February 25, 2025
pursuant to MN. Statute 331A.01, subd. 10
the published material is only a summary and the full text is available
for public inspection at the lake of the woods county auditor/treasurers’ office
or by standard mail or electronic mail or lake of the woods county
website -
www.lake-of-the-woods.mn.us
The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, February 25, 2025
in the ITV room at the Lake of the Woods School.
High School Social Studies teacher, Mr. Sam Longseth
Mr. Sam Longseth thanked the Commissioners for meeting at the School so his students could attend and participate in the meeting. Also present was retired Social Studies teacher Don Krause.
Call To Order
Chair Jon Waibel called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Jon Waibel, Joe Grund, and Cody Hasbargen. Also present was County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson and Deputy Auditor-Treasurer Anna Sanchez. Absent: Commissioners: Ed Arnesen, and Buck Nordlof. The Board introduced themselves to the students and which districts they represented.
Approval of Agenda Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Boat & Water update. Remove: Pine to Prairie.
Approval of Minutes Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of February 11, 2025.
Boat & Water Update Sergeant Ben Duick gave a boat & water update and gave examples of times when a safe boat would be used on Lake of the Woods. Mr. Duick also gave an overview of his position working with the sheriff’s department.
Public Works County Engineer Anthony Pirkl introduced himself to the class and gave an overview of his position at the County. Mr. Pirkl also discussed the schooling required to become an Engineer. Mr. Pirkl also gave an update on various highway projects.
Lake of the Woods Treatment Court Judge Donna Dixon, County Attorney Michelle Moren, Probation Supervisor Keegan Foss and Treatment Court Coordinator Twyla Sondreal presented on the process and the purpose of the Lake of the Woods Treatment Court. A current treatment member spoke to the board and students about how the treatment courts can help lead people living with substance use out of the justice system and into lives of recovery and stability and his own experiences with this program.
DNR Fisheries (Matt Skoog)
DNR Fisheries Supervisor Matt Skoog gave an update about the sturgeon and walleye population and discussed the process for tracking the movements of fish and the Creel survey.
Toward Zero Death
TZD Coordinator Sue Johnson, State Aid Engineer Brian Ketring, and Lieutenant Brad Norland, met with the board and discussed the importance of safe driving. Mr. Norland had students volunteer to re-enact a crash caused by poor decision making and reckless driving.
Social Services Jodi Ferrier introduced herself and gave an overview of the Social Services department.
Claims Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $11,093.82; Commissioners Warrants $3,500.91; Commissioners Warrants $4,115.64.
Auditor/Treasurer
County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson introduced herself to the students and gave an overview of the Auditor/Treasurer department and services.
Claims Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $106,981.19; Road & Bridge $20,411.42; Solid Waste $34,299.33; EDA $2,015.25.
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants Approved On 2/25/2025 For Payment 2/28/2025
Vendor Name Amount
Americinn Of Baxter 2,520.70
Avenu Insights & Analytics 7,603.77
BAYCOM, INC. 15,996.00
ByteSpeed, LLC 6,513.99
Counties Providing Technology 4,452.00
GM Construction Inc 7,985.00
Guardian Fleet Safety 24,091.17
Larkin Hoffman Attorneys 2,000.00
Mar-Kit Landfill 16,024.00
Marco Technologies LLC 2,289.67
Motorola Solutions, Inc 23,149.42
Northern Light Region 2,987.93
Quadient Finance USA Inc. 6,000.00
Rainy Lake Oil, Inc 3,315.64
Sandpieper Design Inc. 2,435.25
U.S. Bank Equipment Finance 6,268.50
Voice Products 3,500.00
WIDSETH 2,212.50
48 Payments less than 2000 24,361.65
Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: February 12, 2025 for $37,592.34; February 18, 2025 for $279,661.29; February 19, 2025 for $63,965.38
Prevention Coalition
Sandy Peterson and Doris Knutson gave a powerpoint presentation about the prevention program and the different groups of students they work with. They also answered questions from the students about different opioids and the use of Narcan.
Mike Hirst-Letter of Support
Soil & Water District Resource Conservationist Mike Hirst gave an overview of the Keep it Clean Committee and requested a letter of support from the board of commissioners to support HF1120 as introduced.
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the Letter of Support for HF1120 Keep it Clean Committee to keep Lake of the Woods free of waste and for Chair Jon Waibel to sign the same.
Department of Corrections
District Supervisor Janelle Cheney and Probation Supervisor Keegan Foss discussed different programs for rehabilitations through the Department of Corrections and the schooling required for a career path in this field.
Old/New Business
The board discussed the County Life Flight contract with Guardian and the benefits offered to residents.
Adjourn Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 3:05p.m.
Attest: March 11, 2025
______________________________ _________________________________
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson Chair Jon Waibel
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