Official Proceedings Pope County  Board of Commissioners  Regular Board Meeting Thursday, DECEMBER 8, 2022

The Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting duly noticed for Tuesday, November 15, 2022 at 9:00 a.m. 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, Nan Haggerty, Cody Rogahn, and Gordy Wagner.  Kersten Kappmeyer, County Administrator, was also present.  Neil Nelson, County Attorney, was not present. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Agenda; Approval of Official Proceedings for November 15, 2022; and Approval of Official Proceedings for the December 1, 2022 Truth-in-Taxation Hearing were presented by the Board Chair. Motion to approve the agenda as presented, with the addition of an item to consider a request from Extension for additional hiring authority for the 4-H Program Coordinator position, made by Gerde and seconded by Rogahn, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the Official Proceedings for November 15, 2022 as amended, made by Haggerty and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously.  Motion to approve the official proceedings for the Pope County 2023 Truth-in-Taxation Hearing of December 1, 2022, made by Rogahn and seconded by Haggerty, Carried Unanimously.

Resolution 202247 Recognizing Jim and Karen Barchenger as 2022 Outstanding Conservationists was presented by Kersten Kappmeyer, Administrator, and Holly Kovarik, Pope SWCD Director. Motion to adopt Resolution 202247, recognizing Jim and Karen Barchenger as the Pope County 2022 Outstanding Conservationists, made by Rogahn and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously. 

Interim Use Permit: Recreational Vehicles (Ober, Minnewaska Township); and Pope County Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Action Plan for 2023 were presented by David Green, Land & Resource Management Director. Motion to approve of the Interim Use Permit request by Ober with conditions and findings as presented and recommended by the Planning Advisory Commission, made by Gerde and seconded by Rogahn, Carried Unanimously. Motion in support of the proposed 2023 AIS Action Plan and authorizing the Chairman to sign the plan as presented, made by Gerde and seconded by Rogahn, Carried Unanimously.

Assessor Annual Clerical Change Update was presented as an informational item by Mike Wacker, Assessor and Bonnie Lay, Deputy Assessor.

Approve Project and Authorize Final Payment for CP 061-022-001 was presented by Dave Orlowski, Senior Engineering Technician and Drainage Inspector. Motion to approve CP 061-022-001 as complete and authorize final payment in the amount of $3620.59 to Mark Lee Excavating of Alexandria, MN, made by Haggerty and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously. 

Pay Bills, Per Diems and Employee Reimbursements was presented by Stephanie Rust, Auditor/Treasurer. Motion to approve payment of bills of $1,602,730.55 plus per diems and employee reimbursements of $783.13 totaling $1,603,513.68, made by Wagner and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously.

Approval of the Per Diem Expense Reports was presented by the Board Chair. Motion to enter the Per Diem Expense Reports into the record, made by Haggerty and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously.

Tim Riley, Sheriff made an informational presentation on Setting of Elected Official Salaries for 2023 for the Sheriff.

Consider Request from Extension for Additional Hiring Authority for Program Coordinator and Potential Increase in County Cost was presented by Kersten Kappmeyer, Administrator. Motion to approve request to allow University of Minnesota Extension to recruit for the position of Program Coordinator for the Pope County office in a range of up to 1.00 full time equivalent time, and consent to revisiting the Memorandum of Agreement between the County and Extension for the potential increased annual cost for the position of up to $11,802, made by Haggerty and seconded by Gerde, Carried Unanimously.

Informational updates were given by the County Administrator and Commissioners.  

There being no other business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 10:45 a.m.

Kersten Kappmeyer,

County Administrator

Larry Lindor,

Chair of the Board

Jan. 2