The County Commissioners’ meeting was called to order September 15, 2020, at 9:02 a.m. with Chairman Patrick H. Wade, Vice-Chair John Midkiff, Commissioner Elaine Griffith, and County Clerk Becky L. Freeman present.
Chairman Wade led the group in the pledge of allegiance.
Road & Bridge- Road and Bridge Foreman Fred Thomas joined the meeting. He informed the Commissioners that the recent storm caused the road construction project to shut down temporarily.
The road and bridge crew is working on the east end of Hat Creek. He noted that they would change out an auto gate on Hat Creek and said the culverts were decent on Boner Road. Once they have finished Hat Creek Road, they will move on to Boner Road to shape and prep it.
He said he had talked to the landowner on Kirtley Road about posting speed limit signs and explained the lengthy process involved to have signs posted.
Chairman Wade said he had been contacted by business owners on Kirtley Road, asking if they could place business signs in the County’s right of way.
Commissioner Griffith said she received a call from a landowner and was asked if the County could put signs on N. Van Tassell Rd saying “private property.” The group felt it was up to the landowner to place said signs.
Foreman Thomas and the Commissioners discussed possible roads for a fall project. He also said the Brown pit is all reseeded and reclaimed.
Clerk of Court Chrisanna Lund met with the Commissioners, and the group discussed courtroom audio and video upgrades the state is planning on installing before the end of the year. Most of the costs will be covered by COVID money except for the floor tracking, which will be the responsibility of the County.
Ratify 24-Hour Catering Permit- Commissioner Griffith moved to ratify a 24-Hour Catering Permit for Spirits for the Johnson wedding reception held September 12, 2020, at the fairgrounds. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, motion carried.
24-Hour Catering Permit- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to approve a 24-Hour Catering Permit for Spirits to sell alcoholic beverages at the Rising wedding reception being held October 10, 2020, at the fairgrounds. Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried.
Commissioner Griffith mentioned that the Prevention Coalition has a kit that can read driver’s licenses to determine legal drinking ages and suggested that this could be used in the future for any events where alcohol is served.
County Attorney- Attorney Anne Wasserburger met with the Commissioners, and the group discussed the Guardian Ad Litem Memorandum of Understanding. She said that the Attorney General’s Office would make the changes she requested, and once that is done, the Commissioners can sign the MOU.
Assessor Teri Stephens joined the meeting, and the group discussed the Joint Addendum agreement to take advantage of an ESRI License Agreement.
2020 Addendum to the Joint Agreement to Take Advantage of an ESRI License Agreement- Commissioner Griffith moved to sign the above agreement. Vice-Chairman Midkiff seconded, motion carried.
Office of State Lands and Investments (OSLI) Reimbursement Agreement- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to sign the reimbursement agreement between the Office of State Lands and Investments and Niobrara County. Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried. The purpose of the agreement is to set forth the terms and conditions by which OSLI shall disburse federal funds (Relief Funds) (CARES Act) to reimburse expenditures approved by the State Loan and Investment Board. Total reimbursements under this agreement shall not exceed $498,536.
Attorney Wasserburger had nothing new to discuss on the special prosecutor’s case.
Ken Dockweiler, with Bridger Pipeline, met with the Commissioners and updated them on the status of the pipeline. Vice-Chairman Midkiff asked Mr. Dockweiler about the gravel stockpile that Bridger has and if any of it would be available to the County. Mr. Dockweiler said he would find out if it is committed to anyone and will report back.
The group discussed changing the November 1, 2020, Commissioner meeting to November 5, 2020, due to the General Election.
Consent Agenda- Vice-Chairman Midkiff moved to approve the consent agenda. Commissioner Griffith seconded, motion carried. Items on the consent agenda were the minutes of the September 1, 2020 meeting, receipts for August from the Sheriff for $870.00, and a Petition of Affidavit for Cancellation of Taxes for Jeremy Taylor from the 2020 Tax Roll for $33.12.
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned.
NIOBRARA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
Patrick H. Wade, Chairman
Attest:
Becky L. Freeman, Clerk
Public Notice No. 5519. Published in The Lusk Herald on October 14, 2020.
