OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
PENNINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
JUSTICE CENTER BOARD ROOM
JUNE 24, 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, June 24, 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 Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried.
Recognition of Citizens: None.
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the County Board minutes of June 10, 2025, and the County Board of Appeal & Equalization minutes of June 16, 2025, as written. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Nelson, to approve the Human Services warrants totaling $211,271.69 and the following Commissioner warrants. Motion carried.
County Revenue $143,696.38
Road & Bridge $69,737.84
Solid Waste Facility $345.77
Ditch Funds $10,262.50 Meal reimbursements and per diems in the amount of $591.83 were also approved.
Mike Flaagan – County Engineer
Mr. Flaagan discussed a quote from Stone’s Mobile Radio for 18 handheld radios for the highway department. He noted that portable radios are more practical for the department versus installing radios in their equipment. He plans to get a second quote from Roger’s Two Way Radio in Bemidji, MN. The highway department is not on the ARMER system so communication with law enforcement and ambulance service would be greatly improved with portable radios. He noted that radios were not budgeted for 2025 but cost savings from not leasing a tractor and using State Aid Maintenance funds for the roof project would likely cover the purchase. He will report back to the Board once he has secured a second quote.
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve a five (5) year Work Initiation Document & Addendum renewal received from the USDA-Wildlife Services, which allows the agency to enter county-owned land to address nuisance gray wolf, coyote, and beaver. Motion carried. Mr. Flaagan said he would be the point of contact for the county, but area conservation officers would also be contacted.
The Engineer provided an update on local projects. The milling and overlay of CSAH #27 is complete and shouldering is nearly complete; rumble strips and striping will follow soon. Paving started on CSAH #28 but was delayed a few days due to equipment issues. Work on CSAH #26 has been completed and the Dewey Avenue project will begin around July 1st. His department has started mowing ditches along State aid highways and spraying will start in July.
Mr. Flaagan noted they have completed the county road safety plan and he will make a summary report available on their website page.
Seth Vettleson – County Sheriff
Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the transfer of Jackie Grindeland from Part-Time Corrections Officer to Full-Time Corrections Officer effective June 25, 2025. Motion carried.
County Auditor-Treasurer Items: None.
County Coordinator Items:
Mr. Erickson presented the Human Service Committee consent agenda on behalf of Human Services Director Julie Sjostrand. On a motion by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, the following recommendations of the Pennington County Human Service Committee for June 17, 2025 (detailed minutes on record) are hereby adopted:
SECTION A
I. To approve May 20, 2025, Human Service Committee Meeting minutes.
II. To approve the agency’s personnel action as presented.
III. A. To approve the purchase and installation of 2 Lenovo ThinkPad Computers from Garden Valley Telephone Company as presented.
SECTION B
I. To approve payment of the Agency’s bills.
Mr. Erickson provided a summary of the public meeting held on June 17, 2025, at 6:00 p.m. regarding the TRF Auditorium and Municipal building. 37 people were in attendance. Commissioner Lawrence began the meeting with a review of a building assessment conducted by The BKV Group in 2024. The report contained multiple options and cost estimates. Of note was $2-3M in deferred maintenance needs including a roof and heating system. The county noted water damage that occurred in 2024, resulting in mold and humidity issues and building lease agreements being terminated. Auditor-Treasurer Jennifer Herzberg stated that a $8M bond for the building would increase county property taxes by approximately 3.5%. Those in favor of saving the building cited its historical value and possible uses of the building. They proposed a piecemeal approach to renovation and applying for federal/state grants to cover costs, or the possibility of a non-profit owning and restoring the building. County officials expressed a desire to retain the land for future expansion. Several City of TRF officials present noted their personal desire to save the building and discussed operating costs and revenue from city buildings such as the Carnegie Library and Ralph Engelstad Arena. A constituent questioned whether the Auditorium’s future could be put to public vote, with Interim County Attorney stating that it cannot; it is for the County Board to decide. The possibility of organizing a steering committee was discussed. The County Board noted it will take all comments heard into consideration and will continue its discussion of the Auditorium.
A County Personnel Committee meeting was set for June 30, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. in Meeting Room A of the Government Center for the purpose of discussing results of a Request for Proposals regarding upcoming Paid Family Medical Leave. Counties have the option to take the State of MN plan or may use a State-approved private insurance plan.
A County Building Committee meeting was set for July 8, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. in Meeting Room A of the Government Center.
County Attorney Items:
Mr. Haase stated that he has been addressing several data requests received by the county. He spoke in regard to Engineer Flaagan’s earlier discussion on handheld radio quotes, noting that at least two quotes should be received for items that fall under the threshold for bids.
Committee Reports / Commissioner Updates:
Commissioner Sorenson noted that the Dancing Sky – Area Agency on Aging has expressed their happiness to hear that state funding for their agency is not being cut as part of the upcoming budgets.
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to adjourn the Board meeting to July 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 June 24, 2025
For Payment on June 26, 2025
Vendor Amount
ABM TECHNOLOGY GROUP $5,425.50
ADVANCED CORRECTIONAL HEALTHCARE $23,367.56
CENTEC CAST METAL PRODUCTS $3,728.06
DEERE CREDIT INC. $41,112.45
DEPT OF CORRECTIONS FINANCIAL SERVICES $2,713.51
G & R CONTROLS, INC. $5,350.00
GARDEN VALLEY TELEPHONE $15,522.46
IHLE SPARBY & HAASE, PA $15,000.00
MINNESOTA STATE TREASURER $4,304.00
NORTHDALE OIL INC. $7,971.77
OLSON CONSTRUCTION TRF, INC. $10,262.50
POMP’S TIRE SERVICE, INC. $10,537.77
PRO-WEST & ASSOCIATES INC. $29,225.88
SKILLET KITCHEN $23,536.23
TIMBERLINE LOCATION LLC $6,100.00
57 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2000 $19,884.80
Final Total: $224,042.49