Official Proceedings

Pope County 

Board of Commissioners 

Regular Board Meeting

Tuesday, April 23, 2023

Before the meeting was called to order, Board Chair Gordy Wagner asked the members and staff and guests assembled to observe a moment of silence in recognition of the sacrifice and service of Deputy Joshua Owen of the Pope County Sheriff’s Office, who passed away from injuries sustained in the line of duty on April 15, 2023.  Remarks were also offered by the Chair and Board members, with many members of the Pope County staff also present. 

Thereafter, the Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting duly noticed for Tuesday, April 18, 2023 at the Pope County Courthouse, 3rd Floor Board Room, 130 E Minnesota Avenue, Glenwood, MN 56334 was called to order at 9:04 a.m. 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 and Approval of Official Proceedings for April 4, 2023 were presented by the Board Chair. Motion to approve the agenda as presented, made by Gerde and seconded by Lindor, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the Official Proceedings for April 4, 2023 as presented, made by Wildman and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. 

Request from Grove Lake Lakeshore Association for Project Grant Funds from County AIS Prevention Aid Fund for Watercraft Inspections; Request from Minnewaska Lake Association for Project Grant Funds from County AIS Prevention Aid Fund for Starry Stonewort Control; and Request from Minnewaska Lake Association for Project Grant Funds from County AIS Prevention Aid Fund for Eurasian Watermilfoil Control were presented by Ralph Hanson, Land Use Specialist. Motion to approve the application of the Grove Lake Lakeshore Association for an AIS grant for watercraft inspections in the amount of $6,722 as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the application of the Minnewaska Lake Association for an AIS grant for starry stonewort control in the amount of $7,917 as presented, made by Gerde and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the application of the Minnewaska Lake Association for an AIS grant to combat Eurasian water milfoil in the amount of $5,000 as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously.

Approve Final Contract Payment – CP 2022-17 was presented by Brian Giese, Engineer. Motion to accept CP 2022-17 as complete and authorize a final contract payment in the amount of $20,000 to Steve’s Tree Service of Alexandria, MN, made by Gremmels and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously.

Remote Electronic Alcohol Monitoring Grant and Caseload/Workload Grant were presented by Terry Jaworski, Probation Director. Motion to accept the Remote Electronic Alcohol Monitoring Grant from the State of Minnesota Department of Corrections for Fiscal Year 2024-2025, and authorize execution of the grant agreement, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. Motion to accept the Caseload/Workload Grant from the State of Minnesota Department of Corrections for Fiscal Year 2024 and 2025 and authorize execution of associated agreements, made by Wildman and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously.

The Board recessed at 9:48 a.m., and reconvened at 9:56 a.m. at the call of the Chair.

March 2023 Trial Balance and Fund Balance Analysis; 1st Quarter 2023 Journal Entries and Billing; 1st Quarter 2023 Revenue Expenditure Budget Report; Auditor Bills –  March 15 – April 11, 2023; and Pay Bills, Supplemental Bills, Per Diems and Employee Reimbursements was presented by Stephanie Rust, Auditor-Treasurer. Motion to approve the March 2023 Trial Balance and Fund Analysis, made by Gremmels and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the 1st Quarter 2023 Journal Entries and Billing, made by Wildman and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the 1st Quarter 2023 Revenue Expenditure Budget Report, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. The Auditor Bills were presented as an informational item. Motion to approve payment of bills of $151,831.45 plus supplemental bills of $4,991.20 plus per diems and employee reimbursements of $4,918.69 totaling $161,741.34, made by Wildman and seconded by Lindor, 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 11:02 a.m.

Kersten Kappmeyer,

County Administrator

Gordy Wagner,

Chair of the Board

May 8