MINUTES & AGENDAS
November 30, 2021
November 30, 2021
The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.
CALL TO ORDER
Vice-Chair Buck Nordlof called the meeting to order at 9:21 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Cody Hasbargen, Buck Nordlof, Ed Arnesen by Zoom and Jon Waibel by phone. Absent: Commissioner Joe Grund. Also present was Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously, by roll call, to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Highway Department- Final Payment; Land and Water Vehicle maintenance; Lineworker’s Facility – Sewer Blanket; and Remove: Con-Con Requests and Union Negotiations.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously, by roll call, to approve the official and summarized minutes of November 9, 2021.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Claims
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously, by roll call, to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $10,094.01; Commissioners Warrants $1,980.49; Commissioners Warrants $10,942.47.
Meridian Services, Inc. Contract
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously, by roll call, to approve the Contract Renewal for Meridian Services, Inc. No changes were made to this service.
Tri-Valley Contract
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously, by roll call, to approve the Contract Renewal for Tri-Valley Rural Transportation Collaborative. This contract is renewed annually and without changes to the service.
AUDITOR/TREASURER
Claims
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously, by roll call, to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $17,208.89; Road & Bridge $65,388.10; County Development $245.00; Solid Waste $26,438.72; EDA $968.05.
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants Approved On 11/30/2021 For Payment 11/30/2021
Vendor Name Amount
ARRO of the North, LLC 2,200.00
Cenex Co-Op Services, Inc. 2,097.54
Freeberg & Grund, Inc 43,105.00
Greenview Landscaping, Inc 9,250.00
Norman County Highway Dept. 4,138.38
North East Technical Service,Inc 8,692.95
Powerplan 4,226.59
Quadient Finance USA Inc. 3,000.00
Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc 9,026.12
U.S. Bank Equipment Finance 6,268.50
35 Payments less than 2000 18,243.68
Final Total: 110,248.76
Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: November 10, 2021 for $127,302.59; November 10,2021 for $55.00; November 12, 2021 for $317942.12 and November 17,2021 for $299,945.05.
Northerly Park
Resolution
The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously by roll call to adopt the following resolution:
Resolution No. 21-11-02
Resolution Supporting Regional Park or Trail Designation Application In Greater Minnesota
BE IT RESOLVED, that Lake of the Woods County as lead applicant, has the authority to act as legal public sponsor for the application described in the Request for Designation as a Regional Park In Greater Minnesota. Lake of the Woods County formally supports and authorizes the application and master plan submission for regional designation
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that as lead applicant we are fully aware of the information provided in the master plan and associated responsibilities, including long-term commitments as defined in the application and related master plan and supporting information as submitted.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that should Northerly Park receive formal designation as a Regional Park in Greater Minnesota by the Commission, that as the lead applicant we have the legal authority to enter into formal designation and funding agreements with the Commission for the referenced park.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and Seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously, by roll call, to appoint Joe Laurin as the designated point of contact with MNIT for the Northerly Park.
Snowmobile Grant-In-Aid Program
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to authorize the FY 2022 Maintenance and Grooming Grants with the State of Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Snowmobile Grant-In-Aid Program for LOW Drifters/Big Traverse in the amount of $125,523.23 and authorize Vice-Chair Buck Nordlof and County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson to sign the same.
Permission to Hire
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to hire Chelsea Anderson for the position of Deputy Auditor/Treasurer-License Clerk at Grade 11, Step 1, 20.93 per hour, Points 253, effective 11/15/ 2021.
Resolution
The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and moved for adoption:
A Resolution Establishing County Precincts and Polling Places
Resolution 21-11-03
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes, Section §204B16, Subdivision 1 requires that by December 31st 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 Ed Arnesen the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.
ICEHOLE BAR & GRILL
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen carried unanimously, by roll call, to approve the On-Sale Intoxicating Liquor License for Icehole Bar & Grill
LEAVING THE MEETING
Commissioner Jon Waibel exited the meeting at 9:45a.m.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Human Resources Director Savanna Slick presented job descriptions for the Assessor’s Office to the board for approval and requested to advertise, interview, and hire for the positions.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously, by roll call, to approve the job descriptions and to advertise, interview, and hire for one of the positions.
Permission to Hire
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously by roll call to hire Evan Wimmer for the position of Part-Time Deputy Sheriff at Grade 12, Step 1, 22.09 per hour, Points 282, effective 11/23/ 2021.
Resolution
The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and moved for adoption:
County Board PERA Resolution
Resolution 2021-11-04
WHEREAS, the policy of the State of Minnesota as declared in Minnesota Statutes 353.63 is to give special consideration to employees who perform hazardous work and devote their time and skills to protecting the property and personal safety of others; and
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes Section 353.64 permits governmental subdivisions to request coverage in the Public Employees Police and Fire plan for eligible employees of police departments whose position duties meet the requirements stated therein and listed below;
BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commissioners of Lake of the Woods County hereby declares that the position titled Part Time Deputy Sheriff, currently held by Evan Wimmer meets all of the following Police and Fire membership requirements:
- Said position requires a license by the Minnesota peace officer standards and training board under sections 626.84 to 626.863 and this employee is so licensed;
- Said position’s primary (over 50%) duty is to enforce the general criminal laws of the state;
- Said position charges this employee with the prevention and detection of crime;
- Said position gives this employee the full power of arrest, and
- Said position is assigned to a designated police or sheriff’s department.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this governing body hereby requests that the above-named employee be accepted as a member of the Public Employees Police and Fire Plan effective the date of this employee’s initial Police and Fire salary deduction by the governmental subdivision.
The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.
Economic Development Authority
The Board Discussed the appointment of the EDA Board
Resolution
The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously by roll call to adopt the following resolution:
Re-Appointment of Terms of the economic development authority
Resolution 21-11-05
Whereas Lake of the Woods County Board, pursuant to MN Statute §469.093, Subd.1 has provided a public notice and conducted a public hearing on September 14, 2010 to consider the creation of an Economic Development Authority and adopted the Enabling Resolution creating the same; and
Whereas the County Board of Commissioners of the County of Lake of the Woods adopted the following:
The EDA shall consist of a governing body of nine (9) members, as per the adopted Enabling Resolution, of which: Five (5) Sitting Commissioners, Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners
Four (4) Members shall be nominated by the following organizations and appointed by the County Board:
Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) to recommend appointment
Chamber of Commerce to recommend appointment
Lake of the Woods Tourism to recommend appointment
City of Baudette to recommend appointment
The Board Members and 6-year terms are established as follows:
Board Member Term Expires Representing
Brock Stebackken 12/31/2023 City of Baudette
James “Buck” Nordlof 12/31/2023 County Board District 1
Jeff Bauers 12/31/2024 IDC
Mike Kinsella 12/31/2024 Tourism Board
Ed Arnesen 12/31/2025 County Board District 5
Jon Waibel 12/31/2025 County Board District 4
Brad Nylander 12/31/2026 Chamber of Commerce
Cody Hasbargen 12/31/2021 County Board District 2
Joe Grund 12/31/2022 County Board District 3
Whereas one board members term expiring on December 31, 2021;
Now, therefore, be it resolved that the County Board of Commissioners of the County of Lake of the Woods hereby appoints the following board member for a 6-year term;
Board Member Term Expires Representing
Cody Hasbargen 12/31/2027 County Board District 2
Lineworker’s Facility
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen to approve the purchase of Sewer Blankets for the Lineworker’s Facility.
Ditch Authority
Review 2022 Ditch Assessments
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to close the regular meeting and open Ditch Authority.
The Ditch Authority discussed the proposed 2022 Ditch assessments.
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and unanimously carried by roll call to close the Ditch Authority meeting and open the regular meeting.
Solid Waste
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the 2022 solid waste assessments and budget as recommended by the solid waste committee. This would leave the rates the same as 2021 and include a cap of 999 units.
Public Works
Public Works Director A.J. Pirkl gave an update on various projects and requested signatures from Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson and the board for the Main Street Project Resolution.
A request was made for final payment for project number SAP-039-649-004 of $99,191.10
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously, by roll call to approve the Public Works Director’s Certificate of Performance of SAP 039-649-004 for Lake of The Woods County (Force Account) in the total amount of $99,191.10 and approve final payment for the same.
Veterans Officer Update
Veterans Officer Rick Rone gave an update about Veterans services and Transportation in our community. Rick will provide the board members with a copy of this update.
Set Cartway Date
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously, by roll call, to approve the Public Hearing date for the Peter R. Jones Cartway on December 14, 2021 at 11:00 a.m. in the Lake of the Woods County Commissioners Room.
Land & Water
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously, by roll call, to approve the replacement of tires for the 2015 GMC in the Land & Water Planning Department at an estimated cost of $700.00.
Recess
A brief recess took place at 10:15a.m. and returned at 10:25a.m. to continue the meeting.
RINKE NOONAN
The Board reviewed correspondence from Rinke Noonan.
RECESS
With no further business before the Board, Vice-Chair Buck Nordlof called the meeting to recess at 10:30a.m.
Attest: December 14, 2021
_________________________________ _________________________________Auditor-Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Vice-Chair of the Board, James Nordlof