Morrison County Board issues licenses

On recommendation of Kirsten Hoese, Public Health director, Morrison County Commissioners at Tuesday’s board meeting issued a number of food service licenses. They included Chaser’s Bar & Grill in Genola (formerly known as Tootsie’s), which is under new ownership and serves food and refreshments. The license for Herbie’s Bar & Lounge in Sobieski was changed from limited to full food service.

In addition to the foregoing businesses, food service and lodging licenses were granted to Harmony Houses East and West located in Pierz. Operated by Horizon Health of Pierz, the homes provide housing for up to 20 frail elderly persons and residents with memory loss in a communal neighborhood setting.

One county business establishment has not yet paid its taxes, reported Hoese. The county attorney is processing the case as a misdemeanor and punishable by a progressive fine.

In an unrelated agenda item, a part-time position for a public health nurse was approved. The three-day case management position already has been filled. The department is fully staffed now, said Hoese, except for secretarial help, which will be posted at the high school for students seeking on-the-job-training. Both students and Public Health can benefit from such an arrangement, she said.

On recommendation of County Auditor Russ Nygren, consumption and display permits were renewed for Falls Ballroom, owned by Tom Peterson, and Blue Front Resort in Cushing, owned by Tim and Paula Theisen. The Hillman Area Deer Feeders Association was issued an exemption from lawful gambling license for a fund raiser at Capp’s Family Dining on December 1, 2001.

In other business Tuesday, the County Board:

• Released a $400 charitable gambling contribution from Bowlus American Legion to the Morrison County Veteran Service Office. The donation was earmarked for the van replacement fund ($300) and the van driver’s fund ($100).

Passed a resolution supporting the cooperative efforts of the Mississippi Headwater’s Board and the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe in their request for reinstatement of funding for implementation of the HMB management plan and associated activities.

Accepted the treasurer’s report as presented by Carole Specker indicating total county investments of $11.4 million and a total fund balance through February of about $16.5 million. It was noted that the the general obligation TIF for Redwood Industries has been closed with remaining funds of $1,600 transferred to revenues.

• Scheduled a closed labor negotiations meeting for affected committee members and department heads with collective bargaining units on March 30 at 8:30 a.m. The session will be followed by a performance evaluation of the information systems director’s job.

• Set the meeting schedule for the next quarter, pending unforeseen conflicts, on April 3, 10 and 24; May 8, 15 and 22; and June 5, 19 and 26.