BLUE EARTH– Changes in the open meeting law was among the topics the Faribault County Board of Commissioners discussed during their regular meeting held on Tuesday.

“I think these changes are something we should look at and be aware of,” commissioner Bill Groskreutz shared with his fellow commissioners.

Among the changes made were new requirements for remote meetings.

“At least one member must be physically present at the regular location,” commissioner Bruce Anderson said. “Notice of that location must be provided.”

Other requirements for remote meetings are:

• All members must be able to hear and see each other, as well as any discussion and testimony presented at any location where at least one member is present.

• All members of the public at the regular meeting location must be able to hear and see all discussion, testimony, and votes.

• All votes must be conducted by roll call so each member’s vote can be identified and recorded.

• Meeting minutes must include the names of members attending via interactive television technology and state the reason for their remote participation.

Perhaps the biggest change regarding open meetings is that it is no longer necessary to list the remote attendance locations in meeting notices.

The board also reviewed the rules regarding emails and other aspects of the open meeting law.

“I just think it’s important we stay up-to-date on these things,” Groskreutz commented.

During committee reports, Anderson said that the Wilmarth Power Plant has had operation issues and so it has not been able to handle as many tons of waste as normal from the Praireland Solid Waste Facility.

“The result is that more tons of waste are going to the landfill,” Anderson explained.

In other business,

— The commissioners approved the request of Faribault County Emergency Management Director Sue Jahnke to attend the Association of Emergency Managers Annual Conference.

— Approval was given to Jacob Pettit of the Sheriff’s Department to attend training as a chemical irritant instructor.

— The board approved the requests of Kim Poole, Kendall Olson, Karey Daschner and Darrel Boeckman of the county auditor/treasurer’s office to attend Intermediate Legal Description training.

— A request by Human Resources director Amanda Shoff to attend a meeting on Public Sector Human Resources was approved.