June 20, 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. Romine, Watne, Erickson and Lee present.  Also present were Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad and County Engineer Roger Kluck.

      Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the minutes from the June 6, 2006 regular and County Board of Equalization meetings. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

        Smestad then presented the bills. Kluck appeared for comment. Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Social Service bills totaling $55,639.69 and the bills totaling $738,082.14. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Lori Lizotte then appeared regarding a fireworks stand on County owned property located next to the Speedway restaurant. Sheriff Vern Erck appeared briefly for comment. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the request by Lizotte to have a fireworks sales stand on County owned property located next to the Speedway restaurant; motion carried.

      Jamie and Jay Bonebrake, Harrison Township residents, then appeared regarding the condition of a township road – 36^th Ave NE. Kluck also appeared for comment. After much discussion, Chairman Gruenberg directed Kluck to send a letter to the township informing them that the Highway Department has concerns regarding the condition of the road. Sheriff Erck informed the Board that the Sheriff’s Office can patrol the area, as requested by the families living along the road. Moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Watne to receive and file a letter and photographs from Jamie Bonebrake regarding numerous issues with 36^th Ave NE and Harrison Township members. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

      Chief Deputy Dave Bosh then appeared. Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Romine to accept the proposals from Main Electric for $1,100; Otis Elevator Company for $900; and Audiovisual, Inc. for $4,170 to secure the jail lobby elevator for the courthouse security project. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

      Bosh then presented a request to temporarily use the vacant office outside Courtroom 100 as an office for the Court Security Officers. Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Romine to approve the request. Bosh informed the Board that by using this room, rather than another room, the only remodeling required would be to install a door lock.  After much discussion, Comm. Watne called for the question. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

      Several Department Heads then appeared before the Board regarding the screening of all employees at the front door. 

      Juvenile Detention Director Allison Hughes appeared and expressed her concern over transporting juveniles between detention and court and also gave an example of her entering her office.  She would have to enter through the front door, go through security, then go through the courthouse to the back door and exit the courthouse in order to get to her office in the jail building.

      Extension Agent Mike Rose appeared and expressed his concern over the Extension Staff coming in and out on a regular basis, making several trips carrying supplies and having to come through the front door with these supplies.

      Recorder Sheila Dalen appeared with her concern that staff wouldn’t be allowed to bring in certain office supplies if they were to be screened. 

      Bosh appeared and informed the Board there was a conflict between the original policy as adopted by the Board on April 18, 2006 and the motion from the June 6, 2006 meeting requiring all employees to go through the screening. He expressed his concern that the policy and the new motion did not currently work together.

      Smestad informed the Board that her concern was in employee safety. She gave an example of the daily bank deposit and having the bank runner cross the street and interact with the public rather than exit through the back door, and having jail guards parking in the west lot, entering through the Courthouse to be screened before going to the jail and then having to walk around the outside of the Courthouse when their shift ends, sometimes at midnight, to get to their vehicle. 

      Bosh informed the Board that Rochester Armor Security has informed the County that if they are not allowed to carry their weapons into the Courthouse, they will break their contract with the Clerk of District Court. 

      Personnel Director Colleen Houmann appeared to remind the Board that the County has a few employees who would fall under the American with Disabilities Act guidelines and requested that they be permitted to be placed on the list for backdoor use. After much discussion, it was moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Romine to allow the Sheriff to make exceptions of which employees are exempt from the front door courthouse screening. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comms. Erickson and Lee who voted no; motion carried.

      At 10:00 a.m. the Board recessed to meet as the County Board of Equalization.

      At 10:25 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.

      Sheriff’s Deputy Laura Forbes then appeared. Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the purchase of an upgrade to the panic alarm system from Security Plus in the amount of $1,689.69. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

      Smestad then presented information for the Board’s action.

      Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Romine to receive and file the following correspondence: Chief Justice VandeWalle: Ward County’s building project; and County Engineer Kluck: Lutheran Social Services letter regarding Attendant Care. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the monthly reports, including financial reports. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the application for a state gaming license from Minot Junior Golf Association for Blackjack; pull tabs; bingo; raffles; and Calcutta at the Hooterville Bar effective July 1, 2006 through June 30, 2007. Roll call: all voted yes; except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Romine to approve the application for a fireworks display permit from Nodak Race Club for July 4, 2006. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following applications for raffle permits from Minot Elks Lodge #1089 on January 6, 2007 with prizes totaling $10,386.36; and from Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 753 on May 5, 2007 with prizes totaling $3,000. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve an application for an event permit from the Minot VFW Club Post 753, Inc. for a wedding reception on July 15, 2006, serving beer, liquor, and wine; and an application for a Sunday event alcohol permit for August 6, 13 and 20, 2006 serving beer, wine and liquor, on and off sale. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne 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; to Patrick & Karen Schmidt, BT 025U03000000, N60’ of W90’ of W2NE, Section 2-155-84 (Burlington Township) for $100 cash. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Smestad then reminded the Board that the Elmer Jesme Conference of Counties meeting was scheduled for Monday, June 26 at Lake Metigoshe.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to increase Social Services Administrative Assistant Shannen Cullen’s salary by 5% due to increased duties and responsibilities, effective July 1, 2006. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Romine to approve the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to increase, for all county employees, the mileage reimbursement to 40 cents per mile, effective July 1, 2006. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Romine to approve the recommendation of the Personnel Committee to increase Sheriff Vern Erck’s salary to $34.00/hour, effective July 1, 2006, due to increased duties with courthouse security, the increased number of prisoners and his years of experience with the County. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the following 2007 budget schedule: July 6: budget forms to Departments; July 18: budgets due back to Auditor/Treasurer; August 15: received and filed preliminary budget; August 18: publish notice of hearing; August 29-31: Departmental budget hearings; September 19: public hearing on budget; September 26 or October 3: adopt final budget and set levies. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Smestad then presented several 2007 budget items that needed input. After much discussion, Smestad was directed to provide figures for the past three years and a projection for the future year on expenditures. No further action was taken.

      Personnel Director Colleen Houmann then appeared regarding the payroll amendments. Moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the following applications for payroll amendments: Orris Peterson - Seasonal Highway Maintenance – Highway Department – (new hire); Patrick Lenertz – Patrol Deputy – Sheriff’s Dept; Alan Wetzel – Equipment Operator/Motorgrader – Highway Department (new hire); Kimberly R Dupay – Social Worker I – Social Services (new hire); Lorrie Eide – Correctional Officer – Sheriff’s Department (PT to FT); Miles Anderson – PT Court Services Officer – Sheriff’s Department (new hire); Clinton Wolf – PT Court Services Officer – Sheriff’s Department (new hire); Michael Knoop – PT Court Services Officer – Sheriff’s Department – (new hire); Jeffrey Buda – PT Court Services Officer – Sheriff’s Department (new hire); Patricia Bjork – PT Court Services Officer – Sheriff’s Department (new hire); Elwood Smith – PT Court Services Officer – Sheriff’s Department (new hire); Leo Keelan – PT Court Services Officer – Sheriff’s Department (new hire). Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Smestad then presented a request from Great Plains Directory Service regarding obtaining a 9-1-1 list of Ward County residents. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to deny the request. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Chairman Gruenberg then presented a request from Building Services Supervisor Ron Overly to purchase his personal lawn mower which he has been using for courthouse lawn maintenance. Gruenberg asked that a Commissioner look at the machine and bring their recommendation to the next meeting for discussion. No further action was taken.

      State’s Attorney John Van Grinsven then appeared regarding the establishment of a Building Authority. Van Grinsven was directed to get more information and address the issue at the next meeting.

      Kluck then presented items for Board action.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to send a memorandum of understanding between the Fort Berthold Tribe, the Bureau of Indian Affairs, and Ward County for the Fort Berthold Tribe and the BIA to provide future funds for upgrading County roads that are on the reservation. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Kluck presented the Board with a request to award the fleet contractor equipment rental to Gratech. Comm. Lee requested that Kluck work with the State's Attorney to work out an agreement for the services and return with the agreement to the next meeting for approval. No further action was taken.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Romine to approve the purchase of a Caterpillar D6 dozer, in the amount of $87,793.36, from Butler Machinery, with the funds to come from equipment reserve budget. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the Chairman’s signature on the County Township Road Mileage Certifications being sent to the State. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Romine to approve a one-time paid holiday for all employees for July 3. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comms. Lee and Gruenberg; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to have the State's Attorney obtain an Attorney General’s opinion on the legality of giving July 3 as a paid holiday. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comms. Watne and Romine; motion carried.

      Kluck then presented several informational items to the Board.

      Smestad requested that the Board recess to allow her time to research when the County Board of Equalization must certify the county assessments to the State.

      At 11:06 a.m. the meeting was recessed for the Ward County Social Service Board.

      At 12:26 a.m. the regular meeting was reconvened with all Commissioners present.

      Smestad informed the Board that the County Board of Equalization must set their property assessments, and report them to the State Tax Commissioner’s office on or before June 30. The Commissioners then set a special meeting for 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, June 27 to handle the Board of Equalization matters only.

      Van Grinsven appeared regarding the request for an Attorney General’s opinion on the legality of July 3 being a paid holiday. After discussion, Kluck appeared to withdraw his request and it was moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Lee to rescind the previous motion allowing July 3^rd as a paid holiday for County Employees. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Watne who voted no; motion carried.

      With no further business, it was moved by Comm. Watne to adjourn at 12:40 p.m.

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 5^th DAY OF JULY, 2006.

 

s/Jerome Gruenberg, Chairman
Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

 

s/Devra Smestad