Tuesday, June 24, 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, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Board member Absent: District 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd. Also present: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Facilities Maintenance Director Curt Backen, Interim Auditor/Treasurer Ronni Radle, Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy, Land Commissioner Nate Eide, Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Director Matthew Johnson, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: Hurd
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. Lake County constituent Tanya Bruzek thanked everyone for their work on amendments to the Land Use Ordinance.
Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler provided an annual update for the Office of the County Sheriff, including staffing, Public Safety Aid, Jail and 911 Dispatch Center, and Lake County Search and Rescue.
Lake County Facilities Maintenance Director Curt Backen provided an annual update for his department, an overview of improvements to county facilities, and plans for projects in the upcoming year.
County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business.
Proposed ordinance changes were presented by Lake County Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy.
Lake County HRA Director Matthew Johnson was present in support of the resolution to consider tax abatement in support of Vision Inc. apartment development project.
Facilities Director Curt Back discussed scheduling a facilities tour for this fall. Sheriff Stadler spoke about the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) that is on the action items list for board action today and a request for board action for purchasing an ATV.
Land Commissioner Nate Eide provided an update. The landowner was present for any questions on the proposed plats.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of June 10, 2025.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 9,830.27
b. ABHI Region 3 Payments $ 61,269.08
c. AHA Special Payments $ 3,260.58
3. Approve Minnesota Lawful Gambling Premise Permit application of Ely Winton Rod & Gun Club to conduct lawful gambling at Silver Rapids Lodge located at 459 Kawishiwi Trail, Ely, MN 55731
4. Approve and authorize the Lake County Board Chair, acting as the Fiscal Agent of the Arrowhead Behavioral Health Initiative (Region III), to sign the Minnesota Department of Human Services County Grant Contract for mental health mobile crisis response services in Cook County for the period of May 15, 2025, through September 30, 2026. Further authorize the Lake County Board Chair and Lake County Attorney to sign any subsequent amendments or grant award letters through the term of this grant.
5. Approve closeout of project CP 013-022-001, Larsmont Road Reconstruction, and final payment of $12,323.12 for the work completed to KGM Contractors Inc for a total contract work value of $1,232,312.04.
6. Authorize the Board Chair to sign an agreement with Fall Lake Township to advertise, award, and execute a construction contract for the realignment of Sunset Road, project number SAP 038-592-001, which will be funded through the Local Road Improvement Program (LRIP) and locally by Fall Lake Township with Lake County serving as the contract holder and project sponsor.
7. Authorize the County Board Chair and Clerk of the Board to sign the Joint Powers Agreement (JPA) between the State of Minnesota, acting through its Commissioner of Public Safety on behalf of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (“BCA” or “Lead Agency”) and the County of Lake on behalf of its County Sheriff’s Office (“Government Unit”), SWIFT Contract Number 269883.
8. Authorize payment of $7,558.88 to Seagren’s Powersports for the purchase of a 2025 Kawasaki 440 Brute Force ATV to include a winch, rear cargo box and front rack extension. This purchase will be used to replace one of the Sheriff’s Office’s ATV’s, which will be transferred to the Lake County Rescue Squad to replace one of their older ATV’s. We will be utilizing funds from the Minnesota DNR ATV safety and Enforcement Grant for this purchase.
9. Authorize the Board Chair to sign a letter of support for Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (AEOA) for funding for a new building to establish AEOA’s Regional Hub and commit to a financial contribution in the amount of $48,897 to support AEOA’s Regional Hub, bringing together Housing Services, the Senior and Nutrition Services Kitchen, the Youth Build Program, and a Community Free store under one roof.
10. Approve Resolution for Conveyance of Parcel ID 28-6382-30040 to the Town of Fall Lake, as follows:
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statute 282.01, subdivision 1a (e) states that Nonconservation tax-forfeited land held in trust in favor of the taxing districts may be conveyed by the commissioner of revenue in the name of the state to a governmental subdivision for an authorized public use; and
WHEREAS, the Lake County received request on June 12, 2025, from Fall Lake Township for Lake County to convey parcel ID 28-6382-30040, Lots 4 & 10, Block 30, White Iron Villas Plat, which is non-conservation, tax-forfeit land; and
WHEREAS, Fall Lake Township requests to have the property conveyed at no cost for the authorized public use of a parking lot for their townhall; and
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lake County Land Commissioner is directed to convey the parcel to Fall Lake Township at no cost for the public parking lot.
11. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-25-010r, submitted by Ruth Schmidt-Baeumler at 2604 W. Castle Danger Road, Two Harbors, MN 55616.
12. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-25-011r, submitted by Joe & Theresa Hansen at 1788 Hwy 61, Two Harbors, MN 55616.
13. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-25-012r, submitted by Kartheek Koneru at 2839 Hwy 61, Two Harbors, MN 55616.
14. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-25-013i, submitted by Paul & Arica Sutherland at 5669 West Park Hill Road, Finland, MN 55603. Absent: Hurd.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 03 – Approve the resignation of Matthew Pollmann, Emergency Management Director/Safety Officer, effective July 3, 2025. Absent: Hurd
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 04 – Adopt Resolution to Consider Tax Abatement in Support of Vision Inc. Apartment Development. Absent: Hurd
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 05 – Approve and authorize the Board Chair to sign the Communication Facility Lease / Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) Contract Number: 1048782, Tower Name: Schroeder, AT&T Site: #MNL0549. Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 06 – Resolution of Support for Tettegouche State Park / Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for State Land Acquisition for Illgen Truck Station Transfer of Custodial Control. Absent: Hurd
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 07 – Approve the final plat Tettegouche Highlands, P-24-003, and authorize signatures on the plat mylars. Absent: Hurd
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 08 – Approve the final plat Tettegouche Highlands, First Addition, P-24- 004, and authorize signatures on the plat mylars. Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 09 – Adopt the proposed amendments to the Land Use Ordinance #12. Absent: Hurd
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 10 – Adopt the proposed amendments to the Subsurface Treatment System Ordinance #11. Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 11 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:35 p.m. Absent: Hurd
The Lake County Board of Commissioners will convene for the following meetings in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota.:
• Agenda meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, July 8, 2025.
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
