Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 9/17/24

September 17, 2024

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman present. Supervisor Primmer called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. at the Benton County Service Center. Members of the public are invited to join in during open session or watch the livestream at https://www.youtube.com/bentoncountyiowa. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the agenda. Seeman, Primmer and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the minutes from September 10, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #24-84, Conveying County's Interest and Set Public Hearing Date to relinquish said interest on Parcel #440-00150 to Tuesday, September 24, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #24-85, Abate Taxes for the City of Vinton pursuant to Iowa Code 445.63 on Parcels 240-52650 in the amount of $1,086.00 and 240-92925 in the amount of $244.00. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve law enforcement contracts with the City of Van Horne for a yearly sum of $25,350 to be paid quarterly and not to exceed 15 hours a week, and the City of Keystone for a yearly sum of $8,450 to be paid quarterly and not to exceed 5 hours a week. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Class C Retail Alcohol License for Cedar Ridge Vineyard, LLC. October 11 through October 15, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Class C Retail Alcohol License for Kacena Farms October 1 through October 14, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To acknowledge Kayla Harrison's resignation from the EMS Advisory Council for Shellsburg representation and appointing Cory Rains as her replacement. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve IDOT Federal -Aid Agreement for Bridge Replacement project on 69th Street in Fremont Township. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve and authorize signature on the Project BROS-CO06(125)-8J-06 for Bridge Replacement on 69th Street in Fremont Township. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #24-86, Changing stop Sign placement in Benton Township at the intersection of 61St Street Lane and 33rd Ave. Dr., stopping northbound traffic on 33rd Avenue Drive. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #24-87, Establishing speed limits in Benton Township to 45 mph on 61st Street Lane from the intersection of 32nd Avenue east to 33rd Ave Drive, continuing north on 33rd Avenue Drive to 59th Street Trail and continuing east to the Linn County line. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

The Engineer reported the following dealerships were shared specs for a mid-size SUV for Secondary Roads and the following was received:

Thys-Belle Plaine (Jeep Grand Cherokee) -$39,769.00

Thys-Blairstown -Chevy Blazer-$40,354.00

Van Horn Auto-didn't submit quote

Ervin Motor-didn't have anything to meet the specs

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the quote from Thys, Belle Plaine to purchase the Jeep Grand Cherokee in the amount of $39,769.00. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried,

Supervisor Seeman asked Myron Parizek, Engineer about the lighting near Blairstown. Parizek reported that none of the intersections along Highway 30 warrant full intersection lighting, according to the IDOT (Iowa Department of Transportation). He is looking at destination lighting at the Blairstown/Van Horne Corner that would be at the county's expense since full lighting is not warranted.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To rescind action on Resolution #24-67, mileage and expense reimbursement changes that were approved on June 28, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve out of state travel for Mona Onken to attend a conference in New Orleans November 3-6, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk aye. Motion carried.

Michelle Sutton requested a closed session.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To enter into closed session at 9:47 a.m. Pursuant to Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(i) 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. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/ Bierschenk seconded: To exit closed session at 10:09 a.m. No action was taken from closed session. The Board discussed the Rural Access Hub and the changes they will need to prepare for with the changes made to the mental health regions. The Board asked Sheriff Ron Tippett for input if making the Access Hub Manager position to part-time. With the uncertainty of the funding, and the state going from 13 regions down to seven. This means there will be 6 less regional CEO's. The goal is to equalize services throughout the state. That status of the manager will be put on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 agenda.

The Supervisors all attended the Heartland Insurance Employment Seminar that was held last week in Toledo. Primmer reported on the recent Public Health Board meeting and the Central Iowa Workforce Development. Seeman reported on the EMS Advisory Council meeting last week. The county held their all employee annual meeting Monday, September 16th at the Vinton Skate Center.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To Adjourn at 10:30 a.m. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor