01-08-1985 - Laserfiche WebLink

PROCEEDINGS OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF CASS COUNTY, NORTH DAKOTA On motion by Mr. Eckert and seconded by Mr. Wieland, the meeting was adjourned. REGULAR MEETING OF CASS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS JANUARY 15, 1985 Chairman Ray Larson called the meeting to order and upon roll call, all members were present. Mrs. Stanton moved and Mr. Sondrall seconded that Tom Jensen, Social Services Director, be authorized to hire one case worker for the Child Protection Unit. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. The Chairman reported on a meeting yesterday with Maxine Liversage, County Treasurer, and they agreed upon some changes in the investment of County funds. Mr. Wieland moved and Mrs. Stanton seconded that up to $200,000.00 be transferred to the group health insurance account from the General Fund and from Social Services to be invested on short -term and long term•investments as the Treasurer and the Chairman deem necessary. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mrs. Stanton moved and Mr. Eckert seconded that the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as written. Motion carried. Mr. Eckert moved and Mrs. Stanton seconded to authorize the Chairman to sign the request for Federal Aid for the bridge replacement project in Section 23 -26, Stanley Township, on County Road 14. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Mrs. Stanton moved and Mr. Eckert seconded that the Chairman be authorized to sign the Right of Way Certificate and the Agreement for Construction and Maintenance for County Road 5 from County Road 26 to the Traill County line. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. A large delegation appeared before the Board, and Mr. Burton Larson presented petitions with 601 !signatures protesting the closing of the bridge 3 miles north of Harwood between Sections 21 -22, Harwood Township. Also present and speaking on behalf the delegation was Wayne Freedland, Chairman of the 'Harwood Township Board of Supervisors. He requested the County to repair the bridge to make it adequate for cars and tractors. The County closed the bridge upon a recommendation from Engineer Don Richards of Houston Engineering, who stated that the bridge- is in poor condition and should be closed for safety reasons. Steve Grindberg, County Road Superintendent, felt that the present bridge is not worth salvaging, and he feels that the amount of traffic does not warrant a new structure. Burton Larson stated that the community and the economy in this area are built around this river crossing. Donald Muhs, Superintendent of the Cass Valley North School, stated that there has been some development in this area which brings students into the school district, and this bridge was on a school bus route. Wally Westrick from the Argusville Fire District and President of the Argusville School Board expressed concern over losing this route. The Chairman gave an opportunity for anyone to be heard. It was decided that Steve Grindberg contact another consultant, to be agreed upon by Wayne Freedland, to obtain a second opinion on this river crossing; and that Commissioner Don Eckert be included in future discussions with Mr. Grindberg and Mr. Freedland. Mrs. Stanton moved and Mr. Eckert seconded that the 39 County employees who are not on the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System be allowed to receive matching funds from the County for the National Association of Counties deferred compensation plan, effective February 1, 1985, at an amount not to exceed the County's contribution for employees on the North Dakota Public Employees Retirement System. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. Jim Thoreson, who was present, asked the Commission's feelings on appointing a committee to look into the feasibility of all County employees changing from the State Retirement System to the NACo program, and they requested Mr. Thoreson to work with the Administrative Assistant and the States Attorney. Upon the recommendation of Clarence Miller, County Director of Tax Equalization, Mrs. Stanton moved and Mr. Wieland seconded to approve the Application for Abatement and Settlement of Taxes as submitted by Steve Nelson for property located in the City of West Fargo. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 6 i Q Soc. Serv. auth. to hire case worker Co. Treas -disc. on investment of funds Group Health Ins. Acct -money trans- ferred to special ins. account ridge replacement in ec. 23 -26, Stanley C5 R/W Cert. and gree. for Constr. aint. ridge delegation protests closing of bridge in Sec. 21 -22, iarwood Twp. Co. employees who are not on State Retire- ment to receive Co. matching funds on VACO deferred comp. Abatement for Steve Nelson approved Mrs. Stanton moved and Mr. Sondrall seconded to accept the recommendation of Clarence Miller, Abate. for Harold County Director of Tax Equalization, on the Application for Abatement and Settlement of Taxes submitted dames Newman partially by Harold and James Newman which is to approve a reduction in valuation on 36 lots from $7,500 to $3,750 pproved each; but that the valuation remain at $7,500 on each of 12 lots which are used in part for advertising signs and not farmland. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. An Application for Abatement and Settlement of Taxes was submitted by Darrel R. Miller. It was Abatement for approved by the City of West Fargo as submitted. Clarence Miller recommended that the County consider a 'arrel Miller delayed compromise and that final action be postponed until such time that a more complete study can be made on the property. He requested the assistance of Commissioner Wieland.