October 2, 2012 Regular Meeting Minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

October 2, 2012

 

The regular meeting of the Ward County Commission was called to order by Chairman Fjeldahl at 2:00 p.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 corrections. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on September 18, 2012, Building Space Needs special meeting on September 20, 2012, and the Public Hearing meeting on September 24, 2012 with corrections.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Devra Smestad presented the bills. Moved by Comm. Gruenberg; seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the 2012 Social Welfare bills of $31,714.30 and the regular bills totaling $792,026.72. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Highway Engineer Dana Larsen appeared.  Moved by Comm. Christianson; seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the purchase of a skeleton Rock Bucket from Peterson Equipment Sales Inc., Vancouver, WA for the amount of $17,550.00.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Larsen updated the Commission on the Right of Way negotiations on County Road 13 approximately 4 miles north of Douglas. The right of way is needed for the grade raise. Larsen stated that if negotiations fail, a committee, consisting of the Ward county Auditor and 2 other Commission assigned members, will be needed. Larsen recommended Planning/Zoning Administrator Amber Turnquest and Comm. Christianson volunteered. Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to appoint Amber Turnquest and Comm. Christianson to the Committee. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Larsen updated the Commission on the Road Projects in the County. Comm. Fjeldahl asked how many County Roads (CR) are currently under water. Larsen stated that CR 9, CR 18, and CR 11 south of CR 14 are all currently still under water. CR 14 west of Highway 83 and  CR 4 are still closed due to being washed out or due to a slide.

 

Moved by Comm. Christianson; seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to bid the following projects through the ND DOT November bid letting, and authorize the Chairman to sign the Construction and Maintenance Agreements, Utility certification letters and ROW certifications for; ROM-0300(115); ROM-0300(118); ROM-0300(119); CER-5138(058); CER-5138(059); CER-5138(060); CER-5146(053); CER-5146(054); CER-5154(053); CER-5162(050); CER-5131(053); CER-5162 (051); CER-5162(052); CER-5166(052).  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Larsen updated the Commission on voluntary home acquisitions. John Warcup, attorney from Swanson & Warcup also commented. 

 

Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to amend the term of voluntary acquisition program to properties that meet the following guidelines:

Properties that have requested to appeal the determination of the property’s pre-flood market value before the September 30, 2012 deadline, will have up to 30 days following the final decision of appeal, to sign a purchase agreement with the County.  Any properties that have been submitted to the North Dakota State Water Commission by the county, but have not been approved for the cost share shall have the deadline for signing a purchase agreement with the County extend up to 30 days following the Counties offer to purchase.  These properties will have the right to appeal the determination of the property’s pre-flood market value and will have up to an additional 30 days following the final decision of appeal, to sign a purchase agreement with the County. 

Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Planning/Zoning Administrator Amber Turnquest appeared.  Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the plat applications for:

      Roll Call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the Special Use Permit for the following:

Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to disapprove the Special Use Permit by Gerald and Sherri Koble for Outlot 2 of the NWSW, Section 21-156-84, Kirkelie Township.  Roll Call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to disapprove the request for variance by Carson Hughes for Outlot 9 of the NESW, Section 30-154-81, New Prairie Township.  Roll Call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Acting Tax Equalization Director Julie Straabe appeared. Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the following applications for abatement and/or correction of errors of assessments:

The following has provided paperwork and qualifies for the homestead credit exemption:

The following has provided paperwork and qualifies for the disabled veteran’s exemption:

 

The following no longer qualify for the veteran’s exemption due to sale of property:

Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the application for Mobile Home tax abatement in the amount of $68.79. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad appeared. 

 

      Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file correspondence: ND Dept. of Health – Terminated Waste Transporter Permits (25); SWCA – Environmental Assesment; NDCO – Recap of Ward County’s Benefits and Participation; Lisa Jahner – Attendant Care; City of Minot – Annexations; Court Facilities Improvement Advisory Committee – Application for Improvement Grant.  Roll Call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following Duplicant Warrant requests: Jemilar Jean - $350.00; Todd Haman – $25.00; and Todd Haman - $25.00.  Roll Call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the Special Event Permit for VFW Club.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the Gaming Site Authorization for American Foundation for Wildlife – Hooterville Bar.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg that the following Ward County Budget for Calendar year 2013 be adopted:

 

County Board....................................................................................... $136,541

County Auditor/Treasurer........................................................................ 646,657

State's Attorney ..................................................................................... 943,894

Director of Tax Equalization ................................................................... 401,241

District Court ........................................................................................... 90,782

County Recorder..................................................................................... 273,911

Courthouse Janitors................................................................................ 212,141

Utilities & Janitorial Supplies................................................................... 293,100

Publishing & Printing................................................................................ 10,000

Elections.................................................................................................. 14,000

Office Supplies & Equipment.................................................................... 42,200

Postage, etc............................................................................................ 51,000

Annual Audit ............................................................................................ 10,600

County Board Contingency....................................................................... 30,000

Miscellaneous General ............................................................................. 38,690

Planning Administration  .................................................................... ... 102,440

 

County Sheriff.................................................................................... $3,233,304

Jail Operations..................................................................................... 2,397,209

County Coroner........................................................................................ 68,000

Emergency Management Agency............................................................. 187,915

Property & Liability Insurance.................................................................. 253,500

Domestic Violence Crisis.......................................................................... 30,000

Community Service & Restitution ….......................................................... 16,393

Juvenile Detention Center........................................................................ 289,789

Housing Juveniles/Industrial School …………………………….. 3,000

E911/Communications.......................................................................... 1,406,327

 

(District Health)

 

 

County Park  ....................................................................................... $ 120,000

Library/Bookmobile................................................................................ 308,639

Historical Society..................................................................................... 50,605

 

Extension Agent................................................................................... $218,834

Souris Basin Planning and RC&D.............................................................. 25,020

Weed Control......................................................................................... 254,372

 

 

Veterans Service Office........................................................................ $ 113,487

Emergency Fund.................................................................................... 347,680

County Buildings, Repairs & Improvements.............................................. 300,000

Technology purchase/maintenance.......................................................... 132,050

Township Oil Road Payments.................................................................... 13,500

Property Tax Maintenance........................................................................... 2,000

Nuisance Abatements................................................................................. 5,000

 

 

 

Roll call: Comm. Chrisitianson, Comm. Gruenberg, Comm. Erickson, Comm. Nybakken voted yes; Comm. Fjeldahl voted no; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Christianson that the following resolution be adopted:  BE IT RESOLVED, that in accordance with the 12 month budget for 2013 for Ward County adopted this date and filed with the County Auditor/Treasurer, there be and there is, hereby levied for the 12 month period ending December 31, 2013 for:

            General Fund................................................. 3,147,100

            Social Security................................................. 305,683

            County Agent................................................... 218,834

            Veterans Service............................................... 113,487

            Historical Society............................................... 50,605

            Advertising & Promotion..................................... 98,725

            Comprehensive Health Insurance....................... 472,813

            Farm to Market.................................. 2,240,000

            Road & Bridge....................................... 56,000

 

County Health (1^st Dist. Health Unit)................................................................... 466,044

Bookmobile – Library....................................................................................... 147,592

Wired/Wireless 9-1-1 Fund ......................................................................................... 0

Emergency...................................................................................................... 281,680

County Park...................................................................................................... 70,000

Weed Control.................................................................................................... 42,544

Jail Operations.............................................................................................. 2,050,809

Insurance Reserve............................................................................................ 151,506

 

 

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

 

Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson that the following 2013 budgets be approved and tax levies spread against the taxable property of Ward County:

 

Roll call: all voted yes, motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Christianson to approve the tax foreclosure appraisals setting the minimum value on the properties.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the County Deed for Minot property at private sale with the contingencies that the property be cleared by the end of October.

 

Dana Larsen and Amanda Schooling appeared to discuss FEMA updates.  Larsen suggested we work with Witt & Associates to assist with any changes and possible training.  Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to appoint Amanda Schooling as Applicant Agent and Travis Schmit, Assistant Engineer, as Co-Applicant Agent for the 2011 Flood Disaster and FEMA PW’s; and to submit this motion to NDDES.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

Smestad asked the Commission if any would be attending the ND Association of Oil and Gas Producing Counties Annual Meeting on October 18, 2012.  Comm. Christianson and Comm. Fjeldahl plan to attend.

 

Smestad stated that Building Supervisor Todd Helseth’s 180 day evaluation needed to be set.  The evaluation will be held October 16, 2012, immediately following the regular Commissioner meeting.

 

Interviews for the Tax Director Position will follow Todd Helseth’s evalutation.

 

Interviews for Library Board will be performed October 16, 2012 prior to the 8:30 a.m. Social Services Board.

 

Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the following payroll amendments:  Rita Hamsher – Property Appraiser– Director of Tax Equalization (Level 19); Natalie Oksendahl – Administrative Assistant – Auditor/Treasurer (Level 14); Julie Straabe – Acting Director of Tax Equalization – Director of Tax Equalization (Level 26); Gavin Weiand – Senior Correctional Officer –Sheriff’s Department (Level 18). Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

 

At 3:30 p.m., with no further business, the meeting was adjourned. 

 

ACCEPTED AND APPROVED THIS 16th DAY OF OCTOBER, 2012.      

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

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