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MINUTES & AGENDAS

August 13, 2020

Commissioner Proceedings

August 13, 2020

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Thursday, August 13, 2020 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room. 

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Jon Waibel called the meeting to order at 9:00 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 was: County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following additions: Extension of Lease Agreement.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of July 28, 2020.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrant’s $13,469.99, Commissioners Warrant’s $2,289.88, Commissioners Warrant’s $19,983.30.

AUDITOR/TREASURER

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $90,757.30; Road & Bridge $40,413.59; County Development $200; Joint Ditch $1,952.50; Solid Waste $14,435.01; EDA $44.56.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 8/13/2020 For Payment 8/14/2020

Vendor Name Amount

Arrowhead Library System 33,118.00

Cenex Co-Op Services, Inc. 6,406.57

Freeberg & Grund, Inc 2,270.00

Hoffman, Philipp & Knutson, PLLC 4,375.00

Holen Electric 5,582.50

Howard’s Oil Company 7,442.44

LOW Highway Dept 7,740.92

LOW School District–390 3,850.00

LOW Soil & Water Cons. Dist. 28,623.00

R & Q Trucking, Inc 3,090.00

Royal Tire Inc 3,200.40

Terry’s Tree Service 2,000.00

Walker Pipe & Supply 11,341.00

Woody’s Service 3,606.94

62 Payments less than 2000                                            25,156.19

                                             Final Total: 147,802.96

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: July 29, 2020 for $40,931.42; July 29, 2020 for $1,877.80; August 4, 2020 for $302,611.25; August 4, 2020 for ($2,201.80), August 5, 2020 for $12,008.60.

Wells Fargo Signature Card for MV Checking Account 

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to authorize County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson, Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Erik Tange, Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Jaime Boretski-LaValla, Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Connie Nesmith and Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Jeffrey Hovde for account number 5502 effective 08/13/2020.

Motion to Hire for Training

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to authorize County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson to hire Dawn Christianson to a temporary part-time (an average of five days per month) training position through June 2021 at $30.00 per hour.

Extension of Lease Agreement

It was the consensus of the Board for the Extension/4-H office to move to a smaller room within Lake of the Woods School at a monthly rental rate of $250.00.

LAND AND WATER PLANNING

Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund met with the board and presented a Conditional Use Permit Application #20-05CU for JRF Properties, LLC:  Lots 1-6, Block 2, Marina Drive Estates, Section Thirty-six (36), Township One Hundred Sixty-two (162) North, Range Thirty-two (32) West, Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota – Parcel IDs# 19.70.02.010 through 19.70.02.060. Applicant is requesting a Conditional Use Permit as required by Section 401-D of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance, to allow the operation of a commercial business consisting of a seasonal camping area/RV Park in a Commercial-Recreation District. The proposed project area is non-shoreland. Stromlund reviewed the findings of facts with the board and informed the board that the Planning Commission recommends approval with the following conditions: minimum lot size of 3,000 square feet per unit site, must meet density requirements, must meet Department of Health standards and if required, must obtain a stormwater permit from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA). No correspondence was received from the public.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the Conditional Use Permit for JRF Properties, LLC with the following conditions:

  1. Minimum lot size of 3,000 square feet per unit site.
  2. Must meet density requirements.
  3. Must meet Department of Health standards.
  4. If required, must obtain a stormwater permit from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners

Findings of Fact and Decision

Name of Applicant:  JRF Properties, LLC Date:  August 13, 2020

Location/Legal Description:  Lots 1-6, Block 2, Marina Drive Estates, Section Thirty-six (36), Township One Hundred Sixty-two (162) North, Range Thirty-two (32) West, Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota – Parcel IDs 19.70.02.010 through 19.70.02.060.

Project Proposal:  To allow the operation of a commercial business consisting of a seasonal camping area/RV Park in a Commercial-Recreation 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? _Resort/Recreational Area and is within the Rainy River 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? _Must meet state and local requirements.

  1. Is the project proposal consistent with the goal of preventing and controlling water pollution, including sedimentation and nutrient loading?                        YES (  ) NO (  )  N/A ( x )

Why or why not? ______________________________________________________

  1. Will the project proposal not adversely affect the site’s existing topography, drainage features, and vegetative cover?                                            YES (  )  NO (  )  N/A ( x )

Why or why not? __No change.

  1. Is the project proposal’s site location reasonable in relation to any floodplain and/or floodway of rivers or tributaries? YES (  )  NO (  )  N/A ( x )

Why or why not? ______________________________________________________

  1. Has the erosion potential of the site based upon the degree and direction of slope, soil type and existing vegetative cover been adequately addressed for the project proposal?

YES (  )  NO (  )  N/A ( x )

Why or why not? ______________________________________________________

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

Why or why not? __State Hwy 172 plus one private and County Road.

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

Why or why not? __Adjacent to other recreational campground.

9)  Does the project proposal have a reasonable need to be in a shoreland location?

YES (  )  NO (  )  N/A ( x )

Why or why not? ______________________________________________________

  1. Is the amount of liquid waste to be generated reasonable and the proposed sewage disposal system adequate to accommodate the project proposal? YES ( x )  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Why or why not? _Will be constructed to standards.

  1. Will the visibility of structures and other facilities as viewed from public waters comply with Section 901 of the Zoning Ordinance?         YES (  )  NO (  )  N/A ( x )

Why or why not? ______________________________________________________

  1. Is the site adequate for water supply and on-site sewage treatment systems?

YES ( x )  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Why or why not? __Either sewer system or septic and will provide an additional well.

  1. Are the affected public waters suited to and able to safely accommodate the types, uses, and numbers of watercraft that the project proposal will generate? YES (  )  NO (  )  N/A ( x )

Why or why not? ______________________________________________________

  1. If the project proposal includes above ground or below ground storage tanks for petroleum or other hazardous material that is subject to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) requirements, has a permit been sought?                                                                                                                  YES (  )  NO (  )  N/A ( x )

Why or why not? ______________________________________________________

  1. Will there be fencing and/or other screening provided to buffer the project proposal from adjacent properties?

                                                                                                                               YES ( x )  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Why or why not? _Planting trees on North and East side of Lots 1-6, Block 2.

  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 ( x )  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Why or why not? _Small sign on County Road between Block 1 and 2.

  1. If the project proposal will generate additional traffic to or from the site, has the applicant adequately demonstrated how the additional traffic and parking is to be addressed? 

                                                                                                                   YES ( x )  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Why or why not? _Adequate parking exists on the property.

If all answers to the Findings of Fact-Criteria are either “Yes” or are “Not Applicable” to the request, the criteria for granting the conditional use permit have been met. The conditional use permit will maintain the goals of safety, health, and general welfare of the public.  

The specific conditions of approval are as follows:

  1. Minimum lot size of 3,000 square feet per unit site.
  2. Must meet density requirements.
  3. Must meet Department of Health standards.
  4. If required, must obtain a stormwater permit from Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).

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

August 13, 2020 _____________________________________

Date Jon Waibel

        Chair, County Board

This is in accordance with Section 1204 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance.

COUNTY HIGHWAY/LANDFILL

Railroad Crossing Agreement Update
County Engineer, AJ Pirkl, provided an update regarding railroad crossings after having talked through options with MnDOT and the Canadian National Railway.

Highway Update

County Engineer, AJ Pirkl, provided a highway update.  Pirkl talked with the new District 2 State Aid Engineer regarding the drainage issues on County Road 80 and he will continue to try and move that project forward.


Landfill Update
County Engineer, AJ Pirkl, has not received an update from the MPCA.

WILLIE WALLEYE FUND

City of Baudette Mayor, Rick Rone, provided an update on the Willie Walleye Fund Budget.  The final payment of $10,000 from the County is to be used for landscaping.  It was the consensus of the Board to continue with the last payment of $10,000 to complete the total donation of $30,000.

DEPOT PRESERVATION ALLIANCE

Vince Ojard and Darcy Hansen provided an update regarding the Depot Preservation Alliance (DPA).  Due to COVID-19 many events were cancelled and the DPA’s budget is short by $10,155.  They had received $6,000 from the County for an outbuilding project, which they will not be completing this year.  It was the consensus of the Board that the DPA could use the $6,000 donated by the County for the outbuilding project towards general budget needs. The Board will review the DPA’s budget information further during the CARES Act work sessions.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Request to Advertise, Interview and Hire: Infectious Control/Custodian II

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve Human Resources to advertise, interview and hire a temporary (not more than 6 months) Infection Control/Custodian II.

RECESS

The board went into recess at 9:53 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 10:00 a.m.

SHERIFF

Jail Administrator/E911 Corrections Officer Duties 

It was the consensus of the Board to review the compensation request for two employees, who have taken on additional duties, at the budget meetings.

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT – RYAN ZEMEK

Tax Abatement

Economic Development Director, Ryan Zemek, met with the Board regarding a tax abatement for Lake of the Woods Foods. Lake of the Woods Foods is planning an expansion and is looking for an economic development tax abatement.  The Board will have a work session on the tax abatement for Lake of the Woods Foods on September 8, 2020 after the regular scheduled board meeting.

RECESS

The board went into recess at 10:55 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 11:00 a.m.

EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve Emergency Management Director, Jill Hasbargen Olson, to purchase two APX600 radios from Motorola Solutions Inc. at a total cost of $9,191.50.

COVID-19

Update

Jill Hasbargen Olson, Emergency Management Director, said that she has been working with Kay M. Schell form CHI Lake Wood Health to provide COVID-19 information to First Responders.  Hasbargen Olson also reminded the Board about Lake of the Woods School’s virtual town hall meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 13, 2020.

CHI LakeWood Public Health Manager, Kay M. Schell, provided an update. Lake of the Woods County has four positive cases confirmed, a total of seven cases are possible.  Last week 267 COVID-19 tests were completed in Lake of the Woods County.  CHI LakeWood Health is doing COVID-19 testing on Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays and providing same day results.  Criteria for a COVID-19 test at CHI LakeWood Health is a known exposure to a positive case with contact for 15 minutes at closer than six feet and a doctor’s order is required.

RECESS

With no further business before the Board, Chairman Jon Waibel called the meeting to recess at 11:22 a.m.

Attest: August 25, 2020

______________________________ _________________________________

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Chairman of the Board, Jon Waibel