OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF THE COUNTY BOARD LAKE COUNTY, MINNESOTA

Tuesday, July 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 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, Commission­er Derrick “Rick” L. Goutermont, District 3 Commissioner Richard “Rick” C. Hogenson, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Board member Absent: District 4 Com­missioner Jeremy M. Hurd. Also present: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Land Com­missioner Nate Eide, Chief Deputy County Auditor Ronelle Radle, Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.

MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HO­GENSON: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: Hurd

Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were made.

Chief Deputy County Auditor Ronelle Radle provided an annual update for the Auditor’s Office, including an overview of key re­sponsibilities, legislative changes, projects, voter turnout in Lake County, and taxpayer services. Key responsibilities of the office include Financial & Cash Management, Property Tax Administration, Payroll Ad­ministration, Property Conveyances/ De­scriptions, and Licensing. The Auditor is the financial hub of county government. Chief Deputy Auditor and the Commissioners dis­cussed voting equipment, absentee ballots, and early voting.

Lake County Administrator Matthew Hud­dleston provided an update on several items of county business. County Sheriff Nathan Stadler provided an update. Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy and Land Commissioner Nate Eide were pres­ent to answer any questions about their re­spective requests for board action. Christine McCarthy answered questions about the proposed Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Crystal Bay Township for the use of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Grant funded recycling trailer and carport building.

MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BAL­TICH: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:

1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of June 25, 2024.

2. Approve Health and Human Ser­vices claims payments in the follow­ing amounts:

a. Region III Payments $160,478.97

b. Arrowhead Health Alliance Payments $36,000.00

3. Approve the renewal of all current liquor/wine license holders for the calendar year 2025 contingent upon the approval of the County Attorney and Sheriff and payment of applica­ble fees.

4. Adopt the resolution Approving Use of Funds from the Lake County Housing Trust Fund (LCHTF) for the Development of the Lake Coun­ty Housing and Redevelopment Authority (LCHRA) Single-Family Home Pilot Project.

5. Authorize payment of $14,804.90 to Kiesler Police Supply (Quote # Q141570). The funds utilized will come from the Sheriff’s Office Forfei­ture Account.

6. Authorize Highway Department pay­ment to Nuss Truck & Equipment at a cost not to exceed $6,000.00 for Repairs to equipment #4090, 2009 Mack Plow Truck.

7. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Citizen’s Telecommunica­tions Co. utility permit for a buried telephone service drop along the south of CSAH 24 (Gun Club Road).

8. Authorize Highway Engineer to sign the Special Event Permit for Bay to Bay Trail Run/Walk scheduled for July 13, 2024 and located on Lax Lake Road (CSAH 5 and CSAH 4) Starting in Silver Bay and ending at the Hwy 61 Rest Stop in Beaver Bay.

9. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Cooperative Light and Pow­er utility permit for an underground primary electric service cable instal­lation along the west side of UT 41, Huhta Road.

10. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Cooperative Light and Pow­er utility permit for an underground primary electric service cable instal­lation along the east side of CSAH 4, Lax Lake Road between CSAH 5 and the Beaver Bay Township ceme­tery.

11. Authorize the Wild Country ATV Club to use up to 300 cubic yards of pit run gravel material from the Bear Pit on Highway 3 to make repairs nec­essary to reopen the North Shore State Trail (ATV) near Highway 3 and Beaver Crossing Road.

12. Accept the bid from Huseby Con­struction LLC for concrete work on the north and south side of the recycling center in front of the over­head doors. The estimated cost is $21,848.75 and includes prep work, concrete aprons and tying into an existing culvert. This cost does not include the drain identified in the es­timate. A more cost-effective meth­od will be used to purchase the drain through the Highway Department. Additional bids have been difficult to obtain in a short timeframe as the concrete work is needed as soon as possible to allow the recycling compactor containers to be switched out with a firm base and appropriate drainage.

13. Approve and authorize the Envi­ronmental Services Director to sign the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Lake County and Crystal Bay Township for the use of Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Grant funded recycling trail­er and carport building. This MOU will make public recycling collection available in Crystal Bay Township. Absent: Hurd

MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BAL­TICH: 03 – Approve the following appoint­ments as elections judges for Unorganized Territory #2. August 13, 2024 Primary Election. Precinct #1: Carol Jackson, De­lores Jackson, Marlys Wisch. Precinct #2: Raymond Hermanson, Sue Connor, Ann Jasperson, Dan Schleeter. Precinct #3 & 4: Jan Swanson, John Bonk, Dana Kol­lars, Vicki Stroozas, Gerry Graden, Kay Swanson. Alternates: Roland Kane, Joan Gelineau, Melanie Anderson, Lori Dukat. November 5, 2024 General Election. Pre­cinct #1: Carol Jackson, Delores Jackson, JoAnn Rossetter. Precinct #2: Raymond Hermanson, Sue Connor, Ann Jasperson, Dan Schleeter. Precinct #3 & 4: Jan Swan­son, John Bonk, Sue Powell, Vicki Stroozas, Joan Gelineau, Bonnie Piehl. Alternates: Gerry Graden, Roland Kane, Dana Kollars, Melanie Anderson, Lori Dukat, Kay Swan­son. Absent: Hurd

MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HO­GENSON: 04 – Approve resolution Estab­lishing an Absentee Ballot Board. Absent: Hurd

MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HOGEN­SON: 05 – Approve the following appoint­ments to the 2024 Absentee Ballot Board for the Primary and General Elections: Marlys Wisch, Bonita Bieniek, John Bathke, Julia Jaeger, Cindy Ortman, Marlys Wisch, Dana Kollars, Ann Jasperson, and Bill Hermanson and John Bonk as alternates. Auditor’s Of­fice staff appointments: Lola Haus, Ronni Radle, Wendy Morlang and Amanda John­son. Absent: Hurd

MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 06 – Approve the change in employee status of Alexandra Campbell, Environmental Services Specialist, due to completion of probation period effective July 8, 2024. Absent: Hurd

MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 07 – Approve a General Leave of Absence without pay for Katherine Ochtrup, Deputy Sheriff, effective June 25, 2024, through July 30, 2024. Absent: Hurd

MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTER­MONT: 08 – Approve the probationary appointment of Jerrad Hiukka to Facilities Worker at the Step 3 rate of $19.14 per hour effective July 10, 2024.Absent: Hurd

MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BAL­TICH: 09 – Approve the probationary ap­pointment of Mason Eckman to Dispatcher/ Jailer at the Step 3 rate of $26.13 per hour effective July 15, 2024. Absent: Hurd

MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HO­GENSON: 10 – Approve Lodging Tax disbursement to Lovin Lake County in the amount of $331,617.27. Absent: Hurd

MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BAL­TICH: 11 – Approve resolution to sell at a reduced price to Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (LCHRA) a parcel in Silver Bay (22-7460-12170), as follows:

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute 282.01, subdivision 1a (d) states that non-conserva­tion tax-forfeited lands may be sold by the county board to a governmental subdivision of the state at a reduced price if it is in the public interest because a reduced price is necessary to provide an incentive lead to the development of affordable housing, the governmental subdivision has specific plans for developing affordable housing, and the subdivision is empowered to acquire real property in furtherance of the plans; and

WHEREAS, the Lake County Board of Commissioners received requests on July 2nd, 2024 at the Lake County Agenda Meeting, from the Land Commissioner and Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority, (LCHRA) for Lake County to sell the parcel (22-7460-12170), which are non-conservation, tax-forfeit land; and

WHEREAS, the LCHRA requests to purchase the property for less than market value, in order to create affordable housing in the City of Silver Bay; and

WHEREAS, there is a dire need for af­fordable housing in Lake County, especially the Silver Bay area; and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RE­SOLVED, that the Lake County Land Com­missioner is directed to sell the attached list of parcels to the LCHRA for the sum of $9,000, the total of unpaid taxes, to incentiv­ize the development of affordable housing on the parcels. Absent: Hurd

MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BAL­TICH: 12 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 2:48 p.m. Absent: Hurd

The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings:

• Committee of the Whole, at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 16, 2024, at the Toimi School Community Center.

• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 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