Lake of the Woods County Board Commissioners Proceedings for June 9, 2026

                                                               June 09, 2026

The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, June 9,2026 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: Joe Grund, Cody Hasbargen, Ed Arnesen, Jon Waibel and Buck Nordlof. Also present was County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. 

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: DNR Data Request, NWA Northerly Park Resolution, LowBoy Trailer, NWA meeting, set work session for Ditch Authority Public Hearing, and maintenance boiler.

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of May 26, 2026.

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $9,031.38; Commissioners Warrants $2,882.94; Commissioners Warrants $15,784.40.

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $90,803.91; Road & Bridge $8,107.54; Solid Waste $3,712.62.

Vendor Name                                                                                                                    Amount

ByteSpeed, LLC                                                                                                                 2,425.64

Just For Kix                                                                                                                         3,075.00

Law Offices Of Patrick D. Moren                                                                               12,538.66

Northdale Oil Inc.                                                                                                            3,580.72

Pennington County Sheriff Office                                                                             18,082.37

Pictometry International,Corp.                                                                                  38,020.00

SeaChange Print Innovations                                                                                      3,431.70

Tillery/Dale                                                                                                                         2,602.73

43 Payments less than 2000                                                                                        18,867.25

Final Total                                                                                                                           102,624.07

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: May 27th for $1,175,754.50; June 3rd for $2,267,704.21; June 2nd for $546,891.64.

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the following resolution: 

 A RESOLUTION TO APPROVE STATE OF MINNESOTA SPECIAL LAW AUTHORIZING ISSUANCE OF TEMPORARY LIQUOR LICENSES ON PREMISES OF BAUDETTE ARENA ASSOCIATION 

WHEREAS, on April 14, 2026, the Minnesota Senate approved SF 2511(“Special Law”) authorizing Lake of the Woods County to issue temporary liquor licenses pursuant to law for premises of the Baudette Arena Association even if said premises were within 1,500 feet of public school property not located in a city. 

WHEREAS, on April 20, 2026, SF 2511 was presented to Governor Timothy Walz and was subsequently approved by Governor Walz on April 21, 2026 and filed with the Minnesota Secretary of State on April 21, 2026. 

WHEREAS, said Special Law authorizes: 

Issuance of temporary liquor licenses by Lake of the Woods County pursuant to law for premises of the Baudette Arena Association, without regard to the restriction set forth in Minnesota Statutes, section 340A.412, subdivision 4, paragraph (a), clause (7). 

WHEREAS, the Special Law is effective the day after the governing body of Lake of the Woods County and its chief clerical officer comply with Minnesota Statutes, section 645.021.  

WHEREAS, at a regular Board meeting held on June 9, 2026, the Board of Commissioners of Lake of the Woods County reviewed and discussed the Special Law. 

WHEREAS,  following discussion and by unanimous vote of all of the members of the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners, the Special Law was approved. 

WHEREAS, the Board of Commissioners directed chief clerical officer, Lorene Hanson, Lake of the Woods County Auditor-Treasurer to file with the Secretary of State of Minnesota, a certification stating the essential facts necessary to validly approve the Special Law including a copy of the Resolution. 

 NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS LAKE OF THE WOODS COUNTY, MINNESOTA AS FOLLOWS: 

1.     By unanimous vote, the Board of Commissioners of Lake of the Woods County accepts and approves the Special Law (SF 2511) which was approved by the Governor on April, 21, 2026.   

2.     The Chief clerical officer of Lake of the Woods County, Lorene Hanson, Lake of the Woods County Auditor-Treasurer shall forthwith file a certificate with the Minnesota Secretary of State stating the essential facts necessary to confirm valid approval of said Special Law.   

Adopted by the Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners, Lake of the Woods County, Minnesota this 9th day of June,  2026.  

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve Rainy River Refrigeration for $56,500 for a boiler replacement with redundancy and system restoration for Social Services.

County Recorder Sue Ney swore in the members of the Lake of the Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization for 2026 to be held on June 15, 2026.

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to set a Ditch Work Session for July 14th following the Board Meeting.

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Buck Nordlof and carried unanimously to adopt the following resolution:

.

WHEREAS, Lake of the Woods County has a right and authority to act as Legal Sponsor for the State Grant Application (the “Application”) and will work with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (“DNR”), in developing a Grant Agreement relating to the funding which may be awarded by the GMRPTC.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, That Lake of the Woods County certifies it has read and understands the Office of Grants Management Conflict of Interest Policy 08-01, will maintain an adequate Conflict of Interest Policy and monitor and report any actual, potential, or perceived conflicts of interest to the GMRPTC and DNR.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Lake of the Woods County confirms all of the information in its Application and further confirms that it has no expectation of, or entitlement to, reimbursement of costs incurred prior to grant agreement execution date and, if applicable, it has not entered into a written purchase agreement to acquire property described in its Application if grant funds are to be used for the purchase. 

BE IT FURTHE RESOLVED, that Lake of the Woods County has or will acquire a fee interest ownership or permanent easement over the land described in the Application for regional parks and regional special feature parks as applicable. Lake of the Woods County has or will acquire a fee interest, permanent or perpetual easement or minimum twenty (20) year lease over the land described in the Application for regional trails or regional special feature parks, as applicable and approved, before the project proceeds.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Lake of the Woods County agrees that it will comply with all applicable laws, regulations and requirements as stated in the Grant Agreement with the DNR, including dedicating the park property for uses consistent with the grant agreement into perpetuity or for trails, committing to maintain the trails for a period of not less than twenty (20) years, and dedicating all land acquired under the project for uses consistent with the grant agreement into perpetuity.

BE IT FURTHER UNDERSTOOD, that the GMRPTC will confirm at such time that it has made the award of funds authorizing a Grant Agreement to be developed between the DNR and Lake of the Woods County.

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the bid plus fees up to $75,000 for the 2025 Low Boy.

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the fees of $850.00 for our data request to the DNR for timber forest files.

The S1/2SE1/4SE1/4, Section 18, Township 162 North, Range 34 W-Parcel ID#17.18.44.010. Applicant is requesting an Interim Use Permit as required by Sections 1106 of the Lake of the woods County Zoning Ordinance, to operate a short-term vacation rental in a Rural Residential Zoning District (R2).

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, and carried unanimously to approve the following Interim Use Permit #26-02IU by Curt & Joyce Claypool to operate a short-term vacation rental in a Rural Residential Zoning District (R2):

Name of Applicant: Curt & Joyce Claypool   Application Number: 26-02IU          Date: June 9, 2026

 Location/Legal Description: S½SE¼SE¼, Section 18, T. 162N, R.34W        Parcel Number: 17.18.44.010

Project Proposal:  Applicant is requesting an Interim Use Permit, as required by Sections 1106 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance, to operate a short-term vacation rental in a Rural Residential Zoning District (R2).

1)    Is the project proposal consistent with the Lake of the Woods County Comprehensive Land Use Plan?                                                                                                                                        YES (X) NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  Resort and recreational destination. Promote local tourism.

2)    Is the project proposal consistent with maintaining the public health, safety, and welfare?

If yes, explain?  Applicant has met the criteria as per the submitted application.   

3)    Is the project proposal compatible with adjacent land uses?                               YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  This type of use is allowed in a Rural Residential (R2) Zoning District.

4)    Is the site in harmony with existing and proposed access to the property?         YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  Property has access from County Road 8.

5)    Has the applicant adequately demonstrated how the traffic and parking are to be addressed?                                                        YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  Applicant indicates parking on site as per the submitted application. No on-street parking is to be allowed.

6)    Has the applicant provided a map adequately depicting locations of property lines, well and septic system locations, accessory structures, parking areas, and shore recreational facilities?

Explain?  As per the submitted application.

7)    Does the water test meet the Minnesota Department of Health drinking water standards?                                                                                                                                                               YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  The water test results are part of the submitted application.

8)    Has the applicant identified the maximum number of occupants?                      YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  The maximum number of occupants is limited to ten (10) people as per the submitted application.

9)    Is the current SSTS compliant by evidence of a Certificate of Compliance and is the SSTS adequate to accommodate the identified maximum occupancy?                                                                                                           YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain? The current septic system has been issued a Certificate of Compliance and is sized accordingly for the maximum occupancy of 10 individuals.

10) Has the applicant established quiet hours?                                                           YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  As per the submitted application, the quiet hours are 10:00 pm to 7:00 am.

11) Has the applicant provided a floor plan which includes the number of bedrooms and all other sleeping accommodations?                                                                                               YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  See submitted application.

12) Has the applicant provided an evacuation plan/fire safety protocol and have identified the locations of smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers?                             YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  See submitted application.

13)  Has the applicant identified a local person and their contact information?       YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  See submitted application.

14) If signage is associated with the project proposal, has the applicant demonstrated the need for the number and size requested, and minimized the visual appearance as viewed from adjacent properties to the extent possible?  

Explain?  No signage is proposed.

15) Is fencing and/or screening needed to buffer the project proposal from adjacent properties?

Explain?  No fencing and/or screening is warranted as this is a 20-acre site with no immediately adjacent neighbors.

The answers to the questions above, together with the facts supporting the answers and those other facts that exist in the record, are hereby certified to be the Findings of the County Board of Commissioners.

The specific reasons for denial or conditions of approval are as follows:

            June 9, 2026                                         _____________________________________

                        Date                                                                             Joe Grund

                                                                                                        Chair, County Board

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the 2026 State Boat and Water Grant for $11,183.

Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to set a work session for discussion on the Law Enforcement Facility July 28th, 2026 following the board meeting.

Motion was made by Commissioner Buck Nordlof, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 9:55 a.m.

Attest:                                                                         June 16, 2026

________________________________                    _________________________________

Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson                              Chair Joe Grund