June 25, 2007 Special Meeting Minutes

Chairperson Darlene Watne called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. with Commissioners Erickson, Fjeldahl, Gruenberg and Lee in attendance.  Also present were Engineer Roger Kluck, States Attorney John Van Grinsven and Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad.

 

Commissioner Watne then turned the gavel over to Vice Chairman Erickson since she was participating via conference telephone.

 

Kluck presented information on the MG Grains CDBG Site Development and requested approval to go to bid on the project. Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to advertise for bids for excavation construction work, water and sanitary sewer construction work and rail construction work for MG Grains, with the understanding that Souris Basin Planning Council (SBPC) take responsibility for full administration of the grant. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried. It was also requested that Don Longmuir from SBPC be invited to the July 3 meeting.

 

Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve a fireworks display permit for Nodak Race Club at the fairgrounds on July 4; and to authorize the chair to designate an inspector. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.  Commissioner Erickson was appointed to be the inspector.

 

Comm. Fjeldahl gave a brief report of last week’s meeting with Dan Richter and Owen Larson regarding the extra space for Social Services. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to offer the Oppen Institute a rental, with option to buy within one year, agreement and if that offer if not accepted, to authorize the Chairperson to sign a lease only agreement for the extra space. States Attorney Van Grinsven appeared for comment. Roll call vote: Comms. Lee and Fjeldahl voted yes; Comms. Gruenberg, Watne and Erickson voted no; motion failed.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Watne to proceed with a rental agreement for the extra space, as presented in the proposed contract from Owen Larson. After discussion, Comm. Watne called for the question. Roll call to call for the question: all voted yes; motion carried. Roll call on the rental agreement: Comms. Gruenberg, Watne, Fjeldahl and Erickson voted yes; Comm. Lee voted no; motion carried.

 

Comm. Fjeldahl requested that discussion regarding purchase of the Oppen building be placed on the next regular Commission agenda.

 

Social Services Director Dan Richter appeared to discuss furnishing the extra space at the Oppen Center. Brown & Saenger was the lowest bidder of the conference tables and chairs at $9,000. Richter informed the Board that he would also require a managed computer switch costing approximately $691. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to authorize the purchase of the furniture and computer switch; and to request reimbursement from the Social Service board for the expenditures. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 7:50 p.m. with no further business, it was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to adjourn the meeting.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 3rd DAY OF JULY, 2007.

 

s/Darlene Watne, Chair

Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

 

s/Devra Smestad, Auditor/Treasurer
Ward County