October 6, 2020
The Miner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session October 6, 2020 in the Miner County Courthouse. Members present: Roger Wentland, Garrett Gassman, Tom Reisch, and Alex Protsch. Absent: Voni Durant. Chairman Wentland call the meeting to order. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Motion by Protsch, seconded by Gassman and carried to approve the agenda as amended.
The minutes of the September 22nd 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 October 1, 2020 balance of $6,948,022.12 in all state, county, civil, school and trust accounts.
The following correspondence was received: Miner County Conservation District September meeting minutes and financial reports.
It was moved by Reisch, seconded by Gassman and carried to approve the following claims for payment: CLAIMS ALLOWED: Road & Bridge $55,762.95, Wellmark $42,199.92, Delta Dental $1,466.88, Kansas City Life $437.98, Retirement $6,954.32, OASI $9,599.06, Commissioners $4,430.75, Auditor $7,332.50, Treasurer $6,850.75, States Attorney $5,667.75, Govt Building $1,956.55, Director of Equalization $7,435.30, Register of Deeds $6,801.49, Vet Service $893.00, Sheriff $11,254.75, Contract Law $4,101.92, Welfare $305.35, Co Nurse $1,326.00, Ambulance $5,990.77, WIC $90.25, Extension $1,326.00, Weed $1,225.00, Dispatch $10,206.90, Emergency Mgt $2,275.00 SEPT PAYROLL; Darcy Albert $14.00, Tami Severson $14.00 PAYROLL TRAVEL; Alliance $150.00, Santel $55.12, Triotel $167.53 911 CHARGES; SD Dept. of Health Lab Service $40.00 BLOOD DRAW; ICAP $674.75 COMMUNITY ACTION PAYMENT; Rechnagel Construction $92,400.00, SD DOT $126.63 CONTRACTED MAINTENANCE; Central Electric $79.73, Xcel Energy $9.71 ELECTRIC SERVICE; Ultra $915.00 EQUIPMENT; HFCA $954.22 FUEL; Northwestern Energy $35.52 GAS SERVICE; Emergency Safety Education $113.61 IN SERVICE EDUCATION; SDACC $2,021.00 LEGAL EXPENSE RELIEF FUND; Todd Spader $327.00 MOWING; Susan Connor $54.84 PANDEMIC SUPPLIES; Avera McKennan Hospital $51,691.25 PATIENT CARE; HFCA $153.13, James Valley Landscape $117.00, Prostrollo Auto Mall $31.45, Transource $892.71, Ultra $1,522.25 REPAIRS; Commercial Asphalt Co $4,399.80, Homestead Building Supply $190.19, David Skoglund $39,600.00 ROAD MATERIALS; Kristian Ellendorf $4,379.76 RURAL ATTY PROGRAM; Greg Protsch $900.00 STATE’S ATTY OFFICE EXP ALLOWANCE; Relx, Inc. $149.00 SUBSCRIPTIONS; Dakota Data Shred $16.00, Dataspec Inc. $449.00, Dust-Tex Service $124.44, Maria Feldhaus $15.66, Homestead Building Supply $10.98, HFCA $6,665.00, McLeod’s $227.08, Office Peeps $626.65, Rusty’s $121.35, Cora Schwader $41.49, Tami Severson $20.00, Sturdevants $27.46, Tom’s $302.95, Transource $593.26, Ultra $276.50 SUPPLIES; Alliance $886.99, Colleen Arens $30.00, AT&T $281.74, Century Link $15.94, Tami Severson $30.00 TELEPHONE; Pat Carmon $130.88, Mike Clary $100.00, Holiday Inn City Centre $150.00 TRAVEL; City of Howard $2,120.39 UTILITIES; Beadle Co Auditor $1,175.00 VICTIMS ADVOCATE.
All county employees are encouraged to get an influenza vaccination through the Miner County Community Health Nurse’s office. The cost of the vaccination, if not covered by the employee’s health insurance, will be paid by the county.
Auditor Connor explained the preparations her office has taken to be ready for the election on November 3rd. With the COVID 19 virus having an effect on our daily tasks, it is essential to be prepared for the “what-ifs” relating to COVID and possible exposures. To help deal with the “what-if’s, Connor made a request to have the ability to obtain and train a back-up employee in the event that both Connor and Mommaerts are quarantined due to COVID. It was moved by Protsch, seconded by Reisch and carried to authorize the auditor to secure and train and additional employee for the 2020 general election.
Building Committee members Alex Protsch and Roger Wentland informed commission of the meeting with Jim Weber of Puetz Design + Build and Steve Jastram of Architecture Inc. The committee explained the scope of the work to Jastram which included HVAC, electrical and water drainage and infiltration. Jastram will prepare an agreement for the commission to consider at its October 20th meeting.
It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Reisch and carried to enter into executive session (SDCL 1-25-2 (3)) at 9:48. Also present for the session included Auditor Susan Connor, Welfare Director Gibi Page and State’s Attorney Kristian Ellendorf. The board returned to regular session at 10:00. It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Protsch and carried to approve the following claims from Avera McKennan Hospital and issue payment: PR case #17-06 $4,615.27; PR case #17-04 $8151.75; PR case #14-03 $5,230.25 (amount owed less payments already made on the file); PR case #16-02 $27,660.48; PR case #20-03 $1,759.78. In consideration of payment of these aforementioned cases, PR case #10-22 and a portion of PR cases #17-04 and 17-06 and the corresponding civil case files shall be dismissed by Avera. On September 23, 2020, Miner County made an offer to pay Avera for PR case #20-02 $4,273.72. Avera has accepted the offer.
Highway Superintendent Ron Krempges reviewed several highway issues including: surplus sale preparations; progress on the bridge replacement project located at the junction of 435th Ave and 235th St.; mowing; culvert replacement; and scheduled in 2021 equipment purchases. Krempges reported that the majority of the county roads in the NE portion of the county, which had been under water since this past Spring, are now open and passable. Engineer Brad Stangohr will be meeting with Krempges to study the proposed asphalt overlay on 435th Ave. Cost estimates will be prepared on milling the road before placing of the overlay. Krempges will further discuss this option with the board before placing this project out for bids.
It was moved by Gassman, seconded by Reisch and carried to designate the following departments’ employees as essential/critical infrastructure workers: Auditor’s office (election); Treasurer’s office (finance); Highway (transportation & logistics) and Sheriff’s office (public safety). By so designating employees as essential/critical infrastructure workers, those employees may be allowed to work if identified as exposed to a positive case of COVID. Those employees will be required to wear face masks at all times, maintain a minimum of 6 feet between other employees or the public, and minimize their contact with other offices and the public.
Treasurer Pat Carmon informed the commission that tax deeds have been completed on the following properties: Lot 3, Block 26 of Carthage City OP; Lots 4 & 5, Block 3 of Carthage City OP; and Lot 1 of Block 1 Howard City Ward’s. It was moved by Protsch, seconded by Reisch and carried to abate all taxes associated with the above-mentioned properties.
Having no further business, the meeting adjourned to October 20th. Dated this 6th day of October, 2020.
Roger Wentland, Chairman
Miner County Board of Commissioners
Attest: Susan Connor, Miner County Auditor