June 18, 2024
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on June 18, 2024, in the Miner County Courthouse Commission room. Members present: Alex Protsch, Tom Reisch, Joe Bechen, Kathy Faber, and Mike Clary. Members absent: none.
Chairman Protsch called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. It was moved by Faber, seconded by Reisch, and carried to approve the agenda. The minutes from the June 6th meeting were approved. Bechen reported his attendance at the Miner County post-election audit of the primary election. No one appeared for public comment.
Motion by Bechen, seconded by Clary and carried to authorize the Auditor’s Office to pay the following claims: SD DOR $1,764.27 ANIMAL CONTROL; Alliance Communications $150.00 911 CHARGES; ICAP $796.09 COMMUNITY ACTION PAYMENT; Ultieg $3,687.00 CONTRACTED MAINTENANCE; Lewis Drug $23.24 COUNTY JAIL FEE; SD Office of Child & Family $1,674.00 CO NURSE PMT TO STATE; Stryker Sales $15,443.23 EQUIPMENT; Elan Financial $156.15, HFCA $12,599.32 FUEL; Co Employee $1,308.63, Wellmark $53,020.02 INSURANCE; Minnehaha Co Regional $1,156.80 JUVENILE DETENTION FEES; Knife River $909.56, Spencer Quarries $4,329.68 MATERIALS; Mark Neises $328.00 MOWING; Miner Co Treasurer $76.65, Stamp Fulfillment Services $2,892.20 POSTAGE; Overhead Door $495.00, Sturdevant’s $23.99, Two Way Solutions $583.44 REPAIRS; Office Ally $39.95 PROCESSING FEE; Bound Tree Medical $331.23, Jill Calmus $79.00, Elan Financial $227.04, ES&S $287.60, Home Service Water $35.00, HFCA $11,049.87, Miner Co Treasurer $44.76, Becki Mommaerts $94.64, Overhead Door $413.16, Stryker Sales $483.45, Two Trees $1,243.00, US Postal Service $240.00 SUPPLIES; Joe Bechen $25.50, Susan Connor (Resolution Board) $9.18, Kathy Faber $42.84, HFCA $35.43, Tami Severson $522.00 TRAVEL; Central Electric Coop $80.39 UTILITIES; Factor360 $600.00 WEBSITE; Post Election Board $156.25 ELECTION SALARIES.
Correspondence Received: SD Dept of Veterans Affairs – Implementation of House Bill 1007.
Ron Krempges was not able to attend the meeting for Highway Matters, but he left a map for Auditor Mommaerts to present to the board regarding a potential cleanup project of the trees between the courthouse and school parking lot in conjunction with the Howard School District. Krempges will research the property lines between the courthouse and school more and report back to the Board of Commissioners.
Auditor Mommaerts presented the results of the first-ever, post-election audit which was completed on Friday, June 14th by manually counting the voted ballots of 5% of all precincts from the primary election held on June 4, 2024. The post-election audit, performed by a five-person board of registered Miner County voters, tallied the votes for the Democratic presidential race and Republican District 08 representative race for precincts 2 and 7 (101 ballots total). The audit findings showed an accuracy rate of 100% compared to the tabulator results on election night and the official canvass results.
It was moved by Faber, seconded by Bechen, and carried to make an operating transfer, as provided for in the 2024 budget, in the amount of $20,000 from General Fund to Dispatch.
Biweekly payroll was discussed, listing pros and cons of each option. Those employees in attendance included Justin Brandsma, Amie Kidd, Tami Severson, Rob Eggert and Cheryl Moore. A survey was sent out to county employees the previous week, with the result of 9 in favor, 7 opposed, and 8 indifferent to making the switch to biweekly payroll. Due to the majority being opposed or indifferent rather than in favor, Commissioners decided to maintain the current payroll practices already in place.
Motion by Faber, seconded by Clary and carried to adjourn as board of commissioners and reconvene as a Planning & Zoning Board acting as the Board of Adjustment. Chairman Protsch called the meeting to order. A hearing was held as advertised to consider an application for a conditional use permit from Mike Wingen, representing Hunter’s Den LLC. Present for the hearing was Zoning Administrator Tami Severson and applicant Mike Wingen. The applicant is also seeking a variance from the zoning requirements within 1627 of the Miner County Zoning Ordinance. The conditional use, if granted, would permit the applicant to construct and operate five campsites with electrical hookups next to the current business Hunter’s Den LLC for use during events and possibly during hunting season. The campers would be able to use water from the Hunter’s Den if tanks need to be filled, but there will be no sewer for permanent spots.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Bechen and carried that the following Findings be approved:
STATE OF SOUTH DAKOTA )
) :SS BEFORE THE MINER COUNTY
COUNTY OF MINER ) BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT
IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF )
MIKE WINGEN, HUNTER’S DEN LLC ) FINDINGS
FOR A CONDITIONAL USE & VARIANCE )
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I
That the applicant, Mike Wingen (Hunter’s Den LLC), has made an application for a conditional use to permit the applicant to construct five campsites with electrical hookups next to the existing Hunter’s Den Building on the property owned by Hunter’s Den LLC (Mike Wingen) described as Lot 1 of Lot 3, Lot 3 and Lot 4 all of SW4 Epiphany on SW4 34-105-57 and a variance from the zoning requirements within 1627 of the Miner County Zoning Ordinance.
II
That the proposed use of said realty is specifically prohibited by the zoning ordinance without applicant first obtaining a conditional use, for which they have applied.
III
That upon said application, notice of hearing was given as required by the Miner County Zoning Ordinance by mailing to the adjoining landowners and by publication.
IV
That hearing upon said application was held on June 18, 2024 in the Commission Room of the Miner County Courthouse.
V
That the applicant, Mike Wingen, appeared in person on behalf of the business Hunter’s Den LLC.
VI
That no person appeared in opposition to granting the application.
VII
That a presentation in support of said conditional use and variance and testimony on behalf of said conditional use was received at the hearing and that no testimony in opposition to the granting of the conditional use or variance was received at the hearing.
NOW, THERFORE, that application, testimony at the hearing, and arguments of individuals at the hearing all having been considered, it is the FINDING of the Miner County Board of Adjustment that the application of Mike Wingen (Hunter’s Den LLC) for a conditional use and variance be approved for the following reasons:
1) That the Miner County Board of Adjustment is empowered under Section 505 of the Miner County Zoning Ordinance to grant with conditions the conditional use and that the granting of the conditional use will not adversely affect the public interest.
2) That the Miner County Board of Adjustment certifies compliance with the specific rules governing individual conditional uses.
3) That the Miner County Board of Adjustment is able to make the applicable findings required by Section 505, Subsection 5 of the ordinance, which are considered prerequisite to the granting of a conditional use.
VIII
That the Board of Adjustment vote upon approval of such application was five in favor thereof and none opposed thereto.
It is, therefore, ORDERED that said application be approved.
Dated this 18th day of June, 2024.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Adjustment
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts, Secretary
Motion by Faber, seconded by Clary and carried to adjourn as the Planning and Zoning Board acting as a Board of Adjustment and to reconvene as a Board of Commissioners. Motion to go into executive session for personnel matters pursuant to 1-25-2 (1) by Faber, seconded by Bechen in at 10:15am. Returned at 10:26am.
An email was received from Sovanna Beekman with the Beadle County State’s Attorney Office regarding the diversion program offered in addition to the victim services contract Miner County currently has in place for an additional $2,500 per year. States Attorney Ellendorf stated she would need do more research to weigh the possible benefits against the cost, but also stated the criminal docket has been low, as of late. Ellendorf will gather statistics on previous years and return with a recommendation.
The meeting adjourned to July 2nd. Dated this 18th day of June, 2024.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Auditor