March 17, 2009 Regular meeting minutes

The regular meeting of the Ward County Commission was called to order by Vice-Chairman Gruenberg at 9:00 a.m. with Comms. Fjeldahl, Erickson and Nybakken present.  Also present were Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad; State's Attorney Roza Larson; and Engineer Dana Larsen.

 

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

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the minutes of the March 10, 2009 regular meeting. Roll call vote: all present voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then presented the bills. It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the Social Welfare bills totaling $282,589.39; Human Service bills totaling $44,229.37 and the regular bills totaling $472,814.66. Roll call vote: all present voted yes; motion carried.

 

Minot Rural Fire Chief Rex Weltikol then appeared regarding the adoption of the 2006 International Fire Code. Also appearing for comment was: Minot Fire Inspector Ed Hausauer; Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel; State's Attorney Roza Larson; and Emergency Manager Al Reynolds. After discussion it was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to pass, on 1^st reading, the adoption of the 2006 International Fire Code. Roll call vote: all present voted yes; motion carried. A public hearing and 2^nd reading was then set for April 21^st at 9:30 a.m.

 

Vendsel then appeared. It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the follwoing: 1) two applications for abatement and/or correction of errors of assessments; 2) five applications for disabled veteran’s exemption; and 3) one application for homestead credit. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.With Vendsel still present, R. Larson appeared regarding the affect of the two year new construction exemption on townships that have their own zoning and issue their own building permits.

 

Reynolds, R. Larson and D. Larsen then appeared regarding the development of a county sandbag policy. It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken that upon a declared emergency, sandbags will be distributed as follows: county first, then cities, then private citizens up to 200 sandbags on a first come, first serve basis as long as sandbags are available.  Roll call vote: all present voted yes; motion carried.

 

With Reynolds and D. Larsen still present the Board discussed the authority of the Engineer in declared disasters. Also appearing for comment was Water Resource Board Chairman John Pietsch. It was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson that the Ward County Engineer has Emergency Mitigation Authority during declared disasters where he can take action in cases in which time is of the essence.  Roll call vote: all present voted yes; motion carried.

 

Minot Police Dept. Captain Al Hanson and Reynolds then appeared regarding two warning sirens bills for Minot City. It was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve payment of the two bills, which would reimburse Minot City for the cost of upgrading their warning sirens, with the funds to be used from the E 9-1-1 wired funds set aside for the siren project. Roll call vote: all present voted yes; motion carried.

 

With Pietsch and D. Larsen appearing, the Board was updated on the FEMA dikes in Ward County. It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the letter from Pietsch. Roll call vote: all present voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 10:51 a.m. the Board recessed for the Social Service Board meeting.

 

At 11:25 a.m. the Board reconvened with Comms. Fjeldahl, Gruenberg, Erickson and Nybakken present.

 

Smestad then presented items for information and action.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to receive and file the following correspondence: Alliance Pipeline; Auditor/Treasurer Smestad; Chairman Christianson. Roll call vote: all present voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to receive and file the monthly reports, including financial reports. Roll call vote: all present voted yes; motion carried.

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve a request for duplicate warrant in replacement of a warrant assumed lost, mutilated, defaced or destroyed from Julie Hummel in the amount of $6.54. Roll call vote: all present voted yes; motion carried.

 

With R. Larson appearing for comment it was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the Chairman’s signature on grant paperwork for the Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch that certify no Ward County ordinances are violated and the environmental regulations are being correctly followed. Roll call vote: all present voted yes; motion carried.

 

With R. Larson again appearing for comment it was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following applications for payroll amendment: Marcella Lautenschlager, Recorder; Christene Harris, State's Attorney; Shylah N Leonard, Social Services. Roll call vote: all present voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve a raffle permit application from Dakota PTA for a raffle on May 1, 2009 with prizes totaling $500.00. Roll call vote: all present voted yes; motion carried.

 

With D. Larsen appearing for comment it was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to authorize the Chairman’s signature on a construction and maintenance agreement, right of way certification letter and utility certification letter for project SC-5144(054) – Ward County, CMC 5144 – from 5 miles south and 4 miles west of Des Lacs, east for hot bituminous pavement overlay. Roll call vote: all present voted yes; motion carried.

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

 

The Board set April 15 at 3:00 p.m. for the annual Farm to Market hearing, to be held in the Ex-Servicemen’s Room.

 

It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve a request from Jason Skar to increase the load limit on County Road 2 from US 52 east approximately 700 feet from 80,000 to 105,500 pounds. Roll call vote: all present voted yes; motion carried.

Larsen then presented information items to the Board.

 

The Board briefly discussed a variance for the parking lot north of the Courthouse. D. Larsen will contact Donna Bye regarding an extension of the variance or other options available to the County.

 

At 11:58 a.m. with no further business it was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to adjourn the meeting.

 

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

 

s/ Bruce I Christianson, Chairman

Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad, Auditor/Treasurer

Ward County