August 30, 2022

The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.

Call To Order

Chair Buck Nordlof called the meeting to order at 9:00a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Buck Nordlof, Joe Grund, Ed Arnesen, Jon Waibel, and Cody Hasbargen. 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 changes: Add: MPCA SSTS Grant, and Land Rent. Remove: Wheelers Point On/Off Sale & Sunday.

Approval of Minutes

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the minutes from August 16, 2022.

Social Services

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $3,967.88; Commissioners Warrants $5,698.71; Commissioners Warrants $6,331.42.

Auditor/Treasurer

Claims

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $60,442.27; Road & Bridge $5,124.76; Solid Waste $27,331.38; Economic Development $966.42.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 8/30/2022 For Payment 8/31/2022

Vendor Name Amount

Counties Providing Technology 4,052.00

Erickson/Sonja K. 3,000.00

Integris DBA 14,388.38

Lake Area Construction Inc 11,630.00

North East Technical Service,Inc 9,672.50

Pemberton Law, P.L.L.P. 3,234.50

Rolyan Buoys 5,074.65

Royal Tire Inc 9,970.36

SeaChange Print Innovations 2,412.53

 SHI International Corp 4,171.90

 U.S. Bank Equipment Finance 6,268.50

 33 Payments less than 2000 19,989.51

Final Total: 93,864.83

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: August 17, 2022 for $12,690.28; August 24, 2022 for $15,832.28; August 25, 2022 for $315. 00. 

Land & Water

Approval of MPCA Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Program Grant

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel to approve the annual MPCA Subsurface Sewage Treatment System Program Grant that was presented by Land & Water Director Josh Stromlund. 

Sheriff

Permission to Hire Part-time Dispatcher

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the hire of Amy Pedersen as part-time dispatcher at Grade 10, Step 1, 20.59 per hour at 237 points effective August 22,2022. 

Human Resources

Set Date for Department Head Reviews

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to set the date for department head reviews for September 6, 2022 at 10:00a.m.

Public Works

Highway

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave an update on various Highway Department projects that included: Bridge on 53, County Road 8, County Road 30-Wabanica RD, and gravelling.

Solid Waste

Add to Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to add Permission to Advertise, Interview, & Hire to the Agenda.

Permission to Advertise, Interview, & Hire

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve permission to advertise for, interview, & hire a Solid Waste Processor at Grade 11, Step 1, 21.68 per hour at 265 points.

Solid Waste Assessment Discussion

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl discussed assessment cost changes with the board and the need to raise the solid waste assessment from $120.00 to $130.00 per unit, and for resorts to pay the full assessment fee and an additional ice road assessment fee moving forward in the payable 2023 assessment year. This is at the recommendation of the Solid Waste Committee due to rising costs in processing solid waste. Approval of this recommendation will be added to the next board meeting.

Solid Waste Update

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl informed the board that he did hear back from Koochiching County about the possibility of hauling demo work there. Koochiching County is interested in this agreement contingent on their permit. The discussion will continue over the next year.

Union Negotiations

Motion 

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to close the regular meeting at 9:33a.m. and open the closed session pursuant to MN Statute 13D.03 Union Negotiations. 

The following were present: Commissioners: Joe Grund, Buck Nordlof, Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, Ed Arnesen, County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson, County Engineer Anthony Pirkl, and Human Resources Director Savanna Slick.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to close the closed session at 10:50a.m. and open the regular meeting. 

Land Rent

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to advertise for bids for leasing land and with the acres certified through FSA.

RECESS

With no further business before the Board, Chair Buck Nordlof called the meeting to recess at 11:00a.m.

Attest: September 13, 2022

______________________________ _________________________________

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Chair James “Buck” Nordlof