Tuesday, February 27, 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: County Auditor Linda Libal, County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Health and Human Services Director Lisa B. Hanson, Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan. Also absent: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 01 – Approval of the agenda, as amended. Absent: None
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were made. Board Chair Rich Sve expressed gratitude for community support in the recent passing of his father and appreciation for the excellent hospice care provided at the hospital in Two Harbors. County Commissioners also requested and observed a moment of silence for the recent passing of former Lake County Commissioner Brad Jones.
Lake County Health and Human Services Director Lisa Hanson discussed her department requests for board action. Ms. Hanson discussed the collaborative effort between Lake County Health and Human Services, Lake View Hospital and the Lake Superior School District to address mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness and sources of funding. She also discussed the plans, timeline, and associated costs with respect to changing electronic data management systems.
Board Chair Rich Sve provided updates on behalf of the County Administrator. Environmental Services Director, County Auditor, and County Sheriff also provided updates.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of February 13, 2024.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Special Payments $ 56,616.77
3. Authorize payment not to exceed the amount of $15,620.00 to Integris (Invoice dated January 31, 2024) for Windows DataCenter Licenses and user CALS.
4. Authorize the Lake County Recorder/Registrar of Titles and the Lake County Examiner of Titles to implement the possessory title method of registering property as provided for in Minnesota Statutes Chapter 508A.
5. Approve closeout of project SAP 038-626-007, CSAH 26 Resurfacing and final payment of $29,203.91 for the work completed to Ulland Brothers, Inc. for a total contract work value of $1,200,334.98.
6. Authorize Highway Department purchase two Western Star 47-X tandem axle cab and chassis trucks from Boyer Trucks under State Cooperative Purchasing Venture (CPV) contract number 242593 at a cost not to exceed $152,742.00 for each truck plus any additional delivery, tax, title, or registration fees.
7. Approve the Resolution approving Application for Highway Easement Across State Land and authorize payment of the application fee to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for project CP 102-024-001 (Bridge 38538, Hawk Hill Road over Knife River).
8. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-001r, submitted by Tom and Brenda Ringold for 2932 East Castle Ranger Rd, Two Harbors, MN.
9. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-022i, submitted by Virginia Jensen for 683 Point Drive, Ely MN. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 03 – Approve the purchase of NCT CaseWorks electronic data management system and authorize the County Board Chair to sign all necessary contracts and any subsequent amendments to those contracts, including: a five-year contract with Next Chapter Technology, Inc., for one-time costs and ongoing support; a contract with Content Services Consulting for data extraction; and a five-year contract with Kandiyohi County for hosting services. The total gross cost of implementation and 2024 support will not exceed $350,000. The estimated total net cost to Lake County (after federal reimbursement, state allocation and multi-county discount) for implementation and 2024 support is $131,759. The total gross ongoing cost in 2025-2028 will range from $51,535 to $58,747 per year. The estimated total net ongoing cost to Lake County in 2025-2028 (after federal reimbursement) will range from 28,819 to $32,846 per year. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 04 – Approve financial support for a collaborative effort between Lake County Health and Human Services, Lake View Hospital and the Lake Superior School District to address mental health, substance abuse, and homelessness in the following amounts:
2024: $10,000 COVID Recovery Funds and $20,000 Local Homeless Prevention Aid
2025: $10,000 Opioid Settlement Funds and $10,000 Local Homeless Prevention Aid
2026: $10,000 Opioid Settlement Funds and $10,000 Local Homeless Prevention Aid
Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 05 – Appoint Commissioner Rick Goutermont as member on the Northeast Minnesota HOME Consortium Advisory Committee and Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd as alternate. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 06 – Appoint Matthew Johnson, Executive Director of the Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Director as member on the Northeast Minnesota HOME Consortium Advisory Committee and HRA Board member Susie Rosette for the at-large housing professional alternate. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 07 – Approve the change in employment status of Patricia Liimatta, Accountant, effective February 28, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 08 – Approve the probationary appointment of Blake Ross to Environmental Services Specialist at the Step 2 rate of $23.59 per hour effective February 28, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 09 – Approve the change in employment status of Alex McGrath, Deputy Sheriff, effective March 1, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 10 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:05 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 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, March 5, 2024.
– Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 12, 2024.
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
