County mulls exit strategy for ambulance building

A previous discussion about the removal of an approach in McHenry continued at the Foster County Commission meeting last week.

During the meeting held on Tuesday, June 7, Commissioner Alan Scanson reported that he spoke to owners of the land adjoining the approach to be removed.

He suggested the commission send a letter to Robin Sorum, Jeanne Hoyt and Barb Bergan informing them of the commission’s decision to take action.

“We considered the request to leave the approach in place, but ultimately decided the best solution from the commission’s standpoint is to remove it,” said Scanson.

In other business:

• The commission’s policy according to the North Dakota Century Code is that the townships have the administrative responsibility for replacing culverts, while the county has the financial responsibility under certain circumstances, such as when a culvert or culverts are considered a bridge.

• It was suggested that the commission create a resolution to have a $25 fee for event permits within the county. Motion passed.

• A discussion on the ambulance building came up again.

Commissioner Becky Hagel presented a list of all the repairs and replacements the ambulance staff wants done to the building, but most of the major repairs have already been done, such as a new roof and furnace.

The board talked about having the ambulance board pay more for rent than just the dollar per year they pay now, and pool that money for future repairs.

The board also discussed having an exit strategy to get out from being landlords.

Finally, the board discussed selling the building, but according to statute, must put it out on bids. In that case, someone could bid higher than the ambulance board, and they could lose the building.

• Hagel reported that at the Association of Counties’ (NDACo) Strategic Planning meeting, they discussed sharing services such as emergency managers and engineers.

• Hagel reported that the basement of the Public Health building has been cleaned out.

• Foster County Road Superintendent Nate Monson reported that the county was approved to receive emergency funding for the washout on a McHenry road.

He informed the board that the cost would be 100 percent paid except for an 80/20 split for ditch cleanout and paving.

• Monson also reported that there is federal money available to remove the Old Wright Bridge southwest of Grace City.

The question is whether or not the bridge is considered historical since it was built in the early 1900s. A motion was passed to apply for the money.