Government : BOS Minutes 2/17/15

February 17, 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 February 10, 2015. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Representative of the Benton County Fair Board met with the supervisors regarding county funding. The board withheld payment in January 2015, until invoices could be produced indicating how county funds had been expended in accordance with Iowa law. The auditor reported that invoices were submitted for her review and the legal requirement had been met. Discussion was held regarding future payments and the time-line for invoice review. It was determined that the fair board would submit invoices at the end of each calendar year. Moved by Hertle, seconded by Frese, to release the second-half payment to the Benton County Fair Board as the required documentation has been submitted and approved. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Representatives of Friends of the Shelter, Inc. (FOTSI) met with the board regarding animal control for the unincorporated areas of Benton County. The group presented a proposal which included animal warden services and shelter management services for both cats and dogs. Supervisor Wiley questioned if FOTSI would be interested in providing services for the control of cats only. Wiley stated he had various concerns including limited space at the current facility, the 5-day per week operation, and pick up of animals. Wiley believed that contracting with the Cedar Valley Humane Society for services for the dog population and FOTSI for the cat population would address many of those concerns. FOTSI initially responded it was an “all or none” proposal and they had no interest in providing services for cats only; however, after further discussion FOTSI advised that they would give the matter further consideration, but added that they currently do not take feral cats. Supervisor Wiley, who was designated by the Board of Supervisors to research the animal control issues and make a recommendation to the board, stated that he believed the direction of the county should be to contract with Cedar Valley Human Society for controlling the dog issues in rural Benton County and possibly FOTSI for the feline issues.

Chris Ward, Vinton City Administrator, met with the Board regarding the current lease agreement between Benton County and the City Vinton for management of the animal shelter. Ward stated that the city council would be taking action to contract with the Cedar Valley Humane Society for animal control in the City of Vinton and Ward was formally notifying Benton County of the City’s intent to terminate the lease agreement, effective June 30, 2015. Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to acknowledge and accept the request to terminate the lease agreement between Benton County and the City of Vinton for management of the animal shelter, effective June 30, 2015. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to adopt Resolution #15-9. Voting aye were Frese, Hertle, and Wiley. Nays none. Motion carried.

R E S O L U T I O N #15-9

WHEREAS: The Benton County Secondary Road Department has an employee that has been employed for a year, and

WHEREAS: This employee as part of the original hire is entitled to a wage increase

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Benton County Board of Supervisors that the Labor Grade classification of Jeff Bahr will be IIID (signman). IIID base wage for Jeff Bahr will be $19.24 per hour. Jeff Bahr rate change will be effective February 18, 2015.

Signed this 17th day of February, 2015.

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Chairman, Board of Supervisors

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ATTEST: ____________________________

Benton County Auditor

Engineer Parizek spoke to the board about the Iowa Department of Transportation’s (IDOT) plan to resurface Highway 218 south of Vinton to Highway 30. Parizek stated that the IDOT will include hard-surfaced approaches at the intersections with secondary roads in their contract, but the approaches will be at the county’s expense. Parizek recommended that the approaches be installed at a cost of $3,750 each. The approaches will only be at intersections with gravel roads. The board agreed that the approaches should be constructed as a part of the IDOT’s project.

Supervisor Hertle spoke to the engineer about the hard surface road between Urbana and Center Point. Hertle stated that the condition of the road was deteriorating and encouraged the engineer to move resurfacing of that roadway up in the current five-year plan.

The board also spoke to the engineer about concerns voiced by Farm Bureau about the condition of the box culverts under Highway 131.

Supervisor Hertle spoke about the changes in the farm program and it’s applicability to the farm ground owned by the county at the Cedar Valley Ranch. Hertle is the appointed representative for matters relating to the Farm Service Agency. Discussion included the base acre allocation as well as other Farm Program issues.

Emergency Management Coordinator Scott Hansen spoke briefly to the board about a request from a resident for flood buy-out. The resident lives in the unincorporated area of the county.

Supervisor Wiley presented a proposed agreement between Benton County and the Cedar Valley Human Society for animal control services in the unincorporated area of the county. The agreement provides for pick-up and shelter services for dogs. Cats are not included in the agreement. The cost is $75.00 to pick up a dog with service available twenty-four hours a day/seven days a week. The cost to shelter the animal is $80.00 for the first day, and $25.00 a day for the second and third day. After three days, the dog becomes property of the Cedar Valley Humane Society. Wiley stated that the county attorney had reviewed the agreement and made several recommendations, which had been incorporated into the document. Lorin Potter was present and

urged the board to consider the matter carefully – adding that the county was familiar with the services of Friends of the Shelter, Inc. and this relationship was an unknown. Supervisor Wiley stated that the contract with Cedar Valley Humane Society had a 30-day termination clause should the board determine that the arrangement was not meeting the needs of the county. Supervisors Frese and Hertle requested time to review the agreements and the matter was placed on the February 24, 2015, agenda for action.

The auditor reviewed several areas of the FY16 budget for clarification prior to publication.

Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

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Donald H. Frese, Chairman

ATTEST:

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Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor