OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
PENNINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JUSTICE CENTER BOARD ROOM
MAY 27, 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 27, 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. The County Coordinator noted that Sheriff Vettleson can be removed from the agenda. Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the agenda with the change presented. Motion carried.
Recognition of Citizens: None.
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve the County Board minutes of May 13, 2025, as written. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the Human Services warrants totaling $280,677.76 and the following Commissioner warrants. Motion carried.
County Revenue $140,685.52
Road & Bridge $125,004.50
Solid Waste Facility $163.00
Ditch Funds $6,627.50
Meal reimbursements and per diems in the amount of $623.92 were also approved.
Michelle Landsverk, Diedre Nordin – Advance Thief River
Ms. Landsverk introduced Ms. Nordin as Secretary of their Board and wished to thank the County Board for their financial support since 2018. In review of the past year, they noted serving 75 businesses and providing 950 hours of direct services, secured $204,000 in community grants, established a charitable fund for childcare and awarded $25,000 in grants to help retain 234 childcare spots. They requested a $30,000 county contribution for 2026 and are optimistic for securing future grants. Ms. Landsverk stated they will also approach the City of TRF with a contribution request. Commissioner Peterson stated he believes the County sees a good return on its investment in Advance TR. The Chairman thanked them for their report and the Board took their budget request under advisement.
Julie Sjostrand – Human Services Director
Ms. Sjostrand presented the consent agenda from the May 20, 2025, Human Service Committee meeting. On a motion by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, the following recommendations of the Pennington County Human Service Committee for May 20, 2025 (detailed minutes on record) are hereby adopted:
SECTION A
I. To approve the April 15, 2025, Human Service Committee Meeting minutes.
II. To approve the agency’s personnel action as presented.
III. A. To approve the CY 2025-2026 Supervised Visitation and Visitation Exchange Purchase of Service Agreement between the Violence Intervention Project and Pennington County Human Services, as presented.
B. To approve the “Every Student Succeeds Act: (ESSA) Service Agreement between Goodridge Public Schools and Pennington County Human Services as presented.
C. To approve the Determination of need application to expand day services for the Rise Adult Day Services as presented.
D. To approve the Determination of Need Application to close Custom Wood Products and Close to transfer their main license to the new Dale St. Location for the Occupational Development Center (ODC).
E. To approve a letter from DHS Temporary Commissioner Shireen Gandhi, commending the Agency and staff for Perfect Performance in meeting all DHS Human Services Financial Reporting requirements for CY 2024 as presented.
SECTION B
I. To approve payment of the Agency’s bills.
Mike Flaagan – County Engineer
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve the following resolution regarding the roofing project at the Joint Use Facility. Motion carried.
RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, Pennington County desires to use part of its Regular County State Aid Highway (CSAH) Maintenance Account fund for a portion of a Highway Facility Upgrade Project; and,
WHEREAS, Pennington County requests a level of funding for this project based on the ration of CSAH Expenditures to Total Cost.
Percentage of CSAH Expenditures to Total Cost: $1,429,152/$2,880,719 = 50%
CSAH funding request for Thief River Falls Joint Facility:
$822,252.68 x 50% = $411,126.34
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the County of Pennington hereby requests Regular CSAH Maintenance Account funds in the amount of $411,126.34 for the Highway Facility Upgrade Project.
Mr. Flaagan discussed recent upgrades to the Joint Use Facility conference room and noted that training is being held for the new electronics in the room. The process to book and schedule the conference room will likely be handled by the State.
Mr. Flaagan noted that construction projects will begin in a couple of weeks and he reminded the Board that meetings on JD#13 and JD#30 are being held this Thursday at 10:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. in the Justice Center Board Room.
County Auditor-Treasurer Items: None.
County Coordinator Items:
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve a fireworks permit for Red Lake Gaming for a display to be held on July 4, 2025, at 7 Clans Casino. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Sorenson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve a fireworks permit for Premier Pyrotechnics, Inc. for a display to be held on June 7, 2025, at 32213 Center St. E, Oklee, MN 56742. Motion carried.
Mr. Erickson noted that bids for the sale of the former Human Services building and parking lot on Knight Avenue were opened this morning at 9:00 a.m. One bid was received from Movement Evolution of TRF, LLC in the amount of $215,000, contingent upon financing. Commissioners Lawrence spoke on behalf of the Building Committee, stating the bid is fair and reasonable. Following discussion, Commissioner Lawrence motioned, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to accept the bid by Movement Evolution of TRF, LLC in the amount of $215,000 for the sale of County-owned property located at 318 and 321 Knight Ave. N. in Thief River Falls, MN, and to move forward with the sale contingent upon financing. Motion carried. The Board asked Interim County Attorney Nathan Haase to draft a purchase agreement and any required documents for the sale of the properties.
County Attorney Items:
Mr. Haase provided a brief update on their new server for the CA office. He informed the Board that Ashley Nelson is doing great in her position and they are thankful to have her on staff. He also noted that summer intern Blake Klostermeyer has started and is doing well.
Committee Reports / Commissioner Updates:
Commissioner Peterson noted that an MRC lobbyist zoom meeting will be held today at 1:00 p.m., which will provide a legislative update. Health and Human Services cost shifts are of utmost concern along with potential cuts to County Program Aid, and legislators have been hearing from all counties that they cannot absorb such cost shifts.
Commissioner Lawrence stated that Governor Walz intends to close the Stillwater prison to save money, but he believes that will put more pressure on county jails and other inmate facilities.
Commissioner Nelson provided an update on Inter-County Community Council and their concerns over proposed cuts to energy assistance.
Commissioner Sourdif noted that the Red River Basin met recently and they are concerned about future funding. Commissioner Lawrence noted that President Trump has proposed eliminating the FEMA program and pushing that responsibility down to the states.
Motioned by Commissioner Sorenson, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to adjourn the Board meeting to June 10, 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 27, 2025
For Payment on May 30, 2025
Vendor Amount
ABM TECHNOLOGY GROUP $5,363.40
AMERICAN SOLUTIONS FOR BUSINESS $4,509.79
CITY OF THIEF RIVER FALLS $2,197.40
COULOMBE CONSULTING $2,700.00
DEERE CREDIT INC. $53,562.18
HDR ENGINEERING, INC. $21,827.25
IHLE SPARBY & HAASE PA $15,000.00
M-R SIGN CO, INC. $18,860.63
MN COUNTIES COMPUTER COOP $46,468.73
MORRIS ELECTRONICS INC. $2,068.75
NORTHDALE OIL INC. $4,787.34
OLSON CONSTRUCTION TRF, INC. $6,585.00
PENNINGTON & RED LAKE COUNTY $ 15,887.50
PENNINGTON COUNTY AUDITOR $5,035.88
QUADIENT FINANCE USA, INC. $3,000.00
SANFORD PATIENT FINANCIAL SERVICES $2,732.21
SKILLET KITCHEN $23,442.47
THRIFTY WHITE PHARMACY $4,675.63
TRUE NORTH STEEL $12,675.84
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA $2,771.00
44 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2000 $18,329.52
Final Total: $272,480.52