July 6, 2021
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session July 6, 2021 in the Miner County 4-H Exhibit Hall. Members present: Alex Protsch, Garrett Gassman, and Tom Reisch. Absent: Kathy Faber and Roger Wentland. The flag pledge was recited. Tami Severson was also present. Motion by Reisch, seconded by Gassman and carried to approve the agenda.
The minutes of the June 16th meeting were approved.
The auditor’s account with the county treasurer showed a July 1, 2021 balance of $9,021,953.68 in all state, county, civil, school and trust accounts.
No persons appeared for Public Comment.
The following correspondence was received: SD DOT 2022-2025 Statewide Transportation Improvement Program meeting schedule; Sheriff’s June report.
It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Reisch and carried to approve the following claims for payment: Triotel $173.53 911 CHARGES; Miner Co Treasurer $11.00 ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSE; SD Office of Child & Family Services $1,634.75 CO NURSE PMT TO STATE; Hydro Klean $23,750.00, SD DOT $1,194.33, Ulteig $1,372,559.50 CONTRACTED MAINTENANCE; HFCA $10,374.59 FUEL; Northwestern Energy $45.09 GAS SERVICE; Domestic Violence Network $650.00, Mitchell Area Safehouse $650.00 GRANTS; Co Employee $2,000.00 INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENT; Miner Co Treasurer $21.20 LICENSES; Mark Neises $315.00 MOWING; Domestic Violence Network $49.50, Mitchell Area Safehouse $49.50 PAY TO OTHERS; Miner Co Treasurer $25.15, Stamp Fulfillment Services $986.50 POSTAGE; Architecture Inc. $3,000.00, Eric Kobernusz $150.00, Puetz Design+Build $15,976.29 PROFESSIONAL SERVICE; Miner County Pioneer $420.22 PUBLISHING; Microfilm Imaging $660.00, Miedema Sanitation $300.00 RENT; James Valley Landscape $193.24, Precision Diesel Service $289.15, Prostrollo Auto Mall $1,507.96, Puetz Design + Build $347,927.46 REPAIRS; Commercial Asphalt $147,406.42 ROAD MATERIALS; Kristian Ellendorf $900.00 STATE’S ATTY OFFICE EXP ALLOWANCE; Relx Inc. $149.00 SUBSCRIPTION; Botach $25.98, C&R Supply $449.30, Corner Pantry $55.96, Dust-Tex $203.88, Maria Feldhaus $79.00, Gall’s $518.49, Homestead $63.50, Krug Products $178.57, McLeod’s $120.47, Miner County Pioneer $153.75, Miner Co Treasurer $93.95, Scull Studios $30.00, Tami Severson $20.00, Kent Terwilliger $46.00 SUPPLIES; Alliance $968.86, Colleen Arens $30.00, AT&T $362.64, Century Link $15.93, Susan Connor $30.00, Tami Severson $30.00 TELEPHONE; Susan Connor $85.68, Brittany Yanish $59.64 TRAVEL; City of Howard $2,077.92, Xcel Energy $9.48 UTILITIES; Beadle Co Auditor $825.00 VICTIMS ADVOCATE; Factor360 $600.00 WEBSITE.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Gassman and carried to authorize the auditor to make an operating transfer as provided for in the 2021 budget to Emergency Management Fund $20,000.
The board authorized Chairman Protsch to sign the Road & Bridge Construction easements, Utilities Certificate, Right-of-Way Certificate and the Letting Authorization for the bridge replacement located in Section 34 T106N R57W.
Weed Supervisor Kent Terwilliger, Weed Board member Wyatt Walter, State’s Attorney Kristian Ellendorf and Curt Neises of Miner Insurance joined the meeting to review modifications to the weed truck. This meeting was at the request of Kent Terwilliger. Terwilliger shared an email he received from the State’s Attorney that questioned some of Terwilliger’s modifications and requests for access to the Howard Farmer’s Coop during hours in which the coop would be closed. Ellendorf stated she wrote the email requesting that Terwilliger meet with her to review these concerns. Neises took pictures of the modifications to the spray truck and will forward to the liability coverage underwriter for their review. Neises will forward the underwriter’s response. Discussion was held concerning worker’s compensation coverage. The county is insured through the SDML Worker’s Compensation Brad Wilson of SDML raised concerns that the commission had not been informed of the request by Terwilliger for access to the coop during non-operation hours. Terwilliger and Walter informed the commission that this matter was discussed at a weed board meeting. In the future commissioners will be reporting at the beginning of each commission meeting as to board and committee meetings that were attended.
Treasurer Jessica Charles and Kristian Ellendorf discussed possible tax deed properties. Charles was informed just prior to the meeting by Ellendorf that several of the parcels have tax deed that have certificates older than 6 years. SDCL 10-25-1 requires all tax deeds be filed prior to the end of the 6th year from issuance of the tax certificate. Charles will work on these properties along with others as directed by the commission.
Brittany Yanish joined the meeting to request additional pay for the extra duties she has been performing due to the absence of a 4-H Youth Advisor. It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Gassman and carried to compensate Yanish for an additional 5 hours per week ($18.30/hr) February 22nd-August 20th (total of 130 hours) and require Yanish to work 40 hours/week from July 6th until a new advisor is hired.
Treasurer Charles, Sheriff Eggert and Deputy Hahn reviewed their budget requests with the commission. Further 2022 budget discussions will take place at the July 20th commission meeting.
Kyle Higgens of Puetz Design + Build, Steve Jastram & Elizabeth Squyer of Architecture Inc., and Melanie Raap-Eitreim of MAP, Inc joined the meeting to review the progress of the courthouse project. Higgens presented the following change orders for consideration:
#5 removal of contingency funds for previous change orders. It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Gassman and carried unanimously to approve Change Order #5.
#6 relocation of roof drains ($3,437.01). It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Reisch and carried unanimously to approve Change Order #6.
#7 aluminum entrance doors (north side). This change order will be delayed until the July 20th meeting so that pictures of the doors can be reviewed prior to consideration.
Higgens reported on the conduit that was called for in the design plans and was partially installed. This was not the intended material to be used by the board, electrical engineer nor the architect. Higgens has secured a rough estimate for the removal of the installed conduit and the replacement with wire-molding. As conduit was stated in the plans and was bid as such, the county feels it should only be responsible for the additional added value of the wire mold. Higgens will work with Architecture Inc. and MAP, Inc. to come up with an agreement for cost sharing for the removal of the installed conduit material and labor for installation of the wire mold/conduit. Miner County will be responsible for (approximately $18,231) the difference between the cost of the conduit and the cost of the wire mold plus the additional labor costs between conduit installation and wire mold installation. Higgens will bring a sample of the wire mold to the next meeting for final approval.
Auditor Connor reported that the county has received the first half ($215,216) of the American Rescue Plan Federal Grant. Eligible uses include:
1. Responding to the Public Health Emergency/Negative Economic Impacts
2. Premium Pay for essential work during the COVID 19 public health emergency
3. Revenue Loss
4. Investments in Infrastructure in water, sewer & broadband
Reporting requirements are required on a quarterly and annual basis. An additional $215,216 will be received in 2022. Projects must follow Federal requirements and must be completed by December 31, 2026.
Director of Equalization Tami Severson presented a cost estimate from Eagle View for Geospatial Software. The board will continue to consider this at a future commission meeting. Severson has received a request for GIS services via a subscription basis. The board instructed Severson to research this option and bring it back the board for their consideration.
It was moved by Gassman and seconded by Reisch to adopt the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 21-15
The Miner County Board of County Commissioners, having adopted and signed a Joint Cooperative Agreement on the 28th day of March, 1972, creating the First Planning and Development District, Model Rural Development Program, do hereby agree to renew their participation in the Joint Cooperative Agreement for Fiscal Year 2022 (October 1, 2021-September 30, 2022). To support the Joint Cooperative Agreement and the activities of the District staff, the Miner County Board of County Commissioners will provide $9133.41 to the First District Association of Local Governments during the aforementioned Fiscal Year 2022 period.
Voting aye: Reisch, Gassman and Protsch. Voting nay: none. Resolution adopted this 6th day of July, 2021.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
The board reviewed the form for the application for Medical Cannabis applicants. It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Gassman and carried to approve the form as presented.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Gassman and carried to enter into executive session at 12:23 p.m. to discuss personnel issues (SDCL 1-25-2 (1)). The board returned to regular session at 12:36.
Having no further business, the board adjourned to July 20th. Dated this 6th day of July, 2021.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor