October 21, 2008 Regular meeting minutes

 

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.

 

Smestad presented additions to the agenda. It was then moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Lee to approve the agenda as amended. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the minutes of the October 7, 2008 regular meeting. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then presented the bills. Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the Social Welfare bills totaling $231,693.95, the Human Service bills totaling $46,903.08, and the regular bills totaling $231,693.95. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Emergency Manager Al Reynolds then appeared to introduce the new Homeland Security Planner Amanda Sipma.

 

Matt Weatherly, Public Sector Consultants then appeared regarding the County’s salary study.

 

Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel then appeared. Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve the following applications for plat as recommended by the Water Resource Board, the respective Township boards and the planning commission: Roger & DeLynn Weishaar, Section 19 New Prairie Township; Guy Feland Section 30 McKinley Township; Joan Barton, Section 34 Sauk Prairie Township; Norman Sollid on behalf of Phyllis Bailey, 23 Sawyer Township; Norman Sollid on behalf of Myron Sveum, Section 18 Rushville Township; Norman Sollid on behalf Myron Sveum for Section 7 (Rushville Township); and Norman Sollid on behalf Gary Smith for 22-153-81 (Sawyer Township.) Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve: 1) six applications for abatement and/or correction of errors of assessment; 2) four applications for Disabled Veteran’s Exemption; 3) three applications for mobile home exemption; 4) and reduce the 2008 true and full value on 37 properties for Jeff Heidrich which have been assessed as commercial property instead of agricultural property. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Dick Leavitt, KHRT Radio then appeared regarding the possible use of the County North building for storage of the Horn of Plenty items. With Larsen appearing for comment it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to direct Building Services Supervisor Ron Overly, Larsen and Leavitt to create a plan for use of the County North building, including the moving of records and courthouse supplies, and return to the November 6 meeting with a recommendation and proof of liability coverage from KHRT Radio. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then presented items for information and action.

 

Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the following correspondence: US District Court – release of Lis Pendens; Ackerman-Estvold – USAE & FEMA meeting; District Court Administrator Carolyn Woolf – 3^rd Floor Court Renovations; City of Minot – public hearing on zone changes; City of Minot – 3 annexations; NDACo – County Officials recognition; The Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Company – liability for boiler; Clerk of District Court Susan Hoffer – County responsibility of mental health cases; National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse – Family Day proclamation; Patient Assistance – Discount Prescription cards; Otis Elevator Company – Ward County Jail elevator; and Bonnie Rolle – excessive train whistle noise in Minot. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

The Board then discussed action taken by the Minot City Council to annex property. With Larsen appearing for comment it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to direct the State's Attorney to research who can set and collect, building permit fees within the two-mile extra-territorial area; and where, when and by whom the policy was set.

 

At 10:05 a.m. Comm. Lee left the meeting.

 

At 10:06 a.m. the Board recessed.

At 10:14 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.

 

Roll call vote was then taken on the above motion regarding extra-territorial building permit fees: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Carolyn Woolf, new District Court Administrator then appeared to introduce herself to the Board.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Watne to authorize the Chairman’s signature on the ND DOT Traffic Safety Contract for FY 2009 – saturation patrol. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Watne to approve an application for raffle from the MSU Beaver Hockey Club/Beaver Hockey, Inc. for a 50/50 raffle for 11 home games from November 29, 2008 to February 15, 2008 with prizes totaling approximately $400. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With Chief Deputy Dave Bosh appearing for comment it was moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Lee to approve the following applications for payroll amendment: Kevin Nelson – Sheriff’s Office – new hire (PT); Chuck Panzer – Sheriff’s Office (PT) new hire; Tyler Podolski – Sheriff’s Office (new hire); Christopher Metter – Sheriff’s Office (new hire); Jennifer Olson – Sheriff’s Office (new hire); Mary Hamilton – Sheriff’s Office (new hire); Shaun Lewellyn – Sheriff’s Office FT to PT. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Larsen then appeared with items for information and action.

 

Moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Watne to authorize the Highway Engineer to install a stop sign on County Road 9 near the Railroad crossing by Makoti. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to accept the high bid of Robert Magandy for $4,300/year for the farm land lease at Rice Lake.

 

The Board then discussed the 55^th Street overpass.

 

It was then moved by Comm. Watne, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to authorize the Highway Department to secure the cellar on the tax foreclosed property in Kenmare for safety reasons. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 10:55 a.m. the Board recessed for the Social Service board meeting.

 

At 11:44 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.

 

Chairman Erickson then appointed Vice-Chairman Fjeldahl to sit on the November 4^th General Election canvas board which will meet on November 10.

 

District Court Administrator Woolf again appeared regarding space needs of the Court system.

 

Matt Weatherly with Public Sector Consultants appeared again to obtain more information regarding the salary study.

The Board again discussed the 55^th Street overpass project.

 

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

 

At 12:20 p.m. it was moved by Comm. Lee, seconded by Comm. Erickson to adjourn. Motion carried and meeting was adjourned.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 21st DAY OF OCTOBER, 2008.

 

s/ Carroll W Erickson, Chairman

Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad, Auditor/Treasurer

Ward County