June 6th, 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 May 2nd, 13th, 15th and 23rd, 2024 meeting. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Discussion was held on closing the courthouse on July 5th. The Commissioners requested that Kyle Miller has someone on call in case of a road issue. Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to close the Courthouse on July 5th, 2024. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Discussion was held on cleaning the windows of the Courthouse. Darrell Berger stated he would talk to Keith Vitek about cleaning the outside windows. Each office will be responsible for cleaning their windows on the inside. Charlotte Eide will be going on maternity leave and it was discussed on who will clean the courthouse/offices while she is out. Jaden Schmidt will talk to the employees to see if anyone is willing to do some of the cleaning of the public areas of the building, such as hallways and restrooms. Each office will be responsible for their garbage and any extra cleaning they may need while Charlotte is gone. Final decisions will be discussed at the July Commission meeting.
Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve the Highway Utility Permit for Roughrider Electric. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Discussion was held on the Salary Study tabled from previous meetings. Lee Husfloen expressed that he does not feel it is necessary. Patrick Waters, States Attorney, discussed having an HR professional come to the county to assess if a salary study is necessary. Discussion on the Salary Study was tabled until later in the meeting.
Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to move into Executive Session at 8:20 am. A roll call vote was held: Blake Wilkens, Aye, Darrell Berger, Aye, Lee Husfloen, Aye.
The regular meeting was called back to order at 8:49 am.
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-616.80
Rebecca Bethke-128.64
Butler Machinery-1843.45
Capital Industries-6057.02
Center Republican-334.56
Dakota Fluid Power-154.40
Dakota Storage Products-4243.50
Deere Credit Inc-1583.43
Election Systems & Software-8297.07
Hazen Health Pharmacy-34.25
David Hilliard-90.00
I-State Truck Center-457.68
ITD-809.90
Jake’s Auto Glass-771.71
K&M Repair-40.85
Thomas Kaspari-600.00
Mickie McNulty-Eide-134.60
Menards-44.35
NDACO-827.74
NDACO Resources Group-650.72
NDACS-50.00
Nutrien Ag Solutions-63610.05
Quadient Finance-400.00
Quadient Leasing-183.09
Roughrider Industries-290.52
S&M Lawn Service-354.00
Richard Schmidt-1018.19
Stein’s Inc-52.04
Keith Vitek-765.00
Matthew Bender-81.60
Rud Oil-12797.55
Nathan Henke-3000.00
Mercer County Sheriff-1125.00
NW Tire-72.46
The following bills previously paid were approved:
Aflac-426.50
Beulah Rural Fire-541.76
Beulah School District-61309.32
Dan & Deborah Bueligan-1243.87
Center Park District-62.40
Center-Stanton School-58235.77
City of Center-1415.41
Colonial Life-492.13
Companion Life-383.34
Jonathan & Jaidra Dagley-784.00
DCI Dickinson-626.12
Cale Ferderer-300.00
Fidelity Security Life-70.16
Glen Ullin Rural Fire-4696.93
Glen Ullin School-152354.98
Hazen Rural Fire-200.61
Hazen School-2466.91
Raymond Hessler-777.00
Liberty Business Systems-509.02
Marco Technologies-191.32
MDU-1339.28
Mercer County Ambulance-6472.00
Morton County Auditor-9501.98
Morton County Council on Aging-17099.51
Nationwide Retirement-2066.00
ND State Treasurer-8549.76
New Salem-Almont School-436619.60
New Salem Ambulance-41091.66
New Salem Rural Fire-21291.94
Oliver County Ambulance-26272.59
Oliver County Historical Society-2137.60
Oliver County Rural Fire-2975.06
Oliver County Soil Conservation-21369.96
Oliver County Treasurer-86348.58
Oliver County Water Resource District-5129.75
Roughrider Electric-292.60
Security First Bank-80280.48
Stanton Rural Fire-35.04
SW Water-59.85
TransTrash-312.62
Verizon Wireless-520.54
VISA-7228.25
Washburn Rural Ambulance-4921.65
Washburn Rural Fire-145.63
Washburn School-1549.85
Waste Management-106.41
West River Telecommunications-981.97
Western Plains Public Health-29749.80
Payroll-118485.54
Linda Nelson, Risk Manager discussed the money the county received for employees completing the LMS/Safety courses. The total received was $8,096.29.
Sharon Rud, Center Community Club, presented the annual gaming request approval from the Commissioners. Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve the gaming request for use at the Square Butte Creek Golf Course and The Oliver County Fair Grounds. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
The Oliver County Park Board was called into session at 9:04 am. Dave Berger, Daryl Heid, Lee Husfloen, Darrell Berger and Blake Wilkens were present. A request from the Oliver County Fair Board for $500 for toilets was presented. Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve the Fair Board request. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried. A request from the City of Center for $1000 for the pool was presented. Lee Husfloen moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve the City of Center’s request. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried. The Oliver County Park Board was adjourned at 9:06 am.
Road issues were discussed. Jolene Opp, county resident, was present to discuss section line issues she is having. Blake Wilkens stated he was out to look at her concern. The section line is not closed. Jolene expressed concerns with wind tower work near her home and section line as well as the affect it may have on the well water. NextEra is currently building up the section line for use to get to build sites.
DJ Gleason, NextEra, and Mark Dahl, Construction Manager, were present to discuss updates on the Oliver IV Wind project. Calcium Chloride is being used on the roads for dust suppression. There is a new plan in place to help build up roads for the heavy use. There will be more equipment being moved on to the site. Blattner Energy is getting more drivers to haul gravel. Water is being pulled from 2 creeks in Oliver County and a third is being looked at to be permitted. Turbine deliveries are being scheduled for July.
A request was put in for a 35 mph sign to be moved.
Alice Grinsteiner, Oliver/Mercer Emergency Manager, presented to the Commission. She was recently hired as the new full time HR for Mercer County and Emergency Manager. Discussion was held on a grant she has applied for, for emergency services in Mercer and Oliver County. Discussion was held on Alice also jointly taking on the HR position for Oliver County and Mercer County as well.
The Salary Study was briefly re-discussed. Darrell Berger requested that Jaden Schmidt reach out to Gallagher to get a timeline of the project to discuss at the next meeting.
Building Permit #1036 for Mark Albers was presented. It is for an addition to his home, located at the SW ¼ of 28-143-85. Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve Building Permit #1036. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Building Permit #1037 for Brink Construction was presented. It is for the concrete pads/foundation of the substation, located at SW ¼ of 5-142-85. Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve Building Permit #1037. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Building Permit #1038 for Atwell was presented. It is for transmission line poles located at NW ¼ of 5-142-85, SW ¼ of 32-143-85, SW ¼ of 31-143-85, N ½ SE ¼ of 13-143-86 and SE ¼ of 16-143-85. Blake Wilkens moved and Darrell Berger seconded the motion to approve the Building Permit #1038. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Discussion was held on local water usage from creeks and dams in the county. Lauren Eggers was present to answer questions. Temporary permits are given by the State Water Commission. Complaints can be filed with the local water resource board with an official form. If filed, there is a 120 day timeframe to investigate and/or hold a hearing.
Discussion was held on the Weed Board Building Proposal that was tabled from the May meeting. Rick Schmidt, Extension Agent and Weed Control Officer was present. The question was asked by Rick Schmidt about the transfer of weed control funds and was is legal as far as transfers. Patrick Waters previously looked into the concerns that were raised in regards to the transfer and stated that everything was done legally. The County Commissioners control all funds that come into the county. The Weed Board controls the Noxious Weed Control funds for use to control Noxious Weeds. No capitol purchases can be made, such as a building or land, by any board other than the County Commission.
The County Commission meeting was put into recess at 10:38 am.
The Oliver County Equalization was called to order at 10:38 am. There is an increase in the True & Full Value of $4,641,916, which includes the city. Detached garages were low on assessments done, so a larger increase was put in due to assessments being done. There was a decrease of Agricultural land to be in compliance with the state.
The Taxable Value for 2024 is $14,625,453, which is a decrease from 2023 ($14,810,773). Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to approve the 2024 assessments, all in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
The regular meeting was called back into session at 10:51 am.
Discussion on the Weed Board resumed. Darrell Berger moved and Blake Wilkens seconded the motion to have Patrick Waters write a letter on the proper role of all County boards. All in favor, none opposed; motion carried.
Discussion was held on the proposed building that was discussed by the Weed Board. There was a new discovery that the building was being proposed to be put on land that was thought to be owned by the 4-H, but according to county deeds, it is actually land owned by the Fair Board. Rick Schmidt stated that he does not feel that the building is a concern any longer, but rather is concerned by the Weed Board money, who controls it and how transfers should or can be made. Discussion was held between Rick Schmidt, Patrick Waters and the Commissioners about recent accusations that were leveled against the County Auditor about transferring money without approval, which were unfounded.
Rick Schmidt also stated that the Commission needs to think about a long-term plan. The next Extension agent will not be allowed to take on the role of Weed Control Officer due to NDSU rules.
The CISA Safe Assessment was discussed. CISA came in to do a safety assessment on the Courthouse. Several suggestions were put in the report. The Commission will review the assessment and it will be revisited at the next meeting.
The meeting adjourned at 11:24 AM.
The next meeting of the Oliver County Commission will be at 8:00 AM, Tuesday, July 2nd, 2024 at the Oliver County Courthouse meeting room.
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Jaden Schmidt, Oliver County Auditor Lee Husfloen, Chairman of the Board