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Chisago County Commissioners spent the most time and effort on a Franconia Township wedding venue permit status in their meeting last week, which is covered in a separate story on page one this week.  

Discussion related to the permit ended with the County Board voting 4-1 to send an official request to the Planning Commission to “reopen” the public record on the application by Bridget Korman and Loralei Walker.  The public hearing was closed by the planning commission members 7-0 in action May 2.  Commissioner Ben Montzka felt the county’s rules on the process are clear and that the public hearing can not be restarted once it’s closed.

The planning commission’s permit vote was tabled and pushed back to June 6, on a 6-1 vote.  Member Jim McCarthy sought to wrap up the matter and finalize conditions for the permit to be voted on but was alone.   

(The separate story is on the outcome from continuation which happened the night after the County Board met.)

The remainder of the County Board meeting included: 

~ approval of a County Board tour of Commissioner Ben Montzka’s district for Monday, July 1. They’ll meet at Wyoming City Hall at 3 p.m. The commissioners use public transit and visit sites and learn about activity in various commissioner districts. The Board has toured North Branch led by Commissioner Jim Swenson and the plan is to cover all five districts.

~ There was approval given to Sheriff Thyen for participation in Sigma Tactical Wellness services.  The program is geared toward educating those working in first responder roles on best practices in healthcare and stress reduction,  and provide actual medical testing options. Thyen said he’s inviting area police and fire agencies to get involved as well. Implementation through the sheriff’s office is expected to start late this summer or fall. According to the sheriff— officers  have a shorter lifespan than the average comparable person.  Factors needing to be addressed include poor diet, inconsistent work hours, long periods of being stationary (seated in cars), extreme highs and lows emotionally, and a host of other aspects that impact overall health. 

~ Collins Engineering will inspect 19 bridges for the county as part of a required MNDOT and Federal highway administration program. The cost is about $950 per bridge.

The bridge sites are scattered across the county and structures range in age from 1948 (over the Sunrise River) to one built in 2022, (River Road over Rush Creek.)

~ SHIP grants were approved for dispersement to: Wyoming Elementary, Family Pathways Chisago City Food Shelf, and Deutschland Meats.  

State Health Improvement Program funds in this round amount to $6,560, which pass through the county.   

The school is acquiring wellness activity accessories and incentives, sensory tools and posters.  The food shelf’s functionality, to handle an increase in usage, is being enhanced,  and the Lindstrom meat shop is improving/creating a baby nursing area.  

Contact Chisago County Public Health or your county commissioner if you have a question about SHIP and how to qualify for the program assistance.

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