Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 2/9/21

February 9, 2021

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman, Bierschenk and Primmer present. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. at the conference room at the Benton County Service Center. Members of the public were provided the zoom access capability to join in during open session and livestream at https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa. Unless otherwise noted, all actions were approved unanimously.

Minutes from February 2, 2021 were not able to be approved, Auditor's office is waiting on code section for closed session from County Attorney's office.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: Approve payroll checks numbered 141728 through 141746 ACH deposits numbered 44370 through 44509, vendor checks 237874 through 237880, claims numbered 237881 through 238021. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: Approve Class C Liquor License for Tara Hills Country Club. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To appoint Barbara Greenlee as a point of contact with Benton County Public Health for COVID Vaccinations for County employees. Motion carried.

Board discussed lease term length for Cedar Valley Ranch farm ground. Primmer questioned if there was a better way to keep track on a calendar when this lease is up or due to terminate. Since the County Attorney's office is responsible for drawing up the lease and termination paperwork, the board agreed it should be their responsibility. Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To advertise land rent for Cedar Valley Ranch farm ground for a three year lease. Motion carried.

The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date for a land use hearing for Benjamin Rabe in part of Parcel A of SE ¼ NE ¼ of 33-82-11. Marc Greenlee presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Rabe would like to propose a change of 2 acres into a residential non-ag use. CSR is 43, land is not in production. The sight will need a new driveway, and there is an area where it can be installed and meet the driveway policy. This location will need a new septic. Rabe at this time has no plans for a well, he will try to connect to rural water and trench it in along the driveway. The required notification was sent to the adjacent landowner's and published in the official newspapers. Hearing no other further comments, the public hearing was closed.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the land use hearing for Benjamin Rabe a part of Parcel A of SE ¼ NE ¼ of 33-82-11. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve farm exemption application for Trent Kramer a part of Parcel C in NW ¼ NW ¼ NE ¼ Section 16-85-9. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: Authorize Chair to sign lease with ECICOG for Transportation Building. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: Approve professional service agreement with Schneider Geospatial to start March 1, 2021. Motion carried.

Supervisor Seeman showed the board measurements and potential quotes on concreting parking lot at Benton County Service Center. Supervisor Primmer stated he would like to see the whole parking lot done. Adam Rodenberg stated they could look into potential Urban Storm Water Funds to help with funding on this project as well.

Supervisor Seeman reported on Conservation meeting, they have decided on a new director but can't disclose at this time who it is until all other applicants are contacted. They received a quote on a new building at Hannen Lake, they are going to hold off due to price. Conservation Board decided to move ahead with receiving 14 acres of ground chips from Cedar Rapids to Frye Park and north of the dog pound and around Cedar Valley Ranch property.

Supervisor Primmer reported he had a complaint from a resident from where the dump truck went into the ditch, regarding snow fence. Primmer stated the county does not do anything for snow fence but wondered if we could look into the crop fence program like the State of Iowa does. He asked Supervisor Seeman to contact some of his neighbors to see if this is something the county could do in the future for county highways. Supervisor Seeman stated that this program is not cheap but will make some calls.

Benton County Sheriff Ronald Tippett, Mark Johnson, Jerry Michael, Ted Paxton, and Brandi Lewin (via telephone) met with the board to discuss SART (Sexual Assault Response Team) funding. The board is currently providing funding to Riverview Center. SART is requesting funding of $13,000.00 in the current FY21. Deputy Auditor Gina Edler, questioned the board if they have it in this current budget and if the SART is asking for funding in FY22 as well. SART is asking for $13,000.00 in FY22. Primmer asked if it could be an option to help in the current budget to prorate for 4 months of what is left in this current budget. Board would have to discuss on if they can provide funding in FY21 and FY22. Board has tentatively provided support to SART, no formal decision was made by the board.

Board decided to table the decision on providing funding to Riverview Center for FY22.

Supervisor Seeman proposed plan for moving office spaces around in the courthouse. Juvenile Probation would move into the Supervisor's office with the stipulation that the bench/desk is not moved. He would like to make sure everything is going to work out before any changes/demolition are made. Landuse/Sanitarian's office will take over the GIS Room and Juvenile Probation's old office will be the new GIS Room and Board of Supervisor's Office will be at the Service Center Conference Room. Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve proposed plan for moving office spaces in the courthouse. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve bid to PCI for Bid Packet 6 contract with WMA. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve 40 hours vacation carry over for Adam Rodenberg to be used by February 21, 2022. Motion carried.

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

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Gina Edler, Benton County Deputy Auditor