Tuesday, June 25, 2024. Lake County Board of Commissioners’ regularly scheduled meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Lake County Board Acting Chairperson Derrick Goutermont. Acting Chair Goutermont led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Unless otherwise stated, all actions have been approved by unanimous yea vote. Lake County Board members present in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room (SRRR), 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota: District 1 Commissioner Joe Baltich, District 2 Commissioner Derrick “Rick” L. Goutermont, District 3 Commissioner Richard “Rick” C. Hogenson, and District 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd. Board member absent: District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Also present: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Emergency Manager Matt Pollmann, Land Commissioner Nate Eide, Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza, Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy, County Veterans Service Officer (CVSO) Brad Anderson, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: Sve
Lake County Board Acting Chairperson Derrick Goutermont opened the floor for public comments. Members of the public were present. No public comments were provided.
County Sheriff Nathan Stadler provided an annual update for the Lake County Sheriff’s Office. Main topics included staffing update, training, Jail and 911 Dispatch Center, Work Crew (Sentencing to Service (STS) Program / 911 Field Technician, and Lake County Search and Rescue.
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. Land Commissioner Nate Eide advised about the request from Fall Lake for Lake County to convey a parcel of tax forfeited property. Lake County Sheriff uses Fall Lake’s garage. There was a brief discussion on future planning for facility needs.
The Local Emergency Declaration for Lake County was requested by Emergency Manager Matt Pollmann, due to losses and damages incurred as a result of severe weather and flooding. Emergency Manager Matt Pollmann provided an overview of an emergency declaration and thresholds. The initial damage assessment is due by Friday. Lake County has sustained losses brought on by flooding as a result of severe weather. These conditions began on June 18, 2024, and are continuing. The following conditions exist in Lake County as a result of a natural disaster: road washouts, culvert damage, and other property damage. Townships have also been affected. Lake County has expended resources and state and Federal assistance is needed. Mr. Pollmann also advised that the Sullivan dam was washed away and Sullivan Lake drained into the Cloquet River.
Land Commissioner Nate Eide spoke regarding eight to ten Forest Roads that have been impacted by high water. Land Commissioner Eide also spoke about damages to trails. Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza updated the County Board on road conditions due to flood damage. The only closure still in place is Wales Road. Additionally, there was lack of access to the pits to get gravel.
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 02 – The Lake County Board of Commissioners, acting on behalf of and for the people of Lake County, declares that a state of local emergency exists within Lake County, due to a natural disaster, with all the power and responsibilities attending thereto as provided by Chapter 12, Minnesota Statute, and Lake County resolution titled “Local Emergency Declaration, Resolution No. 24062502,” dated June 25, 2024. Absent: Sve
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 03 – Approve Consent Agenda as follows:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of June 11, 2024.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 7,650.00
b. Region III Payments $ 7,500.00
c. Special Payments $ 5,658.10
3. Approve Land Commissioner to sign Agreement for Professional Services with Short Elliot Hendrickson (SEH) for ATV Trail Connection to Two Harbors in the amount of $50,000. $25,000 of this will be funded with a grant from IRRRB.
4. Authorize funding a document scanning project with a budget not exceeding $24,000, for the Lake County Veterans Service Office. This initiative, to be carried out by EO Johnson Business Technologies, aims to digitize all paper documents (Veterans records) into secure digital files. EO Johnson will oversee every phase of the project, including secure transport, scanning, storage, transfer, and document destruction. Further resolved, authorize Lake County Veterans Service Officer, Brad Anderson, to sign the EO Johnson agreements for this project.
5. Authorize payment to St. Louis County (Invoice IN-00001140) in the amount of $35,000.00 per the signed Agreement for Technical Services.
6. Approve Minnesota Lawful Gambling Premise Permit application of Isabella Community Council to conduct lawful gambling at Knotted Pine located at 9702 Hwy 1 Isabella, MN 55607.
7. Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the agreement from Bolton & Menk, Inc. to fulfill the requirements of MN PLSS Grant application (2024-038-01) on Townships 52 North and 53 North, Range 11 West. 185 Section Corners (Lake County Public Land Survey System)
8. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the School Counselor Purchase of Service Agreement with ISD #381 for the period of August 1, 2024, through July 31, 2025.
9. Approve the Agreement for Disbursement of Grant Proceeds for the Rainy Headwaters-Vermillion (RH-V) Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (1W1P) with North St. Louis Soil & Water Conservation District (NSLSWCD). Lake County will receive $70,000 from the awarded FY 2024 Watershed Based Implementation Funding Agreement to conduct a survey of septic systems in the watershed and determine locations of potential failing systems based on priority areas.
10. Authorize Highway Engineer to sign the Special Event Permit for Northshore Inline Marathon scheduled for September 14, 2024 and located on Scenic 61, Two Harbors, MN.
11. Authorize the Board Chair to sign the safety consultant proposal submitted by Taylor Dickinson of IEA, Inc. for 2024 Environmental, Health and Safety (EH&S) Management Services to complete phase 3 of the Lake County Safety Audit at a cost not to exceed $40,000. Billing will occur monthly through the Northeast Service Cooperative (NESC).
12. Approve payment in the amount of $8,163.75 to Election Systems & Software for maintenance services and firmware license fees on the polling place precinct counters. This invoice covers the service dates 8/1/2024 to 7/31/2025. Invoice CD2093255.
13. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-011r, submitted by Jay and Nancy Diley at 4267 Hwy 61, Two Harbors MN 55616.
14. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-012r, submitted by Kevin Wilkinson at 1696 Hwy 61, Two Harbors MN 55616.
15. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-013i, submitted by Kartheek Koneru at 2839 Hwy 61, Two Harbors MN 55616.
16. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-010i, submitted by Joel Weber at 2009 Hwy 61, Two Harbors MN 55616. Absent: Sve
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 04 – Approve the change in employee status of Brianna DeLong, Human Services Professional, due to completion of probation period effective June 21, 2024. Absent: Sve
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 05 – Approve the probationary appointment of Karen Jussila to Human Services Professional at the Step 4 rate of $34.21 per hour effective June 26, 2024.
Absent: Sve
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 06 – Approve the 67-day temporary appointment of William Bohnen, Truck Driver for Highway Department, at $19.50 per hour including second year return incentive effective July 1, 2024. Absent: Sve
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 07 – Approve the Alternative Work Site Policy. Absent: Sve
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 08 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 2:43 p.m. Absent: Sve
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
• Budget meeting at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2024
• Agenda meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2, 2024
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2024
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
Derrick Goutermont, Acting Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
