Official Proceedings

Pope County 

Board of Commissioners 

Regular Board Meeting

Tuesday, MARCH 18, 2025

The Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting duly noticed for Tuesday, March 18, 2025 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, Larry Lindor, with the following Board Members also present: Paul Gerde, Paul Gremmels, Gordy Wagner, and Paul Wildman.  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 March 4, 2025 were presented by Chair Lindor. Motion to approve the agenda, made by Gremmels and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the Official Proceedings for March 4, 2025 as presented, made by Wagner and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. 

Review of Proposed State Land Acquisition by Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (Reaume, Hoff Township) was presented by Nicholas Snavely and Jason Strege, Department of Natural Resources. Motion to approve the proposed state land acquisition by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources of land described as follows: NE 1/4 Ex. Pt. E 1/2, NE 1/4 Lying N & E of Chippewa River, Section 28, T. 123 N., R. 40 W., Pope County, Minnesota (Approximately 127 Acres), and authorize the Chair and Administrator to execute the document stating that decision as presented, made by Gremmels and seconded by Wagner, Carried by the following vote: Ayes: Gremmels, Lindor, Wagner, Wildman; Nays: Gerde.

Consider Appointment to the County Extension Committee for District 1 was presented by Commissioner Paul Gremmels. Motion to appoint Heather Gaston as the District 1 member of the Pope County Extension Committee for a new three-year term commencing immediately and ending December 31, 2027, made by Gremmels and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. 

Request for Out-of-State Travel to Attend Training Conference was presented by Nathan Brecht, Chief Deputy Sheriff. Motion to approve two Pope County E-911 Dispatchers to attend the Empower 911 Conference in Indianapolis from May 5th to May 8th, 2025, made by Gerde and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously.

Consider Resolution 202506 Setting the Salary of the Appointed County Sheriff Effective April 1, 2025 was presented by Kersten Kappmeyer, Administrator. Motion to adopt Resolution 202506 setting the salary of the appointed County Sheriff Nathan Brecht, effective on assumption of the office on April 1, 2025, at $135,000, prorated for the portion of the year served, made by Gerde and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously.

Conditional Use Permit: Shoreland Alterations (Gibson, Glenwood Township); Conditional Use Permit: Non-Farm Residence (Gilbert, Lake Johanna Township); and Consider Resolution 202507 Amending the Zoning Map of Pope County (Anderson, Glenwood Township) were presented by David Green, Land & Resource Management Director. Motion to approve of the Conditional Use Permit request of Gibson for Shoreland Alteration as recommended by the Planning Advisory Commission including the Conditions of Approval and Findings as presented in the PAC staff report, made by Gerde and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve of the Conditional Use Permit request of Gilbert for a Non-Farm Residence as recommended by the Planning Advisory Commission including the Conditions of Approval and Findings as presented in the PAC staff report, made by Wildman and seconded by Wagner, Carried by the following vote: Ayes: Gremmels, Lindor, Wagner, Wildman; Nays: Gerde. Comment was solicited on the zoning map amendment item from those in attendance, and was offered in opposition by David Sibell, Elder Peterson, Darrin Schwieters, and in support by Kevin Anderson. Motion to adopt Resolution 202507 amending the zoning map of Pope County and approving the Zoning Amendment request of Anderson as recommended by the Planning Advisory Commission, made by Wildman and seconded by Gerde, Carried by the following vote: Ayes: Gerde, Lindor, Wildman; Nays: Gremmels, Wagner.

February 2025 Trial Balance and Fund Balance Analysis; Auditor Bills – February 12 – March 11, 2025; and Pay Bills, Supplemental Bills, and Employee Reimbursements were presented by Stephanie Rust, Auditor/Treasurer. Motion to approve the February 2025 Trial Balance and Fund Balance Analysis, made by Gremmels and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Auditor Bills were presented as an informational item. Motion to approve payment of bills of $92,916.64 plus supplemental bills of $8,489.83 plus employee reimbursements of $4,886.95, totaling $106,293.42, made by Wagner and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously and were paid as follows: Visa $8,442.07; AMC- Association Of MN Counties $2,000.00; Counties Providing Technology $7,089.00; Douglas County Jail $13,621.38; Kiesler’s Police Supply Inc $9,429.78; Obenland & Nelson $5,816.67; Prairie Lakes Youth Programs $12,320.00; RDO Equipment Co $5,238.87; Roth Roofing Inc $10,822.00; Stevens County Emergency Management $5,183.27; Visa $2,974.13; 40 payments less than $2000 $18,469.30.

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 10:35 AM.

Kersten Kappmeyer,

County Administrator

Larry Lindor,

Chair of the Board

April 7