May 7, 2010 Special meeting minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

Special Meeting

May 7, 2010

 

A special meeting of the Ward County Commission was called to order by Chairman Christianson at 9:00 a.m. with Comms. Fjeldahl, Erickson and Nybakken present.  Also present were Auditor/Treasurer Smestad, State’s Attorney Roza Larson, Assistant State’s Attorney Robert Slorby and Don Davison of DLA Architects.

 

Davison suggested the following criteria for evaluating the buildings: 1) size and ability to expand, 2) location, 3) parking, 4) accessibility (ADA), 5) building condition and age, 6) adaptability, and 7) cost which would include both the initial cost of the space and the cost to convert.

 

Davison then stated his findings following a walk-through of the Trinity building.  The north wing is the least occupied and would be the easiest to vacate.  Currently there are 59,000 square feet available although the entire building may be available which would mean 180,000 square feet of space.  There are 274 spaces in the parking structure.  The building would be fairly easy to renovate but may not provide the privacy and security necessary for the Social Services department.

 

He reviewed The Minot Building (aka Midwest Federal Building) which has roughly 45,000 square feet of space available.  Floors one through six each have approximately 6,800 square feet of space but the seventh floor is only half of that due to the mechanical equipment.  It was built to be modular which means renovations will be relatively easy however there are many windows in the building which could mean increased heating and cooling costs.  Davison will check with Minot Parking Authority regarding the possibility of a parking structure being built as parking is insufficient at this time.

 

River of Life Church was reviewed next.  Davison said the mechanical systems were good, the office space easily reconfigured, plenty of parking and there is 59,000 square feet available with room for expansion.  Byron Lindbo of River of Life appeared for comment.

 

It was decided that the next meeting would be held Friday, June 18th at 9:00 a.m.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to add the Medical Arts building to the properties being considered.  Roll call vote: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 10:02 a.m. the meeting was recessed.

 

At 10:07 a.m. the meeting was reconvened.

 

State’s Attorney Roza Larson and Assistant State’s Attorney Robert Slorby provided information on lease/purchase options.  Lease to purchase can be done.  It was not recommended previously as there is a risk that, if the yearly payment isn’t made, the County would lose the building and NDIRF would not cover the liability.  This is not seen as a big risk as the County has budgeted funds for office space.

 

Larson stated that it is within the Commission’s authority to decide that the County needs more space and to increase the mills to pay for it.  If increasing for the next budget year, ordinances allowing the lease to purchase option must be added to the Home Rule Charter.  Slorby provided a copy of such an ordinance approved by Cass County.

 

At 10:45 a.m. with no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

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