Date: April 21, 2026

Time: 9:00 AM

Attendance: Commissioners: Gillie, Younggren, Johnson, Jones and Swenson. 

1. Call to Order 

The meeting was called to order by Chair Younggren.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Approval of Agenda

Motion: To add item 11d-Approval of the Tri-County EMS 2026 Contract

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

 

Motion: To approve the agenda with addition.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

3. Public Comment

Chair Younggren asked for public comment.  Kris Folland asked to present additional information from his previous visit.  Folland has a concern with the Two Rivers Watershed.  Folland presented the minutes from Kittson Soil & Water’s January 14th and February 11th, 2026 minutes pertaining to the Klondike Water Retention Project and the WCA Klondike Financial Assurance.  

4. MN DNR Elk Update Blane Klemek and Jason Wollin

Klemek and Wollin presented a report on elk management:

Habitat Management:
 - Ongoing practices include prescribed burns, brush mowing, timber harvest, and conservation grazing.
 - Weather and wildfire smoke have limited certain activities.
 - Food plots and grazing collaborations continue to support wildlife populations.

Elk Population and Surveys:
 - The Kittson Central elk population was reported at approximately 92 animals.
 - Survey methods include aerial observation and thermal imaging technology.

Hunting and Coordination:
 - Coordination with the Red Lake Nation is ongoing, including a proposed 50/50 harvest allocation.
 - Cross-border coordination with Manitoba continues.
 Research Initiatives:
 - A GPS collaring project is planned to study elk movement and survivorship.

- New aircraft with thermal imaging capabilities will be tested for future surveys.
 Public Concerns:
 Residents expressed concerns regarding property damage, fence damage, compensation delays, and elk population impacts on agriculture. 

7. Kittson County Sheriff Matt Vig

a.     Vig presented for approval an invoice from C&M Ford for a 2026 F150 for $52,400.00 with a trade of a 2021 F150 with a value of $18,000.00. A discussion was held on county policy and protocol on purchases.  

Motion: To approve the purchase with the disposal of the county asset.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Voting Nay: Swenson, Younggren

b.     Vig asked for approval for equipment to outfit the 2026 F150 from Code 4 Services in the amount of $10,380.97.

Motion: To approve the Code 4 Services.

Motion by: Commissioner Johnson

Second by: Commissioner Jones

Voting Nay: Swenson

8. Kittson County Assessor Alyssa Gustafson

a. Gustafson presented for approval a tax abatement.  This abatement was due to a missed homestead                                                   classification resulting from a clerical error.

Motion: To approve the abatement.

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Jones

9. Kittson County Highway Engineer Arthur Kukowski                                                                         

a.     Kukowski presented for approval a proposal to purchase a leased motor grader. Additional information was requested prior to approval.  Item tabled.  

b.     Kukowski requested approval to hire Jagger Olson for a summer maintenance position at a Grade 1 Step 4.  

Motion: To hire. 

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried. 

c.     Dana Olson joined Kukowski to ask for consideration for authorization to seek quotes for repair work in North Red River Township.

Motion: To approve quotes for repairs on T186 and T67 with further research on T126.

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Jones

Motion carried. 

10. Kittson County Social Services Director Brittany Swenson

a.  Swenson presented for approval a quote from C&M Ford for a 2026 Ford Explorer in the amount of             $50,133.00.

Motion: To approve the purchase.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

Swenson reported the agency received a letter from Commissioner Gandhi commending staff for perfect performance in meeting DHS's financial reporting requirements for calendar year 2025. There are 32 major reports covering the four quarters and all were submitted on or before the report deadlines in perfect order. 

They were also recognized for Adult Protection and eligibility staff on meeting all timelines in 2025 at 95% or higher with the majority of them being met at 100%. 

5. Approval of Board Minutes

Motion: To approve March 17, 2026 minutes with correction.

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Jones

Motion carried.

Motion: To approve April 6, 2026 minutes.  

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

6. Approval of Bills and Meals

Motion: To approve the bills and meals.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Jones

Motion carried.

o   Commissioner’s                          $438,759.91

o   Auditor’s

·       April 28, 2026                $36,997.23

·       April 29, 2026                $1,654.07

o   Meals                                        $79.03

11. Kittson County CFO Shirley Swenson

a.     Swenson asked for approval to sign a right of way agreement with Wikstrom Telephone for a tax forfeited property.

Motion: To approve. 

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

b.     Swenson presented a quote from SeaChange to purchase 4 OmniBallots which will replace the outdated AutoMarks the county currently has.  The OmniBallot also has ballot on demand.

Motion: To approve the purchase.

Motion by: Commissioner Jones

Second by: Commissioner Gillie

Motion carried.

c.     Swenson then presented a Permit LG555 for the Karlstad Eagles for approval.

Motion: To approve. 

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

d.     Swenson presented for the approval the 2026 Tri-County EMS Agreement in the amount of $8,562.00.

Motion: To approve. 

Motion by: Commissioner Johnson

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

12. Kittson County Administrator Aimee Sugden

a.     Sugden asked for approval for a LG220 Exempt Permit for the UMC Teambackers.

Motion: To approve. 

Motion by: Commissioner Swenson

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

b.     Sugden presented a quote from Progas HVAC for a mini-split for the IT room in the amount of $4,478.75.

Motion: To approve the purchase.

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Jones

Motion carried.

c.     Sugden provided a letter of support for the Clay County Psychiatric Residential Treatment Facility to be forwarded to Representative Burkel and Senator Johnson.

Motion: To approve sending letter of support.

Motion by: Commissioner Jones

Second by: Commissioner Johnson

Motion carried.

d.     Sugden presented the Ditch Authority Findings and Viewers reports for CD 1, CD 4, CD 12, CD 17, CD 18, Cd 23, CD 26, CD 27, CD 28, VD 30, CD 31, CD 33, SD 51 and SD 48 for approval.

Motion: To approve. 

Motion by: Commissioner Gillie

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

13. Other Business

None

14. Committee Reports

Commissioner Gillie~AMC, MRC, Healthy Quin, SCHSAC, Two Rivers Watershed, Leadership Conference

Commissioner Younggren~AMC, SAPTF, Markit

Commissioner Jones~none 

Commissioner Johnson~Markit, Two Rivers Waterhsed

Commissioner Swenson~Markit

15. Correspondence

None

16. Upcoming Meetings

a.     Regular Board Meeting Tuesday, May 5, 2026 9:00 a.m.   

b.     Continued Ditch Hearing Tuesday, June 23, 2026

17. Adjournment

Motion: To adjourn.  

Motion by: Commissioner Jones

Second by: Commissioner Swenson

Motion carried.

 

Loren Younggren, Chair                                  _________________________________
Kittson County Board of Commissioners

Shirley Swenson, Chief Financial Officer              _________________________________
Kittson County