COMMISSIONER PROCEEDINGS

June 25, 2024

 The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 25, 2024 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.

CALL TO ORDER

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: Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, Ed Arnesen, Buck Nordlof, and Joe Grund. Also present was County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Law Enforcement Center, Northwest Angle Review, Election Emergency Plan, and Interim Ordinance-Cannabis. Remove: Roberta Cook.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of June 11, 2024.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $2,308.65; Commissioners Warrants $8,819.31; Commissioners Warrants $6,114.32.

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 $87,000.31; Road & Bridge $13,811.48; County Development $1,000.00; Joint Ditch $45,922.62; Solid Waste $26,102.83.

                                 WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 6/25/2024 For Payment 6/28/2024

CentralSquare Technologies, LLC                        46,907.78 

Clay County Sheriff                                                 2,485.57 

Counties Providing Technology                               4,327.00 

Farmers Union Oil Co.                                             3,467.97 

HDR Engineering Inc                                            16,356.60 

Houston Engineering Inc                                          9,298.00 

Laine/Robert                                                             2,225.00 

North East Technical Service,Inc                            19,306.35 

Pennington County Sheriff Office                           13,520.94 

Roseau County Treasurer                                         34,806.37 

U.S. Bank Equipment Finance                                   6,268.50 

34 Payments less than 2000 14,867.16 

Final Total: 173,837.24                        

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: June 12, 2024 for $61,959.10; June 20, 2024 for $25,799.05.

DNR Registration Contract Renewal

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the five-year contract between the Department of Natural Resources and the Lake of the Woods County Deputy Registrar office for the use of the registration and titling electronic license system and for Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson to sign the same.

Emergency Election Plan Renewal

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the updated Emergency Election Plan.

Interim Ordinance-Cannabis

It was the consensus of the board to table this discussion until the next board meeting on July 9, 2024.

Northwest Angle Meeting Review

The board reviewed discussion on a community greenhouse, road maintenance, Guardian Ambulance Flight services, the ice roads and lake levels.

Resolution of Support-Pheasant’s Forever

The board reviewed the requested resolution in support of the sale of land to Pheasant’s Forever. No action was taken at this time.

Public Works

Updates

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave an update on various Solid Waste/Highway projects including Demolition Landfill, and current road maintenance projects.

DNR Wildlife-Charlie Tucker

DNR Wildlife Supervisor Charlie Tucker gave an update on various wildlife management projects and answered questions from the board.

Adjourn

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 a.m.

Attest: July 9, 2024

______________________________ _________________________________

Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson Chair Cody Hasbargen

 COMMISSIONER PROCEEDINGS

June 18, 2024

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 18, 2024 at the Angle Outpost Resort, Angle Inlet, MN. 

Call To Order

Chair Cody Hasbargen called the meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Cody Hasbargen, Joe Grund, Jon Waibel, and Ed Arnesen. Also present was County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent was: Commissioner Buck Nordlof.

Approval of Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Road Culvert, Community Greenhouse.

PUBLIC HEARING- RECONVENE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to close the regular meeting and re-open the 2024 Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting at 10:05 a.m. at the Northwest Angle with the following members present:  Commissioners:  Joe Grund, Cody Hasbargen, Ed Arnesen, Jon Waibel and County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent was Commissioner Buck Nordlof.  It was noted that County Recorder Sue Ney swore in the members of the Lake of the Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization for 2024 at the meeting on June 11, 2024. 

County Board Chair Cody Hasbargen 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 explained that all appeals would be heard before any action would be taken.  He also explained that the valuation period the Assessor’s Office use is from sales during October 1, 2022, through September 30, 2023.

Action

After hearing all the appeals, questions, comments and research reviewed, the following actions were taken:

Motion 

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to accept the Lake of the Woods County Assessor’s recommendations on the following properties and to adjust values per the attached recommendations from the County Assessor: Ronald Borgan (P#23-14-11-000), Mark Judovsky (P#23-56-01-010), J & L Hennum Inc A MN Corp (P#19.71.02.090), J & L Hennum Inc A MN Corp (P#19.71.02.010), K & D Resorts Inc (P#19.52.03.000), K & D Resorts Inc (P#19.52.03.000), Michael D Anderson (P#23.29.33.000), Michael D Anderson (P#23.32.12.000), Michael D Anderson (P#23.32.32.000), Michael D Anderson (P#23.29.33.000).

Motion 

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: David D Fadness property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.010, decrease in total value from $20,900.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Adelyne Vertheen Living Trust property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.020, decrease in total value from $20,300.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Quinten K Fadness Family Trust property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.030, decrease in total value from $18,300.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Jon Hams property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.040, decrease in total value from $20,400.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Calvin Fadness property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.050, decrease in total value from $19,900.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Clark Dickerson property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.060, decrease in total value from $20,100.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Duane Fadness property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.070, decrease in total value from $20,000.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Lowell Todd Fadness property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.12.080, decrease in total value from $19,500.00 to $6,900.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Quinten K Fadness Family Trust property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.23.11.000, decrease in total value from $111,300.00 to $45,000.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Quinten K Fadness Family Trust property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.24.22.000, decrease in total value from $136,700.00 to $102,000.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Frohreich Family Living Trust property owner Wheeler Township, Parcel ID 19.17.23.010, decrease in total value from $118,100.00 to $104,600.00 due to the land value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to decrease the value on the following property: Raymond & Amy Friesner property owner Myhre Township, Parcel ID 21.05.32.010, decrease in total value from $43,300.00 to $31,700.00 due to the building value being too high.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to close the public hearing for Board of Equalization and open the regular meeting.

LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

Commissioner Ed Arnesen gave an update on bonding for the Law Enforcement Center, the Williams school, and safeboats.

Township Discussion

County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson informed the board that there were questions regarding making an unorganized township organized and gave an overview of the steps and responsibilities that would be placed on a township if they chose to do so. There was further discussion around the needs of the Northwest Angle Township.

Public Works

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave an update on various Highway/Solid Waste projects. There was also discussion regarding options for a community greenhouse, roads, and culverts.

Joe Laurin

Park Update

Joe Laurin and County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave a presentation on the Northerly Park project and various ideas moving forward.

NWA Edgriders Trail (BLM Lands)

Joe Laurin gave an update on the Northwest Angle Edgeriders trail project and informed the board that they did receive permission from BLM to pass through their land. 

Life Flight Discussion

The board discussed Guardian Life Flight and other options that may be available. There was also discussion regarding emergency response options for the Northwest Angle.

Adjourn

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to adjourn the meeting at 12:35 p.m. to be followed by the road tour.

Attest: July 9, 2024

______________________________ _________________________________

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Chair Cody Hasbargen

June 11, 2024

The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 11, 2024 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.

CALL TO ORDER

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Set Work Session-Employee Benefits

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the official minutes of May 28, 2024.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the official minutes of June 4, 2024.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $10,861.83; Commissioners Warrants $2,604.81; Commissioners Warrants $10,166.24.

Auditor/Treasurer

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $130,229.69; Road & Bridge $91,169.24; Solid Waste $44,877.64; EDA $1,296.38.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 6/11/2024 For Payment 6/14/2024

Vendor Name Amount

Angle Inlet Electric, LLC 5,558.80

ByteSpeed, LLC 2,352.00

Clay County Sheriff 2,407.11

Co-Op Services, Inc. 12,751.86

Contech Engineered Solutions LLC 30,140.60

DLT Solutions, LLC 4,574.60

E & A Services LLC 13,000.00

Extreme Duty Ironworks 5,700.00

Farmers Union Oil company 2,187.72

Houston Engineering Inc 9,678.00

Howard’s Oil Company 2,815.54

Integris LLC 3,121.00

Interstate Billing Service Inc 12,192.44

Lady Lakers Volleyball Association 2,250.00

Larkin Hoffman Attorneys 72,027.00

Law Offices Of Patrick D. Moren 8,904.93

LOW Highway Dept 4,857.50

Mar-Kit Landfill 15,978.50

MN Counties Intergovernmental Trust 3,157.00

Pomp’s Tire-Thief River Falls 2,834.25

Quadient Finance USA Inc. 3,000.00

R & Q Trucking, Inc 7,656.00

Rust Sales, Inc 6,339.55

SeaChange Print Innovations 2,970.00

Tillery/Dale 2,124.66

Ziegler, Inc 2,286.04

49 Payments less than 2000 26,707.85

Final Total: 267,572.95

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: May 24, 2024 for $896,792.00; May 29, 2024 for $17,139.42; June 3, 2024 for $584,243.92; June 3, 2024 for ($2,843.10); June 4, 2024 for $1,855,422.13.

NWA Meeting Agenda Discussion

The board discussed the upcoming meeting held at the Northwest Angle and possible agenda items.

Recorder

Board of Equalization Oath

County Recorder Sue Ney swore in the members of the Lake of the Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization for 2024 to be held on June 17, 2024.

Public Works

Local Bridge Replacement Program Grant Agreement

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the Local Bridge Replacement Program Grant Agreement and for Commissioner Buck Nordlof and County Engineer Anthony Pirkl to sign the same.

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call was moved for adoption: 

RESOLUTION

For Agreement to State Transportation Fund

Local Bridge Replacement Program Grant Agreement
Grant Terms and Conditions

SAP 039-598-072

Resolution No. 24-06-01

June 11, 2024

WHEREAS, Lake of the Woods County has applied to the Commissioner of Transportation for a grant from the Minnesota State Transportation Fund related to Bridge No. R0745; and

WHEREAS, the Commissioner of Transportation has given notice that funding for this project is available; and

WHEREAS, the amount of the grant has been determined to be $147,995.00 by reason of the lowest responsible bid;

NOW THEREFORE, be it resolved that Lake of the Woods County does hereby agree to the terms and conditions of the grant consistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 174.50, and will pay any additional amount by which the cost exceeds the estimate, and will return to the Minnesota State Transportation Fund any amount appropriated for the project but not required. The proper county officers are authorized to execute a grant agreement and any amendments thereto with the Commissioner of Transportation concerning the above-referenced grant.

Updates

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl joined by phone to give an update that included various highway/solid waste projects and the Northwest Angle.

County Life Flight Discussion

CHI Lakewood Health Center President Jeff Stampohar and Vice President of Patient Care Services Carrie Claybundy came to the board to discuss the availability of Guardian Life Flight, Legislation changes, and give an update regarding the ALS Advanced Life Care Paramedic service and ambulance services.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to add County Life Flight to Old/New business for further discussions.

Add to Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to add Letter of Support-Volunteer Drivers.

Letter of Support for Mileage Reimbursement- Volunteer Drivers

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to draft a letter of support for no taxation on mileage reimbursement for volunteer drivers.

Set Work Session-Employee Benefits

Motion 

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to set a work session for employee benefits on July 9^th, 2024 following the regular board meeting.

Add to Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to add Nursing Home Sale Affidavit to the agenda.

Affidavit for Sale of Nursing Home

County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson informed the board that there is a request for an affidavit to be signed that includes the legal description for the sale of the care center to the hospital in 1990. The original resolution did not include a legal description.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the affidavit for sale of the care center in 1990 including the legal description and for Chair Cody Hasbargen to sign the same.

Add to Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to add Moratorium for Cannabis Dispensary Applications to the agenda.

Moratorium for Cannabis Dispensary Application

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to place a moratorium on cannabis dispensary applications for licensure until there is further guidance on recently passed legislation. 

Adjourn

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to adjourn the meeting at 10:10 a.m.

Attest: June 25, 2024

______________________________ _________________________________

Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson Commissioner James “Buck” Nordlof