The regular meeting of the Ward County Commission was called to order by Chairman Gruenberg at 9:07 am with Comms. Romine, Erickson, and Lee present. Also present were Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad and County Engineer Roger Kluck.
Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Romine to approve the minutes of the October 3, 2006 meeting. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.
At 9:08 a.m. Comm. Watne arrived.
Smestad then presented the bills. Juvenile Detention Director Allison Hughes appeared briefly for comment. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Social Services bills totaling $22,086.48; Human Service bills totaling $39,996.82 and the bills totaling $220,788.49. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Director of Tax Equalization Don Siebert appeared. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the two applications for abatement of taxes and/or corrections of errors of assessments; two applications for two year new construction exemption; 24 corrections of assessments to units of Dakota View Condos that were destroyed by fire and water damage; and to approve one application for Homestead Credit. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Smestad then presented items for Board action.
Chief Deputy Dave Bosh, State's Attorney John Van Grinsven, and Kluck appeared for comment on correspondence. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Romine to receive and file the following correspondence: City of Minot re: motion to approve jail contract at $20/day; ND Dept. of Health re: renewal of Air Pollution control permit; Rocky Skarsgard re: letters; NDACo re: Juvenile Accountability Block Grant program; Highway Engineer Kluck re: roads in Beaver Creek. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
The Board then set November 15 for Department Head evaluations.
Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to: 1) authorize the Chairman’s signature on Homeland Security Grants totaling $60,602.20; 2) approve the action of the County Auditor to make a sale, and authorize an issuance of a tax deed for Triple H Properties for Tolley’s First Addition for S2 Lot 2, Block 26, Kenmare City for $1,000 cash; 3) receive and file the monthly reports, including financial reports. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Romine to approve the Human Resource Management Committee recommended policy changes in the following areas: Employment Status; Evaluation period; Wages; Temporary/Seasonal Employees Salary determination; Workforce Safety and Insurance; Non-paid leave; Performance reviews; changes in departments; new positions; promotions/demotions/lateral moves/reclassifications; merit increases; smoking and appendixes B, C and Job Application Form C (copies of which are available for review in the Auditor/Treasurer’s office.) Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.
Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Human Resource Management Committee recommended policy changes to the Courthouse Severe Weather Closure Procedures to include State Court employees, at their request. After discussion, a substitute motion was made by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Lee to approve the Human Resource Management Committee recommended policy changes to the Courthouse Severe Weather Closure Procedures to include State Court employees, with the Commission Chairman making the decision for closure jointly with the Highway Engineer and Sheriff. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following payroll amendments: Angela Shaw – Social Worker III – Social Services; Lacey Boehm – Receptionist/File Clerk/Secretary – Regional Child Support (new hire); Nancy Conlee – Independent Living/Social Worker II – Social Services (new hire); Gloria Glasgow – Social Worker III – Social Services. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Chairman Gruenberg then presented the Board with a bill from the ND Association of Counties for $185.00 for membership dues that are unpaid. After discussion, it was moved by Comm. Watne to pay the full membership amount in 2007. After more discussion, Comm. Watne withdrew her motion. No further action was taken.
Kluck then presented items for action.
Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the Engineer to draw up specifications and call for bids for replacement of the front main sidewalk to the Highway Department building, to repair the leak in the wall, and to replace the concrete sidewalk; and to have a second bid to repair the rusted main floor/basement ceiling joists and to replace the damaged basement bathroom ceiling. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Kluck then presented a request from the Minot Area Development Corporation and the City of Minot for the County to work with the City on an Intermodal site east of Minot. Minot Chamber of Commerce President John MacMartin appeared for comment. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Romine to approve the request of the County Engineer to proceed with developing an intergovernmental agreement with the City and begin site preparation immediately. After much discussion, Comm. Watne called for the question. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.
Kluck presented a request for funding on an overpass on 55th street near Gavin Yard. After much discussion it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to have the County Engineer expend the funds on County Road 12 improvements for 2007. Roll call: Comms. Lee and Watne voted yes, Comms. Romine, Erickson and Gruenberg voted no; motion failed. MacMartin again appeared for comment, and after further discussion it was moved by Comm. Romine, seconded by Comm. Watne to have the Engineer work on the design development for the overpass at 55th street and work on County Road 12. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.
Kluck then presented an invoice from RDO Equipment Co. for an engine overhaul on a 2002 644H John Deere loader because the loader is still under warranty. Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Lee to pull the bill and refuse payment as the loader is still under warranty. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Kluck then presented informational items to the Board.
Emergency Manager Al Reynolds then appeared briefly regarding the 911 communications towers at Berthold and Ryder. No action was taken.
At 10:28 a.m. with no further business, it was moved by Comm. Lee to adjourn.
ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 8th DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2006.
s/Jerome Gruenberg, Chairman
Ward County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
s/Devra Smestad
Ward County Auditor/Treasurer
