August 4, 2009 Regular meeting minutes

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; Engineer Dana Larsen and State's Attorney Roza Larson.

 

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

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the minutes of the July 21, 2009 regular meeting. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then presented the bills. It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the Social Service bills totaling $11,573.09 and the regular bills totaling $175,859.95. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Richard Ostby and D. Larsen then appeared regarding the Spring Lake township pasture land. It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to hire a contractor to clean-up the previous tenant’s fence; send the bill to the previous tenant and if it remains unpaid to certify the cost against their taxes. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

It was then moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to adjust Ostby’s rent by 25 percent for 2009 because Ostby has been unable to use the land until now. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

D. Larsen then appeared with items for information and action.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve a budget amendment to the following highway department line items: salaries – labor increase by $100,000; Benefits – Social Security increase by $7,000; Benefits – Health Insurance increase by $17,000; Benefits – Medicare increase by $1,500; Purchase supplies, materials & services increase by $200,000; Equipment repair & maintenance increase by $15,000; and Capital Improvements increase by $215,000 with the funds from the state snow reimbursement ($355,802.79); sale of used motorgrader ($130,000); and carryover from 2008 ($69,697.21.) Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to accept the Highway Department’s recommendation to accept the low bid of Diamond Mowers for a boom mower in the amount of $39,700 plus $1,500 freight. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to authorize the County Engineer to purchase an Aaladin 14-430 pressure washer with 100 ft. hose, swivel hose reel and a quick fit wand from Tool Crib in the amount of $5499.97. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to implement a 3 mill snow levy for Rushville Township beginning with the 2010 budget. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Discussion was then held on the ND DOT letter regarding the CMC system changes and funding for the 55^th street overpass.

 

Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel and Minot City Assessor Kevin Ternes then appeared. It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the following: 1) applications for abatement and/or correction of errors of assessments: Justin Haggerty, MI 19213.001.104.0, change land classification from commercial to residential; Spencer Hoover, MI 25992.000.040.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $335,900 to $293,100; Joseph Buch, MI 15012.000.023.0, reduce the 2008 true and full value from $203,400 to $190,000 and the 2009 true and full value from $241,900 to $220,000; Donald Lund, MI 15018.050.007.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $50,200 to $44,700; Ruth Davidson, MI 35552.000.004.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $298,500 to $275,000; Scott Joern, MI 13210.250.010.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $80,700 to $70,000; Northern Prairie Condos & Storage, MI 01A74.000.0001.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $440,800 to $401,200; David Rothchild, MI 24238.040.003.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $70,000 to $62,600; Earl Westereng, MI 13016.000.026.0, change classification from residential to commercial; Leverett Larsen, SU 30005.U12.000.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $134,200 to $123,600; Merlin Routledge, MI 15812.000.002.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $289,600 to $300,200; Minot Farmer’s Elevator, MI 37537.240.012.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $464,500 to $416,800; BH Holdings, LLC, MI 27A07.010.018.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $140,000 to $215,000; City of Minot, ND Port Services, MI 21288.153.080.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $0 to $125,000 and MI 21288.153.081.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $0 to $435,600; Minot Area Development Corporation, MI 16B48.000.001.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $0 to $350,900; Gene Rau, MI 14259.010.005.1, increase the 2009 true and full value from $0 to $15,900; City of Minot, MI 02B65.000.001.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $34,400 to $2,800; Joseph Hupf, MI 22B25.000.009.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $0 to $21,000; 2) placing previously tax exempt properties onto tax roll on a prorated basis: Northdale Apartments, LLC, MI 11254.000.003.0, increase 2009 true and full value from $0 to $50,00; Roxanne Thomas, MI 14261.000.002.0, increase the 2008 true and full value from $0 to $11,200; Reed Argent, MI 22259.060.0190.0, increase the 2008 true and full value from $0 to $2,800 and MI 22B25.000.002.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $0 to $34,999; Kyle Leonard, MI 22249.060.013.0, increase the 2008 true and full value from $0 to $5,600 and MI 22B25.000.004.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $0 to $34,000; and DJ Holdings, MI 01989.000.001.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $0 to $29,400; 3) applications for two-year new construction exemption: Dale Semmen, MI 26A79.010.002.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $243,300 to $199,600; Ronald Kuhlemeir, MI 26A79.010.001.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $242,000 to $192,000; Gregory Schell, MI 27B23.000.010.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $116,300 to $53,800; Stephen Dallolio, MI 11A42.000.003.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $135,200 to $97,700; Michael DeMakis, MI 11A78.000.014.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $100,400 to $31,600; Robert Pritchett, MI 35B43.000.004.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $201,900 to $126,900; Wayne Nelson, MI 27B23.000.001.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $155,800 to $87,000; James Becker, MI 27A77.000.005.0, reduce the 2008 true and full value from $29,800 to $28,750; Jay Dancing Bull, MI 27A25.000.003.2, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $202,700 to $133,900; Martha Robertson, MI 11A78.000.012.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $124,200 to $49,200; and Theresa Jensen, MI 11A78.000.018.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $100,400 to $25,400; 4) application for three year exemption for improvements to remodeled buildings: Gheorghe Morin, MI 25394.030.015.0, reduce the 2008 true and full value from $76,600 to $50,000 and reduce the 2009 true and full value from $88,800 to $61,000; 5) applications for wheelchair exemption: Kenneth Gorze, MI 15523.040.154.3, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $139,600 to $73,000; 6) applications for blind exemption: Fred Gruenberg, MI 35717.040.011.2, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $165,400 to $54,400; reduce the 2008 true and full value from $166,000 to $55,000; and the 2009 true and full value from $165,000 to $13,900; 7) applications for new construction and wheel chair exemptions: Patricia Snell, MI 27B23.000.007.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $118,600 to $68,600; and Joseph Iverson, MI 35A87.000.003.0, reduce the 2008 true and full value from $121,200 to $43,700 and reduce the 2009 true and full value from $191,600 to $16,600; 8) list of properties affected by changes in ND state law for wheelchair exemption: JB & Olivia Klug, MI 11171.000.010.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $19,100 to $39,100; Beatrice & Daniel Rieder, MI 11942.010.008.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $12,300 to $19,900; Yvonne Isaacson, MI 14085.020.008.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $16,900 to $20,500; Duane & Lucille Sinclair, MI 14678.010.004.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $88,700 to $108,700; Michael Butts, MI 20247.000.017.1, increase the 2009 true and full value from $13,300 to $33,300; Marlen Lenton, MI 20364.000.028.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $4,800 to $9,400; Ruth A Tillia, MI 22932.000.003.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $220,000 to $240,000; Kenneth & Jolene Lewis, MI 23467.000.059.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $51,600 to $71,600; Lloyd & Florence Schimke, MI 26680.020.001.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $44,700 to $64,700; Levi & Peggy Johnson, MI 26731.000.004.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $168,600 to $188,600; and Phyllis Abrahamson, MI 35735.000.014.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $30,600 to $50,600; 9) applications for homestead credit: Richard Glessing, NE 26024.000.028.0, qualifies for 20 percent credit for 2009; Florence Thor, MI 11251.040.017.0, qualifies for 100 percent credit for 2009; and Janice Hagen, MI 20332.000.018.0, qualifies for 100 percent credit for 2007 and 2009; 10) application for disabled veterans exemption: Bradley Stadheim, MI 22057.030.007.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $143,200 to $59,200; Terrance Lowery, MI 23294.120.006.1, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $100,000 to $52,900; Ronald Tolsin, MI 11251.070.023.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $125,800 to $58,600; Joel David, MI 22056.010.006.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $113,600 to $32,700; Gerald Burckhard, MI 11033.020.009.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $115,800 to $64,300; Derrell Martin, MI 24313.030.005.1, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $29,400 to $3,800; reduce the 2008 true and full value from $30,600 to $3,800; and reduce the 2009 true and full value from $37,800 to $3,800; Philip Carroll, MI 27B23.000.009.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $118,600 to $17,000; David Hanson, MI 26430.000.018.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $201,200 to $121,200; Gordon Jurgens Meyer, MI 22291.050.002.0 reduce the 2007 true and full value from $110,200 to $34,100 and reduce the 2008 true and full value from, $100,600 to $49,800; Michael Liefker, MI 11033.060.003.0, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $104,600 to $12,200, reduce the 2008 true and full value from $106,400 to $12,200, and reduce the 2009 true and full value from $112,500 to $12,300; Aaron Ament, MI 24221.010.002.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $70,000 to $27,600; and David Larrison, MI 11252.030.008.0; reduce the 2009 true and full value from $146,600 to $74,600; and 11) properties that have exemptions that need to be removed: Lorraine Willoughby, MI 27A25.000.004.2, increase the 2009 true and full value from $92,200 to $136,000; Josh Martin, MI 22673.000.008.1, increase the 2008 true and full value from $54,000 to $72,600; and Kenneth Gorze, MI 13373.000.010.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $9,600 to $68,800; Karlan Follman, MI 23021.850.020.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $30,600 to $78,600; Kodi Bullinger, MI 22405.050.008.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $65,500 to $95,900; Travis Thorpe, MI 11233.000.045.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $83,200 to $131,200; Jamie Goulet, MI 23021.750.014.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $39,600 to $75,200; Gabriel Good, MI 14477.000.007.1, increase the 2009 true and full value from $48,100 to $96,100; Robert Yeomans, MI 14259.090.005.1, increase the 2009 true and full value from $27,000 to $64,900; Jeffrey Taylor, MI 22500.010.034.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $37,200 to $116,000; Kory McLeod, MI 22059.000.028.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $34,200 to $144,200 and Ray Lakoduk, MI 22724.000.004.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $120,800 to $150,800. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With Vendsel still present, it was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve a plat application, as recommended by the Township Board, the Water Resource Board, and the Planning Commission for Norman Sollid, surveyor, on behalf of Alvin Hyko for a plat of Outlot 2 NWSW Section 23-151-82 (Iota Flat Township.) Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Jail Commander Penny Erickson then appeared. It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the Chairman’s signature on a software license agreement with New World Systems for the addition of the Statewide Automated Victim Information and Notification program. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With P. Erickson still present, it was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Chairman’s signature on a Motorola System Agreement to interface the Livescan fingerprint machine with the New World booking software. Roll call: vote all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Emergency Manager Al Reynolds, Building Services Supervisor Ron Overly and Sheriff Vern Erck then appeared regarding storage at the County North building. After much discussion it was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to allow the Minot Police Department to store the Minot Bomb Squad trailer at the County North Building in the Sheriff’s Office designated area. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With Reynolds still present it was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to refer the issue of snow removal at the County North building to the Highway Committee. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then presented items for information and action.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the following correspondence: City of Minot – shared use path, 13^th St SE; NDSU Extension – Quarterly program highlights; ND DOT – CMC system changes approval; US Department of Justice – COPS Hiring Recovery Program grant. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Deb Komrosky, 1^st Minot Management then appeared to present a proposal from 1^st Minot Management where they would expand the current management agreement to include incurring the costs of repairs for the Emerson Apartment building, which would be repaid from rent collected during the next 12 to 18 months. D. Larsen appeared for comment regarding an estimate for demolition of the building. Chairman Christianson requested 1^st Minot Management to gather estimates for the needed repairs and D. Larsen to obtain an estimate for demolition of the building and to return to the August 18 meeting for further discussion.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to receive and file the letter from 1^st Minot Management regarding the Emerson Apartment building. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded b y Comm. Erickson to approve the following: 1) application for raffle permit from St. Mary’s Church on October 4, 2009 with prizes totaling $1,458; and 2) applications for duplicate warrant in replacement of warrants assumed lost, mutilated, defaced or destroyed: First District Health Unit in the amount of $44.57; Dwight Wentz in the amount of $25.00; and Joan Leiphon in the amount of $6.54. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve resolution distributing road and bridge levy to Ward County cities. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to authorize the Sheriff’s Office to sell the following items at a Sheriff’s auction: 2006 Silver Nissan 350Z; 1993 Tan Honda Accord; 1992 Silver Pontiac Grand Am; 1991 Gray Chevrolet Caprice; 1988 Blue Chevy CT1065; 2004 Blue Mazda 3; 1986 Gray Ford Taurus; 1993 Green Ford Tempo; 1991 Red Pontiac Grand Am; 1994 Blue Chevy K1500; 1986 Blue Buick Electric; 1991 Red GMC Jimmy; 1996 Maroon Pontiac Grand Am; 1981 White Toyota Cressida; 1999 Maroon Dodge Caravan; 1998 Maroon Ford Explorer; 1983 Green Buick Electra; 1993 Green Ford Explorer; 1993 Red Oldsmobile Achieva; 1990 Gold Oldsmobile Sedan; 1995 Maroon Chrysler Sebring; 1989 Black Ford pickup; 1992 White Nissan Maxima; 2000 Tan Jeep Cherokee; 2 - 2005 White Ford Crown Victoria LTDs; and 13 bikes. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to appoint Kenneth Gillespie and Kandi Mikkelson to a one year term on the ND State Fair Association board. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Comm. Erickson then gave a report from the Personnel Committee meetings regarding the pay plan implementation. With Personnel Director Colleen Houmann, Social Services Director Dan Richter, and Social Services Budget Specialist Connie Zieske appearing it was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the Personnel Committee’s recommendation to implement the Public Sector pay plan as originally adopted with a two percent minimum increase instead of a 1.5 percent minimum increase. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With R. Larson, Richter, and Mike Maragos representing Minot River of Life Church appearing, discussion was held on the rent adjustment for the Ward County Social Services. It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to rescind the motion from July 21, 2009 authorizing payment of the rental adjustment in the amount of $102,744.69; re-issue a check in the amount of $68,649.24 for rental adjustment based on the 1997 base year to actual costs; and set up a meeting with the River of Life Church representatives to review the itemized bill listing and the current lease contract. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried. Social Service Board Chairman Gruenberg then set a meeting date of August 8 at 9:30 a.m. for the Social Service Board to meet with representatives from the River of Life Church to discuss the expense report and lease.

 

It was then moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following applications for payroll amendment: Heather M McMains – Social Worker III – Social Services – Level 9 to 10; Jamie Bristol – Patrol Deputy – Sheriff’s Office – Level 11 to 12. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve a request by Tymerie Crawford with Bound4LIFE to hold a prayer meeting on the sidewalk in front of the courthouse on the 2^nd Saturday of every month beginning August 8, 2009. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Discussion was then held on building space needs. Chairman Christianson suggested that the Board meet at another time as a committee of the whole to discuss building options.

 

At 11:23 a.m. with no further business it was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to adjourn.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 18th DAY OF AUGUST, 2009.

 

s/ Bruce I Christianson

Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad

Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County