Commissioner Proceedings

April 11, 2017

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 11, 2017 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.

Call to Order

Vice- Chairman Arnesen called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Ken Moorman, Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, and Ed Arnesen. Absent Buck Nordlof.  Also present were: County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson, Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Janet Rudd, and Woody Fiala.

Approval of Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following additions: Beltrami / Lake of the Woods Partial Judicial Ditch, Beaver Dam, Judicial Ditch 26, 28 and County Road 72 , Beaver Dam-Kelly Creek, Arrowhead Library System, Take A Kid Fishing and Liquor License approval.  

Approval of Minutes

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of March 28, 2017.

LAKE OF THE WOODS SCHOOL

Radio Antenna

Maintenance Supervisor, Reed MacFarlane met with the board requesting permission for moving the Schools Radio Communication system from the Tower on the Lake Road to the County’s Tower over by Erickson’s Mill. Reed explained that many years ago when Mr. Sjoberg acquired the tower on the Lake Road he told the school that as a community service he would allow the School to place an antenna on his tower at no cost, later when the tower was sold to Crown Castle, they stated that they would no honor any prior agreements and that the school would have to pay a quarterly rental fee. At this tower there is no backup generation system, where the County tower has back-up and the Schools radio systems a very intricate part of the County’s Emergency Drills and that the school buses are also part of the plan as well as the School being designated as a temporary relief center in case of wide spread loss of power or some other disaster.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to authorize Lake of the Woods School District the use of Lake of the Woods County tower located approximately 3 miles east of town on HWY 72, located by Erickson Mill at no cost and authorize County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson to enter into an agreement contingent approval of County Attorney, James Austad.

ARROWHEAD LIBRARY SYSTEM/TAKE A KID FISHING

Arrowhead Library

The board reviewed the budget from Arrowhead Library System and requested that Executive Director Jim Weikum, and Appointed Board Member, Ron Rudd meet with the board and give an update on the Library System.

Take A Kid Fishing
The board reviewed the letter of request from Take A Kid Fishing Committee requesting the county’s support for the upcoming event being held on June 21.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to support the Take A Kid fishing day and approve payment as budgeted of $600.00 from the Con-Con funds.

LAND AND WATER PLANNING

Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund met with the board and presented a letter addressed to Governor Dayton in regards to HF 888/SF723.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to authorize Chairman Nordlof  to sign the  letter  in regards to HF 888/SF723 and to send to Governor Dayton and authors of the HF888 and SF 723.

Beltrami/Lake of the Woods Judicial Ditch

Land and Water Director, Josh Stromlund met with the board and informed the board that he has spoken to Beltrami County Engineer, Bruce Hasbargen and that Beltrami County will be moving forward with the  judicial ditch abandonment on the Northern Border of Beltrami and Lake of the Woods Southern border, so therefore a Judicial Ditch Committee will be formed.

AMEND AGENDA

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to amend the agenda and add Buffer Stripe Resolution.

BUFFER RESOLUTION

The board reviewed MN Statute 103.F48 in regards to buffer requirements and the concerns with the current legislation as stated under MN Statute.

Resolution

The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously the following resolution:

OPPOSING CURRENT STATE BUFFER STRIP LEGISLATION

Resolution No. 17-04-01

WHEREAS, Minnesota Legislature has passed the MN Statute 103F.48 to develop a statewide program to provide riparian protection through the use of vegetative buffer strips, stating that landowners owning property adjacent to a water body identified and mapped on a buffer protection map must maintain a buffer to protect water resources, and

WHEREAS, this has caused a large number of Lake of the Woods County landowners to voice their concerns with this legislation to their local County Commissioners, such as:

A)    Restricting use of land by landowners

B)     Placing unfunded costs to meet these requirements on landowners and in most cases lessening  in the value of a landowners’ property

C)    That there is no substantive proof that by implementing this buffer system that it will improve water quality as is intended

D)    That this legislation violates a landowner’s constitutional rights as taking land without proper consideration given for the property

E)     That many landowners would accept common sense legislation as to alternative practices for buffer on ditch inlet areas versus an arbitrary buffer along an entire ditch system where water from that area next to the ditch do not drain directly into the ditch system

F)     That control over managing and implementation should be solely at the Counties discretion

G)    That the cost to implement this legislation is solely and unfairly placed on the landowners to implement and will cause a financial burden to implement and maintain with future losses from inabilities to plant desired crops for profit on these acres

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners hereby strongly oppose the current legislation as stated under MN Statute 103F.48 and request that the Minnesota Legislature, along with Governor Dayton’s support, overturn this legislation or at minimum to modify the current legislation to pay for all costs, present and future, to landowners that are mandated to comply and to allow for common sense alternative practices for landowners to provide buffers on ditch inlets versus an entire system where it can be shown that the water from those adjacent areas do not drain directly into a ditch system.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Social Service Director, Amy Ballard met with the board requesting approval of claims.

Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the county as follows: Commissioner Warrants-$11,914.85, Commissioner Warrants-$4,682.64, Commissioner Warrants- $7,327.25.

Little Brother Little Sister Program

Social Service Director, Amy Ballard requested authorization to disburse the budgeted amount of $20,000 to Northwest Community Action for the Little Brother Little Sister Program. The consensus of the board was to pay the $20,000 as discussed in budget meeting.

SHERIFF

County Sheriff, Gary Fish met with the board requesting approval to enter into a Mutual Aid Agreement for the use of Law Enforcement personnel and equipment with the City of Bemidji pursuant to MN Statute §471.59, authorizes the joint and cooperative exercise of powers.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to authorize County Sheriff, Gary Fish to sign the Mutual Aid Agreement with the City of Bemidji pursuant to MN Statute § 471.59.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT

Emergency Director, Jill Olson met with the board to discuss the previous approval from October 11, 2016 to purchase consollette for the Sheriff’s Office, with funding from the 911 account. Jill explained that the consollette price is $5,612.25, which is over the approved amount by $612.25.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve and additional $612.25 for consollette with the funding from the 911 account with the total purchase price of $5,612.25.

Recess

The meeting was called to recess at 10:20 a.m. and reconvened at 10:25 a.m. as follows:

PUBLIC WORKS

Public Works Director, Tim Erickson met with the board requesting approval to advertise for construction bids and to hire seasonal help.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to authorize Public Works Director, Tim Erickson to advertise for the following bids for construction of S.A.P. 039-608-023, S.A.P. 039-614-008 and S.A.P. 039-625-006.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to. Authorize Public Works Director, Tim Erickson to advertise, interview and hire seasonal help, for 2017 summer.

BEAVER DAM/KELLY CREEK

George Swentik met with the board to discuss the water issues that is re-occurring on a parcel of his land.  Public Works Director, Tim Erickson will take care of the issue as soon as possible.

JUDICIAL DITCH 26,28 and County Road 72

Public Works Director, Tim Erickson updated that board on the following:

Ø  Judicial Ditch 26- brushing contract complete, bumps out and dams gone

Ø  Judicial Ditch 28/County Road 72- surveyors are out waiting to hear form Attorney Kurt Deter to make sure maintenance can be down since Co. Road 72 is within the Judicial Ditch 26 area.

NWA SCHOOL

Cindy Renfrow, representing the NWA School Committee met with the board and updated them on the meeting with State Representative Dan Fabian and Matt Grossell. She also informed the board of the poor condition of the school and requested support for HF 1089, for appropriation of money to the Warroad School District, to construct, furnish, and equip an expansion of the Northwest Angle School.

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and moved for adoption:

Grant to Warroad School District 690 for Expansion of Northwest Angle School

Resolution No. 17-04-02

WHEREAS, Minnesota State Legislature House File 1089 relating to capital investment, appropriating money for expansion of the Northwest Angle School in Warroad, and located within Lake of the Woods County;

WHEREAS, the appropriation of $700, 000 is appropriated from the bond proceeds fund to the commissioner of education for a grant to the Warroad School District to construct, furnish, and equip an expansion of the Northwest Angle School. No matching funds required;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners is in support of House File 1089 for the expansion for the Northwest Angle School with the grant money from the Commissioner of Education to the Warroad School District.

COUNTY AUDITOR/TREASURER

Deputy Auditor/Treasurer, Janet Rudd met with the board requesting approval for claims:

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the county as follows: Revenue $35,566.30- Road & Bridge $13,376.75-Co. Development $1,656.00- Natl Resc. Enhanc- $2,300.00-Solid Waste, $25,207.96- EDA, $4,425.23.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 4/11/2017 For Payment 4/14/2017

Vendor Name                                                    Amount

Arrowwood Resort                                                                 2,946.06

Cenex Co-Op Services, Inc.                                                    5,594.57

Computer Professionals Unlimited Inc                                      3,310.00

Hasler                                                                                      4,000.00

Headwater Regional Development Commiss                           4,072.67

Lake Area Construction Inc                                                     4,025.70

LOW Highway Dept                                                                 2,210.00

Mar-Kit Landfill                                                                       12,078.00

Pb Distributing Inc                                                                    3,413.10

Powerplan                                                                               2,316.92

Widseth Smith Nolting&Asst Inc                                               5,039.33

Woody’s Service                                                                     3,194.52

60 Payments less than 2000  30,331.37

Final Total:  82,532.24

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: March 29, 2017 – $16,737.43, April 5, 2017- $12,615.14.

Liquor License

Deputy Auditor/Treasurer, Janet Rudd met with the board requesting approval for a Seasonal On- Sale Liquor License for Oak Harbor Golf Course and a 3.2 Off Sale Malt Liquor License and Cigarette License for Log Cabin Bait.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, second by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve Oak Harbor Golf Course Seasonal On-Sale Liquor License effective April15, 2017 thru October 15, 2017 contingent approval of County Sheriff, Gary Fish and County Attorney, James Austad.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the 3.2 Off Sale Malt Liquor License and Cigarette License effective June 1, 2017 thru June 30, 2018 for Log Cabin Bait contingent upon the sale and approval of County Sheriff, Gary Fish and County Attorney, James Austad

RECESS

With no further business before the board, Vice – Chairman Arnesen called the meeting to recess at 12:00 p.m.

Attest:                                                                                      March 28, 2017

__________________________________                _____________________________________Deputy Auditor/Treasurer, Janet Rudd              Vice -Chairman of the Board, Edward Arnesen

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Commissioner Proceedings

April 25, 2017

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 25, 2017 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.

Call to Order

Chairman Nordlof called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Ken Moorman, Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, and Buck Nordlof. Absent Ed Arnesen.  Also present were: County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson, Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Janet Rudd, and Woody Fiala.

Approval of Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following additions: Revenue/Expenditures, Airport Project and Community Garden.  

Approval of Minutes

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of April, 11, 2017.

AUDITOR/TREASURER

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting approval of claims and approval for a lost warrant.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the county as follows: Revenue $32,573.69- Road & Bridge $7,047.41-Co. Development $200.00- Joint Ditch- 405.00-Solid Waste, $9,450.11- EDA, $639.88.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 4/25/2017 For Payment 4/28/2017

Vendor Name                                                    Amount

American Solutions For Business                                           2,491.29

Attachments Direct LLC                                                           4,892.93

Independent Emergency Services                                           7,714.81

Klein McCarthy & Co, Ltd, Architects                                      2,000.00

Neopost USA Inc                                                                     2,884.00

Northern Light Region                                                              3,461.50

Thompson Reuters-West Publishing Corp.                              2,339.00

54 Payments less than 2000 24,532.56

Final Total: 50,316.09

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: April 12, 2017- $87,483.59-April 13, 2017 – $997.50, April 14, 2017- $73,769.42, April 14, 2017-(889.00), April 19, 2017- $92,282.48.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the application and affidavit for lost warrant for Jacob Brandli dated December 30, 2016 for $53.68 without furnishing indemnifying bond.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Social Service Director, Amy Ballard met with the board requesting approval of claims.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the county as follows: Commissioner Warrants-$29,804.19, Commissioner Warrants-$3,069.68, Commissioner Warrants- $7,066.86, Commissioner Warrants- $469.05.

CHI-Lakewood Health Contract

Social Service Director, Amy Ballard met with the board requesting approval to enter into a contract with CHI-Lakewood to provid Housing with Services for MA and Waivered services.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the contract between Lake of the Woods County Social Services and CHI-Lakewood to provide Housing with Services for MA and Waivered services effective January 1, 2017 thru December 31, 2018.

CORRESPONDENCE/COMMITTEE UPDATE/COMMUNITY GARDEN

Community Garden– Commissioner Moorman informed the board that LakeWood Health Center is looking for some help on continuing the Community Garden, he informed the board that the SHIP grant is no longer available to help with the expenses.

Correspondence– BWSR meeting, MN Power

Airport Committee – Commissioners Waibel and Hasbargen updated the board on the progress of constructing hangers at the Airport.

RECESS
The meeting was called to recess at 9:45 a.m. and reconvened at 9:55 a.m.

MN DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES

Northwest Regional Director, Rita Albrecht met with the board requesting the board to help with identifying parcels of state land in Lake of the Woods County to consider for sale and reinvestment. The goal of DNR’s Strategic Land Asset Management (SLAM) is to improve the state land portfolio through strategic acquisition, sale, and exchange of state managed land. With Sales and Reinvestment Initiative (SRI), the goal is to identify lands to offer for sale by conducting a focused land analysis in the 15 northern counties that have 20% or more public land ownership. The board reviewed the map that was presented and set May 11, 2017 at 8:00 a.m. for a work session to review the lands and to identify 15 parcels of land for sale or exchange of state managed land. DNR Regional Forestry Director, Dave Thomas informed the board that the Forestry Department is working on a Timber sale for the spring of 2018 located at the Northwest Angle.

DNR FISHERIES

DNR Fisheries Manager, Phil Talmage met with the board and reviewed the 2016 Walleye Population Assessment Summary with the board.

MIS/MAINTENANCE SUPERVISOR

Spam Filter/Floor Scrubber

MIS/Maintenance Supervisor, Peder Hovland met with the board and informed the board that the State of MN is discontinuing services for the Spam Filtering. Peder received two quotes, Marco coming in at $160.00 per month and Insight at $220.00 per month. Peder also informed the board that the new floor scrubber will cost $5,267.00.

Motion

Motion was made Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve to enter into agreement with Marco for Spam Filtering effective June 1, 2017.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the purchase of a floor scrubber in the amount $5,267.00 from the Maintenance budget.

TRANE

Trane Manager Scott Rietsema met with the board and updated the board on the new heating system and the steps involved with a new system.

RECESS

With no further business before the board, Chairman Nordlof called the meeting to recess at 11:45 a.m.

Attest:                                                                                      May 9, 2017

___________________________________              _____________________________________

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson                    Chairman of the Board, Buck Nordlof