December 21, 2023

EMERGENCY MEETING

The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in an emergency meeting on December 21, 2023 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.

CALL TO ORDER

Vice-Chair Cody Hasbargen called the meeting to order at 5:30p.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, and Joe Grund. Also Present was Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson, MIS Director Peder Hovland, and Systems Administrator John Butenhoff. Joining by Phone: Commissioner Ed Arnesen, Commissioner Buck Nordlof, and County Attorney Michelle Moren.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the agenda.

CLOSED SESSION

Resolution

The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the following:

Resolution Closing Board Meeting

Resolution No. 2023-12-04

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, subd. 3(b) states that “meetings may be closed if the closure is expressly authorized by statute or permitted by the attorney-client privilege;” and

WHEREAS, the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners wishes to meet with its attorney to discuss an ongoing investigation pertaining to sensitive data, which data could be construed as confidential/private pursuant to the Minnesota Data Practices Act; and

WHEREAS, it would be detrimental to the interests of the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners to hold a public discussion with its attorney regarding the ongoing investigation and its legal position; and

WHEREAS, there is an absolute need for the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners to obtain confidential legal advice regarding the ongoing investigation and potential legal options in order to maintain the attorney-client privilege.

BE IT RESOLVED, by the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners as follows:

1. The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners hereby closes this meeting based upon the attorney-client privilege pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, subd. 3(b);
2. The specific subjects to be discussed, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, subd. 3(b), are the legal strategy of the Board regarding the ongoing sensitive data investigation.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to close the closed session and open the regular meeting.

Adjourn

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to adjourn the meeting at 6:10p.m.

Attest: December 21, 2023

______________________________ _________________________________

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Vice-Chair Cody Hasbargen