October 5, 2010 Regular Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

October 5, 2010

     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 & Nybakken present.  Also present were Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad, Engineer Dana Larsen, and State’s Attorney Roza Larson.

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

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the minutes of the September 21, 2010 regular meeting. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

     Smestad presented the bills. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approved the 2010 Social Welfare bills of $41,226.17, and the following regular bills totaling $282,029.32: (insert bill list) Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

Surrey City Auditor, Jason Vaagen, appeared to discuss Safe Routes to Schools Program.  Surrey City will be making application to the program for a sidewalk project and has requested Ward County to sponsor that application. A city representative will appear before the Board again with the completed application prior to it being submitted. 

     At 9:13 a.m., Chairman Christianson opened a public hearing regarding the 2011 Budget.  James Lee, Max ND appeared to speak against the County Administrator position, which was included in the preliminary budget.  Lee also voiced concerns regarding rising costs due to the oil production in the state.

     At 9:15 a.m., it was moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Erickson to adjourn the public hearing regarding the 2011 Budget.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

     The Board then discussed the 2010 Budget.  Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl to reduce the Water Resource Board levy request from 4 mills to 2 mills in the preliminary budget.  Motion died for lack of second.   

     Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to remove the County administrator position with $72,000 salary and associated benefits from the preliminary budget.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

     Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the 2011 preliminary budget as presented on seconded reading with the removal of the County administrator position. Roll call: all voted yes, except Comm. Fjeldahl who voted no; motion carried.

     Engineer Larsen presented informational items to the Board regarding proposed resolutions to be considered at the NDACo conference. It was then moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl that Larsen be authorized to accept a low bid from Minot Paving in the amount of $34,785.00 to overlay a 1,100 ft stretch of County Rd 10 between Burlington and Des Lacs.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

     Emergency Manager Al Reynolds appeared.  Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to authorize Chairman signature on an Acknowledgement of Large Project Payment Process regarding FEMA funds. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

     The Board discussed a proposed resolution on stabilizing property valuations.  Chairman Christianson appointed Comms. Nybakken, Fjeldahl, & Gruenberg to a Resolution Committee.  This committee will meet after the regular meeting to discuss the proposed resolution with proper notice given.

     Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel appeared.  Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the following application for abatement and/or correction of errors of assessment: David Krueger, MI11B240000040, increase 2010 true and full value from $94,900 to $126,200, two year exemption no longer applies. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

     Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg, that the following plat application be approved: Jerome Walsh, Outlot 5 of NE, Sec. 30-156-82 (McKinley Township). Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the tax foreclosure appraisals made October 5, 2010 and direct the Director of Tax Equalization, with the assistance of the Sheriff’s office, to evict persons living in the residences and to post “No Trespass” notices. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

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

     Smestad presented items to the Board. Reynolds appeared regarding correspondence from NDACo.

     Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the following correspondence: City of Minot – annexations; ND Water Resource Districts Association – Missouri River; ND Dept of Health – Permit Inactivations; US Dept of Commerce – Census Partnership; NDACo – LGHSTEP Program; ND Dept of Health – Minot solid waste facility; ND PSC – Hearing on Enbridge Pipeline; Court Facilities Improvement Advisory Committee – Grant; ND State Tax Commissioner – State Board of Equalization; Elmer Jesme Conference – Handout on ag land valuations; Asst. States Attorney Slorby – Authority to waive penalty and interest. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

     Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson that a request for a duplicate warrant from Des Lacs City in the amount of $161.24 be approved. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

     Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson that the Sheriff be authorized to sell the following Sheriff Department vehicles on sealed bid: 2004 Dodge Intrepid and 2005 Ford LDT CV. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

     Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to provide a Statement of Support to the National Guard and the McHenry County Mine Reclamation with support to level the County line by Truax Reclamation near the mine site. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.  Smestad was instructed to contact McHenry County Commissioner Lou Anderson let them know of Ward County’s support.

     Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg that the following payroll amendments be approved: Nicole Shaw – Auditor/Treasurer – Administrative Secretary – Level 12; Joseph Paulson – Sheriff – Correctional Officer – Level 14; Kelly Browne – Sheriff – Correctional Officer – Level 14. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

     At 10:31 a.m., with no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 19^th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2010.

s/ Jerome Gruenberg

Vice Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad

Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County