Finley, North Dakota
November 1, 2011
The Steele County Board of Commissioners met at 8:00 a.m. Present were Chairman Dennis Lindstrom and
Commissioners Ted Johnson, Randy Richards, Jane Amundson, and Lance Fugleberg.
The commission recessed at 8:05 a.m. to meet as the Steele County Park Board.
The commission reconvened at 8:50 a.m., with Lindsie DeFrang of The Steele County Press also in attendance.
Tom Peterick met with the commission to explain repairs made to his driveway in section twelve of Beaver Creek
Township following damage caused by water flow. Mr. Peterick explained that he received FEMA funding for a portion of
the repair costs. Mr. Peterick requested county participation in the costs for the project and assistance in placing rip rap at the
site. Commissioner Fugleberg explained that it would be difficult for the commission to approve use of taxpayers’ dollars to
pay for repairs to an individual’s driveway. Mr. Peterick believed that situations like his should be reviewed on a case by
case basis. No action was taken on the request.
At 9:00 a.m. the hearing regarding the minimum sale price for property returned to Steele County for delinquent
taxes was held. No one from the public attended.
Discussion continued regarding the driveway repairs and request from Tom Peterick for county assistance with costs
and completion of his project. It was noted by Commissioner Amundson that requests for county participation in any project
should be approved prior to beginning work on the project.
Commissioner Fugleberg made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the minutes of the
October 4, and 7, 2011, meetings as presented. All members voted yes. Motion carried.
Office reports were reviewed.
The following bills were allowed:
32448
32451
32457
32472
32495
32505
32511
32511
32512
32515
32521
32536
32542
SOCIAL SERVICE
Payroll October, 2011
NDPERS-health & life insurance
Kelly Archambeau-travel
Comfort Inn-hotel
NDACo Resources Group-tech support
Blue Cross-Blue Shield-dental insurance
NDPERS-retirement
Comfort Inn-hotel
Comfort Inn-hotel
Comfort Suites-hotel
Amber Delfs-travel
Jean Gilbertson-travel
NDACo Resources Group-tech support
Nodak Electric-utility bill
32467
32502
32505
SOCIAL SECURITY
Information Technology Department-wan access
Steele County Treasurer-social security
NDPERS-social security
32489
32525
9-1-1
Payroll October, 2011
Inter-Community Telephone Co-trunking
Inter-Community Telephone Co-trunking
32448
32448
32495
HEALTH CARE
NDPERS-life insurance
NDPERS-health care insurance
Blue Cross/Blue Shield-dental insurance
VETERAN SERVICE OFFICER
Payroll October, 2011
32455
32465
32473
32478
32484
32490
32491
32491
32492
32493
32491
32497
32506
32508
GENERAL FUND
Payroll October, 2011
City of Finley-water
Heggy’s Body Shop-towing
ND State Radio Communications-teletype rental
Streicher’s-paddle
Hebron Brick & Block Supply-replacement brick
Postmaster-postage
Reardon-binder clips
Reardon-folders
Steele Co Press-subscription renewal
Verizon-cell phones
NDAAO-valuation class
Johannson, Rust, Yon, Stock & Rasmusson PA-contract/clerical
Jane Amundson-travel
Wayne Beckman-gas
ALLOWED
11,728.80
1911.17
145.65
130.00
65.00
109.90
981.65
323.00
130.00
276.00
96.39
145.86
97.50
600.00
434.60
10343.30
5031.70
758.00
150.00
150.00
225.05
13569.64
954.10
558.00
39069.61
65.67
310.00
120.00
69.99
68.20
6.79
4.14
12.98
32.00
177.85
75.00
3786.00
192.78
50.20
32513
32514
32517
32518
32519
32519
32520
32523
32524
32526
32527
32529
32531
32532
32533
32534
32535
32537
32538
32540
32541
32542
32546
32547
32550
32551
32552
32553
32554
32558
Cooperstown Medical Center-blood draw
Kari Crawford-travel
Finley Farmers Grain & Elevator-gas
Finley Lumber & Supply-ratchet & tarp strap
Finley Motors Inc-Impala & 2007 pick-up
Finley Motors Inc-Suburban
Lance Fugleberg-travel
Griggs County Telephone-phone charges
Heartland Paper Co-supplies
Lisa Jacobsen-postage
Job Service ND-unemployment
Ted Johnson-travel
Linda Leadbetter-travel
Dennis Lindstrom-travel
Moore Medical-vaccine
Brittany Ness-travel
New Century Press-ads
Otter Tail Power Co-courthouse electricity
Postmaster-postage
Reardon-binder clips
Sanford-blood draw
Nodak Electric Cooperative-electricity at radio tower
TJ Cleaning & Services-custodian
Town & Country Co-op-gas
US Postal Service-envelopes
Verizon Wireless-cell phones
Adam Vonasek-TV
White Banner Uniforms-trousers
Best Western Plus Ramkota Hotel-hotel
Threaded Ink-clothing
32542
COUNTY PARK
Nodak Electric Cooperative-electricity at Golden Lake
32449
32450
32452
32453
32454
32455
32456
32458
32459
32460
32461
32462
32463
32464
32466
32468
32470
32474
32475
32476
32477
32479
32480
32481
32482
32483
32485
32486
32509
32510
32516
32518
32522
32537
32539
32544
32545
32548
32556
32557
ROAD FUND
Payroll October, 2011
Hourly wages for October, 2011
Postmaster-box rent
3-D Specialties-signs & telespar
Berg Auto Supply Inc-shop supplies
Butler Machinery Co-repair parts/cutting edges/tires
Catco Parts Service-repair parts
City of Finley-shop expense
City of Sharon-shop expense
Farmers Union Oil of Hope-repair parts/gas/tires/shop supplies
Feddick Distributing-building repairs
Finley Farmers Grain & Elevator-gas/tires
Finley Lumber & Supply-shop supplies
Finley Motors Inc-repair parts
Griggs County Telephone Co-shop expense
HE Everson Co-repair parts/building repairs
Hope Municipal Utilities-shop expense
Johnston Fargo Culvert-culverts
Michael Todd & Co Inc-signs & telespar/repair parts
Nodak Stores-repair parts
OK Tire-tires
Otter Tail Power Co-shop expense
Power Plan-repair parts
Swanston Equipment-repair parts/equipment
Town & Country Co-op-gas
Trimble Navigation Limited-supplies
Uglem-Ness Co-repair parts
Fargo Freightliner-repair parts
Public Service Commission-misc
June Braisted Trust-gravel lease agreement
Butler Machinery Co-repair parts
Chad’s Excavating Inc-bridge repair
Earthchem Inc-gravel
Finley Lumber & Supply-signs & telespar
Glenn’s Body Repair-repair parts
Otter Tail Power Co-shop expense
Praxair Distributing Inc-shop supplies
Stones Market-shop supplies
Swanston Equipment-gas/equipment
Trimble Navigation Limited-supplies
Jobs HQ-misc
KRB Gravel LTD-gravel
32523
32528
COUNTY AGENT
Griggs County Telephone-phone charges
Andy Johnson-travel
50.00
193.80
1614.46
15.88
396.56
258.30
198.90
657.31
44.43
21.85
39.74
208.08
193.80
249.90
117.09
630.46
1517.29
659.62
128.00
3.18
23.00
71.20
1125.00
1355.86
1065.50
279.31
308.52
158.00
1311.00
74.15
43.09
2187.62
20462.63
56.00
371.87
75.70
6901.79
329.66
57.55
51.10
7958.65
237.60
8833.45
402.80
640.48
186.49
62.42
113.34
5514.20
229.46
253.91
327.80
130.33
56.00
3518.16
766.16
39.95
4.81
18.37
11.00
750.00
4.73
2025.00
824.92
40.46
1566.03
107.88
395.61
32.99
3978.14
39.95
544.28
10035.00
76.24
71.40
32471
HUMAN SERVICE
North Dakota Department of Human Services-program costs
1371.27
32507
CORRECTIONAL FACILITY
Barnes County Corrections-prisoner board
3380.00
32469
32530
32549
FLOOD
Lakeside Construction-gravel/bridge repair
Lakeside Construction-gravel/bridge repair
TrueNorth Steel-culverts
53167.50
75940.50
2402.46
32487
32555
WEED CONTROL
Finley Motors Inc-ranger
Central Plains Ag Services-weed control
32424
COPS PROGRAM EXPENSE
Griggs County Sheriff-June-August 2011 Wes Straight
4000.00
7889.00
926.72
The removal of nests and cleaning of the south side of the courthouse will need to be addressed in the spring.
The commission assigned Don Huso, Steele County Emergency Manager, to work with Dakota Environmental, Inc.
to create a spill plan for the Steele County Highway Department fuel tanks.
Steele County Highway Department Secretary Kari Crawford met with the commission to discuss various billing
concerns and how the county tracks the purchase and sale of culverts. A plan to establish a new fund to better manage
culvert purchases in 2012 will be discussed by the auditor and highway department.
Steele County State’s Attorney Charlie Stock was seated at the meeting.
Troy Hefta and Justin Woods met with the commission. Mr. Hefta explained that the Affidavit of Posting had been
filed with the county auditor. Charlie Stock advised Mr. Hefta to review procedures with his attorney. A resolution was
presented to the commission for adoption. Chairman Lindstrom explained that a hearing on the proposed abandonment of the
road has been set for December 1, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. in the Steele County Courtroom.
State’s Attorney Stock left the meeting to review documents provided to determine how the commission will
proceed.
Tracey Beckman of Schmitz Insurance and Judy Ingvalson of AFLAC met to present information regarding the
possibility of offering the supplemental insurance to Steele County employees. Other products available were also presented.
Steele County would need three participants to establish a group. A review of fees for administration of the county’s
cafeteria plan will need to be completed prior to making a decision. Information will be provided to the county auditor for
the commission to review.
A 2008 Polaris Ranger was purchased for use through the Steele County Weed Control Department with matching
grant funds. The county’s all-terrain vehicle, trailer, accessories, and Chevrolet Lumina were traded to complete this
purchase.
State’s Attorney Charlie Stock returned to the meeting to present his opinion on the documents provided by Troy
Hefta. Mr. Stock explained that Troy Hefta will need to meet notification requirements. It was noted again that the
commission has agreed to hold a hearing on December 1, 2011, at 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Amundson made a motion,
seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to pass the resolution as amended by the Steele County State’s Attorney and to accept
the petition presented by Troy Hefta for the closure of a section line on the following property in Steele County, North
Dakota: The North Thirty-three (33) feet of the Northwest Quarter (NW1/4) of Section Thirty-four (34), Township One
Hundred Forty-seven (147) North, Range Fifty-four (54), West. Upon roll call voting yes: Johnson, Richards, Amundson,
Fugleberg, and Lindstrom. Voting no: None. The motion carried.
Commissioner Fugleberg made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Richards, to post the resolution and notice of
public hearing, for the requested closure of a section line in the northwest quarter of section thirty-four of Enger Township, at
the Steele County Courthouse, Town and Country Coop., and Citizens State Bank, all located in Finley, North Dakota. All
members voted yes. Motion carried. Documents will be posted as of November 1, 2011. Members of the Steele County
Commission will provide information regarding the date and time of the inspection of site noted in the petition to the county
auditor.
Lynette Flage of NDSU Extension met with the commission to discuss the resignation of Andy Johnson as the
Steele County Extension Agent, effective November 30, 2011. Currently the county partners with NDSU by paying half of
the salaries for the agents and paying the entire administrative and support costs for the program. NDSU pays half of the
salaries for the agents and pays the entire cost of the benefits for the agents. Commissioner Amundson made a motion,
seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to have Steele County continue its partnership with NDSU and begin the search to fill
the Steele County Extension agent position. All members voted yes. Motion carried. The position must be advertised for
twenty working days. A committee consisting of Commissioner Fugleberg, Commissioner Richards, Kristi Berdal, Lynette
Flage, and an agriculturalist from Steele County will handle applications and the interview process for the position.
Commissioner Richards made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Johnson, to approve the transfer of $20,000
from the human service fund to the social service fund. All members voted yes. Motion carried.
Commissioner Fugleberg made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Amundson, to approve and have the chairman
sign the agreement to participate in research with the John D. Odegard School of Aerospace Studies of the University of
North Dakota for the Steele County law enforcement officers. All members voted yes. Motion carried.
The auditor reported that she has been asked to provide assistance to Barnes County following the long-term
hospitalization of its county auditor. A discussion was held regarding the situation. The Steele County Commission
encouraged the auditor to provide assistance as needed to support the commission and staff of Barnes County.
Steele County Emergency Manager Don Huso met with the commission to discuss the need for site-specific
information relating to road grader work on flood-damaged sites. FEMA requires specific information showing actual work
performed on a site for reimbursement to be paid. This information will be presented to township officers at the upcoming
meeting.
The Steele County Extension Agent budget request for 2012 inadvertently left the salary for the clerical position at
the same rate as the current 2011 salary. The commission agreed that the position should receive the 4% increase provided to
other employees and the 2012 budget will be amended if necessary.
The Steele County Commission will meet at 8:00 a.m., November 8, 2011, to review road department applications
and other road department concerns. The AFLAC proposal may also be considered if information is available at the time of
the meeting.
Plans for snow removal were discussed. Commissioner Johnson reported that the county currently has three blade
operators available for snow removal. Training information has been received from Butler Machinery Company that will be
reviewed with road department employees.
The township officers meeting was scheduled for November 22, 2011, in Finley.
State’s Attorney Charlie Stock returned to the meeting to discuss the concerns regarding the possible abandonment
of Drain #1. Mr. Stock will review century code to determine various issues presented by the board.
Commissioner Johnson noted that the current road department staff is to be commended for all of the work being
completed during the absence of a county road department supervisor.
The meeting adjourned.
Approved_________________________________________
Steele County Auditor
Chairman Steele County Commissioners