Government : Benton County Board of Supervisor Minutes 2/6/24

February 6, 2024

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in special session with Supervisors Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk present. The meeting was called to order at 9:00 a.m. at the Benton County Service Center. Members of the public 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

Chairman Primmer started the meeting by pointing out the camera aiming over his shoulder was adjusted so that it doesn't interfere with his notes and cell phone text messages. The public shouldn't be allowed to see that.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the Agenda as listed and noting that what was posted as an exempt session at 10:15 would be had in open session on the regular agenda. Voting aye were Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the minutes of Tuesday January 30, 2024 and Friday, February 2, 2024. Voting aye were Bierschenk, Seeman and Primmer. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #24-15, Wage and classification change for Cody Jones at secondary roads who now carries a Labor Grade VB Classification for a wage of $26.85 an hour effective February 2, 2024. Voting aye were Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #24-16, Hiring David Eilander as full-time dispatcher for Sheriff's office effecitve February 8, 2024 an hourly rate of $21.08 an hour. Bierschenk, Seema and Primmer voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To set the date of Tuesday March 5, 2024 for a land use hearing date for Zeb & Tamara Reardon in part of SW ¼ NW ¼ of 17-82-9. Voting aye were Primmer, Seeman and Bierschink. Motion carried.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To appoint Bruce Gapstur to the Belle Plaine Airport Regional Zoning Board. Motion carried.

Supervisor Seeman reported on the latest tower meeting while Supervisor Primmer shared information obtained while attending a Benton Development Group meeting.

Human Resource Director gave a quick update on the Wellness participation. There have been 115 participants already, so great news.

The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date for a land use hearing for Michael & Kristine Rummel in part of Parcel D, in the SW ¼ of Section 17-82-9. Mike Rummel was present. Matt Even presented the technical information with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Even stated site is in row crop production. Rummel is requesting to change the use of approximately one acres of land to allow for a single-family dwelling. The parcel was split off last year from a larger parcel owned by JDN Acres, LLC. The Average CSR is 65. The applicant will need to install a new driveway to obtain the required sight distance. The dwelling can be connected to the City of Norway's water system, but not feasible for their wastewater disposal so they will need a septic system installed. One notice was sent to the adjacent landowner and published in the official newspapers. Prior to applying for a land use change, Rummel did explore voluntary annexation of this property into the City of Norway. The city has no immediate plans of developing this area further to the north, therefore the applicant and city mutually agreed to stop pursuing voluntary annexation. This proposal should not have any negative impacts on surrounding farm operations and is adjacent to a residential development within the city. Hearing no other further comments, the public hearing was closed.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the land use change for Michael & Kristine Rummel in part of Parcel D, in the SW ¼ of Section 17-82-9. Primmer-yes, Seeman-yes, Bierschenk-Yes. Motion carried.

Kristine Bullock, Kirkwood Learning Connection provided a brief power point presentation on the services they provide with their budget request of $2,575. That amount is based on per capita for Benton County. They work with many schools and business liaisons, they set up apprenticeships, speakers, job shadows and various internships.

Benton County Sheriff Ron Tippett met with the board regarding the recent investigation of Elana Janss-Johnson's hybrid wolf dogs pertaining to Benton County's vicious animal ordinance. He provided copies of investigation and reporting that DNA testing was done, which was below the threshold of what qualifies as a wolf dog. Talk of testing the other dogs was also had. Janss was present for the discussion along with submitting a formal apology to the supervisors about misinformation given at their first meeting regarding this. She said the dog in question is now housed elsewhere. Tim Dille, assistant county attorney was also present. Dille weighed in on what the definition of a wolf hybrid or vicious animal is under the current ordinance. A vicious animal is one that attacks livestock twice in a 12-month period, and this did not meet that. Janss had no plans to bring the animal back to Benton County. Sheriff Tippet also mentioned another concern was having a daycare at the same site as the animals. He said this would now close the investigation.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To recess for 20 minutes. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To enter back into session at 10:15 a.m. Motion carried.

The current weed commissioner position is still vacant in the county. Shelby Williams, Conservation Director was approached about having this fall under the conservation department. Wilber received information from other counites on job descriptions and how they handle this. Shelby presented a proposed job description to share and pointed out that this was the third move for this department in five years, and it needs some stability. Also in attendance, on behalf of Conservation with Shelby was Cecilia Dirks, and Board members: Randy Scheel, Becky Van Wey and Samantha Hunt. Supervisor Primmer reported that there are 10 other counties in Iowa that currently have the weed department fall under the conservation umbrella. Spring is around the corner and weeds will start sprouting and something needs to be done sooner than later. Williams added she has met with Engineer Myron Parizek since it fell under his department before. Supervisor Seeman, also liaison member on the Conservation Board, said it was a big undertaking; he wasn't against it but concerned they might be biting off more than they can chew. The plan would be to hire a roadside manager and two more staff members. The Conservation Board is meeting on Monday to consider this. Randy Scheel asked of any records that were kept in the weed department over the past few years. Shelby had mentioned she reached out to previous employee Ben Bonar and Wesley Haefner who agreed to come in and go over some things such as the spray truck and the GPS system in it. Continued discussion was had how this affects the budget. It will be placed on next Tuesday's agenda so that the Conservation Board can report back and continue discussing this option.

Human Resource Director, Sue Wilber, discussed her job description. During her job review, Primmer reported that the board had asked her to get them an updated version of her job description. He recommended she email a copy to the Board to look it over. Wilber said there were some things in the description that she wanted clarification to make sure she knows what she is supposed to be doing. Auditor Hayley Rippel asked if there was a job description when she got hired and if this would be shared with just the supervisors or can all the department heads see this too? Primmer asked why and Rippel said she didn't understand what Wilber

was told in her interview and regarding taking duties away from other departments, specifically payroll in her office. Wilber stressed she wasn't trying to take payroll. Lexa Speidel, Recorder also mentioned she'd like to see a copy of this as did Scott Hansen. Hansen asked why it was so super secret if Human Relations works with all department then we should be able to review it as well. Primmer said it was going to be shared, but they had the right to look it over first. Hansen asked what does the rest of Board think? Tracy wants to compare it to other counties. Gary feels the same way.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman Seconded: To Adjourn. Voting aye were Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Richard Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor