June 3, 2008 Regular Meeting

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

 

Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the additions to the agenda. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the minutes of the May 20, 2008 regular meeting. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Van Grinsven and Chief Deputy Dave Bosh then appeared regarding the burn ban violation fines.

 

Smestad then presented the bills. It was moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the Social Service bills totaling $10, 973.23 and the regular bills totaling $73,310.97. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Holly Arnold with the NDSU Extension Service – Ward County then appeared regarding Ward County administering a pass through grant from the Department of Human Services. After much discussion it was moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to allow Ward County to serve as the grant agent. An amended motion was then moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to have the staff in the NDSU Extension – Ward County office track their time involved in processing the grant and request reimbursement from the Department of Human Services. Roll call on the amended motion: Comms. Lee and Fjeldahl voted yes, Comms. Gruenberg, Watne and Erickson voted no; amended motion failed. Roll call on the original motion: Comms. Watne, Gruenberg and Erickson voted yes, Comms. Lee and Fjeldahl voted no; original motion carried.

 

Jeff Sedler with Midwest Business Systems then appeared regarding a copier maintenance agreement with the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office. With Recorder Sheila Dalen appearing for comment it was Board consensus to draft specifications for a maintenance agreement and put it out for bids.

 

Merle Lee, Minot, then appeared regarding a mailed tax payment which the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office never received or credited. It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Lee to give Lee the five percent discount and remove any penalty and interest accrued on his property for 2007 as long as payment is received, in full, within three days. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Doris Giles, Minot, then appeared regarding a mailed tax payment which  the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office never received or credited. It was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to give Giles the five percent discount and remove any penalty and interest accrued on her property for 2007 as long as payment is received, in full, within three days. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Sharon Rollman, Minot, then appeared on behalf of her son Michael Norenberg, regarding a mailed tax payment which Auditor/Treasurer’s Office never received or credited. It was moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Lee to give Norenberg the five percent discount and remove any penalty and interest accrued on her property for 2007 as long as payment is received, in full, within three days. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

Sharilyn Ogren, Minot, then appeared regarding a mailed tax payment which Auditor/Treasurer’s Office never received or credited. It was moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Lee to give Ogren the five percent discount and remove any penalty and interest accrued on her property for 2007 as long as payment is received, in full, within three days. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Dalen then appeared regarding a request for additional staff in her office. It was moved by Comm. Lee seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve Dalen’s request for additional staff on a temporary basis, with an annual review of the position’s necessity, and approve the request for an additional workstation and computer. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

Myron Knutson, Public Finance Management and Scott Wegner, Cooke Wegner and Wike appeared regarding bond sales for the special assessment paving projects. It was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to accept the recommendation of the Bond Counsel to accept the low bid of Northland Securities, Minneapolis MN, for a 10 year bond rate of 3.8491 percent; and to authorize the Chairman’s signature on the Initial Resolution for Refunding Improvement Bonds of 2008; and the Financial Resolution for Apple Grove Addition Paving District No. 1-2007, the Robinwood Estates Paving District No. 1-2007 and the West Hills Acres Paving District No. 1-2008. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

It was then moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to add1.5 percent to all four paving projects as permitted by law. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Van Grinsven and Reynolds then appeared regarding the wording of the burn ban proclamation.

 

At 10:00 a.m. the Board recessed for the Board of Equalization meeting.

At 10:44 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.

 

With Van Grinsven appearing for comment, it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to have the State's Attorney draft an ordinance setting the burn ban fine at a mandatory $500 fine and to have it presented for first reading at the June 17 meeting. Roll call: Comms. Lee, Fjeldahl and Gruenberg voted yes, Comms. Watne and Erickson voted no; motion carried.

 

Smestad then presented items for information and action.

 

Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Lee to receive and file the following correspondence: Ward County Library Board – Kenmare board member; NDPSC – Notice of Hearing; ND DOT – Special Road funds. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

With Reynolds appearing for comment it was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Lee to accept the FY 2008 Emergency Management Performance Grant – Planning, in the amount of $22,142.00; and the FY 2008 Emergency Management Performance Grant – General, in the amount of $33,213.00. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Jail Commander Penny Erickson; Chief Deputy Dave Bosh; and Personnel Director Colleen Houmann then appeared for comment. It was moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the Sheriff’s request to hire Deputy Sheriff Scott Erb’s son Michael, as a correctional officer in the Jail. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the request of the Ward County Library Administrator to place $15,000 received from the State Aid to Libraries in the Bookmobile Replacement fund. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve a 2008-2009 gaming site authorization for Minot Hockey Boosters at the Speedway Restaurant and Lounge. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Lee who voted no; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to increase the mileage reimbursement to 50.5 cents per mile, effective May 15, 2008. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Lee to hire Rasmuson Appraisal Consultants to appraise the Minot Daily News building and property. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the following application for payroll amendment: Phyllis Buechler – Library Associate II/Bookmobile Driver – Library – Level 7 (new hire.) Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Larsen then appeared to present items for information and action.

 

Discussion was held on setting a tour of the County roads. Board consensus was to set the meeting according to the Highway Committee’s schedule and inform the remaining Board members and media of the date and time.

 

With Houmann appearing for comment, discussion was held on the Highway Department pay increases. It was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the Highway Department pay rates effective June 1; without an increase the Administrative Technician position; and to table the Road Superintendent’s pay increase until the Personnel Committee can make a recommendation on the increase at the next Commission meeting. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 11:46 a.m. Comm. Lee left the meeting.

At 11:47 a.m. Comm. Lee returned to the meeting.

 

Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to authorize the Engineer to purchase a server from The Computer Store, in the amount of $4,995, plus setup costs. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Larsen then presented informational items.

 

At 11:49 a.m. Comm. Fjeldahl left the meeting.

At 11:50 a.m. Comm. Fjeldahl returned to the meeting.

 

Discussion was held on Building Space needs. Smestad informed the Board that the architect had been contacted to review the Minot Daily News property and would be forwarding a report once completed.

 

Van Grinsven then appeared briefly with an information item for the Board regarding his staff.

 

Reynolds then appeared with information about the warning sirens in the surrounding communities.

 

At 11:59 a.m. with no further business, it was moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Lee to adjourn the meeting.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 17th DAY OF JUNE, 2008.

 

s/Carroll W Erickson, Chairman
Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/Devra Smestad

Ward County Auditor/Treasurer