Commissioner Proceedings

November 24, 2020

The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, November 24, 2020 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room. 

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Jon Waibel called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Cody Hasbargen, Joe Grund, Buck Nordlof, and Jon Waibel.  Commissioner Ed Arnesen attended the meeting by phone conference. Also present: County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following additions: Sheriff/Jail Update, Auditor-Treasurer/Hoffman, Philipp & Knutson Multi-Year Audit Services Agreement, and Emergency Management/Credit Card Limit Increase.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the official and summarized minutes of November 10, 2020.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrant’s $19,862.03, Commissioners Warrant’s $1,289.88, Commissioners Warrant’s $7,795.37.

Approval of Contract with Tri-Valley for Volunteer Driver Services

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the Contract for Rural Transportation Collaborative Volunteer Driver Services with Tri-Valley and for Social Services Director Amy Ballard to sign the same.

Approval of Children’s Mental Health Grant Contract

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the Minnesota Department of Human Services County Grant Contract with the State of Minnesota’s Department of Human Services, Behavioral Health Division and for Social Services Director Amy Ballard to sign the same.

AUDITOR/TREASURER

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the additional COVID-19 claims and warrants against the County to be paid by Auditor Warrants.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $49,069.26; Road & Bridge $19,968.54; County Development $200; Solid Waste $16,550.50.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 11/24/2020 For Payment 11/25/2020

Vendor Name Amount

Counties Providing Technology 3,751.00

DSC Communications 3,590.00

Element Materials Technology 18,670.00

Lakewood Health Center 11,250.00

North East Technical Service,Inc 3,628.74

R & Q Trucking, Inc 2,575.00

Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc 4,078.26

Titan Energy Systems, Inc 2,853.60

U.S. Bank Equipment Finance 6,268.50

Voice Products 6,714.58

WatchGuard Video 4,720.00

38 Payments less than 2000   17,688.62

                                  Final Total: 85,788.30

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: November 9, 2020 for $470,858.47, November 9, 2020 for ($60,000), November 12, 2020 for $179,353.82 and November 18, 2020 for $126,573.84.

Affidavit of Lost Warrant

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the application and affidavit for lost warrant for Bobby J. Beggs, dated March 13, 2020 for $144.60 without furnishing indemnifying bond.

Resolution for Election Polling Places

The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Joe Grund and moved for adoption:

A Resolution Establishing County Precincts and Polling Places

Resolution 20-11-04

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Section §204B16, Subdivision 1 requires that by December 31^st of each year, the County must designate by resolution a polling place for each election precinct; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners, State of Minnesota hereby establishes polling places of the following County precincts: Baudette City Hall – Precincts 1B and 2B; Lake of the Woods County Government Center – All Mail Precincts including: 1A, 2A, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 4A, 4B, 4C, 5A, 5B, 5C and 5D.  

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

MN Department of Revenue Lodging Tax Collection Agreement

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to enter into an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Revenue for collection of local lodging tax for Lake of the Woods County and for Chairman Jon Waibel and Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson to sign the same.

Government Management Group Services Agreement 

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to enter into an agreement with Government Management Group for Services Cost Allocation Plans in the amount of $3,750 for fiscal years ending December 31, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 and authorize Chairman Jon Waibel to sign the same.

Con-Con Fund Application Review 

Lake of the Woods County Development Year 2021

Baudette Arena Association Inc: $12,500
Lake of the Woods International Ice Arena: $40,000

Williams Arena: $7,000

Economic Development Authority: $10,000

Depot Preservation Alliance: $5,000

Friends Against Abuse: $2,500

LOW Historical Society: $17,665

LOW Humane Society: $7,500

U of M Extension: $2,000

Williams Public Library: $650

Joint Powers Natural Resources Board: $1,000

LOW Rod and Gun Club: $1,500

LOW School Trap Team: $2,000

LOW Senior Fishing: $1,500

Rinke-Noonan-Retainer-Drainage: $2,400

St Louis County Auditor: $2,000

Take A Kid Fishing: $1,000

Williams Youth Recreation Assoc: $3,000

Widseth Smith Nolting: $16,000

Audit Fees: $900

Beaver Control Damage: $10,000

Drainage: $10,000

Total Approved Contributions for 2021: $156,115       

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to make allocations to the above organizations from the Con-Con funds, payable 2021.

Hoffman, Philipp & Knutson Multi-Year Audit Services Agreement

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously by roll call to authorize entering into the multi-year audit agreement with Hoffman, Philipp, and Knutson, PLLC for audit services of Lake of the Woods County for years ended December 31, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 at a fee of $29,000 per year and for Chair Jon Waibel and Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson to sign the same.

FRIENDS AGAINST ABUSE – Jenell Feller

Jenell Feller gave an update to the Board on the Friends Against Abuse program in Baudette.

RECESS

The Board took a brief recess at 9:55 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 10:00 a.m.

BOLLIG

Resolution for Intention to be the Public Sponsor of a New Public Use General Aviation Municipal Airport

The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and moved for adoption: 

A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF

LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY, MN.

STATING THE COUNTY’S INTENTION TO BE THE

PUBLIC SPONSOR FOR A NEW PUBLIC USE GENERAL AVIATION

MUNICIPAL AIRPORT LOCATED ON THE NORTHWEST ANGLE, MN

RESOLUTION NO. 2020-11-05

WHEREAS, the Lake of the Woods County Board, and the surrounding community, recognizes the unique geographic and historic position of the detached portion of the county, state of Minnesota and the United States known as the Northwest Angle, and

WHEREAS, the County Board understands the perilous situation surrounding the welfare of the citizens that are suffering under the current quarantine and subsequent closure of the international border, and

WHEREAS, the County Board recognizes that a general aviation, public use airport is a critical, yet missing, transportation link that is vital to strengthening and supporting the regional and local transportation system, and

WHEREAS, the County and the residents of the Northwest Angle community recognizes that the lack of airport facilities places human health and safety in peril, and exacerbates community and economic isolation, and 

WHEREAS, the County Board acknowledges that public safety, health, nutrition and economic needs, and future economic growth potential will be greatly improved by the construction of a general aviation airport at an appropriate location on the Northwest Angle, and

WHEREAS, the County Board approves and supports the efforts to study the feasibility of constructing a new airport facility at an appropriate location that will accommodate current and future community and aviation needs while minimizing impacts to natural and cultural resources, and,

WHEREAS, the County Board authorizes the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Minnesota Department of Transportation (MNDOT) Aeronautics to undertake a primarily federally funded feasibility study and Master Planning Study primarily for an airport at or near the North West Angle of Minnesota, and

WHEREAS, the County Board acknowledges the FAA, as the Lead Federal Agency, will begin appropriate tribal consultation during airport planning with associated Native American governments including the Red Lake Nation.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lake of the Woods Board of Commissioners hereby declares its intent to be the Public Sponsor of an airport at the Northwest Angle, and urges support for the FAA and MnDOT Aeronautics to take the actions necessary to fulfill the spirit of Governor Walz’s Executive Order 19-24, to finalize site selection, and provide the grant funds necessary to accomplish this purpose.

The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund, and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried by roll call.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Stipend Review

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously by roll call to approve a $500 stipend for Sandy Peterson and Tami Maurer for the month of November 2020.  The stipend will end on November 30, 2020.

COUNTY SURVEYOR CONTRACT

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously by roll call to approve entering into a professional services contract with Widseth, Smith, Nolting and Associates Inc. for County Surveyor Services, the time period commencing January 1, 2021 and terminating December 31, 2024 at a cost of $15,000 per year and for Chair Jon Waibel, Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson and County Attorney James Austad to sign the same.

COUNTY HIGHWAY/LANDFILL

Highway

Update

County Engineer AJ Pirkl provided a highway update.  

Main Street Design Contract

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously by roll call to approve a contract with Freeburg and Grund in the amount of $47,200 for design of Main Street in Baudette from the Brink Center to the Grand Theater.

Recognition of Years of Service Resolution – Mike Anderson

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

RECOGNITION OF YEARS OF SERVICE 

MICHAEL ANDERSON

RESOLUTION NO. 2020-11-03

WHEREAS, Michael Anderson has served Lake of the Woods County as a Heavy Equipment Operator and Maintenance Supervisor since April 17, 1989;

WHEREAS, Michael will retire from Lake of the Woods County effective December 1, 2020 with thirty-one 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 Ed Arnesen and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried by roll call.

Landfill Update

County Engineer AJ Pirkl provided a landfill update.

Ditch Authority

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and unanimously carried by roll call to close the regular meeting and open Ditch Authority.

The Ditch Authority discussed maintenance work for JD 22 and County Ditch 1, which will be reviewed with Roseau County.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and unanimously carried by roll call to close the Ditch Authority meeting and open the regular meeting.

County Ditch 1 Grant Acceptance from One Watershed One Plan    

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and unanimously carried by roll call to accept a grant from One Watershed One Plan for project development to address erosion on County Ditch 1. The cost for project development will be $31,500 with a county required match of $3,500 to be paid with state-aid funds.

Permission to Advertise RFP for County Ditch 1 Repair

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and unanimously carried by roll call to approve permission to advertise RFP for County Ditch 1 repair.

SHERIFF

Jail Update

Sheriff Gary Fish provided an update to the Board.  Fish received communication from the Department of Corrections that a two-year extension (through July 1, 2023) was granted on the sunset date for progress on the new jail, as long as benchmarks continue to be met.  Fish plans to work on a contract with Roseau County and will continue work on additional projects, including a camera system and records management system (RMS).  Commissioner Buck Nordlof agreed to meet with the Sheriff’s Department to review their RMS needs.  The Board would like a report prepared showing the cost savings from programs that would be replaced if the new RMS system was purchased. It was also requested that the RMS vendor provide a presentation to the Board.

RECESS

The Board took a brief recess at 11:36 a.m. and reconvened the meeting at 11:41 a.m.

EMERGENCY MANGEMENT

2020 Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan Adoption by Resolution

The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the following: 

RESOLUTION OF ADOPTION OF THE 

LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY

ALL-HAZARD MITIGATION PLAN

Resolution No.  20-11-06

WHEREAS, Lake of the Woods County has participated in the hazard mitigation planning process as established under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000, and

WHEREAS, the Act establishes a framework for the development of a County Hazard Mitigation Plan; and

WHEREAS, the Act as part of the planning process requires public involvement and local coordination among neighboring local units of government and businesses; and

WHEREAS, the Lake of the Woods County Plan includes a risk assessment including past hazards, hazards that threaten the County, an estimate of structures at risk, a general description of land uses and development trends; and

WHEREAS, the Lake of the Woods County Plan includes a mitigation strategy including goals and objectives and an action plan identifying specific mitigation projects and costs; and

WHEREAS, the Lake of the Woods County Plan includes a maintenance or implementation process including plan updates, integration of the plan into other planning documents and how Lake of the Woods County will maintain public participation and coordination; and

WHEREAS, the Plan has been shared with the Minnesota Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Management and the Federal Emergency Management Agency for review and comment; and

WHEREAS, the Lake of the Woods County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan will make the county and participating jurisdictions eligible to receive FEMA hazard mitigation assistance grants; and 

WHEREAS, this is a multi-jurisdictional Plan and cities that participated in the planning process may choose to also adopt the County Plan.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that Lake of the Woods County supports the hazard mitigation planning effort and wishes to adopt the Lake of the Woods County All-Hazard Mitigation Plan.

Adoption of the Emergency Operations Plan for 2021

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the Lake of the Woods County Emergency Operations Plan for 2021.

Request for Credit Card Limit Increase

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to approve a county credit card limit increase to $5,000 for Jill Hasbargen Olson, Lake of the Woods County Emergency Management Director. This is a temporary increase to be revisited after the pipeline protesting issues in neighboring counties cease or in June of 2021, whichever is sooner.

COVID-19 UPDATE

Media Campaign 

Jill Hasbargen Olson, Emergency Management Director, provided an update on a media campaign that was launched this week to encourage wearing masks to slow the spread of COVID-19. Some of the media materials will be available for local businesses to use as well.  Hasbargen Olson also mentioned the use of COVID-19 funds to sponsor a related coloring contest with the Northern Light Region.

Government Center

Jill Hasbargen Olson, Emergency Management Director, discussed what would initiate the Government Center to go to an appointment-only status.  It was agreed that this decision would be made when/if the Lake of the Woods School goes to distance learning.

County Employees

The Board encourages employees to consult with department heads about working remotely, after traveling out of the state.

Public Health/Hospital Update

Kay M. Schell, Public Health Manager at CHI LakeWood Health, provided an update. Positive cases of COVID-19 are rising in Lake of the Woods County.  The school is doing well, but because numbers are up in the county, if someone at the school has one of the less common symptoms they are asked to go home.  Surrounding counties have found that the distance learners have more positive cases compared to those who are attending school in the classroom.  ICU beds are very limited in the area.  CHI LakeWood Health long-term care residents and staff are tested for COVID-19 every week and all other staff are tested monthly.  COVID-19 testing is available at CHI LakeWood Health with doctor order.  There is also a no-cost, at-home COVID-19 saliva test that can be requested through the Minnesota Department of Health.  No timeline is available for the vaccine, but there is a prioritization for healthcare workers and long-term care.

RYAN ZEMEK, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY DIRECTOR

CARES Grants

Ryan Zemek, Economic Development Authority Director, provided an update on the additional applications and award amounts for the CARES Grants. It was the consensus of the Board for Lake of the Woods Economic Development Authority to proceed with the awards as presented.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the CARES Grants as presented and to appropriate and transfer $8,100 to the Economic Development Authority Fund.

RECESS

With no further business before the Board, Chairman Jon Waibel called the meeting to recess at 12:35 p.m. 

Attest: December 15, 2020

______________________________ _________________________________County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Chairman Jon Waibel