October 30,2012 Regular Commission Minutes

Minutes of the Board of Ward County Commissioners

October 30, 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. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Christianson to approve the agenda with additions or corrections. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the minutes from the regular meeting on October 16, 2012 and the special meeting on October 19, 2012.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the 2012 Social Services bills totaling $74,462.11 and the regular bills totaling $447,008.59.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Highway Engineer Dana Larsen appeared.

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Highway Department to advertise for One (1) 2013 ¾ Ton 4wd Extended Cab Fleetside Pickup, One (1) 2013 Tandem Axle Truck Chassis, One (1) 2013 Side Dump Trailer, One (1) 2013 Asphalt Roller, Three (3) 2013 Rotary Mowers, One (1) 2013 Hydraulic Excavator, One (1) 2013 Hydraulic Tail Trailer, and Three (3) 2013 75 PTO HP Tractors.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to authorize deposit with the Clerk of District Court, County of Ward, State of North Dakota, and by the State’s Attorney and or County Auditor for the amount of $2,740.00 for the purchase of 1.957 Acres of right of way from Kyle Johnson and Vangela Johnson and deposit $5,839.0000 for the purchase of 1.957 Acres of right of way and damage payment for fence from Brent Johnson and as described in the resolution of eminent domain adopted by the Ward County Board on October 2, 2012.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Representative Holly Arnold from NDSU Extension Services appeared.

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to acknowledge Ward County, as sub-recipients, has no conflicts of interest with the financing the Ward County Extension Office receives for their programming supported by DHS; NDSU has revised their policy to comply with the new federal requirements, and authorize Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad to sign the notice to sub-recipients as requested by Ms. Arnold.

      Emergency Manager Amanda Schooling appeared via phone. 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Homeland Security Grant award of $59,774.19 and authorize Chairman Fjeldahl to sign. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried. 

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the Hazardous Mitigation Plan Grant (HMPG).  Schooling informed the commission that Department of Emergency Services states the County’s request for a HMPG has been approved, but she is still waiting for the award letter.  Therefore, she is asking for pre-approval to accept the grant in the amount of $50,000 with a $7,500 local match and to proceed with an RFQ to hire a contractor to write the Ward County Hazardous Mitigation Plan, which is due next fall.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Extension Agent Lori Scharmer appeared.

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to approve the purchase of 3 chairs out of the NDSU Extension Services budget totaling $1,024.20 plus shipping.   Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Sheriff Steve Kukowski appeared.

      Moved by Comm. Erickson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the grant from The North Dakota Department of Health in the amount of $38,041.00. The STOP Grant will fund the Domestic Violence Crisis Center position 100%.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the request to the Ward County Auditor to amend Sheriff’s Office Budget by increasing 4020 account (auto expenses) $32,180.00 and decreasing 8033 account (auto purchases) that same amount due to increased fuel expenses.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve the grant from the ND Department of Trust Lands in the amount of $200,000 for the Ward County Jail expansion.  Architect Don Davison appeared and believed this amount would cover the expansion and project would be completed within 2 years.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Auditor/Treasurer Devra Smestad appeared in place of Acting Tax Director Julie Straabe.

      Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Nybakken to keep the true and full value of Duane Brekke’s apartment complex property located at 420 15^th St. SE in Minot for 2012 as is.  Brekke had requested an abatement of taxes.  Kevin Ternes, Minot City Assessor, reports 2012 assessments are fair. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve Paul Todd’s property qualifies for the disabled Veterans Credit. Victor Ripplinger qualifies for the blind exemption.  Una Borud qualifies for the two-year new construction partial exemption.  Douglas & Kathy Larson qualify for the removal of the two-year new construction partial exemption.  Vernon & Cheryl Thiessen and Robert & Eleanor Walstad (2) properties were added to the 2012 tax rolls.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Nybakken that the 2 year Construction Exemptions be sent to the Planning Commission for recommendation.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Attention was brought to the Commission concerning additional Townships that may be added to Ward County to be assessed in 2013.  The Planning Commission will review at the end of the year 2012, for approval.  No action taken.

      Planning/Zoning Administrator Amber Turnquest appeared.  Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve Courtney Burckhard and Patrick Davy’s (2) two plat applications.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to approve Robert L. Pauslon variance application. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Christianson to receive and file the memo regarding preserving the established safety easements around missile sites of the Minot Air Force Base.  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 correspondences:  PFM Group – Recent Sale Results; NDDOT – Rail & Traffic Safety;  Sheriff Kukowski – Monthly Report; Rocky Mountain Environmental Alliance – Training Series; ND Department of Corrections & Rehabilitation – Compliance Certificate; Bryon Fuchs - Meetings on Project Status & Re-allocation of Funds.  Highway Engineer Dana Larson appeared to comment on the NDDOT – Rail & Traffic Safety.

      Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Christianson to approve the Gaming Site Authorization for ND Cowboy Hall of Fame. Inc. Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Gruenberg, seconded by Comm. Christianson to approve the Raffle Permit for Minot Area Friends of The NRA.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Erickson to receive and file the correspondence from the City of Minot in regards to the street lighting improvements in District 63 and the protest by November 13, 2012.  Roll call: all voted yes, motion carried.

      Smestad presented the contract for boarding Minot city prisoners.  No action taken.

      Moved by Comm. Christianson, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg that the local match for the Gochanour Volunteer Acquisition be funded by the General Obligation Bond.  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Moved by Comm. Nybakken, seconded by Comm. Gruenberg to approve the following payroll amendments:  Breanna Aldrich – Ward Co Library – Substitute Librarian – Kenmare (Level 10); Seth Hagen – Director of Tax Equalization –  Director of Tax Equalization (Level 26); Marchelle J. Mantz – Ward Co Social Services – Emer-Temporary Adm. Assistant I (Level 14); Julie Straabe – Director of Tax Equalization – Property Appraiser (Level 19).  Jason Kraft – Sheriff’s Department – Patrol Deputy (Level 19); Joshua Scoggins – Sheriff’s Department – Patrol Deputy (Level 19).  Roll call: all voted yes; motion carried.

      Smestad asked the Commission if any would be attending the Planning/Zoning Training in Stanley, ND on November 20, 2012 or in Dickinson, ND on December 12, 2012.  Planning/Zoning Administrator Amber Turnquest and States Attorney Roza Larson plan to attend on November 20, 2012.

      Smestad requested a date for the Department Head Evaluations to be set.  The evaluations will take place on November 14, 2012 beginning at 8:30 a.m.

      Election Canvassing Board Meeting will take place on November 13, 2012 at 9 a.m.

      At 10:11 a.m., with no 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