Board of Supervisors Minutes

October 2003

October 2, 2003:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Thursday, October 2, 2003, in the Fremont County Courthouse, Boardroom, with Hickey, Aistrope and Larson 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. Dan Davis called and requested to move his appointment to Tuesday, October 7, 2003. The agenda was approved as amended per request of the County Engineer.

Discussion was held in regards to insurance benefits and job positions for next year's budget. No action was taken.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                         Keith Hickey, Chairman

October 7, 2003:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, October 7, 2003, in the Fremont County Courthouse, Boardroom, with Hickey, Aistrope and Larson 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. County Engineer Dan Davis met with the Board. Motion was made by Larson to authorize Chairman Hickey to sign contracts and bonds for Andersen Construction Company for the Fremont County Shop/Administration Building. Aistrope, aye; Larson, aye; Hickey, aye.

At 9:30 a.m. the Board met with Janeth Winkler. They explained that the position of General Assistance Director would be designated as part time in January of 2004. The Board said right now they are looking at half time but that may change.

At 10:00 a.m. Jon Johnson met with the Board in regards to two tax sale certificates. Motion was made by Larson to approve the assignment of the tax sale certificate on property owned by Lucy A. Geyer to Jerry Brinegar upon approval by the County Attorney. Attorney Johnson also discussed the tax sale certificate assigned to Fremont County on property owned by Frank R. and Doris Simerly with the property being occupied by Murl and Shirley Dovel. No action was taken on the assignment of the tax sale certificate for the Simerly/Dovel property at this time.

In other business, motion was made by Aistrope to approve the renewal of a Class C and Sunday Sales Liquor Permit for Sidney Foods. Larson, aye; Aistrope, aye; Hickey, aye. The County Recorder's Report of Fees Collected was approved.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                         Keith Hickey, Chairman

October 9, 2003:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Thursday, October 9, 2003, in the Fremont County Courthouse, Boardroom, with Hickey, Aistrope and Larson 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.

At 9:00 a.m. Charles E. Buckner, Hamburg, met with the Board in regards to tax sale certificates.

At 9:30 a.m. County Engineer Dan Davis could not meet with the Board and made a new appointment for Tuesday, October 14, 2003.

At 10:00 a.m. Sheriff Steven H. MacDonald met with the Board. The use of credit cards was discussed and the Board requested that all receipts be attached to claims.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                         Keith Hickey, Chairman

October 14, 2003:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, October 14, 2003, in the Fremont County Courthouse, Boardroom, with Hickey, Aistrope and Larson present. A quorum was declared and the meeting officially called to order at 8:30 a.m. Minutes of the previous Board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted.

At 8:30 a.m. a department head meeting was held. Present were the Board, Karen Berry, Arnold Emberton, Margaret Henkle, Judy Crain, Mary Morse, Sandie Sillers, Janeth Winkler, Steve Whitehead, Dan Davis, Leila Doonan, Marsha Smith, Steve MacDonald and Lucille Hunt. Hickey said these meetings are held for the department heads to discuss ideas or problems. Hickey said when a claim is turned in for Board approval, all original receipts are to be attached to the claim to be paid. If paid by credit card, the original receipts are to be attached to the credit card billing. Larson said the Board is looking at insurance policies because the one we currently have will not be offered by ISAC for the next budget year. Aistrope said it will be different and Hickey said the $500 and $1000 deductible that the county is picking up now will probably be eliminated. Aistrope read some budget cutting ideas that were sent to the Board by ISAC. They suggested using the ICN more. Hunt said Solutions, the courthouse software company, is using the ICN for the budget workshop this fall. Berry said agland was reduced 24% in valuation and this will greatly affect Fremont County because we are a rural community. Berry asked about the temperature setting for the courthouse for this winter. Whitehead said he is currently installing heaters in the colder rooms so the furnace will not run so much. Hickey said the thermostat kicks off at night and comes back on in the morning. Aistrope asked all departments to save what money they can in their budgets this year so the ending fund balance will be better and we will have a balance to start next budget year. Henkle said she would like a fire procedure for the Courthouse since we have a new alarm system. Emberton said he would make a rough draft of the procedure and Smith said he could look at the Clerk's policy. Henkle believes ISAC could cut their meetings to two days instead of having one half day on a Friday. Hunt said ISACA has already combined some meetings. The election certification will be held the day before the ISAC meetings and the Department of Management will hold their valuation workshop the day after the ISAC meetings to cut down on travel time. Larson said that groundbreaking for the welcome center will be held on October 31. Ryan Funke stopped in and said they were changing some policies at the golf course that could result in more revenue. The next department head meeting will be held on Thursday, November 13, 2003, at 8:30 a.m. in the Boardroom.

At 9:00 a.m. Sheriff MacDonald reported the resignation of an employee because he is investigating possible credit card abuse.

At 9:20 a.m. motion was made by Aistrope to sign a letter to the State Auditor's Office requesting a state audit for fiscal year ending June 30, 2004 and help to prepare the GASB34 report due December 1, 2004. Larson, aye; Aistrope, aye; Hickey, aye.

At 9:30 a.m. County Engineer Dan Davis met with the Board. Motion was made by Aistrope to authorize Chairman Hickey to sign an application for approval of underground construction in county highway right of way to MidAmerican Energy for relocation of overhead power lines from east side of ROW to west side of ROW on county road 330th Ave., one mile south of Randolph. Larson, aye; Aistrope, aye; Hickey, aye.

At 10:00 a.m. Brian Morrissy from the Atlantic office of DOT met with the Board for communication and discussion in regards to the intersection of Highway 2 and 210th Avenue. Present were Bill Sapp, Les Robbins and County Engineer Dan Davis. Morrissy said that Rex Allen, traffic technician out of Atlantic, has been watching this intersection and also has talked to the managers of all of the establishments in the area. He said, in general, traffic is calming because the highway has been reduced down to one lane and he thinks it is working. They feel it is successful. They met with the state traffic engineer about a month ago and they physically observed what was happening. He said they are kicking around alternatives. Hickey asked what the bottom line is there. Morrissy said four lane divided highways do not work, even if you put up all kinds of signals. They are talking about putting in a 45 mile per hour speed limit and probably turning lanes. Morrissy said enforcement would have to follow. Davis said this was suggested at the time the development was built. Sapp said the reduced speed should help. Larson said he didn't think 45 was low enough. Larson said DOT is not consistent throughout the state. He said in Fremont County they won't put guard rails along the highway on Highway 2 in the State Park area and there are no signs warning of truck traffic and backing out on Highway 275 entering into the city of Hamburg. Larson said residents want to see something now. Aistrope said the reduced speed and turning lanes on both sides should help. Larson asked the time frame for this and Morrissy said the speed has to be a formal action. They will have to apply for funds for the turning lanes. DOT may ask the County to widen the county road when this is done. Hickey said he appreciated DOT coming down to talk about the problem. Morrissy expressed that it is a concern of theirs just as it is a concern for Fremont County and when they come up with a suggestion or recommendation he would get back to the county.

Payroll and claims for October 17, 2003 were approved.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                             Keith Hickey, Chairman

October 16, 2003:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Thursday, October 16, 2003, in the Fremont County Courthouse, Boardroom, with Hickey, Aistrope and Larson 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. Treasurer Judy Crain met with the Board.

RESOLUTION NO. 2003-74

RESOLUTION TO DESTROY OLD CHECKS FOR THE FREMONT COUNTY TREASURER

The checking account #34830 at Fremont County Savings Bank has been closed, therefore, all checks pertaining to this account need to be destroyed. The following is a list of the checks to be destroyed: Fremont County Savings Bank 3201 to 5500

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that all checks pertaining to the above-mentioned account shall be destroyed by shredding.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Treasurer shall carry out the orders above.

Dated the 16th day of October, 2003.

Motion by Aistrope.

ATTEST:

/s/ Lucille Hunt                                                                             /s/ Keith Hickey, Chairman      aye
Fremont County Auditor                                                             /s/ David Aistrope                     aye
                                                                                                      /s/ Chuck Larson                        aye

At 9:15 a.m. Engineer Dan Davis met with the Board. Motion was made by Aistrope to authorize Chairman Hickey to sign the DOT final payment voucher for Project STP-S-CO36(26)--5E-36. Larson, aye; Aistrope, aye; Hickey, aye.

At 9:30 a.m. Georgene Peeler, Assistant Auditor, met with the Board. Motion was made by Aistrope to approve the military and homestead allowances and disallowances as presented. Larson, aye; Aistrope, aye; Hickey, aye.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                         Keith Hickey, Chairman

October 21, 2003:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, October 21, 2003, in the Fremont County Courthouse, Boardroom, with Hickey, Aistrope and Larson 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. Sandra Sillers met with the Board. Motion was made by Aistrope to authorize Chairman Hickey to sign a HIPAA Business Associate Agreement with Nishna Productions. Larson, aye; Aistrope, aye; Hickey, aye. The Board asked Sillers to park the county vehicles in the courthouse parking lot.

At 9:30 a.m. the Board passed the following resolution.

RESOLUTION NO. 2003-75

RESOLUTION TO RESCIND THAT PART OF AMENDMENT, NO. 6, TO FREMONT COUNTY PERSONNEL POLICIES MANUAL, PAGE 15, SICK LEAVE.

WHEREAS, on January 14, 1999, a motion was made to amend the Fremont County Personnel Policies Manual to: No. 6 - In the event an employee has an extended injury/illness and has exhausted all sick, compensatory, and vacation time, employees represented by this manual shall be allowed to donate their personal sick leave in no less than eight (8) hour increments to assist said employee. All requests by employees to donate paid leave shall be in writing and submitted to the department head. Should the employer suspect sick leave abuse by injured/ill employee, the employer may deny employee contributions to such employee. No. 7 - A full-time employee who transfers from one county department to another shall be credited with the sick leave that he/she has accumulated, up to ninety days, and

WHEREAS, the donation of sick leave by employees creates a problem with the salary range of donated sick leave.

THEREFORE, be it resolved by the Fremont County Board of Supervisors, sitting in session this 21st day of October, 2003, that the part of the Amendment to Amend the Fremont County Personnel Policies Manual, No. 6, passed by motion on January 14, 1999, be rescinded, as of this date, 'In the event an employee has an extended injury/illness and has exhausted all sick, compensatory, and vacation time, employees represented by this manual shall be allowed to donate their personal sick leave in no less than eight (8) hour increments to assist said employee. All requests by employees to donate paid leave shall be in writing and submitted to the department head. Should the employer suspect sick leave abuse by injured/ill employee, the Employer may deny employee contributions to such employee.

That part of the Amendment - No. 7 shall not be rescinded, A full time employee who transfers from one county department to another shall be credited with the sick leave that he/she has accumulated, up to ninety days.


Motion to approve made by Aistrope.

ATTEST:

/s/ Lucille Hunt                                                             /s/ Keith Hickey, Chairman        aye
Fremont County Auditor                                             /s/ David Aistrope                       aye
                                                                                       /s/ Chuck Larson                         aye

A letter was sent to County Attorney Vicki R. Danley in regards to the problem that arose when approving claims on September 30, 2003.

At 10:00 a.m. the Board made a conference call to Renee VonBokern in regards to union negotiations. Dan Davis and Lucille Hunt were present. A closed session was not called.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                         Keith Hickey, Chairman

October 23, 2003:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Thursday, October 23, 2003, in the Fremont County Courthouse, Boardroom, with Hickey, Aistrope and Larson 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 9:10 a.m. County Attorney Vicki R. Danley met with the Board to discuss the allegation of credit card misuse in the Sheriff's Department.  Danley said that the Sheriff has been in contact with her, County Attorney, and the Sheriff is personally investigating the matter.  At the conclusion of the investigation, proper action will be taken by the Sheriff and the County Attorney. 

At 10:00 a.m. the union (PPME), representing employees of the Secondary Road Department, presented its initial bargaining proposals to the county, and after receipt of the union's proposal, the county presented its initial bargaining proposals to the union.  Present were Renee VonBokern, Mike Scarrow, Lacey Jilek, Dan Davis, Mike Batenhorst and Auditor Lucille Hunt.  A preliminary meeting was held to exchange proposals and then adjourned to separate meetings.  Renee VonBokern discussed the differences between the county and union proposals.  At 11:10 a.m. the union representatives met again with the county board and the county representatives.  Discussion was held regarding the differences in the proposals.  Insurance costs will not be available until he middle of December, and until those costs are known, it is difficult to discuss negotiations.  It was agreed by Lacey Jilek and Renee VonBokern to sign a waiver of timelines for contract completion through May 15, 2004.  Other statutory impasse procedures, such as mediation, fact-finding and impasse arbitration, shall not be waived. 

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                             Keith Hickey, Chairman

October 28, 2003:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, October 28, 2003, in the Fremont County Courthouse, Boardroom, with Hickey, Aistrope and Larson 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 .m. Deputy Treasurer Heidi Stewart met with the Board.

RESOLUTION NO. 2003-76

RESOLUTION TO CANCEL TAX SALE CERTIFICATE 1994-94175

WHEREAS, the Title #36-W018301 describing a 1971 Mobile Home Vin #GA50T2KOF

The above-described property was sold on Tax Sale June 20, 1994 to Fremont County. Fremont County then assigned the tax sale certificate to Mr. Chris Slutz October 26, 2000. Mr. Slutz has not begun the 90-day right to redeem process before the three-year limitation. (Sec 446.37) Due to the non-action of Mr. Slutz the tax sale certificate #1994-94175 will be cancelled.

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Tax Sale Certificate 1994-94175 is cancelled.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Treasurer shall enter such changes into record.

Dated the 28th day of October, 2003.

Motion by Aistrope.

ATTEST:

/s/ Lucille Hunt                                                                             /s/ Keith Hickey, Chairman      aye
Fremont County Auditor                                                             /s/ David Aistrope                     aye
                                                                                                      /s/ Chuck Larson                        aye

RESOLUTION NO. 2003-77

RESOLUTION TO CANCEL TAX SALE CERTIFICATE 1994-94128

WHEREAS, Parcel No. 280 280 018 000 000 describing Pt SW SE Section 6 Township 69 Range 41

The above-described parcel was sold on Tax Sale June 20, 1994 to Fremont County. Fremont County then assigned the tax sale certificate to Mr. Chris Slutz October 26, 2000. Mr. Slutz has not begun the 90-day right to redeem process before the three-year limitation. (Sec 446.37) Due to the non-action of Mr. Slutz the tax sale certificate #1994-94128 will be cancelled.

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the Tax Sale Certificate 1994-94128 is cancelled.

BE IT FUTHER RESOLVED that the Treasurer shall enter such changes into record.

Dated the 28th day of October, 2003.

Motion by Aistrope.

ATTEST:

/s/ Lucille Hunt                                                                             /s/ Keith Hickey, Chairman      aye
Fremont County Auditor                                                             /s/ David Aistrope                     aye
                                                                                                      /s/ Chuck Larson                        aye

Steve Wickman called and cancelled his time with the Board.

At 9:45 Sandie Sillers met with the Board to discuss mental health issues.

In other business, motion was made by Larson to reinstate the homestead tax credit claim for parcel number 45-101 as the resident is in a nursing home and his home is not rented. Aistrope, aye; Larson, aye; Hickey, aye.

Payroll for Friday, October 31, 2003 was approved.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                             Keith Hickey, Chairman

October 30, 2003:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Thursday, October 30, 2003, in the Fremont County Courthouse, Boardroom, with Hickey, Aistrope and Larson 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. County Engineer Dan Davis met with the Board. Motion was made by Aistrope to authorize Chairman Hickey to sign a Public Road Right-of-Way Use Permit for Marlowe Wilson for the purpose of: water line to run in 270th road ditch for approximately 200 feet to driveway from well. Larson, aye; Aistrope, aye; Hickey, aye.

Motion was made by Aistrope to authorize Chairman Hickey to sign a Public Road Right-of-Way Use Permit for Courtney Athen for the purpose of ditch cleaning. Larson, aye; Aistrope, aye; Hickey, aye.

At 9:30 a.m. the following resolution was approved.

RESOLUTION NO. 2003-78

RESOLUTION APPROVING QUIT CLAIM DEED TO MATTHEW K. LORIMOR AND LEONETTA K. LORIMOR ALL ITS RIGHT, TITLE, INTEREST, ESTATE, CLAIM AND DEMAND

Whereas, the County Attorney has prepared the Quit Claim Deed, a copy of which is attached hereto,

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED:

That the Quit Claim Deed, attached, is hereby approved and the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors is authorized to sign it on behalf of Fremont County.

Passed this 30th day of October, 2003.

Moved by Aistrope.

ATTEST:

/s/ Lucille Hunt                                                                             /s/ Keith Hickey, Chairman      aye
Fremont County Auditor                                                             /s/ David Aistrope                     aye
By June Hardy Asst. Auditor                                                      /s/ Chuck Larson                        aye

There being no further business, meeting was adjourned.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                             Keith Hickey, Chairman

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