November 29, 2011 Specal Meeting Minutes

 Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

November 29, 2011

 

      The special meeting of the Ward County Commission to discuss property acquisition was called to order by Chairman Gruenberg at 1:00 p.m., with Comms. Fjeldahl, Christianson, Erickson & Nybakken present. Also present were States Attorney Roza Larson, Major General Sagsveen, Emergency Manager Amanda Schooling and Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad.

 

      Special Assistant Attorney General Howard D Swanson reviewed the questions that were addressed in the letter dated November 7, 2011, which was received and filed by the Commission on November 9, 2011.

 

      Mitigation programs discussed were FEMA 404 and CDBG.

 

      Swanson also addressed the Duplication of Benefits issues that will come up during the acquisition process.

 

      Ryan Ackerman from Ackerman-Estvold Engineering & Management Consulting appeared and discussed the application for the FEMA 404 funding. Ackerman stated that the City of Minot has decided to do an application independently from the Joint Board. He also reminded the Commission that the Joint Board will not be able, as the applicant agent, to do property acquisition.

 

      Major General Sagsveen appeared. He discussed the Legislative bill 23731 and the $23 million dollars that was allocated to the State Water Board. An application will need to be presented before this board to obtain any funding for acquisition.

 

      Emergency Manager Amanda Schooling appeared and stated that a Joint Powers Agreement will need to be drafted to resolve questions regarding extra territorial.

 

      Comm. Fjeldahl asked Ackerman if a letter and backup documentation could be prepared for the State Water Board and presented at the December 6, 2011 regular Commission meeting that contains all of the property that would qualify for acquisition. This information would assist the County in asking for funding from the Board.

 

      Comm. Christianson asked that the Commission review, discuss, and potentially take action on all the questions proposed before the Commission today at the December 6^th regular meeting.

 

      At 2:32 p.m., Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to adjourn the meeting sine die. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 6th DAY OF DECEMBER, 2011.     

s/ John Fjeldahl

Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad

Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County