Official Proceedings

Pope County 

Board of Commissioners 

Regular Board Meeting

Wednesday, July 5, 2023

The Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting duly noticed for Wednesday, July 5, 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, was present, and Neil Nelson, County Attorney, was not present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Agenda and Approval of Official Proceedings for June 20, 2023 were presented by Chair Wagner. Motion to approve the agenda as presented, made by Gerde and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the Official Proceedings for June 20, 2023 as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously.

SAP 061-617-012 Environmental Assessment Determination, Highway Department Monthly Report, and Easement Encroachment Agreement (Snider, City of Long Beach, CSAH 54) were presented by Brian Giese, Engineer. The Environmental Assessment Determination and Highway Department Monthly Report were received as informational items by the Board. The Environmental Assessment Determination will be brought to the July 18, 2023 Board as a decisional item with the benefit of a full record, with written comments accepted on the determination until July 13, 2023 at noon for inclusion in the record. Motion to approve the easement encroachment agreement on County State Aid Highway 54 (North Lakeshore Drive) pertaining to Parcel No 24-0114-002 and authorize the County Board Chair to execute the agreement, made by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, Carried by the following vote: Ayes: Gerde, Lindor, Wildman; Nays: Gremmels, Wagner.  

Conditional Use Permit: Accessory Structure (Northuis, White Bear Lake Township); Conditional Use Permit: Accessory Structure (Pearson, Glenwood Township); Conditional Use Permit: Non-Farm Residence (Aaberg, Blue Mounds Township); and Interim Use Permit: Recreational Vehicle (Pietz, Minnewaska Township) were presented by David Green, Land & Resource Management Director. Motion to approve of the Conditional Use Permit application of Northuis 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 Gremmels, Carried on the following vote: Ayes: Gerde, Gremmels, Lindor, Wagner; Nays: Wildman. Motion to approve of the Conditional Use Permit application by Pearson for an Accessory Structure with conditions as recommended by the Planning Advisory Commission and Findings as prepared by Staff, made by Gerde and seconded by Lindor, Carried by the following vote: Ayes: Gerde, Gremmels, Lindor, Wildman; Nays: Wagner. Motion to accept recommendation of the Planning Advisory Commission and approve issuance of a Conditional Use Permit to Aaberg for a non-farm residence in an agricultural zoning district with Findings as presented, made by Gerde and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning Advisory Commission and approve the interim use permit of Pietz with Findings as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. 

Church of St. John Nepomuk – Application for Exempt Permit for Lawful Gambling; Church of St. John Nepomuk – Application and Permit for a One Day On-Sale Liquor License; Proposed Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-2 – City of Villard; Tax Abatement – Parcel 27-8720-045 – Taxes Payable 2023; and Pay Bills, Supplemental Bills were presented by Stephanie Rust, Auditor/Treasurer. Motion to approve the Application from the Church of St. John Nepomuk for Exempt Permit for Lawful Gambling for August 13, 2023, made by Wildman and seconded by Lindor, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve St. John Nepomuk Catholic Church’s Application and Permit for a One Day On-Sale Liquor License for an event on August 13, 2023, made by Wildman and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. Proposed Tax Increment Financing District No. 1-2 – City of Villard was presented as an informational item. Motion to approve the 2023 tax abatement in the amount of $74.00 for Michael & Vicki Halvorson on Parcel #27-8720-045, made by Gerde and seconded by Lindor, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve payment of bills of $146,146.95 plus supplemental bills of $10,035.55 totaling $156,182.50, made by Gerde and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. 

Informational updates were given by the County Administrator and Commissioners.

There being no other business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 11:19 AM.

Kersten Kappmeyer

County Administrator

Gordy Wagner,

Chair of the Board

July 24