Tuesday, March 11, 2025. Lake County Board of Commissioners’ regularly scheduled meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Lake County 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, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota: District 1 Commissioner Joe Baltich, District 2 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: Land Commissioner Nate Eide, Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard, Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza, Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Director Matthew Johnson, Interim County Auditor Ronni Radle, and Acting Clerk of the Board Keri Parks. Also absent: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 01 – Approval of the agenda with the addition of Land Commissioner Nate Eide by Commissioner Rich Sve. Absent: Hogenson
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were made.
HRA Director Matthew Johnson spoke to the board about a current grant program from Minnesota Housing that would provide up to an additional $225,000 to the Lake County Housing Trust Fund. These funds must be used for households at or below 115% of state median income and may be used for development, rehabilitation or financing of housing, and must be used within five years. He also gave a brief update of current HRA projects.
Land Commissioner Nate Eide briefed the board on his request to add a resolution which would allow him to sign a Seismographic Survey Permission and Agreement for 2D Seismic Data Acquisition on County Managed land related to the Pulsar Helium Topaz Project. Due to the survey needing to happen while the ground is still frozen, the proposed resolution was added to today’s agenda.
Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard provided a brief update for her office. Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza discussed his current requests for board action. Interim County Auditor Ronni Radle reminded everyone that it is township day, where our local townships are having their annual meetings and setting their budgets for the year.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as follows:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of February 25, 2025.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 36,504.71
b. Region III Payments $ 28,045.14
c. Special Payments $ 4,930.00
3. Approve application of Whitetails Unlimited Cabin Fever Chapter for a Minnesota Exempt Lawful Gambling Permit to conduct a raffle. Drawing to be held April 26, 2025, at the Clair Nelson Center 6866 Cramer Rd, Finland, Minnesota 55603.
4. Ratify the approval made on February 26, 2025, communicated to the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon officials, to the Office of the County Auditor, and the paperwork was submitted to the State of Minnesota for their final approval. The permit has been issued by the state and forwarded to the event. The parties involved have expressed their appreciation for assistance in accommodating the late change in venue and approval of the application request. The Lake County Board of Commissioners hereby ratifies its approval of a one-day temporary on-sale liquor permit for John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon for the date of March 2, 2025, at the gravel pit on the corner of Hwy 2 and Township Hwy 24, Two Harbors, Minnesota, 55616. Contingent on the payment of applicable fees.
5. Authorize payment to T.H. Auto in the amount of $25,279.50 for the repairs done to a department squad car, which was damaged in an accident. This loss was covered through Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust.
6. Rescind check signing permissions for all Lake County Health and Human Services accounts for Courtney Anderson, Financial Assistance Supervisor, who left employment with Lake County Health and Human Services on December 27,2025.
7. Approve and authorize Jonathan Plese, Lake County Health and Human Services Financial Assistance Supervisor, to sign checks for the Lake County Health and Human Services Petty Cash and Social Welfare accounts, effective March 11, 2025.
8. Approve closeout of project CSP 023-001, 2023 Gravel Crushing, and final payment of $3,199.41 for the work completed to TNT Construction Group, LLC for a total contract work value of $319,940.65.
9. Approve the Resolution Authorizing a Local Bridge Replacement Program Grant Agreement for project SAP 038-598-009 (CP 102-024- 001), Knife River Bridge, Hawk Hill Road.
10. Authorize Highway Department payment to Mitchell 1 at a cost not to exceed $5,088.00 for annual license renewal for ShopKey Pro Repair (automotive) and Truckworks Plus (heavy truck) diagnostic and repair software.
11. Authorize payment to Ely Community Resource (ECR) in the amount of $5,873.80 for the Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Youth Programing 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.
12. Authorize payment in the amount of $10,208.95 to Northeast Service Cooperative (NESC) for Institute for Environmental Assessment, Inc. (IEA) for Safety Program Invoices numbered 4596 and 4391. Absent: Hogenson
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 03 – Approve the resignation of Wayne Johnson, Senior Engineering Technician, effective March 21, 2025. Absent: Hogenson
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 04 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Senior Engineering Technician. Absent: Hogenson
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 05 – Award a tree clearing service agreement to Wright’s Trees Service based on a submitted quote in the amount of $2,750.00 for cutting and removing street boulevard trees in advance of project SAP 038-632- 003, Banks Boulevard and Edison Drive Street and Utility Improvements, Silver Bay, and authorize payment not to exceed $ 2,750.00 to the awarded contractor. Absent: Hogenson
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 06 – Authorize Land Commissioner to sign the Keeewaydin Resources Inc. Seismographic Survey Permission and Agreement for 2D Seismic Data Acquisition on County Managed land related to the Pulsar Helium Topaz Project. Absent: Hogenson
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 07 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 2:46 p.m. Absent: Hogenson
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings:
- Committee of the Whole, at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, at City Hall, Silver Bay, Minnesota.
- Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, to be held 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
