Tuesday, April 22, 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 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. Others present: Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Interim County Auditor Ronni Radle, Lake County Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: Goutermont
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. Lake County constituent Tanya Bruzek advised that she recently attended a Lake County Planning Commission meeting. She thanked the committee for its work on drafting proposed changes for ordinance language, as Lake County is in its process of reviewing some limited Land Use Ordinance language changes and plans to publish and convene a public hearing once the proposed changes are available for public comment.
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business, including a review of several personnel committee recommendations on the board action list for today. Administrator Huddleston also advised regarding several recommendations that will be brought forward soon. Lake County Sheriff Stadler reviewed his current requests for board action. Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy reviewed her current request for board action. Interim County Auditor Ronni Raddle provided a reminder about the value/ classification notices and tax statements that went out in the mail a couple weeks ago and that Appraisers’ names are listed on those notices.
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as follows:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of April 8, 2025.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 5,000.00
b. Region III Payments $ 337,110.80
c. Special Payments $ 5,068.38
3. Approve a three-day temporary on-sale liquor permit for Renegade Riders Saddle Club for the dates of May 2-4, 2025, at the Larsmont Cottages, 596 Larsmont Way Two Harbors, MN 55616.
4. Authorize payment in the amount of $127,953.65 to the City of Two Harbors in accordance with Agreement for Fire Protection for the County’s share of the 2024 Fire Department expenses.
5. Approve request from the County Assessor for an abatement to apply a qualifying exclusion for Marcia McCormick, for the following parcel identification (PID) 25-5211-16625.
6. Approve request from the County Assessor for abatement of taxes payable 2025 for the following parcel identifications (PIDs): 28- 6383-05201, 28-6383-06140, 28-6383-07010, 28-6383-07020, 28-6383-07030, 28-6383-07040, 28-6383-07050, 28-6383-07060, 28-6383-07070, 28-6383-07102. Property owner had not returned their 2024 Homestead Resort questionnaire for the 2024 Assessment (taxes payable 2025) and the classification was changed to commercial. The questionnaire was returned April 7, 2025, to re-establish their eligibility for the Homestead Resort classification. This abatement is for John C. Schiefelbein.
7. Approve request from the County Assessor for abatement of taxes payable 2025 for parcel identification (PID) 28-6211-04155. Property owner had not returned their 2024 Commercial Resort questionnaire for the 2024 Assessment (taxes payable 2025) and the classification was changed to commercial. The questionnaire was returned April 7, 2025, to re-establish their eligibility for the Commercial Resort classification. This abatement is for Timber Trail Properties LLC.
8. Authorize payment not to exceed $5,484.75 to Central Square for the purchase, programming and installation of two (2) 48 key phone keypads. These keypads will be installed at both dispatch stations and will allow the 911 telecommunicators to quickly make one-touch calls and call transfers to other agencies. This purchase will be from the 911 Special Revenue Account.
9. Authorize payment of $9,885.00 to Aardvark (Quote # S02363) for the purchase of two (2) Aardvark Tactical Level III ballistic shields. These lightweight shields will be placed in the Two Harbors and Silver Bay duty stations where there are schools within the patrol area. Our current heavier shield is 15 years old and will be kept in the Fall Lake duty station. This purchase will allow for one (1) ballistic shield in each of the duty stations. The Minnesota State Contract price on a similarly spec’d ballistic shield was $696 more per ballistic shield.
10. Authorize the purchase of three (3) bearproof containers from Bearicuda Inc at a cost not to exceed $8,000.00 for a pilot organic waste collection project that is part of the Composting and Recycling Waste to Resources Project grant. These items will be purchased with funds from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) grant.
11. Authorize Highway Department payment to Kristin Ulland at a cost not to exceed $5,000.00 for acquisition of permanent and temporary highway easements along Hawk Hill Road (CR102) as necessary for completion of project CP 102-024- 001, Knife River Bridge replacement.
12. Authorize the Highway Department to return to four (4) ten-hour days per week schedule, Monday through Thursday, beginning on Monday, April 28, 2025.
13. Approve the Resolution Authorizing a Local Bridge Replacement Pro-gram Grant Agreement for project SAP 038-602-036, Highway 2 Re-conditioning.
14. Award a contract to Bolton & Menk, Inc. in the amount of $410,313.00 for Construction Engineering Services for reconstruction of Banks Blvd and Edison Blvd in the City of Silver Bay, SAP 038-632-003 and authorize the Board Chair to sign the contract pending County Attorney review.
15. Award a contract to LHB Corp in the amount of $55,714.00 for Professional Engineering Services for the rehabilitation of Bridge 38535, New Tomahawk Road (CSAH 34) over the Stony River (Project SP 038- 634-001) and authorize the Board Chair to sign the contract pending County Attorney review.
16. Award SAP 038-632-003 to the lowest responsible bidder, North-land Constructors of Duluth, a division of Mathy Construction, in the amount of $ 4,827,200.00 for the Banks Blvd and Edison Blvd Reconstruction project in the City of Silver Bay and authorize the Board Chair to sign the construction contract pending County Attorney review.
17. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Minnesota Energy Re-sources utility permit for temporary and permanent gas mains and service to accommodate project SAP 038-632-003 – reconstruction of Banks Blvd and Edison Blvd (CSAH 32) in Silver Bay.
18. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign Zito Media utility permits for telecommunication (fiber optic) service installations under the following list of roads at the corresponding location description.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BAL-TICH: 03 – Approve the reappointment of Jason DiPiazza, Highway Engineer, to a four-year term ending May 10, 2029. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGEN-SON: 04 – Approve the change in employee status of Seth Kroll, Highway Maintenance Supervisor, due to completion of trial period effective May 1, 2025. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BAL-TICH: 05 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Highway Maintenance Worker. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 06 – Approve the probationary appointment of Kaatji Gomez to Human Services Specialist at the Step 1 wage of $23.47 per hour effective April 28, 2025. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 07 – Approve the retirement of Neil Udenberg, Highway Maintenance Superintendent, effective June 5, 2025. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BAL-TICH: 08 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Highway Maintenance Superintendent. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGEN-SON: 09 – Amend the Board of Commissioners meeting minutes dated April 8, 2025, Motion 04, to change the effective date of resignation. As amend-ed: Approve the resignation of Matthew Pollmann, Emergency Management Director/ Safety Officer, effective upon the successful hiring of a new Emergency Director/Safety Officer or on a date mutually agreed upon by the County Administrator and Matthew Pollmann, whichever occurs first. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 10 – Adopt findings and conditions of the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-25-006i, submitted Megan Gramlow at 6995 Cramer Road, Finland, Minnesota, 55603. Absent: Goutermont
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 11 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 2:32 p.m. Absent: Goutermont
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meeting to be held in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota:
- Work session / strategic planning at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, April 29, 2025
- Agenda meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 6, 2025.
- Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 13, 2025.
ATTEST: Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
