June 6, 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. Watne, seconded by Comm. Romine to approve the minutes of the May 16, 2006 regular Commission meeting. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.
      Comm. Lee moved to rescind the following motion from the May 16, 2006 meeting: “Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Romine to approve a pay amendment for Dana Larsen, Assistant Chief Engineer (level 17 salary increase) retroactive to March 16, 2006. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.” Motion died for lack of a second.
      Smestad then presented the bills. Chief Deputy Sheriff Dave Bosh appeared for comment.  Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Romine to approve the Social Service bills totaling $10,519.13 and the bills totaling $738,891.86. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
      Greg Hagen, Souris Basin Planning Council appeared regarding a HUD grant for the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to have Ward County act as the sponsoring agent for a HUD grant for the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch, and to authorize the Chair to sign the environmental review plan once completed. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
      Director of Tax Equalization Don Siebert then appeared. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the following plat application and zone change: Norman Hildebrand for Outlot 16 of NENE Section 13 Sundre Township (154-82) with a zone change from agricultural to residential; and to approve three corrections of errors of assessments and/or abatements; and the following application for Homestead Credit: Elma Larson, MI 51-009-72. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
      Smestad then presented items for action.
      Moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the following correspondence: ND Dept. of Health re: Berthold Farmers Elevator disposal variance; NDACo re: President’s tour; Stan Moen re: commendation of Dale Braun; Souris Basin Planning Council re: Basil O’Connor Leadership award. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
      Kluck then appeared regarding the Attendant Care site at the Ward County Library. After much discussion, it was moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Watne to direct Kluck to revise the plan and drawing for using the north door and forwarding the plans, and cost estimation, to Lutheran Social Services. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
      State’s Attorney John Van Grinsven then appeared regarding the Minot City Prosecution contract. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to amend the contract to include monthly compensation to the five assistant State's Attorney’s at the current contract sum, effective June 1, 2006. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
      Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson, to approve a gaming site authorization for MSU Beaver Boosters, Inc for Black Jack, Calcutta, and Pull tabs at the Minot County Club effective July 1, 2006 – June 30, 2007. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.
      Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Romine to approve a raffle permit application for Ward County Historical Society on August 12, 2006 with prizes totaling $350. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
      Personnel Director Colleen Houmann then appeared. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Romine to approve the following applications for payroll amendments: Paul Olthoff – Senior Jail Supervisor – Sheriff’s Department; Geneane Bell – Secretary III – Regional Child Support Enforcement (new hire); Darline Mahowald – Administrative Assistant – Library (new hire); Kristi Kaylor – Jail Supervisor – Sheriff’s Department; Brent Johnson – Jail Supervisor – Sheriff’s Department. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
      Smestad then presented the Board with a budget information questionnaire and a budget schedule, and informed the Board that she would be requesting approval at the June 20, 2006 meeting.
      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to move the July 4, 2006 regular meeting to July 5, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
     Comm. Lee then stated that he would like the Board to go on record in support of all personnel being screened at the front door. Bosh and Van Grinsven also appeared for comment. After much discussion, it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Romine to require everyone to go through the security system, with the exception of sworn law enforcement personnel, from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
     Moved by Comm. Lee, to purchase a new x-ray machine for the front door. After discussion, Comm. Lee withdrew his motion.
      Comm. Watne then gave a report of the Finance and Marketing Committees. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Romine to proceed to put a measure on the November 2006 ballot for permission to bond for plans put together by the architects using the finance and marketing plans. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.
     Kluck then presented items for the Board’s action.
      Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize Kluck to check with Minot State University to see if they have anyone qualified to conduct archaeological recording and study of bridge #153-53.1, and if no one is qualified, to use Metcalf Archaeological Consultants, Inc. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
     Moved by Comm. Lee to send a letter to Kenmare City informing them that Ward County will not being paying a special assessment on a County owned shop located on a County owned road. Comm. Lee withdrew his motion to allow Kluck to contact Kenmare City and try to resolve the matter.
     Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to have Kluck, Van Grinsven and    Sheriff Vern Erck work together to establish a law and/or ordinance under Home Rule Charter regarding 4 wheelers and off-road motorcycles on County roads. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried. 
      At 9:58 a.m. the Board recessed to meet at 10:00 a.m. as the County Board of Equalization.
      At 10:41 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.
     Moved by Comm. Lee to direct Kluck to request the contractor to build a south by-pass from 16^th St SW south to the Crystal Springs area. Motion died for lack of a second.
     Kluck then presented various information items to the Board.
     At 10:54 a.m. with no further business, it was moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Erickson to adjourn.

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 20^th DAY OF JUNE, 2006.