Grant County Commission Proceedings

       February 4, 2020

The Grant County Commission met at 8 AM with Commissioners Buttke, Mach, Stengel, Street and Tostenson. Chairman Mach called the meeting to order. Motion by Buttke and seconded by Street to approve the minutes of the January 21, 2020 meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Minutes filed. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve the agenda as presented.  Motion carried 5-0. 

Members of the public present were Paul Letsche, Austin Hunt, Blaine Gomer, Evan Grong, Steve Malone, Scott Petterson, Leo Reiffenberger, John Schwagel, Melissa Mueller and Mark Veen.  

The Chairman called for public comment. Blaine Gomer and Austin Hunt addressed the Commissioners concerning the seven ton per axle weight limit restriction on asphalt roads during the spring thaw. They presented data on the financial impact to the agricultural community and asked the Commission to exempt certain portions of the county asphalt roads to allow access to the elevators and the ethanol plant. 

2020 Elections: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Buttke to set the election workers 2020 wage at $11.05 per hour. Motion carried 5-0. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to adopt the following resolution to establish the precincts for the 2020 elections. Motion carried 5-0. Resolution adopted. 

2020-02

RESOLUTION TO ESTABLISH PRECINCTS FOR THE PRIMARY AND GENERAL ELECTION TO BE HELD IN 2020

WHEREAS, SDCL 12-14-1 states the board of county commissioners shall by resolution provide for election precincts throughout its county and shall designate polling places within such precincts, and

WHEREAS, a Primary and General Election will be held in 2020 for the purpose of electing candidates; 

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Grant County Board of Commissioners hereby adopts the following precincts for the 2020 elections.

Precinct Name, Polling Place

Milbank Ward 1 Precinct 1       City Office Community Room

1001 E. 4th Ave., Milbank

Milbank Ward 1 Precinct 2       City Office Community Room

1001 E. 4th Ave., Milbank

Milbank Ward 2 Precinct 1       City Office Community Room

1001 E 4th Ave., Milbank

Milbank Ward 2 Precinct 2       City Office Community Room 1001 E. 4th Ave., Milbank

Milbank Ward 3 Precinct 1     City Office Community Room

1001 E. 4th Ave., Milbank 

Milbank Ward 3 Precinct 2       City Office Community Room

1001 E. 4th Ave., Milbank 

Milbank Ward 3 Precinct 3       City Office Community Room

1001 E. 4th Ave., Milbank 

41 Adams & Vernon Twp.-Towns of Albee & Revillo   Revillo Community Center

310 N 2nd St., Revillo

42   Alban Twp.   Milbank Airport 

14871 482nd Ave, Milbank

43 Big Stone City & Twp. Big Stone City Office

400 Washington, Big Stone City

44 Blooming Valley- Farmington-

Lura Twps.   New Township Hall

15050 455th Ave., Summit

45 Georgia Twp., Town of LaBolt & Madison Twp. LaBolt Mini Mall

140 Main St., LaBolt

46 Grant Center Twp. Whetstone Valley Electric Meeting Room   

1101 E 4th Ave., Milbank

47 Melrose Twp. Grant County Library 207 E Park Ave., Milbank

49 Mazeppa-Osceola Twp. & Town of Marvin   Marvin Hall

204 S. Church St., Marvin 52 Stockholm Town & Twp.   Community Center

400 E. Johnson, Stockholm

53 Troy Twp. & Town of Strandburg Rufer’s General Store 

123 S Main St., Strandburg

54 Twin Brooks Town & Twp. & Kilborn Twp.  

Twin Brooks Community Center

502 Lasell St., Twin Brooks

Dated this 4th day of February, 2020.

Michael J. Mach

Chairman

ATTEST:

Karen M. Layher, Auditor

Abatements: Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to approve the following abatements as presented. Motion carried 5-0.

1. Tax receipt: 196559.0; Full abatement in the amount of $502.22 due to qualified disabled veteran exemption.

2. Tax receipt: 198104.0; Partial abatement in the amount of $25.18 due to error in property classification of NA-Other should have been NA-OO. 

3. Tax receipt: 198105.0; Partial abatement in the amount of $257.56 due to error in property classification of NA-Other should have been NA-OO. 

Executive Session: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Buttke to enter into executive session at 8:35 AM for the purpose of litigation issues pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2(3). Motion carried 5-0. Auditor Layher and States Attorney Reedstrom were present.  Chairman Mach declared the meeting open at 9:37 AM. No action taken as a result of the executive session. 

Special License: The hearing for a special event malt beverage license was held with no members of the public present. The request for the license is by the Revillo Fire Dept for the purpose of a fundraiser to be held on February 29 at the former Grant Deuel School. Certificate of insurance will be provided by the City of Revillo. Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to approve the malt beverage special event license. Motion carried 5-0. 

4-H Building: Scott Petterson with Morton Buildings and Steve Malone with Malone Engineering proposed submitting to the 4-H building committee and the Commission a cost proposal to provide mechanical and electrical engineering services for a new 180x80 4-H exhibit building. This project consists of a single-story style structure consisting of approximately 14,400 sq ft based on the preliminary floor plans provided by the building committee. The proposal being submitted by Morton Buildings would belong to the County. The Commission stated no objection to reviewing the proposal at a future meeting. 

Highway: Paul Letsche with East River Electric explained the reason for the request to obtain permission to set poles within the county’s ROW. East River has made a decision to move a transmission line that runs through the middle of sections and relocate the line to run parallel with the roads. The reason for the change is for easier access to the lines. Most of the poles are located outside the county’s ROW except in two areas where easements cannot be obtained. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to table until the February 18 meeting to allow the Commission to seek advice from the States Attorney. Motion carried 5-0.   

ROW Application: Supt. Schultz presented a right-of-way application from MIDCO to bore and or trench in fiber optic cable under County Road 22 AKA 153rd St and Old Hwy 81 in Blooming Valley Township. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Buttke to approve right-of-away application ROW 2020-03 as presented. Motion carried 5-0. The second ROW application presented by Supt. Schultz is from the Dakota Range III project. The application is to grant permission to construct, operate, maintain and reconstruct transmission line facilities on, over, across or adjacent to the county ROW. The sites are located in Section 36 and 25 in Blooming Valley Township and Section 11 in Mazeppa Township. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Stengel to approve right-of-away application ROW 2020-04 as presented. Motion carried 5-0.

Road Weight Limit: Commissioner Street brought forth for further discussion the 7 ton per axel spring weight limit. Leo Reiffenberger, Blaine Gomer, Austin Hunt and Evan Grong spoke on the economic impact to the ethanol plant, the cheese factory and the elevators, as well as the impact to the area farmers and the companies who haul in supplies to the businesses. Commissioner Street suggested allowing segments of county roads as spurs out to the state highways be kept at the legal load limit to eliminate the negative impact to the ag community. Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Street to table the issue of the spring weight limit until the February 18 meeting. Motion carried 5-0.  Annual Bid Letting: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Tostenson to set April 2 at 1 PM for the opening of the annual bid letting for highway supplies with the acceptance of the bids on April 7 at 8:30 AM.  Motion carried 5-0.  

Dept. Reports: Sheriff Owen presented the 2019 year end statistics for his office. Unattended Deaths: 11; Sexual assaults: 3; Burglary 6; Theft 3; Drug cases 14; Traffic offense 68; Accidents investigated 33; Civil papers served 363; Jail bookings 201; Calls for service 5,095; Miles traveled 93,195: Monies collected $54,325.03. Commissioner Tostenson reported he had inspected the Detention Center with Sheriff Owen. He listed items that should have immediate attention. These include removing old alarms no longer in use, the cleaning and painting of the cells, repair of a ceiling in the basement. In addition, he requested to add the discussion of remodeling or adding onto the building during the 2021 budget process. Library: Jody Carlson reported on the programs and activities for the month of January with a total count of 2,726 visitors. The Flying Tiger program was well attended. Staff was in attendance at the Farm and Home Show to promote the Library and the Imagination Reading Program sponsored by Dolly Parton. The library averages 125 new items per month. VSO: Scott Malimanek provided the Commission with a log from Sept. through January indicating the time spent on each veteran appointment. He also reported on Blue Water. This program allows Vietnam veterans who served on U.S. ships in certain designated areas during the war to apply for benefits related to Agent Orange. EM: Kevin Schuelke reported on the full scale exercise held last week regarding spring flooding. He stated he has been busy with the EM Response Class, implementing the Code Red alert notification system, action plan for Lake Farley, Region 2 meeting, working with DENR on spills, the Homeland Security Grant for the PT 25 radio upgrade and working with First District on the Hazardous Mitigation Plan which has to be updated every 5 years.  

First District: Executive Director Todd Kays reported on the agency’s activities, funding sources, economic development and staff duties. He reported on the responsibilities of the governing board, funding sources and the work area for the district. Some of the projects the First District staff has provided assistance to the county include 911 GIS Database Management, E-911 Address Assigning, SD DOT I-29 Parcel Data Set Creation, County Address Range GIS Data Set Maintenance, County Road Centerline GIS Data Set Maintenance, Web Hosting and maintaining the County GIS Website, maintain County Parcel GIS Data Set and Rural Address Point Map. Todd expressed his appreciation to the Commission for their support and looks forward to working together in 2020. 

Commissioner Stengel excused himself from the meeting at 12:45 PM and returned to the meeting at 1 PM. 

P & Z Schedule: Motion by Tostenson and seconded by Buttke to adopt the following Planning and Zoning Office fees. Motion carried 4-0. 

GRANT COUNTY PLANNING & ZONING OFFICE FEES

ADOPTED JULY 7, 2015

AMENDED February 4, 2020

BUILDING PERMIT APPLICATION

Construction Cost / Including Labor $00- $10,000 $25.00

$10,001 - $30,000                 $35.00 

$30,001 - $50,000 $45.00 

$50,001 - $100,000 $55.00 

$100,001 - $200,000 $100.00 

$200,001 - $300,000 $200.00 

$300,001 - $500,000 $250.00 

$500,001 - $700,000 $500.00 

$700,001 - $900,000 $700.00 

$900,001 - $1,000,000 $900.00 

$1,000,001 - $1,001,000 $902.00 

$1,001,001 & UP $902.00 + 

$ 2 PER 

            THOUSAND

APPEAL TO BOA-

HEARING $300                                                                    

VARIANCE HEARING $500

CONDITIONAL USE/

CAFO HEARING $300 

REZONING HEARING $300

SPECIAL HEARING DATE

(OTHER THAN REGULAR

MEETING OF MONTH) $1,550

PLAT INSPECTION FEE $40.00 + $5.00 PER

LOT         

PERMIT/DOCUMENT 

COPIES $1.00 PER 

PAGE

NO COPIES ALLOWED

Correspondence, memos and 

working documents

Any document listed as private under 

state statute 

Individuals are allowed to use electronic devices for duplicating permissible items.

Consent: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Buttke to approve the consent agenda. Motion carried 4-0. Commissioner Tostenson excused himself from the item under consideration. 

1. Approve Paul Tostenson as a Highway Truck Driver effective 1-21-2020 at $17.90 per hour

2. Approve Char Eliason and Val Van Lith as Visiting Neighbor board members effective January 2020 for a 3 year term 

3. Set March 3, 2020 at 9 AM for an omitted property hearing

Unfinished Business: None 

New Business: None

Correspondence: None

Commissioner Mach excused himself from the meeting at 1 PM. Vice-Chairman Tostenson assumed the chair. 

Claims: Motion by Buttke and seconded by Stengel to approve the claims as presented. Motion carried 4-0. 15 HOTEL GROUP, motel 178.00; A-OX WELDING, supplies 16.15; ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES, supplies 615.35; AUTOVALUE, supplies 852.90; AVERA MCKENNAN, health services 136.90; AVERA QUEEN OF PEACE, DOT testing 70.55; BIG STONE THERAPIES, prof. services 65.00; BOYER TRUCK, parts 228.97; BRENDA L HOLTQUIST, prof. services 63.00; BUTLER MACHINERY, parts 2,134.61; CENTER POINT, books 124.48; CHS, propane 594.58; CITY OF MILBANK, water usage 548.61; CITY OF WATERTOWN, 911 surcharge 6,309.19; DELORIS J RUFER, lib rent 100.00; FIRST DISTRICT, dues 7,932.69; GLACIAL LAKES & PRAIRIES TOURISM, dues 784.00; GRANT CO 4H LEADERS, visa correction 456.45; GRANT CO EC & DEV BD, allocation 8,750.00; GRANT/ROBERTS AMBULANCE, allocation 2,458.33; ISTATE TRUCK, parts 105.40; JACKSON SCHWANDT, prof. services 100.00; JOANN KRANZ, prof. services 1,275.00; LIFEQUEST, allocation 2,500.00; MAC’S, supplies 170.26; MACK STEEL WAREHOUSE, repair & maint. 404.18; MICROMARKETING, dvds 35.97; MIDCONTINENT, internet 90.53; MILBANK COMM., prof. services 739.95; MUNDWILER FUNERAL HOME, prof. services 3,347.00; NACVSO, dues 50.00; NEWMAN SIGNS, supplies 208.41; NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, natural gas 1,807.07; QUICK PRO LUBE, oil chg & repairs 388.73; REMINISCE, periodicals 24.98; RUNNINGS, supplies 396.00; RYAN MAGEDANZ, prof. services 173.76; SCOTT R BRATLAND, court appt atty 4,088.98; SD DEPT OF PUBLIC SAFETY, supplies 40.00; SDVSOA, dues & registration 100.00; THE SHOP, prof. services 824.14; STAR LAUNDRY, prof. services 50.95; STENGEL SEED, repairs & maint. 17.94; STURDEVANTS, supplies 43.77; THE PENWORTHY COMP., books 101.69; TRUENORTH STEEL, culverts 6,145.60; TWIN VALLEY TIRE, tires 4,551.39; UPI, diesel 15,513.03; VALLEY RENTAL & RECYCLING, allocation 650.00; VALLEY SHOPPER, publishing 53.16; VANDER HAAGS, repairs 207.76; VER BEEK LAW, prof. services 80.65; VISA, books, supplies 120.55; WITTROCK & SON, garbage service 157.50. TOTAL: $76,984.11. 

Payroll for the following departments and offices for January 28, 2020 are as follows: Commissioners 2,708.40; AuditoR 9,520.48; Treasurer 5,253.26; States Attorney 6,002.75; Custodians 2,901.05; Dir. Of Equalization 3,722.00; Reg. of Deeds 3,726.46; VET. SERV. OFFICER 653.25; Sheriff 12,633.48; Communication CTR 7,273.24; Public HEALTH Nurse 960.21; ICAP 318.60; Visiting Neighbor 2,105.25; Library 6,425.11; 4-H 3,044.81; Weed Control 1,860.60; P&Z 1,022.90; Road & Bridge 31,625.59; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 1,803.20. TOTAL: $103,560.64.

Payroll Claims: FIRST BANK & TRUST, Fed WH 8427.93; FIRST BANK & TRUST, FICA WH & Match 12,495.54; FIRST BANK & TRUST, Medicare WH & Match 2922.38; American Family Life, AFLAC ins. 1,409.17; WELLMARK-Blue Cross of SD, Employee and Commission health ins. 48,393.92; COLONIAL LIFE INS, ins 101.51; DEARBORN NATIONAL, life ins. 278.44; LEGAL SHIELD, deduction 63.75; OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, child support 262.50; OPTILEGRA, ins 400.69; SDRS SUPPLEMENTAL, deduction 1,195.83; SDRS, retire 11,326.94;. TOTAL: $87,278.60.

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 February 18 and March 3 and 17, 2020 at 8 AM. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Buttke to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0. Meeting adjourned.

/s/ William Tostenson, 

Vice-Chairman, Grant County Comm.

/s/ Karen M. Layher, 

Grant County Auditor