May 6, 2021
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session May 6, 2021 in the Miner County 4-H Exhibit Hall. Members present: Alex Protsch, Garrett Gassman, Tom Reisch, and Kathy Faber. Absent: Roger Wentland. The flag pledge was recited. Others in attendance during the meeting were Tami Severson & Brittany Yanish. Motion by Gassman, seconded by Faber and carried to approve the agenda as amended.
The minutes of the April 20th meeting were approved.
The auditor’s account with the county treasurer showed a May 1, 2021 balance of $10,198,798.67 in all state, county, civil, school and trust accounts.
No persons appeared for Public Comment.
The following correspondence was received: East Dakota Water Development District-April meeting minutes; Miner County Sheriff’s & 911 March reports.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Gassman and carried to approve the flowing claims for payment: Road & Bridge $35,755.46, Wellmark $46,186.52, Delta Dental $1,466.89, Kansas City Life $443.46, Retirement $6,256.18, OASI $8,942.44, Commissioners $4,430.75, Auditor $7,365.75, Treasurer $6,334.75, States Attorney $5,433.50, Govt Building $3,590.00, Director of Equalization $7,770.95, Register of Deeds $7,367.30, Vet Service $893.00, Sheriff $11,254.75, Contract Law $3,792.00, Welfare $531.90, Co Nurse $1,342.00, Ambulance $10,441.03, WIC $91.50, Extension $1,342.00, Weed $1,375.00, Dispatch $13,409.30, Emergency Mgt $2,275.00 APR PAYROLL; Darcy Albert $14.00, Tami Severson $14.00 PAYROLL TRAVEL; Mike Clary $120.00, Rob Eggert $40.00, Josh Esser $140.00, Kevin Feldhaus $20.00, Josh Hahn $40.00, Nathan Kizer $40.00 EVOC DRIVERS; Santel $55.12, Triotel $171.53 911 CHARGES; Redwood Toxicology Lab $42.00 ALCOHOL SCREENING; SD DOT $4,236.92 CONTRACTED MAINTENANCE; SD Planners Assn $50.00 DUES; Xcel Energy $29.91 ELECTRIC SERVICE; Northwestern Energy $1,003.84 GAS SERVICE; Avera Medical Group University $1,750.00 MENTAL HEALTH EVALUATION; Mark Neises $315.00 MOWING; Miner County Treasurer $58.90 POSTAGE; Puetz Design+Build $6,500.00 PROFESSIONAL FEES; Miner County Pioneer $641.28 PUBLISHING; Kristian Ellendorf $900.00 STATE’S ATTY OFFICE EXP ALLOWANCE; Miedema Sanitation $700.00 RENT; All States Ag Parts $125.00, Dakota Fluid Power $1,115.00, Gary Snow & Associates $31,821.17, Hydraulic World $41.98, James Valley Landscape $928.44, Kent Terwilliger $23.42, Two Way Solutions $48.98, Ultra $1,162.25, Zabel Steel $92.21 REPAIRS; Farmers Ag Center $150.64, Homestead Building Supply $119.52 ROAD MATERIALS; Bright Arrow Technologies $200.00, C&R Supply $146.98, Dakota Data Shred $63.47, Dakota Fluid Power $15.25, Dust-Tex $294.13, Homestead Building Supply $99.43, McLeod’s Printing $582.42, Miner County Treasurer $96.41, Pheasantland Industries-Garment $1,346.90, Tim Reisch $30.36, Tami Severson $20.00, Ultra $78.00 SUPPLIES; Colleen Arens $30.00, AT&T $89.76, Century Link $15.93, Tami Severson $30.00, Verizon $57.11, Verizon $85.18 TELEPHONE; Rob Eggert $275.00 TRAVEL; City of Howard $1,798.72 UTILTIES.
Commissioners instructed Auditor Connor to complete the 1st District of Local Govts. COVID-19 Governmental Impact Survey.
It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Faber and carried unanimously to authorize the auditor to make an operating transfer as provided for in the 2021 budget from General fund to 911 $25,000.00.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Gassman and carried unanimously to enter into the prisoner housing agreement with Beadle County for the 2021 fiscal year.
The board considered issuance of malt beverage licenses to operate outside of a municipality for the 2021-2022 licensing period. It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Faber and carried to approve the Retail (on-off sale) malt beverage license application for CC & F Retail Inc. (Jake’s Corner) for Tract A of Bessman’s First Addition NW ¼ Section 12-106-55 Clearwater Township.
The board has been made aware that Danielle Werkmeister has joined the Miner County Ambulance as a volunteer EMT.
Medical marijuana shall become legal on July 1, 2021. With this set to take effect, the Miner County Board of Commissioners will hold a public hearing and first reading of an ordinance dealing with medical marijuana. The hearing will be held on June 1st at 9:30 a.m. at the 4-H exhibit hall.
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges, State’s Attorney Kristian Ellendorf along with landowners Kelly Endorf, Dan Ehlke & Rock Creek Township Chairman Richard Krempges joined the meeting to discuss the condition and possible removal of the bridge located between sections 29 & 30 in Rock Creek Township. Endorf would like to leave the bridge in place due to 4-wheeler access to his pasture during high water events. He also worried if the bridge would be removed it would create more pressure on the bridge downstream. Hwy Superintendent Krempges stated that the county does not want to leave the bridge in place due to liability associated with the bridge in its current condition. Richard Krempges indicated that the township would be willing to legally close ½ mile of township road where the bridge is located. Commissioners stated they would be interested in transferring ownership of the bridge to the adjoining landowners. Ellendorf will research the cost of insurance with his liability carrier. State’s Attorney Ellendorf will work on agreements to transfer the ownership of the bridge and closing of the township road. Further discussions will take place during a future commission meeting.
Highway Superintendent Krempges reported the Canova Oil (435th Ave.) asphalt overlay project will start next week. The road will remain open with the asphalt company utilizing pilot cars. Ray & Sandy Scheuren have requested to close the street in front of their business, The Coonhunter Inn, on May 30th. They plan to host a street dance on that date. The commissioners agreed to allow the street to be closed in front of the business on May 30th. Krempges also reported on bridge project completion, bridge improvement grant applications, and equipment purchased.
SDSU’s Dr. Tim Tanner and Amber Erickson joined the meeting at the request of the commission. Dr. Tanner covered the timeline for advertising for a Miner County 4-H Youth Advisor. The position has been advertised with applications being taken through May 17th. Once the selection committee reviews the applications, interviews will be scheduled. Representatives from the commission, 4-H Leaders, and the program secretary will be included during the interview process. Commissioners voiced concern as to the funding formula used in figuring the annual payment for the 4-H Youth Advisor in Miner County. Miner County chose in 2009 to contract for a full-time position instead of being in a group with three other counties sharing one educator. Commissioners made the request for SDSU to reconsider and pay ¼ of the cost, leaving ¾ to be paid by Miner County. Dr. Tanner assured the board he would take that request back to be considered during their budget process.
The Howard FFA members did not attend the meeting concerning the use of the 4-H grounds. The request was tabled.
Director of Equalization Tami Severson presented the following plat for consideration. Hannah Noonan was also present. It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Faber and carried unanimously to approve the plat described as Tract 1 of Noonan Addition in the Southwest Quarter (SW1/4) of Section 10, Township 106 North, Range 56 West of the 5th P.M., Miner County, South Dakota.
May 10th will be the start date for the renovations of the courthouse building. The board instructed the auditor to rent a storage unit to store the mini split a/c heat units that will be removed on the 10th. These units will be declared surplus and auctioned at a later date.
Having no further business, the board adjourned until May 18th. Dated this 6th day of May, 2021.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor