November 17, 2009 Regular meeting minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

November 17, 2009

 

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

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the minutes of the November 3, 2009 regular meeting. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad presented the bills. It was moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the regular bills totaling $370,981.15. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve Social Welfare bills totaling $305,720.96 and Human Service bills totaling $52,908.30.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Highway Engineer Dana Larsen appeared to present bids received for one ¾ ton SUV and three motorgraders.  His recommendation was to accept the high bid in the amount of $36,696 from Ryan Chevrolet for the SUV due to a minimal difference in price for buying locally and the low bid for the motorgraders from RDO which had a net price for three motorgraders of $190,023 after trade-in.  He also mentioned that the current motorgraders may either be sold or traded in whichever is more beneficial to the County.  Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the bids as recommended by Larsen.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Larsen then notified the Commissioners regarding the Kenmare Scenic Trail grant.  He noted the long-term plans regarding work to be done along County Road 2 and the Ward County Commission providing matching funds.  Signing the grant application as a sponsor does not obligate the Board to provide funding so no action was required.

 

Director of Social Services Dan Richter appeared regarding the lease at River of Life church.  It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve, pending final approval of the lease agreement, the rental amount of $13.25 per square foot which will be valid retroactive to July 2009 and for the duration of the current lease which ends June 30, 2011.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Mike Maragos of River of Life Church appeared to invite the Commissioners to tour the facility and to tell them he would expedite the contract process.

 

The public hearing for the second reading of the Home Rule Charter resolution could not be held as 20 days had not passed since the first reading.  The public hearing will be rescheduled for the second meeting in December and the notice will be published.  Jim Lee of Max, ND, appeared to offer insight on the passage of the Home Rule Charter.

 

State’s Attorney Roza Larson appeared to request approval for new chairs for the attorneys and office staff as well as a new desktop computer.  She received quotes and has the money available in her 2009 budget.  Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve $5,500 for the chairs and $1,336.94 for a desktop computer.  The funds will be taken out of the 2009 budget.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then presented items to the Board.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the following correspondence: ND Dept of Veterans Affairs – CVSO training; ND Dept of Corrections – Adult and Juvenile correctional facilities compliance; NDSU – County agent in training. Roll call vote: all 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 voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the quit claim deeds for the following tax foreclosed properties redeemed by owner prior to sale date: James W Whitebear MI 19092 000 122 0; Barbara G Kruse MI26391 040 002 4; Dennis Gehring & Marilyn Logelin MI 20181 040 009 0; Stephen K Rakness MI 24073 120 009 0.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl that the following application for raffle permit be approved: Souris River Basin Longbeards on Jan 23, 2010 and May 8, 2010 with prizes totaling $3,525.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

City Assessor Kevin Ternes appeared to discuss the November 10, 2009 letter received from Professional Food Services, Inc. regarding the penalties for unpaid taxes on the 19th Hole restaurant at the Souris Valley Golf Course prior to their ownership.  They requested the penalty for the tax year 2007 be waived.  Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to waive the penalty.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Auditor/Treasurer Smestad presented a request for a budget amendment for County Insurance premiums to be increased to cover the excess costs of insuring newly purchased or replaced equipment as well as additional costs to cover volunteer workers compensation premiums.  Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to increase the County Insurance premiums by $9,995.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then presented a letter regarding NDCC 57-20-01.2 which would allow the County to waive penalties and interest for delinquent taxes for a designated period of time.  It was decided no action would be taken.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve closure of County offices at noon on December 24th and all day December 25th for the Christmas holiday.  Roll call vote: Comms. Fjeldahl, Erickson, Gruenberg and Christianson voted yes; Comm. Nybakken voted no; motion carried.

 

Smestad provided a status on the IT services provided by NRG.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken that the following payroll amendment be approved: Kenneth Schneider – Assistant Jail Supervisor – Sheriff’s Department – Level 9.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Emergency Manager Al Reynolds appeared to provide status on the sirens for the various communities.  The sirens have been installed and the electrician will be connecting them so they are operational by January 2010.

 

At 10:47 a.m., with no further business, it was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to adjourn the meeting sine die.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 1ST DAY OF DECEMBER, 2009.

 

s/ Bruce I Christianson

Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad

Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County