June 16, 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. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the minutes of the June 2, 2009 regular and Board of Equalization meetings and the June 10, 2009 Farm to Market hearing. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad presented the bills. With D. Larsen appearing for comment it was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the Social Welfare bills totaling $297,471.04; Human Service bills totaling $18,708.26; the Flood Disaster bills totaling $267,822.11; and the regular bills totaling $653,132.18. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 9:12 a.m., past the time set, Smestad opened the two bids received for the sale of the Emerson Apartment Building. Upon the opening and reading of the two bids, it was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to receive and file the bids; refer them to the Auditor/Treasurer for review and clarification of the parking spaces referred to by the Thomas/Meyer proposal; and return them to the July 7, 2009 regular meeting for further action. Roll call vote: all voted yes, except Comm. Gruenberg who voted no; motion carried.

 

Sheriff Vern Erck, Extension Agent Mike Rose and R. Larson then appeared regarding the courthouse security policy and procedures. After much discussion it was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to form a committee (selected by the Commission Chairman) to review the policy, consider concerns of the department heads and return a policy recommendation to the full board. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

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

 

It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to add the five mile segment of road that would constitute the NE bypass to the County Major Collector routes, with the township retaining the management and maintenance of the five miles until construction was complete, at which time the County would assume management and maintenance. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to accept the low bid of Bituminous Paving, Inc., in the amount of $710,703.05; and authorize the Chairman’s signature on the resolution for seal coating of County Road 23 from the Ward County line north to State Highway 23 and US Highway 2 north to County Road 8. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the five year Farm to Market plan for years 2010-2014. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to continue issuing harvest permits for 2009 and create a highway weight ordinance within the next year per recommendation of the Highway Committee and State's Attorney. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the County Engineer to advertise for bids on the repair and overlay of a portion of County Road 16 by Logan and overlay of remaining pavement on County Road 5 by Donnybrook. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to authorize the hiring of the Water Resource Board Engineer to conduct a hydraulic analysis on two locations on County Road 18 that will need pipe replacement on a 80/20 federal/local share. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the County Engineer to place a 5 ton load limit on County Road 14 (72^nd St.) with the exception of local garbage trucks and maintenance vehicles. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to authorize the Engineer to accept the low bid of Hills Product Group for 192 pieces of bridge plank. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve a request from Sawyer City to block off a portion of County Road 23 for an all school reunion from July 2-5, 2009, provided they place all detour signs as approved by the County Engineer; return the road to like or better condition as prior to the event; and to notify emergency personnel of the detours. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Steve Ashley and Kevin Peterson from Dakota Midland Grain and Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel then appeared regarding a five year property tax exemption. After much discussion Chairman Christianson requested that Vendsel, with the help of the State's Attorney, research the ability of the county to grant an exemption per North Dakota Century Code and report his findings to Peterson and Tim Warehime from Dakota Midland Grain so that they could proceed with their application.

 

With Vendsel still present, it was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file a memorandum regarding the resolution of disputed property valuations made by Douglas Amundson; Kelly Drevecky; David Rothchild; and Swenson & Sons LLP made at the June 3, 2009 County Board of Equalization meeting. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Mitch Monson with the Souris Basin Planning Council then appeared regarding the MG Grain Community Development Block Grant. It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to authorize the Chairman’s signature on an extension of the grant administration close out due to change in principal of project. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Building Services Supervisor Ron Overly, Jail Commander Penny Erickson and Peter Lien with Otis Elevator then appeared. It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to authorize Otis Elevator complete a final structural survey and draft a contract for modernization of the jail elevator and request the Auditor/Treasurer research from which account the balance of the expense over $100,000 could be taken. Roll call vote: all voted yes, except Comm. Fjeldahl who voted no; motion carried.

 

With Erickson still present it was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to accept the low bid of Trinity Hospital, at $12.67 per day, for food service to the Jail and Juvenile Detention. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

Jim Neshem and R. Larson then appeared regarding correspondence between Assistant State's Attorney Timothy Wilhelm and Rolling Green Township Supervisors regarding a cattle guard installed by Neshem.  Chairman Christianson directed Neshem to apply for a permit from the County Highway Department as set out in NDCC 24-10.

 

It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to receive and file the following correspondence: City of Minot – 2 year paving variance; ND Dept. of Health – waste transporter permit (inactive); Gail Slinde – 4-H Achievement Days; ND Supreme Court – notice of comment; Minot Fire Dept. – Emerson fire inspection; NDIRF – claim; ND Dept. of Commerce – MG Grains CDBG; Ackerman-Estvold – solicit public comment re: NE Bypass (CR 10A); ND Dept of Health – waste transporter permit (reissued): Assistant State's Attorney Tim Wilhelm – to Rolling Green Twp – cattle guard installation; City of Minot – notice of annexations; Steppin’ Out – employee recognition. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Minot City Finance Director Cindy Hemphill and Minot City Police Chief Jeff Balentine then appeared regarding the 2010 E-911 budget. It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the recommendation of the City/County/School/Park Liaison Committee that Ward County budget $705,000 for Central Dispatch to be paid from actual expenses incurred, with 9-1-1 funds and any extra funds being carried over to the next year with an annual review of the 9-1-1 account balance. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 11:08 a.m. the Board recessed for the Social Service Board.

 

At 11:54 a.m. the Board reconvened with all members present.

 

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

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve a duplicate warrant in replacement of warrants assumed lost, mutilated, defaced or destroyed for Amanda Sipma in the amount of $131.40 and UPS Store in the amount of $16.62. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Discussion was then held on the 2010 budget input.

 

It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to: 1) recognize the Minot Retriever Club as a public spirited organization and 2) to approve the applications for a raffle permit from: Minot Retriever Club on June 20, 2009 with prizes totaling $475; and Triple R Saddle Club on August 16, 2009 with prizes totaling $585. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to authorize the Chairman’s signature on a ND DOT construction contract and bond for County Road 14, hot bituminous pavement overlay. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the following applications for payroll amendment: Jenny L Striha – Social Services; Andrea Syvertson – Social Services; Derek Just – Juvenile Detention; Lester Malnaa – Highway Department; Amy Marie Sayler – Social Services; Gregory Herman – Highway Department; Kayla A Gathman – Social Services. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then informed the Board about an Elmer Jesme Conference on June 29 at Twin Oaks Resort at Lake Metigoshe.

Overly again appeared with a bill from Johnston Roofing for repairs to the library roof. It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the bill in the amount of $11,580. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Discussion was then held on building space needs. Marty Anderson with St. Leo’s Church briefly appeared regarding the St. Leo’s Community Center floor plans.

 

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

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 7^th DAY OF JULY, 2009.

 

s/ Bruce I Christianson

Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad

Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County