Government : Benton Cpouinty Board Of Supervisor Minutes 1/20/15

January 20, 2015

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Frese, Hertle and Wiley present. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m.

Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to approve the minutes of January 13, 2015. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to authorize the chair to sign Change Order #2 to the contract with Zephyr Aluminum for the Courthouse Window Replacement Project changing the window tint resulting in a deduct of $1,645.00. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Supervisor Wiley updated the board on his research into the animal control issues. Wiley stated that he spoke with Kirk Stout about providing animal warden duties and Stout presented an updated agreement. Stout’s insurance meets the requirements of the county’s insurance carrier; however it must list Benton County as and additional named insured. Wiley is still researching facility options as well.

Supervisor Hertle updated the board on the compensation board meeting. Hertle stated that the compensation board recommended 2.0% increases for all elected officials, with the exception of the county attorney. The compensation board recommended a 3.0% increase for the attorney.

Urbana Mayor Duane Eldred met with the board to request the county’s participation in a road improvement within the corporate limits of Urbana. The county’s secondary road maintenance shed is located on the street resulting in heavy vehicle traffic on approximately one-half block. Eldred stated that the estimated cost for the improvement is $60,000. Supervisor Hertle expressed concern again about setting a precedent due to county sheds being located within other cities. The board questioned the possibility of a special assessment being done by the city rather than the county voluntarily participating in the costs due to the precedence. County Engineer Parizek stated that opinions of county board members vary – adding that some board members in the past had preferred that cities seek county participation. Supervisor Wiley questioned the type of road surface needed – stating that if it was gravel the county could maintain it. Mayor Eldred responded that the street needs to remain hard surfaced. Eldred will research further into a special assessment.

Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to adopt Resolution #15-6. Voting aye were Frese, Hertle, and Wiley. Nays none. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #15-6

FINAL APPROVAL TO FUND THE LOCATION AND DESIGN, AUTHORIZATION TO PROCEED WITH ACQUISITION OF PRIVATE PROPERTY RIGHTS NEEDED, BY CONDEMNATION PROCEEDINGS, IF NECESSARY, AND TO CONSTRUCT THE PROJECT.

WHEREAS, Benton County, determines that for the general welfare of Benton County and in the best interests of its citizens that Benton County consider straightening the road alignment and replacing the bridge on 75th Street just east of 32nd Avenue Drive in Florence Township between Sections 2 &11 by approving this bridge replacement/roadway improvement project, Project No. BROS-CO06(98)--8J-06.

WHEREAS, Benton County, determines that if this project is to be approved and constructed, that it will be necessary to obtain right of way from private property to do so, all as shown by plans prepared by Calhoun-Burns & Associates, Inc.

WHEREAS, Benton County did send and publish Notice of a Public Hearing to consider a proposed public improvement project to construct this bridge replacement/roadway improvement project as required by §6B.2A Notice of Proposed Public Improvement of the Code of Iowa.

WHEREAS, on January 13, 2015, Benton County did after notice and publication as required by law hold said public hearing concerning said project, and

WHEREAS, Benton County at said Public Hearing considered whether to proceed or not to proceed to approve the location and design of the project and to acquire private property for the public improvement either by negotiation and purchase, or condemnation, if necessary, and

WHEREAS, at said Public Hearing the Board of Supervisors of Benton County, Iowa did acknowledge and consider all public input, both oral and written.

THEREFORE, BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED that Benton County does hereby approve the construction of this bridge replacement/roadway improvement project.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Benton County does hereby approve the location and design of this project.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Benton County through their authorized representative shall make a good faith effort to acquire said property through negotiated purchase.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that if property cannot be acquired through negotiated purchase the Benton County Board of Supervisors will authorize the acquisition of the property by condemnation procedures.

Signed this 20th day of January, 2015.

Benton County Board of Supervisors

_______________________________________

Chairperson

_______________________________________

_______________________________________

Attest: ____________________________________

Auditor

Jon Swanson, legal counsel for Heartland Insurance Risk Pool (the county’s insurance carrier) met with the board to discuss pending litigation. Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to enter into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c). All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried at 10:00 a.m.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to return to open session. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried at 10:40 a.m. There was no action taken as a result of the closed session.

Sheriff Forsyth and Chief Deputy Ferguson met with the board regarding inmate mental health services. Forsyth explained that currently the Abbe Center provides mental health service; however, it is becoming more difficult to obtain the services for the inmates due to hours of operation and staffing. Forsyth recommended that the county contract with Pathways Behavioral Service to provide mental health services for inmates. Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to contract with Pathways Behavioral Service for inmate mental health services and to authorize the sheriff to execute the required contract. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Sheriff Forsyth spoke to the board about maintenance agreements for the printers in his department. Forsyth advised that he has been in contact with ERB’s Business Solutions as well as Premier Systems. Forsyth stated that both companies provide maintenance services; however there are significant differences in the details of the agreements. Forsyth requested the authority to enter into a printer maintenance contract for the devices located within his department, but wanted to give additional consideration to the two companies. Moved by Hertle, seconded by Wiley, to authorize the sheriff to execute a printer maintenance agreement for the devices located within his department with either ERB’s Business Solutions or Premier Systems – the company to be at his discretion. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

The board continued working on the FY16 county budget. They met with various departments and discussed the basis for their budget requests. Departments included the recorder, sheriff, engineer, public health/land use, and treasurer.

Moved by Wiley, seconded by Hertle, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

_______________________________

Don Frese, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Jill Marlow, Auditor