May 24, 2022

The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, May 24, 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, Jon Waibel, Cody Hasbargen and Ed Arnesen. Also present was County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent was: Commissioner Joe Grund

Approval of Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Letter of support, Emergency Management, and water level update.

Approval of Minutes

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the minutes from May 10,2022.

Social Services

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $3,270.14; Commissioners Warrants $2,714.93; Commissioners Warrants $25,876.43.

Congressional Outreach

District Outreach Representative Calvin Benson  for Michelle Fischbach’s office gave an update on various bills and answered questions from the board. Topics included: Gas price relief act, 2023 Farm Bill, flooding, New CDL requirements, and the Law Enforcement Center.

Recorder

County Recorder Sue Ney met with the board to obtain approval for the final plat of Driftwood Acres.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel to approve the final plat of Driftwood Acres and for the Chairman of the County Board and the County Auditor to sign the same; seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and unanimously carried. 

Land & Water 

Land & Water Director Josh Stromlund informed the board that he had received an informative presentation about the water levels and the future forecast for rising water levels. He will be sending this information to the board. Mr. Stromlund also discussed datum points, and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).

Recess

A brief recess took place at 10:22 a.m. and reconvened at 10:33 a.m.

County Zoning Violations

Land & Water Director Josh Stromlund asked the board for permission to abate and/or prosecute a number of people that have continued to violate the zoning ordinance. He has attempted to reach out and offer his assistance to many that have refused to follow up or have chosen to ignore his correspondence. Consensus was made by the board to allow Land & Water Director Josh Stromlund to move forward with his request to abate and/or prosecute these violators. 

Consideration of Possible Amendment

Land & Water Director Josh Stromlund informed the board that there is a request to amend the settlement agreement that was put in place by the DNR, Lake of the Woods SWCD, Lake of the Woods County, Northern Conservation LLC, and Cliffs Mining Company regarding the Williams Creek wetland mitigation site. The request is from Cliffs Mining Company to amend the hydrology standards as originally agreed upon.

Human Resources

Approval of LELS Contract

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the Law Enforcement Labor Services Contract as presented by Human Resources Director Savanna Slick.

Set Work Session

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to set a work session for maintenance for June 7,2022 following the regular board meeting.

Permission for Grade Increase

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve a grade increase for Deputy Andy Jesperson from Grade 12, Step 3, $23.82 per hour at 282 points to Grade 13, Step 3, $25.10 per hour at 288 points.

Public Works

Retirement Resolution- Lee Hancock

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Chairman Buck Nordlof and moved for adoption:

RECOGNITION OF YEARS OF SERVICE

LEE HANCOCK

RESOLUTION NO. 22-05-04

WHEREAS: Lee Hancock has served Lake of the Woods County as a Heavy Equipment Operator since October 7,1991;

WHEREAS: Lee will retire from Lake of the Woods County effective May 27,2022 with more than thirty years of service;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That Lake of the Woods Board of County Commissioners extends its deepest appreciation to Lee 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.

Retirement Resolution- Ted Furbish

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Chairman Buck Nordlof and moved for adoption:

RECOGNITION OF YEARS OF SERVICE

TED FURBISH

RESOLUTION NO. 22-05-05

WHEREAS: Ted Furbish has served Lake of the Woods Count as a Solid Waste Processor and Solid Waste Manager since July 14, 1992;

WHEREAS: Ted will retire from Lake of the Woods County effective May 27,2022 with twenty-nine years of service;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That Lake of the Woods Board of County Commissioners extends its deepest appreciation to Ted 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.

Add to Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to add Letter to Koochiching County and short-term garbage hauling to the agenda.

Letter to Koochiching County

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to write a formal letter to Koochiching County expressing interest in a partnership for support with hauling for solid waste.

Short-Term Garbage Hauling

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl let the board know that the Solid Waste department would be short staffed for the month of June and presented quotes from businesses that would like to assist with hauling garbage on a short-term basis. Consensus was made by the board to allow County Engineer Anthony Pirkl to make the best choice based on the quotes for the short-term help of hauling for the Solid Waste department.

Approval of Master Contract with MNDOT

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and moved for adoption: 

MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

Resolution No. 22-05-06

WHEREAS, The Minnesota Department of Transportation wishes to cooperate closely with local units of government to coordinate the delivery of transportation services and maximize the efficient delivery of such services at all levels of government; and

WHEREAS, MnDOT and local governments are authorized by Minnesota Statutes sections 471.59, 174.02, and 161.20, to undertake collaborative efforts for the design, construction, maintenance and operation of state and local roads; and

WHEREAS: the parties wish to able to respond quickly and efficiently to such opportunities for collaboration, and have determined that having the ability to write “work orders” against a master contract would provide the greatest speed and flexibility in responding to identified needs.

BE IT RESOLVED:  that the County of Lake of the Woods enter into a Master Partnership Contract with the Minnesota Department of Transportation, a copy of which was before the board.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the proper County officers are authorized to execute such contract, and any amendments thereto.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lake of the Woods County Engineer is authorized to negotiate work order contracts pursuant to the Master Contract, which work order contracts may provide for payment to or from MnDOT, and that the County Engineer may execute such work order contracts on behalf of the County of Lake of the Woods without further approval by this board.

LOTW Drifters

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously and moved for adoption: 

MN Snowmobile Trail Assistance Program

FY2022 Trail Improvement Grant

Resolution – 22-05-07

WHEREAS, the Lake of the Woods County supports the grant application made to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for the FY22 Trail Improvement Project on behalf of the Lake of the Woods Drifters Snowmobile Club.  The application is to repair and/or replace bridges on the Trails in Lake of the Woods County. The trail system is located within Lake of the Woods County 

WHEREAS, the Lake of the Woods County recognizes that the Lake of the Woods Area Drifters Snowmobile Club will be contributing a twenty-five percent (25%) cash match to the project. 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, if Lake of the Woods County is awarded a grant by the Minnesota Department of Natural resources, the County agrees to accept the grant award, and may enter into an agreement with the State of Minnesota for the above referenced project.  The County will comply with all applicable laws, environmental requirements and regulations as stated in the grant agreement, and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the applicant has read the Conflict of Interest Policy contained in the Trail Program Grant Manual and certifies it will report any actual, potential, perceived, or organizational conflicts of interest upon discovery to the state related to the application or grant award.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the County Board names the fiscal agent for Lake of the Woods County as: 

Lorene Hanson 

County Auditor-Treasurer

206 8th Ave SE, Suite 260, 

Baudette, MN 56623

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the County hereby assures the trail improvements will be maintained for a period of no less than twenty (20) years as required by the Recreational Trail Grant Programs.

Sheriff

Sheriff Gary Fish asked the board for approval to purchase new Special Response Team Equipment and discussed the need for a Safe Boat for transporting prisoners from the Northwest Angle.

SRT Equipment

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the purchase of new equipment for Special Response Team in the amount of 3,805.53.

Safe Boat Contract

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to hire Lexipol in the amount of $3,000 to draft a grant to support the purchase of a Safe Boat.

Veteran Services

Veteran Services Officer Rick Rone gave an update to the board and discussed the gas prices having an effect on volunteer drivers.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to raise the mileage amount from 58.5 cents per mile to 68.5 cents per mile for volunteer drivers only.

Emergency Management

Emergency Management Director Jill Hasbargen-Olson gave an update on the flooding and the water level projection over the next week. There have been 10,000 bags of sand given out and a delivery of 32,000 bags arrived. Jill informed the board that there is sand that can be delivered and wanted direction as to where it should go. It was the consensus of the board to deliver sand to Zipple Bay and Winterset and to deliver as needed for sandbagging.

Old/New Business

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to add Water Level to old/new business on future agendas. 

Auditor/Treasurer

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $59,015.95; Road & Bridge $11,228.46; County Development $200.00; Solid Waste $7,427.57; EDA $1,103.65.

 WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved on 5/24/2022 for Payment 5/27/2022

Vendor Name Amount

American Solutions For Business 3,375.86

Counties Providing Technology 4,097.00

DLT Solutions, LLC 7,471.16

Larkin Hoffman Attorneys 28,286.75

Mn Dept Of Transportation 3,313.10

Northern Light Region 3,902.50

U.S. Bank Equipment Finance 6,268.50

46 Payments less than 2000     22,260.76

Final Total:  78,975.63

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: May 11,2022 for $25,456.19; May 17,2022 for $19,256.15; and May 23,2022 for $265,552.37. 

Liquor/Cigarette License- K&J Holdings, LLC. Morris Point

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the application for Liquor/Cigarette License from K&J Holdings, LLC.

NWA Agenda

The board discussed and began planning the agenda for the board meeting to be held at the Northwest Angle June 14,2022.

Affidavit of Lost Warrant

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the Affidavit of Lost Warrant number 36758 in the amount of $275.68.

Land Lease

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to allow the tenants to remove their crops after this year and then discontinue leasing land moving forward.

Legislative Updates

Commissioner Ed Arnesen gave an update on various legislative topics that included: NWA Bill, Tourism, PILT, Williams School, and the Law Enforcement Center.

Add to Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to add Advertise, Interview & Hire to the agenda.

Advertise, Interview & Hire

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to advertise, interview, & hire for a Facilities & Safety Coordinator Grade 9, Step 1, 19.55 per hour at 230 points.

RECESS

With no further business before the Board, Chair Buck Nordlof called the meeting to recess at 12:30 pm.

Attest: June 7, 2022

______________________________ _________________________________

County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Chair James “Buck” Nordlof