Tuesday, October 8, 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, 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, Land Commissioner Nate Eide, Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza, Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy, 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 Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business.
The County Administrator and County Commissioners scheduled the next budget meeting for Thursday, October 17, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. to be held at the Lake County Service Center in the Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
Lake County Auditor Linda Libal provided a reminder about the property tax payments due date. Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler provided a brief update for his department. Lake County Land Commissioner Nate Eide was present for any questions on the proposed Cabin Site Lease terms. Lake County Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy advised that she is available for any questions.
Lake County Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza was present for any questions on his requests for board action, including contracts with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to provide winter roadway maintenance services on CR 221 (Split Rock State Park Access) and Old Highway 61 in Beaver Bay Township.
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of September 24, 2024.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 77,758.68
b. AHA Payments $ 36,000.00
c. Region III Payments $ 71,839.90
3. Authorize payment to Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for Invoice # 2284182 in the amount of $10,000.85 for the landfill expansion construction engineering services conducted between June 16 and July 31, 2024.
4. Authorize approval of resolution appointing the Lake County Auditor-Treasurer (or his or her representative) as the primary Lake County Representative and the Lake County Information Systems Director (or his or her representative) and the Lake County Assessor (or his or her representative) as alternates to the Minnesota Counties Information Systems (MCIS) Board.
5. Approve and authorize payment to Lake County Ambulance Service of $114.75/person for First Aid/CPR/ AED Training. Depending on participation, this amount could be over $5,000.
6. Award CP 911-024-001 to the lowest responsible bidder, KGM Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $ 324,339.60 for the County-wide Bituminous Paving (Patching) project; approve the recommendation that this contract will not include a Project Labor Agreement (PLA); and authorize the Board Chair to sign the construction contract, pending County Attorney review.
7. Authorize the Highway Department to enter into an agreement with LHB for professional services to complete topographic and hydraulic field surveys of Bridge 38535, New Tomahawk Road (CSAH 34) over Stony River at a cost not to exceed $10,000.00.
8. Authorize the Highway Department to set up an account and purchase motor vehicle fuels from St. Louis County at the Ely joint use highway maintenance facility.
9. Authorize the Board Chair and Highway Engineer to sign an agreement with MnDOT to provide winter roadway maintenance services on CR 221 (Split Rock State Park Access) and Old Highway 61 in Beaver Bay Township through June 2024, for a cost not to exceed $5,000.00.
10. Authorize the Highway Department to return to (5) eight-hour days per week schedule, Monday through Friday, beginning on Monday, October 21, 2024.
11. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Citizens Telecommunications Company utility permit for fiber optic cable and conduit replacement to Lakeview Hospital along Highway 2 from 6th Ave to 11th Ave.
12. Authorize payment to Office of the State Auditor in the amount of $27,703.68 on Claim No. 72365 (Services for the period 1-31-24
to 8-27-24) for 2023 Lake County Audit.
13. Authorize payment to Impact in the amount of $5,278.00 (Invoice #16) for estimated postage for mailing the 2025 proposed tax notices. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 03 – Set the date, time, and location for Truth in Taxation meeting, also known as the 2025 Levy and Budget Public Hearing, for Tuesday, December 3, 2024, at 6:00 p.m. at the Lake County Highway Department, Highway 2 Meeting Room, 1513 Highway 2, Two Harbors, Minnesota. The purpose of the hearing is for the public to provide comments on the proposed 2025 levy and budget for Lake County. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 04 – Approve the Highway Department request to fill one 67-day temporary Engineering Intern position at $18.00 per hour. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 05 – Approve the change in employment status of Wendy Morlang, Senior Accounting Technician, due to completion of trial period effective October 2, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 06 – Approve the appointment of Cammie Young, Human Resources Director, as the Lake County Affirmative Action Officer for 2024. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 07 – Approve the revisions to the Affirmative Action Plan and authorize Chair to sign. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 08 – Approve the Highway Department request to fill three 67-day temporary Snow Plow Operator positions at $21.00 per hour. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 09 – Approve the new Lake County Recreation Cabin Site lease terms. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 10 – Approve the resignation of Jennifer Tikkanen, Administrative Assistant, effective October 18, 2024. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 11 – Approve the filling of one full-time Administrative Assistant. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 12 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 2:45 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, October 15, 2024, at the Town of Silver Creek, 1924 Town Road, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
• Budget Meeting at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, October 17, 2024, at the Lake County Service Center, SRRR, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, in the Lake County Service Center, SRRR, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
