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Home My WebLink AboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 08/11/20267 ........ OTTERTAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 11, 2026 OTTER TAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES Government Services Center, Commissioners' Room & Via Livestream 515 West Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN August 11, 2026 I 8:30 a.m. CALL TO ORDER The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN. Commissioners Robert Lahman, Chair; Dan Bucholz, Vice Chair; Wayne Johnson, Kurt Mortenson and Sean Sullivan were present. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Chair Lahman called for approval of the Board Agenda. Motion by Mortenson, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners' Agenda of August 11, 2026, with the following correction to Upcoming Events: Canvassing Board Meeting is scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on August 14, 2026. APPROVAL OF CONSENT AGENDA Motion by Sullivan, second by Bucholz and unanimously carried to approve the consent agenda items as presented: 1. July 28 , 2026, Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes 2. Warrants/Bills for August 11 , 2026 (Exhibit A) 3. Amazon Warrants/Bills for August 11, 2026 (Exhibit A) 4. Human Services and Public Health Warrants/Bills for August 11, 2026 (Exhibit A) 5. Warrants/Bills, as Approved for Payment by the County Auditor-Treasurer, for July 24, 28, & 31, 2026 6. Human Services Contracts 7. Approval of an increase in the 30-Day limit of County Administrator Nicole Hansen's Otter Tail County Purchasing Card from $1,000 to $2,500 as requested by County Administrator Nicole Hansen 8. Approval of the issuance of a Temporary On-Sale Liquor License for the New York Mills Lions Club, for an event on September 19, 2026, at Otter Berry Farm located at 38132 470th Ave, New York Mills 9. Approval of the issuance of a Temporary On-Sale Liquor License for the New York Mills Lions Club, for an event on October 17th & 18th, 2026, at Otter Berry Farm located at 38132 470th Ave, New York Mills 10. Approval of the issuance of an LG220 Exempt Permit for Lake Country Sportsman's Club for an event on October 20, 2026, at Beach Bums Bar & Eatery located at 35776 County Highway 72, Battle Lake LEAD CHILD SUPPORT WORKER MOU Motion by Johnson, second by Mortenson and unanimously carried to authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Otter Tail County and Minnesota Teamsters Employee's Union, Local No. 320 for the addition of a Child Support Lead Worker position assignment to the Human Services Support Specialists and Public Health Staff collective bargaining unit. Page 1 of 8 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 11 , 2026 ASSESSMENT TECHNICIAN RECLASSIFICATION MOU Motion by Johnson, second by Mortenson and unanimously carried to authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures to execute a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Otter Tail County and Minnesota Teamsters Employee's Union, Local No. 320 for the reclassification of the Assessment Technician position assignment within the Government Services Technical collective bargaining unit. PUBLIC HEAL TH SUPERVISOR Motion by Bucholz, second by Sullivan and unanimously carried to approve replacing a vacant 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) Public Health Nurse position with a 1.0 FTE Public Health Supervisor to provide leadership within the Public Health Department and Community Health Board. COMMUNITY HEAL TH PLANNER Motion by Sullivan, second by Bucholz and unanimously carried to approve replacing a vacant 1.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) Administrative Specialist position with a 1.0 FTE Community Health Planner position within the Public Health Department. CANVASSING BOARD APPOINTMENTS Motion by Johnson, second by Mortenson and unanimously carried to appoint Commissioners Sean Sullivan and Dan Bucholz to the County Canvassing Board for the State Primary Election held at the Government Services Center at 10:30 a.m. on August 14, 2026. CLOSED SESSION At 8:43 a.m., Chair Lahman declared the Board of Commissioners meeting closed to the public. The closed session is authorized under Minnesota Statute §13.D05, Subd . 3(c)(1) to discuss the sale or purchase of property at 2001 W Lincoln Ave, Fergus Falls, MN 56537. Present in the room were Commissioners Bob Lahman, Kurt Mortenson, Dan Bucholz, Wayne Johnson and Sean Sullivan, County Administrator Nicole Hansen, County Attorney Michelle Eldien, Deputy Administrator Nick Leonard, Community Development Director Amy Baldwin, Deputy Administrator Lynne Penke Valdes and County Board Secretary Hannah Anderson. The closed session ended at 9:00 a.m. RECESS & RECONVENE At 9:01 a.m., Chair Lahman declared the meeting of the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners recessed for a short break. The Board of Commissioners meeting was reconvened at 9:15 a.m. PELICAN RAPIDS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER BID AWARD Deputy Administrator Lynne Penke Valdes and Community Development Director Amy Baldwin informed the Board that all submitted bids for the Pelican Rapids Family Resource Center Construction project, including the low bid, exceeded available grant funding for the project. After consultation, some project components will be deferred, resulting in project costs to be in line with available grant resources. Motion by Johnson, second by Sullivan and unanimously carried to award the low bid for the Pelican Rapids Family Resource Center construction, to Hammers Construction of Perham, MN, in the amount of $570,712.00, with the understanding that a change order be brought to a subsequent Board Meeting resulting in a lump sum bid in alignment with available grant resources. Page 2 of 8 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 11, 2026 NEW YORK MILLS FAMILY RESOURCE CENTER CONTRACT Community Development Director Amy Baldwin informed the Board that the New York Mills Family Resource Center construction bid awarded to Haataja Contracting Inc. was inadvertently advertised for bid without indicating the requirement of prevailing wage. After contractor adjustments, revised project costs exceeded the contractor's threshold to remain low bidder. After consultation , and with the elimination of a break room renovation, Haataja Contracting would remain the low bidder for this project. A change order will be brought to a subsequent Board meeting. RECOMMENDATION FOR AWARD & CONTRACTS AND BONDS Motion by Lahman, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to award SAP. 056-599-064 to Landwehr Construction, Inc. of St. Cloud, MN with the low bid of $405,991 .90 and to authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures to execute the contract between Otter Tail County and Landwehr Construction, Inc. of St. Cloud, MN for SAP. 056-599-064. Otter Tail County will serve as fiscal agent and contract administrator for this township project. Construction is funded with state and township funding. COMMUTE WITH COUNTY VEHICLES Motion by Bucholz, second by Sullivan and unanimously carried to authorize Highway Maintenance Leadership, consisting of Maintenance Superintendent Colby Palmersheim, West Group Leader Dean Larson and East Group Leader Jeff Ratz, to commute year-round in county vehicles to improve efficiency in overseeing department operations and after-hours response throughout the County. ADJOURNMENT At 9:35 a.m., Chair Lahman declared the Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners meeting adjourned with a closed session to follow. The next regular Board meeting is scheduled at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls and via livestream. CLOSED SESSION At 9:35 a.m., Chair Lahman declared the Board of Commissioners meeting closed to the public. The closed session is authorized under Minnesota Statute §13D.05, Subd. 3(b) for Attorney-Client Privilege for an MCIT Insurance Claim. Those present were Commissioners Bob Lahman, Kurt Mortenson, Dan Bucholz, Wayne Johnson and Sean Sullivan, County Administrator Nicole Hansen, County Attorney Michelle Eldien, Deputy Administrator Nick Leonard, Deputy Administrator Lynne Penke Valdes, Deputy Administrator Liz Mickelson, IT Director Rick Kelsven, County Sheriff Barry Fitzgibbons, Chief Deputy Sheriff Reed Reinbold, County Board Secretary Hannah Anderson, Tom Kolthoff, Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust, Joshua Lawrence, Crowe, and Matthew Meade, Eckert Seamans. The closed session ended at 10:25 a.m. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS fi2 p ··-r--P d By: ---'-'/}"---"-t/"'-~~l'--=~=/.h;__...,.""'"4/4'a"""". ~~""-"£--"'-.~-----=----- Robert Lahman , Board of Commissioners Chair Page 3 of 8 Dated: August 25, 2026 Attest ,j' C: OL<..i-l-CV],4c Nicole Hansen, Clerk Page 4 of 8 Vendor Name A-OX ELDING SUPPLY CO INC A&A RECYCLING LLC ALEX RUBBIS & RECYCLING INC ANDERSO CRA E RUBBER CO AQUATIC ECOSOLUTIO S INC ASSOCIATIO OF M COUNTIES AUTO VALUE FERGUS FALLS AVT FERGUS FALLS AXON ENTERPRISE INC BATTLE LA.KE/CITY OF BETTI /MO TY BETTIN/TROY BLOOM BAR LLC/THE BRANDO COMMUNICATIONS I C BRAUN INTERTEC CORPORATION BRAUN VENDING INC BREDENBERG/ALEXIS BREITKREUTZ/DOUG BRUSHMARKS SIGNS BUY-MOR PARTS & SERVICE LLC CODE 4 SERVICES INC COLE PAPERS INC COLUM SOFTWARE PBC COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATIO D & T VENTURES LLC DEANS DISTRIBU ING DICK'S STANDARD DOUBLE A CA TERI G DPF ALTERNATIVES OF MINNESOTA EGGE CONSTRUCTION INC EISCHENS/NATHAN ELECTION SYSTEMS&. SOFTWARE LLC EVERTS LUMBER CO FELLI G TRAILERS INC FERGUS FALLS/CITY OF FERGUS HOME & HARDWARE INC FERGUS PO\i\lER PUMP INC FERGUS TIRE CENTER INC FIDLAR TECHNOLOGIES INC FOTH INFRASTRUCTURE & ENVIRONMEI' GALLS LLC GANOE/KATIE Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 11 , 2026 (Exhibit A) Amount 219.73 1,970.00 663.54 75.46 4,375.00 150.00 970.71 465.50 459.27 24,207.00 33~.00 335.00 160.00 3,635.89 9.026.25 1,400.00 15 00 253.08 240.00 5.755.49 8,161 .18 3.498.29 679.30 1,556 50 1,572.07 245.57 178.95 35.00 1,500.00 1,309.67 35.38 12,722.02 42.99 81 .05 48,00 84 .98 36,620.00 136.95 4.196.29 11 ,613.78 2,549.05 925.00 Page 5 of 8 Vendor Name GAPPA OIL COMPA Y INC GEORGESON/ANTHONY GIRARD'S BUSINESS SOLUTIO S I C GUARDIAN FLEET SUPPLY HANSENJNICOLE HANES SEPTIC TANK PUMPING LLC HUSCH BLACKWELL LLP I NOVATIVE OFFICE SOLUTIO S LLC I TAB LLC JK OUTDOORS LLC JK SPORTS INC JOHNSON CONTROLS FIRE PRO ECTIOI'\ JONES LAW OFFICE KIMBALL MIDWEST KOEP/BETH KRA Z/JAMES KYERN/TODD LAKELAND AUTO REPAIR LLC LAKES COUNTRY SERVICE COOPERATIV LARKIN HO FFMAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS I C LARRY OTT INC LEE PROPERTY CARE LEIGHTON MEDIA -FERGUS FALLS LOCATORS & SUPPLIES INC M-R SIGN CO INC MARCO TECH OLOGIES LLC MARCO TECH OLOGIES LLC l'v1ARK SAND & GRAVEL CO MARK'S FLEET SUPPLY INC rv1ASINASJASHLEY MEYERAAN/S.A.MANTHA MINNESOTA MOTOR COMPA Y MN DEPT OF LABOR & INDUSTRY MOENCH BODY SHOP MOTOROLA SOLUTIONS INC NAPA CENTRAL NELSON AUTO CE ER I C NORTH COUNTRY CHEVROLET GMC NORTHLAND & COMPANIES NORTHWEST TIRE INC NUSS TRUCK & EQUI PMENT OFF IC E OF MNIT SERVICES Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 11 , 2026 (Exhibit A) Amount 45.00 232.68 2,040.00 1.656.82 580.16 120.00 6.602 . .:,0 125.60 242.75 999.98 723.00 962.43 320.00 284.08 330.00 854.46 219.95 133.24 2.781 .00 5,000.00 6.600.00 650.00 2.064.82 215.00 1,261 .66 6,143.50 975.22 324.548.92 12.36 500.00 7.:,.74 93.45 620.00 53 .00 326.16 288.02 50.219.14 51 .992 .40 8,172.50 10982 25.227 .95 2.162.44 Page 6 of 8 Vendor Name OK TIRE STORE OLSE CHAIN & CABLE CO INC OLSON OIL CO I 1C OLSO TIRE & OIL OTTER TAIL CO PUBLIC HEAL TH OTTER TAIL PO' ER COMPANY PA I PUBLICATIO 1S LLC PEBBLE LAKE AUTO PELI CAN RAPIDS PRESS PERHAM HE,A.L TH PERHAM STEEL & ELDI G PETE'S AUTOBODY LLC PHILLIPPI/DR JAY PHOE IX SUPPLY PLUNKETTS VARMENT GUARD POPE DOUGLAS SOLID I ASTE MANAGE! POWERPLAN 018 PRAIRIE LAKES MU ICIPAL SOLID VI/ASTE PREMIER SPECIAL TY VEHICLES INC PRO AG FARMERS CO OP PRO AG FARMERS COOPERATIVE OUICK'S NAPA .A.UTO PARTS RDO TRUCK CENTERS LLC ROUTEWARE I C SAL VERSONiBRENT SANITATIO PRODUCTS INC SCHOENEBERGER FUN ERAL & CREMA Tl SECRETARY OF S ATE SHER'NIN-V\IILLIAMS COMPANY INCrTHE SHOEMAKER/BRENDA SIG ELMAN STEEL & RECYCLING INC SIGN GUYS LLC SIG NORKS SIG S & BANNERS INC SON STE BO/CHASE STREICHERS SUMMIT FOOD SERVICE LLC SUPER SEPTIC I C SWANSTON EQUIPMENT CORP TK ELEVATOR CORP TNT REPAIR INC TSCHIONCRAIG TURN 2 CREATIVE Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 11, 2026 (Exhibit A) Amount 3.114 .00 24 .90 240.00 3.836.50 184.00 57 .63 175 01 262.31 51.25 2.200.00 467.93 4.873.00 2,850.00 249.50 613.02 98.55 9.68 303.00 495.80 415.48 660.67 144.83 6.683.61 3.811 .68 54 .18 259.78 1,986.00 120.00 124.76 288.80 21 .00 96.00 25.00 72.23 1,813.60 10,400.77 189.00 56,575.00 200 .00 525.00 27.55 2,400.00 Page 7 of 8 Vendor N.:ime ULINE VESTIS VESTIS VICTOR LUNDEEN COMPANY WADE A ASPHALT INC WELLPATH LLC WELLS FARGO BANK NA WEST CENTRAL ABSTRACTING CO INC WIDSETH SMITH NOL Tl G & ASSOCIATE! 'M CORPORA TE SERVICES INC ZIEGLER INC Final Total: Vendor N.:ime AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES INC Final Total: Vendor Name DAHLE /JODY FERGUS TIRE CENTER INC FURE/ALLISON GROVEN/CO NOR INTOXIMETERS INC MINNESOT.A. MONITORING INC MINNESOT.A. MOTOR COMP.A.NY MN DEPT OF CHILDREN YOUTH & FAMILII MN DEP OF HUMAN SERVICES NEW YORK MILLS POSTMASTER NIELSON/CARIN OU ALI TY TOYOTA WARREN/BRYAN WENZELIERICA EST CENTRAL REG JUVENILE CTR WHIPPLE/VANESSA Final Total: Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 11, 2026 (Exhibit A) Amount 160.78 281 .89 117.76 2,386.85 139,740.00 57 .349.08 48.00 575.00 7.278.75 5..S.848.92 1,117.15 1.024.064.89 Amount 6.248.21 6,248.21 Amount 16.60 27.00 16.72 71 .14 679.25 24.00 73.76 136.00 1.155.00 100.00 77.99 425.55 95.55 1.024.13 11 .617.00 39.05 15,578.74 Page 8 of 8 Vendor Name CLAY CO UDITOR-TREASURER FRUSTOUA E I DEPENDENT CO TRACT SERVICES OF LAKE REGION HEALTHCARE LEIGHTON MEDIA -FERGUS FALLS fv CKESSON MEDICAL-SURGICAL GOV SC ODP BUSI ESS SOLUTIONS LLC SIGN GUYS LLC Final Total: Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 11, 2026 (Exhibit A) Amount 8.350.00 86.06 5.898.69 2.000.00 248.00 156.94 88.84 350.00 17.178.53 OTTERTAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 11, 2026 OTTER TAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA DRAINAGE AUTHORITY MINUTES Government Services Center, Commissioners' Room & Via Livestream 515 West Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN August 11, 2026110:41 a.m. CALL TO ORDER The Otter Tail County Drainage Authority convened at 10:41 a.m. Tuesday, August 11, 2026, at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls, MN. Commissioners Robert Lahman, Chair; Dan Bucholz, Vice Chair; Kurt Mortenson, Wayne Johnson, and Sean Sullivan were present. APPROVAL OF AGENDA & CONSENT AGENDA Chair Lahman called for joint approval of the Drainage Authority Agenda and Consent Agenda. Motion by Johnson, second by Sullivan and unanimously carried to approve the Drainage Authority Agenda and the Consent Agenda of August 11, 2026 as follows: 1. July 28, 2026, Drainage Authority Meeting Minutes 2. Warrants/Bills for August 11, 2026 (Exhibit A) JDL 4 -CROSSING BLOCKAGE Drainage Inspector Tyler Armstrong informed the Board about a blockage on JDL 4, in Section 25 of Bluffton Township along Leaf River Road , due to an obstruction from a cattle crossing. The property owner will work with Armstrong to replace the crossing with a culvert at the property owner's expense. DITCH 5 -CULVERT EXTENSION CONCERN Due to concerns received regarding the approval of a culvert extension on County Ditch 5, parcel no. 3400019129000, Drainage Inspector Tyler Armstrong provided the Board with background and reviewed information and concerns regarding the culvert placement. Discussion was held and Commissioners were in agreement that the original approval from the July 28, 2026 Drainage Authority Meeting will stand . DITCH 48 -DEAVER DAM Motion by Johnson, second by Mortenson and unanimously carried to approval beaver trapping and dam removal on County Ditch 48 , north of State Highway 108, as recommended by Drainage Inspector Tyler Armstrong. RESOLUTION TO APPROVE FOR PAYMENT INVOICE 0011240 CHRISTENSEN CONSTRUCTION FOR WORK DOWN WITHIN COUNTY DITCH NO. 52 OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-58 WHEREAS, Otter Tail County Drainage Inspector works closely with contractors and well as the public to ensure county drainage systems are properly maintained; and Page 1 of 2 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 11 , 2026 WHEREAS, Otter Tail County Drainage Inspector was contacted on June 5th, 2024 by landowner requesting removal of a bog obstruction in ditch system, approval from Drainage Authority was granted June 11 th , 2024, work was completed by Christensen Construction, invoice 0011240 was received for work done on October 18th, 2024, in the amount of $3000.00; and WHEREAS, Otter Tail County Drainage Inspector was contacted by landowner requesting beaver dam obstruction be removed near culvert, was not sent to the Drainage Authority for approval, work was completed by Christensen Construction on November 21st, 2025, invoice 0011240 was received for work done on November 21st, 2025, in the amount of $2100.00; and WHEREAS, Otter Tail Cou nty Drainage Inspector was contacted by landowner requesting beaver dam obstruction be removed near culvert, was not sent to the Drainage Authority for approval, work was completed by Christensen Construction on February 27th, 2026, invoice 0011240 was received for work done on February 27th , 2026, in the amount of $2800.00; and WHEREAS, Otter Tail County Drainage Inspector was contacted by landowner on April 8th, 2026, requesting beaver dam obstruction be removed near culvert, approval from Drainage Authority was granted April 28th, 2026 with estimate excavation cost of $750.00, work was completed by Christensen Construction April 15th, 2026, in the amount of $2100.00. NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, Otter Ta il County Drainage Inspector respectfully requests that Invoice #0011240 issued to Otter Tail Co unty Drainage by Christensen Construction for the above completed work be released for payment in full. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Johnson, duly seconded by Commissioner Mortenson and, after discussion thereof and upon vote being taken thereon, passed unanimously. Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN th is 11th day of August 2026. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS By: ---'---!.-a _µ_YJG1-==~~~l=~=---«-~'~"-"---'-n~ __ _ Robert Lahman , Board of Commissioners Chair Dated: August 25, 2026 Attest:& ~J.J.~ Nicole Hansen, Clerk ADJOURNMENT At 11 :07 a.m., Chair Lahman declared the Otter Tail County Drainage Authority meeting adjourned . The next Drainage Authority meeting will immediately follow the next regular Board meeting on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls and via livestream. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISS IONERS Dated : August 25, 2026 t ·-l By: a~~✓r-·- Robert Lahman, Board of Commissioners Chair Attest: & . l)o/,_,)IWV-J.,-' Nicole Hansen, Clerk Page 2 of 3 Page 3 of 3 Vendor Name FRIEDS.AJA/KEITH KUG LER/DOUGLAS OTTER TAIL CO TR EASU RER SC ERMERHORN/RANDY SCHMI Z/DUA E Final Total: Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 11, 2026 (Exhibit A) Amount 600.00 300.00 5,720 .43 0.94 1,000.00 7.621.37