May 5, 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.

Chairman Christianson; Comm. Fjeldahl and Smestad presented additions to the agenda. It was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the agenda with additions. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the minutes of the April 21 regular and April 29 special meetings. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

With Emergency Manager Al Reynolds appearing for comment it was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to reaffirm the actions of the Board in accepting the bid of Munter’s Corporation for the cleaning of the All Seasons Arena facility, including the HVAC, electronic and other systems. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

D. Larsen appeared regarding the bills. It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the Social Service bills totaling $15,278.60 and the bills totaling $165,003.55. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

Reynolds again appeared to present the Board with an update on flood operations. Smestad presented the Board with information on using the Emergency Fund and the 2008 General Fund carry-over money to pay for the flood emergency bills. It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to transfer the 2008 General Fund carry-over, in the amount of $640,107, into the Emergency Fund. 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. Fjeldahl, to authorize the Engineer to use bid list contractors for assistance with small repairs of county roads and infrastructures and to request proposals for the larger jobs which will then be reviewed by the Highway Committee. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the Engineer to bid the paving of County Road 5 by Donnybrook provided Department of Defense funds become available. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to accept the low bid of Kadrmas Lee & Jackson, in the amount of $995.00, for surveying the Spring Lake township property that was recently leased; and to assess 50 percent of the cost to the lessee. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

Larsen presented information regarding a meeting with RMT, Inc. who is preparing the design and construction of wind towers in southern Ward County. Larsen informed the Board that he will obtain a signed memorandum of agreement regarding requirements for approaches, new roads and haul routes.

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to award the bid for gravel crushing of the Erickson pit near Kenmare to Sundre Sand & Gravel. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to allow Jerry and Kay Olson of the Douglas Bar to close CR 13 in Douglas on June 19, 2009 for a street dance, with the understanding that they would be responsible for any damage to the road and that adequate signage will be needed for the event. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to allow the County Engineer to go outside current county policy and advertise seasonal hires at the mid-point salary range. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

The Board then set May 12 at 7:00 a.m. to have Highway Committee meeting.

At 10:07 a.m., past the time set, Chairman Christianson opened the public hearing. Jaclin Wike, Cook Wegner & Wike PLLP, appeared regarding the YMCA bonds. With no one else appearing either for or against the bonds, it was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to close the hearing. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried. The public hearing was closed at 10:12 a.m.

It was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the resolution for refunding of the YMCA bond (a copy of which may be reviewed in the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office.) Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve a redemption resolution for the YMCA building (a copy of which may be reviewed in the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office.) Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

Ward County Weed Control Officer Derrill Fick then appeared. It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to allow the Weed Control Officer to go outside county policy and advertise seasonal hires at the mid-point salary range. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel then appeared.

It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the one application for abatement and/or correction of error of assessment; one application for Homestead Credit and one application for Disabled Veteran’s exemption: . Roll call vote all voted yes; motion carried.

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve a plat application by Derrill Fick for the NE 27-156-84 (Kirkelie Township) as recommended by the Ward County Water Resource Board; the Township Board and the Ward County Planning Commission. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

Vendsel then informed the Board of the recent passage of Senate Bill 2244 which would require that the 2009 agricultural values be raised in Ward County. Vendsel informed the Board that he would bring more information to the next meeting.
At 10:20 a.m. the Board recessed.

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

With R. Larson; Jeff Stremick and Sue Burger of Checkrite; Ed Sundy of Schatz Crossroads; and Chris Kray of Scheels appearing, discussion was held on the State's Attorney NSF check policy.

Smestad then presented items for information and action.

With R. Larson appearing for comment it was moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to receive and file the following correspondence: City of Minot; ND DOT; Public Service Commissioner; Dept. of Defense; US Army of Corps of Engineers – wetland mitigation banking; ND DOT; Souris Basin Planning Council; ND Supreme Court; ND DOT; Natural Resources Conservation Services. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

With R. Larson appearing it was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to remove the motion regarding snow removal costs from the table. Roll call vote to remove from table: all voted yes; motion carried. After discussion, the following roll call vote was taken on the original motion to distribute money from the emergency fund to townships and cities in Ward County: all voted no; motion failed. It was then moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to form a committee consisting of the Auditor/Treasurer; State's Attorney; Comm. Fjeldahl; Comm. Gruenberg representing a Ward County City, and a township representative to draft a resolution for the distribution of emergency funds to the cities and townships in Ward County and present said resolution at the June 2 meeting for first reading. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

With R. Larson appearing for comment the Board set a special meeting for Wednesday May 13 at 9:00 a.m. to receive department head input and discuss the results of the 2009 position classification and salary study conducted by Public Sector Consultants. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the 2009-2010 gaming site authorization requests; applications for Sunday Event alcoholic beverage permit from M&S Concessions, Inc; and the applications for special event permits from M&S Concessions. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to authorize the Chairman’s signature on the following grant awards: FY 09 Emergency Management Performance Grant – Planning; the FY 09 Emergency Management Performance Grant – General; the FY 08 State Homeland Security Grant; the FY 08 State Homeland Security Grant; and FY 07 Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Grant. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to appoint Ronald Neshem and Shirley Lindquist to the two open positions on the Ward County Library Board effective July 1, 2009 for a three year term. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the following application for payroll amendment: Stephanie Zapf – Social Services. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

Discussion was then held on building space needs.

Smestad informed the Board that an extension on the paving variance of the north parking lot had been submitted to Minot City.

Smestad presented the Board with a request from Bob Horvath, property manager of the Emerson Apartments on how much maintenance the County wished to perform on the building. Chairman Christianson requested that minimum maintenance be conducted until a decision was made on the future of the building.

At 12:12 p.m. with no further business it was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to adjourn. Motion carried and meeting adjourned.

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 19th DAY OF MAY, 2009.

s/ Bruce I Christianson, Chairman
Ward County Board of Commissioners

ATTEST:
s/ Devra Smestad, Auditor/Treasurer
Ward County