2008 Fall Regional Alliance Meeting

Lakes Country Service Cooperative (LCSC) hosted the 2008 Fall Regional Alliance Meeting in the Eagle Conference Room at LCSC on September 10, 2008.

The 2008 Fall Regional Alliance Meeting offered approximately 30 city, county, nonprofit and other governmental agency members an opportunity to gain information on LCSC trends, grant opportunities, infrastructure financing, and to find out first hand what state and regional elected officials are doing to support their communities and agencies.

Featured speakers during the morning session included LCSC executive director Jeremy Kovash, LCSC coordinator Pam Ness, LCSC health and safety manager Melissa Mattson, West Central Initiative president, Nancy Straw and keynote speaker Terry Kuhlman, Executive Director of the Minnesota Public Facilities Authority (PFA). PFA is responsible for the administration and financial management of revolving loan funds and other programs to assist local government and others with the construction of public infrastructure.

The afternoon session featured an open forum for audience interaction with regional elected officials, as well as candidates running for public office. Panel members included State Representative Bud Nornes, State Representative candidate Greg Stumbo, Senator Dan Skogen, Senator Bill Ingebrigtsen, State Representative candidate Mark Murdock, State Representative Morrie Lanning, State Representative candidate Mark Altenburg, Brenda Elmer on behalf of Senator Norm Coleman, and Andy Martin on behalf of Senator Amy Klobuchar .

Panel topics of discussion included water and waste management, local tax levees, state funding for school districts, health care, state seat belt laws, and city financing, to name a few. All audience participants and panel members had an opportunity to comment on any/all issues presented.

West Central Truck Rodeo

The Otter Tail County Employees’ Safety Committee and the Otter Tail Highway Department sponsored and operated a truck rodeo at the Red Horse Ranch Arena on September 17, 2008.

The truck rodeo is a test of driving skills for highway maintenance workers who drive snowplow trucks. The trucks are set up with a snowplow in front of the truck, and a wing plow on the front right hand corner of the truck. The drivers’ skills and judgment were tested in approximately eight different configurations.

The course included: driving forward through and around a set of barrels, then backing up through the same set of barrels; with the side wing plow down, driving close around a curve without hitting posts; driving past a series of mailboxes with the same wing plow down without hitting the mailboxes; driving a marked straight line; with the truck box up, driving beneath a bridge (bridge is made of metal poles); backing up to a loading dock; driving down a narrow path without hitting the side markers; and stopping within a few inches of a line. Drivers are also given a specified amount of time to complete the course.

The truck rodeo provides drivers with the opportunity to sharpen their driving skills and become prepared for plowing snow in the winter months.

Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Operations Center Opens

First LEED-Certified Building in the County

The new Otter Tail County Sheriff’s facility in Ottertail completed construction on July 22 and celebrated with an open house for the public on September 13, 2008. It is the first building in Otter Tail County to meet the Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) certification. LEED is a third-party certification program and the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. To achieve LEED certification, the building was constructed with such features as geothermal heat, use of recycled materials in construction, air quality controls, white membrane roof to reflect sunlight, automatic light dimming, use of native grasses to limit lawnmowing and more.

The new Operations Center will house patrol personnel, water safety patrol, two full-time detectives, a records technician, backup dispatch center and the county’s emergency management director. A booking room, temporary holding cell, evidence room, training area and a garage are also in place at the Center to assist deputies.

One feature of the Operations Center that will benefit law enforcement from around the region is the large training room for continuing education hours required by all law enforcement personnel. Otter Tail deputies will be able to have joint training sessions with law enforcement from other counties rather than traveling to the Cities for required training.

Prairie Wetlands Learning Center Expands

After years of planning and months of construction, the new education wing at the Prairie Wetlands Learning Center (PWLC) is hosting Fergus Falls fourth and fifth grade students.

The PWLC’s new 12,000 square foot facility includes four classrooms, office space, restrooms and a greenhouse. In addition to many windows, classrooms were designed to give students the feeling of the outdoors even when they’re inside. Each of the classrooms has a wall of windows facing the prairie, as well as skylights.

About 240 Fergus Falls fourth and fifth grade students are attending the Prairie Science Class this fall. Of that total, half are attending PWLC in the morning and half attend in the afternoon, with a bus shuttling students back and forth. Students receive instruction in science, language arts and health. Last year the total student population attending PWLC was 108. The new additions have more than doubled the number of students able to attend.

The Prairie Science Class is a partnership between the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Prairie Wetlands Learning Center and the Fergus Falls Independent School District 544. Curriculum focuses on science, writing, applied math, and health while providing opportunities for building technology and inquiry skills. These curricular areas are studied through integrated, field-based learning experiences focused on the local prairie wetlands environment.
Potential future plans include expanding the program to include students in multiple grade levels, professional internship opportunities, a pre-service teacher training element, and graduate coursework in partnership with universities, providing training and research opportunities in integrated, project-based, and field-based instructional methods.

Introduction to Government Contracting

Are you interested in expanding your market share, increasing revenues, growing your business? Have you considered selling to the government? If not, let Minnesota's Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC) show you why you should.

Learn what the government buys at $325+ billion dollar marketplace, who is buying, where they advertise, and how you can become registered, proactive and a preferred government supplier. Learn the basic government marketing tips, electronic business techniques and methods and how to locate the "right" people.

Topics to be covered include, but are not limited to: identifying the government market for your goods and services; basic procurement process and selling tools; FSS/GSA scheduling program; registrations (mandatory/optional); and available resources.

Monday, October 13, 2008
9 a.m. to 12 p.m. (registration begins at 8:30 a.m.)
Minnesota State University - Moorhead
Center for Business, Room 103
1104 Seventh Avenue South
Moorhead, MN

Presentation by Sherri Komrosky, PTAC Program Director.
218-329-1571
skomrosky@meda.net


Pre-registration is required by Monday, October 1, 2008
Cost: $25 per person

2008 Greater Minnesota Public Transportation Plan

Stakeholder involvement is key to the success of this project. MnDOT will use stakeholder comments from the fall 2008 workshops to continue developing a public transportation plan and transit policies that will benefit greater Minnesota and reflects the input of the stakeholders.

The update to the Greater Minnesota Public Transportation Plan will define the future vision for public transportation across greater Minnesota and lay the foundation to achieve that vision.

The plan will:

• Identify steps needed to preserve the long-standing investment in current public transit services across the state.
• Look for opportunities to enhance mobility options for the general public.
• Focus on the target market groups of the elderly, low income, disabled and commuters.

Project Management:

• Project leader - Minnesota Department of Transportation Office of Transit.
• Advisory Committee - Assembled to conduct public involvement and technical work needed to develop the plan; Members include MnDOT and consultant staff.
• Final Approval - The plan will be final following the approval of the MnDOT Commissioner.
  

Project Timeline:

• Project Launch - Spring 2008
• Telephone and On-Line Surveys with Stakeholders - Summer 2008
• Statewide Workshops - Fall 2008
• Plan Finalization - Winter 2008
  

Update Workshops Schedule: 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

• September 9: Detroit Lakes DOT Building; 100 Highway 10 West; Detroit Lakes, MN 56501
• September 11: St. Cloud DOT Building; 3725 12th Street North; St. Cloud, MN 56303
• September 12: Marshall DOT Building; 1800 East College Drive; Marshall, MN 56258
• September 17: Duluth DOT Building; 1123 Mesaba Ave.; Duluth, MN 55811
• September 18: Bemidji DOT Building; 3920 Highway 2 West; Bemidji, MN 56601
• September 24: Rochester DOT Building; 2900 48th Street NW; Rochester, MN 55901
• September 25: Mankato Floyd Roberts Jr. Pavilion; Floyd Roberts Jr. Pavilion, Land of Memories Park; Mankato, MN 56001
  

For More Information Contact: Noel Shughart, Coordination Planner noel.shughart@dot.state.mn.us or 651-284-0085
http://www.dot.state.mn.us/transit/research

Operation Happy Note gets Marketing Makeover!

Operation Happy Note, based out of Fergus Falls, Minnesota and an active member of Lakes Country Service Cooperative, was selected to receive a free "Marketing Makeover" while attending the Essentials Training Team's "Nonprofits: Today & Beyond 2008 Conference."

Operation Happy Note is a volunteer effort to send musical instruments to deployed service men and women throughout the world. Steve and Barb Baker from Fergus Music started Operation Happy Note in March 2005 after their son was deployed to Iraq. They sent him a guitar and one to his friend. These soldiers were so pleased to have instruments while deployed, Steve and Barb found a way to get more instruments to deployed troops. With the help of major musical companies and individual donations, Operation Happy Note has sent over 2,000 instruments; including guitars, mandolins, banjos, violins, harmonicas, and accessories. Thousands of requests continue to come in daily. Operation Happy Note has received national recognition for their outstanding efforts.

Steve and Barb Founders of Operation Happy Note
Visit their newly designed website at http://www.operationhappynote.com/

Non-Profits: Today & Beyond 2008

The 2008 Nonprofit Conference was a full day of training and presentations offered by the "Essentials Training Team" held at the Minnesota Technical College in Alexandria, Minnesota on August 6, 2008. 110 people were registered and attended this full day event.

The conference covered topic areas identified by local nonprofit leaders. Session topics included:
* Board Expectations & Governance
* Building Essential Relationships
* Web-Based Technology for Nonprofits
* Grant Writing Essentials
* Managing and Disciplining Employees
* Board & Executive Director Relations

In addition to the seminar program, a "Nonprofit Marketing Makeover" for three selected organizations was made possible by the donation of services from three professional design firms. They offered their time & expertise at no charge and worked with these organizations to professionally "makeover" their agreed upon marketing materials.

Firms donating their time and expertise:
1. KO Creative...www.kocreative.net
2. Studio 78 - Platinum Design...www.studio-78.com
3. Eggen Group Marketing & Katzenjammer Designs...www.eggengroup.com and www.katzenjammerdesigns.com

Nonprofits Selected for Makeovers:
* Operation Happy Note
* Windmill Project
* Minnewaska Lutheran Home

The Essentials Training Team is a partnership between United Way of Douglas & Pope Counties, Tastefully Simple, West Central Initiative, Bremer, Lakes Country Service Cooperative and Alexandria Technical College. These organizations have provided a member of their team to meet monthly with the goal of organizing training that meets the "Essential Needs" of new, as well as established nonprofits. To learn more about the Essentials Training Team, contact Linda Roles and unitedway@rea-alp.com or call 320-763-4840.

Childhood Trauma Seminar October 3, 2008

Otter Tail County CARE (Children are the Responsibility of Everyone) Committee presents "Childhood Trauma: Facts, Features and Necessary Help" on Friday, October 3, 2008 at the Bigwood Events Center in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Dr. Anne R. Gearity, a licensed clinical social worker with over 30 years of clinical experience, will address why children are vulnerable to trauma effects and how adults can best provide this support.

Seminar objectives include:
1. Learn the hallmarks of trauma and trauma effects in children;
2. Understand the biology, as well as the psychology of trauma experiences that may perpetuate a sense of danger or fear;
3. Examine different kinds of traumas and their meanings to children;
4. Examine developmental intersections with trauma: how children of different ages manage and respond;
5. Build confidence as adult responders to provide trauma support.

CEU's may be available for Nurses, Law Enforcement, Social Workers, School Administrators and Teachers.

Contact the Otter Tail County Human Services Department at 530 W. Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN 56537 for more details.

The Otter Tail County CARE Committee includes: Otter Tail County Human Services; Otter Tail County Public Health; Early Childhood Family Education; Lakes Country Service Cooperative; Community Education; Fergus Falls Police Department; Dr. Lawrence Eisinger, M.D.; Someplace Safe; Otter Tail Family Services Collaborative;and the Children's Trust Fund.

New Web Site is 'First Stop' for Minnesota State Grants Information

Cities can now search for state grant opportunities and information through a new state web site, www.grants.state.mn.us.

"This new web site is a first stop for people interested in learning about the hundreds of grant programs that are available through 23 state agencies," said Dana Badgerow, Commissioner of the state Department of Administration. "The public can locate grant opportunities on the web site three ways: by subject - such as crime prevention, community improvement, or health; by state agency coordinating the grant; or by key word through the site's search feature."

The web site includes a brief overview of many of the state's grant programs and provides direct links to the sponsoring state agency.

The web site, created by the Office of Grants Management in the Department of Administration, was developed under the auspices of the Drive to Excellence state government reform initiative. The 2007 Legislature appropriated start-up funding for the Office of Grants Management, which has as its mission increasing public access to information about state grant opportunities and standardizing, streamlining, and improving state grant-making practices.