Tuesday, December 31, 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. Chairperson 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, 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, District 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Board member absent: None. Also present: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, County Auditor Linda Libal, Chief Deputy Auditor Ronni Radle, Planning Commission member John Bathke, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: None
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were made.
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. Administrator Huddleston discussed the status of proposed legislation with respect to the Thye-Blatnik Act of June 22, 1948. Administrator Huddleston has been in contact with U.S. Senator Tina Smith’s office regarding language that was approved by the Senate on December 18, 2024. The bill would not be introduced and passed this session by the House.
Chief Deputy Auditor Ronni Radle and County Commissioners thanked Lake County Auditor Linda Libal for her service. Today is her retirement day.
Land Commissioner Nate Eide arrived at 2:30 p.m.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as follows:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of December 17, 2024.
2. Approve official proceedings of a public hearing on December 17, 2024, for Lake County Cannabis Ordinance No. 29, effective January 1, 2025.
3. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amount:
AHA Special Payments $ 6,618.10
4. Authorize the Board Chair or County Administrator to sign an Amendment to Development Agreement with The Harbors, LLC (Previously LT4, LLC), amending the agreement by extending the maturity date by 10 months, to October 5, 2025.
5. Amend the Board of Commissioners meeting minutes dated May 28, 2024 to amend Consent Agenda Item #14 to account for the four percent (4%) contract increase for winter road deicing salt.
Original language from the County Board approval on May 28, 2024, was as follows: Authorize Highway Department purchase of winter road salt from Morton Salt, Inc. through State CPV Contract 230570 (Contract Release S-763(5)) in the amount of $70.90 per ton delivered to the Two Harbors highway shop and $78.46 per ton delivered to the Finland highway shop, payable upon delivery through May 31, 2025, for a maximum estimated purchase total of $114,700.00.
As amended: Authorize the Highway Department purchase of winter road salt from Morton Salt, Inc. through State CPV Contract 230570 (Contract Release S-763(5)) in the amount of $73.74 per ton delivered to the Two Harbors highway shop and $81.60 per ton delivered to the Finland highway shop payable upon delivery through May 31, 2025, for a maximum estimated purchase total of $119,280.00.
6. Authorize the Board Chair, Highway Engineer, Auditor and Attorney to sign a Cooperative Agreement with St. Louis County to bid, award, and contract for pavement marking maintenance projects on Lake County State Aid highways (SAP 038-030-013) and make payment to St. Louis County in the amount of $1,000.00 for administration fees plus the value of the contract for work on Lake County highways.
7. Authorize the Highway Department to provide Crystal Bay Township with up to 50 cubic yards of Screened Sand from the Finland Highway Maintenance Facility shop yard for use in treating (sanding) township roads for icy conditions.
8. Authorize payment not to exceed the amount of $137,837.05 to SHI Corp. (Invoice B19022776 dated 11/6/2024).
9. Approve and authorize the Lake County Board Chair and Maria VanSanten, Lake County Health and Human Services Supervisor, to sign the Minnesota Department of Human Services County Grant Contract GK304 (GRK 261518) for respite care services for children and their families, for the period of January 1, 2025, through June 30, 2027. Further authorize the Board Chair or Maria VanSanten to sign any subsequent amendments or grant award letters through the term of this grant.
10.Authorize payment in the amount of $11,088.00 to the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) for 2025 Annual Dues (AMC Invoice No. 70970). Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 03 – Approve the change in employee status of Logan Gow, Highway Maintenance Worker, due to completion of probation period effective December 17, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 04 – Approve the change in employee status of Tessa Strommer, Human Services Technician, due to completion of probation period effective January 1, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 05 – Approve the interim appointment of Ronelle Radle, Accounting Manager, to County Auditor/Treasurer at the annual salary of $103,000 effective January 6, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 06 – Approve the reappointment of Bradly Anderson, Veteran Service Officer, effective May 26, 2024, through May 25, 2028. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 07 – Approve the revised Lake County Earned Sick and Safe Time Policy. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 08 – Approve the probationary appointment of Thomas Oberg to Deputy Sheriff at the Step 2 wage of $30.83 per hour effective January 6, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 09 – Approve the probationary appointment of Hudson Weitzel to Deputy Sheriff at the Step 2 wage of $30.83 per hour effective January 6, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 10 – Approve the 67-day temporary appointment of Ethan Swartout, Snow Plow Operator for the Highway Department, at $21.00 per hour effective January 6, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 11 – Approve the 67-day temporary appointment of Kyle Myre, Snow Plow Operator for the Highway Department, at $21.00 per hour effective January 6, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 12 – Set the Board of Commissioners 2025 salary at $30,000, with an additional $2,400 per year for the Board Chair. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 13 – Set the Commissioners per diems at $100 in county and $115 out of county, effective January 1, 2025. Ayes: Baltich, Goutermont, Hurd, and Sve. Nay: Hogenson. Absent: None.
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 14 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 2:43 p.m. Absent: None
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meeting to be held in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota:
- Organizational meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 7, 2025.
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
