MINUTES & AGENDAS
April, 2019
Commissioner Proceedings
Special Meeting
April 2, 2019
The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in Special session on Tuesday, April 2, 2019 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.
Call to Order
Chairman Cody Hasbargen called the meeting to order at 9:05 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Joe Grund, Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, Buck Nordlof and Ed Arnesen. Also, present were: County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson, County Attorney Jim Austad and Human Resource Director Savanna Slick.
Approval of Agenda
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the agenda.
Non-Elected Department Head Evaluations:
Social Services Director
Social Services Director, Amy Ballard met with the County Board for a performance evaluation. Chairman Cody Hasbargen asked Amy if she would like her evaluation opened or closed. Amy chose to have it open. Amy Ballard, Social Services Director, was evaluated and received a favorable review.
MIS Director
MIS Director, Peder Hovland met with the County Board for a performance evaluation. Chairman Cody Hasbargen asked Peder if he would like his evaluation opened or closed. Peder chose to have it open. MIS Director, Peder Hovland, was evaluated and received a favorable review.
Public Works Director
Public Works Director, Tim Erickson met with the County Board for a performance evaluation. Chairman Cody Hasbargen asked Tim if he would like his evaluation opened or closed. Tim chose to have it open. Public Works Director, Tim Erickson, was evaluated and received a favorable review.
County Assessor
County Assessor, Mary Jo Otten met with the County Board for a performance evaluation. Chairman Cody Hasbargen asked Mary Jo if she would like her evaluation open or closed. Mary Jo chose to have it open. County Assessor, Mary Jo Otten, was evaluated and received a favorable review.
Veteran’s Service Officer
Veteran’s Service Officer, Rick Rone met with the County Board to give updates from the Lake of the Woods County Veteran’s Service Office.
Recess
The meeting was called to recess at 11:45 am and reconvened at 1:00 pm as follows:
Elected Department Head Updates:
County Recorder
County Recorder, Sue Ney presented the County Board with updates from the Lake of the Woods County Recorder’s Office.
County Sheriff
County Sheriff, Gary Fish presented the board with updates from the Lake of the Woods County Sheriff’s Office.
Recess
With no further business before the County Board, Chairman Cody Hasbargen called the meeting to recess at 3:26 p.m.
Attest: April 9, 2019
__________________________________ _________________________________County Auditor-Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Chairman of the Board, Cody Hasbargen
=========================================================================================================================================================================
Commissioner Proceedings
April 9, 2019
The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 9, 2019 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.
Call to Order
Chairman Hasbargen called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Joe Grund, Jon Waibel, Buck Nordlof, Cody Hasbargen and 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 Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Grund and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following addition- Cost Share and Resolution of Support- 148 Fighter Wing and Remonmentation Program.
Approval of Minutes
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of March 26, 2019.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of April 2, 2019.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Social Services Director, Amy Ballard met with the board requesting approval for claims.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Grund and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrant’s $12,197.06, Commissioners Warrant’s $801.53, Commissioners Warrant’s $11,507.28.
AUDITOR/TREASURER
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting approval of claims, lost warrants Revenue and Expenditure and Investment Report.
Claims
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Grund and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $100,121.37, Road & Bridge $15,462.62, County Devlp. $10,200.00, Solid Waste 85,494.92, EDA, $184.10.
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants Approved On 4/09/2019 For Payment 4/12/2019
Vendor Name Amount
Baudette LOW Chamber Of Commerce 9,500.00
Compudyne, Inc 2,400.00
Counties Providing Technology 4,070.00
Dell Marketing, Lp 7,103.33
Howard’s Oil Company 3,403.98
Lakes Gas Co 2,251.90
LOW Highway Dept 7,730.28
LOW Humane Society 9,022.99
Mar-Kit Landfill 13,494.00
Mn Counties Computer Co-Op 37,958.54
Nuss Truck & Equipment 3,821.83
R & Q Trucking, Inc 2,060.00
Shi Corp 9,453.00
St. Louis County Auditor 2,000.00
Sun Monitoring 2,290.00
Swanston Equipment Corp 57,203.00
University Of Mn 9,222.51
Voyageurs Comtronics, Inc 2,640.00
Woody’s Service 2,870.67
Ziegler, Inc 3,480.78
51 Payments less than 2000 19,486.20
Final Total: 211,463.01
Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants- March 26, 2019 $141,059.30, April 2, 2019 $163,408.48, April 3, 2019 $14,357.10.
Lost Warrants
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the application and affidavit for lost warrant for Bobby Beggs, dated July 18,2018 for $134.00 without furnishing indemnifying bond.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the application and affidavit for lost warrants for Boyd Johnson, dated August 31, 2018 for $10.79 without furnishing indemnifying bond.
Revenue/Expenditure and Investment Review
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson reviewed the First Quarter Revenue/Expenditure reports and the Investments with the board.
COUNTY RECORDER
County Recorder, Susan Ney met with the board requesting to replace the current passport photo equipment with a faster and more efficient system in the amount of $999.00 as budgeted.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Grund, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to authorizes County Recorder, Susan Ney to purchase photo equipment for passport issuance in the amount of $999.00 as budgeted.
COMMISSIONERS
Chairman Hasbargen informed the board that they received a letter from Chuck Larsen formally requesting to remove the Petition for the partial ditch abandonment of Ditch 36 which is adjacent to Larsen property, Acceptance of Waibel Estates Plat Road and Resolution of Support for the 148th Fighter Wing for a new F-35 aircraft.
Ditch 36
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to accept the Chuck Larsen letter of request to remove the partial ditch abandonment of Ditch 36 which he had filed with the County.
Waibel Estates Plat
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Grund to accept a portion of Golden Gopher Drive, Badger Road and Fighting Sioux Loop within Waibel estates in Section 1, T-161-N, R-32-W, as Unorganized Township Road No. 207. The roads total .40 miles in length and shall be classified at Maintenance Level “C” as per attached map. The vote carried as follows: Voting For- Commissioners Arnesen, Grund, Nordlof and Hasbargen. Abstaining: Commissioner Waibel.
148th Fighter Wing
Resolution
148 FIGHTER WING, MINNESOTA AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE
Resolution No. 19-04-01
The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the following resolution of support as follows:
WHEREAS; the 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard Base located in Duluth, MN has been and continues to be a stable employer for air men and women across Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan for many years; and
WHEREAS, the base has provided an estimated $94 million annually in direct expenditure in the region; and
WHEREAS, the base is a respected member of our region supporting quality men and women who raise their families throughout the region supporting our healthcare facilities, education systems, businesses, and communities; and
WHEREAS, the entire region of Northern Minnesota, Wisconsin and Michigan is impacted positively by economic vitality of the base, and
WHEREAS, the longevity and continued viability of the base can be supported and enhanced by the installation of new F-35 aircraft;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that we support and encourage the continued viability of the 148th Fighter Wing, Minnesota Air National Guard Base in Duluth, Minnesota by asking Congress and the appropriate Military Leadership to place new F-35 aircraft there as soon as possible in support of our nations’ defense.
PUBLIC WORKS
Assistant Engineer, Boyd Johnson met with the board requesting approval to proceed with Shop Repairs and removed the AMC resolution until next meeting.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to authorize Public Works Director, Tim Erickson to hire Midstate Installations to repair the shop in the amount of up to $40,000.
SHERIFF
County Sheriff, Gary Fish met with the board requesting approval for the 2018 Federal Boating Safety Equipment Grant in the amount of $10,022.
Resolution
The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner Nordlof and moved for adoption:
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ANNUAL
BOAT & WATER SAFETY GRANT
Resolution No. 2019-04-02
WHEREAS, under the provisions of M.S.84.026, M.S. 86B.101, the Sheriff of each county is required to carry out the provisions of Chapter 86B, and the boat and water safety rules promulgated by the Commissioner of Natural Resources; and,
WHEREAS, M.S. Section 86b.701 and the MN Rules provided for the allocation of funds by the Commissioner to assist in the funding of the Sheriff’s duties.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Chairman, Auditor and Sheriff are hereby authorized to execute the annual county boat and water safety agreement, for the period of March 1, 2019 through August 14, 2019 in the amount of $10,022.00 and authorize County Sheriff, Gary Fish, Chairman Hasbargen and County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson to sign.
The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Grund, and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.
LAKE OF THE WOODS TOURISM BUREAU
Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau Director, Joe Henry and Assistant Tourism Bureau Director Alyse Berggren met with the board to discuss the 2019 Ploughing Contest. Joe requested support from the county. No board action was taken.
REMONUMENTATION
Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund and County Surveyor, Chad Conner met with the board to review properties in Swiftwater Township that are outside of the County’s current cost share boundary. He explained that there are two landowners requesting cost share with their surveys in this area. Chad explained that the County Board as the authority to expand the cost share program to areas they see appropriate for restoration of section corners in any area of need.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Grund and carried unanimously to transfer $7,500 from the Natural Enhancement Fund to the Remonmentation account within the County Development fund effective 2019-2021.
Motion
Cost Share
Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to add Sections 1-12 in Swiftwater Township to the Cost Share Program for Remonumentation Projects.
RECESS
The meeting was called to recess at 11:15 a.m. and reconvened at 11:20 a.m. as follows.
LAND AND WATER PLANNING DIRECTOR REVIEW
Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund met with the County Board for a performance evaluation. Chairman Cody Hasbargen asked Josh if he would like his evaluation opened or closed. Josh chose to have it open. Josh Stromlund, Land and Water Planning Director, was evaluated and received a favorable review.
RECESS
With no further business before the board, Chairman Hasbargen called the meeting to recess at 11:50 a.m.
Attest: April 23, 2019
__________________________________ _________________________________
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Chairman of the Board, Cody Hasbargen
=========================================================================================================================================================================
Commissioner Proceedings
April 23, 2019
The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.
Call to Order
Chairman Hasbargen called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Joe Grund, Jon Waibel, Buck Nordlof and Cody Hasbargen. 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 Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Grund and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following addition- CN Poles.
Approval of Minutes
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Grund and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of April 9, 2019.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Social Services Supervisor, Jodi Ferrier met with the board requesting approval for claims.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Grund, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrant’s $11,477.63, Commissioners Warrant’s $2,906.17, Commissioners Warrant’s $18,806.21, Commissioners Warrant’s $1,468.52.
AUDITOR/TREASURER
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting approval of claims, Cartway hearing and Forfeited Land Classification.
Claims
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $31,906.79- Road & Bridge $26,908.88, Social Services- $1,100.00-Solid Waste- $6,069.78- EDA, $756.65.
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants Approved On 4/23/2019 For Payment 4/26/2019
Vendor Name Amount
Cenex Co-Op Services, Inc. 13,942.39
Independent Emergency Services 8,582.53
LOW County Auditor-Treasurer 18,458.38
Minnesota Ui 3,223.11
Northern Light Region 2,159.63
Thompson Reuters-West Publishing Corp. 2,386.50
48 Payments less than 2000 17,989.56
Final Total: 66,742.10
Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants- April 10 2019- $99,119.09, April 17 2019 – $149,843.46.
Cartway Hearing
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Grund and carried unanimously to set a Public Hearing for a Petition Cartway Hearing in Wheelers Township for Jared and Jill Martinsen and Andrea M. Olson for May 14, 2019 at 10:30 a.m. at the site Pursuant to Minn. Stat. §. 164.08, contingent approval from County Attorney, James Austad.
Forfeited Land Classification
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Grund, seconded by Commissioner Nordlof and carried unanimously to set a notice of intent for Forfeited Land Classification to classify or re-classify tax forfeited lands prior to the sale of those lands for July 23, 2019 at 9:15 a.m. Pursuant to MN Statute § 282.01, subd 1(c)
CN Poles
The board discussed concerns from constituents in regards to the CN Poles along Highway 11 East. Public Works Director will contact the CN in regards to this issue.
LAKE OF THE WOODS SCHOOL
Lake of the Woods School High School Principal, Brian Novak met with the board to inform them that Lake of the Woods High School is working on bringing Welding Classes back to the vocational programs offered by the School. Brian reviewed the approximate budget needs for 2019-2020 with the board.
PUBLIC WORKS
Years of Service Recognition for Craig Slick
Resolution
The following resolution was offered by Chairman Hasbargen and moved for adoption:
Recognition of years of service
Craig Slick
Resolution No. 19-04-04
Whereas: Craig Slick has served Lake of the Woods County as Heavy Equipment Operator since May 4, 1983 (35 years, 360 days);
Whereas: Craig will retire from Lake of the Woods County effective April 30, 2019;
Now Therefore, Be it Resolved: That Lake of the Woods Board of County Commissioners extends its deepest appreciation to Craig Slick for his dedicated service and wishes him well on his retirement.
The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Waibel and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.
Approval of Bids
Public Works Director Tim Erickson met with the board requesting approval of Bids for SAP 039601-032, SAP 039603-024, SAP 039-606-018, and SAP 039-592,001 to the lowest responsible bidder to Agassiz Asphalt, LLC in the amount of $2,817,723.17.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Grund, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to award Bids for SAP 039-601-032, SAP 039-603-024, SAP 039-606-018, and SAP 039-592-001 to the lowest responsible bidder to Agassiz Asphalt, LLC in the amount of $2,817,723.17,
County State Aid Roads
Public Works Director, Tim Erickson met with the board to discuss the request of support from AMC fpr an increase in annual funding to maintain County State Aid roads. Tim reviewed the funding sources and distribution of funds for the CSA roads.
Resolution
FUNDING FOR STATEWIDE TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM
Resolution No. 19-04-05
WHEREAS; Minnesota Counties maintain 30,742 miles of County State Aid Highway (CSAH) roads and 14,141 miles of county roads, totaling over 30% of the state’s roadways; and
WHEREAS; the total annual need is $1.084 billion over the next 25 years just to maintain the current CSAH and county road system, not including expansion; and
WHEREAS; the annual funding gap for counties has resulted in deferring basic maintenance, delaying expansion projects with resulting safety concerns, mounting congestion, and missed economic growth for businesses and commuters; and
WHEREAS Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners are not in support of the proposed gas tax increase; they are in support of a comprehensive and sustainable transportation solution that should include robust funding for roads, bridges, and transit, and addresses the varying needs in different parts of the state; and
WHEREAS; increased funding for Minnesota’s Highway User Tax Distribution Fund would provide additional, stable funds for MnDOT, all 87 counties, all cities with a population of 5,000 or more, and townships across the state;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED; that the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners encourages the Minnesota Legislature to pass and the Governor to sign a bill that brings adequate funding to Minnesota’s statewide transportation system.
RECESS
The meeting was called to recess at 11:20 a.m. and reconvened at 12:35 p.m.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Grund and carried unanimously to amend the agenda and add New Law Enforcement Contract Manger.
NEW LAW ENFORCEMENT CENTER
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve Construction Manager Contract for the New Law Enforcement Center contingent approval of County Attorney, James Austad.
RECESS
With no further business before the board, Chairman Hasbargen called the meeting to recess at 12:45 p.m.
Attest: May 14, 2019
__________________________________ _________________________________
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Chairman of the Board, Cody Hasbargen