OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
PENNINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JUSTICE CENTER BOARD ROOM
MARCH 25, 2025 – 10:00 A.M.
Pursuant to adjournment, the Pennington County Board of Commissioners met in the Pennington County Justice Center Board Room in Thief River Falls, MN, on Tuesday, March 25, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Members present: Seth Nelson, Bruce Lawrence, Roy Sourdif, David Sorenson, and Neil Peterson. Members absent: None.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Sourdif and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.
The Chairman asked if there were any amendments to the agenda. Hearing none, there was a motion by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Recognition of Citizens: None.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve the County Board minutes of March 11, 2025, as written. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Sorenson, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve the Human Services warrants totaling $283,270.41 and the following Commissioner warrants. Motion carried.
County Revenue $152,442.31
Road & Bridge $6,972.61
Solid Waste Facility $6,154.00
Ditch Funds $15,412.50
Meal reimbursements and per diems in the amount of $18.50 were also approved.
Seth Vettleson – County Sheriff
Sheriff Vettleson presented a quote from Thief River Ford for a vehicle to be used by jail staff and other administration. Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve the quote and purchase of a 2025 Ford Explorer from Thief River Ford at the quoted price of $40,500.00, to be paid via the canteen fund. Motion carried.
County Auditor-Treasurer Items:
The following resolution was motioned for approval by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, and upon vote was unanimously carried.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
SPONSORSHIP OF SNOWMOBILE TRAILS OPERATED BY THE GOODRIDGE TRAILBLAZERS SNOWMOBILE CLUB FOR THE 2025-26 GROOMING SEASON
BE IT RESOLVED, that the county of Pennington act as the legal sponsor for an application for funding to the State of Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources for maintenance for Wapiti, 4-G North, and 4-G River Road snowmobile trails managed by the Goodridge Trailblazers Snowmobile Club.
BE IT RESOLVED, that upon approval of its application by the State, the County of Pennington may enter into an agreement with the State of Minnesota for the above referenced project and that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as started in the agreement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Chairman and County Auditor- Treasurer are hereby authorized to serve as the fiscal agent for the above referenced project.
The following resolution was motioned for approval by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, and upon vote was unanimously carried.
RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING
SPONSORSHIP OF THE
SNOMOBILE TRAIL OPERATED BY THE THIEF RIVER FALLS SNODRIFTERS FOR THE 2025-2026 GROOMING SEASON
BE IT RESOLVED, that the county of Pennington act as the legal sponsor for an application for funding to the State of Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources for maintenance of snowmobile trails managed by the Thief River Falls Sno-Drifters.
BE IT RESOLVED, that upon approval of its application by the state, the County of Pennington may enter into an agreement with the State of Minnesota for the above referenced project and that it will comply with all applicable laws and regulations as started in the agreement.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that Jennifer Herzberg, County Auditor- Treasurer, is hereby authorized to serve as the fiscal agent for the above referenced project.
County Coordinator Items:
County Coordinator Kevin Erickson presented the Human Services Committee consent agenda. On a motion by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, the following recommendations of the Pennington County Human Service Committee for March 18, 2025 (detailed minutes on record) are hereby adopted:
SECTION A
I. To approve February 18, 2025, Human Service Committee Meeting minutes.
II. To approve the agency’s personnel action as presented.
III. A. To approve the 2024-2026 State-County Civil Rights Assurance Agreement as presented.
B. To adopt and approve DHS’s Merit System Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action guidelines as the agency’s EEO and AA action plan as presented.
C. To approve the CY 2025 Clinical Supervision Purchase of Service Agreement between Jennifer Manning and Pennington County Human Services, as presented.
D. To approve the CY 2025 Child Welfare opiate allocation-agency plan as presented.
SECTION B
I. To approve payment of the Agency’s bills.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to authorize the County Coordinator to advertise for the position of Full-Time DMV Deputy Registrar Assistant. Motion carried.
County Attorney Items:
Interim County Attorney Nathan Haase stated he is discussing the possibility of hiring a summer intern. He will continue discussion with the Personnel Committee and bring the issue to a future Board meeting.
Mr. Haase informed the Board that interviews for the position of Assistant County Attorney will be held on March 26th, 2025.
Committee Reports / Commissioner Updates:
Commissioner Peterson reported that Northern Counties is discussing the State’s proposed cuts to PILT (Payment In Lieu of Tax) as part of the proposed State budget, along with the potential of those costs being pushed down to MN counties.
Mike Flaagan – County Engineer
Mr. Flaagan informed the Board that the Annual Township Association meeting will be held on April 8, 2025, at 7:00 p.m. in the Joint Use Facility meeting room.
Mr. Flaagan noted that bids for 2025 fuel, equipment rental, and culverts have been received and were opened today at 9:00 a.m. in the Justice Center Board Room as duly advertised.
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to accept the bid received from True North Steel for 2025 culvert supplies. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to accept the bids received from Northdale Oil (-$.20/gal. bulk pricing, -$.10/gal. station price) and Farmers Union Oil (-$.15/gal. current price) for 2025 fuel and authorize the Engineer to use either bidder as needed. Discussion was held on the usage split for 2024. Following discussion, the motion was carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to accept the bids and bidders for 2025 equipment rental and authorize the Engineer to select from the bidders as needed. Motion carried.
Dyrdahl Construction Inc.
Thygeson Construction, Inc.
Triple D Construction & Leasing, Inc.
Olson (Jeff) Construction
Nelson Excavating
Beito Repair
Lunke Construction
Hruby Road Service
Weleski Excavating, LLC
Olson (Steve) Construction TRF Inc.
K&K Trucking, Inc.
Anderson Excavating
Mr. Flaagan presented the following two quotes received for gravel crushing in 2025, noting that the Engineer’s estimate was $143,400:
Schenkey Inc. $151,700
Davidson Construction, Inc. $204,200
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve the quote by Schenkey Inc. in the hamount of $151,700 for 2025 gravel crushing. Motion carried.
Engineer Flaagan presented the following quote received for 2025 county road striping, noting the Engineer’s estimate was $149,659.24:
Kamco Inc. $136,085.31
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the quote by Kamco Inc. in the amount of $136,085.31 for 2025 county road striping. Motion carried.
Mr. Flaagan noted that the annual surveyor contract expires soon and requested reapproval with no changes; the rate would remain $75.00 per hour. Mr. George Coulombe has been working on the Public Land Survey System and most often works one day per week in Pennington County. Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve a contract renewal with George E.R. Coulombe for county surveyor services for the period of April 1, 2025, to March 31, 2026, at the rate of $75.00 per hour. Motion carried.
The Engineer noted that the 2024 Highway Department Annual Report will soon be available for viewing on the website.
Mr. Flaagan presented several annual township agreements for the maintenance blading and snow plowing of Town roads, which also specify the following 2025 rates:
Motor Grader, Blading, Plowing Snow $130.00/hour
Truck (Tandem Axle) $140.00/hour
Loaders & Backhoe $130.00/hour
Min. charge (blading, plowing snow, etc.) $80.00/hour
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve annual maintenance agreements with the townships of Black River, Deer Park, Kratka, Numedal, Polk Centre, River Falls, Sanders, Silverton, and Wyandotte for the period of January 1, 2025, to January 31, 2026. Motion carried.
Mr. Flaagan will contact the University of MN to see if they can attend an upcoming Board meeting to present on the local option sales tax study for Pennington County.
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to adjourn the Board meeting to April 8, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Motion carried.
ATTEST:
Kevin Erickson,
County Coordinator
Roy Sourdif, Chairman
Pennington County Board of
Commissioners
PENNINGTON COUNTY’S
WARRANTS FOR PUBLICATION
Warrants approved
on March 25, 2025
For Payment on March 28, 2025
Vendor Amount
ADVANCED CORRECTIONAL HEALTHCARE $23,658.01
DACOTAH PAPER $5,860.50
DEPT OF CORRECTIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES $2,231.25
IHLE SPARBY & HAASE PA $15,000.00
MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS $14,026.44
NORTHWEST MN HOUSEHOLD $6,154.00
NORTHWEST REGIONAL LIBRARY $32,616.75
OLSON CONSTRUCTION TRF, INC. $15,412.50
PENNINGTON COUNTY HIGHWAY DEPT. $6,678.28
READITECH IT SOLUTIONS $4,908.68
SKILLET KITCHEN $21,614.01
THOMSON REUTERS/WEST PAYMENT CENTER $2,561.88
56 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2000 $30,259.12
Final Total: $180,981.42