County planning and zoning regulations now have new definitions.

On Tuesday morning the Pierce County Board of County Commissioners held a public hearing regarding definitions to be added per recommendations from the County Planning & Zoning Board.

The definitions include:

– Surface mining, which includes, but is not limited to strip and open-pit mining. It does not include borehole drilling and underground mining.

– Aggregate material: Coarse particulate used in construction, including sand, gravel, crushed stone, slag and recycled concrete.

– Excavating: Removing aggregate material.

– Seismographic exploration: Searching for crude oil, natural gas and minerals by recording artificially-induced shockwaves in the earth. The shockwaves are generated either by dynamite or another shallow borehole explosive, or by truck-mounted vibratory mechanisms that transmit seismic energy into subsurface rocks.

The definitions were approved with no comments received, and no members of the public present.

OTHER ACTIONS

Sheriff Josh Siegler informed the board that the Sheriff’s department received 70 calls in June; and that he had an applicant interested in a deputy/dispatch position.

Heart of America Correctional & Treatment Center administrator Mike Graner informed the board that the facility incurred a $46,621.99 profit in May. In June the average prisoner population was 120 inmates.

The board approved a conditional use permit for Knife River Materials for an aggregate mining operation in Juniata Township.

The board approved a variance request for Johnnie Sander to place a mobile home on land in Walsh township. The board also approved an abatement request for Daniel Volk for Homestead tax credit on property in Rugby.

The board approved a map drawn up on extraterritorial zoning limits. The map showed the first half-mile of the quarter-quarter section that was in the city of Rugby’s jurisdiction, and the second half-mile in joint jurisdiction.

The board determined Knife River the winner of bids on the permanent alternate route project in Hillside Township, at $97,964.10. D.L. Barkie Construction, Inc., of West Fargo, was the second-lowest bidder at $99,840, and B&J Excavating, of Rugby, was third with $131,750.

The board approved special events permits for Stephanie Hackel-Balta Bar & Grill for sports tournaments at Buffalo Lake and the Aug. 7 demolition derby in Balta; Daniel Corum-3rd Street Station, Rugby, for a family reunion this weekend; and Virgil Lemar for a wedding reception and dance on July 30.

The board approved a permit request from N.D. Pipeline Company, LLC, to drill on a township right of way in township 157 N, range 71 W on 68th St NE.

The board approved an agreement with Benson County to maintain, repair and remove snow on bordering roads.

The board approved June meeting minutes; bills and financial statements; treasurers checks and the pledge of assets from Ramsey, Bremer and Merchants banks.