April 25, 2023

The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 25, 2023 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.

CALL TO ORDER

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: ARP Funding for Fire Department, Appointment of Extension Committee Member, Data Practices, Set Date to Create a Review of Department Heads. 

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of April 11, 2023.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $4,719.65; Commissioners Warrants $8,067.18; Commissioners Warrants $4,251.65.

Auditor/Treasurer

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $66,965.77; Road & Bridge $22,879.41; County Development $4,200.00; Solid Waste $13,105.72; EDA $1,142.80.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 4/25/2023 For Payment 4/28/2023

Vendor Name Amount

Counties Providing Technology 4,204.00

KRIS Engineering Inc 2,134.02

Larkin Hoffman Attorneys 25,472.50

Liberty Tire Recycling, LLC 4,935.75

M-R Sign Co, Inc 10,899.71

Minnesota Ui 4,411.84

Mn Counties Computer Co-Op 17,323.34

Northern Light Region 6,048.78

Sandpieper Design Inc. 2,294.62

U.S. Bank Equipment Finance 6,268.50

Voyageurs Comtronics, Inc 2,669.68

WIDSETH 5,250.00

41 Payments less than 2000 16,380.96

Final Total: 108,293.70

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: April 12, 2023 for $80,946.33; April 19, 2023 for $11,738.08.

Affidavit of Lost Warrant

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the Affidavit of Lost Warrant numbered 94853 in the amount of $218.12.

Letter of Support

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the letter of support for local lodging tax in Lake of the Woods County.

Correspondence

The board reviewed correspondence from Lessard-Sams.

Snowmobile Trails NWA Edgeriders

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and moved for adoption: 

Sponsorship of Snowmobile Trails Assistance Program

Resolution No. 23-04-03

BE IT RESOLVED, that Lake of the Woods County will act as the legal sponsor for an application for funding to the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resource for NW Angle Islands maintenance of snowmobile trails managed by Northwest Angle Edge Riders Club. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon approval of its application by the state, the Lake of the Woods County may enter into an agreement with the State of Minnesota for the above referenced project and that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in the agreement. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that County Auditor-Treasurer, Lorene G Hanson is hereby authorized to serve as the fiscal agent for the above referenced project. 

Snowmobile Trails LOW Drifters

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Joe Grund, seconded by Jon Waibel and moved for adoption: 

Sponsorship of Snowmobile Trails Assistance Program

Resolution No. 23-04-04

BE IT RESOLVED, that Lake of the Woods County will act as the legal sponsor for an application for funding to the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resource for Lake of the Woods Drifters Land and Big Traverse Trails managed by Lake of the Woods Drifters. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that upon approval of its application by the state, the Lake of the Woods County may enter into an agreement with the State of Minnesota for the above referenced project and that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in the agreement. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that County Auditor-Treasurer, Lorene G Hanson is hereby authorized to serve as the fiscal agent for the above referenced project. 

Appointment of Extension Committee Member

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to appoint Jean Schotl to the Extension Committee. 

Human Services

Accept Resignation

Human Resources Director Savanna Slick informed the board that Jennifer Hovde has put in a formal resignation effective May 19,2023.

Permission to Advertise, Interview, & Hire- Approve Job description

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the job description for a Family Based Services Provider and to advertise, interview, & hire for this position at Grade 10, Step 1, 241 Points at $21.16 per hour.

Land & Water Planning Wages

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the job description for Environmental Specialist II and a career ladder for the Land & Water Planning Department. Addition of ladder grade means Environmental Specialist will increase from Grade 9, Points 232 to Grade 10, Points 245. The Assistant Zoning Inspector position will increase from Grade 11, Points 253 to Grade 12, Points 278. Increases will take place after certifications have been completed. A request was made for Megan Thompson to receive a grade increase based on the ladder system due to her completion of certifications. Scott Head will remain at Grade 9 until he completes the certification courses. 

Approval of Grade Increase

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve a grade increase for Megan Thompson Environmental Specialist II to Grade 11, Step 11, at $26.98 per hour, at 253 points effective next full pay period. 

Set Date for Department Head Review

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to set a work session to review department head reviews May 9, 2023 following the regular board meeting.

Data Practices Act 

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to classify Public Officials as County Employees for the purposes of the Data Practices Act. 

Sheriff

FY21 Operation Stonegarden Grant

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the FY21 OPSG Grant and for Vice-Chair Cody Hasbargen and Sheriff Gary Fish to the sign the same.

Declaration of Emergency

Assistant Engineer Boyd Johnson and County Sheriff Gary Fish discussed the need for the Declaration of Emergency Resolution. Mr. Johnson gave an update on flooding conditions and the potential for flooding and did not see a need for the declaration at this time.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to table the declaration of emergency resolution to the next board meeting.

Chief Deputy Sheriff Wage

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve an increase from Grade 18, Step 12 at $40.09 per hour, to Grade 19, Step 12 at $42.38 per hour for Chief Deputy Sheriff Daryl Fish effective next full pay period. 

American Rescue Plan Funding for Fire Department

Discussion was had regarded the use of the ARPA funds for the Fire Department. It was the consensus of the board to ask Brad Levasseur to the next board meeting to update the board on this request. 

Recess

With no further business before the Board, Vice-Chair Cody Hasbargen called the meeting to recess at 9:40 a.m.

Attest: May 9, 2023

______________________________ _________________________________

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Vice-Chair Cody Hasbargen