SEPTEMBER BOARD MINUTES
September 4, 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 August 30, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by, seconded by, to set September 27, 2007, at 9:15 a.m., as the time and date for a public hearing on a land use change requested by John and Kathy Beck, on a parcel located in the SE1/4 of the NW1/4 of 36-82-12. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by, seconded by, to adopt Resolution #07-49, RESOLUTION CANCELLING OUTSTANDING CHECKS. Voting aye were Sanders, Vermedahl, and Buch. Nays none. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
__________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
ATTEST: ___________________________________
Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor
September 6, 2007
The Benton County Board of Supervisors met in regular adjourned session with Supervisors Sanders and Buch present. Supervisor Vermedahl was attending the Heartland Insurance Risk Pool Employment Seminar. Chairman Sanders called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Sanders, to set September 27, 2007, at 9:30 a.m., as the time and date for a public hearing on a land use change requested by Rob and Tina Cromer on a parcel located in the SW1/4 of the SE1/4 of 3-84-9. Both members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Sanders, to approve the minutes of September 4, 2007. Both members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Sanders, to approve the hire of Mark Tharp as a part-time correctional officer at the sheriff’s department, retroactive to September 5, 2007, at a starting wage of $10.66 per hour, with step increases during training to a maximum of $12.66 per hour upon successful completion of all training and certification. Both members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The Board did not receive information from the sheriff on the requested hire of Brad Bergmeier and therefore no action was taken.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Sanders, to acknowledge the receipt and filing of the annual manure management plan update submitted by Ritscher Farms at 1826 73rd Street, Van Horne, Iowa. Both members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date set for a public hearing on a land use change requested by Kyle and Kim Kline, the board took up the matter for consideration. Marc Greenlee presented the technical review in accordance with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. The request is for a land use change from an agricultural use to a commercial purpose in Eden Township. Greenlee explained that the applicant would like to place a screen-printing business in an existing building on his property. Hearing all comment, it was moved by Buch, seconded by Sanders, to approve a land use change on approximately 1 acre generally described as being a part the South 545 feet of the east 400 feet of the SE1/4 of the SW1/4 of 33-84-10 for the specific intended use of a screen-printing business. Both members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Sanders, to adjourn. Both members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
__________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
ATTEST: ___________________________________
Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor
September 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 September 6, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Renee Becker provided an update on the activities being done by Benton Development Group. Becker advised that she is trying to establish a method to track visitors to different sites within the county. Becker also discussed the status of the new county maps and the number of advertisements needed to pay for its production. The Board stated that they would prefer that local vendors be given preference for the production of the maps.
The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date set for a public hearing on a land use change requested by Steve and Connie Graveman, the board took up the matter for consideration. The applicants and Charles Patten were present. Marc Greenlee presented the technical review in accordance with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. This parcel already has a single-family residence located on it and the applicants would like to add a mobile home to the parcel for occupation by their parents. Hearing all comment, it was moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve a land use change on approximately one acre generally described as being located in the SE1/4 SE¼ of 14-86-11 (Cedar Township) for an additional single residential purpose restricted to occupation by the applicants’ family. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The Board discussed the request for a sewer variance submitted by River Valley 1st Addition. Rick and Barb Osterkamp, Engineer Dick Ransom, Attorney John Fischer and Steve Speidel were present. Vermedahl stated that he had met with the county attorney, who advised that procedurally the Board could reconsider the request. The applicants have stated that the requirement for a central sewer system will require the installation of sewage pumps on several lots, which creates a hardship, stating that the pumps are required due the unusual topography of the ground. Vermedahl stated that the issue comes down to whether a hardship exists by requiring strict adherence to the ordinance, adding that many other pumps currently exist in the county. Sanders commented that he does not believe that a hardship exists by requiring the installation of pumps for the sewer, stating that pumps can be purchased at Menards. Ransom responded that some people are required to put in pumps for their septic systems, but those homeowners have a choice and can modify the placement of their home, but the lot owners in River Valley 1st Addition will not have a choice and will be forced to install a pump. Ransom stated that the lack of choice makes this situation different than other homes with pumps. Vermedahl questioned if the ordinance creates that situation or the geology of the land. Ransom stated that it is caused by both, adding that in the past under the old ordinance individual systems could have been installed. Ransom added that if it was just the collective system and all could be gravity flowed then that would be different, but the topography and geology coupled with the ordinance’s requirements cause the hardship. Rick Osterkamp reiterated that the county’s ordinance states that hardships can be caused by unusual topography and added that this proposal is a very low-density. Buch stated that the county knows the topography is different, but questioned if the hardship was only that it was going to cost more money. The engineer responded that the long-term maintenance and its on-going costs also contribute to the hardship, although there are some upfront costs with the pump system. Sanders stated that it is a unique situation but each situation can be unique. Marc Greenlee added that Lot 6 might require a pump regardless. Greenlee also stated that this boils down to the ordinance and what the ordinance says – is it an extraordinary hardship to the developers and is it a minimal easing of the requirements? Greenlee went on to say that when the zoning commission drafted the ordinance they wanted central sewer systems. B. Osterkamp stated that there is no definition of minimal and this is only for 3 lots and that the requirements create more upfront costs between individual septic systems and pumps and it is a hardship to the future homeowners. Vermedahl responded that the ordinance does not refer to the hardship on future homeowners. Steve Speidel questioned how septic systems could be placed in towns with the county’s ordinance. The supervisors advised that the county has no authority over the cities and the central sewer requirement is a part of a county ordinance affecting the unincorporated areas of the county. R. Osterkamp stated that the zoning commission was appointed by the supervisors and that a zero-discharge sand filter is superior to a leach system and the supervisors could tell the voters that they required a more restrictive system than necessary if they allowed individual sand filter systems. Buch stated that he must go by the current ordinance whether he agrees with it or not and the county has to go by it. Fischer questioned Greenlee as to if he believed a hardship exists. Greenlee responded that he has stated what the ordinance says and that the county is installing more and more systems with pumps. Greenlee stated that his isn’t sure if this is a hardship. Greenlee added that perhaps one large pump could be installed instead of three individual pumps. Ransom stated if the houses were closer together that may be viable but due to the large lots it isn’t viable to put in one pump. Sanders stated that the board needs to make a decision and called for a motion. Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to deny the variance to the central sewer requirement. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Ransom stated that the developers still have the issue of water to be resolved. Vermedahl responded that the water, land use change, and preliminary plat would still need to be approved at a future meeting.
The Board discussed their position on the local option sales tax election. Andy Lent, City of Vinton, and three representatives from the City of Belle Plaine were present. Bill Daily, Belle Plaine, spoke to the Board about the proposition for the local option sales tax. Daily reviewed the amount of tax revenue Belle Plaine has received from the local option sales tax in the past and where they used the additional revenue. Daily commented that the State continues to cut into local government funding and speak about property tax reform. Daily stated that Belle Plaine would like the proposition to go back to the voters in January of 2008 so that the city can do long range planning. Daily stated that Belle Plaine has been in the planning stages for three years and needs to go forward, adding that Belle Plaine is an integral part of the county. Daily commented that Walford, Blairstown, Atkins and the unincorporated area is not being counted on to reach the 50% requirement to call for the special election; however if all remaining communities pass the resolution then there will be 53.3% of the population. Lent stated that Vinton has passed a resolution requesting the referendum with the understanding that the election will be held in January or February. Lent stated that Vinton’s property tax has declined over the past several years due to the property base being primarily residential and the increased rollback on residential property. Lent stated that the council will be discussing the timing of the election at their next meeting, but in Lent’s opinion the January/February election would allow for budgeting consideration. Buch stated that since he has been in office that the State has talked about property tax reform but it hasn’t happened yet. Buch added that there are some projects coming up that funding may not be available for in Benton County. Vermedahl stated that the supervisors are not opposed to the election, but would prefer that the election be held in conjunction with the November 2008 general election due to the approximate $33,000.00 cost to the taxpayers for conducting a special election. Daily stated that the supervisors should be aware that there is a “Mason-Dixon line” feeling in Belle Plaine where Belle Plaine residents feel they are ignored and that by the county supporting the special election that would help alleviate that feeling. Sanders stated that he agreed with Vermedahl in that the supervisors supported the election, but the timing was an issue. The Board did not take any action on the local option sales tax issue.
Tammy Wetjen-Kesterson met with the Board to provide an update on Decat activities and obtain approval for a state billing. Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve the DeCategorization state billing for August 2007 and authorize the chair to sign the same. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The engineer reported that the balance in the Blairstown landfill account on August 31, 2007, was $18,400.44.
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 5 and 6 of St Clair Township. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
__________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
ATTEST: ___________________________________
Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor
September 12, 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 9:15 a.m. The meeting was held for the sole purpose of giving formal approval for the payment of claims. It was impractical for the supervisors to attend the meeting in person and therefore the meeting was held electronically as provided under Iowa Code 21.8. The meeting was conducted via a conference call originating from the supervisors room through a speakerphone. Notice of the meeting had been posted in accordance with Chapter 20 of the Iowa Code and the public was allowed to participate. There were no members of the public present.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve checks numbered 94520 through 94824, and ACH payments numbered 1213 through 1306, for payment. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The Board discussed whether to hold a formal meeting and attend a meeting being held by Hawkeye Renewables, LLC on September 13, 2007, regarding the construction of an ethanol plant in Benton County. The Board believed that a meeting of the supervisors should not be held and that only one member would attend said meeting.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
__________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
ATTEST: ___________________________________
Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor
September 14, 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 receive the 2008-2009 initial contract negotiations proposal from the PPME Union, Local 2003, Representing County Workers in the Secondary Roads Department. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The time of 9:00 a.m. having arrived, the Board proceeded with canvassing the results of the Regular School Election held on September 11, 2007. Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch to approve said canvass and that the canvass be filed in the records of the auditor’s office. The following persons are declared elected:
Belle Plaine Community School District: At Large-Joyce Livermore
Benton Community School District: District 1-Brenda Schanbacher, District 3-Dan Voss, District 5-Tricia L. Schutterlee
Vinton-Shellsburg School District: District 1-Pat Lyons, At Large-Gerald E. Horst
All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to confirm the understanding of audit services to be provided by EideBailly for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve a native wine permit requested by Bloomsbury Farms, Inc. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve the minutes of September 11, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The Board met with county department heads regarding various management issues. The Board discussed the request by the treasurer to close the courthouse at noon on December 24, 2007. No action was taken on the request. The Board also asked that all appointed department heads notify the Board either directly or through the auditor’s office when they would be out of their offices. The courthouse alarm system was discussed, as well as parking issues and smoke detectors in other facilities.
Alberta Reifenstahl and Dale Schmidt with the Benton County Historical Society and Doug Mehlhaus, Chairman of the Monroe Township Trustees, met with the Board regarding the donation of the Monroe Township Hall to the Save Our Country Schools, an organization within the Benton County Historical Society. Monroe Township had agreed to donate their township hall, an old one-room schoolhouse, to Save Our Country Schools, however state law provides that a township may only donate property to another governmental entity. The county can donate to private entities if it is found to be in the best interest of the public or for a public purpose. Therefore, Monroe Township has asked Benton County to accept the donation of the building, and then in turn donate the building to the Benton County Historical Society. Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to accept the donation of the Monroe Township hall with the understanding that the building will in turn be donated to the Benton County Historical Society upon the finding of a public purpose. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
County Engineer Parizek spoke to the Board about the purchase of a trash compactor for the landfill. Parizek advised that he has located a used 2001 Caterpillar 816F compactor in Colorado for $155,000. Parizek stated that the vendor advised that another party had offered to purchase the equipment, and that Benton County has to make an immediate decision as to whether they will purchase the compactor or not. The old compactor could be retained as a back up or sold. Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to authorize the engineer to purchase a 2001 Caterpillar 816F compactor from Chaffee County, Colorado at $155,000.00, not including transportation costs. Action regarding a budget amendment or interfund loan will be taken, in the event it is necessary. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
__________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
ATTEST: ___________________________________
Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor
September 18, 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 14, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The Board discussed their thoughts on the proposed land use policies for Benton County. Marc Greenlee, Steve Speidel and Rick Osterkamp were present. Vermedahl stated that Greenlee has stated that the LESA plan will be more difficult to administer and leave more open-ended questions open to challenge. Sanders stated that quantitative values could be argued. Vermedahl stated that there is no flexibility for commercial development. Vermedahl further commented that he spoke with the county attorney as well. Vermedahl stated that he would suggest that the county needs to go through the LESA system and see if it is actually doing what you want it to do. The county could develop zoning from there. Greenlee stated that the interesting point that it would be an experiment in advance to come up with zoning, but that CSR will always play a vital role. Sanders commented that the development within ¼ mile and the hard surfaced road could always change dependent upon how things developed in an area and may encourage sprawl. Vermedahl stated that the Board is currently promoting sprawl. The possibility of implementing zoning was discussed. Supervisor Buch questioned if commercial development could occur in areas regardless of the corn suitability rating. Speidel commented that rural growth provided jobs for plumbers, cement workers, carpenters, etc and those things should be considered when the Board takes action on controlling growth. Osterkamp stated that he has driven through areas in other counties where individual wells and septic systems are allowed on each lot. Osterkamp also commented that the individual who developed the LESA system said it was subject to interpretation. Supervisor Buch stated that he has never been in favor of central sewer systems, but it was passed before he took office. Greenlee stated that he has had several inquiries made to him about water and sewer. Greenlee stated he was asked why those provisions were put into the ordinance originally and Greenlee explained it was an attempt to control growth. Greenlee then was questioned about how many environmental problems the county has had since we allowed individual septic systems and Greenlee was not aware of any. Greenlee stated that the county is taking steps to try to avoid creating environmental concerns. Osterkamp added that by keeping the hard surface road requirement in the subdivision ordinance it would separate the serious developers from those that are not. Supervisor Vermedahl suggested that the supervisors meet with the zoning commission and discuss the proposals and the items the supervisors agree with and/or disagree. However, after further discussion it was determined that the supervisors needed to discuss the land use policies in more detail prior to meeting with the zoning commission.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve a salary increase for Lisa Epp, attorney in the county attorney’s office at $50,000.00, effective this date. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Mary McLaughlin requested approval to purchase software that provides the capabilities to produce mailing labels through GIS. The one-time cost of the software is $1000.00 from Schneider Corporation and is an extension to the GIS software. The software may be usable for the Census 2010 as well. Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve the purchase of Mailing Label generator for the GIS. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Renee Becker requested release of $5000.00 from the economic development fund for payment of the second half of the Highway 30 Impact Study costs. Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to release $5,000 to Benton Development Group for economic development activities. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The Board discussed providing notice to the county engineer regarding review and renegotiation of his employment contract. The county attorney advised that the current contract does not provide a renegotiation clause without termination of the current contract. The Board discussed the need for an annual employment review of the engineer. The engineer commented that there is a 90-day clause providing for written notice. Parizek stated he has no issues with the current contract, but if the Board wishes to review the contract he understood. Moved by Buch, seconded by Sanders, to give written notice to the engineer of county’s intent to terminate the current employment contract. Voting aye were Sanders and Buch. Vermedahl voting nay. Motion carried. The Board stressed that the termination is not due to job performance but that the current contract has been in effect for approximately ten years and should be reviewed.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
__________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
ATTEST: ___________________________________
Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor
September 20, 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 September 18, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve the hire of Artie Fowler, as a part-time correctional officer in the sheriff’s department, effective September 21, 2007, at a starting wage of $10.66 per hour with step raises in training up to $12.66 per hour upon successful completion of training. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve a request for a utility permit by Qwest Communications to place utility lines in the county’s right-of-way along 22nd Avenue Drive in Section 7 of Taylor Township. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The Board discussed the status of the courthouse repair project and the request for proposals. Supervisor Vermedahl commented that Durant Engineering has not submitted their proposal as of this date. Supervisor Vermedahl is to contact Durant and advise that their proposal will only be accepted through September 26, 2007.
Supervisor Buch discussed the county’s position on owning farmland. Buch believes that the county should sell the farm ground adjacent to the Cedar Valley Ranch. Buch stated that the county should not necessarily own land that they aren’t going to use or have a plan to use, adding that the land is not producing tax income and puts the county in competition with local farmers. Buch stated that the ground could be offered for sale, but if the land did not bring enough, the Board could continue to rent. Buch also stated that he would consider selling the building currently housing the Cedar Valley Ranch and have the county simply pay for clients placed there by the county. Buch stated that he questioned Benton County subsidizing other counties who have clients placed there through maintenance of the facility. Supervisor Sanders stated that the Ranch does pay rent, however Buch responded that the rent does not cover Benton County’s expenses in maintaining the facility. Supervisor Vermedahl commented that if the buildings sold the same way that the Vinton-Shellsburg school buildings did recently, then the county shouldn’t bother trying to sell it. Buch and Sanders stated that there is going to be major expenses with the facility in the future, i.e. roof and boiler replacement. Supervisor Sanders stated that the issue comes down to philosophy. Supervisor Vermedahl stated that the county is in the landlord capacity and did not want to sell an asset to put money into maintenance operations. Vermedahl added that the county would lose the rental income. Supervisor Buch stated that government should not be in the business to make money. Supervisor Vermedahl stated that he is not so much opposed to selling the land, but more so as to what the money would be used for. The Board requested that the issue be researched further as to the actual amount of acres and the status of the lagoons.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
__________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
ATTEST: ___________________________________
Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor
September 25, 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 6:00 p.m.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve the minutes of September 20, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve claims numbered 93589 through 95124, and ACH checks numbered 1307 through 1400, for payment. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Marc Greenlee, Land Use Administrator, presented an application for a farm exemption submitted by Marian Janss. Greenlee reported that Janss is purchasing seventy-eight acres, which will be used in the production of food and fiber. Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve a farm exemption as authorized by the Benton Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance on a parcel located in the E1/2 of the NE1/4 of 29-82-12, for a single residential purpose. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to acknowledge the filing of a new manure management plan submitted by Katouc Hog Farm in 20-85-11. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The time of 6:30 having arrived, and this being the time and date set for a public hearing on a land use change submitted by Hawkeye Renewables, LLC, the Board took up the matter for consideration. Marc Greenlee, Land Use Administrator, reported that the had received a written request from the applicants to withdraw the application. Several people asked about the county’s land use procedures. There being no need for consideration of a land use change, the chair declared the public hearing closed.
Moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
__________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
ATTEST: ___________________________________
Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor
September 27, 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 September 20, 2007. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve the following law enforcement contracts between Benton County Sheriff: Van Horne – 780 hours annually at $15,600; Norway – 520 hours annually at $10,400; Garrison – 156 hours annually at $2,808; and Blairstown – 780 hours annually at $14,040. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to set the following dates for consideration on a proposed ordinance titled Watkins Sewer Service Systems: October 9, 2007, October 11, 2007, and October 16, 2007, at 9:15 a.m. Further, language should be included allowing the board to waive readings due to time constraints with the targeted operational date of the sewer system. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The time of 9:15 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date set for a public hearing on a land use change requested by John and Kathy Beck, the board took up the matter for consideration. There were no persons present for the hearing. Marc Greenlee presented the technical review in accordance with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. The request is for land use change from agricultural use to a single residential use in Benton Township. Hearing all comment, it was moved by Buch, seconded by Vermedahl, to approve a land use change on approximately two acres generally described as being a Part of the SE1/4 of the NW1/4 of 36-82-12 for a single residential use. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
The time of 9:30 a.m. having arrived, and this being the time and date set for a public hearing on a land use change requested by Rob and Tina Cromer, the board took up the matter for consideration. The applicant was present for the hearing. Marc Greenlee presented the technical review in accordance with the Benton County Agricultural Land Use Preservation Ordinance. The request is for land use change from agricultural use to a single residential use in Benton Township. Hearing all comment, it was moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to approve a land use change on approximately two and one-half acres generally described as being a Part of the SW1/4 of the SE1/4 of 3-84-9 for a single residential use. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to adopt Resolution #07-50. ABATEMENT OF INTEREST AND PENALTY. Voting aye were Sanders, Vermedahl, and Buch. Nays none. Motion carried.
The Board provided the county’s 2008-2009 initial contract negotiations proposal to the PPME Union, Local 2003 representing county workers in the secondary roads department to Mark Kelty, union representative.
The Board discussed tiling the farm ground around the landfill. Supervisor Buch is to do further research before any action is taken.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to adopt Resolution #07-51, CLOSING ROAD FOR CONSTRUCTION. Voting aye were Sanders, Vermedahl, and Buch. Nays none. Motion carried.
Moved by Vermedahl, seconded by Buch, to adjourn. All members voting aye thereon. Motion carried.
__________________________________
Jason Sanders, Chairman
ATTEST: ___________________________________
Jill Marlow, Benton County Auditor