Dawson County commissioners approve more than $1 million in claims, several contracts and an appointment

The Dawson County Board of Commissioners met Feb. 27, 2015, in Lexington and approved more than $1 million in vendor claims and several county actions, including contracts related to road work and cooperative 911 equipment use.

The board voted to approve vendor claims totaling $1,028,098.48 and Treasurer's receipts of $129,500.91. Commissioner Bill Stewart moved to approve the minutes of the Feb. 13 regular meeting; the motion carried with Aye votes from E. Dean Kugler, Stewart, Everett Hagan and Chairman Dennis Rickertsen and an abstention from P.J. Jacobson. Commissioner E. Dean Kugler moved to approve the Treasurer's receipts (total $129,500.91); that motion carried unanimously. Commissioner Everett Hagan moved and Commissioner P.J. Jacobson seconded approval of the claims; the motion passed with all five commissioners voting Aye.

Why it matters: the votes clear payments and authorize short-term operational actions that keep county services running, and they included several administrative and contract authorizations that affect road projects, emergency communications and local events.

Key actions and outcomes

- Appointment: The board appointed June Blauvelt to the Dawson County Visitors Committee to fill the vacated term of John Seward. The motion, made by Commissioner E. Dean Kugler and seconded by Commissioner Everett Hagan, passed unanimously (Aye: Kugler, Jacobson, Stewart, Hagan, Rickertsen).

- Land surveying agreement (STP-21-2(111)): The board authorized Chairman Rickertsen to sign the land surveying agreement. The authorization was moved by Commissioner Hagan and seconded by Commissioner Stewart and carried on a unanimous vote.

- Resolution #2015-05: Commissioners approved Resolution #2015-05 establishing petty cash for insurance claims after a motion by Commissioner Hagan and seconded by Commissioner Jacobson. The board voted Aye unanimously.

- Special designated liquor license: The board approved a special designated liquor license for Lundgren's Catering (motion by Commissioner Hagan, second by Commissioner Stewart); the motion carried with all five Aye votes.

- Johnson Lake Trails easement addendum: An addendum to the easement agreement dated Oct. 17, 2014, for Johnson Lake Trails was approved after a motion by Commissioner Hagan and second by Commissioner Stewart; the vote was unanimous.

- Cooperative 911 equipment: The board approved cooperative use of 911 customer premise equipment (Positron Viper). Commissioner Hagan moved, Commissioner Stewart seconded; the motion passed unanimously.

- Darr Bridge Road resurfacing contract change (C24(352)): The board authorized Chairman Rickertsen to sign the change to the contract concerning the Darr Bridge Road resurfacing project. The motion carried on a unanimous vote.

Other business

Chairman Dennis Rickertsen announced that the Open Meetings Act poster was displayed for the public and the board recorded that there were no citizen comments. Committee reports included notice that the Noxious Weed Department will receive a new truck, a reported water problem at the fairgrounds, ongoing courthouse security work by Brian Woldt and Brandon Kjar, and progress on the CED building project.

The meeting adjourned at 8:51 a.m.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this report are named as they appear in the meeting record: Dennis Rickertsen (Chairman), Karla Zlatkovsky (County Clerk), E. Dean Kugler (Commissioner), Everett Hagan (Commissioner), Bill Stewart (Commissioner) and P.J. Jacobson (Commissioner).