County Commission Minutes

The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on May 2, 2023, with the following present: Pine Abrahamson, Rick Braaten, Josh Buchmann, Jerid Janikowski, and Jerry Jeffers. Chairman Braaten called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Braaten asked for corrections or additions to the agenda. The Application for Beer and/or Wine License from Bowman Haley Marina will be removed from the agenda and the chip seal bid will be added. Buchmann moved to approve the agenda. Jeffers seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

The following May 2, 2023 vouchers were approved by a motion made by Abrahamson, with Janikowski seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Janikowski moved to approve the April 18, 2023, minutes with Jeffers seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Buchmann moved to approve the April 2023 Month-End Bureau of Land Management Report, with Janikowski seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Bowman County Treasurer, Anita McLaughlin, met to present the April 2023 Treasurer’s Daily Cash Settlement/Bank Reconciliation Report. Jeffers moved to approve the report, and Buchmann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.

Buchmann moved to approve the April 2023 Recorder and Sheriff Fee Collection Reports. Abrahamson seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Bowman County Tax Director, Jodi Freier, met to discuss the Vanguard Appraisals contract. Janikowski moved to approve the contract from Vanguard Appraisals, Inc. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.

BCDC Director, Teran Doerr, met to discuss a childcare center emergency funding request. Guests present: Sydnee Kidd, Duane Bowman, Meggan Tuchscherer, Kevin Bucholz, Allison Englehart, and Alan Peters. There are many daycare facilities in Bowman County that are facing staffing shortages and there are currently no daycare openings in the county. They are looking for funding for benefits assistance for Tot Lot as the only 501c3 childcare center provider within Bowman County to help with business recruitment and retention. The funding request is $49,000 annually from the County for a five-year period. Janikowski moved to approve funding up to $49,000 annually for a five-year period towards Tot Lot Childcare Benefits Assistance to come from BLM Funds. Buchmann seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Janikowski, yes; Buchmann, yes; Abrahamson, no; Jeffers, yes; Braaten, yes. Motion carried. Janikowski moved to amend his motion to state that funding will come from State Revenue Sharing fund, not BLM fund. Buchmann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. Janikowski moved to approve the motion as amended. Buchmann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.

At 10:00 AM, Chairman Braaten recessed the County Commission meeting for the annual meeting of the Bowman County Rural Ambulance Board. Pam Hestekin, President of the Bowman County Rural Ambulance Board, called the meeting to order at 10:01 AM, with the following board members present:  Karen Salter, Jennifer Hestekin, and Darren Limesand. Also present: Chanell Walby. The board reviewed the 2022 Annual Meeting Minutes and 2022 Financial Report. The Ambulance board recommended to the Bowman County Commissioners the following members be reappointed to two-year terms: Pam Hestekin, Jennifer Hestekin, and Darren Limesand. With no further business to conduct, Hestekin adjourned the meeting at 10:19 AM.

Chairman Braaten reconvened the County Commission meeting at 10:20 AM.

Colleen Rodakowski and Jenn Quigley, Elder Care, met to discuss Senior Meals and their 2022 budget shortfall. Also Present: Scott Jansen, Chanell Walby, and Dennis Walser.

Bowman County Highway Superintendent, Shane Biggs, and Lucas Doerr, Brosz Engineering, met to discuss road projects. Also present: Scott Jansen. Discussion was held on the 2023 Chip Seal Project Multiple Locations Bid. One bid was received. That was from Astech Corp in the amount of $635,727.19. Buchmann moved to approve the bid from Astech Corp. Jeffers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. Abrahamson moved to approve Utility Permit Application #1157   from Slope Electric. Buchmann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. Buchmann moved to approve Utility Permit Application #1158   from Continental Resources. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. Janikowski moved to approve the Request for Materials from Myles Richard for the purchase of 200 yards of reject gravel with Richard being responsible for 100 percent of the cost. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. Abrahamson moved to allow Bridger Pipeline to put a C-10 cast iron canal gate on the culvert south of the Bridger Oil gathering station on the Camp Crook Road. Jeffers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried. Discussion was held on the Haul Route Agreement with Bowman Wind, LLC.  There are a few more small changes that need to be made, so the agreement will be reviewed again at the next meeting.

Buchmann left the meeting at 12 PM.

The board discussed the Complaint Resolution Procedure for Bowman Wind, LLC. Guest present: Scott Jansen.

Buchmann rejoined the meeting at 1:45 PM.

Janikowski moved to adopt the following resolution. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting yes. Motion carried.

WHEREAS, the Bowman County Commissioners have received a recommendation from the zoning board to place a moratorium on battery energy storage systems.

WHEREAS it is the desire of the Bowman County Commissioners to develop zoning laws and rules that will facilitate the expansion and development of this technology within Bowman County. The County Commissioners also recognize that Battery Energy Storage Systems and the use of property on which they might be located could cause undesirable impacts to other property in the County. The Board recognizes the need to evaluate the impacts of these systems and, if necessary, revise the County’s Zoning Ordinances to address any determined issues that may arise and to best promote the health, safety, morals, public convenience, general property, and public welfare of Bowman County.

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOVLED BY THE BOWMAN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS, THAT:

Section 1. The Board hereby imposes a moratorium on zoning applications, construction, installation, or establishment of battery energy storage systems or its equivalent in Bowman County until further order board, but not to exceed 24 months.

Section 2. Any party aggrieved by this Resolution may petition for a separate hearing thereon before the Board of County Commissioners, pursuant to Section 11-22-10 of the North Dakota Century Code.

At 3:00 PM Janikowski moved to adjourn the meeting, with Abrahamson 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

County Commission Agenda

June 6, 2023 – 9:00 AM

Call to order Chairman Braaten

Pledge of Allegiance – Prayer – Pastor Ray Sherwood

• Consideration for Approval
  1. Agenda
  2. Vouchers
  3. May 16, 2023 Minutes
  4. May Treasurer’s Report– Daily Cash Settlements/Bank Reconciliation Report
  5. May 2023 Month-End BLM Report
  6. May 2023 Recorder/Sheriff Fee Collection Report
  7. Application for a Local Permit, Bowman County Fair Association

Unfinished Business

1. 1. Complaint Resolution Procedure for Bowman Wind, LLC
   2. Haul Route Agreement
   3. Jesco Parking Lot Repairs

New Business

1. 1. Burn Ban
   2. Appointment to SW Health Unit Board
   3. July 3, 2023 Courthouse Hours

Scheduled Appointments Made in Advance

9:30 AM   Dean Pearson, Bowman County Emergency Manager

10:00         City of Rhame/Moore Engineering

11:00         Shane Biggs, Bowman County Highway Superintendent

                                          LUNCH

1:15 PM    Unorganized Township Equalization Meeting

1:25           County Equalization Meeting

2:00           Pam Hestekin, Bowman Rural Ambulance Budget

2:30           Cal Klewin, Theodore Roosevelt Expressway

             Elected Officials Office Updates & Other

• Public Notices

Commissioners have been invited to attend the Flag Dedication Ceremony on Wednesday, June 14, 2023, 11 AM, at Frontier Travel Center, Junction US 12-85, Bowman.

• Important Meeting Dates

• Next Regularly Scheduled Commission Meeting –June 20, 2023, 9:00 AM

Adjourn