August 18, 2020
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session August 18, 2020 in the Miner County Courthouse. Members present: Roger Wentland, Tom Reisch, Garrett Gassman, Voni Durant, and Alex Protsch. Absent: none. Others in attendance were Deputy Auditor Becki Mommaerts and Director of Equalization Tami Severson. Auditor Susan Connor joined the meeting telephonically. Chairman Wentland called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Motion by Gassman, seconded by Durant and carried to approve the agenda.
No conflict of interest was declared. The minutes of the August 4th meeting were approved.
The following correspondence was received: East Dakota Water Development District July 16th meeting minutes and USDA Landscape Scale Restoration grants from the SD Dept. of Agriculture.
There was discussion on a claim received from Vikor Teleconstruction for radio tower repairs due to disagreement between departments on which budget the claim should be paid out of. After speaking telephonically with Cora Schwader, Director of 911 & Dispatch Services, it was decided that the tower was mainly used by the Highway Dept and for dispatching busses for the school, the ambulance, and the fire department. Emergency 911 services do not use the tower. The Commissioners thought it would be best for it to be paid out of the Emergency Management budget, but that they would supplement the budget with a contingency transfer in the amount of the bill. It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Reisch to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION 20-30
WHEREAS, insufficient appropriation was made in the 2020 budget for the following department to discharge just obligation of said appropriation; and
WHEREAS, SDCL 7-21-32.2 provides that transfers may be made by resolution of the board from the contingency appropriation established pursuant to SDCL 7-21-6.1 to other appropriations;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the appropriation be transferred from contingency to the following department: Emergency Management $13,813.95.
Voting aye: Protsch, Durant, Gassman, Reisch, and Wentland. Voting nay: none. Resolution adopted this 18th day of August 2020.
_____________________________________________
Roger Wentland, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: _______________________________________
Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Deputy Auditor
No one appeared for Public Comment.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Durant and carried to approve the following claims for payment: Triotel Communications $170.04, Alliance Communications $150, Santel Communications $55.12 911 Charges; Horizon Health Care $100 Blood Draw; Central Electric $62.53 Utilities; Microfilm Imaging $882.50 Equipment; Howard Farmers Coop $7566.13, John Deere Financial $33.86, Sturdevant’s $28.18, Wingen’s Garage $2560.18 Fuel; Emergency Safety Ed. $113.61 In-Service Education; Todd Spader $327 Mowing; Lake Co. Sheriff’s Office $75 Prisoner Care; Horizon Health Care $55 Professional Services; Miner Co Pioneer $319.97 Publishing; A-OX Welding Supply $295.95, Aramark $272.74, Microfilm Imaging $385 Rent; Dan’s Heating & Cooling $195.92, Graham Tire $612.16, Howard Auto Clinic $651.73; Howard Farmer’s Coop $304.33, James Valley Landscape Solutions $406.68, Microfilm Imaging $1041, Office Peeps $495.47, Vikor Teleconstruction $13813.95 Repairs; 3D Specialties $4191.42, Commercial Asphalt $177193.20, Concrete Materials $612.70, Howard Farmers Coop $622.50, Lyle Signs $196.60, Spencer Quarries $805.75, TrueNorth Steel $1803.86 Road Materials; Boyer Trucks $123.51, Dust-Tex Service $196.41, Hodges Badge Co. $82, Home Service Water Conditioning $48, John Deere Financial $14.83, Kimball Midwest $170.51, Miner Co. Conservation District $6.92, Office Peeps $414.82; Rockmount Research & Alloys $1004.24, Rusty’s $24.76, S & S Contracting $33.60, SD Federal Property Agency $82, Sturdevant’s $280.27, Thomson Reuters-West $249, Tom’s Hardware $42.15, Wheelco Brake $90.92, Wingen’s Garage $63.82 Supplies; Alliance Communications $39.95, Verizon Wireless $76.56 Telephone; Voni Durant $84, Garrett Gassman $60.06, Howard Farmer’s Coop $20.82, SD Counties $555, Kent Terwilliger $108 Travel.
It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Protsch to approve the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 20-31
WHEREAS, insufficient appropriation was made in the 2020 budget for the following department to discharge just obligation of said appropriation; and
WHEREAS, SDCL 7-21-32.2 provides that transfers may be made by resolution of the board from the contingency appropriation established pursuant to SDCL 7-21-6.1 to other appropriations;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the appropriation be transferred from contingency to the following department: Other Social Services $512.50
Voting aye: Protsch, Durant, Gassman, Reisch, and Wentland. Voting nay: none. Resolution adopted this 18th day of August 2020.
_____________________________________________
Roger Wentland, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: _______________________________________
Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Deputy Auditor
A quote for a new sound system for the courtroom was received. Durant made a motion to purchase and install the necessary equipment for the upgrade. Gassman questioned if the updates needed to be done immediately, or if it was possible to wait until they received more information about the courthouse building renovation first. It was decided to wait until more information was received about the building renovation to avoid any unnecessary costs. Durant withdrew her motion.
It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Protsch to enter into executive session (SDCL 1-25-2 (1)) at 9:33am. Those present for executive session included Deputy Auditor Becki Mommaerts, Auditor Susan Connor (by telephone), and the commissioners, except Tom Reisch, who left executive session due to a conflict of interest at 9:35am. The board returned to regular session at 9:40am. Tom Reisch and Tami Severson returned to the meeting. Gassman made a motion, seconded by Protsch to offer the position of Veteran Service Officer to Tim Reisch. Voting aye: Protsch, Gassman, Durant and Wentland. Tom Reisch abstained from voting. Motion carried.
Tami Severson presented a plat consideration for Donna & Gary Stroud. It was moved by Gassman and seconded by Durant to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION 20-32
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Miner County, South Dakota, that the plat of LOT 1 OF STROUD FIRST ADDITION IN THE SW ¼ OF SECTION 8, T 108 N, R 58 W OF THE 5TH P.M., MINER COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA, which has been submitted for examination pursuant to law, is hereby approved and the County Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to endorse on such plat a copy of this Resolution and certify the same.
Voting aye: Durant, Reisch, Gassman, Protsch and Wentland. Voting nay: none. Resolution adopted this 18th day of August, 2020.
_____________________________________________
Roger Wentland, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: _______________________________________
Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Deputy Auditor
Kent Terwilliger, Miner County Emergency Manager, joined the meeting. The Local Emergency Management Service Level Agreement (SLA) was considered. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Gassman and carried unanimously to enter into the SLA agreement.
The Commissioners received a request for abatement of taxes for St. Johns Lutheran Church. The taxes are associated with the rectory which was rented to a private individual from January through June of 2019. President Joe Bechen requested on behalf of the church to abate the taxes from July-December of 2020 as it was occupied by the church and therefore tax exempt during that period of time. Motion by Protsch, seconded by Durant and carried unanimously to approve the abatement.
Auditor Connor made the request, with regret, to only have one polling place for the November 3rd General Election. She would staff two tables, which would require six poll workers, plus two back-up poll workers to substitute in the event of sickness or an emergency. If she can find more workers, she would staff three tables, but she has received many responses from poll workers that do not wish to work due to COVID-19. It was moved by Reisch seconded by Durant to adopt the following resolution:
RESOLUTION 20-33
WHEREAS, SDCL 12-14-1 requires the board of county commissioners to provide for election precincts throughout its county and shall designate polling places within such precincts, and
WHEREAS, the number of willing poll workers is down due to the threat of COVID-19, and
WHEREAS, commissioners wish to limit the exposure to COVID-19 by utilizing one polling place,
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Miner County Board of Commissioners sets the polling place for the following precincts:
POLLING PLACE: Miner County 4-H Exhibit Hall (203 West Wilson St. Howard, SD)_
Precinct 1 (Howard City Ward 1);
Precinct 2 (Howard City Ward 2);
Precinct 3 (Howard City Ward 3);
Precinct 4 (Vermillion, Canova, Rock Creek Townships, Canova Village)
Precinct 5 (Clinton, Beaver, Miner Townships)
Precinct 6 (Clearwater, Howard, Roswell Townships, Vilas Village);
Precinct 7 (Henden, Adams, Belleview, Grafton Townships)
Precinct 8 (Green Valley, Carthage, Redstone Townships, Carthage City)
Voting aye: Durant, Gassman, Reisch, Protsch, and Wentland. Voting nay: none. Resolution adopted this 18th day of August, 2020.
_____________________________________________
Roger Wentland, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: _______________________________________
Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Deputy Auditor
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges joined the meeting. Krempges reviewed current bridge and culvert projects. He stated bridge inspections have identified bridges with issues within the county that will affect blading and snow removal later this year. Durant asked about responsibility if an accident was to occur one of the bridges with major issues. Krempges stated there are warnings posted by those bridges, so those who don’t heed the warnings could be responsible for repair of damages. Krempges is looking at renting an excavator for two weeks up to a month for some of the culvert projects, as well as to clean some ditches. The Commissioners approved Krempges renting the excavator instead of hiring the work done. Krempges discussed other highway matters including hauling rock to Carthage Township, roads in the Lake Thompson area, overlays and phone calls he’s received from a county resident. The highway department will be using the fog sealing method in the future which should extend the life of the chip seals. An auction sale is planned for this Fall. Krempges will talk to Sheriff Rob Eggert regarding abandoned vehicles that could be included in the auction. Krempges talked to the board about the possibility of purchasing a water pump from a county resident in the future. Krempges also presented his 7-year plan to the board.
Gary Snow & Associates delivered a quote for Asbestos & Lead Paint Complete Inspection. Motion from Durant, seconded by Protsch and carried to have Roger Wentland sign and accept the proposal from Gary Snow & Associates, Inc.
Auditor Connor informed the board that adjustments to the 2021 budget can be considered up until final adoption at the September 22nd meeting. The Provisional Budget Hearing will be held on September 1st at 9:30 a.m.
Having no further business, the meeting adjourned to September 1st. Dated this 18th day of August, 2020.
_____________________________________________
Roger Wentland, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: _______________________________________
Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Deputy Auditor