Commission

OFFICIAL PROCEEDINGS OF

THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

BOWMAN COUNTY, BOWMAN, NORTH DAKOTA

The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on May 19, 2020, with the following present: Pine Abrahamson, Rick Braaten, Lynn Brackel, Josh Buchmann and Jerry Jeffers. Chairman Brackel called the meeting to order at 9:05 AM.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  Pastor Mary Wiggins provided a prayer.

Abrahamson made a motion to approve the agenda with Buchmann seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Braaten made a motion to approve the May 19, 2020 vouchers, with Jeffers seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Jeffers made a motion to approve the May 5, 2020 minutes, with the correction, with Abrahamson seconding the motion and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Bowman County Treasurer Anita McLaughlin presented the April Bank Reconciliation report.  Abrahamson made a motion to approve, with Buchmann seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously  

Bowman County State’s Attorney Andrew Weiss joined the meeting to provide his opinion on the North Dakota State Radio Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and also the Term Lease Agreement with Municipal Shale, LLC for tower space.

 Braaten made a motion to approve the Municipal Shale LLC Term Lease Agreement, with Abrahamson seconding the motion.  A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye.  Motion carried.

Buchmann made a motion to approve the North Dakota State Radio MOU, with Braaten seconding the motion.  A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye.  Motion carried.

Bowman County Highway Superintendent Shane Biggs joined the telephone conference meeting with North Dakota Department of Transportation Local Government Engineer Bryon Fuchs to discuss the county bridge inspection process. Fuchs provided clarification if a private firm would be secured what the potential cost would be to the county and also if the county would solicit a Request for Proposals (RFP) Federal Aid funds would be available to offset a percentage of the costs.  In 2021 Bowman County will be scheduled to have the inspections completed.  

            Biggs presented the Goldfield Township request to purchase approximately 3,200 cubic yards of gravel and purchase additional culverts.  Buchmann made a motion to approve the gravel purchase, with the township responsible for paying 100 % of the cost, and reject the culvert/s request, as it is mandatory for the townships to obtain written documentation from an engineer who will determine the drainage situation.   Jeffers seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye.  Motion carried. 

 Brosz Engineering representative Lucas Doerr met to provide an update on the Griffin Road paving project. Doerr also stated that all of the final documentation from the Camp Crook Road project has been received.  He will prepare the final payment and final change order for commission approval on June 2, 2020.    

            A telephone conference call was held with North Dakota State Radio Director Dan Donlin.  Discussion was held on the Memorandum of Understanding for the provision of state radio services.  Also present was Bowman County Emergency Manager Dean Pearson and Bowman County Assistant Emergency Manager, Bowman/Slope 911 Coordinator Karla Germann. 

            Bowman County Emergency Manager Dean Pearson and Bowman County Assistant Emergency Manager, Bowman/Slope 911 Coordinator Karla Germann inquired if the county would be willing to assist with the purchase of the tower located west of Marmarth.  Abrahamson made a motion to pay $7,000 to offset the costs of the tower and $1,600, which is the lease payment for one year, utilizing BLM funds.  Abrahamson instructed that the 2022 annual lease payment, and each year thereafter, be budgeted utilizing 9-1-1 funds. Braaten seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye.  Motion carried.   

            Discussed was the continuation of doing courthouse business by appointment only.  The commissioners stated to leave the current protocol in place and revisit at their next meeting.   

            Jeffers made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:06 PM, with Buchmann seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.                                                                                                                                       

                                                            Lynn Brackel (s) Chairman

                                                            Board of County Commissioners

ATTEST:  Sandra K. Tivis (s) Bowman County Auditor

1. Call to order Chairman Brackel

2. Pledge of Allegiance – Prayer -

3. Consideration for Approval

1. Agenda
2. Vouchers
3. May 19, 2020 Minutes
4. May Treasurer’s Report– Daily Cash Settlements/Bank Reconciliation Report
5. May 2020 Month-End BLM Report
6. May 2020 Recorder/Sheriff Fee Collection Report

4. Unfinished Business

1. Joint Powers Agreement for Bowman/Talbot Township for Paulson Seed Road Maintenance

5. New Business

1. Revisions to Bowman County Employee Policy Manual

6. Scheduled Appointments Made in Advance

10:00 AM Municipal Shale LLC Conditional Use Permit

NE ¼ Section 26, Township 132 Range 104

10:30 AM Bowman County Water Resource Board Members  

                  11:00 AM Bowman County Highway Superintendent

                  LUNCH

1:15 PM Unorganized Township Equalization 

                  1:30 PM County Equalization

                  2:00 PM Bowman County Tax Director Dean Pearson

            Elected Officials Office Updates & Other

7. Public Notices 

The County Commission has been invited to attend the following events and/or meetings:  

8. Important Meeting Dates

5.       Next Regularly Scheduled Commission Meeting –June 23, 2020 9:00 AM

        NOTE – JUNE 16^th meeting has been rescheduled for June 23, 2020

9.  Adjourn

 Restrictions for Public Attendance as State of ND Executive Order. Please call following #’s

1 669 900 9128 -or-1 253 215 8782   Meeting ID: 898 8577 7170   Password: 610364

Bowman County Commission generally meets the first and third Monday of each month at 9am in the Bowman County Courthouse Commissioner's Room.