Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 4/22/14

April 22, 2014

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Frese, Hertle and Wiley present. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to approve the minutes of April 15, 2014. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to adopt Resolution #14-25, COURTHOUSE WINDOW REPLACEMENT PROJECT. Voting aye were Frese, Hertle, and Wiley. Nays none. Motion carried.

Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to approve checks numbered 209667 through 209811, payroll 137499 through 137513, and ACH deposits numbered 20414 through 20543, for payment. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to renew the contract between Benton County and Employee Benefit Systems for administration of the county’s partial self-funding of health insurance for fiscal year 2015. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to approve the Class B liquor license submitted by Bloomsbury Farm. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to approve sixteen hours of vacation carry-over requested by Michael Ferguson. Said carry-over is to be used by May 2, 2014 at Ferguson’s request. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Supervisor Hertle spoke about recent conversations regarding Fiberright. Hertle suggested that the County require various assurances and bonds from Fiberright in the event that a clean-up event occurs. County Attorney Thompson stated that the county did not have the authority to require bonds and assurances absent some sort of business relationship. Hertle stated that the County should go on record as being concerned about the impact should clean-up become necessary. Supervisor Wiley was not in agreement with making a statement – adding the county should support the business and not take a position based on its failure.

The time of 9:30 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date for a public hearing on amending the county’s FY14 budget, the board took up the matter for consideration. There was one member of the media present. The amendment had been published in accordance with law. Hearing no objections, it was moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to adopt Resolution #14-26, AMENDING THE COUNTY FY14 BUDGET. Voting aye were Frese, Hertle, and Wiley. Nays none. Motion carried.

Casey Herkelman and Ben Brustkern of Cedar Valley Friends of the Family met with the board to discuss the organization services to victims of domestic and sexual assault. The purpose of the meeting was to provide information and perform outreach activities.

Charles James, Veterans Affairs Director, met with the board to request the ability to work via phone and internet for the week of May 18 through 24. James said he would be available by phone and internet. James advised that he spoke with the state about the office being closed and was told there would be no issues. Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to approve the request of Charles James to work from home, via phone and internet during the week of May 18th through May 24th. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Acting Social Service Director Carol Zander presented the general assistance quarterly report for the board’s review. Zander reported that 101 applications for assistance were approved and three applications were denied. The office averaged three hundred four contacts per month for the quarter. Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to approve the General Assistance quarterly report for the period ending March 31, 2014. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Jerry Petermeier spoke to the board about the Cedar Valley Ranch and surrounding farm ground and the area being leased. Petermeier stated that there is no definitive boundary lines established between the farm ground being leased and the land being leased by the Ranch. The board asked Petermeier to contact Gary Toyne, who is leasing the farm ground, to discuss boundaries between the two, as well as drainage issues.

The board met with Rick Primmer, Myron Lown, and County Engineer Myron Parizek, regarding the sealcoating /dust control on 32nd Avenue and 54th Street adjacent to the City of Urbana. Lown reported that he had approximately 6000 camping nights during 2013, which he estimated created at least two vehicle passages per day. Parizek stated that LL Pelling provided two quotes for sealcoating. Parizek presented an estimate for secondary roads to sealcoat 32nd Ave and 54th St. Trl from I380 east and north for 1600 feet. Parizek’s estimate is $56,500 to seal coat with macadam stone and a ¾ road stone base. Parizek has requested that LL Pelling submit another proposal to cover the same area as secondary road’s proposal. Parizek estimated the cost to perform the same work on approximately 2600 feet, which extends further north, at $82,500.00. Parizek stated that when sealcoat goes from a hard surface to another hard surface it works well, but when a seal coat is placed where a motorgrader has to cross it with chains it causes faster deterioration. Parizek added that to sealcoat over an existing granular surface has not been successful. Parizek listed several examples within the county that has been successful or has failed due to the types of road base. Parizek recommended a six inch rock base. Discussion ensued as to cost-sharing, special assessments, and the county’s involvement. The matter was placed on the April 29th agenda for further consideration.

John Watson, Chairman of the Bento County Solid Waste Commission, met with the board to provide an update as well as seek assistance from the county. Watson reported that the Commission has been meeting regularly but may need to meet more frequently in order to determine the direction of the landfill. Watson requested that the county continue to provide fiscal agent services to the commission for six months to a year. Auditor Marlow advised that her office would provide the financial services at no charge up to a year, at which time she would seek payment for the service. Watson also requested assistance from the county, if needed, with other issues that may arise. Supervisor Wiley responded that the county would do what it could to support the Commission during the transition period. The board discussed ownership of the equipment, land, and reserve funds. More information will be provided as the Commission continues to work through the transition to operations of the landfill.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to adjourn. Nays none. Motion carried.

____________________________________

Donald H. Frese, Chairman

Attest: ___________________________________

Jill Marlow, Auditor