Lifesave award presented during Waseca county board meeting

A public hearing on the topic of county law enforcement officials acquiring body-worn cameras lasted only a minute during the Waseca County board meeting on Nov. 19. No one appeared for public comment, and Sheriff Jay Dulas told commissioners he had also received no feedback through numerous other channels where an opportunity had been offered.

Dulas went on to summarize the lowest bidder for supplying cameras and needed equipment; he mentioned he had also requested bids to replace the tasers in use by county law enforcement, since they were acquired in 2004.

Supplier AXON Enterprises offered a five-year, $225,000 purchase and service package that would include the body-worn equipment, compatible dash-mounted and rear-facing cameras for patrol vehicles, and new tasers, with installation included. The five-year service contract also includes replacing the body-worn cameras in 2.5 years.

Dulas reported Axon is the provider for numerous regional law enforcement agencies as well as larger groups including the state highway patrol.

County attorney Rachel Cornelius told of having used evidence from Axon body-worn equipment and having been very pleased with the clarity of both the video and audio. “The information from these body cameras is phenomenal for use in court,” she stated.

Once in place, the body-worn cameras can be activated manually in the moment or remotely from the dash camera. They also activate automatically when a taser or handgun is removed from the officer’s holster. The purchase price of the new equipment, Dulas reported, is covered under state-provided “public safety aid money,” and so will not be part of the 2025 property tax levy.

County board members heard from area resident Roy Srp, who worked for the railroad for 42 years and also served for 32 years as an elected leader, including both mayor and city council member for the city of Waseca. Srp introduced Northfield city council member Suzy Nakasian, who is advocating for passenger rail systems. Her presentation included proposed lines which connected communities in greater Minnesota to one another, and to the Twin Cities. Nakasian used the “Twin Star” train line which connects the “Lone Star” state of Texas to the “North Star” state of Minnesota. The Twin Star, she told commissioners, transports four trains of passengers between the two destinations each day.

Nakasian and Srp pointed out that, under the Biden administration, $77 billion had been earmarked for the ongoing development of passenger rail, and suggested a line which ran from Tracy, Minnesota on the west border to Winona on the east would provide transportation to the healthcare hub of Rochester, and also create options for students attending universities along that route.

Nakasian told board members the 10-year national plan for railroad development is being formulated, and asked for a letter of support indicating Waseca County would regard a passenger rail line as a benefit.

Leota Lind, executive director for the South Country Health Alliance (SCHA) , shared information about her agency and its programs, including Senior Care Complete and Ability Care.  SCHA is one of many agencies which provide health insurance and personal care benefits to qualified individuals through Waseca County human services programs.

Board members adopted the Waseca County Drainage Policy proposed by the county land and water resources department earlier in the month.

During the work session which preceded the 9:30 a.m. meeting, commissioners took part in a lengthy discussion regarding “Global Information Systems” and surveying.  The current “remonumenting” of Wilton Township provided a jumping-off point for various considerations, especially the high cost of carrying out a survey within the county. It was mentioned that, because relatively few section corners in Waseca County are identified, and because identifying the relevant corner is the beginning of essentially all surveys, work done in Waseca County might cost $3,500 to $5,000, while a similar project would cost $1,500 in a nearby county.

Board members and county administrator Michael Johnson speculated regarding the respective benefits between having a county surveyor or having funds set aside to carry out surveys. It was mentioned Steele County currently budgets $35,000 a year for surveys: one major way they are used is for work on roads.