Tuesday, August 25, 2026. Lake County Board of Commissioners’ regularly scheduled meeting was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Board Chairperson 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, MN: 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(s) absent: District 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd. Also present: Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, Lake County Environmental Services Department Director Bryr Ludington, Interim Attorney Lara Nygaard, Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Lake County Forestry Department / Land Commissioner Nate Eide, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: Hurd
Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. No public comments were made at that time. Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. Lake County Environmental Services Department Director Bryr Ludington spoke regarding the findings of fact and the recommendation made by the Planning Commission regarding the negative declaration on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement based on review of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet (EAW) submitted by Silver Rapids Resort, LLC at 459 Kawishiwi Trail, Ely, MN 55731. Different categories of impact were addressed in answers to the 22 questions on the EAW.
Director Ludington reviewed that Lake County received 54 comments and three (3) agency letters. The applicant has reduced the number of additional mooring spaces from their previous application that they had presented in 2024. The 2026 application reduces the number of docks proposed in 2024. The applicant addressed critical concerns. The applicant’s lead environmental specialist and professionals were present with the applicant at the Planning Commission hearing.
County commissioners commended the Planning Commission and the Environmental Services Department and the agencies that we work with for the due diligence that was done with respect to this project. County commissioners discussed the changes, the expansion, and the remedies that are part of the project. Administrator Huddleston clarified that Lake County is still more restrictive than the State of Minnesota on Planned Unit Developments (PUDs). Director Ludington advised that the public engaged with rigor on this, a very engaging exchange with the agencies.
Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler discussed recruitment, staffing, and conditional offers of employment. A request for board action was verbally requested; the County Board will take up that additional item at the end of the action items.
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve recessed the Lake County Board of Commissioners’ meeting at 2:26 p.m. in order to convene a public hearing. The purpose of the public hearing is to receive comments on a proposed Ordinance. The purpose and intent of the proposed Ordinance is to regulate camping and land use on County Administered Lands. There are separate minutes for the public hearing on a proposed Ordinance for Camping and Land Use on County Administered Lands. The public hearing was scheduled to commence at 2:30 p.m. and conclude at 2:50 p.m. Following the public hearing, the Lake County Board of Commissioners’ meeting was reconvened at 2:52 p.m.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of August 11, 2026.
2. Approve Health and Human Services claims payments in the following amounts:
a. Administrative Payments $ 38,704.25
b. ABHI Region 3 Payments $ 52,241.50
c. Special Payments $ 4,342.79
3. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-26-019r, submitted by Tera Amesbury at 1308 Wander Rd, Isabella, MN 55607.
4. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-26-020r, submitted by Spencer Gregory Ploessl at 1240 Lindgren Rd, Two Harbors, MN 55616.
5. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-26-021r, submitted by Troy & Kathryn Groeneveld at 971 Wales Rd, Two Harbors, MN 55616.
6. Adopt findings and conditions by the Planning Commission for Interim Use Application I-26-022i, submitted by April & Eric Schultz at 2071 Loop Rd, Two Harbors, MN 55616.
7. Authorize payment to Stony River Trucking for the invoice dated 6/29/2026 in the amount of $28,500 for the Lake County portion of the septic replacement for septic permit SP-25-113. The cost for this mound replacement will be reimbursed by Lake County’s portion of the Lake Superior North Watershed Based Funding Grant C24-0200.
8. Authorize Information Technology (IT) Director Dan Lackore to sign Minnesota IT Services (“State”, MNIT, also known as Mn.IT) contract renewals for Mn.IT Computing Services. Billing is tied into our current MN.IT bill which is paid monthly. Further resolved, authorize the IT Director to sign any subsequent amendments and/or renewals for the Whole-of-State Service Agreement and Work Order Contract.
9. Authorize payment to Office of the State Auditor in the amount of $9,663.00 for Claim No. 73054, Service Period 1/28/2026 to 7/14/2026, for Audit Period Ended December 31, 2025.
10. Authorize the 2026 Municipal Maintenance Distribution to the City of Two Harbors in the amount of $23,787.04.
11. Authorize the 2026 Municipal Maintenance Distribution to the City of Silver Bay in the amount of $23,323.11.
12. Authorize payment to WSB Engineering for Construction Material Testing and Plant Inspection for project SAP 038-627-005 with CP 105-026-001 in an amount not to exceed $5,000.
13. Authorize the Highway Engineer to sign the Special Event Permit for the Heck of the North Gravel Classic bike race scheduled for September 26, 2026, beginning and ending at Castle Danger Brewery in Two Harbors and located on the following public highways under Lake County jurisdiction: CR 121 (Ski Hill Road), CR 132 (Big Rock Road), UT 34 (Westover Road), CR 123 (Moen Road), UT 10 (Old Drummond Road), CR 124 (Holm Road), CSAH 12 (Hwy 12), CSAH 3 (Hwy 3)
14. Authorize the Lake County Board Chairperson to sign the MN Cyber Response Team (MNCRT) Receipt of Services Agreement, between the Association of Minnesota Counties (“AMC”) and Lake County (“County”), authorizing Lake County to be part of the MNCRT. AMC, though the MNCRT, connects Recipient Counties with timely access to MNCRT Volunteers employed by a Provider County who may provide advice to the Recipient County on initial steps to take after discovery of an actual or possible cyber incident impacting the security of the Recipient County’s technology systems and/or data or cyber security. If a county needs assistance with a cyber incident, the MNCRT will be available to assist. There is no cost to this membership outside of normal AMC dues and expenses. Lake County currently provides one volunteer to be a part of this response team, to assist other counties during a cyber response should it be requested.
15. Accept snow removal contract and winter service rates for the 2026- 2027 snow season between the low bidder Mosher Trucking and Excavating LLC (“Service Provider”) and Lake County (“Client”). Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 03 – Adopt findings of fact and the recommendation made by the Planning Commission regarding the need for an Environmental Impact Statement based on review of the Environmental Assessment Worksheet submitted by Silver Rapids Resort, LLC at 459 Kawishiwi Trail, Ely, MN 55731, as follows:
WHEREAS, Leisure Hotels and Resorts, as agent for Silver Rapids Resort, LLC, voluntarily submitted an Environmental Assessment Worksheet (“EAW”) for the redevelopment and expansion of the Silver Rapids Lodge resort located at 459 Kawishiwi Trail, Fall Lake Township (Parcels 28-6311-29850 and 28-6311-32070), to Lake County Environmental Services on June 18, 2026;
WHEREAS, Lake County is the Responsible Governmental Unit (“RGU”) for the Project;
WHEREAS, the EAW was determined complete on June 30, 2026, published in the EQB Monitor on July 7, 2026, and circulated for a 30-day public comment period that closed August 6, 2026, during which 54 comments were received;
WHEREAS, the Lake County Planning Commission held a public meeting on August 17, 2026, considered the EAW, the comments received, the project proposer’s responses, and the accompanying Staff Report, and by Resolution No. PCR-26- 001 recommended that the Board of Commissioners make a negative declaration on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement (“EIS”), without conditioning that recommendation on the adoption of any specific mitigation measure, and further recommended that potential conditions of approval be reserved for the Planning Commission’s independent evaluation during the Project’s future Conditional Use Permit (“CUP”) and Planned Unit Development (“PUD”) review;
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners has reviewed the EAW, the administrative record, and the Planning Commission’s recommendation, and has considered the Findings of Fact, Conclusions, and Record of Decision attached as Exhibit A;
WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners, as the RGU, is required by Minnesota Rules Part 4410.1700 to determine the need for an EIS within 30 days of the close of the public comment period, making the deadline for this determination September 5, 2026;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LAKE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, MINNESOTA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1. Findings of Fact and Record of Decision.
The Board of Commissioners adopts the Findings of Fact, Conclusions, and Record of Decision for the Silver Rapids Lodge EAW, attached hereto as Exhibit A.
Section 2. Negative Declaration.
Based on the Findings of Fact, Conclusions, and Record of Decision, the Board of Commissioners finds that the Silver Rapids Lodge project does not have the potential for significant environmental effects and makes a negative declaration on the need for an Environmental Impact Statement.
Section 3. Relationship to Future CUP/ PUD Review.
Environmental review under Minnesota Rule Part 4410.1700 and the Project’s Conditional Use Permit and Planned Unit Development review are separate proceedings, governed by separate standards.
Consistent with the Planning Commission’s recommendation, any conditions of approval the Planning Commission or Board of Commissioners deems appropriate remain subject to the County’s full and independent Conditional Use Permit and Planned Unit Development review authority, a separate proceeding governed by separate standards.
Section 4. Direction to Distribute.
The Board of Commissioners directs that this Resolution and the attached Exhibit A be distributed within five days in accordance with Minnesota Rule 4410.1700, subp. 5. Absent: Hurd
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 04 – Authorize the County Board Chairperson or County Administrator to submit a Letter of Support for Northshore Mining’s Mile Post 7 West Ridge Railroad Relocation, Dam Progressions, and Stream Mitigation Project, addressed to the attention of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (MnDNR) EAW (Environmental Assessment Worksheet) Project Manager. Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 05 – Adopt this amended resolution for the Ekstrom Land Exchange, as requested by the Land Commissioner, Lake County Forestry Department. This amended resolution replaces the County Board resolution that was previously adopted along with the consent agenda over a year ago on August 12, 2025. This amended resolution for August 25, 2026, amends item number 7 from the consent agenda on August 12, 2025, to read as follows:
WHEREAS, Lake County Forestry office has received and accepts an application from Ekstrom to exchange certain parcels in Lake County (as evidenced by Exhibit A, attached hereto); and
WHEREAS, Lake County Board of Commissioners is reclassifying said Lake County parcels of tax forfeited land non-conservation (per MS 94.344 sub.2)
WHEREAS, the Lake County Board of Commissioners authorizes the Land Commissioner to proceed with the valuations of all lands involved in the land exchange and proceed with abstracts and title opinions.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That the Lake County Board of Commissioners authorizes the Land Commissioner to proceed with the land exchange of lands listed as follows:
Land owned by Ekstrom: Northwest ¼ of Southwest ¼ of Section 8, Township 54 North, Range 10 West (29-5410-08550)
For the following described Tax Forfeited Lands: Southwest ¼ of Northwest ¼ of Section 10, Township 53 North, Range 11 West (25- 5311-10370)
Absent: Hurd
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 06 – Authorize a public hearing to be held on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at 2:30 p.m., at the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room, 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota. The Lake County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting is scheduled to begin at 2:00 p.m. on October 13, 2026; the County Board meeting will be recessed in order to convene the public hearing at 2:30 p.m. After the public hearing, the County Board regular meeting may be reconvened. The purpose of the public hearing is to receive comments on a land exchange of private land for County Tax Forfeited Land described as follows: Private land: Northwest ¼ of Southwest ¼ of Section 8, Township 54 North, Range 10 West (29-5410- 08550); exchanged for County Tax Forfeited land: Southwest ¼ of Northwest ¼ of Section 10, Township 53 North, Range 11 West (25-5311-10370). Absent: Hurd
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 07 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Deputy Sheriff. Absent: Hurd
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 08 – Adopt Lake County Ordinance No. 30, Camping and Land Use on County Administered Lands. Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 09 – Adjourn meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 3:03 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, September 1, 2026
- Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- County Budget Planning meeting at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2026
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
Northshore Journal: September 11, 2026
