Government : Benton County Board of Supervisors Minutes 3/16/21

March 16, 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. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov ( https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa)

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To set a land use hearing date of Tuesday April 13, 2021 at 9:15 a.m. for Mark Denny in part of the SW ¼ SE ¼ and a part of the SE ¼ SE ¼ in 36-86-11. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To give the Land Use office the Authority to set the date for a public hearing for an upcoming proposed dairy expansion for Geno Source, for a Master Matrix Review. Motion carried.

Greg Walston called in the meeting to provide an update on the Old School Produce partners and how well it's been doing. Currently, they operate on a one-year agreement and Walston proposed a five-year lease agreement.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve a five-year lease agreement to be drafted between Benton County and Old School Produce Partners. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve minutes of March 9, 2021. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #21-19, Employee status change for Jerry Bascom. Motion approved.

RESOLUTION # 21-19

WHEREAS, the Benton County Sheriff has a need for full-time help in the jail; and

WHEREAS, Jerry Bascom has been employed by Benton County as part-time since January 12, 2021;

WHEREAS, Bascom has been currently performing the duties of the above mentioned position; and

WHEREAS, the Sheriff recommended that Bascom have his employment status be changed from part-time to full-time,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Benton County Board of Supervisors that Jerry Bascom be changed to a full-time jailer in the Sheriff's office, effective March 9, 2021 at the hourly rate of $17.39.

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Tracy Seeman, Chairman

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Gary Bierschenk

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Rick Primmer

ATTEST:

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Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: to approve and sign the contract between Benton County, IA and Pictometry International Corp for new aerial flight over Benton County. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To correct the minutes for October 19, 2019 regarding the WMA for approving the contract for Bid Packet 3. It was mentioned in the meeting but didn't reflect on the official minutes. Motion carried.

Wayne Siela met with the Board regarding the request to improve 61st Street, East of HWY 218 that has been discussed in previous meetings. Siela had presented a plan along with a timeline created by an advisory committee that consisted of representatives from Taylor and Eden Township. The committee would like to provide input on the design of the road improvements and approve the final plan. Siela had contacted an engineering firm and suggested the county hire them. Discussion about easements and right of way. County Engineer Myron Parizek was also present and roughly estimated funding and costs, adding that his office would not have the time to do the surveying and engineering due to the amount of current projects they are involved with. The Board members recommended that they meet with City of Vinton Council, Vinton-Shellsburg School Board Members and have a combined discussion and invite the property owners along this road. Primmer felt Siela had brought good recommendations, but guidance would be needed from the engineer also. Seeman said they would like all the people together to discuss this further. Siela was disappointed the Board was not interested in funding the preliminary estimate but would work on setting up the combined meeting with a tentative date of March 25th.

The Sheriff reported that Tyler Brandt already resolved the speed zone issue at Benton Community Schools so would not be in attendance at the meeting today.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To appoint Mary Ann Blumer and Elaine Harrington the Magistrate Commission for a six-year term and appoint Jim Magdefrau as an alternate. Motion carried.

David Thompson presented the recommendation that resulted from recent meetings of the Human Resources Advisory Committee regarding human resources. The committee felt it would be in the county's best interest to hire a full-time director instead of outsourcing. This new position would answer to the Board of Supervisors, and will have various roles such as: union negotiations, updating the employee handbook, keeping track of the federal and state statues along with HIPPA and ADA compliancy along with various other duties. The committee also felt the office space for this new employee could be housed in the Benton County Service Center.

Primmer moved/ Bierschenk seconded: To approve current members of Human Resource Advisory Committee along with Hayley Rippel to be on the Hiring Committee and create a new full-time position for a Human Resource Position in Benton County and start the advertising and hiring process. Voting aye were Primmer and Bierschenk. Seeman abstained due to being a member on the committee. Motion carried.

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

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Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor