August 4, 2020
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session August 4, 2020 in the Miner County Courthouse. Members present: Garrett Gassman, Tom Reisch, Voni Durant and Alex Protsch. Absent: Roger Wentland. Vice-Chairman Protsch called the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Motion by Durant, seconded by Gassman and carried to approve the agenda.
The minutes of the July 21st meeting were approved. No one appeared for Public Comment. No conflict of interest was declared.
The auditor’s account with the county treasurer showed an August 1, 2020 balance of $7,562,275.18 in all state, county, civil, school and trust accounts.
The following correspondence was received: East Dakota Water Development District-Funding of Clean Out of Lake Thompson Outlet.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Gassman and carried to approve the following claims for payment: CLAIMS ALLOWED: Road & Bridge $40,995.17, Wellmark $42,199.92, Delta Dental $1,466.88, Kansas City Life $437.98, Retirement $6,294.00, OASI $9,028.17, Commissioners $4,430.75, Auditor $7,332.50, Treasurer $6,850.75, States Attorney $5,667.75, Govt Building $2,701.48, Director of Equalization $7,718.27, Register of Deeds $7,309.76, Vet Service $893.00, Sheriff $11,254.75, Contract Law $4,331.60, Welfare $531.90, Co Nurse $1,326.00, Ambulance $7,945.13, WIC $90.25, Extension $1,326.00, Weed $1,225.00, Dispatch $13,480.38, Emergency Mgt $2,275.00 JULY PAYROLL; Darcy Albert $14.00, Cindy Foster $14.00, Tami Severson $14.00 PAYROLL TRAVEL; ICAP $674.75 COMMUNITY ACTION PAYMENT; Verizon $80.20 CONFERENCING FEES; Avera Occupational Medicine $93.55 DRUG TESTING; Xcel $9.66 ELECTRICITY; Northwestern $36.09 GAS SERVICE; SDACC $2,021.00 LEGAL EXP RELIEF FUND; Todd Spader $327.00 MOWING; Fedex $13.32 POSTAGE; Ultra $11,037.25 REPAIRS; Greg Protsch $900.00 STATE’S ATTY OFFICE EXP ALLOWANCE; Relx Inc. $149.00 SUBSCRIPTIONS; Alliance $1,986.00, Gall’s $34.61, Jack’s Uniforms $1,023.51, Miner County Pioneer $48.35, Public Safety Center $55.98, Tami Severson $20.00, Tidmore Flags $153.85, Ultra $78.00, Van’s Auto Electric $235.00 SUPPLIES; Alliance $902.77, Colleen Arens $30.00, AT&T 281.74, Century Link $29.39, Tami Severson $30.00 TELEPHONE; AmericInn $77.00, Susan Connor $40.00, Scott A. Johnson $555.00, Ramkota $196.00 TRAVEL; City of Howard $2,118.83 UTILITIES.
Custodian Colleen Arens informed the commission of a tree that is leaning on the courthouse grounds. The board instructed Arens to contact Eric Rentschler for a cost estimate for removal of the tree.
The board reviewed information from Miner Insurance concerning insurance coverage and bonds which is a requirement of SDCL 3-5-14. It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Gassman and carried to purchase from Miner Insurance an endorsement for crime coverages-forgery/alteration; inside the premises-monies & securities; outside the premises-monies & securities; computer fraud; and money orders/counterfeit money.
Director of Equalization Tami Severson presented the following plat for consideration. It was moved by Durant and seconded by Gassman to adopt the following resolution.
RESOLUTION 20-29
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of Miner County, South Dakota, that the plat of DMP TRACT 1 IN THE NE ¼ OF SECTION 23, T 105 N, R 55 W OF THE 5TH P.M., MINER COUNTY, SOUTH DAKOTA, which has been submitted for examination pursuant to law, is hereby approved and the County Auditor is hereby authorized and directed to endorse on such plat a copy of this Resolution and certify the same.
Voting aye: Durant, Reisch, Gassman and Protsch. Voting nay: none.
Alex Protsch, Vice-Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor
Director of 911 & Dispatch Services, Cora Schwader made a request for dispatch employees who are directed to not work due to COVID exposure or illness be paid for shifts which they had been scheduled. It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Durant and carried that any permanent/part-time employee who is directed to not work scheduled shifts due to COVID exposure or illness shall be paid for those scheduled shifts.
DOE Severson presented additional information on the ag adjustment process and updated soils classifications. She explained that all applications for ag adjustment consideration must be completed on-line. No paper applications will be accepted by the SD Department of Revenue. Severson also requested a pay level increase for Darcy Albert. It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Durant and carried to grant a pay increase effective August 1st for Darcy Albert from level 6 to level 7.
The board discussed how to proceed with the courthouse renovation project. It was decided to instruct Puetz Design Build to proceed with a structural engineering study and obtain information on heating and cooling options for the building.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Gassman and carried to proceed with the quote ($24,967.68) from Gary Snow and Associates for asbestos removal on the heating pipes located in the basement of the courthouse.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Durant and carried to enter into executive session (10:07) for personnel issues (SDCL 1-25-2 (1). Those present for executive session included Deputy State’s Attorney Kristian Ellendorf, Sheriff Rob Eggert, Auditor Connor and commissioners. The board returned to regular session at 10:19.
The 2021 budget was reviewed. At the September 1st meeting, the board will hold the Provisional Budget hearing.
Custodian Colleen Arens posed the question “if the asbestos insulation is removed from the heating pipes located in the basement, will new insulation need to be installed?”. After discussion of the topic, it was moved by Reisch, seconded by Durant and carried to rescind the previous motion to proceed with the quote from Gary Snow and Associates for asbestos removal on the heating pipes located in the basement of the courthouse.
Having no further business, the board adjourned until August 18th. Dated this 4th day of August, 2020.
Alex Protsch, Vice-Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor