January 6, 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; County Engineer Dana Larsen; and State's Attorney Roza Larson.

 

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

 

It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the minutes of the December 16, 2008 regular meeting. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then presented the bills. It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the 2008 Social Service bills totaling $28,554.07 and the 2008 final bills totaling $110,219.21 and 2009 regular bills totaling $229,340.05. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Darwin Langseth appeared regarding the Minot Building located at 123 1^st St SW.

 

Sheriff Vern Erck then appeared. It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to authorize the Sheriff to purchase two 2009 Ford Crown Victoria LTD Police Interceptors, with base Police prep package, at $24,478 each from Westlie Motor Company. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel then appeared. With D. Larsen appearing for comment it was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following plat application as recommended by the Township Board, the Water Resource Board and the Ward County Planning Commission: Allen and Yvonne Vise for a portion of Lot 2 Section 18-155-83 (Harrison Twp.) Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With Vendsel still present, it was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following: 1) three applications for abatement and/or correction of error of assessments; 2) three properties and 2008 values need to be added to the tax roll; and 3) two applications for disabled veterans exemption. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Sawyer Township resident Gale Coleman and D. Larsen appeared regarding snow removal on township and county roads.

 

It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to send correspondence to Central Power Electric Cooperative, Inc. stating that Ward County has no objection to a distribution substation construction project on Outlot 8 of Section 34-155-83. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With D. Larsen appearing for comment the Board discussed correspondence from HDR Engineering regarding the proposed Prairie Rose Pipeline project.

 

It was then moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to open the Spring Lake township property for lease by bid with a bid deadline of February 25, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. and bid opening on March 3 during the regular Commissioner meeting. The lease would be for five years beginning April 1, 2009, with payment due each year on April 1, and include paying for half the cost of a property survey with the leasee having the option of paying his/her half in five annual installments. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried. Smestad was directed to send correspondence to Terry Narum answering the questions he presented to the Board.

 

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.

 

R. Larson briefly appeared regarding the correspondence from Mitch Holbach.

 

D. Larsen briefly appeared regarding the ND Oil & Gas Producing Counties meeting.

 

It was then moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to receive and file the following correspondence: Terry Narum – Spring Lake Township property; Mitchell Holbach – Court; Sheriff Erck – report on ND Oil & Gas Producing Counties meeting; ND Housing Finance Agency – Neighborhood Stabilization program; EAP – management report; Souris Basin Planning Council – 2009 CDBG program; ND DOT – economic recovery package; and Souris Basin Planning Council – January 14, 2009 meeting. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve a request for duplicate warrant from Staples in the amount of $119.27 in replacement of a warrant assumed lost, mutilated, defaced or destroyed. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve an application for Sunday Event Alcoholic Beverage Permit for the Minot VFW Club Post 753, Inc. for February 1, 2009 serving liquor and beer on and off sale from 12:00 Noon to 1:00 a.m. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken that the Board hereby approves the quit claim deeds for the tax foreclosed properties redeemed by owner prior to sale date. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With Personnel Director Colleen Houmann appearing, it was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve position/salary changes for 2009 and the Ward County payroll effective January 1, 2009. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

With Houmann appearing again, it was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the 2009 Employee Assistance Program contract with The Village Business Institute. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With R. Larson and D. Larsen appearing for comment the Board discussed previous Board policies regarding the advertisement of board openings and the notice of all committee meetings. Chairman Christianson requested that in future when meeting notices are sent to the Board they include the Committee member names.

 

It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to re-open the advertisement of applicants for the Advisory Committee with a deadline of January 20, 2009. After discussion it was moved by Comm. Erickson to call the question. Roll call vote on calling the question: Comms. Erickson, Nybakken and Christianson voted yes, Comms. Gruenberg and Fjeldahl voted no; motion to call the question carried. Roll call vote on original motion: Comms. Erickson, Nybakken and Christianson voted yes, Comms. Gruenberg and Fjeldahl voted no; motion carried.

 

It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to table the request from William Shirley to cancel a special assessment on Lot 51 Robinwood Estates until Special Assessment Committee Chairman Randy Arneson can appear before the board and provide more information. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the following applications for payroll amendment: Veronica Frisco – Social Services (new hire); Laurie Schachtschneider – Sheriff’s Office; Kimberly Dupay – Social Services; Mindy Kay Weisse – Social Services (new hire); Scott Erb – Sheriff’s Office. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

D. Larsen then appeared to present information to the Board.

 

With D. Larsen, Burke and Emergency Manager Al Reynolds appearing the Board briefly discussed snow removal and obtaining the help of the National Guard.

 

With Gary Kramlich and R. Larson appearing for comment the Board discussed the Building Space needs.

 

The Board then discussed the upcoming legislative session and staying informed about topics that are of concern to the County. D. Larsen appeared to comment that the weekly emails can be received from the NDACo; and Kramlich informed the Board that the Minot Chamber planned to begin its legislative forums on January 17.

 

Houmann then appeared to update the Board on the status of the job opening for the Public Administrator position. Chairman Christianson then appointed Comm. Fjeldahl and himself to the committee requested by the Public Administrator to work with him on any needed changes to the position.

 

At 12:08 a.m. with no further business it was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to adjourn. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 20^th DAY OF JANUARY, 2009.

 

s/ Bruce I Christianson, Chairman

Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad, Auditor/Treasurer

Ward County