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 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. Vacancy: First District. Also present: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza, County Auditor Linda Libal, County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Veteran Service Officer Brad Anderson, County Recorder Lori Ekstrom, Environmental Service Director Christine McCarthy, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: None
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were made.
The Lake County Recorder provided an annual update. The update included information about the use of iDocMarket for online real estate records access, how the Recorders office handles Vital Records and the importance of these documents, along with some history regarding abstract vs torrens (registered) property in Lake County.
The County Recorder also updated the County Board on the Certificate of Possessory Title. Some Minnesota counties have authorized the Minnesota Certificate of Possessory Title registration procedure, pursuant to resolutions approved by their respective Boards of Commissioners. The County Recorder intends to bring forward more information on this issue and propose a resolution for County Board consideration.
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business.
Lake County Environmental Service Director provided an update on the newly completed Geologic Atlas for Lake County. The Geologic Atlas provides information about the geology and groundwater resources of a county.
Lake County Sheriff updated the County Board on a recent ATV safety class, a winter storm tabletop exercise, upcoming surplus equipment auction, and possible technology solutions to aid in well-being checks in the jail.
Lake County Veteran Service Officer highlighted his request seeking County Board approval of a resolution supporting Operation Green Light, an initiative designed to shine a light on the service of our Veterans. As part of Operation Green Light for Veterans, Lake County would illuminate the courthouse building green beginning on November 6th, 2023, to remind the Veterans and their families in our community that we are here for them. This is also an opportunity to raise awareness of the resources available to veterans and their families. Here in Lake County, we proudly serve more than 900 Veterans through our Veterans Service Office. Veterans and family members can learn more about available services at the Lake County Veterans Service Office.
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of October 10, 2023.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments
$ 15,001.74
b. Region III Payments
$ 553,872.75
c. Special Payments $ 9,124.21
3. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use I-23-036, submitted by Mike and Angela Steenberg at 314 Knife Island Rd, Knife River, MN, 55609. Parcel ID: 25-5200-29585.
4. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use I-23-037, submitted by Lise and David Abazs at 5855 Nicolai Road, Finland, MN, 55603. Parcel ID: 27-5707-23930.
5. Approve the new application for Four Seasons LLC, DBA Four Seasons Restaurant & Bar located at 6538 Highway 1 Finland, MN 55603 for an on and off-sale liquor license with Sunday sales, subject to the approval of Crystal Bay Township, the County Attorney and County Sheriff.
6. Approve the Minnesota lawful gambling application of the Isabella Community Council for a Premise Permit to conduct gambling related activities (pull tabs) at the Four Seasons Restaurant & Bar located at 6538 Highway 1 Finland, MN 55603.
7. Approve the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Title III budget, initiate and obligate funds for the listed projects as authorized for use of FY 2019-2022 funds in the amount of $145,231.
8. Authorize the Board Chair and Highway Engineer to sign an agreement with MnDOT to provide winter roadway maintenance services on CR 221 (Split Rock State Park Access) and Old Highway 61 in Beaver Bay Township through June 2024, for a cost not to exceed $5,000.00.
9. 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.
10. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign a Professional Services Agreement with LHB to perform engineering design, develop alternatives, and prepare preliminary and final plans and project specifications for the replacement of Bridge 93091, Hawk Hill Road (CR 102) over the Knife River at a cost not to exceed $79,345.00.
11. Authorize the Highway Engineer to prepare and sign a letter of support for the City of Two Harbors’ application for State Park Road Account funding and agree to be the Project Sponsor for the design and delivery of a project to reconstruct Lighthouse Point Road (3rd Street) between 1st Avenue and the southern road limit at the DNR public boat landing parking lot.
12. Authorize Highway Department purchase of plow and blade cutting edges from KRIS Engineering at a cost not to exceed $15,584.79 plus any additional delivery, tax, title, or registration fees.
13. Authorize Highway Department purchase of a 2024 GMC Sierra 2500 Ton 4×4 pickup truck from TRES Inc. (dba North Country GM) at a cost not to exceed $45,142.20 plus any additional delivery, tax, title, or registration fees.
14. Authorize Highway Department purchase of a 2024 GMC Sierra 1500 Ton 4×4 pickup truck from TRES Inc. (dba North Country GM) at a cost not to exceed $43,059.30 plus any additional delivery, tax, title, or registration fees.
15. Authorize the Highway Department to sell by auction the following surplus equipment:
– Unit 2062 (2006 Chevy Silverado 1500)
– Unit 2063 (2004 Chevy Silverado 1500)
Absent: None.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 03 – Authorize funding assistance to Anderson-Claffy American Legion Post 109, for its Veterans’ Day Dinner, in a donation amount of $2,800.00. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 04 – Approve the Highway Department request to fill three 67-day temporary Snow Plow Operator positions at $19.00 per hour. Absent: None.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 04 – Approve the Resolution Supporting Operation Green Light for Veterans.
RESOLVED, Lake County Hereby declares from October 24 through Veterans Day, November 11th, 2023 a time to salute and honor the service and sacrifices of our men and women in uniform transitioning from active service, be it further
RESOVLED, that in observance of Operation Green Light, Lake County encourages its citizens in patriotic tradition to recognize the importance of honoring all those who made immeasurable sacrifices to preserve freedom by displaying green lights in a window of their place of business or residence from November 6th through the 12th, 2023.
Absent: None.
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 05 – Adjourn Lake County Board of Commissioners meeting at 3:04 PM. Absent: None.
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings:
– Agenda meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 7, 2023
– Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 14, 2023
ATTEST:
Matthew J Huddleston
Acting Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
