OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNTY BOARD LAKE COUNTY, MINNESOTA

Tuesday, November 8, 2022. Lake County Board of Commissioners’ meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by 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 Peter “Pete” R. Walsh, 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(s) absent: None. Also present in the Split Rock River Room: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, County Auditor Linda Libal, Emergency Manager Matt Pollmann, Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan, County Assessor Gregg Swartwoudt, and Appraiser Supervisor Noah Mittlefehldt. Environmental Services Director Christine M. McCarthy connected by remote video communications.

MOTION WALSH, SECOND HURD: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: None

Board Chair Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were made. Christine M. McCarthy connected by remote video communications for the composting and recycling grant update from David Abazs, Executive Director of the University of Minnesota (U of MN) Extension Northeast Regional Sustainable Development Partnerships (RSDP). Lake County is the fiscal agent for the grant application that was submitted to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) and was awarded a grant agreement through the MPCA’s Greater Minnesota Recycling and Composting Grant Program. The grant is a three-year plan. David Abazs advised that community meetings have been held and a task force was formed. He provided copies of a brochure created by Friends of the Finland Community, describing project components for a recycling and composting center. The project is intended to divert recyclables from the landfill and would provide a fair wage job for an individual to help organize recyclables and monitor the site, keeping it clean, and providing a place to accept compostable food scraps to create nutrient rich soil, and the potential for compostable sales.

Lake County’s understanding is that the pilot project partners are the U of MN, Crystal Bay Township, and Lake County, and that the County is the fiscal agent for Crystal Bay Township’s project. David Abazs discussed local collaboration with Friends of the Finland Community. Crystal Bay Township has outstanding questions. County Administrator Matt Huddleston and Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy will be attending the next town board meeting at Crystal Bay Township to discuss questions about roles, responsibilities, ownership, and a host for a community liaison position. David Abazs agreed that clarity is needed and acknowledged that many unknowns need to be resolved before the project can move forward.

Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. County Assessor Gregg Swartwoudt and Appraiser Supervisor Noah Mittlefehldt provided an update on the report that will be submitted this week to the U.S. Forest Service (USFS). The report is the TriCounties’ appeal of the second 2018 appraisal of the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW). The submittal will be signed by County Assessors representing St. Louis, Lake, and Cook counties. County Assessors developed an income approach including mineral leases, carbon credits and wetland credits, and assert that the income approach is the highest and best use.

The Lake County Board of Commissioners has reviewed, is fully aware of its content, and supports the information conveyed in the county assessors’ findings. The Lake County Board of Commissioners will provide a cover letter of support to be included in the submittal to the USFS.

Mr. Huddleston discussed the invoices that we have received for the Ely Area Ambulance Service joint powers board, for a one-time contribution for an operating subsidy for the ambulance service. This year’s invoice amount is substantially higher than what the joint powers board had agreed for annual invoices. Mr. Huddleston discussed safety programs, provided personnel committee updates, and scheduled a budget meeting.

Lake County Emergency Manager Matt Pollmann attended the County Board of Commissioners’ meeting. Mr. Pollmann requests a contract renewal with Aaron Mollin-King, Firewise Coordinator Service Agreement, with an increase to the capped contract amount. County Auditor Linda Libal provided an update for her office. The Office of the County Auditor has been busy with the election.

MOTION HURD, SECOND WALSH: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:

1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of October 25, 2022.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
   1. Administrative payments $ 5,579.57
   1. Region III Adult Behavioral Health Initiative payments $124,029.27
3. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with Accend Services, Inc., to provide Adult Mental Health Targeted Case Management Services for the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.
4. Approve and authorize the Lake County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with the Center for Alcohol and Drug Treatment for the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00.
5. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Memorandum of Agreement with Community Partners to provide community support services for Lake County citizens for the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $19,521.00.
6. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with the Human Development Center to provide Adult Mental Health Targeted Case Management Services for the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.
7. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with the Human Development Center for Employment and Training Services for the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $41,600.00.
8. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with the Human Development Center to provide Community Mental Health Services for the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $80,000.00.
9. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with the Human Development Center to provide Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) Supported Employment Services for the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00.
10. Approve and authorize the Lake County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with Kartta Group, LLC, for the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $20,000.00.
11. Approve and authorize the Lake County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with the Lake County Developmental Achievement Center for the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $18,500.00.
12. Approve and authorize the Lake County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with Lake View Memorial Hospital to provide Women, Infants and Children’s (WIC) program services for the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $5,040.00.
13. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with Lake View Hospital to provide foot care to Lake County residents for the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $1,500.00 per month.
14. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Memorandum of Agreement with Northshore Area Partners to provide community support services for Lake County citizens for the period of January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023, in an amount not to exceed $36,000.00.
15. Approve and authorize the Lake County Board Chair to sign the Children’s Therapeutic Services and Supports (CTSS) Provider Application.
16. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Onsite Influenza Immunization Agreement with Lake View Hospital for the period from November 1, 2022, to February 28, 2023.
17. Authorize payment in the amount of $22,454.00 (invoice #71762) to Office of the State Auditor for 2021 audit services.
18. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Co-op Light and Power utility permit for underground power lines at two intersections of CSAH 12 and CR 124 (Big Rock Road) and intersection of CSAH 12 and (CR 1111 (Airport Road).
19. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Frontier Communications utility permit for telephone service drop north of the driveway at 1806 CSAH 2.
20. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Frontier Communications utility permit for fiber optic telecommunications cable to 709 23rd Ave, Two Harbors from CSAH 2 along 200S (23rd Ave) to 200E (4th St.)
21. .Authorize the Board Chair and Highway Engineer to sign an agreement with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDO)T to provide winter roadway maintenance services on CR 221 (Split Rock State Park Access) and Old Highway 61 in Beaver Bay Township through June 2023, for a cost not to exceed $5,000.00.
22. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign a purchase agreement with DLT Solutions, LLC, and make payment of $14,848.26 for a 3-year subscription renewal for three (3) seats of AutoDesk Civil 3D Computer Automated Design & Drafting (CADD) software licensing and corresponding technical support services from US CAD.
23. Approve and award the bid price listed below for Wildfire Fuel Reduction (Stevens) Grant projects to reduce hazardous balsam fir understory and blow down on private lands in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas adjacent to USFS projects. Contract will be paid by Lake County and reimbursed by the federal Wildfire Fuel Reduction Grant.
24. Approve and authorize the Board Chairperson to sign the Firewise Program Coordinator Service Agreement, between Lake County, (“the County”) Aaron Mollin-Kling, (“the Provider”), is entered into by the Lake County Emergency Management Department for the period of January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2023, at the rate of $32.00 per hour, to manage wildfire mitigation and property protection services and projects. The request includes moving the maximum salary allowed from $30,000 to $45,000 to allow for more Firewise work to be conducted. The salary is paid primarily out of Title III funds.
25. Approve purchase of Information Systems Corporation (ISC) Accounts Payable (AP) Workflow System for Lake County in an amount not to exceed $35,000.
26. Authorize Lake County Auditor to sign Purchase Agreement with ISC for AP Workflow System.
27. Authorize Lake County Information Technology (I.T.) Department Director to sign “Request Change of Application Xtender Support Providers” from Mid-America Business Systems to Information Systems Corporation (ISC). Absent: None

MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 03 – Approve the change in employee status of Cory Hage due to completion of probation period effective November 9, 2022. Absent: None

MOTION WALSH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 04 – Approve the resignation of Kay Leon effective October 17, 2022. Absent: None

MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 05 – Approve the probationary appointment of Galen Maxim to Information Technology Technician at the Step 2 rate of $18.42 per hour effective November 21, 2022. Absent: None

MOTION HURD, SECOND WALSH: 06 – Adjourn meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:30 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:

-Committee of the Whole at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 15, 2022
-Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 22, 2022

ATTEST:

Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioner