Tuesday, April 8, 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 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 Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard, Highway Engineer Jason DiPiazza, Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy, Information Technology (I.T.) Director Dan Lackore, Facilities Manager Curt Backen, and Deputy Auditor Wendy Morlang. Present via Microsoft Teams: Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: None
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were made.
Climate Resilience Planner Deanna Geelhoed with the Arrowhead Regional Development Commission (ARDC) provided an update on the Northland Climate Resilience Collaborative, a four-year grant-funded project through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Resilience Challenge Grant. Ms. Geelhoed reviewed the project summary with a vision to foster a regional resilience response to climate challenges by uniting neighboring counties, Tribal Nations, and local governments in a collaborative effort. The funding is $1.85 million, four-year grant from NOAA to St. Louis County. ARDC is a sub-awardee. The project area includes St. Louis, Carlton, Cook, Lake Counties, and the Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, and Grand Portage Reservations. The purpose is to strengthen resilience against climate change and coastal hazards in the region. The Leadership Team includes St. Louis County (lead recipient), ARDC, University of Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership, Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Coastal Program, Soil and Water Conservation Districts, local counties (Carlton, Lake, Cook), Tribal Nations (Bois Forte, Fond du Lac, Grand Portage), 1854 Treaty Authority, Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT), and the Minnesota Sea Grant. Others present to discuss the work of the leadership team included Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) Director Tara Solem and University of Minnesota (U of M) Extension Regional Director Keri Cavitt. Ms. Cavitt spoke about the U of M Extension Educator position specific to this work. Tara Solem is the Water Planner for Lake County and spoke regarding the interdepartmental work that is being done to contribute and share among agencies and departments. The leadership team meets on a regular basis, and many people help in an advisory capacity. Letters of support have been received by many entities as well. County Commissioners asked questions about the collaborative’s work and its goals. Project goals and strategies include: 1) Regional Resilience Collaborative: Build collaboration among Agencies, local communities and Tribal Nations. 2) Indigenous Knowledge Integration: Incorporate Indigenous perspectives into climate resilience planning. 3) Build Community Capacity: Empower communities with knowledge and tools for climate adaptation. 4) Regional Resilience Plan: Develop a comprehensive plan prioritizing climate adaptation strategies and pathways to implementation. 5) Technical Support and Resources: Provide ongoing resources, climate data, workshops, and training to the Arrowhead Region. Presenters discussed intended outcomes for our community and how people can bring the work to life.
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. Administrator Huddleston reminded the County Commissioners that the April 15 meeting of the Committee of the Whole has had a time change to 5:00 PM, in coordination with Crystal Bay Township. Lake County Sheriff Stadler provided an update. Lake County Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy advised regarding Board of Adjustment appointments and vacancies. Director McCarthy was present for any questions regarding her three action items for today. Lake County Highway Engineer DiPiazza advised that he is present to hear about the climate resiliency planning and project updates. Lake County Deputy Auditor Wendy Morlang provided an update for the Office of the County Auditor, with a reminder about a May 15 deadline (Property Tax due dates are May 15 and October 15 of each year). Lake SWCD Director Tara Solem provided an update for the SWCD.
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of March 25, 2025.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 42,335.88
b. Arrowhead Health Alliance Payments $ 36,000.00
c. Region III Payments $ 59,474.04
3. 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, 2025, to December 31, 2026, subject to the approval of the County Attorney and County Sheriff, filing the proper application papers and payment of applicable license fees.
4. Approve the renewal of all current cigarette license holders for the time period of July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2026, subject to filing the proper application papers and payment of applicable license fees.
5. Approve a three-year appointment of Noah Wolf to the Lake County Extension Committee (CEC), for a term ending December 31, 2027.
6. Authorize out-of-state travel for Veterans Service Officer Brad Anderson and Assistant Veterans Service Officer Melissa Crandall to attend the National Association of County Veterans Service Officers (NACVSO) Annual Training Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, from July 13-18, 2025.
7. Authorize payment to iSpace not to exceed the amount of $9,257.82 as outlined in the estimate dated March 24, 2025, to perform work outlined to improve the audio in the Law Enforcement Center (LEC) conference room.
8. Authorize the Board Chair, pending Lake County Attorney review, to sign the License Agreement between Lake County and City of Silver Bay for the use of the Silver Bay Airport from May 2nd to May 6th for the 2025 Cleanup Day.
9. Award SAP 038-602-036 to the lowest responsible bidder, KGM Contractors, Inc. in the amount of $ 3,327,397.48 for the reconditioning of Highway 2 (CSAH 2) between Murphy Creek and Greenwood Lake public water access and construction of Bridge 38J45 and Bridge 38J46 on CSAH 2 and authorize the Board Chair to sign the construction contract pending County Attorney review.
10. Authorize the Board Chair to sign an agreement with the Toimi School Community Center to provide general maintenance services and supplies for the Toimi Wayside Rest on Forest Highway 11 (CSAH 15), for a cost not to exceed $4,800.00.
11. Authorize Highway Department payment to Tammy Stone at a cost not to exceed $6,000.00 for acquisition of permanent and temporary highway easements along Hawk Hill Road (CR 102) as necessary for completion of project CP 102- 024-001, Knife River Bridge replacement.
12. Approve Grant-in-Aid (GIA) Modified Resolution to include timeframe, as follows:
WHEREAS, Lake County desires to establish, construct, and maintain public cross-country ski trails, off-highway vehicle trails, off-highway motorcycle trails, and snowmobile trails; and
WHEREAS, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources provides grants to local units of government for the construction and maintenance of recreation trails pursuant to Minnesota Statues, Chapter 85.44 and 84.026
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that Lake County Board of Commissioners hereby agrees to act as legal sponsor for an application for the Grant-in-Aid Cross Country Ski Agreement, DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Trails Assistance Program, DNR Off-Highway Motorcycle Trails Assistance Program, and DNR Snowmobile Trails Assistance Program; that Lake County May enter into agreement with the State of Minnesota for the following trails/ clubs:
• Cross Country Ski
o Two Harbors Trail
o Northwoods Trail
o Flathorn-Gegoka Trail
• Off-Highway Vehicle
o Silver trail Riders – Red Dot/ Moose Walk Trail
o Finland ATV Club – Moose Run Trail
o Wild Country ATV Club – Lake County Regional ATV Trail
• Off-Highway Motorcycle
o Arrowhead Enduro Club – Alger/ London OHM Trail
• Snowmobile
o Voyageur Snowmobile Club – Two Harbors Corridor/Yukon Trail
o Ely Igloo Snowmobile Club – Tomahawk Trail
o Silver Trail Riders – Red Dot/ Moose Walk Trail
o Finland Snowmobile Club – Sawtooth Trail
and that Lake County will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as stated in the agreement; and that the Auditor will act as fiscal agent on behalf of Lake County; and
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that this resolution be automatically renewed for a period of 5 years until April 2030.
13. Authorize the purchase of (1) Kubota LX4020HSD Tractor and (1) 14K pound Sure-Trac Trailer for the transport and use of the compost turner previously purchased through the MPCA Composting and Recycling Waste to Resources Project grant. The Kubota Tractor will be purchased from Bobcat of Duluth, Inc at a cost not to exceed $32,000 and the trailer will be purchased from Widdes Trailer Sales at a cost not to exceed $7,000. Both items will be purchased with funds from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) grant.
14. Accept the bid from Huseby Construction LLC for concrete work on the east side of the recycling center to create access for receiving Household Hazardous Waste (HHW). The estimated cost is $12,266 and includes excavation/ dirt prep and 20’ x 20’ x 6” thick concrete walk/apron with #4 rebar grid 2’ o/c.
15. Approve a one-day temporary on-sale liquor permit for Whitetail’s Unlimited for the date of April 26, 2025, at the Clair Nelson Community Center located at 6866 Cramer Rd Finland, MN 55603. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 03 – Approve the change in employment status of Shawn Pierce, Human Services Professional, due to completion of trial period effective April 6, 2025.
Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 04 – Approve the resignation of Matthew Pollmann, Emergency Management Director/Safety Officer, effective April 18, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 05 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Emergency Management Director/Safety Officer. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 06 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:07 p.m. Absent: None
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings:
• Committee of the Whole, at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, at the Clair Nelson Community Center, Finland, Minnesota, in Crystal Bay Township.
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 22, 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
