County Board acts on road vacation in Pitt, gives extension on wetlands appeal

At their January 10th meeting the Lake of the Woods County Commissioners acted on a petition from Bertel and Nancy Anundson to vacate two never-used county roadways which cross their property in Pitt. During a public hearing conducted after recessing their regular meeting, the commissioners viewed the plat map of Pitt showing Sanborn Avenue and Main Street - neither of which were ever physically constructed - crossing in Anundson's back yard along with several smaller alley ways and accesses, all of which are completely surrounded by Anundson property.

Pitt Church pastor Wes Hasbargen spoke up wanting to make sure that there would still be access to the church's parking area from the east since there is no marked street or access along the boundary between Anundson's and the church. There were no other comments or objections from neighboring property owners. "That road which crosses the tracks," began Commissioner Arnesen.

"Stops at the Pitt Road," finished Anundson.

The commissioners closed the public meeting, reopened their regular meeting, and unanimously adopted Resolution 23-01: Vacation of those roads within the plat of Pitt.

In other county-related business the commissioners:

• Paid the Social Services Claims as presented by Social Services Director Amy Ballard. The commissioners also approved - with Commissioner Hasbargen abstaining - a purchase agreement with Northland Counseling for Clinical Supervision and CTSS Services for Children.

• Paid the Auditor/Treasurer's claims withholding one for further review when presented by Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson. An Engagement Letter with Hoffman Phillip & Knutson, PLLC of Thief River Falls for the year 2022 was also approved.

• Heard from outgoing EDA Director Ryan Zemek. Zemek told the board that he would be happy to act in an advisory capacity while the board finds a new director for the Economic Development Authority. "The job needs to be a full time role in the county," he said, "and really needs to be more of a personality than a skill set. They need to be a people person."

After thanking Zemek for his time serving the county Board Chair Arnesen commented, "you should put together a job description."

• Had a brief over the phone conversation with County Engineer A.J. Pirkl about the Highway Department, the Landfill, and if legislation needs to be reintroduced in St. Paul about tearing down the Williams School.

• Authorized HR Director Savanna Slick to hire Cory Olson as a Heavy Equipment Operator at Grade 11, Step 1, $22.28/hour. Slick and the commissioners also discussed how more state and federal dollars would be paid to the county if Social Services replaced a soon to retire Case Aide with a Social Worker.

• Discussed and renewed the City Law Enforcement Contract with the Sheriff's Department. Sheriff Fish also discussed drawing up a memorandum of understanding for the next board meeting about seeking funding to build a 90-day jail facility.

• The meeting was recessed at 10:18 a.m. by Board Chair Arnesen, and reopened at 1 p.m. for a public hearing on a wetlands appeal by Robert and Jennifer Audette. After considerable discussion, the public hearing was closed, the regular meeting reopened and the Audettes were given a 30 day extension to deal with possible square foot for square foot wetland replacement on their own property. The subject will be revisited during the February 14th commissioners meeting at 1 p.m.

There being no further business to conduct, Board Chair Ed Arnesen recessed the meeting at 2:14 p.m.