Tuesday, June 10, 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. Chair 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, Land Commissioner Nate Eide, Accounting Manager Wendy Morlang, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION HOGENSON SECOND BALTICH: 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 Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler provided an update. Land Commissioner Nate Eide provided an update. Wendy Morlang was present to represent the Office of the County Auditor.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of May 27, 2025.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Region III Payments $ 73,083.62
3. Authorize payment to Office of the State Auditor in the amount of $45,522.00 for Claim No. 72588, Service Period 8/28/2024 to 4/22/2025, for Audit Period Ended 12/31/2023.
4. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Special Event Permit for the Heck of the North Gravel Classic bike race scheduled for October 4, 2025 and located on the following public highways under Lake County jurisdiction:
• CR 131 (Drummond Grade)
• CR 123 (Moen Road)
• UT 10 (Old Drummond Road)
• UT 34 (Westover Road)
• CSAH 2 (Highway 2)
• CSAH 3 (Highway 3)
5. Authorize Highway Department payment to LHB Inc. at a cost not to exceed $13,734.00 for Bridge Load Ratings for stream crossing structures classified as bridges and located on county roads throughout the county.
6. Authorize Highway Department payment to St. Louis County Public Works at a cost not to exceed $101,889.13 for Project SAP 038- 030-013, 2025 State Aid Pavement Marking Maintenance.
7. Authorize Highway Department purchase of one Kubota M4D- 071HDC12 utility tractor, with a Kubota DM2028 disc mower from Bobcat of Duluth at a cost not to exceed $84,872.03 plus any additional delivery, tax, title, or registration fees.
8. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Special Event Permit for Grandma’s Marathon scheduled for June 21, 2025 and located on Stanley Road (CSAH 9) and Scenic Highway 61 (CSAH 61).
9. Authorize Highway Department purchase of one Erskine Manufacturing SB 300 84” Snowblower from Rossco Equipment, Inc. at a cost not to exceed $15,600.00 plus any additional delivery, tax, title, or registration fees.
10. Authorize establishment of a petty cash fund for the Solid Waste department in the amount of $100 to be used at the Lake County Demolition landfill. Reauthorize existing Solid Waste petty cash amount of $50 to be used at the Recycling Center location. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 03 – Approve the change in employee status of Sarah Thomson, Administrative Assistant, due to completion of probation period effective June 20, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 04 – Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Memorandum of Understanding between Lake County, Minnesota Public Employees Association, and Engineering Supervisor John Schlangen. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 05 – Approve the trial appointment of Wendy Morlang, Senior Accounting Technician, to Accounting Manager at the Step 1 rate of $37.36 per hour effective June 23, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 06 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Accounting Technician. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 07 – Approve the retirement of Rogene Moe, Administrative Assistant, effective June 27, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION HURD SECOND HOGENSON: 08 – Approve the recruitment for one part-time Administrative Assistant in the Recorder’s Office. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 09 – Approve the appointment of Frank Wattunen filling the unexpired term of Jon Fogelberg on the Board of Adjustment (BOA) for a term ending December 31, 2027. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 10 – The Lake County Board of Commissioners approves the adoption of the proposed Employee Recognition and Wellness Policy and will provide support and resources for county administration to implement and sustain the program and will encourage participation among department heads and staff to ensure the program’s success. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND HURD: 11 – Authorize payment of lodging tax revenue in the amount of $11,446.50 to Fall Lake Township for the remainder of the 2024 3% marketing funds. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 12 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 2:39 p.m. Absent: None
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings:
• Committee of the Whole, at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, at the Town of Fall Lake, Town Hall, Fall Lake, Minnesota.
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, June 24, 2025, 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
