Board votes in masks for county buildings

Masks will be mandated and the policy guidelines will go into effect Monday, Nov. 1 in any county-owned buildings, as ordered by the Carlton County Board of Commissioners at its meeting Monday. The vote was four to one with commissioner Mark Thell voting no.

“The infection numbers — which are falling at this time — do not justify masks,” Thell said via phone. “Community members I have talked to are not supportive of the move. I question whether a majority of the departments in county government want a mask mandate.”

Carlton County Health and Human Services director Dave Lee said all counties in Minnesota are at a high positive rate for Covid-19. Carlton County had an infection rate of 5.2 percent as of Tuesday, the equivalent of 228 cases per 100,000 people, according to the CDC formula.

Lee said factors such as resumption of in-person school, more social gatherings and people not following safety guidelines as closely as needed, have increased the infection cases. He is optimistic since boosters shots are underway and shots for children ages 5-11 have been approved, plus there is an increase in people getting their shots. The CDC reports that 65.2 percent of the county’s vaccine eligible population (ages 12 and above) is vaccinated.

Those interested in the current Carlton County infection rates, including a breakdown by zip code, can visit the Covid-19 hub at http://www.co.carlton.mn.us.

Jail consultants hired

Pre-construction work is going on even before the Justice Center plan is completed and ready to use. Consultant Mike Griebel of Research Design Solutions was hired to develop the policies and train staff to run the new Justice Center in areas such as the commissary, mental health intake, door controls, housing transfer, inmate release, inmate showers and perimeter security, at an estimated $111,000 cost.

Consultant Mike Carey has been hired to handle the consultant work for the Justice Involved Female program. He will develop the criteria for who will go into the program and how the program will be set up. He will work closely with RDS on the female offender program at a cost not to exceed $11,250. Both the RDS and Carey contracts will come out of the $2 million grant from the state.

In other county news:

• Upon the recommendation of Land Commissioner Greg Bernu, the county board sold the old co-op warehouse property in Kettle River to the city of Kettle River for $500 plus legal expenses. The Farmers Cooperative Mercantile Association used the building for deliveries of coal, cement, and building materials and shipped out cattle and potatoes during the existence of the Soo Line Railway. In later years, a restaurant and bar were run there after a major remodeling.

Bernu said he considers it a blighted property. Historically, properties of this type are sold at a reduced value to a government entity. Presently, piles of debris are scattered in the front of the property from demolition of old camping trailers.

• Carlton County government will continue with Blue Cross Blue Shield as a carrier for employee health insurance. Carlton County had been a member of the Northeast Service Cooperative and had worked with that group for health insurance coverage. When the cooperative decided to change from Blue Cross to Medica, the unions and Carlton County staff wished to stay with Blue Cross.

Upon the recommendation of county coordinator Dennis Genereau after support from the insurance committee, the county board voted to withdraw from the cooperative. Blue Cross Blue Shield said they will reduce the insurance cost by 5 percent for the coming fiscal year and will be the carrier for 2022. Northeast Service Cooperative said Carlton County can rejoin at any time.

• Jack Ezell and Howard Eskuri were reappointed to the county board of adjustment.