Consent agenda item gifts more than was asked

By Robert Williams

Editor

Executive Director Mackenzie Hamm and board member Karen Pifher presented to the Becker County Board of Commissioners on the lifecycle of the campaign regarding CornerStone Community and Youth Center.

Both women came to the county looking for a $50,000 investment to complete the center’s capital campaign and left with more than that, something that came in a surprising manner.

The presentation was a detailed description of the youth center, the space available for adults and family use, skill building and entrepreneurialism, the community event space, performing arts and bistro, retail and gift shop that are close to opening upstairs. 

Pifher also spoke of Hamm’s efforts to implore kids to do acts of community service as a way of thanking the community for providing the space for the youth center.

A 3-minute video was shown. That video can be seen on Essentia Health’s YouTube page.

Pifher also included testimonials from parents on the positive impact that CornerStone has made in their children’s lives.

Another lesser known aspect is the tax savings on a county level provided by places like CornerStone in lowering the number of mental health crises, substance use disorders, and crime. Providing a safe and positive space for kids has been proven to reduce all of those things, Pifher said.  

She also noted the consistent interaction between kids and Frazee Chief of Police Tyler Trieglaff, who is a regular visitor to the center.

“It’s been really powerful to see the differences we’re making in the lives of kids,” said Pifher.

Pifher also addressed the financial sustainability of the center, noting the capital campaign was designed to be completed with no debt. Operating costs are designed to be covered by the bistro, rentals, and retail. The center also has an annual fundraising goal of $125,000, which is more than the center needs. Projected fundraising for 2024 is currently at 125 percent.

“We’re doing very well,” said Pifher.

The model that created CornerStone is also being duplicated in other communities. CornerStone is currently working with Pelican Rapids, Park Rapids, Brainerd, Perham and other communities in Minnesota.

Development plans for the future are provided by CornerStone working with both Pifher’s company Creating Community Consulting, along with Beth Pridday Consulting.

Upon providing a wealth of information, Pifher noted the capital campaign was finalized at $1.088 million, of which 95 percent has been met, leaving roughly $54,000 remaining to meet the goal. Pifher made a request of the county for an investment of $50,000. The overages of $54,150 include plumbing, HVAC/Electrical work and an accessible ramp/door.

Hamm provided a first-hand account of how kids have taken advantage of the center and they want interaction with other kids and adults.

“To see those relationships has been phenomenal,” Hamm said.

County Administrator Pat Oman clarified the protocol for providing public funds to a project such as CornerStone

“There are steps and requirements to make something of public purpose,” said Oman. “To meet that criteria you have to show that the expenditure benefits the community as a whole? Is the expenditure directly related to the functions of government? Does the expenditure have its primary objective the benefit of a private interest? And that has to be a no.”

Oman confirmed there are other funds available at the city and county level including non-profit gambling taxes or contribution funds.

“I think we want a little more time to explore some options,” Oman said.

Commissioner Barry Nelson, while stating CornerStone was an amazing project for Frazee, was against county support based on his reasoning that the center only supports kids in a small area of the county.

“It’s one community in the county and it’s difficult to say this is a community of the whole for Becker County,” he said. “It’s serving a great segment of the community but it’s limited to, geographically, that area, so I have some difficulty using county funds for the project.”

Both Hamm and Pifher gave examples of how the reach of CornerStone is more than just the city of Frazee, before being interrupted with exciting news.

Ironically, it was pointed out that earlier in the meeting the board passed the consent agenda, which included a proposed Becker County Opioid Advisory Council recommended grant to CornerStone of $66,000.

The grant was given to help the center expand opioid prevention strategies through the development of a public education campaign that focuses on affirmative public education using positive community norms across Becker County. Implement a drug take back disposal strategy in Frazee-Vergas, expanding the substance use prevention coalition (GROW Frazee-Vergas), engaging diverse community partners to implement culturally relevant education, expanding youth activities and physical access, working with Frazee-Vergas schools to educate and expand on prevention programs, and expanding access to mental health services and supports for young people.

The board also agreed to discuss further funding possibilities for CornerStone in the Finance Committee.