Official Proceedings

Pope County 

Board of Commissioners 

Regular Board Meeting

Tuesday, NOVEMBER 5, 2024 

The Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting duly noticed for Tuesday, November 5, 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 Commissioners also present: Paul Gremmels, Larry Lindor, and Paul Wildman.  Commissioner Gordy Wagner was not present.  Neil Nelson, County Attorney, and Kersten Kappmeyer, County Administrator, were also present.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Agenda and Approval of Official Proceedings for October 15, 2024 were presented by Chair Gerde. Motion to approve the agenda as presented, made by Gremmels and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the Official Proceedings for October 15, 2024 as presented. This motion, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously.

Conditional Use Permit 24299 for Shoreland Alteration (Twilight Bay, Minnewaska Township); Interim Use Permit 24300 for Re-Establishment & Expansion of Existing Gravel Mine (Sundheim, Walden Township); and Re-Zoning Amendment (Blue Mounds Township) were presented by David Green, Land & Resource Management Director. Motion to approve the application by Twilight Bay and issue the Conditional Use Permit for shoreland alterations consistent with the Planning Advisory Commission’s recommendation to approve with conditions and findings as presented, made by Wildman and seconded by Lindor, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the application by Sundheim and issue the Interim Use Permit for the re-establishment and expansion of an existing aggregate mining operation consistent with the Planning Advisory Commission’s recommendations to approve with conditions and findings as presented, made by Wildman and seconded by Lindor, Carried Unanimously. Motion to deny the re-zoning request from Agricultural Protection (A2) to Residential (R) in Blue Mounds Township as recommended by the Planning Advisory Commission and based on the findings of fact as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously.

Amelia-Villard-Leven (AVL) Lakes Association AIS Grant Request was presented by Ralph Hanson, Land Use Specialist. Motion to approve the request from the AVL Lakes Association for AIS Grant funding in the amount of $1,200 as presented, made by Gremmels and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. 

Discussion of Board of Adjustment/Planning Advisory Commission Appointments Effective January 1, 2025; Discussion of County Extension Committee Appointments Effective January 1, 2025; Rolling Forks Vineyards LLC – Renewal of On Sale 3.2 Beer License; Rolling Forks Vineyards LLC – Renewal of On Sale Wine with Strong Beer License; and Pay Bills, Supplemental Bills, Per Diems and Employee Reimbursements were presented by Kersten Kappmeyer, Administrator. The Board gave direction to the Administrator to formally solicit interested parties for the open District 5 seat on the Board of Adjustment and Planning Advisory Commission due to term-limits in order to consider candidates for the open seat during December for a term beginning in January 2025 and also directed staff contact with At-Large and District 4 members with an expiring term but remaining eligibility as to their interest in reappointment.  The Board gave direction to the Administrator to have contact District 1, District 3, and District 4 County Extension Committee members with an expiring term but remaining eligibility as to their interest in reappointment, and to also consult with the Extension office if any new candidates are needed to serve on that Committee. Motion to approve the renewal of the On Sale 3.2 Beer License for Rolling Forks Vineyards for the period of January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025, made by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the renewal of the On Sale Wine with Strong Beer License for Rolling Forks Vineyards for the period of January 1, 2025 – December 31, 2025, made by Wildman and seconded by Lindor, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve payment of bills of $174,707.83 plus supplemental bills of $150.00 plus employee reimbursements of $122.79, totaling $174,980.62, made by Wildman and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously, and were paid as follows: Cloudpermit Inc $4,500.00; Digital Horizons, LLC $3,894.38; Ehlers & Associates Inc $3,700.00; Election Systems & Software, Inc. $11,688.09; Fauskee Oil Company $9,640.26; Grove Lake Lakeshore Asn $6,290.63; MBC Drainage LLC $3,031.50; Minnewaska Lake Association $14,868.38; Obenland & Nelson $5,675.00; Pope County Tribune $2,653.59; Primadata, LLC $4,100.00; Pro-West & Associates Inc $3,178.40; Regents Of The University Of Minnesota $29,762.24; Rinke-Noonan $8,620.00; Starbuck City $6,038.50; Trafficalm Systems LLC $14,929.00; West Central Glass Radiator AirCond Inc $6,000.00; Wildman’s Electric Inc. $14,458.94; 46 payments less than  $2000 $21,828.92. Motion to enter the Per Diem Expense Reports into the record, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. 

Informational updates were given by the County Attorney, Administrator and Commissioners, and there being no other business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 9:58 AM. 

Kersten Kappmeyer,

County Administrator

Paul Gerde,

Chair of the Board

Nov. 25