County Commission Minutes

The Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on May 18, 2021, with the following present: Pine Abrahamson, Rick Braaten, Lynn Brackel, Josh Buchmann and Jerry Jeffers. Guests present: Drew Christensen and Scott Jansen, APEX Clean Energy.  Chairman Brackel called the meeting to order at 9:00 AM.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Brackel asked for corrections or additions to the agenda. The Conditional Use Permit Hearing for Jason Kalina scheduled for 1:15 PM is cancelled for today due to being tabled by the Planning and Zoning Board. Darwin Wilke will meet at 2:30 on behalf of the Bowman County Fair Association. The Commissioners will also be reviewing a resolution for a moratorium on battery storage systems. Abrahamson made a motion to approve the agenda with the corrections.  Buchmann seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

The following May 18, 2021, vouchers were approved by a motion made by Abrahamson, with Jeffers seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Braaten made a motion to approve the May 4, 2021 minutes, with Buchmann seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Bowman County Assistant Tax Director, Jodi Freier, joined the meeting to explain the Application for Abatement of Taxes #2021-05. Braaten made a motion to approve the Application for Abatement of Taxes #2021-05 for $469.83, as the value of the property was reduced after re-appraisal by the County Equalization Office. Buchmann seconded the motion.  A roll call vote was taken with members voting aye.  Motion carried.

Buchmann gave an update on the courthouse sewer problems. Bowman County Treasurer, Anita McLaughlin, and Bowman County Maintenance Manager, David Horn, joined the meeting. The pipe below the treasurer’s office that runs down to the tax director’s office has deteriorated. H.A. Thompson & Sons submitted an estimate of $22,333 for the project cost. The contract requires a deposit of 50% of the estimate. Abrahamson made a motion to approve the contract from H.A. Thompson & Sons and pay the 50% deposit from the Building Fund. Braaten seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

Discussion was held on the burn ban. It will remain in effect and will be discussed at the next regularly scheduled meeting.

NDSU Extension Agent, Max Robison, informed the board that Extension Administrative Assistant, Leah King, has submitted her letter of resignation.  Her last day will be July 18, 2021. Buchmann made a motion to accept the resignation. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried. The County will begin advertising for her position.

At 10:00 AM, Chairman Brackel recessed the County Commission meeting for the annual meeting of the Bowman County Rural Ambulance Board. Karen Salter, Vice-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, Darren Limesand, and Darrell West. Also present: Jason Anderson.  The board reviewed the 2020 Financial Report.  On behalf of the board, Salter 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, Salter adjourned the meeting at 10:13 AM.

Chairman Brackel reconvened the county commission meeting at 10:14 AM.

Bowman County Veteran Service Officer, Keith King, met with commissioners to inform them that he is resigning. His last day will be June 15, 2021. Braaten made a motion to accept King’s resignation. Jeffers seconded the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously. The County will begin advertising for the position.

Abrahamson made a motion to approve the Application for a Local Permit from Southwest Shooting Club for a raffle contingent upon completion of form. Jeffers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

Bowman County Highway Superintendent, Shane Biggs, and Brosz Engineering representative, Lucas Doerr, met to discuss road projects. Abrahamson made a motion to approve Utility Permit Applications #1099,1100,1101,1102,1103 from Denbury. Buchmann seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried. Discussion was held on chip seal project. Braaten made a motion to allow a mile and a half on 172^nd Ave SW that is located in Slope County to be included in the project, with all expenses from that mile and a half to be paid by Slope County. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried. Discussion was held on the bid received for the used chip spreader. Braaten made a motion to accept the bid from Swanston Equipment for $92,500. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

Bowman County Economic Development Executive Director, Teran Doerr, joined the meeting at the request of the commissioners. Bowman County Tax Director Office personnel, Dean Pearson and Jodi Freier also joined the meeting. The commissioners had questions on business incentives.

At 1:30 PM, Chairman Brackel opened the hearing for the Application of Variance #1098 from Andrew and Cora Weiss for the placement of trees on his property in the SW1/4SW1/4 Section 2-131-102. The application was approved by the Planning and Zoning Board on May 17, 2021. Buchmann made a motion to approve the application. Jeffers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken. Buchmann; aye, Jeffers; aye, Braaten; aye, Abrahamson; nay, Brackel; aye. Motion carried. Hearing closed at 1:51 PM.

Abrahamson made a motion to adopt the following resolution. Jeffers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. 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 recognizes 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.

ABLE, Inc. representatives, Carolynne Jones, Mary Anderson, Mike Klein, and Shelly Flagett met to discuss their project of purchasing The Landing. Also present: Ron Palczewski, Bob Morland, and Teran Doerr.

Bowman County Fair Association Board member, Darwin Wilkie, met with commissioners to inform them that the Fair Board is putting in 40 electrical hook-ups at the Fair Grounds. Approximate project cost is $45,000. Wilkie inquired if the County would consider helping to fund the project. Abrahamson made a motion to donate $44,000 towards the project to be taken from the general fund. Jeffers seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

Bowman County Sheriff, Frank Eberle, met to give an update on the Sheriff’s Office.

Braaten made a motion to donate $90,000 from BLM funds to the Job Development Authority for a local housing project. Abrahamson seconded the motion. A roll call vote was taken with all members voting aye. Motion carried.

With no further business to discuss, Jeffers made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 4:29 PM, with Braaten seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Lynn Brackel (s) Chairman, Board of Bowman County Commissioners

ATTEST: Mindy Schumacher (s) Bowman County Auditor

May 27, 2021 SPECIAL MEETING MINUTES

The Board of County Commissioners met in special session on May 27, 2021 with the following present: Pine Abrahamson, Rick Braaten, Josh Buchmann, and Jerry Jeffers. Lynn Brackel was present via telephone. Chairman Brackel called the meeting to order at 1:00 PM.  The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

Discussion was held on the current burn ban. Abrahamson made a motion to lift the Fire Emergency and Burn Ban Declaration with the exception of burning garbage pits and to revisit at the next regularly scheduled meeting on June 1, 2021. The motion died due to lack of a second. Jeffers made a motion to lift the Fire Emergency and Burn Ban Declaration and to revisit at the next regularly scheduled meeting on June 1, 2021. Abrahamson seconded the motion. Roll call vote: Braaten, aye; Buchmann, nay; Jeffers, aye; Abrahamson, aye; Brackel, aye.  Motion carried.

With no other business to discuss, Braaten made a motion to adjourn the meeting at 1:23 PM, with Abrahamson seconding the motion, and upon a vote, the motion was carried unanimously.

Lynn Brackel (s) Chairman, Board of Bowman County Commissioners

ATTEST: Mindy Schumacher (s) Bowman County Auditor

County Commission Agenda

June 15, 2021 – 9:00 AM

Call to order Chairman Brackel

Pledge of Allegiance – Prayer – Pastor Ray Sherwood

• Consideration for Approval:

1. Agenda
2. Vouchers
3. June 1, 2021 Minutes

Unfinished Business

1. Burn Ban
2. Review Results of Rath & Mehrer Audit Report
3. Township Outstanding Checks Update
4. 2022 Budget Timeline and Process

New Business

1. 1. Application for Abatement or Refund of Taxes, Application #2021-06

Scheduled Appointments Made in Advance

9:00 AM     Public Comment Period for the Community Events held the first two weeks of June 2021. Anyone unable to attend, but would like to submit a comment can email to: auditor@bowmancountynd.gov

10:00         Trisha Kelly, Roosevelt Custer, 2022 Budget Request

11:00         Bowman County Highway Superintendent Shane Biggs

                              LUNCH

1:15 PM    Bowman County Rural Ambulance, Pam Hestekin

1:45           Bowman County Veterans Service Officer, Keith King

2:15           NDSU Extension Staff, Leah King and Max Robison    

            Elected Officials Office Updates & Other

• Public Notices

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

• Important Meeting Dates

1. Next Regularly Scheduled Commission Meeting –July 6, 2021, 9 AM

 Adjourn