Project

Motion: Laurie Halverson

Second: William Droste

WHEREAS, the Natural Resource Management System Plan adopted by

Resolution No. 17-274 (May 9, 2017) determined that Parks Natural Resources

shall restore the Dakota County Parks System’s natural areas; and

WHEREAS, the Spring Lake Park Reserve (SLPR) Natural Resources

Management Plan was adopted by Resolution No. 21-313 (June 22, 2021) and

identified high-priority ecological restoration sites within the park; and

WHEREAS, funding for this restoration work will be derived from the state

Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) which was authorized

by Resolution No. 23-130 (March 28, 2023); and

WHEREAS, grant funding is available until June 30, 2028, and additional grant

funds will be sought for contracted work occurring after that date (an estimated

$48,000); and

WHEREAS, if no external funding is secured by the end of the existing ENRTF

grant, Natural Resources Base Program Funding within the 2028 Parks Capital

Improvement Program will be used to complete the contract, or the scope of the

contract will be reduced to coincide with the existing grant funding; and

WHEREAS, a request for proposals was prepared and released on July 29,

2025, which will restore 56 acres of SLPR; and

WHEREAS, the best value proposal was from Native Resource Preservation

(NRP) for $244,559.46; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the base bid tasks, bids were received for alternate

tasks that included additional prescribed burning, tree removal, and deadfall

removal; and

WHEREAS, NRP’s proposal included a bid of $39,874.30 for the alternate tasks.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby awards the proposal to and authorizes the Parks

Department Director to execute a contract with NRP for the Spring Lake

Woodlands Restoration Project for the base and alternate tasks for a contract

maximum of $284,433.76, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as

to form.

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 25-419

9.2

Authorization To Amend Professional Services Contract With Leo A. Daly LLC

For Wentworth Library Renovation

Motion: Laurie Halverson

Second: William Droste

WHEREAS, the 2024-2028 Building Capital Improvement Program Adopted

Budget includes a project to renovate the Wentworth Library as part of the next

cycle of library renovation work; and

WHEREAS, Capital Projects Management issued a Request for Proposal to hire

a design consultant that included a preliminary project schedule showing a

five-month duration for construction; and

WHEREAS, proposing design consultants were asked to base their proposed

fees on the project schedule included in the Request for Proposals; and

WHEREAS, Leo A. Daly LLC was selected and recommended to receive a

professional services contract and was approved by the County Board by

Resolution No. 24-105 (February 27, 2024); and

WHEREAS, a Core Planning Group and Leo A. Daly LLC confirmed the project

needs and work scope and developed the schematic design; and

WHEREAS, the project schematic design was presented to and approved by the

County Board by Resolution No. 24-461 (September 24, 2024); and

WHEREAS, the remaining design work was completed, the project was bid for

construction, and the County Board approved the bid awarded to Ebert

Companies by Resolution No. 25-146 (March 25, 2025); and

WHEREAS, the general contractor provided a construction schedule that

demonstrated a nine-month duration for construction work, which was deemed

to be reasonable; and

WHEREAS, upon the start of construction work, the true condition of existing

equipment and building elements was discovered, along with discrepancies

between the bid documents and the actual conditions; and

WHEREAS, County staff directed Leo A. Daly LLC to review and design

replacements for select items to align with the project intent of updating major

infrastructure and prolonging building life; and

WHEREAS, Leo A. Daly LLC has submitted a proposal for additional fees for

the longer construction phase duration and additional requested design services

totaling $67,551; and

WHEREAS, sufficient funds exist within the current project budget.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby authorizes the Facilities Management Director to

execute a contract amendment to the professional services contract with Leo A.

Daly LLC, 730 Second Avenue South, Suite 1300, Minneapolis, MN 55402, to

provide additional design services for the Wentworth Library Renovation project,

in an amount not to exceed $67,551, subject to approval by the County

Attorney’s Office as to form.

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 25-420

9.3

Authorization To Purchase Salt Materials Through 2025–2026 State Road Salt

Contract

Motion: Laurie Halverson

Second: William Droste

WHEREAS, in order to provide a safe and efficient transportation system and

secure the lowest prices for road salt, the County purchases road salt from the

vendor selected pursuant to the State Road Salt Contract (SRSC) process; and

WHEREAS, the SRSC for the 2026 snow and ice season was issued in May

2025; and

WHEREAS, the County may participate in the solicitation by committing to an

estimated quantity of road salt to purchase to assist with winter snow and ice

control on County Highways; and

WHEREAS, the County-proposed salt use was reduced from 13,000 tons to

10,000 tons in 2018; and

WHEREAS, due to only 21 snow events last season, only 3,500 tons are

proposed for County use; and

WHEREAS, the estimated cost of 3,500 tons for the County’s use is $392,615

with an estimated unit price of $112.17 per ton through the SRSC; and

WHEREAS, it is estimated that the other units of government that the County

has cooperative purchasing agreements with for salt will purchase 1500 tons of

salt from the County, totaling $168,255, which will be paid for by those agencies;

and

WHEREAS, staff recommends authorization of participation in the 2025-2026

SRSC process to purchase 3,500 tons of road salt for the County’s use at an

estimated cost of $392,615 and 1500 tons of salt for other agencies’ at an

estimated cost of $168,255.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby authorizes the Transportation Director to purchase 5,000

tons of road salt from June 2025 to May 2026 in the amount of $560,870

through the State Road Salt Contract.

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 25-421

9.4

Authorization To Initiate Quick-Take Condemnation For County State Aid

Highway 42 (145th Street) At Trunk Highway 52 For Interchange Improvements

In City Of Rosemount, County Project 42-174

Motion: Laurie Halverson

Second: William Droste

WHEREAS, to provide a safe and efficient transportation system, Dakota

County is proceeding with County Project (CP) 42-174; and

WHEREAS, CP 42-174 is the final design engineering to improve the existing

interchange located at the intersection of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 42

and US Trunk Highway (TH) 52 in the city of Rosemount; and

WHEREAS, Dakota County is the lead agency for CP 42-174, with right of way

acquisition necessary in 2025 for construction to begin in the spring of 2026; and

WHEREAS, the County has been utilizing public engagement for this project,

which was initiated with a public open house hosted on August 25, 2025; and

WHEREAS, the following acquisitions are necessary to proceed with CP 42-174:

Parcel 1- Carey Rechtzigel and Leslie Rechtzigel, 34-02500-75-011

Highway Easement, 2,865 square feet

A permanent easement for highway purposes over, under, and across that part

of the Southeast Quarter of Section 25, Township 115 North, Range 19 West,

Dakota County, Minnesota, lying southerly of the southerly right of way line of

County State Aid Highway No. 42, westerly of the westerly right of way line of

U.S. Highway No. 52, and lying easterly and northerly of the following described

line:

Commencing at the northeast corner of said Southeast Quarter; thence North 89

degrees 55 minutes 29 seconds West, assumed bearing along the north line of

said Southeast Quarter, a distance of 685.37 feet; thence South 12 degrees 32

minutes 47 seconds East a distance of 87.30 feet to the southerly right of way

line of County State Aid Highway No. 42 and the point of beginning of the line to

be described; thence continuing South 12 degrees 32 minutes 47 seconds East

a distance of 14.15 feet; thence South 89 degrees 55 minutes 29 seconds East

a distance of 204.93 feet to the westerly right of way line of United States

Highway No. 52 and said line there terminating.

Temporary Easement 5,002 square feet

A temporary easement for highway purposes over, under, and across that part

of the Southeast Quarter of Section 25, Township 115 North, Range 19 West,

Dakota County, Minnesota, described as follows:

Commencing at the northeast corner of said Southeast Quarter; thence North 89

degrees 55 minutes 29 seconds West, assumed bearing along the north line of

said Southeast Quarter, a distance of 685.37 feet; thence South 12 degrees 32

minutes 47 seconds East a distance of 87.30 feet to the southerly right of way

line of County State Aid Highway No. 42; thence continuing South 12 degrees

32 minutes 47 seconds East a distance of 14.15 feet to the point of beginning;

thence South 89 degrees 55 minutes 29 seconds East a distance of 204.93 feet

to the westerly right of way line of U.S. Highway No. 52; thence South 12

degrees 32 minutes 17 seconds East along said westerly right of way line a

distance of 5.12 feet; thence North 89 degrees 55 minutes 29 seconds West a

distance of 90.20 feet; thence South 12 degrees 41 minutes 48 seconds West a

distance of 56.36 feet; thence North 89 degrees 55 minutes 29 seconds West a

distance of 60.00 feet; thence North 12 degrees 32 minutes 47 seconds West a

distance of 56.36 feet; thence North 89 degrees 55 minutes 29 seconds West a

distance of 30.10 feet; thence North 12 degrees 32 minutes 47 seconds West a

distance of 5.12 feet to the point of beginning.

Parcel 2- Carey Rechtzigel and Leslie Rechtzigel, 34-03000-55-020

Temporary Easement 3,022 square feet

A temporary easement for highway purposes over, under, and across that part

of the Northwest Quarter of the Southwest Quarter all in Section 30, Township

115 North, Range 18 West, Dakota County, Minnesota, EXCEPT The West

270.00 feet of the East 350.00 feet of the South 300.00 feet of the Northwest

Quarter of the Southwest Quarter of Section 30, Township 115 North, Range 18

West; and EXCEPT the East 80.00 feet of the Northwest Quarter of the

Southwest Quarter of Section 30, Township 115 North, Range 18 West.

Said temporary easement described as follows:

Beginning at the southwest corner of Parcel 12 as shown on Dakota County

Right of Way Map No. 340, according to the recorded map thereof; thence

South 89 degrees 31 minutes 06 seconds East, assumed bearing along the

south line of said Parcel 12 a distance of 485.47 feet; thence South 00 degrees

28 minutes 54 seconds East a distance of 5.00 feet; thence North 89 degrees

31 minutes 06 seconds West a distance of 451.78 feet; thence South 52

degrees 04 minutes 10 seconds West a distance of 54.64 feet to the easterly

right of way line of U.S. Highway No. 52 as described in Book 268 of Deeds,

Page 507; thence North 13 degrees 39 minutes 26 seconds West along said

easterly right of way line a distance of 40.00 feet to the point of beginning; and

WHEREAS, the parcels have been appraised, and offers were prepared and

sent for a total appraised value of $14,200; and

WHEREAS, in the event that timely acquisition by direct negotiation of all

required parcels does not appear possible, it may become necessary for the

County Board to authorize the County Attorney’s Office to initiate quick-take

condemnation of the remaining parcels to allow for a spring 2026 start date; and

WHEREAS, parcels that have been settled through negotiation prior to the date

required for filing the condemnation petition will not be included.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby authorizes the County Attorney’s Office to initiate

quick-take condemnation of the remaining parcels to allow a spring 2026 start

date in the event that timely acquisitions by direct negotiations of all parcels do

not appear possible.

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 25-422

9.5

Authorization To Execute Contract With Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. For

Final Design And Engineering Services On County State Aid Highway 26 From

Trunk Highway 3 To Cahill Avenue In Inver Grove Heights, County Projects

26-60 And 26-68

Motion: Laurie Halverson

Second: William Droste

WHEREAS, Dakota County has included County Projects 26-60 and 26-68 in its

Transportation Capital Improvement Program to redesign County State Aid

Highway 26 (70th Street) in Inver Grove Heights; and

WHEREAS, County Project 26-60 is a planned reconstruction of a portion of

County State Aid Highway 26 between Trunk Highway 3 and County State Aid

Highway 73 in Inver Grove Heights and includes an expansion to three lanes,

construction of stormwater sewer, construction of multiuse trail, extension of city

utilities, and traffic safety and access management improvements; and

WHEREAS, County Project 26-68 will perform pavement rehabilitation on a

portion of County State Aid Highway 26 between County State Aid Highway 73

and Cahill Avenue in Inver Grove Heights and include a reduction from five

lanes to three, construction of multiuse trail, extension of city utilities, and traffic

safety and access management improvements; and

WHEREAS, Dakota County is the lead agency for County Projects 26-60 and

26-68; and

WHEREAS, a request for proposals was released on July 29, 2025, to complete

final design engineering for both projects; and

WHEREAS, two responses were received from qualified proposers; and

WHEREAS, Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. (Kimley-Horn) was identified as the

most responsive to the request for proposals; and

WHEREAS, staff from the City of Inver Grove Heights participated in the

proposal evaluation and concurs with this recommendation; and

WHEREAS, staff recommends execution of a contract with Kimley-Horn for final

design and engineering consulting services for County Project 26-60 and County

Project 26-68 for actual costs not to exceed $852,359; and

WHEREAS, the funds allocated to County Project 26-60 and County Project

26-68 in the 2023 Capital Improvement Program Budget are not sufficient to

cover costs for final design and engineering, and a budget amendment is

necessary to proceed with a consultant contract.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby authorizes the Transportation Director to execute a

contract with Kimley-Horn & Associates, Inc. to complete final design and

engineering services necessary to complete the design of improvements to 70th

Street in Inver Grove Heights in an amount not to exceed $852,359, subject to

approval by the County Attorney's Office as to form.

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 25-423

9.6

Approval Of Final Plats Recommended By Plat Commission

Motion: Laurie Halverson

Second: William Droste

WHEREAS, new subdivisions adjoining County highways are reviewed under

the Dakota County Contiguous Plat Ordinance No. 108; and

WHEREAS, the Plat Commission examines plats prior to County Board

approval; and

WHEREAS, the Plat Commission has reviewed and recommends approval of

the final plats by the County Board; and

WHEREAS, the final plat approval by the County Board is subject to the

conditions established by the Plat Commission review; and

WHEREAS, the following plats below require approval by their respective City

Council prior to the recording of the plats.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby approves the following final plats:

MARKETPLACE AT CEDAR

NORTHCREEK SECOND ADDITION

LAKEVILLE

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 25-424

9.7

Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With City Of Inver Grove

Heights For Preliminary Engineering Of County State Aid Highway 28 Alignment

Study From Trunk Highway 3 To Austin Way In Inver Grove Heights, County

Project 28-048

Motion: Laurie Halverson

Second: William Droste

WHEREAS, to provide a safe and efficient transportation system, Dakota

County and the City of Inver Grove Heights are jointly partnering on County

Project (CP) 28-048 for preliminary design to establish the preferred design and

anticipated right of way needs for County State Aid Highway (CSAH) 28

between Trunk Highway (TH) 3 and Austin Way; and

WHEREAS, CP 28-048 is a realignment of CSAH 28 from the existing

roundabout at TH 3 to Austin Way; and

WHEREAS, the realignment of CSAH 28 east of TH 3 is identified in the Dakota

County 2040 Transportation Plan as a future County highway alignment and has

been dependent on development pressure within this area of Inver Grove

Heights; and

WHEREAS, the City of Inver Grove Heights and the County are jointly

participating in the project with Inver Grove Heights leading the preliminary

engineering study to identify the preferred horizontal alignment, vertical profile,

and right of way needs; and

WHEREAS, under Minn. Stat § 162.17, subd. 1 and 471.59, subd. 1. Two

governmental units may enter into an agreement to cooperatively exercise any

power common to the contracting parties, and one of the participating

governmental units may exercise one of its powers on behalf of the other

governmental units; and

WHEREAS, staff recommends execution of a joint powers agreement with the

City of Inver Grove Heights to memorialize roles, responsibilities, and cost share

for CP 28-048; and

WHEREAS, cost share for CP 28-048 will adhere to Dakota County’s

Transportation Plan (July 2021) cost share policy.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director to execute

a joint powers agreement between Dakota County and the City of Inver Grove

Heights for preliminary engineering of County State Aid Highway 28 from Trunk

Highway 3 east to Austin Way, County Project 28-048.

Ayes: 7

10.

Public Services and Revenue

Resolution No: 25-425

10.1

Approval Of Application For Temporary Intoxicating On-Sale Liquor License

Submitted By The Oakeshott Institute

Motion: Laurie Halverson

Second: William Droste

WHEREAS, an application was received from The Oakeshott Institute for a

temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor license during Viking Fest Minnesota held

October 4-5 and 11-12, 2025, at the Dakota County Fairgrounds, 4008 220th

Street West, Farmington, in Castle Rock Township; and

WHEREAS, Castle Rock Township approved the application on August 12,

2025; and

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Alcohol and Gambling

Enforcement Division will not issue a temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor

license without prior approval by the County Board.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby approves the application from The Oakeshott Institute

for a temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor license during Viking Fest Minnesota

held October 4-5 and 11-12, 2025, at the Dakota County Fairgrounds, 4008

220th Street West, Farmington, in Castle Rock Township; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Public Services and Revenue Division is

authorized to approve the application and upon payment of the proper fees,

submit it to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, Alcohol and Gambling

Enforcement Division to issue the license.

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 25-426

10.2

Approval Of Application For Assemblage Of Large Numbers Of People License

Submitted By Viking Age Events Company

Motion: Laurie Halverson

Second: William Droste

WHEREAS, an application has been submitted by Viking Age Events Company

to hold the Viking Fest Minnesota at Dakota County Fairgrounds, 4008 220th

Street West, Farmington, in Castle Rock Township; and

WHEREAS, the Dakota County Board of Commissioners is the local governing

body having jurisdiction over the proposed license, and the application has been

reviewed for compliance with the County Ordinance No. 112 and has been

approved by the Public Services and Revenue Division, Public Health

Department, Risk Management Department, Transportation Department and

Sheriff’s Office; and

WHEREAS, Castle Rock Township approved the application on August 12,

2025.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby approves the application for Assemblage of Large

Numbers of People License received by Viking Age Events Company to hold

Viking Fest Minnesota on October 4-5 and 11-12, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to

11:30 p.m. on Saturdays and from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Sundays at the

Dakota County Fairgrounds, 4008 220th Street West, Farmington, and

authorizes the Public Services and Revenue division to issue the license.

Ayes: 7

REGULAR AGENDA

11.

Community Services

Resolution No: 25-427

11.1

Update From Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board And Proclamation Of

September 2025 As Workforce Development Month In Dakota County

Motion: Mary Hamann-Roland

Second: Joe Atkins

Employment and Economic Assistance Director Mark Jacobs briefed this item.

Mark was joined by SMSC Gaming Enterprise/Mystic Lake Casino - Talent

Acquisition Program Manager Holly Oppegard, Dakota Electric Economic

Development Director Jeffrey Rainey and Rihm Kenworth Marketing

Communications Manager Kristin Ridley.

WHEREAS, the month of September is a time to honor workforce development

leaders and staff across Minnesota, as well as draw attention to the resources

available to those looking for work and to employers who need workers now;

and

WHEREAS, workforce development professionals throughout the state are

working hard to connect all Minnesotans who need work with employment and to

help employers reach often-overlooked labor pools.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby proclaims September 2025 as Workforce Development

Month in Dakota County to honor and recognize the workforce development

professionals who work hard to connect Minnesotans who need work with

employment and to help employers reach often-overlooked labor pools.

Ayes: 7

12.

Physical Development

Resolution No: 25-428

12.1

Certification Of Dakota County Portion Of 2026 Vermillion River Watershed

Management Tax District Proposed Tax Levy

Motion: William Droste

Second: Mary Liz Holberg

Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers Organization Administrator Travis Thiel

briefed this item and responded to questions.

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 02-347 (June 25, 2002) and amended by

Resolution No. 24-623 (December 17, 2024), the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners executed a joint powers agreement between Dakota County and

Scott County to govern the Vermillion River Watershed; and

WHEREAS, the joint powers agreement establishes a Joint Powers Board

consisting of two commissioners from Dakota County and one from Scott

County; and

WHEREAS, funding is needed for Dakota County’s share of costs associated

with managing the Vermillion River Watershed; and

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 02-296 (June 4, 2002), the Dakota County Board

of Commissioners established the Vermillion River Watershed Management Tax

District through Ordinance No. 127 to fund Dakota County’s share of costs

associated with managing the Vermillion River Watershed; and

WHEREAS, approval and adoption of the Watershed Management Plan, as

required by Minn. Stat. Ch. 103B, occurred in June 2016; and

WHEREAS, the joint powers agreement states that the Vermillion River

Watershed Joint Powers Board will adopt a budget and recommend a levy for

the portion of the Watershed Management Tax District in each county by

September 1 of each year; and

WHEREAS, on August 28, 2025, the Vermillion River Watershed Joint Powers

Board adopted a proposed budget of $2,654,279, including the use of 2025 fund

balance and grant revenues, and recommended that the levy for the Dakota

County portion be $1,037,693 and the levy for the Scott County portion be

$40,532; and

WHEREAS, Dakota County must certify a levy on the Watershed Management

Tax District by September 15, 2025, to be effective for taxes payable in 2026;

and

WHEREAS, the final 2026 levy for the Watershed Management Tax District will

be presented to the Dakota County Board of Commissioners in December 2025.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners hereby certifies the Dakota County portion of the Vermillion

River Watershed Management Tax District proposed levy in the amount of

$1,037,693 for taxes payable in 2026.

Ayes: 7

13.

Interagency Reports/Commissioner Updates

Interagency reports and Commissioner updates were presented.

14. County Manager's Report

County Manager Heidi Welsch provided the following information:

- provided a brief preview of the Solid Waste Management Plan

- provided an update on the Recycling Ambassador Program