Tuesday, December 19, 2023. The Lake County Board of Commissioners’ regularly scheduled meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve. Chairperson Sve led the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance. Unless otherwise stated, all actions have been approved by an 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 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: Commissioner Jeremy Hurd. Also present: County Auditor Linda Libal, Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza, Environmental Service Director Christine McCarthy, Land Commissioner Nate Eide and County Administrator Matthew Huddleston.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: HURD
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were made.
Janelle Jones, Lovin Lake County Executive Director, provided an annual report on marketing efforts for 2023 which included information on the events and festival funds. She also reviewed the 2024 marketing plan and the 2024 proposed budget. Additionally, discussion took place regarding the proposed amendments to the Lovin Lake County contract.
Pete Smerud, Executive Director of Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center, provided an overview of the efforts seeking the establishment of a statewide Outdoor School for All grant program to provide immersive, multi-day, accredited overnight educational program learning experiences for all Minnesota students. Wolf Ridge Environmental Learning Center is seeking a resolution of support from Lake County regarding these efforts.
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business.
County Auditor Linda Libal provided an update on end-of-year payroll processes and the upcoming election cycle for 2024.
Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza provided an overview of the preliminary improvement plan project concepts that have been reviewed to address the condition of the Knife River Bridge on Hawk Hill Road.
Land Commissioner Nate Eide provided an update on the recent timber sale.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve the Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes for December 12, 2023.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
Region III Payments $ 154,901.54
Special Payments $ 1,545.00
3. Adopt a resolution in support of the proposed Minnesota legislation: Outdoor School for All (OSFA)
4. Designate the Lake County, Minnesota website as the official publication for any 2024 transportation project advertisement for bids.
5. Authorize payment to the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in the amount of $7,241.73, which is the amount that exceeds the previously approved $134,000 contract for annual Aquatic Invasive Species AIS Prevention Services.
6. Authorize payment in the amount of $25,053.40 to Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative (MnCCC) for Invoice 2401105.
7. 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, 2024, through December 31, 2024.
8. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Amended Purchase of Service Agreement with Elaine Jackson, D/B/A Budd House B and L, LLC, for board and lodging services for the period of January 1, 2024, through June 30, 2024.
9. Approve Lovin Lake County to make the 2023 disbursement to Fall Lake Township in the amount of $120,000 for lodging tax marketing purposes.
10. Approve amendment to “The Harbors” Development Agreement. Absent: HURD
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 03 – Approve the 2024 County Net Levy amount of $12,431,329. Absent: HURD
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 04 – Approve the 2024 County Expenditure Budget of $49,619,437 and County Revenue Budget of $39,530,070. Absent: HURD
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 05 – Approve the 2024 Tax Levy amount of $32,000 for Unorganized Territory No. 1. Absent: HURD
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 06 – Approve the 2024 Expenditure Budget of $31,250 and Revenue Budget of $37,030 for Unorganized Territory No. 1. Absent: HURD
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 07 – Approve the 2024 Tax Levy for Unorganized Territory No. 2 in amount of $410,589 ($100,589 levy plus $310,000 for Road and Bridge). Absent: HURD
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 08 – Approve the 2024 Expenditure Budget of $422,000 and Revenue Budget of $421,279 for Unorganized Territory No. 2 (including $310,000 for Road and Bridge). Absent: HURD.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 09 – Approve the 2024 Tax Levy amount of $375,000 for the Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA). Absent: HURD
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 10 – Approve the changes to the 67-Day Temporary Employee Wage Schedule. Absent: HURD
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 11 – Approve amendments to Lovin Lake County Contract. Absent: HURD
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 12 – Approve annual budget proposal by the contractor Lovin Lake County, for the 2024 Event and Visitors Bureau, for a total budget of $1,840,500. Absent: HURD
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 13 – Approve the final 2023 Lodging Tax disbursement to Lovin Lake County in the amount of $695,046. Absent: HURD
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 14 – Approve the 2024 budget request of $40,804 for Arrowhead Library System. Absent: HURD
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 15 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:46 p.m. Absent: HURD
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings:
– Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 26, 2023
– Organizational meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 2, 2024
ATTEST:
Matthew J Huddleston
Acting Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
