Steele County public meetings in 2023

Meeting

The Steele County Water Resource District met to approve minutes, a treasurer's report, and specific drainage projects. The board voted to clean out a half-mile of Drain 1 and approved a $2,500 application to remove five beaver dams in Broadlawn Township. FEMA project updates for multiple drains were reviewed, with cost-share approvals noted.

• Approved $2,500 to remove 5 beaver dams in Broadlawn Township ($500 per site)
• Approved motion to clean out 1/2 mile of Drain 1 Lateral in Golden Lake Township
• Reviewed FEMA status for Drain 1, 6, and 11 outlets with pre-disaster and mitigation figures
• Approved treasurer's report and payment of all bills due
• Scheduled special meeting for December 12 regarding State Highway Permit for Highway 200 bridge

Meeting

The Steele County Water Resource District will hold its regular meeting to approve minutes, discuss FEMA-related drain sites, consider a drain tile application, and receive updates on joint water boards and administrative matters. The agenda is largely routine, with no major policy decisions or public hearings listed.

• Review of 2019, 2020, & 2022 FEMA sites including Drain 8 and Drain 11
• Randy Fugleberg drain tile application for SW ¼ Section 36-146-55
• Update on Upper Sheyenne Joint WRD meeting Dec 5, 2023 in Bismarck
• Update on Red River Joint WRD meeting Nov 8, 2023 in West Fargo
• Office updates including Ben salary study and 2024 meeting schedule

The Steele County Water Resource District met on November 7, 2023, and handled routine agenda items including approving the agenda and prior minutes. No substantive decisions were recorded; the meeting covered updates on FEMA sites, a drain tile application, and upcoming joint board meetings.

• Approved agenda
• Approved October 4, 2023 meeting minutes

Meeting

The Steele County Water Resource District met to approve drain tile permits for two landowners and authorize a $10,240 culvert installation in Grand Forks County. The board also reviewed the status of multiple FEMA-funded drainage projects and received updates on the Elm River Dam construction permits.

• Approved David Laughlin's drain tile permit for SW ¼ of Section 7-146-55
• Approved Greg Thykeson's drain tile permit for SE, NE, NW ¼ of Section 1-145-55
• Authorized Naastad Brothers to perform $10,240 culvert work on County Road
• Reviewed status of Elm River Dam No. 1 and No. 2 state construction permits
• Approved treasurer's report and checks 8690-8701

Meeting

The Steele County Water Resource District reviewed construction invoices for multiple drainage projects and authorized the renewal of the Drain 8 bond. The board also addressed a complaint regarding a dam on private property and approved a drainage permit for Jason Rayner. Several items, including drain tile permits and assessments, were tabled for future discussion.

• Approved Drain 8 bond renewal with Attorney Tostenson to contact Bravera Bank
• Reviewed Drain 1 invoice of $165,877.70 from Lakeside Construction
• Approved Drain 8 invoice of $57,677.50 for flap gate installation
• Approved Drain 12 invoice of $4,350.00 from KRB Gravel
• Approved drainage permit for Jason Rayner in Section 25 & 31-147-56

The Steele County Water Resource Board approved a motion to authorize Attorney Tostenson to contact Bravera Bank for renewal of the Drain 8 bond, which matures September 1, 2023, with a new interest rate of 6.99% and estimated interest payoff of $18,431.14. The board also approved a drainage permit for Jason Rayner for Sections 25 & 31-147-56 in Finley Township, and authorized Manager Thykeson to inspect the Drain 11 site and allow Naastad Brothers to proceed with necessary work. Several items, including drain assessments and a drain tile permit, were tabled until the next meeting.

• Authorized Attorney Tostenson to contact Bravera Bank for Drain 8 bond renewal (3-0)
• Approved Jason Rayner's drainage permit for Sections 25 & 31-147-56 in Finley Township (3-0)
• Authorized Manager Thykeson to inspect Drain 11 site and allow Naastad Brothers to proceed with work (3-0)
• Approved treasurer's report and paid all bills (3-0)
• Tabled drain assessments until next meeting
• Tabled drain tile permit until next meeting

Meeting

The Steele County Water Resource Board approved several drain tile permits, change orders, and final payments for construction projects. They also discussed FEMA project statuses, including the Drain 8 bond maturing September 1st, 2023, and noted upcoming legislative changes for meeting minutes. The meeting was routine with no major policy decisions.

• Approved agenda with additions (unanimous)
• Approved minutes from June 6th, 2023 (unanimous)
• Approved change order #1 for Drain 1 Lateral A for $7,838.12 (unanimous)
• Approved final payment to Lakeside Construction for $12,490.89 (unanimous)
• Approved Naastad Brothers to repair culvert on Drain 4 (unanimous)
• Approved drain tile permit for Lance Fugleberg (unanimous)
• Approved drain tile permits for Mike Steinke (two permits, unanimous)
• Approved treasurer's report and paid all bills (2-0, Thykeson absent)

Meeting

The Steele County Water Resource District will hold its regular monthly meeting, primarily reviewing two drain tile permit applications, receiving updates on FEMA projects and a bond, and discussing various water management items. The agenda also includes routine approvals of minutes and financial reports.

• Drain tile permit for Pete Satrom, Edendale Twp. Sec 25-145-54 SE ¼
• Drain tile permit for Paul Hanson, Edendale Twp. Sec 2-145-54 SE & NE ¼
• FEMA update on 2019, 2020 & 2022 projects, including Drain 11 and Drain 8 bond (maturity 9-1-23)
• Beaver dam removal request by Logan Rayner, Easton Twp. Section 8-146-56
• Joint meetings scheduled: Elm River Dam (9:30 AM), Upper Sheyenne, Red River

Meeting

The Steele County Water Resource District will hold a general meeting on May 2, 2023. The body will review updates on FEMA projects from 2019, 2020, and 2022. Attendees will also discuss 2023 flooding sites, drainage issues, and a Beaver Dam Application for Lynch Lake.

• FEMA Update for 2019, 2020, & 2022
• 2023 Flooding Sites/ Drain Issues discussion
• Beaver Dam Application for Section 5-146-56 SW ¼ Lynch Lake
• Upper Sheyenne Joint WRD report
• Red River Joint WRD report

Meeting

The Steele County Water Resource District is holding a special emergency meeting to discuss flooding concerns, specifically regarding Drain 11, other drains, and dams. The meeting is scheduled for April 18, 2023, at 9:30 am. No decisions are listed on the agenda; it is a discussion-focused meeting.

• Discussion of flooding concerns related to Drain 11
• Discussion of flooding concerns related to other drains
• Discussion of flooding concerns related to dams

The Steele County Water Resource Board declared an emergency due to overland flooding and ice jams affecting drains and roads. They coordinated cleanup efforts, including cleaning culverts and drains, and agreed to pay for a flap gate and culvert at Pete Haugen's property. No formal contracts or ordinances were approved.

• Approved agenda (unanimous)
• Declared emergency for Steele County Water Resource District (3-0)
• Agreed to pay for flap gate and culvert at Pete Haugen's driveway
• Directed Tor to contact Ben Naastad to clean 2 miles north of Drain 4

County Park Board

The Steele County Park Board is meeting to handle routine business (approving the agenda and prior minutes) and to discuss old business items including storm shelter repairs, drain/flood gate cleaning, hood repair, a beaver problem, and an oath of office signature. New business includes setting Golden Lake hours and a status update from Jake.

• Storm shelter repairs and drain/flood gate cleaning
• Beaver problem discussion
• Oath of office signature for Paul
• Golden Lake hours discussion
• Jake status update

Meeting

The Steele County Water Resource Board approved Morten Air Spray for drain spraying at $400 per mile, a drain tile permit for Tyler Bjerke, and payment for a culvert on County Road 11 (60% county, 40% water board). They also approved the agenda, minutes, and treasurer's report. FEMA project updates were provided, but no other substantive decisions were made.

• Approved Morten Air Spray to spray drains at $400 per mile
• Approved drain tile permit for Tyler Bjerke (SE & SW 1/4 of Section 29-145-55, Hugo Township)
• Approved payment for Blake Kyllo's culvert on County Road 11 (60% county, 40% water board)
• Approved agenda with additions (Utility Permit, Drain Tile Permit, Culvert)
• Approved minutes from March 7, 2023 meeting
• Approved treasurer's report and paid all bills

Meeting

The Steele County Water Resource District will hold a general meeting to approve minutes and discuss infrastructure projects. Key items include the Elm River Dam, a public meeting for Drain 6 landowners, and a tile permit for Paul Hanson. The agenda also covers updates from FEMA and joint water resource districts.

• Elm River Dam discussion
• Drain 6 Landowner Public Meeting
• Paul Hanson Drain Tile Permit for NW, SW, SE, ¼ of Section 33-146-54
• FEMA Update
• Upper Sheyenne and Red River Joint WRD updates

The Steele County Water Resource Board met with Drain 6 landowners to discuss repair options after 2022 spring flood damage. Three options were presented: abandoning the drain, a pre-disaster repair (estimated $400,000), or a mitigation project (estimated $800,000), with cost-sharing details. No formal decision was made; the board directed Moore Engineering to develop a plan for further discussion at a future landowner meeting.

• Directed Moore Engineering to move forward with Drain 6 and compile a repair plan
• No formal vote taken on drain repair options

Meeting

The Steele County Water Resource District is holding a public informational meeting regarding the Elm River Dam on March 2, 2023, at the Galesburg Fire Hall. The agenda notes that a quorum may be present. A regular WRD meeting is scheduled for March 7th.

• Elm River Dam Public Informational Meeting on March 2, 2023, at 10 a.m.
• Location: Galesburg Fire Hall in Galesburg
• Potential quorum for the Steele County Water Resource District
• Regular Steele County WRD meeting set for March 7, 2023, at 9:00 a.m.

Meeting

The Steele County Water Resource District reviewed FEMA project closeouts and construction updates for multiple drainage projects. The board decided to hold a landowner meeting for Drain 6 due to funding concerns and approved the reinstatement of unused vacation time for county employees.

• FEMA project PW 26 DR4444 and PW19 DR4553 closeout documents submitted with final costs ranging from $283,223.00 to $621,088.95.
• Decision to hold a landowner meeting on March 7, 2023, for Drain 6 regarding potential abandonment due to lack of maintenance funding.
• Approval to reinstate unused vacation time for county employees with a usage deadline of July 31, 2023.
• Elm River Dam construction cost-share request approved by the ND State Water Commission with a total cost estimate of $3,650,000.
• Addition of Enerson Construction, LLC to the list of approved contractors for upcoming WRD projects.