The regular meeting of the Stanley County Commission was called to order at 5:16 P.M. (CST) by Chairman Scott Deal with Commissioners Dana Iversen, Craig Heller and Sonny Harrowa present. Commissioner Dennis Booth was absent. Also present were State’s Attorney Tom P Maher, Director of Equalization Roger Fuller, Highway Department Superintendent Lee Smith, Emergency Manager Rob Fines, Vernon Thorson, Carson Carlyle, Darby Nutter, Brian Scott, Jeff Kroll, Danci Baker, Kayla Klemann, Roger Theobald, Joel Catlin, Casey Cowan, Capitol Journal Lee Zion and Auditor Philena Edwards. The meeting commenced with the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance.
MINUTES: Motion by Craig Heller, second by Sonny Harrowa, to approve the November 3, 2015, Minutes. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
Motion by Craig Heller, second by Sonny Harrowa, to approve the November 23, 2015, Minutes. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
CLAIMS: Motion by Dana Iversen, second by Sonny Harrowa, to approve claims as presented. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
SALARIES BY OFFICE: Commissioners - $3,593.76; Auditor - $2,647.29; Treasurer - $4,235.97; States Attorney - $3,686.26; Custodial - $1,901.90; Director of Equalization - $4,940.47; Register of Deeds - $2,623.52; Road & Bridge - $18,087.61; Weed & Pest - $650.30 Community Health/WIC Secretary - $1,854.05; Fairgrounds - $923.50; Employee Health Insurance - $16,444.90; SD Retirement System, withheld and match - $6,728.64; Electronic Transfer; FICA, Medicare and Withholding Tax - $14,807.04.
Auditor Report: Auditor Philena Edwards presented the commissioners with Budget Expenditure showing each departments’ expenses as of October 31, 2015, and year to date balances and the Outstanding Disbursements by Account & Budget Remaining as of November 30, 2015.
City of Fort Pierre – Vernon Thorson: The Annual City/County Christmas Celebration has been scheduled for Friday December 4, 2015. Vernon talked about how our two entities work for the same thing, to provide for all the people in Stanley County. The Christmas Celebration is to show appreciation for all the hard work and dedication each and every one of our City and County employees show every day.
Motion by Dana Iversen, second by Craig Heller, to approve to pay $500.00 to help with the Annual City/County Christmas Celebration. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
Director of Equalization – Roger Fuller: Add omitted Property to Tax Roll. Motion by Dana Iversen, second by Sonny Harrowa, to add Record Numbers; 9843, 9844, 9845, 9846, 9847, 9848, 9849, 9850, 9851, 9852, and 9853. SDCL 10-4-19.2, property transferred from a tax-exempt entity to a non-exempt entity or person, such non-exempt person is liable for taxes due on that property. By law, surface rights only are taxed. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
Abatement: Motion by Sonny Harrowa, second by Dana Iversen, to approve abatement in the amount of $503.08 for Record #8412. Mobile Home was removed in 2011. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Stanley County Board of Commissioners, that Stanley County hereby relinquishes to the City of Fort Pierre all of the planning and zoning duties and authority held by Stanley County within the one-mile area surrounding the city limits of the City of Fort Pierre, and authorizes the Board Chairman to execute all documents necessary to transfer said authority.
There are a few issues within the mile-radius that has come to the attention of the Commissioners. No, the County cannot revoke the mile-radius. A suggestion was made as to have the County Planning & Zoning Board be more involved with the City Planning & Zoning Board when issues arise in the mile-radius.
Emergency Management – Rob Fines: FEMA requires local governments to develop and adopt hazard mitigation plans as a condition for receiving certain types of non-emergency disaster assistance, including funding for mitigation projects.
Mitigation is an effort to reduce loss of life and property by lessening the impact of disasters. Developing hazard mitigation plans enables local governments to increase education and awareness around threats, hazards and vulnerabilities. Planning enables action to reduce loss of life and property, lessening the impact of disasters.
Rob Fines informed the Commissioners that Hughes/Stanley Counties received a Grant to write a mitigation strategy for the counties. With a mitigation plan in place, it will save the county’s funds in the future. The plan is good for 5 years and pays 75%. Rob is trying to get a Grant for HazMat. Stanley County School District has been awarded a Homeland Security Grant.
Highway Department – Lee Smith: Highway Superintendent Lee Smith presented the commissioners with a Work Performed Report for the month of November. Lee spoke with Haakon County Highway Superintendent regarding the Haakon and Stanley County Highway Department Road Maintenance Memorandum of Understanding. The two superintendents are in agreement that they would like to continue to work together with maintaining the county roads. Haakon County will continue to maintain Kirley Road(198th St), Lonetree Road(214th St), and Saddle Butte Road(221st St) in Stanley County. Stanley County will continue to maintain Alleman Road(193rd St), Paulson Road(196th St) and Terry Hand Road(204th St) in Haakon County.
Lee Smith and Kelly Holden have been working with Central South Dakota Enhancement District and SD DOT on Five-Year County Highway and Bridge Improvement Plan. Lee and Kelly turned it in Monday November 30th. The Public Hearing is set for 5:00 P.M. (CST) Tuesday, December 8, 2015 at the Stanley County Courthouse in the Commissioners Room.
With the first snow fall of the season, we need to spread sand/salt on the hills coming out of O’Daniels Mobile Home Park, Bad River Road onto Highway 86, Hanson’s and Wagon Wheel.
Lee Smith talked to Morris, Inc. about gravel crushing. They do have a bid in place for Hughes and Hyde counties, we can use their bid. It is good gravel. Minnenconjou/Mission Ridge needs to be graveled.
Motion by Sonny Harrowa, second by Craig Heller, to pay $100,000 down payment towards the purchase of a 2016 Caterpillar 140 M3 Motor Grader, with snow wing and ripper, in the amount of $300,799.00. Includes Full Extended Warranty, 7 years/7500 hours, and no charge for travel. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
FEMA Exit Interview – June Storm: Our highway department worked so efficiently, that all the damage from the June 22, 2015 wind storm has been repaired to ‘before disaster’ condition. Kelly Holden, Lee Smith, Pat Prince and Tom Richardson worked very well with the FEMA team making sure all their questions were answered and the paperwork was completed correctly.
Unfortunately, some of our disaster areas are FAS roads, therefore, they do not qualify for FEMA assistance. The county ended up with two projects, Cedar Hill Road, project amount $13,113.79 and the second project is made up of 6 other smaller areas, project amount $30,935.76. The county will receive $44,049.55 from FEMA.
Verendrye Drive – Speed Limit – Resolution 2015-26: A concerned citizen, who lives on Verendrye Drive, called regarding the speed limit. With the few families with children and animals, feels 45 mph is too fast for the residential area.
Dated this 1st day of December, 2015.
Fairgrounds: The Fairgrounds Board presented the Commissioners with a Fairgrounds Strategic Planning for 2016. Danci Baker stated they would like to advertise for a maintenance/manager position and have two commissioners and two fairgrounds board members work together to create a job description, conduct interviews and hire.
If they find a good maintenance person, the fairgrounds board will do all the promoting. If they find a good event-coordinator, they will figure funding to contract the maintenance.
The commissioners would like to see more venues. Whether promoters approach the board to rent the facility, or the board promote more activities.
Chairman Scott Deal informed the Fairgrounds Board that the county is going to advertise to lease the fairgrounds to see if there is any interest from an entity or a group. The county needs to try something different to utilize the facility more.
The Commission will let the Fairgrounds Board know which avenue they will be going, either lease the facility or continue with the Fairgrounds Board by December 18, 2015.
Discussion: Darby Nutter has concerns regarding the safety of Bad River Road. The County needs to figure out a way to fix the first mile of Bad River Road for the safety of the residents. Cut-Across Road also needs to be made safe. Both these roads are FAS (Federal Aid System), will check with the State if the County qualifies for assistance.
Contingency Transfer – Resolution 2015-25: SDCL 7-21-32.3, provides that the Board of County Commissioners may adopt a transfer appropriations from the contingency budget or other appropriations which are insufficient.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the appropriation be transferred from the contingency budget to the Register of Deeds in the sum of $7,260.00; Mentally Ill in the sum of $10,000.00; JUV Maintenance in the sum of $25,000.00.
Motion by Dana Iversen, second by Sonny Harrowa, to approve Contingency Transfer in the amount of $7,260.00, for Register of Deeds. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
Motion by Sonny Harrowa, second by Dana Iversen, to approve Contingency Transfer in the amount of $10,000.00, for Mentally Ill. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
Motion by Craig Heller, second by Sonny Harrowa, to approve Contingency Transfer in the amount of $25,000.00, for JUV Maintenance. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.
Adjourn: Motion by Craig Heller, second by Dana Iversen, to adjourn at 7:06 P.M. All voted Aye. Motion Carried.