HOWARD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MINUTES

JANUARY 11, 2006

A meeting of the Howard County Board of Commissioners was convened in open an public session on the 11th day of January 2006, in the Boardroom, Howard County Courthouse, St. Paul Nebraska.

Notice of the meeting was given thereof by publication in the Phonograph-Herald on the 4th day of January 2006, a proof of publication filed in the Clerk’s office. Copies of the agenda were posted in the courthouse, the county web site, mailed to each Commissioner, and kept current and available to the public at the County Clerk's office.

Notice of the meeting was given to the County Board and a receipt of their acknowledgment is also filed in the Clerk's office.

Chairman Bader called the meeting to order at 8:30 a.m. Roll Call: Jim Watson, AYE; Bill Sack, AYE; Larry Seifert, AYE; Gary Rasmussen, AYE; Philip Bader, AYE. Also present is County Clerk Marge Palmberg.

Road Discussion

Road Secretary Jackie Mayberry met with the Board to present them with several permit applications. Terry McIntosh had applied for a permit to bury plastic pipe in Sections 13 & 14, Township 14, Range 9. Motion was made by Bader and seconded by Rasmussen to approve this permit. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried. Dick Hadenfeldt applied for a permit to bury electric cable in Section 14- T13-R11. Motion was made by Seifert and seconded by Watson to approve this permit. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried. An application was requested by REA to bury primary high voltage cable along 10th Avenue and the east half of the 200 mile and the west half of the 300 mile roadway. The Board asked Jackie to call REA and see if Brian Lukasiewicz could meet with the Board to discuss the placement of the cable. Brian came to the meeting and discussion was that the cable will be placed as close to the center of the road as possible.

Jackie also told the Board that the NIMS classes will be held the morning of January 19th and the afternoon of January 26th here at the courthouse.

County Attorney Karin Noakes is present at 8:40 am

Highway Superintendent Jay Meyer met with the Board to discuss the Big Slough project. No action was taken.

Motion was made by Watson and seconded by Rasmussen for the Chairman to sign the State Road contract the Department of Roads sent out for Project BRO-7047(12). Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Weed Report

Weed Superintendent Dan Fredrick met with the Board to present the Annual State Weed Report for their approval and signatures. Motion was made by Watson and seconded by Sack to approve the report. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried. Dan presented a resolution to this effect. Motion was made by Seifert and seconded by Rasmussen approving the resolution. Roll Call: All Ayes. Resolution No. 2006-01 is on file in the Clerk’s office.

Executive Session

Motion was made by Bader and seconded by Sack to convene into executive session at 9:13 am for the purpose of discussion personnel with the County Board, County Sheriff and County Clerk present. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Sack and seconded by Seifert to come out of executive session at 9:18 am with no action taken. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Elected Official's Salary Discussion

Discussion was had on the county official's salary for the next 4 year term. Present are the County Sheriff, County Assessor, County Treasurer, County Clerk, Highway Superintendent and the Board of Commissioners. After much discussion, motion was made by Watson and seconded by Rasmussen that the yearly salaries for the term of 2007-2010 be set as listed below. Roll Call: Bader, NAY; Rasmussen, AYE; Seifert, NAY; Sack, AYE; Watson, AYE. Motion Carried. 3-2

County Surveyor

2,500

County Assessor

35,000

County Treasurer

35,000

County Clerk Ex Officio

37,000

County Sheriff

39,000

County Attorney

39,000

County Commissioner

16,400

It was also decided that there will be a $1000 increase for years 2008-2009-2010. The County Commissioners salary will be a $100 increase for two (2) years, then frozen the next two years. This is to get all five (5) commissioners on the same line as they are staggered for election. The Chairman of the Board will receive an additional $100 per month.

Motion was made by Sack and seconded by Rasmussen that this will also include the health insurance package for the officials with the understanding that the deductible may be changed at the insurance contract dates. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Bader and seconded by Rasmussen that it state in the resolution the County Attorney must be fulltime for the county and they cannot have a private practice. Roll Call: Bader, AYE; Rasmussen, AYE; Seifert, NAY; Sack, AYE; Watson, AYE. Motion carried.

Employee's Salary Discussion

Highway Superintendent Jay Meyer was present to visit with the Board as he has completed and received his Class A Superintendent license. This will double the incentive for the county. Motion was made by Rasmussen and seconded by Watson to pay Jay a salary of $9000 plus $35 per bridge inspection effective January 1, 2006. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Watson and seconded by Sack that the road employees, who includes Jackie Mayberry, receive a 3% increase. There were some changes in salary with Lloyd and several other employees in the Treasurer, Assessor, Clerk and Extension offices.

Reports

The Commissioners received into record the District Court report, the Treasurers miscellaneous report and the Sheriff's reports.>

Sheriff's Office OMB Bill

The Sheriff's department received a bill from OMB for $5684.43. The County Clerk called the company to inquire as the statement was dated 9/28/04. She was told that they had just found the bill. Sheriff Schenck understood that they were asked not to bill the county until after budget time. The items listed are:

2

Outlets 90 Power Supply

720.00

2

Crown Vic Super LED Mirror Beam

681.00

1

Crown Vic Super LED Mirror Beam

340.50

3

Red Light

177.00

3

Blue Light

177.00

3

LED Traffic Advisor

2475.00

2

Dual LED Dash Light

459.98

2

Talon Series Bracket

17.98

3

Slim Lighter Red/Blue

599.97

3

Slim Lighter Mount Bracket

36.00

Motion was made by Seifert and seconded by Rasmussen to approve this claim from OMB. The Board asked the Clerk to check past records and inquire with the Sheriff if these items are here before payment is made. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Claims

Motion was made by Sack and seconded by Seifert to approve the claim of Charlie's Station for fuel. Roll Call: Bader, AYE; Rasmussen, ABSTAIN; Seifert, AYE; Sack, AYE; Watson, AYE. Commissioner Rasmussen abstained as he is associated with Charlie's Station.<

Motion was made by Watson and seconded by Sack to approve the rest of the claims that were submitted. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried. The following claims were audited and warrants drawn on their regular funds.

CLAIMS

Minutes

Motion was made by Seifert and seconded by Sack to approve the minutes of the previous meeting by Deputy Clerk Bev Sack. Roll Call: Seifert, AYE; Sack, AYE; Watson, AYE. Motion carried. Commissioners Bader and Rasmussen abstained as they were not present at this meeting.

Juvenile Grant Fund

Discussion was had on the juvenile grant fund. The County Attorney had received paperwork from the NE Crime Commission regarding this. This will be sent to Bridget Lothrop as she is the director to work with the grant fund. The Board also asked the Clerk to send her a letter thanking her for her contribution to this project.

Iams Dog Food

Commissioner Watson discussed the drug dog Charley. He stated that Iams had donated the dog food and as we no longer had him, we need to let them know and thank them for their donation. The Clerk will send them a letter.

The Board recessed for lunch at 12:15 pm and will convene this afternoon and hold the reorganization meeting.

REORGANIZATION MEETING

JANUARY 11, 2006

The Howard County Board of Commissioners reconvened at 1:15 pm with all members present. County Clerk Marge Palmberg acting as Chairman asked for nominations for Chairman of the Board for the year 2006. Commissioner Watson nominated Phil Bader as Chairman and this was seconded by Rasmussen. Commissioner Sack asked that nominations cease. Roll Call: Watson, AYE; Sack, AYE; Seifert, AYE; Rasmussen, AYE; Bader, AYE. The Board thanked Commissioner Bader for a job well done. The meeting was then turned over to Chairman Bader. The Chairman asked for nominations for Vice-Chairman for year 2006. Rasmussen nominated Jim Watson for Vice-Chairman and Sack asked that nominations cease. Roll Call: Bader, AYE; Rasmussen, AYE; Seifert, AYE; Sack, AYE; Watson, AYE.>

County Paper

Motion was made by Watson and seconded by Rasmussen that the Phonograph-Herald be retained as the official county newspaper for the year 2006. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

County Burial

Motion was made by Sack and seconded by Rasmussen that the county burial remains at $1500 for a complete burial with cremation and option at $900. Mileage will be at the standard government rate. The same paperwork will need to be filled out for any assets the family may have. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Sack and seconded by Rasmussen that Jay Meyer is appointed as Highway Superintendent for Howard County. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Commissioner Sack had visited with Ron Vonderohe regarding the Planning and Zoning Administrator position. Ron stated he would continue until March 1st. Motion was made by Rasmussen and seconded by Sack that Ron be appointed per agreement until March 1st. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Rasmussen and seconded by Watson that Dan Fredrick be appointed as the County Weed Superintendent. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Rasmussen and seconded by Sack that Jackie Mayberry continues as the road secretary. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Sack and seconded by Watson that all the doctors at the clinic be appointed as County Doctors. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

County Treasurer Connie Nickel presented to the Board a resolution authorizing her to invest all funds in excess of the current needs. Motion was made by Watson and seconded by Sack to approve Resolution No. 2006-2. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried. This resolution is on file in the Clerk's office.

Motion was made by Watson and seconded by Sack to allow the County Treasurer to deposit in excess of the capitol stock and surplus of the bank provided there is a pledge of securities and assets of the bank to be approved by the County Board. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried. Resolution No. 2006-3 is on file in the Clerk's office. The Treasurer also had a report of the pledged collateral for the Board to review.

Discussion was had on the county banks that the Treasurer uses as depositories. The Board asked that she also use the Tier One Bank as one of the depositories. Motion was made by Sack and seconded by Watson that the following be named as depositories for year 2006:

St. Paul Bank

St. Paul, NE

Citizens Bank and Trust

St. Paul, NE

Boelus State Bank

Boelus, NE

Howard County Bank

St. Paul, NE

Howard County Bank-Dannebrog Branch

Dannebrog, NE

Howard County Bank-Farwell Branch

Farwell, NE

TierOne Bank

St. Paul, NE

Motion was made by Rasmussen and seconded by Seifert that the meeting dates for 2006 remain the same with the second and last Thursday of each month. If a conflict with a date should arise to change the meeting, a notice will be in the county paper. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Clerk Magistrate Marsha Anderson met with the Board to present a list of the state holidays. Motion was made by Seifert and seconded by Sack that we follow the state holiday schedule which are:

 

2006 County Holiday Schedule

January 2

New Year's Day (Sunday, January 1, 2006)

January 16

Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday

February 20

President's Day

April 14

Good Friday – Closed at 12:00 Noon

April 28

Arbor Day

May 29

Memorial Day

July 4

Independence Day

September 4

Labor Day

October 9

Columbus Day

November 10

Veterans Day (Saturday, November 11, 2006)

November 23

Thanksgiving Day

November 24

Day after Thanksgiving

December 25

Christmas Day (Sunday, December 25)

Motion was made by Sack and seconded by Watson that all contractors must abide by the Fair Labor Standards as required by Section 73-102 of the Nebraska State Statutes. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Watson and seconded by Sack that all contractors will file with the County Clerk proof of liability insurance for any work done. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Discussion was had on appointments for the county boards. Motion was made by Sack and seconded by Rasmussen to approve the following appointments. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Region III Governing Board

Philip Bader

Mid Plains Center (Mental Health)

Jim Watson

Midland Area on Aging

Jim Watson and Bill Sack

Central NE Community Services

Larry Seifert

Mid-NE Individual Services

Bill Sack

County Health Board

Dan Harrahill, MD

 

Marge Palmberg, County Clerk

 

Harold Schenck, County Sheriff

Central Community College

Larry Seifert

Loup Central Regional Landfill

Marion Bahensky

 

Jackie Mayberry, Alternate

ADA Advisory Board

Bill Sack

Central NE Joint Housing Authority

Ivan Rasmussen

Grievance Committee

County Commissioners

Safety Committee

Jackie Mayberry

 

Katie McCann

Planning & Zoning Commission

Dave Sack

 

Rose Dixson

 

Gene Olsen

Economic Development Council

Philip Bader

 

Jim Watson

Tourism and Lodging Committee

Marcia Keller

 

Shirley Johnson

 

Evelyn Dvorak

 

Errol Wells

 

Jenny Jankovich

Board of Adjustment

Harold Rickertsen

 

Gary Craig – Alternate

City/County Communications

Jim Watson

 

Sheriff Harold Schenck

Extension Board

Bruce Rathman

 

Diana Sonnenfeld

 

Gary Meyer

Hospital Board

Carol Schroeder

 

Carol Rasmussen

 

Bill Greenway

 

Ron Tagge

 

Harriet Steenson

Juvenile Grant Director

Bridget Lothrop

The Commissioners stated their appreciation to members who serve on these boards for their service and dedication to Howard County. They asked the County Clerk to send a note to each member thanking them.

Motion was made by Rasmussen and seconded by Watson that Tagge Engineering be named as the engineering firm for the county. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

There being no further business to come before the Board, motion was made by Sack and seconded by Watson to adjourn the meeting at 2:10 pm

Dated this 11th day of January 2006.___________________________________

Philip G. Bader, Chairman

ATTEST:

__________________________________

Marge Palmberg
Howard County Clerk