Grant County Commission Proceedings

Grant County Commission Proceedings

 

       December 17, 2019
The Grant County Commission met at 8 AM with Commissioners Buttke, Mach, Stengel, Street and Tostenson. Chairman Stengel called the meeting to order. Motion by Buttke and seconded by Mach to approve the minutes of the December 3, 2019 meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Minutes filed. Motion by Mach and seconded by Tostenson to approve the agenda with the addition of haul road agreement under the Hwy Supt time. Motion carried 5-0. 
The Auditor’s Account with the Treasurer for the month of November was noted. 
AUDITOR’S ACCOUNT WITH THE COUNTY TREASURER
To the Honorable Board of County Commissioners, Grant County:
I hereby submit the following report of my examination of the cash and cash items in the hands of the County Treasurer of the County of Grant as of the last day of November, 2019.
Cash on Hand, $2,755.40 
Checks in Treasurer’s possession less than 3 days, $42,783.51 
Cash Items, $0.00 
TOTAL CASH ASSETS ON HAND
$45,538.91 
RECONCILED CHECKING First Bank & Trust, $4,197.14; Interest, $4,582.74; Credit Card Transactions/TIF Fee, $1,865.13; First Bank & Trust (Svgs), $6,362,839.00 . 
CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT First Bank & Trust, $0.00; First Bank & Trust (TIF), $0.00. 
TOTAL CASH ASSETS
$6,419,022.92  
GENERAL LEDGER CASH
BALANCES:
General, $3,112,732.52; General restricted cash, $1,500,000.00; Cash Accounts for Offices General Fund, $605.00; Sp. Revenue, $208,929.09; Sp. Revenue restricted cash, $0.00; Henze Road District, $0.00; TIF Apportioning Northern Lights, $0.00; TIF Milbank, $0.00; TIF Northern Lights, $0.00; Special assessment Land Rent, $0.00;  Trust & Agency, $1,596,756.21; (schools 995,686.70, twps 60,638.17, city/town 96,249.90)
TOTAL GENERAL LEDGER CASH
$6,419,022.92 
Dated this 9th day of December, 2019
Karen M. Layher
County Auditor
The Register of Deeds fees for the month of November were $6,610.00, the Clerk of Courts fees for the month of November were $8,478.49 and the Sheriff Fees for the month of November were $4,122.55 with $2,985.55 receipted into the General Fund. 
The Sheriff Dept statistics for November: Average Daily inmate population 3.83; Number of bookings 10; Work release money collected $440.00; 24/7 Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) fees collected $362.00; SCRAM (alcohol detecting bracelet) fees collected $186.00; 24/7 PBT participants 6; SCRAM (Sobriety Program) participants 1; Calls for Service (does not include walk-in traffic) 518; Accidents investigated 6; Civil papers served 71; Cumulative miles traveled 7,640; 911 calls responded to (including Milbank) 78. 
Members of the public present were Allen Robish, Mike Schwandt, Roger Angerhofer, Ben Wollschlager, Kristi Mogen, Amber Christenson, Jay Elsberry, Michael Schneck, Raynelle Mueller, Loren Tucholke, Tom Zych, James Zych, Dan Scoblic and Wayne Borgheiinck.  
The Chairman called for public comment. Amber Christenson addressed the Commission concerning a complaint sent to the P & Z Officer on October 28 that has not received a response and on building permits not being a public document as in other counties. Kristi Mogen spoke on the issues of the November P & Z meeting being cancelled, construction on the towers began before the building permit was issued, turbine building permits not being listed in the newspaper, mistrust leading to lawsuits, changes needing to be made in the P & Z office to prevent lawsuits. Al Robish spoke to the Commission calling for an audit by the Attorney General for the P & Z Office and the issue of building permits not being posted at the construction site and the loss of revenue for the county for not implementing a fine for building without a permit. 
Drainage: Chairman Stengel recessed the Board of Commissioners and convened the commission acting as the Drainage Board. The Drainage Officer presented the following permits.
Drainage Permit DR 2019-41 by Michael Schneck, in the SE ¼ of Section 36, Township 120, Range 48 (Alban Township). The request, if granted, would be a cooperative project to get water out of low areas. This is a cooperative project with Adam Hunt with the water draining onto the McFarland land.  The wetland certification is on file.  The outlet is into a blue line. Five letters were sent out to riparian landowners. No objections received. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Buttke to approve DR 2019-41. Discussion. No comment from the public. Motion carried 5-0.  
Drainage Permit DR 2019-42 by Cecil Larson in the E1/2 NW1/4 of Section 34, Township 119, Range 49 (Madison Township). The request, if granted, would make the land more farmable and was requested by the neighbor to connect the tile lines. Commissioner Street abstained from the discussion as his land is the connecting tile, except he did respond to questions from the Board. The wetland determination is on file. The Drainage Officer did receive one phone call on the outlet, which was answered. No objections. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Mach to approve DR 2019-42 as presented. Discussion called. Bill Street informed the Board the outlet tile on his land may need to increase from an 8 inch to a 10 inch to handle the water from the Larson land. No comments from the public. Motion carried 4-0. 
Drainage Permit DR 2019-43 by Michael and Leland Schwandt in the NE1/4 of Section 6, Township 121, Range 49 (Kilborn Township). The request, if granted, would improve the farmland for crop production. The wetland determination is on file. The outlet is into a blue line. The Township Supervisors have approved the tile crossing 468th Ave. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Mach to approve DR 2019-43 as presented. Discussion called. Commissioner Tostenson stated he had been on-site to review the project with the applicant. There were not any comments from the public. Motion carried 5-0. 
Ben Wollschlager: The Drainage Officer reported she had assisted Ben with researching the recorded vested drainage rights in the Register of Deeds Office and the request this morning is for the Board to discuss adding water to the blue line or is the line full and backing up and where does the Board go from this point.  Landowner Raynelle Mueller informed the Board the water is running through the culvert on 486th Ave and through the culvert by Dimberg’s. Other cleanouts had added additional water onto their land. They maintain the waterway to allow for cropping on both sides. The Muellers had contacted Ronglien Constructing concerning cleaning the run, but due to the ground being so saturated, the contractor would not do the project.  Commissioner Tostenson asked if the water was affecting the roads.  Twp Supt Dan Scoblic reported the culverts are full and the water is running. Tom and James Zych stated they had cleaned the run on their land and the entire run needs to be cleaned for the water to flow through all the properties. If one culvert is full and the downstream culvert is not, then the run needs to be cleaned. Motion by Street and seconded by Mach to table until the January 7, 2020 meeting to allow the Commissioners acting as the Drainage Board, an opportunity to visit the site to look at the drainage run and culverts before any action is taken. Discussion continued with addressing concerns of the blue line being cleaned of cattails, vested rights, culvert flow and if this is a Drainage Board issue to address. Commissioner Tostenson requested the Chairman to call the question of the motion to table until the January 7th meeting. Motion carried 5-0. The inspection of the site to gather educational information with a majority of the Board members present will be Monday, December 23 at 1 PM at the 486th Ave culvert location. 
This concluded the business for the Drainage Board. Chairman Stengel adjourned the Drainage Board and reconvened the Board of Commissioners. 
ICAP: Executive Director Cindy Dannenbring for ICAP provided a 2018-2019 data report on the programs and services offered through ICAP. The programs include weatherization, Early Head Start, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, 60 Plus Dining, Food Pantry, Angel Tree, School Supplies and Rental Assistance. She expressed appreciation for the ICAP worker Val Van Lith. Also discussed was the Mutual Self Help Housing Program provides eligible participants with the opportunity to build their homes by contributing part of the labor. Anyone interested in learning more about this program should contact the ICAP Office. 
  Highway: Supt. Schultz reported crack sealing is being done, equipment is being repaired and the building of wind rows of snow in the fields is being completed.  Commissioner Tostenson asked the status of an ordinance or a permit application for a haul agreement to be used during heavy use of a certain section of road. Supt. Schultz reported he has been in contact with other county superintendents who have indicated they have not experienced problems with road damages and do not have any haul road agreements.  States Attorney Reedstrom will be asked to attend the January 7th meeting to discuss a haul road agreement.  
EM: Director Kevin Schuelke reported area fire departments are participating in a Certified Firefighter Course being taught by Chris Noeldner from Watertown. This course teaches the fundamentals of fire behavior and firefighting skills to promote the life safety for the firefighter and skills to assist the people at the scene. There are 23 attendees from the area departments. The cost of the class is $350 per person. Kevin asked if the Commission would be willing to help fund the cost of training. Auditor reminded the Commission the Fire Protection budget has a $5000 line item earmarked for training. Commissioner Mach stated there is mutual aid agreements between the departments and the area firefighters are attending training classes and the training is working. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Buttke to authorize the funding of $5,000 towards the Firefighter Course for the firefighters attending from the departments outside of Milbank.  Motion carried 5-0.  Kevin informed the Commission he had received a call concerning the possibility of one department dissolving and will inform the Commission if this happens as the area will have to be re-assigned in the 911 system.  
Travel: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Buttke to approve travel expenses for elected officials or staff who may need to travel to Pierre during the 2020 Legislative session. Motion carried 5-0.  
Cash Transfers: Motion by Mach and seconded by Buttke to approve the cash transfer as per the 2019 budget.  Motion carried 5-0.
FROM TO AMOUNT
101 General, 226 EM Fund, $2,858
Tax Refund: Auditor Layher present a request from Steve Brotzel for a refund of taxes due to an error in classification of his property. Motion by Street and seconded by Mach to approve the refund in the amount of $576.38 of taxes for Parcel 26.04.00.36A and 26.04.0037A as presented. Motion carried 5-0.  
Appointment: Motion by Street and seconded by Mach to approve the appointment of Commissioner Tostenson to serve as the legislative point of contact during the 2020 session for the SDACC. Motion carried 5-0.  
2020 Holiday Schedule: The Commission received a proposed holiday schedule for their review with action to be taken on December 31.  
  Unfinished Business: None 
New Business: Commissioner Buttke informed the Commission he had had a complaint on the shelter at Riggin’s Trailer Park. He informed the Commission a partition has been built and one of the bathrooms was out of order. The owner of the Park was contacted and the issue will be on the January 7th meeting.   
Correspondence: None
Consent: Motion by Mach and seconded by Street to approve the consent agenda.  Motion carried 5-0.
1. Approve Plat: 2019-35
It was moved by Commissioner Mach, seconded by Commissioner Street, motion carried that the LOT 5, DAVIS DAIRY FARM ADDITION IN THE COUNTY OF GRANT, LOCATED IN GOVERNMENT LOT 1, OF SECTION 19, TOWNSHIP 120 NORTH, RANGE 48 WEST OF THE 5TH P.M., GRANT COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA, as described above and hereon be approved and accepted and the Chairman is hereby instructed to endorse on such plat this resolution and to certify the same. 
Doug Stengel 
Chairman, Board of Commissioners
Grant County, South Dakota
2. Approve 2020 D-Ware software contract for the Highway Dept in the amount of $3,900   
3. Approve automatic supplement of revenue and expense in the amount of $7,500 from Big Stone City for law enforcement services to the Sheriff Budget  
4. Approve April Steffensen as a Matron Transport Officer at $17.85 effective 11-15-2019
5. Approve the revised intergovernmental contract with SD Public Assurance Alliance
6. Declare surplus: Wireless Extender, fixed asset 0161A; 3Com Office Connect Hub, fixed asset 08275; Linksys Router, fixed asset 0162A; Unifi Access Point, fixed asset 00154; Asus N66 Repeater, fixed asset 00077; AC 66U Router, fixed asset 00074; HP printer 8630, fixed asset 10140; HP Pro Printer 400, fixed asset 10178; Untangle Firewall, fixed asset 10175; AC 66U Wireless router, fixed asset 10129; HP 400 PC, fixed asset 10022; Canopy Wireless Link, fixed asset 09027; 5 port Ethernet Hub, fixed asset 08847; HP 2824 switch, fixed asset 08843
Executive Session: Motion by Mach and seconded by Buttke to enter into executive session at 10:27 AM for the purpose of a personnel issue pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2 (1) and for the purpose of litigation issues pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2(3). Motion carried 5-0. Auditor Layher was present for the session.  Chairman Stengel declared the meeting open at 11:11 AM.  Commissioner Buttke excused himself from the meeting at 11:00 AM. Motion by Mach and seconded by Street to set a special meeting for December 19 at 1 PM for the purpose of a personnel issue pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2 (1) and for the purpose of litigation issues pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2(3). Motion carried 4-0.
Commissioner Mach excused himself from the meeting at 11:11 AM. 
Claims: Motion by Street and seconded by Tostenson to approve the claims as presented.  Motion carried 3-0. A-OX WELDING SUPPLY, supplies 432.87; ACTIVE DATA SYSTEMS, computer maint 900.00; AUTOVALUE, repairs & maint 1,309.20; BERENS WAREHOUSE, supplies 258.81; BORNS GROUP, mailing expense 1,254.57; BRENDA L HOLTQUIST, prof. services 84.00; BUREAU OF INFORMATION, email & internet 532.00; BUTLER MACHINERY, repair & maint 46.20; CENTER POINT, books 361.32; CENTURYLINK, phone 140.84; CLAIMS ASSOC., insurance reimburse 2,939.13; COLONIAL RESEARCH CHEMICAL, supplies 251.55; CRAIG DEBOER, car wash 123.48; D-WARE, maint agreement 3,300.00; DEMCO, supplies 422.97; DEUEL COUNTY HWY, labor exchange 11,773.92; EMERY PRATT COMP., books 36.85; EQUIPMENT BLADES, supplies 597.20; ESRI, ARC GIS 1,000.00; FISHER SAND & GRAVEL, bridge projects 688.49; FREMAREK, supplies 111.07; GJT, prisoner meals 430.50; GRANT COUNTY REVIEW, publishing 129.45; GRANT-ROBERTS RURAL WATER, rural water 81.20; HARTMAN’S, supplies & groceries prisoners 367.64; INGRAM LIBRARY SERVICES, books 1,194.40; INTER-LAKES COMMUNITY ACTION, worker 2,337.17; INTERSTATE TELECOMM, phone & internet 1,620.30; JOANN PAULSON, prof services 3,201.60; KATHLEEN PARISOT, reference book 60.00; LINCOLN COUNTY AUDITOR, mental ill bd 776.15; MANUEL CARDENAS, maint 1,184.55; MCLEOD’S PRINTING & OFFICE, supplies 499.62; MICROFILM IMAGING SYSTEMS, scanner rent 472.00; MICROMARKETING, books 40.99; MIDCONTINENT COMM, internet 90.53; MILBANK AUTO PARTS, supplies 1,313.98; MILBANK COMMUNITY TRANSIT, allocation 5,000.00; MOMAR, supplies 452.13; MUNDWILER FUNERAL HOME, prof services 3,347.00; NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, natural gas 111.64; OTTER TAIL POWER CORP., electricity 3,725.62; PCMG, supplies 310.00; PETERS DISTRIBUTING, minor equip 14,534.25; QUICK PRO LUBE, repairs & maint 99.74; QUILL CORP., supplies 557.30; RC TECHNOLOGIES, 911 transport & tower rent 95.96; RELIANCE TELEPHONE, phone cards 500.00; RELX, online charges 859.43; ROBERT T. HENNRICH, minor equip 492.00; SD ATTORNEY GENERAL, SCRAM & PBT FEES 466.00; SD BUREAU OF ADMIN, overpayment 61.16; SD STATE’S ATTORNEY ASSN, dues 811.00; SEEHAFER HARDWARE, supplies 31.96; ST WILLIAMS CARE CENTER, prisoner laundry 172.80; STEVE BROTZEL, real estate tax refund 567.38; STURDEVANTS, repairs & maint 83.95; THE WINDOW PLACE, windows 22,775.56; TRAPP PLUMBING COMP., repair 653.31; UPI PETROLEUM, diesel fuel 7,389.40; VALLEY OFFICE PRODUCTS, supplies 5,302.85; VALLEY SHOPPER, publishing 53.16; VERIZON WIRELESS, hotspot 38.52; WHETSTONE HOME CENTER, minor equip 279.99; WHETSTONE VALLEY ELECTRIC, electricity & repairs 1,281.16; WILLIAM E. COESTER, prof services 50.00; WITTROCK & SON, garbage service 157.50; XEROX, copier rent 918.43. TOTAL: 111,543.75.      
MONTHLY FEES: SDACO, ROD modernization fee 200.00; SD DEPT OF REVENUE, monthly fees 173,155.68; TOTAL: $173,355.68.
It is the policy of Grant County, South Dakota, not to discriminate against the handicapped in employment or the provision of service.
The next scheduled meeting dates will be December 31, 2019 and January 7 and 21, 2020 at 8 AM.  Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Street to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 3-0. Meeting adjourned.
December 19, 2019
The Grant County Commission met at 1 PM with Commissioners Buttke, Mach, Stengel, Street and Tostenson. Chairman Stengel called the meeting to order. The purpose of the special meeting was for an executive session for personnel issue(s) per SDCL 1-25-2(1) and/or litigation issue(s) per SDCL 1-25-2(3). Motion by Mach and seconded by Buttke to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0. 
Members of the public present were Amber Christenson, Al Robish and Kristi Mogen. 
Motion by Buttke and seconded by Street to enter into executive session at 1:03 PM. Motion carried 5-0. Present for the executive session were States Attorney Mark Reedstrom, Auditor Karen Layher and for a portion of the executive session P & Z Officer Krista Atyeo-Gortmaker. Chairman Stengel declared the meeting open to the public at 3:30 PM. Members of the public reentered the room. Chairman Stengel stated no action was taken as a result of the executive session. 
It is the policy of Grant County, South Dakota, not to discriminate against the handicapped in employment or the provision of service.
The next scheduled meeting dates will be December 31, 2019 and January 7 and 21, 2020 at 8 AM. Motion by Mach and seconded by Buttke to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned.
 /s/ Doug Stengel, Chairman, Grant County Comm.
/s/ Karen M. Layher, 
Grant County Auditor              
 

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