March 15, 2011 Regular meeting minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

March 15, 2011

 

The regular 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.  Also present were Highway Engineer Dana Larsen, States Attorney Roza Larson, and Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad.

 

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

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the minutes of the March 1, 2011 regular meeting and March 3, 2011 special meeting.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad presented the bills. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the 2011 Social Welfare bills of $22,919.99, Human Service bills of $49,361.11 and the regular bills totaling $288,462.07. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Highway Engineer, Dana Larsen appeared. Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the recommendations of the March 9, 2011 Bidder’s List as presented. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to request qualifications for the ridge design of Bridge Structure 142-23.0 located on County road 6 and to bid the project in November, provided DOD funds are available. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Dana also updated the Commission on the 55^th Street and NE Bypass Update project and the 2011 Flood. The report on the County Oil Impact planning meeting that was attended by Dana and Comm. Christianson will be further discussed at the Highway Committee meeting on March 17, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.

 

Ken Judice appeared. He presented additional updates on the proposed temporary housing facility in Kirkelie Township.

 

Comm. Christianson left the meeting at 9:54 a.m.

 

Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel appeared.   Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following applications for abatement and/or correction of errors of assessments:

 

The following disabled vet exemptions need to be removed due to the sale of property:

 

The following qualify for disabled veteran exemption:

 

The property owner qualifies for the homestead credit exemption:

Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Sheriff Steve Kukowski appeared. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the request for bids for a new transport van and to approve the purchase of such van as long as it does not exceed the estimated amount of $44,762.30 to be paid for out of the Jail Commissary Fund. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the purchase of a portable radio in the amount of $2,500. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.  The  Commission asked Sheriff Kukowski to get a proposal together that would reflect the total cost in updating all of the radios and in vehicle computers for the Sheriff’s Department. This proposal then could be presented to the 9-1-1 steering committee to review and make a proposed recommendation.

 

Auditor Jason Rath with Rath & Meher appeared. Mr. Rath explained to the Commission the process that is involved and covered during the annual audit.

 

Reminder that there will be a building space needs meeting Thursday, March 31, 2011 at 9:00 a.m.

 

Smestad then presented items to the Board.

 

Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the following correspondence: SWCA – Environmental Assessment; Garrison Diversion – Recreation Grant Program; MDU – Appreciation Banquet; Myron Knutson (PFM) – Estimated Fees; US Army Corps of Engineers – Notice of Pending Permit (Enbridge Pipeline); Houston Engineering Inc – ND Hwy 23, US 83 to Mountrail Co. Line; ND Dept of Commerce – Census Data.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

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

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the site authorization for the ND Leadership Seminars to be held April 15 – 17, 2011. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the Raffle Permit for the Dakota Elementary PTA to be held on May 6, 2011. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Devra informed the Commission that there are two expiring commissions coming up. The Special Assessments Commission in April and the Tuition Appeals Committee in May. The positions are being advertised.

 

 At 10:40 a.m., with no further business, the meeting was adjourned.    

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 5^th DAY OF APRIL, 2011.    

s/ Jerome Gruenberg

Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad

Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County