Lake of the Woods County Board Commissioners Meeting Proceedings

APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the agenda with changes: Add: IT Update, Cannabis Ordinance Resolution, Resignation/Permission to Advertise, Interview, & Hire. Remove: Public Works

APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the official minutes of December 17, 2024 with the following changes: Correct the 2025 board meeting dates to change November 11th to November 12th due to a holiday, Update the Cannabis Ordinance motion to reflect recommendations.

SOCIAL SERVICES Claims Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $4,870.09; Commissioners Warrants $2,228.13; Commissioners Warrants $46,772.50.

2025 Purchase of Service Agreement -Meridian Services, Inc. Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the 2025 Purchase of Service Agreement with Meridian Services,Inc. effective January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.

Rural Transportation Collaborative Contract Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the Rural Transportation Collaborative contract for Volunteer Driver Services effective January 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025.

Auditor/Treasurer Claims Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $37,742.14; Road & Bridge $27,110.65; County Development $200.00; Joint Ditch $4,291.88; Solid Waste $9,690.11.

Motion to Pay Year End Bills Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the payment of year end bills on the Auditors list on December 31, 2024.

IRS Mileage Rate Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the 2025 Standard IRS Mileage rate for business miles at .70 cents per mile.

WHEREAS, per Lake of the Woods County Fund Balance Policy, the County Board will annually or as deemed necessary commit specific revenue sources for specified purposed by resolution;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Lake of the Woods County hereby commits the following reserves with the amounts to be determined at a later date: Building; Community Health; Elections; Health/Medical; Housing Rehabilitation; Land & Building Acquisitions; Sheriff’s Posse; Sheriff’s Vending Commission; Technology; Transit; Drainage Maintenance; Economic Development; Prepaid Fiber; SANE; Snowmobile Trails; Future Equipment, and Future Budget Expenditures; Borderland DUI Drug Court; Wetland Banks; Opioid Funds; USDA Funds; Day Care-Deed; Sewer.

Whereas Lake of the Woods County Board, pursuant to MN Statute §469.093, Subd.1 has provided a public notice and conducted a public hearing on September 14, 2010 to consider the creation of an Economic Development Authority and adopted the Enabling Resolution creating the same; and

Whereas the County Board of Commissioners of the County of Lake of the Woods adopted the following:

Board Member                      Term Expires             Representing

Whereas the City of Baudette member is to be replaced;     

Now, therefore, be it resolved that the County Board of Commissioners of the County of Lake of the Woods hereby rappoints the following board members for a 6-year term;

Motion was made by Buck Nordlof, seconded by Jon Waibel and carried unanimously by roll call to appoint Justin Ferguson to the Wheeler’s Point Sanitary District Board for a three year term beginning January 2, 2025 thru January 2, 2028.

Transfer of Funds to Ditch Funds Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously by roll call to authorize a temporary loan to Ditch Fund 22; to mitigate a temporary negative cash balance.

DNR Lease Agreement Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the DNR lease agreement for part of Government Lot 4, Section 12, Township 162 North, Range 33 West, 1.15 acres in Region 1-Zipple Bay State Park.

WHEREAS, On December 17, 2024, following discussion, the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance number 24-12-06, “An Ordinance of Lake of the Woods County to Regulate Cannabis Businesses” (“Ordinance”), which Ordinance is effective upon publication. 

WHEREAS, The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners has determined the publication of the title and a summary is prudent due to the lengthy nature of “An Ordinance of Lake of the Woods County to Regulate Cannabis Businesses”

WHEREAS, Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §§ 375.51 and M.S. 331A.01, Subd. 10, summary publication of a lengthy ordinance is authorized and the County Board may direct that only the title of the Ordinance and a summary be published with notice that a printed copy of the Ordinance is available for inspection by any person during regular office hours at the County Offices; and

WHEREAS, Prior to the publication of the title and summary, the County has read and approved the text of the summary and determined that it clearly informs the public of the intent and effect of the Ordinance; and

WHEREAS, The County Board finds that the text of the Summary Publication of Ordinance Number 24-12-06 attached clearly informs the public of the nature and intent of the proposed Ordinance.

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS resolves that summary publication of Ordinance Number 24-12-06  “An Ordinance of Lake of the Woods County to Regulate Cannabis Businesses”  is prudent due to its length . 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: the publication shall read as follows: 

ORDINANCE ADOPTED by the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners on December 17, 2024 and Summary Publication approved on December 27, 2024 

WHEREAS, On December 17, 2024, following discussion, the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners adopted Ordinance number 24-12-07, “An Ordinance of Lake of the Woods County to Regulate Zoning” (“Ordinance”), which Ordinance is effective upon publication. 

WHEREAS, The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners has determined the publication of the title and a summary is prudent due to the lengthy nature of “An Ordinance of Lake of the Woods County to Regulate Zoning” WHEREAS, Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes §§ 375.51 and M.S. 331A.01, Subd. 10, summary publication of a lengthy ordinance is authorized and the County Board may direct that only the title of the Ordinance and a summary be published with notice that a printed copy of the Ordinance is available for inspection by any person during regular office hours at the County Offices; and WHEREAS, Prior to the publication of the title and summary, the County has read and approved the text of the summary and determined that it clearly informs the public of the intent and effect of the Ordinance; and WHEREAS, The County Board finds that the text of the Summary Publication of Ordinance Number 24-12-07 attached clearly informs the public of the nature and intent of the proposed Ordinance. NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS resolves that summary publication of Ordinance Number 24-12-07 “An Ordinance of Lake of the Woods County to Regulate Zoning”  is prudent due to its length . BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED: the publication shall read as follows: 

ORDINANCE ADOPTED by the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners on December 17, 2024 and Summary Publication approved on December 27, 2024 

Set Work Session Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to set a work session for budget review on January 7, 2025 following the regular board meeting.

Adjourn Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously by roll call to adjourn the meeting at 9:45 a.m.