June 5, 2012 Board of Equalization Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

June 5, 2012

 

The regular meeting of the Ward County Commission was called to order by Chairman Fjeldahl at 9:18 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. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the agenda with additions or corrections. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the minutes from the May 15, 2012 regular meeting, May 22, 2012 special meeting, and the May 24, 2012 Farm to Market Meeting. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad presented the bills. Comm. Nybakken questioned one of the Social Service Bills. Human Resources Coordinator will call Social Services for clarification. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Christianson to approve Social Welfare bills of $40,416.74 (total reflects the removal of the reimbursement to Richard Bolonchuk in the amount of $260.82) and the regular bills totaling $316,784.95. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Highway Engineer Dana Larsen appeared.  Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the resolution and authorize the chairman to sign the contract for the project. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Larsen presented information to the Commission regarding the minimum building elevation for structures in Ward County. Larsen participated in a meeting with the Ward County Water Resources Board where they proposed a new elevation three feet above the proposed water surface elevation as calculated in the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Plan. The Commission discussed whether the proposed change needs to go through the Ward County Planning and Zoning Committee. They also discussed at length why the suggested three feet.  Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to direct the County to amend the Ward County Flood Plain Zoning Resolution to require all new structure to be built above the proposed water surface elevation as calculated in the Mouse River Enhanced Flood Protection Plans Preliminary or Final Engineering Report, and for the Resolution to be brought back for action on the first reading. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Larsen updated the Commission on the 55^th St Overpass and NE Bypass. Larsen referred to an e-mail from Comm. Christianson dated May 30, 2012, in which Comm. Christianson attended a MAGIC Fund Committee meeting and the committee reviewed the funding requested for the NE bypass/55^th St Project. The Committee unanimously approved the funding request and recommended approval to the Minot City Council. The recommendation was approved and the project is now fully funded.

 

Smestad presented a requested from the City of Douglas to close the Main Street, which is County Road 13, for a street dance. Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the request to close the Main Street in Douglas on June 30, 2012 from 4:00 p.m. to 12:00 a.m. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Smestad stated that the Richard Bolonchuk reimbursement was for travel to Bismarck for training. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the bill for Richard Bolonchuk bill in the amount of $260.82. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Emergency Manager Amanda Schooling appeared. Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the new contract with Curtis Helm  at $35/hour to work on the voluntary home acquisitions and authorize EM Schooling to sign the contract once the State’s Attorney, the Building Inspector Mike Larson, and the EM have approved it. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the Demolition and Debris Removal Contract for the property located at 14 Kittelson Drive, Burlington between Ward County and Kollman Construction (Todd A Kollman). Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Schooling informed the Commission that recertification of Ward County StormReady program was been completed and approved.

 

Schooling presented a proposal from Ackerman-Estvold. Larsen also appeared to comment upon the proposal. Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded Comm. Erickson to approve the contact with Ackerman-Estvold to continue providing support services as directed the Ward County Highway Engineer and Ward County Emergency Manager on an hourly basis with an initial authorization of $15,000, retroactive to May 1, 2012, and authorize the Chairman to sign following the advice of the State’s Attorney, Highway Engineer, and Emergency Manager have reviewed and approved the contract. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

Souris Basin Planning Commission representative Lyndsey Ulrickson appeared to discuss the Vision West Consortium Agreement. Comm. Christianson is the Commissioner Representative for Ward County. Ulrickson suggested that Ward County designate a Plan Director for the program and assemble a steering committee.

 

Building Supervisor Todd Helseth and IT Administrator Jason Blowers appeared. Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the bid from O & C Refrigeration, LLC in the amount of $4,256.34 to place a new compressor and heat pump in the Main Distribution Facility room in the basement of the Courthouse. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Helseth then spoke to the Commission with respect to the smoke stack on the Jail being rusted through. It was recently patched but needs to be replaced. Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the low bid from Mowbray &Son Plumbing & Heating, Inc. in the amount of $3,983.85. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

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

The following has provided documents and qualifies for the disabled veterans exemption:

The following has provided documents and qualifies for the homestead credit:

Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve an application for Mobile Home tax abatements in the amount of $120.69. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve the Special Use Permit for Nathan Smith for the following described property: Outlot 1 of SWNW Sec 10-153-81; with the condition that the trucking permit is for 2 years and the temporary housing permit of not more than 10 units until December 1, 2012. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the zone change from R-1 to C-2 submitted by John Stuck for the following property description: Outlot 5 of SWSE Sec. 14-155-82. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Variance Request submitted by Delwayne and Carol Herr for the following described property: Herr’s R/A of Lots 12 & 13, Pointe of View Subdivision Sec.13-155-84. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Vendsel presented information on 3 different plat applications. Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following plats:

Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Larsen stated he had a concern on access to the proposed Outlot 3 and for future development north of this outlot. Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve based on the review and approval of the Ward County Highway Engineer for the plat request submitted by Norman Sollid on behalf of Loren and Tammy Delzer for the following described property: Outlot 3 of SESE, Sec. 23-151-83. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Vendsel introduced to the Commission Mike Larson, the new Building Inspector for Ward County.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the deposit the North Dakota Recorders Information Network check in the amount of $6,400.45 into the Document Preservation Fund. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Comm. Nybakken presented information from the Personnel Committee meeting held on May 24, 2012. Human Resources Coordinator Colleen Houmann appeared to answer questions regarding the increase in salaries and benefit costs. Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the following recommendations:

1.     The approval of the grade change for the Accounting Technician from grade 15 to 16 in the Auditor/Treasurer’s Office;

2.     The approval of the grade (13 to 14) and title change for the Senior Office Assistant to Administrative Assistant in the Extension Office;

3.     The approval of the increase in hours and pay for the Extension part-time Secretary from 248 hours per year to 780 hours per year;

4.     The approval of the new Appraiser II position at grade 23 for the Tax Equalization Office;

5.     The approval of the proposed 2013 salary range chart;

6.     The approval of the proposed 2013 grade ranges;

7.     The approval of the following requested:

a.     The highway department is currently hiring at $19.58 to 21.65/hour to get applications and requested the operator positions up to foremen be increased an additional grad to 20, 22, and 24 with minimum ranges between 20.15 to 22.22, and 24.50 respectively;

b.    The sheriff’s office requested the courthouse security officers be moved from grade 15 to 16 as they are all POST Licensed officers and it is getting difficult to find licensed individuals to work part time;

c.     The jail and juvenile detention requested the correctional/juvenile officers be moved from grade 17 to 18 since it is very difficult to get applications. This would then increase the senior correctional officers to grade 20 and the shift supervisors to grade 22.

Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad appeared. Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the following correspondence: SWCA – Environmental Assessments; Carlson McCain – Comments requested for 3 wells in McKenzie Co; Stanley Consultants – Environmental Assessment on Utility Project; US Dept of Interior – Coordination with Government Partners; ND DOT – 2011 Disaster Federal Funds; ND Dept of Health – Modification of Permit; City of Minot – Annexation & Rezoning of property; Swanson & Warcup – Four Letters sent to State; June 4^th Correspondence referencing CBDG Fund money for Reimbursement. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried. Schooling and Larsen appeared for comment on the CBDG Fund information.

 

Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the budget amendment in the amount of $3,000.00 from a ND DOT grant to the Sheriff’s Office to account 000159-1420-4019 for radars purchased. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Christianson to authorize the Chairman to sign the Agreement with Vision West Consortium. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Christianson to receive and file the information provided from Larouche Pac referencing a resolution in support of North American Water & Power Alliance. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following payroll amendments: Auditor Treasurer: Renee Ebert – Data Technician – Level 14; Lora Johnson – Administrative Secretary – Level 14; Hannah Jo Shaw – PT Hire – Level 7; Highway Department: Dalton Gilgen – Seasonal Highway/Park Maintenance – Level 15; Brandyn Kuske - Seasonal Highway/Park Maintenance – Level 15;Austin Olson - Seasonal Highway/Park Maintenance – Level 15; Juvenile Detention: Anastasia Coley – Juvenile Detention Officer – Level 16; Sheriff’s Department: Craig Harvey – Correctional Officer – Level 16; Michael Hatfield – Correctional Officer – Level 16; Ward County Social Services: Melissa Bliss – SW III-Lead Worker – Level 24 Temp 5% for 2 mos.; Amy L Fast - Temp SW III – Assisting on a Temp Basis; Gloria Glasgow – SW III-Lead Worker – Level 24 Temp 5% for 2 mos.; Leola Helmers – Human Service Program Admin I – Level 17 (5% promotional increase); Andrea Jacobson – SW III – Level 23 Permanent 5% increase;    Andrea D Lang – SW III – 5% above bottom due to experience; Kimberly McCarty – SW III-Lead Worker – Level 24 Temp 10% for 2 mos.; Susan Peterson – SW III– Level 24 Perm. 5% increase; Kyleigh Pfau – SW III– Level 23 Perm. 5% increase; Kimberly Potter – SW III– Level 23 Perm. 5% increase; Karen Schultz – Account Tec. II – Level 15 Perm. 5% increase; Tanya Triplett – SW III – Level 23 Perm. 5% increase. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

The Commission was reminded that the next Building Space Needs Meeting will be on Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.

Smestad asked that a 6 month evaluation for new Department Head time be set. The evaluation time for the Emergency Manager, Recorder, and the Juvenile Detention Supervisor evaluation will be Tuesday, June 26, 2012 at 8:15 a.m.

 

At 11:15 a.m., with no further business, the meeting was adjourned. 

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 19th DAY OF June, 2012.

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

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