Official Proceedings

Pope County 

Board of Commissioners 

Regular Board Meeting

Tuesday, MARCH 7, 2023

The Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting duly noticed for Tuesday, March 7, 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.  Neil Nelson, County Attorney, and Kersten Kappmeyer, County Administrator, were also present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Agenda and Approval of Official Proceedings for February 21, 2023 were presented by Board Chair. Motion to approve the agenda, made by Gerde and seconded by Lindor, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the Official Proceedings for February 21, 2023, made by Gremmels and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously.

AIS Grant Request – Scandinavian Lake Association – Eurasian watermilfoil control was presented by Ralph Hanson, Land Use Specialist. Motion to approve the application by Scandinavian Lake Association for $14,320 in Aquatic Invasive Species funds, made by Lindor and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously.

Consider Safety Committee Recommendation for Purchase of a Metal Detector with Use of Returned 2022 Safety Funds was presented by Terry Jaworski, Safety Committee and Probation Director. Motion to approve recommended purchase of one Garrett PD 6500i metal detector at a cost of $5,551.54, with $5,032.77 to be paid for out of General Fund balance returned from the Safety Committee budget at the end of 2022, and with the remaining balance of $518.77 from 2023 Safety funds, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously.

Consider Resolution 202304 Retroactively Authorizing the Closing of County Offices on February 23, 2023 was presented by Kersten Kappmeyer, Administrator. Motion to adopt Resolution 202304 retroactively authorizing the closing of County offices on February 23, 2023, made by Gerde and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously.

The Highway Department Monthly Report was presented as an informational item by Brian Giese, Engineer.

Proposed Tax Increment Financing District No. 2-7 – City of Glenwood; Proposed Tax Increment Financing District No. 2-8; Set 2023 Gopher Bounty; and Pay Bills, Supplemental Bills, Per Diems and Employee Reimbursements were presented by Stephanie Rust, Auditor/Treasurer. Materials on the Proposed Tax Increment Financing District Nos. 2-7 and 2-8 in the City of Glenwood were presented as informational items to the Board. Motion to set the 2023 Gopher Bounty Reimbursement Rate at 50% of the township rate not to exceed $2.25 per gopher and requiring townships to submit their adopted minutes with their gopher bounty rate to the Pope County Auditor-Treasurer, made by Gerde and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve payment of bills of $104,291.35 plus supplemental bills of $4,000.00 plus employee reimbursements of $434.55, totaling $108,725.90, made by Lindor and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. 

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

Informational updates were given by the County Attorney, County Administrator and Commissioners. The Board recessed at 10:28 AM, and reconvened at 10:35 AM at the call of the Chair. 

Motion to convene in closed session pursuant to Minnesota Statute section 13D.05, Subd. 3(b) and attorney-client privilege to discuss the matter of State ex rel. Peters Sunset Beach, Inc., et al. v. County of Pope, File No. 61-CV-22-310 with its attorney, made by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. The Board entered closed session at 10:37 AM. Motion to end closed session and return to open session, made by Lindor and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. The Board returned to open session at 11:57 AM.

Conclusion its discussions, and there being no other business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 12:09 PM.

Kersten Kappmeyer,

County Administrator

Gordy Wagner,

Chair of the Board

March 27