Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Lake County Board of Commissioners’ regularly scheduled meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Board Chairperson Rich Sve. Chairperson 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 3 Commissioner Richard “Rick” C. Hogenson, District 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Board member absent: District 2 Commissioner Derrick “Rick” L. Goutermont. Vacancy: First District. Also present in the SRRR: Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, County Auditor Linda Libal, Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: Goutermont
Board Chair Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were made. Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston updated the Lake County Board of Commissioners regarding Short-Term Vacation Rental (STVR) Proposed Ordinance Changes. He reviewed that the moratorium went into effect on May 27, 2022, and is in place for one year from the effective date. Over the course of the year, the STVR Committee was created, reviewed housing data, reviewed STVR data, and has recommended ordinance changes. Lake County has permitted 83 STVR. The STVR Committee has reviewed the total number of housing units in rural Lake County, by township, and the percentage of STVR housing units in rural Lake County. County Administrator Huddleston provided an overview of the proposed ordinance changes, including a maximum density on a per township basis, with some exceptions. Maximum density is a cap that sets standards for how many STVR may be permitted in a specific geographical area. The cap is a density limit. Knife River is the only location that currently exceeds the proposed cap of four percent. Beaver Bay Township is close to the proposed cap. Several areas have room to add more STVRs. One recommendation is that STVR in commercial North Shore Management Zone (NSMZ) zoning district would be exempt from the cap but would still be required to go through the permit process. Another key recommendation is that STVR will not be permitted on inland lakes in a specific geographic area; the specific geographic area encompasses 46 inland lakes. The recommendation is to exclude certain areas from the inland lake recommendation, such as Fall Lake at the township’s request, as well as Unorganized Territory No. 1 and N. of NSMZ. Rivers are also not part of the inland lake recommendation. The next step with respect to the current STVR moratorium is that the Planning Commission will schedule a public hearing to receive public comments about the proposed changes to the ordinance. The goal is to hold the public hearing during the fourth week of April. That date will be announced in the near future.
Lake County Auditor Linda Libal provided an update on several sources of funding and legislation. Auditor Libal advised that her office has received several inquiries from potential candidates for the First District Special Election, for the office of County Commissioner for the First District of Lake County. Auditor Libal advised on the filing period dates in May, the primary in August, and the special general election in November. Interested persons may contact the Office of the County Auditor, 601 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota. Lake County Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza provided an update on several projects.
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of February 28, 2023.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Admin Payments $ 10,998.19
b. Region III $ 25,347.00
3. Approve the application for a Minnesota Exempt Lawful Gambling Permit submitted by Whitetails Unlimited Cabin Fever Chapter to conduct a raffle. Drawing to be held April 22, 2023, at the Clair Nelson Community Center 6866 Cramer Rd Finland, MN 55603.
4. Approve the renewal of all current license holders of On-Sale, Off- Sale and On- and Off-Sale 3.2 Percent Malt Liquor Licenses for the time period of July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2024 subject to the approval of the County Attorney and County Sheriff, filing the proper application papers and payment of applicable license fees.
5. Approve the renewal of all current cigarette license holders for the time period of July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, subject to filing the proper application papers and payment of applicable license fees.
6. Approve the updates to the Lake County Accounting and Policy Procedures Manual, Section 3. Payments of Claims-Accounts Payable, to address paying vendors via Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)/ ACH.
7. Approve proposal for Stantec Consulting Services Inc. for Engineering Services for the Lake County Demolition Landfill Expansion Construction Project engineering plans and specifications for bidding/construction purposes for the first phase (Phase 1S and 2S) of the demolition landfill expansion at a cost not to exceed $13,581.
8. Authorize payment to Board of Water and Soil Resources (BWSR) in the amount of $25,631 for unused grant funds from the 2020 Septic Treatment Systems Upgrade grant.
9. Adopt the findings by the Planning Commission for I-23-003r Scott Gabrielson, for renewal of an Interim Use Permit for PID 29-5310- 04375.
10. Adopt the findings by the Planning Commission for I-23-004r Tom and Brenda Ringold, renewal of an Interim Use Permit for PID 29-5409- 33310.
11. Adopt the findings by the Planning Commission for I-22-021i, revoking the Interim Use Permit for 441 Sunset Road, Ely, Minnesota (PID 28-6380-32060 and PID 28-6271- 05010).
12. Authorize the Highway Department to advertise for bids for construction of the 2023-2024 Street & Utility Improvement project in Two Harbors, Projects SAP 038-636-001, SAP 038-635-002, and CP 105-023-001.
13. Approve “Agreement for Professional Services” between Lake County and Short Elliott Hendrickson Inc. (SEH) for work on 2023 Phase 2 Prospectors ATV Projects for $37,900.00. Contract will be paid for with grant funds from DNR dedicated funds.
14. Authorize Forestry Department to begin working four 10-hour shifts per week, beginning Monday, March 13, 2023, and ending Friday, November 3, 2023. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 03 – Authorize the Board Chair to sign a letter of support for the inclusion of $24.5 million in the 2023 Legislative Session for St. Louis County for the Leachate Treatment at the Virginia Landfill and Initial Development of the Canyon Landfill. This support is important for Lake County’s continued use of the Virginia Landfill for Fall Lake Township and the development of a new landfill in the region once the Superior Landfill closes. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 04 – Adopt Resolution Authorizing Lake County Staff to Execute All Necessary Documents to Ensure Lake County Participation in the Multistate Settlements Relating to Opioid Supply Chain Participants, and in the Minnesota Opioids State-Subdivision Memorandum of Agreement. Absent: Goutermont
Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan advised that our office has not received the bid results from the Land Commissioner with respect to the Birch River Bridge Project for Prospectors ATV Trail.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 05 – Tabled the contract award for the Birch River Bridge Project for Prospectors ATV Trail, pending receipt of bid results and receipt of the recommendation from the Land Commissioner. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 06 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Deputy Sheriff. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 07 – Adjourn the County Board of Commissioners’ meeting at 3:08 PM. Absent: Goutermont
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota:
– Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 28, 2023
– Agenda meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 4, 2023
– Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 11, 2023
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioner
