Lake of the Woods County Board Commissioners Meeting Proceedings

                                                                     August 12, 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 Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: PMLA, Auditors Office, and Closed Session.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of July 22, 2025.

SOCIAL SERVICES Claims Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $19,839.00; Commissioners Warrants $4,304.72; Commissioners Warrants $16,930.95.

WHEREAS: Joanna Onstad has served the residents of Lake of the Woods County since September 28, 2015 as a Lake of the Woods County Social Worker; WHEREAS: Joanna Onstad has resigned from Lake of the Woods County service effective August 8, 2025 with 10 years of service; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners extends its deepest appreciation to Joanna Onstad for her dedicated service and best wishes to her; The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and the same being put to a vote was unanimously carried.

Recorder County Recorder Sue Ney requested approval of CIC No. 5 Baudette Mancaves and CIC No. 6 Youngs Bay Mancaves.

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve CIC No. 5 Baudette Mancaves and authorize the Chairman and the Auditor-Treasurer to sign the same.

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve CIC No. 6 Youngs Bay Mancaves and authorize the Chairman and the Auditor-Treasurer to sign the same.

Sheriff Deputy Approval Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve Wyatt Shaw as Deputy Sheriff at Grade 16, Step 1, $30.71 per hour at 323 points effective August 3, 2025.

Purchase Approval-Keyboard for Squad PC Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the purchase of a keyboard for a squad car pc in the amount of $629.00 to be paid for out of the Sheriff’s budget.

Department of Corrections Janelle Cheney and Keegan Foss from Department of Corrections gave an overview of their departments and programs that work with Lake of the Woods County and reviewed the district budget plan for 2026.

Veterans Office Discussion The board discussed possible locations for the Veterans Services Officer office. It was the consensus of the board to approve the use of the Commissioners room for veterans services on Mondays.

Public Works Updates County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave an update on various highway and landfill projects.

CSAH 2 Borings Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the CSAH 2 borings project in the amount of $24,148.00.

Equipment Rental for Demolition Cap Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the rental of equipment for the demolition cap in the amount of $25,000.00 per month.

Blue Blade Policy County Engineer Anthony Pirkl and the Board of Commissioners reviewed the blue blade policy. There was no action taken at this time. They recommended Anthony Pirkl, Eric Solo, and Josh Stromlund review and update the policy and bring it back to the next board meeting.

Recess A brief recess took place at 9:50 a.m. and reconvened at 10:00 a.m.

PUBLIC HEARING Motion  was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to close the regular meeting and open the public hearing at 10:00 a.m.

Public Hearing Chair Jon Waibel opened the public hearing with the following members present: Commissioners: Jon Waibel, Cody Hasbargen, Joe Grund, Ed Arnesen and Buck Nordlof. Also Present was: Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson, County Attorney Michelle Moren, County Engineer Anthony Pirkl, Land & Water Director Josh Stromlund, Attorney Al Fish, James Meikle, and concerned citizens.

Ordinance Violation-Structure Located in Right of Way of CSAH 8 The board was presented evidence from all parties regarding the Tobin Fisheries building located in the right of way of CSAH 8 and discussed various options for solution. Members of the public were also given the opportunity to offer their opinions. No action was taken at this time.

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to close the public hearing and open the regular meeting.

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously with Commissioner Buck Nordlof abstaining to extend the negotiation period for 60 days and for Commissioners Jon Waibel and Ed Arnesen to be on the negotiation committee to review options and report back to the board.

Wiktel-Brian Wikstrom Brian Wikstrom from Wiktel gave an update on the progress of installing high speed internet across the region.

Auditor/Treasurer Claims Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $169,135.96; Road & Bridge $113,671.18; County Development $200.00; Solid Waste $51,383.45; EDA $1,836.15.

Contract Approval-General Management Group Cost Allocation Plan Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the contract between Lake of the Woods County and General Management Group for the cost allocation plan for the years 2025,2026,2027,2028, and 2029.

Set Budget Dates Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to set the budget meeting dates for September 3, 2025, September 4, 2025, and September 5, 2025.

Paid Medical Leave Act (PMLA) Committee Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to create a PMLA Committee with Commissioners Cody Hasbargen and Buck Nordlof with Commissioner Joe Grund as an alternate.

Acceptance of Notice of Retirement Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to accept the notice of retirement from Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson effective November 30, 2025.

Permission to Advertise Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the request to advertise for the Auditor-Treasurer position.

RECESS A brief recess took place at 11:27 a.m. and reconvened at 12:30.

Set Work Session Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to set a work session for Koochiching Jail on August 26, 2025 following the regular board meeting.

WHEREAS, the Minnesota Open Meeting Law, Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, subd. 3(b) states that “meetings may be closed if the closure is expressly authorized by statute or permitted by the attorney-client privilege”; and

WHEREAS, Lake of the Woods County, has received complaints with implicit threats of litigation from Jared Martinson and R&E LOW LLC regarding land use decisions made by county employees;   WHEREAS, the Lake of the Woods County Board seeks to meet with its attorney, to discuss the litigation threats; and WHEREAS, it would be detrimental to the interests of the Lake of the Woods County Board to hold a public discussion with its attorney regarding the strengths and weaknesses of its legal position(s), strategy, and potential settlement position regarding the pending lawsuit where an opposing party or opposing attorney could listen to or be made aware of Lake of the Woods County’s positions; and

WHEREAS, there is an absolute need for the Lake of the Woods County Board to obtain confidential legal advice regarding the potential settlement modifications in order to maintain the attorney-client privilege. BE IT RESOLVED by the Lake of the Woods County Board as follows:The Lake of the Woods County Board hereby closes this meeting based upon the attorney-client privilege pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 13D.05, subd. 3(b); and The specific subjects to be discussed, pursuant to Minn. Stat. § 13D.01, subd. 3, are the legal strategy regarding the implicit threats of litigation from Jared Martinson and R&E LOW LLC regarding land use decisions made by county employees. Adopted by the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners, Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota this 12th day of August, 2025. 

Adjourn Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 1:10p.m.