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January 3, 2012 Regular Commission MinutesMinutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners
The regular meeting of the Ward County Commission was called to order by Chairman Fjeldahl at 9:00 a.m. with Comms. Gruenberg, Christianson, Erickson, and Nybakken present. Also present were Highway Engineer Dana Larsen, States Attorney Roza Larson, and Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad.
Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Christianson to approve the agenda with additions or corrections. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Human Resources Colleen Houmann introduced the new Library Administrator Kerrianne Tyler.
Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the minutes from the December 20, 2011 regular meeting. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Smestad presented the bills. Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve 2011 Social Welfare bills of $60,121.97, the following 2011 regular bills totaling $827,401.99 and the 2012 regular bills totaling $137,359.39. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Highway Engineer Dana Larsen appeared and let the Commissioners know that there is a Highway Department meeting January 10th at 9:00 a.m.
Emergency Manager Amanda Schooling appeared. Schooling presented the Commission with a letter of intent to be submitted to FEMA. This letter will be sent to local government entities to ask for their participation in the Multi Hazard Mitigation Plan. The existing plan expires in 2013 and once the new plan is submitted to FEMA, it will be good for 5 years. Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the letter of intent and authorize the Chairman to sign. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to accept the Homeland Security Grant in the amount of $27,058.36 for the purpose of Radio Programming. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Major General Sagsveen appeared. Sagsveen discussed with the Commission various issues that he is working on.
Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel appeared. Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Christianson to approve the following applications for abatement and/or correction of errors of assessments:
The following have submitted documents and qualify for the disabled veterans exemption:
The following properties have been sold and no longer qualify for the disabled veterans exemption:
The following have submitted documents and qualify for the homestead credit exemption:
Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the 2 applications for Mobile Home tax abatements in the amount of $146.84. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Zoning Administrator/Building Inspector Mitch Flanagan appeared. Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the variance request by Mike Harrison for the following described properties: Lots 1, 2, 3, & 4 of NWNW S-7-155-83, Harrison Township and Lot H of Outlot 2 S12-155-84, Burlington Township. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Flanagan presented the first reading of the one year moratorium for building permits. Comm. Christianson asked several questions regarding the need for such a moratorium. Moved by Comm. Nybakken and seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to amend the proposed resolution by adding plats in the following locations: In the title (NEW CONSTRUCTION AND PLATS); the third paragraph on the first page, line 2(issuance of building permits for new structures and plats); the closing paragraph on the first page, line 2 (new construction and plats, both residential and commercial); the final paragraph of the resolution, line 1 (new construction and plats in Ward County). Roll call: Comm. Nybakken, Gruenberg, and Fjeldahl voted yes; Comm. Christianson and Erickson voted no; motion carried. Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the Resolution as amended. Roll call: Comm. Nybakken, Gruenberg, Erickson, and Fjeldahl voted yes; Comm. Christianson voted no; motion carried.
DelRae Hedstrom, Country Club Acres resident appeared to speak of her concerns about the proposed dike system.
Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad appeared. Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the following correspondence except Howard Swanson letter: ND Dept of Health – Minot Sold Waste Facility; ND Dept of Corrections – Correctional Facilities Inspection; Ward Co Water Resource Board – Loan Repayment; Rockwell Collins Inc. – their MAFB Operations; NDDES – Regional Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plans; ND Assoc of Oil/Gas Producing Co. & REAP – Funding Sources for Economic Diversification; Crowley Fleck – Enbridge Pipelines; NDDOT – Federal Aid Reimbursement; Souris Basin Planning Council – 2012 CDBG Deadline. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Comm. Christianson asked States Attorney Roza Larson what exactly the letter from Howard Swanson was referring to. Larson let the Commission know that the letter was a “heads up” for the future, once demolitions are completed. Smestad clarified that only a City can assess special assessments to properties within their jurisdiction and Ward County cannot do so within a city limit. Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Christianson to receive and file the Swanson letter. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Human Resources Director Colleen Houmann appeared. Houmann corrected two of the pay amounts on the hand out. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the 2012 Payroll as presented with corrections. . Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried. A complete payroll list can be reviewed in the Ward County Auditor/Treasurer’s Office.
Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Christianson that the following payroll amendments be approved: Jason Bachmeier – Equipment Operator – Highway Department (Level 18); Eric McCarthy – Equipment Operator – Highway Department (Level 18); Bruce Seaver – Equipment Operator – Highway Department (Level 18); Justin Traeger – Juvenile Detention Officer – Juvenile Detention (Level 16). Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.
Peter Johnson from the Berthold area appeared before the Commission with questions regarding a structure he is building. Flanagan commented on his review of the structure and the lack of inspections (foundation, framing, sheetrock) as the project progressed. Johnson asked for a variance so that he would not need a sprinkler system installed in the structure. Comm. Gruenberg stated that it is State Law and he would not grant such an irresponsible request. Johnson asked if he could continue working on the building and then add a sprinkler system later. Comm. Gruenberg stated that Johnson and Flanagan would need to work together to determine the solution.
At 10:31 a.m., with no further business, the meeting was adjourned.
ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 17th DAY OF JANUARY, 2012.
s/ John Fjeldahl
Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners
ATTEST:
s/ Devra Smestad
Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County
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