COMMISSIONER PROCEEDINGS
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, January 13,2026 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.
CALL TO ORDER Chair Joe Grund called the meeting to order at 9:00a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Jon Waibel, Ed Arnesen, Cody Hasbargen, Joe Grund, and Buck Nordlof. Also present was Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the agenda.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of December 30,2025.
Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of January 6,2026.
SOCIAL SERVICES Claims Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $28,892.56; Commissioners Warrants $6,131.00; Commissioners Warrants $24,580.27.
Contract Approval-Stellher Human Services Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the contract between Lake of the Woods County and Stellher Human Services for children’s mental health crisis intervention and stabilization services effective January 1, 2026 through December 31, 2026 and for Social Services Director Amy Ballard to sign the same.
Auditor/Treasurer Claims Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $304,867.13; Road & Bridge $80,206.35; Joint Ditch $2,315.00; Solid Waste $49,863.00; EDA $1,500.00.
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants Approved On 1/13/2026 For Payment 1/16/2026
Vendor Name Amount
Air Med Care Network 16,803.00
Bolton & Menk 4,130.00
ByteSpeed, LLC 39,500.00
Clay County Sheriff 3,140.32
Farmers Union Oil company 3,019.53
Integris LLC 2,240.07
KnowBe4, Inc 6,488.25
Larkin Hoffman Attorneys 26,907.50
Mar-Kit Landfill 13,630.50
Mn Assn Of Counties 10,657.00
Mn Counties Computer Co-Op 33,075.00
MN Counties Intergovernmental Trust 198,136.00
Mn County Attorneys Assn 2,098.00
Northdale Oil Inc. 17,819.49
Schneider Geospatial, LLC 28,028.00
U.S. Bank Equipment Finance 6,268.50
Woody's Service 3,097.76
45 Payments less than 2000 23,712.56
Final Total: 438,751.48
Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: December 31, 2025 for $118,893.64; January 8, 2026 for $66,646.41.
Audit Engagement Letter Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the Audit Engagement Letter, for the year ended December 31, 2025, with Hoffman, Philipp, & Martell, PLLC and for the Chair Joe Grund and Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson to sign the same.
Auditors Delinquent Tax Publishing Cost Fee Increase Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, second by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request to increase the delinquent taxes publishing cost fee from $35.00 to $50.00 to offset the rising costs of publication in recent years effective immediately for delinquent year 2025 publishing year 2026.
City of Baudette Cigarette License Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the cigarette license application for the City of Baudette as presented.
Lakewood Nursing Contract Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the contract between Lakewood Health Center and Lake of the Woods County effective January 1, 2026 and for Chair Joe Grund, County Attorney Michelle Moren, and Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson to sign the same.
Public Works Updates
County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave a brief update regarding peatland discussion with the DNR.
Human Resources Grade Increase-Appraiser II to Appraiser III Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request to change Tyler Swanson from Appraiser II to Appraiser III due to completion of certification requirements at Grade 15, Step 7, $35.30 per hour at 339 points effective next full pay period.
Grade Increase-IT Tech Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to change Nicolas Hanson to Grade 15, step 2 at $32.12 per hour at 334 points due to the completion of probation effective next full pay period.
Land & Water Consideration of Conditional Use Permit #25-06CU by Blue Line Consulting, LLC
The NW1/4NW4, Section Nine (9), Township One Hundred Sixty-two (162) North, Range Thirty-four (34) West (Chilgren)-Parcel ID#17.09.22.000. Applicant is requesting an amendment to Conditional Use Permit #22-14CU, to allow an additional structure to operate as a Short-term Vacation Rental in a Rural Residential Development (R2) Zoning District.
Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, and carried unanimously to approve the following Conditional Use Permit/Findings of Fact #25-06CU by Blue Line Consulting, LLC to allow an additional structure to operate as a Short-term Vacation Rental in a Rural Residential Development (R2) Zoning District:
Consideration of Interim Use Permit #25-09IU by SQ Properties, LLC
Lot 4, Block 2, Rainy River Retreat, Section Twenty-four (24), Township One Hundred Sixty-two (162) North, Range Thirty-two (32) West- Parcel ID#19.62.02.040. Applicant is requesting and Interim Use Permit as required by Section 1106 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance to operate a Short-term Vacation Rental in a Residential Development (R1) Zoning District.
Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the following Interim Use Permit/Findings of Fact #25-09IU by SQ Properties, LLC to operate a Short-term Vacation Rental in a Residential Development (R1) Zoning District:
Sheriffs Office-Sergeant Ben Duick Off Highway Vehicle Safety Grant Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the Off Highway Vehicle Safety Grant for 2026 & 2027 in the amount of 18,051.92.
Snowmobile Safety Grant Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the Snowmobile Safety Grant for 2026 & 2027 in the amount of $7,513.12.
Recess
A brief recess took place at 9:30 a.m. and reconvened at 10:00 a.m.
Public Hearing-ATV Ordinance Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to close the regular meeting and open the Public Hearing.
ATV Ordinance Amendment
The board reviewed proposed amendments to the ATV Ordinance.
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to close the Public Hearing and open the regular meeting.
ATV Ordinance Resolution
Resolution
The following resolution was offered by Commissioner Jon Waibel and moved for adoption:
Lake of the Woods County ATV Ordinance
Resolution No. 26-01-05
WHEREAS; Minnesota Statutes §84.92-84.928 generally regulates the use of all terrain vehicles within the right of way for trunk highways, county state aid highways, and county roads; WHEREAS; Minnesota Statutes § 84.928, subd. 6 (c) (2) authorizes counties to enact an ordinance which provides for the operation of all-terrain vehicles; WHEREAS; Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners held a public hearing on January 13, 2026 to hear public comments on the proposed Lake of the Woods ATV Ordinance amendments; NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT; Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners hereby approves the Lake of the Woods ATV Ordinance amendments as presented.
The resolution was seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried.
LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY ORDINANCE
FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF ALL TERRAIN VEHICLES
IN THE PUBLIC RIGHT OF WAY ON ROADS
WITHIN THE COUNTY’S JURISDICTION
THE COUNTY BOARD OF LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY DOES ORDAIN:
Subdivision 1. Purpose and intent.
WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes §84.92-84.928 generally regulate the use of all terrain vehicles within the right of way for trunk highways, county state aid highways, and county roads. Pursuant to Minnesota Statute §84.928, subd. 6 (c)(2) and, consistent with this ordinance, and to provide for the health, safety and welfare of its citizens, and to ensure the integrity of roads falling under the jurisdiction of Lake of the Woods County, this Ordinance is enacted to regulate the use of all-terrain vehicles on county state aid highways, county roads, and unorganized township roads within Lake of the Woods County.WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes § 84.928, subd. 6 (c)(2) authorizes counties to enact an ordinance which provide for the operation of all-terrain vehicle on a road right of way shoulder, or inside bank or slope of a county highway or county state-aid highway if safe operation in the ditch or outside slope is impossible and the county posts the appropriate notice, notwithstanding any law to the contrary. WHEREAS, Lake of the Woods County recognizes that county residents are also interested in using their ATV’s on county maintained roads to access other areas without having to trailer their ATV’s.
Subdivision 2. Definitions. The following definitions apply to this Ordinance:
· ATV or All Terrain Vehicle shall mean a Class 1 All-Terrain Vehicle, as defined in Minn. Stat. §84.92, subd. 9 and Class 2 All-Terrain Vehicle subd. 10.
· County means the County of Lake of the Woods, Minnesota.
· County Maintained Roads means all County State-Aid Highways, County Roads, and Unorganized Township Roads outside of an incorporated municipality located in Lake of the Woods County. State highways and city streets are not included in this ordinance.
Subdivision 3. Findings
WHEREAS, Pursuant to Minnesota Statute §84.928, subd. 6(c), the County makes the following findings:
· That most of the county maintained roads are in an area of the County that is generally flat and contains numerous and extensive lowlands.
· That a portion of the terrain adjacent to these roads is such that travel by ATV’s
in the ditch or outside slopes of such roads is not possible.
· That a portion of County maintained roads do not have ditches and that brush, trees and other vegetation exist immediately adjacent to the edge of the roadway.
· That reconstructed roads have well vegetated slopes and ditch bottoms costing several thousand dollars per mile to establish and should not be damaged or destroyed.
Subdivision 4. Regulations for Operation on County Maintained Roads
· Persons operating all terrain vehicles on any County maintained roadways, outside incorporated municipalities, must operate the all terrain vehicle on the extreme right hand side of the road, making left turns across the road only if it is safe to do so under prevailing conditions
· Persons operating all terrain vehicles within the right of way of any of the county maintained roadways shall not operate their ATV on the inside slope, ditch bottom or outside slope of the right of way.
· Except as otherwise provided in this Ordinance, operation of all terrain vehicles shall be in compliance with Minnesota Statutes §84.92 - 84.928, as well as any other federal, state, or local rule or regulation as it applies to sections in this ordinance.
· No person shall operate an ATV, or other motorized vehicle, on the bike trail between Baudette and the Lake of the Woods School or any other trail where motorized vehicles are prohibited.
· No person shall operate an ATV on Lake of the Woods County maintained roads at a rate of speed greater than reasonable or proper under the surrounding circumstances.
· Persons may be allowed to operate Class 1, Class 2, OHM (off highway motorcycles), and ORV (off road vehicles) on the Lake of the Woods Connector Trail.
Subdivision 5. Information gathering for program
The Lake of the Woods Sheriff’s Office shall collect and compile Incident Case Report data reported to the Sheriff’s Office from the public regarding ATV use on county maintained roads. In addition, complaints received by County Board members will be received and recorded.
Subdivision 6. Penalties
Any person who violates any provision of this ordinance is guilty of a misdemeanor as defined in Minn. Stat. §609.02, subd. 3.
Subdivision 7. Effectuation
This Ordinance, as amended, shall take effect and be in full force January 13, 2026 upon its adoption by the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners, and its publication in the official newspaper of Lake of the WoodsCounty as provided by Minnesota Statutes; unless otherwise terminated by further resolution of the Lake of the Woods County Board.
Recess
A brief recess took place at 10:10 a.m. and reconvened at 10:15 a.m.
Add to Agenda Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to add set work session to the agenda.
Set Work Session Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to set a work session for January 27, 2026 following the regular board meeting.
Adjourn Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:20 a.m.
Attest: January 27, 2026
________________________________ _________________________________
Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson Chair Joe Grund
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