January 11, 2011 Special Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

January 11, 2011

 

 The special meeting of the Ward County Commissioner was called to order by Chairman Gruenberg at 9:00 a.m. with Comms. Fjeldahl, Christianson, Erickson, and Nybakken present to discuss building space needs.  Also present were Assistant States Attorney Robert Slorby and Auditor/Treasurer Smestad.

 

Auditor/Treasurer Smestad presented an end of year budget amendment. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to rescind the motion made at the January 4, 2011 regular meeting to make an adjusting entry to the Library and Weed Board accounts. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried. The year end fund balance for the Library fund will be $195,281.35 and the Weed Board fund will be $86,491.39.

 

The needs of the Attendant Care program were then reviewed. Julie Burkhart, Director of the Ward County Library appeared. Currently the Attendant Care program uses space in the library. The total amount of space in the building is 6940 sq/ft. In which, 768 sq/ft is the north garage; 486 sq/ft is the Book Mobile garage; 4886 is the actual Library/Office(s); and the Attendant Care program uses 846 sq/ft.  Comm. Gruenberg will get in touch with the Luthern Social Services program to help clarify questions that the Commissioners have and to get more detailed space needs of the program.

 

Assistant State’s Attorney Robert Slorby appeared. States Attorney Roza Larson has contacted the Attorney General’s Office and discussed a few of the questions with a LeAnn Schneider. Ms. Schneider stated that there were four opinions already written on some of the questions that Roza had. She and Bob are currently reviewing these opinions. They are hoping the opinions will help clarify and fine tune the Commissioner’s questions.

 

Comm. Gruenberg and Comm. Christianson have met with the Minot Daily News and they have made it clear that in order for the County to purchase the adjacent lot, they would like the Library lot/building. Comm. Gruenberg and Comm. Christianson also met with Morgan Printing about the possible lease/purchase of their lot/building for the library.  

 

Comm. Gruenberg discussed his continued interest in having a citizen Committee to help promote a new building and the ½ cent sales tax for a financing option.  He asked that each Commissioner bring two or three names of potential committee member and a list of Community groups that they felt would be beneficial in this endeavor.

 

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

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 18th DAY OF JANUARY, 2011.       

s/ Jerome Gruenberg

Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad

Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County