December 16, 2025. Lake County Board of Commissioners’ regularly scheduled meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Board Chair Rich Sve. Chair Sve led the recitation of the pledge of allegiance to the flag of the United States of America. 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 (SRRR), 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 in the SRRR: Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard, Interim Auditor / Treasurer Ronelle “Ronni” Radle, Lake County Environmental Services Director Christine McCarthy, Lake County Emergency Management Director Warren LaPlante, Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (LCHRA) Director Matthew Johnson, LCHRA Board member Paul Iversen, North Shore Development Co. founder and developer Jason Hale, County Commissioner Goutermont’s wife Laura Goutermont, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan. Present via interactive technology: Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) Executive Director Julie Ring, AMC Member Engagement Coordinator Ryan Erdmann, Commissioner Goutermont’s daughter Jenny Bjerken, son Dustin Goutermont, and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ryan Nelson of Vision, Inc.
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve started the meeting by recognizing County Commissioner Rick Goutermont and congratulating him on the Outstanding Service Award that he was awarded by the Association of Minnesota Counties (AMC) at its annual conference last week. AMC Executive Director Julie Ring spoke about the Outstanding Service Award, selected by Executive Committee members, for substantial and consistent leadership. AMC Member Engagement Coordinator Ryan Erdmann spoke about Commissioner Goutermont’s public safety background and how he supports his peers statewide, supporting each other and working together. Julie Ring closed by expressing her appreciation for Commissioner Goutermont’s work. Jenny Bjerken spoke as a daughter of someone who has dedicated much of his life to showing up for others and shared how his service shaped her life. Jenny grew up knowing that “Dad has meetings” and reminders to take good messages if one of his constituents called the house. She went to meetings with him as a teenager and learned what every department did, who ran them, and how they worked together. It felt like civics and economics together with student council, but in the adult world. She understood early on how important his role is in local government. Her curiosity turned into real interest, she asked more questions, read articles, and board minutes printed in the paper. She loved learning how everything connected, how every decision affected something else. Jenny worked for the county for many years as well, starting out as an administrative assistant in the Sheriff’s Office. That knowledge served her well when the Clerk of the Board went out on maternity leave, Jenny was in a position to step in to fill that role, one she had grown up watching. Jenny had a front row seat to watch her dad do what he is highly respected for in those meetings, bringing common sense together with direct honest conversation to make things happen. Jenny stated that her dad might look back and see the time he missed with his family because he was a civil servant, but he was teaching his kids how to do the same, how to show up for a community you care about and work to make it better for everyone. Jenny concluded that she thinks her dad knows the impact he has had on his kids, but Jenny wanted to say it out loud because it is often a thankless job with dozens of boards, endless meetings and conferences, thousands of agendas, and hard decisions that do not always come with praise. He has done it for over three decades and he has done it exceptionally well. Jenny congratulated Commissioner Goutermont on the Outstanding Service Award. County Commissioners spoke regarding the working relationship with Commissioner Goutermont. Katya Gordon (newspaper reporter) commented that Commissioner Goutermont is adept at connecting people with whom they may speak with for answers and solutions.
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. Next up on the meeting agenda was Clarissa Spicer, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MN DNR) Northeast (NE) Regional Director. NE Regional Director Clarissa Spicer introduced herself to the County Board and provided an overview of regional operations and updates on what the DNR has been working on and projects on the horizon for the DNR in Lake County. The MN DNR operates under the Executive Branch of State Government. DNR is organized into seven distinct divisions, each containing programs with responsibilities defined by statute or rule. Some divisions receive dedicated federal and state funding tied to programs, while others are funded by Minnesota general fund dollars or specific appropriates through the state budget. The seven divisions include 1) Ecological & Water Resources, 2) Enforcement, 3) Forestry, 4) Fish & Wildlife, 5) Lands & Minerals, 6) Parks & Trails, and 7) Regional Director & Commissioner’s Office, Operation Services. The DNR’s work in Lake County is collaborative, science-driven, and directly benefits recreation access, local fisheries, public safety, and long-term natural resource health. Director Spicer provided written materials for the County Commissioners to reference regarding topics such as DNR Administered Lands, Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILT), Infrastructure Overview (Aquatic Management Areas, Wildlife Management Areas, State Forests, State Parks, Scientific & Natural Areas, Grant-in-Aid OHV, Public Water Access Sites maintained by DNR, Hunter Walking Trails, and Grant-inAid Snowmobile Trails. Written materials included information on current projects.
At 2:26 P.M., Board Chairperson Rich Sve recessed the regular County Board meeting in order to convene a public hearing on a proposed property tax abatement for a housing development project. There are separate meeting minutes for that public hearing. Following the public hearing, the County Board reconvened its regular meeting at 2:56 p.m. Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler advised that he had the unique opportunity to take part in announcing the Minnesota Sheriff’s Association Volunteer of the Year Award at the annual Minnesota Sheriff’s Association Conference. Sheriff Stadler nominated Robert “Bob” Norlen for an award for his volunteer service on the Lake County Rescue Squad, 49 years of service since 1976. Congratulations to Bob on his 49 years, and counting, of service to his community. Bob has been a dedicated volunteer with the rescue squad, joining in 1976, only four years after its start under the direction of retired Sheriff William DeRosier in 1972. Bob has been instrumental toward the success and growth of the Lake County Rescue Squad, and we are beyond grateful to have him serving our communities. Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler also spoke about the retirement of Ric Carriveau, from the Finland Fire Department and Lake County Rescue Squad after an impressive number of years and calls. Join us in thanking Ric Carriveau for his many years of serving our community in EMS (Emergency Medical Services).
Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard thanked the County Board for the courtroom council tables and commented that not only are they beautiful, but also the functionality makes it easier and more efficient to do their work. Lake County Emergency Management Director Warren LaPlante commented that he is present to learn and to answer any questions, in preparations to better coordinate in the future, from an Emergency Management perspective. Director LaPlante discussed planning for wildfires for “when”, not “if.” Interim Auditor / Treasurer Ronni Radle advised that she plans to create a diagram that will help educate people on property taxes and the tax levy process.
MOTION HURD, SECOND BALTICH: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of December 2, 2025.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 65,860.00
b. Special Payments $ 255,209.37
3. Approve the staggered term end dates for the following Lake County Planning Commission member appointments and reappointments:
Mike Hoops, Sr. 12/31/2028
John Bathke 12/31/2028
Brock Ernest 12/31/2027
Tyler Ellefson 12/31/2027
Joseph Ernest 12/31/2027
Ken Guenthner 12/31/2026
Sarah Mayer 12/31/2026
4. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with Brightwater Health, f/k/a Human Development Center, to provide Adult Mental Health Targeted Case Management Services for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
5. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Agreement for the Provision of Homeless Prevention Services with North Shore Horizons for the period of January 1, 2025, through December 31, 2026, in an amount not to exceed $30,000.00 per year.
6. Approve and authorize the County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement with Lutheran Social Service of Minnesota to provide Guardianship and Conservatorship services for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2027, in an amount not to exceed $10,000.00 per year.
7. Approve and authorize the Lake County Board Chair and Lake County Health and Human Services Director to sign the Minnesota Department of Human Services County Grant Contract #GK304 for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, for Children’s Mental Health Screenings, Assessments, Referrals and Treatment. Further authorize the Board Chair and Health and Human Services Director to sign any subsequent amendments or grant award letters through the term of this grant.
8. Approve the appointment of County Commissioner Joe Baltich as representative on the Northeast Minnesota Emergency Communications Board (ECB) and County Sheriff Nathan Stadler as alternate, for a one-year term beginning January 1, 2026.
9. Approve the appointment of Chief Deputy Sheriff Timothy Luoma as representative on the Regional Advisory Committee (RAC) and County Sheriff Nathan Stadler as alternate, for a one-year term beginning January 1, 2026.
10. Approve the appointment of Local ARMER System Administrator Steve Olson as representative on the Owner & Operators Committee (O&O) and Jail Administrator/PSAP Supervisor Janel Peer as alternate, for a one-year term beginning January 1, 2026. (ARMER: Allied Radio Matrix for Emergency Response (Minnesota’s public safety radio system) (PSAP: Public Safety Answering Point)
11. Approve the appointments of Local ARMER System Administrator Steve Olson, Emergency Management Director Warren LaPlante, and Deputy Sheriff Alex McGrath as Lake County representatives on the Users Committee, for a one-year term beginning January 1, 2026.
12. Adopt a Resolution Authorizing Stromquist Potential Exchange Appraisal, as follows: Authorize the Land Commissioner to proceed with the appraisal of all land involved in the potential land exchange listed as follows:
Land Owned by Stromquist Northwest Quarter of Northeast Quarter of Township 56, Range 8, Section 2
For the following described Tax Forfeited Lands: Northeast Quarter of Southeast Quarter of Township 56, Range 8, Section 35
13. Approve and authorize the Lake County Safety Officer to sign the contract with Institute for Environmental Assessment (IEA), Inc in conjunction with the Northeast Service Cooperative (NESC) for January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
14. Approve and authorize the Lake County Emergency Management Director to sign the Minnesota Emergency Management Preparedness Grant (EMPG) Agreements and Progress Reports for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
15. Approve and authorize the Lake County Emergency Management Director to sign the Lake County Firewise Program Coordinator Service Agreement with Paramount Planning Group LLC for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.
16. Authorize payment in the amount of $8,373.00 to Streicher’s (sales order: S1637920) for the purchase of Class A uniforms for the Sheriff’s Office licensed staff. This amount is less than what was originally budgeted.
17. Authorize the payment to Everbridge, Inc. in the amount of $6,004.90 for the Public Notification System (Quote# Q-233646-1).
18. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Special Event Permit for the John Beargrease Sled Dog Marathon scheduled for January 25, 2026 and located at the Alger Grade Pit and along the North Shore Snowmobile Trail.
19. Authorize Highway Department payment to Minnesota Department of Transportation at a cost not to exceed $10,461.08 for construction material laboratory testing services for various highway and capital improvement projects.
20. Authorize payment of $6,683.71 to Eric Lindberg and Doug Shaffer as final payment for Lake County Courtroom Table Replacement Project. Payment represents an increase of $153.26 over the initial project expense of $10,576.95 approved on August 12, 2025, for additional labor and materials.
21. Authorize payment to the Lake County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) in the amount of $8,059.98, which is the amount that exceeds the previously approved $182,000 contract for annual Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention Services. This invoice will be paid from the Lake County Minnesota AIS Prevention Aid Reserve Account.
22. Approve payment to Information Systems Corporation for Invoice M31319 in the amount of $26,621.00 for annual renewal of Application Xtender and ISC Workflow software licenses and maintenance for period 2/24/2026 to 2/23/2027.
23. Adopt Resolution, as follows, Designating Human Services Director to Sign on Probate Account:
WHEREAS the State of Minnesota has a Medical Assistance Lien against the Estate of Laverne Lee Olson, which Lake County is charged with enforcing, and
WHEREAS Lisa B. Hanson is the Director of Human Services, which is the County department responsible for collecting Medical Assistance Liens, and
WHEREAS no other person or entity filed for appointment as the personal representative for the Estate of Laverne Lee Olson, Lake County has petitioned the Court for appointment as Personal Representative of the Estate.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lake County Board of Commissioners approves this resolution designating Lake County Human Services Director, Lisa B. Hanson, to sign on Probate Account for Lake County as Personal Representative of the Estate of Laverne Lee Olson and to perform the duties of Personal Representative, including but not limited to deposit, withdraw and sign on the account as Estate Personal Representative of the Estate.
24. Approve and authorize the Lake County Board Chair to sign the Agreement for Fiscal Services between Lake County and the Arrowhead Health Alliance for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026, at which time this Agreement shall end unless otherwise renewed by agreement of all parties.
25. Approve and authorize the Lake County Board Chair to sign the Purchase of Service Agreement between the Arrowhead Health Alliance and Lake County for member services for the period of January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026. Further authorize the Board Chair to sign any subsequent amendments or grant award letters throughout the term of this grant.
26. Approve payment to Lovin Lake County for the balance of 2025 lodging tax receipts, in the amount of $231,777.63.
27. Authorize County Auditor to make monthly lodging tax distributions to Lovin Lake County. Distribution will equal the net lodging tax received by the County in the prior month. This is an amendment to Item 3 of the Agreement for an Event and Visitor Bureau between Lake County and Lovin Lake County as approved April 13, 2021, and amended December 19, 2023. Absent: None
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 03 – Adopt the following Resolution of Support for the Use of Lake County Housing Trust Funds for the North Shore Flats Development:
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board of Commissioners established the Lake County Housing Trust Fund (LCHTF) by adopting Ordinance 26 on January 25, 2022; and
WHEREAS, Ordinance 26 establishes the Lake County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (LCHRA) as administrator of the LCHTF; and
