- 71 -
Finley, North Dakota
September 3, 2013
Agenda Item
Call to Order/Roll Call
Approval of Minutes
Office Reports
Discussion
The Steele County Board of Commissioners met at 8:00 a.m.
Present were Chair Jane Amundson and Commissioners Lance
Fugleberg, Ted Johnson, Dennis Lindstrom, and Randy Richards.
Commissioner Fugleberg made a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Johnson to approve the minutes of the August 6th
meeting as presented. All members voted yes. Motion carried.
Office reports were reviewed.
Action
The Griggs-Steele Empowerment Zone Loan has been satisfied.
Elisha Washburn, HR Manager constructed a personnel policy
acknowledgement form for every employee to sign. This is
designed to protect the county by having employees sign off that
they’ve received and understand the manual and will follow the
policies and understand noncompliance may result in termination.
Commissioner Richards made a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Lindstrom to use the form. All members voted yes.
Motion carried.
Technical Infrastructure
Congratulations!
Building Update
Aged Receivables
Payroll Adjustment
North Dakota Public Employees Association has changed their
name to North Dakota United effective September 1 st, 2013. A
special assessment of $1/month will be added to each member’s
dues.
The board asked Elisha to contact David Archer in regards to a rewiring/wireless quote for the court house. Elisha spoke with Dave
and he indicated that he does not recommend wireless what so
ever for the courthouse however we could have a single access
point available if needed. Dave indicated this is a huge project
that cannot be stopped and started and he does not have time until
after harvest.
Linda Leadbetter, former Steele County Auditor received the 2013
Excellence in County Government Aware from the North Dakota
Association of Counties! She will be recognized on Monday,
October 7th at 9 a.m. at the Annual Conference in Bismarck.
The air conditioner in the auditor’s office that kept blowing the
circuit due to overload was re-wired to the vault circuit so power
there should no longer be an issue.
Richard Strand of Lakeside construction could not come to the
meeting but was conference called in. He noted that the previous
road Superintendent Mark was going to forgive the bill. Richard
noted his frustrations as other bills the county has sent him have
been paid; he just does not want to pay a bill that he’s not sure
what it is for. Chair Amundson and Commissioner Richards
talked to Richard letting him know that this past due bill was
recently brought the county’s attention and they have no doubt
that him and Mark had trading going on however they are trying to
establish what happened and what is really owed as something
must be owed if it is on the ledger as a statement had to be
generated to create the amount due. Richard said he no longer has
a copy of the statement and unfortunately nor does the county as
the computer it was on was wiped by an employee before their
termination.
Commissioner Johnson made a motion, seconded by
Pam Amundson, Deputy Auditor
will have all employees sign this
form before the next
Commissioners’ meeting. At that
time the commissioners will sign
as well.
Elisha will make a reminder for the
beginning of December to touch
base with David on this.
Chair Amundson visited with the
State’s attorney to see the counties
options as they believe something
must be owed here. Charlie Stock,
State’s Attorney will be sending
Lakeside a letter letting them know
they must pay $5,000 or the county
will pursue in court.
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Road Projects
Road Department
Update
Weed Control
Commissioner Richards to adjust Pam Amundson’s payroll to
reflect the 4% increase given last year in addition to the dollar
amount she was increased. All members voted yes. Motion
carried. However JDA will need to cover their portion of the 4%
so an adjustment will be made as the county will not cover that.
Mike Bassingthwaite of Interstate Engineering met with the
commission to provide an update on road projects;
The County Road #6 Right of Way Letters were signed by Chair
Amundson. The core permit has been received. Commissioner
Fugleberg made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lindstrom
to have the Steele County State’s Attorney begin eminent domain
process for a small portion of the land on 1 side of the road.
The road department will put some
planks on the current bridge to
temporarily increase its lifespan.
Knife River has been repairing County Road #5 without
contacting Mike. Mike has noticed another area that is in need of
repair. He recommends the county does not close the project until
some type of warranty and/or guarantee is given as there is a high
level of anxiety on the quality. The Auditor’s office received
approval to bill the City of Hope for their portion once all bills
have been received and paid.
The county has decided to hold all
payments to Knife River until they
meet with Mike and Commissioner
Richards to discuss the issues.
A manhole cover was completely graveled and paved over in the
city of Hope. It is estimated that it’s approximately 12-18” under
the surface of the road.
Commissioner Richards and
Johnson will discuss the covered
manhole with the city of Hope.
Discussion is being held on potentially paving County Road #25
or #18. Which project is chosen will depend on the testing results
of the roads and funds available. There is approximately 1.8
million in state funding available for this project however this
requires a 10% match.
Tim Lee, Road Superintendent provided an update;
They are working on fixing a sink hold on County Road 16.
Commissioner Johnson will meet
with Mike in Fargo on September
11th to discuss the proposed projects
for 2014.
The county shop’s propane usage has gone up 2 times. It’s been
concluded that the shop needs to be re-insulated.
Tim will get quotes on reinsulating the county shop.
2 of the 1-way plows that are used for snow need to be replaced.
These plows run around $10,000 new and $4,000 used. The
current plows are from the 1960’s.
Tim will find some good used
plows and bring them to the
board’s attention.
Tim has been receiving blade operation applications. There is a
gentleman Tim is interested in who has 38 years of experience.
However this individual wants more pay than what our current
blade operator’s receive. Discussion was held on why this would
not be a good idea; discussion was also held on the conclusion that
some counties pay more however their blade operators are not
allowed overtime and every counties benefits are different and
need to be included in the salary breakdown as well.
Alicia Harstad, NDSU Extension Agent provided a weed control
update;
Tim will offer the position at the
current pay available. It was also
noted that Tim should have his
best blade operator operating blade
at all times.
Some fields have been taken over by Kochia and other round up
resistant weeds. Alicia recommends that as a weed board we put a
proposal in to add these weeds to the county list so they can be
regulated. Kochia is the chief concern. Commissioner Lindstrom
made a motion seconded by commissioner Fugleberg to add
Kochia to the list. All members voted yes. Motion carried.
There is a tag grant fund for $5000 that needs to be used by July
30th, 2015. The Weed Building would be a good choice to use the
Commissioner Lindstrom will
work on a bid for the Weed
- 73 funds for.
Building.
The following meetings are coming up;
 Corn Plot September 18th near Sharon
 Area 2 ND Weed Control Association will be held the
end of October
 Township Officers Meeting in Hope on December 4th
 State Convection January 7-9th in Mandan at the Seven
Seas
There were some questions brought up on the Weed budget.
Additional Grants
Radio Tower Update
County Federal Aid
Program
Personnel Policy
Meeting
Kim Franklin, Emergency Manager approached the board in
regards to applying for a grant she feels will benefit the county. It
may even cover the new radio tower needed. If received the
counties only cost would be about $2000. Commissioner
Fugleberg made a motion seconded by Commissioner Johnson for
Kim to go forth with the grant application. All members voted
yes. Motion carried.
Don Huso, Steele County 911 Coordinator met with the
commission in regards to the radio tower. The inspection did not
go well however it was needed to determine whether or not the
tower could be salvaged. There are 6 anchors and 3 of them
failed. Crews will not climb up the tower anymore until it is
resolved. It would cost approximately $25,000 to repair the old
tower. The inspection was $4500. The best decision is a new
tower. FCC knows we are working on this as we are not in their
standards.
Meeting scheduled in Bismarck on Tuesday, October 8 th at 9:40
a.m.
The Steele County Personnel Policy Committee met on July 25 th.
They requested the following below in bold italics. The board
responded below each item.
1.
2.
3.
4.
Courthouse be closed for Columbus Day
It was concluded that the commissioners do not want to
give up the day after Thanksgiving at this time so we will
be open Columbus Day.
Modify work hours at the discretion of department
heads to allow flexibility for the employees. This can be
accomplished by rotating employees to ensure office
coverage and using extended hours. This will allow one
extra day off per week. Advantages are increased
productivity and higher morale. There may be less
absenteeism and burn out.
It was determined that there is not enough staff available
in a small county such as ours to do this. In addition not
all employees are in favor of this.
Change the annual leave to follow the merit system used
by Social Services.
The commission board is not interested in this at this
time.
Allow for salary increases after so many years of
employment.
It was concluded that salary increases will continue to be
based on productivity in addition to the percentage
increase most employees receive at the board’s
discretion.
Elisha will discuss some of the
history and correct way to handle a
certain line item with Linda,
Former Steele County Auditor and
Becca, Trail County Auditor.
Don is hoping for a Homeland
Security Grant to cover a good
portion of this and will give the
board an update next month.
- 74 5.
Make a decision by 7 a.m. whether or not the
courthouse will be closed due to inclement weather so
employees who travel from out of town are not on the
road.
The Sheriff, Auditor/HR Manager, Road Department
Superintendent, & Commissioner Lindstrom will make
their best efforts to decide in a collaborative effort
whether or not the county should be closed due to
inclement weather by 7 a.m.
Elisha will work on a memo laying
out the inclement weather policy
along with each individuals’
responsibilities before snow
season.
6.
Sheriff’s Office Update
Being paid twice a month.
Steele Counties accounting system does not allow for biweekly pay.
Sheriff Wayne Beckman gave an update on his office;
Wayne emailed vehicle logs from August to Chair Amundson.
Staffing
Park Board
Everyone has been trained on the weights and overloads to be
ready for harvest. Equipment for the pickup for weights is needed.
It is approximately $900. This was approved as it is much less
than the cost of ruining the roads.
Staffing in the courthouse was discussed.
The Golden Lake resort tab was reviewed. The updated tab will
be reviewed at the October meeting.
Elisha gave the latest inventory list to Commissioner Lindstrom
for his inspection.
The Park Board will meet again on Monday, October 28 th at 8 a.m.
The following bills were allowed;
ALLOWED
34982
35045
35075
35079
SOCIAL SECURITY
Information Technology Department-wan access
Information Technology Department-wan access
Steele County Treasurer-social security
NDPERS-social security
429.30
429.30
12502.90
7660.00
34977
34999
35006
35010
35013
35027
35049
35053
35054
35067
35074
35076
35079
35081
HUMAN SERVICE
Payroll August, 2013
Brown & Saenger-stamp
Comfort Inn-hotel
ITD-county exchange mail
MinnKota-shredding
North Dakota Long Distance-conference call minutes
Ward County Social Service Board-foster care visits
Dennis Lindstrom-travel
Department of Human Services-foster care case
NRG-backup
Sterling Long Term Care Pharmacy-medical services
Sheila Oye-cell phone reimbursement
Blue Cross/Blue Shield-dental & vision insurance
NDPERS-retirement
NDPERS-health & life insurance
11710.00
34.50
138.00
21.20
35.00
23.50
158.17
234.54
1022.00
55.60
41.30
45.00
117.00
1552.74
2300.55
35076
35076
35081
35081
HEALTH CARE
Blue Cross/Blue Shield-dental insurance
Blue Cross/Blue Shield-vision insurance
NDPERS-life insurance
NDPERS-health care insurance
1101.80
372.40
97.53
15547.48
- 75 VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER
Payroll August, 2013
34975
34976
34978
34980
34981
34982
34984
34985
34986
34986
34987
34989
34990
34996
35000
35005
35007
35008
35008
35009
35012
35014
35015
35016
35018
35018
35023
35026
35034
35035
35038
35040
35041
35042
35043
35044
35045
35047
35048
35050
35051
35052
35056
35057
35058
35060
35061
35065
35069
GENERAL FUND
Payroll August, 2013
Black Hills Ammunition-ammo
Jill Borth-gardening/spraying weeds/spray
City of Finley-water
Heartland Paper Co-supplies
Heggy’s Body Shop-towing
Information Technology Department-LERMS user fee
Lowe’s-dehumidifiers/AC
MinnKota-shredding
Reardon-printer ink
Reardon-supplies
The Press Box-pizza
Verizon-cell phones
Intoximeters-mouthpiece
Best Western Ramkota-hotel
Dacotah Paper Co-copy paper
Emily Halverson-Bismarck/state equalization
Lisa Jacobsen-postage
Lexis Nexis-Matthew Bender-ND Criminal & Traffice Law Manuel
Lexis Nexis-Matthew Bender-ND Court Rules
Moore Medical LLC-flu supplies
ND Secretary of State-session laws
Nothern Fire Equipment Service-fire extinguishers
Otter Tail Power Co-courthouse electricity
Postmaster-stamps
Reardon-envelopes
Reardon-toner
Stone’s-lights/Vonasek
Verizon Wireless-cell phone charges
Lipia Water-filter kit
ND School Boards Assn-dues
V-W Motors Inc-cut & program key
Finley Farmers Grain & Elevator Co-gas
Finley Motors Inc-Impala lube
Great Plains Towers-co radio inspection
Green Street Promotions-caps/windshirt/polo
Griggs County Telephone-phone charges
Information Technology Department-LERMS user fee
Jamestown Communications Inc-reprogram radios
Lexis Nexis-Matthew Bender-ND Advance Code Service
Midstates Wireless-program radios & repeater
Brittany Ness-travel
New Century Press-minutes
Office of the State Auditor-audit fee
Reardon-supplies
Nodak Electric Cooperative-electricity at radio tower
TJ Cleaning & Services-custodian
Town & Country Co-op-gas/weight training/prisoner meals
NDPHA-conference
Barnes County Emergency Management-contract
34979
35021
35058
35058
COUNTY PARK
Farmers Union Oil Company-Hope-gas mower
Septic Tank Servicing-sewer pumping
Nodak Electric Cooperative-electricity at Golden Lake
Nodak Electric Cooperative-electricity at Golden Lake
676.00
45709.36
299.50
65.00
72.54
61.77
100.00
75.00
905.30
25.00
67.98
51.47
30.00
305.51
72.00
69.00
291.70
254.80
13.74
58.84
21.49
278.84
44.00
121.00
563.78
46.00
14.99
195.98
95.23
228.63
166.00
150.00
83.45
289.48
48.15
4600.00
200.70
623.66
75.00
82.00
60.89
2012.40
279.60
387.58
13500.00
144.41
115.00
1125.00
1548.24
60.00
1350.00
111.37
2490.00
60.96
2214.55
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Waste Management-garbage pick-up
867.29
34984
34994
34995
34997
34998
35001
35002
35003
35004
35011
35014
35015
35017
35018
35019
35020
35024
35025
ROAD FUND
Payroll August, 2013
Hourly wages for August, 2013
Lowe’s-SOS trusses (pre-pay special order)
ASC Construction Equipment USA-repair parts
Beaver Creek Archaeology-bridge repairs
City of Finley-shop expense
City of Sharon-shop expense
Farmers Union Oil-Hope-gas/repair parts/tires
Finley Farmers Grain & Elevator-shop supplies/gas
Finley Lumber & Supply-equipment
General Equipment & Supplies-cutting edges
Newman Traffic Signs-signs & telespar
Northern Fire Equipment Service-supplies
Otter Tail Power Co-shop expense
Power Plan-repair parts
Reardon-supplies
Ralph’s Sharp Shop-equipment
Seaboard Asphalt Product-asphalt
Town & Country Co-op-gas/shop supplies
TrueNorth Steel-culverts
34991
34992
35028
35029
35030
35031
35032
35033
35036
35037
35064
35066
35068
WEED CONTROL
Phyllis Wedin-weed control-Golden Lake
Robert Iverson-weed control-Golden Lake
Andy Schreiner-weed control-Golden Lake
Brian Lyste-weed control-Golden Lake
David Kleveland-weed control-Golden Lake
Don Goughnour-weed control-Golden Lake
Donald Iverson-weed control-Golden Lake
George Braun-weed control-Golden Lake
Randy Doll-weed control-Golden Lake
Rick VanCamp-weed control-Golden Lake
Dave Schneider-weed control-Golden Lake
Paul Kotaska-weed control-Golden Lake
Veronica Holweger-weed control-Golden Lake
35018
35018
35044
35055
35070
COUNTY AGENT
Reardon-office supplies
Reardon-office supplies
Griggs County Telephone-phone charges
NDSU Extension Service-salaries
Alicia Harstad-cell phone reimbursement
92.96
53.98
87.63
12655.92
45.00
34983
35046
9-1-1
Inter-Community Telephone Co-trunking
Inter-Community Telephone Co-trunking
150.00
150.00
4436.00
13535.70
3061.92
80.00
2290.00
57.55
64.57
1464.20
333.96
7.79
4404.00
186.75
165.00
59.71
70.40
119.94
299.95
1107.66
3514.04
2127.54
84.00
84.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
84.00
100.00
100.00
100.00
84.00
100.00
100.00
FARM TO MARKET
35022
Starion Bond Services-new bond issue fee
900.00
34988
34974
35062
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
Traill County Treasurer-prisoner board
Barnes County Corrections-prisoner board
Traill County Treasurer-prisoner board
4355.00
130.00
6890.00
Minutes Approved: _________________________________________
Chair Steele County Commissioners
_________________________________________
Steele County Auditor