Staff photo by Fritz Busch Brown County Commissioners approved a resolution supporting the City of New Ulm’s application for funding for Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) Tuesday. The beacons would be similar to the one above, installed in the City of Sleepy Eye.

NEW ULM — Brown County Commissioners unanimously approved a resolution supporting the City of New Ulm’s application for state funding for Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacona (RRFB) Tuesday.

Action came on a motion by Commissioner Scott Windschitl, seconded by Dave Borchert. The Minnesota Legislature approved $3.5 million for Active Transportation (AT) Funding.

The City of New Ulm is applying for AT funds to install beacons at the intersections of CSAH 13 (Center Street) and Highland, Garden Street, N. Highland and North Broadway (KC Road) and N. Highland and CSAH 29; CSAH 26 (10th South Street) and 5th North Street and Washington Street

Brown County Attorney Chuck Hanson said a number of his staff members have told him they have had to jump out of the way of vehicles to avoid being hit at the intersection of State Street and CR 13 (Center Street).

The flashing beacons can reduce pedestrian crashes by up to 47% and increase motorist yielding rates up to 98%, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.

The beacons consist of two, rectangular-shaped yellow indicators, with with a light-emitting diode (LED) array. The beacons flash with an alternating high frequency when activated to enhance awareness of pedestrian crossings to drivers.

The devices are placed on both sides of a crosswalk below the pedestrian crossing sign and above the diagonal downward arrow plaque pointing at the crossing. Flashing patterns can be activated with pushbuttons or passive pedestrian detection.

Commissioners unanimously approved:

• The Brown County Evaluation Center (BCEC detox) request for a $13/day increase, motion by Borchert, seconded by Windschitl. Per diem would be $460/day.

For uninsured clients, bills are sent to the county of financial responsibility. Member counties get an $88 per day discount if paid in full within 30 days.

The 16-bed, co-ed, free-standing, non-hospital detoxification facility at 510 N. Front St. is licensed by the Minnesota Department of Health. It provides services to individuals who are intoxicated or in withdrawal from alcohol and other substances, and who are unable to immediately care for themselves.

The facility accepts patients voluntarily and involuntarily. It provides a safe, caring environment to detox from all substances.

“We’re very busy,” said Evaluation Center Executive Director Amanda Schuknecht. “We’re getting more and more opiate, methamphetamine and fentanyl patients. Some patients have a mixture these things, but 75% of our patients have alcohol issues.”

• Brown County Human Services Director Barb Dietz said Brown County will receive $56,147 in July 23 from the Minnesota Department of Revenue to fund new or existing family homeless prevention and assistance programs and projects.

The funds are intended for families with children in Pre-K through grade 12, living in overcrowded conditions, paying more than 50% of their income for rent or lacking a fixed, regular and adequate night time residence. Unused money must be returned to the Department of Revenue by Dec. 31 of the year after the year it was received.

(Fritz Busch can be emailed at fbusch@

nujournal.com).