July 5, 2022
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on July 5, 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 Reisch, seconded by Faber and carried to approve the agenda.
The minutes from the June 21st meeting were approved.
The auditor’s account with the county treasurer showed a July 1, 2022 balance of $6,348,012.70 in all state, county, civil, school and trust accounts.
No persons appeared for Public Comment.
It was moved by Bechen, seconded by Carlson and carried to approve the following claims for payment: SD DOT $70,055.31 CONTRACTED MAINTENANCE; Howard School District $50.00 GRANT; Emergency Safety Education $135.00 IN SERVICE EDUCATION; SDACC $242.00 LEGAL EXPENSE RELIEF FUND; Todd Spader $594.00 MOWING; Miner Co Treasurer $97.66 POSTAGE; Anne Aamot $175.00 PROFESSIONAL SERVICE; Dust-Tex $133.01 RENT; Applied Concepts Inc. $245.00, Graham Tire Co $660.28, Ultra $277.50 REPAIRS; Commercial Asphalt $193,792.76, Jebro $147,010.78, Sign Solutions USA $339.87 ROAD MATERIALS; Kristian Ellendorf $900.00 STATE’S ATTY OFFICE EXPENSE ALLOWANCE; Corner Pantry $39.97, D&D Small Engine Repair $35.85, Emergency Medical Products $454.86, Homestead Building Supply $108.33, Kimball Midwest $762.95, Madison Ace Hardware $127.98, McLeod’s $910.54, Miner Co Treasurer $12.50, Tim Reisch $239.70, Tami Severson $20.00, Sirchie $141.57, Kent Terwilliger $59.67 SUPPLIES; AT&T $272.67, Susan Connor $30.00, Lori Kiehl $30.00, Tami Severson $30.00, Verizon $87.93 TELEPHONE; Susan Connor $113.37, Darcy Laible $100.00, Miner Co Treasurer $58.00, Tami Severson $100.00, SDAAO $750.00, Kent Terwilliger $40.00 TRAVEL; City of Howard $3,849.99, Northwestern Energy $162.74, Xcel Energy $9.47 UTILITIES.
Severson reported she has reached out to Krier & Blain inquiring about costs to shut down all utility services to the Howard Hotel & Convention Center. Krier & Blain was the contractor during the construction of this structure. A representative will come to the site for a review and will prepare an estimate for such services. The county is still waiting on a claims adjuster to arrive to inspect the damage from the last storm. Severson has been in contact with Curt Neises of Miner Insurance relaying the county’s concern in the delay. Custodian Lori Kiehl and Chairman Protsch recently removed the weeds around the facility. Protsch will request Weed Supervisor Kent Terwilliger to spray that area to help control the weeds.
Severson presented the following plats for consideration.
It was moved by Carlson and seconded by Faber to adopt the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 22-24
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Miner County, South Dakota, that the plat of LOT 1 OF HAUGE’S ADDITION IN THE NE ¼ OF SECTION 14, T 107 N, R 56 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: Reisch, Carlson, Faber, Bechen and Protsch. Voting nay: none. Resolution adopted this 5th day of July 2022.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
It was moved by Bechen and seconded by Reisch to adopt the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 22-25
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Miner County, South Dakota, that the plat of TRACT 1 OF GOSMIRE ADDITION IN THE NE ¼ OF SECTION 29, TOWNSHIP 105 NORTH, RANGE 56 WEST OF THE 5TH P.M., MINER COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA, appears to conform to the system of roads, existing plats and section lines of Miner County and that adequate provisions have been made for access to adjacent unplatted lands and that all provisions of Miner county Subdivision Regulations have been complied with. Furthermore, all taxes and special assessments upon the Tract or subdivision have been paid and that the plat and the survey thereof have been lawfully executed. Said plat is approved and accepted and the Chairman is hereby instructed to endorse on such plat this resolution and to certify the same.
Voting aye: Reisch, Carlson, Faber, Bechen and Protsch. Voting nay: none. Resolution adopted this 5th day of July 2022.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
Jerry Adler addressed the board requesting funds to support the proposed “Championship Sign” that would be constructed on Hwy 34 next to the veteran’s memorial. It was moved by Carlson, seconded by Reisch and carried to donate $50 for the County of Miner.
The board acknowledged receipt of a letter from Summit Carbon Solutions on behalf of Dakota Ethanol, Redfield Energy, Ringneck Energy & Feed-Onida and Glacial Lakes Energy-Aberdeen, Huron, Mina and Watertown. Matt Krogman who represents Summit Carbon Solutions was present. He made a request to place Summit representatives on a future meeting agenda. He was given Monday, August 1st at 10:30 as an appointment for the July 19th commission meeting.
The board also acknowledged receipt of correspondence from the SD Dept. of Education approving the consolidation plan of the Oldham/Ramona and Rutland School Districts.
It was moved by Bechen, seconded by Carlson and carried to authorize Chairman Protsch to sign the agreement with Trane for HVAC scheduled services.
Custodian Lori Kiehl asked for direction on trading in or selling the Dixon mower. John Deere will offer $1600 on a trade in. It was moved by Faber, seconded by Reisch and carried to declare the Dixon mower as surplus and trade it in on the purchase of the new John Deere mower.
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges reported on the progress of bridge projects. He also presented a resolution for a Bridge Improvement Grant application. It was moved by Carlson and seconded by Faber to adopt the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 22-26
WHEREAS, Miner County wishes to submit an application for consideration of award for the Bridge Improvement Grant and/or Local Federal Bridge Programs: Structure numbers and Locations: 49-062-020, West Edge of Carthage over Redstone Creek; 49-093-020, 2.3 miles East of Carthage over Rock Creek, and
WHEREAS, Miner County certifies that the projects are listed in the county’s Five-Year County Highway and Bridge Improvement Plan, and
WHEREAS, Miner County agrees to pay the 20% match on the Bridge Improvement Grant funds and/or 0.0% match on the Local Federal Bridge funds, and
WHEREAS, Miner County hereby authorizes the Bridge Improvement Grant and Local Federal Bridge applications and any required funding commitments
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the South Dakota Department of Transportation be and hereby is requested to accept the attached Bridge Improvement Grant and/or Local Federal Bridge applications.
Voting aye: Reisch, Carlson, Faber, Bechen and Protsch. Voting nay: none. Resolution adopted this 5th day of July, 2022.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
Krempges also reported on a structure located within Green Valley Township that is on the Federal listing. This structure will be replaced with box culverts. Green Valley Township has signed a joint powers agreement in which the county will design, advertise, let to contract and be the contracting party for the project. The county will pay one hundred percent of the actual cost for the project with Federal, State and County funds. Once the project is completed, the township will have the sole obligation and responsibility for maintaining, repairing and replacing of the box culvert. The township will perform all maintenance, repair and replacement work in conformance with the most current industrial standards. It was moved by Reisch, and seconded by Faber to authorize Chairman Protsch to sign the Joint Powers Financial and Maintenance Agreement between Miner County and Green Valley Township for Project: 49-116-070, Cast in Place 2-8X8.
He also reported that the highway dept. has completed the fog sealing and is waiting on the state for pavement markings. The board agreed to have Kingsbury County crush 10,000 tons of gravel for Miner County. There will be a Train the Trainer course offered this month. Krempges would like to attend along with Eric Smith. Once completion of the course, Krempges and Smith would be certified to train new employees who do not possess a commercial drivers license.
Brian Loken of LifeQuest presented information on services offered by LifeQuest. Miner County has several residents that receive assistance through this program. He also made a request that the county continue to support LifeQuest in 2023 at the same level as 2022 ($2500).
It was moved by Carlson and seconded by Faber to adopt the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 22-27
WHEREAS, SDCL 35-4-2 (6) states that a county may charge for On-Sale Licenses issued outside municipalities an amount not less than the maximum that the municipality to which the applicant is nearest is charging for like licenses; and
WHEREAS, SDCL 35-4-11.1 states if not previously fixed by ordinance or continuing resolution, the board of county commissioners shall on or before the first of September in each year determine the number of on sale licenses it will approve for the ensuing calendar year and the fees to be charged for the various classifications of licenses.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Miner County board of Commissioners that
(1) a new liquor license will be based on the nearest municipality’s liquor license fees and shall not be less than the maximum of that municipality.
(2) The number of On-Sale Licenses authorized for issuance in calendar year 2023 outside of municipalities within Miner County is three.
Voting aye: Bechen, Faber, Carlson, Reisch and Protsch. Voting nay: none. Resolution adopted this 5th day of July, 2022.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
State’s Attorney Kristian Ellendorf presented the draft of Miner County’s answer to interrogatories of Summit Carbon Transport, LLC. After review the commission instructed Ellendorf to submit to the SD Public Utilities Commission.
It was moved by Carlson, seconded by Faber and carried to authorize Chairman Protsch to sign the 2023 WIC Services contract between Miner County and the SD Dept. of Health.
Director of Equalization Severson gave an overview of the implementation of SD 162 which deals with Discretionary Formula for commercial residential properties. Miner County currently does not offer discretionary for these properties. The board took no action.
The board briefly reviewed the 2023 Provisional Budget. Further discussion will take place at the July 19th meeting.
Having no further business, the meeting adjourned until July 19th. Dated this 5th day of July, 2022.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor