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Commission Minutes—April 19, 2021 <br /> <br />5373 <br />Micheal Splonskowski, Fargo City Assessor said there are about five other properties similar to the <br />Plains Art Museum which fall under the fire tax exemption and could be questionable in the future if <br />this abatement is granted. He said because of the City of Fargo’s failed motion, the City of Fargo is <br />recommending Cass County approve the abatement to grant the Plains Art Museum a full tax <br />exemption for the tax year 2018. <br /> <br />Mr. Peterson said he is concerned that all of the legal advice he has received recommend that the <br />Plains Art Museum does not qualify and should not be granted the abatement, he believes he should <br />side with his legal advisors. <br />MOTION, passed <br />Mr. Steen moved and Mr. Kapitan seconded to deny the abatement. Discussion: <br />Mr. Steen said he hopes to see guidance in the future from the state with clear <br />direction regarding this issue. Mrs. Scherling agreed with Mr. Steen that <br />guidance is needed from the state to allow for fairness among property owners. <br />On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. <br /> <br />12. CORONAVIRUS UPDATE, Terminate Cass County Emergency Declaration for COVID 19 <br />Jail Intake Expansion Chiller <br />Robert Wilson, County Administrator said quotes for a chiller needed for the Jail Expansion <br />Project are still in process and he asks for action to be considered at the next Board meeting <br />once more bids are received. <br /> <br />Courtroom 303/304 Remodel <br />Mr. Wilson provided photographs of Courtroom 303 and 304 showing recent construction <br />progress. He said future action is needed regarding decisions on furniture, fixtures, and <br />equipment that was not decided at the start of the project due to the intent to allow for COVID <br />19 social distancing procedures. <br /> <br />Cares Act Funds <br />Mr. Wilson provided a chart detailing funds received last year through CARES Act legislation <br />with obligations to date and funds remaining. He said the total net remaining is over $2 million <br />and some of the funds may be used for the furnishing of Courtroom 303 and 304 in addition <br />to other projects. <br /> <br />Covid-19 Emergency Declaration <br />Mr. Wilson said the Commission initially enacted an Emergency Declaration for COVID 19 on <br />March 16, 2020 and continued the declaration on April 6, 2020. <br /> <br />Jim Prochniak, Emergency Manager was present and said other counties in North Dakota <br />have ended their emergency declarations and he believes if there are any future rounds of <br />stimulus funds, terminating the declaration would not affect the county in receiving those <br />funds. He said the process to drop the declaration is simply a posting to the state. <br /> MOTION, passed <br />Mr. Steen moved and Mrs. Scherling moved to terminate the Cass County <br />Emergency Declaration for COVID 19 as of April 19, 2021. Discussion: Mr. <br />Peterson said he has not received any indication that terminating the <br />declaration would have any effect for the County and he believes it has been a <br />year and it is time to remove the declaration. On roll call vote, the motion <br />carried unanimously. <br /> <br />13. VOUCHERS, Approved <br />MOTION, passed <br />Mr. Steen moved and Mr. Breitling seconded to approve Voucher No. 324441 <br />through Voucher No.324712 and Electronic Payments 10117 through 10299 for a <br />total of $2,080,021.22. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously.