November 12, 2024

The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, November 12, 2024 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.

CALL TO ORDER

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: Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, Buck Nordlof and Joe Grund. Also present was County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent: Commissioner Ed Arnesen.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

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

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of October 22, 2024.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $16,470.74; Commissioners Warrants $5,209.89; Commissioners Warrants $20,796.70.

PRTF Resolution

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner  Jon Waibel and the same being put to a vote was unanimously carried. 

Resolution in support of a psychiatric residential 

treatment facility in clay county

Resolution No. 2024-11-01

WHEREAS, there is inadequate capacity across Minnesota’s continuum of care to support children with high-acuity, complex, and/or co-occurring conditions, including violent or sexually inappropriate behavior and significant physical health challenges; and

WHEREAS, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF) play a critical role in serving children and youth under the age of 21 with severe mental health needs and aggression, as part of this continuum; and

WHEREAS, currently only four PRTF facilities are operational in Minnesota, offering a total of 166 beds, which is insufficient to meet the growing needs of children with serious and complex mental health conditions; and

WHEREAS, the demand for additional PRTF beds across Minnesota is urgent to ensure children receive timely and appropriate care; and

WHEREAS, equitable distribution of PRTF beds throughout the state is essential to provide children with proximity to their home communities, families, and local service providers; and

WHEREAS, Clay County is committed to addressing this critical gap in mental health services by establishing a PRTF in partnership with a qualified service provider for the delivery of these essential services; and

WHEREAS, Clay County seeks bond proceeds funds from the commissioner of human services for a grant to Clay County to predesign, design, and remodel of the West Central Regional Juvenile Center non-secure unit into an 18-bed psychiatric residential treatment facility and address the predesign, design, construct, furnish, and equip of a non-secure unit within Clay County to replace the existing facility that will become a psychiatric residential treatment facility.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners via this Resolution, supports Clay County to request Minnesota state funds for infrastructure development for a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility in Clay County, ensuring access to specialized care for children with complex mental health needs across the region.

Cell Phone Stipend Approval

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve a cell phone stipend for Office Support Specialist Val Canfield in the amount of $60.00 per month effective December 1, 2024.

Auditor/Treasurer

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $81,434.51; Road & Bridge $18,166.40; County Development $200.00; Natl Resc Enhanc $2,352.00; Joint Ditch $600.00; Solid Waste $16,033.29.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 11/12/2024 For Payment 11/15/2024

Vendor Name Amount

Co-Op Services, Inc. 3,592.84 

Farmers Union Oil Co. 2,665.65 

Hoffman, Philipp & Martell, PLLC 2,825.00 

Howard’s Oil Company 4,673.23

Larkin Hoffman Attorneys           16,390.00 

Law Offices Of Patrick D. Moren 9,146.13 

Marco Technologies LLC 4,933.44 

Olson Construction Bdt LLC 21,720.00 

Pomp’s Tire-Thief River Falls 4,638.14 

Quadient Finance USA Inc. 2,000.00 

R & Q Trucking, Inc 6,264.00 

WIDSETH & ASSOC., INC. 4,537.50 

83 Payments less than 2000 35,400.27

Final Total: 118,786.20

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: October 23, 2024 for $360,380.64; October 30, 2024 for $13,441.20; November 1, 2024 for $361,439.08; November 6, 2024 for $13,647.88.

Approval of Insurance Rates

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve a $75.00 health insurance single and family cap increase for 2025.

Cigarette License Application Approval

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the cigarette license application for Northdale Oil, Inc.

Set Work Session

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to set a work session to review revenue and expenditure guidelines for December 17, 2024 following the regular board meeting.

Rinke Noonan Hourly Rates

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the 2025 hourly rates for Rinke Noonan.

Human Resources

HEO Counteroffer

Human Resources Director Savanna Slick informed the board that they had offered the Heavy Equipment Operator position to an applicant and received a counteroffer of Grade 12, Step 9. 

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to counteroffer with Grade 12, Step 6, at 26.69 per hour.

Permission to Hire-Heavy Equipment Operator NWA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to hire Richard McKeever as Heavy Equipment Operator at the Northwest Angle at Grade 12, Step 1, 274 points at $24.12 per hour effective November 18, 2024.

County Attorney

Letter of Acceptance

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve a formal letter of acceptance for the City of Baudette’s withdrawal from the Tourism Bureau and for Chair Cody Hasbargen to sign the same.

Department of Corrections 

CY25 Proposed Probation Budget

District Supervisor Janelle Cheney reviewed the CY25 Proposed Budget and the Department of Corrections Comprehensive plan.

Motion

Motion was made by Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the CY25 Proposed Probation Budget.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the Department of Corrections Comprehensive Plan effective July 2024.

Public Works

Updates

Assistant Engineer Boyd Johnson gave an update on various projects.

Solid Waste Assessment Fee Increase 

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof to approve the increase of solid waste fees from $130.00 to $150.00 per unit for taxes payable 2025 with the exception of railroads and utilities which will remain at $130.00.

Permission to Bid-Landfill Cap

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request to bid for the landfill cap.

Capping Williams School Well

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the request to cap the well at the Williams school.

Recognition of Years of Service

Resolution

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

Recognition of years of service

Michael Graves

Resolution No. 2024-11-03

WHEREAS: Michael Graves has served Lake of the Woods County as the Northwest Angle Heavy Equipment Operator since October 30, 2017;

WHEREAS: Michael will retire from Lake of the Woods County effective November 15, 2024 with seven years of service;

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:  That Lake of the Woods Board of County Commissioners extends its deepest appreciation to Michael for his dedicated service and wishes him well on his retirement.

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

Closed Session

Resolution

The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the following:

Closed Session-Union Negotiation

RESOLUTION NO. 24-11-02

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, Minn. Stat. § 13D.03, subd. 1 states that:

 “The governing body of a public employer may by a majority vote in a public meeting decide to hold a closed meeting to consider strategy for labor negotiations, including negotiation strategies or developments or discussions and review of labor negotiation proposals, conducted pursuant to sections 179A.01 to 179A.25.”

WHEREAS, the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners shall hold a closed meeting on November 12^th , 2024 at 9:55 a.m. to consider strategy for labor negotiations.  The closed session shall be held at the Lake of the Woods County Courthouse, Commissioners’ Room, 206 8th Ave. SE, Suite 234, Baudette Minnesota 56623; and

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

1. The Board of Commissioners hereby closes this meeting pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 13D.03, subd. 1 to consider strategy for labor negotiations including negotiation strategies or developments or discussion and review of Labor negotiation proposals, conducted pursuant to sections 179A.01 to 179A.25.

2. This closed session shall be tape recorded at the expense of the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners and said recording shall be preserved for two years after the contract is signed and shall be made available to the public after all labor contracts are signed by the governing body for the current budget period.  

Motion

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

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the union contract with the Local 49ers for the years 2025,2026, and 2027 for the Highway and Solid Waste departments.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the licensed union contract with Law Enforcement Labor Services Inc for the years 2025,2026, and 2027.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the non-licensed union contract with Law Enforcement Labor Services Inc for the years 2025 and 2026.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to follow the Local 49ers salary compensation plan for non-union employees for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027.

Adjourn

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:50 a.m.

Attest: November 26, 2024

________________________________             _________________________________

Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson Chair Cody Hasbargen