Official Proceedings

Pope County 

Board of Commissioners 

Regular Board Meeting

Tuesday, JUNE 6, 2023

The Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting duly noticed for Tuesday, June 6, 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; Approval of Official Proceedings for May 16, 2023; and Update to County Board and Officer Committee Assignments for 2023 were presented by Chair Wagner. Motion to approve the agenda as presented, made by Wildman and seconded by Lindor, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the Official Proceedings for May 16, 2023 as amended, made by Gerde and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. An update to the members of the Personnel Committee, substituting Commissioner Gerde for Chair Wagner, was presented as an informational item.

Request for Approval of Addendum to the Memorandum of Agreement with the University of Minnesota on Extension Educator Employment was presented by Bob Byrnes, Extension Regional Director. Motion to approve execution of the Addendum to the Memorandum of Agreement between the County and the University of Minnesota Extension, agreeing to fund the Extension Educator position in Pope County at 1.00 FTE, made by Gerde and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. 

2023 Boat & Water Grant; Acceptance of Donations to Sheriff’s Office; and Consider Resolution 202312 Declaring a Local State of Emergency were presented by Tim Riley, Sheriff. Motion to approve the 2023 State of Minnesota Boat & Water Grant Agreement to receive funding in the amount of $4,138, made by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve three donations made to the Sheriff’s Office in the amounts of $65.00 from Verge of Fantastic, $100.00 from Lydia Rappaport, and $75.00 from Lynn and Becky Peterson, made by Gerde and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve Resolution 202312 declaring Pope County to have been in a State of Emergency from April 11, 2023 to April 30, 2023 as a result of the quick melting of heavy snow, rain showers, and damage to roads and culverts, made by Lindor and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. 

Conditional Use Permit: Non-Farm Residence (Martinson, Nora Township); Conditional Use Permit: Accessory Structure (Heggestad, Glenwood Township); Conditional Use Permit: Shoreland Alteration (Kalina, Reno Township); and Conditional Use Permit: Accessory Structure (Hanson/Johnson, Minnewaska Township) were presented by David Green, Land & Resource Management Director. Motion to accept recommendation of the Planning Advisory Commission and approve issuance of a Conditional Use Permit to Martinson (Nora Township) for a non-farm residence in an agricultural zoning district with findings as presented, made by Wildman and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve of the Conditional Use Permit application of Heggestad (Glenwood Township) for an Accessory Structure with conditions as recommended by the Planning Advisory Commission and findings as prepared by Staff, made by Lindor and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. Motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning Advisory Commission and approve the Conditional Use Permit of Kalina (Reno Township) for shoreland alteration with findings as presented, made by Gerde and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the Conditional Use Permit application of Hanson on behalf of Johnson (Minnewaska Township) for an accessory structure and grant the Permit with conditions, made by Wildman and seconded by Lindor, Failed by the following vote: Ayes: Lindor, Wildman; Nays: Gerde, Gremmels, Wagner. Motion to deny the Conditional Use Permit application of Hanson on behalf of Johnson (Minnewaska Township) for an accessory structure and deny the Permit, made by Gerde and seconded by Gremmels, Carried by the following vote: Ayes: Gerde, Gremmels, Lindor, Wagner; Nays: Wildman. 

Highway Department Monthly Report and Equipment Purchase – End Dump Pup Trailer were presented by Brian Giese, Engineer. Motion to authorize the purchase of a 2024 Model # 1515 End Dump Pup Trailer from R-Way Trailers of Long Prairie, MN in the amount of $51,110 plus any applicable fees and taxes, made by Gremmels and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. 

Approval of 2022 Pay Equity Report was presented by Jackie Stevens, Human Resources Director. Motion to approve the 2022 Pay Equity Report as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. 

Pay Bills and Employee Reimbursements was presented by Stephanie Rust, Auditor-Treasurer. Motion to approve payment of bills of $163,300.30 plus employee reimbursements of $467.42 totaling $163,767.72, made by Gerde and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. 

Approval of the Per Diem Expense Reports was presented by Chair Wagner. 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.  

There being no other business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 11:04 a.m.

Kersten Kappmeyer,

County Administrator

Gordy Wagner,

Chair of the Board

June 26