Government : Benton County Board of Supervisors Minutes June 9, 2020

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman present. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. Members of the public were provided the zoom access capability to join in during open session and watch live at the county's YouTube channel. Unless otherwise noted, all actions were approved unanimously.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the minutes of June 2, 2020. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the final draft of Covid-19 Re-Opening Guidelines and striking out the restriction of restrooms. Motion carried.

Benton County Public Offices

Phased Reopening Guidelines

Effective Monday, June 15, 2020

PURPOSE

Due to the current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affecting this Country, including Iowa and Benton County, the Benton County Board of Supervisors has established recommended guidelines for reopening of County owned facilities to the public. It is imperative that the business services provided by Benton County government continue to be provided to our citizens, so these guidelines are put in place to reduce the potential risk of exposure to the COVID-19 virus to our employees and visitors. It is important to note that these guidelines do not necessarily represent a sequential series of steps and that thoughtful actions by employees based on situational assessment are required when implementing these guidelines. These guidelines assume, to the extent possible, that County Employees, Department Heads and Elected Officials should:

1. Reduce the vulnerability of employees, citizens, property and facilities to exposure to the COVID-19 virus.

2. Conduct periodic review of actions taken to implement these guidelines and make practical adjustments.

GUIDELINES

* Outside entrance door to remain locked and opened to visitors by appointment only.

* Elected Officials/Department Heads will determine what in-person services will be offered, the number of customers to be assisted within their office at any one time, and how to set up their office to achieve social distancing recommendations. Any services that can be conducted via phone, email, websites, and/or use of the drop boxes will be encouraged.

* Elected Officials/Department Heads will determine when and where their employees will work. It may be prudent for some employees to work from home on a rotating basis in order to reduce the risk to the entire office.

* Elected Officials/Department Heads will determine the use of personal protective equipment (masks, gloves, shields, sanitizer, etc.) to be used by employees in their office. Counter surfaces, door handles, etc. should be periodically wiped down with disinfectant.

* Visitors to County buildings will be subject to a health screening and temperature check by staff. Visitors will also be subject to a security screening. Bags, purses, phones, and any other items not needed to conduct business should be left in a locked vehicle.

* Visitors are required to bring and wear their own mask upon entry into any County facility. The County will have a mask available at the entrances for those visitors that need one. Any visitor refusing to wear a mask will be denied entry.

* Visitors will be escorted to and from the entrance by employees to the office which they need to conduct business.

**We strongly encourage you to visit our county website for each individual departments contact information and visit various links available to try and limit the amount of visitors to our county buildings!! https://www.bentoncountyiowa.org/

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To set land use hearing date for Tuesday July 7, 2020 at 9:15 a.m. for Brandon and Jennica Jordan for part of Parcel E in SW ¼ NE ¼ of 27-85-9. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To set land use hearing date of Tuesday July 7, 2020 at 9:30 a.m. for Larry Koster in part of the NE ¼ NW ¼ in 28-82-11. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #20-37, Approve hire of Treasurer Clerk. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #20-37

APPROVE HIRE OF TREASURER CLERK

WHEREAS, the Benton County Treasurer requested and was granted approval to hire clerk; and

WHEREAS, the treasurer has advertised and conducted interviews for said full-time positions, including all veterans who applied; and

WHEREAS, after careful consideration, the treasurer has recommended that Beth Geater be hired to fill the positions;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Benton County Board of Supervisors that the hire of Beth Geater as clerk in the treasurer's office, at an annual salary of $30,000, effective June 22, 2020, is hereby approved.

Dated 9th day of June, 2020.

_____________________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

_____________________________________

Gary Bierschenk

______________________________________

Tracy Seeman

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To authorize the chairman to sign the historic register nomination for the Historical Preservation on behalf of the Preston Station located in Belle Plaine, Iowa. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the three year contract between Cost Advisory Services, Inc. and Benton County, Iowa to provide cost allocation services to Benton County at a cost of $4,125.00 a year. Motion carried.

The time of 9:30 a.m. having arrived, the Board proceeded with the canvass of the Primary Election held on June 2, 2020. The results were reviewed and verified by the Board.

Democrat:

US Senate - Theresa Greenfield

US Representative District 1 - Abby Finkenauer

State Senate District 38- Ivy Schuster

State Representative District 75- Ruby Bodeker

County Supervisor II - Vacant

County Supervisor III - Polly Denison

County Auditor- Vacant (Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To accept various spellings for Hayley Rippel for scatterings. Motion carried.)

County Sheriff - Vacant (Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: Accept various spellings for Ronald Tippett for scatterings. Motion carried)

County Treasurer (fill vacancy) - Vacant (Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: Accept various spellings for Melinda Schoettmer for scatterings. Motion carried)

Republican:

US Senate - Joni Ernst

US Representative District 1 - Ashley Hinson

State Senate District 38- Dawn Driscoll

State Representative District 75- Thomas Gerhold

County Supervisor II - Rick Primmer

County Supervisor III - Gary Bierschenk

County Auditor- Hayley Rippel

County Sheriff - Ronald Tippett

County Treasurer (fill vacancy) - Melinda Schoettmer

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the canvass of the June 2, 2020, Primary Election and to declare the results official and declare the following candidates as winners of said election. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To acknowledge that the hand counted post-election audit for Eldorado Newhall precinct matched the count off the machine's results. Motion carried.

The Board questioned an invoice for a new copier for the Historic Preservation Commission. It was asked to be held out and obtain more information before approving.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: Approve payroll checks numbered 141285 through 141333, ACH deposits numbered 41953 through 42099, claims numbered 235293 through 235431 and vendor checks 235432 through 235438. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the hire of Jami Leigh Davidson as a part-time communication specialist at the Benton County Sheriff's office at a beginning wage of $14.62 an hour effective June 9, 2020. Motion carried.

Matt, Johnny and Steve Becker were in attendance regarding a development that does not fall within the county guidelines. Land Use Administrator Marc Greenlee explained it is an agricultural-related business, but it is not an agricultural use according to the county's ordinance. Also adding that this is on 95 CSR land. Becker's want to split off for a building site, which would house a seed operation. Steve Becker said this is an agricultural business, and the location is the best fit for the community. Supervisor Primmer responded that they aren't the only ones who have been discouraged in the county, others have been turned down also. The problems arise from the land being parceled off and sold. It is a decision to be made by the board of adjustment. Primmer asked if this could go to the board of adjustment with the board's blessing. Greenlee stated it is the board's job, as well as his to uphold the ordinance, as it is written and be upheld by whoever is in the position of authority to do deal with it. If we don't like the ordinance, then we should change it. No action was taken.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: to approve purchase agreement with Kent and Jolene Groff in the amount of $2,425.00 for temporary and permanent easement for bridge replacement project in Florence Township on 75th Street. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #20-38, Wage and classification change for Josh Svoboda.

RESOLUTION #20-38

Employee Wage and Classification Change

WHEREAS: Benton County has an employee that has been employed by Benton County for six months, and

WHEREAS: Upon the completion of the probationary period the base wage is to be increased from the starting wage

THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Benton County Board of Supervisors that the hourly base wage of Joshua Svoboda be set at $21.62 effective July 10, 2020. This position carries a Labor Grade IVB classification.

Signed this 9th day of June, 2020.

_____________________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

_____________________________________

Gary Bierschenk

______________________________________

Tracy Seeman

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve utility permit for Poweshiek Water Association in Leroy township. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve utility permit for East Central Iowa REC in Section 35 of Harrison township to bore underneath the county's right of way. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve utility permit for CenturyLink in Section 32 of Benton Township to bore underneath the county's right of way. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve and authorize signatures on title sheet for Bridge project # BROS-CHBP-CO06-(110)--GA-06 on 24th Ave. Dr in Harrison township. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/ Seeman seconded: To approve and authorize signature on a new title sheet for bridge project # BRS-SWAP-CO06-(108)-FF-06 on 53rd St. in Cedar Township. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved//Seeman seconded: To adjourn. Motion carried.

_______________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor