Official Proceedings

Pope County 

Board of Commissioners 

Regular Board Meeting

Tuesday, JANUARY 16, 2024

The Pope County Board of Commissioners Regular Board Meeting duly noticed for Tuesday, January 16, 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, and Neil Nelson, County Attorney were also present.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Agenda and Approval of Official Proceedings for January 2, 2024 were presented by Board Chair. Motion to approve the agenda as presented, made by Gremmels and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the Official Proceedings for January 2, 2024 as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously.

The Board Chair welcomed Minnesota State Representative Paul Anderson of Starbuck to the Board meeting, and an informal update and discussion with Representative Anderson followed.

A motion to open the Public Hearing on Proposed Ordinance 202401 Establishing the Pope County Housing Trust Fund was made by Wildman and seconded by Lindor, Carried Unanimously, and the Hearing was opened at 9:24 AM. After a presentation by Jason Murray, Director of the Pope County HRA-EDA on the proposed ordinance, and after repeated solicitation of public comment, of which none was offered, a motion to close the Public Hearing was made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously, and the Hearing was closed at 9:30 AM. Motion to adopt Resolution 202403, Enacting Ordinance 202401 Establishing the Pope County Housing Trust Fund as presented, was made by Wagner and seconded by Wildman, and Carried Unanimously. As a summary, Ordinance No. 202401 provides the County with additional tools to support the rehabilitation and preservation of existing affordable housing within the County, promotes the development of affordable and workforce housing within the County, and may assist individuals with rental and down payment assistance through the establishment of a Pope County Trust Fund Account, to be maintained by the Pope County Housing and Redevelopment Authority – Economic Development Authority (the “HRA-EDA”). By ordinance, funds received by the HRA-EDA on behalf of the Trust Fund would be deposited in the Trust Fund Account. Copies of the ordinance are available for public inspection on the County’s public website at www.popecountymn.gov, in the office of the Pope County Administrator during normal business hours, or upon request by calling 320-634-7704.

2024 State of MN Federal Boating Safety Supplemental Equipment Grant was presented by Tim Riley, Sheriff. Motion to approve 2024 State of Minnesota Federal Boating Safety Supplemental Equipment Grant in the amount of $7,830.00 for purchase of binoculars, buoys and chain, made by Lindor and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously.

Adjustment of Recorder Fee Schedule Item was presented by Sarah Green, Recorder. Motion to approve adjustment of the Recorder Fee Schedule to add another remote access Laredo plan to the current existing offered plans, made by Wildman and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously.

Plat Approval Recording Extension Request: Third Addition to West Shores (Tank, Leven Township) was presented by David Green, Land & Resource Management Director. Motion to grant the request of Jason and Karin Tank for extension of time to record the final plat of the Third Addition to West Shores, previously approved by the County Board on June 20, 2023, with an extension allowed of 90 days from the date of this action, made by Gremmels and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously. 

Consider Approval of No-loss Decision under Wetland Conservation Act Rules for Earl Hauge Tiling Project was presented by Ralph Hanson, Land Use Specialist. Motion to approve the WCA Notice of Decision of a No-Loss Exemption for the Hauge project on PID #12-0154-002 as presented, made by Wildman and seconded by Lindor, Carried Unanimously.

Consider Resolution Establishing a Pope County Corrections Advisory Board was presented by Terry Jaworski, Probation Director. Motion adopt Resolution 202404 to create the Pope County Corrections Advisory Board comprised of the County Administrator, Probation Director, County Sheriff, County Attorney, and County Commission Chair as presented. This motion, made by Lindor and seconded by Wagner, Carried Unanimously. 

Consider Professional Services Contract Between Pope County and Obenland & Nelson and Approval of Additional 2024 Tobacco Retailer License Applications were presented by Kersten Kappmeyer, Administrator. Motion to approve the proposed professional services contract between Pope County and Obenland & Nelson for certain County Attorney’s Office expenses as presented, and authorize the Chair and Administrator to sign the same, made by Gremmels and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the presented 2024 Tobacco Retailer License Applications from the following establishments: Glenwood Fleet Supply, Inc. (Glenwood); Heidi’s Bar, LLC (Sedan); Lariat Bar and Grill (Cyrus); Minnewaska Liquor, Inc. (Starbuck); Water’s Edge Inc. (Starbuck); and Village Inn (Glenwood) as presented, made by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously.

Setting the County Board of Appeal and Equalization Date and Time in June was presented by Mike Wacker, Assessor. Motion to set the 2024 County Board of Appeal and Equalization for Monday, June 17, 2024 to begin at 6:30pm and conclude no sooner than 7:00pm, held in the Third Floor Boardroom at the County Courthouse in Glenwood, made by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously.

Set Presidential Nomination Primary Canvassing Board Date and Appoint Commissioner Members; Pope County Property Tax Abatement Policy; Auditor Bills – December 13, 2023 – January 9, 2024; and Pay Bills, Supplemental Bills, Per Diems and Employee Reimbursements were presented by Stephanie Rust, Auditor/Treasurer. Motion to set the Presidential Nomination Primary Canvassing Board for March 8, 2024 at 9:00am in the Pope County Board Room and appoint Commissioner Gremmels and Commissioner Wildman to serve on the Board, made by Lindor and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously. Motion to approve the Pope County Property Tax Abatement Policy as presented, made by Wagner and seconded by Gremmels, Carried Unanimously. Auditor Bills were presented as an informational item. Motion to approve payment of bills of $450,258.01 plus supplemental bills of $58,878.24 plus employee reimbursements of $3,502.22, totaling $512,638.47, made by Wagner and seconded by Wildman, Carried Unanimously, and were paid as follows: AMC- Association Of MN Counties 18,564.00; Auto Parts of Glenwood 54,130.44; Douglas County Jail 15,263.10; Krain Creek Fabrication Inc 55,639.13; Marthaler Chevrolet 50,707.25; McMahon Oil 8,350.03; Minnesota Counties Computer Coop 4,137.84; Mn Counties Intergovernmental Trust/M 234,032.00; NKCC Properties LLC 3,150.00; Prairie Lakes Youth Programs 11,315.00; Pro-West & Associates Inc 6,089.52; Rausch Granite Monuments 3,100.00; Rinke-Noonan 3,029.50; Visa 6,548.11; Visa 4,711.14; WACCO- Western Area City County Coop 2,605.13; WCM Drug & Violent Crime Task Force 4,000.00; 46 Payments less than 2,000 23,764.06.

Informational updates were given by the County Attorney, County Administrator and Commissioners.

There being no other business before the Board, the meeting was adjourned by the Chair at 11:08 AM.

Kersten Kappmeyer,

County Administrator

Paul Gerde,

Chair of the Board

Feb. 12