Tuesday, March 26, 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 a unanimous 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, 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 members absent: None. Also present in the SRRR: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston. County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, County Attorney Russ Conrow, Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan. Also present remotely via Microsoft Teams: County Auditor Linda Libal and Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza.
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 01 – Approval of the agenda, as amended. Absent: None
Lake County Attorney Russ Conrow reviewed and advised the Board of Commissioners on options for a Vacation Rental Interim Use Application that is before the Board of Commissioners, after the motion to approve failed at the Planning Commission.
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. Alyce Gubelmann, Greg Olmscheid, Tanya Bruzek, Eric Long and Chuck Anderson spoke to their concerns regarding the Vacation Rental Interim Use Application submitted by the applicants Taylor and Charissa Hall. The applicants also spoke during the public comment portion of the meeting.
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 02 – Remand back to the Planning Commission for recommendation to approve or deny and findings to support their recommendation for Interim Use Application I-24-006i, submitted by Taylor and Charissa Hall at 960 Deerview Lane, Two Harbors, MN 55616. Absent: None
Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler appeared before the Board of Commissioners to discuss proposals for implementing a Body Worn Camera (BWC) program and a Sheriff’s Office Employee Wellness Program. Sheriff Stadler answered questions and explained how the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Employee Wellness Program is different from the Employee Assistance Program that is available to all county employees. Regarding the BWC program, a local law enforcement agency must provide an opportunity for public comment before it purchases or implements a portable recording system. At a minimum, the agency must accept public comments submitted electronically or by mail, and the governing body with jurisdiction over the budget of the law enforcement agency must provide an opportunity for public comment at a regularly scheduled meeting.
County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. County Auditor Linda Libal provided a brief update for her office. Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy advised that the bid package will be available Friday for the landfill expansion, with a bid opening date planned for April 23. Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza reviewed the current road and bridge items for board action.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 03 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve the Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of March 12, 2024.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Region III Payments $202,967.77
b. Special Payments $110,193.41
3. Approve the renewal of all current license holders of On-Sale, Off-Sale and On-and Off-Sale 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor Licenses for the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 subject to the approval of the County Attorney and County Sheriff, the filing the proper application papers and payment of applicable license fees.
4. Approve the renewal of all current cigarette license holders for the period of July 1, 2024 to June 30, 2025 subject to filing the proper application papers and payment of applicable license fees.
5. Approve the applications of Dream Cloud Coffee Roasters for a new On- and Off-Sale 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor Licenses and a new On -sale Wine license with strong beer endorsement subject to the approval of the County Attorney and County Sheriff.
6. Approve application for Minnesota Exempt Lawful Gambling Permit for Whitetails Unlimited Cabin Fever Chapter to conduct a raffle. Drawing to be held April 20, 2024, at the Clair Nelson Center 6866 Cramer Rd 1, Finland, MN 55603.
7. Approve and authorize the Board Chair to sign the service agreement between Lake County and Toimi School Community Center for the 2024 season; further resolved, authorize payment to the Toimi School Community Center for the sum of $4,800.00 for services provided per agreement.
8. Authorize payment of $31,442.00 to RJ Sport and Cycle (Quote dated 3/6/2024) for the purchase of a 2024 Lund 1675 Alaskan boat, trailer and motor. This boat will be purchased utilizing the 2024 Federal Boating Safety Supplemental Equipment Grant and will be placed for service in our Section 30/Fall Lake Office. This quote includes a government discount.
9. Authorize purchase an AB Profile 14 shallow RED boat with a Mercury 25hp tiller motor and trailer in the amount of $26,995.00 from Great American Marine in Bloomington, MN for the Lake County Rescue Squad Silver Bay/Finland station. The pricing does include government pricing for the motor.
10. Authorize payment of $212,180.00 to Lenslock for the purchase of 17 Gen 12 Body Worn Cameras and 18 Hawk 6 in-car video cameras for the Sheriff’s Office and $12,475.00 for 6 additional Body Worn Cameras for the Jailers. Also, authorize payment of approximately $8,000.00 to Emergency Automotive Technologies Inc (EATI) for the installation of 16 squad cameras. After the 5-year contract, the equipment will be owned by the Lake County Sheriff’s Office (LCSO) and can continue to be used for $120 per camera/per year.
11. Award SAP 038-636-001 to the lowest responsible bidder, Northland Constructors of Duluth, A Division of Mathy Construction Company in the amount of $ 7,397,600.00 for the Reconstruction of 5th Street, 4th Avenue, and 2023-2024 City of Two Harbors Street & Utility Improvement Project, pending concurrence to award the project from City of Two Harbors Council, and authorize the Board Chair to sign the construction contract pending County Attorney review.
12. Approve a Contract Amendment with LHB for preparing right of way acquisition exhibits and parcel legal descriptions for CP 102-024-001, Bridge 38538 and Approaches, Hawk Hill Road (CR 102) at Knife River for a new total contract value of $106,471.50, an increase of $9,845.00.
13. Award a material testing contract for bituminous plant monitoring, concrete plant monitoring, and other material testing needs for contract SAP 038-627-001 (Waldo Road/Cardinal Road/20th Ave/Ski Hill Road) and contract CP 013-022-001 (Larsmont Road) to WSB in the amount of $45,453.50 and authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the contract pending County Attorney review.
14. Authorize the Board Chair to sign a letter confirming Lake County’s support for Minnesota’s five accredited residential environmental learning center’s (RELCs) proposal to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources (LCCMR) to provide financial aid to students attending multi-day environmental education experiences at these centers.
15. Approve Resolution as follows, for Classification as Conservation:
WHEREAS, the following parcels have been considered as follows:
Parcel ID Acres Sect Twp Rng Description Township/City
20-6010-3213021 .45 32 60 10 Lot 3 Excluding that Stony River
part lying westerly of
CSAH 2
20-6010-32070 26.5 32 60 10 Lot 2 Stony River
27-5807-13430 40 13 58 07 Southeast ¼ of Crystal Bay
Northwest ¼
WHEREAS, M.S. 282.01 calls for classification of said parcels to conservation or non-conservation:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the classifications of said parcels of land are hereby declared to be conservation.
16. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-003r, submitted by John and Karen Adams at 603 Scenic Dr., Two Harbors, MN 55616
17. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-004r, submitted by Craig Anshus at 2406 Hwy 61, Two Harbors, MN 55616
18. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-005i, submitted by Luke and Jenn Carlson at 1831 Silver Fox Lane, Two Harbors, MN 55616 Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 04 – Authorize proposal for an Employee Wellness Program for the Sheriff’s Office with an approximate cost of $10,000.00 for 2024 and $10,200.00 for 2025. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 05 – Approve 2023 Audit through State Auditor’s office and authorize County Auditor, County Administrator and Board Chair to sign Engagement Letter. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 06 – Authorize payment to the City of Silver Bay in the amount of $50,000 that Lake County has earmarked for the Silver Bay Blue Line Club’s Arena Outdoor Recreation Project. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 07 – Approve the probationary appointment of Jenell Cook to Administrative Assistant at the Step 2 rate of $21.90 per hour effective March 27, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 08 – Approve the resignation of Jory Schliep, Lead Mechanic, effective March 29, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 09 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Lead Mechanic. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 10 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:45 p.m. Absent: None
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings 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, April 2, 2024.
– Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 9, 2024.
ATTEST:
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
