Government : Board of Supervisor Minutes 11/3/15

November 3, 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 October 27, 2015. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to approve a Class B Liquor License submitted by Kimm’s Sinclair. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to approve payment of a claim to Karl Chevrolet for a sheriff’s department vehicle in the amount of $19,945.00. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to terminate the employment of Devin Rinderknecht from the sheriff’s department in accordance with current policy as the individual has not worked for the county for one year or more; to rescind the hire of Gwen Voegler as the sheriff has advised that the individual never started her employment; and to acknowledge the resignation of Janice McLaughlin as the sheriff has advised that the employee has resigned her position. All are effective this date. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Mike Raue and Treasurer Kelly Geater met with the board regarding the abatement of tax on buildings on leased land. Raue is requesting that the county abate unpaid taxes on parcel 270-12931. Raue stated that he has a potential buyer of the building but only if the delinquent tax is abated. The board discussed the legal process for abating the taxes and if it was allowed by law. The board also discussed the whether the abatement of tax on property that was going to be sold was appropriate and questioned if the taxes could be paid with proceeds from the sale. Raue stated that it would be more beneficial to everyone, including the county, to sell the building versus demolition. The board requested that Raue return with additional information before a decision could be made by the board.

The board discussed the request to renew the lease agreement between Benton County and the Cedar Valley Ranch. The board did not take action as there are possible changes to the lease agreement that need to be discussed between the parties.

Ben Bonar met with the board regarding the design and estimated cost for the renovation of the building for the weed commission and integrated roadside vegetation management. The estimated cost is $64,031 with a $15,000 grant from the Living Roadway Trust Fund for a net cost of $49,031. Supervisor Wiley was concerned about the ridge cap on the current facility and whether it should be replaced. Wiley stated that a ridge cap would not be that expensive assuming that a standard cap could be installed. The board was concerned that the facility would not be sealed without the ridge cap being replaced. Bonar spoke about the separation of the seed storage and the chemical storage areas; the installation of running water; the requirement for a safety shower and eye wash station when storing hazardous chemicals; heating; and emergency chemical containment measures that include a sloped floor under each spray truck with drains joining a pipe under the chemical storage area and then ran to a storage tank. There will also be a storage tank for grey water from the sink, eyewash, and shower station. Wiley questioned the type of underground storage tank and recommended that the tanks not be made of steel due to the potential for degradation over the long-term. Bonar stated that there was no financial benefit for installing a water system to fill the trucks at the shop site versus filling up at the city utility. Bonar stated that the proposal does not include pedestrian doors, but three doors will be needed. Ventilation in the herbicide storage area was discussed. The board directed Bonar to do additional research on the ridge cap before they would give final approval on the project and to include the pedestrian doors. The building will be constructed during FY17.

Emily Upah and Marlyn Jorgenson of Benton Development Group spoke to the board about the economic development assistance grant sponsored by Benton County for Frontier Natural Products Co-op. Upah stated that the grant requires a $16,500 local match. Upah advised that various options are being researched for the match requirement and one of those options could be a loan from the county. The loan could be paid back in cash or with tax increment. The auditor advised that the county currently has a tax increment area for Frontier Natural Products and that all TIF project debt will be paid in FY16. The auditor advised that if TIF funds were to be utilized that she had a December 1st deadline for certifying any additional debt for collection in FY17. The board spoke about the pros and cons of using incremental tax or a cash loan from the Local Option Sales and Services fund. The board instructed BDG to speak with the Iowa Economic Development Authority and Frontier Natural Products and ascertain if a zero percent loan paid back over three years would be agreeable with the parties. The loan funds would come from the local option sales and services tax.

Benton County Recorder Lexa Speidel requested that the board change the bank depository for the recorder’s office from Farmer’s Savings Bank & Trust to US Bank. Moved by Hertle, seconded by Frese, to adopt Resolution #15-77. Voting aye were Frese and Hertle. Wiley sits on the board of directors at Farmer’s Savings Bank and abstained due to a conflict of interest. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #15-77

AMENDING RESOLUTION #15-47

COUNTY OFFICIAL BANK DEPOSITORY LIMITS

WHEREAS, the Benton County Board of Supervisors adopted Resolution #15-47, on June 23, 2015, establishing the banks and depository limits for county officials; and

WHEREAS, the Benton County Recorder has requested that the bank depository for the recorder’s office be US Bank,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Benton County Board of Supervisors that Resolution #15-47 be amended to reflect that US Bank is named the depository for county funds for the Benton County Recorder and that the Recorder is authorized to deposit county funds in said bank in an amount not to exceed $150,000, for the remainder of fiscal year 2016. The designation of Famers Savings Bank & Trust as a depository for the recorder is rescinded.

All remaining parts of the original Resolution #15-47, adopted on June 23, 2015, and any amendments thereto, remain in full force and effect.

Signed this 23rd day of June, 2014

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Donald H. Frese, Chairman

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Terry L. Hertle

_______ABSTAINED_____________________

Todd Wiley

ATTEST:

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Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor

Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to authorize the county engineer to advertise to fill a full-time motor grader position for the Newhall route. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried. The position is vacant due to a retirement and transfer.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to authorize the county engineer to advertise for a part-time temporary driver for the winter season. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Steve Metz, representing the Blairstown Fire Department, submitted copies of invoices paid by the fire department for a 2015 Dodge rescue truck. The total expense incurred was $69,033.09. The county currently provides reimbursement of up to 10% of the cost of equipment for emergency services from the local option sales and services tax fund. Metz requested that the fire department be reimbursed for $6,903.31. Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to adopt Resolution #15-78. Voting aye were Frese, Hertle, and Wiley. Nays none. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #15-78

WHEREAS, the Benton County Board of Supervisors has established a program for gifting funds to emergency service providers who provide services within the unincorporated area of Benton County; and

WHEREAS, the Blairstown Fire Department has requested a gift of funds; and

WHEREAS, the Blairstown Fire Department provides emergency services to areas in Leroy Township and others, and

WHEREAS, the Blairstown Fire Department has provided invoices totaling $69,033.09 for the purchase of a rescue truck; and

WHEREAS, the Blairstown Fire Department agrees that the equipment obtained with the proceeds of this gift shall be used when necessary for rural fire protection and/or life support operations, consistent with the intended use of the money from the Local Option Sales and Services Fund,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Benton County Board of Supervisors approves an Emergency Services Equipment Gift to the Blairstown Fire Department in the amount of $6,903.31 for the purchase of equipment.

Adopted this 3rd day of November 2015

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Donald H. Frese, Chairman

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Terry L. Hertle

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Todd Wiley

ATTEST:

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Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor

The board reviewed various parts of the Benton County Employee Handbook in preparation for their meeting with a consultant later in the day.

The chair declared the board in recessed at 11:35 a.m.

The chair reconvened the board meeting at 1:00 p.m. in the boardroom of the Benton County Courthouse with all members present.

The board met with Renee VonBokern to discuss the development of a new Benton County Employee Handbook. VonBokern and the board discussed various policies and potential changes to the handbook for benefit purposes and for legal compliance purposes. This handbook is still in the development and review process and therefore no action was taken by the board.

Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried at 4:15 p.m.

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Donald H. Frese, Chairman

ATTEST:

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Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor