Government : Benton County Board of Supervisors Minutes 4/25/23

April 25, 2023

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman, Primmer and Bierschenk 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 are invited to join in during open session or watch the 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)

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To set land use hearing date of Tuesday May 23, 2023 at 9:15 a.m. for Cory Haney in Parcel A in the NW ¼ of the SW ¼ of Section 15-86-9. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the minutes of April 18, 2023 and April 21, 2023. Primmer asked to change some verbiage pertaining to the HR discussion. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve General Assistance Quarterly Report ending March 31, 2023. Motion carried.

Globe Life Family Heritage representatives were in attendance to present supplemental insurance. Primmer asked that they wait until we get another HR director hired and then come discuss with them.

Hayley Rippel brought up the topic regarding the vacant HR position. During this interim time, what is her office supposed to do regarding personnel matters. Primmer stated that Heartland Insurance Risk Pool has provided an individual that we can reach out to. Rippel pointed out that too comes with a fee, and hence referred back to the original proposal she brought forward last week. Primmer proceeded to say he did not want to enter into any new contracts that would cost and he would check with Heartland to see if and what that fee currently is. Rippel stated that they could agree to disagree and needed to move on.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve payroll checks numbered 142847 through 142854, ACH Deposits 52854 through 53005, claims numbered 245926 through 246044 and vendor checks numbered 246045 and 246052. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve claim for True North in the amount of $5,0904.00 using ARPA Funds. Motion carried.

There was no action taken on abating taxes on parcel #110-06150.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To clarify the motion made in last week's meeting regarding increasing the prior approved 5% increase to reflect 7% increase to all employees leaving the previously mentioned exceptions as is: Jessica Meyer to $23 an hour, Deb Cummings-$44,000 a year, Ben Turnis-$96,000 a year and Justin Birker to receive 90% of the Maintenance Director's salary. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To acknowledge the contract amendment to DCAT-41-024, Community Partnership for Protecting Children and Decategorization Services pursuant to Iowa HF2578. Iowa Department of Human Services is merging with the Iowa Department of Public Health to become the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, effective July 1, 2023. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #23-26, Employment status change for Baylie Grubic in Sheriff's Office going from part-time to full-time effective April 25, 2023 at the hourly rate of $19.70 set by the union. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To acknowledge the resolution of Hunter Jensen, Weed department effective May 5, 2023. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Veterans Affairs Quarterly Report ending March 31, 2023. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To authorize out of state training for Cara Martin for National Training in June, 2023. Motion carried.

The time of 9:30 a.m. being the time and date set for the first consideration of a Resolution for declaring EMS as an essential service in Benton County. Anna DeMuth of the North Benton Ambulance and President of the Benton County EMS Association provided a few handouts and explained the system standards goals and how they have a plan for forming an advisory committee and working to get meetings set up. Passing the Resolution to declare this as essential is the key in getting this passed. The goal is to bring it before voters this upcoming November. Other members of the EMS Association were present, along with Scott Geissinger, Tami Stark and Michele Schoonover. There were not other comments heard before today's meeting. After hearing no further comments, Auditor Rippel read the first reading of the resolution, based on Chapter 422D.1 of the Iowa Code.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the first reading declaring Emergency Medical Services (EMS) as an essential service. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Seeman seconded: To approve and authorize Chairman's signature regarding the recommendation of the construction permit application for a confinement feeding operation submitted by Matt Simon to increase the cattle head count on a proposed site in Section 25 of Leroy Township. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Mona Onken and Mae Hintgen met with the board in regards to the memorandum of understanding between Benton County and the East Central Region Council of Governments regarding mental health. Sheriff Ron Tippett and County Attorney Ray Lough were also present for the discussion. The use of the Community Services Network (CSN) in dealing with clients, as well as confidentiality was brought up. Action was tabled until the May 2, 2023 meeting so that would allow time for the Sheriff to gather some answers he had.

Barb Greenlee reported that there was nothing new to report regarding public health. They are still gathering information for their options moving forward.

Clay McBride with McBride Mobile Taps LLC discussed obtaining a vending machine waiver. He operates a portable trailer with various beers on tap. He is asking for a letter of support to allow him to operate within Benton County. He would reach out to the State what they require and ask for examples that have been done in other counties and ask that the Board waive it for one year. McBride would email the Auditor and get it put back on for approval next week.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve utility permit for Alliant Energy south of HWY 30 to bore lines in the County's Right of Way in Florence Township. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To acknowledge Scott Gladson's retirement from Secondary Roads effective in March, 2023. Motion carried.

Myron asked about clarification on wages pertaining to negotiating with secondary roads Union. The Board told him that was put onto him to take care of getting things handled.

Rick Wood, Maintenance Director presented some quotes he obtained for a new lawnmower. These prices reflect the trade in value for the 2015 John Deere Z665.

- Koop's Sales and Service for an Exmark Lazer Z 60 inch in the amount of $10,336

-Bodensteiner Implement Co. for a John Deere Z930M ZTrak in the amount of $11,350.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the lawnmower purchase from Koop's in the amount of $10,336. Motion carried.

The board recessed until 1:00 P.M. for an afternoon meeting.

Primmer spoke up to the subject of the call he made to Heartland Insurance during lunch break. In regards to the fees being charged for HR Services that were brought up earlier in the meeting. He reported that there is a $190 hourly fee to utilize that individual mentioned.

The Board proceeded to take up the matter of the proposed lease modification brought forward by the Cedar Valley Ranch. They had a work session along with County Attorney Ray Lough to discuss what areas needed to be modified and adjusted. Lough prepared a rough draft to look over. Auditor Rippel would get another joint meeting set up maybe yet this week with members of the Cedar Valley Ranch's Board. No action was taken in regards.

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

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor