The Brookings County Board of County Commissioners met in regular session on Tuesday, February 4, 2002, with the following members present: Emil Klavetter, Donald Larson, Deanna Santema, Dennis Falken, and Mary Negstad.  Also present: Stephanie Vogel, Kelly Bakken, Trish Sterud, Lori Nelson, David Rusten, C. Beryle Sessions, Joyce Dragseth, Ted Eggebraaten, Daryl Englund, Brad Wermers, Todd Struwe.

Chairperson, Emil Klavetter called the meeting to order.

APPROVAL OF AGENDA / MINUTES
Motion by Falken, seconded by Negstad, to approve the agenda for February 4, 2003 meeting approved as amended.  All voting “Aye.”  Motion by Negstad, seconded by Santema, to approve the minutes for the January 28, 2002 meeting approved as amended.  All voting “Aye.”

DEPARTMENT HEAD REPORTS
Community Health Nurses, Trish Sterud and Lori Nelson met with the board to deliver the 2002 Community Health Nurse 4th Quarter Report.  Zoning and Drainage Supervisor, David Rusten met with the board to discuss departmental matters.

OTHER MATTERS
Motion by Larson, seconded by Negstad, to approve the recommendations of the Brookings County Welfare Director for the following applications for County assistance. Case # 03-010 for hospital was denied; Case # 03-011 for rent was approved; Case # 03-012 for rent was approved; Case # 03-013 for medication was approved; Case #02-157 for hospital was denied.  All voting “Aye.”

Motion by Santema, seconded by Falken, to approve the following travel/education requests.  Extension Educator, Rose Marie Stee to go to Madison, SD on February 25, 2003 to attend the FEU meeting; to go to Pierre, SD on February 15, 2003 to attend the State 4-H Leaders meeting; to go to Madison, SD on April 17, 2003 to attend the radio program; to go to Pierre, SD on April 25-27, 2003 to attend the Shooting Sports program.  All voting “Aye.”

Deputy Auditor, Kelly Bakken presented the board with the Auditors Report.

Be it noted, Register of Deeds statement of fees was filed in the County Auditor’s Office interest collected during July – December 2002 in the amount of $68.35.

Bakken submitted the following quotes for the Brookings County Highway Department for 10% Ethanol Gasoline: Ag First Coop, Volga $1.1945; Cenex, Elkton $1.188; Martin Oil, Brookings $1.184.  Martin Oil, Brookings was awarded the quote at $1.184.

Commission Assistant/Personnel Director, Stephanie Vogel presented the board with the Commission Assistant/Personnel Director Report.  Be it noted, Highway Department has received a resignation notice from Equipment Operator, Ryan Ness.  Vogel updated the board on the Hospital and Zoning board appointments, Sioux Valley Commissioners Association meeting, and Leadership Brookings Sponsorship request.

Motion by Larson, seconded by Santema, to support the Leadership Brookings Sponsorship program in the same level of support as in the past years.  The allocations will come from the Public Relations line of the 2003 Commission Budget.  All voting “Aye.”

Chair Klavetter updated the board with information from the meeting on the 1921 Building.

Sheriff, Martin Stanwick met with the board to distribute and review the 2002 Brookings County Sheriff Annual Report.

Deputy Director of Equalization, Joyce Dragseth met with the board to present abatement requests.

Motion by Larson, seconded by Falken, to approve and authorize the chair to sign the Application for Abatement # 01-03 for Otey Rogers a mobile home located on 501 East Wye Mesa, Brookings, SD.  2001 in the amount of $510.68 (R-5456) and 2002 in the amount of $441.90 (R-5532).  Reason:  Mobile Home as assessed twice.  All voting “Aye.”

Motion by Falken, seconded by Larson, to approved and authorize the chair to sign the Application of Abatement # 20-02 for Monica McFarlane %Chad Johnson a 1992 Atlantic mobile home Serial # 4792508N2484 located at Knutson Street # 3, Aurora, SD.  2001 in the amount of $440.00 (R-6310).  Reason:  Taxes were already paid.  All voting “Aye.”

Motion by Negstad, seconded by Larson, to go into executive session at 9:36am.  All voting “Aye.”  Chair Klavetter declared executive session over at 10:12am.  Reason – Personnel  Matters.  No action at this time.  Also present: C. Beryle Sessions.

Highway Superintendent, Ted Eggebraaten and Daryl Englund with Banner Associates, Inc. met with the board to present the Advertisement For Bids for the Brookings County Highway 23 Improvement P6317(00) PCEMS 6734.  Motion by Larson, seconded by Falken, to approve the Advertisement For Bids for the Brookings County Highway 23 Improvement P6317(00) PCEMS 6734.  All voting “Aye.”  Be it noted, the bids will be publicly opened and read aloud on Wednesday, March 5, 2003 @ 11:00am in Room D at the Brookings County Resource Center, located in the Swiftel Center at 826 32nd Avenue, Brookings, SD  57006.  Also present: Brad Wermers with Banner Associates, Inc.

Be it noted, the board has received the resignations/notification of retirement from Zoning and Drainage Supervisor, David Rusten effective March 31, 2003, and from Director of Equalization, C. Beryle Sessions effective March 28, 2003.

Emergency Management Director, Todd Struwe met with the board to present Resolution # 03-05.  Motion by Larson, seconded by Falken, to approve and authorize the chair to sign Resolution # 03-05, a Resolution for Declaration of Agricultural Disaster.  All voting “Aye.”

WHEREAS, Brookings County South Dakota has suffered agricultural losses due to severe frost, draught, hail, high winds, lightning, and tornados from the spring of 2002 through the fall of 2002; and,

WHEREAS, Losses from these elements have been estimated by the appropriate federal and state agricultural agencies to be alfalfa, grass, mix forage, pasture, corn, oats soybeans, wheat, cattle, sheep, dwelling and service buildings, structures, machinery and equipment; and,

WHEREAS, the Brookings County Emergency Board has met and drafted Flash Situation Reports and/or FSA Damage Survey Reports for the effected area that substantiate these loses; and,

WHEREAS, the Brookings County Commission has been presented the appropriate materials to consider a disaster declaration, and has been asked to support such declaration;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Brookings County Board of Commissioners at its regular meeting held on February 4th, 2003, is hereby requesting the Governor of the State of South Dakota declare Brookings County an agricultural disaster area to enable producers affected by these adverse weather conditions to participate in disaster programs for the year 2002.

February 4, 2003   _____________________________________
Chairperson of Brookings County Commission

February 4, 2003   _____________________________________
Auditor of Brookings County

Enclosures: Letter from Brookings County Commission
FSA Flash Situation Report & Damage Assessment Report
Supporting Statement from County Emergency Board
Supporting Statement from County Emergency Manager

ADJOURNMENT

Motion by Falken, seconded by Larson to adjourn the meeting until 8:30am Tuesday, February 11, 2003.

It is the policy of Brookings County, South Dakota, not to discriminate against the Handicapped in Employment or the Provision of Service.  The County of Brookings is responsive to requests for communication aids and the need to provide appropriate access, and will provide alternative formats and accessible locations consistent with the Americans With Disabilities Act.
____________________________________
Kelly Bakken
Deputy Auditor
Brookings County Auditor’s Office