May 7, 2024
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session on May 7, 2024, in the Miner County Courthouse Commission room. Members present: Alex Protsch, Tom Reisch, Joe Bechen, Kathy Faber, and Mike Clary. Members absent: none. Also present was Director of Equalization Tami Severson.
Chairman Protsch called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. It was moved by Faber, seconded by Bechen, and carried to approve the agenda. The minutes from the April 30th meeting were approved. No report of meetings attended. No one appeared for public comment.
The auditor’s account with the county treasurer showed an April 30 balance of $8,488,478.13 in all state, county, civil, school and trust accounts. The March 2024 General Fund Surplus Analysis shows an undesignated General Fund balance of 34%.
Motion by Clary, seconded by Reisch and carried to authorize the Auditor’s Office to pay the following claims: Road & Bridge $46,266.01 (includes Amanda Austerman at $21.17/hr), MERP Fund $52,283.66, Reliance Standard $1,779.60, Retirement $7,126.59, OASI $10,484.00, Commissioners $4,655.25, Auditor $7,576.50, Treasurer $7,717.50, States Attorney $6,056.50, Govt Building $3,408.48, Director of Equalization $8,777.75 (includes Amanda Austerman at $21.17/hr), Register of Deeds $7,519.00, Vet Service $592.25, Sheriff $12,197.75, Contract Law $4,968.67 (includes Darrell O’Connor at $45,000/yr), Welfare $531.60, Ambulance $13,312.77, Extension $608.70 (includes Cheryl Moore at $20.29/hr), Weed $1,436.50, Dispatch $15,047.49 (includes Jennifer Hahn and Shannon Hoffman at $21.61/hr, Deb Gibson at $22.49/hr, Jennifer Bolden and Joni Jacobson at $22.93/hr, and Randy Schwader at $23.81/hr since 2/18, and Katie Leary at $20.73/hr since 4/16), Emergency Mgt $2,575.00 APR PAYROLL.
Josh Esser $90.00, Jackie Stuhr $60.00, Mike Clary $30.00 EVOC DRIVERS; Northwestern Energy $874.72 GAS; Alliance $150.00, Santel $30.00, Triotel $175.53 911 CHARGES; ICAP $796.09 COMMUNITY ACTION PAYMENT; Ultieg $2,643.00 CONTRACT MAINTENANCE; Avera Occupation Medicine $215.00 DRUG TESTING; IState Truck Center $132,097.00, Danielle Werkmeister $68.57 EQUIPMENT; Grainger $79.69, HFCA $1,580.82, Sturdevant’s $52.99, Texas Refinery Corp $590.00 FUEL; Miner County Historical Society $2,500.00 GRANT; Miner Insurance $98.00 INSURANCE; Avera Mckennan Hospital $790.00 MENTAL ILLNESS PATIENT CARE; Mark Neises $656.00 MOWING; SD Office of Child & Family $3,348.00 CO NURSE PMT TO STATE; SDSU Extension $10,500.00 4-H PMT TO STATE; Stamp Fulfillment Services $837.55 POSTAGE; Lake County Sheriff $360.00 PRISONER CARE; MC Pioneer $678.75 PUBLISHING; Dust-Tex $262.80, Microfilm Imaging $385.00 RENT; Acadia Insurance $6,454.74, Cummins $510.33, ES&S $642.76, Hafner Electric $82.11, HFCA $68.95, James Valley Landscape $257.17, Klinkhammer Plumbing $71.43, Michael Johnson Construction $1,388.60, Midwest Fire & Safety $796.00, Office Peeps $317.74, Sturdevant’s $122.18 REPAIRS; Kristian Ellendorf $900.00, Lexis Nexis $149.00 STATES ATTY OFFICE EXPENSE; American Stamp & Marking $323.89, Bierschbach $145.00, Bright Arrow Tech $305.00, Dakota Data Shred $75.59, Dust-Tex $366.87, ES&S $693.32, Fleetpride $3,165.26, Fox Promo $55.51, Inland Truck Parts $39.33, Jack’s Uniforms $65.94, Madison Ace Hardware $5.98, North Central Int’l $199.76, Office Peeps $1,572.21, Pheasantland Industries $2,020.04, Tim Reisch $433.33, Rockmount Research & Alloys $708.47, Runnings Supply $799.99, Rusty’s Foodland $119.35, SD DOPS $10.00, Tami Severson $20.00, Shane’s Hardware $69.70, Sturdevant’s $1,365.05, Transource $526.51, TrueNorth Steel $6,660.30, Cnh Industrial $153.35 SUPPLIES; Alliance Communications $957.64, AT&T $326.90, Jessica Charles $30.00, Erin Feldhaus $30.00, Lori Kiehl $30.00, Becki Mommaerts $30.00, Tami Severson $30.00, Molly Steeneck $30.00, Verizon $97.25, Danielle Werkmeister $30.00 TELEPHONE; Emergency Safety Education $135.00 TRAINING; HFCA $52.45, Brandon Jacobson $7.65, Katie Leary $47.94, Tim Reisch $82.34, Cora Schwader $47.94, SDACO $300.00, The Lodge at Deadwood $255.00 TRAVEL; Central Electric Coop $67.69, City of Howard $2,570.81, Xcel Energy $27.81 UTILITIES.
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges reported on highway matters. The truck is ready to be picked up from the supplier. The pick-up is built and should be arrive in a week or two. Miner County should be getting the STBGP (STP) money soon, and pavement marking money will be coming with that. This funding can be used for overlays, or other road and bridge projects, or left alone to build. Krempges has been in contact with Kingsbury County; they might start doing some patching next week. Other highway activities included shoulder pulling. blading, graveling, and city-wide cleanups.
Correspondence Received: April Miner County Moisture Report, April VSO Report, April Sheriff’s Report, and the following from the Miner County Conservation District: minutes from January 6th, the NRCS report, and the December and January treasurer reports.
Miner County received two complimentary copies of a book from the National Association of Counties (NACo) written and illustrated by generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications entitled “Marvelous Adventures of Countyland.” This book was designed to inspire youth to explore roles of county officials, showcase AI technologies and stimulate policy discussions regarding applications of AI. Commissioner requested to preorder two more copies and distribute to local libraries.
Auditor Mommaerts received a call from the Senior Community Service Program regarding a candidate interested in working at the courthouse and being paid through the program. The Commissioners wanted more information regarding liability and workman’s comp. If costs are covered by the program, Commissioners approve providing work to someone through this program.
The board considered issuance of malt beverage licenses to operate outside of a municipality for the 2024-2025 licensing period. It was moved by Clary, seconded by Faber and carried unanimously to approve the Retail (on-off sale) malt beverage & SD farm wine license application for CC & F Retail Inc. (Jake’s Corner) for Tract A of Bessman’s First Addition the NW ¼ of S12, T106, R55, W of the 5th PM, Miner County, South Dakota.
Commissioners requested the tabulator test be moved to Tuesday, May 21st at 8:30am, prior to their next Commission meeting, to allow more Commissioners to attend. Auditor Mommaerts agreed to the change, as official notice had not been made yet.
Motion by Faber, seconded by Bechen and carried to convene jointly with the Board of Commissioners as the Planning & Zoning Board. Those present were Alex Protsch, Tom Reisch, Joe Bechen, Kathy Faber, Mike Clary, Auditor Rebecca Mommaerts and Zoning Administrator Tami Severson. Mommaerts informed the board of one correction (in bold below) made after the first reading:
3. Basis for Establishing the Areas of Special Flood Hazard.
The areas of special flood hazard identified by the Federal Emergency Management Agency in a scientific and engineering report entitled, “The Flood Insurance Study for Miner County, and Incorporated Areas” dated June 6, 2024 with accompanying Flood Insurance Rate Maps and Flood Boundary – Floodway Maps (FIRM and FBFM) and any revisions thereto are hereby adopted by reference and declared to be a part of this Ordinance.
Acting on behalf of the Planning & Zoning Commission, Reisch made a motion, seconded by Faber, to recommend approval of Ordinance 2024-02 to the County Commission, as amended; motion passed. The Board gave a summary of Ordinance 2024-02, An Ordinance Amending #2023-01, “The Zoning Ordinance of Miner County,” as amended. This ordinance will add a floodplain overlay district to the zoning ordinance, as required by FEMA. The board opened the meeting public hearing. Having no one appear, the board closed the public hearing. No further discussion. The Board of County Commissioners held the 2nd reading of Ordinance 2024-02 by title. No further discussion. Acting on behalf of the Board of County Commissioners, Faber made a motion to approve Ordinance 2024-02, seconded by Bechen. Voting aye – Protsch, Reisch, Bechen, Faber and Clary. Voting nay-None.
Adopted this 7th day of May, 2024 in Howard, South Dakota.
Alex Protsch
Miner County Chairman
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts
Miner County Auditor
Commissioners called LuAnn Pfeifle to ask questions on the Senior Community Service Employment Program. Pfeifle will email out some more information to Mommaerts.
The first reading of Ordinance 2024-03, An Ordinance Amending Ordinance 2023-01 “The Zoning Ordinance of Miner County”, as amended, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter 11-2, 1967 SDCL, and Amendments thereof, and for the repeal of all resolutions and ordinances in conflict herewith, was held. This ordinance adds a provision for a private campground under conditional uses for a “Town District,” provided they meet the requirements of Section 1627. The meeting was opened for public hearing. Having no one appear, the board closed the public hearing. On behalf of the Planning & Zoning Board, Faber made a motion, seconded by Bechen and carried to recommend approval of Ordinance 2024-03 to the County Commissioners. The Board of County Commissioners set the second reading date for 10:15am on May 21st.
Faber made a motion to adjourn as the Planning & Zoning Board, seconded by Reisch and carried. Board remained convened as the Board of Commissioners for further matters.
Ambulance Manager Cora Schwader appeared before the board for ambulance matters. Ambulance runs were slightly above normal for the last year; the ambulance averages around 130-135 runs per year. Telemedicine equipment was installed in 9C and is now ready for use. The ambulance board met a few weeks ago; one thing decided during this meeting was to purchase a new LUCAS device this year, as the current device is outdated. A quote was received from Stryker for $15,443.23; Schwader plans to use part of the ambulance budget and take remainder out of the donation fund. Schwader and Mommaerts also plan to discuss the ambulance donation fund with the state auditor. Commissioners approved the ordering of the new LUCAS device.
Schwader addressed the condition of the exterior of the ambulance garage. At a minimum, it needs a facelift, but there may be more extensive repairs needed, as the building was built in the 80’s. Schwader asked the Commissioners to look at the building and determine what needs to be done.
The first reading of Ordinance 2024-04, an ordinance amending ordinance 2006-01, “Authorizing the Miner County Board of Commissioner to Declare a Fire Danger Emergency and to Prohibit Open Burning Within the County,” was held. This ordinance automatically enact a burn ban for the county when red flag warnings are put into effect by the National Weather Service or when the Grassland Fire Danger Rating in Miner County reaches Very High or Extreme, and would remain in effect only until those conditions are no longer met, subject to separate action by the Board. The board opened the meeting up for public hearing. Having no one appear, the board closed the public hearing. There was discussion on calling dispatch prior to burning, with no changes being recommended. The board set the second reading date for 10:20am on May 21st.
The meeting adjourned to May 21st. Dated this 7th day of May, 2024.
Alex Protsch, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Rebecca Mommaerts, Miner County Auditor