OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
PENNINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JUSTICE CENTER BOARD ROOM
OCTOBER 22, 2024 – 10:00 A.M.
Pursuant to M.S. 375.07, the Pennington County Board of Commissioners met in the Pennington County Justice Center Board Room in Thief River Falls, MN, on Tuesday, October 22, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Members Present: Seth Nelson, Roy Sourdif, David Sorenson, Neil Peterson, and Bruce Lawrence. Members absent: None.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Nelson and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The Chairman asked if there were any amendments to the agenda. County Coordinator Kevin Erickson stated the Sheriff Vettleson can be removed from the agenda. Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sourdif, to approve the agenda with the change presented. Motion carried.
Recognition of Citizens: None.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the County Board minutes of October 8, 2024, as written. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Sorenson, seconded by Commissioner Sourdif, to approve the Human Services warrants totaling $339,644.55 and the following Commissioner warrants. Motion carried.
County Revenue $411,831.08
Road & Bridge $96,131.17
Solid Waste Facility $49.50
J.C. Jail Bond Fund $475.00
J.C. Capital Improvement $475.00
Ditch Funds $1,028.83 Per diems and meal reimbursements in the amount of $900.00 were also approved.
Human Services Director Julie Sjostrand presented the consent agenda from the October 15, 2024, Human Services Committee meeting. On a motion by Commissioner Sorenson and seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, the following recommendations of the Pennington County Human Service Committee for October 15, 2024 (detailed minutes on record) are hereby adopted:
SECTION A
I. To approve the September 17, 2024, Human Service Committee Meeting minutes.
II. To approve the agency’s personnel action as presented.
III. A.To approve the CY 2025 Pennington County Family Services/Children’s Mental Health Collaborative Supportive Services Agreement with Alluma, Inc. as presented.
B. First reading and review of the Time Reporting and Targeted Case Management Standards Procedures & Policy.
SECTION B
I. To approve payment of the Agency’s bills.
Assistant County Engineer Alex Bladow presented the following highway department items on behalf of County Engineer Mike Flaagan:
Mr. Bladow noted that the slope repair project is complete and final payment is requested to Quality Spray Foam, LLC/dba Anderson Excavating in the amount of $254,766.19. The following resolution was motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, and upon vote was unanimously carried.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Contract No. 2402 has in all things been completed, and the County Board being fully advised in the premises,
NOW THEN, BE IT RESOLVED, that we do hereby by accept said completed project for and on behalf of the Pennington County Highway Dept. and authorize final payment as specified herein.
Mr. Bladow reminded the Board of the meeting being held at Reiner Town Hall on October 24, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. regarding CR#97, and a public informational meeting being held at the Joint Use Facility on November 7th, 2024, at 6:30 p.m. regarding CSAH #11.
Auditor-Treasurer Items:
Jennifer Herzberg presented quotes from Garden Valley Technologies for one Brother color printer for the Auditor-Treasurer’s office in the amount of $1,492.99, one Lenovo desktop pc for the Auditor’s office in the amount of $814.99, and one Dell Latitude notebook computer for the County Assessor’s office at an approximate cost of $3,500. She noted the Dell is needed for the new Field Mobile service. Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the quotes and purchases from Garden Valley Technologies as specified above. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Sourdif, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to appoint Commissioners Peterson and Sourdif to the County Canvassing Board for the 2024 General Election and to hold the meeting on November 12, 2024, at 3:00 p.m. in the Government Center 3rd floor meeting room. Motion carried.
County Coordinator Items:
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve a Memorandum of Understanding between Pennington County and Assistant County Attorney-Senior Kristin Hanson, whereas Ms. Hanson will move from wage step 5 to wage step 6, or $142,210, of the pay scale, retroactive to October 1, 2024. The 2025 and 2026 non-union COLAs will be effective January 1 of each respective year and wage step 7 will become effective July 1, 2026. Motion carried.
County Attorney Items:
Interim County Attorney Nathan Haase noted that the county continues to advertise and seek applicants for Assistant County Attorney.
Committee Reports / Commissioner Updates:
Commissioner Peterson noted that the AMC Fall District 3 Meeting was held in East Grand Forks, MN on October 17, 2024. County updates were discussed and major topics including levy amounts/increases for 2025, cannabis legislation, and related ordinances.
Commissioner Nelson noted that the county continues to discuss cannabis legislation and related ordinance proposals with the City of Thief River Falls. The County Coordinator is also surveying the townships and cities asking if the entities will adopt their own ordinance, delegate their authority to the County, or take no action on cannabis.
Motioned by Commissioner Sourdif, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to adjourn the Board meeting to Reiner Town Hall on October 24, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. Motion carried.
ATTEST:
Kevin Erickson, County Coordinator
Pennington County
Seth Nelson, Chairman
Board of Commisioners
PENNINGTON COUNTY’S
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants approved
on October 22, 2024
For Payment on October 25, 2024
Vendor Amount
ABM TECHNOLOGY GROUP
$11,250.00
ACME ELECTRIC $11,500.00
ADVANCED CORRECTIONAL HEALTHCARE $42,777.12
BLACK HILLS AMMUNITION
$3,157.00
CITY OF THIEF RIVER FALLS
$16,071.32
COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION $26,942.80
DEPT OF CORRECTIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES $2,925.63
ELECTION SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE $4,303.20
FARMERS UNION OIL $8,938.23
GARDEN VALLEY TELEPHONE
$16,090.71
HDR ENGINEERING, INC. $3,959.50
HUBERT OUTDOOR POWER
$19,901.00
IHLE SPARBY & HAASE, PA
$15,000.00
JOHNSON CONTROLS FIRE PROTECTION $4,164.17
LAKE SUPERIOR COLLEGE
$2,950.00
MN COUNTIES COMPUTER COOP
$84,559.00
MORRIS ELECTRONICS INC.
$11,733.47
NORTHDALE OIL INC. $3,929.87
NORTHWEST REGIONAL LIBRARY
$31,667.50
PROPHOENIX CORPORATION
$99,264.00
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MN $14,480.70
SEACHANGE $3,454.00
SKILLET KITCHEN $26,262.63
THOMSON REUTERS/WEST PAYMENT CENTER $2,513.90
TIMBERLINE LOCATION LLC
$7,900.00
ZIEGLER, INC. $4,933.41
69 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2000
$29,361.42
Final Total: $509,990.58