October 4th, 2024

OLIVER COUNTY COMMISSION PROCEEDINGS were called to order at 8:00 AM with all members present. 

Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve the agenda. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried. 

Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve the minutes of the September 5th and 26th meetings. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried. 

Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve the following bills for payment and approve the following bills previously paid. A roll call vote was held, with Darrell Berger, aye, Blake Wilkens aye, Lee Husfloen, aye. Motion carried.

 Center Republican-146.59

Beulah Beacon-50.00

Uniform Center-217.85

Mercer County Sheriff-600.00

Rud Oil-17990.56

NDACO-255.00

Blake Wilkens-155.44

ITD-911.25

Adjutant General-120.00

Allstate Peterbilt-993.49

Burleigh-Morton Detention Ctr-900.00

Butler Machinery-5811.38

Capfirst Equipment-65575.90

Capital One Trade-169.22

Computer Express-1448.97

Coro Medical-728.00

Dakota Fluid Power-221.00

Election Systems & Software-2082.95

David Hilliard-45.00

Lee Husfloen-156.11

I-State Truck Center-34.12

ITD-911.10

K&M Repair-83.98

Marco Technologies-916.60

NDACO Resources Group-650.72

Nelson Intl-748.76

Northern Improvement Co-1852.34

NW Tire-8923.95

Puklich Chevrolet-206.22

Richard Schmidt-3639.05

Statewide Services-2674.00

Sure-Shred-84.60

Keith Vitek-175.00

WDEA-250.00

The following bills previously paid were approved:

Aflac-426.50

Center-Stanton School District-2724.11

Center Park District-67.36

City of Center-1332.15

Colonial Life-492.13

Companion Life Ins-516.10

Deere Credit-527.81

Cale Ferderer-300.00

Fidelity Security Life Ins-70.16

Hazen Rural Fire-39.88

Hazen School District-410.84

I-State Truck Center-272745.00

Liberty Business Systems-531.17

Marco Technologies-191.32

MDU-1176.10

Mercer County Ambulance-57.44

Morton County Auditor-43.96

Morton County Council on Aging-69.29

Nationwide Retirement-2066.00

ND State Treasurer-62.64

New Salem Ambulance-4.45

Oliver County Ambulance-231.44

Oliver County Rural Fire-148.87

Oliver County Soil Conservation-83.67

Oliver County Treasurer-807.22

Oliver County Water Resource District-31.63

Roughrider Electric-139.30

S&M Lawn Servce-354.00

Security First Bank-42760.16

SW Water Authority-67.63

Titan Machinery-223220.00

Verizon Wireless-372.72

VISA-1016.45

Washburn Rural Ambulance-43.58

WRT-6968.51

Western Plains Public Health-116.66

Payroll-122073.76

Discussion was held on the Centre Inc. agreement with the County. Darrell moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve the agreement for one year. A roll call vote was held; Blake Wilkens-Aye, Darrell Berger-Aye and Lee Husfloen-Aye.

Dale Barth, resident, was in attendance to discuss a recent fire that was on his land. He discussed the use of the county blade and the conduct of the fire department. Lee Husfloen stated that he received a call from Minnkota Power and they were satisfied with the response of the fire department. Darrell Berger also stated that the County Commission has no control of the volunteer fire department. There is an Incident Commander at the scene, and the county blade that was brought in then became “property” of the fire department to use for fire control. He stated that any complaints should be taken to the Oliver County Fire Board. 

Highway Utility Permits were presented for WRT and Roughrider Power. Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve the permits. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried. 

Greg Petrik, with BNI, approached the Commission about a Section Line/Road Closures Petition. He provided handouts and maps. He stated he discussed impacts with majorly affected landowners and residents. BNI is requesting a public hearing to be scheduled for the next Commission meeting (November 7th). The commission agreed to hold the hearing at 9 am to 10 am at the November 7th meeting.

The Commission moved into a brief 5 minute recess.

The Commission resumed.

Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to move the December 5th Commission meeting to December 12th.  All in favor, none opposed; motion carried. 

Discussion was also held on scheduling future Commission meetings. It was discussed to plan for the second Thursday of the month for Commission meetings in 2025.

Discussion was held on holding a County Clean Up Day along with the City of Center. Darrell requested to table the discussion to the next meeting. Discussion tabled. 

Discussion was held on a Beaver Dam near Lackman property, but within the County right of way. Darrell Berger spoke with Kyle Miller and the plan is to dig it out. Dave Porsborg, resident, stated he has concerns as a landowner as well as possible county liability due to the beaver dam causing higher water levels that could cross the road. He stated he has someone that is going to try to come in and trap the beavers but the dam also needs to be moved out. The County will dig out as soon as they can. 

A joint discussion was held with Weed Board members. There was discussion on how the board and Commission do transactions.

Rick Schmidt, Weed Control officer, stated he has been in contact with Doug Goehring, Ag Commissioner. Schmidt also stated that the role of the Commission is to appoint the Weed Board.  

Patrick Waters stated he has also been in contact with Goehring in which he addressed comments about the weed board budget. Patrick stated that the Commission is in charge of the budget. 

Rick Schmidt also stated that he spoke with the State Weed Control Association. He stated he asked if a chemical storage building is an appropriate use of weed control funds and they stated that it is. Patrick Waters stated he discussed that with the Ag Commissioner and he stated that the statement Schmidt made is false.

Discussion was held on the responsibility of the Commission to monitor the weed board line items, but statements were made that the Weed Board has the final say on how the rest of the weed board money is spent. 

Weed board members stated they had concerns about being micro-managed. They also had concerns about comments made about chemical compliance.

Discussion was held on the conduct of the weed board. 

Discussion was then held on a building for weed control and pesticide storage. Options could be rental property or a garage, as long as there is concrete and heat. Patrick Waters offered the use of the law office garage. The board will consider it.

Discussion was then held on appointment of weed control members. Per NDCC, a reduction in Weed Control board members is an option, if it would be something the Commission needs to consider.

Conditional Use Permit #1045 for Brady Flemmer to build a 30x72 home and garage was presented. Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve Conditional Use Permit #1045. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

Building Permit #1046 for Brady Flemmer to build a 30x72 home and a garage was presented. Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve Building Permit #1046. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

Conditional Use Permit #1048 for Blaine Zachmeier to build a seasonal cabin was presented. Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve Conditional Use Permit #1048. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried. 

Building Permit #1047 for Blaine Zachmeier to build a seasonal cabin was presented. Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve Building Permit #1047. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried. 

Building Permit #1049 for Steve Frike to build a machine storage building was presented. Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve Building Permit #1049. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

Building Permit #1050 for Ruby Meyhoff to build a barn was presented. Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve Building Permit #1050. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

Building Permit #1051 for Howard Bieber to build a 40x60 barn was presented. Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve Building Permit #1051. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.

Discussion was held on a Solar Moratorium. A draft was presented to the Commission to look at.  

Patty Koapke, Tax Equalization Director discussed an update on Sidwell for the GIS mapping contract.

Patty Koapke, Tax Equalization Director, presented an assessment handout and stated the County is in in compliance with the state for assessments.

Alice Grinsteinner, Oliver/Mercer Emergency Manager requested an emergency declaration for the county for the fire that took place last month. If any bills get sent to the county in relation to the September 26th fire, she is requesting they get sent to her. Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion declaring a fire emergency in Oliver County.

A discussion was held on a Joint HR position for the county. An HR professional is needed due to concerns of liability. Alice Grinsteinner will discuss with the Mercer County portfolio holder and will bring a proposal to the next meeting.

Discussion was held on salary increases. Patrick Waters discussed a letter he sent to the Commission with salary comparisons on some employees he could find with similar attributes. Mickie McNulty-Eide, Recorder, raised concerns on the increase requested by Patrick Waters, State’s Attorney, asking what makes one position more valuable than the others. Patty Koapke, Tax Equalization Director, asked what decision came of the Salary Study that was being discussed.

Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve the 2025 Budget with Salary Increases as follows: $5,000 for all employees with exception to $8,000 for Sheriff Dave Hilliard and $18,000 for Patrick Waters, State’s Attorney. A Roll Call vote was held: Darrell Berger-Aye, Blake Wilkens-Aye, Lee Husfloen-Aye

The meeting adjourned at 11:28 am.

The next meeting of the Oliver County Commission will be at 8:00 AM, November 7th, 2024 at the Oliver County Courthouse meeting room. 

_________________________________                    _________________________________

Jaden Schmidt, Oliver County Auditor          Lee Husfloen, Chairman of the Board