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MINUTES & AGENDAS

October 14, 2025

October 14, 2025

The Lake of The Woods County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday,  September 23,2025 at Lake of the Woods County Government Center in the Commissioners’ Room.

CALL TO ORDER

Chair Jon Waibel called the meeting to order at 9:00a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Cody Hasbargen, Joe Grund, Ed Arnesen, and Jon Waibel. Also present was County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent: Commissioner Buck Nordlof

APPROVAL OF AGENDA

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Temporary Part-time Office Assistant-Attorney’s Office, Credit Card Bank Change Approval, 2024 Stonegarden Grant, Permission to Hire, Health Insurance Caps, Tobin Fisheries.

APPROVAL OF MINUTES

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the official minutes of September 23,2025.

Hoffman, Philipp, & Martell, PLLC

Audit Exit Review

Colleen Hoffman, Marit Martell, and Crystal Philipp from Hoffman, Philipp, & Martell, PLLC provided an audit exit review to the County Board of Commissioners.

SOCIAL SERVICES

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $12,340.99; Commissioners Warrants $3,288.89; Commissioners Warrants $28,546.24.

Superintendent Scott Fitzsimonds

Introduction & Updates

Superintendent Scott Fitzmonds introduced himself to the board and gave an update on activities at the school and the upcoming referendum on November 4, 2025.

Veterans Services Officer

Veterans Services Officer Rick Rone gave an annual update to the board regarding veterans services in the area.

Public Works

County Road Safety Plan

Resolution

The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the following:

Minnesota Department of Transportation

Federal Participation in County Road Safety Plan

Contract No. 1059814

RESOLUTION 2025-10-01

BE IT RESOLVED, that pursuant to Minnesota Stat. Sec. 161.36, the Commissioner of Transportation be appointed as Agent of  Lake of the Woods County to accept as its agent, federal aid funds which may be made available for eligible transportation related projects.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Lake of the Woods County Board Chairman and the County Auditor-Treasurer are hereby authorized and directed for and on behalf of Lake of the Woods County to execute and enter into an agreement with the Commissioner of Transportation prescribing the terms and conditions of said federal aid participation as set forth and contained in “Minnesota Department of Transportation MnDOT Contract Number 1059814“,  a copy of which said agreement was before the Lake of the Woods County Board and which is made a part hereof by reference.

MPCA Recycling Grant Resolution

Resolution

The following Resolution was offered by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the following:

Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Fiscal Year 2023 Grant Program

Authorization Resolution

RESOLUTION 2025-10-02

WHEREAS, Lake of the Woods County has applied for a grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA), under its FY2026 Greater MN Recycling and Composting Grant Program and;

WHEREAS, if MPCA funding is received, Lake of the Woods County is committed to implementing the proposed project as described in the grant application and;

WHEREAS, MPCA requires that Lake of the Woods County enter into a grant agreement with the MPCA that identifies the terms and conditions of the funding award;

BE IT RESOLVED THAT, the Lake of the Woods County Board hereby agrees to enter into and sign a grant agreement with the MPCA to carry out the project specified therein and to comply with all of the terms, conditions, and matching provisions of the grant agreement and authorizes and directs Lake of the Woods County Board Chair to sign the grant agreement on its behalf.

Auditor/Treasurer

Claims

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $154,929.02; Road & Bridge $206,374.50; County Development $150.00; Joint Ditch $5,708.50; Solid Waste $251,256.29; EDA $2,098.63.

WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION

Warrants Approved On 10/14/2025 For Payment 10/17/2025

Vendor Name Amount

Auto Value Baudette 2,248.17
BAYCOM, INC.           17,352.00 
Bolton & Menk           14,922.00 
ByteSpeed, LLC 4,300.00 
Christofferson/David 2,600.00 
Clay County Sheriff             3,018.19 
Co-Op Services, Inc. 6,407.14 
Cossette Electric LLC 6,175.00 
Farmers Union Oil company 2,798.61 
Gamache/Micheal D             8,422.50
Guardian Fleet Safety               32,672.68 
Integris LLC 2,166.52
Interstate Engineering Inc 5,222.50 
Johnson/Weston           28,200.00 
KC TECH LLC             2,925.00 
Lake of the Woods Electric LLC 6,400.00 
Lavalla Sand & Gravel Inc         104,000.00 
Law Offices Of Patrick D. Moren          12,170.66 
LOW Highway Dept         139,304.84 
Mar-Kit Landfill           17,493.75 
Marco Technologies LLC             2,328.69
Northdale Oil Inc.           37,166.98 
Nutrien Ag Solutions Inc           26,846.85 
Olson Construction Bdt LLC           13,875.00 
Pennington County Sheriff Office         15,963.59 
Pomp’s Tire-Thief River Falls 4,548.50 
Quadient Finance USA Inc.             3,000.00 
R & Q Trucking, Inc             3,480.00 
Sandpieper Design Inc. 2,098.63
Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc             5,063.84 
Smith/Evan V.             2,080.00 
Up North Electric LLC           12,213.26 
Verus LLC                           2,646.75 
Ziegler, Inc           27,042.84 
76 Payments less than 2000 43,362.45

Final Total: 620,516.94           

Further moved to authorize the payment of the following auditor warrants: September 24, 2025 for $10,580.84; October 1, 2025 for $818,385.04; October 7, 2025 for $37,025.49; October 9, 2025 for $359,649.86; October 8, 2025 ($3,471.14).

Lost Warrant Affidavit

Motion

Motion was made Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the affidavit of lost warrant number 103472 in the amount of $514.50.

HCSP Renewal

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to renew the HCSP contract as presented by County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson effective January 1, 2026.

Credit Card Bank Change Approval

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the request to change county credit cards from Wells Fargo Bank to Border Bank.

Permission to Hire-Deputy Auditor-Treasurer Fiscal Officer

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the request to hire Julie Berggren as Deputy Auditor-Treasurer-Fiscal Officer at Grade 15, Step 5, $32.72 per hour at 336 points effective October 13, 2025.

Tobin Fisheries

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to extend the offer for Tobin Fisheries for 30 days and for County Engineer Anthony Pirkl and County Attorney Michelle Moren to draft a letter for the offer.

Temporary Part-time Office Assistant-Attorney’s Office

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to hire Diane Roseen as Temporary Part-time Office Assistant for the Attorney’s office at $33.43 per hour plus IRS mileage rate effective October 24, 2025.

Land & Water

Consideration of Interim Use Permit #25-08IU by William Jackson and Stephanie Stavig

Lot 5, Block 3 and Lot 8, Block 2, River Oaks Plat, Section One (1), Township One Hundred Sixty-one (161) North, Range Thirty-two (32) West (Wabanica)- Parcel ID#23.52.03.050 and 23.52.02.080. Applicant is requesting an Interim Use Permit as required by Section 1106 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance to operate a short-term vacation rental in a Residential Zoning District (R1).

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the following IUP/Findings of Fact #25-08IU by William Jackson & Stephanie Stavig to operate a short-term vacation rental in a Residential Zoning District (R1) with the following conditions:

  1. The interim use permit terminates five (5) years from the date of approval or upon sale or transfer of the property, whichever occurs first.
  2. The maximum occupancy is limited to six (6) individuals.
  3. The established quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
  4. A valid Certificate of Compliance for the septic system is required.
  5. No on-street parking is allowed.
  6. If applicable, the applicant must meet the Minnesota Department of Health requirements.

Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners

Short-Term Vacation Rental Findings of Fact and Decision

Name of Applicant:  William Jackson & Stephanie Stavig   Application Number:  25-08IU   Date:  October 14, 2025

Location/Legal Description:  Lot 5, Block 3, and  Lot 8, Block 2, River Oaks Plat, Section 1, T. 161N, R. 32 W                                   

Parcel Number:  23.52.03.050 and 23.52.02.080

Project Proposal:  Applicants are requesting an Interim Use Permit, as required by Sections 1106 of the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance, to operate a short-term vacation rental in a Residential Development Zoning District (R1).

  1. Is the project proposal consistent with the Lake of the Woods County Comprehensive Land Use Plan? YES (X) NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  Property is located in the growth corridor.

  1. Is the project proposal consistent with maintaining the public health, safety, and welfare?

YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  Applicants have met the criteria based upon the submitted application.

  1. Is the project proposal compatible with adjacent land uses? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  Residential.

  1. Is the site in harmony with existing and proposed access to the property?     YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  Oak Loop Northwest is an existing public roadway.

  1. Has the applicant adequately demonstrated how the traffic and parking are to be addressed? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  No change in traffic. If additional parking is required for trucks and trailers, the backlot will be utilized as to avoid parking on Oak Loop Northwest.

  1. Has the applicant provided a map adequately depicting locations of property lines, well and septic system locations, accessory structures, parking areas, and shore recreational facilities?

YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  As per the submitted application.

  1. Does the water test meet the Minnesota Department of Health drinking water standards? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  The water test results are part of the submitted application.

  1. Has the applicant identified the maximum number of occupants? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  The application states a maximum of six (6) people. 

  1. Is the current SSTS compliant by evidence of a Certificate of Compliance and is the SSTS adequate to accommodate the identified maximum occupancy? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  The septic system has a valid Certificate of Compliance and is sized for a 3-bedroom dwelling.

  1. Has the applicant established quiet hours? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  The established quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.

  1. Has the applicant provided a floor plan which includes the number of bedrooms and all other sleeping accommodations? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  See submitted application.

  1. Has the applicant provided an evacuation plan/fire safety protocol and have identified the locations of smoke and Carbon Monoxide alarms and fire extinguishers? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  See submitted application.

  1. Has the applicant identified a local person and their contact information? YES (X)  NO (  )  N/A (  )

Explain?  See submitted application.

  1. If signage is associated with the project proposal, has the applicant demonstrated the need for the number and size requested, and minimized the visual appearance as viewed from adjacent properties to the extent possible?  

YES (  )  NO (  )  N/A (X)

Explain?  No signage has been requested.

  1. Is fencing and/or screening needed to buffer the project proposal from adjacent properties?

YES (  )  NO (  )  N/A (X)

Explain?  No need for fencing and/or screening.

The answers to the questions above, together with the facts supporting the answers and those other facts that exist in the record, are hereby certified to be the Findings of the County Board of Commissioners.

The specific reasons for denial or conditions of approval are as follows:

  1. The interim use permit terminates five (5) years from the date of approval or upon sale or transfer of the property, whichever occurs first.
  2. The maximum occupancy is limited to six (6) individuals.
  3. The established quiet hours are from 10:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m.
  4. A valid Certificate of Compliance for the septic system is required.
  5. No on-street parking is allowed.
  6. If applicable, the applicant must meet the Minnesota Department of Health requirements.

Approved  as Presented  (   ) Approved with Conditions  (X) Denied  (  )

Date: October 14, 2025 Chair, County Board: Jon Waibel

This is in accordance with the Lake of the Woods County Zoning Ordinance

Sheriff

Set Work Session

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to set a work session for Law Enforcement for October 28, 2025 following the regular board meeting.

Bank Signature Card

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Joe Grund and carried unanimously to approve the request to remove Julie Berggren from account number ending in 6468 and add County Sheriff Gary Fish to the account at National Bank of Commerce.

Approval to Adjust Huber Fees

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the request to adjust huber fees from $15.00 to $25.00 effective immediately.

Permission to Sell Vehicles and Equipment by Sealed Bid

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Joe Grund, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the request to sell 3 squads, 3 boat motors, and a generator by sealed bid from the Sheriffs Department.

2024 Stonegarden Grant Approval

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the 2024 Stonegarden grant in the amount of $108,900.00.

Adjourn

Motion

Motion was made by Commissioner, seconded by Commissioner and carried unanimously to adjourn the meeting at 11:00 a.m.

Attest: Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson

October 28, 2025, Chair Jon Waibel