April 4, 2006 Regular meeting minutes

     The regular meeting of the Ward County Commission was called to order by Chairman Gruenberg at 9:00 am with Comms. Watne, Erickson and Lee present.  Also present were Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad and County Engineer Roger Kluck.

      Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the minutes from the March 21, 2006 regular meeting. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Smestad then presented the bills. Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the bills totaling $156,844.14, including the Social Service bills totaling $10,602.41. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Edwin Olson, representing the Douglas Centennial Committee and Kluck appeared. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Lee to approve the temporary closure and use of County Road 13, in the city of Douglas, and to authorize the Chairman to sign a hold harmless agreement for the Centennial celebration on August 4, 5 and 6, 2006. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Gorlyn Wohlk, Douglas Fire Chief, then appeared to comment on the creation of a 9-1-1 user advisory board for the Ward County. He was advised the user board had already been established. No further action was taken.

      Sheriff Vern Erck and Jail Commander Penny Erickson appeared regarding Ward County’s jail rates. Chairman Gruenberg directed Erck and Erickson to prepare proposed rates, providing specifics for the new charges, and to return at the April 18, 2006 meeting with their recommendations. No further action was taken.

      Nedrose Township Supervisor Ray Lemer, Loren Baglin and Robert Grosz, Nedrose Township residents; State’s Attorney John Van Grinsven, and Erck appeared regarding a County-wide dog ordinance. Van Grinsven commented that the City has an ordinance and there are provisions set by the North Dakota Century Code for “Dogs as Public Nuisance.” Chairman Gruenberg requested that Van Grinsven research to see if a County-wide dog ordinance could be drafted. No further action was taken.

      Comm. Molla Romine joined the meeting via telephone conference.

      At 9:30 a.m., the time set for a public hearing, Chairman Gruenberg opened the hearing on a Resolution for Establishment and Adoption of the Ward County Sheriff’s Department Policy and Procedure with Reference to Courthouse Security.  Sheriff Erck appeared and informed the Board that he was ready to move forward with the plan, and expressed his concern that a security system was needed now. Also appearing in favor of proposed Courthouse security was Al Reynolds, Ward County Emergency Manager; and Jeff Buda, Minot Police Department, retired. Those appearing against proposed Courthouse security was Edwin Olson, Earl Allen, and Tim Knutson. At 9:52 a.m., with no one else appearing either for or against the proposed Courthouse security, Chairman Gruenberg closed the public hearing. Smestad informed the Board that 20 days were needed between the publication of the resolution and the vote on the resolution. Chairman Gruenberg tabled a vote on the resolution until the April 18, 2006 meeting.

      The Board then discussed the County/City Library merger. Chairman Gruenberg read the motion from the March 21, 2006 meeting relating to the postponement of the vote until all Commissioners were present. Moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Watne that the Ward County Board of Commissioners vote “no” on a merger of the Ward County Public Library and the Minot City Library. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      At 10:00 a.m. the Board recessed.

      At 10:12 a.m. the Board reconvened with Comms. Gruenberg, Watne, Erickson and Lee present.

      County Agent Mike Rose appeared regarding two grants received from the ND Department of Health and the ND Department of Human Resources to staff a parenting resource center, which would be a joint endeavor between the Minot YWCA and Ward County Extension Office. Rose explained that the grant period was from May 1 through August 31, 2006, with the possibility of having it extended through 2008. Smestad and Van Grinsven appeared briefly for comment. After much discussion, it was moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the position for the grant time period with all expenses to be covered by the grant. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Rose then informed the Board that he would like to present a PowerPoint presentation of his annual report on May 16^th at 8:30 a.m. in the Ex-Serviceman’s Room.

      Smestad then presented items for the Board’s action.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the following correspondence: Souris Basin Planning Council re: CDBG application; and Wireless Capital Partners re: finance services. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Kluck then appeared regarding correspondence from Tom Nelson regarding load restrictions. Chairman Gruenberg instructed Kluck to send a letter to Mr. Nelson addressing his concerns, with a copy of the letter provided to the Board. Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file a letter from Tom Nelson regarding load restrictions. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to pay the full bill to Craft Builders, Inc., in the amount of $749.80, for windows at the Attendance Care site, housed at the Ward County Library. Roll call: Comms. Lee, Erickson and Gruenberg voted yes, Comm. Watne voted no; motion carried.

      Van Grinsven appeared regarding a letter sent to the Recorder’s office from James Mickelson. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to receive and file the correspondence from James Mickelson regarding his letter to the Recorder’s office. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Chairman Gruenberg again addressed the issue of a County-wide dog ordinance. Van Grinsven, Baglin, Grosz, and Erck also appeared again for comment. Chairman Gruenberg instructed Erck to check with the Minot City Police Chief, and Van Grinsven to conduct more research into possible ordinances and enforcement. Erck commented that he would check with other home rule entities regarding any ordinances they may have in effect.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erck that the Board hereby approves the action of the County Auditor/Treasurer in making the following sales, and authorizes the issuance of tax deeds or contracts thereon; J.J. Bauer, Crows Plat Lots 7-12, Block 3, Donnybrook City. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the following appointments: Ward County Social Service Board – 3 year term: Jerome Gruenberg, Carroll Erickson, and Molla B. Romine and to the Ward County Library Board – 3 year term: Kathy Kopp and Ron Neshem. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Chairman Gruenberg then appointed Comm. Carroll Erickson as an alternate to the HR Management Committee.

      Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Lee to authorize the Minot Committee for the National Day of Prayer to hold a Noon prayer rally, and to read the Bible aloud from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. on April 4, 2006 on the Courthouse steps. Chairman Gruenberg requested that they not block the entry-way during the event. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Erck and Kluck appeared briefly regarding comp-time in their respective departments. After much discussion, it was moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize eleven Social Service employees, based on a Social Services policy prior to 2004, 20 hours of comp time (time off, not pay) to use within six months. Roll call: Comms. Watne, Erickson and Gruenberg voted yes, Comm. Lee voted no; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following applications for payroll amendment: John Haugen, PT Correctional Officer, Juvenile Detention at a level 9, and Jolene Blowers, Juvenile Detention Officer, Juvenile Detention at a level 9. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      9-1-1 Coordinator Fred Debowey appeared regarding using 9-1-1 wired funds to purchase a telephone and radio logger for Central Dispatch, along with a maintenance contract. Van Grinsven also appeared for comment. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to authorize the purchase of a telephone and radio logger, and maintenance contract from Grabar Voice and Data of Bismarck, in the amount of $27,000, with the funds to come from the 9-1-1 wired account. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

            Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to accept and adopt a severe weather policy (a full and complete copy of which is available for review in the County Auditor/Treasurer’s Office.) Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to accept and adopt a policy regarding training convention registration (a full and complete copy of which is available for review in the County Auditor/Treasurer’s Office.) Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      The Board then discussed the following tied motion: “Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the recommendations of the HR Management Committee regarding service organization and professional organizations and licenses policy. A substitute motion was made by Comm. Lee to get an Attorney General’s opinion on the legality of using county funds to pay for organization dues for department heads. Motion died for lack of a second. Roll call on the original motion: Comms. Erickson and Watne voted yes, Comms. Lee and Gruenberg voted no; motion tied to be voted on again at the April 4, 2006 meeting.” Smestad informed the Board that tied motions needed to be brought back before a full board, so the matter was tabled until the April 18, 2006 meeting.

      Smestad informed the Board that she had received notification that if Ward County would like to join the Grant Writers Roundtable group, all Department Heads, or designee, could participate in their monthly meetings, and possibly qualify for a free registration to grant writer workshops sponsored by the Grant Writers Roundtable. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to pay the $25 membership dues for the Grant Writers Roundtable. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to adopt a Severe Summer Weather Awareness Week Proclamation (a full and complete copy of which is available for review in the County Auditor/Treasurer’s Office.) Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Kluck then presented items for the Board’s action.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne that the Engineer be authorized to purchase an air compressor from Tool Crib for the low bid amount of $10,650. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne that the Engineer be authorized to purchase a rock picker bucket, for a Bobcat, from Swanston Equipment, Co. for the low bid amount of $1,236. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to declare the following equipment as surplus (a full and complete copy of which is available for review in the County Auditor/Treasurer’s Office.) that the Engineer be authorized to contract with Northern Auction for the sale of surplus equipment, and that Kluck set the minimum prices on the equipment to be sold at the sale. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the Engineer to continue planning for a county storage building and to develop a budget for the building to be used at budget time. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

      Kluck then presented informational items to the Board.

      At 11:30 a.m. with no further business, it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to adjourn the meeting.

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 18^th DAY OF APRIL, 2006.                                              

 

S/Jerome Gruenberg

Chair, Ward County Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

S/Devra Smestad

Ward County Auditor/Treasurer