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January 15, 2008 Regular meeting minutesJanuary 15, 2008
The regular meeting of the Ward County Commission was called to order by Chairman Erickson at 9:00 am with Comms. Fjeldahl, Gruenberg, Watne, and Lee present. Also present were Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad; Assistant County Engineer Dana Larsen; and State's Attorney John Van Grinsven.
Smestad presented additions to the agenda.
It was then moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the minutes of the January 2, 2008 regular meeting.
Smestad presented the bills. With Emergency Manager Al Reynolds; Dive team leader Terry Quinlen; and Larsen appearing for comment, it was moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Social Welfare bills totaling $326,941.17; Human Service bills totaling $49,285.90 and the regular bills totaling $456,939.23. After further discussion on the possibility of the Ward County Dive Team using space at the County North building, an amended motion was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to authorize the Emergency Manager up to $900 for one quarter of lease for the dive team storage rent. Roll call on the amendment: all voted yes; motion carried. Roll call on the original motion as amended: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.
Lowell Shubert then appeared regarding the County’s vacation policy. It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Lee to forward the current vacation policy to the Personnel Committee for review. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Preston Duke then appeared requesting an 80 hour internship with Ward County. Also appearing for comment was Larsen. It was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to refer Duke’s request to the Personnel Committee for a policy review and recommendation. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Chief Deputy Dave Bosh then appeared. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to authorize the Sheriff’s Department to purchase two 2008 Ford Crown Victoria 4-door Police Interceptors from Westlie Motor Company in the amount of $24,443 each; and one 2008 Chevrolet Impala Police Package from Ryan Chevrolet in the amount of $19,741. 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: 1) the following applications for abatement and/or correction of errors of assessments: Kent Krebsbach, WI 03.009.900.0020, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $164,800 to $152,800; Craig Hemstad, SY 00.002.900.0060, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $167,200 to $121,600; Dean Bartsch, HA 00.009.000.0040, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $536,400 to $417,200; Alec Zorn, NE 00.003.800.0200, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $15,200 to $6,100; Marlene Demaree, NE 11.009.900.0070, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $155,000 to $124,400; Marc Choquette, SY 00.001.900.0070, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $110,200 to $9,200; Patricia Bender, HA 00.002.000.0050, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $156,200 to $148,400; Robert Cook Development, MI 35.A27.000.0050, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $65,400 to $57,600; Leona Wentz, HA 13.009.900.0010, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $18,000 to $11,800; Tricia Baldwin, MI 51.041.82, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $116,402 to $91,450; North Dakota DOT, MI 14.261.000.0040, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $65,400 to $27,400; Minot Public School District, MI 25.781.000.0040, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $246,600 to $164,400; Eleanor Guenther, MI 25.395.000.0150, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $96,400 to $5,000; 2) the following applications for two year new home construction exemption: Pamela Pearson, MI 27.A25.000.0021, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $190,600 to $165,600; Robert Stephens, MI 11.A32.000.0050, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $93,400 to $43,400; Darren Johnson, SY 00.003.800.0610, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $140,400 to $77,800; 3) the following applications for disabled veteran’s exemption for 2007: Pamela Guerro, MI 22.382.030.0060, reduce the true and full value from $113,000 to $60,000; Raymond A Johnson, MI 13.016.000.0200, reduce the true and full value from $21,000 to $3,000; Connie Adam, MI 26.732.000.0020, reduce the true and full value from $239,200 to $155,200; Larry Schumaier, MI 25.161.040.0091, reduce the true and full value from $162,000 to $78,000; Dean Verstrate, MI 13.904.000.0040, reduce the true and full value from $120,000 to $24,000; Todd Harvey, MI 34.126.000.0210, reduce the true and full value from $203,600 to $119,600; Thomas Melvin, MI 11.929.000.0020, reduce the true and full value from $144,400 to $60,400; Roger Hamalainen, MI 10.755.000.0070, reduce the true and full value from $72,600 to $36,600; Nicholas Rivera, MI 11.400.000.0160, reduce the true and full value from $98,600 to $29,600; Dean Opperude, MI 25.164.010.0070, reduce the true and full value from $152,400 to $32,400; Preston Duke, NE 24.009.900.0090, reduce the true and full value from $104,000 to $37,200; Larry Schmiessing, MI 13.385.000.0052, reduce the true and full value from $103,800 to $10,400; and 4) the following applications for 2007 Homestead Credit: Lowaine Larson, MI 23.347.000.0050, qualifies for 80 percent credit; and Clara Loorence, SW 00.000.103.0180, qualifies for 100 percent credit. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
With Siebert still present it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to certify the average agricultural value of $279.45 per acre to the Township Assessors for 2008. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Emergency Manager Al Reynolds then appeared. It was then moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to accept and authorize the Chairman’s signature on two grant awards: FY 07 Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Grant Program in the amount of $207,920 and FY 07 Homeland Security Grant Program in the amount of $292,080. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Karen Johner with North Dakota Guaranty and Title Company then appeared regarding obtaining a duplicate set of all instruments of records from the County Recorder’s office for their newly opened company, Minot Guaranty and Escrow. It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to accept, and authorize the Chairman’s signature on, an agreement with the Minot Guaranty and Escrow for the purchase of duplicate County Recorder records with $85,000 put into an escrow account to be paid upon the completion of the duplication. Comm. Watne then moved an amended motion to accept the agreement and authorize the Chairman’s signature upon the review and approval of the State's Attorney. Roll call on the amendment: all voted yes; motion carried. Roll call on the motion as amended: all voted yes; motion carried.
Smestad then presented items for action and information.
Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to receive and file the following correspondence: Domestic Violence Crisis Center – 2007 report; Engineer Kluck – letter to Todd Ankenbauer; Laverne Mikkelson – e-mail to Chairman Erickson; Auditor/Treasurer Smestad – administrative costs for Homeland Security – 2006; Social Service Director Richter – letter to Bremer Insurance; Minot City – excerpt of minutes from January 7, 2008 City Council meeting re: PILOT tax incentive for Minot Milling; Minot City – excerpt of minutes from January 7, 2008 City Council meeting re: annexing a portion of Lot 1, Strata Addition; ND Pipeline Association – 2008 Pipeline Awareness and Emergency Response meetings. Comm. Gruenberg requested that the correspondence from LaVerne Mikkelson be discussed. Chairman Erickson directed Comm. Gruenberg to discuss the matter now. Comm. Gruenberg then offered an apology to Mr. Mikkelson and Comm. Lee if they felt that he mis-spoke during the January 2, 2008 meeting when expressing an opinion on the Water Resource Board appointments. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Comm. Lee then requested more information from Larsen and Quinlen regarding the Todd Ankenbauer correspondence. Larsen and Quinlen informed the Board that the matter had been taken care of.
Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to receive and file the monthly reports, including financial reports. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Watne to authorize the application of the Minot Gun Club for a raffle on August 24, 2008 with prizes totaling $3,129.90; and to authorize the Chairman’s signature on the 2008 agreement with the Makoti Threshers Association. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Minot City Auditor Cindy Hemphill; Minot Guaranty and Escrow Manager Paula Bachmeier; and State's Attorney John Van Grinsven then appeared regarding Minot Guaranty and Escrow’s request for direct online access to tax information. Smestad informed the Board that Ward County has an agreement with Devine Abstract for $100 per year, since 1988, and both she and Hemphill recommend, after review of the fees involved, an increase in user fees for Devine Abstract and Minot Guaranty and Escrow. It was then moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to raise the fee to $250 per year, to be split equally between the City of Minot and Ward County; and to forward the recommendation to the Minot City Council. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried. Bachmeier informed the Board that Minot Guaranty and Escrow would like to have immediate access to the tax system. Hemphill informed the Board that she would work with the City Information Technology people to look into the process for establishing a link to the tax records for the Minot Guaranty and Escrow offices.
Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to appoint Richard Sabol to a one year term on the All Seasons Arena Commission effective immediately through December 31, 2008. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to table appointments to the Water Resource Board until after the final applicant could be interviewed.
Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the following applications for payroll amendment: Justin Traeger – Correctional Officer – Sheriff’s Department – Level 9-1 – PT (new hire); Justin Traeger – Juvenile Detention Officer – Juvenile Detention – Level 9-1 – PT (new hire); Roger Kraft – Equipment Operator – Highway Department – Level 8-1 (new hire); Justin D Beahm – Social Worker I – Social Services – Level 9 (new hire); Heather Roberts – Social Worker I – Social Services – Level 9 (new hire.) Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Discussion was then held on the 55th Street funding. With Larsen and Hemphill appearing for comment, Chairman Erickson requested that the City/County Liaison committee meet to review what funds are currently available and then request the 55th Street finance committee begin looking for shortfalls in funding.
At 10:13 a.m. the Board recessed.
At 10:23 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.
Larsen then appeared and presented Highway Department items for action and information.
At 10:24 a.m. Comm. Watne left the meeting.
At 10:27 a.m. Comm. Watne returned to the meeting.
It was then moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to assign Assistant County Engineer Dana Larsen the Highway Department general responsibilities, such as signing correspondence and approving bills, and to continue operations according to the department organizational flow chart defining responsibilities until a Highway Department Head is determined. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
At 10:34 a.m. the Board recessed for the Social Service Board meeting and interview of the final applicant for the Water Resource Board.
At 11:36 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.
Discussion was then held regarding the appointment to the Water Resource Board. It was moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Lee to re-appoint Robert Wetzler and appoint Tom Klein to a three year term on the Ward County Water Resource Board. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comms. Gruenberg and Erickson; motion carried.
Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to send a letter to Maurice Foley thanking him for his service to Ward County and the Water Resource Board and to send letters to all the applicants thanking them for their interest in the board opening. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Discussion was then held on the architects report. With Recorder Sheila Dalen appearing it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to invite the architect to the next meeting to discuss time and cost estimates and then determine which fund to take the money for his contract from. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Discussion was then held on the Oppen Center. It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Watne to renew the contract with the Oppen Center at the current lease rate for a period of three years. Roll call: Comms. Gruenberg, Watne and Erickson voted yes, Comms. Lee and Fjeldahl voted no; motion carried.
Discussion was then held on the Emerson Apartment building. Building Supervisor Ron Overly appeared briefly to comment on needed updates to the building. It was then moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to rescind the July 1st deadline of vacation and draft a letter to the management company informing them that once Ward County’s space needs plans are finalized they will be notified of an order to vacate. Roll call: Comms. Lee, Fjeldahl and Gruenberg voted yes, Comms. Watne and Erickson voted no; motion carried.
Van Grinsven then appeared regarding the County’s ability to obtain reimbursement from Court ordered costs in judgments. Smestad informed the Board that all judgments now include that Ward County be reimbursed by the parties involved in the cases.
Van Grinsven then presented the Board with an amended agreement with Minot Guaranty and Escrow for the purchase of County Recorder files. With Dalen appearing for comment, it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to authorize the State's Attorney and Dalen to produce a new agreement with the State's Attorney’s recommended changes and additions and forward to Minot Guaranty and Escrow for their approval, and upon their acceptance of the agreement, authorize the Chairman’s signature on behalf of Ward County. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Van Grinsven then informed the Board that there would be some upcoming court cases which might require the use of expert witnesses, which would be paid out of the State's Attorney contingency fund until the fees could be reimbursed by the State.
At 12:16 p.m. with no further business it was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Lee to adjourn. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 5th DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2008.
s/Carroll W Erickson, Chairman
Ward County Board of Commissioners ATTEST:
s/Devra Smestad
Ward County Auditor/Treasurer
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