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Commission Minutes—June 6, 2022 5575 <br />with all projects and is appropriate to accept a bid that is not the lowest when <br />another vendor presents the best option and the reasoning behind the chosen <br />bids is explained. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. <br />10. AGASSIZ VALLEY HUMAN SERVICE ZONE, request <br />Mr. Wilson said the Agassiz Valley Human Service Zone (AVHSZ) has approached Cass County <br />inquiring about leasing office space in the Courthouse basement opposite of the County Café. He <br />said the office space would be used for a AVHSZ program called Unaccompanied Minor Refugee <br />UMR) that primarily serves clients in the Fargo area. <br />Mr. Steen asked how the UMR program fits in with other local foster care programs. Kim Jacobson, <br />AVHSZ Director was present and said the UMR program is separate from any other foster care <br />programs. She said the UMR program has specialized agents who serve the UMR clients and <br />license the UMR guardians. She said the UMR guardian licensing is federally regulated and requires <br />a compatible match. <br />Mr. Breitling asked if AVHSZ has a contract with the federal government for the UMR program. Ms. <br />Jacobson said yes, there is a contract with the State Department of Human Services and with the <br />federal government through a grant that funds the program. Mr. Breitling requested Ms. Jacobson <br />provide the County with a copy of the contract. Mr. Steen asked how the costs of the UMR program <br />are funded. Ms. Jacobson said the UMR program is funded through a federal grant and the AVHSZ <br />took over the program after Lutheran Social Services closed in 2021. <br />Mr. Wilson said an agreement needs to be drafted between the County and the AVHSZ for the lease <br />and the space would need a minor refresh. He said there is furniture currently being stored in the <br />space that could be used. <br />11. VOUCHERS, Approved <br />MOTION, passed <br />Mr. Steen moved and Mr. Breitling seconded to approve Voucher No. 330542 <br />through Voucher No. 330756 and Electronic Payments 12124 through 12150 for <br />a total of$1,308,273.59. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. <br />12. MEETING UPDATES, Committee reports <br />Commissioners and staff reported on meetings they have attended or will be attending in the <br />upcoming weeks. <br />The State's Attorney's Office gave an update on litigation regarding the County's subdivision <br />ordinance violation. Assistant State's Attorney, Tracy Peters was preset and said litigation is ongoing <br />against KNB Properties for a violation of the County's subdivision ordinance. She said right now, <br />both parties of the litigation have motions for summary of judgements pending. She said these <br />motions should be ready for oral arguments in July. Ms. Peters said another party, Bob Matthews is <br />selling and developing land without going through the County's subdivision ordinance, similar to the <br />KNB Properties situation. She said the State's Attorney's Office met with the Attorney of Mr. <br />Matthews and explained the ongoing litigation with the subdivision ordinance and Mr. Matthews <br />agreed to hold off on continuing to develop until the other litigation was settled. Ms. Peters said <br />since this meeting, the County Planner has noticed Mr. Matthews is continuing to develop and <br />prepare the land to sell and build homes. She said the attorney handling the KNB matter is going to <br />again contact Mr. Matthew's attorney and further action may be needed by the County Commission <br />if no "informal" agreement can be reached. <br />Mrs. Scherling asked where the property Mr. Matthews is attempting to develop is located. County <br />Planner, Grace Puppy was present and said it is located in Stanley Township, near the KNB <br />Properties land, half a mile north of County Road 16 and West of County Road 81.