August 1, 2022
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on August 1, 2022 in the Miner County Courthouse Commission room. Members present: Alex Protsch, Tom Reisch, Kari Jo Carlson, Kathy Faber and Joe Bechen. Absent: none. The flag pledge was recited. Director of Equalization Tami Severson was also present. Motion by Carlson, seconded by Faber and carried to approve the agenda.
The minutes from the July 19th meeting were approved.
The auditor’s account with the county treasurer showed an August 1, 2022 balance of $5,607,158.75 in all state, county, civil, school and trust accounts.
No persons appeared for Public Comment.
It was moved by Bechen, seconded by Reisch and carried to approve the following claims for payment: Road & Bridge $42,981.33, Wellmark $51,059.19, Delta Dental $1,608.21, Kansas City Life $475.75, Retirement $7,173.13, OASI $10,448.29, Commissioners $4,519.75, Auditor $7,901.50, Treasurer $7,188.75, States Attorney $5,708.75, Govt Building $4,071.39, Director of Equalization $9,208.55, Register of Deeds $8,448.28, Vet Service $911.00, Tax Deed Property HHCC $700.00, Sheriff $11,560.00, Contract Law $4,977.58, Welfare $72.98, Co Nurse $1,426.50, Ambulance $10,723.82, WIC $97.00, Extension $1,426.50, Weed $1,307.50, Dispatch $19,128.74, Emergency Mgt $2,428.50 JULY PAYROLL; SD DOT $1,049.63 CONTRACTED MAINTENANCE; PowerPhone $1,622.75 CPR TRAINING; Miner Co Treasurer $43.91 FUEL; Prairie Dogs Search & Rescue $135.00 IN SERVICE EDUCATION; Todd Spader $594.00 MOWING; Miner Co Treasurer $10.40 POSTAGE; Miner County Pioneer $277.72 PUBLISHING; Dust-Tex $199.63 RENT; Office Peeps $119.94, Overhead Door Co $9,000.00, Safe N Secure $232.87, Cora Schwader $77.23, Trane $4,362.40, Ultra $2,611.25 REPAIRS; Canova Service Center $1,771.98 ROAD MATERIALS; Kristian Ellendorf $900.00 STATE’S ATTY OFFICE EXP ALLOWANCE; ConEquip Parts & Equipment $825.00, Susan Connor $87.33, Diamond Mowers $462.84, Homestead Building Supply $543.36, John Green Art Studio $190.00, Mid-American Research $576.10, Miner Co Treasurer $33.65, Pomp’s Tire $1,454.56, RDO Equipment $161.65, Tim Reisch $200.00, Rockmount Research $658.86, Cora Schwader $116.07, Tami Severson $20.00, Ultra $81.30 SUPPLIES; AT&T $53.67, Susan Connor $30.00, Lori Kiehl $30.00, Tami Severson $30.00 TELEPHONE; Susan Connor $55.44, Garret Werkmeister $114.27 TRAVEL; City of Howard $4,232.65, Northwestern $50.41 UTILITIES.
The commission acknowledged receipt of the following correspondence: SD Dept. of Agriculture & Natural Resources-General Surface Water Discharge Permit for Water Treatment and/or Distribution Systems Publication Notification; Storm Damage-Insurance Claims.
Tami Severson informed the commission on the insurance claim for the broken solar panels on the hotel property. She is working with a contractor and the insurance agent to get these removed from the roof.
Severson presented the following plat for consideration. It was moved by Carlson and seconded by Faber to adopt the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 22-29
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Miner County, South Dakota, that the plat of LOT 1 OF MOE’S FIRST ADDITION IN THE EAST ½ OF THE SW ¼, LYING NORTH OF AND ABUTTING LOT H2 IN SECTION 6 T 106 N, R 55 W OF THE 5TH P.M., MINER COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA, WHICH HAS BEEN SUBMITED 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 the Resolution and certify the same.
Voting aye: Faber, Bechen, Carlson, Reisch and Protsch. Voting nay: none. Resolution adopted this 1st day of August 2022.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
An estimate for repairs to the sewer pipe lying beneath the courthouse basement bathroom was received from Mitchell Plumbing. Currently this bathroom is closed for use due to sewer backup through the floor drain. Commissioners requested that another estimate be submitted to line all sewer pipes within the courthouse. Once all information is received the board will act on how to proceed.
Steven Melnick & Brenda Bosch of Colonial Life Insurance joined the meeting to review policies both employer paid and employee paid that are offered by Colonial. Commissioners requested that they submit their proposal later this year so that it coincides with Miner County’s renewal dates.
Wyatt Walter came before the board to request the commission approve the use of the 4-H grounds for the Fall Festival on October 8th and to allow a beer and wine tasting booth. It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Carlson and carried to allow the use of the 4-H grounds and approve the beer and wine tasting booth contingent on the festival providing a certificate of insurance.
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges reported on the progress of the bridge project located north of Epiphany over Rock Creek. This project is complete with the exception of grass seeding, fencing, and Central Electric relocation of electrical poles. The bridge rehab project on the NE side of Carthage has also been completed. Faber asked about the restriction to one lane on the bridge located west of Carthage. Krempges stated the restriction will need to remain in place until the bridge is replaced. An application for grant funds will be submitted and if approved the project could begin late 2023 or 2024. The Rural Infrastructure program for townships has released guidance on the required 5-year plan and the application for assistance. Krempges also handed out the Miner County 7-year plan.
Kaylee Langrell and Trey Lester from Turn Key Logistics representing Summit Carbon Solutions joined the meeting. Langrell presented information on why Summit Carbon Solutions is pursuing this project. They were created by Summit Ag, an Iowa based company. Handouts were provided showing that 40% of corn sold in the US goes to Ethanol plants which benefit the ethanol industry and the corn producer. They believe without this project the ethanol industry would struggle due to the current regulatory requirements and would therefore affect the profitability of the farmers. That is why Summit Carbon solutions was formed to keep the ethanol plants viable and profitable. She stated with this project the total estimated investment into Miner County value would be approximately $20,264,847. Construction would be started in late summer of 2023. Easement acquisition in the State of SD is at almost 30%. Summit currently has 32 ethanol plants across 5 states and Minnkota Power Cooperative (CO2 storage) is giving Summit Carbon Solution access to the largest of only three permitted CO2 storage sites in the United States.
Carlson asked if they have an emergency plan. Langrell explained that Director of Regulatory Compliance Rod Dillon will be reaching out to county emergency managers to coordinate training for first responders. A question was asked on how many miles would their employees be responsible to maintain once the project is completed. She responded the number of miles/maintenance employees has not been determined. Carlson also asked what Summit’s plan is for when their tax credits run out. Langrell couldn’t speak to that financial side of the project. A question was posed as to the percentage of easements that have been received within Miner County. Miner County is at almost 20% of the needed easements. Faber asked what happens if you don’t receive all the necessary easements. Langrell responded that the land agents are out there every day working to get those easements and that they have approximately a year to get those completed. “Our goal is to continue to work with the landowners to get those voluntary easements.” They will file with the PUC in October of 2022 and hope for a decision on the permit by June of 2023.
Commissioners invited Summit to come to future meetings on a quarterly basis to provide progress reports. Langrell will contact the auditor to be placed on future meetings to give explanations to the commission and citizens.
Faber had concerns for first responders and the need for special equipment that would be required to respond to emergencies. Langrell stated that Summit has plans to provide equipment to those entities along with training. Faber has concerns for the safety of Miner County citizens, livestock producers, farmers and first responders and requested more information on a plan for a breach of the pipeline. Bechen asked that more information at a future meeting on past CO2 pipeline accidents.
Tami Moore of the Miner County Conservation District presented the district’s 2021 annual report and financial information.
Director of Equalization Tami Severson informed the board of her department’s plan to begin the reappraisal of the City of Carthage beginning August 8, 2022. Post cards will be mailed to all City of Carthage property owners. Her department is also working on the “cleanup” of the soils information for GIS. Severson also requested an additional 52 hours per year for the Equalization clerk position. These hours would cover the 2 weeks per year when Severson and Laible are attending required schooling. The board instructed the auditor to make that adjustment.
State’s Attorney Kristian Ellendorf joined the meeting. It was moved by Faber, seconded by Bechen and carried to enter into executive session (SDCL 1-25-2 (3) at 11:20. The board returned to regular session at 11:46.
4-H Youth Advisor Jill Calmus and 4-H Leaders representative Amie Kidd presented information on the certificate of insurance obtained through Dakota Entertainment, LLC dba Dakota Inflatables for the bouncy house that will be set up on Wednesday for Achievement Days. Discussion was held on the amount of coverage offered. It was moved by Carlson, seconded by Reisch and carried unanimously to approve the request for the inflatable on August 3rd.
Custodian Lori Kiehl presented information on the cost for equipment to refurbish the terrazzo floors within the courthouse. Commissioners instructed Kiehl to proceed with purchase of the equipment needed.
Auditor Connor gave an overview of the proposed 2023 provisional budget which will be published prior to the provisional budget hearing to be held on September 6th.
Having no further business, the meeting adjourned until August 16th. Dated this 1st day of August, 2022.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor