OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
PENNINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JUSTICE CENTER BOARD ROOM
MAY 13, 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, May 13, 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 Sorenson, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Recognition of Citizens: None.
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve the County Board minutes of April 22, 2025, as written. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the Auditor & Manual warrants for April 2025 totaling $1,261,621.95 and the following Commissioner warrants. Motion carried.
County Revenue $62,990.53
Road & Bridge $216,359.19
Solid Waste Facility $9,712.60
Ditch Funds $5,156.46
Meal reimbursements and per diems in the amount of $1,817.47 were also approved.
Mike Flaagan – County Engineer
Mr. Flaagan noted that the Five-Year Road & Bridge plan hearing was held in the Justice Center Board room today at 9:00 a.m. Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the Pennington County Five-Year Road & Bridge plan for 2025-2029 as presented. Motion carried.
Engineer Flaagan noted that the road shouldering project is complete and he is recommending final payment to Thygeson Construction; total project cost is $194,266.30. The following resolution was introduced by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, and upon vote was unanimously carried. total cost.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Contract No. CP57-25-04 (road shouldering) 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. Flaagan noted that the State is considering accepting the low bid of Huot Construction Services, Inc. in the amount of $2,947142.21 for roof replacement at the Joint Use Facility. The county’s share is 27.9% or $822,252.68, and he recommended using County State Aid Highway maintenance funds to cover roughly 50% with the balance to be paid from the 2025, 2026, and possibly 2027 Highway Dept. budgets. The new roof will be an anchored system and will feature a 20-year warranty. Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to accept the bid by Huot Construction Services, Inc. and the cost share plan for roof replacement at the Joint Use Facility as described above. Discussion followed with the Engineer noting that the current roof was installed when the building was added on to 20 years ago. Following discussion, the motion was carried.
Seth Vettleson – County Sheriff
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence to approve the hire of Kale Douglas Masseth as Part-Time Dispatcher/Correctional Officer, contingent on successful BCA fingerprinting. Motion carried.
Sheriff Vettleson noted that the employment ad for Deputy Sheriff continues through May 20th, 2025, at 4:00 p.m.
County Auditor-Treasurer Items: None.
County Coordinator Items:
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the appointment of Kim Swanson as the new Pennington County Director of the Red River Valley Development Association. Motion carried. She will succeed Glenice Johnson in the position.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve hire of Jenny Anne Gonsorowski as Full-time Deputy Registrar Assistant with an effective start date of May 28, 2025, contingent upon a successful background check. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to hold a public informational meeting regarding the TRF Auditorium & Municipal building on June 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. in the Justice Center Board Room. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve a solid waste disposal agreement between Pennington County and the MAR-KIT Landfill Joint Powers Board effective January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2035, at a cost of $60.00/ton for 2026-2027 and $65.00/ton for 2028-2035. Motion carried.
Commissioner Lawrence requested that the County Coordinator setup a future Solid Waste Committee meeting at the MAR-KIT facility located in Kittson County.
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve a Retail Registration Form and Checklist as it relates to cannabis, as presented by the County Coordinator. Motion carried.
Mr. Erickson opened discussion on bids received for roof replacement at the Law Enforcement Center, which were referred to the Building Committee at the last Board meeting. Building & Grounds Supervisor Morgan Bernier noted that Gabriel Roofing LLC provided the low bid of $146,900, and they have since answered all questions and are licensed, bonded, and insured. Following discussion on the bids, there was a motion by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the bid of $146,900 by Gabriel Roofing LLC for roof replacement at the Law Enforcement Center, contingent upon review of the contract. Motion carried.
County Attorney Items:
Interim CA Nathan Haase informed the Board that Ashley Nelson began her position as Assistant County Attorney-Senior on May 5, 2025, and things are going very well.
Mr. Haase also provided an update on the new server.
Committee Reports / Commissioner Updates:
Commissioner Lawerence thanked Mr. Haase for volunteering at the county spring clean-up day on May 3, 2025. It was noted that less vehicles came through this year but they took in more garbage. Mr. Haase recommended in the future all garbage should be bagged. The Board noted that the clean-up day is well received by the public and has helped keep the county’s ditches and roadways clean.
Commissioner Peterson noted that the current legislative session ends on May 19, 2025, and Health and Human Services cost shifts to the counties is still the largest piece to be decided on. Cuts to the Payments in Lieu of Tax (PILT) program are not included in the current session and proposed bills.
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to adjourn the Board meeting to May 27, 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 May 13, 2025
For Payment on May 16, 2025
Vendor Amount
AUTO VALUE $3,788.37
CITY OF THIEF RIVER FALLS $13,738.49
COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION-STATE OF MN $3,493.28
DEERE CREDIT INC. $118,819.64
FARMERS UNION OIL $2,483.58
GARDEN VALLEY TELEPHONE $13,212.35
H2OVER VIEWERS $3,656.46
IWORQ SYSTEMS INC. $2,500.00
LES’S SANITATION SERVICE $8,621.62
MINNESOTA STATE TREASURER $4,630.50
NORTHDALE OIL INC. $8,398.27
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MN $3,000.00
THE TIMES $5,323.85
THOMSON REUTERS/WEST PAYMENT CE $2,561.88
TIMBERLINE LOCATION LLC $6,700.00
TRUE NORTH STEEL $66,437.16
67 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2000 $26,853.33
Final Total: $294,218.78