The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutBoard of Commissioners - Minutes - 08/25/2026f __,,,,,,. OTTERTAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026 OTTER TAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS' MINUTES Government Services Center, Commissioners' Room & Via Livestream 515 West Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN August 25, 2026 I 8:30 a.m. CALL TO ORDER The Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners convened at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 25, 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 Bucholz and unanimously carried to approve the Board of Commissioners' Agenda of August 25, 2026, with the following change: moved Finance, Property & License Management Committee to 11 :25 a.m. with Health & Wellness Committee to follow. APPROVALOFCONSENTAGENDA Motion by Johnson, second by Sullivan and unanimously carried to approve the consent agenda items as presented: 1. August 11 , 2026, Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes 2. Warrants/Bills for August 25, 2026 (Exhibit A) 3. Amazon Warrants/Bills for August 25, 2026 (Exhibit A) 4. Human Services and Public Health Warrants/Bills for August 25, 2026 (Exhibit A) 5. Warrants/Bills, as Approved for Payment by the County Auditor-Treasurer, for August 7 & 14, 2026 6. Market Price Resolution 7. Approval of the issuance of a County Purchasing Card for Deputy Sheriff Jack Anderson , with a 30-Day Limit of $1,000.00, as requested by Otter Tail County Chief Deputy Sheriff Reed Reinbold. 8. Approval of the issuance of a County Purchasing Card for Deputy Sheriff Tyler Todd, with a 30- Day Limit of $1,000.00, as requested by Otter Tail County Chief Deputy Sheriff Reed Reinbold. 9. Approval of the issuance of a County Purchasing Card for Health & Human Services Director Jessica Steinbrenner, with a 30-Day Limit of $2,500.00, as requested by Otter Tail County Deputy Administrator Lynne Penke Valdes. 10. Approval of an LG220 Exempt Permit for the Perham Sportsman's Club for an event on October 22, 2026, at The Cactus located at 43521 Fort Thunder Road, Perham, MN 56573 RECESS & RECONVENE At 8:32 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 8:35 a.m. Page 1 of 9 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026 OUT-OF-STATE TRAVEL Motion by Mortenson, second by Sullivan and unanimously carried to approve out-of-state travel for two (2) detectives to travel to Branson, MO from September 1-3 , 2026 to attend the Mid-States Organized Crime Information Center (MOCIC) Conference. Expenses are included in the 2026 budget. AWARD RECOMMENDATION & CONTRACTS AND BONDS Motion by Johnson, second by Sullivan and unanimously carried to award SP 056-598-003, CH 143 Bridge Replacement over the Leaf River, to Korby Contracting Co., Inc. of Fergus Falls, MN with the low bid of $1,182,598.84 and to authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures to execute the contract between Otter Tail County and Korby Contracting Co., Inc. for SP 056-598-003. SPEED ZONE STUDY REQUEST SEGMENT OF CSAH 49 NEAR MARION LAKE OTTER TIAL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-60 WHEREAS, residents have requested Otter Tail County take such action as may be necessary in order to pursue a reduced speed limit on the segment of County State Aid Highway No. 49 from CSAH 14 to 395th Street; and WHEREAS , Otter Tail County believes that a speed zone study on a segment of CSAH 49 would be beneficial in this area. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that Otter Tail County does hereby request that this area of CSAH 49 be studied by the Minnesota Department of Transportation to determine the need for a revised speed zone or zones, if any. BE IT ALSO RESOLVED, that Minnesota Department of Transportation proceed with establishing a legal speed zone if the findings of the traffic study are supportive. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Bucholz, duly seconded by Commissioner Mortenson and , after discussion thereof and upon vote being taken thereon , passed unanimously. Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 25th day of August 2026. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS By: ___,,/i=---.........~~~~~=------'-:L--_) -- Robert Lahman , Board of Commissioners Chair Dated: September 8, 2026 Attests/, ~-'l7~ .lJ{,y)./J,<-J Nicole Hansen, Clerk ABATEMENT CONTRACT FOR PHELPS MILL STORE Motion by Johnson, second by Mortenson and unanimously carried to approve the contract proposal from VCI Environmental, Inc., with the low bid of $9,850.00, for the abatement of asbestos and lead from the Phelps Mill Store, as recommended by Parks & Trails Director Kevin Fellbaum. Page 2 of 9 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026 CITY OF FERGUS FALLS DNR ACQUISITION REQUEST Motion by Sullivan, second by Johnson and unanimously carried to authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures, on behalf of the City of Fergus Falls, on a State Land Acquisition Resolution from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) for the acquisition of land described as: T.133 N, R. 43, 5th P.M., in Section 28, The Northeast Quarter of the Northwest Quarter (NE1/4NW1 /4), except Su blot A., to be acquired by the State of Minnesota for Wildlife Management Area purposes. LEGISLATIVE CONSULTANT CONTRACT Motion by Johnson, second by Bucholz and unanimously carried to authorize appropriate County Officials' signatures to execute an agreement between Otter Tail County and Psick Capitol Solutions, Inc. to provide legislative representation for Otter Tail County for the 2027-2028 legislative biennium, beginning January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2028. ADJOURNMENT At 8:59 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, September 8, 2026, at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls and via livestream. CLOSED SESSION At 8:59 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, County Board Secretary Hannah Anderson, Tom Kolthoff, Minnesota Counties Intergovernmental Trust, Joshua Lawrence, Crowe, and Matthew Meade, Eckert Seamans. The closed session ended at 9:44 a.m. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: September 8, 2026 /} ;) --4---1 !) By: __.l.;...=...~"-=--£-·-'6_J_µ "'c.___::_t:_/l/)_c:..._;-----_________ _ Attest Jb . (',e/._J},Ovvz__, Robert Lahman, Board of Commissioners Chair Nicole Hansen, Clerk Page 3 of 9 Page 4 of 9 Vendor Nc::ime ACKERSON/JE FF ADVANCED BUSINE SS METHODS I C .AUE 'S AUTO BODY & TOWING AMERICA NELDING & GAS INC AUTO VALUE MILLS AXO N ENTERPRI SE INC BAILLY/ALAI NA BARR ENGINEERI NG CO BEYER BODY SHOP I C BJ ORN'S HEATI NG & AIR CON DITIO ING BLADO /TI NA BLOOM BAR LLC/THE BORNTREGER/JOH BRASEURYA BRAUN VE DING INC BREITKRE UTZIDOUG BREMSETH/A OREi/\' CARLSON/DAR EL CERTIFIED AUTO REPAIR CHS I C CITIZE 'S ADVOCATE CLEAN SWEEP COMMERCIAL SERVICES CODE 4 SERVICES INC COLE PAPERS INC COLUM SOFTWARE PBC COOPER'S OFFICE SUPPLY INC COSSETTE ELECTRIC LLC CRE IGH/SAM CULLI GAN OF DETROIT LAKES CU LLI GAN OF ELBOV\I LAKE CU LLIGAN OF WADENA DACOTAH PAPER CO DAHUCOLT DAI LEY ELE CTRIC LLC DEANS DISTRIBU ING DE ZEL'S REGION ASTE INC DL TO1 I G LLC DMH CO PANIES DONOHO/MICHAEL DOUGLAS CO SHER IFF'S OFF IC E DS SOLUTIONS INC DUENO\N/MELISSA Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 25 , 2026 (Exhibit A) Amount 90.00 1,232.69 293.00 271 .18 46.83 19,284 .38 353.40 3,9: .00 250.00 2.05 271 .20 80.00 1,000.00 42.14 58.00 63.84 55.00 366.66 582.84 2,340 .14 9600 1,395 .00 6,39 1.22 4,684 67 289.13 20,159 .61 9,420.46 505.40 50 .10 29.50 130.50 804 .95 718.96 150.00 518.15 238.68 662.00 830.00 403.00 55.00 2,000.00 83.60 Page 5 of 9 Vendor Nnme EDWARDS/J EFF EVCO PETROLEUM PRODUCTS INC FARMERS CO-OP OIL FASTENAL cm PA y FERGUS FALLS -PARK & REC/CITY OF FERGUS FALLS/CITY OF FERGUS HOME & HAR ARE INC FERGUS POWER PUMP I 'C FERGUS TIRE CENTER INC FERGUSO ASPHALT PAVI G I C FLEETPRIDE FORUM COM U ICATIO S COMPA Y FRANK'S AUTO BODY OF PERHA~ I C FRAZIER/BRENT GALLS LLC GILBERTSO JACE GILBERTSO ORI GO T AREK/JO AH GOP ER STATE ONE CALL GREENEJJULIE HANSEN SERVICE LLC H.I\ROLD T S ENSO VF\ I POST 612 HAWES SEPTIC TA K PUMPING LLC HEI ECKE/MIKE HUBERT 1AOISO I TER A TIO AL RIGHT OF WAY ASSOCl1 I TERSTATE ENGINEERING I C J.J. KELLER & ASSOCIATES I C JAKE'S JOH S LLC JEFFRIESrT ARA JEFFRIESrTRACY JOHNSO CO TROLS FI RE PROTECTlO1' JOH SO /DE A JOHNSO /MARK T JOH SO /PAMELA S JUSTICE ORTH KIMBALL MID' EST KNOWINK LLC KOTCHIKIA /LISA KR ESS/JEFF LAKE REGION HEALTHCARE LAKES AREA POWERSPORTS INC Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026 (Exhibit A) Amount 83 .60 1.435.20 2.923.16 33 .20 150.00 7.500.00 73.98 39.309 .38 27 .00 301,917 .06 128 05 716.70 25.467 .76 211 .92 989.24 6050 60.50 85S.49 60.75 44.52 292 .50 300.00 170.00 461 .79 491 .19 25.00 877.20 2,962.00 340.00 54 .66 99.00 13.188.50 208.88 485.40 704 .00 1.250.00 510.76 1.330.00 183.33 189.24 782.50 1 SS.00 Page 6 of 9 Vendor N.:une LAKES COM IU ITY COOPERATIVE LAKES COUNTRY SERVICE COOPERATIV LANGAC:3ER/NATH.~N LA. GUE/STEVEN LANGUAGE LINE SERVICES INC LE-AST SERVICES COUNSEL! G LEADERS DIS RIBUTING LEAF RIVER AG SERVICE LEE PROPERTY CARE LEE/THOMAS LEIGHTON MEDIA -DETROIT LAKES LEIGHTON MEDIA -FERGUS FALLS LENTZJJOLEEN LEXIS EXIS LHB I C LOCATORS & SUPPLIES INC LOE/DORIS MARCO TECH OLOGIES LLC MARK SANO & GRAVEL CO MARK'S FLEET SUPPLY INC MARTHALER/TERENCE MARTIN/VALERIE MA THENY/BENJAMI MCCON CHRISTOPHER MCIT MORA MINNESOTA MOTOR COMPA Y MINNESOTA N,A. TIVE LANDSCAPES MINNKOTA ENVIRO SERVICES INC MN STATE AUDITOR MOENCH BODY SHOP MONROE TOWMASTER LLC MORNINGSTAR PYSCHOLOGICAL SERVI( MOSS/KRISTA & LEON NATURE'S CALL SEPTIC SERVIC E NATURES GARDE VORLD NELSON/GARY M NELSON/JANICE F NEW YORK MILLS DISPATCH NE\/VVILLE/DARRE NILSON/BRET NORTH CENTRAL INC Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026 (Exhibit A) Amount ·1.0·14.07 210.00 451 .00 259.80 116.10 180.00 169.50 2,072.65 390.00 561 .40 297.50 814 .50 412.50 840.00 3,991 .00 1.148.66 530.48 43,016.33 42,809.76 293.96 498.76 120.40 257.24 82.60 3,568.00 50.00 1,075 .56 700.00 151 .20 29,306.28 164.59 1,057.38 1,687 .50 1,000.00 205 .00 178.00 63B.00 627 .00 24.00 474.44 318.44 16,542 .04 Page 7 of 9 Vendor Nan1e NORTHWEST TIRE INC NYHUS FAMILY SALES I C OFFICE OF MNIT SERVICES OK TIRE STORE OKERLUND/BREANNA OLSE I CHAI & CABLE CO INC OLSON FU ERAL HOME OLSON OIL CO I 'C OLSON TIRE & OIL OTTER TAIL CO SOLID \/VASTE OTTER TAIL PO'NER CO vlPANY PALE ALTER PARK REGION CO OP PARKERS PRAIRIE/CITY OF PEBBLE LA.KE AUTO PEMBERTO LAW PLLP PETE'S AUTOBO Y LLC PETERSO /JOEL PLACER L6-BS INC PLUNKETTS \/ARMENT GUARD POMP'S TIRE SERVICE INC POPE DOUGLAS SOLID WASTE M.6-NAGEI PRAIRIE LAKES MUNICIPAL SOLID 1NASTE PRECISE MRM LLC PRODUCTIVE ALTERNATIVES INC PSICK CAPITOL SOLUTIONS INC PUBLIC GROUP LLC/THE OUADIE T LEASING USA I C RICE/JOHN RODER/BETSY ROGHOL T/ELISE ROLLIE/WILLl,A.M RUFFRIDGE JOHNSO EQUIPMENT CO RU STAND/EVA SALA THE/KELVIN SAL VERSON1BRENT SANDBERG/DEBIA SCHEMPP JR/BOBBY SCHOENE BERGER FU ERAL & CREM.A. Tl SCHORNACK/OAVID SERVICE FOOD SUPER VALU SHOEMAKER/BRENDA Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026 (Exhibit A) Arnount 780.31 884.54 1,251 .60 1,245-33 93.50 2.503.79 975 .00 33 .00 125.00 69.00 562 .04 342.98 175.61 130.00 755.55 6,814 .00 9.547 .00 526.68 30,051 .00 401 .69 1.503.90 557.15 10.50 2.460.00 42.81 3,916.66 26 .299.49 4,871 .01 398.24 180.00 293.16 542.64 566.07 394.44 611-32 16.65 154.27 295.52 1,193.00 301 .60 96.98 11 .28 Page 8 of 9 Vendor N.:iff1e SIG 1NORKS SIGNS & BAN ERS INC SIMENGAA.RD/PAUL SMITH/DEBBIE R SNAP-O I DUSTRIAL SNODEPOT ST PAUUCITY OF STEEVES/BERNARD ,4. STEVE'S SANITATIO INC STO EBROOKE ENGi EERING INC SUPER SEPTIC I C SWA STON EQUIPMENT CORP THOMSON REUTERS -EST TRITES/DAVID ULI E U LIMITED AUTOGLASS INC VANSTEENBURG/JEFFREY VERGAS AUTO REPAIR LLC VESTIS VESTIS VESTIS VICTOR LUNDEEN COMPANY VMSDORP/K.A YLEE A ASPHALT INC 1 ADE A CO SOLID ASTE ADE A RUCK & TRAILER REPAIR EST/RICHARD ILSON/WARREN R M CORPORA TE SERVICES INC OTHE/LUKE SB & ASSOC IA TES I C Final Totc.1 1: Vendor N.:irne AMAZON CAPITAL SERVICES I C Final Total: Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026 (Exhibit A) Amount 535.50 59.58 803 00 228.73 1.850.00 600.00 130.28 30.309.48 20,277 .29 149.00 21 .98 4,896.46 265.12 895.85 430.00 262 08 1,312 .32 68 .80 63-9 .91 469 .31 5,674 .70 556.32 129,000.00 465.75 10.00 218.88 32.14 581 .16 504.40 55,950.99 158.96 22,246.62 1,027,264.00 Amount 8,624 .76 8.624.76 Page 9 of 9 Vendor Name ASSOCIATIO I OF MN COU TIES FERGUS TIRE CEN TER INC FORST/BRIDGET HAUGE/LESLIE HAUGRUD/REED HEGLUND/CHRISTI 1 HEGLUND/EMILY I DEPENDENT CO TR.A.CT SERVICES OF KLOEK/ASHLEY LAKES COU TRY SERVICE COOPERATIV MAHUBE-OTVvA CAP INC MCCLA.FLI /DA A MIDWEST MONITOR! G &. SURVEIU\NCE MINNESO A MO !TORI G INC MIN ESO A MOTOR COMPA 1Y MINNKOT A E VIRO SERVICES I C M DEPT OF CHILDREN YOUTH & FAMILII M DEPT OF HUMAN SERVICES OTTER TAIL CO ATTOR EY'S OFFIC E OTTER TAIL CO RE CORDER OTTER TAIL CO SHERIFF PREMIER BIOT ECH LABS LLC QUALITY TOYOTA RUPP/ ARY SCHOOL DIST 542 -BATTLE LAKE SCHOOL DIST 544 -FERGUS FALLS SPA GLER/LISA VICTOR LUNDEEN COM PANY VIDSETH SMITH NOLTI G & ASSOCIATE! Vendor Name CLARK/LI DSEY FRUSTOUA E Final Total: L YS E CO SUL TING & COUNSELING LLC MINNESOTA MOTOR COMPA Y ODP BUSI ESS SOLUTIONS LLC OTTER TAIL CO TREASURER SA OFIPASTEURINC SAYLER/DAVID SCREENVISION MEOLA VAN SA TEN/DANA WESTBY/LINDA Final Total: Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026 (Exhibit A) Amount 550.00 804.55 16.65 12.72 13.54 253.78 42.24 618.83 4:.06 16.956.75 29.727.50 76.57 1.45.S.00 44.00 73.92 160.80 4.289 .16 84.149.01 7.101 .25 85.00 110.00 1,527.30 316.72 39.47 80.000.00 80.000.00 16.60 290 .80 17,989 .18 326.769.40 Amount 19.15 8.36 375.00 163.62 19.79 4.093.03 1.224 .83 75.00 145.84 14 .90 15.20 6,154.72 ; ~ OTTERTAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026 OTTER TAIL COUNTY -MINNESOTA DRAINAGE AUTHORITY MINUTES Government Services Center, Commissioners' Room & Via Livestream 515 West Fir Avenue, Fergus Falls, MN August 25, 2026 I 9:48 a.m. CALL TO ORDER The Otter Tail County Drainage Authority convened at 9:48 a.m. Tuesday, August 25, 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 Mortenson, second by Bucholz and unanimously carried to approve the Drainage Authority Agenda and the Consent Agenda of August 25, 2026 as follows: 1. August 11, 2026, Drainage Authority Meeting Minutes DITCH 5 -NEW CROSSING REQUEST Motion by Johnson, second by Mortenson and unanimously carried to approve property owner Mike Pistulka to work in County Ditch 5, located at 53001 240th St, Henning, MN, to install a culvert for a private crossing at no cost to the ditch system as recommended by Drainage Inspector Tyler Armstrong. DITCH 58 -BLOCKAGE Drainage Inspector Tyler Armstrong informed the Drainage Authority about a blockage on County Ditch 58 located at 48158 400th St, New York Mills, MN. The DNR received a complaint and contacted Armstrong about material that had been dumped into the ditch to aid in crossing. The property owner has since removed the material and Armstrong will continue to monitor the ditch. OTTER TAIL COUNTY/WADENA COUNTY MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT OTTER TAIL COUNTY RESOLUTION NO. 2026-61 WHEREAS, the Otter Tail County Drainage Authority along with the Wadena County Drainage Authority held a Memorandum of Agreement to assist with Drainage Inspections and repairs since 02/17/2025; and WHEREAS, the Otter Tail County Drainage Authority authorized a continuation of the Memorandum of Agreement with the newly hired Drainage Inspector for Otter Tail County; and WHEREAS, the Memorandum of Agreement has not been executed yet by the Wadena Drainage Authority; and WHEREAS, the continued increase in workload for the Otter Tail County drainage systems does not allow adequate time to assist with Wadena County drainage inspection needs; and Page 1 of 2 Board of Commissioners' Meeting Minutes August 25, 2026 WHEREAS, under section VI.B Period of Agreement "The agreement may be terminated by either county at any time for any reason". NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT, Otter Tail County Drainage Authority will terminate the existing Memorandum of Agreement with Wadena County Drainage Authority. The motion for the adoption of the foregoing resolution was introduced by Commissioner Lahman, duly seconded by Commissioner Bucholz and , after discussion thereof and upon vote being taken thereon, passed unanimously on a roll call vote as follows: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS YEA Dan Bucholz X Wayne Johnson X Kurt Mortenson X Robert Lahman X Sean Sullivan X Adopted at Fergus Falls, MN this 25th day of August 2026. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS By: --+-.L--=at~. ·£~t;rd:.._____,r~~--- Robert Lahman, Board of Commissioners Chair NAY ABSENT ABSTAIN Dated: September 8, 2026 Altes&' l¼)_LJ/-(gyv Nicole Hansen, Clerk ADJOURNMENT At 9:56 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, September 8, 2026, at the Government Services Center in Fergus Falls and via livestream. OTTER TAIL COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Dated: September 8, 2026 By al:a:L Robert Lahma n, Board of Commissioners Chair Alie~ '/;1)/.,_)/,C,.')/.),(_.. Nicole Hansen, Clerk Page 2 of 2