Commissioner Proceedings

March 14, 2017

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, March 14, 2017 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.

Call to Order

Chairman Nordlof called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Ken Moorman, Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, Buck Nordlof and Ed Arnesen. Also present were: County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson, Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Janet Rudd, and Woody Fiala.

Approval of Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following additions: HRDC-Fire Wise Grant, Northern MN Veterans Home, Ditch Training, Lessard Letter, Work Session- Strategic Planning, Ditch 26, NWC Action, Homeless Prevention Program,

Approval of Minutes

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of February 28, 2017.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Social Services Director, Amy Ballard met with the board requesting approval for claims.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $10,272.23, Commissioners Warrants $5,749.95, Commissioner Warrants, $23,453.13.

SHERIFF

Tower Space Lease

County Sheriff, Gary Fish met with the board requesting approval for the NWA Tower Lease with Wikstrom Telephone Company for transmission and reception of public safety communication signals.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the NWA Tower Space Lease agreement between Wikstrom Telephone Inc. and Lake of the Woods County for use for transmission and reception of public safety communication signals and for the construction, maintenance, repair or replacement of related facilities, antennas, equipment and related activities, effective November 1, 2016-October 31, 2021, for $200.00 per month with the first two years waived.

PUBLIC WORKS

Public Works Director, Tim Erickson met with the board requesting authorization to purchase a new pickup, as budgeted in 2017.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the purchase of a new pickup for the Public Works Director, as budgeted in the amount of $32,114.71, which includes the plow.

DITCH 26

Public Works Director, Tim Erickson informed the board that one (1) mile of Ditch 26 has been brushed out, which cost $10,000, and the current contractor stated he would charge an additional $1,000 to brush out five (5) more miles. The board discussed the maintenance needed on Ditch 28, 24 and Ditch 1. The board will discuss this further in April.

WORK SESSION

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board and informed them that Kurt Deter, from Rinke Noonan Law firm agreed to meet with the board to discuss Public Drainage System.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Wabiel and carried unanimously to set April 17, 2017, at 2:30- 4:30 p.m. for a work session on Public Drainage Systems, for Commissioners and 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. for work session for Public.

LAND AND WATER PLANNING

Letter- HF 1807/SF1482 AND HF1291/SF1087

Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund met with the board and presented a letter opposing HF 1807/SF1482 AND HF1291/SF1087.

Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to authorize Chairman Nordlof to sign the letter in regards to HF 1807/SF1482 and HF1291/SF1087.

Letter

Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund met with the board and presented a letter for consideration of an agreement between Lake of the Woods County Soil and Water Conservation District and Lake of the Woods County regarding responsibilities related to the Lake of the Woods One Water Shed One Plan.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to authorize Chairman Nordlof to sign the 2017 Agreement with Lake of the Woods County Soil and Water District and Lake of the Woods County for development of One Watershed One Plan for Lake of the Woods Watershed to provided assistance with data completion, coordination of policy and advisory committee meetings, public meetings and maintaining  all records and documentations, with compensation of $5,500.

Conservation Act

Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund met with the board presented a letter in support for H.R. 1163: Improving Access to Conservation Act.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to authorize Chairman Nordlof to sign the letter of support for H.R. 1163

Buffer Law Amendments

Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stomlund met with the board to inform them of law amendments on the Buffer Law ruling, which is stating there is no funding available to reimburse counties for administrative buffer duties.

COUNTY AUDITOR/TREASURER

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting approval for claims against the County.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the county as follows: Revenue $66,648.41, Road & Bridge $17,057.08, Social Services .53, County Devel.$2,063.00 , Solid Waste, $22,542.49, EDA,$1,022.86.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 3/14/2017 For Payment 3/17/2017

Vendor Name                                                    Amount

Cenex Co-Op Services, Inc.                                                    4,783.09

Code 4 Services LLC                                                               2,768.90

Computer Professionals Unlimited Inc                                      3,360.00

Cps Technology Solutions                                                       2,988.70

Esri                                                                                         12,826.72

Howard’s Oil Company                                                            3,719.40

Johnson Auto & Machine                                                         2,604.18

Mar-Kit Landfill                                                                       12,654.50

Mn State Dept-Correction                                                      17,136.97

Pete’s Body Shop Dba                                                            5,830.60

Powerplan                                                                               2,030.59

Snow-Wheel System Inc                                                         2,098.00

Widseth Smith Nolting&Asst Inc                                               4,029.66

Woody’s Service                                                                     3,551.50

73 Payments less than 2000  28,951.56

Final Total:  109,334.37

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: March 1, 2017 – $86,382.63, March 1, 2017- $1,101.39 – March 1, 2017- $(1,101.39) – March 8, 2017- $112,998.95.

HRDC

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting approval to pay the county’s share for the “Community Wild Fire Plan” to HRDC.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to authorize payment of $5,500 from the revenue fund and authorize Chairman Nordlof to sign the Community Wild Fire Plan.

Lessard Letter

The board discussed the letter that was sent to Bob Lessard in regards to a few parcels of lands that were turned over to the State in 1943 requesting assistance in having land returned back to Lake of the Woods County. Commissioner Arnesen stated that he has not heard from Bob Lessard at this point.

Veterans Task Force

The board reviewed the letter from the Northern Minnesota Veterans Task Forces. The consensus of the board was that they were in support of HF 1109 and SF 1090 to build Veterans Home in Northern Minnesota and in Montevideo.

Northwest Community Action

County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson met with the board and presented a resolution for Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Projects.

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Commissioners Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously the following:

Resolution Authorizing Application for Minnesota Housing and Finance Agency

Family Homelessness Prevention and Assistance Program

Resolution  No. 2017-03-01

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency, State of Minnesota, has been authorized to undertake a program to provide funds for Family Homeless Prevention & Assistance Projects; and,

WHEREAS, Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. in the nine –county region of northwest Minnesota has developed an application for the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Family Homelessness Prevention & Assistance Program; and

WHEREAS, Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. have demonstrated the ability to perform the required activities of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Family Homelessness Prevention & Assistance Program;

NOW, THEREFORE, be it resolved that Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc. is hereby authorized as an entity to be charged with the administration of funds made available through the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency Family Homelessness Prevention & Assistance Program in the county of Lake of the Woods, in Minnesota.

Snow Club Meeting 

County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson informed the board that the spring meeting for Snow Clubs will be held on April 1 in MacIntosh from 10:00 a.m. -2:00 p.m.

WORK SESSION- STRATEGIC PLANNING

The board discussed the Strategic Planning dates. The board requested that on short meeting dates that Strategic Planning is placed on those agendas.

RECESS

With no further business before the board, Chairman Nordlof called the meeting to recess at 11:10 a.m.

Attest:                                                                                      March 28, 2017

__________________________________                            _________________________________

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson                                Chairman of the Board, James Nordlof

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Commissioner Proceedings

March 28, 2017

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, March 28, 2017 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.

Call to Order

Chairman Nordlof called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Ken Moorman, Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, Buck Nordlof and Ed Arnesen. Also present were: County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson, Deputy Auditor/Treasurer Janet Rudd, and Woody Fiala.

Approval of Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following additions: Land exchange, Department of Human Services, DNR- Bench Mark, Red River Valley- Invite.  

Approval of Minutes

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of March 14, 2017.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Social Services Financial Officer, Christine Hultman met with the board requesting approval for claims.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioner Warrants $6,870.68- Commissioner Warrants $148.70- Commissioner Warrants $3,851.00- Commissioner Warrants- $14,235.82.

COUNTY AUDITOR/TREASURER

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting approval for claims against the County.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the county as follows: Revenue $48,721.346- Road & Bridge $5,139.95-Solid Waste, $4,346.23- EDA,$900.00.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 3/28/2017 For Payment 3/31/2017

Vendor Name                                                    Amount

Dell Marketing, Lp                                                                 9,969.12

Lakewood Health Center                                                      3,025.00

Northwest Concrete                                                           10,401.60

Pemberton, Sorlie, Rufer & Kershner, PLL                           3,261.56

Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc                                                2,400.38

University Of Mn                                                                   9,223.89

Voyageurs Comtronics, Inc                                                  2,640.00

38 2000  Payments less than 18,186.09

Final Total: 59,107.64

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: March 13, 2017 – $143,251.39- March 15, 2017- $41,876.33 – March 22, 2017- $29,942.39 – March 23, 2017- $127,978.15.

Folding Machine

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting approval to purchase a folding machine.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the purchase of a folding machine in the amount of $2,884.00 from the revenue account.

Liquor License

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board requesting approval for an On/Off Sale Liquor License for Crow Creek Properties, LLC DBA Jerry’s Bar and Restaurant and requested that Oak Harbor Golf Course approval be removed form agenda for no application was received.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, second by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve Crow Creek Properties, LLC On/Off Sale Liquor License effective April 1, 2017- June 30, 2017.

Triple A Booster

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson met with the board and presented a request of funds from Triple A Booster club. No action taken.

PUBLIC WORKS

Public Works Director, Tim Erickson met with the board requesting authorization to purchase a Grapple for the Solid Waste Department which was not budgeted for 2017.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to approve the purchase of a Grapple in the amount of $4,892.33 from the Solid Waste fund.

SHERIFF

County Sheriff, Gary Fish met with the board requesting title change on Deputy Sherriff Joel Morisch to add Investigator. The board requested that this be brought to Human Resources.

LAND AND WATER PLANNING

Land and Water Planning Director, Josh Stromlund and County Surveyor, Donn Rasmussen met with the board and presented the contract that the board requested from Widseth Smith and Nolting for the Vertical Control Survey.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the Vertical Control Survey agreement with Widseth Smith and Nolting in the amount of $22,500 with funding from the Con-Con fund and authorize County Auditor/Treasurer and Chairman Nordlof to sign.

RECESS

The meeting was called to recess at 10:18 a.m. and reconvened at 10:30 a.m. Chairman Nordlof excused himself from the meeting.

WE DAY CELEBRATION

Lake of the Woods Student Council members, Jordan Sonstegard, Ema Stimpfl and Mckord Krause met with the board and explained what the We Day Celebration is all about and requested funding to help support the celebration.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to contribute $1,000 to Lake of the Woods School We Day Celebration with funding from the Con-Con fund.

MIS 

MIS/Maintenance Supervisor, Peder Hovland met with the board on behalf of Emergency Management Director, Jill Olson to discuss the Security Grant for the Government Center which is available with matching funds.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to authorize Emergency Management Director, Jill Olson to apply for the Security Grant for the Government Center with matching funds up to $10,766.00.

CLOSED SESSION

Motion was made by Commissioner Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Waibel and carried unanimously to close the regular meeting at 11:16 a.m. and open the closed session pursuant to MN Statute §13D.05, Subd. 3 (b) – Attorney Client privileges. Members present: Commissioner Hasbargen, Waibel, Arnesen and Moorman. Others present: County Attorney James Austad and County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to close the closed session at 11:59 a.m.

RECESS

With no further business before the board, Vice – Chairman Arnesen called the meeting to recess at 12:00 p.m.

Attest:                                                                                      March 28, 2017

__________________________________                _____________________________________

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson                    Vice -Chairman of the Board, Edward Arnesen