October 20, 2011 Regular Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

October 20, 2011

 

      The regular meeting of the Ward County Commission 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. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the agenda with additions or corrections. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      NDSU Extension Agent Lori Scharmer introduced their new Agent Paige Brummund.

 

      Comm. Gruenberg introduced the new City of Kenmare Auditor, Barb Wiedman.

 

      At 9:03 a.m. Chairman Gruenberg opened a public hearing regarding the Moving Permit for Mark and Destrie McMillan. Building Inspector/Zoning Administrator Mitch Flanagan appeared to answer any questions about the single family dwelling that is being moved. With no public comment, at 9:07 a.m. Chairman Gruenberg adjourned the public hearing.

 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the moving permit, pending the approval of the plat and the acquisition of the single family dwelling. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the minutes from the October 4, 2011 regular meeting. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Smestad presented the bills. Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve 2011 Social Welfare bills of $356,688.95, Human Service bills of $47,640.24, and the regular bills totaling $483,028.60. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Highway Engineer Dana Larsen appeared.  Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to allow the County to prepare and advertise the Request for Qualifications to complete the parcel mapping project. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

       Larsen presented an update on all the ER road repairs currently taking place in the County. The estimated cost for all of the projects, to complete either permanent or temporary repair work, is approximately $45 million.

 

      Smestad asked if the Commission wanted to vote on the final Title VI manual or approve it at the next regular scheduled meeting. Some of the upcoming bills need to have the final Title VI signed prior to payment. The Commission stated they would take action on this matter at the next meeting, November 1, 2011, and have it on the agenda prior to the bills.

 

      Comm. Christianson presented the resolution that was accepted at the North Dakota Association of Counties meeting this week. It stated as follows: State law (NDCC 57-02.2) permits city and county governing boards to grant property tax exemptions for properties that have improved to commercial property of any age but only to residential property that is at least 25 years old. Additionally, state law permits property tax exemptions for certain newly constructed properties up to $150,000 in value; however this exemption is limited by many counties and cities to $75,000 in value. There is no exemption allowed for residential property improvements when newer than 25 years of age, or older than two, even when that residential peoperty was damaged due to natural disaster. This Association urges the Legislature to amend the appropriate statutes to make the natural disaster exemption permissible for residential property of any age, for improvements as defined by 57-02.2, and that this exemption be limited to $75,000 in value. Further that if a property already qualifies for another exemption, (i.e. new construction) that only one tax exemption would be allowed. State’s Attorney Larsen request that the Commissioners attend committee meetings in Bismarck to promote and assist this Resolution along.

 

      Comm. Christianson also asked that State’s Attorney Roza Larson review NDCC 21-03-7 and determine if Ward County qualifies, under the 2011 Flood Declaration, for the New Courthouse Annex Building. 

 

      ESF-14 Deputy Branch Director Steve Greene appeared to update the Commission on the Community Recovery Vision meetings. They are drafting a plan and hope to have it completed around November 7^th, 2011 for review.

      NDSU Extension, Parent Resource Center Coordinator, Holly Arnold appeared and presented the Annual Report.

 

      Sheriff Steve Kukowski appeared. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to accept the grant for Dive Team equipment in the amount of $117,598.61. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to accept the grant for LE Liaison with Domestic Violence Crisis Center in the amount of $39,343. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to accept the grant for Digital Cameras to be used in the investigation of domestic violence, sexual assault, dating violence and stalking crimes in the amount of $5,269. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between the Minot Police Department SWAT Team and the Ward County Sheriff’s Office and authorize the Chairman to sign. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

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

 

The following properties require the removal of the disabled veteran’s exemptions due to the sale of the properties:

 

 

The following have submitted documents and qualify for the disabled veteran’s exemption:

 

The following have submitted documents and qualify for the homestead credit exemption:

Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the 21 applications for Mobile Home tax abatements in the amount of $2,495.76. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Vendsel notified the Commission that he had received the contract to review Ward County’s commercial properties from VanGuard.  The Commission asked to review the contract at the next meeting.

 

      Zoning Administrator/Building Inspector Mitch Flanagan appeared.  Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the following plat applications:

 Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the zoning change application for Travis Grosche, Outlot 25 of the W2SW Section 10-155-84, Burlington Township from A1 to R1. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson to have ClaraAnn Pister remove the house placed in the Right of Way within 15 days before the variance for FEMA trailers is allowed. Motion dies for lack of a second.

 

      Applicant ClaraAnn Pister appeared. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the Variance application for FEMA trailers, up to 15 months, for ClaraAnn Pister on the following described property: Lot 1 and 2 Wolseth Addn Section 3-157-81, Margaret Township. Roll call: Comm. Fjeldahl, Erickson, Nybakken, and Gruenberg voted yes; Comm. Christianson voted no; motion carried.

 

      Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad appeared. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to receive and file the following correspondence: Central Power – 3 transmission lines SW Minot; Central Power – Substation near Berthold; ND Dept. Veteran Affairs – County Veteran Service Officer training; Rockwell Collins HR Service – Termination of their operation at MAFB; Crowley/Fleck Attorneys – Enbridge Pipeline 10 year Plan; City of Minot – ET Zoning and Zoning transition meeting Oct. 24^th; City of Minot – Annexations and Rezoning; Oneok – Bear Paw Energy name change; Delores Booth – River loop possible change; Stantec – City of Minot two mile Extra-territorial Zoning Amendment. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Commissioners asked that the correspondence from Delores Booth be forwarded to the Ward County Water Resource Board.

 

      Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, 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. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following Duplicate Warrant request for: Jessica Belgarde - $25.00; Direct Title Agency - $281.96; Laverne Albertson - $379.00. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Raffle Permit application for 17^th Munitions Squadron Top 4. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Site Authorization for the Souris Valley Bowman. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson that the Board hereby approves the quit claim deeds for the following tax foreclosed properties redeemed by owner prior to sale date:

Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      The Commission discussed the proposed refinery on Fort Berthold Reservation. Several concerns were stated about proposed use of the land and the ability to collect taxes on the land once developed.  Moved by Comm., Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to send a letter to the U.S. Department of the Interior, the North Dakota Tax Department, and the Department of Indian Affairs stating the concern of the Commission not only losing the current tax base, but also having the potential inability to tax the proposed property.

 

      Human Resources Coordinator Colleen Houmann appeared. Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to accept the letter of resignation of Allison Hughes as of October 31, 2011.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to advertise for a new Juvenile Detention Administrator through Job Service, the Ward County Website, and an e-mail to current employees. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Payroll Amendment for Mark Schrader as the Temporary Juvenile Detention Administrator, effective November 1, 2011. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Auditor/Treasurer to advertise for the following Board positions: All Seasons Arena Commission – 1 position; Minot City Planning Commission – 2 positions; North Central Human Service Advisory Council – 2 positions; Ward County Social Service Board – 1 position; and Ward County Water Resource Board - 1 position.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.     

 

      Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Christianson that the following payroll amendments be approved: Ashley Beall – Asst. State’s Attorney – State’s Attorney (Level 24); Kelly Bonsness– Correctional Officer– Sheriff’s Department (Level 16); Linda Brunner – Temp. Library Administrator – County Library (Level 21); Renee Ebert – Data Technician – Auditor/Treasurer (Level 14); Charles Farrington­ – Correctional Officer – Sheriff’s Department (Level 16); Kory Gartner – Human Service Aide II – Ward Co. Social Services (Level 13); Kimberly McCarty – Social Worker III – Ward Co. Social Services (Level 23); Jared Olson – Correctional Officer – Sheriff’s Department (Level 16); Kyleigh Pfau – Social Worker III – Ward Co. Social Services (Level 23); Karen Pfeifer – Victim/Witness Coordinator – State’s Attorney (Level 18); Michele Caton Richardson – Social Worker III – Ward Co. Social Services (Level 19); Kevin Snelson – Juvenile Detention Officer – Juvenile Detention (Level 16); Erin Thuner – Social Worker III – Ward Co. Social Services (Level 23); Aimee Wheeling – Substitute Librarian – County Library (Level 8); Sabo Yahaya – Correctional Officer – Sheriff’s Department (Level 16). Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

     

      Comm. Fjeldahl updated the Commission on the most recent Oil and Gas meeting.

 

      ClaraAnn Pister appeared for clarification on the variance that was approved. Comm. Fjeldahl stated that she needed to work very close with Mitch Flanagan to obtain all the proper permits.

 

      At 10:46 a.m., with no further business, the meeting was adjourned.  

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 18^th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2011.        

s/ Jerome Gruenberg

Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

ATTEST:

s/ Devra Smestad

Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County