The new building, for which ground is expected to be broken this spring, will be called the Williams County Law Enforcement Center. This name will also encompass the correctional center within the building, the commissioners decided during their regular March meeting.
The commissioners also approved a plan in case there are revenue shortfalls in the jail budget at this time next year. In case there is a shortage when construction costs come due, paperwork will be filed ahead of time with the bond company, Dougherty and Company, to allow for a lease revenue bond to cover the shortfall.
“We're setting up a fail safe,” Commission Chair Dan Kalil related.
Kalil pointed out the plan was to “cover our bases just in case,” noting that the money will likely not be needed. “I really personally do not see us having a problem,” Commissioner Raymond Schmidt added, pointing to revenue trends the county is already experiencing.
The plan through Dougherty rescinds a previous motion to explore options for back-up funding with the Bank of North Dakota.
Steam leak
Steam leaks from the antiquated boilers at the Law Enforcement Center created problems over the Presidents Day weekend, according to Ed Lodwig, the building's superintendent.
Two leaks occurred on that weekend, with one escaping detection over the long weekend. That leak caused damage to the office of Williston Police Department Community Officer Cory Collings, housed on the first floor of the building. The steam peeled paint, blistered a door and caused damage to the computer, furniture and materials in that office, Lodwig said.
The city will be filing an insurance claim for the contents of the office, while the county will be responsible for the costs of repairing the leak, clean-up, painting the office and putting on a new door.
Lodwig said the leak started under the floor and came up through the wall.
Bid openings
County Road Superintendent Dennis Nelson presented bid openings for gravel crushing, gravel hauling, culverts and tires.
Sundre Sand and Gravel, the low bidder for gravel crushing in 2006, was also the low bidder this year. The bid rose slightly to $1.25 per ton ($1.75 per yard) for 8-inch and smaller, and $1.35 per ton ($1.89 per yard) for 18-inch and smaller. Sundre was one of five companies bidding.
For gravel hauling, five companies also bid, and all bids will be accepted, allowing options when trucks are needed. Bids ranged from $2.65 to $3.25 per 10 miles per yard hauled.
Johnston Fargo was the low bidder on culverts, with prices up by about 20 percent over their 2006 bids. Prices ranged from $12.61 for 15-inch culvert to $47.58 for 48-inch. Culvert purchases will be tied in with Divide County to save money when ever possible , Nelson said.
Bids were also accepted from Williston Tire, Western Tire and OK Tire for tire purchases. All of the bids will be accepted and passed on to the townships for use in planning rural projects and maintenance.
Special Roads
The North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) is accepting applications for Special Road Fund projects, said County Engineer Monte Meiers.
According to a letter from the NDDOT, about $650,000 is available for the projects. Roads eligible for the funds must provide access or be within a recreational, tourist or historical area. The state funds are a 60/40 match, with the maximum for any one project set at $250,000. Projects solicited now would be built in late 2007 or 2008.
Commissioner Raymond Schmidt recommended rebuilding the Little Beaver road, a stretch of road about two miles long running from Highway 1804 into the Beaver Bay Recreation Area. Others pointed out the road is getting oil traffic now, which makes it a good candidate for work.
The board agreed to submit the road, and Meiers said to let him know if any other ideas came to light before the April 13 deadline.
Planning and zoning
Assistant Planner Elaine Sinness presented the preliminary plats for the Wilson Second Subdivision, south of Stony Creek School. Two members of the Stony Creek Township attended the meeting to voice their concerns about a cul-de-sac contained within the plan.
“A review of (the code) found dead end streets are not allowed in the ordinance,” Sinness said, noting that an exception does exist in the case of a topographical feature such as a hill.
Citing problems with another cul-de-sac in their area, especially those relating to snow removal, the Township representatives requested a u-shaped road instead, to allow access in and out of all lots.
The commissioners approved the change as a condition of the plat and sent it back to the planning board for further review.
A final review was also made of the Bergstrom replat, in an area west of Williston which includes the North Dakota Game and Fish office. The commissioners approved the changes, requesting wording be attached to request a waiver of protest for any future paving districts in the area. The board agreed to send the request to the State's Attorney's office for review.
Commission Chair Dan Kalil said it could save months of work collecting signatures and hand-delivering petitions in the future if this information were included directly in the language on the plat. This issue will be revisited at a future meeting.
Cemeteries
Karoline Wingerter requested the board examine a method of compensation for those mowing Cow Creek Cemetery.
Commission Chair Dan Kalil said the board had discussed the issue in the past, but decided to leave it to the townships to handle. Because the county commission acts as Cow Creek's Township Board, the commissioners agreed to talk with Wingerter and revisit the issue as the township's governing board at a future meeting.
In other business, one tax abatement was approved. An agreement between Williams County and the North Dakota Youth Correctional Center was approved, setting the rate for Williams County youths being housed in the center at $146.64 per day.
The Williams County Commissioners will meet at 9 a.m. on Monday, March 12 in the commission room at the courthouse.
Crysta Parkinson can be reached at cparkinson@willistonherald.com.
Comments