Government : Benton County Supervisor Minutes 5/21/24

May 21, 2024

The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular session with Supervisors Primmer, Bierschenk and Seeman present. Supervisor Primmer called the meeting 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. Summarized Resolutions will be available in the Auditor's office and at: www.bentoncountyia.gov

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve the agenda. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve the minutes from May 14, 2024. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Auditor Rippel explained the need for some service area adjustments, or holding off payment on claims for outside legal counsel along with Central Iowa Juvenile Detention. She was waiting to hear back from a few departments if she can move spending authority around. She would get her resolution ready during the break in this morning's meeting and bring it back for the supervisors to look over and approve.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Payroll checks numbered 143238 through 143246, ACH Deposits 57052 through 57208, claims numbered 249906 through 250054 and vendor checks numbered 250055 through 250061 and hold off paying Hopkins and Huebner attorney fees and Central Iowa Juvenile Detention claims. Bierschenk, Seeman and Primmer voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve claims to McDowells in the amount of $383.26 for Conservation project and True North Consulting-$7,380 for consulting fees for the E911 Radio project using ARPA funds. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Grace Schmitt, Public Health Director re visited with the Board about the need for more office space. Schmitt currently shares her space with the historical preservation along with food pantry and due to confidentiality and needed space for a nursing position in the department. Virginia Gay Hospital also needs us to get all our supplies out of their storage by June 1st, or we will begin to get charged She will get a list of her department needs prepared for the supervisors and they will meet on this in a work session and tour the space available or that could possibly be tweaked to make it more accommodating to the Public Health Department's needs.

Bierschenk moved/Seeman seconded: To approve Resolution #24-47, Wage and classification change for Will Beranek at Secondary Roads who carries a Labor Grade IVB Class and wage will be set at $27.00 an hour effective May 20, 2024. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Melinda Schoettmer, County Treasurer notified the Board that her office will be closed on June 27, 2024 for their District meeting where they obtain DOT training. Schoettmer also updated them on the cross county titling fees and the increased revenue it will bring in. Schoettmer will post a notice in the paper notifying the public of this.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To accept the FY23 Cost Advisory Indirect Cost plan and authorize the chairman to sign and acknowledge it. Voting aye were Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk. Motion carried.

Shelby Williams, Conservation Director introduced the two new employees for IRM, Ethan Hennings and Brock Leaders.

Ethan provided an update on recent activity and stated that in a short time they have gotten a lot of roadway miles covered along with some spot spraying done. They have restocked supplies and ordered some new equipment that can document where they have been and areas covered instead of manually charting. Native seed mix has been planted with the help from the secondary roads crew. The weed department is currently on the hunt replacing their skid loader that was recently damaged. They are all starting to get the hang of everything and watching the weather forecast so they can choose what hours can be most effective for their spraying.

Williams also reported that the Conservation department will be posting their temporary positions this week. Seeman asked about the electrical upgrades in the parks. Williams explained they are knocking out some every year. She also touched on their upcoming conference that they will be attending and noting that they will be hosting the conference in 2026 by partnering with Linn and Jones County's. She encouraged the Supervisors or any Conservation Board members to attend at least one of the days.

Neal and Lori Siela brought up safety concerns caused with 218 detour going on now North of town along 57th Street Trail, , 22nd Ave. and West D Street. They inquired if there could be something done to help control the dust. Could the extra rock be spread so cars wouldn't have to hug the center of the road. The Engineer was also present and noted that the DOT is aware of it and they did reach out last Friday that they are willing to participate in some dust control. Parizek is waiting for reply back to know if they are asking for it in front of the intersection of the residences or continued on the four mile stretch. They have been receiving calls and photos sent to them. If the rain doesn't back up the project too much, they were anticipating at least a month of the detour. They may coordinate the dust control with a private contractor, just not sure how soon that will take place.

Committee Reports: Gary Bierschenk wanted to report concerns of holes in the blacktop road south of Blairstown along the way to Marengo to the Engineer while he was present. Supervisor Seeman reported on the EMS advisory Council meeting last week, recent landfill meeting and how the new lagoon is going to start in July. He also had the EMA meeting last night and they discussed today's weather concerns also.

Public comments:

Charles Greene, resident along 56th Street Trail near the quarry had concerns about the dust and truck traffic because the county decided to use the Hwy by a quarry. He would like the county to do something about it by either filling all the pot holes, redirecting traffic or seal coating or making it a hard surface.

Auditor Rippel mentioned being approached by Frank and Gail Rinderknecht, and how they would like to restore or replace a broken bench on the south side of the courthouse. Rippel had got Frank in touch with the maintenance department to discuss further.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To recess at 9:53 a.m. Primmer Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye thereon. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To enter open session at 10:51 a.m. All members voting aye. Motion carried.

Judi Hamaker, Quality Insurance on behalf of Heartland Insurance and Mary Griffin, Holmes Murphy, presented the FY 25 Insurance Renewal Schedules. There haven't been rate increases for over 15 years, the risk pool had been absorbing those. This year they had a rate study done by actuarial associates and proposed the rate adjustment. Premiums are based on the values they received. Cyber Insurance is a change this year as well. The Heartland Board agreed that 50% of that would be paid by Heartland and the discussion led to the implementation of multi-factor authentication. There will be no policy credit obtained this year, but Counties that have safety committees and meet quarterly can obtain discounts. They went over the different options available for the required harassment training. On a good note, the county's mod factor has decreased along with the workers compensation. We are encouraged to look these over closely and get any changes needed to them by May 31st.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To approve Resolution #24-48, Reallocating spending authority by amending Service Areas: 1, 3, 6 and 9 within the FY 24 Budget. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

Seeman moved/Bierschenk seconded: To Adjourn at 11:16 a.m. Primmer, Seeman and Bierschenk voting aye. Motion carried.

_____________________________

Richard Primmer, Chairman

ATTEST: _________________________________

Hayley Rippel, Benton County Auditor