Official Proceedings

Pope County 

Board of Commissioners 

Regular Board Meeting

Tuesday, OCTOBER 3, 2023

The Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting duly noticed for Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at the Pope County Courthouse, 3rd Floor Board Room, 130 E Minnesota Avenue, Glenwood, MN 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.  Kersten Kappmeyer, County Administrator; and Neil Nelson, County Attorney, were present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Agenda and Approval of Official Proceedings for September 19, 2023 were presented by Chair Wagner. Motion to approve the agenda as presented, made by Wildman and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the Official Proceedings for September 19, 2023 as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. 

A motion to open the Public Hearing on the Intent to Adopt Proposed Ordinance 202301 Prohibiting the Establishment of New Uses or the Expansion of Existing Uses Related to Sales, Testing, Manufacturing, and Distribution of Cannabis Products was made by Wildman and seconded by Gerde, and Carried Unanimously. The hearing was opened at 9:02 AM. The Chair led discussion and then called for comments from the public on the proposed ordinance, and no public comments were offered. A motion to close the public hearing was made by Gremmels and seconded by Wildman, and Carried Unanimously. The hearing was closed at 9:10 AM.

Consider Resolution 202321 Enacting Pope County Ordinance 202301 Prohibiting the Establishment of New Uses or the Expansion of Existing Uses Related to Sales, Testing, Manufacturing, and Distribution of Cannabis Products was presented by Kersten Kappmeyer, County Administrator. Motion to Adopt Resolution 202321 enacting Pope County Ordinance 202301 Prohibiting the Establishment of New Uses or the Expansion of Existing Uses Related to Sales, Testing, Manufacturing, and Distribution of Cannabis Products as presented, and causing the same to be published in accordance with law, made by Lindor and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously.

Highway Department Monthly Report, Hired Maintenance Work Approval – Bituminous Patching, and Equipment Purchase – Pickup (Highway Department) were presented by Brian Giese. The Monthly Report was given as an informational item. Motion to authorize the County Engineer to hire Joe Riley Construction to complete bituminous patching work on CSAH 18 for $78.70 per ton, made by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. After discussion of the costs of pickup and delivery, maintenance, and warranty work, a motion was made to authorize the County Engineer to proceed with the purchase of a 2024 Chevrolet 2500HD Silverado Double Cab 4×4 pickup from Marthaler Chevrolet of Glenwood, MN for the quoted price of $47,200, plus tax and license by Gerde and seconded by Wildman, and Carried Unanimously.

Consider Resolution 202322 Approving of Zoning Map Amendment_Rezoning Case 2023-02 (Agricultural (A-1) to Residential (R) (Minnewaska Township); Conditional Use Permit: Relocation of Used Accessory Structure (Halls, Gilchrist Township); and Conditional Use Permit: Feedlot (Walker, Leven Township) were presented by David Green, Land & Resource Management Director. Motion to adopt Resolution 202322 approving the amendment of the zoning map of Pope County in Minnewaska Township in Case 2023-02 as presented, made by Gremmels and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. Motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning Advisory Commission and approve the issuance of a conditional use permit to Halls in Gilchrist Township for relocation of a used accessory structure as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. Motion to accept the recommendation of the planning advisory commission and approve issuance of a conditional use permit to Walker in Leven Township for a feedlot, amending previously issued feedlot CUP #22161, made by Wildman and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. 

Amelia-Villard-Leven Lakes Association Aquatic Invasive Species Grant Request was presented by Ralph Hanson, Land Use Specialist. Motion to approve the application of the Amelia-Villard-Leven Lakes Association for a grant of $1,025 from the county’s AIS Prevention Aid funds to cover the cost of software and data services for the CD3 watercraft cleaning station on Lake Amelia, made by Gremmels and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously.

Pay Bills, Supplemental Bills, Per Diems and Employee Reimbursements was presented by Stephanie Rust, Auditor/Treasurer. Motion to approve payment of bills of $57,405.23 plus supplemental bills of $27.90 plus employee reimbursements of $414.94, totaling $57,848.07, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously, and were paid as follows: Auto Parts of Glenwood, 6,460.80; DDA Human Resources Inc, 2,000.00; Election Systems & Software, Inc., 3,667.26; Hojer/Scottie, 8,275.00; KnowBe4, Inc, 2,949.20; L & O Acres Transport Inc, 2,593.50; Mn Dept Of Transportation, 6,029.24; Morris Electronics Inc, 2,328.00; UKG Inc, 4,248.00; 34 Payments less than 2,000, 18,882.13.

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 Wildman, Carried Unanimously.

Chair Wagner recessed the meeting at 10:02 AM, and reconvened the meeting at 10:21 AM.

A motion was made to enter into closed session for under the Attorney-Client Privilege Pursuant to Minn. Stat. 13D.05, Subd. 3(b), to Discuss Pending Litigation: J.S. v. Pope County, et al., OAH Case No. 12471694-CP-20886 by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, and Carried Unanimously. The closed session was entered at 10:22 AM. A motion was made to end closed session and return to open session by Wildman and seconded by Gerde, and Carried Unanimously. Open session was reentered at 11:10 AM.

Informational updates were given by the County Attorney, Administrator, and Commissioners.

There being no other business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 11:31 AM.

Kersten Kappmeyer,

County Administrator

Gordy Wagner,

Chair of the Board

Oct. 23