09-15-2003 INFORMAL MTG - Laserfiche WebLink

Joint meeting with city officials--September 15, 2003 1 CASS COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MEETING WITH CITY OFFICIALS COMMUNITY CENTER, CASSELTON, NORTH DAKOTA SEPTEMBER 15, 2003--7:00 PM CALL TO ORDER Cass County Commission Chairman Scott Wagner called to order an informal meeting of the Cass County Board of Commissioners and officials from Cass County's cities at 7:00 PM on Monday, September 15, 2003, in the Community Center, Casselton, North Dakota. Other Cass County Commissioners present were Darrell Vanyo and John Meyer. Commissioners Vern Bennett and Robyn Sorum were absent. The following county staff were present: Michael Montplaisir, County Auditor; Birch Burdick, State's Attorney; Keith Berndt, County Engineer; Don Rudnick, Sheriff; Kay Blakeway, GIS Coordinator; Mike Zimney, County Planner; Kristi Biewer, WeedJector Control Director; and Joyce Schepp, Commission Assistant. Officials from the following cities were present: Buffalo, Horace, Oxbow, Hunter, Arthur, Amenia, Prairie Rose and Davenport. Also present was Forum reporter Jon Knutson. PURPOSE OF MEETING The meeting was scheduled to discuss items of interest with the cities and to answer any questions or concerns the cities may have. AGENDA ITEMS DISCUSSED Election Reform/Precinct Consolidation Mr. Montplaisir reviewed federal legislation called the "Help America Vote Act" (HAVA). State legislation was approved to access federal funds for election reform. He discussed precinct scanners that will be at every polling site and said the state hopes to implement the new system by the 2004 primary election. He said currently the county has 67 precincts. The state HAVA plan allows for funding reimbursement for 61 precincts in Cass County. He reviewed maps of existing precincts, and two different options with consolidation of some precincts. GIS (Geographical Information System) Ms. Blakeway gave a presentation on the GIS system and showed the numerous types of information available. Anyone may access the system from the county's website. 911 Addressing Mr. Zimney gave a presentation on the rural 911 addressing system. He said with the joint dispatch center, new 911 software will be implemented in the next few months. He noted that Qwest maintains the current 911 data base for the county. Road Update Mr. Berndt feels the county has made progress in the last 10 years with road improvements and bridge replacements. He said the county's goal is to maintain and improve the current road system. He encouraged cities to contact the Highway Department with any concerns or issues. He reviewed upcoming road projects scheduled in 2004. There was a brief discussion about the ending of the 10 mill levy next year and other options the county may have to fund road projects.