Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes April 6, 2021

April 6, 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)​

The time of 9:01 a.m. having arrived, the board took up the matter for public hearing and consideration on a Construction Permit application submitted by Geno Source, LLC, for the expansion of a current permitted confined animal feeding facility located in the NE1/4 of 25-82-11 (Leroy Township). Supervisor Seeman opened the public hearing. Marc Greenlee, Land Use Administrator, advised that the review of this request was subject to the state's master matrix for confined animal feeding operations. Matt Simon, with Geno Source, LLC, was present. There were no other members of the public present. Geno Source, LLC is an existing 2,850 head dairy confinement facility and is proposing to expand to 3,950 head of mature milking cows. Proposed construction consists of additions to the existing freestall confinement barns, constructing a digester system and all the necessary manure pumps and piping transfer system. No changes are proposed for the immature heifers on site and the dry manure handling. Supervisor Primmer questioned how the timeline for construction would be handled. Simon stated that if the application was approved they would submit for bids to construct the sandroom right away to have that hopefully constructed by late summer. The digester would take longer but that could be constructed by February. They would use their own cattle and gradually increase the heard size. Supervisor Bierschenk questioned if they had a place to spread all the manure with increasing the heard size. Simon responded that they did and they even have people who contact them for manure as well. Supervisor Seeman questioned if the DNR require closure plans. Simon and Greenlee stated that they did not think that the DNR required closure plans for animal feeding facilities.Greenlee presented the Master Matrix Review and Evaluation of the Benton County Board of Supervisors Scoring Summary on each of the criterion selected by the applicant as follows:

1. The proposed facility appears to be 3,553 ft. from the nearest residence, or 1,678 ft. more than the minimum requirement.

2. The proposed facility is approximately 4,074 ft. from the nearest public use area, 1,574 ft. more than the minimum requirement i.e.: Pleasant Hill Cemetery.

3. The proposed facility is approximately 1 mile from the nearest religious institution, 2,500 ft. is the minimum requirement.

4. The proposed facility is approximately 3,480 ft. to the closest water source, 2,980 ft. more than the minimum requirement.

6. There are no critical public use areas within a mile of the proposed facility.

7. The proposed facility will be greater than 326 ft. from the closest well, which is 3 times the minimum requirement of 100 ft. for deep walls.

8. There are no known agricultural drainage wells, sinkholes or major water sources within one mile of the proposed facility.

9. There are no known confinement facilities with a submitted department manure management plan within three-quarters of a mile of the proposed facility.

10. According to IDNR document 117: 3-2003 there are no high quality waters, high quality resource waters, or protected water areas in Benton County.

16. The applicant claims that the proposal shall include a large covered concrete pad in the proposed covered sand settling lane and sand separator building.

19. There appear to be several suitable truck turnaround areas at the facility.

20. Benton County is not aware of any Administrative Orders against the applicant in the last five years at any site in which they have an interest.

22. The nearest residence to the proposed construction is owned by the applicant.

25. The applicant claims that Rumensin will be added to the feed to improve feed efficiency and reduce the amount of manure and methane produced by the cows. The applicant also claims that deep fountains that utilize automatic flow guards will help to maintain a lower water level to reduce spillage.

31. The applicant claims that the land application of manure will be greater than 200 ft. more than the minimum requirement from the closest public use area. Benton County has no objection to the applicant claiming these points so long as the additional separation distance is made a condition in the approved construction permit.

32. The applicant claims that the land application of manure will be greater than 200 ft. more than the minimum requirement from the closest institution, religious institution, or commercial enterprise. Benton County has no objection to the applicant claiming these points so long as the additional separation distance is made a condition in the approved construction permit.

The overall scores based upon the evaluation are as follows:

Total Score = 475​​Total Needed = 440

Air Score = 118.50​​Total Needed = 53.38

Water Score = 139.50​Total Needed = 67.65

Community Score = 217​Total Needed = 101.13

NOTE: Upon reviewing the applicant's scoring and the narrative supporting their selection of points, Benton County would recommend that ANY claims made by the applicant within the construction permit application documents should become conditions of the construction permit should it be approved by the IDNR.

​Hearing no further comment, Supervisor Seeman declaredthe public hearing closed at 9:28 a.m.

​Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the Master Matrix Review Scoring submitted by Geno Source, LLC for expansion of an existing permitted facility located in the NE1/4 of 25-82-11. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the recommendation of the construction permit application submitted by Geno Source, LLC for expansion of an existing permitted facility located in the NE1/4 of 25-82-11. Primmer and Seeman voting aye, Bierschenk nay. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve minutes of March 30, 2021. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Auditor's Quarterly Report ending March 31, 2021. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve General Assistance Quarterly Report ending March 31, 2021. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To appoint Rick Primmer as the Board of Supervisor representative on the hiring committee for the new Veterans Affairs Director. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Sheriff's Quarterly Report ending March 31, 2021. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve use of Courthouse lawn application from the Vinton Cruise Committee for September 11, 2021. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To appoint Jennifer Kreutner to the Vinton Library Board. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Class B Liquor License for Kimm's Sunoco Corp. Motion carried.

​Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Resolution #21-27 Resolution Approving the final plat of Cromer's First Addition to Benton County. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To set the 2021 MC-70 Dust Control fees. The first 400 feet is $1,200.00 and $2.00 per foot after that with a minimum of 50-foot increments. Motion carried.

Supervisors and several department heads discussed to remove the need for appointments in the Courthouse (with exception to Drivers License) to the public regarding COVID-19. Seeman asked Ronald Tippett for a report. Tippett stated Public Health Nurse Director informed that 13,000 of the 26,000 residents of Benton County have received the vaccine. They advised to still do screenings at the door. The Security Committee met to discuss removing appointments for the Courthouse and how to properly social distance for Treasurer's office. Security Committee and Public Health Nurse Director recommended to wait 14 days after the second round of vaccinations were given to remove the need for appointments, which would be April 15th. Security Committee recommend also to continue to require masks and continue the required cleaning.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To remove the need for appointments in the Courthouse (with exception to Drivers License) to the public regarding COVD-19, public will be required to wear masks, social distance and the courthouse will continue to sanitize the building as necessary. April 15th the Courthouse will no longer require appointments, (with exception to Driver License). Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To recess at 10:10 a.m. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To reconvene the meeting at 10:29 a.m. Motion carried.

​Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve hire of Bradley Allyn as a part-time transportation driver at the wage of $12.36 an hour effective April 6, 2021. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve hiring of Leah Larsen, as a part-time communication specialist at the wage of $17.39 an hour. Effective April 17, 2021. Motion carried.

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

​​​​​​​_______________________________

​​​​​​​Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

​Gina Edler, Benton County Deputy Auditor​