Official Proceedings

Pope County 

Board of Commissioners 

Regular Board Meeting

Tuesday, FEBRUARY 21, 2023

The Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting duly noticed for Tuesday, February 21, 2023, at the Pope County Courthouse, 3rd Floor Board Room, 130 E Minnesota Avenue, Glenwood, MN 56334 was called to order at 9:00 AM by the Chair, Gordy Wagner, with the following Board Members also present: Paul Gerde, Paul Gremmels, Larry Lindor, and Paul Wildman.  Kersten Kappmeyer, County Administrator, and Neil Nelson, County Attorney, were also present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Agenda; Approval of Official Proceedings for February 7, 2023; and Amend Commissioner Member Appointment for Pope County to the Lakeland Mental Health Center Board were presented by Board Chair. Motion to approve the agenda as amended with the addition of Auditor Bills – January 11, 2023 to February 14, 2023, made by Gerde and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the Official Proceedings for February 7, 2023 as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve amended appointment of Commissioner Paul Gerde as the Commissioner representative to the Lakeland Mental Health Board, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously.

Public Hearing – Consider 5-Year Road Improvement Program; Approval of Ad for Bids for SP 088-070-073; and Approval of Tandem Truck Equipment Purchases were presented by Brian Giese, Engineer. Motion to open the public hearing on the Proposed Pope County 5-Year Road Improvement Plan, made by Gerde and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. The public hearing was opened at 9:05 AM. Engineer Giese presented information on the proposed 5-year plan, including exhibits on pavement condition on the County road system. Public comment was solicited by the Chair, and none was offered. Motion to close the public hearing on the Proposed Pope County 5-Year Road Improvement Plan, made by Wildman and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. The public hearing was closed at 9:38 AM. Motion to adopt Resolution 202303 adopting the Pope County 5-Year Road Improvement Plan as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the advertisement for bids for the construction of SP 088-070-073, made by Gerde and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to authorize the purchase of two 2024 HV513 tandem trucks from North Central International and equipment from Towmaster Equipment in 2023 per applicable state contract pricing, made by Wildman and seconded by Lindor, Carried Unanimously.

Consider Second Additional Appropriation to Pope County HRA-EDA for Fremad Area Site Redevelopment; and Consider Adoption of 2023 Pope County Legislative Priorities were presented by Kersten Kappmeyer, Administrator. Motion to approve appropriation of $100,402.74 to the HRA-EDA for costs of the Fremad Area Site Redevelopment, payable to the closing agent on behalf of the Pope County HRA-EDA for acquisition of Parcel 21-0197-001, and to direct the Auditor-Treasurer to issue payment forthwith. This motion, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. Motion to adopt Pope County Legislative Priorities for 2023 as presented, made by Wildman and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. The major priorities adopted were to Provide Local Tax Relief by Increasing County Program Aid, Assure Adequate Funding for Rural Transportation Infrastructure, Protect County-Based Purchasing, Support SCORE Grants and End the General Fund Drain on the Solid Waste Management Tax, and Promote Child Care Availability to Benefit Local Families and Economies.

January 2023 Trial Balance and Fund Balance Analysis; Auditor Bills – January 11, 2023 – February 14, 2023; and Pay Bills, Supplemental Bills, Per Diems and Employee Reimbursements were presented by Stephanie Rust, Auditor/Treasurer. Motion to approve the January 2023 Trial Balance and Fund Balance Analysis, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. Auditor Bills was presented as informational item. Motion to approve payment of bills of $123,366.62 plus supplemental bills of $10,287.24 plus per diems and employee reimbursements of $4,055.55, totaling $137,709.41, made by Gerde and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously.

Informational updates were given by the County Attorney, County Administrator and Commissioners.  

There being no other business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 11:03 AM.

Kersten Kappmeyer,

County Administrator

Gordy Wagner,

Chair of the Board

March 13