Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 11/12/24

November 12, 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

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the agenda. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the minutes from November 5, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Payroll checks numbered 143414 through 143418, ACH Deposits 58997 through 59159, handwritten claims 251715, 251716 and 251717 vendor checks 251718 through 251723, and claims numbered 251724 through 251905. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the following claims to be paid out of the ARPA fund:

Bolton & Menk-$2,947.50 for Wildcat Bluff Improvements

Karl Chevrolet-$49,116.00 for a Conservation patrol truck

Lenco Armored Vehicles-$174,349.00 for Armored Vehicle

RMB Co. Inc.-$4,751.93-Public Health Freezer

Salow Mechanical Insulation-$1200.00 for courthouse piping insulation

True North Consulting Group-$2,952,00 for radio project contract administration

Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Law Enforcement Contract with the City of Mt. Auburn for a yearly total sum of $845.00 to be paid quarterly and not to exceed ½ hour per week. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To set a hearing date for proposal to assess property owner for destruction of noxious weeds on Parcel #540-02500 for Tuesday, November 26, 2024 at 9:30 a.m.

The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date for a land use hearing for Lucas Burrington, Ben Twedt and Zach Twedt in part of the SE ¼ NE ¼ of Section 30-85-9. They would like to change use of approximately 14.68 acres of land to allow for three residential dwellings. This site is approximately 4 miles east of Vinton. Lucas Burrington and Ben Twedt were present. On July 30, 2024 they were granted variances to the sub-division ordinance. Matt Even presented the technical information. This area has a CSR of 53 and has been used for hay production or pasture in recent years. No street improvements are being proposed. The current driveway was previously updated and a private gravel road was also constructed. A road association agreement shall be established to guarantee access to all lots, ensure repair and maintenance and provide for any utility easements necessary. There has been a wastewater systems evaluation done by Kyle Helland, the Surveyor. Upon review it has been determined that individual private sewage disposal systems are needed for each lot and will need to be designed by licensed professional engineers with specs contained within code prior to permitting. This site is surrounded by other dwellings. Seven notices were sent out to adjacent property owners and the legal notices were also published in the official newspapers as required by the Ordinance. There were no comments received prior to this meeting. This proposal should not have any negative impacts on surrounding farm operations.

Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the preliminary plat for Carver Road Addition to Benton County and the land use change application for Lucas Burrington, Ben Twedt and Zach Twedt in part of the SE ¼ NE ¼ of Section 30-85-9. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

John Merchant, adjoining neighbor who was present, asked if he could comment after the board approved the land use change. He claimed to have been denied parcel splits in the past and asked how this all worked. Barb Greenlee explained the different scenarios and also explained to Merchant along with another property owner Roger Rouse who was also present, that they also could apply for similar land use changes by going through the proper steps.

Rick Primmer put on the Holiday Schedule for discussion after he was provided notice what the State was doing this year. The State of Iowa is allowing November 27th during the week of thanksgiving in addition to the 28th and 29th, and they will get Christmas Day and December 26th. As it states in the County Handbook currently, employees get all of Christmas Eve Day off. Discussion on how the added Holidays would affect secondary roads and the sheriff's budget which also led to discussing the need to provide courthouse security on the days the Clerk of Court is Open which would be December 24th. The Board decided not to take any action and leave the Holiday Schedules as is: The county employees will get Thanksgiving day and the day after along with December 24th and December 25th..

Marc Merchant came to the board with a letter from another county employee, Dave Upah who wants to donate 400 sick hours to Merchant. The handbook currently states that a maximum of 20 hours at a time can be granted. The Board has given exceptions in the past.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the 400 hours of donated sick time from Dave Upah to Marc Merchant. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #24-100, Wage and Classification Change for Benjamin Wood, who has been employed by Benton County for a year and his new hourly wage per bargaining unit agreement will be $28.76 an hour effective November 6, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk all voting aye. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #24-101, Wage and Classification Change for Caleb Stieferman who has been employed by Benton County for a year and his new hourly wage per bargaining unit agreement will be $28.76 effective November 13, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk all voting aye. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #24-102, Wage and Classification Change for William Beranek who has been employed by Benton County for a year and his new hourly wage per bargaining unit agreement will be $28.76 effective November 20, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk all voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #24-103, Wage and Classification Change for Chad Galli who has been employed by Benton County for a year and his new hourly wage (per bargaining unit agreement) will be $28.76 effective November 14, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #24-104, Bridge Embargo Removal on BG-5210, 0.2 mile east of the NW corner of Section 12-84-11 (Big Grove Township) on 63rd Street. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Brad Havran wanted to thank the Board and Engineer for the black top work that was done under public comments!

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To Adjourn at 10:05 a.m. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Rick Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor