county commission
Karen Newman
Clay County’s government’s public face is the weekly county commissioner meeting which may be attended by the public in person or online. (https://claycountymn.gov/1544/Watch-Meetings-Live-on-YouTube) However, county commissioners work throughout the week, during the day and in the evening. They field phone calls from constituents, meet with county department heads, county employees, and sit on county committees. The county commissioners represent Clay County as members of area committees and commissions. Clay County Commissioner Jenna Kahly, District 1 representative, presented a summary of her official activities covering the days between the March 8 and March 15 Commission meetings.
Kahly attended the Adult Mental Health Leadership Team meeting to plan a March 15 public meeting. Kahly said, “It’s a discussion on how the public is accessing mental health services in the area. It is attended by providers giving those services and community members.”
Kahly attended the Extension Committee meeting which included reports from many area UMN Extension Service agents. She praised the community work being done by the 4-H and Horticulture agents. Kahly highlighted the report presented by Clay County Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)-Ed Educator Rosie Gonzalez. SNAP is a program that offers nutrition assistance to eligible, low-income individuals and families. SNAP-Ed Educator Gonzalez works with A Place for Hope’s food pantry to make sure that when individuals come in to use the food pantry, produce is seen first. She assists families in how to maximize use of their food dollars to purchase nutritious food. Gonzalez worked with A Place for Hope staff to redesign its food pantry layout to meet My Plate Nutrition Guidelines.
Kahly said, “Gonzalez reports that there is interest in air fryer classes. She has done a number of those. Air fryers are great because they are reduced fat cooking that still provides some of that fried texture in your food.”
Kahly noted that the food pantry has received some of Clay County’s American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds.
Kahly attended the Cass/Clay Food Commission meeting. The purpose of the Cass Clay Food Commission (CCFC) is to advise policy makers and elected officials in the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area on how to assure that residents have access to safe, nutritious, and affordable foods. CCFC is willing to consider writing letters of support for organizations applying for grants that propose projects that are related to the commission’s purpose. Grant applicants seeking a CCFC letter of support are urged to contact the commission to secure a place on their meeting agenda to present their project for approval.
The area farmers’ markets are planning for the next season. Kahly reported that only 4% of producers sell directly to consumers in the area. The Moorhead Farm Market will be open Tuesdays from 3-6 PM beginning May 31. The location is the Hjemkomst parking lot at 202 1st Avenue North in Moorhead
An out-going CCFC commissioner urged the group to examine community contracting and other policies to be sure they support local small businesses. Kahly added, “Sometimes there are great ideas that we have that seem like they are really going to promote a local small business and be a fun thing for the community, but there might be a policy or contract standing in the way. As we look into these opportunities, we should also check on those things.”
Kahly attended the Moorhead Business Association meeting with Commissioner David Ebinger. Megan Kruger, Director of the Moorhead Library, presented an overview of library history and past/present services for patrons. The library provides free online access and technical help from the librarians. Kahly cited the example of a library patron who recently came to the library to learn more about HVAC certification. The library provided online access to locate classes, register and even arranged for a hot spot so the patron could study from home. That individual received certification and is now employed in a benefitted job in that field.
Commissioner Kahly is active on 33 committee appointments.
