ADJOURNED REGULAR MEETING, RAMSEY COUNTY COMMISSION
TUESDAY, JUNE 4, 2002
9:00 A.M.
The meeting was called to order by Robert Freije, Chairman. Roll call was taken and the following members were present: Commissioners Berg, Belford, Brekke, Simon & Freije.
The board recited the pledge of allegiance.
Motion was made by Commissioner Simon, seconded by Commissioner Belford to approve the minutes of the meeting held Tuesday, May 21, 2002. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Roger Gunderson, Maintenance Supervisor, was present to discuss with the board about replacing 74 pieces of glass & tinting of three windows in the Memorial Building. Two proposals were received from the following: The Glass Shop, Devils Lake, in the amount of $4,500.00 and Devils Lake Glass & Paint, Devils Lake, in the amount of $2,675.00. Motion was made by Commissioner Berg, seconded by Commissioner Belford to approve the proposal from Devils Lake Glass & Paint, Devils Lake, for replacing 74 pieces of glass, caulking & the tinting of three windows in the Memorial Building. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Commissioner Belford presented information from the Memorial Building Committee on landscaping. The committee will be a meeting on June 21, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. and are inviting the County Commission to attend.
Motion was made by Commissioner Simon, seconded by Commissioner Berg to approve the proposal from the North Dakota Telephone Company, in the amount of $1,368.00, to relocate & add data and voice jacks in the offices within the courthouse, to accommodate the new office furniture. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Rick Anderson, North Central Planning, discussed with the board on Devils Lake Flood Land Analysis Study. The study of pre-flood usage of flood impacted land continuous to Devils Lake. Rick will present this to Towner, Benson, Nelson Counties & Mike Connor, Devils Lake Basin, State Health & Water Commission, Local Legislators, Game & Fish, Fish & Wildlife & State Offices. Commissioner Berg will send to Senator Conrad, Dorgan & Pomeroy & Governor Hoven with a cover letter. Berg stated that Senator Conrad requested this information to present to congress to seek help for the Lake Region.
After auditing the following bills, motion was made by Commissioner Simon, seconded by Commissioner Belford to approve all bills as submitted and that warrant checks be drawn in payment thereof:
and further that the fees received of the various offices be placed on file as follows:
County State
Sheriff $1,164.20
County Recorder $6,024.00 $261.00
Clerk of District Court $2,140.00
Roll call was taken and the following members voted “AYE”: Commissioners Brekke, Simon, Berg, Belford & Freije. Motion carried.
Jane Horner, NDSU Family Nutrition Program, presented information to the board on nutrition for different agencies in the county, Social Services, Senior Meals, Help Center, Schools, The Drop in Center, WIC, Head Start & Public Health. She presents group programs or individual presentations. This is a federal funded program supported by state & local taxes with no cost to the county except for office space.
Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Berg to approve to continue the support of the Family Nutrition Program in Ramsey County. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Simon, seconded by Commissioner Brekke to train Katie Nadeau, Jackie Fuller, Sharon Johanson and Jeff Frith, all employees of Ramsey County, in use of the video conferening equipment. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Simon to approve the site authorizations for the following: Lake Region Heritage Center Inc. to conduct games of chance at The Cove, rural Devils Lake and BPOE Elks 1216 to conduct games of chance at Hagel’s Bar, Webster. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Brekke to approve the transfer of $5,772.87 from the Emergency Fund to the West Dike Extension O & M Fund. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Berg to approve Commissioner Belford to purchase another vehicle for the Sheriff’s Department at the State Auction. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Simon, seconded by Commissioner Berg to approve the request for funding from the Lake Region Community Service for $1,000.00. Roll call was taken and the following members voted “AYE”: Commissioners Berg, Brekke, Simon, Belford & Freije. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Brekke to table the request from the Safe Alternatives for Abused Families (SAAF) until the June 18, 2002, meeting to obtain more information & have Janel Taylor present. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Berg to approve the resolution of indebtedness from Poplar Grove Township, in the amount of $5,000.00. Roll call vote was taken and the following members voted “AYE”: Commissioners Simon, Berg, Belford, Brekke & Freije. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Berg to hold a public meeting on the Lakewood & Acorn Ridge levy location at 7:30 p.m., the next commission meeting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, June 18, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Carol Bertsch, County Recorder, was present to discuss with the board the possibility of summer employment for her office. Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Berg to approve Carol Bertsch, County Recorder, to hire a temporary employee, to be paid $5.15 per hour, to work in her office for the summer months. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
The board recessed at 9:50 a.m. as the Board of County Commissioners to review office space within the building.
The board reconvened at 10:30 a.m. as the Board of Equalization.
Motion was made by Commissioner Berg, seconded by Commissioner Simon to approve the abatement #561, ID# 40-0000-09541-000, in the name of Lauraine Troftgruben et al, as per the Township & Tax Director’s recommendation, for tax year 2000 & 2001. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Simon, seconded by Commissioner Brekke to approve the abatement #560, ID#23-000-02905-0001, in the name of Garrision Diversion Conservancy District, as per the Tax Director’s recommendation, for tax year 2001. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Simon, seconded by Commissioner Brekke to approve abatement #555, ID#03-0000-0659-0000, in the name of James G & Mary E Norton, as per the recommendation of the Tax Director, for tax year 2001. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Simon to approve abatement #554, ID#03-0000-0649-0000, in the name of James G & Mary E Norton, as per the recommendation of the Tax Director, for tax year 2001. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Brekke, seconded by Commissioner Belford to approve abatement #553, ID#03-0000-0650-0000, in the name of James G & Mary E Norton, as per the recommendation of the Tax Director, for the tax year 2001. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Simon, seconded by Commissioner Brekke to approve abatement #552, ID#03-0000-0653-0000, in the name of James G & Mary E Norton, as per the recommendation of the Tax Director, for the tax year 2001. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Simon to approve abatement #551, ID#03-0000-0655-0000, in the name of James G & Mary E Norton, as per the recommendation of the Tax Director, for the tax year 2001. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Brekke, seconded by Commissioner Belford to approve abatement #550, ID#03-0000-0644-0000, in the name of James G & Mary E Norton, as per the recommendation of the Tax Director, for the tax year 2001. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Simon to recess as a Board of County Commissioners & convene as a County Board of Equalization. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Gary Martinson, City Assessor, presented the commission with changes within the city. All residential property with a value of $45,000 and greater will be increased 5%. This will increase residential property value by approximately $3,150,000. Discussion was held on the Lake Region Lutheran Home Corp, the owner of Heartland Court, assisted living, asked for tax exemption for the assisted living apartments. The City denied the request at their equalization board meeting.
Bob Owens, Lake Region Lutheran Home Representative, asked for the apartments to be exempt according to NDCC 57-02-08(8). Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Simon to table action on the Heartland Court until the City, County Tax Director’s & Gary Martinson, City Assessor, look into this further. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Brekke to approve the 2002 list of property tax assessments in the City of Devils Lake as prepared by Gary Martinson, Devils Lake City Assessor, except for Heartland Court. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Simon, seconded by Commissioner Berg to approve the 2002 assessment changes approved by township & city boards, submitted by Jerry Ratzlaff, County Tax Director, except for the 2002 changes in Minnewaukan, Hammer, Klingstrup Townships & Churchs Ferry City. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Berg, seconded by Commissioner Simon to approve the 2002 classifications for inundated land. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Simon, seconded by Commissioner Belford to approve the assessment list of ag land reported in 2002 eligible for inundation prior to any ag increase for 2002. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Berg, seconded by Commissioner Brekke to approve the assessments on land not reported in 2002 and ineligible land. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Simon, seconded by Commissioner Belford to approve the 2002 assessment list on lakeshore property. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Berg, seconded by Commissioner Simon to approve the 2002 tax assessment increase on ag land by 3.8%. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Discussion on elevators in the state was presented by Jerry Ratzlaff, Tax Director. The tax director made no changes in the county but may be discussed at the state level.
The board adjourned at 12:00 pm as the Board of Equalization until July 16, 2002 and reconvened as the Board of County Commissioners.
Ed Forde, Ramsey County Social Services and Coby Barstad, Lake Region Child Support presented the board with information on the Child Support County Meeting to be held June 13, 2002 at 10:00 a.m. in the Basement Meeting Room of the Courthouse. Ed Forde requested all county commissioners attend this meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to allocate shares for child support. The interim committee, that is studying the state wide administration of child support, is meeting July 1, 2002 at 9:00 am. at Lake Region State College, in the Auditorium.
Motion was made by Commissioner Simon, seconded by Commissioner Belford to approve the blue pickup box & 1996 Crown Victoria as surplus property for the June 18, 2002 sale. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Berg to recind the motion made previously to hold the public meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 18, 2002 to discuss the Lakewood, Acorn Ridge Levy Location. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Discussion was held on having a meeting with the Corps of Engineers, Lakewood & Acorn Ridge Residents, to discuss the levy alignment. Motion was made by Commissioner Berg, seconded by Commissioner Belford that the meeting with the Corps of Engineers, Lakewood & Acorn Ridge Residents, be set for Monday, June 17, 2002 at 7:00 p.m., County Commissioners Room, First Floor, Courthouse. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Berg to release the bond of $100,000.00 back to Park Construction for the haul road on the Ramsey/Benson County Line South of Churchs Ferry. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Belford, seconded by Commissioner Berg to sign the letter from Nelson County Commission to Dale Frink, State Engineer, for flood control project on the Nelson/Ramsey County Line. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Discussion on the letter received from Allen McKay, Environmental Health Officer, concerning the consent of a property owner which is allowing Ramsey County to tear down the structure and fill and level the area on Lot 12, Block 1, Original Townsite, Brocket. Motion was made by Commissioner Berg, seconded by Commissioner Simon to have Kevin Fieldsend, County Highway Superintendent, to get proposals to tear down the structure, and fill & level the lot on the above described property. The cost shall be assessed against the property. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
After discussion the Chairman formed a committee to look into office space in the courthouse. The committee members are as follows: Commissioners Belford, Berg & Simon.
Motion was made by Commissioner Berg, seconded by Commissioner Simon to appoint Pam Brekke to the Ramsey County Library Board for a term of three years. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
Motion was made by Commissioner Berg, seconded by Commissioner Simon to adjourn the meeting at 12:50 p.m. All members voted “AYE”. Motion carried.
/s/Robert Freije
Chairman, Ramsey County Commission
ATTEST:
/s/Elizabeth V. Fischer
Ramsey County Auditor