Tuesday, November 28, 2023. 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, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Board member absent: None. Also present: County Auditor Linda Libal, Land Commissioner Nate Eide, Environmental Service Director Christine McCarthy, County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, County Attorney Russ Conrow and County Administrator Matthew Huddleston.
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 01 – Approval of the agenda with the addition of the Two Harbors Housing and Redevelopment Authority and the Two Harbors Community Radio. Absent: None
Phil Arnold, Two Harbors Housing and Redevelopment Authority Board member, spoke to their request for the County to convey tax-forfeited land for a reduced cost to create affordable housing. Parcels requested for transfer are 23-7644-36000, 36110, 36120 and 36130. Discussion followed regarding other housing initiatives within the city and clarifying questions on the specific lots requested for transfer. There was general support for the request and additional information will be needed prior to any formal action.
Leo Babeu, Two Harbors Community Radio Board member, spoke to the radio station about the need to meet the new FCC rules for Emergency Alert System (EAS) Common Alerting Protocol (CAP) compliance by December 12, 2023, or as soon as achievable thereafter. A new, FCC-compliant Sage EAS unit will require three external receivers to forward messages coming from two primary local relay FM stations as well as from the NOAA/National Weather Service Radio service signal. The cost for the upgrade is around $4,000. The radio station has received an Operation Round Up grant from Coop Light and Power for $2,500 and they’re seeking the additional funds from Lake County.
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 02 – Approval to reimburse up to $1,510 to the Two Harbors Community Radio Station for the equipment needed for the Emergency Alert System upgrades. Absent: None
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business.
The County Board had a discussion regarding committee assignment in preparation for the upcoming organizational meeting on January 2, 2024.
The County Auditor, Linda Libal, requested that the County Board consider a resolution for mail-in ballots for Unorganized Territory #1. This item was previously in County Board correspondence packets, both in July and September. The County Board agreed to add this item for consideration under #3 on the Resolution Items.
Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler provided details on the prisoner transport invoice that is up for action.
Lake County Attorney asked the Board to update a resolution that would require the County Attorney to be the Authorized Signatories on OJP Grant Agreement with the State of Minnesota. The County Board approved this in the past. The State of Minnesota is requesting an updated resolution.
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 03 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve the Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes for November 14, 2023.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 19,050.00
b. Region III Payments $ 129,665.62
c. AHA Special Payments $ 10,215.26
3. Authorize payment to PTS of America in the amount of $6533.00 for the transportation of a prisoner from Colorado to the Lake County Jail.
4. Accept the quote dated November 15, 2023, from All City Elevator and authorize payment to All City Elevator in the amount of $17,925.00 for the project.
5. Approve updated to the Lake County Accounting and Policy Procedures Manual Section 3- Payments of Claims-Accounts Payable, to reflect the usage of ISC AP Work Flow.
6. Authorize the Board Chair, Highway Engineer, Auditor and Attorney to sign a Cooperative Agreement with St. Louis County to bid, award, and contract for Chip Seal and Fog Seal pavement maintenance projects on Lake County roads and make payment to St. Louis County of $750.00 for administration fees plus the value of the contract for work on Lake County roads.
7. Authorize the Board Chair, Highway Engineer, Auditor and Attorney to sign a Cooperative Agreement with St. Louis County to bid, award, and contract for pavement marking maintenance projects on Lake County State Aid highways and make payment to St. Louis County of $1,000.00 for administration fees plus the value of the contract for work on Lake County highways.
8. Authorize the Board Chair, Highway Engineer, Auditor and Attorney to sign a Cooperative Agreement with St. Louis County to bid, award, and contract for pavement marking maintenance projects on Lake County non-State Aid roads and town roads and make payment to St. Louis County of $500.00 for administration fees plus the value of the contract for work on Lake County roads.
9. Authorize the 2023 Municipal Maintenance Distribution to the City of Two Harbors in the amount of $22,258.37.
10. Authorize the 2023 Municipal Maintenance Distribution to the City of Silver Bay in the amount of $21,824.26.
11. Authorize Highway Engineer to sign the Special Event Permit for John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon scheduled for January 28, 2024, and located on Alger Grade Gravel Pit, North Shore Snowmobile Trail.
12. Approve and Authorize the Environmental Services Director to sign the Stantec Proposal for Engineering Services for 2024 Cell Construction at the Lake County Demolition Landfill. These services will include the preparation of the bid documents, bidding assistance/contractor selection, construction contract administration & construction field services at a cost not to exceed $36,250.
13. Approve and authorize payment not to exceed the amount of $14,184.00 for a plotter purchase, and $40 per month for supplies and service to EO Johnson as outlined in September 26, 2023 quote. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 04 – Approve the 67-day temporary appointment of Kean Raygor, Snow Plow Operator for the Highway Department, at $20.00 per hour, including second year return incentive effective November 29, 2023. Absent: None.
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 05 – Approve the Resolution of Support for an Agreement to Sponsor Fall Lake Township’s 2023 Local Road Improvement Program Application for the Sunset Road Improvement Project. Absent: None.
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 06 – Resolved, the Lake County Board of Commissioners that Unorganized Territory #1, Lake County, MN, will be conducting balloting for all residents by mail starting January 1st, 2024. Aye: BALTICH, GOUTERMONT, HURD Nay: HOGENSON, SVE Absent: None.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 07 – Resolution Authorizing the County Attorney to be the Authorized Signatories on OJP Grant Agreement with the State of Minnesota. Absent: None.
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 08 – Adjourn meeting. Absent: None.
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings:
– Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 12, 2023
– Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 19, 2023
ATTEST:
Matthew J Huddleston Acting Clerk of the Board Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
Minutes taken by Debbie Peterson
Adopted: December 12, 2023
