July 17, 2007 Regular meeting mintues

The regular meeting of the Ward County Commission was called to order by Chairman Watne at 9:00 am with Comms. Fjeldahl, Gruenberg, Erickson, and Lee present.  Also present were Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad; and State's Attorney John Van Grinsven.

 

Chairman Watne informed the Board of additions to the agenda.  Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the agenda as amended. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the minutes of the July 3, 2007 regular meeting and the corrected July 3, 2007 Board of Equalization meeting. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then presented the bills. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the Social Welfare bills totaling $36,035.63; Human Service bills totaling $46,700.11 and the regular bills totaling $939,694.77. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Building Services Supervisor Ron Overly then appeared. Also appearing for comment was Assistant County Engineer Dana Larsen. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize Overly to purchase two batteries for the back-up generator, have them installed by the County Highway Department, and have the old batteries disposed of at the local salvage yard. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With Overly still present, it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the Building Services Supervisor to purchase and replace ten heat pumps in the Courthouse, with funds coming from 2007 building improvements. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried. Chairman Watne directed Overly to budget the remaining 19 heat pumps in his 2008 budget.

 

Dr. John C Smith, County Coroner then appeared to inform the Board that he will be retiring when his contract expires on December 31, 2007. Dr. Smith suggested that the County work with the UND Center for Family Practice for their coroner needs. Smestad informed the Board that she has already been in contract with their director. Board consensus was to proceed with budgeting the same as previous years and work on a new contract after.  No further action was taken.

 

Director of Tax Equalization Don Siebert then appeared regarding an abatement request from the Ward County Farm Bureau parcel number MI 36.220.010.0000. Also appearing for comment was Dan Deaver with the Ward County Farm Bureau.

 

At 9:29 a.m. Chairman Watne recessed the regular board meeting for a public hearing.

 

At 9:30 a.m. the time set for a public hearing on the vacation of section lines in Surrey and Maryland Township, Chairman Watne opened the hearing. Jonathan Eaton, lawyer for LaVerne Mikkelson; LaVerne Mikkelson, property owner; Mark Vollmer, Surrey Township Chairman; Belinda Vollmer, Surrey Township Clerk; Casey Tompkins, Surrey Township Board member; Rod Nickle, Maryland Township Chairman; Bart Burns, area property owner and Assistant County Engineer Larsen all appeared for comment. After much discussion it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the vacation of the following section lines: 1) that portion of the section line between Sections 4 and 5 of Township 155 North, Range 81 West (Surrey Township) lying north of the north line of Outlot 1 of Section 5; and 2) the section line between Section 4 of Township 155 North, Range 81 West (Surrey Township) and Section 33 of Township 156 North, Range 81 West (Maryland Township), contingent upon a written agreement that: 1) if the land is sold, the road will be re-opened and the right-of-way be conveyed to the township and 2) if utilities are needed to be placed in the right-of-way it will be re-opened. Roll call all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 9:49 a.m. Chairman Watne closed the hearing.

 

At 10:00 a.m. the regular Board meeting reconvened with all members present.

 

Siebert and Deaver again appeared regarding the abatement for Ward County Farm Bureau. Minot City Assessor Kevin Ternes also appeared for comment. After discussion it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to grant the request of the Ward County Farm Bureau to reduce the 2006 true and full value on property number MI 36.220.010.0000 from $171,200 to $135,000. Roll call: Comms. Lee and Fjeldahl voted yes, Comms. Gruenberg, Erickson and Watne voted no; motion failed.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve: 1) the following applications for abatement and/or corrections of errors of assessments: Richard Foss, SP 19.5U0.1000.0000, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $62,500 to $59,300; Jonelda Lee,  SE 09.5U0.400.0000, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $138,500 to $3,500 and on parcel number SE 09.5U0.500.0000, increase the 2007 true and full value from $7,100 to $96,300; Aaron Klingbeil, MI 23.021,550.0100, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $82,600 to $58,000; Marian Rice, MI 35.442.000.0100, reduce the 2006 true and full value from $586,000 to $525,00 and the 2007 true and full value from $539,000 to $500,000; Kelly Perrin, MI 11.941.000.0060, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $197,000 to $182,000; HBW Holdings, LLC, MI 01.448.000.0180, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $46,800 to $14,000; HBW Holdings, LLC, MI 13.387.020.0030, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $59,000 to $34,800; Gravel Products, KK 34.009.900.0010, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $11,100 to $2,000; Minot Public School, MI 27.A24.000.0010, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $14,400 to $3,600; City of Minot, MI 15.855.000.0001, remove the 2005, 2006 and 2007 true and full value of $400; City of Minot, MI 27.892.000.0280, remove the 2007 true and full value of $600; Marla Montgomery, MI 19.11.000.0190, increase the 2007 true and full value from $123,400 to $170,000; Theresa Little, MI 11.245.020.0120, reduce the 2005 true and full value from $80,000 to $7,000; the 2006 true and full value from $88,000 to $7,000; and the 2007 true and full value from $93,200 to $7,000, qualifies for blind exemption; 2) the following exemptions for disabled veterans: F.L. Tompkins, MI 23.503.020.0050, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $158,400 to $7,000; Alvin Wirtzfield, MI 11.232.020.0010, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $101,600 to $7,000; Jerome Fjeld, MI 14.476.100.0013, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $61,600 to $3,000; Vincenti & Elizabeth Rodriquez-Mattei, MI 11.232.060.0090, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $31,400 to $7,000; Jeffrey Obright, MI 26.358.040.0050, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $59,600 to $34,000; Larry M. Nelson, MI 26.764.030.0050, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $83,600 to $44,800; Harold Liab, MI 22.059.000.0280, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $40,600 to $7,000; Christopher Taylor, MI 14.259.120.0092, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $31,400 to $7,000; Roland Stremcha, MI 11.171.000.0410, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $34,600 to $7,000; Clarance Heyward, MI 14.259.909.0051, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $89,800 to $27,000; 3) the following applications for two year new construction exemption: Keith Voight, SY 00.003.400.0080, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $167,400 to $104,800; Ishanti Holmes, MI 11.A32.000.0070, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $93,400 to $24,600; Stephan Grabowski, MI 11.A32.000.0120, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $73,000 to $36,000; Donald Rademacher, MI 27.A16.000.0110, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $96,800 to $21,800; Aaron New, MI 11.A32.000.0090, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $74,600 to $25,800; Steven Ranum, MI 11.A32.000.0160, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $74,600 to $25,800; Matthew Monson, MI 11.A32.000.0060, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $93,400 to $31,000; Michael Robinson, MI 11.A32.000.0100, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $73,000 to $30,800; Lonnie Ash, MI 11.A32.000.0040, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $93,400 to $49,600; Jessica Peterson, MI 11.A32.000.0150, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $73,000 to $36,000; Nathaniel Henjum, MI 11.A32.000.0020, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $93,400 to $49,600; Robert Theis, MI 22.A30.000.050, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $219,800 to $144,800; Raymond Haas, MI 25.992000.0150, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $364,000 to $260,000; Greg Grengs, MI 15.826.000.0090, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $150,600 to $75,600; Wade Wasserburger, MI 35.A11.000.0060, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $163,600 to $113,600; and 4) to approve the following application for plat: Peter Kizima for Outlots 5 & 6 of SENE Section 35-153-83 (Freedom Township.) Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

 

Lance Johnson then appeared before the Board. Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Lee to waive the penalty, interest and foreclosure costs on property numbers KK 29.009.900.0030, KK 30.009.900.0120 and KK 30.5U0.600.0000 in the amount of $$438.68, with the approval of the State Tax Commissioner. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Orlin Backes then appeared regarding the County’s building and space needs and the importance of working together. Chairman Watne asked Backes if he would spearhead a citizen’s group. Backes informed the Board that he would work with the Commissioners, but not spearhead the committee. No action was taken.

 

Smestad then presented items for information and action.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the following correspondence: Auditor/Treasurer Smestad – letter to State Tax Commissioner; State’s Attny John Van Grinsven – Lance Johnson property; Dept. of Corrections – notice of lawsuit; Bremer Insurance – insurance claim; Eng. Kluck – letter to Allan Torrington; State Historical Society – grant; Afton Township – letter to Jim Heckman; Daniel Ringuette – on-line property information; State Tax Commissioner Fong – response to request for waiver of penalty and interest; Souris Basin Planning Council – 2006 annual report. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

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

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the applications from the Minot VFW Club Post 753, Inc. for a special event permit for the following: July 28, 2007, Kusper Family Reunion, from 12 Noon to 1:00 a.m. serving beer, liquor and wine and on August 10, 2007, Rau wedding reception, from 12 Noon to 1:00 a.m. serving beer, liquor and wine. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

 

At 10:29 a.m. the Board recessed for the Social Service Board meeting.

 

At 10:54 a.m. the Board reconvened its regular meeting with all members present.

 

Brandon Culver then appeared regarding an application for a raffle permit. Van Grinsven also appeared for comment. After much discussion it was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the raffle permit for Ground Hound, Inc. to be held on July 28, 2007 with prizes totaling $2,500.00, with any amount over the cost of the prize being donated to a charity in the Minot area of Culver’s choice; and designate the charity on information posters advertising the raffle. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Watne who voted no; motion carried.

 

Van Grinsven briefly appeared to comment on correspondence regarding a lawsuit against the State of North Dakota, the City of Minot and Officers Jason Sundbakken and Dan Bower. No action was taken.

 

Smestad then reminded the Board of the early registration for the ND Association of Counties Convention in October. Comms. Watne, Erickson, Fjeldahl and Gruenberg informed Smestad that they would attend; Comm. Lee requested that he be registered late at the convention. No further action was taken.

 

Information Technology Director Leonard Tennyson and Smestad then presented the Board with information on Official Payments look up property and search to pay ability. Also appearing for comment was County Recorder Sheila Dalen. After much discussion it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to establish the look up property and search to pay ability with Official Payments, at a cost of $5,000, and sell memberships  at $200 per company per year. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried. Smestad requested clarification if the membership rate was to be pro-rated from August through December or bill on an August to August basis and was told to pro-rate this August – December and then run on a calendar year basis.

 

Comm. Erickson then presented items from the Personnel Committee that required action.

 

Appearing for comment on an Employee Assistance Program was Chief Deputy Dave Bosh and Assistant Highway Engineer Dana Larsen. It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to establish an Employee Assistance Program for a one year trial period at a cost of $30 per full-time equivalent employee with the monies to be taken out of the current budget. After much discussion it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to table the matter until each department submits where the monies would come from. Roll call: Comms. Lee, Fjeldahl and Gruenberg voted yes, Comms. Erickson and Watne voted no; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Personnel Committee’s recommendation of the request made by Chief Deputy Dave Bosh to move three jail supervisors to level 11, with no pay change; and move four jailers up to level 10 (Assistant Jail Supervisor) with a 2 ½ percent pay increase, with the difference off-set in other areas of the jail budget. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Personnel Committee’s recommendation to change the following in the personnel policy book: change the references to the Human Resource Consultant to the Human Resources Director/Committee and change references of merit increases to performance review increases. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to follow the ND Century Code regarding meeting attendance via phone or video conference, and allow participation in meetings via phone or video conference. Substitute motion made by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to allow meeting attendance via phone or video conference only in the case of a medical emergency. Roll call on the substitute motion: Comms. Lee and Fjeldahl voted yes, Comms. Erickson, Gruenberg, and Watne voted no; substitute motion failed. Roll call on the original motion: Comms. Erickson, Gruenberg and Watne voted yes, Comms. Lee and Fjeldahl voted no; motion carried.

 

At 12:00 p.m. the Board recessed.

 

At 12:10 p.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.

 

Patrick Miller with Westlie Truck Center, Larsen and Van Grinsven then appeared. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to temporarily waive the liquidated damages against Westlie Truck Center, for two Sterling trucks that have been delayed at the factory level, if the trucks were delivered by August 15, 2007 otherwise the County will reconsider assessing the penalties. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the request that the payroll be amended to include the following: Jason Kraft – Correctional Officer – Sheriff’s Dept. – Level 9-1 (new PT hire); Kathryn Stephens – Social Worker III – Social Services – Level 9 (new hire). Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Chairman Watne then appointed Comms. Fjeldahl and Gruenberg to the Apple Grove paving district screening committee along with the County Assessor, Engineer and Auditor/Treasurer. No further action was taken.

 

Discussion was then held on the County’s space and building needs. With Van Grinsven appearing for comment and after much discussion, it was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Watne to continue using Nester Davidson as the architect for the county building project. Roll call: Comms. Gruenberg, Watne and Erickson voted yes, Comms. Fjeldahl interrupted the voting for a point of clarification and then voted no and Comm. Lee voted no; motion carried. Comm. Gruenberg informed the Board that a meeting was set for Thursday, July 19, 2007 at 6:30 p.m. for the Board to meet with the architect about a scaled-down version of a new office building.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to add the County North Building to the County’s insurance plan. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Discussion was then held on the Emerson Apartment building. Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Lee to put the building up for sale. Roll call: Comms. Fjeldahl and Lee voted yes, Comms. Erickson, Gruenberg and Watne voted no; motion failed.

 

At 1:08 p.m. Comm. Gruenberg left the meeting.

 

Larsen then presented items for action and information.

 

Brief discussion was held on the 2008 Farm to Market program and Board consensus was to discuss the program further at the budget hearings.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Watne to authorize the County Engineer to purchase a new water tank from Reiter Industries for $22,500 with the funds to come from Highway Capitol Improvements. Roll call: Comms. Erickson, Fjeldahl and Watne voted yes, Comm. Lee voted no; motion carried.

 

Discussion was then held on needed repairs at the County North Building. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Lee to 1) approve the floor plan for storage areas as presented by Engineer Kluck and 2) to allow the Engineer to spend up to $10,000 to have the following repairs completed: mold removal; fixing of an overhead door; locate the property corners; fix the drainage problems; and replace the existing drain field, with the funds to come equally from the general fund building improvements and the highway department capitol improvements. Comm. Erickson moved an amended motion to bill the agencies using the space according to the items that need correcting in their area. After further discussion, Comm. Erickson withdrew his amended motion. Roll call on the original motion: Comms. Erickson, Fjeldahl and Watne voted yes, Comm. Lee voted no; motion carried.

 

At 1:29 p.m. Chairman Watne passed the gavel to Vice-Chairman Erickson and left the meeting.

 

Moved by Comm. Lee to have the County Engineer and Assistant County Engineer create a bidding document and call for bids for repairs to the electric system at the County North Building. Motion died for lack of a second.

 

Comm. Fjeldahl requested that the other repair items be held until the next board meeting.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Lee to have the Auditor/Treasurer disperse the oil impact funds to the townships. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

 

Brief discussion was held on a public input meeting in Berthold for signage on County Road 9 at County Roads 14 and 10 and the intermodal system draft report. No action was taken.

 

Smestad then requested that the Board authorize her to work with Cass County to obtain assistance with the County’s tax program in order to comply with a new State Law that requires tax statements give a three year history on each property. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to have the Auditor/Treasurer obtain the approximate cost and an example of the tax statement and present it for approval at the next regular board meeting.

 

At 1:41 p.m. with no further business, it was moved by Comm. Lee to adjourn.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 7^th DAY OF AUGUST, 2007

 

s/Darlene Watne, Chair

Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

 

s/Devra Smestad, Auditor/Treasurer
Ward County