MINUTES & AGENDAS
December 13, 2022
December 13,2022
The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, December 13, 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, Cody Hasbargen, and Ed Arnesen. Also present was County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent: Commissioner Jon Waibel.
Approval of Agenda
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: MCIT Correspondence, Greater Minnesota Correspondence, AMC Resolution. Remove: 2022 EMPG Grant.
Approval of Minutes
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the minutes from November 29, 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 $16,757.30; Commissioners Warrants $3,650.15; Commissioners Warrants $14,640.36.
Meridian Services, Inc. Purchase of Services
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the renewal of the purchase of services agreement between Lake of the Woods County, by and through its local social services agency, and Meridian Services, Inc. and for Chair Buck Nordlof and Social Services Director Amy Ballard to sign the same.
Department of Human Services-Children’s Mental Health Screening Agent
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the Children’s Mental Health Screening Grant renewal and for Social Services Director Amy Ballard to sign the same.
Auditor/Treasurer
Claims
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously with Commissioner Joe Grund abstaining to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $49,064.86; Road & Bridge $146,568.69; County Development $1,875.00; Joint Ditch $4,360.00; Solid Waste $28,525.55; EDA $1,701.31.
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants Approved On 12/13/2022 For Payment 12/16/2022
Vendor Name Amount
Auto Value Baudette 2,718.82
Business Essentials 3,109.00
Cenex Co-Op Services, Inc. 21,102.02
Compass Minerals America 10,024.95
Counties Providing Technology 4,086.00
Extreme Duty Ironworks 3,146.00
Hoffman, Philipp & Martell, PLLC 5,585.00
Howard’s Oil Company 6,999.14
Integris LLC 2,041.01
LOW Highway Dept 6,748.75
Mar-Kit Landfill 13,472.00
Marco Technologies LLC 6,886.01
Mark Sand & Gravel Co. 96,250.00
North Leaf Auto Body 8,594.18
Powerplan 4,176.69
R & Q Trucking, Inc 3,055.00
Royal Tire Inc 2,600.82
WIDSETH 3,125.00
45 2000 Payments less than 28,375.02
Final Total: 232,095.41
Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: November 29, 2022 for $150,211.00, November 30,2022 for $814,696.49, November 30, 2022 for $10,322.36, December 5, 2022 for $821,985.04, December 5, 2022 for ($10,322.36), December 7, 2022 for $14,771.37.
Permission to Advertise for Legal Publishing Bids
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve permission to advertise for Legal Publishing Bids for 2023.
2023 Meeting Dates
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously, by roll call, to approve the following 2023 County Board Meeting Dates:
2023 LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY BOARD MEETING DATES
January
Tuesday, January 3 (Organizational Meeting) 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
Tuesday, January 10 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
Tuesday, January 24 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
February
Tuesday, February 14 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
Tuesday, February 28 8:15 a.m. Lake Of The Woods School (TBD)
March
Tuesday, March 14 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
Tuesday, March 28 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
April
Tuesday, April 11 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
Tuesday, April 25 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
May
Tuesday, May 9 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
Tuesday, May 23 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
June
Tuesday, June 6 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
Monday, June 12 6:00 p.m. Board Of Equalization
Tuesday, June 13 10:00 a.m. NWA
Tuesday, June 27 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
July
Tuesday, July 11 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
Tuesday, July 25 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
August
Tuesday, August 8 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
Tuesday, August 22 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
September
Tuesday, September 12 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
Tuesday, September 26 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
October
Tuesday, October 10 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
Tuesday, October 24 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
November
Tuesday, November 14 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
Tuesday, November 28 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
December
Tuesday, December 12 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
Tuesday, December 12 6:00 p.m. TNT MEETING
Thursday, December 28 9:00 a.m. Government Center, Commissioners Room
LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MAY BE ATTENDING THE FOLLOWING:
AMC JOINT LEGISLATIVE CONFERENCE: February 22-23 in St. Paul
AMC LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE: March 29-March 31 in Nisswa
AMC DISTRICT 2 MEETING: UNKNOWN DATE May or June
AMC POLICY COMMITTEE: September 13-15 in Alexandria
AMC ANNUAL CONFERENCE: December 4-6 in Bloomington
LAKE OF THE WOODS ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY MEETINGS
Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners will be attending these meetings on the 1st
Thursday of the month at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioners Room at the Government Center
Election Polling Places Resolution
Resolution
The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and moved for adoption:
A Resolution Establishing County Precincts and Polling Places
Resolution 22-12-01
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Section §204B16, Subdivision 1 requires that by December 31st of each year, the County must designate by resolution a polling place for each election precinct; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners, State of Minnesota hereby establishes polling places of the following County precincts: Baudette City Hall – Precincts 1B and 2B; Lake of the Woods County Government Center – All Mail Precincts including: 1A, 2A, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.
The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.
Petition for Road Vacation
Resolution
The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Joe Grund and moved for adoption:
A RESOLUTION SETTING FORTH INITIAL DESCRIPTIONS AND SETTING HEARING DATE
Resolution no. 22-12-03
WHEREAS, the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners were presented a petition at their meeting on the 13th day of December, 2022 requesting the vacation of a road;
WHEREAS, the petition contained a description of the road, a description of the portion to be vacated, and the names of the owners over which the road passes;
WHEREAS, Minn. Stat. § 164.07, subd. 2 requires the town board to make an order describing as nearly as practicable the road to be vacated, describing the several tracts of land through which the road passes, and fixing a time and place when and where the town board will meet and act upon the petition;
NOW, THEREFORE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that: 1. The road proposed to be vacated is described as: Platt of “Pitt” located in Minnesota, Lake of the Woods County, Wabanica Township-161, Section-35, Northwest ¼ or Southwest ¼, Range-32. This does not include the road “Pitt Road NW” which borders on the South side of the Platt of “Pitt”, and the road “Sanborn Road NW” which borders on the East side of the plat. A more specific description may be developed if the petition is granted. 2. The several tracts of land through which the road passes and their owners will be notified and proof of notification will be returned to the board.
3. The Lake of the Woods County Board will conduct a hearing at 10:00 a.m. on the 10th day of January, 2023, at the Lake of the Woods County Commissioners room to examine the road, receive public comment, consider the proposed action, and act on the petition.
The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and the same being put to a vote was unanimously carried.
Public Works
Todd Fadness Retirement
Resolution
The following resolution was offered by Chairman Buck Nordlof and moved for adoption:
Recognition of years of service
Lowell Todd Fadness
Resolution No. 22-12-02
Whereas: Todd Fadness has served Lake of the Woods County as a Heavy Equipment Operator since June 2, 1982;
Whereas: Todd will retire from Lake of the Woods County effective December 23, 2022 with more than forty years of service;
Now Therefore, Be it Resolved: That Lake of the Woods Board of County Commissioners extends its deepest appreciation to Todd for his dedicated service and wishes him well on his retirement.
The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.
Federal Bridge Project Agreement
Resolution
The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and moved for adoption:
RESOLUTION
STATE OF MINNESOTA / COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION for FEDERAL PARTICIPATION IN CONSTRUCTION AGENCY AGREEMENT
Number 1052039
Resolution No. 22-12-04
BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to Minnesota Stat. Sec. 161.36, the Commissioner of Transportation be appointed as Agent of the Lake of the Woods County to accept as its agent, federal aid funds which may be made available for eligible transportation related projects.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Lake of the Woods County Board Chair and Auditor/Treasurer are hereby authorized and directed for and on behalf of the Lake of the Woods County to execute and enter into an agreement with the Commissioner of Transportation prescribing the terms and conditions of said federal aid participation as set forth and contained in “Minnesota Department of Transportation Agency Agreement No 1052039”, a copy of which said agreement was before the Lake of the Woods County Board and which is made a part hereof by reference.
Solid Waste
The board discussed the upcoming holiday closures. It was the consensus of the board for the landfill to be closed Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and the following Monday December 26, 2022.
Association of Minnesota Counties
Resolution
The following Resolution was offered by Commission Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the following:
A RESOLUTION ENDORSING THE EFFORTS OF THE COMMUNITY SUPERVISION WORK GROUP AND URGING THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS A NEW FUNDING FORMULA AND SIGNIFICANT APPROPRIATION DURING THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION.
Resolution No. 22-12-05
WHEREAS, community supervision is a fundamental part of the criminal justice system in Minnesota and funding sufficient to ensure effective services is vital to public safety in all communities across the state; and
WHEREAS, community supervision includes services such as probation, supervised release, and intensive supervised release; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota’s counties provide essential community supervision services both as mandated by M.S. Chapter 244.19 and also as delegated by the Department of Corrections under M.S. Chapter 401; and
WHEREAS, when the Legislature decided that community supervision was best delivered through a state-county partnership, it stated a clear intent that the state would provide significant funding to the counties for the operation of local programs; and
WHEREAS, over the past 20 years, Minnesota has become the state with the lowest level of corrections funding in the nation because the Legislature has not upheld its promise to provide adequate state resources to support community supervision; and
WHEREAS, the Legislature’s failure to adequately fund community supervision has increased local property taxes on residents and businesses; and,
WHEREAS, a revised community supervision funding formula is necessary to ensure that all communities in Minnesota have enough state funding to provide a consistent standard for effective, evidence-based community supervision services, regardless of local capacity to pay; and
WHEREAS, the Association of Minnesota Counties assembled the Community Supervision Work Group including county leaders and experts in community supervision from all three supervision delivery systems to study the needs of community supervision departments statewide and develop a single funding formula that is transparent, needs based, and equitable among county and state supervision providers; and,
WHEREAS, the Community Supervision Workgroup has taken up its charge to convene stakeholders across the three probation delivery systems to oversee a study to create a unified recommendation for an equitable and adequate funding formula and appropriation; and,
WHEREAS, the Board of Directors of the Association of Minnesota Counties that represents the diverse interests of Minnesota’s 87 counties, voted to support a new funding formula that provides counties with the resources needed to keep communities safe; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED, the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners endorses the efforts of the Community Supervision Work Group and urges the Legislature to pass a new funding formula and significant appropriation during the 2023 legislative session.
Correspondence
Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT)
The board reviewed correspondence from MCIT for an award for excellence present to Lake of the Woods County for outstanding experience in workers’ compensation.
Greater Minnesota Regional Parks & Trails Commission
The board reviewed correspondence from Greater Minnesota Regional Parks & Trails Commission and discussed the need to create a Northwest Angle Northerly Park Committee.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to create the Northwest Angle Northerly Park Committee with the following members: Commissioner Ed Arnesen, Commissioner Joe Grund, County Engineer Anthony Pirkl, Land & Water Planning staff member, Joe Laurin, and member at large for the Northwest Angle.
Ditch Authority
Review 2023 Ditch Assessments
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to close the regular meeting and open Ditch Authority.
The Ditch Authority reviewed the proposed 2023 Ditch assessments.
Pay Ditch 23 Bills
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to pay Ditch 23 bill in the amount of $460.00 out of the designated ditch con-con funds.
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to close the Ditch Authority meeting and open the regular meeting.
Con-Con Fund Application Review
Lake of the Woods County Development Year 2023
Baudette Arena Assoc-$10,000.00; Williams Arena Assoc-$5000.00; Baudette Chamber-$12,000.00; Friends Against Abuse-$2500.00; LOW Humane Society-$7500.00; Williams Potato Day-$1000.00; Williams Public Library-$800.00; Joint Powers Natural Resources Board-$1000.00; LOW School Trap Team-$2,000.00; LOW Sr Fishing-1500.00; Take a Kid Fishing-$2000.00; Widseth Smith Nolting-$16,000.00; Auditing Fees-$1000.00.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, Seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to make allocations to the above organizations from the Con-Con funds, Payable 2023.
Veteran Services
Veteran Services officer Rick Rone gave an update on various topics that included in-service exposure illnesses and volunteer drivers.
Appointment of Veteran Services Officer
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen to re-appoint Rick Rone as Lake of the Woods County Veterans Service Officer from January 1, 2023 to December 31, 2026 pursuant MN Statutes 197.60 Subd. 2. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.
Recess
A brief recess took place at 11:05a.m. and reconvened at 11:10 a.m.
HRDC
Regional Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS)
Economic Development Planner Antonio Franklin Jr. Met with the board to discuss strategies that strengthen the regional economy and review recommendations for the 2022-2025 CEDS.
Resolution
The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and moved for adoption:
A Resolution Establishing A Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy
Resolution 22-12-06
WHEREAS, Lake of the Woods County is recognized by the Economic Development Administration as a redevelopment area with special needs for economic development assistance; and
WHEREAS, the Headwaters Regional Development Commission is an Economic Development District by the Economic Development Administration to provide planning and economic development assistance; and
WHEREAS, the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners actively supports and currently participates in the economic development district activities of the Headwaters Regional Development Commission; and
WHEREAS, the Headwaters Regional Development Commission has prepared a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy in cooperation with businesses, communities, and economic development organizations in lieu of a separate county Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners approves of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy as submitted on this date.
The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.
Land & Water
Land and Water Director Josh Stromlund and Land Owner Bruce Baumgartner met with the board to discuss the land that was in violation of meeting the conditions of its conditional use permit and to request an extension. Mr. Baumgartner explained that he had difficulty getting someone to the Northwest Angle to complete the work needed to meet those conditions due to the Covid-19 pandemic and then the area flood that occurred.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to extend the deadline to meet conditions to July 31, 2023 due to the pandemic restrictions that were previously in place when entering Canada, and the recent flooding event.
Sheriff
Extended Services Warranty on ARMER Radio Console Renewal
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the renewal of the Service agreement with Motorola Solutions for ASTRO 25 Essential Plus Services and Site Management -SOW on the ARMER Radio System.
IAMRESPONDING Fiscal Agent
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the Lake of the Woods County Sheriff’s Office to act as the fiscal agent collecting funds from Williams Fire Department, Baudette Fire Department, and Lake of the Woods Ambulance to pay for the new IAMRESPONDING service that will replace Safealert.
Emergency Management
EOP Sign off & MNWALK
Motion
Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and Commissioner Ed Arnesen met with Emergency Management director Jill Hasbargen Olson on Dec 12th to review the 2022-2023 County Emergency Operations Plan and MNWALK. Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund to accept and sign the reviewed County EOP & MNWALK documents and for Chair Buck Nordlof to sign.
Lakewood Health
Approval of Community Health Services Agreement
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the Purchase of Service Agreement for Community Health Services between Lake of the Woods County and Lakewood Health Center and for County Board Chair Buck Nordlof and County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson to sign the same.
RECESS
The meeting was called to recess at 12:10 p.m. and reconvened at 6:00 p.m.
Truth In Taxation Meeting
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to close the regular meeting and open the Public Hearing for Truth In Taxation meeting at 6:00p.m. Members present, Commissioners Joe Grund, Buck Nordlof, Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, and Ed Arnesen. Others present, County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson.
County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson reviewed the 2023 Proposed County Levy at the Truth In Taxation Public Hearing.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to close the public hearing and open the regular meeting at 6:40p.m.
Resolution
Resolution Adopting
Certified 2023 Budget and Tax Levy
Resolution 2022-12-07
The following Resolution was proposed and moved for adoption by Commissioner Joe Grund:
WHEREAS, the Proposed County Budget for the year 2023 has been reviewed by the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners; and
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the following Proposed Budget and Tax Levy is hereby adopted for the Lake of the Woods County for 2023:
Revenue Fund $ 2,025,860
Road & Bridge Fund $ 449,580
Social Services Fund $ 603,935
Economic Development Authority Fund $ 60,000
2023 Proposed Budget and Tax Levy $ 3,139,375
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the following amounts be levied against the unorganized townships of Lake of the Woods County for 2023:
Twp Road & Bridge $ 471,470*
Twp Fire – Baudette $ 25,000
Twp Fire – Williams $ 16,881
Twp Fire – NW Angle $ 6,500
Total $ 519,851
2023
* $471,470 for Township Road & Bridge, includes $12,765 Admin of Township Roads (458,705+12,765=471,470)
A public meeting to discuss the 2023 Proposed Budget and Tax Levy was held on Tuesday, December 13, 2022, at 6:00 p.m. in the Lake of the Woods County Commissioners’ Room.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel, and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.
RECESS
With no further business before the Board, Chairman Buck Nordlof called the meeting to recess at 6:45 p.m.
Attest: December 29, 2022
______________________________ _________________________________
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Chair James “Buck” Nordlof