Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 12/22/20

December 22, 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. at the Benton County Service Center's conference room. 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 Tuesday, December 15, 2020. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the appointments of Gina Edler, Nancy Jorgensen and Courtney Long as deputy auditors, effective January 4, 2021. Further, to approve the following salaries in the Auditor's office effective January 4,2021:

Gina Edler -85% of the elected official's wage

Nancy Jorgensen -67% of the elected official's wage

Courtney Long-64% of the elected official's wage

FY 22 Benton County Volunteer Program Budget request of $20,000, reduced by $5,000 from last year.

Belle Plaine Community Center FY 22 Budget Request in the amount of $7600, same as last year.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To adopt Resolution #20-84, Abatement of Taxes on Parcel #190-04100 for the amount of $840.00 plus $19.00 penalty and interest. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To Approve Resolution #20-85, Changing status of Clerks to Deputies in the Treasurer Office. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: Approve claims numbered 237417 through 237542, payroll checks numbered 141664 through 141679, ACH deposits numbered 43955 through 44092, vendor checks 237543 through 237550. Motion carried.

The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date for a land use hearing for Billy and Dawn Phillips a part of Parcel B in the NE ¼ NW ¼ & NW ¼ NE ¼ Sec 33 T86N R10W. Marc Greenlee presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Phillips are requesting to change land use for the purpose of building a new residence. A 50X100 shed, and utilizing some existing buildings on the property for storage trucks and equipment associated with their garbage business-EZ Trash. Part of this acreage has existing buildings, and part is currently hay ground. The CSR is 25, and the soil is a loamy fine sand. Randy Sherwood has submitted his report and visited about the driveway situation out there. There are (2) existing driveways now, one would definitely need replaced or removed since it does not meet sight distance. The sight will need a new septic and well. The proper notice was given to 8 adjacent land owners and heard from one by a call inquiring on the plans for the property. Greenlee would like to see some TLC on some of the existing buildings and if this is approved that the appearance of the property would improve as well. No other comments were heard, and the public hearing was closed.

Seeman moved/Bierschnk seconded: To approve the land use hearing for Billy and Dawn Phillips in a part of Parcel B in the NE1/4 of the NW1/4, and the NW ¼ NE ¼ of Sec 33 T86N R10W with the stipulation that the driveway to east will be removed and then utilize the one that is west of 24th Ave. Drive on 55th Street. Motion carried.

Mike Day, True North, provided a presentation on radio communication system. Benton County is currently in the VHF band, and all the newer systems are migrating out of VHF with a new frequency. Talk about how things could be financed if the county does it as a whole, or passes some on to the cities, area police, ambulance and fire departments. The system won't be completed until the end of 2022. This is just a start to get things moving and thinking about budgeting, or if general obligation bonds would be needed.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: Accept resignation of Lindsey Upah as Manager of Benton County Rural Access Point effective, Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To acknowledge resignation of Michelle Thoma from the Sheriffs Department effective December 23, 2020. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: Approve hiring of Steven Fish as a reserve deputy sheriff effective, at a rate of $22.13 an hour, after completion of the 120 days probation, wage will be increased to $23.13. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #20-86, Employee Status Change for Adreonna Hennings, Rural Access Center Manager. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Utility permit for East Central Iowa REC in Taylor Township. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To accept bids from IDOT December letting for Bridge Deck Replacement Bundle Project BHS-SWAP-C006(118)--FC-06 as follows: Motion carried.

Jasper Construction Services, Inc.-$635,596.50

Peterson Contractors, Inc.-$897,957.50.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To award bridge replacement project bundle to Jasper Construction Services Inc. in the amount of $635,596.50. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To adopt Resolution #20-87 Designate County Engineer to execute contract for Bridge Replacement Bundle on project #BRS-SWAP-C006(118)--FC-06. Motion carried.

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

_______________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor