OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNTY BOARD LAKE COUNTY, MINNESOTA

Tuesday, May 27, 2025. 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, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota: District 1 Commissioner Joe Baltich, Dis­trict 3 Commissioner Richard “Rick” C. Hogenson, District 4 Commissioner Jere­my M. Hurd, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Board member absent: District 2 Commissioner Derrick “Rick” L. Gouter­mont. Also present: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, Interim County Au­ditor/Treasurer Ronni Radle, Information Technology (I.T.) Director Dan Lackore, Land Commissioner Nate Eide, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.

MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: Goutermont

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. Lake County Information Technology (I.T.) Director Dan Lackore dis­cussed the Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) Pol­icy, which establishes guidelines for how County employees may use A.I. tools in the performance of their duties. This policy has been developed in collaboration with the I.T. Department, along with input from all county departments and aligns with our commitment to responsible and secure technology use. The policy is designed to provide County staff with directions on the appropriate and effective use of A.I. in their work. As A.I. technology continues to evolve and become more integrated into daily operations, this policy ensures that usage remains aligned with County values, data privacy standards, and professional responsibilities. One item was removed from the Consent Agenda for separate board action.

MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as amend­ed:

1. Approve County Board of Commis­sioners’ regular meeting minutes of May 13, 2025.

2. Approve a four-day temporary on-sale liquor permit for Lake County Agricultural Society for the dates August 7-10, 2025, at the Lake County Fairgrounds, 1381 Fair­grounds Rd Two Harbors, MN 55616.

3. Approve payment in the amount of $27,147.58 to Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative (MNCCC) for 2025 annual support services (invoice #2501110).

4. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Northern Natural Gas utility permit for rectifier and ground bed replacement along the north side of Highway 12 (CSAH 12).

5. Authorize Highway Department purchase of a Woods BB72.40 Ro­tary Cutter from Titan Machinery at a cost not to exceed $5,218.76 plus any additional delivery, tax, title, or registration fees.

6. Approve an increase of the total contract cost of the 2024-2025 Two Harbors Street & Utility Improve­ment Project, (SAP 038-636-001), reconstruction of 5th St, 4th Ave, 5th Ave, 6th Ave to a cost not to exceed $8,050,000.00, an increase of $652,400.00.

7. Authorize Highway Department payment to Jessica Hall at a cost not to exceed $8,400.00, paid monthly at $700.00 per month for 12 months, for cleaning services at the Finland Highway Maintenance Facility and at the Hwy 1/Hwy 2 wayside rest.

8. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Special Event Permit for the Grit and Gratitude Charity Bike Rides scheduled for August 17, 2025 and located on various County roads and highways and beginning and ending in Two Har­bors off CSAH 26.

9. Award Master Service Contracts to Full Sun Services of Silver Bay, MN and to Prairie Restorations, Inc. of Princeton, MN for 2025 herbicide applications, and authorize the Board Chair to sign the vendor Master Service Contracts pending County Attorney review; and au­thorize Highway Department Work Order payments not to exceed $30,000.00 total for all Master Ser­vice Contract work.

10. Approve Lodging Tax disbursement to Lovin Lake County in the amount of $436,035.08.

11. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Inter­im Use Application I-25-007r, sub­mitted by Nathan & Angela Hoffman at 5997 Hwy 61, Silver Bay MN 55614.

12. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Inter­im Use Application I-25-008i, sub­mitted by Kitti Eddy at 1726 Hwy 61, Two Harbors MN 55616.

13. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for In­terim Use Application I-25-009i, submitted by Jim & Laura Good­man at 648 Old North Shore Road, Two Harbors MN 55616. Absent: Goutermont

MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 03 – Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts, contingent upon commissioner review and approval:

a. Region III Payments $ 140,109.13

b. Special Payments $ 24,597.18

Absent: Goutermont

MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 04 – Authorize Lake County to pursue the application process to become a corporate member of the Range Association of Mu­nicipalities and Schools (RAMS). Absent: Goutermont

MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 05 – Approve the 67-day temporary ap­pointment of Thomas Anderson, Industrial Mower Operator for Highway Department, at $19.00 per hour effective June 9, 2025. Absent: Goutermont

MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HOGEN­SON: 06 – Approve the 67-day temporary appointment of Terry Costello, Industrial Mower Operator for Highway Department, at $20.50 per hour including maximum return incentive effective June 9, 2025. Absent: Goutermont

MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 07 – Approve the 67-day temporary appoint­ment of Kevin Olsen, Industrial Mower Operator for Highway Department, at $20.50 per hour including maximum return incentive effective June 9, 2025. Absent: Goutermont

MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BAL­TICH: 08 – Approve the change in em­ployment status of Jacob Ihfe, Deputy Sheriff, due to completion of probation ef­fective May 20, 2025. Absent: Goutermont

MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 09 – Approve the resignation of Matthew Widen, Forester, effective June 6, 2025. Absent: Goutermont

MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BAL­TICH: 10 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Forester. Absent: Goutermont

MOTION HURD SECOND BALTICH: 11 – Approve the probationary appointment of Brian Anderson to Deputy Sheriff at the Step 3 wage of $31.87 per hour effective May 28, 2025. Absent: Goutermont

MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BAL­TICH: 12 – Approve resolution autho­rizing Lake County to act as the fiscal agent for Veterans on the Lake Resort (VOTLR) grant application in the amount of $180,000 to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) 2026 Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund (ENRTF) for a proj­ect titled “Facility Outdoor Improvement”. Absent: Goutermont

MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 13 – Approve Lake County Artificial Intel­ligence (A.I.) Policy. Absent: Goutermont

MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 14 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 2:48 p.m. Absent: Goutermont

The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings to be held in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota.

• Agenda meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 3, 2025

• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 10, 2025

ATTEST:

Laurel D. Buchanan

Clerk of the Board

Rich Sve, Board Chairperson

Lake County Board of Commissioners