Official Proceedings

Pope County 

Board of Commissioners 

Regular Board Meeting

Tuesday, MAY 2, 2023

The Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting duly noticed for Tuesday, May 2, 2023 at the Pope County Courthouse, 3rd Floor Board Room, 130 E Minnesota Avenue, Glenwood, MN was called to order at 9:00 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 18, 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 from April 18, 2023 as presented, made by Wildman and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously.

SAP 061-617-012 Engineering Report and Preliminary Construction Plan Review; Highway Department Monthly Report; Award Contract SP 088-070-073; Award Contract CP 061-023-001; Award Contract CP 2023-27, CP 2023-28, and CP 2023-30; and Award Contract – SAP 061-615-008 were presented by Brian Giese, Engineer. The Engineering Report and Preliminary Construction Plan Review and Highway Department Monthly Report were presented as informational items to the Board. Motion to award a contract to Sir Lines-A-Lot of Edina, MN for the completion of SP 088-070-073 (HSIP Edgeline Marking Project) in the amount of $1,876,418.43 based on plan quantities and unit prices, made by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to award a contract to Sir Lines-A-Lot of Edina, MN for the completion of CP 061-023-001 in the amount of $47,623.17 based on estimated quantities and provided unit prices, made by Gremmels and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to award a contract to Morris Sealcoat and Trucking of Morris, MN for the completion of CP 2023-27, CP 2023-28, and CP 2023-30 in the amount of $474,346.94 based on estimated quantities and provided unit prices, made by Wildman and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. Motion to award a contract to John Riley Construction, Inc of Morris, MN for the construction of SAP 061-615-008 in the amount of $2,434,211.48 based on estimated quantities and unit prices, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously.

Conditional Use Permit: Non-Farm Residence (Harrison, New Prairie Township); Conditional Use Permit: Commercial Storage Units (Glacial Ridge Ventures, Gilchrist Township); and Interim Use Permit: RV (Pietz and Drong, Minnewaska Township) were presented by David Green, Land & Resource Management Director. Motion to approve the CUP application for non-farm residence by Harrison upon recommendations of the Planning Advisory Commission with findings as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the CUP application for commercial storage units by Glacial Ridge Ventures upon recommendations of the Planning Advisory Commission with findings as presented, made by Gerde and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the IUP application for RV by Pietz and Drong upon recommendations of the Planning Advisory Commission with findings as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. 

2022 County Feedlot Officer (CFO) Annual Report was presented by Ariel Hughes, Land Use Specialist. Motion to authorize the Chairman to sign the 2022 County Feedlot Officer Annual Report, made by Lindor and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. 

Request to Change County Phone Provider from MNIT to Inteliquent (Sinch) was presented by Bryan Gates, Information Technology Director. Motion to approve changing phone providers from MNIT to Sinch as presented, made by Gremmels and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. 

Consider Authorizing Purchase/Refurbishing of North Courthouse Doors; and Consider Resolution 202309 Recognizing the Mutual Aid and Assistance of Counties, Cities, and State After the Passing of Deputy Josh Owen were presented by Kersten Kappmeyer, Administrator. Motion to accept the quote of Rasinski Total Door Service LLC of Pequot Lakes of $25,227.48 for replacement of the north Courthouse doors with restored grillwork and ornamentation as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. Motion to adopt Resolution 202309 Recognizing the Mutual Aid and Assistance of Counties, Cities, and State After the Passing of Deputy Josh Owen, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously.

Discussion of County Memorial for Deputy Josh Owen was presented by Paul Gremmels, Commissioner. The County Board considered this informational item and held a discussion among the members, law enforcement, and staff on potential County memorials. The Board gave direction to consider assembling a committee for this purpose in the coming weeks.  No action was taken.

Tax Abatement – Parcel 04-0058-602 – Taxes Payable 2023; Tax Abatement – Parcel 04-0085-001 – Taxes Payable 2023; and Pay Bills and Employee Reimbursements were presented by Stephanie Rust, Auditor-Treasurer. Motion to approve the 2023 tax abatement in the amount of $1,078.00 for Zachary & Rebekah Johnson on Parcel #04-0058-602, made by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the 2023 tax abatement in the amount of $1,692 for Zachary & Rebekah Johnson on Parcel #04-0085-001, made by Gerde and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve payment of bills of $66,626.48 plus employee reimbursements of $246.91 totaling $66,873.39, made by Wildman and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. 

Approval of the Per Diem Expense Reports; Attorney, Administrator, and Commissioners Updates; and Recess Meeting Until Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. were presented by the Board Chair. Motion to enter the Per Diem Expense Reports into the record, made by Gerde and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Informational updates were given by the County Attorney, County Administrator and Commissioners. Motion to recess the meeting until Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. or as soon thereafter as reconvened and called to order by the Chair, made by Wildman and seconded by Lindor, Carried Unanimously. The meeting was recessed at 11:34 a.m.

The meeting was reconvened and called back to order on Wednesday, May 3, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. by Board Chair Gordy Wagner, with the following members also present: Paul Gerde, Paul Gremmels, Larry Lindor, and Paul Wildman.  Kersten Kappmeyer, County Administrator was also present.

Public Presentation of CSAH 17/South Lakeshore Dr. Preliminary Construction Plans was presented by Brian Giese, Engineer. A presentation of the preliminary plans was given as an informational item by the Engineer, including detail on the recommendation preliminary plan from maps, reconstruction dimensions and materials, culvert pipe replacements, pavement markings, stormwater pollution prevention, aerial exhibits, curvature data, horizontal/vertical profiles, and traffic control devices.  An alternative plan that would collection stormwater runoff in grass swales instead of absorption on right-of-way grass slopes was also presented. Replacement of traffic signs, mailboxes, private utility conduits/tiling, and trees and stumps in the right-of-way were also topics addressed. 

Comments on the plan were solicited from the Board and the members of the public in attendance. Comment topics from the Board included material dimensions needed to utilize grass swales, function of limited curb segments, potential of interested contractors, and timelines expected. 

Comments were received from the public, including from the following identified speakers: Bill Peters, Bob Bowlin, David Munn, Julie Peters, Thomas Larson, David Peters, Jean Frederick, Doug Frederick, and Evan Peters. Comment topics from the public included preference for a mill and overlay project, timing of the project to reduce impact, effect on Selnes Road corner, perception of potential for increased traffic speeds, effect of less tree cover, lack of speed enforcement and compliance, use of area by children, moderating speed with gradual reduction zones rather than abruptly, existence of road in front of resort property, support for road repair and project due to terrible current surface condition, and opposition to swale plan as unneeded property encroachment.

After public comment, and there being no other business before the Board, a motion to recess the meeting was made by Gerde and seconded by Lindor, and Carried Unanimously. The motion having passed, the meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 7:25 p.m. 

Kersten Kappmeyer,

County Administrator

Gordy Wagner,

Chair of the Board

May 22