Lake of the Woods County Board Commissioners Meeting

CALL TO ORDER Chair Cody Hasbargen called the meeting to order at 9:00a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, Buck Nordlof and Joe Grund. Also present was County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent: Commissioner Ed Arnesen.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the agenda.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of October 22, 2024.

SOCIAL SERVICES Claims Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $16,470.74; Commissioners Warrants $5,209.89; Commissioners Warrants $20,796.70.

WHEREAS, there is inadequate capacity across Minnesota’s continuum of care to support children with high-acuity, complex, and/or co-occurring conditions, including violent or sexually inappropriate behavior and significant physical health challenges; and WHEREAS, Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facilities (PRTF) play a critical role in serving children and youth under the age of 21 with severe mental health needs and aggression, as part of this continuum; and WHEREAS, currently only four PRTF facilities are operational in Minnesota, offering a total of 166 beds, which is insufficient to meet the growing needs of children with serious and complex mental health conditions; andWHEREAS, the demand for additional PRTF beds across Minnesota is urgent to ensure children receive timely and appropriate care; and WHEREAS, equitable distribution of PRTF beds throughout the state is essential to provide children with proximity to their home communities, families, and local service providers; and WHEREAS, Clay County is committed to addressing this critical gap in mental health services by establishing a PRTF in partnership with a qualified service provider for the delivery of these essential services; and WHEREAS, Clay County seeks bond proceeds funds from the commissioner of human services for a grant to Clay County to predesign, design, and remodel of the West Central Regional Juvenile Center non-secure unit into an 18-bed psychiatric residential treatment facility and address the predesign, design, construct, furnish, and equip of a non-secure unit within Clay County to replace the existing facility that will become a psychiatric residential treatment facility. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners via this Resolution, supports Clay County to request Minnesota state funds for infrastructure development for a Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility in Clay County, ensuring access to specialized care for children with complex mental health needs across the region.

Cell Phone Stipend Approval Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve a cell phone stipend for Office Support Specialist Val Canfield in the amount of $60.00 per month effective December 1, 2024.

Auditor/Treasurer Claims Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $81,434.51; Road & Bridge $18,166.40; County Development $200.00; Natl Resc Enhanc $2,352.00; Joint Ditch $600.00; Solid Waste $16,033.29.

Approval of Insurance Rates Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve a $75.00 health insurance single and family cap increase for 2025.

Cigarette License Application Approval Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the cigarette license application for Northdale Oil, Inc.

Set Work Session Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to set a work session to review revenue and expenditure guidelines for December 17, 2024 following the regular board meeting.

Rinke Noonan Hourly Rates Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the 2025 hourly rates for Rinke Noonan.

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to counteroffer with Grade 12, Step 6, at 26.69 per hour.

Permission to Hire-Heavy Equipment Operator NWA Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to hire Richard McKeever as Heavy Equipment Operator at the Northwest Angle at Grade 12, Step 1, 274 points at $24.12 per hour effective November 18, 2024.

County Attorney Letter of Acceptance Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve a formal letter of acceptance for the City of Baudette’s withdrawal from the Tourism Bureau and for Chair Cody Hasbargen to sign the same.

Motion was made by Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the CY25 Proposed Probation Budget.

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the Department of Corrections Comprehensive Plan effective July 2024.

Solid Waste Assessment Fee Increase  Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof to approve the increase of solid waste fees from $130.00 to $150.00 per unit for taxes payable 2025 with the exception of railroads and utilities which will remain at $130.00.

Permission to Bid-Landfill Cap Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request to bid for the landfill cap.

Capping Williams School Well Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the request to cap the well at the Williams school.

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, Minn. Stat. § 13D.03, subd. 1 states that:

WHEREAS, the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners shall hold a closed meeting on November 12th , 2024 at 9:55 a.m. to consider strategy for labor negotiations.  The closed session shall be held at the Lake of the Woods County Courthouse, Commissioners’ Room, 206 8th Ave. SE, Suite 234, Baudette Minnesota 56623; and BE IT RESOLVED by the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners as follows:

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to close the closed session and open the regular meeting.

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the union contract with the Local 49ers for the years 2025,2026, and 2027 for the Highway and Solid Waste departments.

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the licensed union contract with Law Enforcement Labor Services Inc for the years 2025,2026, and 2027.

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the non-licensed union contract with Law Enforcement Labor Services Inc for the years 2025 and 2026.

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to follow the Local 49ers salary compensation plan for non-union employees for the years 2025, 2026, and 2027.

Adjourn Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:50 a.m.