Government : Board of Supervisor minutes 8/11/20

​The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman present. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. Members of the public were provided the zoom access capability to join in during open session and watch live at the county's YouTube channel. Unless otherwise noted, all actions were approved unanimously. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyiowa.org

​Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the minutes of Tuesday August 4, 2020. Motion carried.

​Seeman moved/Primmer seconded: To approve the website administration maintenance policy addendum to the Benton County handbook. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: Approve payroll checks numbered 141383 through 141394, ACH deposits numbered 42541 through 42690, handwrite 235976, vendor checks 235977 through 235983, claims numbered 235984 through 236159. Motion carried.

The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date for a land use hearing for Jeff and Marcia Knupp in part of Parcel A in the NE ¼ SE ¼ of 35-85-12. Knupp's were not present. Marc Greenlee presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance.Knupp's would like to propose a change on the use of 1 acre to build a new home. The site has two out buildings on it currently, and had a house that was removed in October, 2014. That preexisting use discontinued for a period exceeding the 3 years, which makes the land use change necessary to replace the home. CSR is irrelevant as it has not been cropped. This site has an existing well and septic on it. There are two (2) driveways that serve the property and both meet the necessary requirements. The surrounding land uses are all crop land. The Knupp's farm the adjoining land around this site. Notification was given to three (3) adjacent property owners and the official newspapers. No comments were received prior to this hearing. This proposed use is a redevelopment of an old farmstead and is compatible.Hearing no other further comments, the public hearing was closed.

​Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve land use change for Jeff and Marcia Knupp in part of Parcel A in the NE ¼ SE ¼ of 35-85-12. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To authorize signature on termination of contract for services between Vinton Lutheran Home and Benton County for cleaning services at the Benton County Services on August 3, 2020. Motion carried.

Steve Meyer, Emergency Management Commission wanted to thank the supervisors for their budget support and said without their support, the commission couldn't be doing the things they are such as now with the county disaster. With that being said, Meyer presented a County declaration statement.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To authorize and approve signature on the Benton County Emergency declaration statement. Motion carried.

Moved/seconded: To approve Resolution #20-54, Wage and Classification Change for Brannen Hudson in the Sheriff's office. Motion carried.

Moved/seconded: To approve Resolution #20-55, Approve 28E Agreement with East Central Iowa Local Workforce Development Shared Liability Agreement with Benton, Cedar, Iowa, Johnson, Jones, Linn and Washington counties. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve utility permit for East Central Iowa REC in Benton Township. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #20-56, Temporary Road closure for construction in Benton Township from 30th Ave Dr along 61st Street Lane. Motion carried.

Seeman Moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve and authorize signature for the contract and performance bond for box culverts with Iowa Bridge & Culvert, LC. Motion carried.

Elected Officials and Department Heads met again to discuss the COVID 19 procedures currently in place that were set through August 15. The Recorder and Auditor did not feel it is necessary for their customers to have to make an appointment to come in. The Auditor has election stuff going on, and voters can't be denied the right to come in and apply for absentee ballots or vote in person in the office. The Treasurer would like to keep things by appointment only, it seems to be working well for that office. Court has been slowly opening back up. Other topics discussed including how to pay employees in quarantine or isolation due to having COVID themselves or exposure situations. It was agreed a policy should probably be drafted in place as this will continue to be an issue. It was also agreed if employees that do not have enough sick time, if others employees who do could donate their paid time.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To continue keeping things by appointments only for an additional 30 days in county facilities, and this will be re-addressed September 15, 2020. Motion carried.

With the recent storm and all the county wide damage done, this brought up the discussion of where rural residents were to place all their debris. Calls were already starting to come in. Barb Greenlee reported that she would talk to the DNR on their regulations. The Engineer spoke on some rural residents currently already use the right of way for burning, although it is not permitted, it happens. The landfill does not allow brush and trees, but other debris can still be hauled there. City residents usually have the capability to haul to their local brush dumps or place in the streets and city crews pick them up. Rural residents don't have that option. Some of the debris is obviously blocking the roads and in an emergency situation it needs to be addressed. Primmer didn't like the idea of allowing them to place debris in the county's right of way. How will this be policed if other debris and garbage is also placed there? The Engineer did not advise residents to do this.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To allow rural residents to place trees and brush only for burning in the ditchesor clearing roadways, but absolutely no building or other garbage debris or fines could be given. Voting aye were Seeman and Bierschenk. Primmer voted no. Motion carried.

​Bierschenk moved//Seeman seconded: To adjourn. Motion carried.

​​​​​​​_______________________________

​​​​​​​Rick Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

​Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor