July 17, 2012 Regular Commission Minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

July 17, 2012

The regular meeting of the Ward County Commission was called to order by Chairman Fjeldahl at 9:00 a.m. with Comms. Gruenberg, Erickson, Christianson 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. Gruenberg to approve the agenda with additions or corrections. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the minutes from the July 3, 2012 regular meeting and Building Space Needs meeting on July 10, 2012.  Correction to wording from construction of to maintain levy in the Special Meeting minutes held on July 9, 2012. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad presented the bills.  Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the 2012 Social Welfare bills of $383,730.46, Human Service bills of $59,948.92 and the regular bills totaling $1,462,258.48.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Alan and Donna Harvey appeared.  They spoke of events that took place at their residence on the evening of June 18, 2012, involving two burglars and a small child.  Their primary concerns were the delay of the Ward County Sheriff’s Department due to flooded County Road 18 and no response from Child Protection Officers on call during the evening hours. 

 

Tammy Uleberg and Tanya Anderson appeared.  They presented evidence of significant damage done to their properties by several local contractors and a time line of what they have endured in the last year with their efforts to resolve the water and sewer problems.  Attorney Jim Maxson appeared and advised that their best effort to resolve the situation would be for them to obtain a lawyer. 

 

Engineer Dana Larsen appeared to present motion to approve a countywide road patching bid to Keller Pavement in the amount of $196,684.50. Work would start late August and would end by September 15, 2012.  Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the motion as presented. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson, the following resolution is adopted:

 

WHEREAS various counties of North Dakota have entered into a Joint Powers Agreement for the centralized and coordinated acquisition and delivery of essential and optional services by participating member counties (hereafter referred to as the ‘Master JPA”);

AND WHEREAS, the North Dakota Association of Counties (NDACo) has secured the joint acquisition of the service described below on behalf of those participating members of such Master JPA;

AND WHEREAS, the County has determined that the joint acquisition of this specific service is in its best interests;

 

SERVICE Purchased:  Next Generation 9-1-1 Implementation

 

NOW THEREFORE, it is hereby RESOLVED:

1.     That the County acknowledges and approves the services of NDACo on behalf of the county, through the Master JPA, for the purpose of statewide coordination and contracting to implement the networking, equipment, testing, and ongoing services necessary for Emergency Services Communications (9-1-1) in the Next
Generation (IP) environment. 

2.     That the County, pursuant to NDCC 57-40.6-10 designates NDACo to enter into statewide contracts with appropriate vendors, landline and wireless phone companies, and suppliers; to implement Next Generation 9-1-1 in the most cost-effective and timely manner. 

3.     The North Dakota 911 Association shall establish a committee of 7 to 9 members representing 9-1-1 jurisdictions of various sizes to serve as the governance board to oversee and advise NDACo on the appropriateness of the various statewide contracts, and NDACo shall report progress to this Committee.

4.     That NDACo will provide the statewide program management and necessary support o carry out the coordination and contracting; including office space, supplies, travel communications, and indirect costs. 

5.     That the County will monthly remit to NDACo a portion of the revenue the County actually received from all assessed communication service provider.  This portion may not exceed 50% of the revenue actually collected on the first one dollar of any local fee established pursuant to NDCC 57-40.6-02 or equivalent local ordinance.  The portion shall be established annually by the committee above, prior to finalization of local budgets, and shall be 15% for calendar year 2013.

6.     This acknowledgement supersedes and replaces the acknowledgement for “wireless 9-1-1 implementation” and authorizes the balance of funds previously collected to be used for Next Generation 9-1-1 implementation.

7.     This acknowledgement may be terminated with 90 days prior notice at the end of each calendar year; however, upon termination any emergency communication system services provided through this acknowledgement will cease.  Absent termination or amendment by a subsequent “acknowledgement” this agreement shall remain in force.

 

Roll call: Comm. Gruenberg, Christianson, Erickson, and Nybakken all voted yes; Comm. Fjeldahlal voted no; motion carried.

 

County Cornoner Dr. Stephen Stripe appeared.  Stripe provided additional morgue cooler information and responded to questions.  Forensic Administrator Connie Serhienko appeared and provided high level work flow of the ND Medical Examiner’s Office. This explanation supports Ward County investing in a morgue cooler, possible hiring of a death investigator and considering the option of a private body transporter to save tax payer money.  Smestad recommended these items be discussed at the next City and County Liaison meeting.

 

At 10:56 a.m. meeting was recessed.

 

At 11:04 a.m. meeting was reconvened.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve and authorize the building superintendant to install an additional electrical circuit in the Sheriff’s Department office/conference/break/training room and furthermore install new cabinets and moving the location of the existing refrigerator. Project cost is $2,081.50 and will be paid with funds from the building improvements account.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Director of Tax Equalization Mike Vendsel appeared. Moved by Comm. Gruenburg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the two application for abatement and /or correction of errors of assessments; one new property assessment for 2012; two properties have new structures and require assessment; two properties beyond two year new construction exemption; one property provided documents and qualifies for homestead credit and one property exempt from taxes as mobile home not hooked to utilities. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Motion to amend made by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the special use permit from July 3, 2012 to June 30, 2017; a new special use application must be completed for consideration and approval after that date. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad presented items to the Board.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to receive and file the following correspondences: NDDOT – Bridges with Alert Code 3 and Bridge inventory scour and Channel profile; ND Association of RECs – requesting comment on Gooseneck Implement expansion in Kenmare; SWCA – Environmental Assessments; Carlson McCain – Environmental Assessment. Roll: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

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

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to grant duplicate warrant, requested by Gail Slinde in the amount of $144.17. Roll: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve lease application between Ward County and Dakota Agronomy Partners LLC. Roll: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to move county permit agreement between Ward County and the ND Association of Oil & Gas Producing Counties to the August 21, 2012 regular meeting. Roll: all voted yes; motion carried.            

 

Smestad requested ballot wording on the proposed half cent sales tax be tabled and moved to the Building Space Needs meeting on July 24, 2012.

 

Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the following payroll amendments: Ernest Charnetzki - Highway Department – Level 15; Michelle Frey – State’s Attorney – Level 15; Jared Olson – Sheriff’s Department – Level 16; April Fellman – Sheriff’s Department – Level 16; Roxanne Houim – Sheriff’s Department – Level 18; Melissa Bliss – Ward Co. Social Services – Level 26; Gloria Glasgow – Ward Co. Social Services – Level 24; Misty Shearer – Ward Co. Social Services – Level 21; Donelle Mogard – Ward Co. Social Services – Level 21; Jason White – Highway Department – Level 15; Ruth Holdaway – Level 23; Lora Johnson – Accounting Technician – Level 16. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.       

 

Smestad presented reminders for the City and County liaison meeting on Thursday, July 19, 2012 at noon and Building Space Needs meeting is at 9:00 a.m. on July 24, 2012

 

Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve Ward County request of North Dakota Division of Community Services to release Federal Funds under Title I of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974 for the acquisition and demolition of acquired flooded properties. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the County Chairman of Comm. Fjeldahl to sign the release of approved grant funds for the Ward County Acquisitions and Demolition Project. Roll call; all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 11:33 a.m., with no further business, the meeting was adjourned. 

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 7th DAY OF AUGUST, 2012.           

s/ John Fjeldahl –Chairman, Ward County Board of Commissioners

ATTEST: s/ Devra Smestad - Auditor/Treasurer, Ward County