Tuesday, September 10, 2024. Lake County Board of Commissioners’ regularly scheduled meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve. Chair Sve 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, Commissioner Derrick “Rick” L. Goutermont, District 3 Commissioner Richard “Rick” C. Hogenson, District 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Board member absent: None. Also absent: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston. Also present: County Auditor Linda Libal, Emergency Management Director Matt Pollmann, Information Technology (I.T.) Department Director Dan Lackore, County Veterans Service Officer Brad Anderson, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 01 – Approval of the agenda, as amended. Absent: None
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. Finland Cooperative representatives Theresa Anderson, Andy Gomez, and Laurel Melby spoke during public comment regarding their needs for a new facility and their interest in coordinating with Lake County on a potential location for the new facility. Commissioners discussed that preliminary discussions are underway for the Finland Highway Shop, Search and Rescue, and other partners that are involved with the discussion for equipment storage needs.
Gordy Anderson and Keith Larson provided an update on behalf of the Lake County Veterans Memorial Association, Inc., and the work that they have been doing over the past three years since their previous visit to the County Board on October 11, 2021, and when the Lake County Board of Commissioners provided a letter of support on November 8, 2021. Lake County Veterans Memorial Association, Inc. has established 501c status. They discussed the planned location east of the gazebo near the waterfront. They discussed next steps of archaeological survey that would need to be completed prior to site prep or groundbreaking. They discussed fundraising needs and asked Lake County to contribute funds. Commissioners discussed the possibility of providing matching funds if Lake County Veterans Memorial Association is able to secure grant funding through an entity such as the Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation (IRRR) Board. Lake County Veterans Service Office (CVSO) Brad Anderson was present for the discussion.
Lake County Emergency Management (EM) Director Matt Pollmann provided an annual update for EM and Safety.
Lake County Information Technology (I.T.) Department Director Dan Lackore provided an update on timelines for updating our contract with Microsoft. Mr. Lackore recommends updating to m365 for a three-year contract.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of August 27, 2024.
2. Approve official proceedings of a public hearing on August 27, 2024, for an interim ordinance authorizing a study and imposing an emergency moratorium on the operation of cannabis businesses in Lake County except for the City of Two Harbors and the City of Silver Bay.
3. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 183,235.50
b. Region III Payments $ 57,877.92
4. Approve the following appointments as an elections judge for Unorganized Territory #2 – Julie Anderson.
5. Authorize payment to Kemble Inc. for invoice # 600688 in the amount of $9,150 for the screening of brush material composted for the last 10 plus years. This screening produced 2745 cubic yards of soil that will be used in the final cover material for the closed portion of the demolition landfill.
6. Approve the following with respect to FS Agreement No. 24-PA- 11090900-32: This NON FUNDED PARTICIPATING AGREEMENT is hereby entered into by and between Lake County, hereinafter referred to as “Lake County,” and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Forest Service, Superior National Forest, hereinafter referred to as the “U.S. Forest Service,” under the authority: Cooperative Funds and Deposits Act of December 12, 1975, Pub. L. 94-148, 16 U.S.C. 565a1 – a3, as amended. The purpose of this agreement is to document the cooperation between the parties to maintain and burn brush disposal pits in accordance with the provisions of the agreement and the hereby incorporated Financial Plan.
7. Approve the re-appointment of Mary Hedin, 225 3rd Avenue, Two Harbors, MN 55616 from Commissioner District 3, to the Lake County Extension Committee. This appointment is Mary Hedin’s second term as a member of the committee and is for a three-year term from January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2027. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 03 – Approve the change in employee status of Anna Hackett, Dispatcher/Jailer, due to completion of probation period effective September 18, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 04 – Approve the resignation of Mason Eckman, Dispatcher/Jailer, effective October 11, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 05 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Dispatcher/Jailer. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 06 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:25 p.m. Absent: None
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings:
• Committee of the Whole, at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 17, 2024, at the Little Marais Community Center.
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 24, 2024, in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
