Wednesday, November 12, 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, Interim County Auditor/Treasurer Ronelle Radle, Environmental Services Department Director Christine McCarthy, Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) Director Matthew Johnson, Land Commissioner Nate Eide, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: None
Lake County Board Chair Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were made. Lake County Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy provided an annual update to the County Board. Topics included the Lake County Comprehensive Plan, 25 years of Land Use and Septic Permit processing data, zoning districts in Lake County, Lake County’s participation in three (3) One Watershed One Plan (1W1P) projects, the history of the Lake County Solid Waste Ordinance, changes at the recycling center, Hazardous Household Waste (HHW) hours, and an upcoming location change where Lake County garbage will go to effective July 1, 2026, to Virginia, Minnesota.
County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. County Sheriff Nate Stadler discussed the results of a recent surplus auction. Sheriff Stadler also discussed a current request for board action with respect to a marine search and rescue vessel and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa. Land Commissioner Nate Eide provided an update on the land sale. Commissioners inquired about an upcoming Trails Committee meeting. Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy advised that they sold the vertical baler and trailers and have more room for their operations. Director McCarthy advised that she will be submitting a request for board action regarding an ordinance update. Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (LCHRA) Director Matthew Johnson discussed the proposed Tax Abatement Financing (TAF) Policy. Additionally, Director Johnson provided information about the Lake County HRA Economic Redevelopment Grant Program Guidelines and Program Overview. Its first applicant is Fall Lake Township to explore predesign for a new Fall Lake Township Community Building, which could be used as an emergency shelter.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND HURD: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of October 28, 2025.
2. Approve Official Proceedings of a Public Hearing to Receive Comments on a Petition for Establishments of a Cartway, in Unorganized Territory No. 2, County of Lake, Minnesota.
3. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 39,262.57
b. ABHI Region 3 Payments $ 814,928.91
c. Special Payments $ 10,680.87
4. Amend the Lake County Board of Commissioners’ meeting minutes of August 12, 2025, Motion 02, Consent Agenda item 15, as follows: Accept proposal 25-A-0226-0 from The Jamar Company (dated 8/04/2025) Silver Bay Hockey Arena EPDM Roof Replacement, in an amount not to exceed $310,000.00 for the removal of existing EDPM roofing, coverboard, insulation, stack venting, damaged roof decking, flashings / roof edging, mechanical replacements and all other damaged materials on roof area. The included proposal specifies the replacements / additions of all said materials in work order.
5. Authorize payment SKR Group, Inc (River City Data) in the amount of $6,600.80, invoice 6941 dated 10/21/2025 for scanning of historic tax rolls. Funds to be paid from the Recorders Technology Fund.
6. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Special Event Permit for the Julebyen Christmas Village in Knife River, scheduled for December 6 & 7, 2025, and requiring road closures, lane closures, and flagger-controlled traffic in and around Knife River, including Scenic Drive (CSAH 61).
7. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Special Event Permit for The Superior Fall Trail Race scheduled for September 11 & 12, 2026, located along the Superior Hiking Trail between Gooseberry Falls State Park and Lutsen, MN and including several road crossings of Lake County Highways.
8. Approve an increase of the total contract cost of SAP 038-602-036, Highway 2 Reconditioning, White Pine Picnic Area to Greenwood Lake Public Access to a cost not to exceed $3,415,000.00, an increase of $84,252.98 (2.5%).
9. Authorize Highway Department payment to Contech Engineered Solutions, LLC for Corrugated Metal Culvert Pipe through State CPV contract 234376 (Release C-456(5)) not to exceed $64,681.50.
10. Authorize the County Board Chair to sign the 2024 Operation Stonegarden Grant Agreement.
11. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Memorandum of Agreement with Community Partners to provide community support services for Lake County citizens age 60+ for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $30,584.00.
12. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with Accend Services, Inc., to provide Adult Mental Health Targeted Case Management Services for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
13. Approve and authorize the Lake County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with the Lake County Developmental Achievement Center for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $18,800.00.
14. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with Brightwater Health to provide Serious and Persistent Mental Illness (SPMI) Supported Employment Services for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $25,000.00.
15. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with Brightwater Health for Employment and Training Services for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $41,600.00.
16. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with Brightwater Health to provide Community Mental Health Services for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $80,000.00.
17. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Amended Purchase of Service Agreement with Brightwater Health to provide community support services for Lake County residents at the Waterfront Center for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2030.
18. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with Mary Hagsten to provide Qualified Individual (QI) Assessment services for Lake County children/youth for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $2,200.00.
19. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with the Institute of Forensic Psychology to provide forensic psychological evaluation services for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $12,000.00.
20. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with Lake View Memorial Hospital to provide foot care to Lake County residents age 60+ for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $9,000 per year.
21. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with Lake View Memorial Hospital to provide WIC Dietician services for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027.
22. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with North Shore Horizons to provide outreach, education and training services for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00.
23. Adopt findings and conditions by the Environmental Services Department for Interim Use Application I-25-028r, submitted by Judy Linman at 6637 Leskinen Road, Finland, MN 55603.
24. Approve a Resolution to accept the donation from the Grand Portage Band of Lake Superior Chippewa of a Marine Search and Rescue Vessel and authorize Nathan Stadler as Lake County Sheriff to enter into and sign the Memorandum of Understanding.
25. Accept proposal (dated 10/24/2025) from Johnson’s Carpet & Tile (low bidder) in the amount of $11,240.00 for carpet replacement. Furthermore, authorize payment to Johnson Carpet & Tile (low bidder) for said work in proposal not to exceed $11,800.00.
26. Accept proposal # 25-115 (dated 10/27/2025) from L & M Painting (low bidder) in the amount of $9,770.00. Furthermore, authorize payment to L & M Painting for said proposal in an amount of $9,770.00.
27. Accept proposal (dated 10/27/2025) from Johnson’s Carpet & Tile (low bidder) in the amount of $10,980.00. Furthermore, authorize payment to Johnson’s Carpet & Tile for said proposal in an amount not to exceed $12,000.00.
28. Approve the new Lake County Recreation Cabin Site lease terms to be valid for three (3) years, instead of one (1) year.
29. Accept proposal # 53029 (dated 10/27/2025) from St. Germain’s Cabinet, Inc (low bidder) in the amount of $5,365.00. Furthermore, authorize payment to St. Germain’s Cabinet, Inc for said proposal in an amount not to exceed $7,365.00.
30. Approve and authorize the Lake County Board Chair, Lake County Attorney, Lake County Sheriff, and Lake County Health and Human Services Director to sign the following documents as they relate to the 2026-2027 Child Support IV-D Cooperative Agreements: 1) CY 2026-2027 State of Minnesota – County Child Support Program Cooperative Agreement; 2) Attachment A – CY 2026-2027 IV-D Child Support Cooperative Arrangement with Lake County Offices of Human Services, County Sheriff and County Attorney; and 3) Attachment B – Certification Regarding Lobbying. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 03 – Approve the trial appointment of Tessa Strommer, Human Services Technician, to Human Services Professional at the Step 1 rate of $31.89 per hour effective November 24, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 04 – Approve the recruitment for one fulltime Human Services Technician. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 05 – Approve the resignation of Amy Overby, Administrative Clerk, effective November 18, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 06 – Approve the recruitment for one part-time Administrative Clerk. Absent: None
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 07 – Approve the resignation of Jerrad Hiukka, Facilities Worker, effective October 31, 2025. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND HOGENSON: 08 – Approve the recruitment for one fulltime Facilities Worker. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HURD: 09 – Approve appointment of Joe Baltich to the Arrowhead Library System (ALS) Governing Board for a three-year term from January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2028. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 10 – Approve the updated Lake County Tax Abatement Financing (TAF) Policy. Absent: None
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 11 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 2:53 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, November 18, 2025, at the Lake County Highway Department, 1513 Highway 2, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, November 25, 2025, in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota.
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 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
Northshore Journal: December 19, 2025
