Ransom County Commission... County preparing for spring flooding
At their meeting held on Tuesday morning, March 2nd, the Ransom County Commissioners discussed their role in the predicted upcoming spring flooding in the county. Two rivers pass through the county, the Sheyenne and the Maple and with the heavy snowfall this winter, overland flooding is expected to cause a lot of damage to roads.
The Commissioners were advised that the county will not need to purchase flood insurance for its buildings. At their last meeting in February they had asked Chairman Neil Olerud to check whether the Public Health building was vulnerable should the Sheyenne River go over the Jackson Street Bridge. It was discovered that county property, the Public Health and Courthouse are at least 10 feet higher than the bridge. Their insurance agent, Lance Gulleson, told the auditor that the county’s coverage would already cover interior items in their buildings.
Sheriff Darren Benneweis, deputy sheriff Chris Sandvig, newly hired deputy Jason Lien, Road Superintendent Jerry Lamb, Moore Township officer, Virgil Dagman, and Joe Mathern, Shenford Township officer attended the meeting to discuss a proposed county road closure ordinance. Approving an ordinance had been suggested at their last meeting by Sandvig.
Sandvig had asked the Commissioners to consider placing a fine to deter people from going around road signs during a flood event. He said that the sheriff’s department does not want to be ‘hard-noses’ but want to protect people from possible loss of property and life.
Commissioner George Bunn said that last year he and all the other Commissioners had received phone calls complaining that school buses were not allowed to pick up their students on roads. Lamb said that he also received those calls. He said that people do not understand that just because a road looks fine, that it could be undermined and could cave in, dumping a busload of school children. He said that some roads in the county that had looked okay later were discovered to have damage needing major repair.
Where to place road signs was discussed. Complaints from last year were that a road was closed at the intersection, while the bad spot was a quarter mile ahead, with a farmstead in between. The question was asked why the signs could not be put closer to the problem. Lamb said he favored putting the signs at the intersection. He said what happens if a bus or semi travels down the road and reaches the problem area and can’t turn around?
It was suggested by Sandvig that the school determine a central pickup spot and have parents bring their students to this location rather than risk having buses travel on questionable roads.
Benneweis told the Commissioners that his department will meet with school officials and explain the situation should they have to close roads again this spring.
The question was asked whether the sheriff’s department had jurisdiction over townships and state roads in the case of an emergency, to which the answer was yes.
Dagman asked where the fine dollars go? Benneweis said that a small percentage (15-20 percent) of the fine dollars stay in the county, while most go to the state.
The condition and size of many of the signs used on the county and township roads last year were discussed. Lamb said that they ran out of signs due to the number of roads that needed to be signed. He said that they ended up making homemade signs up. And, he said, a lot of their signs disappeared.
Following discussion, Commissioner Wayne Jones made a motion having the first reading on the Ransom County Townships ordinance on Road Closures with a $100 fine; it was seconded by George Bunn and approved by the entire board. Commissioner Kevin Bishop was absent.
Olerud asked Benneweis if the sheriff’s department was able to do truck weight checks? The county has weight restrictions that need to be enforced. Benneweis said they have the equipment to do the job.
Concerning preparation for a flood, Emergency Manager Teresa Rotenberger informed the board that the county has a good supply of sandbags (100,000) and also 50 rolls of plastic. She said she hoped that farmers would be pro-active and request bags ahead of time. Rural people also need to acquire sand for filling bags.
Rotenberger told the Commissioners that the county is looking at a loader system that would fill 700 bags an hour. Stockpiling of filled bags will be put in the Farmers Union Tire Warehouse.
Rotenberger also reported on the meeting held on March 1st with Congressman Earl Pomeroy at the courthouse. Lisbon mayor Ross Cole brought the congressman up to date on preparations being made by the city. She also said that KQLX officials, Scott Hennen and Terry Loomis, met with her and said that they will be a vital part of posting road closures and making emergency announcements.
Rock Rustad attended the meeting, stating that as a gravel pit owner, he feels weed control of the pits is very important. He said he hauls a lot of product out of Ransom County and does not want to lose that privilege due to noxious weeds. He wondered if the weed board had hired a new person to handle the gravel pit weed inspections.
Rustad also complimented the county’s road superintendent, Jerry Lamb, for his assistance during the flood last year. He said that it was very weird year for road beds. He told the Commissioners that his name is on his trucks and he wants to be a good neighbor.
Jones and Rotenberger attended a 911 State Radio meeting in Bismarck on February 24th. He said 11 of the 22 counties that use the State Radio services on 911 calls attended. The group reviewed an upcoming two year contract and that there would be an increase in the fees from $.20 to $.38 per access line. Jones said that there was disagreement as to how the fees are determined. State Radio wanted to base the rates on salary of staff working on 911.
Counties were asked to submit formal grievances in writing to Mike Link, State Radio director. The State Legislature is dealing with State Radio issues also so changes may be made.
Gilbert reported that a number of county offices will have positions listed on the election ballot. Two commissioners seats are up, that of Wayne Jones and Neil Olerud. Jones announced that he does not intend to run. The auditor, recorder, sheriff, treasurer, and states attorney positions will be on the ballot.
Anyone wishing to seek these offices must get a petition and have it returned to the auditor’s office by 4pm April 9th.
Gilbert told the Commissioners that she and Betty Anderson will be attending an election school in Jamestown. She reminded them that they had already approved a Vote By Mail for the primary and general election on June 8 and November 2.
She stressed that people who want to vote at the poll, there will be only one and that will be in the Community Room in the courthouse in Lisbon. All Vote By Mail ballots must be received by the auditor no later than the day before the election. If a person brings their Mail In Ballot on election day, it cannot be counted. The ballot will need to be destroyed and the resident cast their ballot again.
In other business, the Commissioners voted to continue their district court services with the State of North Dakota. They elected to enter into a funding agreement for the 2011-2013 biennium to receive reimbursement for providing clerk services.
The Commissioners also approved allowing the County Agent, Brian Zimprich, to use the county vehicle to transport 4-H young people to the Winter Show.
Gilbert informed the Commissioners that she would be sending out courtesy letters to delinquent taxpayers that owe taxes from 2005, 2006 and 2007.
The law now states that delinquent taxpayers cannot pay more current years first, but must pay three years if they owe for 2005 taxes. Delinquent taxes must be paid by October first or the county will acquire these properties.