Commissioner Proceedings

June 23, 2020

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 23, 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 were: County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson and County Attorney James Austad.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: add Event Ordinance and Correspondence, remove Louis Taylor.

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 May 26, 2020.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of June 8, 2020.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of June 9, 2020.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of June 15, 2020.

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 Warrant’s $7,446.20, Commissioners Warrant’s $816.82, Commissioners Warrant’s $19,268.09.

Approval of Contract with Tri-Valley RTC

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the contract with Tri-Valley RTC.

AUDITOR/TREASURER

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $20,959.43; Road & Bridge $82,067.24; County Development $200; Solid Waste $24,188.02; EDA $750.15.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 6/23/2020 For Payment 6/26/202

Vendor Name Amount

CARRIFF Engineered Fabrics Corporation 2,425.66

Contech Engineered Solutions LLC 54,013.10

Counties Providing Technology 3,751.00

North East Technical Service,Inc 5,368.95

Nutrien Ag Solutions Inc 22,527.84

R & Q Trucking, Inc 2,060.00

U.S. Bank Equipment Finance 12,998.21

University Of Mn 9,407.01

31 Payments less than 2000   15,613.07

Final Total: 128,164.84

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: June 10, 2020 for $587,873.40; June 17, 2020 for $11,221.49.

Deferred Compensation Plan Amendment

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve an amendment to the Nationwide deferred compensation plan to allow employees to apply for a loan from their plan account with the plan provider.

RECORDER

Final Approval of CIC Number 4 Eagle Ridge First Supplemental Plat

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve CIC Number 4 Eagle Ridge First Supplemental Plat and for Commissioner Jon Waibel and County Auditor/ Treasurer Lorene Hanson to sign the same.

NORTHERLY PARK

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve payment of the invoice from Whitt Environmental Services, for work on the wetland permit for the Northerly Park Project, dated May 5, 2020 in the amount of $1,000.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve payment of the invoice from Northwest Angle and Island Freight, Inc., for the placement of two culverts for the Northerly Park Project, dated June 2020 in the amount of $9,237.

DITCH AUTHORITY

Motion 

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to close the regular meeting and open the Ditch Authority Meeting at 10:15 a.m.

Ditch 28 Petition for Repair of a Drainage System

The part of the ditch located by the Wabanica School is on the schedule for repair this year.  A large portion of this ditch is within the MNDOT right of way, MNDOT will be installing cross pipes and the hope is that will remedy the drainage system.

Approval of Judicial Ditch 26 Cleaning Contract
The Commissioners discussed the cleaning of Judicial Ditch 26 and reached a consensus on the contract.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to close the Ditch Authority meeting and open the regular meeting at 11:00 a.m.

Approval of Judicial Ditch 26 Cleaning Contract

Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to award the cleaning contract for Judicial Ditch 26 to Earthworks Contracting Inc. with a bid of $18,744.

COUNTY HIGHWAY/LANDFILL

Highway Update

The County needs to sign the contract with Davidson Construction for the 1^st Ave Project.  Gravel work was done at the Northwest Angle on June 22, 2020.  The next projects at the Northwest Angle will be permitted dredging on Crow Creek and application of magnesium chloride on the roads.  The CSAH 31 project is going well.  Bids will go out on July 20^th for the culvert project near Birch Beach.  Soil borings have started, an inadequate layer of soil was found under County Rd 51/52, Pirkl will research solutions.  

Approval of Gravel Quotes

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to award the gravel contract to Mark Sand and Gravel at $8.75 per ton for 33,000 tons.

County Engineer Grade/Step/Vacation

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve three weeks of vacation time and step increase for County Engineer, AJ Pirkl, to Grade 24, Step 6, $47.23 per hour, effective the next full pay period starting 6/29/2020.  

Landfill Update

One of the trucks is in for clutch repair.  The graduate student from the U of M continues to review landfill policy and participates in weekly Zoom meetings with area businesses and professionals.  Pirkl will check in with MPCA on the landfill application status.

COVID-19

Update
Kay M. Schell, CHI LakeWood Health Public Health Manager, provided a COVID-19 update. The Minnesota Department of Health has updated their weekly report and it now includes the number of tests conducted in each county.  As of Thursday, June 18, 2020, 82 tests had been completed in Lake of the Woods County.  Lake of the Woods County is still at zero confirmed cases of COVID-19.  The National Guard COVID-19 testing unit was redirected to other priority areas.  

Jill Hasbargen Olson, Emergency Management Director, has requested a meeting with the Lake of the Woods County Fair Board and the Baudette-Lake of the Woods Chamber of Commerce/4^th of July Fireworks Committee to discuss plans for keeping events at a maximum of 250 people, which is the current guideline from the state. 

Hasbargen Olson also discussed the reopening of the Government Center.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the Government Center to be open to the public, no appointment needed, starting on Monday, June 29, 2020.  The Board reserved the right to revisit the decision if the need would arise.

Recess
The meeting was recessed at 11:45 a.m. and reconvened at 11:50 a.m.

911 EQUIPMENT

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the contract with Motorola Solutions for VESTA 9-1-1 As-A-Service, a five-year contract for $103,402.

EVENT ORDINANCE

The event ordinance committee will meet to finalize the proposed event ordinance. 

CORRESPONDENCE

Reviewed correspondence form Jerry’s Therapy Safe Place regarding contributions to fund A Caring Place (for Kids), to be located in Minneota, Minnesota.

RECESS

With no further business before the Board, Chairman Jon Waibel called the meeting to recess at 12:08 p.m.

Attest: July 14, 2020

______________________________ _________________________________

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

LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY
BOARD OF APPEAL AND EQUALIZATION

JUNE 15, 2020

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization met on Monday, June 15, 2020, in the
Commissioners’ Room of the Lake of the Woods County Government Center.
CALL TO ORDER
County Board Chair Jon Waibel called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the following members
present: Commissioners: Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, Joe Grund, Buck Nordlof and County Auditor-
Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent was Commissioner Ed Arnesen. Also present were: County Assessor
Mary Jo Otten, Assessment Specialist Alisa Jacobson and County Engineer AJ Pirkl. County Recorder Sue
Ney had sworn in the members of the Lake of the Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization for
2020 on June 9, 2020.
County Board Chair Jon Waibel explained the purpose of the Board of Appeal and Equalization. He
reminded the public that this meeting was only to hear appeals of the estimated market value (EMV) or
classification, not for taxes or prior years’ assessments. He further explained that all appeals would be
heard before any action would be taken.
COUNTY ASSESSOR
County Assessor Mary Jo Otten explained that the valuation period is from sales during October 1, 2018
through September 30, 2019, and discussed adjustments that had been made during the past year. This year
the County did require appointments for the Board of Appeal and Equalization Meeting and can end the
meeting prior to 7:00 p.m. if all appointments have been heard and addressed.
PROPERTY OWNERS
County Assessor Mary Jo Otten presented a list of property owners that had contacted her prior to the
meeting and her recommendations to the Board: See attachment.
Action
Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried
unanimously to accept the Lake of the Woods County Assessor’s recommendations for the parcels on the
attached list, which were presented to the Board of Appeal and Equalization.
COUNTY ENGINEER GRADE/STEP REVIEW
The Commissioners discussed the County Engineer’s salary, step and vacation time. The Commissioners
asked for these items to be put on the board meeting agenda for June 23, 2020.
ZIPPEL BAY JETTY APPROVAL OF LETTER
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and
carried unanimously to approve a letter from Lake of the Woods County and Lake of the Woods Soil and
Water Conservation District regarding channel maintenance for Zippel Bay Harbor on Lake of the Woods to
be sent to US Congressman Collin Peterson, MN Representative Matt Grossell, US Senators Amy
Klobuchar and Tina Smith, MN Senator Paul Utke and MN Governor Tim Walz.
ADJOURN
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen to adjourn the County Board of Appeal and
Equalization meeting for 2020. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and the same
being put to a vote, was unanimously carried. County Board Chair Jon Waibel adjourned the Lake of the
Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting for 2020 at 6:35 p.m.
Attest: Approved: June 23, 2020

Page 2 of 2

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Lorene Hanson, County Auditor-Treasurer Jon Waibel, County Commissioner Board Chair

Commissioner Proceedings

June 9, 2020

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 9, 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 were: County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson, and County Attorney James Austad.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following additions: Northwest Angle and Sandy Shores Concerns, Ditch Spraying Concern, Sheriff’s Office Boat and Water Grant, and Recorder Oath for Board of Equalization.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of June 2, 2020.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrant’s $8,138.52, Commissioners Warrant’s $949.23, Commissioners Warrant’s $10,551.26.

RECORDER

Oath for Board of Equalization

County Recorder, Susan Ney, provided the oath and swore in all six members of the Board of Equalization for the upcoming Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting to be held on Monday, June 15, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room. 

Document Recording Process

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the Recorder’s Office staff to collect the necessary taxes due upon the recording of a document, as well as the necessary certifications of the affected tax parcels, as required by statue.  This change in process will create greater efficiency for Lake of the Woods County and will be effective July 1, 2020.

SHERIFF

State Boat and Water Grant Resolution
The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner Joe Grund and moved for adoption: 

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE ANNUAL:

BOAT & WATER SAFETY GRANT

Resolution No. 2020-06-01

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 January 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021, in the amount of $6,611, and authorize the County Board Chair Jon Waibel, County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson and County Sheriff Gary Fish to sign the same. 

The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY FAIR BOARD

Rick Rone provided an update on the Lake of the Woods County Fair.  Crescent City Amusements is working to modify their route to see if it is still possible to operate at the Lake of the Woods County Fair. The Lake of the Woods County Fair Board should know more in the next few weeks.  If the fair does happen, it will be mostly outdoor events.

AUDITOR/TREASURER

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $24,752.82; Road & Bridge $25,881.11; County Development $2,400; Solid Waste $21,610.66; EDA $44.56.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 6/09/2020 For Payment 6/12/2020

Vendor Name Amount

Cenex Co-Op Services, Inc. 3,604.47

Compass Minerals America 2,509.85

Deputy Registrar No.75 4,127.04

Freeberg & Grund, Inc 2,751.25

Hometown Hardware 2,573.74

LOW Highway Dept 3,687.50

Mar-Kit Landfill 13,409.00

NetCenter Technologies 5,641.25

Pete’s Body Shop Dba 4,339.36

Strata Corp, Inc 2,230.28

Widseth Smith Nolting&Asst Inc 2,324.02

52 Payments less than 2000 27,491.39

Final Total: 74,689.15

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: May 27, 2020 for $7,180.85; June 2, 2020 for $1,282,079.23; June 3, 2020 for $161,863.33; June 3, 2020 for ($409.34).

Rainy River Resort Liquor License

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve an update to Rainy River Resort’s liquor license to add off-sale.

COUNTY HIGHWAY/LANDFILL

Highway Update

County Engineer, AJ Pirkl, provided an update.  The Highway Department is moving forward on projects, but some things are on hold due to the recent rain.  They will start graveling on June 22, 2020, which is before the calcium chloride application.

1^st Avenue Project Approval

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve SAP-594-001, the 1^st Avenue project with Davidson Construction. Total cost for the County will be $471,018.96 ($798,223 minus a $327,204.04 grant).  

Spray Attachment for Tractor

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the purchase of a 500-gallon, three-point spray attachment with a 40-foot boom at a cost of $8,350.

CSAH 31 Construction Update

A change order will be made on this project to add erosion control blanket. 

Soil Boring Approval

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve soil borings with Element at a cost of $49,000 plus the cost to add soil borings to CSAH 9.  Soil borings will be conducted on the following roads: CSAH 36, CSAH 3, CSAH 8, CSAH 1, CSAH 9, County Road 51 and 52. 

Landfill Update

No update at this time.

U.S. CENSUS REPRESENTATIVE 

Peter Alexander, a Partnership Specialist for the U.S. Census Bureau, provided an update on the 2020 U.S. Census for our region. Alexander said that an individual has been selected to go to the Northwest Angle to visit with residents about the Census. The collection of data for the 2020 U.S. Census has been extended to October 31, 2020.  Starting on August 11, 2020, Census Representatives will go door to door and visit those who have not responded.  The current response rate is at 70.4% for the State of Minnesota and at 27.2% for Lake of the Woods County.  During the 2010 Census, the response rate for Lake of the Woods County was 29.8%.

CLEMENTSON WAYSIDE PARK

Mike Larson provided an update on the Clementson Wayside Park Project.  A dock was purchased by the Baudette Rotary Club to be donated to the County.  The dock will be placed on the east side of the park and it will be left in year-round.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve accepting the donation of the dock from the Baudette Rotary Club for the Clementson Wayside Park.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the rental and servicing of portable outhouses for use at the Clementson Wayside Park at a cost of up to $250 per month for the 2020 spring, summer and fall seasons.

ARMSTRONGLOW, LLC aka WIGWAM RESORT DECK/STRUCTURES 

The Board heard from concerned property owners regarding the unpermitted construction of a deck at Wigwam Resort.  No board action was taken at this time.

LAKE ACCESS

Zippel Bay Jetty

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve working on and sending a letter to representatives and senators regarding the need for channel maintenance to the Zippel Bay Harbor on Lake of the Woods.

LAND AND WATER PLANNING

Consideration of Conditional Use Permit #20-04CU by Shawn Wendler & Shawna Brasgalla

Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund, met with the Board and presented a Conditional Use Permit for Shawn Wendler and Shawna Brasgalla to operate a small engine repair and maintenance shop in a Rural-Residential (R-2) District.  No comments were heard from the public. Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund, reviewed the Findings of Fact with the Board and informed them that the Planning Commission recommended approval with conditions. The specific conditions of approval are as follows: Conditional Use Permit terminates upon sale or transfer of the property.

Motion:

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried, with Commissioner Buck Nordlof abstaining, to approve the Conditional Use Permit with conditions for Shawn Wendler and Shawna Brasgalla to operate a small engine repair and maintenance shop in a Rural-Residential (R-2) District. The specific conditions of approval are as follows: Conditional Use Permit terminates upon sale or transfer of the property. 

Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners

Findings of Fact and Decision

Name of Applicant:  Shawn Wendler_____________________ Date:  June 9, 2020___________

Location/Legal Description:  The North 450 feet of the East 500 feet of the NE1/4 of the NE1/4, Section 26, Township 161 North, Range 32 West – Parcel ID #23.26.11.01

Project Proposal:  Operate a small engine repair and maintenance shop in a Rural-Residential (R-2) 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? _Further business________________________________________

2.  Is the project proposal consistent with maintaining the public health, safety, and welfare?

YES (  )  NO (  )  N/A ( x )

Why or why not? ______________________________________________________

3. 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? ______________________________________________________

4. 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? ______________________________________________________

5. 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? ______________________________________________________

6. 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? ______________________________________________________

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

Why or why not? __County Rd #6_________________________________________

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

Why or why not? ___Agricultural_________________________________________

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

YES (  )  NO (  )  N/A ( x )

Why or why not? ______________________________________________________

10. 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?  Used oil, antifreeze, etc. will be contained and disposed of properly. No bathroom facilities.

11. 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? ______________________________________________________

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

YES (  )  NO (  )  N/A ( x )

Why or why not? ______________________________________________________

13. 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? ______________________________________________________

14. 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? ______________________________________________________

15. Will there be fencing and/or other screening provided to buffer the project proposal from adjacent properties?                                                                                                      YES (  )  NO (  )  N/A ( x )

Why or why not? _Not needed____________________________________________

16. 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? __One 2’ x 6’on building proposed___________________________

17. 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? _Use County Rd 6 – no change needed, adequate parking available___________

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:  Conditional Use Permit terminates upon sale or transfer of the property.

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

      June 9, 2020 _____________________________________

Date Jon Waibel

        Chair, County Board

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

RECESS

The meeting went into recess at 11:17 a.m. and resumed at 11:26 a.m.

MIS

Extend Contract: Eagleview

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to opt out of the current contract with Eagleview and enter a new six-year contract with Eagleview at a total cost of $103,940.00 from 911 funds.

Permission to Hire

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the hiring of Amber Zemke for the Temporary/Seasonal COVID-19 Cleaning Specialist position at Grade 6, Step 2, $15.75 per hour.  This position will be less than six months in duration.

County Website

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve contracting with Sandpieper Design Inc. to update the County’s website. The contract will be for one-time website development of up to $8,500 with a yearly maintenance fee of up to $2395.00.

NWA/SANDY SHORES CONCERNS

Commissioner Ed Arnesen added NWA/Sandy Shores concerns to the agenda, but the concerns were addressed during the County Highway portion of the meeting.

SPRAYING CONCERN

Commissioner Joe Grund had a concern brought to him about the spraying of ditches.  The request was to have signs posted when an area has been sprayed. No board decision was made at this time.

COVID-19

Update

Jill Hasbargen Olson, Emergency Management Director, provided an update.  She would like to see a cleaning plan for the Lake of the Woods County Fair, if they choose to have it.  She had no other updates except to mention that COVID-19 testing by the National Guard at CHI LakeWood Health’s Care Center is on hold.

RECESS

With no further business before the Board, Chairman Jon Waibel called the meeting to recess at 11:54 a.m.

Attest: June 23, 2020

______________________________ _________________________________

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

Commissioner Proceedings

June 8, 2020

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in special session on Monday, June 8, 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 6:00 p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Joe Grund, Jon Waibel, Cody Hasbargen.  Commissioner Ed Arnesen was present by phone. Absent: Commissioner Buck Nordlof. Also present were: County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson, County Engineer AJ Pirkl, and County Land and Water Planning Director Josh Stromlund.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda.

REVIEW OF COUNTY DITCHES

Fund Balances/Loans/Assessment

The Board reviewed county ditch fund balances, loans and assessments.

Review Open Petitions

The Board placed the open petition for Ditch 28 on the next regular board meeting agenda for 6/23/2020.

Review Needed Repair

The Board reviewed repairs that are needed to county ditches. 

OTHER

Inventory/Assessments

County Engineer, AJ Pirkl, discussed his recommendations with the Board.

County Ditch 1

Assessment: The current level of assessment is fine, presently surveying with funding through One Watershed, One Plan.

Projects: 1) Major slope repair on the south side of CSAH 8 from CSAH 2 going west about a mile.  Rough estimate of $300,000.  Looking at 2022 construction with the majority paid by One Watershed One Plan. 2) Repairing of sidewater inlets by One Watershed One Plan.

County Ditch 2

Assessment: The current level of assessment is fine.

Projects: Minor ditch cleaning and brushing.

Judicial Ditch 6

Assessment: Potential ditch to add assessments, this ditch should start assessing around $5,000 per year.

Projects: Ditch cleaning and water quality improvements, along with winter brushing and summer spraying.

Judicial Ditch 7

Assessment: Possible use of CSAH funds, this ditch should start assessing around $2,000 a year.

Projects: Winter brushing, summer spraying, and minor ditch cleaning.

Judicial Ditch 13

Assessment: The majority of this ditch runs along HWY 72 and is in MNDOT ROW. Assessing this ditch is not recommended.

Projects: None

Judicial Ditch 16

Assessment: The current level of assessment is fine.

Projects: 1) 2020 Brushed out the segment between Section 6 and 5 and 31 and 32 of Wabanica Township, and also cleaned out about a mile in spring of 2020. 2) Additional brushing along CSAH 4. 3) Potential major ditching project along CSAH 4. 4) Future brushing and ditch cleaning projects.

Judicial Ditch 17

Assessment: The majority of this ditch services public land.  The majority of the ditch that services private ownership runs along CSAH 1 and can be maintained with CSAH funds.  Assessing this ditch is not recommended.

Projects: 1) Cleaning out and re-shaping of the ditch along CSAH 1. 2) Last year cleaned out a part of the ditch along the Stoney Road and this could be continued.

Judicial Ditch 20

Assessment: The majority of this ditch is along HWY 72 and in MNDOT ROW, due to its location and public ownership, it is not recommended to assess this ditch.

Projects: None

Judicial Ditch 22

This ditch was not looked into due to shared ownership with Roseau County.

Judicial Ditch 23

Assessment: The majority of this ditch services public land.  The majority of the ditch that services private ownership runs along CSAH 2 and CSAH 14 and can be maintained with CSAH funds.  There is a portion along TR185 and TR60 Krull Trail that could be cleaned out with these funds if we assessed.

Projects: Cleaning out and re-shaping of the ditch along CSAH 2.

Judicial Ditch 24

Assessment: The current level of assessment is fine.

Projects: 1) Large portion flows into Zippel Bay, Water quality and sediment reduction projects should be the goal to minimize and reduce the need for future dredging. 2) Divert water away from Zippel to the east of 53 intersection.

Judicial Ditch 25

Assessment: Due to its location and public ownership, it is not recommended to assess this ditch.

Projects: None

Judicial Ditch 26

Assessment: The current level of assessment is fine.

Projects: 1) Cleaning of a north-south interceptor line in 2018, 2019, and going to be continuing that in 2020. 2) Future projects include ditching project by commissioner corner and/or along TR 159 and TR 158.

Judicial Ditch 27

Assessment: Due to its location and public ownership, it is not recommended to assess this ditch.

Projects: 1) Future projects would be takeoff for CSAH 7 going north.  This can be done with CSAH funding. 2) There is the ditch along Whalen Road that could use some attention.  May have to consider alternative funding sources.

Judicial Ditch 28

Assessment: It is recommended to increase the assessment on this ditch system.  Plenty of work and projects to be done on this system.  

Projects: In 2020, JD28 two stage ditch reshaping, cost for the project is $226,115.50, of which the county had committed $75,000 (non-state funding) to.  The remaining amount will be covered by a grant.  

Judicial Ditch 30

Assessment: Due to its location and public ownership, it is not recommended to assess this ditch.

Projects: Work on this ditch system along CR77 is going to be required in the next few years, will need to figure out a funding source.

Judicial Ditch 36

Assessment: Due to its location and public ownership, it is not recommended to assess this ditch.

Projects: This is an offtake for the Whalen Road going north, a $5,000 project for a culvert is required here plus some additional beaver trapping and dam removal.

Judicial Ditch 45

Assessment: Due to its location and public ownership, it is not recommended to assess this ditch.

Projects: None

Judicial Ditch 62

This ditch was not looked into due to shared ownership with Roseau County.

RECESS

With no further business before the Board, Chairman Jon Waibel called the meeting to recess at 7:55 p.m.

Attest: June 23, 2020

______________________________ _________________________________

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