February 2, 2021
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session February 2, 2021 in the Miner County Courthouse. Members present: Alex Protsch, Garrett Gassman, Tom Reisch, Roger Wentland and Kathy Faber. Absent: none. Others in attendance at the start of the meeting were Deputy Auditor Rebecca Mommaerts and Director of Equalization Tami Severson. Chairman Protsch called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. An amendment was made to the agenda to table the Dispatch Staffing item until February 16th. Motion by Wentland, seconded by Faber and carried to approve the agenda, as amended.
The minutes of the January 19th meeting were approved.
The auditor’s account with the county treasurer showed a February 1, 2021 balance of $7,907,938.57 in all state, county, civil, school and trust accounts.
It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Wentland and carried to approve the following claims for payment: Road & Bridge $36,081.75, Wellmark $47,161.75, Delta Dental $1,466.88, Kansas City Life $448.98, Retirement $6,266.91, OASI $8,942.79, Commissioners $4,430.75, Auditor $7,332.50, Treasurer $6,430.83, States Attorney $5,433.50, Govt Building $3,464.35, Director of Equalization $7,454.48, Register of Deeds $7,482.38, Vet Service $893.00, Sheriff $11,254.75, Contract Law $5,031.68, Welfare $394.00, Co Nurse $1,326.00, Ambulance $9,218.77, WIC $90.25, Extension $1,326.00, Weed $1,225.00, Dispatch $13,524.05, Emergency Mgt $2,275.00 JAN PAYROLL; Darcy Albert $14.00, Tami Severson $14.00 PAYROLL TRAVEL. SD DOT $34,122.17 CONTRACTED MAINTENANCE; Two Way Solutions $575.00, Ultra $928.00 EQUIPMENT; Northwestern $985.93 GAS SERVICE; Lifequest $2,500.00 GRANTS; Emergency Safety Education $113.61 IN SERVICE EDUCATION; Lincoln Co Auditor $277.25, Abby Oftedal $99.00 MENTAL ILLNESS HEARING EXPENSE; Architecture Inc. $15,785.00 PROFESSIONAL FEES; Cummins Sales & Service $708.22, First District Assn of Local Govts $7,000.00, Two Way Solutions $1,009.42, Ultra $330.00 REPAIRS; Kristian Ellendorf $900.00 STATE’S ATTY OFFICE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE; American Stamp $86.20, Dust-Tex $130.94, Gall’s $132.11, McLeod’s $185.98, Mustang Seeds $412.50, Tami Severson $20.00, Sirchie $84.76 SUPPLIES; Alliance $846.46, Colleen Arens $30.00, AT&T $87.83, Century Link $15.74, Tami Severson $30.00, Verizon $84.18 TELEPHONE; Kent Terwilliger $58.00 TRAVEL; City of Howard $1,658.04 UTILITIES.
No one appeared for Public Comment. No conflict of interest was declared.
The following correspondence was received: Miner County Conservation District November Meeting Minutes & Financial Reports, NRCS Report, and Miner County Ambulance Report.
The board was informed that Jim Weber with Puetz Design+Build will have an update next week regarding the Miner County Courthouse building project. The Courthouse Committee (Wentland & Protsch) will meet with Puetz and report back to the full Board; no decisions will be made during this Committee meeting. Auditor Connor will set up the meeting.
Wilbur-Ellis Air submitted a request for a permit to land aircraft on Miner County highways. They have submitted their certificate of insurance, listing Miner County as a certificate holder. Wentland made a motion to approve the request, seconded by Gassman. Motion carried.
Sheriff Rob Eggert joined the meeting. A resignation letter was received by Evan Meyer, part-time law enforcement. The resignation was accepted by the board. Eggert passed out the January Miner County Sheriff report to the board. Severson left the meeting.
A contract was received from the State of South Dakota for a Consultant Contract for Provision of Community Health Services between the SD Dept of Health and the Miner County Commission for January 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021. This will be reviewed again at the February 16th meeting.
The Bridge Improvement Grant Agreement for Preliminary Engineering – State Administration was received by the State of SD Dept. of Transportation, which will extend the agreement to ensure grant funds can be used for the expenses of some final bills. Wentland made a motion to authorize Chairman Alex Protsch to sign the agreement on behalf of Miner County, seconded by Faber and carried unanimously.
State’s Attorney Kristian Ellendorf joined the meeting. It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Wentland and carried to enter into executive session (SDCL 1-25-2) to discuss personnel issues at 9:30am. Mommaerts left the meeting for executive session. Ellendorf was present for executive session. The board returned to regular session at 10:15am.
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges joined the meeting telephonically. Krempges reviewed the performance of the shop heaters, the progress of the application for a truck, the completion of FEMA payments, and some further information on the Bridge Improvement Grant contract signed earlier in the meeting. The highway department started crack sealing yesterday down by Epiphany and will be doing it by Canova as well. MSHA refresher training is supposed to be Thursday, if weather permits.
State’s Attorney Ellendorf brought up some concerns she had on some of the wording in the Agreement for General Law Enforcement Services between the County and the City of Howard. After discussion, it was decided to have Ellendorf update the law references in the contract as well as propose some amendments to the contract regarding the seizing of personal property on behalf the City and regarding administrative functions, such as terminations of law enforcement officials at the discretion of the Sheriff, with the County having oversight. Ellendorf will update the contract with the amendments to present to the City of Howard.
Ellendorf also addressed the issue of court during the construction project. Options for alternative sites were discussed. Issues that need to be considered when relocating are a sound system, internet access and adding an access point to the State of SD information system. Melissa Lock, Clerk of Courts, also needs office space elsewhere while the work is being completed at the courthouse. Ellendorf will discuss some of the options with the Judge and will keep in contact with the Commission as to the State’s plan for court during the construction phase.
Having no further business, the meeting adjourned to February 16th. Dated this 2nd day of February, 2021.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts, Deputy Auditor