Board of Supervisors Minutes

May 2012

May 1, 2012:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, May 1, 2012, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Hickey, Bartholomew and Morgan present. A quorum was declared and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous Board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted.

At 9:00 a.m. No Levee update.

At 9:10 a.m. Dan Davis, Engineer, met with the board for approval of the following:

Davis told the board he would like to purchase a used track hoe. Also present were Mike Batenhorst, Jeff Shirley and Mike Fox. Batenhorst presented two bids, one from John Deere and the second from Komatsu. Davis’s recommendation would be to purchase a 2007 used Deere with 3,000 hrs for $122,500, there will be a trade in off that. Motion was made by Morgan to go with the engineer’s recommendation and allow the purchase of the 2007 Deere. Morgan, aye; Bartholomew, aye; Hickey aye.

Motion was made by Morgan to authorize Chairman Hickey to sign contracts and bonds for project #LFM-FEMA-7X-36. Morgan, aye; Bartholomew, aye; Hickey aye.

Motion was made by Morgan to sign work in ROW permit for Michael White to fill in ditch on 242nd St. Morgan, aye; Bartholomew, aye; Hickey aye.

Motion was made by Morgan to sign contract for Construction Inspection Services for HGM on Proj#ER-CO36(63) - -58-36 (J-64). Morgan, aye; Bartholomew, aye; Hickey aye.

At 9:23 a.m. After discussing bids presented on installing automatic door operators on the north entrance of the courthouse, including a new locking system. Motion was made by Morgan to accept the Custodian’s recommendation of Security Lock & Keys bid of $14,570.00 and The Glass Guy, Inc. bid of $5,739.00, to be paid with Local Option County Infrastructure money. Morgan, aye; Bartholomew, aye; Hickey aye.

At 9:30 a.m. Mike Fox, Landfill, met with the board to discuss salvage leaving Fremont County and going to other local landfills. Fox said he would like the County to amend their Nuisance Ordinance to require any salvage from Fremont County be deposited in the Fremont County Landfill. This has been presented to the County Attorney to determine if there is a state law requiring salvage to remain in the county.

At 9:45 a.m. Judith Crain, Treasurer, presented the board with a Fremont County Investment Policy for their approval. Motion was made by Morgan to approve the Investment Policy as presented. Morgan, aye; Bartholomew, aye; Hickey aye.

At 10:00 a.m. Jennifer Thompson, Wendy Buley and Renee Fish met with the board with concerns pertaining to the future of Community Services/Case Managers Department in Fremont County, these concerns come with the announced retirement of Janeth Winkler, CPC/Community Services Director, retiring June 30, 2012. Also present was Janeth Winkler. The board assured the ladies they were checking in to several options and would keep them posted.

At 10:15 a.m. Janeth Winkler, CPC met with the board to discuss Community Services/Mental Health Department changes. The State of Iowa is planning on having Mental Health Care regionalized by April of 2014. At this point there are a lot of unanswered questions as to how the areas will be split up. This may have an impact on how the board handles filling Janeth Winkler’s position.

At 10:50 a.m. Dan Davis, Engineer met with the board. Motion made by Morgan to sign Contracts & Bonds for K & L Landscaping & Construction for Project # L-FEMA-30 --73-36.

At 11:30 a.m. Amanda Baker, with Wellmark BCBS, met with the board to go over the renewal of the County’s Health Insurance Policy.

In other business, payroll and claims for May 4, 2012, were approved.

At 11:55 a.m. there being no further business, Bartholomew made a motion to adjourn.

Bartholomew, aye; Morgan, aye; Hickey, aye.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                 Randy Hickey, Chairman

May 8, 2012:

At 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, a department head meeting was held in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom. Present were Randy Hickey, Bart Bartholomew, Cara Morgan, Margaret Johnson, Pat Sheldon, Mike Crecelius, Kevin Aistrope, Steve Whitehead, Arnold Emberton, Karen Berry, Jennifer McAllister, Jan Winkler and Joan Kirk. Topics discussed were: Computer upgrade; Streetscape; Thurman; returning stolen property; Jail Study; flood meetings; Hamburg Levee meeting.

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Hickey, Bartholomew and Morgan present. A quorum was declared and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous Board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted.

At 9:00 a.m. Levee update – Friday at 9:00 a.m. there will be a pre-inspection starting at Nebraska City Trailer. Also, Wayne Clark is working with National Heritage Foundation.

At 9:10 a.m. Dan Davis, Engineer met with the board. Motion was made by Morgan to authorize Chairman Hickey to sign Dot Budget Amendment #1. Bartholomew, aye; Morgan, aye; Hickey, aye.

At 9:15 a.m. Jamie Nenneman met with the board regarding letters he received from the Fremont County Supervisors dated March 31, 2009 and May 4, 2009. The letters referenced utilizing county property without a contract or lease, and staying current with all taxes, also maintaining liability insurance in case something happens to his equipment while on county property. Nenneman said he currently has 40 to 45 customers in the area utilizing his BitWind Communications Services. Currently his equipment is on the County’s Communication tower located at the Sheriff’s Office, and his customers would not have service if he has to remove his equipment. Also present were Arnold Emberton and Kevin Aistrope. Aistrope said Nenneman needs to move his equipment out of his back room because it is a secured area. Nenneman offered to move his equipment to a fiberglass box outside of the Sheriff’s Office. Nenneman said he and the sheriff talked about trading services for rent. Morgan said she is not in favor of doing that, she feels the two things need to be kept separate. Emberton offered to check around and see what kind of comparable rate he could find. The County Attorney’s Office will work on an Annual Lease Agreement that would allow Nenneman to leave his equipment on the tower.

At 9:40 a.m. Jan Winkler, CPC met with the board. Motion was made by Morgan authorizing Chairman Hickey sign the annual CMHC Affiliation/Contract. Bartholomew, aye; Morgan, aye; Hickey, aye.

Winkler asked if they have made any decisions on filling her position after she retires. Hickey said the board is traveling to Mills County on Tuesday May, 15, 2012 to discuss sharing with Mills and Montgomery Counties.

At 9:45 a.m. Motion was made by Bartholomew to approve Liquor License for Sugar Clay Winery and Vineyards, LLC. for Class C Native Wine; Outdoor Service and Sunday Sales. Bartholomew, aye; Morgan, aye; Hickey, aye.

In other business, the Recorder’s monthly report was approved.

At 11:25 a.m. there being no further business, Morgan made a motion to adjourn.

Bartholomew, aye; Morgan, aye; Hickey, aye.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                 Randy Hickey, Chairman

May 14, 2012:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Monday, May 14, 2012, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Hickey, Bartholomew and Morgan present. A quorum was declared and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous Board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted.

At 9:00 a.m. Dan Davis, Engineer, met with the board for approval of the following:

Motion was made by Bartholomew authorizing Chairman Hickey to sign Contracts and Bonds for Thurman Bridge Project #BRS-CO36(60) - - 60 – 36. Morgan, aye; Bartholomew, aye; Hickey aye.

Motion was made by Morgan to approve the following Resolution 2012-24. Morgan, aye; Bartholomew, aye; Hickey aye.

RESOLUTION NO. 2012-24

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Fremont County Board of Supervisors that the following salaries be in effect commencing on the 1st day of July 2012, for the supervisory and non-union personnel in the Secondary Road Department. The figures below represent a 2% increase.

ASSISTANT TO COUNTY ENGINEER: $20.61 per hour salary
MAINTENANCE SUPERINTENDENT: $19.68 per hour salary
ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT: $16.20 per hour salary
ENGINEER: $76,227.00 salary

Motion is hereby made by Morgan to adopt this resolution.

Dated this 14th day of May, 2012.

Attest:
/s/ Joan Kirk                                                                                /s/ Randy Hickey, Chairman      aye
Fremont County Auditor                                                                /s/ Bart Bartholomew                aye
                                                                                                   /s/ Cara Morgan                        aye

Davis presented the board with a new three-year contract. The board will review the contract and put in on the agenda for next week.

At 9:10 a.m. Motion was made by Morgan to approve the Rural Transit System Joint Participation Agreement. Morgan, aye; Bartholomew, aye; Hickey aye.

At 9:15 a.m. Raymond Chase, who is a Republican Candidate on the Primary Ballot, running for State Representative/District 23, introduced himself to the board. He spoke of his concerns and opinions on issues regarding Southwest Iowa.

At 9:30 a.m. the County Attorney advised the County Board of Supervisors that it is premature to present a lease to Bitwind, when Bitwind owes the county property taxes. Morgan made a motion to take the County Attorney’s advice, and suggested they have the County Attorney send a letter to James Nenneman relaying that information to him. Morgan, aye; Bartholomew, aye; Hickey aye.

At 9:45 a.m. the board discussed hiring a TIF Attorney to review the I29/HWY 2 TIF Agreement in order to have a better clarification of the agreement. I29/Hwy 2 are seeking another 5 years added to their now fifteen year TIF. Also present was Karen Berry, Assessor. Motion was made by Morgan to retain Patricia Martin, with Ahlers & Cooney, P.C., to review the agreement and documentation. Morgan, aye; Bartholomew, aye; Hickey aye.

At 10:20 a.m. Follow-up to discussion on March 13, 2012 with Bob Geiger regarding a dirt road that runs through his, and neighboring properties. Geiger wanted to be sure the County still recognized the road as a county road. The Fremont County Engineer’s Office hired Mayberry Land Surveying Service to stake out the road as requested. Mayberry’s phoned the Engineer’s Office saying they were staking out the road, and a farmer was planting over the stakes as they went along. Hickey said if they come in the future wanting to make sure it is still a road, the property owners will be responsible for the survey expenses.

At 1:00 p.m. Mike Crecelius, Emergency Management Coordinator met with the board to discuss the Keep Iowa Beautiful Program. Morgan told Crecelius that she took pictures of flood debris around the Bartlett area, and signed up for the program. Keep Iowa Beautiful and the Department of Corrections are joining together in the project. The project will run through Homeland Security so Crecelius said he would put in the paper work for the project.

In other business, payroll and claims for May 18, 2012, were approved.

The Sheriff’s Monthly Reports for February, March and April were turned in and approved.

At 1:10 p.m. there being no further business, Bartholomew made a motion to adjourn. Morgan, aye; Bartholomew, aye; Hickey aye.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                     Randy Hickey, Chairman

May 21, 2012:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, May 22, 2012, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Hickey, Bartholomew and Morgan present. A quorum was declared and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous Board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted.

Also present were Twila Larson, Steve Lorimor and Linda Cruickshank.

At 9:00 a.m. Janeth Winkler, CPC, met with the board to discuss Departments 58/60, Winkler informed the board of a meeting in Atlantic on August 6th.  Winkler felt it would be very important that someone go to the meeting to represent Fremont County. The State is in the process of regionalizing Iowa’s Mental Health Departments, and there should be valuable information at the meeting. Also discussed hiring a Supervisor/Case Manager for the department as Winkler is retiring June 30th.

At 9:20 a.m. Motion was made by Morgan to sign a Wellmark Renewal Agreement for year 2013. Bartholomew, aye; Morgan, aye; Hickey, aye.

At 9:30 a.m. Dan Davis, Engineer, met with the board requesting approval of the following:

Motion was made by Morgan authorizing Chairman Hickey to sign contract with HGM for Construction Inspection for Thurman Bridge Project. Bartholomew, aye; Morgan, aye; Hickey, aye.

Motion was made by Morgan to approve Engineer’s New Contract. Bartholomew, aye; Morgan, aye; Hickey, aye.

At 9:50 a.m. Brian Kingsolver, Don Athen, Mike O’Neal, Will Thorp, Darren Hendrickson, and Vicki Wedemeyer joined the meeting.

At 9:45 a.m. Kevin Aistrope, Sheriff, met with the board requesting approval to purchase two new vehicles for the Sheriff’s Department. A 2013 Tahoe for $24,856, and a Silverado for $25,367. Motion was made by Bartholomew to approve the new vehicle purchases. Bartholomew, aye; Morgan, aye; Hickey, aye. Also discussed were Operation Santa Claus, and the Jail Study.

At 10:10 a.m. Cathy Crain, Mayor of Hamburg, met with the board to discuss the following:

Swedish Road: Mayor Crain said she has had numerous complaints regarding a drop off area that is on the county’s part of the road. The board will discuss the drop off area with the County Engineer to resolve the problem.

Frazier Property: Mayor Crain said there is a property located at 201 North Street, Hamburg, where half of the property is in Fremont County and the other half is in the city limits. The City has notified the property owner to abate the nuisance, and is hoping the county will do the same in order to get the area cleaned up.

Levee Contribution: Mayor Crain discussed with the board the September 2012 deadline that has been set by FEMA to come up with $5.1 million to keep the dirt on the levee that protects the City of Hamburg. The City has received $l million from State of Iowa Economic Development. Everyone present agreed that the levee should stay intact and not be removed to protect the businesses and citizens of Hamburg. Crain was asking if the county could offer some support. It was explained that the County only levies tax dollars to meet the needs of the county and does not have extra dollars for situations like presented. The county can sympathize with the situation the City of Hamburg is in as they have their own hurdles to overcome with the 2011 flooding, and the vast amount of damage to the west part of the county. The county will send a letter of support, but feels they are not in a position to spend tax dollars toward the project. Motion was made by Morgan to send a letter of support for the levee at Hamburg. Bartholomew, aye; Morgan, aye; Hickey, aye.

At 11:19 a.m. Motion made by Morgan to sign the Local Government Guarantee for the Landfill. Bartholomew, aye; Morgan, aye; Hickey, aye.

At 10:30 a.m. William Labrum, called to say he could not attend the meeting.

At 11:20 a.m. Motion was made by Bartholomew to sign the Urban Renewal/Development Agreement. Bartholomew, aye; Morgan, aye; Hickey, aye.

At 11:30 a.m. there being no further business, Bartholomew made a motion to adjourn.

Bartholomew, aye; Morgan, aye; Hickey, aye.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                             Randy Hickey, Chairman

May 28, 2012:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, May 29, 2012, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Hickey, Bartholomew and Morgan present. A quorum was declared and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous Board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted.

At 9:00 a.m. Janeth Winkler, CPC/Community Services Director, presented and discussed a Projected Case Management Cost Report for board approval. Motion was made by Morgan approving the Report as presented. Morgan, aye; Bartholomew, aye; Hickey aye.

Regarding proposal on sharing Mental Health with Mills/Montgomery, Winkler presented a spread sheet showing what the County’s expenses would be if they went ahead with sharing the Mental Health Department with Mills/Montgomery if things proceeded as tentatively agreed on. The final figures show a savings for all three counties. The board decided the next step is to have a round table discussion with Mills/Montgomery to work out details concerning a 28E Agreement.

At 9:30 a.m. Kevin Aistrope met with the board to discuss an Operation Santa Claus claim that was presented to the board for approval. The claim did not match the budget amendment to split Operation Santa Claus from the County’s financials. After several minutes and reviewing reports it was determined the claim amount to Operation Santa Claus was not correct and needed to be raised in order to allow Operation Santa Claus to receive their funds and zero out the line item, which in turn matched the amendment.

9:55 a.m. Tom Hutson did not come to the board meeting as scheduled.

At 10:00 a.m. Motion was made by Morgan to send pictures and location information regarding a Nuisance Property that is located partly in the City of Hamburg and partly in Fremont County to the Zoning Administrator. City of Hamburg has already started action on their part of the property. Bartholomew, aye; Morgan, aye; Hickey, aye.

At 10:15 a.m. Mike Crecelius, EMC, met with the board to discuss the following:

Flood debris removal: Crecelius said regarding the 403 Plan, 28 property owners for sure have submitted paperwork, and 4 more are have relayed they will call their mortgage company and give them the information. Crecelius said 32 properties are a no. Out of the 116 notices sent out there have been at least 43 that have not responded. Crecelius said also some of the houses have already been torn down. Morgan wanted to know if there are any 403 properties in groups so they could start the process. Crecelius said he will check on that.

Crecelius said Thurman’s cleanup was outside the Governor’s proclamation period to help with the cleanup.

In other business payroll and claims were approved for June 1, 2012.

At 11:03 a.m. there being no further business, Bartholomew made a motion to adjourn.

Bartholomew, aye; Morgan, aye; Hickey, aye.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                             Randy Hickey, Chairman



 

 

April 2012     Home     June 2012