May 4, 2010 Regular meeting minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

May 4, 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 and Assistant State's Attorney Robert Slorby.

 

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. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the minutes of the April 20, 2010 regular meeting and April 22, 2010 Farm to Market meeting. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad presented the bills.  She stated that the $400 charge from Miller Painting for a court room door was removed from the bill list as it was a court expense.  Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the 2010 Social Welfare bills of $34,462.38 and the regular bills totaling $203,261.62. Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Highway Engineer Dana Larsen appeared to present several items.  Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken that the Highway Department be authorized to accept low bids from Mayo Construction for contract number CP-1252(10) in the amount of $342,237.39 and to Bechtold Paving for contract numbers CP-1212(10) in the amount of $249,583.63 and CP-1402(10) in the amount of $124,537.54, and authorize the Chairman to sign the contracts.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Larsen notified the Commissioners of a Highway Committee meeting on May 11, 2010 at 7:00 a.m.

 

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, a complete copy of which is available in the Auditor/Treasurer’s office: 1 owner qualifies for five year geo-thermal exemption; 1 qualifies for the disabled veteran’s exemption; 4 qualify for the homestead credit exemption; 1 owner is an active duty military member and property is tax exempt.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

It was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson, to approve the following application, a complete copy of which is available in the Auditor/Treasurer’s office: 1 correction of error of assessment.  Roll call vote: Comms. Nybakken, Erickson and Fjeldahl voted yes, Comm. Gruenberg abstained; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the plat application from Norman Sollid, surveyor, on behalf of Daniel, Debra, Delwin and Ruth Deaver for the following described property: Outlot 1 of NWNE Section 12-154-87, Shealy Township.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Regarding building space needs, there will be a special meeting on Friday, May 7, 2010.  The States Attorney’s office provided their legal review on the lease/purchase option for office space so it could be reviewed by the Commissioners prior to Friday’s meeting.

 

IT Administrator Jason Blowers appeared to provide an update on the wireless networking proposals.  Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to accept the low bid from SRT for installation of the wireless network not to exceed $2,258.31 and approve the monthly charges.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Building Supervisor Ron Overly then appeared to present a bid to install flooring in the North Building’s new storage room.  Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to accept the bid from RMJ Northland Construction not to exceed $2,950 to install tile (1000 square feet) and mop board in the new storage room.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad then presented items to the Board.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the following correspondence: Enbridge – pipeline system expansions; Chippewa Tribal Industries (CTI) – document conversion; Ward County Water Resource Board – member resignation; Sheriff Erck – bill for security at Thunder Mountain Rockfest.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to authorize the Auditor/Treasurer’s office to cancel stale-dated checks.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the budget amendment to cover expenses of the IT Administrator position totaling $62,041.  As part of this amendment, Social Services will be billed for their portion of the technology expenses covering the NRG contract and IT Administrator.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad reminded the Commissioners that there will be a public hearing for Dakota Midland Grain’s five year property tax exemption request at the May 18 meeting.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the following applications for payroll amendments: Lester Malnaa – Equipment Operator – Highway Department – Level 16; Mathew Babcock – Seasonal Surveyor – Highway Department – Level 9; Jaime Williams – Court Officer – Sheriff’s Department – Level 18.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

John Pietsch of the Ward County Water Resource Board appeared to comment about the open position on the board.

 

At 9:46 a.m. with no further business, it was moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to adjourn the meeting.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 18TH DAY OF MAY, 2010.

 

s/ Bruce I. Christianson

Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

 

ATTEST:

 

s/ Devra Smestad

Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County