[0:00] I'm the auditor's office. You will call the

[0:04] August 10th meeting of Missouri Valley Complex

[0:07] Committee to order. Uh in lieu of Reese's absence, Steve,

[0:15] would you call the roll, please? >> LaCoe.

[0:19] » Here. >> Peters.

[0:21] » Here. >> Leker.

[0:23] » Here. >> Olson.

[0:24] » Here. >> Martinson. Here. Berglund. Here.

[0:28] New. Here. Hellerud. Here. >> Thank you, Steve. Uh my

[0:33] normal reminder to make sure everybody use microphones when you're speaking.

[0:39] Um actually, it carries better on the owl

[0:43] without a microphone than when we use the recording that's here, but still,

[0:47] please uh use your microphones and we'll roll into the next agenda item,

[0:55] which is the approval of the minutes of the June 17th meeting. Those were

[1:00] distributed via email. Are there any additions corrections

[1:05] um or I would look for a motion to approve the minutes.

[1:10] » I move that we approve the August uh the

[1:14] June 17th minutes. >> We have a motion. Do we have a second?

[1:18] » I'll second it. >> All right. Motion and a second to

[1:21] approve the June 17th meeting minutes as distributed. All in favor signify by

[1:28] saying aye. Any opposed, signify nay.

[1:33] It was approved. On to the next agenda item, I would entertain a motion to

[1:39] approve the approve or any uh additions or changes to the agenda. However,

[1:45] before that, I want to clarify that under item number six,

[1:49] the discussion of the Missouri Valley Complex Committee alignment with the

[1:53] Park Board governance will also include a review of the committee's scope,

[1:58] responsibilities, authority, and resources, and that is the first page of

[2:04] the document that I distributed earlier. So, with that understanding, I would

[2:09] entertain a motion to approve the agenda.

[2:10] » Madam Chair, a couple things. I did Monday night send

[2:13] out the amended agenda. I've taken off the open position

[2:18] discussion. >> Okay.

[2:19] » And then also corrected the next meeting date, which is September 23rd.

[2:24] » Good notes. I do see I have the amended agenda. Um

[2:27] I have an extra copy if anybody needs one.

[2:30] Okay.

[2:33] Motion to approve the agenda. >> So moved.

[2:35] » Second. >> All in favor?

[2:38] » Uh all in favor of approving the agenda as distributed amended, signify by

[2:43] saying I. >> I.

[2:45] » Opposed to the sign. Hearing none, the agenda is approved. We'll move into

[2:50] public comment. This is restricted to Berkeley County residents and

[2:53] landowners. Um public comment is now open.

[2:58] Given the only other audience member in attendance is also on the agenda, I will

[3:04] assume you are offering no public comment. With that, I will close the

[3:08] public comment section. Agenda item number six is a briefing

[3:13] with several bullet points from Commissioner Munson.

[3:16] Um before Commissioner Munson as he walks up to the lectern here, walks us

[3:20] through the park board proposal, I want to establish one piece of context for

[3:25] the committee. Um if we're considering formally

[3:28] aligning the Missouri Valley Complex Committee within a new governance

[3:32] structure, we should also be very clear about what that means for this

[3:36] committee's role, authority, responsibilities, and access to the

[3:40] county resources. With that framework in or with that in mind, can I briefly run

[3:46] through this document while you look up on your computer? So, on the front page,

[3:49] which is the front page of the document is the one that is have the

[3:54] title of Missouri Valley Complex Committee project status and direction

[3:58] needed. Um I felt that this was important to distribute ahead of this

[4:03] discussion. The purpose is to make sure that we have a shared understanding

[4:06] where things stand. Um including is uh long-term planning

[4:11] for the Missouri Valley Complex. We are working on development planning for the

[4:15] proposed planning and site development needs,

[4:18] infrastructure, future facility planning, etc., etc.

[4:23] The County Commission previously authorized continued development of the

[4:26] Ag Equestrian Center project plan with the intent of pursuing private funding

[4:31] and no anticipated county capital contribution.

[4:34] Now, one thing that I think is important to note is what has changed um and in

[4:39] light of recent discussions around the County Commission table is when the

[4:46] agricultural acreage was leased in 2025. Um and we actually got into the growing

[4:54] season quite late that year, but we were the acreage was leased in 2025. The

[5:00] working assumption about a year ago was that the lease would only be for 1 year

[5:06] because work was anticipated to be started with the Ag Equestrian Center in

[5:10] late 2026. However, things changed. Since then,

[5:16] changes involving the extraterritorial area affected the jurisdiction and

[5:20] process for platting moving from city to county.

[5:23] Platting work that had prog- progressed through the city had to transition to

[5:27] the county process, which extended the development timeline.

[5:31] And the original expectation of beginning site work in late '26 was no

[5:35] longer realistic. Questions remain regarding what planning work the

[5:39] Commission expects the Missouri Valley Complex to continue pursuing and what

[5:44] county resources are available to support that work. And then the

[5:47] responsibility for mowing, weed control, agricultural land management, and other

[5:52] routine maintenance has also not been clearly established. Um one note that I

[5:57] would also make on the timeline ahead of your recap of the last couple of

[6:04] meetings and discussions is there's been heavy discussion around the

[6:09] committee or the commission table regarding weed mitigation and weed

[6:12] management, and I think that the framing on that is missing a little

[6:18] bit and can be seen with this timeline presented in this document that again uh

[6:24] this committee took it upon themselves to authorize the management of that land

[6:30] where the Ag and Equestrian Center was going to go and had also

[6:34] uh supported Commissioner Munson's engagement on putting that plan forward.

[6:39] We still went into the beginning of the year assuming that we were going to be

[6:43] having development out there, and because of the changed timeline with the

[6:48] ETA change, that really had an impact on some of those

[6:55] duties falling through the cracks. So, I I do feel that it's really important for

[7:00] that timeline and the changes to be taken into consideration for that

[7:03] discussion. With that, Commissioner, I would leave it to you.

[7:08] » I'm going to challenge you a little bit on your last statement.

[7:11] Um in December of last year after the

[7:13] Bismarck Park Board decided to no longer take care of the Burleigh County park

[7:21] projects, park land, we attempted to have a meeting with the

[7:25] weed officer uh and the county highway department to

[7:28] start planning cuz we knew these things were coming.

[7:31] Um that meeting never happened. Um

[7:36] that portfolio holder chose not to meet. Uh I did get a hold of Darren

[7:43] a little later and then you know that was late April and we started making a

[7:46] plan for all of the parks. He completely forgot complex. Okay. So in May then we

[7:53] had the conversation now we need to make sure because we had a rodeo event

[7:57] coming. We needed to make sure that that area was sprayed

[8:01] and so by the time he got his resources, his vendors there

[8:06] a little later in the season and so yeah, we became we ended up having a

[8:09] problem on that egg so um

[8:14] process was started it just never it never got finished. Um

[8:18] but be that it is it is it is now taken care

[8:22] of. Um right, wrong or indifferent it's taken

[8:25] care of. >> Lots of make you feel good for sure.

[8:31] » It it it it makes for good television and makes for a good soap opera.

[8:35] Um and so So anyway, you know, we we talked a

[8:39] little bit about where things stand with the with with the Missouri Valley

[8:42] Complex Committee and if you remember years ago

[8:47] the structure that we proposed to the county was different than what is

[8:50] actually approved and what we're operating with now.

[8:54] Some of the county commissioners felt that it was very important that this

[8:57] board was an advisory board to the portfolio holder only.

[9:02] Um as opposed to initially we had written in that document

[9:08] um responsibilities for the board other

[9:11] than just being an advisory board. Um and they chose that they wanted to

[9:16] have final say in all things and so in order to have this board approved

[9:22] we accepted a lesser role.

[9:25] We accepted a role we are an advisory board

[9:29] to the Burleigh County Commission as well as prime one of the reasons that

[9:33] did stay consistent is this board being together to coordinate the events

[9:38] that are happening at the complex as well as working forward to developing

[9:43] the rest of that complex into a much better facility. Uh so we've been very

[9:48] successful minus the timeline issues moving from city to county planning and

[9:53] zoning. Um we've been very successful. I think

[9:56] we've done a lot of great work out there and you guys need

[10:00] uh to you deserve that credit. It is it is come

[10:03] We've made more more progression with that area in the last 2 years than the

[10:08] previous 40. So um

[10:12] you guys you guys have done done well uh even with the battles that we've

[10:17] we've faced. Uh so um now moving forward what I'm trying to

[10:22] do is introduce to the county um and I hope

[10:27] for the last time on Monday uh the 17th the plan for Burleigh County

[10:33] Park Authority um renaming Missouri River Complex. I

[10:37] shouldn't say renaming it but considering it a park so it's all within

[10:41] one group uh eliminate that portfolio itself so

[10:45] that we have one group that is working towards

[10:50] uh the common good of of all parks within Burleigh County uh

[10:55] minus the city. Not to take over Dave's job. I don't want your job.

[11:01] Um but I think it's important uh and it as

[11:04] you read through the document that has been sent to you

[11:07] um it changes the the makeup of the park

[11:10] board the park authority from five sitting elected officials and two

[11:14] appointed to two elected officials and five appointed

[11:20] with the responsibilities to perform the duties laid out in the budget that's

[11:26] been approved by the commission giving the park authority the ability to

[11:31] hire weeds, hire mowing, coordinate the employees that we have

[11:36] or proposed employees that we have in our plan. Um I know it it was taken off,

[11:41] but we were successful in hiring a hybrid employee that will work in our

[11:46] park district as well as for the highway department.

[11:49] Uh he should start week and a half from now.

[11:52] And so roughly his duties will be 40% park, 60% highway, but he is a full-time

[11:58] employee. And so we will have his services 5 days a week.

[12:02] And that'll that'll be helpful for us as well. I'm hoping we can open up our

[12:08] our fishing dock for the first time this year because

[12:13] what I Carson was a great kid, 18.

[12:17] When that thing plugs up now I'm I'm not asking an 18-year-old to stick his hand

[12:20] down a grinder to try to fix it. I need someone with a little more life

[12:24] experience before we start doing stuff like that. So So now we have that

[12:28] employee. But anyway, as you read through the new

[12:31] structure of the park authority like I said, it gives the park authority

[12:36] that decision-making ability to

[12:40] take care of all the parks within the budget that has been approved by the

[12:43] commission. Um

[12:45] and I think it's the change from five elected officials

[12:50] to two right now is is what I hear is my

[12:54] biggest challenge at the Burleigh County Commission table.

[12:57] Um my challenge to that is there's seven

[13:01] people on that park board right now. One is working.

[13:06] That's it. Nobody else is doing anything on it.

[13:09] I want seven engaged people that are going to be working towards the benefit

[13:14] of all parks within Burleigh County.

[13:17] Uh in that document it it does keep the

[13:20] Missouri Valley Complex Committee alive. I mean you are still a valid part

[13:24] of a vital part of that um as a subcommittee to the park authority.

[13:29] Uh rather than a subcommittee to the commission, it would be a subcommittee

[13:33] to the park authority. Um

[13:39] It will still be a battle on Monday. We've We've had

[13:42] it in front of us now two times prior. This will be the third.

[13:47] Um there'll be There'll be some lively

[13:49] discussion about it, but um I think it has

[13:56] I think it has a lot of positives within it and I and I think it's a very

[13:59] valuable piece. Um I've said this before, but I want to thank Dustin again

[14:04] for for being an integral part of writing that document because

[14:10] it's way above my pay grade. He He did He did all the work. So,

[14:14] uh I just get to fight the battle, you know, at at the commission table. So,

[14:18] uh it is it is a good doc and I think it gives us

[14:21] a good direction. So. Questions on that? You guys have all had

[14:27] the document. You've seen it. You've read it.

[14:29] Um any points that we need to

[14:34] Madam Chair? >> Yes.

[14:36] » Um First

[14:39] First I guess my first question is the terminologies that are being used.

[14:46] Looking at statute, it's pretty clear it's a park board. It's a park

[14:51] commission. Park board. I'm not

[14:54] I'm not real clear on where this authority came from

[14:59] because I don't think you've got any authority to change the name.

[15:04] Um because it's statute, it's county park commissioner, it was county

[15:08] park board. Uh

[15:10] and and I think the issue that you've got at the table is that the authority.

[15:15] Yeah. The people are looking at this or there's the assumption that you're off

[15:18] on your own and you're not going to be responsible back to the county

[15:21] commission, which it's clear in the statute who you're

[15:23] responsible. Yep. Secondly, um

[15:30] is this I wholeheartedly support a

[15:33] wholeheartedly support going to seven members, five citizens.

[15:40] It was the one time it was. >> Mhm.

[15:43] » And then it got switched with some personalities, but it was at

[15:48] one time. It was a citizen-based board. And

[15:53] I I whole wholly support that. But, I think the other clarity is policy or

[15:59] governance, is that the role of the group, or is it going to be management

[16:03] and running around the county looking at the parks? Cuz you've got staff that

[16:08] you're proposing here, and it's supposed to be doing work.

[16:10] » Right. >> The other thing that came up in the last

[16:13] meeting is this whole issue and nonsense that you don't have access to the county

[16:16] highway department. But, you're looking to put an employee

[16:20] with the county department during the winter months.

[16:22] » Right. >> Which doesn't make sense because

[16:25] all of the statute lists the other auditor and the state's attorney and

[16:31] treasurer, and there's what, five >> Sheriff's department.

[16:34] » Sheriff's department already there. >> Yep.

[16:36] » Why aren't the rest of the county departments? Because there was also

[16:40] statement made at the last meeting about working together amongst the

[16:43] departments.

[16:46] I think the simplest thing you've got all you've got to do is change the

[16:50] structure and let the group develop the plan.

[16:54] » Yep. First

[16:56] First to answer to your question, I chose to to label it authority because

[17:03] I wanted to avoid two things. >> This mark

[17:08] park district has a very good

[17:13] reputation, and I don't want to label it a district or a board because you

[17:18] currently have a park board for the city.

[17:22] And you have a park district within the city. And so I chose not to use those

[17:27] two words, which I don't think you can. >> You can't use the word district. It

[17:31] doesn't allow you in here and to be a district.

[17:34] » asked the state's attorney for clarification on that. I haven't

[17:38] received it yet, but the reason I I I've used authority was to try to keep it

[17:42] separate from the group that's already organized. I don't want the confusion in

[17:46] the public between the two. >> Yeah. Um

[17:50] there hasn't been that confusion for years.

[17:53] It's the Bismarck Park District and Burleigh County Park.

[17:56] » Yeah. >> That that's that's good. And I think

[17:59] that's the way it statute even is pretty clear to me that you're not a district

[18:04] because you're not a separate autonomous operating governing body.

[18:09] You're responsible to the county commissioner.

[18:12] » So that's exactly why I didn't use the word district. Um

[18:15] » Which but it's in this report for the last couple of times.

[18:20] » So I think it talks to what was and what is.

[18:23] If I if I left district in there, I apologize.

[18:26] » Yeah, but to me in all these years, it's never

[18:29] been Burleigh County Park District. >> Right.

[18:32] It's always been park board. Um

[18:35] And so like I said, I I I chose the word authority just to try to give it some

[18:38] separation. >> But it's it's still responsible to the

[18:42] county commission. >> Correct.

[18:43] » And I And the other part that I agree with is if this changes to

[18:48] the format that you're suggesting, and again I'll say county park board,

[18:53] with citizen representation being five, that this group should blend into it. It

[19:00] should be part of the county parks. And as such with operation and budget

[19:06] and management oversight, so you don't have these

[19:10] slip through the crack things like weeds and everything or development and

[19:14] consistently development and management consistent management and from all the

[19:18] user groups we've said that consistent relationships with leases and operation.

[19:23] And so when you when you're looking at manpower, um

[19:26] the rest of this year and next year, I do have the one employee in there that

[19:30] is split or hybrid between parks and and highway. Next year my goal is to have

[19:35] that park manager hired. That will be a full-time position.

[19:39] Um we spent $8,000 this year hiring a uh

[19:47] an engineering firm just to do the permit process to dredge our two roofs.

[19:53] Bismarck Park District has done that for us for the last how many years and

[19:58] within all within the fees that were charged.

[20:00] » Yeah. >> Um we're seeing we we talked about it. I

[20:05] mean, lawn mowing, Damn near cost us what Bismarck Park

[20:09] District charged us all last year. And that's just to mow the lawns. Um

[20:14] so so having that full-time employee uh that can be part of this group, be

[20:21] part of the reporting to the to the park authority park board, whichever way we

[20:25] want to go. Uh uh

[20:27] that's a huge piece to make sure that that manager is available to be on top

[20:33] of all those things, handle those applications, walk that all through. The

[20:36] um uh it's going to cost us

[20:41] estimated $6,000 to put together the bid package to replace the roof of a vault

[20:47] toilet that a tree fell.

[20:50] » Which is probably going to be ongoing costs of engineering and blood passion

[20:55] services. >> But there's going to be, but not as

[20:57] much. >> Yeah.

[20:58] » Because they're running it start finish where the the manager can handle the

[21:03] majority of that work. Um so so when I look at having that

[21:08] full-time employee, that's a cost savings to the county.

[21:12] Um, and we have then that full-time person

[21:14] that can Maybe we don't want to hire the the weed board to spray our weeds. That

[21:20] park manager can hire his own subcontractor and now we're not

[21:25] waiting for somebody else. So, what you're what you're you're heading

[21:30] towards, Commissioner is hiring a manager

[21:35] to manage the day-to-day operation, correct? The park board to be governance

[21:39] and direction, policy, and planning. Correct.

[21:43] And by the document, it truly lays out that the park authority park board will

[21:48] create all of that process and procedure.

[21:55] I think then the simp The easy The one step you have is to change the structure

[22:00] of the board from five commissioners to five citizens and two

[22:04] commissioners. And then let that group develop develop plan. Correct.

[22:08] » And not at that commission table trying to develop plan.

[22:11] » Right. Right. >> Cuz it doesn't work.

[22:13] » We just need to get it We need to get it through the

[22:16] resolutions. Yep. >> of the park board.

[22:19] » Yep. >> Which is allowed in

[22:20] » Yep. >> state law.

[22:21] » Yep. Yep. We need to get it through the the

[22:24] the approval of the commission of the current park board first then

[22:28] then the commission after that. And then let um

[22:33] Julie get the resolution done to bring back.

[22:35] » Are the county park positions paid? >> Yep.

[22:39] It's not covered in my document. >> No, but are they are they

[22:42] » Currently, they are. >> They are.

[22:43] » Yep. >> So, they're they're compensated board

[22:46] like several other boards. >> Yep. They're per meeting.

[22:48] » And which this board and this group is not, correct?

[22:51] » Yep. >> Well, and I just want a quick follow-up

[22:53] and I think Dustin and and Wayne both have comments, too, but on that

[22:58] um paid,

[23:01] currently only two are paid. >> Correct.

[23:04] » Because the county commissioners that are already serving on that are getting

[23:07] paid because of their >> Yes.

[23:10] » pay for being a county commissioner. >> Their monthly stipend or whatever it is.

[23:14] » Right, right. Cuz there was a statement at the last commissioner meeting that it

[23:17] would be an increased cost, a substantial increased cost,

[23:22] uh to have more citizen members on that because more would be paid, but um I

[23:27] think it's pretty nominal per meeting. >> $75 per meeting once a month for three

[23:33] additional three additional people.

[23:36] » Yeah. >> Does that answer your question?

[23:38] » Not a large increase. So, I think one

[23:42] one thing that needs to be added to the document is there there is a belief by

[23:48] at least one, probably two, commissioners

[23:51] that will go nameless, uh that

[23:55] that this is going to be a deep state situation

[23:59] to override the county, basically. And the irony is that we're

[24:04] they're they're confusing this plan with this committee and and

[24:08] uh you know, this committee is being considered both rogue and do nothing at

[24:12] the same time, which I guess we're the Schrödinger's committee at that point.

[24:16] Um but one thing that that keeps coming up

[24:22] is the belief that there's a secret plan to extort the county into spending

[24:28] millions of dollars to build the equestrian center.

[24:32] And so, what what I would like to see and and maybe we need to take a motion

[24:36] and write a declaration that the there's no secret plan to have the

[24:43] county foot the bill for $10 million equestrian center, that the county's

[24:48] obligation to that is the land and the engineering costs that have gone into

[24:52] the whole complex, basically, and limit it that and and make it a declaration

[24:57] so that there's no gray area because essentially we've got county

[25:01] commissioners that are that believe that there's a conspiracy here.

[25:05] » So, to answer that though, Dustin, we've already taken that action at the

[25:09] commission table and it passed 4-1. But that's how we're moving forward with

[25:14] the equestrian center. So, that's already been asked and answered.

[25:19] Um

[25:22] the piece that is that that the county commission needs to keep in mind is

[25:28] when the park authority creates a request for a budget,

[25:34] county commission still has final say over that budget.

[25:37] » Mhm. >> So, at any point if there was a $10

[25:40] million line item for an equestrian center, this

[25:44] county commission just simply doesn't approve it.

[25:47] They already they will still have the final control over the budget side

[25:52] of it. What I what I

[25:55] what I feel is happening with this creation of this new authority

[25:59] is that day-to-day and the week-to-week and the

[26:04] coordination of events as well as the maintenance and

[26:10] we don't want to get into maintenance, but um

[26:13] because of our lovely citizens on the park side of it, uh I spent another

[26:18] $8,000 just cleaning out a ball toilet last week. And 3/4 full of garbage. No

[26:24] room for the waste. So,

[26:28] there is so much else that comes into play with this that

[26:33] uh this is not just about the complex. This is about the parks as a whole and

[26:38] making sure that we have that day-to-day, week-to-week

[26:43] pulse from the residents to the users so that we have a

[26:48] functioning park district. Park apologize park authority park

[26:52] » Park But it it it's

[26:56] Burleigh County has forgotten. And this is where I'm going to give the

[27:00] credit to Steve. Steve taught us many, many years ago.

[27:04] People move here for a job. They stay because of our amenities.

[27:08] Our number one amenities are parks. Bismarck Parks and Rec has phenomenal

[27:14] group of amenities. Burleigh County has fallen severely behind

[27:19] and letting them go.

[27:22] Nobody's paying attention. Nobody's taking care of them. Nobody's improving.

[27:25] There hasn't been an improvement to the park district except for 2 years

[27:30] ago I was successful getting it through the commission to put an ADA sidewalk

[27:35] and a new vault toilet at Steckel. That's the last

[27:40] to my knowledge, there hasn't been an improvement to a a ramp or a park except

[27:46] in in '09 when we put the vault toilet at Schafer.

[27:51] Nobody cares on the park side and that's wrong. We need to have a much more

[27:56] vibrant, active Park Authority, Park Board

[28:01] to make sure that all of our parks are being taken care of and are being put

[28:05] forward as the best that we can. We've got a long ways to go to get up to

[28:09] where Bismarck Parks and Rec is at. But this is the first step.

[28:14] I really believe this is the first step and it's not just about the complex.

[28:18] » Yeah, and and but the the commissioners are opposed to pretty much everything.

[28:24] Or just one more thing. >> Yeah, yeah. And and

[28:29] they want to make sure that no future commissions can

[28:34] go the wrong direction. And the only way that they can bind the hands of future

[28:38] commissions is to go into the home rule charter and bind the hands of as the the

[28:43] citizens to bind the hands of future commissioners.

[28:47] So, ultimately, any of this comes back on

[28:51] them. And so, I know that that K has

[28:56] uh some some language that she wants to put forward. Uh I had come up with some

[29:01] stronger language than that. But, at the end of the day,

[29:06] the commission needs to be the one that makes the determination as to what these

[29:11] things do. And if they don't want

[29:16] the committees or park board authority or whatever you want to call it

[29:21] nomenclature-wise to do certain things, it's up to them to

[29:25] proactively put in place

[29:29] the the process to prevent things that they don't want to happen in the future,

[29:34] while not getting in the way of things that should be happening. And so, part

[29:39] of your challenge is probably putting

[29:43] together a plan that not only shows where you want to go, but also putting

[29:48] in place where you're willing to close certain doors to get where you want to

[29:53] go, if that makes sense.

[29:57] » Yes, it does, but I want to challenge that a little bit.

[30:01] I I'm an elected official. This is not what I want.

[30:06] This is what's best for the citizens and needs to be led by the citizens.

[30:11] I'm elected to be that person that goes in between the citizens and the

[30:14] commission. That's my job. But realistically, we need to create a

[30:19] park authority, a park board that is active

[30:23] in our community and wants to make sure things grow.

[30:27] Um we've had too many years of stagnant

[30:32] um growth in our park I Yeah, it costs money.

[30:36] I I'm an accused of spending a lot of

[30:38] money. Uh if you Google me, that's the first

[30:40] thing that comes up As I like to spend a lot of money.

[30:43] Um but it is not for me.

[30:48] I've never used a ramp in Burlington. I've been to a few of the parks.

[30:54] It's not for me. It's for the residents.

[30:57] I chose this portfolio because I wanted to make it better for our residents.

[31:02] Again, I'm going to blame Steve. Steve had 10 years of

[31:05] of making sure that I understood what He trained Randy so Randy could train

[31:10] me. But um he he had 10 years of me to make sure

[31:14] I really understood what the benefit that our park system does for our

[31:19] residents. And and he's not wrong.

[31:22] And and as a as a county commission we failed.

[31:28] » Mhm. >> And I need I need It's my It's my

[31:31] mission to make this better. And I believe this is the way to do it.

[31:35] Put it in the hands of the citizens.

[31:39] The budget goes to the commission for approval.

[31:43] They can ask for whatever they want. Reality of it is is the commission still

[31:47] has final say over dollars. And dollars will dictate what we can do

[31:52] from there. You know, we had an audit done. Bismark

[31:56] Parks and Rec was hired to do an audit of our ADA facilities within our park

[32:01] district. Everyone failed.

[32:05] I was able to get Steckel almost there.

[32:10] They pulled out of my budget the last 2 years

[32:13] to fix anything else. And

[32:20] they just don't feel as it's it's needed.

[32:23] It's wrong. >> Mhm.

[32:25] » Completely wrong. And there are a couple commissioners

[32:28] that are going to say no no matter what you do.

[32:30] They'd rather get sued than spend $5,000 to replace a the to

[32:35] make sure it's ADA compliant. Makes no sense to me.

[32:39] You know, we got to wait for a tree to fall on

[32:41] a vault toilet to fix it. That vault toilet

[32:46] could have used some other maintenance. Now, we don't have any money.

[32:49] You know, but the reality of it is is

[32:55] Mr. News is correct. People come here for a job, they stay because of our

[32:58] amenities. Now, you listen to to Jared Cole

[33:03] and you look at what we can bring into the community if we grow,

[33:09] whether it's tax dollars, whether it's it's dollars to our businesses,

[33:15] it is huge. Costs money, but we will get it back in

[33:20] a lot of different ways. So, I agree that, you know, we'll never get

[33:26] those two vote yes. It don't matter what we grant.

[33:30] I'm not worried about those two. I quit worrying about those two a couple

[33:33] years ago. Uh I have to move forward and hope that

[33:36] I can get the other the other two uh to see the benefit.

[33:41] And I'll never get those two. There's one else.

[33:45] Right? Yep.

[33:46] » So, I know that one of your bullet points here is to consider formally

[33:50] approving alignment of the Missouri River Complex Committee with Burleigh

[33:53] County Park Board. So, I wanted to steer that discussion a little a little bit

[33:56] further and I know that Wayne and Steve both had uh questions and discussions

[34:01] and um if they pertain to that the discussion point.

[34:05] » Uh you wait your turn to talk before.

[34:09] » Yes. You know what I want to talk about? I didn't bring it up anyway. But, you

[34:13] know what? Will this have any effect on Missouri Valley Historical Society out

[34:17] there at Buckstop Junction? >> No.

[34:19] » So, okay. Everything's the same on >> The only The only piece that will affect

[34:24] Buckstop at some point and Dustin and has been talking about this for a long

[34:29] time, we need to align all of our agreements,

[34:33] if you will, to be the same. You have a lease.

[34:37] Motocross has a has a use agreement. I mean, we have so many other agreements

[34:41] out there. None of them are the same. The only thing that will affect the

[34:44] current folks that are there is eventually we will all get to be under

[34:49] the same agreement for the use of the land.

[34:53] But, beyond that, no. >> And also, you would have a direct point

[34:57] of contact with the county park board and not have to go

[35:02] » Right. >> walking down the hall to find an office

[35:03] to talk to somebody. You'd have a relationship. There'd be somebody you

[35:07] work with. >> Yep.

[35:08] » And we got our own uh Well, we don't have a budget really

[35:11] because we don't have no funding out there. In fact, we got to rebuild our

[35:15] church out there, the steeple. It blew off the doors off the strong wind we had

[35:19] here a while back. And we got paint. That's a lot of That's a lot of money.

[35:23] We do have an escrow account for the church. And we're going to probably use

[35:27] up most of that just to repair the church. And there's a lot of groups that

[35:30] want to use that church for weddings. >> Yeah.

[35:32] » And uh we've got to replace furnaces and air conditioning in a couple of the

[35:37] buildings this year already. So, uh we're we're getting short-handed cuz

[35:42] some of our members retired and

[35:45] uh can't can't walk anymore. And um I might be included. I don't

[35:51] know. But, um we're moving forward. We I did uh manage to buy a tractor for out

[35:57] there to use for mowing. >> Good.

[35:59] » And it works real good. It's one I picked up at an auction sale

[36:02] uh last year and bought it just for the purpose of using it for out there. So,

[36:07] they just I just delivered that the other day.

[36:10] And the guys that are using it like it. >> Good.

[36:12] » And it runs good. And uh

[36:15] now the other question I have, what are we going to do with that mess

[36:20] that those contractors left at that racetrack?

[36:23] That is such a mess. They I I want to make it into a motion that they

[36:26] abandoned that that project.

[36:29] » I have been on them to >> Cover it up.

[36:32] » be in front of the commission for the last several months to give us an

[36:36] update. Uh as of last week, they did finally

[36:39] finish all of their borings where they found more

[36:43] bad soil just like they hit now. >> Right.

[36:47] » Um and they're they're still haven't come up with a solution

[36:52] as to how they're going to move forward. >> They should abandon that route that

[36:55] they're on and take the thing and uh move it south of the track in that flat

[37:00] area and head straight to the 52nd Street.

[37:04] » South is worse than where we're at. >> Well, at least they won't be digging up

[37:09] the track. They're going to do underground boring

[37:12] on that from what I understand, huh? >> They

[37:15] » But uh they made such a mess out of it. It makes my stomach sick every time I go

[37:18] out there and look at it. >> Mhm.

[37:20] » And they're hauling more junk out there, big timbers and stuff to bury.

[37:24] » I asked if they were going to start paying storage fees cuz they're their

[37:27] stuff has been all over our complex for a year.

[37:30] » Yeah, mhm. >> So

[37:31] » We could all use a gravel someplace out there.

[37:33] » Yeah. >> But no, something's got to be

[37:37] changed on that whole direction. Abandon that sewer line. Move it to a different

[37:41] location. >> We're still waiting for the engineers to

[37:43] come back to the commission. >> want that going across that racetrack,

[37:47] period. And they got to fill in those corners before frost comes in.

[37:51] » They got a lot of work to do. >> They do. But how are they going to do

[37:54] it? Or fire one or two.

[37:57] » I am going to interject just because I have a hard stop at one and we're

[38:01] getting a little far off of the agenda topic that we're on right now.

[38:06] Um >> It had to be brought up.

[38:07] » I know and I always appreciate you keeping your finger on the pulse of

[38:11] what's going on with that specifically, but I would definitely entertain

[38:16] um you know, for future discussion on that

[38:18] should it be warranted. Steven, I I you had a question.

[38:21] » I'm sure. commissioner, just just a couple things.

[38:24] I'm going to address something that Dustin said as well. You know, this

[38:28] whole conspiracy of the equestrian center was that was self-generated right

[38:32] at the table. And unfortunately, that group didn't even get an opportunity to

[38:38] present. Um and the other discussions that we've

[38:42] had around this table and and with engineering firms is that a plan needed

[38:47] to be developed that also included the work and funding recommendations to go

[38:53] forward. This park board

[38:57] discussion and reorganizing again citizen and get people engaged in the

[39:02] same thing including it and the complex again should be included in that. But as

[39:06] part of the overall master planning, how strategic planning was brought up about

[39:11] three times at the last county commission meeting by somebody I didn't

[39:14] even think knew how to spell it. But

[39:17] » You know, it doesn't mean that he knows how to spell it if he said it.

[39:19] » Yeah, I I don't know if there's an A or an E in there. But you know, it's a that

[39:23] is the kind of thing that this group can do. But in to be part of that and if the

[39:28] county commission doesn't want to do parks or fund this or operate it, which

[39:33] I don't think some of them do, then give it to somebody else who can.

[39:39] And maybe that's the long term, but this is a good alternative, but you got to

[39:43] engage some people. So the planning and infrastructure we've talked about whose

[39:48] responsibility is the infrastructure, who who's the owner of the property. And

[39:52] that's part of this discussion as well. I I think if if it moves to county park

[39:57] board with that kind of relationship, um yeah, we'd support it. We'd move

[40:00] forward. >> It may not be a chair that way.

[40:03] » If I can, let's let's get engineering up here first to make sure they have their

[40:07] presentation. You've got a hard stop. >> Yeah.

[40:10] » I can come back up and get you talking. >> sure and I am

[40:14] wait, I I'm very okay with moving on in the agenda items, but I want to make

[40:20] sure that I give you the opportunity. Are you looking for formal action or

[40:24] would it be um

[40:27] positive for you to have formal action from this

[40:31] committee by way of a support should we consider doing such a thing?

[40:38] for this plan that you plan to present.

[40:42] » Let me think about that. >> Okay.

[40:44] » Before before we all adjourn, I will come back up and address that.

[40:47] » I I would just have to add that and I agree with that and then up here

[40:51] you want to bear and agree with that before I just say

[40:56] I think I think what it would do and with formal and formal, but the

[41:00] indication has been that we've been kind of the

[41:04] stepchild to the county commission and that so we're not doing anything and we

[41:08] haven't we haven't done anything in 3 years or 2 years, but

[41:11] it would um give the group a whole but it would

[41:16] bring everybody together and I think help the county park board. I mean count

[41:20] and the county commission then can say, well, that's with county park board and

[41:23] it's all together and that's all. So and and I know

[41:28] the old dam is separate, but that's a whole another situation with the water

[41:31] resource board and we're not going to mess with so

[41:33] » Nope, so it is. >> So so but put it in with the parks. Get

[41:36] it all together so >> Yeah, I think we should have Lon come up

[41:41] and plan and sorry.

[41:43] And uh where I got lost.

[41:46] » I'm really trouble hearing that so I think

[41:48] » I don't see you enough. >> You never show up.

[41:50] » That's right. >> That's right.

[41:52] » Welcome back. >> Thank you, Shirley

[41:55] Lon and I are going to spend some time here in New Jersey to give you an update

[41:57] on the planning process. Um as you know, the the preliminary plan

[42:00] was approved a couple of months ago. Um it was kind of around that time where

[42:04] obviously the county had taken over the jurisdiction from the city. So we're

[42:07] making that transition from discussing urban gutter streets with the public

[42:12] right-of-way and things like that. You're eliminating all that. You're just

[42:15] basically going back to one large lot that the county would own and you can

[42:18] develop the interior however you see fit.

[42:21] Um so right now we are we're preparing the final plat for submittal next week

[42:25] um along with the stormwater management plan. Those of you who have been

[42:28] involved in in in developments know what the stormwater management particularly

[42:31] in a site like this where there's a lot of wetlands to deal with, it's kind of

[42:34] the driver how it all why it's developed. So we're working on uh sizing

[42:39] ponds depending on how we how much we believe is actually going to be

[42:42] encumbered by hard surfaces and buildings and things like that. Uh and

[42:46] then we're working with the county engineering department to get that

[42:48] approved. So the plan is to uh submit next week. So we would be on the

[42:53] September 21st uh excuse me, September 9th planning and

[42:56] zoning meeting for a public hearing. And then assuming we get an approval at

[43:00] that point, we'll be moving forward to either September 21st or October 5th. My

[43:04] money says October 5th for the county commission meeting for for the final

[43:08] approval. Some of that depends on how much uh time the the county staff has to

[43:12] get together what are our advertising they need to do and also for county

[43:15] engineering to determine if our stormwater stormwater management plan

[43:19] meets their needs. Um but that's where we're at right now

[43:22] and so theoretically, approval October and then we can file the plat at some

[43:27] point there after. It'll be your call if you want to file it this year, next

[43:30] year. I don't know if it's relevant for for

[43:33] our group to do that. >> Okay.

[43:36] It's been a very long process. Yes. And I appreciate your work on

[43:40] every step along the way. Uh any questions or comments from the

[43:44] » Land of September 9th, is that the county planning and zoning commission?

[43:48] Not the city. Whatever I need to do. County community, yes.

[43:53] » And

[43:57] So from the 20 2026 discussion of development, we're now in 2027.

[44:05] How many can develop?

[44:09] That's okay. works. I'm sure it will come.

[44:13] » Mr. Follow. >> So, this is Landon the other day, you

[44:16] and I and and Jason were talking about uh

[44:20] some additional costs that came into play when we went from city to county.

[44:25] I I would like to present that bill to this group for approval prior to it

[44:31] going to county. Uh

[44:34] so, when that bill is ready, um let's make sure it's on next month's

[44:39] meeting here uh to get approval for that.

[44:42] » Okay. >> Thank you. I will get that to you.

[44:45] » Thank you.

[44:48] » All right. Seeing no nothing further for you. I thank you

[44:52] again. >> Thank you.

[44:53] » All right.

[44:56] Um Commissioner Munson, did you have

[44:59] anything further on your agenda items if you want to provide a

[45:04] quick update on the

[45:07] budget and budget schedule? >> So, I can give you um

[45:13] what was submitted to the commission and approved at the

[45:19] preliminary budget uh for the Missouri Valley Complex

[45:25] full of $468,100.

[45:29] Uh now, that's a little misleading because where

[45:33] I put all of the equipment that I plan on purchasing to mow the lawn, so a

[45:38] pickup, a trailer, a lawn mower, that all ended up on the Missouri Valley

[45:42] Complex budget um primarily that's that's the biggest budget and was it

[45:47] would be used mostly at the complex uh hours-wise. Uh so, we put it in the

[45:52] complex budget at that point. Uh now, this is going to be my third year

[45:57] in a row where I have uh

[46:01] added the uh the line item to repair the asphalt road

[46:06] uh coming off of um Bismarck Expressway that goes up to the

[46:11] park and wreck building and around to uh

[46:17] Highway 10. Uh we have a lot of areas on there that need to be repaired, but

[46:20] we've been holding off waiting for uh yeah, the sewer to be finished.

[46:25] There's no reason for me to go out there and repair roads that are going to get

[46:29] ripped up and repaired again. Um so, there's $150,000

[46:34] that has been in this year this budget the third year in a row.

[46:39] You know, the last 2 years it didn't get used so it went back to the general fund

[46:43] uh as far as that goes, but there's $130,000 in here for equipment

[46:48] uh so that we can save $100,000 a year for

[46:52] the next 10 years. Um just in mowing costs. Uh

[46:57] I do have, you know, our our normal utilities. That hasn't changed a whole

[47:01] lot over the last several years. Um

[47:05] we do have uh Auditor Skowronski has been phenomenal

[47:08] helping me getting this stuff done. You know, we've got

[47:14] 50 gifts out there for different events. We've got garbage out there. We've got

[47:18] all other things out there that need to be taken care of and that has been

[47:21] handled quite well. Um

[47:24] I do have uh some money set aside for parking lots, snow removal, trail

[47:30] repair, general maintenance. Uh last year I

[47:33] think we bought a uh couple of different gates for the rodeo

[47:37] grounds, you know, so we've got $25,000 into that. Um

[47:43] for uh incidental incidentals, but uh

[47:49] last year I think we we I don't we we didn't spend

[47:55] 50% of our budget last year. Um the last full year just simply

[48:00] because we didn't repair the road. Um this year's budget that we're

[48:04] currently in, we're going to be way under again uh

[48:08] just simply because we're we're not repairing that road again. Um I I don't

[48:12] foresee that getting done this year at this point. So,

[48:15] um we've done well and it's finished correctly. So,

[48:20] yeah. >> Yeah, who's uh in charge of leaving the

[48:22] lights on out there rodeo grounds all the time? Over by there are times in the

[48:26] evenings the lights are on and over here are on. The rodeo people need to learn

[48:30] how to shut the lights off. >> Yeah.

[48:32] I've seen that happen a few times. >> Okay.

[48:34] I will I will visit with them. >> You might have to ask him if they were

[48:38] born in a barn.

[48:42] » Is that something going on this Saturday?

[48:45] Excellent. All right. Thank you, Commissioner.

[48:49] Again, thanks for your hard work on that.

[48:51] Um if it's okay with the committee given

[48:54] that we're going to be back-to-back with another

[48:57] uh meeting here, uh we'll move on to agenda item

[49:00] number eight. That was the discussion on development of Missouri Valley Complex

[49:05] concept plan, etc. Um

[49:08] I want to bring back uh now that we've talked about all the proposed governance

[49:12] structure and heard where the plat stands,

[49:16] I think it's time to look at the second page uh as part of the broader

[49:20] discussion. Item eight asked us to discuss development of a concept plan

[49:25] and so on and so forth. Um however, before we start assigning

[49:29] ourselves more work, it might behoove us to get very clear

[49:33] about what the commission actually expects this committee to do and what

[49:38] authority and resources we have to do it.

[49:42] Uh if the committee agrees that these are areas where we need clarity, we

[49:46] could look at formal action. Uh specifically, I'm looking at numbers one

[49:49] through five on the second page. Uh the committee should seek clear direction

[49:54] from the county commission on overall complex planning,

[49:59] infrastructure planning, county resources, maintenance responsibilities,

[50:03] and the governance to include what role and authority the complex committee has

[50:08] as count as the county considers future governance structures.

[50:14] Also included in here is the who is the responsible for the maintenance, the

[50:18] weed control, etc. This

[50:23] considerable discussion may we have that already today, but is there any formal

[50:29] action the committee would like to take to request that direction from the

[50:33] commission or is there further discussion on the items?

[50:37] » I I'll move make motion to that the Missouri Valley Complex Committee

[50:42] formally request a written clarification from the Burleigh County Commission

[50:47] regarding the committee's current scope, responsibilities, authority, and

[50:51] available county resources, maintenance responsibilities, and direction for

[50:55] continued planning of the Missouri Valley Complex and proposed egg and

[50:59] equestrian center, and give chair Nicole permission to

[51:06] go to the next commission meeting to discuss that with the full commission.

[51:11] » We have a motion on the table. Is there a second?

[51:15] » Second. >> A motion and a second to

[51:19] have the Missouri Valley

[51:22] Oh, my goodness. Missouri Valley Complex Committee to request formal direction

[51:27] from the Burleigh County Commission and bring that forward at a the future

[51:31] commission meeting. Any discussion on the motion?

[51:36] Yes. >> For discussion clarification, but uh

[51:41] Commissioner your presentation is Monday again on the

[51:46] County park board change. Correct. >> Okay.

[51:50] Which if it's approved to move forward, that

[51:53] begins January 1st. That's in the Yes.

[51:59] Timeline of this as soon as possible. Okay.

[52:04] » I think Yeah, I I think >> Either or. Either they approve it

[52:08] the changes or don't, doesn't matter. This can

[52:11] » I One way or the other, I think that the commission needs to be put on the spot

[52:15] as to what they expect. There was a comment made by the chairman of the

[52:18] commission at last meeting that he's disappointed in what this committee

[52:23] specifically has been doing or not doing, not clear which. Um

[52:28] And I believe that that is separate from this

[52:32] larger plan to consolidate the the parks. Uh

[52:37] you know I have been personally accused of uh

[52:42] basically carrying Commissioner Munson's water on this. Ironically, the primary

[52:48] reason that I've been helping him on this is Commissioner Bakken was

[52:52] uh uh

[52:54] trying to persuade me to do that and hoping that I would do that.

[52:57] So, part of this is

[53:00] when I say that we've been accused of being rogue, it's mostly me, but uh

[53:07] the idea that one of the one person on the committee is going rogue for the

[53:11] portfolio holder, even though that there's a second commissioner that has

[53:15] been supportive of that. I think that we need to put the full commission on

[53:21] the spot as to what they expect from this committee, at least for the next 6

[53:26] months. And you know

[53:29] so that we know what we're supposed to be doing other than developing this plan

[53:32] that they may or may not go for.

[53:38] » Any further discussion? Seeing none, the motion has been

[53:45] ordered and seconded. You're voting on

[53:50] providing the county commission the opportunity to

[53:55] give us written clarification on our scope, responsibilities, authority, so

[54:01] on and so forth. I believe that we will be able to capture the specific motion

[54:05] from the minutes. And with that in mind, Steve, can you

[54:10] please call roll? >> Uh

[54:15] Wicker? >> I.

[54:17] » Peters? >> Yes.

[54:18] » Wilson? >> Yes.

[54:20] » Martinson? >> Yes.

[54:21] » Grau? >> Yes.

[54:23] » New? Yes. >> McCall?

[54:25] » Yes. >> Motion carried.

[54:27] » Motion carried. >> Um I don't believe that included in the

[54:30] motion was a specific meeting date, correct?

[54:34] » Not in the motion. >> Uh I would look to our commissioner

[54:39] liaison portfolio holder as the direction of which of the next meetings

[54:44] you would like to put that on. >> That's an interesting point cuz I was

[54:49] just trying to decide when the next meeting was. So, the 17th we have to be

[54:55] we needed to have agenda items by noon. Uh and

[54:59] too much between now and Monday to to worry about it.

[55:04] But our next meeting is not until September 10th.

[55:07] It's a Thursday. Because Labor Day is the 7th

[55:11] Monday. So,

[55:13] I would I would prefer to do it at that September 10th meeting.

[55:23] » I'd say September 10th is fine. >> Chung King?

[55:26] » With a ball. >> Uh we've reached the point of the agenda

[55:31] for any other new or any other business. 30 seconds to go. I none. Uh the next

[55:39] meeting for us will be Wednesday, September 23rd. Same room, same time.

[55:45] And we will stand

[55:50] adjourned. >> Adjourned.

[55:51] » Adjourned. >> Adjourned.

[55:52] » Adjourned. >> Huh.

August 10, 2026 Missouri Valley Complex Meeting

Transcript