May 15, 2007 Regular Meeting Minutes

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 County Engineer Roger Kluck.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the minutes of the May 1, 2007 regular meeting. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then presented the bills. Appearing for comment were Chief Deputy Dave Bosh, Sheriff Vern Erck, Superintendent of Schools Jodi Johnson, Director of Tax Equalization Don Siebert, and Kluck. Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the Social Welfare bills totaling $39,918.86, the Human Service bills totaling $44,495.60 and the regular bills totaling $$132,643.47. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Owen Larson of the Oppen Family Guidance Institute then appeared before the Board. It was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to make a purchase offer for the Oppen Guidance Center for $2.25 million, on a ten year payment plan, contingent upon a satisfactory inspection with $10,000 earnest money to come from the Commissioner’s Contingency fund.  Roll call: Comms. Lee and Fjeldahl voted yes; Comms. Erickson, Gruenberg and Watne voted no; motion failed.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file a letter from Owen Larson regarding the County’s potential purchase of the Oppen facility. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 9:55 a.m. the Board recessed.

 

At 10:06 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.

 

Smestad then informed the Board of additions to the agenda.

 

Bosh again appeared. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the Sheriff’s Department to offer vehicles and property from the impound lot for auction (a full and complete copy of which is available for review in the Auditor/Treasurer’s office.) Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Social Services Director Dan Richter then appeared. Also appearing for comment were Accounting/Budget Specialist Connie Zieske and Erck. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to deny the request of increased mileage reimbursement of $0.45/mile to employees effective June 1^st rather than the August 1^st date as set by legislation. Roll call: Comms. Lee, Gruenberg and Erickson voted yes; Comms. Fjeldahl and Watne voted no; motion carried.

 

North Prairie Rural Water Manager/North Central Rural Water Consortium President Ralph Packulak, North Prairie Rural Water President John Bearman and Kluck then appeared.  It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve and authorize the Chairman’s signature on a letter of support for North Prairie Rural Water and North Central Rural Water Consortium’s planned expansion of their system to provide service to rural residents in the Des Lacs and Berthold area using the Northwest Area Water Supply Line for the water supply. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 10:32 a.m. the Board recessed for the Social Service Board meeting.

 

At 11:20 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.

 

Smestad then presented items for Board action.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file: 1) the following correspondence: Rath & Mehrer re: 2006 Audit and Court Facilities Improvement Advisory Committee re: grant; 2) 2006 annual audit report; and 3) monthly reports, including financial statements. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve: 1) the special event permits for The Klub Minot for a MSU Broadcasting Banquet on May 17, 2007 from 4:00 p.m. to 12:45 a.m.; and a wedding reception on July 7, 2007 from 8:00 p.m. to 12:45 a.m.; 2) the 2007-2008 site authorization application from the Fraternal Order of Eagles Minot Aerie #2376 at the Nodak Speedway; and 3) a request from the Minot Junior Golf Association to amend their Site Authorization at the Hooterville Bar to include the restaurant for bingo only. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

 

Discussion was then held on the appointment to the Ward County Library Board, which will be open July 1, 2007.  Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to draw a name for the appointment. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Auditor/Treasurer Smestad then proceeded to have a name drawn and the Board appointed Muriel Peterson, from Ryder, to a three year term effective July 1, 2007. Board consensus was to encourage the other applicant, Linda Anderson, to apply for the next opening.

 

Discussion was then held on the appointment to the Ward County Park Board, which will be open July 1, 2007. Smestad informed the Board that the position had been advertised twice, with the current member being asked to re-apply, and, to date, no applications had been received. Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to contact Molla B. Romine and ask her to consider applying. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

 

Discussion was then held on the open position on the Ward County Special Assessment Commission. Chairman Watne informed the Board that she contacted the Minot Board of Realtors asking them to submit a name for consideration, and that they would be meeting this week to finalize a name for submission. No further action was taken.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Watne to reconsider the previous motion regarding contacting Molla B. Romine to apply for a position on the Ward County Park Board. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried. Chairman Watne then withdrew her previous motion and directed Kluck to contact Jim Muzzy to see if he was interested in serving another term on the Ward County Park Board.

 

Smestad presented the Board with a request for two commissioners to sit on the Robinwood Estates Paving District No 1-2007 screening committee. Comms. Gruenberg and Fjeldahl volunteered to serve with the Auditor/Treasurer; County Engineer and County Assessor. No further action was taken.

 

Discussion was held on the State's Attorney letter regarding the Department of Interior – Bureau of Land Management’s request for Ward County to become a cooperating agency. Moved by Comm. Erickson for Ward County to become a cooperating agency with the Bureau of Land Management. After discussion Comm. Erickson withdrew his motion. Comm. Fjeldahl was directed to follow-up with the Department of Interior to obtain a sample Memorandum of Understanding.

 

The Board then set a date of May 23 at 8:00 a.m. to meet with Ward County Legislators for a round-table discussion on the 2007 legislative session.

 

With Kluck appearing for comment, the Board set a date of May 29 at Noon for a City/County/School/Park Liaison Committee meeting.

 

John Carver then appeared before the Board regarding his proposal to purchase the Kenmare tax property. Carver was requested to return to the June 5 meeting to confirm or withdraw his offer to purchase the property.

 

Smestad questioned the Board if they would like to have training on the budget process. Comm. Fjeldahl requested that any training include discussion of the audit conducted by Rath & Mehrer, PC. A meeting date of May 22 at 4:00 p.m. was set.

 

At 11:55 a.m. Comm. Gruenberg left the meeting.

 

Discussion was then held on the request for an opinion survey to be conducted in regards to a new county office building. Smestad informed the Board that she had contacted Mike Duffy at Minot State University who could conduct the survey, but not until the fall due to lack of manpower. No further action was taken.

 

At 11:58 a.m. Comm. Gruenberg returned to the meeting.

 

Smestad then presented the Board with information regarding HB 1332 which changes the tax foreclosure process from five years to three years and a plan that would offer a one-time waiver on penalty and interest if taxpayers paid all their outstanding taxes current. Comm. Fjeldahl requested that Smestad research the amount of taxes, not including penalty and interest, that would be involved if the county were to give the waiver. No further action was taken.

 

Personnel Coordinator Colleen Houmann and Kluck appeared regarding Health Insurance. Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson that in response to notification of a rate increase in the County Health Insurance plan the County pay 65% of a family premium and 89% of a single premium, until the Personnel Committee can review the increase and make a recommendation to the full board. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following application for payroll amendment: Ingvald Hanson – Seasonal Highway Maint – Highway Department Level 5-1 (new hire). Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

Bosh again appeared for comment. Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the letter from the Attorney General’s Office issuing an opinion on the criminal liability of Ward County jail staff relating to the death of David Haas at a Minot hospital. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to receive and file the letter from the Attorney General’s Office regarding an opinion on the authority of a commissioner in his dealing with the Ward County Water Resource Board. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Kluck then appeared to present items for action.

 

Kluck presented the annual five year Farm to Market program for Board action. Board consensus was to await the 2007 valuations from the County Assessor prior to determining where to set the mill levies for the Farm to Market program.

 

Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to receive and file a letter from Harrison Township to Attorney James Maxson regarding the settlement offer from North Prairie Rural Water District, North Central Rural Water Consortium and Karas Construction for repair work in Harrison Township. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 12:25 p.m. Comm. Lee left the meeting.

 

Comm. Fjeldahl questioned Kluck if they were planning a traffic count on County Road 5W near Berthold. Kluck informed the Board that they were not.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Watne that a request from the ND State Fairgrounds to use a county tractor during the State Fair be approved, with the stipulation that the ND State Fair repair any damage to the unit before it is returned. Roll call: all present voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 12:27 p.m. Comm. Lee returned to the meeting.

 

Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to authorize the North Dakota Department of Transportation to use the County Road 12 from 28^th St NW to the entrance of Gravel Products (a distance of 1756 feet) as a haul road for the reconstruction project on North Broadway. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Lee to refer the issue of the County requiring annual physicals for the Highway Department CDL drivers to the Personnel Committee for review and recommendation. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Kluck then presented a request to call for bids on a new water truck chassis and water tank. Kluck was directed to refer the issue to the Highway Committee for further review and recommendation.

 

Discussion was held on notification from the City of Burlington that the city was repairing and seal coating city streets. Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the County to participate in the repair work on the County roads in Burlington City. Comm. Lee moved an amended motion, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl, that the funds for the Burlington City repair work come from the building portion of the Highway Capitol Improvements fund. Roll call on the amended motion: all voted yes, except Comm. Gruenberg who abstained; motion carried. Roll call on the original motion: all voted yes, except Comm. Gruenberg who abstained; motion carried.

 

Kluck then presented the Board with flood maps from 1985 for the purpose of confirming the eligibility of Robert Wetzler for appointment to the Water Resource Board. No further action was taken.

 

Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the County Engineer to accept the low bid of Bituminous Paving, in the amount of $492,065, for seal coat projects on County Road 14 from 16^th St to County Road 15; County Roads 19 & 10A from County Road 12 to US Highway 83; and County Road 1 from State Highway 50 to County Road 2. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to authorize the County Engineer to begin maintenance for Spencer Township. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Kluck then presented informational items to the Board.

 

Smestad informed the Board that she, Deputies Denice Boe and Pam Anderson, and Assessor Don Siebert had met with the City of Minot regarding a new tax software system that will now be required due to the legislative changes to the tax statements. Smestad reported that they were looking at three options for a complete tax system and assessing program that could be shared between the City and County; and that she has been asking the other counties what program they are currently using. No further action was taken.

 

 At 1:01 p.m. Comm. Gruenberg left the meeting.

 

At 1:02 p.m. Chairman Watne adjourned the meeting.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 5th DAY OF JUNE, 2007.

 

s/Darlene Watne, Chairman
Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

 ATTEST: 

s/Devra Smestad
Ward County Auditor/Treasurer