January 27, 2015
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 Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to approve the minutes of January 20, 2015 and January 26, 2015. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to approve checks numbered 213268 through 213401, payroll numbered 138059 through 138073, and ACH numbered 23041 through 23169, for payment. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The board received the initial proposal for union negotiations from The Chauffers, Teamsters & Helpers Local No. 238, An Affiliate of International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffers & Helpers of America, representing sheriff department employees.
Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to allow the Benton County Food Pantry to place a freezer in the rear of the Governor Sherman Building near the west exit doors. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to approve Pay Application #1 from Zephyr Aluminum Products for work done on the courthouse window project in the amount of $201,974.68. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The board discussed an issue regarding the spandrel panels (windows) on the third floor. The contractor is spending a large amount of time trying to clean the underlying glass windows and is experiencing difficulty in attaining the desired outcome. Additional work may be needed on the inside to block light penetrating through the spandrel to prevent a “pinhole” effect. The board requested that the contractor continue with cleaning the windows and the board will determine if additional work is required after viewing the result.
Supervisor Wiley updated the other members on the status of an animal control warden. Wiley reported that a survey of the cities within the county showed that most cities were not interested in having a county-wide animal control warden wherein they would pay the county on a per-capita basis. Wiley stated that it is not cost effective for just the unincorporated area of the county to contract for animal control. Wiley stated that one option was to contract with either the Cedar Valley Humane Society or Cedar Rapids Animal Care for animal control and shelter services. Wiley stated that an animal control warden would not be needed if a contract was entered into with either of those organizations. Therefore Wiley was not recommending that the county contract for an animal warden at this time. Wiley stated that the county could build a new facility and hire full-time staff to manage it and perform animal control duties, but added that it would be quite costly. Wiley stated that if the public believed strongly that the county should maintain an animal shelter, they could petition the board. Wiley also advised that a contract with the Cedar Valley Humane Society had a 60-day termination clause so if the arrangement did not work out the county could terminate the contract. Supervisor Hertle suggested that Wiley check with the Black Hawk County animal shelter. Supervisor Frese requested that an arrangement with the Cedar Valley Humane Society be further investigated.
Benton County Weed Commissioner Ben Bonar presented the annual Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management report to the board. The report summarizes activities undertaken over the past year as well as goals for the coming year for roadside management activities. Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to approve the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management 2014 Annual Report. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The board worked on the FY16 county budget and met with various departments to review their budget requests.
Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to recess. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried at 11:35 a.m.
The board reconvened at 1:00 p.m. and continued working on the FY16 budget. Various departments reviewed their budget requests. Benton Development Group also made a presentation to the board as to their funding request for FY16.
Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Donald H. Frese, Chairman
ATTEST: Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor
Click HERE to see the list of bills approved for payment at this meeting.
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It\'s up for the supervisors and city council to set policy. It\'s their responsibility to make sure policy or plans are in place to protect these animals, as well as all citizens with in the county. These responsibilities can not be wished away.