November 7th, 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 October 4th and 11th 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.
Allstate Peterbilt-757.95
Bonnell Aman-3800.00
Darrell Berger-376.47
Bismarck Hotel & Conf Center-594.00
Butler Machinery-441.05
Center Machine-93.36
Center Republican-1877.38
Centre Inc-960.00
Coal Conversion Counties-1477.00
Computer Express-2019.97
Downtown Gas & Auto Repair-285.44
Election Systems & Software-4542.62
Lee Husfloen-294.70
I-State Truck Center-51.26
Jake’s Auto Glass-478.40
K&M Repair-1791.76
Menards-2.80
National Business Furniture-589.53
NDDOT-4057.14
ND Post Board-45.00
NDACO-1170.00
NDACO Resources Group-650.72
NDSU Extension Service-7140.58
Linda Nelson-46.90
One Call Concepts-3.00
Quadient Finance-799.70
Robert Gibb & Sons-365.72
Roberts Floral-147.22
S&M Lawn Service-434.00
Richard Schmidt-437.76
Stein’s Inc-229.68
Keith Vitek-250.00
American Solutions-475.24
Farm & Home Supply-81.42
Mercer County Sheriff-285.00
Rud Oil-15641.90
ITD-911.25
Sidwell-1896.25
Uniform Center-281.99
Beulah Beacon-90.00
Blake Wilkens-194.97
South Sakakawea Task Force-17500.00
Roughrider Industries-1056.38
The following bills previously paid were approved:
Aflac-426.50
Beulah School District-1045.16
Center-Stanton School-9131.20
Center Park District-174.16
City of Center-2085.89
Colonial Life-492.13
Dakota Business Solutions-241.00
DCI Credit Services-158.32
Deere Credit-527.81
Fidelity Security Life Insurance-70.16
Hazen Rural Fire District-16.02
Hazen School District-201.07
Liberty Business Systems-531.17
Jacob Maier-7.68
McHenry County Clerk of Court-500.00
MDU-1195.40
Morton County Auditor-159.71
Morton County Council on Aging-260.31
Nationwide Retirement-3099.00
ND State Treasurer-165.15
New Salem-Almont School-1558.58
New Salem Ambulance-172.54
New Salem Rural Fire-67.12
Oliver County Ambulance-749.87
Oliver County Historical Society-45.75
Oliver County Rural Fire-466.86
Oliver County Soil Conservation-315.86
Oliver County Treasurer-1143.52
Oliver County Water Resource District-77.88
PRIA-60.00
Quadient Finance USA-2000.00
Roughrider Electric Cooperative-145.52
Security First Bank-73818.77
Phyllis Skager-5.41
SW Water-63.75
TransTrash-420.00
US Records Midwest-988.60
Verizon Wireless-370.33
Visa-24820.29
Washburn Rural Ambulance-141.29
Washburn Rural Fire-38.97
WRT-754.61
Western Plains Public Health-445.55
Payroll-81800.68
Linda Nelson, Deputy Auditor/Risk Manager, discussed Health Insurance quotes. The county is waiting on NDPHIT quotes. Patrick Waters, State’s Attorney, received quotes for a policy as well. The amounts are higher than what we’re currently paying per month. The plans are slightly different than what the county currently has for coverage, but the cost is quite a bit more, costing the county roughly 20,000 more per month. At the time of the meeting, the Commission will think it over and made no decision.
Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve sending a check to Unclaimed Property in the amount of $6.44. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
The regular Commission meeting went into recess and the Oliver County Park Board meeting was called to order at 8:27 am by Dave Berger. The City of Center is requesting funding for pool maintenance and upgrades. They requested $1000. Lee Husfloen moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve the funding request of $1000. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried. The meeting was adjourned at 8:34 am.
The regular Commission meeting was called back into session at 8:35 am.
Kyle Miller, Road Superintendent, discussed road issues. The mowing has been completed for the year. Gravel was being hauled in the SW part of county along 58th and 59th Ave. Kyle will be checking for gravel, stating Troy Hatzenbihler may also have some option for gravel. A section line by Opps needs to be fixed. The temporary help is still on until it freezes. The wind project is slowing down some, but not done yet, as they are slightly behind schedule. Discussion was held on selling some county equipment, including a plow truck and low boy.
Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve the membership agreement with VisionWest ND for the Associate membership at $200. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to appoint Rick Schmidt as the State Fair delegate. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Discussion was held on estimates received to do concrete work in the front of the Courthouse and on the back sidewalks. Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to accept the bid from Brandoz Concrete for $33,661.00. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
The hearing for Section Closures for BNI was opened at 9 am. The following are the closures BNI Coal, LTD is requesting to temporarily close in the 2nd quarter of 2025:
The section line between Section 19 and Section 20, T141N R83W.
The section line between Section 18 and Section 19, T141N R83W.
The section line between Section 24 and Section 25 T141N R84W & Section 19 and Section 30 T141N R83W.
The section line between Section 19 T141N R83W and Section 24 T141N R84W.
The section line between Section 14 and Section 23 T141N R84W & Section 15 and Section 22 T141N R84W.
The section line between Section 14 and Section 11 T141N R84W.
The section line between Section 14 and Section 15 T141N R84W & N1/2 of Section 22 and N1/2 Section 23 T141N R84W.
The section line between N1/2 Section 28 and N1/2 Section 29 T141N R83W.
Landowners and tenants are able to access but the section lines will be closed to the public. Concerns were addressed, such as added response time to Emergency services. Steve Kraft, landowner, sent a letter of support for the new route.
Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve the temporary closure of:
The section line between Section 19 and Section 20, T141N R83W.
The section line between Section 18 and Section 19, T141N R83W.
The section line between Section 24 and Section 25 T141N R84W & Section 19 and Section 30 T141N R83W.
The section line between Section 19 T141N R83W and Section 24 T141N R84W.
The section line between Section 14 and Section 23 T141N R84W & Section 15 and Section 22 T141N R84W.
The section line between Section 14 and Section 11 T141N R84W.
The section line between Section 14 and Section 15 T141N R84W & N1/2 of Section 22 and N1/2 Section 23 T141N R84W.
The section line between N1/2 Section 28 and N1/2 Section 29 T141N R83W.
All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve the purchasing of a new Tape Drive for the server in the Auditor/Treasurer’s vault for $6,194.00. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
The sheriff’s office has some cabinets and chairs they are wanting to get rid of due to water damage. Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve of the disposal of the chairs and cabinets, with the New Salem/Center wrestling club disposing of them. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
A Highway Utility Permit for WRT was presented. Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve the permit. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
A five-minute recess was called at 9:40 am.
Conditional Use permit # 1052 for Minnesota Power/GRE for an HVDC modernization project was presented. Dan McCourtney and Kyle Larson from Minnesota Power were present. It will be a 2 phase project spaced out in 5 years. The project is located on land owned by Minnesota Power and Minnkota. The company is requesting use of a section line to access the property. The company has met with landowners along the section line for access. Some landowners have expressed concerns about access using 35th Ave, such as dust and safety. Myron Erhardt, landowner, is requesting use of 36th Ave SW and then 22nd St, as it is paved. Concerns were raised about the bridge on 36th, as it is only rated for 40 ton, which would not be big enough for heavy loads. 22nd St is also considered more of a low maintenance section line, with a creek and spring crossing that would need to be built up or re-done to take heavy loads.
Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve the Conditional Use Permit #1052. A roll call vote was held: Darrell Berger, Aye, Blake Wilkens, Aye and Lee Husfloen, Aye. The permit was approved.
Building Permit #1055 for WRT for a building on their current tower site was presented. Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve Building Permit #1055. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Patty Koapke, Equalization Director, presented the following abatements:
Homestead Credits #103087002 for $748.58 and #25059000 for $1767.08; Disabled Veterans Credit #13063000/13063002 for $265.00; Farm Exemption #01058000 for $391.72 and #19055001 for $2041.45.
Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve Homestead Credits #103087002 for $748.58 and #25059000 for $1767.08; Disabled Veterans Credit #13063000/13063002 for $265.00; Farm Exemption #01058000 for $391.72 and #19055001 for $2041.45. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Dale Barth, resident, approached the commission with concerns about ridges made on his land during the fire by the county blade. It has been taken care of.
Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve the Youthworks Agreement. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Alice Grinsteinner, Oliver/Mercer EM, presented to the Commission requesting that the Total Burn Ban be lifted and the county goes back to the fire index rating ban. Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to lift the Total Burn Ban and move to a burn ban based on fire index ratings. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Discussion was held on Alice Grinsteinner becoming Oliver County’s HR. Mercer County Commission would like to discuss further before making the decision to do a JPA for the HR position.
Discussion was held on the roll off dumpster at the County Shop. As the burn ban is lifted, TransTrash will be contacted to remove it.
The meeting was adjourned at 10:42 am.
The next meeting of the Oliver County Commission will be at 8:00 AM, December 12th, 2024 at the Oliver County Courthouse meeting room.
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Jaden Schmidt, Oliver County Auditor Lee Husfloen, Chairman of the Board