Government : Benton County Supervisors Minutes 3/2/21

March 2, 2021

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Seeman, Bierschenk and Primmer 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 public were provided the zoom access capability to join in during open session and 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)

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve minutes of February 22, 2021, February 23, 2021 and February 24, 2021. Discussion regarding the old Transportation and Weed department was clarified, but no changes were made. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve lawn maintenance contract with Mac's Lawn and Outdoor Services, LLC to provide the mowing and trimming to the Benton County Service Center yard from April 2021 through October 2021 for an annual total of $1,750 or $250 a month. Motion carried.

Ben Bonar, Weed Commissioner met with the board to discuss the annual noxious weed notice and get permission to advertise for spraying.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve Resolution #21-16, Destruction of Noxious Weeds. Motion carried.

Resolution #21-16

DESTRUCTION OF NOXIOUS WEEDS

Be It Resolved by the Board of Supervisors of Benton County, Iowa that pursuant to the provisions of Chapter 317, Code of Iowa, it is hereby ordered:

1. That each owner and each person in the possession or control of any lands in Benton County shall cut, burn or otherwise destroy all noxious weeds thereon, as defined in this chapter, at such times in each year and in such manner as shall prevent said weeds from blooming or coming to maturity, and shall keep said lands free from such growth of any other weeds as shall render the streets or highways adjoining said land unsafe for public travel. Noxious weeds shall be cut or otherwise destroyed on or before May 10th, 2021 and as often thereafter as is necessary to prevent seed production:

Primary Noxious Weeds: Destroy by: May 10, 2021 Secondary Noxious Weeds: Destroy By: May 10th, 2021

Quackgrass (Agropyron repens) Butterprint, Velvetleaf (Abutilon theophrasti)

Perennial Sowthistle (Sonchus arvensis) Cocklebur (Xanthium commune)

Canada Thistle (Cirsium arvense) Wild Mustard (Brassica arvensis)

Bull Thistle (Cirsium lanceolatum) Wild Carrot (Daucus carota)

Field Bindweed (Convolvulus arvensis) Sheep Sorrel (Rumex acetosella)

Horsenettle (Solanum carolinense) Sour Dock (Rumex crispus)

Leafy Spurge (Euphorbia esula) Smooth Dock (Rumex altissimus)

Perennial Peppergrass (Lepidium draba) Poison Hemlock (Conium maculatum)

Russian Knapweed (Centaurea repens) Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)

Buckthorn (Not to include Rhamnus frangula) Wild Sunflower (Helianthus annus L.)

Musk Thistle (Carduus nutans) Puncturevine (Tribulus terrestris)

Tall Thistle (Cirsium altissimum) Teasel (Dipsacus spp.)

Palmer Amaranth (Amaranthus palmeri) Shattercane (Sorghum bicolor)

Buckhorn Plantain (Plantago lanceolata)

2. That each owner and each person in the possession or control of any lands in Benton County infested with any of the following noxious weeds shall adopt a program of weed destruction described by the Weed Commissioner, which may be expected to destroy and will immediately keep under control such infestations of said noxious weeds.

(a) Primary Noxious Weeds: Quackgrass, Perennial Sowthistle, Canada Thistle, Bull Thistle, Musk Thistle, European Morning Glory or Field Bindweed, Horsenettle, Leafy Spurge, Perennial Peppergrass, Russian Knapweed, Buckthorn, Tall Thistle and all other species of thistles belonging in general of Cirsium and Carduus, Palmer Amaranth.

(b) Secondary Noxious Weeds: Butterprint, Cocklebur, Wild Mustard, Puncturevine, Teasel, Wild Carrot, Buckthorn Plantain, Sheep Sorrel, Sour Dock, Smooth Dock, Poison Hemlock, Wild Sunflower, Multiflora Rose and Shattercane.

3. That if the owners or persons in possession or control of any land in Benton County fail to comply with the foregoing orders, the Weed Commissioner or his designee shall cause this to be done and the expense of said work, including costs of serving notice and other costs, if any, shall be assessed against the real estate.

4. That the County Engineer is hereby directed to cause notice of the making and entering of the foregoing order by one publication in each of the official newspapers of the County.

Dated this 2nd day of March 2021.

______________________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

______________________________________

Rick Primmer

______________________________________

Gary Bierschenk

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

Les Wood, Benton County resident along with others who came to voice their concerns with traffic on 33rd Ave. and 54th St. Trail. Over the past 5 years, there has been a lot more traffic with dump trucks and demolition trucks entering from Linn County creating dust and boils in the road. The agreed this is more like a mud road than a gravel road. Supervisor Primmer reminded the residents this was a public road, and the county can't stop people from driving on it. The Engineer is also aware of this concern. The Board agreed to go look at the area, and will research if they have any authority over anything such as an embargo or monitoring what is being hauled into our county. No action was taken.

The time of 10:00 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date set for opening bids for the rental of the farm ground located at the Cedar Valley Ranch, the board proceeded with matter. The notice had been published in the newspapers with a March 2, 2020, filing deadline. Five bids were received as follows (on a per acre basis):

David Reed-$130

Michael Hopper-$230

April Harding-$300

Wayne Siela - $270

Gary Toyne-$280

The board provided an opportunity for the bidders present or available on the phone to raise their bid as advertised. Wayne Siela questioned the fertility or soil test on this ground. The Board didn't have any documentation to provide. Seila then suggested some minimum standards that the tenants should have to follow. Nobody wanted to raise their bids.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To award the lease for approximately 38 acres of farm ground located at the Cedar Valley Ranch in the SE1/4 of Section 22 of Taylor Township, to April Harding as the highest per-acre bidder, at a price of $300.00 per acre. The final lease agreement is to be drafted with the parties executing the same at a later date. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Primmer seconded: To approve and authorize chairman to sign the Cyber and Technology Liability Renewal, supplemental insurance on behalf of Heartland Risk Insurance. Motion carried.

Primmer moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #21-17, Approving Replat of Lot 1, Ferguson's First Addition to Benton County. Motion carried.

RESOLUTION #21-17

APPROVING REPLAT OF LOT 1, FERGUSONS FIRST ADDITION

TO BENTON COUNTY, IOWA

WHEREAS, a Replat of Lot 1, Ferguson First Addition to Benton County, Iowa, containing two (2) lots has been presented to the Benton County Board of Supervisors consisting of the following described real estate:

Lot 1, Ferguson First Addition to, Benton County, Iowa, more specifically described and defined by that certain Plat of Survey filed for record in the Office of the Recorder of Benton County, Iowa as Instrument 21-0666 and filed on February 11, 2021.

And

WHEREAS, after consideration, the same is found to be correct and in accordance with the provisions of the laws of the State of Iowa and the ordinances of Benton County, Iowa, and

WHEREAS, the owners have executed and filed an Owner's Certificate containing consent and dedication for said Plat: and

WHEREAS, the Benton County Board of Supervisors find that the plat would be advantageous to Benton County, Iowa,

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Benton County Board of Supervisors that said plat of the Replat of Lot 1, Fergusons First Addition to Benton County, Iowa, will be and the same is hereby acknowledged and approved and accepted on the part of Benton County, Iowa, subject to the following stipulations:

1. Any new driveways will be built to comply with Benton County's driveway resolution dated October 17, 1975 and amended September 4, 1981, and April 17, 2008.

2. Any new water supply will be constructed with the approval of the Benton County Department of Health.

3. Any new sewage treatment system will be constructed with the approval of the Benton County Department of Health.

The Benton County Auditor is hereby directed to certify this Resolution Approving Plat and affix the same to said Plat as provided by law.

This resolution passed and approved on the 2nd day of March, 2021.

_____________________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

_____________________________________

Gary Bierschenk

______________________________________

Rick Primmer

ATTEST:

_____________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor

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

_______________________________

Tracy Seeman, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor