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MINUTES & AGENDAS

May 13, 2025

May 13, 2025

The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, May 13, 2025 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Jon Waibel called the meeting to order at 9:00a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, Ed Arnesen, and Buck Nordlof. Also present was County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent: Commissioner Joe Grund

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Advertise, Interview, & Hire-PT Dispatch, Interview & Hire-IT Intern, 2025 State Boat & Water Grant, Design Contract-CD 1 & JD23. Remove: Ditch Authority, Markit Contract Approval, & NWA Edgeriders.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of April 22, 2025.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $11,719.37; Commissioners Warrants $4,324.24; Commissioners Warrants $15,939.49.

Auditor/Treasurer

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $97,790.62; Road & Bridge $50,558.57; County Development $1,100.00; Solid Waste $38,556.73.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Approved On 5/13/2025 For Payment 5/16/2025

Vendor Name Amount

American Solutions 2,670.91 

Clay County Sheriff 4,942.05 

Co-Op Services, Inc. 8,440.31 

Dodds Lumber Co. 5,119.20 

Interstate Engineering Inc 2,615.00

Laacke & Joys Co Seating,LLC 4,399.00 

Larkin Hoffman Attorneys           18,722.50 

Law Offices Patrick D. Moren           12,170.66 

Liberty Tire Recycling, LLC 5,176.60 

M-R Sign Co, Inc 7,436.19 

Mar-Kit Landfill           12,552.25 

Marco Technologies LLC 2,296.63 

Mn Dept Of Transportation 3,493.28 

NetCenter Technologies 8,116.39 

Northdale Oil Inc.           11,291.32 

Northern Light Region 2,008.00 

R & Q Trucking, Inc 5,568.00 

SERVPRO 7,782.00 

True North Equipment Co           17,250.93 

Up North Electric LLC             6,945.50  

77   Payments less than   2000  39,009.20

Final Total: 188,005.92

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: April 22, 2025 for $11,446.81; April 30, 2025 for $13,678.69; May 7, 2025 for $16,019.31; May 2, 2025 for $385,005.23; May 2, 2025 for ($621.81). 

Land Sale Update

County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson gave an update on the upcoming Tax Forfeited Land Sale on May 30th, 2025 at 10:00 a.m.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the land sale to be held in the Commissioner’s Room on May 30th, 2025 at 10:00a.m.

County Surveyor Contract

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the Professional Services Contract between Lake of the Woods County and Widseth Smith Nolting & Associates Inc. effective May 16, 2024 and terminating March 1, 2026.

Public Works

Updates

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave an update on various Highway and Solid Waste projects.

Redesign Project-CD1 & JD 23 One Watershed One Plan Funds

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the redesign project for Ditch 1 and Ditch 23 using one watershed one plan funds as presented by County Engineer Anthony Pirkl.

Emergency Management

MN NG911 GIS Buildout by ECN Presentation

ECN Representatives Kent Wilkening and Mark Lallak gave a presentation regarding a GIS mapping buildout for 911 calls.

North Memorial-Air Med

North Memorial Representatives Mike Zolik, and Kevin Lee gave a presentation and discussed their air medical transportation services, highlighting their response times and capabilites compared to other providers.

Lake of the Woods Cannabis Company

Update

Brittney Peterson from LOTW Cannabis Company gave an update regarding their application approval, zoning guidelines, regulations, and safety measures.

Recess

A brief recess took place at 10:40 a.m. and reconvened at 10:50 a.m.

LOTW Drifters

Update

Ron Olson representing LOTW Drifters gave an update on various projects and the Snowmobile Trail Support application due May 15th, 2025.

Human Resources

Permission to Advertise, Interview, & Hire-PT Dispatch

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request to advertise, interview, & hire part-time dispatch at Grade 12, Step 1, $24.84 per hour at 253 points.

Permission to Interview & Hire-IT Intern

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the request to interview, & hire an IT Intern.

Permission to Interview & Extend Application Deadline- IT Tech

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request to interview for the IT Tech and to extend the application deadline.

Land & Water

Consideration of Interim Use Permit #25-03IU by Von Hutchinson

Lot 12, Block 2, River Oaks Plat in Section One (1), Township One Hundred Sixty-one (161) North, Range Thirty-two (32) West (Wabanica) – Parcel ID#23.52.02.120. Applicant is requesting an Interim Use Permit as required by Section 1106 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance to operate a short-term vacation rental in a Residential Development Zoning District (R1).

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissionre Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the following IUP #25-03IU/Findings of Fact by Von Hutchinson to operate a short-term vacation rental in a residential development zoning district (R1) with the following conditions:

  1. The interim use permit terminates five (5) years from the date of approval or upon sale or transfer of the property, whichever occurs first.
  2. The maximum occupancy is limited to seven (7) individuals.
  3. The established quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am.
  4. A valid Certificate of Compliance for the septic system is required.
  5. No on-street parking is allowed.
  6. If applicable, the applicant must meet the Minnesota Department of Health requirements.
  7. The septic system and driveway upgrade must be completed before renting.

Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners

Short-Term Vacation Rental Findings of Fact and Decision

Name of Applicant: Von Hutchinson Application Number: 25-03IU Date: May 13, 2025

Location/Legal Description: Lot 12, Block 2, River Oaks Plat Parcel Number: 23.52.02.120

Project Proposal: Applicant is requesting an Interim Use Permit, as required by Sections 1106 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance, to operate a short-term vacation rental in a Residential Development Zoning District.

1) Is the project proposal consistent with the Lake of the Woods County Comprehensive Land Use Plan? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )

Why or why not? Growth corridor.

2) Is the project proposal consistent with maintaining the public health, safety, and welfare?

YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )

Why or why not? Per application.

3) Is the project proposal compatible with adjacent land uses? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )

Why or why not? Residential, recreational area.

4) Is the site in harmony with existing and proposed access to the property? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )

Why or why not? Oak Loop drive.

5) Has the applicant adequately demonstrated how the traffic and parking are to be addressed? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )

Explain? No more traffic than current and plenty of parking onsite.

6) Has the applicant provided a map adequately depicting locations of property lines, well and septic system locations, accessory structures, parking areas, and shore recreational facilities?

YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )

Explain? See application.

7) Does the water test meet the Minnesota Department of Health drinking water standards? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )

Explain? See well water test results in application.

8) Has the applicant identified the maximum number of occupants? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )

Explain? Seven (7) individuals as per submitted application.

9) Is the current SSTS compliant by evidence of a Certificate of Compliance and is the SSTS adequate to accommodate the identified maximum occupancy? YES ( ) NO (X) N/A ( )

Explain? The landowner has a septic system permit and the replacement septic system will be sized to accommodate the maximum occupancy of seven (7) individuals. Also, see conditions below.

10) Has the applicant established quiet hours? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )

Explain? As per the submitted application, the quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m.

11) Has the applicant provided a floor plan which includes the number of bedrooms and all other sleeping accommodations? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )

Explain? See submitted application.

12) Has the applicant provided an evacuation plan/fire safety protocol and have identified the locations of smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )

Explain? See submitted application.

13) Has the applicant identified a local person and their contact information? YES (X) NO ( ) N/A ( )

Explain? See submitted application.

14) If signage is associated with the project proposal, has the applicant demonstrated the need for the number and size requested, and minimized the visual appearance as viewed from adjacent properties to the extent possible?

YES ( ) NO ( ) N/A (X)

Explain? No signage was included in the application.

15) Is fencing and/or screening needed to buffer the project proposal from adjacent properties?

YES ( ) NO (X) N/A ( )

Explain? The property is buffered on two sides.

The answers to the questions above, together with the facts supporting the answers and those other facts that exist in the record, are hereby certified to be the Findings of the County Board of Commissioners.

The specific reasons for denial or conditions of approval are as follows:

1. The interim use permit terminates five (5) years from the date of approval or upon sale or transfer of the property, whichever occurs first.

2. The maximum occupancy is limited to seven (7) individuals.

3. The established quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 7:00 am.

4. A valid Certificate of Compliance for the septic system is required.

5. No on-street parking is allowed.

6. If applicable, the applicant must meet the Minnesota Department of Health requirements.

7. The septic system and driveway upgrade must be completed before renting.

Approved as Presented ( ) Approved with Conditions (X) Denied ( )

Consideration of Interim Use Permit #25-04IU by Colin and Lisa MacRae

Lot 7, Block 2, Lake of the Woods Estates in Section Seventeen (17), Township One Hundred Sixty-two (162) North, Range Thirty-two (32) West (Wheeler) – Parcel ID#19.54.02.070. Applicant is requesting an Interim Use Permit as required by Section 1106 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance to operate a short-term vacation rental in a Residential Development Zoning District (R1).

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the following IUP #25-04IU/Findings of Fact by Colin and Lisa MacRae to operate a short-term vacation rental in a residential development zoning district (R1) with the following conditions:

  1. The interim use permit terminates five (5) years from the date of approval or upon sale or transfer of the property, whichever occurs first.
  2. The maximum occupancy is limited to four (4) individuals.
  3. The established quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am.
  4. A valid Certificate of Compliance for the septic system is required.
  5. No on-street parking is allowed.
  6. If applicable, the applicant must meet the Minnesota Department of Health requirements.
  7. The garage, identified as Angle North Cave in the submitted application, has been removed from consideration and no rental is to occur until such time this structure meets the ordinance requirements for a short-term vacation rental.

Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners

Short-Term Vacation Rental Findings of Fact and Decision

Name of Applicant:  Colin and Lisa MacRae Application Number:  25-04IU  Date:  May 13, 2025

Location/Legal Description:  Lot 7, Block 2, Lake of the Woods Estates Parcel Number:  19.54.02.070

Project Proposal:  Applicant is requesting an Interim Use Permit, as required by Sections 1106 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance, to operate a short-term vacation rental in a Residential Development Zoning District.

  1. Is the project proposal consistent with the Lake of the Woods County Comprehensive Land Use Plan? YES (X) NO (  )  N/A (  )

Why or why not?  Recreational area.

  1. Is the project proposal consistent with maintaining the public health, safety, and welfare?

YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Why or why not?  As per the submitted application, the septic system is compliance and the water test results meet drinking water standards.

  1. Is the project proposal compatible with adjacent land uses? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Why or why not?  Rural residential.

  1. Is the site in harmony with existing and proposed access to the property?     YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Why or why not?  Coronado Drive allows access to the property.

  1. Has the applicant adequately demonstrated how the traffic and parking are to be addressed? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  There is no change in traffic other than for normal residential traffic, and plenty of parking on the property. 

  1. Has the applicant provided a map adequately depicting locations of property lines, well and septic system locations, accessory structures, parking areas, and shore recreational facilities?

YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  See submitted application.

  1. Does the water test meet the Minnesota Department of Health drinking water standards?                                                                                           YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  See submitted application.

  1. Has the applicant identified the maximum number of occupants?             YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  The garage was removed from the application; therefore, only the main house is to be rented with a maximum occupancy of four (4) individuals.

  1. Is the current SSTS compliant by evidence of a Certificate of Compliance and is the SSTS adequate to accommodate the identified maximum occupancy? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  See submitted application. 

  1. Has the applicant established quiet hours? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  The quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m.

  1. Has the applicant provided a floor plan which includes the number of bedrooms and all other sleeping accommodations? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  See submitted application.

  1. Has the applicant provided an evacuation plan/fire safety protocol and have identified the locations of smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  See submitted application.

  1. Has the applicant identified a local person and their contact information? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  See submitted application.

  1. If signage is associated with the project proposal, has the applicant demonstrated the need for the number and size requested, and minimized the visual appearance as viewed from adjacent properties to the extent possible?  

YES (  )  NO (  )  N/A (X)

Explain?  No signage is proposed.

  1. Is fencing and/or screening needed to buffer the project proposal from adjacent properties?

YES (  )  NO (  )  N/A (X)

Explain?  Existing vegetation provides a buffer/screen from adjacent properties.

The answers to the questions above, together with the facts supporting the answers and those other facts that exist in the record, are hereby certified to be the Findings of the County Board of Commissioners.

The specific reasons for denial or conditions of approval are as follows: 

  1. The interim use permit terminates five (5) years from the date of approval or upon sale or transfer of the property, whichever occurs first.
  2. The maximum occupancy is limited to four (4) individuals.
  3. The established quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 8:00 am.
  4. A valid Certificate of Compliance for the septic system is required.
  5. No on-street parking is allowed.
  6. If applicable, the applicant must meet the Minnesota Department of Health requirements.
  7. The garage, identified as Angle North Cave in the submitted application, has been removed from consideration and no rental is to occur until such time this structure meets the ordinance requirements for a short-term vacation rental. 

Approved  as Presented  (   ) Approved with Conditions  (X) Denied  (  )

Consideration of Zone Change #25-01ZC by Arnesen’s Rocky Point, Inc.

Lots 4 – 8, Block 4, Rocky Point Townsite and a .08-acre tract in Gov’t Lot One (1), all in Section Eight (8), Township One Hundred Sixty-three (163) North, Range Thirty-four (34) West (Lakewood) – Parcel ID#’s 14.50.04.040, 14.50.04.060, and 14.50.04.070. Applicant is requesting a zone change from a Residential (R1) Zoning District to a Commercial-Recreation (CR) Zoning District for the purpose of allowing commercial activity on the property.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously with Commissioner Ed Arnesen abstaining, to approve the following Zoning Change/Findings of Fact by Arnesen’s Rocky Point, Inc. to allow commercial activity on the property.

Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners

Rezoning

Findings of Fact and Decision

Name of Applicant:Arnesen’s Rocky Point, Inc.Date:May 13, 2025
 
Location/Legal Description:Lots 4-8, Block 4, Rocky Point Townsite and a .08 acre tract in Gov’t Lot 1 in Section 8, T. 163N, R. 34 W
 
Current Zoning Classification:Residential (R1)Proposed:Commercial-Recreation (CR)
 
Parcel Number(s):14.50.04.040, 14.50.04.060, 14.50.04.070Application Number:25-01ZC

The County Board of Commissioners shall consider all facts from all sources prior to rendering a decision relating to a proposed zone change. Its judgment shall be based upon, but not limited to the following factors as applicable.

  1. Is the zone change consistent with the Lake of the Woods County Comprehensive Land Use Plan?

X  Yes ___No

Comments:Recreational development.
 
  1. Are the existing surrounding land uses consistent with the proposed zoning classification?

X  Yes ___No

Comments:Zoned commercial.
 
  1. Will the zone change alter the characteristics of the neighborhood?

__­_Yes X  No

Comments:Remain the same.
 
  1. Is there a potential for public health, safety or traffic generation impacts based on the proposed zone change and how will they be addressed?

__­_Yes X  No

Comments:Remain the same.
 
  1. What additional public services would be necessitated and would existing utilities be sufficient to accommodate the proposal?

__­_Yes X  No

Comments:No additional services needed.
 
  1. Will the zone change impede the normal or orderly development and improvement of surrounding property for uses permitted in the zoning district?

__­_Yes X  No

Comments:No change.
 
  1. Has there been a change in the development in the general area of the property in questions?

__­_Yes X  No

Comments:No change.
 

8.   Will the zone change have a negative effect on property values in the neighborhood?

__­_Yes X  No

Comments:Remain the same.
 
Conditions:  
 

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners hereby DENIES / APPROVES the application for a zone change WITH / WITHOUT special conditions.

Legislative Update

Commissioner Ed Arnesen gave an update that included PILT payments and Jail Bonding.

2025 State Boat & Water Grant

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the 2025 State Boat & Water Grant in the amount of $7,693.00.

Adjourn

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 11:35 a.m.

Attest: May 13, 2025

________________________________             _________________________________

Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson Chair Jon Waibel