Tuesday, July 8, 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 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, Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard, Interim Auditor/Treasurer Ronni Radle, Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Director Matthew Johnson, and Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT) Risk Management Consultant Joe Ciemisnki.
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.
Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust (MCIT) Risk Management Consultant Joe Ciemisnki provided a 2025 report to members. Lake County is a member of MCIT. MCIT mission is providing Minnesota counties and associated members cost-effective coverage with comprehensive and quality risk management services. The report included history on MCIT and the partnership with Lake County, along with benefits of being in the risk sharing pool, status of reinsurance premiums, information that total insured values continue to climb, coverage enhancements for 2025, information on future rates, dividends, cyber claims and workers’ compensation.
County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. Administrator Huddleston also led a discussion regarding Crystal Bay Township’s correspondence to the county regarding the potential of the township deeding property to the Finland Fire Department. Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Director Matthew Johnson provided an update on several HRA items.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of June 24, 2025.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 51,322.54
b. ABHI Region 3 Payments $ 25,440.00
c. Arrowhead Health Alliance Payments $ 36,000.00
3. Authorize payment to Office of the State Auditor in the amount of $9,155.50 for Claim No. 72630, Service Period 2/12/2025 to 6/03/2025, for Audit Period Ended December 31, 2025.
4. Award SP 038-607-015 to the lowest responsible bidder, ACM, LLC in the amount of $678,886.65 for the construction of Bridge 38J44 and Approaches on Cramer Road, CSAH 7 at Ninemile Creek, with award being contingent on authorization to award provided by MnDOT Office of Civil Rights (OCR) and authorize the Board Chair to sign the construction contract pending County Attorney review.
5. Award an Engineering Services contract to WSB in the amount of $79,782.00 for development of construction plans for SP 038- 602-035, CSAH 2 Resurfacing between Reeves Road (UT 42) and Wales Road (CSAH 14) and authorize the Board Chair to sign the construction contract pending County Attorney review.
6. Authorize Highway Department purchase of a used moldboard for equipment unit # 5951, a 1994 CAT 140G motor grader from Ziegler, Inc. at a cost not to exceed $8,400.00 plus any additional delivery, tax, title, or registration fees.
7. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Special Event Permit for the NorthShore Inline Marathon scheduled for September 13, 2025 and located on Scenic Highway 61.
8. Authorize payment in the amount of $13635.00 to Northeast Service Cooperative (NESC) for Institute for Environmental Assessment, Inc. (IEA) Safety Program Invoices numbered 4755.
9. Resolution authorizing application to Park State Bank for an updated credit card agreement with a maximum credit limit of $150,000. Authorized account signers: Ronelle L Radle and Lola R Haus.
10. Approve Minnesota Lawful Gambling Application for Special Olympics Minnesota/Northland 300 to conduct a raffle on January 31, 2026, at Superior Shores Resort. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 03 – Approve the updated Bylaws of the Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 04 – Approve and authorize the Board Chair to sign the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between the City of Two Harbors, Minnesota (“City”); and City of Two Harbors Housing and Redevelopment Authority (“THHRA”), and Lake County, Minnesota (“County”); and Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (“LCHRA”). Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 05 – Approve the appointment of Warren LaPlante to Emergency Management Director/Safety Officer at the Step 9 rate of $42.97 per hour effective July 28, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 06 – Approve the appointment of John Schlangen, Engineering Supervisor, to Highway Maintenance Superintendent at the Step 6 rate of $43.89 per hour effective July 19, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 07 – Approve the 67- day temporary appointment of Amir Ali, Grounds Maintenance Worker, at $18.00 per hour effective July 9, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 08 – Amend the Board of Commissioners meeting minutes dated June 10, 2025, Motion 07, to correct the effective date of retirement. As amended: Approve the retirement of Rogene Moe, Administrative Assistant, effective June 20, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 09 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:06 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, July 15, 2025, at the Toimi School Community Center, Brimson, Minnesota.
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
ATTEST:
Matthew Huddleston Acting Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
