Tuesday, May 13, 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, Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy, Emergency Manager Matt Pollmann, Interim Auditor/Treasurer Ronni Radle, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 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 Emergency Manager Matt Pollmann provided an update on the fires in Saint Louis County on the Lake County border that we are closely monitoring with our fire partners and will provide updates as they become available. Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of April 22, 2025.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 10,400.00
b. Region III Payments $ 701,017.14
3. Approve a two-day temporary on-sale liquor permit for Finland Fire Department for the dates of July 19 and 20, 2025 at the Clair Nelson Community Center in Finland, Minnesota.
4. Approve request from the County Assessor for a classification to be changed to homestead because an error by the Assessor caused the homestead not to be applied properly, for the following parcel identification (PID): 29-5710-08490. This abatement is for Jolynn Dohrmann.
5. Approve request from the County Assessor to reinstate homestead classification that was cancelled in error, for the following parcel identification (PID): 28-6311-22320. This abatement is for Samuel and Mary Johannsen.
6. Approve and authorize the Lake County Board Chair to sign the Agreement for Fiscal Agent and Coordination Services between the North Shore Collaborative and Lake County for the period of January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2025.
7. Approve the appointment of Susie Rosette to serve as Chair of the Lake County Health and Human Services Advisory Committee, effective January 1, 2025, for a one-year term.
8. Approve the appointment of Honor Schauland to serve as Vice Chair of the Lake County Health and Human Services Advisory Committee, effective January 1, 2025, for a one-year term.
9. Approve the Secure Rural Schools (SRS) Title III budget, initiate and obligate funds for the listed projects as authorized for use of FY 2024 and 2025 funds.
10. Approve payment of Invoice 216456 to Impact in the amount of $8,683.23 for printing of 2025 tax/ valuation notices.
11. Authorize Ronelle Radle, Interim County Auditor/Treasurer as the designated Official with Authority for Lake County for purposes of County Auditor Reporting Data Submissions to the Minnesota Department of Education.
12. Approve a Joint Powers Agreement with the City of Silver Bay for the Banks Blvd and Edison Blvd Reconstruction Project in Silver Bay (SAP 038-632-003) and authorize the Board Chair to sign the agreement pending County Attorney review.
13. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Minnesota Energy Resources utility permit for abandoning gas services at 109 and 111 Outer Drive (CSAH 5), Silver Bay.
14. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Mediacom Communications utility permit for installation of underground cable tv main and fiber optic cable crossing the right of way of 4th Street (CSAH 2) from east to west beginning in the alleyway between 12th Ave and 13th Ave. (
15. Authorize Highway Department payment to Fjeran Forest Products, LLC at a cost not to exceed $7,200.00 for furnishing and delivering Tamarack logs used to improve Nelson Lake Rd, UT 59.
16. Approve the resolution Authorizing the County Highway Engineer to approve Utility Permits for public and private utility construction and maintenance in county road rights of way.
17. Authorize payment of $61,644.00 from the 911 funds to DSC Communications (Quote # DSC-BC007814) to remove and replace the Legacy MNI Microwave Link Hardware located in the LEC (Dispatch end) and the Silver Cliff Tower Site for links used for the primary data path from Dispatch to MN DOT Duluth MSO for all ARMER dispatch radio traffic. This unit is responsible not only for all radio traffic, but it also acts as a pass-through for our VHF paging for emergency services. The current unit is the former product version and there are limitations to support as some components are no longer manufactured, so if there are any defects, they may not be able to be repaired. This unit runs 24×7-365 and was shipped from the manufacture in 2010 which puts it at 15 years old.
18. Authorize the County Board Chair to sign the 2023 Operation Stonegarden Grant Agreement.
19. Approve the appointment of Tara Solem to the Lake County Extension Committee (CEC), filling an unexpired term ending December 31, 2025; further resolved, approve the reappointment of Tara Solem to the Lake CEC for a 3-year term ending December 31, 2028.
20. Approve the appointment of Ken Guenthner to the Lake County Planning Commission for an initial term ending December 31, 2026.
21. Approve the appointment of Sarah Mayer to serve as an Alternate on the Lake County Planning Commission for an initial term ending December 31, 2026. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 03 – Approve the change in employee status of Jonathan Plese, Human Services Supervisor, due to completion of trial period effective May 17, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 04 – Approve the 67-day temporary appointment of Johnathan Woodworth, Engineering Intern for Highway Department, at $20.50 per hour effective May 19, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 05 – Approve the increase in hours for Christopher Hatfield, Environmental Services Specialist, to 40 hours per week effective May 26, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 06 – Approve the 67-day temporary appointment of Oren Dewey, Grounds Maintenance Worker, at $18.00 per hour effective May 19, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 07 – Approve the internal posting for one full-time Accounting Manager. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 08 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Assistant County Attorney. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 09 – Accept proposal 25-H-0182-1 (dated 5/7/2025) and authorize payment to The Jamar Company in the amount of $52,087.00 for the demolition and removal of the top 25 feet of brick chimney, demolition and removal of existing flue pipe and provide and install a chimney cap once demo is completed. This (phase 1) part of the project is utilizing Sourcewell Agreement MN-R2-GC-040622-LMR under the detailed ezIQC proposal covered in work order 142875.00. This agreement fulfils all requirements under state and local statutes. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 10 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 2:52 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, May 20, 2025, at the Isabella Community Building, Isabella, Minnesota, in Stony River Township.
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 27, 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
