September 27,2022

The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, September 27, 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, Joe Grund, Jon Waibel, Ed Arnesen, and Cody Hasbargen. Also present was County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson.

Approval of Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Legislative Update, Conversation about Graceton Beach and applicable ordinances, Affidavit of Lost Warrant, Fraternal Order of Police NW MN Off-Site Gambling.

Approval of Minutes

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the minutes from September 13, 2022.

Social Services

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $6,273.10; Commissioners Warrants $4,292.99; Commissioners Warrants $6,014.10.

Auditor/Treasurer

Claims

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried with Commissioner Buck Nordlof abstaining to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $47,594.57; Road & Bridge $9,369.95; County Development $490.00; Joint Ditch $2,808.00; Solid Waste $24,774.49; Economic Development $1,136.12.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 9/27/2022 For Payment 9/30/2022

Vendor Name Amount

Andy’s Garage, Inc. 2,210.91

ByteSpeed, LLC 6,909.00

Erickson Timber Products 11,700.00

Forks Freightliner 2,135.83

Goulet/Jason 3,875.00

Larson Helicopters,LLC 2,808.00

North East Technical Service,Inc 6,283.88

Northwest Angle&Island Freight,Inc 10,750.00

Pemberton Law, P.L.L.P. 2,812.50

Quadient Finance USA Inc. 7,000.00

U.S. Bank Equipment Finance 6,268.50

Voyageurs Comtronics, Inc 2,935.54

46 Payments less than 2000 20,483.97

Final Total: 86,173.13

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: September 14, 2022 for $39,273.41; September 21,2022 for $107,817.63. 

Set Work Session-Cliffs

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to set a work session for October 19, 2022 at 12:00 p.m. to discuss Cliffs and DNR Land. 

Set Work Session-DNR

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen to set a work session with the DNR for November 3, 2022 at 9:00 a.m.

Affidavit of Lost Warrant

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the Affidavit of Lost Warrant number 38629 in the amount of $149.55.

Fraternal Order of Police NW MN Off-Site Gambling

Resolution

The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously:

RESOLUTION APPROVING 

LAWFUL GAMBLING ACTIVITY APPLICATION 

TO CONDUCT OFF-SITE GAMBLING

RESOLUTION NO. 22-09-03

WHEREAS; the Fraternal Order of Police NW MN #8 has submitted a Minnesota Lawful Gambling LG220 Application for Exempt Permit Gambling to be conducted at the following establishment, which is located in Lake of the Woods County: Sportsman’s Lodge 2/27/2023

Sportsman’s Lodge 3244 Bur Oak Rd NW Baudette, MN 56623

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners hereby approves said application for submission to the Minnesota Gambling Control Board.

County Surveyor Update

County Surveyor Chad Conner gave an update on various upcoming projects and the completion of the Swiftwater project.

Amendment to Agenda

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund to add Koochiching County Jail meeting discussion to the agenda.

Koochiching County Jail Meeting

The board discussed the upcoming meeting with Koochiching County that will take place on October 3, 2022 at 1:00 p.m. Commissioners Cody Hasbargen and Jon Waibel will attend the meeting.

Legislative Update

Commissioner Ed Arnesen informed the board that the lobbyist that represent us will continue through the end of the year for $25,000 and are hoping for a special session after the election.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve up to $25,000 to Harkin Law Firm for the lobbyist representation fee.

Criminal Justice Data Communications Network (CJDN) Agreements

Motion 

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve CJDN Joint Powers Agreement contract number 216932 for the Lake of the Woods County Sheriff.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve CJDN Joint Powers Agreement contract number 216931 for the Lake of the Woods County Attorney.

Resolution

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

RESOLUTION NO. 22-09-04

RESOLUTION APPROVING STATE OF MINNESOTA JOINT POWERS AGREEMENTS WITH COUNTY OF LAKE OF THE WOODS ON BEHALF OF ITS COUNTY ATTORNEY AND SHERIFF

WHEREAS, The County of Lake of the Woods on behalf of its County Attorney and Sheriff desires to enter into Joint Powers Agreements with the State of Minnesota, Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to use systems and tools available over the State’s criminal justice data communications network for which the County is eligible. The Joint Powers Agreements further provide the county with the ability to add, modify and delete connectivity, systems and tools over the five-year life of the agreement and obligates the County to pay the costs for the network connection.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Lake of the Woods County Board, Minnesota as follows: 

1. That the State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements by and between the State of Minnesota acting through its Department of Public Safety, Bureau of criminal Apprehension and the County of Lake of the Woods County on behalf of its County Attorney and Sheriff are hereby approved.

2. That the Lake of the Woods County Sheriff, Gary Fish, or his successor, is designated the Authorized Representative for the Sheriff. The Authorized Representative is also authorized to sign any subsequent amendment or agreement that may be required by the State of Minnesota to maintain the County’s connection to the systems and tools offered by the State.

3. That the Lake of the Woods County Attorney, James Austad, or his successor, is designated the Authorized Representative for the County Attorney. The Authorized Representative is also authorized to sign any subsequent amendment or agreement that may be required by the State of Minnesota to maintain the County’s connection to the systems and tools offered by the State.

4. That James “Buck” Nordlof, the Chair of Lake of the Woods County Board and Lorene Hanson, the County Auditor/Treasurer, are authorized to sign the State of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreements.

Land & Water

LOTW Floodplain Ordinance

Land & Water Director Josh Stromlund discussed the Lake of the Woods County Floodplain Ordinance and discussed changes that could be made if necessary. Section 3.13 of the ordinance could be removed as that section is covered in the Zoning Ordinance.

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the LOTW Floodplain Ordinance with the following change: Remove section 3.13. 

Public Works

Solid Waste 

Landfill Fee

The consensus of the board was to set a $15.00 fee for the landfill to accept tires with rims.

Highway Department

County Engineer Anthony Pirkl discussed various projects and reviewed options for the Birch Beach, Sandy Shores meeting to be held Wednesday, September 28, 2022 at 6:00 p.m. in the Commissioners room.

Set County Road Tour Date

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to set the annual county road tour date for October 19, 2022 at 2:00 p.m.

Set Joint Ditch Meeting Date

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to set the joint ditch meeting with Roseau County at Arnesen’s Rock Harbor for October 19, 2022 at 6:00p.m.

RECESS

With no further business before the Board, Chair Buck Nordlof called the meeting to recess at 10:30 a.m.

Attest: October 11, 2022

______________________________ _________________________________

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