12-01-2003 - Laserfiche WebLink

Commission Minutes--December 1, 2003 2675 The first role of the oversight committee, according to Mrs. Johnson, would be to hire a replacement for Greg McDonald, and, since the department will be arranged to jointly share obligations with the City of Fargo, the office will be located in the new public safety facility to be completed around September 2004 in the Fargo Industrial Park. Mr. Vanyo asked if there is any intention of going beyond a Cass County/Fargo agreement, and Mrs. Johnson responded that the remaining cities in the county are already included in Cass County's emergency management under the North Dakota Century Code. She said the City of Fargo opted to establish a separate emergency services department several years ago; however, they are again interested in joining services and resources in this area. Mr. Meyer said county and city officials realized the importance of improved communication between the agencies, especially during the 1997 flood disaster. He favors emergency management as a stand-alone operation so there is one entity, instead of two, working with the State Emergency Management. Mrs. Sorum said working together will be helpful to everyone, instead of working separately in an emergency. Birch Burdick, State's Attorney, said the employees involved in emergency management will continue to be respective employees of the county or city, however, they are contributing; and this entity does not become an employer on its own, or a separate government agency. He said a copy of the joint powers agreement, once approved by all entities involved, needs to be sent to the North Dakota Attorney General for approval under the law. MOTION, passed Mr. Meyer moved and Mrs. Sorum seconded to authorize the chairman to sign a joint powers agreement with the City of Fargo for the purpose of establishing an emergency management office for the coordination of all emergency management efforts; to appoint emergency management oversight committee members as follows: Donald Rudnick or designee; Keith Berndt or designee; Bonnie Johnson and Michael Montplaisir; and, further, to transfer the emergency manager position from the sheriff's department to the county commission. On roll call vote, the motion carried unanimously. 13. SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT, Speed limit enforcement concern bv David Habiaer David Habiger, Amenia, appeared before the board at this time asking the commission to post signs lowering the speed limit on County Road 32 past his property near Amenia. He believes the speed limit posted at 55 miles per hour is too fast, and people are driving over the speed limit. He said he will put up signs himself and block the road again if people do not slow down. Mr. Habiger's dog was hit and killed recently by a passing motorist. He said he is also concerned about the safety of people backing out of his driveway. Mr. Wagner called upon Lt. Mike Argall from the Cass County Sheriff's Department, who said enforcement throughout the county can be enhanced in a specific area, if needed. County deputies are stopping vehicles at six miles per hour, or more, over the speed limit in order to slow down drivers who are speeding, he said. Mr. Habiger left the meeting at this time. Mr. Burdick said he has had a number of conversations with Mr. Habiger regarding his dog being struck and killed. The State's Attorney's Office conducted an investigation and determined that no charges would be filed against the driver of the vehicle who hit the dog.