Commissioner Proceedings

June 15, 2021

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 15, 2021 at the Angle Outpost Resort, Angle Inlet, MN. 

CALL TO ORDER

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following additions: RECONVENE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION and PUBLIC WORKS/Canadian Business Number.

SET PUBLIC HEARING

Off-Sale Liquor License for Border Bait Company LLC

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to set a public hearing, on the issuance of an off-sale intoxicating liquor license for Border Bait Company, LLC, on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. in the Lake of the Woods County Government Center, Commissioners’ Room.

TOURISM UPDATE

Joe Henry, Director of Lake of the Woods Tourism Bureau, provided an update.  Henry was asked by U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar to join a state tourism committee and also mentioned that U.S Congresswoman Michelle Fischbach will be visiting the Northwest Angle on July 7 and 8, 2021.

The joint powers agreement between the City of Baudette and Lake of the Woods County, which created the tourism bureau, was discussed.  Commissioner Ed Arnesen mentioned the possibility of hiring a specialist to provide guidance on how to proceed with requesting special legislature for a county-wide lodging tax.  This item will be placed on the next Board meeting agenda. 

PUBLIC WORKS
Highway/Solid Waste
Public Works Director, AJ Pirkl, provided an update on Northwest Angle gravel and garbage contracts.  Other items discussed included, a possible state aid project for a shared fire department and solid waste building, calcium/magnesium chloride application, training for road operators, disposal of fish entrails, and ditch drainage.

Canadian Business Number

Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to authorize Public Works Director, Anthony J. Pirkl, to register for a business number with the Canada Revenue Agency.

COVID-19
American Rescue Plan Act – The County Board discussed the program; no action was taken.

Vaccinations – This item will be added to the next Board meeting agenda.

NWA PROPERTY VALUES

A Northwest Angle Business owner requested to have their commercial property value reassessed, stating many businesses have been unable to fully open due to the border closure.  The Commissioners discussed sending a letter to the Department of Revenue regarding valuations of commercial property at the Northwest Angle. This will be added to the next Board meeting agenda.

RECONVENE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION

Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to close the regular meeting and open the Board of Equalization meeting at 11:40 a.m.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to close the Board of Equalization meeting at 11:45 a.m.

RECESS
With no further business before the Board, Chair Joe Grund called the meeting to recess at 11:48 a.m.

Attest: June 22, 2021

_________________________________ _________________________________

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Chair of the Board, Joe Grund