August 4, 2009
The Williams County Commission met this 4th day of August 2009, beginning at 8:00 AM in the Commissioners Room of the Williams County Courthouse.
Chairman Kalil called the meeting to order, Innis took roll call of: Schmidt-here, Arnson-here, Hanson-here, and Montgomery-here.
There being a quorum, Chairman Kalil proceeded.
No media present.
Montgomery moved Hanson seconded approval of the July 7th and 13th minutes. Motion carried.
Chairman Kalil opened the hearing for the 2010 Upper Missouri District Health Unit budget. There being no comments for or against the budget, Chairman Kalil closed the hearing. Schmidt moved Arnson seconded to approve the 2010 UMDHU budget. Motion carried. Discussion was held and those in attendance concurred to relay to the UMDHU director to have the annual joint meeting by conference call.
Busching presented bid proposals for the 1 ton pickup for the Williston Fire Department from Murphy Motors in the amount of $30,925.00 and Select Ford in the amount of $28,548.00. Busching recommended the bid from Select Ford. Arnson moved Montgomery seconded the acceptance of the bid from Select Ford for the pickup for the Williston Fire Department. Motion carried.
Busching reported on the stimulus grants applied for and he will be getting in-car video equipment, $20,000.00 for a used vehicle, and they were turned down for the COPS grant for a new position. Montgomery moved Hanson seconded acceptance of the $36,000.00 grants received by the Sheriff’s Department for in-car video equipment and a used vehicle. Motion carried.
Busching reported that Ray resident Deputy Larry Lambert will be retiring October 1st and requested to fill the position. Arnson moved Hanson seconded authorizing Busching to fill the resident deputy position in Ray. Motion carried.
Wilder and Madden present to discuss Williams County easements along the route for the new bike path along 13th Ave E. The easements were not recorded until 2008 after the parties involved already purchased their property and with the recording of these easements it has clouded the ownership interests. It was questioned as to why the easements were acquired many years ago and were just now recorded. The owners in question tried to get an injunction to stop the construction of the bike path and the Judge did not allow the injunction. Wilder will open up dialog with Dwight Eiken and find out exactly what his clients want and advise the Commission as to what action needs to be taken to clear up this issue.
Gooch-Egge presented abatements. Schmidt moved Hanson seconded approval of the abatements of Lloyd/Wanda Rasmussen 2007/2008/2009 Homestead Credit abatements of Grenora City Blocks 13-19 of Grenora L6 B19; Patricia Kerbaugh 2007/2008/2009 disabled Homestead Credit abatements of Ray City Jorgenson Addition L8 B1; and Joseph Whiteford 2007/2008/2009 Homestead Credit abatements of Bruegger’s 2nd Addition L3 B27 to the City of Williston. Motion carried.
Gooch-Egge reported that on the abatement for Darroll Myers he is raising buffalos and qualifies for exemptions on his 2 commercial buildings which is allowable by law. Montgomery moved Hanson seconded approval of the abatement for Missouri Rivers Breaks Lodge/Darroll Myers 2009 of Lot 1R of Sublot 1, Section 18 T154 R97 Nesson Valley Township. Roll call vote: Schmidt-no, Arnson-no, Hanson-yes, Montgomery-yes, Kalil-yes. Motion carried.
Gooch-Egge reported that on the abatements for Joseph/Roxanne Carns, Valuation inspected the building and there is nothing in it and the basement has collapsed so the Committee recommends the lowering of the property. Montgomery moved Arnson seconded approval of the abatement for Joseph/Roxanne Carns 2007/2008 of Lot 10 Block 2 Ledosquet Addition to the City of Williston. Motion carried.
Arnson moved Schmidt seconded approval of the pro-rate of assessment from June through December for Lot 2 Ex W5’, Block 4 Millers Amendment to the City of Tioga due to blind exemption qualification. Motion carried.
Gooch-Egge reported that next week she will be at the State Board of Equalization and some of her staff is also attending for the continuing education classes.
Ryan reported that Pherrin Township is requesting that he perform building inspections on new stick built homes as their inspector does not have the proper qualifications. The Commission authorized Ryan to negotiate a plan with the Township for a year. Ryan updated the Commission on the new building sites west of Williston on 139th Ave NW.
Vern Neff present to speak to the Commission on behalf of Brian Brubaker and other residents living in that area in Nesson Valley Township. They are having problems with a portion of the road bordering Truax Township and Nesson Valley Township and are requesting County assistance with the road. Nelson reported that he was told that portion of the road was private so he only maintains up to that portion of the road. Neff is requesting if there are any public funds available for some type of assistance. The Commission will take a look at the road and see what can be done as they are the Township Board.
Nelson reported that the seal coat on County #5 and the paving on County #21 are both completed. The load limits signs will be going up on County #21 but the road still needs to cure for awhile, probably until September 1st but we can check with Meiers. Nelson explained to the Commission about receiving the Weather Related monies from the NDDOT the end of June and he will be using these monies for match for our federal grants for road work.
Hughes addressed the Commission concerning the heating issues in the old LEC and how it will be affecting the Center as the new building will not be ready to move in when planned. Chairman Kalil will speak with Jeff Morrau about the delays.
Evenson addressed the Commission to approve the depositories for the County which was to be done in the even years and it was oversight so they need to be approved at this time. Schmidt moved Hanson seconded to approve the depositories of American State Bank/Trust, 1st National Bank/Trust, 1st International Bank, Bank of Tioga, and US Bank. Motion carried.
Evenson presented the sales tax revenue through the 31st day of July 2009.
Askim presented the recommendation from the Insurance Committee for the 2010 budget cycle for funding levels of 10% increase from 2009. Montgomery stated that BC/BS recommends a 0-3% cost increase but with the 10% the County would be up to 75% of the suggested funding level as recommended by BC/BS. Schmidt moved Hanson seconded to not follow the recommendation of 10% as suggested by the Insurance Committee but to go with 7% which would mean $1,477,939.09 from the Departments and $103,455.73 from the General Fund. Motion carried. Montgomery abstained.
Askim reported on the dissolution of the County Superintendent of Schools position and she is still waiting for entities to assume the responsibilities of the Math Counts, bus driver school, and Spelling Bee as well as the School Districts signing off on the County’s decision to dissolve the position.
Discussion was held on the relocation of offices to the 2nd floor offices vacated by the Superintendent of Schools. HR, Vector Secretary, Planning/Zoning was offices interested in the space. It was commented on that customer driven services should remain on the first floor. Montgomery moved Schmidt seconded that the HR Department and Vector Secretary share the space formerly known as the County Superintendent of Schools office and leave the first floor as is. Roll call vote: Arnson-no, Hanson-no, Montgomery-yes, Schmidt-yes, and Kalil-yes. Motion carried.
The Commission appointed Shawna Gooch-Egge as County delegate to the NDACo convention.
It was decided by the Commission that County Highway will get the garage at the old School District #8 building site.
Schmidt moved Arnson seconded the re-appointments of Dan Kalil, Rev Marianne Ell, and David Montgomery to the Williams County Social Service Board for a 3 year term of 8/1/09 -8/1/2012. Motion carried.
Hanson, Arnson, Montgomery and Kalil are planning on attending the NDACo Convention in Bismarck October 11-14 at the Ramkota Inn.
Budget hearings will be held August 19th and 20th beginning at 7:00 Am running until 10:30 AM with each department getting ½ hour of time.
There being no further business, the meeting recessed at 9:34 AM.
August 10, 2009
The Williams County Commission reconvened this 10th day of August 2009, beginning at 8:00 AM in the Commissioners Room of the Williams County Courthouse.
Chairman Kalil called the meeting to order, Innis took roll call of Schmidt-here, Arnson-here, Hanson-here, and Montgomery-here.
There being a quorum, Chairman Kalil proceeded.
Media present was Nick Smith, Williston Herald.
Arnson moved Hanson seconded approval of all bills properly vouchered, fund adjustments, and fees from the various departments of Clerk of Court-$1,830.00, Sheriff-$17,475.58, Treasurer/Recorder-$48,596.70, and Auditor-$1,205.00 for a total of $69,107.88. Motion carried.
Loomer presented a letter from Basin Electric Power Cooperative on their proposed construction of a 230kilovolt transmission line from Williston to Tioga which is necessary to complete the 230 kV loop from Tioga to Charlie Creek and to meet the projected load growth due to oil/gas activity in NW North Dakota. They are requesting a conditional use permit and our ordinance requires that owners within a one mile radius of the location of a proposed conditional use be notified by the County Planning/Zoning Department. In this case of a 61 mile long transmission line this could amount to thousands of notifications due to the proximity of the Cities of Williston and Ray. They are requesting that in lieu of sending thousands of notifications that an advertisement be placed in the Williston Herald describing the project and the proposed conditional use. In addition the 102 landowners would be contacted by direct mail to provide notification of the proposed conditional use and there will be a public hearing held by the ND Public Service Commission as a normal par of their permitting process. Loomer responded that Planning/Zoning and States Attorney Wilder has no objection to waive this requirement. Schmidt moved Hanson seconded that due to the hardship on Basin Electric Power Cooperative the Commission approve their request to waive the notification process and have additional publication notices. Motion carried.
Loomer presented a conditional use permit and a zone change from agricultural to commercial and industrial for Svor Family Trust. Schmidt moved Montgomery seconded authorizing the Chairman to sign Resolution 2009-08-01 of zone change from agricultural to commercial and industrial for Sublot #6 & Sublot #8 located in the SW1/4SE1/4 Section 9 T156 R95 Pleasant Valley Township. Motion carried.
Loomer requested to spend $6,000.00 out of her budget to buy a copier that will be shared with the Building/VSO departments. Arnson moved Montgomery seconded authorizing the purchase of a new copier for the Planning/Zoning Department as requested. Motion carried.
Debbie Slais, Williston Community Library, present to request funding assistance to be put in the 2010 budget for a new book mobile that serves rural Williams County schools as well as residents. The Bookmobile service is funded by a mill levy from Williams County to the Library. They are in need of $40,065.50. Schmidt moved Montgomery seconded to give the Williston Community Library $30,000.00, out of the general fund, for their Bookmobile fund. Motion carried.
Chairman Kalil reported that bids are ready to go tomorrow on the NWYAC building. Chairman Kalil also reported that the $100,000.00 that the County paid ARTEKTA was not only for the NWYAC but also for the development of the 3rd floor space vacated by the old Jail.
Nelson presented a road crossing permit for the roadway at the Section 1 & Section 12 T154 R101for an underground sprinkler system. Schmidt moved Montgomery approved the request for the road crossing permit. Motion carried.
Chairman Kalil reported on some concerns that Paradise Point Association has which are the 911 signing as they have a road plan and this does need to go through the Emergency Services Department; questioned about milled asphalt for their road from Meiers; and re-organize as a Township Board again.
Schmidt moved Hanson seconded acceptance of the Auditor’s monthly reports. Motion carried.
Montgomery moved Arnson seconded approval of transfer order #225 in the amount of $13,495.82 from Insurance fund to Self Insurance fund. Motion carried.
Arnson moved Hanson seconded approval of transfer order #226 in the amount of $300,000.00 from County/Emergency Poor to Social Services. Motion carried.
A letter and agreement was received from the City of Williston, after the last liaison, meeting where the City of Williston would like to keep the monies owed to the taxing entities of properties that the City has sold that the County took for back taxes, whereas the City would like to keep the monies to search for a new location for an Industrial Park as the current Industrial Park is almost completely sold. Questions were raised as to how long the City will take to find a new area and what about the other Cities within Williams County? Schmidt moved Arnson seconded to deny this agreement at this point and the County leave the door open and if and when the City comes up with a plan and then possibly contribute to the development and the monies will be kept in a separate fund for possible long term investment. Motion carried.
Innis received an oil/gas lease for Section 25 Lot 3 that part lying east of the Little Muddy River, Lot 4 being 10.20 Acres more or less T154 R101 from Brigham Land Management for $1,530.00. Schmidt moved Montgomery seconded authorizing Innis to sign the agreement but to dicker with the company to get 3/16 interest instead of the normal 1/6. Motion carried.
Pederson reported about the heating in the old LEC, tile replacement in the café and through the hallway to the atrium in the new LEC, and the concrete in front of the new LEC that will be getting replaced.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:39 AM.
|