Lake of the Woods County (MN) Commissioners Proceedings
Commissioner Proceedings
June 20, 2017
The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in session on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at Angle Outpost Resort at the Northwest Angle.
Call to Order
Chairman Nordlof called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners Cody Hasbargen, Ed Arnesen, Ken Moorman, and Buck Nordlof. Absent: Jon Waibel. Also present were: County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson, Public Works Director, Tim Erickson, Deputy Auditor/Treasurer, Janet Rudd, County Attorney, James Austad , County Sheriff, Gary Fish, Human Resource Director, Savanna Slick, Social Services Director, Amy Ballard and Woody Fiala.
Approval of Agenda
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following additions: Digital T.V. and Land issues.
Approve Minutes
Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of June 13, 2017.
PUBLIC WORKS
Angle Road Update
Public Works Director, Tim Erickson met with the board and informed the board that some gravel was placed on the Angle Road last year, more gravel to be placed in July and another load the next year. Tim also informed the board that they will be placing Calcium Chloride on the road next week.
NWA Maintenance
Public Works Director, Tim Erickson met with the board and requested approval to advertise, interview and hire for the NWA Maintenance Department.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to authorize Public Works Director, Tim Erickson to advertise, interview and hire for the a NWA Maintenance Department.
SHERIFF
County Sheriff, Gary Fish met with the board requesting approval to charge Office Fees for Firearm Storage at $5.00 per time and Vehicle Storage at $10.00 per day and requested that the Deputy Sheriffs Office position be removed from the agenda and placed on next board agenda.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to approve the County Sheriff’s Office Fees for Firearm Storage at $5.00 per time and Vehicle Storage at $10.00 per day.
NWA Golf Course Road
The board discussed the parking issues on the Golf Course Road. After discussion with Paul Colson the board decided that Commissioner Arnesen and Public Works Director, Tim Erickson will look into this further and requested that Paul send Time the marker coordinates.
HUMAN RESOURCES
Solid Waste Assistant Program Director
Human Resource Director, Savanna Slick met with the board requesting authorization to create an Assistance Solid Waste Program Manager job description and to hire within.
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve Public Works Director, Tim Erickson to create a new job description and grade for Assistant Solid Waste Program Director and advertise and interview.
Emergency Management Director
Human Resource Director, Savanna Slick met with the board requesting a step increase for Emergency Manager and requesting thirty (30) hours per week versus the twenty-four (24) hours, and up to ten (10) additional hours as back-up dispatch. County Sheriff, Gary Fish requested that this position be moved to a step seven (7).
Motion
Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Moorman with Commissioner Hasbargen abstaining and carried unanimously to move Emergency Management Director, Jill Hasbargen Olson from step 4 to step 7 at $21.96 per hour effective next pay period with thirty (30) hours and Emergency Management and up to additional ten (10) hours as Dispatcher duties.
Recess
The meeting was called to recess at 11:20 a.m. and reconvened at 11:30 a.m. as follows:
SOCIAL SERVICES
Social Service Director, Amy Ballard met with the board to inform the NWA residents of the services that are available thru her office and left packets of information for local residents.
FLOOD PLAIN SERVICES/ VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER
Chairman Nordlof informed the NWA residents that the Land and Water Planning Office now offers assistants with determining Flood Plain levels and that Veterans Service Officer , Rick Rone will be meeting at the NWA on July 17 from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.
AIRPORT UPDATE
Commissioner Arnesen informed the NW Angle residents that he just had a conversation with a member of the Tribe in regards to the NW Angle Airport, and last August they were to meet but the meeting was cancelled. We will wait to hear forth coming information.
DIGITAL TV
Paul Colson inquired about the Digital TV that was discussed in the past. County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson will look into and get back to the board
Land Issue
The board discussed Mary and Dave Gisch property. The consensus of the board was to have Chairman Nordlof work with County Attorney, James Austad on behalf of the county board on this property, with Commissioner Hasbargen abstaining.
RECESS
The meeting was called to recess at 11:59 a.m.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION
Board of Equalization Meeting was opened at 12:00 p.m. and closed at 12:11 p.m
RECESS
With no further business before the board, Chairman Nordlof called the meeting to recess at 12:12 p.m.
ATTEST: APPROVED: June 27, 2017
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson
Chairman of the Board, James Nordlof
Commissioner Proceedings
June 20, 2017
pursuant to MN. Statute 331A.01, subd. 10
the published material is only a summary and the full text is available for public inspection
at the lake of the woods county auditor/treasurers’ office
or by standard mail or electronic mail or lake of the woods county
website –www.lake-of-the-woods.mn.us
The Lake of the Woods County Board of Commissioners met in session on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at Angle Outpost Resort at the Northwest Angle.
Call to Order-Chairman Nordlof called the meeting to order at 10:10 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners Cody Hasbargen,, Ed Arnesen, Ken Moorman, and Buck Nordlof. Absent: Jon Waibel. Also present were: County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson, Public Works Director, Tim Erickson, Deputy Auditor/Treasurer, Janet Rudd, County Attorney, James Austad , County Sheriff, Gary Fish, Human Resource Director, Savanna Slick, Social Services Director, Amy Ballard and Woody Fiala.
Approval of Agenda-Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to approve the agenda with the following additions: Digital T.V. and Land issues.
Approve Minutes-Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve the minutes of June 13, 2017.
PUBLIC WORKS-Angle Road Update
Public Works Director, Tim Erickson met with the board and informed the board that some gravel was placed on the Angle Road last year, more gravel will be placed in July and another load the next year. Tim also informed the board that they will be placing Calcium Chloride on the road next week.
NWA Maintenance-Public Works Director, Tim Erickson met with the board and requested approval to advertise, interview and hire for the NWA Maintenance Department.
Motion-Motion was made by Commissioner Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Arnesen and carried unanimously to authorize Public Works Director, Tim Erickson to advertise, interview and hire for the a NWA Maintenance Department.
SHERIFF-County Sheriff, Gary Fish met with the board requesting approval to charge Office Fees for Firearm Storage at $5.00 per time and Vehicle Storage at $10.00 per day and requested that the Deputy Sheriffs Office position be removed from the agenda and placed on the next board agenda.
Motion-Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Moorman and carried unanimously to approve the County Sheriff’s Office Fees for Firearm Storage at $5.00 per time and Vehicle Storage at $10.00 per day.
NWA Golf Course Road
The board discussed the parking issues on the Golf Course Road. After discussion with Paul Colson the board decided that Commissioner Arnesen and Public Works Director, Tim Erickson will look into this further and requested that Paul send Tim the marker coordinates.
HUMAN RESOURCES-Solid Waste Assistant Program Director
Human Resource Director, Savanna Slick met with the board requesting authorization to create an Assistance Solid Waste Program Manager job description and to hire within. Motion-
Motion was made by Commissioner Moorman, seconded by Commissioner Hasbargen and carried unanimously to approve Public Works Director, Tim Erickson to create a new job description and grade for Assistant Solid Waste Program Director and advertise and interview.
Emergency Management Director-Human Resource Director, Savanna Slick met with the board requesting a step increase for Emergency Manager and requesting thirty (30) hours per week versus the initial twenty-four (24) hours, and up to ten (10) additional hours as back-up dispatch. County Sheriff, Gary Fish requested that this position be moved to a step seven (7).
Motion-Motion was made by Commissioner Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Moorman, with Commissioner Hasbargen abstaining and carried unanimously to move Emergency Management Director, Jill Hasbargen Olson from step 4 to step 7 at $21.96 per hour effective next pay period with thirty (30) hours and Emergency Management and up to additional ten (10) hours as Dispatcher duties.
Recess-The meeting was called to recess at 11:20 a.m. and reconvened at 11:30 a.m. as follows:
SOCIAL SERVICES
Social Service Director, Amy Ballard met with the board to inform the NWA residents of the services that are available thru her office and left packets of information for local residents.
FLOOD PLAIN SERVICES/VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER-Chairman Nordlof informed the NWA residents that the Land and Water Planning Office now offers assistances with determining Flood Plain levels and that Veterans Service Officer , Rick Rone will be meeting at the NWA on July 17th from 10:00 a.m. till 2:00 p.m.
AIRPORT UPDATE-Commissioner Arnesen informed the NW Angle residents that he just had a conversation with a member of the Tribe in regards to the NW Angle Airport, and last August they were to meet but the meeting was cancelled. We will wait to hear forth coming information.
DIGITAL TV-Paul Colson inquired about the Digital TV that was discussed in the past. County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson will research and get back to the board.
Land Issue-The board discussed Mary and Dave Gisch property. The consensus of the board was to have Chairman Nordlof work with County Attorney, James Austad on behalf of the county board on this property, with Commissioner Hasbargen abstaining.
RECESS-The meeting was called to recess at 11:59 a.m.
BOARD OF EQUALIZATION-Board of Equalization Meeting was opened at 12:00 p.m. and closed at 12:11 p.m.
RECESS-With no further business before the board, Chairman Nordlof called the meeting to recess at 12:12 p.m.
ATTEST:
APPROVED: June 27, 2017
County Auditor/Treasurer, Lorene Hanson
Chairman of the Board, James Nordlof
Lake of the Woods County
Board of Appeal and Equalization
June 13, 2017
The Lake of the Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization met on Tuesday, June 13, 2017, in the Commissioners’ Room of the Lake of the Woods County Government Center.
Call to Order
County Board Vice-Chair Ed Arnesen called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. with the following members present: Commissioners: Ed Arnesen, Cody Hasbargen, Jon Waibel, Ken Moorman and County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent was Commissioner Buck Nordlof. Also present were: County Assessor Mary Jo Otten, Assessment Specialist Alisa Jacobson, Assessor Appraiser Whitnie Reasy and Woody Fiala. It was noted that Deputy Recorder Christie Russell swore in the members of the Lake of the Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization earlier today during the regular County Board meeting.
County Board Vice-Chair Ed Arnesen explained the purpose of the Board of Appeal and Equalization. He reminded the public that this meeting was only to hear appeals of the estimated market value (EMV) or classification, not for taxes or prior years’ assessments. He further explained that all appeals would be heard before any action would be taken.
County Assessor
County Assessor Mary Jo Otten explained that the valuation period is from sales during October 1, 2015 through September 30, 2016, and discussed adjustments that had been made during the past year.
Property Owners
Meeting with the County Board was Roger Dorow property owner in Wheeler Township. Mr. Dorow relayed his concern on the market value of one of his parcels. County Assessor Mary Jo Otten reviewed the property in question and explained the recent sales and how this affects the market values made to his property. She further stated she would be happy to view, research and reassess his property if the board allowed for a recess and continuation of the Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting.
Meeting with the County Board was Rodney Thompson, property owner in the Lakewood Township. Mr. Thompson explained his concern regarding the increase in market value to his property. County Assessor Mary Jo Otten explained how the assessment was made. She further stated she would be happy to view, research and reassess his property if the board allowed for a recess and continuation of the Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting.
Meeting with the County Board was Jake Hasbargen, representing Jakes Saw Mill Products, property owner in Spooner Township. Mr. Hasbargen explained his concern regarding the increase in market value to his property. County Assessor Mary Jo Otten explained how they had recently combined his two parcels into one parcel. She further explained to him that the documents he was presenting, were showing the before and after the combination. Mr. Hasbargen thanked County Assessor Mary Jo Otten and the Board for their time.
County Assessor Mary Jo Otten presented a list of property owners that had contacted her prior to the meeting and her recommendations to the board:
Delbert Fuller, property owner in Walhala Township, Questioning land value. There was some waste on the property.
Charles Wirth, property owner in NW Angle Township, Questioning land value ad classification.
Patrick Bourgeois, property owner in Swiftwater Township, Questioning value of new construction.
Charles Smith, property owner in Prosper Township, Questioning value of completion percentage and added depreciation because of vandalism to structure.
Jack Lundbohm, property owner in Prosper Township, Questioning value due to cabin stripped and being remodeled because of mold issues.
Brent Olson, property owner in Baudette Township, Questioning square footage valued as house that is actually a garage.
Robert Holden, property owner in Chilgren Township, Questioning value condition. The structure is a manufactured home that hasn’t been occupied for many years. Remodeling started years ago and never finished. The Structure is in Salvage value condition.
Gregory Zippel, property owner in Wheeler Township, Questioning lot value due to location.
Michael Bealka, property owner in Wheeler Township, Questioning value of cabin due to the crumbling foundation.
Alwyn Johnson, property owner in Wheeler Township, Questioning value because of no electricity on lot or electricity or concrete in garage.
Robert Boomgaarden, property owner in Wabanica Township, Questioning value on Manufactured home.
Steven Levasseur, property owner in Swiftwater Township, Questioning value of cabin.
Irene Anderson, property owner in Swiftwater Township, Questioning site value and structure due to mold.
Scott Carlson, property owner in Myhre Township, Questioning value due to the completion percentage.
Recess
With no further questions or comments from the public and the need for some issues to be researched, Commissioner Vice-Chair Ed Arnesen called the meeting recessed at 7:05 p.m. and rescheduled the Lake of the Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting to reconvene Tuesday, June 20, 2017, at 11:45 a.m. at the Angle Outpost Resort, Northwest Angle.
Reconvene
The Lake of the Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization met and reconvened on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 at 12:00 p.m. at the Angle Outpost Resort, Northwest Angle.
Call to Order
County Board Chair Buck Nordlof called the meeting to order at 12:00 p.m. with the following members present: Commissioners: Ed Arnesen, Cody Hasbargen, Ken Moorman, Buck Nordlof and County Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson. Absent was Commissioner Jon Waibel. Also present were: Deputy Auditor-Treasurer Janet Rudd and Woody Fiala. It was noted that Deputy Recorder Christie Russell swore in the members of the Lake of the Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization at the first meeting and Commissioner Buck Nordlof was sworn in on Tuesday, June 20, 2017 by County Recorder Sue Ney prior to reconvening the meeting, as he was absent at the first Board of Equalization meeting.
County Board Chair Buck Nordlof explained that all the appeals had been heard at the previous meeting on June 13, 2017, and there would be no new appeals before the Board. County Assessor Mary Jo Otten was unable to attend todays’ meeting, however, presented documentation from her research in viewing the properties in question from the prior meeting.
Actions
After hearing all the appeals, questions, comments and research reviewed, the following actions were taken:
Roger Dorow, property owner in Wheeler Township, Parcel Number: 19.25.24.050. The County Board of Appeal and Equalization reviewed the reassessment of the property by County Assessor Mary Jo Otten. The Board recognized an adjustment for the ravine running down the south side of the parcel as well as re-evaluating the buildings. Motion was made by Commissioner Ken Moorman to decrease the value from $443,900 to $427,700 and was seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen. With Commissioner Buck Nordlof abstaining, the motion was put to a vote and carried unanimously.
Rodney Thompson, property owner in Lakewood Township, Parcel Number 14.14.44.060. The County Board of Appeal reviewed the reassessment of the property by County Assessor Mary Jo Otten. The Board recognized an adjustment for no well and structure valuation. Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, and the same being put to a vote was carried unanimously to decrease the value from $114,900 to $79,000.
Jakes’ Saw Mill Products, Jake Hasbargen, property owner in Spooner Township, Parcel No. 30.24.41.010. The County Board of Appeal and Equalization noted this was a question and clarification of how combining two parcels affected statements and values. No action needed or taken.
Property Owners presented by County Assessor Mary Jo Otten during the 1st meeting of the 2017 Board of Appeal and Equalization was reviewed by the County Board of Appeal and Equalization. Motion was made by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen, seconded by Commissioner Ken Moorman and the same being put to a vote was carried unanimously to approve the changes as recommended by the County Assessor. List as follows:
Delbert Fuller, property owner in Walhala Township, 29.16.11.000; Corrected land value. There was some waste on the property. Value decrease from $27,600 to $22,100.
Charles Wirth, property owner in NW Angle Township, 06.02.33.000 — Corrected land value and class. It was valued as lakeshore and does not touch the lake. Changed the class from SRR (Seasonal Recreational Residential) to RVL (Rural Vacant Land) and value decrease from $47,100 to $27,000.
Patrick Bourgeois, property owner in Swiftwater Township, 43.27.21.000 — Corrected value of new construction. Value decrease from $123,100 to $109,600.
Charles Smith, property owner in Prosper Township, 16.06.043.010 — Corrected completion percentage and added depreciation because of vandalism to structure. Value decrease from $78,400 to $57,600.
Jack Lundbohm, property owner in Prosper Township, 16.53.01.330 — Corrected depreciation until completion due to cabin stripped and being remodeled because of mold issues. Value decrease from $118,200 to $107,300.
Brent Olson, property owner in Baudette Township, 24.20.34.010 — Corrected square footage valued as house that is actually a garage. Value decrease from $298,400 to $271,700.
Robert Holden, property owner in Chilgren Township, 17.05.34.030 — Corrected value condition. The structure is a manufactured home that hasn’t been occupied for many years. Remodeling started years ago and never finished. The Structure is in Salvage value condition. Value decrease from $51,700 to $35,000.
Gregory Zippel, property owner in Wheeler Township, 19.61.01.170 — Corrected lot value. The lot value was lowered by 20% due to location. Value decreased from $22,500 to $18,000.
Michael Bealka, property owner in Wheeler Township, 19.35.43.100 — Corrected depreciation value. The value of depreciation was increased on the cabin due to the crumbling foundation. Value decrease from $131,000 to $119,400.
Alwyn Johnson, property owner in Wheeler Township, 19.36.21.080 — Corrected value for no electricity on lot or electricity or concrete in garage. Value decrease from $56,600 to $47,000.
Robert Boomgaarden, property owner in Wabanica Township, 23.28.23.000 — Corrected value on Manufactured home. Value decrease from $62,200 to $49,300.
Steven Levasseur, property owner in Swiftwater Township, 43.11.21.000 — Corrected value of cabin. Value decrease from $70,400 to $67,900.
Irene Anderson, property owner in Swiftwater Township, 43.16.33.010 — Corrected site value and structure due to mold. Value decrease from $48,300 to $12,800.
Scott Carlson, property owner in Myhre Township, 21.36.41.000 — Corrected completion percentage. Value decrease from $74,100 to $57,500.
Adjourn
Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen to adjourn the County Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting for 2017. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Cody Hasbargen and the same being put to a vote, was unanimously carried. County Board Chair Buck Nordlof adjourned the Lake of the Woods County Board of Appeal and Equalization meeting for 2017, at12:11 p.m.
Attest:
Approved:
Lorene Hanson, County Auditor-Treasurer
Buck Nordlof, County Commissioner Board Chair