Tuesday, January 9, 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. Chairperson 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 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 member absent: None. Also present: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, County Auditor Linda Libal, County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan, and Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: None
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. Public was present. No public comments were made.
District Manager Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District Manager (SWCD) Tara Solem provided One Watershed One Plan (1W1P) updates.
Lake County Administrator provided an update on several items of county business. County Auditor, County Sheriff, and Environmental Services Director provided updates for their respective departments.
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of December 26, 2023.
2. Approve Board of Commissioners’ organizational meeting minutes of January 2, 2024.
3. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 40,804.57
b. Region III Payments $ 38,595.22
4. Approve a one-day temporary on-sale liquor permit for Finland Snowmobile & ATV Club for the date of February 17, 2024, at the Clair Nelson Community Center in Finland.
5. Authorize increase in Election Judge wages to $15/hour and Head Election Judge to $16/hour effective January 1, 2024.
6. Approve closeout of project CP 102-023-001, Hawk Hill Road, Bridge 93091 Repairs, Knife River and final payment of $6,328.50 for the work completed to Northland Constructors for a total contract work value of $126,570.00.
7. Authorize Highway Department payment to City of Ely at a cost not to exceed $13,485.45 for Salt Sand use in Fall Lake Township for the 2023-2024 winter season.
8. Authorize payment to JBL Trucking & Excavating LLC for invoice #775 dated 12/29/2023 in the amount of $8,635.50 for the Lake County portion of the septic replacement for septic permit SP-23-126.
9. Authorize payment to Darrel D. Johnson Excavating, Inc. for invoice # 5783 dated 12/29/2023 in the amount of $8,635.50 for the Lake County portion of the septic tank replacement for Septic Permit SP-23-127. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 03 – Approve the change in employment status of Ashley Sibik, Environmental Health Specialist, effective January 17, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 04 – Approve the change in employment status of Amanda Johnson, Accounting Technician, effective January 17, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 05 – Approve the probationary appointment of Pierce Risdon to Deputy Sheriff at the 2024 Step 3 wage of $30.94 per hour effective January 22, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 06 – Set the County Attorney 2024 salary at $127,000 and Health Care Saving Plan contribution at $2,000. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 07 – Set the County Auditor 2024 salary at $104,000 and Health Care Saving Plan contribution at $2,000. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 08 – Set the County Recorder 2024 salary at $87,000 and Health Care Saving Plan contribution at $2,000. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 09 – Set the County Sheriff 2024 salary at $115,000 and Health Care Saving Plan contribution at $2,000. Ayes: Goutermont, Hogenson, Hurd, and Sve. Nay: Baltich. Absent: None
Commissioner Baltich moved to amend the County Sheriff 2024 salary amount to $118,000. Motion to amend failed for lack of support. The original motion carries, on a vote of four to one.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 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:
– Committee of the Whole at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16, 2024, at the Lake County Highway Department, 1513 Highway 2, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
– Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
