Tuesday, March 12, 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 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 member absent: None. Also present: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, County Auditor Linda Libal, County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy, Land Commissioner Nate Eide, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: None
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were made.
Lake County Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy provided an update on the Recycling Center Operation. We are planning for new hours for the Recycling Center, 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, effective March 29, 2024.
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. County Sheriff Nathan Stadler and Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy provided additional updates for their respective departments. Land Commissioner Nate Eide reviewed the Forestry Department’s current requests for board action.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of February 27, 2024.
2. Authorize payment to Tritech Software Systems, a Centralsquare Company in the amount of $31,591.58 for the 2024 Zuercher Suite annual subscription and maintenance fees (invoice 402983).
3. Approve the Resolution Authorizing a Local Bridge Replacement Program Grant Agreement for project SAP 038-636-001.
4. Approve closeout of project SAP 038-600-017, Split Rock Lighthouse State Park Campground, and final payment of $80,000.00 for the work completed to Veit & Company Inc. PDA-Duluth for a total contract work value of $6,943,324.66.
5. Authorize the transfer of Gravel Royalty money in the amount of $5,814.50 from the Highway Department for the 2023 Tax Forfeit fund ($5,813.88 to account # 85-950-000-0000-5490, $0.62 to account # 85-951-000-0000-5932).
6. Authorize the purchase of two (2) reconditioned two (2) cubic yard compactor charge chambers for the compaction of cardboard and other recycling materials (excluding glass) at the Lake County Recycling Center. These will be purchased from Hartel’s disposal at a cost not to exceed $16,500. This cost includes the compactors ($7500 each) and a one-time installation charge $750 each).
7. Authorize County Auditor to transfer the balance of $25,974.27 from the 2023 State Road Grant Account to the 2024 State Road Grant Account (acct # 85-954-000-0000- 5264).
8. Authorize County Auditor to transfer the balance of $31,582.57 from the 2022 County Forest Road Maintenance Account to the 2024 County Forest Road Maintenance Account (acct # 85-954-000-7005- 5200).
9. Approve payment to Anoka County for the Medical Examiner’s invoice dated 3/3/2023 in the amount of $6,015.41.
10. Approve the Rainy Headwaters-Vermilion Watershed One Watershed One Plan (1W1P) budget and project allocations.
11. Due to adverse winter logging conditions, winter sales that are expiring on March 31, 2024, for the first, second or third time will be allowed to be extended one additional year with no interest added and/or no requirement to pay the sale in full.
12. Approve Resolution to transfer $337.24 to Highway Department. Transfer $337.24 from 85-9950-000-0000-5490 to 85-951-000- 0000-5932. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 03 – Approve the change in employment status of Julieanne Pearson, Administrative Assistant, due to completion of trial period effective March 5, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 04 – Approve the resignation of Jennifer McDougall, Human Services Technician, effective March 15, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 05 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Human Services Technician. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 06 – Approve the retirement of Mark Udenberg, Environmental Services Professional, effective March 29, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 07 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Environmental Services Professional. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 08 – Approve resolution for Authorization to Submit a Proposal to the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources for Public Land Survey System Restoration (PLSS) T52NR11W and T53NR11W. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 09 – Adopt resolution calling a public hearing on the approval of tax abatement for the Silver Bay New Home Grant Program. The Lake County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing on Monday April 8th, 2024, at 7:00 p.m., at the William Kelley School Library in Silver Bay relating to the use of property tax abatement for grants made under the Silver Bay New Home Grant Program and as outlined in the Silver Bay Cooperative Abatement Plan. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 10 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Environmental Services Specialist. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 11 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:20 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, March 19, 2024, at City Hall, Silver Bay, Minnesota.
– Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26, 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
