Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Meeting Notes for Tuesday, September 17

On Tuesday, September 17, 2024 at 9:00 a.m. the Benton County Board of Supervisors met. All members were present, Rick Primmer, Tracy Seeman and Gary Bierschenk.

The meeting can be seen here. https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa

The agenda and minutes were approved.

Chris Ward, Vinton City Administrator presented a request to the Board requesting a tax abatement for city owned parcel# 240-02925 which was granted.

A Public Hearing date was set for Tuesday, September 24,2024 at 9:30 A.M. to relinquish interest on Parcel #440-00150, the parcel discussed last week that had been transferred to Benton County Conservation and they want to return it to the Heitshusen Farm LLC.

Sheriff Ron Tippett presented Law Enforcement Contracts with the City of Van Horne and City of Keystone for patrol services at an hourly wage of $32.50. Keystone is contracting with the county for five hours a week or an average of 260 hours per year at $8,450 per year. Van Horne's contract will include 15 hours per week, 780 hours per year for $25,350 annually.

Class C Retail Alcohol Licenses were approved for Cedar Ridge Vineyard LLC for October 11-15, 2024, and a Special Class C Retail Alcohol License for Kacena Farms for October 1-24, 2024.

Cory Rains was appointed as Kayla Harrison's replacement on the EMS Advisory Council for Shellsburg EMS representation.

Benton County Engineer Myron Parizek, presented for approval a project that's part of the county's five year plan, an IDOT Federal-Aid Agreement for Bridge Replacement on 69th St. between 29th and 30th Ave. in Fremont Twp. It has a weight restriction on it now which affects residents. It will be 30'X100'. The funding will cover the cost 100%. Approval was given as well as approval to sign the Plan Set for Project BROS-C006(125)--8J-06 (Bridge Replacement on 69th St in Fremont Twp).

Parizek also sought approval to change a stop sign placement at 61st St Ln/33rd Ave Dr. He said that east of Vinton, surfacing is happening on the rock road from Oak Grove Church to the intersection of 824 32nd Ave./61st St. Ln. following the current rock road that is there now. As of now, traffic traveling east has to stop at 33rd Ave Dr. (he said where Brad Ferguson lives). With the surfacing of the road, it will run to the county line. Parizek felt would be a better fit to modify the intersection to remove the existing stop sign and move it east to instead stop northbound traffic from the rock road on 33rd Ave. Dr. at the Y intersection.

The board also gave approval to establish a speed limit on 32nd Ave. to 61st St Ln east to 33rd Ave Dr and north to 59th St Tr in Benton Twp at 45 mph. to the Benton/Linn County line.

The last item of business for Secondary Roads was to purchase a mid-size SUV for Secondary Roads to replace a vehicle. Quotes received were from Thys in Belle Plaine for a Jeep Grand Cherokee at $39,769, Thys in Blairstown for a Chevy Blazer for $40,354, Van Horne Auto and Ervin Motor did not have anything that fit the description. Approval was given for the Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Iowa County Engineers Association will be sharing a Safety Action Plan workshop 8:30-11:30 a.m. on next Monday in the Supervisor's room.

After discussion last week, and more this week, action was taken to rescind Resolution #24-67 concerning mileage and expense reimbursement rates that were approved on June 28, 2024.

Under Reports, there was a meeting with Heartland Insurance, Central Iowa Workforce Development didn't have a quarum so they couldn't meet and the county had the all employee meeting on Monday. Under EMS, Sheriff Tippett shared that three of the ambulances will be remounted and it should be done in time to do some media exposure to explain how the tax dollars will be used. Rippel explained that she's had calls about township levies for fire departments, she explained that those will remain in place because fire levies are different than the EMS funding.

Mona Onken received approval for out-of-state training November 3-6.

Michele Brown went into a closed session under Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) Employee Evaluation

"-To evaluate the professional competency of an individual whose appointment, hiring, performance, or discharge is being considered when necessary to prevent needless and irreparable injury to that individual's reputation and that individual requests a closed session."

Onken discussed the Rural Access Hub. Brown has taken another position. Discussion was held concerning having her go to a part-time position.

Under unfinished business, Hayley Rippel, County Auditor will be working on the budget amendment request, the township loan for the Atkins hall and L.O.S.T. funds will be where that comes from.

There was no new/old business and no one was present for Public Interest Comments. The meeting was then adjourned.