Official Proceedings Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting Tuesday, September 6, 2022

The Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting duly noticed for Tuesday, September 6, 2022 at the Pope County Courthouse, 1st Floor Community Room, 130 E Minnesota Avenue, Glenwood, MN 56334 was called to order at 9:00 am by the Chair, Larry Lindor, with the following Board Members also present: Paul Gerde, Nan Haggerty, Cody Rogahn, and Gordy Wagner.  County Administrator Kersten Kappmeyer and County Attorney Neil Nelson were also present.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Agenda and Approval of Official Proceedings for August 16, 2022 were presented by the Board Chair. Motion to approve the agenda as presented, made by Gerde and seconded by Rogahn, Carried Unanimously.  Motion to approve the Official Proceedings for the August 16, 2022 meeting as presented, made by Haggerty and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously.

2021 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) was presented by Tim Riley, Sheriff. Motion to approve 2021 EMPG Grant in the amount of $17,269.00 as presented, made by Rogahn and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously.

New Employee Introduction, Consider Resolution 202239 Amending the Pope County Land Use Controls Ordinance: Section 10.3.6 Non-Confinement Feeding Areas, Interim Use Permit – Mining and Extraction (Hancock Concrete, Glenwood Township), Conditional Use Permit – Recreational Vehicle Park Proposal (Schirmers, Leven Township), Conditional Use Permit – New Feedlot (Walker, Leven Township), Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Grant Request – City of Starbuck, and North Fork Crow River One Watershed, One Plan (1W1P) Plan Amendment were presented by David Green, Land & Resource Management Director.  New employee Ariel Hughes, Land Use Specialist, appeared before the Board for introductions and was welcomed to employment with Pope County. Motion to adopt Resolution 202239 in support of the amendment of section 10.3.6 of the Pope County Land Use Controls Ordinance as presented, made by Rogahn and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve of the Interim Use Permit application by Hancock Concrete for expansion of an existing aggregate mining operation with conditions and findings as prepared in the August 25th, 2022 staff report to the Planning Advisory Commission, made by Gerde and seconded by Haggerty, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve of the Conditional Use Permit application of Schirmers for a Recreational Vehicle Park with conditions and findings as prepared in the August 25th staff report to the Planning Advisory Commission, made by Gerde and seconded by Haggerty, Carried by the following vote: Ayes: Gerde, Haggerty, Lindor; Nays: Rogahn, Wagner. Motion to approve the Conditional Use Permit application of Walker to establish a new feedlot with conditions and findings as prepared in the August 25th staff report to the Planning Advisory Commission, made by Wagner and seconded by Rogahn, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve of grant request by City of Starbuck for Aquatic Invasive Species Prevention Aid funds from Pope County in the amount of $28,000, made by Haggerty and seconded by Rogahn, Carried Unanimously. Motion to support the proposed North Fork Crow River 1W1P amendment process, made by Gerde and seconded by Rogahn, Carried Unanimously.

Highway Department Monthly Update and Consider Resolution 202240 Establishing the Pope County Bridge Replacement Priority List were presented by Brian Giese, Engineer. An informational report was delivered to the Board regarding current Highway Department activities. Motion to adopt Resolution 202240 establishing a Pope County Bridge Replacement Priority List as presented, made by Haggerty and seconded by Rogahn, Carried Unanimously. 

Request to Authorize Agreement with Eagleview for Imagery Flights in 2023 and 2026 was presented by Bryan Gates, Information Technology Director. Motion to approve entry into a new six-year agreement with Eagleview for flights in 2023 and 2026 with six-inch image resolution at an annual cost of $30,635 as presented, made by Wagner and seconded by Haggerty, Carried Unanimously.

Set General Election Canvassing; Investment Options and Interest Rate Discussion; and Pay Bills, Supplemental Bills, Per Diems and Employee Reimbursements were presented by Stephanie Rust, Auditor/Treasurer. Motion to set the General Election Canvassing for November 16, 2022 at 9am in the Pope County Courthouse 2nd Floor Conference Room and appoint Commissioner Haggerty and Commissioner Wagner to serve on the Board, made by Rogahn and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. An informational discussion was held with Board members regarding various current investment vehicles for the County and future options to consider for investments among local banks and the MAGIC fund. Motion to approve the payment of bills of $148,294.76 plus supplemental bills of $4,058.58 plus per diems and employee reimbursements of $1,060.54, totaling $153,413.88, made by Haggerty and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously.

The Board recessed the meeting at 11:03 am, and returned to session at 11:13 am.

Approval of the Per Diem Expense Reports was presented by the Board Chair. Motion to enter the Per Diem Expense Reports into the record, made by Wagner and seconded by Rogahn, Carried Unanimously.

Pope County Dental Plan was presented by Jackie Stevens, Human Resources Director. Motion to authorize changing the Pope County dental plan provider for employees from The Standard to Sun Life effective January 1, 2023 as presented, made by Haggerty and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously.

Closed Session – Confidential briefing and communication on labor negotiation strategy pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.03 was presented by the Board Chair. 

Motion to authorize convening in closed session pursuant to Minnesota Statute 13D.03 for a briefing and discussion on labor negotiations with the various union bargaining units set to negotiate new successor labor agreements beginning January 1, 2023, made by Haggerty and seconded by Rogahn, Carried Unanimously.  The Board entered into closed session at 11:26 am. Motion to conclude closed session and reconvene the meeting in open session, made by Rogahn and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously. The Board entered open session at 12:16 pm.

Informational updates were given by the County Administrator and Commissioners.

There being no other business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by Chair Lindor at 12:59 pm.

Kersten Kappmeyer, 

County Administrator

Larry Lindor, 

Chairman of the Board

Sept. 26