Dakota County  
General Government and Policy  
Committee of the Whole  
Minutes  
Tuesday, July 8, 2025  
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 Commissioner Workman at 9:43 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 of this meeting is available upon request.  
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 Halverson, seconded by Commissioner Hamann-Roland, the  
Consent agenda was approved as follows:  
4.  
County Administration - Approval of Minutes  
Approval of Minutes of Meeting Held on June 24, 2025  
Motion: Laurie Halverson Second: Mary Hamann-Roland  
4.1  
Ayes: 7  
5.  
Central Operations  
Resolution No: 25-347  
Review And Approval Of Disability Advisory Council Priorities  
5.1  
Motion: Laurie Halverson  
Second: Mary Hamann-Roland  
WHEREAS, by Resolution No. 24-038 (January 23, 2024), the Dakota County  
Board of Commissioners authorized the formation of the Dakota County  
Disability Advisory Council (Council); and  
WHEREAS, the purpose of the Council is:  
· Providing technical expertise on issues that affect people with disabilities.  
· Acting as an independent sounding board for issues, ideas, and policy  
matters impacting disabled individuals.  
· Seeking advice from members and the public in the county  
decision-making processes.  
· Reflect the diverse interests of county clientele and residents.  
· Meet requirements of state law.  
· Providing annual recommendations to the County Board of  
Commissioners  
; and  
WHEREAS, the Council convened for the first time in September 2024, and over  
the past several months, members have worked collaboratively to identify key  
focus areas to guide their efforts in advocating for people with disabilities in the  
county; and  
WHEREAS, on May 14, 2025, the Council formally adopted the following four  
priorities, listed in order of importance as determined by the group:  
· Priority 1: Improve Access to Disability Support Services  
o Identify challenges navigating services and other essential benefits  
available to residents with disabilities and disabled residents.  
§ Examples: benefits programs, affordable housing, employment  
opportunities, public health and safety, etc.  
o Advocate to ensure these services are accessible, adequately funded,  
and effectively communicated to those in need.  
· Priority 2: Improve Transportation Accessibility and Safety for  
Individuals with Disabilities and Disabled Individuals  
o Identify barriers to accessible public and private transportation options  
§ Advocate for expanded transportation options that are affordable,  
reliable, and meet the diverse and intersecting needs of individuals  
with disabilities and disabled individuals.  
o Promote inclusive design standards for streets, sidewalks, crosswalks,  
roundabouts, and transit stops to enhance mobility and safety.  
§ Collaborate with county departments to identify and eliminate  
obstacles.  
o Encourage community input to ensure that the voices of individuals with  
disabilities and disabled individuals are considered in transportation  
planning and decision-making.  
§ Include individuals with disabilities and disabled individuals in  
follow-up evaluations of projects to ensure accessibility.  
· Priority 3: Support Public Outreach and Awareness of County  
Disability Initiatives  
o Provide recommendations on effective outreach methods to inform  
residents about disability-related services and initiatives.  
o Advocate for the use of diverse communications channels to reach all  
segments of the community and recommend strategies to engage diverse  
and underrepresented disability communities.  
o Promote awareness of county disability programs: Act as ambassadors  
by sharing information with community organizations, businesses, and  
other stakeholders.  
o Assist in identifying community stories and testimonials that show the  
impact of county programs and services.  
o Recommend improvements based on public feedback to enhance the  
effectiveness of county outreach efforts.  
· Priority 4: Promote Inclusive and Equitable County Services and  
Facilities  
o Support the enhancement of county services and facilities to improve  
accessibility across physical, auditory, sensory, cognitive, technological,  
and communication needs, including support for service animals and  
interpretation services.  
o Identify barriers and recommend solutions to promote access to all  
disabled individuals and individuals with disabilities, apparent and  
non-apparent, allowing every person to contribute, productively engage,  
and have positive experiences in all facets of the community.  
; and  
WHEREAS, the Council will utilize these priorities to develop its work plan,  
which will be presented to the Dakota County Board later in 2025.  
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Dakota County Board  
approves the Disability Advisory Council priorities.  
This item was approved and recommended for action by the Board of  
Commissioners on 7/29/2025.  
Ayes: 7  
REGULAR AGENDA  
County Board/County Administration  
6.  
Legislative Update  
6.1  
A federal update from received by Downs Government Affairs LLC, including a  
broad overview of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act recently signed into law. The  
committee also discussed the status of potential state funding for the Recycling  
Zone Plus project and whether state funding could be used toward a river  
landing use area at Spring Lake Park Reserve. The committee also discussed  
state transportation funding.  
Information only; no action requested.  
7.  
County Manager/Deputy/Director's Report  
County Manager Heidi Welsch gave a brief update on ongoing work for the 2026 budget.  
Heidi also mentioned that the National Association of Counties Annual Conference will be  
held next week and Communications and Public Affairs Assistant Director Scott Wente will be  
available as needed for any assistance.  
8.  
Future Agenda Items  
No future agenda items were discussed.  
9.  
Adjournment  
Adjournment  
Motion: Mike Slavik  
9.1  
Second: Mary Hamann-Roland  
On a motion by Commissioner Slavik, seconded by Commissioner  
Hamann-Roland, the meeting was adjourned at 10:42 a.m.  
Ayes: 7  
Respectfully submitted,  
Jeni Reynolds  
Sr. Administrative Coordinator to the Board