Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 10/27/20

October 27, 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.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve hiring of Jospeh Wehage, part-time transportation driver at a starting rate of $12.36 an hour pending pre-employment approval. .Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the minutes of Tuesday, October 20, 2020. Motion carried.

Julie Hessenius, Benton County Clerk of Court presented some documents from the Iowa Judicial Branch informing Benton County that the state has approved funding through the CARES Act to fund a full courtroom system package. They apologized for the short notice and especially after the Supervisors already previously approved an agreement with RC Tech.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve and authorize signature on the Iowa Judicial Branch system installation sign off. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: Approve payroll checks numbered 141487 through 141504, ACH deposits numbered 43411 through 43547, handwrites 236777, claims numbered 236778 through 236907 vendor checks 236908 through 236914. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #20-74, Wage and Classification change for Cathy Clouse in the Sheriff's office from part-time to full-time cook. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To authorize purchasing a vehicle for Foundation 2 Rural Access Point. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the sale of the rescue equipment inside Rescue 1 to Blairstown Fire. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #20-75, Abatement of Taxes pursuant to Iowa Code 445.63. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve and authorize chairman's signature on the 2020 Annual Weed Commissioner's Report. Motion carried.

Kate Robertson and members of the Benton Development Group Commission were present to share the results from a survey that was sent to landowners along the HWY 30 corridor in Benton County. The intent was to gauge their knowledge of the county's policy and determine if they had any development interest. They had 51.6% responses to the survey. Robertson stressed that the survey was not meant to create controversy. As of right now, there is nothing along HWY 30 that is available for development.

The Board heard a request for a ground penetrating radar survey for the Benton County Pioneer Cemetery Commission for Stringtown Cemetery. This concerns an old cemetery that could be affected when the county widens the right of way near the cemetery. Engineer Myron Parizek felt that the survey expenses may be able to be covered by secondary roads, but fencing would not be.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To Accept Bids received from the bid letting of October 20, 220 on Proposal: 001-06-CO06-114. Motion carried.

Bids received were as follows:

Taylor Construction $1,808,794.70

Peterson Contractors Inc. $1,873,642.58

Iowa Bridge & Culvert, L.C. $1,969,181.60

Godbersen-Smith Construction Co & Subsid $2,130,193.90

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To award bride replacement project BRS-SWAP-CO06(114)-FF-06 to Taylor Construction. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk Seconded: To approve Resolution #20-76, Designate the Engineer as Contract Designee for bridge project BRS-SQAP-CO06(114)-FF-06. Motion carried.

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

_______________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor