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Mercer County Commission
Minutes
June 18, 2008

The meeting was called to order at 9:01 AM MT by Chairman Latimer, with all members present including Commissioner Bitterman and Commissioner Entze.
Motion made by Commissioner Entze, second by Commissioner Bitterman to approve the agenda. All members voted “Aye”, motion carried.
Motion made by Commissioner Bitterman, second by Commissioner Entze to approve the minutes of the June 4, 2008 meeting as presented. All members voted “Aye”, motion carried.
Motion made by Commissioner Entze, second by Commissioner Bitterman to approve payment of bills in the total amount of $44,220.57. All members voted “Aye”, motion carried. A detailed list of expenditures by check is available for review at the Auditor’s Office during regular business hours.
Mike Powell, Mercer County Regional Landfill, attended a recent meeting of the Mercer County Water Resource Board and informed the commission that the Water Board and the Corps of Engineers are willing to assist financially with a project to remove junk jars and replace with rip-rap (if necessary) for bank stabilization in the Renner Bay area. Motion made by Commissioner Bitterman, second by Commissioner Entze to direct the county engineer to conduct an assessment to determine the needs for rip-rap for bank stabilization in the Renner Bay area and to determine associated costs. All members voted “Aye”, motion carried. Powell will work with the engineer and report back to the commission, water board and corps when the assessment has been completed.
Motion made by Commissioner Entze, second by Commissioner Bitterman to approve the May Recorder’s Fee Report in the amount of $12,389.92. All members voted “Aye”, motion carried.
The commission reviewed the outstanding road accounts report. Letters have been mailed to individuals as requested, and as of this date one of three have made contact with the highway department to make arrangements for payments. No further action taken.
The commission reviewed the monthly financial statements and was informed the highway department and sheriff’s department have expended slightly more than fifty (50) percent of the budgeted amount for fuel as of June 1, and this will be watched closely as the year progresses. Commissioner Bitterman wanted the commission to consider keeping the highway department working four, ten hour shifts after October 1 (weather permitting), to try to save on fuel costs incurred by the employees.
Motion made by Commissioner Bitterman, second by Commissioner Entze to approve the fireworks permit application of the Hazen Chamber of Commerce for fireworks display on July 4, 2008. All members voted “Aye”, motion carried.
Motion made by Commissioner Entze, second by Commissioner Bitterman to approve the request of the City of Zap to cancel special assessments on property taken by tax deed and sold back to the city. All members voted “Aye”, motion carried.
Motion made by Commissioner Bitterman, second by Commissioner Entze to accept the letter of resignation of M. Jane Nelson, part-time secretary for the County Agent, effective July 25, 2008. Upon discussion the commission will visit with Agent Craig Askim to determine the necessity of the part-time position. All members voted “Aye”, motion carried.
Motion made by Commissioner Bitterman, second by Commissioner Entze to approve the application and license for daily event – on sale beer license to Alibi’s Lounge for the Friends of Beulah Bay event to be held on June 21, 2008. All members voted “Aye”, motion carried.
The commission recessed briefly at 10:09 AM MT.
The commission reconvened at 10:15 AM MT with all members present.
The commission reviewed road issues with Roy Braun, Highway Department Superintendent, and Steve Mamer, Interstate Engineering.
Motion made by Commissioner Bitterman to approve Utility Occupancy Application(s) and Permit(s) 1126(08), 1127(08), and 1128(08) of Roughrider Electric Cooperative for replacement of underground electric lines crossing 40th Ave SW and 9th St SW. All members voted “Aye”, motion carried.
Motion made by Commissioner Entze, second by Commissioner Bitterman to approve Utility Occupancy Application and Permit 1129(08) of West River Telecommunications Cooperative to bury telecommunications facility cables crossing 56th Ave SW. All members voted “Aye”, motion carried.
When asked of progress of work at the proposed casino site near Beaver Bay Mamer indicated control points had been established to determine damages to the county road, but had been removed by someone other than the engineers. Mamer would be re-installing these control points.
Braun asked the commission to consider the purchase of two (2) additional tents for county use and to rent for public use. Motion made by Commissioner Bitterman, second by Commissioner Entze to approve the purchase of the additional tents requested. All members voted “Aye”, motion carried.
Mamer indicated he had received plans, as required, for frontage roads at the Homestead Acres Subdivision. He will review the plans and make written findings for the commission to review.
Mamer also informed the commission that he and Braun had met with Gary Gierke with regard to the cut across road between County Road 5 and 7 discussed at the June 4th meeting. Mr. Treiber was not able to attend. Preliminary calculations, with 2009 estimated prices, of Mamer to reconstruct the entire 3.16 miles of roadway are slightly over $809,000. Mamer will attempt to refine the calculations for inclusion as part of the 2009 budget process.
Mamer also informed the commission that he and Braun had met with oil company representatives on Monday and they are hoping to be drilling in southwest Mercer County by mid-August. As part of this Braun will consider posting lower speed limits on gravel roadways to preserve and limit maintenance.
There being no further business before the commission, on motion duly made and seconded the meeting was adjourned at 11:07 AM MT.
The next regular meeting of the commission will be July 2, 2008, at the Mercer County Courthouse, Stanton, North Dakota.

Approved: ____________________________
Lyle L. Latimer, Chairman

Attest: ______________________________
Monte J. Erhardt, Auditor
 

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