Tuesday, November 25, 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. When a County Board member is present via interactive technology, voting is done by roll call. Lake County Board members present in the Lake County Service Center, Split Rock River Room (SRRR), 616 Third Avenue, Two Harbors, Minnesota: District 2 Commissioner Derrick “Rick” L. Goutermont, District 3 Commissioner Richard “Rick” C. Hogenson, and District 5 Commissioner Rich Sve. Present via interactive technology: District 1 Commissioner Joe Baltich. Board member absent: District 4 Commissioner Jeremy M. Hurd. Also present in the SRRR: County Administrator Matthew Huddleston, County Sheriff Nathan Stadler, Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard, Chief Deputy Auditor Wendy Morlang, and Clerk of the Board Laurel D. Buchanan.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 01 – Approval of the agenda. Absent: Hurd
Lake County Board Chairperson Rich Sve opened the floor for public comments. Two individuals spoke during the public comments period. Tanya Bruzek, President of Operation Volunteers for Veterans (Operation V4V) a 501 (c) (3) organization, thanked County Commissioner Rich Sve for attending the Community Meet and Greet event that was held on Friday, November 14, 2025. Ms. Bruzek talked about the work of the organization. Board Chair Sve thanked Tanya Bruzek for her work for Veterans.
Sonju Arena Manager Jesse Lundgren thanked the Lake County Board of Commissioners for the support of the rink and the Two Harbors Youth Hockey Association (THYHA). Mr. Lundgren is also the THYHA Executive Director. There had been questions about why there are Pearl Jam stickers on the hockey arena’s Zamboni ice resurfacer. Mr. Lundgren advised that Pearl Jam has agreed to a three-year (3-yr) sponsorship with a generous donation to help the association with costs associated with the Zamboni. There will be a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the next sponsor when that term ends.
Lake County Administrator Matthew Huddleston provided an update on several items of county business. Lake County Sheriff Nathan Stadler advised regarding transmission repairs that were needed on an older vehicle in the fleet and plans for replacing some of the vehicles in the fleet. Interim County Attorney Lara Nygaard asked the Board for its support in hiring the new Assistant County Attorney. Attorney Nygaard provided a brief background on Joseph Foley who has been selected for the position. Attorney Nygaard advised that the new Assistant County Attorney’s focus will be prosecution work, starting December 1, 2025. Chief Deputy Auditor Wendy Morlang advised that 2026 proposed property taxes have been mailed. The County Auditor’s Office has been fielding many telephone calls and inquiries, and the County Assessor’s Office also handles many of the inquiries that we are receiving. Ms. Morlang also advised that a land sale is in progress, an online auction.
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 02 – Approve Consent Agenda as presented:
1. Approve County Board of Commissioners’ regular meeting minutes of November 12, 2025.
2. Approve Health and Human Services ABHI claims payments totaling $29,802.75.
3. Authorize payment to Impact in the amount of $5,526.06 (Invoice P-220814) for estimated postage for mailing the 2026 proposed tax notices.
4. Adopt findings and conditions by the Environmental Services Department for Interim Use Application I-25-029r, submitted by Thorson House of Lake County at 6076 Hwy 61, Silver Bay, MN 55614.
5. Authorize payment to Vortex in the amount of $8,819.70 for 10 spotting scopes, 10 tripod kits and 10 window mounts. This is government pricing. This will be paid for out of the OPSG FY2023 grant funds (Operation Stonegarden).
6. Authorize Land Commissioner to sign State Of Minnesota Joint Powers Agreement: Lake County – Wildlife Habitat and Maintenance Projects.
7. Authorize payment to Haugan Construction for invoice #1896 dated 11/13/2025 in the amount of $41,592.32 for the septic replacement under permit SP-25-085. The cost for this system replacement is funded by Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) Subsurface Septic Treatment System (SSTS) Low-Income Fix-up Grant FY2025.
8. Accept proposal #: GN25139 (dated 10/27/2025) from UHL in the amount of $ 29,842.00. Furthermore, authorize Board Chair to sign and attest said proposal and authorize payment to UHL in the amount of $29,842.00.
9. Adopt findings and conditions by the Environmental Services Department for Interim Use Application I-25-030r, submitted by Shireen Ghanatabadi at 723 Hawk Hill Road, Knife River, MN 55609.
10. Amend Action Agenda Item #11 from the October 14, 2025 meeting as follows:
Original: Authorize the Highway Department purchase of winter road salt from Morton Salt, Inc. through State CPV Contract 230570 (Contract Release S-763(5)) in the amount of $73.74 per ton delivered to the Two Harbors highway shop and $81.60 per ton delivered to the Finland highway shop payable upon delivery through May 31, 2026, for a maximum estimated purchase total of $119,280.00. As Amended: Approve an increase in the estimated purchase total of $123,210, due to the corrected price per ton delivered to the Two Harbors highway shop of $76.17 and $84.29 for the Finland highway shop.
11. Authorize payment of $6,090.05 to Hermantown Transmission & Exhaust (Invoice #1541) to repair the transmission in one of the 2020 Chevy Tahoes. Absent: Hurd
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 03 – Approve a Medical Leave of Absence without pay for employee #2077 effective November 17, 2025, for up to six months. Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 04 – Approve the appointment of Joseph Foley to Assistant County Attorney at the Step 3 rate of $39.97 per hour effective December 1, 2025. Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND BALTICH: 05 – Approve the resignation of John Symons, Highway Maintenance Worker, effective November 17, 2025. Absent: Hurd
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND HOGENSON: 06 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Highway Maintenance Worker. Absent: Hurd
MOTION GOUTERMONT, SECOND BALTICH: 07 – Approve the termination of Scott Anseth, Highway Maintenance Coordinator, effective November 21, 2025. Absent: Hurd MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 08 – Approve the recruitment for one full-time Highway Maintenance Coordinator. Absent: Hurd
MOTION GOUTERMOT, SECOND HOGENSON: 09 – Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Memorandum of Understanding regarding Minnesota Paid Leave premiums between Lake County and Teamsters Local 320 covering Courthouse employees. Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 10 – Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Memorandum of Understanding regarding Minnesota Paid Leave premiums between Lake County and Law Enforcement Labor Services Local 321 covering Sheriff’s Deputies. Absent: Hurd
MOTION BALTICH, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 11 – Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Memorandum of Understanding regarding Minnesota Paid Leave premiums between Lake County and AFSCME Local 66 covering Health and Human Services employees. Absent: Hurd
MOTION HOGENSON, SECOND GOUTERMONT: 12 – Adjourn Board meeting of the Lake County Board of Commissioners at 2:42 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:
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 2, 2025,
• Regular meeting at 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, December 16, 2025
ATTEST:
Laurel D. Buchanan
Clerk of the Board
Rich Sve, Board Chairperson
Lake County Board of Commissioners
Northshore Journal: December 19, 2025
