The Douglas County Board of Commissioners approved livestreaming future meetings, allowing Burr Vineyards to sell beer and the 5-Year Road Improvement Plan. These, and other items, were on the agenda for the January 21 meeting.
Commissioner Shane Schmidt made the motion for future livestreaming of Douglas County Board meetings. Details are being finalized on how the link to the meetings will be made available to the public.
A public hearing was held to allow an opportunity for input on a request by Burr Vineyards, located near Brandon, to sell strong beer. Burr Vineyards currently produces and sells its own wine products. No one spoke during the public hearing. Commissioners later approved the request.
A public hearing was also held to allow County Engineer and Public Works Director Tim Erickson an opportunity to review and answer questions on the 5-Year Road Improvement Plan. Erickson explained the funding sources for road work in the county which are: state gas tax for county state aid highways, a half-cent sales tax in Douglas County, federal funds dispersed through the Minnesota Department of Transportation, grants, and minimally, local property tax levy. People interested in the map of projects on the 5-year list can call Douglas County Public Works at 320-762-2999.
Commissioners asked a number of questions during the public hearing, including about a planned bridge replacement on Highway 29 between Lake Le Homme Dieu and Lake Geneva. That project is scheduled for 2026 and will disrupt traffic flow on Highway 29 for about two months Erickson predicted. By approving the plan, commissioners are giving Erickson and his staff permission to move forward with the plan which is subject to change.
Erickson also shared the revised plan to build a bridge in Douglas County Chippewa Park. The bridge will connect campers and others to land across the water between Little Chippewa Lake and Devil’s Lake. The project will be financed through a grant and a donation from the Brandon Fire Department. The bridge will be designed to carry the weight of fire trucks and first responder vehicles. Commissioners approved a motion to advertise for bids for bridge construction.
Commissioner and Board Chair Jerry Rapp asked fellow commissioners to approve a motion for a letter from the county to the state on its cannabis licensing program. The state legalized recreational cannabis in 2023 and created the Office of Cannabis Management. There is currently a public comment period on those regulations which will be for both recreational and medical cannabis. The office is also asking to expedite the rule-making process. Rapp wants the county to draft and send a letter opposing the expedited process and expressing opposition to the combining of medical and recreational cannabis rules. The public comment period ends February 12.
The board approved a $50,800 grant for Kalon Prep Academy for work to prevent the misuse of opioids. The funds come from a national settlement with private companies. No county tax dollars are involved. The funds will be used for programs and supplies to provide positive childhood experiences that help students avoid opioid use. Kalon Prep Academy is a tuition-free charter school in Alexandria which serves 140 students in grades 9-12.
Commissioners also approved Children’s Mental Health Collaborative Grants for 2025-2026. The funds will be used for three initiatives. The Douglas County Jail Parenting with Resilience program will receive $11,700. Alexandria Public Schools will receive $40,000 for its Woodland Leaves of Learning program and St. Mary’s School will receive $40,000 to help pay for a school social worker. Douglas County’s role is to disperse the funds, no county tax dollars are involved in this grant program.
The next county board meeting will be Tuesday, February 18 at 9 a.m. at the Administration Building in Alexandria which is located at 821 Cedar Street.