HOWARD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MINUTES

 

MARCH 9, 2006

 

A meeting of the Howard County Board of Commissioners was convened in open an public session on the 9th day of March 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 1st day of March 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 was present to meet with the Board and road foreman Don Wilson was present to discuss several road issues.  Discussed were the road ditches and Brady Rd.

 

County Attorney Karin Noakes is present at 8:40 pm.

 

Mail

The Board received and reviewed mail from the following: a letter from Department of Revenue regarding grant money the county received the Nebraska Crime Commission; a letter from Don Shuda regarding the appointment of John VanWinkle and Alfred Novotny to the Howard County Veterans Board.

 

Courthouse Roof Discussion

Commissioner Sack had been contacted by several people regarding the possibility of repair to the courthouse roof.  He stated that there was some hail damage and someone will check with the county insurance provider regarding this.

 

Minutes

Motion was made by Watson and second by Sack to approve the minutes as submitted by the County Clerk.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

E911 Building

Commissioner Watson gave the Board a review of the 911 building.  He stated that the carpet, paint, countertops have been selected for the building.  There was also discussion about the possibility of having adjacent counties joining our Communications Center.

 

Reports

The Board received and reviewed the Sheriff’s reports, the District Court report and the Treasurer’s miscellaneous report.

 

Claims

Motion was made by Bader and second by Watson to approve the claim of Charlie’s Station in Elba. Roll Call: Bader, AYE; Rasmussen, ABSTAIN; Seifert, AYE; Sack, AYE; Watson, AYE.  Commissioner Rasmussen abstained as he is owner of Charlie’s Station.  Motion carried.

Motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Sack to approve the remaining claims.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.  The claims were audited and warrants drawn on their regular funds.  The claims are listed at the end of the minutes.

 

Personnel

Larry Irvin met with the Board to receive a plaque as he has retired.  Larry was an employee for the road department for many years.

 

Budget

Commissioner Watson asked the Board that they start getting ready for the next fiscal year budget.  This will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.

 

Reappraisal Discussion

Assessor Neal Dethlefs met with the Board to discuss getting more compensation for the reappraisal work he does.  County Attorney Noakes had checked and this could not be done on county time.  Commissioner Bader stated that he would rather see the county getting outside help for this.  No action was taken.

 

Hospital Discussion

Hospital Administrator Art Frable and Hospital Trustee Ron Tagge met with the Board to discuss the possibility of building a new med clinic for physicians, relocating the emergency room and the parking.  No action was taken.

 

Commissioners Room Bookcase Cabinet

Motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Seifert that the new cabinet in the Board room be changed from pine wood to oak wood.  Roll Call: Bader, NAY; Rasmussen, AYE; Seifert, AYE; Sack; Watson, AYE.  Motion carried 4-1.

 

Courthouse Painting Bids

Chairman Bader opened the painting bids for the courthouse as the ad was placed in the paper.  We received bids from:

 

            Valerie Jensen – Wonder Woman Painting  

                                    Common areas                                    1500.00

                                    Courtroom                               4500.00

 

            David Scott – Masonry Restoration                          

                                    Common areas                                    6846.00

 

            Sterner Painting – Galen Sterner

                                    Common areas                                    6560.00

 

            Marv Mendyk - Mendyk Painting

                                    Common areas                                    5375.00

                                    Courtroom                               8000.00

 

            Rick Peters – Peters Painting                                    

                                    Common area                          3500.00

                                    Courtroom                               1500.00

 

After much discussion, motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Seifert that a spec sheet be prepared and given to each of the five bidders so they will bid on exact same thing.  Roll Call: All ayes. Motion carried.  Included in each bid will be the vaults and bathrooms of each office.

 

Executive Session

Motion was made by Rasmussen and seconded by Seifert to go into executive session at 11:04 am for the purpose of discussing the lawsuit against the county with the County Board, County Attorney, and County Clerk present.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

Motion was made by Watson and second by Sack to come out of executive session at 11:37 am. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.  All Ayes.

 

After discussion, Commissioner Bader made the motion that he be given the authority at the court hearing to stipulate on any facts concerning the Board.  Second by Watson.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

There being no further business before the Board, motion was made by Seifert and second by Sack to adjourn the meeting at 11:40 am.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.  The next regular meeting of the Board will be March 30, 2006.

 

Dated this 9th day of March 2006.

                                                _______________________________________

                                                            Philip G. Bader, Chairman

ATTEST:

 

 

_______________________________________

Marge Palmberg

Howard County Clerk