Official Proceedings Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting Tuesday, JUNE 4, 2024
Public Notice | Published on June 24, 2024 at 2:35pm CDT
Official Proceedings
Pope County
Board of Commissioners
Regular Board Meeting
Tuesday, JUNE 4, 2024
The Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting duly noticed for Tuesday, June 4, 2024 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 also present. A moment of silence was observed in recognition of law enforcement, military, and first responders who serve the public. The Pledge of Allegiance was then recited.
Approval of Agenda and Approval of Official Proceedings for May 21, 2024 were presented by Board Chair. Motion to approve the agenda as presented, made by Gremmels and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the Official Proceedings for May 21, 2024 as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously.
Introductions of New Employees were made by Jackie Stevens, Human Resources Director. James Ross, Deputy Sheriff, and Melanie Siefkes were presented to the Board, and welcomed back as employees to Pope County.
Out-of-State Travel Request by County Recorder for Property Records Industry Association (PRIA) 2024 Annual Convention in Cleveland, OH was presented by Sarah Green, Recorder. Motion to approve the request for out-of-state travel by the County Recorder, Sarah Green to attend the 2024 Annual Conference hosted by PRIA in Cleveland, OH on August 20-22, 2024, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously.
Highway Department Monthly Report; Local Road Improvement Program Grant Agreement 1056722 for SAP 061-618-037; and Award Contract – SAP 061-618-037 were presented by Brian Giese, Engineer. Motion to adopt Resolution 202419, authorizing the execution of the Local Road Improvement Program Grant Agreement with the State of Minnesota for SAP 061-618-037, made by Wildman and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. Motion to award a contract to Central Specialties, Inc of Alexandria, MN for the construction of SAP 061-618-037 in the amount of $2,468,539.00 based on provided unit prices and estimated quantities, made by Wagner and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously.
Certificate of Correction for Plat of Echo Grove (Minnewaska Township) was presented by David Green, Land & Resource Management Director. Motion to accept the Certificate of Correction for the Plat of Echo Grove and authorize the Chair to sign the document as presented, made by Wildman and seconded by Lindor, Carried Unanimously. Pope County Update on Emerald Ash Borer was presented by Ralph Hanson, Land Use Specialist; and Barry Bouwman, Agricultural Inspector, with information shared with the Board on the potential finding of emerald ash borer infestation at a location in Pope County, awaiting confirmation by the Minnesota Department of Agriculture at the time of the meeting.
Emergency Management Director – Approval and Authorization to Hire was presented by Jackie Stevens, Human Resources Director. Motion to accept the creation of the Emergency Management Director position, its job description, and its grading, and to authorize for the recruitment and hire of this position, made by Wildman and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously.
County Report Discussion for District 4 Meeting on June 7, 2024, in Fergus Falls was presented by Kersten Kappmeyer, Administrator. The Board encouraged the inclusion of information in the County’s District 4 report regarding issues related to recruitment and retention of employees; county highway projects; participation in PrimeWest Health; and broadband completion in the County.
Church of St. John Nepomuk – Application to Conduct Excluded Bingo and Raffle August 11, 2024; Church of St. John Nepomuk – Application and Permit for a One Day On-Sale Liquor License; and Pay Bills, Supplemental Bills, Per Diems and Employee Reimbursements were presented by Stephanie Rust, Auditor/Treasurer. Motion to approve the application from the Church of St. John Nepomuk to Conduct Excluded Bingo and Raffle on August 11, 2024, made by Lindor and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the Church of St. John Nepomuk’s Application and Permit for a One Day On-Sale Liquor License for an event on August 11, 2024, made by Wildman and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve payment of bills of $768,812.72 plus supplemental bills of $291,907.20 plus employee reimbursements of $144.72, totaling $1,060,864.64, made by Wagner and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously, and were paid as follows: Visa $14,564.51; Intereum, Inc $48,105.09; RDO Equipment Co $229,237.60; Amazon Capital Services $5,289.47; Douglas County Jail $13,088.38; Hoplin-Hitchcock Funeral Home Inc $2,580.00; M-R Sign Co, Inc. $6,358.29; Obenland & Nelson $5,675.00; Pope County Sheriff $3,807.34; Pope Douglas Solid Waste Management $675,000.00; Rinke-Noonan $27,720.00; Summit Fire Protection $3,347.65; UKG Inc $8,496.02; Vertex Unmanned Solutions, LLC $2,007.00; 33 payments less than $2000 $15,443.57.. A motion was made to enter the Per Diem Expense Reports into the record by Wildman, seconded by Lindor, and Carried Unanimously.
Informational updates were given by the County Administrator, Auditor/Treasurer, and County Commissioners, and there being no other business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 10:45 AM.
Kersten Kappmeyer,
County Administrator
Paul Gerde,
Chair of the Board
June 24
