July 21, 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. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the minutes of the July7 regular and Board of Equalization meeting minutes. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then presented the bills. It was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Social Welfare bills totaling $406,118.42; the Human Service bills totaling $44,648.84; and the regular bills totaling $145,332.69. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

D. Larsen then appeared to present items for information and action.

 

It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to accept the low bid of Bechtold Paving, in the amount of $160,654.80, for paving ¾ mile of County Road 5 near Donnybrook; and authorize the Chairman’s signature on the resolution of acceptance. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

It was then moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to accept the low bid of Bechtold Paving, in the amount of $513,669.10, to pave the remainder of County Road 5 near Donnybrook; and authorize the Chairman’s signature on the acceptance letter. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

D. Larsen informed the Board that the bid for County Road 16 had to be postponed due to new federal requirements for emergency repair funding.

 

It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to authorize the County Engineer to draw up specifications and call for bids for the graveling of County Road 16 from US 83 west 5 miles and from US 83 east 3 miles. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel 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: Cambridge Development, LLC, MI 25297.000.021.1, increase the 2009 true and full value from $0 to $30,900; Cambridge Development, LLC, MI 25297.000.021.2, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $133,900 to $103,100; Perry Taylor, MI 19123.000.138.0, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $19,000 to $16,800; the 2008 true and full value from $20,000 to $16,800; and the 2009 true and full value from $31,600 to $16,800; Brady Dixon, MI 22382.010.007.1, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $9,000 to $0; Wes Torgerson, GA 09001.040.004.0, reduce the 2008 true and full value from $53,400 to $39,800 and the 2009 true and full value from $57,400 to $42,800; Dean Fleming, WI 01002.000.010.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $234,800 to $217,200; Lori Lizotte, AF 02003.000.001.0, reduce the 2008 true and full value from $222,600 to $174,200 and the 2009 true and full value from $237,600 to $174,200; Dean Cooper, NE 33005.070.014.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $145,000 to $114,800; Jeffrey Heidrich, NE 06105.030.005.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $186,800 to $400; and NE 06105.030.006.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $203,800 to $400; Leverett Larson, SU 30005.U12.000.0, reduce the 2007 true and full value from $132,800 to $108,200; and 2008 true and full value from $139,800 to $114,600; Iceblock Investments, NE 29103.000.002.0, increase the 2009 true and full value from $0 to $151,700; Khris Morlang, WI 01002.000.005.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $18,000 to $4,200; 2) properties that escaped assessment and need to be added to the 2009 tax roll: Freida Kassner, RL 11009.900.002.0, increase value from $35,400 to $37,600; Michael Braun, RL 10009.900.020.0, increase value from $246,600 to $270,000; Gary Schneider, RL 10009.900.019.0, increase value from $50,600 to $55,200; William Lang, RL 10009.900.018.0, increase the value from $31,800 to $34,400; Edward Bolton, RL 10009.900.015.0, increase the value from $18,800 to $20,000; Marie Engelhard, RL 10009.900.014.0, increase the value from $22,000 to $23,200; Bruce Haskins, RL 10009.900.012.0, increase the value from $49,400 to $53,200; Boyd Sletting, RL 10009.900.010.0, increase the value from $38,800 to $41,800; Kenneth, Lance & Christina Haugen, RL 10009.900.009.0, increase the value from $64,000 to $68,800; Darla Mautz, RL 10009.900.007.1, increase the value from $8,600 to $9,000; Real Mercier, RL 10009.900.007.0, increase the value from $37,000 to $39,400; North Dakota Envelope Company, KE 17099.000.012.0, increase the value from $71,300 to $111,300; 3) applications for homestead credit: Ardell Berg, DB 14007.020.011.0, qualifies for 100 percent credit for 2008; Charlene Short, MI 5100038, qualifies for 100 percent credit for 2009; Marcia Sunde, EE 5103638, qualifies for 80 percent credit for 2007 and 2008, and 100 percent credit for 2009; Brenda Lovgren, MI 5104277, qualifies for 100 percent credit for 2008; Laurene Bohlender, MI 5103390, qualifies for 80 percent credit for 2009; 4) applications for Disabled Veterans exemption: Robert Warath, MI 22115.070.014.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $130,600 to $70,600; Linda Quinn, MI 15225.000.008.0, reduce the 2008 true and full value from $95,400 to $35,600 and the 2009 true and full value from $104,500 to $38,500; James Bowers, BT 10099.000.007.0, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $178,800 to $94,800; and 5) applications for mobile home exemption: Karen Aga, MI 5100917, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $16,134 to $0; Wally Schlecht, RD 5100468, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $15,344 to $0; Byron Kerbaugh, GR 5102331, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $4,502 to $0; Nancy Toth, NE 5103465 from $14,994 to $0; and Frank Monsegue, TA 5103989, reduce the 2009 true and full value from $39,216 to $19,608. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve a plat application from Darin Egge for Gran Vista Estates Subdivision, being an unplatted portion of the NWSW and NESW, Section 13-155-83 (Burlington Township) as recommended by the Township Board, the Ward County Water Resource Board and Ward County Planning Commission. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Larry Louser with the Ward County Advisory Study Committee appeared to present a verbal report to the Board.

 

Connie Zieske, Dan Richter, Kimberly McCarty, and Melissa Bliss with Ward County Social Services; Personnel Director Colleen Houmann and R. Larson then appeared regarding the salary study and implementation. After much discussion it was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to refer the salary study to the Personnel committee for further review of employee longevity and the compa-ratio results. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 10:25 a.m. the Board recessed.

At 10:30 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.

 

Jail Commander Penny Erickson appeared. It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the Jail Commander to accept the low bid of Automated Maintenance Services, Inc., in the amount of $840, for the stripping and waxing of the jail floors. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With P. Erickson still present it was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to accept the bids of Western Detention, in the amount of $6,259.97 for the food pass door assemblies, and Minot Welding Inc., in the amount of $2,340 for the installation of the food pass doors, with the funds to come from the Jail Commissary account. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With R. Larson appearing for comment, it was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to receive and file the following correspondence: ND DOT – box beam bridges; State's Attorney Roza Larson – letter to T. Narum; ND District Court – summons; ND Dept. of Commerce – audit of Farstad Oil CDBG; ND State Fair – Governor’s picnic; ND Recorder’s Assn. – news article on 2009 convention; Russ Reid – Federal funding for economic development initiatives; ISO – Building Code Effectiveness Grading Schedule; John Van Grinsven III and Randall Bakke – City of Minot Law Enforcement firing range lawsuit. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file: 1) monthly reports, including financial reports; and 2) pledged securities of investments and checking accounts as of June 30, 2009. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following applications: 1) raffle permit from Minot Retriever Club for August 8, 2009 at the Minot Retriever Club grounds with prizes totaling $595; and 2) gaming site authorization for the Souris Valley Bowmen at the ND State Fair Center – FFA Hall, for a raffle with prizes over $12,000, to be held on February 6, 2010. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve a budget amendment to the Sheriff’s Department travel account in the amount of $10,818.15 as the funds have been reimbursed from the POST board. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad presented the Board with information regarding the establishment of the Kenmare Fire District.

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the following applications for payroll amendment: Barb Scherbenske – Substitute Librarian – Library – Level 3 (temporary); Shannon Larson – Administrative Supervisor – Sheriff’s Office – Level 6 to 11. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With R. Larson appearing for comment, it was moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to cease distribution of the NACo sponsored discount prescription drug cards because the program is not available to all pharmacies in Ward County; and to send a letter clarifying this to the pharmacies previously contacted to distribute the cards. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Comm. Erickson then gave a report to the Board about his meeting with marketing representatives of IRET regarding the County’s space needs. Comm. Erickson informed the Board that they requested blueprints of the current courthouse as well as the proposed building plans and want to meet with Chairman Christianson and Comm. Erickson on August 20.

 

Comm. Nybakken questioned where the Commission was headed after touring several buildings in Minot. R. Larson appeared to inform the Board that a Courts Renovation Committee had already met and plans were in place for the housing of the fifth judge to be coming on January 1, 2010.

 

Chairman Christianson then gave a verbal report regarding a committee meeting held with the Public Administrator.

 

R. Larson again appeared regarding two legislative studies that would affect the State's Attorney office and requested direction from the Board on whether she should be tracking the studies if they were to come up during the next legislative session.

 

At 11:08 a.m. with no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 4th DAY OF AUGUST, 2009.

 

s/ Bruce I Christianson

Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad

Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County