January 20, 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; and State's Attorney Roza Larson.

 

Smestad presented the Board with additions to the agenda. It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the additions to the agenda. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the minutes of the January 6, 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 Welfare bills totaling $281,439.14; the Human Service bills totaling $349,569.49 and the regular bills totaling $118,111.48. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Rob Grumann, Nedrose Township resident, then appeared regarding snow removal in the township. County Engineer Dana Larsen also appeared for comment.

 

Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel then appeared. It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following plat applications, as recommended by the respective Township Boards, the Water Resource Board and the Ward County Planning Commission: Phyllis Bailey for Section 22-153-81; Kenny Thomas Section 8-155-85; Joel & Rochelle Howard and Archie & Larry Riley for Plat Section 15-153-82; and Marian Schmidt for Section 32-151-83. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With Vendsel still present it was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the following: 1) 12 applications for abatement and/or correction of errors of assessments; 2) one application for Homestead; and 3) seven applications for disabled veteran’s exemption. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

It was then moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to certify the average agricultural land value of $281.37 per acre to the Township Assessors for 2009. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Emergency Manager Al Reynolds then appeared regarding a snow emergency declaration. Also appearing for comment was Grumann.

 

Reynolds and D. Larsen then appeared regarding the availability of sandbags to individuals and cities within Ward County should spring flooding occur. Chairman Christianson requested that Reynolds and D. Larsen research where the sandbags were obtained in 2005.

 

R. Larson and Teralyn Farden from the Regional Child Support Enforcement Office then appeared regarding repairs, maintenance and snow removal issues at the Child Support Enforcement offices. It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to: 1)have Building Services Supervisor Ron Overly contact an electrical contractor to replace the outside parking lot light; 2) have Overly contact Boger & Sons for snow removal from the parking lot; and 3) to take photographs of the problem before the work is completed for future reference. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Jim Lee and Reynolds appeared regarding a snow declaration and the need of the declaration criteria to be county-wide.

Lee then appeared regarding the Home Rule Charter and a procedural violation in regards to the motion allowing two year tax exemptions on new construction in the County as passed at the January 6, 2009 meeting.

 

Smestad then presented items for information and action.

 

It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to receive and file correspondence from: Auditor/Treasurer; Arnie Braaten; Social Services; Minot Area Development Corporation. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the monthly reports. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Discussion was then held on Lot 51 – Robinwood Paving District.  It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to accept the recommendation of the Auditor/Treasurer and use part of the administrative fees charged to the project to cover the cost of Lot 51 Robinwood Estates Paving District ($3,981.61) and to remove the special assessment balance from that lot. Roll call vote: all voted yes, except Comm. Fjeldahl who voted no; motion carried.

 

It was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to move the March 3 meeting date to March 10, 2009 due to the County Officials Academy. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Assistant State's Attorney Tim Wilhelm then appeared. It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to rescind the following motion from the January 6, 2009 meeting: “John Burke then appeared for comment regarding the county allowing two year property tax exemptions. It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve a two year tax exemption for new single family residential construction in Ward County as allowed in ND century code 57-02-35 and 57-02-36. Roll call vote: Comms. Erickson, Nybakken and Christianson voted yes, Comms. Fjeldahl and Gruenberg voted no; motion carried.” Roll call vote to rescind: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

It was then moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to adopt on first reading the resolution regarding two-year property tax exemption on new single-family residential, condominium or townhouse construction. Appearing for comment were: Minot Association of Builders Past-President Steve Velk; current President Joel Feist; Executive Officer Vicky Flagstad; Linda Anderson and Jim Lee. Roll call vote: all voted yes, except Comm. Fjeldahl who voted no; motion carried.

 

At 10:59 a.m. the Board recessed for the Social Service Board meeting.

 

At 11:32 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.

 

It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve an application for raffle permit from North Plains PTA. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to authorize the Chairman’s signature on the following contracts for 2009: Historical Societies – Ryder; Makoti Threshers; and Lake County; Development Corporations – Minot Area; and DeSour Valley and Domestic Violence Crisis Center, Inc. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Building Services Supervisor Ron Overly then appeared. It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to authorize Overly to obtain quotes on trading in his John Deere tractor for a newer tractor with the necessary attachments. After discussion Comm. Erickson withdrew his motion. It was then moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to allow Overly to obtain quotes for either a tractor or skid steer loader with attachments. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With R. Larson and D. Larsen appearing regarding the County Alcohol and Substance Abuse policy, it was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the alcohol and substance abuse policy as recommended by the State's Attorney and Personnel Committee. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With Personnel Director Colleen Houmann appearing for comment it was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the following applications for payroll amendment: Kevin Slade – Juvenile Detention (new hire); Mary Hamilton – Juvenile Detention (new hire); Laura Forbes – Sheriff’s Office; Bill Hunt – Sheriff’s Office; and Todd Keller – Sheriff’s Office.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Discussion was then held on the Advisory Committee. Board consensus was to have the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office scan and email copies of all the applications once the deadline has passed; set a special meeting for 9:00 a.m. on Tuesday January 27^th to review the applications during which the Board would determine which applicants to interview and set the interview questions; and to hold interviews on February 3 beginning at 1:00 p.m.

 

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

 

It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve payment on an invoice from Gooseneck Implement, in the amount of $2,896.01 for repair of a clutch in a mower tractor. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Discussion was then held on snow removal efforts in the County. With R. Larson appearing for comment it was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to: 1) approve the notice to property owners which sets guidelines for enforcing the pushing of snow onto a county road or right of way; 2) to authorize the Chairman’s signature on the notice; and 3) to authorize the County Engineer to give notice to violators. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then questioned who was responsible for removing snow from the County owned parking lots.

 

Smestad requested clarification regarding the notice of the public hearing on the proposed two year property tax exemption. Board consensus was to request the Superintendent of Schools to send notice to the school superintendents and the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office to send notice to the clerk of each township.

 

At 12:27 p.m. with no further business it was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to adjourn. Motion carried.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 3^rd DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2009.

 

s/ Bruce I Christianson, Chairman

Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad, Auditor/Treasurer