Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 5/31/22

May 31, 2022

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman and 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)

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the minutes of Tuesday May 24, 2022. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #22-44, Amending Service Area(s) within FY 22 County Budget that was adopted on March 29, 2021 and amended on October 5, 2021 and May 2, 2022. Total spending authority moved between area(s) is $65,800. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve handwritten claim in the amount of $62,294.00 to Gagne Ford Inc. using ARPA funds for purchasing a truck for the Benton County Emergency Management. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Resolution #22-45, Approving hiring Michelle Brown for Rural Access Hub Manager at salary of $52,000 a year effective July 1, 2022. Motion carried.

The Supervisors took up discussion from the tabled action two weeks ago from the land use change application for Amana Farms, Inc. to build a fertilizer storage facility in Section 26 of Canton Township. At the original hearing on May 17, 2022, concerns that they hadn't heard from adjacent property owners. Greenlee prepared a written notice and that Amana Farms paid to have the sheriff's office physically serve it to the residence. In attendance today are neighboring property owners Al and Kay Welch and Nathan and Corley Welch. A letter from John Welch, co-owner to a neighboring property was read during the meeting. Welch wrote how he fully objected to the land use change and stating concerns about the truck traffic and the smell and noise generated from the loading and unloading of these tanks and how they would have a negative impact on mental health. The Welch family had not received any notice before being served by the sheriff deputy. Questions regarding the location and finding a proper place with the low corn suitability rating (CSR) was conductive to their operation. Board also discussed moving this location and Greenlee pointed out that it would cost another $500 filing fee to reapply for the change. Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To deny the land use application for this spot. However, if the parties involved do come to a buy-sell agreement and Amana farms comes back to us for this location that any application fees would be waived. Motion carried.

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

_______________________________ Tracy Seeman, Chairman ATTEST: _________________________________ Hayley, Benton County Auditor