September 1, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

September 1, 2009

 

The regular meeting of the Ward County Commission was called to order by Chairman Christianson at 9:00 a.m. with Comms. Fjeldahl, Gruenberg, Erickson and Nybakken present.  Also present were Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad, Highway Engineer Dana Larsen and State’s Attorney Roza Larson.

 

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

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the minutes of the August 18, 2009 regular meeting and August 19 and 20, 2009 budget hearing. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then presented the bills and D. Larsen appeared for comment.  It was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Social Welfare bills totaling $9,226.28 and the regular bills totaling $160,084.86. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

D. Larsen then appeared.  Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson that the low bid from Sundre Sand and Gravel for gravel for County Road 16 in the amount of $189,726.00 be accepted.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Discussion was also held briefly regarding the asphalt removal on County Road 10A for informational purposes.  No action was taken at this time.

 

Ward County Water Resource Board Chairman John Pietsch then appeared to with information on the Puppy Dog Coulee flood control project. Emily Huettl, Ackerman-Estvold Engineering, also appeared to explain the project details. Due to state cost-share-funding, the Water Resource Board will be able to do a complete project versus doing the project in phases.  

 

District Court Administrator Carolyn Woolf appeared regarding establishing a contract for counsel of mental health and sexually dangerous offenders which would eliminate the need for court appointed counsel. R. Larson also appeared for comment. After much discussion the Board directed Smestad to research the actual costs of defending the sexually dangerous offenders and make an initial contact with area attorneys to determine interest.

 

Otis Elevator representatives Dave Albert, Todd Burke and Brian Floan then appeared to discuss the upgrades of the Jail elevator.  Building Supervisor, Ron Overly also appeared.  Discussion included installing the new equipment, wiring recommendations, and time lines.  The Board then directed Overly to research costs of expanding the window as needed, upgrading to a 480 electrical source and how to address heating and cooling issues with a report of findings at the next meeting.  The Board also directed R. Larson to look into entering into a contract if funding is not readily available for discussion at the next meeting. 

 

At 9:57 a.m. the Board recessed.

 

At 10:04 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.

 

Overly then appeared before the board regarding painting and repairs to the County North Building.  It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the proposal from Minot Plumbing and Heating in the amount of $1,334.00 to repair the overhang on the south side of the County North Building.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson that the low bid from Double A Painting for painting the County North Building one coat of paint for the amount of $19,030 be accepted contingent on the warranty of the paint.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Tax Director Mike Vendsel and City Assessor Kevin Ternes then appeared.  It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approved the following: 1) applications for abatement and/or correction of errors of assessments: Stephen DeMorest, CO 12004 000 009 0, reduce 2009 true and full from $32,000 to $600; Blain Klein, SY 19008 030 001 1, increase 2009 value from $0 to $7,200; Ronald Gade, SW 11099 000 006 1, increase 2009 value from $0 to$4,800;  Joyce Kuntz, MI 22B25 000 003 0, increase 2008 true and full value from $0 to $5,600 and increase 2009 true and full value from $0 to 34,000; 2) applications for two-year new construction exemption: Clint Voltz, MI 27A62 000 001 0, reduce 2008 true and full value from $118,900 to $55,700; Arden Butz, MI 35A87 020 002 0, reduce 2009 true and full value from $146,400 to $83,900; Michael Ennis, MI 35A43 000 002 0, reduce 2009 true and full value from $131,100 to $74,900; 3) applications that did not qualify for two year exemption due to forms not returned: Jarod Seifert, MI 27A07 050 012 0, increase 2009 true and full value from $143,100 to $218,100; Matthew Geinert, MI 27A07 050 010 0, increase 2009 true and full value from $152,800 to $227,800; Troy Irwin, MI 27A62 000 003 0, increase 2009 true and full value from $78,000 to $153,000; Michael Tuchscherer, MI 11A78 000 001 0, increase 2009 true and full value from $49,200 to $124,200; 4) applications that did not qualify for two year exemption: Kathleen Schultz, MI 27A34 000 006 0, increase 2009 true and full from $102,500 to $177,500; Joseph Huebsch, MI 27A07 050 008 0, increase 2009 true and full value from $147,100 to $222,100; Randy Helderop, MI 27892 000 025 0, increase 2009 true and full value from $164,400 to $239,400; EVI Grand Island LLC, MI 25A45 050 005 0, increase 2009 true and full value from $118,600 to $263,600; Trent Mattick, MI 11A78 000 007 0, increase 2009 true and full value from $25,400 to $100,400; Trent Mattick, MI 11A78 000 009 0, increase 2009 true and full value from $49,200 to $124,200; Wayne Henderson, MI 27A25 000 003 1, increase 2009 true and full value from $131,100 to $206,100; Robert Aspaas, MI 35A56 000 001 0, increase 2009 true and full value from $124,500 to $199,500; David Speiser, MI 35A56 000 004 0, increase 2009 true and full value from $116,700 to $191,700; Darlene VanArsdale, MI 35A56 000 002 0, 2009 true and full value from $120,500 to $195,500 5) applicants for disabled veteran exemption: Charles Larson, MI 23097 020 015 0, reduce 2009 true and full value from $139,900 to $100,500; Larry Smith, MI 11252 030 012 0, reduce 2009 true and full value from $131,900 to $16,500; Mark Hagen, MI 5103798, reduce 2009 true and full value from $52,416 to $20,966 6) applicants removed from tax roll due to no utility hook-up: Jim Abel, NE 5102788, reduce 2009 true and full value from $2,038 to $0; East Ridge Acres, NE 5104392, reduce 2009 true and full value from $9,005 to $0. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With Vendsel still present, Bill Staskywicz also appeared.  After discussion, it was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl, to approve the following plat applications as recommended by the Township Board and Water Resource Board: Mel Geiger, Outlot 3 & 4 of NENE, Section 2-153-83 and Robert Fuller, Plat of Sublot A of Lot 11, Speedway Subdivision of a portion of Lot 2, Being a portion of Lot 11, Speedway Subdivision of a portion of Lot 2, Section 18-155-83. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve an application of zone change for Allen Hulberg, Outlot 2 of SWSW, Section 2-153-83, A-1 to R-1. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Jacob Thomas, Emerson Apartments occupant, then appeared to discuss his concerns on the demolition of the Emerson Apartment Building.

 

Smestad than presented items for action.

 

It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson, to receive and file the following correspondence: Aerial Services Inc – ND Orthoimagery; ND PSC – Basin Electric (Prairie Winds ND1) energy facility; City of Minot – notice of hearing on 5 year tax exemption; Holly Beck Surveying – ND Hwy 23 road improvements; and EPA – notice of public meeting. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the application for raffle permit from Minot Y’s Men Indoor Rodeo on October 8^th with prizes totaling $2450 and the following applications for duplicate warrants assumed lost, mutilated, defaced, or destroyed: Tyler Podolski - $197.62 and Tyler Podolski - $39.49.  Roll call vote: all voted yes, motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the purchase of an updated server, backup software, and licenses as proposed by IT Director Leonard Tennyson and Smestad in 2009 with funds exceeding $15,000 to come from the Auditor/Treasurer budget. Roll call vote:

all voted yes; motion carried.

 

The Board then discussed 2010 budget items.  It was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to receive and file the 5 year Capitol Improvements Plan.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the 2010 Preliminary Budget as presented. Comm. Fjeldahl made a motion to amend to reduce the Building and Improvements account to $400,000. Motion died for lack of second. Roll call vote on the original motion: all voted yes except Comm. Fjeldahl; motion carried.

 

The Board then set the Public Hearing for the 2010 Budget for September 15^th at 9:00 a.m.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the Chairman to sign an acknowledgement from FEMA for Large Project Payment. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

The Board then directed Smestad to give proper notice to the current owner of the Child Support Office building that the County has no intention of renewing the contract for rental agreement when it expires on April 30, 2010.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. to approve the following application for payroll amendment: Kenneth (Pete) Schneider – Assistant Jail Supervisor – Sheriff Office – Level 9 to 10.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad reported she received a note from R. Overly stating the warranty from Double A Painting on the paint is 20 years.  No action was necessary.

 

At 11:52 a.m., with no further business, it was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to adjourn. 

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 15th DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 2009.

 

 

s/ Bruce I Christianson

Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad

Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County