OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS
PENNINGTON COUNTY BOARD OF
COMMISSIONERS
JUSTICE CENTER BOARD ROOM
JULY 22, 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, July 22, 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 Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to approve the County Board minutes of July 8, 2025, as written. Motion carried.
Motioned by Commissioner Sorenson, seconded by Commissioner Peterson, to approve the Human Services warrants totaling $225,936.79 and the following Commissioner warrants. Motion carried.
County Revenue $192,056.68
Road & Bridge $56,995.27
Solid Waste Facility $6,450.00
Ditch Funds $225.00
Meal reimbursements and per diems in the amount of $511.20 were also approved.
Janelle Cheney – MN Dept. of Corrections District Supervisor
The following DOC staff were present and made introductions: Correction Agents Mary Gerardy, Jeremy Rychlock, Tiffany Rivard, Derek Biermaier, and Office Support Assistant Cassi Sparby. Ms. Cheney noted two CA staff not present: Jenna Hagl and Sean Farris.
Ms. Cheney discussed the caseload of local agents and noted that the DOC works hard to be innovative with services and understand offender behavior so they can reduce recidivism. Local Agents also participate in various groups including domestic violence and community advisory. Agents Gerardy and Hagl host a cognitive group as well. Commissioner Lawrence questioned future funding and caseloads, to which she replied that they are State funded in part but also rely on counties and other stakeholders. Cuts to the Sentence to Serve program were discussed with the Board stating that Pennington and several area counties recognize value in the program and intend to fund it. Ms. Cheney briefly discussed the DOC budget as well. The Board thanked her for the report.
Erik Beitel – Emergency Management Director
Mr. Beitel informed the Board that he and a local group has met to review current policies for local emergency siren activation, campground policies/procedures, and public notifications. Suggested changes include siren activation when hail is 1.5” or bigger versus the current parameter of 2.75”. He also noted that the Ralph Engelstad Arena, considered the area’s primary shelter, would be opened by police or fire anytime an emergency siren activates. Regarding local campground policies, bathrooms would remain open during emergencies but more notification would be provided to renters upon check-in. Mr. Beitel requested Board approval of these changes to policy and authorization to update the county website and any print of these changes. Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the changes in emergency policy and notifications as discussed above and authorize the EMD to communicate such changes to the public as necessary. Motion carried.
Alex Bladow – Assistant County Engineer
Motioned by Commissioner Peterson, seconded by Commissioner Lawrence, to accept the resignation of Larry Hoaglund effective July 17, 2025, and to post the vacancy internally per the CBA and advertise later if necessary. Motion carried.
Mr. Bladow provided a local project update: CSAH #26, #27, and #28 projects are complete and the Dewey Ave. project has begun with milling estimated to be complete tomorrow and paving to be completed by weeks end. The CSAH #10 project will begin on August 11, 2025.
Kayla Jore, Sarah Lefebvre – Community Strong
Ms. Jore and Ms. Lefebvre discussed the group’s activities in 2024, which included the ‘Be The Voice’ event that was presented to the high school and to the general community, an awareness event held at a game last fall, and the purchase of wellness books for Challenger Elementary School. 2025 activities will include a mental health awareness event and booth at the ‘Border Battle’ hockey game, and Scott Geiselhart from the Frazee, MN area will be the guest speaker at the “Be the Voice” event being held on September 16, 2025, which will again be presented at the high school and that evening to the community. They are seeking the county’s financial support as in past years. The Board took the request under advisement and thanked them for their report.
Commissioner Peterson stated that Quinn County Community Health has been renamed and rebranded as ‘Healthy Quin Counties’.
Julie Sjostrand – Human Services Director
Ms. Sjostrand presented the consent agenda from the July 15, 2025, Human Service Committee meeting. On a motion by Commissioner Nelson and seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, the following recommendations of the Pennington County Human Service Committee for July 15, 2025 (detailed minutes on record) are hereby adopted:
SECTION A
I. To approve June 17, 2025, Human Service Committee meeting minutes.
II. To approve the Agency’s personnel action as presented.
III. A. To approve the CY 2025 Tri-Valley Transportation Business Contract between Tri-Valley Opportunity Council, Inc., and Pennington County Human Services, as presented.
B. To approve the purchase and installation of two Lenovo ThinkPad Computers from Garden Valley Telephone Company as presented.
SECTION B
I. To approve payment of the Agency’s bills.
County Auditor-Treasurer Items: None.
County Coordinator Items:
County Coordinator Kevin Erickson presented a quote from SOK Enterprises of Oklee, MN for an elevator fire recall system upgrade in the Government Center. The quote includes new smoke detectors, electromagnetic door holders, door closers, and connections to the main fire panel. This is a required upgrade to get up to code. Not included in the quote is an elevator tech (if needed), electrician, and any required permits, drawings, inspection fees. Motioned by Commissioner Lawrence, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to approve the quote by SOK Enterprises in the amount of $7,437.20 for a Government Center elevator fire recall system upgrade as discussed above. Motion carried.
County Attorney Items: None.
Committee Reports / Commissioner Updates: None.
The County Coordinator noted that Pennington County will host the fall Association of MN Counties District 3 meeting. He also informed the Board that all reservations for the AMC Fall Policy meeting in Alexandria, MN have been made.
Motioned by Commissioner Nelson, seconded by Commissioner Sorenson, to adjourn the Board meeting to July 22, 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 July 22, 2025
For Payment on July 25, 2025
Vendor Amount
ADVANCED CORRECTIONAL HEALTHCARE $23,099.57
BOBCAT OF GRAND FORKS
$4,350.00
CRAGUN’S $4,862.06
FARMERS UNION OIL $15,571.89
GARDEN VALLEY TELEPHONE
$11,172.01
HDR ENGINEERING, INC. $22,644.75
LES’S SANITATION SERVICE
$5,500.00
MN COUNTIES COMPUTER COOPERATIVE $38,393.94
MN DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
$27,004.40
MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS $3,920.00
NORTHWEST REGIONAL LIBRARY
$32,616.75
QUALITY SPRAY FOAM LLC
$2,110.00
SKILLET KITCHEN $23,843.03
THOMSON REUTERS/WEST PAYMENT CENTER $5,404.41
TIMBERLINE LOCATION LLC $8,500.00
UNIVERSITY OF NORTH DAKOTA
$8,613.00
52 PAYMENTS LESS THAN $2000
$18,121.14
Final Total: $255,726.95