May 18, 2010 Regular meeting minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

May 18, 2010

 

The regular meeting of the Ward County Commission was called to order by Chairman Christianson at 9:04 a.m. with Comms. Gruenberg, Fjeldahl, Erickson and Nybakken present.  Also present were Auditor/Treasurer Smestad, Engineer Dana Larsen and Assistant State's Attorney Mark Flagstad.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson 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 May 4, 2010 regular meeting and May 7, 2010 special meeting. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad presented the bills.  Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the 2010 Social Welfare bills of $344,295.05, Human Service bills of $54,427.99 and the regular bills totaling $176,445.96. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 9:15 a.m. Chairman Christianson opened a public hearing regarding the Five Year Exemption for Dakota Midland Grain, LLC.

 

Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel appeared to provide background on the exemption.  Dakota Midland Grain, LLC, General Manager Ted Warehime appeared to state that this exemption was only for a new grain dryer and handling system.  He also stated that Surrey Township, the affected municipality, has been supportive.  Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to close the public hearing and approve the application for 100% exemption for five years on the improvement valued at $1,355,470.  Roll call vote: Comms. Gruenberg, Nybakken, Erickson and Christianson voted yes; Comm. Fjeldahl voted no; motion carried.

 

At 9:22 a.m. the hearing was adjourned.

 

Dakota Boys and Girls Ranch Foundation President Gene Kaseman appeared regarding the bond issue for a new thrift store in West Fargo.  Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to grant preliminary approval of the bond issue.  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 approve the five year Farm to Market Program.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to authorize the Highway Department to solicit bids to seal coat County Road 10 from CR 9A east 16.5 miles to US 2 & 52 and inspect and repair rumble strips.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the Design Standards on County Major Collectors and Local Roads for New or Reconstruction of Existing Infrastructure and authorize the Chairman to sign.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Next there was discussion on the NDDOT Maintenance Agreement for County/Township Roadways within NDDOT Right of Way.  There is a concern over the legality of the County speaking for the Townships.  No action was taken.

 

Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel appeared.  It was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson, to approve the following applications for abatement or corrections of errors of assessment: 2 properties qualify for the two year new construction exemption; 1 property qualifies for the wheelchair exemption; 2 individuals submitted documents and qualify for the disabled veteran’s exemption.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

IT Administrator Jason Blowers appeared to provide an update on the proposals for the Courthouse rewiring and phone system which will be included in the 2011 budget.  Blowers also stated that the installation of the wireless network is complete and the roll out will be on June 1st.  The password will be changed on a monthly basis in order to maintain network security.  Chairman Christianson asked Blowers to write a policy regarding departments coordinating IT purchases through the IT Administrator and dealing with obsolete equipment.

 

There was then discussion regarding the Advisory Study Committee’s Report.  Chairman Christianson suggested the possible new positions be discussed at the next Department Head meeting.  He asked that the various departments provide comments at one of the July Commission meetings.

 

Smestad then presented items to the Board.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the following correspondence: Crowley-Fleck PLLP Attorneys – Enbridge Pipeline Application; ND Dept of Health – Minot Municipal Landfill; ND Dept of Veteran Affairs – accreditation training; Wold Engineering – Pre-construction conference (missile roads graveling); ND State Auditor – review of 2009 audit; SWCA – Environmental assessment; Russ Reid – Federal funding for police technology and emergency communications.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

There was then discussion regarding Rath & Mehrer’s 2009 audit report.  Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to receive and file the audit report.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

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

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the following requests for duplicate warrants: Karen Hennessy in the amount of $164.00; Ada Winstead in the amount of $165.00; LSI Title Agency in the amount of $10.00; Greg Johnson in the amount of $25.00  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the following liquor license application:

 

Hunters Den (formerly Fox Den)           Liquor, beer, wine                   Yes

 

Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson that the following application for gaming site authorization be approved:

 

Minot VFW Post 753, Inc.                     Minot VFW Club

 

And, the following applications for event permits from M&S Concessions, Inc. be approved: North Dakota State Fair Rodeo/Arena Events – July 23rd – 31st; State Fair Concerts – July 23rd – 31st; State Fair – July 23rd – 31st; World of Outlaws and Nodak Races – August 20th – 29th; Nodak Races August 8th – 15th; Motor Magic September 3rd – 6th.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the SRT Term Discount Pricing Agreement for wireless internet service at the Courthouse.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following applications for payroll amendments: Cathie Leigh Haisch – Office Assistant III – Social Services – Level 9 (new hire); Clint Keyes – Seasonal Weed Control Sprayer – Weed Control – Level 14 (new hire); Eric Lenertz – Correctional Officer – Sheriff’s Department – Level 14; Odd Osteroos – Seasonal Weed Control Sprayer – Weed Control – Level 14 (new hire); Jennifer Reichenberger – Social Worker III – Social Services – Level 17; Misty Shearer – Social Worker III – Social Services – Level 21; Nykol Wahlberg – Temporary Hourly SW III – Social Services – Level 21 (new hire); Ingvald Hanson – Seasonal Highway Mower/Maintenance – Highway Department – Level 11.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad notified the Board that Souris Basin Planning Council is seeking nominations for the Basil O’Connell Community Leadership Award.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the budget amendment from the Sheriff’s Department in the amount of $12,000 received from the State as a grant for the purchase of in-car video cameras.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

There was then discussion on the request from the City of Minot for a letter of support for the Minot Renaissance Zone.  It was decided that more information was needed regarding the area being designated as a Renaissance Zone.

 

At 10:50 a.m. with no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 1ST DAY OF JUNE, 2010.

 

s/ Jerome Gruenberg

Vice-Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad

Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County