Official Proceedings

Pope County 

Board of Commissioners 

Regular Board Meeting

Tuesday, MARCH 19, 2024 

The Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting duly noticed for Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 9:00 AM at the Pope County Courthouse, 3rd Floor Board Room, 130 E Minnesota Avenue, Glenwood, MN 56334 was called to order at 9:00 AM by the Chair, Paul Gerde, with the following Board Members also present: Paul Gremmels, Larry Lindor, Gordy Wagner, and Paul Wildman.  Kersten Kappmeyer, County Administrator, was not present, and Jackie Stevens present as designee and clerk for the meeting. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Agenda and Approval of Official Proceedings for March 5, 2024 was presented by Chair Gerde. Motion to approve the proposed agenda, with the addition of Authorization of Out-of-State Travel for National Association of Counties Conference, made by Wagner and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the Official Proceedings for March 5, 2024 as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously.

Consider US Fish and Wildlife Service Request for Easement Certifications (Walsh; Rolling Forks Township) was presented by Jessica Paler, US Fish and Wildlife Service. Motion to certify the habitat easement of Thomas J. Walsh Living Trust and Lisa R. Walsh Living Trust, upon approximately 230 acres in Sections 9 and 10 of Rolling Forks Township, as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously.

Advertisement for Bids – CP 061-024-001; Award Contract – SAP 061-615-010; Award Contract – CP 061-024-003; Award Contract – SAP 061-608-008; and Consider Resolution Supporting a Carbon Reduction Program Application – SAP 061-603-035 were presented by Brian Giese, Engineer. Motion to authorize the Advertisement for Bids for the completion of CP 061-024-001, County Wide Maintenance Striping, made by Wagner and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to award a contract to Mark Sand and Gravel Co of Fergus Falls, MN for the construction of SAP 061-615-010 in the amount of $807,601.90 based on unit prices and estimate quantities, made by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to award a contract to Mark Sand and Gravel Co of Fergus Falls for the completion of CP 061-624-003 in the amount of $141,300 based on the contract quantity of 30,000 cubic yards at the unit price of $4.71 per cubic yard of material produced, made by Gremmels and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously. Motion to award a contract to Midwest Contracting, LLC for the completion of SAP 061-608-008 in the amount of $525,699.75, based on provided unit prices and estimated quantities, made by Wildman and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously. Motion to adopt Resolution 202410 Supporting the Application for Carbon Reduction Program Funding on CSAH 3 as presented, made by Wildman and seconded by Lindor, Carried Unanimously.

License Approval: Solid Waste Haulers and Facilities was presented by David Green, Land & Resource Management Director. Motion to approve the issuance of a 2024 annual solid waste hauler’s license to Clark’s Service and Rental of Sauk Centre, made by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously.

AIS Grant Application from Grove Lake Lakeshore Association for Curly-Leaf Pondweed Control; AIS Grant Application from Grove Lake Association for Watercraft Inspections; AIS Grant Request from Minnewaska Lake Association for Starry Stonewort Control; and AIS Grant Request from Minnewaska Lake Association for Eurasian Watermilfoil Control were presented by Ralph Hanson, Land Use Specialist. Motion to approve the request from the Grove Lake Lakeshore Association for AIS Grant funding for curly-leaf pondweed control in the amount of $2,448 as requested, made by Wildman and seconded by Lindor, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the request from the Grove Lake Lakeshore Association for AIS Grant funding for watercraft inspections in the amount of $7,248 as requested, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the request from the Minnewaska Lake Association for AIS Grant funding for starry stonewort control in the amount of $4,847 as requested, made by Wildman and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the request from the Minnewaska Lake Association for AIS Grant funding for starry stonewort control in the amount of $4,847 as requested, made by Wildman and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously.

Consider Appointment to the Pope County Extension Committee was presented by the County Extension Committee. Motion to approve the appointment of Roberta Terhaar of Lowry to the Pope County Extension Committee for a three-year term, concluding December 31, 2026, made by Wildman and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously.

February 2024 Trial Balance and Fund Balance Analysis; Auditor Bills – February 14 – March 12, 2024; and Pay Bills, Supplemental Bills, Per Diems and Employee Reimbursements were presented by Stephanie Rust, Auditor/Treasurer. Motion to approve the February 2024 Trial Balance and Fund Balance Analysis, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. Auditor Bills – February 14 – March 12, 2024 were presented as an informational item. Motion to approve payment of bills of $94,875.31 plus supplemental bills of $4,307.23 plus employee reimbursements of $4,747.49, totaling $103,930.03, made by Wagner and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously, and were paid as follows: Counties Providing Technology 6,894.00; Dakota Supply Group 2,760.82; Douglas County Jail 23,361.54; DroneSense Inc 3,100.00; Election Systems & Software, Inc. 2,416.00; Mn Dept Of Transportation 4,366.47; Morris Electronics Inc 7,398.22; Pope County Tribune 2,541.21; Prairie Lakes Youth Programs 10,904.00; Squires, Waldspurger & Mace PA 8,835.96; Visa 5,097.48; Visa 4259.34; 46 Payments less than 2000 17,247.50..

Authorization for Out-of-State Travel for the National Association of Counties Conference was presented by Commissioner Lindor. Motion to approve out-of-state travel by Commissioner Larry Lindor to the 2024 National Association of Counties conference, July 12-15, 2024 in Hillsborough County, Florida, as presented, made by Wagner and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. 

Informational updates were given by the County Commissioners, and there being no other business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 10:21 AM.

Kersten Kappmeyer, 

County Administrator

Paul Gerde, 

Chair of the Board

April 8