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, February 10,2026 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, Cody Hasbargen, Joe Grund, and Buck Nordlof. Also present was Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent: Commissioner Ed Arnesen was attending a legislative meeting in the cities.
APPROVAL OF AGENDA Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Fast Expert Witness Contract, Letter of Resignation, 2025 Employee Recognition, and Rex Hotel. Remove: Attorney 2026 Contract.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of January 27,2026.
SOCIAL SERVICES Claims Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $7,934.79; Commissioners Warrants $2,100.95; Commissioners Warrants $19,831.98.
Child Support Cooperative Agreement Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the State of Minnesota-County Child Support Cooperative 2 year agreement effective January 1, 2026 and for Social Services Director Amy Ballard, Sheriff Gary Fish, and County Attorney Michelle Moren to sign the same.
Tri-Valley Rural Transportation Services Agreement Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the Tri-Vally Rural Transportation Services Agreement effective January 1, 2026 and for Social Services Director Amy Ballard to sign the same.
Letter of Resignation Human Resources Director Savanna Slick informed the board that Christine Hultman has given a letter of resignation effective July 31, 2026.
Land & Water
Consideration of Interim Use Permit #26-011IU by Woodsmen Properties, LLC
Lot 5, Block 1, East Pine Creek, Section Twenty-nine (29), Township One hundred Sixty-eight (168) North, Range Thirty-four (34) West-Parcel ID# 02.51.01.050. Applicant is requesting an 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
Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the following IUP/Findings of Fact #26-011IU by Woodsmen Properties, LLC to operate a Short-Term Vacation Rental in a Residential Development (R1) Zoning District with the following conditions:
1. The interim use permit terminate five (5) years from the date of approval or upon sale or transfer of the property, whichever occurs first.
2. The maximum occupancy is limited to eight (8) individuals.
3. The established quiet hours are from 10:00 pm to 7:00 a.m.
4. A valid Certificate of Compliance for the septic system is required.
5. No on-street parking is allowed.
6. If applicable, the applicant must meet the Minnesota Department of Health requirements.
7. As per the Winter Agreement, the septic system must receive Certificate of Compliance by July 31,2026.
WCA Letter
Land & Water Director Josh Stromlund reviewed a letter to counties named in legislation for the proposed changes to wetland rules regarding the 8 out 10 rule. It was the consensus of the board to move forward with sending the letter requesting support from these counties.
Topics for Work Session
Land & Water Director Josh Stromlund reviewed topics for the upcoming work session on March 24, 2026 with the DNR.
Informational Item-2025 Zoning Activities
Land & Water Director Josh Stromlund reviewed and informational item regarding 2025 Zoning Activities.
2025 Employee Recognition
Chair Joe Grund presented the 2025 Steven R. Sindelir Memorial Award for Excellence to Keith Grund.
Rex Hotel
Mayor Dylan Hancharyk, Elyce Jensen, and Shawn Ryan discussed the future of the Rex Hotel and requested a work session with County Commissioners.
Set Work Session Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to appoint Commissioners Cody Hasbargen, and Buck Nordlof to have a work session with the City of Baudette regarding the Rex Hotel.
Auditor/Treasurer Claims Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $45,850.84; Road & Bridge $30,389.21; Joint Ditch $4,897.50; Solid Waste $36,266.17; EDA $1,564.28.
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants Approved On 2/10/2026 For Payment 2/13/2026
Vendor Name Amount
Bolton & Menk, Inc 12,390.00
Braun Intertec Corporation 12,058.40
Farmers Union Oil company 3,029.17
Integris LLC 4,480.14
Law Offices of Patrick D. Moren 12,014.66
Mar-Kit Landfill 17,499.60
Mn Dept Of Transportation 10,228.48
Northdale Oil Inc. 5,605.96
Northern Light Region 6,596.61
NW Mn Household Hazardous 6,272.00
R & Q Trucking, Inc 4,176.00
Verus LLC 2,388.00
44 Payments less than 2000 22,228.98
Final Total: 118,968.00
Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: January 28, 2026 for $125,611.94; February 4, 2026 for $77,594.87.
Fast Expert Witness Contract Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the Fast Expert Witness Contract as presented and for County Attorney Michelle Moren to sign the same.
Fair Board- JP Sweet
JP Sweet gave an update regarding the 2026 County Fair and requested approval for a fishing derby and raffle.
Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to approve the request for the Fair Board to host a Fishing Derby and Raffle.
Public Works Updates
County Engineer Anthony Pirkl gave a brief update on various Highway and Solid Waste projects.
Equipment Purchases Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the following equipment purchases:
1. Bobcat $64,786.17
2. Titan Mower $34,000.00
3. ¾ Ton Ford Pickup $51,671.09
CDL Training County Engineer Anthony Pirkl informed the board that Northwest Angle Heavy Equipment Operator Rick McKeever would like to obtain his CDL License for equipment operation and confirmed that CDL training is available for highway employees as approved previously.
Adjourn Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 10:05 a.m.
Attest: February 27, 2026
________________________________ _________________________________
Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson Chair Joe Grund
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