MINUTES & AGENDAS
October 24, 2023
October 24, 2023
The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on October 24, 2023 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.
CALL TO ORDER
Chair Ed Arnesen called the meeting to order at 9:00a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Ed Arnesen, Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, Buck Nordlof and Joe Grund. Also Present was Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changed: Add: Permission to Sign Closing Documents. Remove: Hoffman, Phillipp, & Martell, PLLC Audit Exit Review.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of October 10, 2023.
SOCIAL SERVICES
Claims
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $5,369.60; Commissioners Warrants $1,152.01; Commissioners Warrants $6,473.27.
2024 MFIP Contract
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the 2024 Minnesota Family Investment Program (MFIP) Purchase of Services Contract.
Auditor/Treasurer
Claims
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $102,989.46; Road & Bridge $162,103.81; County Development $950.00; Joint Ditch $10,900.00; Solid Waste $17,597.43; EDA $1,108.41; Tourism $65,030.89.
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants Approved On 10/24/2023 For Payment 10/27/2023
Vendor Name Amount
Baudette/City Of 32,100.00
Braun Intertec Corporation 12,581.75
Cenex Co-Op Services, Inc. 8,088.55
Counties Providing Technology 4,204.00
Dentons Dirt Worx, LLC 17,304.50
Dodge of Burnsville Inc 78,318.00
Erickson Engineering Company, LLC 5,117.00
Gamache/Micheal D 9,900.00
John Deere Financial 2,118.80
Lake Superior College 3,150.00
Larkin Hoffman Attorneys 11,725.00
LaValla Electric DBA/Ned 6,746.24
LOW Area Tourism Bureau 32,930.89
Mn Dept Of Transp 5,864.63
Motorola Solutions, Inc 7,094.88
North East Technical Service,Inc 9,362.07
Northwest Mn Multi-County Hra 40,000.00
Outdoors Again 2,072.95
Team Lab 35,406.25
Titan Machinery – Roseau 2,227.25
U.S. Bank Equipment Finance 6,268.50
Wex Bank 2,678.14
40 Payments less than 2000 25,420.60
Final Total: 360,680.00
Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: October 11, 2023 for $41,097.65; October 18, 2023 for $88,544.58
Approval of the State of Minnesota Special Law Authorization
Resolution
The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the following:
COUNTY OF LAKE OF THE WOODS
RESOLUTION NO. 23-10-03
A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL LAW AUTHORIZING LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY LODGING TAX
WHEREAS, on May 21, 2023 the Minnesota Senate approved Finance HF Bill1938 (“Special Law”) authorizing a special Lake of the Woods County lodging tax.
WHEREAS, on May 23rd, 2023 the bill was presented to Governor Timothy Walz and was subsequently approved by Governor Walz on May 24th 2023 and filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State on May 24th 2023.
WHEREAS, said Special Law authorizes:
the Board of Commissioners of Lake of the Woods County to impose, by ordinance, a tax of up to 3% on gross receipts in Lake of the Woods County subject to the lodging tax provisions under Minnesota statute section 469.190;
the provisions of paragraph(a) do not apply to any statutory or home rule city or town located in Lake of the Woods County that imposes a lodging tax under Minnesota Statutes, section 469.190, or the city of Baudette. The total tax imposed under Minnesota Statutes, section 469.190, and this section must not exceed 3%.
To the extent not inconsistent with Minnesota Statutes, section 469.190, this section is governed by Minnesota Statutes, section 469.190.
Revenues derived from taxes imposed under this section must be used to fund a new Lake of the Woods County Event and Visitors Bureau, as established by the Board of Commissioners of Lake of the Woods County, for purposes of marketing Lake of the Woods County. The Board of Commissioners must annually review the budget of the Event and Visitors Bureau. The Event and Visitors Bureau may receive revenues raised from the taxes imposed under the section only upon annual approval by the Board of Commissioners of the Event and Visitors Bureau budget.
EFFECTIVE DATE: this section is effective the day after the governing body of Lake of the Woods County and its chief clerical officer comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021, subdivisions two and three.
WHEREAS, at a regular Board meeting held on October 24th 2023, the Board of Commissioners of Lake of the Woods County reviewed and discussed the Special Law.
WHEREAS, following discussion and by unanimous vote of all of the members of the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners, the Special Law was approved.
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners directed chief clerical officer, Lorene Hanson, Lake of the Woods County Auditor-Treasurer to file with the Secretary of State of Minnesota, a certification stating the essential facts necessary to validly approve the Special Law including a copy of the Resolution.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY, MINNESOTA AS FOLLOWS:
By unanimous vote, the Board of Commissioners of Lake of the Woods County accepts and approves the Special Law (HF 1938) which was approved by the Governor on May 24th 2023.
The Chief clerical officer of Lake of the Woods County, Lorene Hanson, Lake of the Woods County Auditor-Treasurer shall forthwith file a certificate with the Minnesota Secretary of State stating the essential facts necessary to confirm valid approval of said Special Law.
Adopted by the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners, Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota this 24th day of October, 2023.
Approval of Insurance Rates
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve a $25.00 health insurance single and family cap increase for 2024.
AIRMED Guardian Flight Contract Renewal
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the renewal of the AirMed Contract Agreement for 2024.
Approval of Consulting Contract
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the Consulting Services Contract between USI Consulting Services Inc. and Lake of the Woods County effective January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.
Veterans Grant Approval
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the State of Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs Grant in the amount of $7,500.00.
Approval to Sign Closing Documents-Land Purchase
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the closing documents for the purchase of the Johnson property and for County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson and Chair Ed Arnesen to sign the same.
Public Works
Updates
County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave an update on various road projects and gave a reminder for the upcoming Solid Waste meeting November 9, 2023 at 9:00 a.m.
Human Resources
Permission to Hire Part-Time Dispatch
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the re-hire of Amanda Peterson as part-time dispatch at Grade 11, Step 3, $23.22 per hour at 253 points effective after November 1, 2023.
Financial Assistance Supervisor Grade Increase
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve a grade increase for Financial Assistance Supervisor Angie Eason from Grade 15, Step 12 to Grade 16, step 12 $35.97 per hour at 369 points.
Social Worker Supervisor Grade Increase
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve a grade increase for the Social Worker Supervisor Jodi Ferrier from Grade 18, Step 9 to Grade 19, Step 9 $40.12 per hour at 443 points.
Approval to Advertise, Interview, & Hire- Appraiser
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request to Advertise, Interview, & Hire for a full-time Appraiser.
Approval of Grade Increases for Appraiser
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve Grade Increases for Appraiser I, II, & III from Grades 11, 13, 14 to Grade 12 points 280, Grade 14 points 316, Grade 15 points 339.
Approval of Grade Increase for Appraiser Tyler Swanson
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve a grade increase for Appraiser II Tyler Swanson from Grade 13, Step 4 to Grade 14, Step 4 $27.77 per hour at 316 Points effective next pay period.
EDA Director Discussion
The board briefly discussed the recent vacancy of the EDA Director position.
Recess
A brief recess took place at 9:45 a.m. and reconvened at 9:50 a.m.
Ninth District Court
Request for Security Equipment
Court Administrator Pamela Shaw and Judge Dixon came to the board to request specific security equipment to be installed in the court room and court administration office.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the request for three panic buttons, frost/tint on windows, a monitor, and cameras to be paid for out of ARPA funds.
Recess
A brief recess took place at 10:22 and reconvened at 10:40a.m.
Closed Session-Union Negotiations
Resolution
The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the following:
Closed Session-Union Negotiation
RESOLUTION NO. 23-10-03
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 October 24th, 2023 at 10:40 AM 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:
- 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.
- 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 to Close/Open
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to close the closed session Union Negotiations MN Statute 13D.03, Sub 1 and open the regular meeting.
Adjourn
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 11:06a.m.
Attest: October 24, 2023
______________________________ _________________________________
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Chair Ed Arnesen