Tuesday, July 23, 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 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Board member Absent: District 3 Commissioner Richard “Rick” C. Hogenson Also present: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, County Auditor Linda Libal, Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza, Land Commissioner Nate Eide, Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: Hogenson
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. Administrator Huddleston and County Commissioners reviewed calendars and the need to reschedule the County Board Work Session that was scheduled for the fifth Tuesday in July, which was set for Tuesday, July 30, 2024, at 1:00 p.m. The new date for the County Board Work Session is now scheduled for Thursday, August 1, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota. County Commissioners also set the date for the next 2025 Budget Meeting. Budget Meeting will be held on Thursday, August 15, 2024, at 11:00 AM, in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
County Auditor Linda Libal, Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy, Land Commissioner Nate Eide and Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza provided updates for their respective departments.
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as follows:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of July 9, 2024.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 15,445.98
b. Region III Payments $ 970,968.52
c. AHA Special Payments $ 4,938.86
3. Approve three-year Professional Services Agreement between Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative (MCCC) and TriMin Systems, Inc for the maintenance and support of Lake County IFS. Agreement is effective January 1, 2025 through December 31, 2027.
4. Authorize County Board Chair to sign Board Ratification Statement for the Professional Services Agreement between Minnesota Counties Computer Cooperative (MCCC) and TriMin Systems, Inc for the maintenance and support of Lake County IFS.
5. Approve payment to Anoka County for the Medical Examiner’s invoice dated 7/2/2024 in the amount of $6,463.40.
6. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the amended Arrowhead Behavioral Health Initiative Bylaws on behalf of Lake County.
7. Approve and authorize Health and Human Servies Director to sign the Agreement for the Provision of Family School Support Worker Services with the Lake Superior School District for the period of September 3, 2024, through June 5, 2025.
8. Accept and authorize Board Chair to sign and attest quote #24456 dated 7/5/2024 in the amount of $95,760.70 from MEI Total Elevator Solutions and quote in the amount of $17,557.00 from Hamline Constructors, Inc (low bidders) for proposed work. Total cost of project is not to exceed $120,000.00. Price difference between quote amounts and “not to exceed” amount is in regard to any unforeseen issues with elevator equipment upon start of project. Furthermore, contracts are to be signed and approved after the Lake County Attorney’s Office completes their review of proposals.
9. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Citizens Telecommunications utility permit for buried telephone service drop along the south of Valley Road.
10. Authorize Highway Engineer to sign the Special Event Permit for The Fox Bikepacking Race scheduled for Saturday, September 14- 15, 2024 and located on CSAH 7 (Cramer Road).
11. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Citizens Telecommunications utility permit for buried telephone service drop along the north side of Moose Lake Road.
12. Authorize Highway Department purchase of Extended Warranty for two Western Star 47-X tandem axle cab and chassis trucks from Boyer Trucks at a cost not to exceed $6,878.00 per truck.
13. Authorize Highway Department payment to Warning Lites of Minnesota at a cost not to exceed $7,000.00 for furnishing, installing, and removing road closure and detour signage for three CN rail crossing improvements at CSAH 14 (Wales Road), CR 124 (Big Rock Road), and CSAH 11 (7th Avenue).
14. Award a design services contract to TKDA in the amount of $ 133,400.00 to provide a Feasibility Study and Design Concept for replacement of the Finland Highway Department shop and authorize the Board Chair to sign a contract pending County Attorney review.
15. Approve the Agreement for Disbursement of Grant Proceeds for the Lake Superior North Comprehensive Watershed Management Plan (1W1P) with Fiscal Agent, Cook County Soil & Water Conservation District. Lake County will receive $255,000 from the FY 2024 Watershed Based Implementation Funding Agreement to continue the evaluation of septic systems in the watershed, conduct complementary septic inspections and provide cost share funding for necessary septic system upgrades.
16. Approve resolution to amend easement across SE1/4 of the SE1/4, SW1/4 of the SE1/4 and the NW1/4 of the SE1/4, all in Section 17, Township 54 North, Range 10 West with a survey and legal description.
17. Approve and authorize the Lake County Board Chair and/or Lake County Health and Human Services Director to sign the Public Health Emergency Preparedness Grant Project Agreement between the Carlton-Cook-Lake-St. Louis Community Health Board (CHB) and Lake County Health and Human Services for the performance period of July 1, 2024, through June 30, 2029. Further authorize Lake County Board Chair and/or Lake County Health and Human Services Director Lisa B. Hanson to sign any subsequent amendments during the term of this Agreement.
18. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-014r, submitted by Joe and Vicky Polunc at 6452 Hwy 61, Silver Bay MN 55614
19. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-015r, submitted by Monika Bauerlein at 4770 Correll Road, Finland MN 55603
20. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-016r, submitted by Lax Lake View Properties LLC (Agent: Terry Keseley and Wade LeBlanc) at 5677 Lax Lake Road, Silver Bay MN 55426
21. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-017r, submitted by Knife River Cabin LLC (Agent: Wade Myszka) at 302 Superior Heights Road, Two Harbors MN 55616
22. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-018r, submitted by Right Path, LLC (Agent: Baleen Roberts) at 956 E Stanley Road, Two Harbors MN 55616
23. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-019i, submitted by Chad, Jenn, Maria, Todd Wilkison at 1557 Hwy 61, Two Harbors MN 55616
24. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-24-020i, submitted by Jamin and Elizabeth Cousins at 7255 Cramer Road, Finland MN 55603 Absent: Hogenson
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 03 – Approve the retirement of Rodney Gilbertson, Sign Maintenance Worker, effective September 12, 2024. Absent: Hogenson
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 04 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Sign Maintenance Worker. Absent: Hogenson
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 05 – Approve the probationary appointment of Jennifer Tikkanen to Administrative Assistant at the Step 2 rate of $21.90 per hour effective July 24, 2024. Absent: Hogenson
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 06 – Approve the resignation of Haleigh James, Dispatcher/Jailer, effective August 16, 2024. Absent: Hogenson
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 07 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Dispatcher/Jailer. Absent: Hogenson
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 08 – Approve the internal posting for one full-time Highway Maintenance Coordinator. Absent: Hogenson
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 09 – Approve the internal posting for one full-time Senior Accounting Technician. Absent: Hogenson
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 10 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:36 p.m. Absent: Hogenson
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings to be held in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
• County Board Work Session at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 1, 2024
• Agenda meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 6, 2024
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, August 13, 2024
• Budget Meeting at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 15, 2024.
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
