Lake of the Woods County Board Commissioners Meeting Proceedings

                                                                     July 22, 2025

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

APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: HCSP Contribution. APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of July 8, 2025. SOCIAL SERVICESClaims Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $11,265.20; Commissioners Warrants $1,865.11; Commissioners Warrants $28,062.15.

Human Resources Permission to Advertise, Interview, & Hire-Social Worker Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the request to advertise, interview, & hire a Social Worker at Grade 15, Step 1, $30.27 per hour at 332 points.

Permission to Advertise, Interview, & Hire-Eligibility Worker Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request to advertise, interview, & hire a Eligibility Worker at Grade 11, Step 1, $24.89 per hour at 262 points.

HCSP Contribution  Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request to allow a HCSP contribution for Joanna Onstad.

Department of Natural Resources Ditch Modifications at Winter Road Lake Peatland Scientific & Natural Area (SNA) Meredith Cornett and Torin McCormack provided a presentation on the design for ditch modifications at winter road lake peatland scientific and natural area. It was the consensus of the board to continue with the design project. Public Works Updates County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave an update on various projects and discussed the ongoing clean up and restoration of the landfill building that was lost in a fire. Set Public Hearing Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to set a public hearing for August 12, 2025 at 10:00 a.m. for an ordinance violation. Auditor/Treasurer Claims Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $128,716.02; Road & Bridge $244,383.50; Road & Bridge $1,384.22; County Development $300.00; Joint Ditch $6,314.70; Solid Waste $60,123.47; EDA $1,413.56.

WHEREAS; the Fraternal Order of Police NW MN #8 has submitted a Minnesota Lawful Gambling LG220 Application for Exempt Permit Gambling to be conducted at the following establishment, which is located in Lake of the Woods County: Sportsman’s Lodge 2/23/2026  Sportsman’s Lodge 3244 Bur Oak Rd NW Baudette, MN 56623 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners hereby approves said application for submission to the Minnesota Gambling Control Board.

Sheriff NG911 Update Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to use a vendor to upload information for the NG911 state project using information provided by GIS. Koochiching Jail Update Koochiching County District 4 Commissioner Jason Sjoblom met with the board to provide an update on the progress of their new jail building. Mr. Sjoblom also provided a document with images of the new jail. Legislative Updates Senator Steve Green and Representative Bidal Duran met with the board to answer questions and gave an update that included: Williams School, Jail Bonding, DOC processes, and appropriations. Add to Agenda Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to add Wikstrom Letter of Support to the agenda. Wikstrom Letter of Support-BEAD Grant Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve a letter of support for a BEAD Grant that would provide fiber services to the area. Adjourn Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 11:50 a.m.