September 15, 2009 Regular Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

September 15, 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.

 

At 9:03 a.m., Chairman Christianson opened a public hearing on the 2010 Budget.  Appearances were made by Cindy Thomas for clarification of the Building Improvements account and Greg Hagen, Souris Basin Planning Council, for reconsideration of including the MAFB population back into the funding for the 2010 budget for the Souris Basin Planning Council.  At 9:13 a.m., it was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to close the public hearing. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

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

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the minutes of the September 1, 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 $86,660.99. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve Social Welfare bills totaling $49,046.85.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

D. Larsen appeared with items for information regarding snow removal at the County North Building, the Prairie Winds Project, upcoming paving projects on County Road 5 and 14, and a scheduled meeting between counties and NDDOT for October 13, 2009 at 2:40 p.m.  A Prairie Winds representative, Amanda Wangler also appeared for comment.

 

Building Supervisor Ron Overly then appeared along with Dave Albert and Todd Burke, Otis Elevator.  Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the contract for Otis Elevator to replace the Jail Elevator in the amount of $126,000.  Roll call on the vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl, to approve the proposal from Craft Builders in the amount of $4200 to build a platform to assist the installation of the Jail Elevator, to be removed after the process is complete.  Roll call on the vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the proposal from Main Electric in the amount of $7200 for electrical work associated with the installation of the Jail elevator.  After further discussion the motion maker withdrew the motion.

 

Director of Tax Equalization, Mike Vendsel then appeared.  It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg, to approve the following: 1) applications for abatement and/or correction of error of assessments: Charlotte McCahan, MI 26243 050 002 0, reduce 2008 true and full value from $92,800 to $90,000 and reduce 2009 true and full value from $105,600 to $90,000; City of Minot, MI 15051 000 030 0, reduce 2009 true and full value from $14,500 to $0; Jason Reinke, MI 22B25 000 007 0, increase 2009 true and full value from 0 to $18,700; Franklin Anderson, DB 14007 010 003 0, increase 2009 true and full value from 0 to $400; 2) applications for two year construction exemption: Curtis Tonneson, MI 35B43 000 005 0, reduce 2009 true and full value from $204,200 to $129,200; Norman Hoiland, MI 35A87 020 001 0, reduce 2009 true and full value from $202,700 to $127,700; Eric Wilson, MI 11A78 000 020 0, reduce 2008 true and full value from $43,000 to $28,400 and reduce 2009 true and full value from $124,200 to $49,200; Scott Lindquist, MI 27B23 000 006 0, reduce 2009 true and full value from $152,500 to $115,000; Janet Langseth, MI 27A25 000 004 1, reduce 2008 true and full value from $59,400 to $42,900; Robin Gonzalas, MI 11A78 000 008 0, reduce 2008 true and full value from $34,400 to $19,400; Sang Phan, MI 11A78 000 003 0, reduce 2008 true and full value from 35,400 to $19,400; Etlar Jacobsen, MI 27A07 500 011 0; reduce 2008 true and full value from $29,800 to $23,400; Denise Ross, MI 27A075 000 11 0, increase 2009 true and full value from $135,700 to $167,000 3) applications for homestead credit exemption: Bonnie Bennett, MI 25395 000 017 0, qualifies for 60% credit for 2009; Joanna Dahly, MI 15009 010 006 0, qualifies for 50% credit for 2009; Phyllis Arnold, MI 14276 000 205 0, qualifies for 50% credit for 2009; Ben Brand, MI 35595 000 032 0, qualifies for 33% credit for 2009; Florence Bloms, Mi 25529 000 146 1, qualifies for 50% credit for 2009; Alois Krueger, MI 22060 060 001 0, qualifies for 33% credit for 2009; Darlene Delorme, MI 5100449, qualifies for 100% credit for 2009 4) applications for disabled veterans exemption: Kenneth Lundy, MI 5103543, reduce 2009 true and full value from $3,234 to $1,294; 5) removal of disabled veterans exemption due to sale: Ryan Hoffman, MI 22291 050 002 0, increase 2009 true and full value from $34,100 to $72,100; James Lynn, MI 11252 030 015 0, increase 2009 true and full value from $16,500 to $43,400. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

With Vendsel still present there was brief discussion about the recent planning commission meeting and its recommendations regarding a proposed outlot in Kirkelie Township. Vendsel explained he will convey the planning commission’s wishes in his memo for the next Commissioner meeting.

 

Smestad then notified the Board she had received the written proposal from Main Electric regarding the Jail Elevator from Overly.  Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the proposal from Main Electric in the amount of $7045 for electrical work associated with the installation of the Jail elevator.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then presented items to the Board.

 

R. Larson appeared for comment. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg that the following correspondence be received and filed: NDDOT – Federal Aid Program; NDDOT – Utility adjustment eligibility; Bank of the West – equipment financing; Brian Bjella – Cenex Pipeline 10 year plan; Garrison Diversion – surplus equipment; State Historical Society – Emerson; Auditor/Treasurer Smestad – Letter to T Narum; NDDOT – Special Road Funds, Task Force Transportation Enhancement Projects & Safe Routes to School; Court Facilities Improvement Advisory Committee – Court Facilities Improvement grant application; Canadian Pacific – Culvert installation in Ryder Township; Asst. States Attorney Slorby – Jail Elevator Contract; Engineer Dana Larsen – Brownfield Program – Terry Narum – letter to States Attorney Roza Larson; EPA and DOI/BIA – Notice of Public Meeting. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson that the monthly reports, included finance reports, be received and filed and that the following be approved:1) application for duplicate warrant in replacement of warrants assumed lost, mutilated, defaced or destroyed: Xcel Energy in the amount of $307.08; 2) application for Sunday Event Permit for the VFW on October 11, 2009; 3) application for Event Permit for M&S Concessions on October 8 through 11, 2009 for Y’s Men Indoor Rodeo, September 16, 2009 for Shinedown concert and September 29 through October 3, 2009 for Norsk Hostfest; 3) application for Raffle Permit from North Plains PTA with prizes totaling $1,000.00.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the request for a budget amendment from the Sheriff to add $1,943.37 to cover salaries reimbursed for a ND Highway Patrol underage drinking grant.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Juvenile Detention Administrator, Allison Hughes then appeared. It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the Certification of Award for the Juvenile Accountability Block Grant (JABG) Program.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

The Board then discussed the 2010 Budget.  Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to increase the Souris Basin Planning Council budget line item by $1,312 and decrease the Office Building Improvements line item by $1,312 for the 2010 budget.  Roll call vote: Comm.’s Erickson, Nybakken & Christianson voted yes, Comm.’s Fjeldahl & Gruenberg voted no; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson, that Auditor/Treasurer Smestad be directed to prepare the necessary motions and resolutions for the 2010 budget for the next meeting to be held on October 6, 2009. Roll call vote: all voted yes, except Comm. Fjeldahl who voted no; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken, that the Chairman be authorized to sign the 2009 State Homeland Security Regional Funds Grant and Memorandum of Understanding. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl, that the Chairman be authorized to sign the contract with Karr Tuckpointing for exterior masonry preservation, maintenance and repair of the Ward County Courthouse in the amount of $99,609.00. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken, that the YWCA be given permission to use the front steps of the Courthouse as well as the Ex-Servicemen’s Room on October 12, 2009 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg that the following payroll amendments be approved: Julie Krosbakken – Legal Tech/Receptionist – States Attorney – Level 9 (new hire) and Kari Bennett – Administrative Secretary – Auditor/Treasurer – Level 6 (new hire). Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl, to approve payment of dues to the North Dakota Association of Oil & Gas Producing Counties for 2009-2010 fiscal year in the amount of $305.63. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then informed the Board about the Joint Boards of County Commissioners meeting to be held on September 28, 2009 at the NDSU Extension office at 9:30 a.m.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign the NDDOT Traffic Safety Contract for Click it or Ticket.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

D. Larsen then appeared wanting direction regarding the Brownfield Program.  The Board directed Larsen to look into it further along with local options and present his findings to them at the next meeting.

 

Comm. Gruenberg then informed the Board regarding his correspondence with Cory Rice, River of Life Church about scheduling a special Social Service Board meeting.  Smestad was asked to confirm with Rice if October 19, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. would be a feasible option.

 

Vendsel appeared again before the Board.  It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the following abatement and/or correction of errors of assessments: S&D Properties, MI 15792 000 009 0, reduce 2008 true and full value from $115,000 to $40,000 due to qualifying for a two year construction exemption.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 11:03 a.m., with no further business, Chairman Christianson adjourned the meeting.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 6TH DAY OF OCTOBER, 2009.

 

s/ Bruce I Christianson

Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad

Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County