Dakota County

Board of Commissioners

Minutes

Tuesday, February 3, 2026

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; Kathryn M. Keena, County Attorney;

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 Halverson who welcomed everyone

and opened the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance.

Audience

Chair Halverson noted that all public comments can be sent to

CountyAdmin@co.dakota.mn.us

Online comments were distributed to Commissioners.

The following people came forward with comments regarding Operation Metro Surge:

Amy Schwartz (Burnsville)

Kelly Moffitt (Eagan)

Jeff Timmerman (Burnsville)

Jacob Borealis (Lakeville)

Agenda

Resolution No: 26-052

4.1

Approval of Agenda (Additions/Corrections/Deletions)

Motion: Mary Hamann-Roland

Ayes: 7

Second: William Droste

CONSENT AGENDA

A correction was made to the Minutes of the January 27, 2026 Special County Board meeting.

The name of an audience member that made comments was incorrectly stated.

On a motion by Commissioner Slavik, seconded by Commissioner Hamann-Roland, the

Consent agenda was approved as follows:

County Administration - Approval of Minutes

Resolution No: 26-053

5.1

Approval of Minutes of Meeting Held on January 20, 2026 and Special Meeting

on January 27, 2026

Motion: Mike Slavik

Ayes: 7

Second: Mary Hamann-Roland

County Attorney

Resolution No: 26-054

6.1

Authorization To Execute Contract With Axon Enterprise, Inc. For County

Attorney’s Office Digital Evidence Management Software And Support

Motion: Mary Hamann-Roland

Second: Mike Slavik

WHEREAS, the Dakota County Attorney’s Office (“County Attorney’s Office”)

has used a version of Axon Enterprise, Inc. (“Axon”) Evidence software since

2021 to share and store the majority of digital evidence received by law

enforcement agencies using Axon products; and

WHEREAS, Axon’s Justice Premier digital evidence management software is

designed to streamline the digital discovery process, store unlimited data in a

secure cloud location freeing up County server space, and allow for controlled

sharing with law enforcement agencies and defense attorneys; and

WHEREAS, staff recommends executing a five-year contract with Axon for

Justice Premier digital evidence management software and services for the

County Attorney’s Office; and

WHEREAS, the annual cost of the software and services is $136,000 for a total

not to exceed amount of $680,000 for the five-year term; and

WHEREAS, sufficient funding for the 2026 annual costs is included in the 2026

budget.

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

Commissioners hereby authorizes the Dakota County Attorney to execute a

contract with Axon Enterprise, Inc. to provide Justice Premier digital evidence

management software and services to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, in

an amount not to exceed $680,000, for a term of five years, subject to approval

by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.

Ayes: 7

County Board/County Administration

Resolution No: 26-055

7.1

Appointments To Dakota-Scott Workforce Development Board

Motion: Mike Slavik

Second: Mary Hamann-Roland

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

appoints the following individuals to the Dakota-Scott Workforce Development

Board to fill a two-year term ending June 30, 2027.

Private - Andrea Miller

Public-Labor - Jeremy Miller

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 26-056

7.2

Designation Of Local Officials For Campaign Finance And Public Disclosure

Board Reporting Requirement

Motion: Mike Slavik

Second: Mary Hamann-Roland

WHEREAS, Minnesota Rules 4501.0400, subpts. 1 and 2, require a

metropolitan governmental unit (MGU) to determine which positions within the

MGU meet the definition of local official as defined in Minn. Stat. § 10A.01,

subd. 22; and

WHEREAS, the MGU must provide a list to the Campaign Finance and Public

Disclosure Board of the full-time and part-time positions meeting this definition

annually.

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

Commissioners hereby designates the following Dakota County positions as

local officials in 2025, as defined in Minn. Stat. § 10A.01, subd. 22, for the

purpose of reporting to the Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board:

Adult Services Director, Social Services

Assessing Services Director/County Assessor

Assistant County Engineer

Assistant County Manager

Budget Manager

Capital Projects Management Manager

Central Operations Director

Central Operations Deputy Director

Chief Deputy County Attorney

Chief Deputy Sheriff

Chief Information Officer

Children and Family Services Director, Social Services

Communications and Public Affairs Director

Community Corrections Director

Construction Engineer

County Commissioner

County Manager

County Attorney

County Sheriff

Deputy County Manager

Elections Director

Employment and Economic Assistance Director

Environmental Resources Director

Facilities Management Director

Finance Director

Finance Deputy Director

First Assistant County Attorney

Fleet Management Manager

Human Resources Director

Library Director

Parks and Open Spaces Director

Physical Development Deputy Director

Property Taxation and Records Director

Public Health Director

Public Services and Revenue Deputy Director

Service and License Centers Director

Transportation Director/County Engineer

Veterans Services Director

Ayes: 7

Community Services

Resolution No: 26-057

8.1

Authorization To Enter Into A Joint Powers Agreement With State Of Minnesota,

Acting Through Its Commissioner Of Minnesota Department Of Veterans Affairs,

For Transportation Services To Veteran Affairs Medical Center In Minneapolis

Motion: Mike Slavik

Second: Mary Hamann-Roland

WHEREAS, the Hastings Veterans Home, owned and operated by the

Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs (MDVA), is a 179-bed domiciliary

care facility for honorably discharged veterans and their spouses, located in

Hastings, Minnesota; and

WHEREAS, this facility provides a full continuum of care and service to

residents of the home; and

WHEREAS, the Hastings Veterans Home provides residents twice daily

round-trip van rides from the Hastings Veterans Home to the Minneapolis VA

Medical Center (VAMC) for those who need additional medical and dental care

at the VAMC; and

WHEREAS, while residents often utilize the van service, there is capacity on the

van to take additional passengers; and

WHEREAS, the relationship and respective responsibilities between the Dakota

County Veteran Services Office and the MDVA have been positive and

long-standing through a JPA arrangement; and

WHEREAS, the execution of the JPA allows Dakota County veterans who are

not residents of the Hastings Veterans Home to utilize the van transportation

service, free of charge; and

WHEREAS, the agreement also provides that Dakota County Veteran Services

staff will provide ride scheduling services for the veterans who are not residents

of the Hastings Veterans Home who request transportation.

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

Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute

a joint powers agreement with the MDVA to provide free transportation services

for veterans of Dakota County from the Hastings Veterans Home to the

Minneapolis VA Medical Center for the period of date of execution of the joint

powers agreement through November 27, 2030, subject to approval by the

County Attorney’s Office as to form; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That the Community Services Director is hereby

authorized to amend said agreement to extend the term up to one year after

initial expiration date, consistent with County contracting policies, subject to

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

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 26-058

8.2

Authorization To Execute Joint Powers Agreement With Independent School

District 196 At Oak Ridge Elementary School Of Leadership, Environmental,

And Health Sciences To Foster Inclusive Learning Environments For

Communities For All Inclusion Initiative

Motion: Mike Slavik

Second: Mary Hamann-Roland

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-572 (December 3, 2024), the County Board

authorized Dakota County to accept Workforce Shortage grant funding through

the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) to provide funding for its

Communities for All initiative; and

WHEREAS, Communities for All issued a Letter of Interest (LOI) and selected

the Oak Ridge Elementary School of Leadership, Environmental, and Health

Sciences to foster an inclusive and supportive learning environment where every

child can thrive and participate regardless of any disability, and every student will

have equal opportunities to engage with outdoor spaces through accessible

equipment and training; and

WHEREAS, staff is requesting authorization to execute a JPA with Independent

School District (ISD) 196 at Oak Ridge Elementary School of Leadership,

Environmental, and Health Sciences in an amount not to exceed $17,750 from

the date of execution through June 30, 2026.

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

Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to execute

a joint powers agreement with Independent School District 196 at Oak Ridge

Elementary School of Leadership, Environmental, and Health Sciences in an

amount not to exceed $17,750 from the date of execution through June 30,

2026, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 26-059

8.3

Authorization To Apply For U.S. Department Of Housing And Urban

Development Grant Funds

Motion: Mike Slavik

Second: Mary Hamann-Roland

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)

Continuum of Care Rapid Re-Housing (CoC RRH) program provides rental

assistance and case management to re-house people experiencing

homelessness; and

WHEREAS, Dakota County has received grant funds from HUD to provide this

service for over twenty years; and

WHEREAS, HUD issues CoC funds through a competitive grant process called

a Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO); and

WHEREAS, currently, Dakota County Social Services receives $831,851 in CoC

RRH funds for the period of June 1, 2025 through May 31, 2026; and

WHEREAS, these funds provide rental assistance to 48 families (at any given

time) experiencing homelessness; and

WHEREAS, Dakota County is required to provide a 25 percent match as part of

this award; and

WHEREAS, the match is provided by Local Affordable Housing Aid (LAHA)

funds which pays for staff time to provide housing search and case management

services to families on this grant; and

WHEREAS, Dakota County Social Services is seeking approval from the Board

of Commissioners to apply for CoC RRH funds June 1, 2026 through May 31,

2027, in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000; and

WHEREAS, applications are due to HUD by February 9, 2026; and

WHEREAS, Social Services staff recommends that the Dakota County Board of

Commissioners authorizes an application to the U.S. Department HUD for CoC

RRH grant funds in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 for the grant period

June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027.

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

Commissioners hereby authorizes the Community Services Director to apply to

the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for Continuum of Care

Rapid Re-Housing grant funds in an amount not to exceed $1,000,000 for the

grant period June 1, 2026 through May 31, 2027.

Ayes: 7

Physical Development

Resolution No: 26-060

9.1

Authorization To Execute Contract With RES Great Lakes, LLC For Vegetation

Management At Lake Byllesby Regional Park

Motion: Mike Slavik

Second: Mary Hamann-Roland

WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 17-274 (May 23, 2017), the County Board

adopted the Dakota County Natural Resource Management System Plan

(NRMSP); and

WHEREAS, the NRMSP identifies the need to maintain restored areas

perpetually to protect the initial investment made to restore the area; and

WHEREAS, on January 2, 2026, the County issued a Request for Proposals

(RFP) for the Lake Byllesby Regional Park Vegetation Management project; and

WHEREAS, best value contracting was used to evaluate and award this RFP;

and

WHEREAS, the proposal evaluation team scored each proposal and selected

Native Resource Preservation; and

WHEREAS, the RFP stipulated that the initial contract term would expire on

December 31, 2026; and

WHEREAS, the RFP stipulated that the contract could be extended for up to

one additional 12-month term ending December 31, 2027; and

WHEREAS, the hourly or per-acre rates will increase by three percent for each

contract extension; and WHEREAS, the RFP stipulated that the total contract

amount would be set up to not exceed $175,000; and

WHEREAS, adequate funds for the initial contract terms are available within the

2026 Adopted Parks Natural Resources Base Fund Budget; and

WHEREAS, staff recommends executing the contract with RES Great Lakes,

LLC.

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

Commissioners hereby authorizes the Physical Development Director to execute

a contract with Native Resource Preservation for the Lake Byllesby Regional

Park Vegetation Management project to manage natural areas of Lake Byllesby

Regional Park through December 31, 2026, with the option to extend the

contract for up to one additional 12-month term until December 31, 2027, in a

total amount not to exceed $175,000, subject to approval by the County

Attorney's Office as to form.

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 26-061

9.2

Authorization To Donate Existing Library Shelving At Burnhaven Library

Motion: Mike Slavik

Second: Mary Hamann-Roland

WHEREAS, the Burnhaven Library project will begin construction in April and is

included in the 2026-2030 Facilities Capital Improvement Program Adopted

Budget; and

WHEREAS, the donation of existing stack shelving to other public corporations

(any county, city, town, or school district) as part of the Burnhaven Library

project will allow for all new shelving; and

WHEREAS, the new shelving will be interchangeable with select other branch

library locations; and

WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. § 471.85 allows for the property transfer of Burnhaven’s

existing stack shelving from Dakota County to another public corporation when

authorized by the Dakota County Board of Commissioners; and

WHEREAS, purchase of new stack shelving is planned as part of the Burnhaven

Library project; and

WHEREAS, sufficient funds are available within the 2026-2030 Facilities Capital

Improvement Program Adopted Budget to purchase new shelving for the library.

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

Commissioners hereby authorizes staff to convey via donation any of the

existing stack shelving to any other public corporation before it may be

auctioned off to the public or disposed of.

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 26-062

9.3

Authorization To Submit 2026 Better Utilizing Investments To Leverage

Development (BUILD Formerly RAISE) Application For Interchange

Improvements At County State Aid Highway 50 and Interstate 35 In Lakeville,

County Project 50-033

Motion: Mike Slavik

Second: Mary Hamann-Roland

WHEREAS, the U.S. Department of Transportation is requesting project

submittals to the Better Utilizing Investments To Leverage Development (BUILD,

Formerly RAISE) grant program; and

WHEREAS, the BUILD federal grant program funds up to 80 percent of project

costs in urban areas; and

WHEREAS, CP 50-33, the Dakota County Mobility and Safety Improvements:

Interstate 35 and County State Aid Highway 50/5 Interchange and Bridge

Reconstruction project, will improve freight capacity and general mobility in the

corridor, accommodate future growth and support economic development

opportunities, promote safety, and enhance multimodal connections; and

WHEREAS, federal funding of projects reduces the burden on local taxpayers

for regional improvements; and

WHEREAS, project submittals are due on February 24, 2026; and

WHEREAS, all projects proposed are consistent with the adopted Dakota

County Comprehensive Plan.

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

Commissioners hereby approves the submission of the Dakota County Mobility

and Safety Improvements: Interstate 35 and County State Aid Highway 50/5

Interchange and Bridge Reconstruction project (County Project 50-33) to the

U.S. Department of Transportation for the Better Utilizing Investments to

Leverage Development (BUILD) grant program; and

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

hereby approves requesting letters of support from cities within the project

areas, the Minnesota Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Council,

and the Dakota County congressional delegation.

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 26-063

9.4

Authorization To Execute Contract With Toltz, King, Duvall, Anderson &

Associates, Inc., For Construction Administration, Inspection, Surveying, And

Material Testing Services For Reconstruction Of Bridge Number 19578 In

Vermillion Township, County Project 85-23

Motion: Mike Slavik

Second: Mary Hamann-Roland

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

County is proceeding with County Project (CP) 85-23; and

WHEREAS, CP 85-23 is the replacement of Bridge Number 19578 in Vermillion

Township; and

WHEREAS, the County is the lead agency for CP 85-23 with construction

scheduled to be constructed in 2026; and

WHEREAS, the 2026 construction workload is greater than the number of

available County staff; and

WHEREAS, an engineering firm with this specialty will provide construction

management, inspection, surveying, and material testing in 2026; and

WHEREAS, the proposal from Toltz, King, Duvall, Anderson & Associates, Inc.,

highlights their strong technical expertise, staff, and experience with complex

transportation projects and meets the requirements of this project; and

WHEREAS, the requested construction management was estimated to cost 8.0

percent of the estimated construction cost, but the proposal submitted by Toltz,

King, Duvall, Anderson & Associates, Inc., came in over the estimate at 12.4

percent; and

WHEREAS, the Transportation Capital Improvement Program budget includes

sufficient funding in 2026 for CP 85-23; and

WHEREAS, the County Engineer recommends execution of a contract with

Toltz, King, Duvall, Anderson & Associates, Inc., for construction management,

inspection, surveying, and material testing services for County Project 85-23 for

actual costs.

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

Commissioners hereby authorizes the Transportation Director to execute a

contract with Toltz, King, Duvall, Anderson & Associates, Inc., for construction

management, inspection, surveying, and material testing services for County

Project 85-23 for $226,500, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office

as to form.

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 26-064

9.5

Authorization To Execute Contract With SRF Consulting Group, Inc., For

Construction Administration, Inspection, Surveying, And Material Testing

Services For Improvements To County State Aid Highway 42 (145th Street) At

Trunk Highway 52 Interchange In City Of Rosemount, County Project 42-174

Motion: Mike Slavik

Second: Mary Hamann-Roland

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

County and the City of Rosemount are proceeding with County Project (CP)

42-174; and

WHEREAS, CP 42-174 is the improvement of County State Aid Highway

(CSAH) 42 at Trunk Highway (TH) 52 Interchange; and

WHEREAS, the County is the lead agency for CP 42-174 with construction

scheduled to begin in spring 2026; and

WHEREAS, the 2026 construction workload is greater than the number of

available County staff; and

WHEREAS, an engineering firm with this specialty will provide construction

management, inspection, surveying, and material testing in 2026; and

WHEREAS, the proposal from SRF Consulting Group, Inc., highlights their

strong technical expertise, staff, and experience with complex transportation

projects and meets the requirements of this project; and

WHEREAS, the requested construction management was estimated to cost 8.0

percent of the estimated construction cost, but the proposal submitted by SRF

Consulting Group, Inc., came in under the estimate of 7.9 percent; and

WHEREAS, the Transportation Capital Improvement Program budget includes

sufficient funding in 2026 for CP 42-174; and

WHEREAS, the County Engineer recommends execution of a contract with SRF

Consulting Group, Inc., for construction management, inspection, surveying, and

material testing services for CP 42-174 for actual costs.

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

Commissioners hereby authorizes the Transportation Director to execute a

contract with SRF Consulting Group, Inc., for construction management,

inspection, surveying, and material testing services for CP 42-174 for $284,893,

subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office as to form.

Ayes: 7

Resolution No: 26-065

9.6

Authorization To Execute First Amendment To Contract With SRF Consulting

Group, Inc., For Additional Contract Costs For Trail Construction On Butler

Avenue In West St. Paul, County Project 04-17

Motion: Mike Slavik

Second: Mary Hamann-Roland

WHEREAS, to promote a safe and efficient transportation system throughout

the County, Dakota County has constructed a trail along Butler Avenue from

Robert Street to Trunk Highway 52; and

WHEREAS, SRF Consulting Group, Inc., was contracted to do construction

management, inspection, and material testing; and

WHEREAS, the contract costs increased due to construction-related issues; and

WHEREAS, staff recommends authorizing the execution of an amendment to

the contract with SRF Consulting Group, Inc., in the amount of $31,562; and

WHEREAS, sufficient funds are available in the 2024 Transportation Capital

Improvement Program Adopted Budget for the recommended contract

amendment.

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

Commissioners hereby authorizes the Transportation Director to execute a first

amendment to the contract with SRF Consulting Group, Inc., in the amount of

$31,562 for additional costs, subject to approval by the County Attorney’s Office

as to form.

Ayes: 7

10.

Public Services and Revenue

Resolution No: 26-066

10.1

Approval Of 2026 Intoxicating Liquor License Application From AB Winery LLC

Motion: Mike Slavik

Second: Mary Hamann-Roland

WHEREAS, Dakota County is authorized to issue licenses for on sale and off

sale intoxicating liquor to qualifying establishments in the unorganized territories

of the County; and

WHEREAS, a county may not issue or renew a retail license to sell any alcoholic

beverages until the County Board has received a written certification from the

Sheriff and County Attorney that to the best of their knowledge the application is

eligible to be license under Minn. Stat. § 340A.402 and Minn. Rules §

7515.0410; and

WHEREAS, the application has been approved by the Township of Marshan.

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

Commissioners hereby approves the following 2026 intoxicating liquor license

and authorizes the Public Services and Revenue Division to issue the licenses

upon payment of the fees:

Marshan Township:

AB Winery LLC, dba Alexis Bailly Vineyard: On Sale and Sunday Sale

Ayes: 7

REGULAR AGENDA

11.

Interagency Reports/Commissioner Updates

Interagency reports and Commissioner updates were presented.

Chair Halverson shared details regarding the job duties of the Transportation Maintenance

Team. She recognized and thanked the team for their dedication and commitment in making

sure county roads are plowed and in good condition for residents and those passing through.

12.

County Manager's Report

County Manager Heidi Welsch shared that an incident command structure has been put in

place to monitor and recognize needs for both operational and resident impacts. Assistant

County Manager Marti Fischbach and Employment and Economic Assistance Director Dana

DeMaster gave an update on potential impacts to Emergency Rental Assistance.

13.

Information

13.1

See Attachment for future Board meetings and other activities.

Adjournment

Resolution No: 26-067

14.

14.1

Adjournment

Motion: Mary Hamann-Roland

Second: William Droste

On a motion by Commissioner Hamann-Roland, seconded by Commissioner

Droste, the meeting was adjourned at 10:11 a.m.

Ayes: 7

Laurie Halverson

Chair

ATTEST

Heidi Welsch

County Manager