October 12, 2010

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

                Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve the minutes of October 1, 2010, and October 5, 2010.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve checks numbered 124283 through 124359, checks numbered 124470 through 124812, and ACH deposits numbered 9544 through 9653, for payment.  Checks numbered 124360 through 124469 are voided.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                Moved by Buch, seconded by Sanders, to accept the resignations of Roger Witt (Information Technology) and Dennis Thompson (Maintenance) effective December 31, 2010, due to retirement, effective December 30, 2010.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.  The board expressed their gratitude for the years of service provided by the two employees.

                Rick Bramow, Maintenance Manager, stated that he believed that the vacancy in maintenance needed to be filled with another full-time position due to snow removal, boilers, day-to-day maintenance, as well as many other issues that must be done during his absence.  Bramow stated that snow removal was critical during winter months and had to be monitored throughout the day.  Bramow also checked with snow removal companies who advised that they were not interested due to liability issues and the need to remove snow throughout the day.  Supervisor Sanders stated that he had thought that lawn care could be contracted out; however if the position is to be filled then there was no need to pursue that option.  The county attorney stated that he believed the position should be maintained but that the wage should be reduced to create a cost savings.  The board discussed a possible wage of $10 to $13 per hour dependent upon qualifications.  Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to authorize the Bramow to advertise to fill the position and to advertise for such.  Bramow is to interview and return to the board with a recommendation.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                The board continued staffing discussion relative to the Information Technology Department (IT).  Supervisor Sanders that there was a choice of outsourcing with pros and cons for both.  The cost of outsourcing would also have to be researched.  Witt stated that outsourcing is available but get what you pay for.  The county attorney stated that the county should strongly consider outsourcing and not fill the position, adding that they do most IT for his department.  The auditor stated that she had heard from some other department managers who would like to see the position maintained.   It was suggested that the duties be combined with other offices as an option as well.  The board asked that the matter be placed on the next agenda to allow the board an opportunity to speak with the other departments.

                Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to acknowledge the receipt and filing of the annual manure management plan filed by Wilco Farm, LTD for the facility located at 7944 28th Avenue, Norway, Iowa.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve the recorder’s quarterly report for the period ending September 30, 2010.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                Marc Greenlee, Land Use Administrator, presented an application for a farm exemption submitted by Tim and Nicole Guenther for a parcel located in Harrison Township, Section 38.  Guenther currently owns a 20-acre parcel and a 24-acre parcel and are currently purchasing another 20-acre parcel.  All ground is in an agricultural use.  Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve a farm exemption as authorized by the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance requested by Tim and Nicole Guenther on a parcel located in the NE1/4 of the NE1/4 of 33-86-10 for the purposes of constructing a single residential structure.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.  The applicant is responsible for meeting any regulations in place due to the airport.

                Marc Greenlee, Land Use Administrator, presented an application for a farm exemption submitted by David E. Yerkes for a parcel located in Polk Township, Section 4.  Yerkes is currently engaged in a farming activity as required by the county’s ordinance.  Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve a farm exemption as authorized by the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance requested by David E. Yerkes on a parcel located in the SW1/4 of the SW1/4 of 4-86-9 for the purposes of constructing a single residential structure.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                Jerry Petermeier and Todd McNall met with the board regarding the law enforcement center. McNall estimated that the facility should be enclosed by Thanksgiving, dependant on weather. 

                Todd McNall presented various change orders for the law enforcement center.  Change Order #4 in the amount of $2,315.47 for additional work associated with debris and poor soils and revise shower handles; Change Order #5 in the amount $8,476.29 for electric and control changes; Change Order #6 in the amount of $8,105.75 for additional costs for work and materials due to unsuitable soils.  The change orders have been submitted to FEMA for approval prior to the board’s action.  The board stated that when items are requested by the sheriff that were not included in the original plans then the board should be contacted prior.

                Will Heber, Conservation Director, met with the board to request that the county waive the construction and demolition fees for the new nature center.  Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to waive the landfill fees provided the waste is disposed of at the Benton County landfill.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

The county presented the fiscal year 2012 labor proposal to the Public, Professional & Maintenance Employees, Local Union 2003, International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades, AFL-CIO, representing the secondary roads union.

                Engineer Myron Parizek and Attorney Dave Thompson met with the board to discuss landfill issues.  Parizek reported that the laboratory tests on the new cell have been completed but the final report will not be received until tomorrow with the initial observations appearing to be very promising.  Parizek hopes to have a response back from the DNR by sometime next week at the latest.

                Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to enter into closed session pursuant to Iowa code 21.5(1)c.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried at 11:55 a.m.

                Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to return to open session.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried at 12:55 p.m.

                Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to request that the county attorney write the DNR about the landfill issues and the steps being taken by the county to address them.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                The board reviewed the treasurer’s quarterly investment report for the period ending September 30, 2010.     

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

                                                                                                __________________________________

                                                                                                Jason Sanders, Chairman

ATTEST: ___________________________________

               Hayley Rippel, Deputy Benton County Auditor

 

 

 

               

 

                                                                                                                                                October 12, 2010

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

                Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve the minutes of October 1, 2010, and October 5, 2010.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve checks numbered 124283 through 124359, checks numbered 124470 through 124812, and ACH deposits numbered 9544 through 9653, for payment.  Checks numbered 124360 through 124469 are voided.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                Moved by Buch, seconded by Sanders, to accept the resignations of Roger Witt (Information Technology) and Dennis Thompson (Maintenance) effective December 31, 2010, due to retirement, effective December 30, 2010.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.  The board expressed their gratitude for the years of service provided by the two employees.

                Rick Bramow, Maintenance Manager, stated that he believed that the vacancy in maintenance needed to be filled with another full-time position due to snow removal, boilers, day-to-day maintenance, as well as many other issues that must be done during his absence.  Bramow stated that snow removal was critical during winter months and had to be monitored throughout the day.  Bramow also checked with snow removal companies who advised that they were not interested due to liability issues and the need to remove snow throughout the day.  Supervisor Sanders stated that he had thought that lawn care could be contracted out; however if the position is to be filled then there was no need to pursue that option.  The county attorney stated that he believed the position should be maintained but that the wage should be reduced to create a cost savings.  The board discussed a possible wage of $10 to $13 per hour dependent upon qualifications.  Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to authorize the Bramow to advertise to fill the position and to advertise for such.  Bramow is to interview and return to the board with a recommendation.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                The board continued staffing discussion relative to the Information Technology Department (IT).  Supervisor Sanders that there was a choice of outsourcing with pros and cons for both.  The cost of outsourcing would also have to be researched.  Witt stated that outsourcing is available but get what you pay for.  The county attorney stated that the county should strongly consider outsourcing and not fill the position, adding that they do most IT for his department.  The auditor stated that she had heard from some other department managers who would like to see the position maintained.   It was suggested that the duties be combined with other offices as an option as well.  The board asked that the matter be placed on the next agenda to allow the board an opportunity to speak with the other departments.

                Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to acknowledge the receipt and filing of the annual manure management plan filed by Wilco Farm, LTD for the facility located at 7944 28th Avenue, Norway, Iowa.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve the recorder’s quarterly report for the period ending September 30, 2010.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                Marc Greenlee, Land Use Administrator, presented an application for a farm exemption submitted by Tim and Nicole Guenther for a parcel located in Harrison Township, Section 38.  Guenther currently owns a 20-acre parcel and a 24-acre parcel and are currently purchasing another 20-acre parcel.  All ground is in an agricultural use.  Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve a farm exemption as authorized by the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance requested by Tim and Nicole Guenther on a parcel located in the NE1/4 of the NE1/4 of 33-86-10 for the purposes of constructing a single residential structure.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.  The applicant is responsible for meeting any regulations in place due to the airport.

                Marc Greenlee, Land Use Administrator, presented an application for a farm exemption submitted by David E. Yerkes for a parcel located in Polk Township, Section 4.  Yerkes is currently engaged in a farming activity as required by the county’s ordinance.  Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve a farm exemption as authorized by the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance requested by David E. Yerkes on a parcel located in the SW1/4 of the SW1/4 of 4-86-9 for the purposes of constructing a single residential structure.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                Jerry Petermeier and Todd McNall met with the board regarding the law enforcement center. McNall estimated that the facility should be enclosed by Thanksgiving, dependant on weather. 

                Todd McNall presented various change orders for the law enforcement center.  Change Order #4 in the amount of $2,315.47 for additional work associated with debris and poor soils and revise shower handles; Change Order #5 in the amount $8,476.29 for electric and control changes; Change Order #6 in the amount of $8,105.75 for additional costs for work and materials due to unsuitable soils.  The change orders have been submitted to FEMA for approval prior to the board’s action.  The board stated that when items are requested by the sheriff that were not included in the original plans then the board should be contacted prior.

                Will Heber, Conservation Director, met with the board to request that the county waive the construction and demolition fees for the new nature center.  Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to waive the landfill fees provided the waste is disposed of at the Benton County landfill.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

The county presented the fiscal year 2012 labor proposal to the Public, Professional & Maintenance Employees, Local Union 2003, International Brotherhood of Painters and Allied Trades, AFL-CIO, representing the secondary roads union.

                Engineer Myron Parizek and Attorney Dave Thompson met with the board to discuss landfill issues.  Parizek reported that the laboratory tests on the new cell have been completed but the final report will not be received until tomorrow with the initial observations appearing to be very promising.  Parizek hopes to have a response back from the DNR by sometime next week at the latest.

                Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to enter into closed session pursuant to Iowa code 21.5(1)c.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried at 11:55 a.m.

                Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to return to open session.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried at 12:55 p.m.

                Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to request that the county attorney write the DNR about the landfill issues and the steps being taken by the county to address them.  All members voting aye thereon.  Motion carried.

                The board reviewed the treasurer’s quarterly investment report for the period ending September 30, 2010.     

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

                                                                                                __________________________________

                                                                                                Jason Sanders, Chairman

ATTEST: ___________________________________

               Hayley Rippel, Deputy Benton County Auditor