Lake of the Woods County Board Commissioners Proceedings

Call To Order Chair Joe Grund called the meeting to order at 8:15 a.m. and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited with the following members present: Commissioners: Jon Waibel, and Joe Grund. Joining by Teams: Ed Arnesen Key Largo, Florida. Also present was County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson and Deputy Auditor-Treasurer Anna Sanchez. Absent: Commissioners: Cody Hasbargen, and Buck Nordlof. The Board introduced themselves to the students and which districts they represented.

Approval of Agenda Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the agenda with the following changes: Add: Medical Examiner Contract, City Law Enforcement Contract. Remove: Work Session moved to March 10, 2026 following the regular board meeting.

Approval of Minutes Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the minutes of February 10, 2026. 

Extension (4-H) Northwest Regional Director Lisa Loegering and LOTW Extension Educator Emma Torgerson introduced themselves and reviewed programs available through Extension and 4-H.

Boat & Water Update Sergeant Ben Duick gave a boat & water update and gave examples of times when a safe boat would be used on Lake of the Woods. Mr. Duick also gave an overview of his position working with the sheriff’s department.

Lake of the Woods Treatment Court Treatment Court Coordinator Twyla Sondreal and Probation Supervisor Keegan Foss presented on the process and the purpose of the Lake of the Woods Treatment Court. They reviewed how the treatment courts can help lead people living with substance use out of the justice system and into lives of recovery and stability and discussed their experiences working with the program.

Arrowhead Library Systems Mollie Stanford, Kelly Pelland, and Deb Perala reviewed programs available through Arrowhead Library Systems and events that will take place over the summer.

Historical Society Historical Society Executive Director Sam Clement reviewed the progress of the museum renovation and new exhibits.

Public Works Add to Agenda Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to add the following to the agenda: SAP 039-599-009 Bid Approval, Equipment Purchase, Culverts Purchase.

SAP 039-599-009 Bid Approval Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the bid from KGM for SAP 039-599-009 in the amount of $777,821.43.

Equipment Purchase Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the purchase of an aluminum utility trailer in the amount of $3799.00.

Culverts Purchase Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the purchase of three culverts in the amount of $109,585.81.

Toward Zero Death TZD Coordinator Sue Johnson, State Aid Engineer Brian Ketring, County Engineer Anthony Pirkl and Trooper Dan Berggren, met with the board and discussed the importance of safe driving and reviewed responsibilities of their positions.

Social Services Jodi Ferrier introduced herself and gave an overview of the Social Services department.

Claims Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call  to approve the following claims: Commissioners Warrants $1,960.76; Commissioners Warrants $2,207.04; Commissioners Warrants $7,211.40.

Auditor/Treasurer County Auditor/Treasurer Lorene Hanson introduced herself to the students and gave an overview of the Auditor/Treasurer department and services.

Claims Motion  was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the claims against the County as follows: Revenue $72,931.35; Road & Bridge $20,030.08; County Development $200.00; Natl Enhancement $30.50 Solid Waste $12,518.58.

Land & Water Land & Water Director Josh Stromlund introduced himself to the students and gave an overview of the Land & Water department and services

Cooperative Agreement for SSTS Upgrade Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to authorize the Chairmen to sign the cooperative agreements for the utilization of the Lake of the Woods and Rainy Rapid Watersheds implementation funds to upgrade noncompliant septic systems.

Sheriff Sheriff Gary Fish introduced himself to the students and gave an overview of the Sheriff’s department.

Joint Powers Agreement-Pine to Prairie Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the Pine to Prairie Joint Powers Agreement as presented and for Chair Joe Grund, Auditor-Treasurer Lorene Hanson, and County Attorney Michelle Moren to sign the same.

Set Work Session Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously by roll call to set a work session for the Sheriff for March 10, 2026 following the regular board meeting.

Medical Examiner Contract Motion was made by Commissioner Jon Waibel, seconded by Commissioner Ed Arnesen and carried unanimously by roll call to approve the medical examiner contract between Anoka County and Lake of the Woods County effective January 1, 2026 in the amount of $10,406.00

City of Baudette Law Enforcement Contract Motion was made by Commissioner Ed Arnesen, seconded by Commissioner Jon Waibel and carried unanimously to approve the City of Baudette Law Enforcement contract effective January 1, 2026.

Pine to Prairie Task Force Deputy Sheriff/Investigator Craig Severs provided a presentation on the Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force, which works with eight different counties, local law enforcement, conservation officers, the Paul Bunyan Task Force and others.

Prevention Coalition Sandy Peterson and Doris Knutson gave a powerpoint presentation about the prevention program and the different groups of students they work with. They also answered questions from the students about different opioids and the use of Narcan.

Department of Corrections District Supervisor Janelle Cheney, Probation Supervisor Jessica Sender, and Probation Supervisor Keegan Foss discussed different programs for rehabilitations through the Department of Corrections and the schooling required for a career path in this field. 

Recess Chair Joe Grund called the meeting to recess and to reconvene March 10, 2026.