Grant County Commission Proceedings • May 4, 2021

      May 4, 2021

The Grant County Commission met at 8 AM with Commissioners Buttke, Mach, Stengel, Street and Tostenson present. Chairman Tostenson called the meeting to order with a quorum present and asked for a motion to approve the minutes. Motion by Mach and seconded by Buttke to approve the minutes of the April 20, 2021 meeting. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. Minutes filed. Motion by Mach and seconded by Stengel to approve the agenda with Chairman Tostenson stating the order for the 9 AM agenda items will be in this order: pre-bid for 4-H building, the Flood Plain Ordinance and then the Drainage Ordinance. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0.

Members of the public present were Clayton Tucholke, Kathy Tyler, Bob Spartz, Darwin Johnson, Eric Anderson, Derek Wollschlager, Dakota Wollschlager, Phyllis Roggenbuck, Raymond Beutler, Roger Schuelke, Jerome Schuelke, Dennis Kohl, Doug Wollschlager, Larry Holton, Lundee Stadtler, David Hicks, Tom Marquardt, Jade Hasslen, Scott Conroy, Amber Doschadis, Roger Briggs, Cal Moser, States Attorney Schwandt and Holli Seehafer. Joining through Zoom were Jay Gilbertson, Todd Kays and Luke Muller.  

Auditor’s Account with the Treasurer for the month of March was noted.

AUDITOR'S ACCOUNT WITH THE COUNTY TREASURER

To the Honorable Board of County Commissioners, Grant County:

I hereby submit the following report of my examination of the cash and cash items in the hands of the County Treasurer of the County of Grant as of the last day of March, 2021.

Cash on Hand, $4,578.60 

Checks in Treasurer’s possession less than 3 days, $148,142.80 

Cash Items, $0.00 

TOTAL CASH ASSETS ON HAND

$152,721.40 

RECONCILED CHECKING First Bank & Trust, $3,403.41; Interest, $0.00; Credit Card Transactions/TIF Fee, $2,573.57; First Bank & Trust (Svgs), $6,361,557.00. 

CERTIFICATES OF DEPOSIT First Bank & Trust, $0.00; First Bank & Trust (TIF), $0.00. 

TOTAL CASH ASSETS

$6,520,255.38  

GENERAL LEDGER CASH

BALANCES:

General, $2,337,280.15; General restricted cash, $2,250,000.00; Cash Accounts for Offices General Fund, $605.00; Sp. Revenue, $727,653.64; Sp. Revenue restricted cash, $0.00; Henze Road District, $417.21; TIF Apportioning Northern Lights, $0.00; TIF Milbank, $0.00; TIF Northern Lights, $0.00; Special assessment Land Rent, $0.00;  Trust & Agency, $1,204,299.38; (schools 567,648.14, twps 94,458.63, city/town 102,261.19)

TOTAL GENERAL LEDGER CASH

$6,520,255.38 

Dated this 12th day of April, 2021

Karen M. Layher

County Auditor

The Register of Deeds fees for the month of March were $10,958.75. The Clerk of Courts fees for the month of March were $9,535.89 and the Sheriff fees for the month of March were $7,928.90 with $2,783.02 receipted into the General Fund. 

The Chairman called for public comment. Robert Spartz addressed the Commission on tiling pipes crossing a township road needing permission from the township supervisors before installation begins. He does not want this requirement to be removed from the ordinance. Kathy Tyler commented that tiling should not be part of the flood ordinance, the HAP plan mirrors the current drainage ordinance and asked the Commission to continue being the drainage board, knowing you are not experts but asking them to do their jobs and keep drainage.

Drainage: Chairman Tostenson adjourned the Board of Commissioners and convened the Commission acting as the Drainage Board. 

Permit DR 2021-02 for Johnson, Darwin & Audra, Marlyn & Myrna and Benjamin for the S1/2SW1/4 EX LOT 1 PETERSON FARM SUBDIV and SE1/4 both in 22-119-49 (Madison Twp). This permit is an addition to an already permitted project. The intent of the permit is to control erosion. Commissioner Stengel stated he had been on site to look at the project. Commissioner Street stated the adjacent run is adequate to hold the water from the project. The applicant did not add any comments. Motion by Stengel and seconded  by Street to approve DR 2021-02. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0.

Permit DR 2021-05 for Eric Anderson for S1/2SE1/4 in 36-119-49 (Vernon West Twp) The permit application is to control erosion. Commissioner Street commented he had inspected the project. There is a line going out to the adjoining property. The applicant was asked if there is an inlet on the application. Applicant stated he has no intention of adding an inlet at this time. Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to approve DR 2021-05. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. 

Permit DR 2021-06 for William Sieverson in the NE1/4 EX LOTS H2 & H3 in 24-119-49. (Vernon West Township). The request if granted would improve land production. Commissioner Stengel inspected the project with the landowner. This is a cooperative project with neighbors. It is going into a run going east. No one else spoke. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Street to approve DR 2021-06. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. 

Permit DR 2021-07 for Roger Schuelke for LOT 1-4 in 15-118-47 and for the NE1/4SE1/4 in 16-118-47 (Adams East Township). This permit is an addition to an already permitted drainage plan. If approved, the application is to improve production. The applicant addressed the Board and stated he is working with the MN drainage board and has received their approval for the land in Minnesota. The water is dumping into a main water run. There are not any objections from neighbors. Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to approve DR 2021-07. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. 

Permit DR 2021-08 for Jerome Schuelke for the SE1/4 in 20-119-47 (Vernon East Twp). The permit is an addition to an already permitted project and is intended to control erosion. Commissioner Street had talked with the Fish and Wildlife office in Waubay who have land to the south of the project. No one from the Waubay office appeared at the meeting. Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to approve DR 2021-08. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. 

Permit DR 2021-09 for Ray Beutler for the E1/2SW1/4 in 20-119-47 (Vernon East Twp) The permit is an addition to an already permitted project, joins with permit DR 2021-08 and is intended to control erosion. Commissioner Street commented the permit adds 2 acres into Jerome’s project. Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to approve DR 2021-09. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. 

Permit DR 2021-10 for Ray Beutler for the S1/2NE1/4 & N1/2SE1/4 in 29-119-47 (Vernon East Twp). The permit is an addition to an already permitted project and is intended to control erosion. This is a large field and drains into an existing tile from a permit issued last year. The tile does cross a county road. There were not any objections.  Motion by Street and seconded by Stengel to approve DR 2021-10. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0.

Permit DR 2021-11 for Dennis Kohl for the S1/2NW1/4 & N1/2SW1/4 and S1/2SW1/4 in 29-119-48 and NW1/4 EX PT SOLD and the SW1/4 in 28-119-48 (Vernon West Twp). The request if granted would control erosion. Commissioner Street stated he had met with Derek Wollschlager and Phyllis Roggenbuck who had expressed they did not want any lift pump approved with the permit. The project should only be gravity fed. Applicant Dennis Kohl stated there would not be any lift pump. Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to approve DR 2021-11 noting no lift pump to be installed. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0.

Permit DR 2021-12 for Doug Wollschlager for property owned by Nancy Anderson Living Trust located in the SE1/4 EX Cemetery in 29-119-48 (Vernon West Twp). The request if granted is to control erosion for better crop production. This is a cooperative project between the applicant and the Dennis Kohl permit. Again, it was requested that no lift pump be approved. Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to approve DR 2021-12 noting no lift pump to be installed. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. 

Chairman Tostenson asked a question of how does the Board know the run is adequate to hold the water from a tiling permit or how much water was added without a plan. Commissioner Street spoke on how tiling slows the water down and the ground also acts like a sponge. Tile holds the water in the pipes and releases the water slowly. Commissioner Stengel prefers to check on projects in his area as he knows the characteristics of the land. Commissioner Mach agrees with Commissioner Street’s analysis of tiling, but not all individuals understand the concept. The discussion continued, how is a process implemented to approve tiling and meet the criteria as listed in statute. Mr. Gilbertson explained that a named stream or creek does not tell us the capacity. He also reflected on the drainage ordinance states the Board has made an actual determination on how much additional volume of water is being added to the blue line. Commissioner Street stated his constituents want a drainage ordinance and he believes it is the surface drainage done years ago to drain that has caused more problems than tiling. Commissioner Tostenson reiterated the need to follow the state law if the drainage ordinance remains in effect. Additional debate on having a plan, how to determine if the stream can hold additional water. Mr. Gilbertson explained how blue lines were drawn at a particular point in time. Years ago Bitter Lake would have been a dot on a map, today a drawing of the lake would be very different. 

This concluded the business for the Drainage Board. Chairman Tostenson adjourned the Drainage Board and reconvened the Board of Commissioners. 

4-H Building: Larry Holton and Lundee Stadtler from Holton Engineering and 4-H Advisor Sara Koepke were present. The purpose of the meeting was to answer questions from the contractors on the bid specs for the proposed 4-H Static Building. In addition to the building questions discussion was held; on the fundraising for the project, if the County was ready to accept a bid, the high cost of building materials, the construction start and completion date and if the county was going to remove the present building. A concern for the contractors bidding is the prices of materials is only guaranteed for a certain amount of time and if the Commission would delay the approval of a bid, the prices would change. Larry explained an addendum could be done to delay the bid opening for 60 days to allow the Commission additional time to secure funding. Motion by Mach and seconded by Stengel to approve the addendum to change the bid opening date to July 20, 2021 at 9 AM. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. 

Flood Plain Ordinance: Chairman Tostenson called for the second reading of Ordinance 2021-01A. Motion by Mach to approve the ordinance. Todd Kayes, with First District advised the Commission the motion to adopt was already on the floor and the Commission should call for motion to adopt as amended as per the Planning Commission’s recommendation. Motion by Mach and seconded by Stengel to offer a substitute motion to accept the recommendation of the Planning Commission on Ordinance 2021-01A and to hold the second reading of Ordinance 2021-01A as amended. Discussion called. Commissioner Street asked why the Flood Prevention Ordinance was being done first instead of the Drainage Ordinance, because the amendment to the Flood Ordinance would not be needed if the Drainage Ordinance was not repealed. Luke Muller explained these issues can be addressed by parliamentary procedures. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street nay, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 4-1 with Commissioner Street voting nay. The ordinance is on file in the Auditor’s Office and will be published on May 12, 2021. 

Drainage Ordinance: Chairman Tostenson asked to have the motion on the drainage ordinance restated. Auditor Layher stated the motion on the floor is to repeal Drainage Ordinance 1997-1C through adopting Ordinance 1997-1D which repeals the entire Drainage Ordinance. The required first, second and public hearing have been held. Commissioner Buttke asked if an amendment could be added to include obtaining signatures from downstream landowners. Chairman Tostenson stated that would be under the Flood Plain Ordinance and could not be included on the motion on the floor. Chairman Tostenson called for further comments and hearing none called for a roll call vote. Buttke nay, Street nay, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 3-2 with Commissioners Buttke and Street voting nay. Ordinance 1997-1D, the repeal of the Drainage Ordinance is on file in the Auditor’s Office and will be published on May 12, 2021.

Highway: Supt. Schultz presented right-of-way occupancy applications for crossing county roads from ITC for their fiber optic project. All asphalt or gravel roads would be bored under the surface. Motion by Mach and seconded by Street to approve ROW occupancy applications for the ITC fiber installation project for ROW 2021-10 through ROW 2021-48. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. Applications on file in the Auditor’s Office. 

County Road #18: The Commission continued their discussion on an overlay versus a rebuild on the 2 miles of road going into LaBolt. Commissioner Street stated the road is well drained and an asphalt overlay would be sufficient. Supt. Schultz’s recommendation is to apply for the agri-business grant for a three inch overlay on the LaBolt road. The maximum amount available from the grant is $600,000 and the projected cost of the overlay is $360,170. The Commission discussed the condition of County Road #34 by the ethanol plant and if that road should be prioritized before the LaBolt road. Supt. Schultz explained the criteria for the agri-business grant. The grant looks at construction/addition to an elevator and job creation. He believes the LaBolt road meets the grant requirements. The Commission asked Supt. Schultz to get traffic counts on each road and to discuss CR #34 with engineer Mark Junker to determine if CR #34 could qualify for an agri-business grant. Motion by Street and seconded by Mach to approve submitting an application for the agri-business grant for an asphalt overlay on the two miles of the LaBolt road.  Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0.

Town of Twin Brooks: Motion by Stengel and seconded by Buttke to approve the request from the town to install speed bumps on the county road that goes through the town. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0.   

BIDS FOR FUEL

03/03, UPI, 2.489 (Ethanol), 2.54 (Diesel 1/2); Cenex, 2.47 (Ethanol), 2.62 (Diesel 1/2);   Cenex was the low bidder for ethanol at 2.47 and UPI was the low bidder for a blend of Diesel 1 and 2 at 2.54.

03/09, UPI, 2.59 (Diesel 1/2); Cenex, 2.73 (Diesel 1/2); UPI was the low bidder for a blend of Diesel 1 and 2 at 2.59.

03/23, UPI, 2.515 (Ethanol); 2.59 (Diesel 1/2); Cenex, 2.37 (Ethanol); 2.26 (Diesel 1/2); Cenex was the low bidder for ethanol at 2.37 and a blend of Diesel 1 and 2 at 2.26.

EM: Kevin Schuelke reviewed a burn ban resolution that authorizes the EM manager to confer with fire chiefs and law enforcement before enacting a burn ban. Notice will be in the official newspaper, PSA and the county website. Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to adopt the following resolution. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. Resolution adopted. 

2021-11

GRANT COUNTY RESOLUTION

TO PROVIDE FOR EMERGENCY REGULATION OF OPEN BURNING AND DANGEROUS FIRE HAZARDS IN GRANT COUNTY

 WHEREAS, the Commissioners of Grant County are charged with protecting the health and safety of the citizens of Grant County, including all property situated therein; and

WHEREAS, South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL) 7-8-20(18) allows the Grant County Commission, to prohibit or restrict open burning within Grant County, after consultation with local fire officials and law enforcement officials, in order to protect the public health and safety; and 

WHEREAS, conditions of wildfire and dangerous fire hazards affecting public health and safety have existed in Grant County; and 

WHEREAS, the Grant County Emergency Management Office is able to respond and monitor conditions of wildfire and dangerous fire hazards in a significantly more expedient process than the Grant County Commissioners are able to accomplish; and, 

WHEREAS, the Grant County Commissioners hereby deem it necessary, for immediate preservation of public health and safety of Grant County, to adopt this resolution and allow the Grant County Emergency Management office to enforce or restrict open burning and monitor conditions of wildfire and dangerous fire hazards within Grant County; and 

WHEREAS, the Grant County Emergency Management Office shall consult with local fire officials and law enforcement officials concerning the threat of wildfire from open burning under certain climatic conditions that become dangerous to life and property and upon recommendation of said consultation the Grant County Emergency manager shall be authorized to prohibit or restrict open burning; and, 

WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Grant County Commissioners, that the provisions of this resolution shall take effect immediately upon the passage by the board: and

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE GRANT COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS AS FOLLOWS: 

SECTION I. DEFINITIONS: 

A. Open Fire: Means any outdoor fire, including a campfire, that is not contained within a fully enclosed fire box or structure from which the products of combustion are emitted directly to the open atmosphere without passing through a stack, duct or chimney with spark arresters. Open Fire does not include fires contained within liquid-fired or gas-fueled stoves, fireplaces within all buildings, charcoal grill fires at private residents, and permanent fire pits or fire grates located on supervised developed picnic grounds and Charcoal Grills, Liquid Fuel Grills, Outdoor Fireplaces, and Campgrounds as defined herein. 

1. Charcoal Grill: Means a metal or Stone device not resting on the ground with a metal grate designed to cook food using charcoal briquettes, char wood, hard wood, or similar fuel. 

2. Liquid Fuel Grill: Means a metal or stone device designed to cook food using liquefied of gaseous combustible fuel

3. Outdoor Fireplaces: Means a manufactured appliance constructed of non-combustible materials, with a maximum fuel area of three (3) feet, including a screen, (screen opening shall be no larger than 1/4” square), chimney or other device placed above the fuel area, fueled by cut or split wood, located not closer than 15 feet to any combustible surface and continually attended. 

4. Campground: Means any permitted commercial campground operated by private individuals or corporations, State of South Dakota, or the United States National Park Service unless otherwise specifically banned by resolution of the Yankton County Board of Commissioners. 

B. Burn Barrel: Means a metal container used to hold combustible or flammable waste materials so that they can be ignited for the purpose of disposal. Burn Barrels must have a metal grate; metal grate opening shall be no larger than 1/4” square covering at any time when being used. Burn Barrels shall be located in a safety zone away from any or all combustible materials 15 feet radius of the Burn Barrel. 

SECTION II: REGULATIONS: 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that no person shall set any Open Fire or ignite a fire in a Burn Barrel in Grant County, outside the boundaries of any Municipality, when the Grant County Emergency Management Office, through the Grant County Emergency Manager after consultation with local fire and law enforcement officials initiate a “No Open Burning Ban” by providing notice in a legal newspaper, a radio public service announcement and an announcement on the County Website, that no person shall set any Open Fire or igniting a fire in a Burn Barrel in Grant County, outside the boundaries of any municipality; and, 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the No Open Burning Ban shall remain in effect until the Grant County Emergency Manager provides notice in a legal newspaper that the No Open Burning Ban has been removed; and 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a fine not to exceed five hundred dollars ($500) for each violation, or by imprisonment for a period not to exceed thirty days for each violation, or by both the fine and imprisonment, if found in violation of this Resolution, as per South Dakota Codified Law 7-18A-2, and that the costs for suppressing any fire, including response fees, mutual aid assistance from other agencies or fire departments, reimbursement to governments for suppression efforts and compensation to the firefighters for time lost from their employment, be born directly by the individual or individuals responsible for setting the fire. 

Dated this 4th day of May, 2021. William J. Tostenson, Chairman

Grant County Commission

ATTEST:

Karen M. Layher 

Grant County Auditor

Texting Paging: EM Manager reported the current text paging service will be done on June 1st. The County had paid $900 a year for this service of notifying nine different agencies with 256 members. There are other companies that provide this service, but the cost is more. The app, I Am Responding, will override any tone issue such as if the phone is on silent mode, the page will go through. The cost for this per year is $2,965. Another company called E-Dispatch is $4,900 per year. Commissioner Stengel asked if Harvey from Motorola could continue this service for the County after June 1st. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Buttke to table the issue of text paging until the May 18th meeting. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0.

Upper MN Watershed Project: Present was District Administrator Amber Doschadis of the Upper MN Watershed who provided a comprehensive report on the restoration project of the old historic channel. The project plan is to restore 9,000 feet of the abandoned Whetstone River channel. One goal of the project is to decrease the level of flooding on Big Stone Lake during peak events. Channel clearing and levy work will begin in 2022 on the MN side. County Road #47 will have a 120’ span bridge installed based on MN specifications. The road will be widened. Funding from MN has been secured in the amount of $3,526,529 and the SD cost is estimated at $2,529,040. Funding contributions from the County and other sources in SD for the span bridge needs to be discussed in the future. 

Special License: The hearing for a special event malt beverage license was held. Snowmobile Club members Roger Briggs and Cal Moser were present. The request for the special license is by the Snowmobile Club for the Vintage Snowmobile Show to be held June 2-4 at the Twin Brooks Threshing Bee grounds. Certificate of insurance will be provided by the Snowmobile Club.  Motion by Mach and seconded by Stengel to approve the malt beverage special event license for the Snowmobile Club and to waive the $100 fee for the license. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0.

County Board: Chairman Tostenson recessed the Board of Commissioners and called back to order the 2021 County Board of Equalization. Present were Commissioners Buttke, Mach, Stengel, Street and Tostenson. Director of Equalization Kathy Steinlicht was also present. Oath of offices were completed at the April 13 meeting. Joining by phone was Toby Morris, a bond attorney who had assisted with the TIF for the Rosewood Apartment project. 

DOE Kathy Steinlicht reported she had received information within the last week, that the TIF project had chosen to waive the right to access the discretionary tax formula for the Rosewood Apt complex. Mr. Morris explained the documents stating these terms had not been sent to the County. Kathy stated under law she must apply the discretionary formula unless waived. The assessment notice had been sent out with the applied discretionary factor of 2,924,526 for tax year 2021. She requested the County Board of Equalization remove the discretionary value. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Buttke to remove the discretionary value on Parcel 26.03.01.00, the Rosewood Apt structure, due to the proper documentation being received stating the waiver of the discretionary factor. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0.

This completed the 2021 County Board of Equalization. Chairman Tostenson declared the County Board of Equalization adjourned and reconvened the County Board of Commissioners. 

Sheriff: The following statistics for the month of March for the Detention Center and Sheriff’s Office were presented by report. Average daily inmate population 5.09; Number of bookings 19; Work release money collected $580.00; 24/7 Preliminary Breath Test (PBT) fees collected $281.00; SCRAM (alcohol detecting bracelet) fees collected $0.00; 24/7 PBT participants 6; SCRAM (Sobriety Program) participants 0; Calls for Service (does not include walk-in traffic) 429; Accidents investigated 6; Civil papers served 39; Cumulative miles traveled 9,594; 911 calls responded to (including Milbank) 94. 

Detention Center: The Commission had discussed at a prior meeting the need for improvements for the jail and additional space for offices. The company of G.A. Johnson had been recommended for specializing on jail remodels. Corey Johnson and architect Shawn Harding with the firm HMN, had made a site inspection of the building and have drafted a proposal for a design with a cost estimate. Also discussed with the firms was an administrative building with a commission/public meeting room. A contract from each firm in the amount of $8,000 for this phase of work completed was presented. The design proposal would be presented at the May 18th meeting. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Buttke to approve Chairman Tostenson signing the two contracts as presented. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. 

  Executive Session: Motion by Mach and seconded by Buttke to enter executive session at 11:43 AM for the purpose of a personnel(s) issue pursuant to SDCL 1-25-2 (1). Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. Auditor Layher and Sheriff Owen were present. Chairman Tostenson declared the meeting open to the public at 12:21 PM. No action was taken because of the executive session. 

Travel: Motion by Buttke and seconded by Street to approve travel expenses for States Attorney Schwandt to attend spring conference in Deadwood and for Bill Steinlicht to attend the D-Ware software conference in Mitchell. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. 

Parking Spaces: Commissioner Buttke reported he is waiting for another quote for adding additional parking spaces on the west side of the Library. The additional parking spaces are being done in preparation for the bus barn addition. 

Tax Freeze: Motion by Mach and seconded by Stengel to approve application AF2021-02 for the 2021 tax year Assessment Freeze for the Elderly as the applicant missed the deadline and qualified for the Assessment Freeze as per SDCL 10-6A-4. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. 

Consent: Motion by Mach and seconded by Stengel to approve the consent agenda. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0.

1. Approve LEMPG-S (Cares Act) grant for $2,296.80 for funding a commercial dryer for Milbank Fire Dept

2. Approve items for surplus from the 2020 inventory as listed in Auditor’s Office

3. Approve Township Treasurer and Clerk bonds for 2021

Unfinished Business: 4-H Advisor Sara Koepke advised the Commission the date set for the bid opening for the 4-H exhibit building, July 20, is during the time the State 4-H Horse Show is being held. She asked if she should plan to be in Milbank for the 20th.  A substitute motion was offered by Mach and seconded by Stengel to change the date of the bid opening to Friday, July 16 at 9 AM. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0.

New Business: None

Correspondence: None  

Claims: Motion by Street and seconded by Buttke to approve the claims. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION, repair & maint 2,045.20; AUTOVALUE, supplies & repairs 281.01; BIG STONE CO SHERIFF, prof services 121.00; BLUETARP FINANCIAL, supplies 621.57; CENGAGE LEARNING, books 88.99; CENTER POINT, books 79.42; CHS, ethanol 1,933.56; CITY OF MILBANK, water & sewer 581.78; CITY OF WATERTOWN, 911 surcharge 6,149.55; COLONIAL RESEARCH CHEMICAL, supplies 323.84; DALE'S ALIGNMENT SERVICE, repairs & maint 341.01; DELORES KELLY, prof services 125.00; DELORIS RUFER, lib rent 100.00; FISHER SAND & GRAVEL, gravel 7,430.06; GRANT CO EC & DEV BOARD, allocation 8,750.00; GRANT/ROBERTS AMBULANCE, allocation 2,458.33; GUARDIAN FLEET SAFETY, auto equip 8,865.62; MATT SCOTT, repair & maint 86.00; MICROMARKETING, audio/visuals 99.78; MIDCO, lib internet 85.00; MIDWEST TRUCK & PARTS, repairs 21.01; MILBANK AUTO PARTS, supplies & repairs 895.17; MILBANK COMMUNICATIONS, repairs & maint 85.00; NORTHWESTERN ENERGY, natural gas 1,396.89; QUICK PRO LUBE, oil chg 36.02; RIVER STREET PETROLEUM, diesel fuel & propane 2,882.20; SAFETY-KLEEN SYSTEMS, supplies 234.26; SANDRA FONDER, prof services 75.00; SCOTT BRATLAND, court appt atty 4,088.98; SD DEPT TRANSPORTATION, hwy proj 12,850.28; SD PUB ASSURANCE ALLIANCE, ins 94,957.54; SDSU EXTENSION, registration 160.00; SPAN PUBLISHING, ref. book 149.00; STURDEVANTS, supplies 76.65; TITAN MACHINERY, repairs & maint 145.50; TRACY GRANT, prof services 240.00; TWIN VALLEY TIRE, supplies 75.00; VALLEY QUEEN CHEESE FACTORY, supplies 78.58; VALLEY RENTAL & RECYCLING, allocation 650.00. TOTAL: $159,663.80.

Payroll for the following departments and offices for the April 28, 2021 payroll are as follows: Commissioners 3,223.90; AuditoR 8,303.99; ELECTION 103.21; Treasurer 4,229.58; States Attorney 6,189.82; Custodians 3,355.71; Dir. Of Equalization 4,333.53; Reg. of Deeds 4,498.68; VET. SERV. OFFICER 1,278.00; Sheriff 11,628.56; Communication CTR 6,973.10; Public HEALTH Nurse 1,056.00; ICAP 107.53; Visiting Neighbor 1,886.63; Library 8,167.72; 4-H 4,084.28; Weed Control 2,240.80; P & Z 1,833.50; Road & Bridge 35,914.25; EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT 2,496.00. TOTAL: $111,904.79.

Payroll Claims: FIRST BANK & TRUST, Fed WH 8,994.15; FIRST BANK & TRUST, FICA WH & Match 13,577.76; FIRST BANK & TRUST, Medicare WH & Match 3,175.44; AAA COLLECTIONS, deduction 33.42; ACCOUNTS MANAGEMENT, deduction 96.43; American Family Life, AFLAC ins. 1,442.67; WELLMARK-Blue Cross of SD, Employee and Commission health ins. 49,150.44; COLONIAL LIFE, ins 37.98; DEARBORN NATIONAL, life ins. 276.77; LEGAL SHIELD, deduction 76.70; OFFICE OF CHILD SUPPORT ENFORCEMENT, child support 210.00; OPTILEGRA, ins 418.60; SDRS SUPPLEMENTAL, deduction 1,195.83; SDRS, retire 12,680.96. TOTAL: $91,367.15.

It is the policy of Grant County, South Dakota, not to discriminate against the handicapped in employment or the provision of service. 

The next scheduled meeting dates will be May 18 and June 1 and 15, 2021, at 8 AM. Motion by Stengel and seconded by Mach to adjourn the meeting. Chairman Tostenson called for a roll call vote. Buttke aye, Street aye, Stengel aye, Mach aye and Tostenson aye. Motion carried 5-0. Meeting adjourned.

 /s/ William J. Tostenson, Chairman,

Grant County Commission

/s/ Karen M. Layher, 

Grant County Auditor