April 6, 2010 Regular meeting minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

April 6, 2010

 

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 Smestad, Engineer Dana Larsen, State’s Attorney Roza Larson and Assistant State's Attorney Robert Slorby.

 

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. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the minutes of the March 16, 2010 regular meeting. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad presented the bills.  It was requested that the $1,295.00 bill from Hewlett Packard for a computer and docking station be removed from the bill list – the computer went to the Library board for their approval.  Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the 2010 Social Welfare bills of $37,856.94 and the regular bills totaling $250,304.26. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

President of Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Association Gene Kaseman appeared to request Ward County to sponsor a bond issue for $1.9 million to pay for a new thrift store in West Fargo.  Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to move forward and set a public hearing date for the bond issue.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Administrative Staff Officer Cleo Berven appeared to provide an update on the search for a new Social Services Director.  The joint board interviewed candidates and offered the position to Robert Kondos.  Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to accept Robert Kondos as the new Social Services Director.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 9:19 a.m., the public hearing for the Weather Modification Authority was opened.  Henry Bodmer appeared in favor of approval.  There were no other appearances to speak for or against the Weather Modification Authority.  Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to close the public hearing at 9:22 a.m.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the Weather Modification Authority resolution on second reading and re-appoint Jerome Behm, Henry Bodmer, Patrick Murphy, Charles Tompkins and Gail Yuly to a five-year term on the board.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Highway Engineer Dana Larsen appeared to present several items.  Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to accept the low bid from Martin Resource Management Corporation for the County Road 6 micro surfacing project SC-5126(054) contract in the amount of $649,739.27 and authorize the Chairman to sign the Resolution and the Construction and Maintenance agreement. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to accept the low bids from Mayo Construction for contract CP-0505(10) in the amount of $766,229.27 and contract CP-1017(10) in the amount of $185,365.72, and from Bechtold Paving for contract CP-2352(10) in the amount of $871,250.21 and authorize the Chairman to sign the contracts.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to advertise the bidding for overlay projects on County Road 12A, County Road 14 and a small portion of County Road 15.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the bidding of ROM-0300(100) contract with an engineering firm to perform construction engineering and authorize the Chairman to sign all required documents.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve advertising for the sale of 3 used motorgraders.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Larsen then presented information on replacing of the Highway Department’s phone system.  He will get quotes from SRT and Ebel Integrators and present them to the Commissioners.

 

Finally Larsen provided an update on the LiDAR project.  Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the Aerial Mapping project, authorize the appropriate staff to negotiate a contract between City of Minot, Ward County and Pictometry, and authorize the Chairman to sign the contracts.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel appeared.  It was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken, to approve the following, a complete copy of which is available in the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office: two applications for abatement or corrections of errors of assessment; two properties qualify for the two year new construction exemption; one blind exemption on the property; one submitted documents and qualify for the disabled veteran’s exemption; three submitted documents and qualify for the homestead credit exemption; nine mobile homes are owned by farmers and are ag exempt; one owner is an active duty military member and is tax exempt; two mobile homes were destroyed in 2009; and one mobile home is not in use and not hooked up to utilities – remove from tax roll.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the following:

 

Application for plat approval by Susan Ogurek for the following described property: Plat of Outlot 4 of NE Section 22-156-84, Kirkelie Township.  Application for plat approval by Jean Bryans, on behalf of Craig Johnson, for the following described property:  Plat of Outlots 6 & 7 of Outlots 4 & 5 of Section 22-154-81, New Prairie Township.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken that the following resolution amendment be adopted: AMENDMENT TO WARD COUNTY ZONING RESOLUTION NO. 6 (a full and complete copy of which is available for review in the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office).  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Building Supervisor Ron Overly appeared.  Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to accept higher bid in the amount of $3,950 from AIS Equipment, Inc. for a 1977 Yale forklift since parts were no longer available for the forklift in the low bid.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the repair of the backup Jail generator in the amount of $2,394 which will be paid from the Building Improvements fund.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to accept the low bid from RMJ Northland Construction in the amount of $22,180.80 for the construction of a room in the County North Building.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

IT Administrator Jason Blowers appeared to provide an update.  Of the 140 PCs used by the County, 54 are four years old or older which means they are due for replacement.  He also reported that he is working with the Library regarding the Gates Grant PCs and with the Recorders Office on the final uploads into Cris+ for the digitizing project.

 

Smestad then presented items to the Board.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the following correspondence: SBPC – CDBG program changes; SWCA – environmental assessments; Christine Drake – notice of resignation; City of Minot – hearing on taxes paid under protest; NDDOT – Emergency Repair Guidelines; NDDOT – 2010 Flood Damage; ND Oil & Gas Division – 1 year permit; North Prairie Rural Water – Annual Meeting; Mitch Holbach - letter.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the 2009 annual reports.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the 2009 property inventory.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve a raffle permit application from Western ND Golf, Inc. for August 19-22, 2010 with prizes totaling $1,100.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve a date change for the Dakota Elementary PTA raffle permit.  The original date was April 30, 2010 but has been changed to April 23, 2010.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl that the following resolution to cancel taxes and specials on three properties be adopted:

 

WHEREAS, sales of the tax deed properties have been made in the office of the County Auditor with the approval of the Board of County Commissioners, and the purchase price thereof has been made in full and tax deeds thereto have been issued to the purchasers; and

 

WHEREAS, the purchase prices thereof were less than the delinquent taxes on the respective properties, with the result that the proceeds of the tax sale left an unpaid balance on the taxes on the descriptions listed as set forth in a certificated of the Deputy Auditor/Treasurer under dates of March 11, 2010.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that under and pursuant to Section 57-28-21 of the North Dakota Century Code, the unpaid balances as set forth be cancelled and the County Auditor/Treasurer is hereby authorized to remove said balances from the records.

 

FO 32099.000.002.0             Olt 2 of SWSW                 2004-2008            $35.68              $1,301.21

                                          S32-156-85

 

KM 20006.230.004.0            Tolleys Plat Lot 4 Blk 23    2006-2009            $20.76              $324.48

                                          Kenmare City

 

KM 20006.260.006.0            Tolleys Plat Lots 2-6 Blk 26                          2005-2009         $65.68  $1,037.00

                                          Kenmare City

 

Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken that the board hereby approves the County Deed for the following tax foreclosed properties redeemed by previous owner within 30 day redemption period:

 

RC’s Muffler Service Inc.             Lot 1 & 2 Blk 7 Original Kenmare            $2,745.31

c/o Myrna Nelson                       Kenmare City

                                                KM 000010700020

 

Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the following budget amendments: 1)  from the Library to add $13,650 to the Capital Improvement line item for Gates Foundation grant and 2) from the Auditor/Treasurer’s office to add $52,222.20 to the Technology Purchase and Maintenance account of the General Fund to cover the final bill from Information Systems Corporation for the Recorder’s digitization project.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to oppose the waiving of fees due to financial hardship and begin collection process of $247.50 in court fees.  State’s Attorney Roza Larson appeared to advise that this was the best course of action.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve Willis Township’s request for financial assistance as allowed in the 2009 resolution in the amount of $2,000.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Assistant State’s Attorney Robert Slorby then appeared to discuss the proposed vacation of public access at Rice Lake.  Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to recommend Assistant State’s Attorney Slorby correspond with Brian Hankla to address concerns raised.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then reminded the Board of the NDIRF Annual Meeting on May 12th at 10:30 a.m.  She will represent the County at the meeting.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to designate the early voting location and dates as follows: May 26-28 and June 1-2, 11:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m. in the Ex-Servicemen’s Room at the Courthouse.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to change the following polling places as approved by the City Council: Precinct 2C will move from Erick Ramstad Middle School to Augustana Church and Precinct 6B will move from Edison Elementary to Bread of Life Church.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the following applications for payroll amendments: Thomas Berube – Juvenile Detention Officer – Juvenile Detention – Level 14; Danielle Curtis – Administrative Assistant – Veterans Service Office – Level 12; Larry Hieb – Highway Maintenance Foreman – Highway Department – Level 17.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Concern was expressed regarding people driving across the parking lot where the Emerson Building stood.  Dana will work with Ron to set up barricades.

 

At 10:54 a.m. with no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 20TH DAY OF APRIL, 2010.

 

s/ Bruce I Christianson

Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad

Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County