Government : Board of Supervisor Minutes - May 25, 2010

May 25, 2010

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular adjourned session with Supervisors Buch, Vermedahl, and Sanders present. Chairman Sanders called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve the minutes of May 10, 2010, and May 11, 2010. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve the minutes of May 18, 2010. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Todd McNall of Design Dynamics met with the Board to discuss camera equipment for the parking lot across from the new law enforcement center. McNall stated that he had quotes for camera equipment, and radio controls for the gates. McNall stated that request for proposals for the parking lot and fencing were due to the county on May 26, 2010. McNall stated that it was the opinion of the jail engineer that the same company, Accura Controls, install the same camera and control equipment so that it is compatible. McNall questioned if the materials could be paid for and retained at the company warehouse. The auditor stated that the same issue has been raised the county’s audit and state auditor and the answer was “no”. McNall stated to the board that it would be beneficial to leave the equipment at the company’s warehouse. Supervisor Sanders stated that it made sense to get just one quote for the equipment since it is the same company providing the equipment for the law enforcement center. Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to purchase camera and control equipment from Accurate Controls, Inc. for the law enforcement parking lot at a cost of $19,404.97. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to accept the quote for labor to install the camera and the gate controls for the parking lot for the law enforcement center from Accurate Controls in the amount of $5,875. The labor is to be paid at the time of installation. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Jerry Petermeier updated the board on the construction of the law enforcement center. Petermeier requested that the board view and choose the various colors of brick to be installed on the facility.

Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to install the Autumn Haze and Oxford bricks for the new law enforcement center. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Glen Meisner met with the board regarding the land use change requested submitted by John Cherveny. Marc Greenlee reported that this matter had been tabled two weeks ago when the board of supervisors requested additional information. A revised concept plan was drawn and presented to the board. The new plan places all development to the east of the wet area of the parcel. The road was shortened, a storm basin was implemented, repositioned three buildings, curb and gutter will be done, an intake was placed near the east access, the new road will be lowered to match the county road, no disturbance at the west of the project that is beyond the drainage that goes to the golf course, and storm water should be carries do that it does not deviate from where it currently goes. Greenlee reported that he received written correspondence from the Tara Hill golf course stating that the board members of the golf course oppose the development. The golf course is concerned about future drainage problems due to construction of the project. The board discussed the viability of the sales of the condominiums, the effect of the golf course on the properties, and drainage.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to grant the land use change requested by John and Irene Cherveny as the concerns of the county are not grounds for denial. Supervisor Sanders stated that he believed that the use is incompatible for multiple residential units due to the narrow dimensions of the parcel. Supervisor Vermedahl then requested to withdraw his motion and Buch agreed. Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve a land use change requested by John and Irene Cherveny on a parcel generally described as a portion of the N1/2, NE1/2 of 16-83-11 for a residential condominium project with the stipulation that all drainage and storm water run off issues are addressed to the satisfaction of the county. Voting aye: Vermedahl. Voting nay: Sanders and Buch. Motion failed. When asked what the best use of the land, Supervisor Sanders reported that the best use is railroad property as that it was originally intended to be. The board indicated that the applicants could submit another proposal for consideration under a new land use request.

The county attorney questioned if a decision had been made on the brick selection for the new law enforcement center and questioned why only limited options were available. The county attorney stated that it was not too much to ask the architect to provide multiple choices for consideration. The county attorney stated that when an individual builds a house, the architect generally provides many options. Supervisor Sanders stated that he was considering calling the architect at the end of the meeting to request additional samples; however the auditor reminded Sanders that the board had taken formal action already on the selection of the brick.

The board continued discussion on early retirement incentives. The matter has been on the agenda for several weeks pending the board’s research. Supervisor Sanders stated that he believed that the incentive should be extended to employees, but that the amount of the incentive should be reviewed annually due to variances in insurance costs. Supervisor Buch stated that the matter has been discussed many times by the board and that he was considering a incentive that started at age 58 and continued to age 65. Sanders stated that the cost savings would be much less if the employee was allowed to take advantage of the incentive at age 64. Buch suggested that 70% of a single health insurance premium be paid by the county if the employee worked 30 years, 60% for 20 years, etc. The county attorney stated that he believed that a temporary policy be adopted with a more permanent policy to be adopted at a later date. Thompson did not agree with the number of years of service but rather an age based policy, but to leave requirements that an incentive must show that there is a financial savings to the county by requiring the elected official to agree to hire the replacement employee at a lesser rate. The auditor questioned what would happen if the elected official couldn’t hire an individual for the salary offered under the county attorney’s plan. The county attorney did not believe that would be an issue, but that there may have to be adjustments made. Marc Greenlee also spoke to a graduated incentive where, depending on their years of service would establish the percentage paid by the county, i.e. the employee with 20 years of service would receive a smaller percentage than an employee with 30 years of service. Greenlee’s plan did not have an age requirement. Greenlee suggested that employees requesting the early retirement incentive be required to notify the county by December 30th of the year preceding the retirement so that financial and budgetary decisions could be made accordingly. Supervisor Vermedahl stated that he was not in favor of a policy that was for a short period of time but rather a more permanent incentive provided it saved the county money. The board requested that the matter be placed on the next agenda for further discussion. Supervisor Vermedahl questioned if the other members were considering a one-time offer or continuous offer. Sanders responded that he was not opposed to a continuing incentive provided that the amount of incentive could be adjusted dependent upon the economic situation of the county.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to sign the final plans and title sheet for the HMA Resurfacing of E66 –Project #FM-CO06(79)—55-06. The project follows the old Highway 131 from Belle Plaine east to Luzerne. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve checks numbered 121596 through 121868, for payment, and ACH deposits numbered 8447 through 8555, for payment. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to acknowledge the receipt of the manure management plan filed by Erick Kerkman for the facility located at 7027 31st Avenue, Atkins, Iowa. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to authorize the chair to sign the Letter of Understanding for audit services for the county FY10 financial statements with EideBailly, LLC. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to suspend taxes on parcel #030-48525 in accordance with Iowa Code 427.9. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to adopt Resolution #10-38, ABATEMENT OF TAX. Voting aye were Sanders, Buch, and Vermedahl. Nays none. Motion carried.

Marc Baty and Ed Hermann with the Iowa Department of Human Services met with the board regarding the reorganization of the Department of Human Services. Baty explained that the reorganization was taking Tama, Poweshiek, Keokuk, Washington, Monroe, Appanoose, and Jones County to less than full-time offices in Region 4. Baty advised that currently the staff in the Benton County office is 14 and will increase to 20 staff persons on July 1, 2010. The additional staff is being transferred from Linn County and Tama County. Tama County will become less than full-time. Discussion included that additional cost to Benton County taxpayers when services are moved from adjacent counties to Benton County. It was reported that when Iowa County became less than full time and the staff located there was moved to Benton County, that Benton County had increased costs for office and related expenses. Iowa County has indicated that they will not help with the additional costs to Benton County and was questioned if Benton County will see additional costs when other staff is moved from more counties to Benton County. Baty explained that the counties could enter into agreements to share the costs. The auditor stated that Benton County has no leverage in negotiating an agreement since the State decides where the staff is placed with no thought to the county’s cost. Baty explained that Jones County recently purchased and renovated a building for DHS offices, to now be told that they would no longer have a full-time office and that there were no guarantees that more reorganization may occur next year. Supervisor Vermedahl responded that Benton County would have to consider that possibility when deciding on office improvements, etc. for DHS.

Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

_______________________________

Jason Sanders, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Jill Marlow, Auditor