Grant County Commission Proceedings

       January 7, 2020

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 Street and seconded by Buttke to approve the minutes of the December 31, 2019 meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Minutes filed. Motion by Mach and seconded by Buttke to approve the agenda as presented. Motion carried 5-0.

Chairman Stengel addressed the Commission on the work done over the past year, improvements to make things better, working together as a board and the board being the image for the county. He thanked the Commission for allowing his comments and for their support as he served as Chairman.

There being no final business to consider for 2019, Chairman Stengel adjourned the meeting sine die and Auditor Layher assumed the chair. Nominations for Chairman were called. Motion by Street and seconded by Tostenson to nominate Mach for Chairman and for nominations to cease and to cast a unanimous ballot for Mach. Motion carried 5-0. Commissioner Mach was seated as Chairman for 2020.

Nominations for Vice-Chairman were called. Motion by Buttke and seconded by Stengel to nominate Tostenson for vice-chairman and for nominations to cease and to cast a unanimous ballot for Tostenson. Motion carried 5-0.

Members of the public present were Ben Wollschlager, Tim Scherer, Raynelle Mueller, Kenny Lee, Dan Scoblic, Tom Zych, James Zych, Amy Sis and Ronald Meister.

The Chairman called for public comment. No member of the public addressed the Commission.

Drainage: Chairman Mach recessed the Board of Commissioners and convened the commission acting as the Drainage Board. The Drainage Officer reported a site inspection with pictures taken had been completed at 486th Ave by the William and Raynelle Mueller property. The unofficial record of the site inspection is on file with the Drainage Officer. Krista, Drainage Officer, reported there are seven tiling projects that run into the blue line. The water goes south into section 32 and back north into section 29 through the Mueller property. Also, as per the Drainage Ordinance, a permit is not needed to clean out a run.

The issue from the area landowners is cleaning out the run to keep the water moving and from backing up on the Ben Wollschlager land.

Raynelle Mueller reported she had contacted Soil Conservation and a Mr. Harvey Decker, with the Corps of Engineers, to determine if the run on the Mueller land could be cleaned out. Mr. Harvey informed Raynelle the run could not be cleaned out without permission from the Corps as the land has a wetland determination and the Muellers are in the farm program. If the clean out was done without permission, the farm program designation would be in jeopardy to be taken away.

Ben Wollschlager, Tom and James Zych stated they had gotten permission from the Corps for cleaning out other runs and the process only took a couple of days.

The Board asked the landowners involved to work with the Drainage Officer who will contact Mr. Decker at the Corps for a written answer on 1.) Can the ditch be cleaned 2.) What is the depth of clean out, if the determination is made the run can be cleaned and 3.) Does a clean out of the run in anyway jeopardize being in the farm program. If the group cannot agree to a solution, the Board suggested to use the Statewide Drainage Mitigation Board.

This concluded the business for the Drainage Board. Chairman Mach adjourned the Drainage Board and reconvened the Board of Commissioners.

Highway: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Buttke to table the spring weight restrictions and the letter to be sent to the Motor Carrier Division of the Highway Patrol until the January 17 meeting. Motion carried 5-0.

Haul Road Agreement: States Attorney Reedstrom addressed the Commission on the issue of a haul road agreement for commercial silage haulers and singling out a group of people who use a road and secondly, the agreement would be a unilateral contract because there would not be a mutual exchange of goods or services. No action taken.

Executive Session: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Buttke to enter into executive session at 9:20 AM for the purpose of a personnel issue pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2 (1). Motion carried 5-0. Auditor Layher and Sheriff Owen were present for the session. Chairman Mach declared the meeting open at 9:53 AM. No action taken as a result of the executive session.

P & Z Board Appointment: The terms of Mark Leddy and Thomas Pillatzki on the Planning Commission / Board of Adjustment ended on 12-31-2019. Commissioner Stengel reported Mark Leddy had agreed to serve another term. Commissioner Street asked Tom Pillatzki if he wanted to address the Commission. Tom stated he would be willing to serve another term as he wants responsible improvements for zoning and understanding the responsibility of the appointment. Motion by Buttke and seconded by Stengel to re-appoint Mark Leddy and Tom Pillatzki for another 4 year term. Motion carried 5-0.

2020 Appointments: The reorganization of committees and board appointments were reviewed for changes in 2020. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve the following list of committee appointments. Motion carried 5-0.

COMMITTEES AND BOARDS

Marty Buttke: Economic Development, Buildings, Community Transit, Milbank Housing Authority

Bill Tostenson: Mental Health, Law Enforcement

Mike Mach: First District, Planning and Zoning

Doug Stengel: ICAP, Highway

Bill Street: Insurance Alliance, Weed, Emergency Management

Auditor Layher: Christian Service, Library, Visiting Neighbor

Deputy Auditor Stephanie Pauli: 4-H

First District Appointment: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to move the appointment of Dave Gonzenbach for the at-large position on the First District Board. Motion carried 5-0.

Designations: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve the following designations. Motion carried 5-0.

Ambulance: Grant-Roberts

Depositories: First Bank & Trust in Milbank and Brookings (TIF), Wells Fargo, Great Western, First State Bank and Public Funds Investment

Official Newspaper: Grant County Review

Travel: Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to approve the following rates for mileage and meals. Motion carried 5-0.

Mileage: 42 cents a mile and 45 cents a mile for Visiting Neighbor employees;

Meal Allowance: In-state for overnight travel and transport officers (same day):Breakfast: $6; Lunch: $14; Dinner: $20; Out of State: Breakfast: $10; Lunch: $18; Dinner: $28.

Fees: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Buttke to table the fee schedule approval until the next meeting to allow a review of the building permit fees. Motion carried 5-0.

Funeral Allowance: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to set the county paid funeral at $3100 plus the cost of opening and closing the grave for 2020 with any additional costs to be itemized on the voucher. Motion carried 5-0.

APPOINTMENTS: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Buttke to approve the following appointments. Motion carried 5-0.

Emergency Management: Kevin Schuelke

Assessor: Kathy Steinlicht

Planning and Zoning: Krista Atyeo-Gortmaker

Visiting Neighbor Coordinators: Marie Loutsch and Linda Raffety

Note current terms:

Hwy Supt: Kerwin Schultz: - 2 year appointment for 2019-2020

Veterans Service Officer: Scott Malimanek – 4 year appointment for 2018-2021

Rent: Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to set the office rent rate for the EM office at $215 per month. Motion carried 5-0.

Insurance: Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to approve SDPAA as the 2020 Liability and Property Insurance carrier and the SDML Worker’s Compensation Fund as the workers comp carrier. Motion carried 5-0.

Life Insurance: Motion by Buttke and seconded by Street to approve Dearborn National as the 2020 life insurance carrier. Motion carried 5-0.

Employee Benefit Plans: Motion by Street and seconded by Tostenson to approve American Family Life Insurance (AFLAC), Colonial Life, Optilegra (vision), SDRS Supplemental and Legal Shield for employee benefit plan options. Motion carried 5-0.

Travel: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve travel expenses for EM Manager Kevin Schuelke to attend a class on Mitigation in Sioux Falls. Motion carried 5-0.

Public Defender: Motion by Buttke and seconded by Stengel to approve the public defender contract with Bratland Law Office to renew on a monthly basis during 2020 for $4,088.98 per month. Motion carried 5-0.

First District: Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to approve the contract with First District of Local Government to provide administrative service to the P & Z Board and the Board of Adjustment at a rate of $45 per hour not to exceed $10,000 with mileage rate of 58 cents per mile for 2020. Motion carried 5-0.

4-H /Extension: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve the Memorandum of Understanding between SDSU Extension and Grant County for the 4-H Program. Motion carried 5-0.

P & Z: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve the purchase from Safe and Secure a recording camera with audio microphone for a quote of $1,182.19 to be installed in the Planning and Zoning Office. Motion carried 5-0.

VSO: Commissioner Tostenson brought forth a suggestion he had been asked to present on having a veteran(s) volunteer to staff the VSO office during the time the officer is not working. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Buttke to authorize Commissioner Tostenson and Auditor Layher to work with the VSO on procedures to implement volunteer staffing of the VS Office. Motion carried 5-0.

Unfinished Business: Amy Sis and Ronald Meister from the Soil Conservation Office reported on the refinancing of the tractor and drill and the payment of outstanding tree bills. Commissioner Buttke is going to contact Riggins Trailer Park Manager Ken Dahlgren to schedule a meeting on the shelter.

New Business: None

Correspondence:

Claims: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to approve the claims as presented. Motion carried 5-0. AUTOVALUE, supplies 72.69; BORNS GROUP, mailing expense 1,007.92; CITY OF MILBANK, water & sewer 568.06; COLE PAPERS, supplies 151.40; D.R. MYERS DISTRIBUTING, reference book 29.95; ELECTION SYSTEMS & SOFTWARE, license & maint 5,745.00; FEDEX, mailing expense 29.89; GRANT-ROBERTS RURAL WATER, water usage 44.80; INTERSTATE TELECOMMUN., phone & internet 1,921.46; KEVIN MEYER, supplies 174.99; LINCOLN COUNTY AUDITOR, mental ill bd 111.00; MAS MODERN MARKETING, supplies 307.39; MCLEOD'S, supplies 87.20; MICROFILM IMAGING SYSTEMS, scanner rent 562.00; MICROMARKETING, book 59.99; MIDCONTINENT, internet 90.53; NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, natural gas 415.09; ONSOLVE, prof. services 3,650.00; PCMG, supplies 166.38; PETERS DISTRIBUTING, repair & maint. 280.50; PETTY CASH, postage 15.45; POSTMASTER, postage 147.00;

QUALIFIED PRESORT SERVICE, postage 2,400.00; QUILL CORP., minor equip. 325.98; RELX, online charges 725.00; ROGER A. BRIGGS, repairs & maint 113.49; RUNNINGS SUPPLY, supplies 752.32; SD ASSN CO COMMISSIONERS, dues 2,053.00; SD ASSN COUNTY OFFICIALS, dues 1,039.92; SD ASSOC WEED/PEST, dues 50.00; SD DEPT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, teletype 2,340.00; SD PUB ASSURANCE ALLIANCE, insurance 87,207.72; SD SHERIFF'S ASSN, dues 720.68; SDAAO, dues 150.00; SDAE4-HP, dues 120.00; SDML WORKERS' COMP FUND, insurance 41,197.00; TYLER BUSINESS FORMS, supplies 207.54; VALLEY SHOPPER, publishing 53.16; COESTER SCHWANDT LAW OFFICE, prof. services 50.00. TOTAL: 155,144.50.

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 January 21 and February 4 and 18, 2020, at 8 AM. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Buttke to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned.

/s/ Karen M. Layher, 

Grant County Auditor

 /s/ Mike Mach, Chairman, Grant County Comm.