County Commission Minutes

The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on August 2, 2022, with the following present: Pine Abrahamson, Rick Braaten, Lynn Brackel, Josh Buchmann and Jerry Jeffers. Chairman Braaten called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Pastor Mary Wiggins shared a prayer.

Braaten asked for corrections or additions to the agenda. Abrahamson moved to approve the agenda. Brackel seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

The following August 2, 2022, vouchers were approved by a motion by Abrahamson, with Brackel seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Brackel moved to approve the July 19, 2022, minutes with Jeffers seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

The board reviewed correspondence from a conference call held with Bowman/Slope 911 Coordinator, Karla Germann, Bowman County Auditor, Mindy Schumacher, Bowman County Commissioner, Rick Braaten, Slope County Auditor, Lorrie Buzalsky, and Slope County Commissioner, Scott Ouradnik. It was agreed to proportion the 911 Budget shortfall annually based on the number of lines reported January 1 of each year. Buchmann moved to approve the agreement, Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

Bowman County Treasurer, Anita McLaughlin, met to present the July 2022 Treasurer’s Daily Cash Settlement/Bank Reconciliation Report. Jeffers moved to approve, with Brackel seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Buchmann moved to approve the July 2022 Recorder and Sheriff Fee Collection Reports. Brackel seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Abrahamson moved to approve the July 2022 Month-End Bureau of Land Management Report, with Jeffers seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Brackel moved to approve the Application for a Local Permit from Bowman County Fair Board to conduct a sports pool on September 10, 2022 at the Bowman County Fairgrounds. Abrahamson seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Discussion was held on commission meeting dates in September and October. The September 6, 2022 and October 4, 2022 meetings need to be moved due to scheduling conflicts. It was decided that the board will meet on September 7, 2022 instead of September 6, 2022, and on October 6, 2022 instead of October 4, 2022.

Bowman County Highway Superintendent, Shane Biggs, and Lucas Doerr, Brosz Engineering, met to discuss road projects. Abrahamson moved to approve the Request for Materials from Grand River Township for the purchase of two 36”X30’ culverts with the township being responsible for 50% of the cost. Brackel seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

Steve Meier, RDO Equipment, met to discuss equipment prices.

Royce Hammer, Denbury, met to discuss upcoming seismic testing activity. Guest present: Lyn James. Abrahamson moved to approve the Haul Route Agreement from Paragon Geophysical Services, Inc. Brackel seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

At 1:15 PM, a public information meeting was held for possible road work on 88^th Street from Scranton to four miles east (Whiskey Road). Guests present: Shane Biggs, Lucas Doerr, Robb Pierce, Jodi Wilson, and Mark Kelner. It was agreed to fix the road. The county would like to begin this fall.

Southwest District Health Unit Executive Director Sherry Adams presented their 2023 Budget. Also present: Pat and Carla Kelly.

Bowman County Assistant Treasurer/Motor Vehicle/Road and Bridge Administrative Assistant, Amy Baker met with commissioners to discuss her road and bridge duties.

Charles Whitney met to discuss a Request for Materials submission from Yesterday’s Farmers. Abrahamson moved to approve the Request for Materials for the purchase of fourteen bridge planks at $6/foot with Yesterday’s Farmers responsible for 100% of the cost. Jeffers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye, except Brackel, who refrained from voting. Motion carried.

Jeffers made a motion at 4:33 PM to recess the meeting until August 9, 2022 at 9:30 AM, with Buchmann seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Rick Braaten, Chairman, Board of County Commissioners

ATTEST:   Mindy Schumacher, Bowman County Auditor

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

BOWMAN COUNTY, BOWMAN, NORTH DAKOTA

The Board of County Commissioners met on August 9, 2022 to reconvene their meeting from August 2, 2022, with the following present: Pine Abrahamson, Rick Braaten, Lynn Brackel, Josh Buchmann and Jerry Jeffers. Chairman Braaten called the meeting to order at 9:30 AM.

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Discussion was held on the 2023 Bowman County Preliminary budget.  Buchmann moved to approve the budget as presented, with Abrahamson seconding the motion.  A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye.  Motion carried.

The final Bowman County 2023 Budget Hearing will take place at the first commission meeting on October 6, 2022 at 1:15 PM and will be held in the commissioner’s room, located on the lower level of the courthouse.

Brackel moved to approve the approach permit from Meryl McGee. Jeffers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

The board reviewed correspondence received from concerned landowners regarding the APEX Wind project. Discussion was held on the Haul Route Agreement. Bowman County State’s Attorney, Andrew Weiss, called into the meeting at 2:25 PM and left the meeting at 2:37 PM.  Abrahamson moved to make the following changes to the Haul Route Agreement: #3f, Changing security amount per mile from $25,000 to $75,000 per mile for gravel, $150,000 per mile for chip seal, $500,000 per mile for asphalt. Buchmann seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Abrahamson; aye, Buchmann; nay, Jeffers; nay, Brackel; nay, Braaten; nay. Motion failed. Brackel moved to make the following change to the Haul Route Agreement: #3f: Changing the security amount of $25,000 per mile to five (5) percent of the total project cost. Jeffers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried. Buchmann moved to make the following change to the Haul Route Agreement: #2b, adding the language “including unorganized townships” after  County. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

At 3:43 PM Jeffers made a motion to adjourn the meeting, with Brackel seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Rick Braaten, Chairman, Board of Bowman County Commissioners

ATTEST:  Mindy Schumacher,  Bowman County Auditor

County Commission Agenda

August 16, 2022 – 9:00 AM

Call to order Chairman Braaten

Pledge of Allegiance – Prayer – Fr. Raphael Obotama

• Consideration for Approval

1. Agenda
2. Vouchers
3. August 2, 2022 Minutes
4. Moure Equipment Addition Plat Map

Unfinished Business

New Business

1. Selection of Engineer for Preliminary & Design Engineering on Structure Replacement

Scheduled Appointments Made in Advance

10 AM        Theresa Liebsch, Vision Zero Regional Coordinator

11:00         Bowman County Highway Superintendent, Shane Biggs

                                                      LUNCH

1:15 PM     Public Information Meeting on Section Line Improvement north of 86^th Street on 156^th Ave   

            Elected Officials Office Updates & Other

• Public Notices

• Important Meeting Dates

• Next Regularly Scheduled Commission Meeting –September 7, 2022 9:00 AM

 Adjourn