December 28, 2023

The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on December 28, 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 9:00a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Ed Arnesen, Cody Hasbargen, Buck Nordlof, Jon Waibel, and Joe Grund. Also Present was Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. 

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Sick Leave Pay, Amend Meeting Minutes.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES WITH AMENDMENT

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of December 12, 2023 with an amendment to the 2024 Board Meeting Dates to change the date from August 13,2024 to August 6, 2024.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $5,513.85; Commissioners Warrants $1,257.52; Commissioners Warrants $35,378.54.

CMH SCREENING GRANT
Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the CMH screening grant contract for mental health screening services.

LIFECARE BEHAVIORAL HEALTH CONTRACT

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the Lifecare Behavioral Health Contract for Clinical Supervision and for Chair Ed Arnesen to sign the same.

MERIDIAN SERVICES INC CONTRACT

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the contract with Meridian Services Inc, for contracted case management services and for Chair Ed Arnesen to sign the same. 

Auditor/Treasurer

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $96,033.74; Road & Bridge $5,682.86; County Development $400.00; Natl Resc Enhanc $3,537.50; Solid Waste $122,043.22. 

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 12/28/2023 For Payment 12/29/2023

Vendor Name Amount

Barr Engineering Co. 3,973.00 

Clark Equipment Co Dba Bobcat 104,229.33 

Cps Technology Solutions 3,995.00 

LOW Soil & Water Cons. Dist. 29,235.00 

Motorola Solutions, Inc 33,475.76 

Msop-Mn Sex Offender Prgrm-462 2,921.90 

Rinke-Noonan 3,737.50 

Thortsen Trucking, Inc/Dale 3,496.00 

U.S. Bank Equipment Finance 6,268.50 

 University Of Mn 15,437.69 

 35 Payments less than 2000 20,927.64

Final Total: 227,697.32

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: December 13, 2023 for $65,412.70; December 20, 2023 for $476,387.02; December 27,2023 for $32,585.09; December 27,2023 for $352,951.00; December 26,2023 for (81.79).

Salaries

2024 Elected Officials & Non-Elected Department Heads Salaries

Motion 

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen to adopt the following County Commissioners salaries schedule and County Board Chair salary schedule for the year 2024; and to adopt a committee meeting per diem of $125.00 for the year 2024.  The motion was seconded by Joe Grund and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Elected Officials – Commissioners:

Commissioners                 $24,000                        

Board Chair                      $25,000         

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof to adopt a Technology Fee of $50.00 per month for County Commissioners for the year 2024. (Technology fee reimbursement for county related phone, internet, computer and copy expenses.)  The motion was seconded by Jon Waibel and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and unanimously carried to approve the 2024 Salary Grade Table, with an increase of 2.75% to the table.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and unanimously carried to adopt the following Elected Officials salary schedule for the year 2024.  

Elected Officials – Department Heads:

Interim County Attorney      $ 103,000.00 (plus mileage)

County Recorder                  $   89,624.96

County Sheriff                      $ 103,710.08

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel to adopt the following Non-Elected Department Heads salary schedule for the year 2024.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.  

Non-Elected – Department Heads:

Assessor                              Alisa Jacobsen            $   81,031.36    

Aud/Treas                        Lorene Hanson       $ 109,893.28

Land/Water                         Josh Stromlund           $   98,302.40

MIS Director                       Peder Hovland            $   96,562.72

Public Works                      Anthony Pirkl                 $ 140,000.00    

Social Service                     Amy Ballard              $   98,281.44

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof to adopt the following Non-Elected Department Heads salary schedule for the year 2024.  The motion was seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.  

Non-Elected – Department Heads:

Human Resources           Savanna Slick                  $   36,019.76          

Veterans Service             Rick Rone                        $   28,998.16

Salary Adjustment, as agreed upon per Union Contract

Motion- Highway Union

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen to adjust all full time Highway Union employees’ salary by a 2.75% general adjustment and by 1 merit step, if applicable (not maxed), effective January 1, 2024.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Salary Adjustment, as agreed upon per Union Contract

Motion- Solid Waste Union

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund to adjust all full time Solid Waste Union employees’ salary by a 2.75% general adjustment and by 1 merit step, if applicable (not maxed), effective January 1, 2024.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

All County Employees (Full time/Permanent Part Time/Part Time/Seasonal Employees) Salary Adjustment (Excluding Elected and Non-Elected Department Heads) 

Motion- Non-Union

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen to adjust all non-union employees: full time, permanent part time, part time and seasonal (excluding elected and non-elected department heads) salaries by a 2.75% general adjustment and by 1 merit step, if applicable (not maxed), effective January 1, 2024.  Motion was seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Health Insurance/Health Care Savings Plan

Motion (motion made 10/24/2023)

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to set the 2024 county contribution for family health insurance up to $1395 per month and single health insurance up to $1045 per month.  The Public Employees Insurance Program “Advantage Plan” consists of “High”, “Value” and “HSA” plans.  For the HSA plans only, any excess county contribution will be deposited directly into the employee’s health savings account, up to the IRS caps.  

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to set the 2024 county contribution for family health insurance up to $1395 per month for all Highway Union and Solid Waste Union employees.  The International Union of Operating Engineers Local No 49 AFL-CIO health insurance consists of family coverage only.

Motion 

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve that all PERA eligible Lake of the Woods County employees contribute one percent (1%) of their regular pay (no overtime) into their Health Care Savings Plan (HCSP); in addition, Lake of the Woods County, as employer, will contribute one percent (1%) of the employee’s regular pay (no overtime) to the same all PERA eligible Lake of the Woods County employees.

Motion to Pay Year End Bills

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the payment of year end bills on December 29, 2023.

IRS Mileage Rate

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the 2024 Standard IRS Mileage rate for business miles at .67 cents per mile.

Resolution for Year End Commitments

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the following:

RESOLUTION

YEAR END COMMITMENT OF FUNDS

RESOLUTION NO. 23-12-06

WHEREAS, per Lake of the Woods County Fund Balance Policy, the County Board will annually or as deemed necessary commit specific revenue sources for specified purposed by resolution;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Lake of the Woods County hereby commits the following reserves with the amounts to be determined at a later date: Building; Community Health; Elections; Health/Medical; Housing Rehabilitation; Land & Building Acquisitions; Sheriff’s Posse; Sheriff’s Vending Commission; Technology; Transit; Drainage Maintenance; Economic Development; Prepaid Fiber; SANE; Snowmobile Trails; Future Equipment, and Future Budget Expenditures; Borderland DUI Drug Court; Wetland Banks; ARPA Funds; Opioid Funds; CARRSA, USDA Funds; Day Care-Deed; Landfil Cap.

Transfer of Ditch Funds

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the request to transfer ditch funds to ditch 22 to cover a temporary overage.

Election Polling Places Resolution

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and moved for adoption:

A Resolution Re-stablishing County Precincts and Polling Places

Resolution 23-12-07

WHEREAS, the legislature of the State of Minnesota has been redistricted; and

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Section §204B.14, subd. 3(d) requires that precinct boundaries must be reestablished within 60 days of when the legislature has been redistricted or at least 19 weeks before the state primary election, whichever comes first;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners, State of Minnesota hereby reestablishes the boundaries of the voting precincts and polling places as follows:

Precinct 1A (Mail Ballot — Lake of the Woods Government Center, 206 8^th Ave SE, Baudette)

Precinct 1A consists of that portion of Baudette Township that lies East of the Winter Road River and East of County Road 75, south of where it intersects the Winter Road River; North of Krull St; and West of the City of Baudette.

Precinct 2A (Mail Ballot — Lake of the Woods Government Center, 206 8^th Ave SE, Baudette)

Precinct 2A consists of that portion of Gudrid Township that lies outside of the City of Baudette.

Precinct 2C (Mail Ballot — Lake of the Woods Government Center, 206 8^th Ave SE, Baudette)

Precinct 2C consists of the Townships of Boone, Rapid River, Swiftwater, Unorganized 158-30, Keil, and Unorganized 157-30.

Precinct 3A (Mail Ballot — Lake of the Woods Government Center, 206 8^th Ave SE, Baudette)

Precinct 3A consists of the Townships of Victory, Rulien, Walhalla, and that portion of Spooner that lies outside of the City of Baudette.

Precinct 3C (Mail Ballot — Lake of the Woods Government Center, 206 8^th Ave SE, Baudette)

Precinct 3C consists of that portion of McDougald Township that lies South of State Trunk Highway 11, not including the City of Williams.

Precinct 3D (Mail Ballot — Lake of the Woods Government Center, 206 8^th Ave SE, Baudette)

Precinct 3D consists of Potamo Township and the Forest Area.

Precicnt 4A (Mail Ballot — Lake of the Woods Government Center, 206 8^th Ave SE, Baudette)

Precinct 4A consists of Wheeler Township.

Precinct 4B (Mail Ballot — Lake of the Woods Government Center, 206 8^th Ave SE, Baudette)

Precinct 4B consists of Wabanica Township and that portion of Baudette Township that lies West of the Winter Road River and West of County Road 75, south of where it intersects the Winter Road River.

Precinct 4C (Mail Ballot — Lake of the Woods Government Center, 206 8^th Ave SE, Baudette)

Precinct 4C consists of that portion of McDougald Township that lies North of State Highway 11.

Precinct 5A (Mail Ballot — Lake of the Woods Government Center, 206 8^th Ave SE, Baudette)

Precinct 5A consists of Myhre, Chilgren, Lakewood, and Prosper Townships.

Precinct 5B (Mail Ballot — Lake of the Woods Government Center, 206 8^th Ave SE, Baudette)

Precinct 5B consists of Zippel Township.

Precinct 5C (Mail Ballot — Lake of the Woods Government Center, 206 8^th Ave SE, Baudette)

Precinct 5C consists of the Northwest Angle and Islands.

Attached to this resolution, for illustrative purposes, is a map showing said precincts and the location of each polling place.

The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.

Lost Warrant Affidavit

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the application for lost warrant #40114.

Motion to Rescind Painting Quote from Minutes of 11/14/2023

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to rescind the painting quote motion from 11/14/2023 minutes.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the quote from Joy Brandt Painting in the amount of $29,800.00 to paint the interior of the courthouse building. 

LOW Youth Hockey-LG 220 Exempt Permit Approval

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the LOW Youth Hockey-LG 220 Exempt Permit as presented.

Phone Stipend

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve a phone stipend for Appraiser Kristina Roth in the amount of $60.00 per month.

Credit Card Approval

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve a County Credit Card for Appraiser Kristina Roth in the standard amount of $1500.00.

Snowmobile Grant-in-Aid

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the LOW Drifters Grant-in-Aid trail permit.

Resolution to Accept IDC Funds

Resolution

RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT FUNDS FROM IDC

Resolution No. 23-12-08

The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Jon Waibel and moved for adoption:

WHEREAS, Lake of the Woods County Commissioners hereby approves the acceptance of two funds from the IDC for the Economic Development Authority.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with the terms set forth by the IDC, the funds will be used for Economic Development Purposes

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

ARPA Funds

County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson gave an update on ARPA funds.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to pay for the purchase of a 2023 chassis in the amount of $120,702.00 out of ARPA funds.

NWA Postal Service

The board discussed options for the Northwest Angle Postal Service.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to set a work session for NWA public work on January 23, 2024 following the regular board meeting.

Sick Leave Policy 

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to accept the sick leave policy contingent upon the County Attorney effective January 1, 2024.

County TV

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the contract agreement with KC Tech LLC contingent upon the County Attorney.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof  and carried unanimously to approve the request to pay KC Tech LLC from July 2023 through December 2023 for services rendered.

Northern Tier Propane

The following Resolution was offered by Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the following: 

RESOLUTION APPROVING

NORTHERN TIER PROPANE SYSTEM

Resolution No. 2023-12-05

WHEREAS, Lake of the Woods County Board met on December 28, 2023; and,

WHEREAS, Northern Tier Propane, LLC (an LLC organized and existing through the laws of Minnesota with the sole member being Coop Service, Inc of Baudette) has built and is operating a new propane distribution system to serve residential and commercial customers in unincorporated areas within Baudette, Wabanica and Wheeler townships in Lake of the Woods County; and,

WHEREAS, the Lake of the Woods County Board finds that addition of a propane distribution system within the County does enhance overall utility service for its customers; and

WHEREAS, Northern Tier Propane has appeared before this Board and has provided assurances that it has obtained all necessary regulatory approvals for construction and operation of the propane distribution system from applicable regulatory agencies including: 1) the Minnesota Office of Pipeline Safety, 2) the Minnesota Department of Transportation, 3) the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources and 4) the Lake of the Woods County Highway Department; and

WHEREAS, Northern Tier propane has agreed to provide periodic progress reports to this Board regarding development, construction and operation of the propane distribution system; 

BE IT RESOLVED, that Lake of the Woods County Board approves of the establishment of a propane distribution system within unincorporated areas of Lake of the Woods County by Northern Tier Propane, LLC as described above.

LOW Tourism

Patrick Plunket and Joe Henry discussed the articles of incorporation and bylaws.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the articles of incorporation contingent upon the County Attorney.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the bylaws contingent upon the County Attorney.

Public Works

Updates

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave an update on various projects that included: Fema Funds, Northerly Park, and Ditch 1.

Permission to Bid

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request to bid 039-598-072.

ADD TO AGENDA
Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to add Ditch 1 Funds to the agenda.

Ditch 1 Funds

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to use funds from Ditch 1 to hire HDR to create a plan for investigating sloughing and erosion on Ditch 1.

Wheelers Sanitation

Wheelers Point Sewer Board Members and Terms

Alan Thompson       Three Year Term     21 Thru 01/02/2024

Marshall Monk        Three Year Term     21 Thru 01/02/2024

Brian Ney                Three Year Term     23 Thru 01/02/2026

Paul Johnson           Three Year Term     23 Thru 01/02/2026

Justin Ferguson       Three Year Term     19 Thru 01/02/2025

Motion

Motion was made by Jon Waibel, seconded by Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to appoint Alan Thompson and Marshall Monk to the Wheeler’s Point Sanitary District Board for a three year term beginning January 2, 2024 thru January 2, 2027. 

EDA Board Member Appointment

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to adopt the following resolution:

Re-Appointment of Terms of the economic development authority

Resolution 23-12-09

Whereas Lake of the Woods County Board, pursuant to MN Statute §469.093, Subd.1 has provided a public notice and conducted a public hearing on September 14, 2010 to consider the creation of an Economic Development Authority and adopted the Enabling Resolution creating the same; and

Whereas the County Board of Commissioners of the County of Lake of the Woods adopted the following:

The EDA shall consist of a governing body of nine (9) members, as per the adopted Enabling Resolution, of which: Five (5) Sitting Commissioners, Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners

Four (4) Members shall be nominated by the following organizations and appointed by the County Board:

Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to recommend appointment

Chamber of Commerce to recommend appointment

Lake of the Woods Tourism to recommend appointment

City of Baudette to recommend appointment

The Board Members and 6-year terms are established as follows:

Board Member Term Expires Representing

Steve Theis Jr. 12/31/2023 City of Baudette

James “Buck” Nordlof 12/31/2023 County Board District 1

Jeff Bauers 12/31/2024 IDC

Paul Johnson 12/31/2024 Tourism Board

Ed Arnesen 12/31/2025 County Board District 5

Jon Waibel 12/31/2025 County Board District 4

Brittney Peterson 12/31/2026 Chamber of Commerce

Cody Hasbargen 12/31/2027 County Board District 2 

Joe Grund 12/31/2028 County Board District 3

Whereas the City of Baudette member is to be replaced;

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the County Board of Commissioners of the County of Lake of the Woods hereby rappoints the following board members for a 6-year term;

Board Member              Term Expires Representing

Steve Theis Jr.       12/31/2029 City of Baudette

James “Buck” Nordlof      12/31/2029 County Board District 1 

MIS

Approval of Logging Quotes

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the quotes from SHI, Splunk, and Bytespeed for a total amount of $52,966.00 out of ARPA funds.

Old/New Business

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to remove Home Health Care Task Force from old/new business.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to add Unused Wells to old/new business.

Correspondence

The board congratulated Commissioner Jon Waibel on the birth of his baby girl, and County Engineer Anthony Pirkl on the birth of his baby boy both born recently.

Adjourn

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 11:23 a.m.

Attest: January 9, 2024

______________________________ _________________________________

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Chair Ed Arnesen