Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 8/4/20

August 4, 2020

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Bierschenk and Seeman present, Primmer called in. Bierschenk called the meeting 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. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov

The time of 9:00 a.m. was scheduled for a public hearing for the states of funded activities for the Iowa Watershed Approach Project of Benton County, Iowa as assisted by the Community Development Block Grant-National Disaster Resiliency (CDBG-NDR) program. Tom Gruis, East Central Iowa Council of Government Grant Administrator presented the requirements needed. Adam Rodenberg, WMA coordinator was also present. No members of the public were in attendance, and no comments or concerns were heard before this hearing.

As required for this hearing, it is noted that:

1. For a general description of accomplishments to date, it is noted that the following has been completed: a watershed management plan has been completed; the following agricultural best management practices (BMPs) have been completed: 11 ponds and wetlands, 21 water and sediment control basis, 4 grassed waterways, 1 stream buffer, 7 grade stabilization structures, and 2 terraces; the first construction bid packet has been completed and signed off.

2. For a summary of expenditures to-date, through June 30, 2020, a total of $5,605,467 has been invoiced: $1,959,657 for construction; $3,999,199 for engineering and other technical services, such as land acquisition, appraisals, archeology, etc.; $284,901 for the project coordinator and related activities; $864,576 for flood modelling; $277,717 for the watershed management plan and related activities; $179,074 for grant administration. From a grant of $11,168,559, project costs are reimbursed at 100%; however, landowners are matching 10% of the construction costs for BMPs. These funds are used to support the project.

3. For a general description of remaining work, it is noted that the following is needed: construct more BMPs, mainly ponds and/or wetlands, with the number to be determined by funds available and actual costs of practices bid in the future; complete the contracted, not-yet-built BMPs in the $5,313,886 contracted so far. An additional 6-10 ponds and/or wetland projects will be bid in fall 2020 depending on Environmental Review and remaining funds available

4. For a general description of changes made to the project budget, performance targets, activity schedules, project scope, location, objectives or beneficiaries, it is noted that three HUC-12 watersheds were added to the eligible area for BMP installation; the federal cost share amount was increased from 75% to 90 % to promote landowner participation; and the project completion deadline was extended from 9/30/2021 to 12/31/2021.

Supervisor Seeman asked how much of the grant money was still available. Gruis responded with about ½ as noted through June. No other further comments, so the public hearing was declared closed.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the minutes of Tuesday July 28, 2020. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To approve 20 hours of vacation carryover for Rick Bramow. Motion carried.

The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date for a land use hearing for Elwick Brothers, LLC. in part of SW ¼ SE ¼ of 22-85-10. Mike Elwick and John Elwick were present. Land Administrator Marc Greenlee presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Elwick's would like to propose a change on the use of 26 acres to allow for a residential housing development. It is outside of the corporate limits of Vinton, but in the midst of it. The preliminary plat was also shared for Stoney Arch Estates Second Addition to Benton County. This would also include replotting of lots 8 and 9 of Stoney arch Estates First Addition which was granted approval in August of 2017. The land under review is currently in production, CSR is 58. Drainage and erosion control has been addressed by the Engineer. The driveway location has also been approved. 10 adjacent land owners were notified along with proper notices in the official newspapers. Due to the fact that this is a subdivision, and due to the fact that the City of Vinton has a subdivision ordinance that stipulates that they have full right of review within two miles of the corporate limits, they were notified as well. Hearing no comments prior to this hearing and no current comments, the public hearing was declared closed.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the land use change for Elwick Brothers, LLC. in part of SW ¼ SE ¼ of 22-85-10. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the preliminary plat of Stoney Arch Estates Second Addition. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Resolution #20-52, Variance to the Sub Division ordinance for Elwick Bros, LLC in part of SW ¼ SE ¼ 22-85-10. Motion carried.

Discussion was had on the current count website administrators and how maintenance is hangled. The current website was created before we had our own IT Department. Admin rights would only allow people to access certain parts, while global admin rights would allow them to make changes anywhere. The Board asked that Ben Turnis, IT Director create a policy to be implemented within our county handbook on making changes as to who would be allowed to do what in regards to part-time employees and interns also.

The time of 10:00 a.m. and that was the published time for 2 Box Culvert Bid Letting projects.

Project L-UN-3021 (twin box) bids were received as follows:

McCulley- $162,076.00

Taylor Construction, Inc.- $163,809.60

K. Construction, Inc.- $166,947.00

Iowa Bridge and Culvert- $140,651.25

Tschiffgire Excavating- $226,785.00

Boomerang Corp- $217,099.80

Project L-UN-3025 (single box) bids were received as follows:

McCulley- $117,397.00

Taylor Construction, Inc.- $141,939.80

K. Construction, Inc.- $111,261.80

Iowa Bridge and Culvert- $102,061.80

Tschiffgire Excavating- $271,897.50

Boomerang Corp- $174,284.40

The Engineer recommended the lowest bidder, Iowa Bridge and Culvert for both projects.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the bids from Iowa Bridge and Culvert for Project L-UN-3021 in the amount of $140,651.25 and Project L-UN-3025 in the amount of $102,061.80. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: to approve Resolution #20-53, Bridge Embargo Removal on PO-5037, 0.3 mile north of the SE corner of section 23-86-9 on 33rd Avenue, North of 56th Street Trail. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To approve purchase agreement for temporary easement for box culvert replacement project #BRS-SWAP-CO06(107)-FF-06 for Walter and Martha Bruce in the amount of $620.00. Motion carried.

The county attorney prepared a solar panel easement for the City of Newhall. Supervisor Seeman will share with the mayor of Newhall and bring back for formal approval and recording at a later date.

Discussion was also had on pay for employees who are on leave for COVID related reasons. A possible policy will get drafted for further discussion on next week's agenda.

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

_______________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor