OCTOBER BOARD MINUTES
October 2, 2007
The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular adjourned session with Supervisors Buch, Vermedahl, and Sanders present. Chairman Sanders called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve the minutes of September 27, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, that Benton County provide a letter of support for the City of Belle Plaine’s Housing Rehabilitation grant application. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Renee Becker, Benton Development Group, and Amy Lasack with Skills Advantage, met with the Board to request that the county become a Skills Advantage employer. The program utilizes Kirkwood Community College to administer skills assessment testing to be used by the employer in the hiring process. The Board requested that Lasack return at a later date to speak with the county’s department heads prior to the county taking formal action joining the program.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve the quarterly reports for the period ending September 30, 2007, for the sheriff and auditor. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to acknowledge the receipt of the original manure management plan filed by McKinley Swine, LLC located in the SW1/4 of the NW1/4 of 35-87-9 (Buchanan County) with application on areas in Benton County. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The county engineer reported that the balance in the Blairstown bank account for the landfill on September 30, 2007, was $29,450.10.
The engineer discussed an issue that has arisen on the Linn Benton Road described as being from the northwest corner of Section 31-83-8, thence North 8.5 miles to the W1/4 Corner of Section 18-84-8. The engineer advised that the road is in dire need of rock; however under an agreement entered into between Benton County and Linn County on December 22, 1999, Linn County is required to provide maintenance on that portion of the roadway, adding that maintenance is defined in part as including “routine maintenance, such as rock surfacing,…”. Supervisor Buch is to follow-up with the Linn County Board of Supervisors as to the need for immediate action on the road and if necessary schedule a meeting with the Linn County Board of Supervisors.
Supervisor Buch commented that he had been asked that a dirt road be considered for upgrading to rock on 25th Avenue north of 73rd Street or 72nd Street west of 25th Avenue.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
__________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
ATTEST: ___________________________________
Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor
October 9, 2007
The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular adjourned session with Supervisors Buch, Vermedahl, and Sanders present. Chairman Sanders called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to set November 1, 2007, at 9:15 a.m., as the time and date for a public hearing on a land use change requested by David Wiebbecke on a parcel located in the 22-85-9. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve the minutes of October 2, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Marc Greenlee, Land Use Administrator, presented an application for a farm exemption submitted by Kyle Deaton on a parcel located in the SW1/4 of Section 22-82-12. The applicant currently owns 67.67 acres, which has 45 acres in a corn-soybean crop rotation and is requesting to have a single residential use added. Greenlee advised that the request conforms to the requirements of the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve a farm exemption requested by Kyle Deaton on a parcel located in the SW1/4 of section 22 of Iowa Township, for a single residential use. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The Board discussed the proposals received for engineering services for the courthouse repair project. Proposals were received from Durrant Engineering, Howard R. Green, and IIW Engineers & Surveyors. The Board reviewed the proposals and compared the various services. The board called references and also requested that the county engineer review the proposals as well.
The time of 9:15 a.m., and this being the time and date for the first consideration on proposed Ordinance #55, Watkins Sewer Service Systems, the Board took up the matter for consideration. Notice of the considerations had been published in the official newspapers and copies were available in the auditor’s office. The auditor reported that no one has asked for a copy of the ordinance or had she received any comments or questions regarding the same. There was no one present for the hearing. Hearing no comment either for or against the proposed ordinance, it was moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve the first consideration of Ordinance #55, Watkins Sewer Service Systems. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve claims numbered 95125 through 95466, and ACH checks numbered 1401 through 1494, for payment. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to authorize the chair to sign the final Iowa Department of Transportation progress voucher for Project #FM-CO06(73)—HMA Resurfacing on D65. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve a utility permit requested by Alliant Energy to place utility lines in the county’s right-of-way in Section 29 of Iowa Township, along 11th Avenue Trail. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to enter into closed session to discuss pending litigation in accordance with Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c). All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried at 10:15 a.m.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to return to open session at 11:05 a.m. The Board did not take action relative to the closed session.
The board discussed the disposition of various parcels of county-owned real property. The Board discussed the disposition of the farmland by the Cedar Valley Ranch, and several small parcels adjacent to the Department of Natural Resource’s property. Supervisor Buch is to speak with the county engineer about the status of the lagoons at the Cedar Valley Ranch and the requirements needed to close them prior to the board taking any action.
The auditor requested that the Board consider a policy that would automatically terminate employees who have not worked for a period of one year or greater. The auditor advised that certain notices must still be given to employees even though they haven’t worked. The board agreed to discuss the matter with the department heads.
The auditor discussed the need for a new resolution governing the Benton County Historic Preservation Commission with the board. The auditor stated that the current resolution is outdated and should be revised and that she has received a sample resolution from the Iowa State Historical Society. The Board agreed that a new resolution should be adopted and asked the auditor to bring a proposed resolution back for consideration. Supervisor Sanders is to obtain a list of current commission members so that they may be notified as well.
The auditor asked the Board for approval to begin switching the lighting in the rotunda areas of the courthouse to compact fluorescent bulbs. The auditor advised that it would require that globe shaped shades be purchased for some of the fixtures, which would representative of the original fixtures. The auditor advised that compact fluorescent bulbs use less energy and have a longer life. The Board directed the auditor to begin making the necessary change. The Board also requested that research be done on restoring or replacing the lamppost fixtures at the stairways to their original design.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
_________________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
ATTEST: ______________________________________
Jill Marlow, Auditor
October 11, 2007
The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular adjourned session with Supervisors Buch, Vermedahl, and Sanders 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 9, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The time of 9:15 a.m., and this being the time and date for the second consideration on proposed Ordinance #55, Watkins Sewer Service Systems, and the Board took up the matter for consideration. There were no members of the Public present. One member of the media was present. Hearing no comment either for or against said ordinance, the Chair announced the public hearing closed. Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch to approve the second consideration of Ordinance #55. Vermedahl, Buch and Sanders vote aye. Nays none. Motion carried.
The Board then discussed waiving the third consideration of Ordinance #55. It was discussed that it is important to the citizens of Watkins and Poweshiek Water that time is of the essence to waive the third consideration. Further there has not been any public input regarding Ordinance #55 at the first or second consideration. Fully discussing the waiving of the third consideration, it was moved by Buch, seconded by Sanders, to waive the third consideration of Ordinance #55, Watkins Sewer Service Systems for the reason discussed. Voting aye was Vermedahl, Buch, and Sanders. Nays none. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to adopt Resolution #07-52 ADOPT ORDINANCE #55, WATKINS SEWER SERVICE SYSTEMS. Voting aye was Vermedahl, Buch, and Sanders. Nays none. Motion carried.
Bill Daily, Belle Plaine City Administrator, met with the Board to discuss the Local Option Sales Tax. He was instructed that the papers needed to be filed in the Auditor’s office and not the Board of Supervisor’s Office.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve the utility permit requested by Qwest Communications to place utility lines in the county’s right-of-way in Sections 30 and 31 in Benton Twp along 61st St Ln. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve the utility permit requested by Qwest Communications to place utility lines in the county’s right-of-way in Section 21, Harrison Twp along 24th Ave Dr. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Sanders to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion Carried
_________________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
ATTEST: ______________________________________
Delane Kalina, Deputy Auditor
October 16, 2007
The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular adjourned session with Supervisors Buch, Vermedahl, and Sanders 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 11, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Mary Williams met with the Board to request approval of provider clients. Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to enter into the following provider contracts:
Area Substance Abuse Council- $0.70 rate increase.
Associated for Behavioral Health-no increases for commitment related costs.
All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to accept the resignation of Steve Payne as a part-time bus driver for the transportation department effective October 11, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to direct the chair to sign a request for an extension to the CDBG contract for community development block grant funds for the Watkins wastewater treatment project. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to allow Waypoint Service to use the courthouse lawn on October 22nd, 2007, for the entire day to promote the awareness of domestic abuse. It was previously scheduled for October 15, 2007 but due to rain, it was rescheduled. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried
The time of 9:05 a.m., and this being the time and date for discussion of the county’s current land use policies. Supervisor Vermedahl started out the discussion by asking the question if we agree with the goals. Do we want to preserve farmground? Because he is under the impression that this policy is bent towards more economic developments. If this is part of our goal then we need to make plans to do that. Steve Speidel was also present for the discussion. The two main requirements in the policy he said that is of concern to him is the sewer system and paved roads. He said he was never in favor of the community sewer as mentioned in the current policy. They cause more problems then good. He doesn’t seem to think that we have problems with individual septic systems. Vermedahl questioned Speidel if more houses use one well does it affect the water supply. Speidel said that it didn’t matter if there were 8 individual wells or all 8 using 1, its still going to use the same amount of water. If something goes wrong with one common well all 8 houses are affected as opposed to one house per well. Sanders questioned who would maintain these community spaces in the developments? Speidel also stated that there are plenty of people who rely on these developments for their income. In this plan we will eliminate some of these people from doing that. You are never going to be able to please everyone he said.
Vermedahl asked if the goal was to push development toward the communities so they could hook into the services of the community. Sanders asked if that goal conflicts with maintaining our farm ground. Why do we want to push people to the towns. He understands its important for emergency protection and to be within a certain distance from those services. Vermedahl stated that the intent is to make developments contiguous to the towns. Supervisor Buch commented that sometimes the ground is more suitable for developing in the rural areas then it is in the urban areas due to the CSR. A big concern for Buch is along HWY 30. For example how can we have a gas station along there if there are no towns along the way. How do you say yes to one land owner and no to another. Sanders said we know what the people want, it is their land to do it with. Buch said he doesn’t have a problem if the farmstead is already there, go ahead and build. Or if there is evidence showing a foundation existed at one time and it meets the requirements in the mentioned plan. Supervisor Buch stated this is by far the toughest part of his job as a supervisor. He also commented about the LESA program. Vermedahl asked how they would approach this program. He said there are 4 main things they need to look at. 1) Comp Plan 2) Zoning Ordinance 3) Fringe area agreements 4) sub-division ordinance. We need to consider what the goal is and what we want to achieve. The board tabled action and put this discussion back on the agenda for Tuesday October 23rd at 9:05 a.m. to allow more time for consideration.
Discussion was had about the three bids for the courthouse repair projects. Vermedahl stated that he thought Durant had the experience in the area and provided plenty of information about the people who will be doing the work. Buch questioned their interest in applying for grants for historical preservation. Sanders added that they all three do basically the same work and that Durrant was the least expensive of the three. Motion by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch to hire Durrant Engineering Firm for the courthouse repair project. No Further Discussion, all members voting aye thereon. Motion Carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to adopt Resolution #07-53 CLOSE ROAD FOR CONSTRUCTION. Voting aye was Vermedahl, Buch, and Sanders. Nays none. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion Carried
_________________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
ATTEST: ______________________________________
Hayley Rippel, Deputy Auditor
October 23, 2007
The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular adjourned session with Supervisors Buch, Vermedahl, and Sanders present. Chairman Sanders called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve the minutes of October 16, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve checks numbered 95467 through 95733, and ACH checks numbered 1495 through 1589, for payment. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The Board discussed land use policies for Benton County. Supervisor Sanders stated that the policies will be reviewed one by one. Supervisor Vermedahl stated that he did not have a difference in the goals with the Zoning Commission in maintaining the rural lifestyle; however he would like to see more emphasis on economic development. The economic development should not be out in the “middle of no where”, except industries that create odors, etc. you would not want near the communities. Economic development should be viewed as commercial and residential. Vermedahl continued to state that he would like to see more emphasis on the commercial development and relative to the residential development; the supervisors need to decide about rural subdivisions and whether they should be allowed. Vermedahl stated that his is not opposed to rural subdivisions, but does not believe they should be allowed anywhere. Vermedahl stated that he did not have problems with subdivisions like Beau Chene, but doesn’t want to see developments up and down the Cedar River. Sup. Buch stated that population is dictating where the development occurs. The demand is in the eastern half of the county and that land suitable for development is located in the eastern third of the county as opposed to the western two-thirds. Buch stated that every time commercial development tries to come to Benton County that the people are against it. Buch questioned how commercial development could be allowed, because then you would have to tell one-person yes and the other person no. Buch stated that this is one of the toughest things to be done by supervisors. Buch stated that Benton Development Group is the contact person for development and we (the board) tie their hands. Buch added that Tama County spends $90,000 a year for economic development, but questioned if there been anything actually happen there. Becker responded that Tama County has a lot in the works. Buch responded that still nothing ever seems to develop. Buch questioned what Benton County has to offer commercial development, for example the ethanol plant, although Buch stated that that development stopped due to other reasons and not Benton County. Buch stated that the biggest growth in Benton County will be from people living here and working elsewhere. Buch stated that Belle Plaine has pretty much determined that they will be a bedroom community and are planning as such. Buch stated that if you have a good business district and people support it, the downtown will survive, but there is no industrial business. Vermedahl stated that Benton Commerce Village has developed well. Buch stated that is because of the location next to I-380. Vermedahl stated that the county should consider that when determining where commercial growth can occur. Becker stated that it would make her job easier if there were areas for economic development. Supervisor Sanders stated that the proposed comprehensive plan does not include economic development and if adopted that Benton County, as the county, would not have a goal for economic development and that it would be up to the cities. Vermedahl then questioned if the county should list economic development as a goal and then establish areas for economic development. Buch stated that unless you stated development along the railway, then the project near Mt Auburn could never occur. Steve Speidel commented that there used to be a junkyard, gas station, and motel along Highway 30, so the county should consider development along that highway. Speidel stated that rural water was available and as another reason for commercial growth along the Highway 30 corridor. Speidel also added that the Vinton airport should be an area for commercial growth as well. Ron Donald, Van Horne mayor, stated that the Highway 30 corridor would make sense to allow commercial development from the Linn Benton line west to Grovert Chevrolet. Donald stated that the whole corridor would be a potential area for development. Donald stated that he was told several years ago that someone was denied development on the 218 and 30 corner because of the county’s land use policies. Buch asked who should decide what is developed and what isn’t. Donald responded that you would get different answers from different people and the decision needs to be made as to whether Benton County wants to grow or not. Speidel stated that no matter where development occurs, farm ground would be taken out of production because there are no areas available in the cities for redevelopment. Becker stated that she attended the public hearings held by the zoning commission when the comprehensive plan was developed. Becker stated that preserving farm ground was just as important as economic development, but the people drafting the proposal only heard preserving farm ground and economic development was lost somewhere along the line. Sanders stated that the plan does address growth related to economic development, but is not listed as a goal. Becker stated that she went to one meeting and economic development was in the plans and then the next meeting it was gone. Becker stated that a few key people took it out. Buch stated that there is no reason to have an economic development board if we aren’t going to allow economic development. Buch stated that the county could designate the area along Highway 30, along I-380, and along the railroad for economic development as an option. Becker stated that she has no areas to actively promote in Benton County for development or redevelopment. Becker stated that Benton County has a lot to offer as far as quality of life and good schools, but if Benton County makes it difficult to locate here then businesses will locate elsewhere. Buch stated that Benton County is much better than Linn County to work with as far as regulations. Vermedahl commented that the county should basically just say certain areas are available for commercial development, i.e. railroads, etc., or if the LESA system is used then provide additional points for the location along railroads, etc. Vermedahl stated that you could take a LESA program and zone the entire county using that tool, except that areas may change, i.e. a new road paved. Vermedahl stated that he believes the board has reached a consensus to at least expand the current plan to include the goal to include economic development. Sanders also commented on the positive qualities to be maintained as stated in the plan, including the small town atmosphere. Sanders stated that in no other place in the plan does it state that all residential growth needs to be near cities. Sanders stated that the proposed land use plan is at odds with itself as it states to maintain prime farm ground while pushing growth towards cities where prime farm ground may be located. Sanders stated that the county needed to be concerned where growth in the county should occur. Vermedahl questioned if a city annexes in land if the city must provide services within so many years. Donald replied that he is not aware of any law requiring services be provided within a time frame. Andy Lent, Vinton City Coordinator, responded that if the annexation is involuntary, it his understanding that services must be provided within three years. Vermedahl stated that fringe area agreements should be developed with the cities. Donald stated that economic development drives the community. If people drive to Cedar Rapids to work, they will shop there as well. Donald continued that if the jobs are in the community then people will stay and shop there promoting more retail businesses in the communities. Vermedahl asked Donald and Lent what the cities might like to see in fringe area agreements. Lent responded that there was a lot of opportunity available with fringe area agreements. Buch reiterated that the county should set areas, i.e. along Highway 30, the railroad, and I-380, for commercial development. Becker stated that she attended the zoning meetings, but all of sudden was no longer made aware of them. Donald stated that he attended one meeting and left with the impression that the decisions were already made and it didn’t matter about other input. The Board placed the matter on a future agenda for additional discussion.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve a utility permit requested by Qwest to place utility lines in the county’s right-of-way along 55th Street in Harrison Township in Sections 29 and 32. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The Board discussed the local option sales tax issue being
proposed. Jill Marlow, county auditor, advised that she received sufficient
motions from governments representing fifty percent of the population, which
triggers the election process. The auditor advised that Iowa law required the
auditor to set the date of the election in consultation with the board of
supervisors and the city councils. Marlow said that the law further set a
minimum and maximum number of days before the date of the election. Marlow
stated that she was considering holding the election on January 29, 2007, which
was the earliest date possible. Marlow advised that she had notified all of the
cities of the date and heard no comments either for or against it. The
supervisors did not have any objections to the date proposed by the auditor.
The auditor advised that the Board of Supervisors had the
authority to set a sunset clause on the local option sales tax should it pass;
however if a sunset clause was to be imposed then it would need to be included
in the required notices and on the ballot. Supervisor Buch stated that if the
county puts a sunset clause on the issue then it might shut it down. Supervisor
Vermedahl added that the public file petition to repeal the tax; however Bill
Daily (Belle Plaine) advised that the only way the tax could be repealed was by
council or supervisor action and that the citizens could not just file a
petition that would require repeal. Mayor Jim Daily (Belle Plaine) stated that
the county was concerned about the cost of the election and if there was no
sunset clause there would never have to be another local option sales tax
election, adding that the tax would just go on and on. Bill Daily stated that
the majority of the cities with local option sales tax do not have a sunset
clause because the municipalities are accountable to their citizens. Supervisor
Buch stated that the resolutions filed with the auditor did not have sunset
clauses. Supervisor Vermedahl added that the issue could be put to the voters
without a sunset clause and the voters can vote it down if they don’t like it.
Supervisor Sanders commented that he is struggling with not having a sunset on
the tax. Sanders stated that the accountability bothers him, that the long
range planning used as an argument for no sunset is only as good as the city
councils since the tax can be repealed by motion of the council/board. Jim
Daily responded that if long-term debt is done with the payments being
guaranteed by local option sales tax revenue then the council cannot repeal it.
Sanders questioned if there would be a time that would be comfortable for
sunset. Jim Daily replied twenty-five years adding that the local option sales
tax is property tax relief as well. Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, that
the county not imposes a sunset date on the local option sales tax being put to
the voters on January 29, 2008. Voting aye were Buch and Vermedahl. Sanders
voting nay. Motion carried.
The auditor advised that the law required that notice of the election published not less than sixty days prior to the election and that the supervisors had to determine the use of the tax should it be passed to be included in the notice. The Board then discussed various uses of the tax including road use and culvert replacement, ambulance, fire, libraries, and courthouse repair and conservation vertical structures. The Board also discussed property tax relief to the general fund, the rural fund, or the mental health fund. Supervisor Sanders stated that it would not be appropriate to use the tax relief for the general fund as it is paid by both rural and urban property owners and the county’s portion of the local option sales tax is being paid by the rural residents. Marlow stated that she did not believe that the tax relief could not be used for the mental health fund due to legal restrictions as well as the rural residents paying a disproportionate share of the mental health costs. The Board asked the city representatives present if they had suggestions. The cities responded that the county could use the local option sales tax revenue for animal control, economic development, and landfill or conservation purposes such as trails. The Board asked how soon a decision needed to be made and the auditor responded by November 8th. The auditor advised that if no decision was made then she would have to proceed with the tax being used as one hundred percent property tax relief. The Board asked that the matter be discussed further at a future meeting.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
___________________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
ATTEST: _____________________________________
Jill Marlow, Auditor
October 30, 2007
The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular adjourned session with Supervisors Buch and Vermedahl present. Supervisor Sanders was absent. Vice-Chairman Vermedahl called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Mike Ruden of Durrant Group met with the Board to discuss the courthouse repair project. Ruden asked the supervisors how the county wanted to proceed with the project, i.e. the project as a whole or separate projects within the whole project. Ruden advised that if the project is bid out project by project that the estimated cost will increase by approximately 15 percent. After talking with the supervisors, Ruden determined that the project documents should be divided into three projects. Vermedahl stated that he had hoped that the engineers would research the structure and determine how the repairs needed to be done and the estimate cost. Ruden advised that his company’s proposal did not include cost estimates, only the preparation of the bid documents. Vermedahl stated that he understood that by hiring Durrant that the county would receive documents stating exactly what work needed to be done and cost estimates be completed for each project so that the county could plan. Ruden advised that the company would determine the work that needed to be done, but the proposal did not include the cost to figure cost estimates. Ruden asked if the Board planned to use the cheapest windows possible. The Board did not give and indication as to the direction with the quality of the window. Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, that the engineer proceed with development of the project documents excluding cost estimates with the understanding that bid documents will include the statement that all bids may be rejected. Both members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve the minutes of October 23, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to adopt Resolution #07-54. ABATEMENT OF INTEREST AND PENALTY. Voting aye were Sanders, Vermedahl, and Buch. Nays none. Motion carried.
BE IT RESOLVED by the Benton County Board of Supervisors that interest and penalty in the total amount of $4,366.31 is hereby abated on parcels numbered 380-10301, 390-10301, and 870-17001 pursuant to the agreement entered into between Iowa Northern Railroad and Benton County. The Treasurer is directed to determine the amount of abatement to be applied to each respective parcel.
Dated this 30th day of October 2007.
BENTON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
__________________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
__________________________________________
Ronald Buch
___________________________________________
David Vermedahl
ATTEST: ______________________________
Jill Marlow, Auditor
The Board continued discussing the proposed land use polices. Vermedahl stated that Chad Sands of East Central Iowa Council of Governments has agreed to meet with the Board regarding the submitted proposals. Vermedahl stated that a conflict between the land use policy wherein subdivisions may be located on seal coated roads and in the subdivision ordinance seal coated roads are excluded as a hard surface road. The Board discussed commercial and industrial development as well as rural residential subdivisions.
The sheriff asked that part-time correctional employees be given shift differential. Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to grant shift differential to part-time correctional employees effective November 1st, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The sheriff advised that officers left to pick up the two drug dogs for an initial acquantance period and then leave for training with the dogs next week.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve the change in employment classification for Mark Tharp from part-time correctional officer to full-time correctional officer, effective November 1, 2007, at a starting wage of $12.66 per hour. Both members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve the hire of Tara Pattee as a part-ime communications officer, effective November 1, 2007, at a wage of $10.66 per hour and up to $12.66 per hour after completing all training and certification. Both members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The sheriff spoke to the Board about hiring an additional full-time communications officer. The sheriff advised that he is having difficulty finding part-time people to fill the positions. The sheriff also stated that he has an employee retiring in the next year. Deputy Ferguson stated that it takes a minimum of six months to train a communications officer. The sheriff stated that another full-time communications officer would be the total at six and he only has approval for five. Additionally, a sixth person was not budgeted in the current budget; however the sheriff stated that he has not filled the position that was budgeted for in the kitchen and the office and money could be shifted to cover the increased costs. Ferguson stated that people no longer want to work nights, weekends, and holidays without benefits. Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to authorize and additional communications officer for the sheriff’s department. Both members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The Board discussed the local option sales tax uses should the issue pass in January. Bob Mahood and Brad Johnson, Conservation Board members, requested that a portion of the sales tax revenue be used to fund capital improvements such as housing, playground equipment, and other projects. Supervisor Buch stated that conservation was discussed last week, as well as secondary roads, Benton Development Group. The auditor reminded the supervisors that the discussion last week was economic development and conservation vertical infrastructure and not to include land purchases, etc. Johnson stated that the conservation’s infrastructure is in dire need of repair and specifically spoke to the Hannen Park ranger house. An office is not available for the director of the conservation department. Renee Becker, Benton Development Group, asked that economic development be included and asked that the Benton County Community Foundation. The Board also discussed seal coating roads, emergency services, reduce landfill tipping fees, courthouse renovation, libraries, city recreation departments, law enforcement. The Board will continue discussing the issue and invite Farm Bureau to attend.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to adjourn. Both members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
__________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
ATTEST: ___________________________________
Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor