Minutes of the Board of Ward

County Commissioners

December 7, 2021

The regular meeting of the Ward

County Commission was called to

order by Ward County Auditor Mari-

sa Haman at 9:00 AM with Commis-

sioners Anderson, Fjeldahl, Pietsch,

Rostad, and Weppler present. Also

present were department heads

Bradley Starnes, Brian Vangsness,

Dana Larsen, Emily Burkett, Jason

Blowers, Jennifer Weichmann,

Karen Schultz, Kerrianne Boetcher,

Kristin Kowalczyk, Noreen Barton,

Robert Roed, Roza Larson, and

Tammy Terras.

Ms. Haman opened the nominations

for Chairperson. Comm. Weppler

nominated Comm. Rostad, second-

ed by Comm. Anderson; Comm.

Anderson nominated Comm. Fjel-

dahl, seconded by Comm. Rostad.

Moved by Comm. Pietsch for nomi-

nations to cease. The commission-

ers cast their private ballots. Ms. Ha-

man tallied 3 votes for Jim Rostad, 2

votes for John Fjeldahl. Ms. Haman

passed the gavel to the new chair-

man, Jim Rostad.

Chairman Rostad opened nomina-

tions for Vice-Chairperson. Comm.

Pietsch nominated Comm. Ander-

son, seconded by Comm. Weppler;

Comm. Fjeldahl nominated Comm.

Pietsch, seconded by Comm.

Anderson. Moved by Comm.

Weppler, seconded by Comm. Fjel-

dahl for nominations to cease with

private ballot cast for Comm.

Pietsch as Vice-Chairman.

Moved by Comm. Pietsch, second-

ed by Comm. Weppler to approve

the agenda with the addition of 13C

– 4th bid addition; 11C – Wide format

printer/scanner replacement; and

14A – Mr. Rockeman is unavailable

to interview. Roll call; all voted yes;

motion carried.

Moved by Comm. Weppler, second-

ed by Comm. Anderson to approve

Commission Meeting minutes from

November 16, 2021 and Special

Meeting minutes from November 30,

2021. Roll call; all voted yes; motion

carried.

Moved by Comm. Pietsch, second-

ed by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve

the regular bills totaling $298,490.19

and Human Service Zone direct cost

bills totaling $18,715.90. Roll call; all

voted yes; motion carried.

Tammy Terras, Human Resource

Director, appeared and asked Dana

Larsen to present Travis Schmitt

with his 10-year Service Award.

Kerrianne Boetcher, Library Ad-

ministrator, appeared for approval of

an Angel Tree in the Employee

Lounge to support a local organiza-

tion with participation being volun-

tary.

Moved by Comm. Weppler, second-

ed by Comm. Anderson to approve

placing an Angel Tree in the employ-

ee lounge. Roll call; all voted yes;

motion carried.

Ms. Boetcher informed the Commis-

sion that North Dakota State Librari-

an Mary Soucie presented the Ward

County Bookmobile the 2020

Wheelie Award. This is the 4th year

in a row the Ward County Bookmo-

bile has received this award. The

Wheelie Award is based on total cir-

culation per capita, the amount of

stops made, and the mileage the

bookmobile travels.

Robert Roed, Ward County Sheriff,

appeared to request bids for four (4)

new police specific vehicles which

have been budgeted. Mr. Roed also

requested a bid for a new van. The

van would be purchased through the

Inmate Veteran Fund.

Moved by Pietsch, seconded by

Comm. Weppler to authorize Sheriff

Roed to get bids on the vehicles

referenced above. Roll call; all voted

yes; motion carried.

Jason Blowers, Information Technol-

ogy, appeared and spoke regarding

the UPC Capacitor Replacement for

the administrative building. There

have been errors on the UPS and

once the system switches to genera-

tor power, there is no way to switch

back. The capacitors are recom-

mended to be replaced every 7

years.

Moved by Fjeldahl, seconded by

Weppler to approve $5,742.80 for

replacement of UPS capacitors us-

ing monies from the PC Fund to pay

for the replacement, but to first ex-

plore switching to newer style capa-

citors that are good for the life of the

system prior to doing the replace-

ment. Roll call; all voted yes; motion

carried.

Noreen Barton, Tax Equalization

Director, appeared regarding adjust-

ments to Tax Roll Memorandum.

Moved by Comm. Weppler, second-

ed by Comm. Pietsch to approve ad-

justments to Tax Roll Memorandum

as presented. Roll call; all voted yes;

motion carried.

Doug Diedrichsen, Planning and

Zoning Administrator, appeared re-

garding a Plat Application for Dan

Neshem for the following described

property: Proposed Outlot 2 lying in

the SE4SW4 27-153-85. The appli-

cant is proposing to parcel Outlot 2,

proposed outlot 2 is 10.00 acres.

This outlot is for future

Agricultural/Residential purposes.

The proposed outlot meets minimum

zoning requirements for Ward Coun-

ty. Ward County zoning applies with

the township recommending appro-

val. Planning Commission recom-

mends approval based on findings

of facts and staff recommendations.

A discussion was held on being

compliant with our Planning and

Zoning Ordinances. It was confirmed

approval of this plat will be out of

compliance with these ordinances.

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, second-

ed by Comm. Pietsch to approve the

Plat Application for Dan Neshem as

presented. Roll call; all voted yes ex-

cept Comm. Weppler, who voted no;

motion carried.

A plat application was submitted by

Cassey & Tammy Tompkins for the

following described property: Pro-

posed Outlots 3 & 4 lying in the

SW4SW4 2-155-81. The applicant is

proposing to parcel two outlots, pro-

posed outlot 3 is 4.42 acres; pro-

posed outlot 4 is 5.58 acres. These

outlots are for future residential pur-

poses. The proposed outlot meets

minimum zoning requirements for

Ward County. Ward County zoning

applies with the township recom-

mending approval. Planning Com-

mission recommends approval

based on findings of facts and staff

recommendations.

It was confirmed approval of this plat

will be out of compliance with the

Planning and Zoning Ordinances.

Moved by Comm. Anderson,

seconded by Comm. Fjeldahl to ap-

prove the Plat Application for

Cassey & Tammy Tompkin as

presented. Roll call; all voted yes ex-

cept Comm. Weppler, who voted no;

motion carried.

A plat application was submitted by

Clayton Fegley for the following

described property: Proposed

Outlots 1 & 2 lying lying in the NW4

10-156-85. The applicant is propos-

ing to parcel two outlots, proposed

outlot 1 is 10.00 acres; proposed

outlot 2 is 54.00 acres. These

outlots are for future

Agricultural/Residential purposes.

The proposed outlots meet minimum

zoning requirements for Ward Coun-

ty. Ward County zoning applies with

the township recommending appro-

val. Planning Commission recom-

mends approval based on findings

of facts and staff recommendations.

It was confirmed approval of this plat

will be out of compliance with the

Planning and Zoning Ordinances.

Moved by Comm. Pietsch, second-

ed by Comm. Fjeldahl to approve

the Plat Application for Clayton Feg-

ley as presented. Roll call; all voted

yes except Comm. Weppler, who

voted no; motion carried.

A plat application was submitted by

Jason Burkhart for the following

described property: Proposed Outlot

2 lying in the SW4SW4 35-156-85.

The applicant is proposing to parcel

Outlot 2, proposed outlot 2 is 17.80

acres. This outlot is for future

Agricultural/Residential purposes.

The proposed outlot meets minimum

zoning requirements for Ward Coun-

ty. Ward County zoning applies with

the township recommending appro-

val. Planning Commission recom-

mends approval based on findings

of facts and staff recommendations.

It was confirmed approval of this plat

will be out of compliance with the

Planning and Zoning Ordinances.

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, second-

ed by Comm. Pietsch to approve the

Plat Application for Jason Burkhart

as presented. Roll call; all voted yes

except Comm. Weppler, who voted

no; motion carried.

Dana Larsen, Highway Engineer,

appeared regarding Resolution of

Award for the Sawyer/Velva Town-

ship bridge replacement. The low

bid was for $1,983,854.30 by

Swingen Construction.

Moved by Comm. Weppler, second-

ed by Comm. Anderson to approve

the attached Resolution, awarding

the contract to Swingen Construc-

tion for Project BRO-0051(055), the

construction of bridge number

51-156-49.1, and authorizing the

Chairman to sign the construction

contracts. Roll call; all voted yes;

motion carried.

Mr. Larsen presented a proposal for

a new scissor lift to reach the ceil-

ings in our new facility. This would

possibly involve trading in the old

scissor lift.

Moved by Comm. Anderson,

seconded by Comm. Pietsch to ap-

prove the highway department to

purchase the 2011 JLG 3246ES

scissor lift from ACME Tools as

presented and to keep the old scis-

sor lift. Roll call; all voted yes;

motion carried.

Mr. Larsen asked for approval to

purchase a new wide format

printer/scanner as the previous

printer has stopped working. Mr.

Larsen researched and found that

these printers are in limited supply

and the price will be going up

12-15% the first of the year. He re-

ceived a quote of $11,235.00 to pur-

chase this printer/scanner.

Moved by Comm. Pietsch, second-

ed by Comm. Weppler to approve

the highway department to spend

$11,235.00 to replace the wide for-

mat printer/scanner. Roll call; all vot-

ed yes; motion carried.

Human Resource Director Tammy

Terras appeared and spoke to inter-

im pay/bonus pay for the facilities

staff. Ms. Terras praised the facilities

staff for stepping up and keeping

things operating smoothly. Through

the months of October – December,

Ms. Terras is recommending a

$1.00 per hour raise, which would

amount to approximately $500 a

piece for employees, with the total

being approximately $6,000.

Moved by Comm. Fjeldahl, second-

ed by Comm. Weppler to approve

the October-December $1.00 per

hour raise and to provide approxi-

mately $500 to each employee for

interim pay/bonus pay during the

above months. Roll call; all voted

yes; motion carried.

Moved by Comm. Weppler, second-

ed by Comm. Anderson to approve

the following payroll amendments: L.

Eide, Jail; R. Morales, State’s Attor-

ney; G. Blesdoe, Sheriff; M. Lehner,

Patrol Deputy; T. Costello, Juvenile

Detention. Roll call; all voted yes;

motion carried.

Comm. Fjeldahl and Comm. Ander-

son left the meeting at 10:00 AM.

Auditor/Treasurer Marisa Haman ap-

peared.

Moved by Comm. Weppler, second-

ed by Comm. Pietsch to receive and

file the following correspondence:

Letter from WBI Energy Transmis-

sion; letter from North Dakota Divi-

sion of Waste Management; Letter

from North Dakota Division of Air

Quality; Department Head minutes

October 20, 2021.

Moved by Comm. Pietsch, second-

ed by Comm. Weppler to approve

the Quitclaim Deeds on foreclosed

properties sold at auction and to

have the Chairman sign. Roll call; all

voted yes; motion carried.

Ms. Haman presented the Commis-

sion with four bids to purchase fore-

closed property. The first two bids

were for Parcel #MI150181200100.

Minimum sale price for this property

is $23,420.87. Bid #1 amount was

$23,420.87 and bid #2 amount was

$24,000.00.

Moved by Comm. Pietsch, second-

ed by Comm. Weppler to approve

bid #2 in the amount of $24,000.00.

Roll call; all voted yes; motion car-

ried.

Ms. Haman presented bid #3 for six

(6) parcels: Parcel

#KM180120000090,

#RD000013500080,

#KM270240100010,

#RD000010200040,

#RD000013500090, and

FO020005U100000. The minimum

sales prices are, respectively,

$836.41, $375.86, $1,086.88,

$518.66, $372.32, and $456.49. The

bid was for minimum sales price on

all six parcels.

Moved by Comm. Weppler, second-

ed by Comm. Pietsch to approve bid

#3 for the minimum sales price on all

six (6) parcels as listed above. Roll

call; all voted yes; motion carried.

Ms. Haman presented bid #4 for

Parcel #KM200062100270.

Minimum sale price for this property

is $5,776.28. The bid amount

presented was $6,000.00. There

was a discussion on the address of

the property but it was confirmed to

be correct as stated in our records.

Moved by Comm. Pietsch, second-

ed by Comm. Weppler to approve

bid #4 in the amount of $6,000.00.

Roll call; all voted yes; motion car-

ried.

Moved by Comm. Weppler, second-

ed by Comm. Pietsch to approve a

duplicate warrant to be issued to

Kristain Shaide. Roll call; all voted

yes; motion carried.

Moved by Comm. Pietsch, second-

ed by Comm. Weppler to approve

cancelling 13 outstanding checks as

presented. Roll call; all voted yes;

motion carried.

Moved by Comm. Weppler, second-

ed by Comm. Pietsch to approve the

2-year Contract for Coroner Ser-

vices and authorize the Chairman to

sign. Roll call; all voted yes; motion

carried.

Moved by Comm. Weppler, second-

ed by Comm. Pietsch to set the

Special Meeting date for final 2021

bill approval on December 29, 2021

at 9:00 AM. Roll call; all voted yes;

motion carried.

Moved by Comm. Weppler, second-

ed by Comm. Pietsch to approve all

applicants who have applied for the

board openings which expire in De-

cember 2021. These positions are

as follows: Ward County Weed

Board – Lee Novak and Christopher

Rockeman; All Seasons Arena

Board – Nathan Amick; Minot City

Planning – Robert Kibler and Aaron

Faken; Ward County Soil Committee

– James Mostad, David King, and

Brian Keller; Ward County Water

Board – Jason Zimmerman and

Loren Johnson. Roll call; all voted

yes; motion carried.

Recess at 10:13 AM.

Meeting reconvened at 11:20 with

Chairman Rostad, Comm. Weppler,

and Comm. Pietsch present.

Interviews were conducted for Ward

County Board openings as follows:

11:20 AM – Nathan Amick, 11:40

AM – Brian Keller, 12:00 PM – Da-

vid King, 12:20 PM – Aaron Faken,

and 12:40 PM – Robert Kibler.

Comm. Pietsch and Comm. Ander-

son attended the November 17,

2021 Redistricting Committee meet-

ing. No final action was taken.

At 1:00 PM with no further business,

the meeting was adjourned.

(December 28, 2021)

NOTICE TO CREDITORS

IN THE DISTRICT COURT OF

WARD COUNTY, STATE OF

NORTH DAKOTA

In the Matter of the Estate of

Carlton Mahlum, Deceased.

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that

the undersigned has been appointed

Personal Representative of the

above estate. All persons having

claims against the deceased are re-

quired to present their claims within

three months, 90 days, after the date

of the first publication or mailing of

this notice or the claims will be for-

ever barred. Claims must either be

presented to Brenda Mahlum, Per-

sonal Representative of the Estate

of Carlton Mahlum, in care of Laura

Wheeles of Boppre Law Firm, PLLC,

2151 36th Ave SW, Suite B, Minot,

North Dakota 58701, or filed with the

Court.

Dated this 9th day of December,

2021.

Brenda Mahlum,

Personal Representative

Laura Wheeles (ID #09319)

Boppre Law Firm, PLLC

2151 36th Ave SW, Suite B

Minot, ND 58701

Office: 701-852-5224

Fax: 701-852-5229

lwheeles@bopprelawfirm.com

Attorney for Personal

Representative

(December 14-21-28, 2021)

Special Meeting Minutes of the

Board of Ward County

Commissioners

December 9, 2021

The special meeting of the Ward

County Commission was called to

order by Chairman Rostad at 8:00

AM with Commissioners Fjeldahl,

Weppler, and Pietsch present.

Purpose of the meeting was for

Department Head Evaluations.

Commissioner Anderson arrived at

8:36 AM.

The Commission met with Depart-

ment heads Jennifer Wiechmann,

Bradley Starnes, Jodi Johnson, Kris-

tin Kowalczyk, Noreen Barton, Dana

Larsen, Jason Blowers, Marisa Ha-

man, Tammy Terras, and Brian

Vangsness.

Recess at 11:30 AM.

Reconvened at 1:08 PM.

At 3:40 PM with no further business,

the meeting was adjourned.

(December 28, 2021)