October 16, 2012 Regular meeting minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

October 16, 2012

 

      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. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the agenda with additions or corrections. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Christianson to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on October 2, 2012 and the special meeting on October 12, 2012. Roll Call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Devra Smestad presented the bills.  Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the 2012 Social Welfare bills of $36,434.69, Human Services bills of $59,906.95 and the following regular bills totaling $423,564.59:  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Highway Engineer Dana Larsen appeared.  Larsen presented the Commission with Proposals for the Demolition and Program Management for the properties involved in the volunteer acquisition plan by the County.  Larsen is selecting committee members to interview contractors for the supervision of this program and asked the Commission if any would like to participate. Comm. Nybakken stated he would like to serve on this committee. Interviews will be held Friday, October 26, 2012 starting at 1:00 p.m.at the Highway Department.

 

      Larsen visited with ND Department of Emergency Services (DES) and Whit and Associates about obtaining assistance on FEMA project work sheets.  They would assist in creating a scope of assumptions and additional costs.  If additional items would be assumed, Larsen will present for approval.

 

      Larsen requested a Special Commissioner Meeting for working with Houston Engineering on the plans for grade raises on a number of ER projects.  Projects are on November Bid letting and need to get the required ROW. A Special Meeting will be held on November 14, 2012 only if all the required ROW’s are not obtained for the project. 

 

      Larsen presented a Resolution regarding the right of way acquisition.  Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to pass the Resolution with special board appointments being Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad, Planning/Zoning Administrator Amber Turnquest and Comm. Christianson.  A Copy is available for review in the Auditor/Treasurer Office.  Roll Call:  all voted yes, motion carried.

 

      Smestad presented information on those properties currently in the final steps of volunteer acquisition. One of these properties belongs to a Ward County employee. Due to the potential perception of a conflict of interest, Swanson & Warcup suggested not using the CDBG funding for the 25 % match but use funding from the General Obligation Bond. All other properties are proceeding forward toward closing. Jason Zimmerman from CDBG appeared for comment on the use of the funding for a match.

 

      Smestad also commented that the State Water Commission has requested that the County only request a draw down for funding every 3 or 4 weeks instead of weekly.

 

      Jason Zimmerman from Community Development Block Grant appeared. Zimmerman commented that he is working with Whit & Associates and they are reviewing their contract with ND DES to find out how they can assist Ward County. He reviewed some of the criteria from the $4.5 million grant that needs to applied to qualifying projects by September 30, 2014. Comm. Fjeldahl stated that he has received a call from the Makoti Elevator stating due to the road being under water, their income and amount of traffic has greatly declined. He asked if this money could be used possibly for this project. Zimmerman stated that he would have to research that, but it may be possible.  Larsen stated that there will be a public hearing in Makoti at the Senior Center on November 5, 2012 between 7:00 & 8:00 p.m. to update the public on the options for the road. Involved in this forum will be the ND Department of Transportation, Houston Engineering, and the Ward County Highway Department.

 

      Captain Bob Barnard and Mayor Alan Lee of Berthold appeared. Lee informed the Commission that the City Council voted to start a local police force. He has been working closely with Sheriff Kukowski and Mayor Jerome Gruenberg of the City of Burlington to get this started. He asked the Commission to consider donating a used patrol car to the City of Berthold to help them get started. Captain Barnard stated that there is a used 2006 Crown Victoria that is available, but it will need work. Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to sell the 2006 Ford Expedition patrol car for $1.00, as is, to the City of Berthold.  Roll Call:  all voted yes, motion carried.

 

      Building Inspector Mike Larson appeared. Larson presented a memorandum to the Commission of observations and concerns that he has since joining Ward County 4 months ago. He spoke about the numerous numbers of none-local contractors that are doing work on flooded homes, new construction and additions in Ward County without any form of permits, or even being insured. He stated that even if they say they are registered or insured, he has a difficult time finding the information on the Secretary of State’s web site to verify. He also discussed that some potential problems he sees could be solved by the updating of the Zoning and Building codes for the County. Several of the Commissioners also stated concerns about individuals in the County either intentionally or unintentionally doing this and there needs to be some kind of consequence. This is something the Planning Commission will need to bring forward for the approval and to make changes to the existing codes.

 

      Larson requested that he be able to update the Code books and order some additional materials for the Tax Equalization office, and if any other department needed updated codes; he could possibly order them all at once to obtain a discount. Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve allowing the Building Inspector to update the Library with appropriate and relative information.  Roll Call:  all voted yes, motion carried.

 

      Larson presented a memorandum from the Acting Tax Equalization Director Julie Straabe informing the Commission that the City of Minot has eliminated their 2 year exemption, up to $75,000, on new construction. Comm. Christianson stated that the County needs to review their policy on the exemption and see if there is a review date coming up.

 

      Planning/Zoning Administrator Amber Turnquest appeared.  Mary Kurowski appeared to clarify questions on the special use permit application. Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the special use permit for a mobile home park, applicant being James and Mary Kurowski for the following described property:  Riverside Plat, Lots 4, 5, and 6, Block 3, Sec. 02-156-85 (Foxholm Township), with the permit expiring on September 13, 2017.  Roll Call:  all voted yes, motion carried. Building Inspector Mike Larson also appeared and stated he will be checking the spacing of the trailers at the facility again.

 

      Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad appeared. Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to receive and file the following correspondence: ND Oil & Gas Division – Permit # 97-0233; ND Dept of Trust Lands – Denied grant applications; ND State Tax Commissioner – letter of compliance; ND Dept of Trust Lands – new grant round;  Alliance Pipeline – Tioga Lateral Pipeline Project; KARR Tuckpointing – Free Inspection; Thompson Trucking & Excavating – Introduction; NDSU Extension Service – Quarterly Update. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Smestad stated that there will be a correction appearing on next month financial report and explained how that the correction will not affect any carry over or the 2013 Budget. Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, 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. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to accept the Contract for the 2012 Audit from Rath & Mehrer with the additional wording that once the audit is complete, that the Commission will have an opportunity to ask questions, in person, after their review. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the tax foreclosure appraisals made October 2, 2012 and to sign the Tax Deeds for each of the 2009 Tax Foreclosed properties and to direct the Building Inspector of Tax Equalization, with the assistance of the Sheriff’s Office, to evict persons living in the residence and to post “No Trespass” notices. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the special event permit for the VFW on November 11, 2012. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the new lodging rates in each of the designated areas as follows; Dickinson, Beulah, Minot & Williston.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Smestad presented the Deed for the property approved on August 21, 2012 for signature to the City of Minot for $1.00. Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Deed and to direct the Chairman to sign. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to reappoint Kandi Mikkelson and Kenneth Gillespie on Ward County ND State Fair Board.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to appoint Shirley Lindquist on Ward County Library Board.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Christianson; seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to reappoint Jim Blomberg on Ward County School Re-Organization Board.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Christianson that the following payroll amendments be approved: Cleo Berven – Ward Co Social Services – Administrative Staff Officer II (Level 22); Karin Kjolberg – Ward Co Social Services – Social Worker II-HCBS (Level 19); Andrea Lang – Ward Co Social Services – Social Worker II (Level 21); Debra Nelson – Ward Co Social Services – Account Technician (Level 15); Christina Parisien – Ward Co Social Services – Family Preservation Services (Level 23). Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.    

    

      Comm. Fjeldahl brought a recommendation from the Social Services Meeting that a Ward department become a member of Chamber of Congress for Showcase of Business to recruit foster parents.  Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the $250.00 annual membership dues to the Chamber of Commerce with the 2013 dues coming out of the Commissioner Contingency Fund.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Reminder that the ribbon cutting for the 55^th Street Bypass is at 1:15pm on October 18, 2012.

 

      At 10:52 a.m., with not further business, the meeting was adjourned.

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 30^th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2012.        

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

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