Government : Benton County Supervisor Minutes 10/19/21

October 19, 2021

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman, Bierschenk were present and Primmer called in.

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)

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the minutes of October 12, 2021. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To appoint Rose Rouse as a member to the Pioneer Cemetery Commission. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve General Assistance Quarterly Report. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To appoint Katie Stetzel as Medical Examiner Investigator. Motion carried.

Discussion on the bids received for the asphalt and cement for the Benton County Service Center. The South end was $16,740, North end $60,751.60 and the entire parking lot for roughly $93,469. No action was taken.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Resolution #21-91, Hiring Laura Deaton as Deputy Sheriff effective November 1, 2021 at the starting wage of $29.53 an hour. Motion carried.

Ben Bonar, Weed Commissioner discussed the cost increase to a brush chipper that he had previously been granted approval to purchase. The original price quoted was $62,090 and now the cost is $72,940. The LRTG Grant is in the amount of $15,000 but he would need approval for the remainder. Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the purchase of the brush chipper and get the price locked in. Voting aye were Primmer and Bierschenk. Seeman Naye. Motion carried.

The time of 9:30 has arrived and this being the time and place specified for taking action on the proposal to enter into a General Obligation Emergency Communications Loan Agreement in a principal amount not to exceed $8,250,000, the County Auditor announced that no written objections had been placed on file. The Sheriff, EMA Director and Vinton Fire Chief were present for the hearing. Discussion regarding the equipment and having it all be the same from one vendor will be a benefit. All city police and fire departments, ambulances, Sheriff Department, Conservation, Secondary Roads staff will all be included in this project. Discussion was also had on the amount to borrow with the possibility of using the ARP funds for the civil portion was still an option. Scott Hansen spoke on how they will look for grants with the project manager also. Whereupon, the Chairperson called for any written or oral objections, and there being none, Bierschenk moved to close the public hearing and Primmer seconded. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #21-92, Taking Action on Proposal to enter into General Obligation Emergency Communications Loan Agreement. Voting aye were Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman. Nays none. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #21-92

Resolution Taking Additional Action on Proposal to Enter into a General Obligation Emergency Communications Loan Agreement

WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors (the "Board") of Benton County, Iowa (the "County"), heretofore proposed to enter into a General Obligation Emergency Communications Loan Agreement (the "Loan Agreement") and to borrow money thereunder in a principal amount not to exceed $8,250,000 pursuant to the provisions of Sections 331.402 and 331.441 of the Code of Iowa for the purpose of paying the cost, to that extent, of improving and equipping emergency communications systems, and pursuant to law and duly published notice of the proposed action, has held a hearing thereon on October 19, 2021;

NOW, THEREFORE, Be It Resolved by the Board of Supervisors of Benton County, as follows:

Section 1.The Board of Supervisors hereby determines to enter into the Loan Agreement in the future and orders that General Obligation Emergency Communications Bonds (the "Bonds") be issued at such time, in evidence thereof. The Board of Supervisors further declares that this resolution constitutes the "additional action" required by Section 384.24A of the Code of Iowa.

Section 2.All resolutions or parts thereof in conflict herewith are hereby repealed to the extent of such conflict.

Section 3.This resolution shall be in full force and effect immediately upon its adoption and approval, as provided by law.

Passed and approved October 19, 2021.

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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

Ben Turnis, Information Technology director, discussed the proposal to move forward with the website upgrade. Turnis provided samples of how the website will look. It will make it easier for officials to send information and will have a more user-friendly mobile interface as well. There is a $25,000 upfront cost to covert the current website over to the new and then a yearly maintenance fee. The current website will not be down during the process. Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the proposal from Neapolitan Labs, LLC and pay the 50% downpayment of the core costs. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve a purchase agreement to rent with option to buy from Martin Equipment for a used 2019 John Deere 644K wheel loader. Motion carried.

The Engineer reported that the bridge north of Blairstown had been opened back up.

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

Tracy Seeman, Chairman ATTEST:

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Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor