Tuesday, April 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. 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 3 Commissioner Richard “Rick” C. Hogenson, District 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Board members absent: Commissioner Derrick “Rick” L. Goutermont.
Also present in the SRRR: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan. Also present remotely via Microsoft Teams: Rick Goutermont joined remotely for listening purposes only; Ehlers, Inc. Senior Municipal Advisor Bruce Kimmel; and Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (LCHRA) Director Matthew Johnson.
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: Goutermont
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were made.
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. County Administrator Huddleston discussed several funding mechanisms for Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) project Silverpointe II Apartments. These apartments will be market rate housing. One of the items for board action today is a resolution authorizing transfer of $2,000,000 in funds into the Lake County Housing Trust Fund from one-time federal funding sources including the Local Aid and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Another for board action today is a resolution of support for the Silverpointe II Apartments project and support using $1.2 million of the Lake County Housing Trust Fund as a local match for the project.
Ehlers, Inc. Senior Municipal Advisor Bruce Kimmel discussed other potential funding sources, including the City of Silver Bay, potentially establishing a Tax Increment Financing (TIF) District, with its Economic Development Authority (EDA) as the Tax Increment Financing (TIF) entity, and the County HRA as the main beneficiary. Mr. Kimmel also discussed General Obligation (G.O.) Bonds and the process involved with setting up a debt service, full faith and credit. This would be the first mortgage on this property, between the County and the HRA. HRA Director Matthew Johnson spoke about the anticipated financial gap that could be financed with G.O. Bonds. These potential funding sources are not on the County Board of Commissioners action items for today. This was a conversation to provide more information on how these potential funding sources could support housing development projects.
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on a new law enacted at the end of the 2023 legislative session that legalizes adult-use cannabis in Minnesota and establishes a regulatory framework over the cannabis industry. The focus of the update was local control, enforcement and registration. The State of Minnesota has an Office of Cannabis Management that is doing licensing. Lake County Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy had question about enforcement. She also provided an update on the recycling center, including the new hours and other changes that have been implemented.
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of March 26, 2024.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 9,721.73
b. Region III Payments $138,201.24
c. Special Region III Payments $525,521.10
3. Approve a three-day temporary on-sale liquor permit for the Renegade Riders Saddle Club for the dates of May 3-5, 2024 at Larsmont Cottages 596 Larsmont Way, Two Harbors, MN 55616.
4. Authorize payment to Ely Community Resource in the amount of $5,332.99 for the continuation of the Ely Water Project. This grant has been approved by the AIS Committee and will be funded through the Minnesota Counties Program Aid for Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund.
5. Authorize payment to the White Iron Chain of Lakes Association (WICOLA) in the amount of $8,313 for AIS Education & Awareness and Bait Disposal Bins. This grant has been approved by the AIS Committee and will be funded through the Minnesota Counties Program Aid for Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund.
6. Authorize payment to Regents of the University of Minnesota on behalf of the University of Minnesota Extension, Lake County 4-H in the amount of $7,436.00 for the continuation of the Water Watchers Study. This grant has been approved by the AIS Committee and will be funded through the Minnesota Counties Program Aid for Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Fund.
7. Authorize the Highway Department to return to a four (4) ten-hour per week schedule, Monday through Thursday, beginning on Monday, April 29, 2024.
8. Approve and award the bid price listed below for Wildfire Fuel Reduction (Stevens) Grant projects to reduce hazardous balsam fir understory and blow down on private lands in Wildland Urban Interface (WUI) areas adjacent to USFS projects. Contract will be paid by Lake County and reimbursed by the federal Wildfire Fuel Reduction Grant.
Acres Project Group Name Total Value Awarded to 1 Fisher, 14046 Chickadee $3,000.00 Full Sun Services
Lane, Ely
1 Total $3,000.00
9. Approve signing on to the Gitchi-Gami Trail Association (GGTA) Letter of Support advocating for funds to be allocated to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) for two capital improvement projects on the Gitchi-Gami State Trail (GGST), to support improvements and enhancements to the Flood Bay State Wayside and future trailhead for the Gitchi-Gami Trail, and to support ADA improvements and trail rehabilitation between Goosebery Falls State Park and Split Rock Lighthouse State Park. This bonding request has been introduced in the 2024 State of Minnesota Legislative Session in House File No. 4724 and its companion bill Senate File No. 4763.
10. Authorize payment not to exceed the amount of $10,091.00 to Integris LLC (Invoice No. 529238) for Veeam Backup services. The quote extends the renewal date to February 21, 2025.
11. Approves the resolution designating Lake County Human Services Director, Lisa Hanson, to sign on Probate Account for Lake County as Personal Representative of the Estate of Pamela Jean Kettunen, and to perform the duties of Personal Representative, including but not limited to deposit, withdraw and sign on the account as Estate Personal Representative of the Estate.
12. Approve the Work Plan and Budget for LSN 1W1P FY24-25 and FY22 supplemental funding to allow the Parties involved with plan implementation to execute the implementation of the work plan categories and identified projects, practices, and goals of the Plan as approved by the Lake Superior North Watershed Plan Policy Committee at its February 23, 2024 meeting.
13. Approve a one-day temporary on-sale liquor permit for Whitetails Unlimited for the date of April 20, 2024 at the Clair Nelson Center 6866 Cramer Rd Finland, MN 55603. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 03 – Approve the retirement of Darbie Eschenbacher, Administrative Assistant, effective June 20, 2024. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 04 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Administrative Assistant. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 05 – Approve the resignation of Kevin Koop, Human Services Professional, effective April 11, 2024. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 06 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Human Services Professional. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 07 – Approve the retirement of Russell Conrow, County Attorney, effective May 31, 2024. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 08 – Approve resolution authorizing transfer of $2,000,000 in funds into the Lake County Housing Trust Fund from one-time federal funding sources including the Local Aid and Tribal Consistency Fund (LATCF) and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA). Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 09 – Approve resolution of support for the Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (LCHRA) Silverpointe II Apartments project and support using $1.2 million of the Lake County Housing Trust Fund as a local match for the project. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 10 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:38 p.m. Absent: Goutermont
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings:
– Committee of the Whole, at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, 2024, at the Clair Nelson Community Center, 6686 Cramer Road, Finland, Minnesota.
– Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 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
