HOWARD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MINUTES

 

APRIL 27, 2006

 

 

A meeting of the Howard County Board of Commissioners was convened in open and public session on the 27th day of April 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 19th day of April 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

Highway Superintendent Jay Meyer is present to discuss Rose Road with the Board. He stated what could be done and an estimate of the cost which could be up to $100,000 per mile. No action was taken on this.

 

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

 

Road secretary Jackie Mayberry met with the Board to present a resolution for their approval regarding a stop sign. Commissioner Watson stated he had requested this for safety reasons which would stop eastbound traffic. After much discussion, motion was made by Watson and second by Sack to approve the stop sign. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

Also discussed was the change order for rip rap for project BRO7047(12) Elba NW.

 

Personnel Policy

Commissioner Watson had placed this on the agenda to discuss the probation period. After much discussion it was decided to review the complete personnel policy the county has in place.

 

Courthouse Painting Discussion

Discussion was had on the courthouse interior painting. The Board had asked the building committee to go and look and some work that had been done. Commissioner Seifert checked the Hall County Courthouse and Treasurer Connie Nickel and Deputy Assessor Katie McCann had looked at the Super 8 Motel, and SE Smith apartments. There was much discussion regarding this as the Board stated it has not been done for possibly 40 to 50 years. Marv Mendyk was also present to answer any questions the Board had regarding his work. After further review and discussion, motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Seifert to contract with Mendyk Painting. Roll Call: Bader, AYE; Rasmussen, AYE; Seifert, AYE; Sack, AYE; Watson, NAY. Motion carried 4-1. A letter will be sent to all the bidders thanking them for submitting a bid.

 

Loup Basin Health Department

Chuck Cone with the Loup Basin Health Department met with the Board to review the many aspects of the nine county health department and to discuss the pandemic flu. He is asking counties to adopt a policy for the spread of communicable diseases. We would also need to have a public hearing regarding the quarantine and isolation and to appoint a Chief Quarantine Officer which could be the County Attorney or the County Sheriff. This will be addressed at the next meeting.

 

Claims

Motion was made by Sack and second by Seifert to approve the claims as submitted by the County Clerk. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried. The following claims were audited and warrants drawn on their regular funds:

 

                        General Salary                                     59,183.50

                        Road Salary                                        29,335.96

                        Civil Defense                                      265.25

                        Weed Salary                                        2,343.42

                        Communications Salary                      9,559.00

                        Federal W/H                                       7,800.64

                        State W/H                                           2,959.77

                        BCBS Insurance                                 23,279.54

                        FICA/Medicare                                   15,369.54

                        Retirement                                          9,527.77

                        Al Dearmont, reissue check                201.50

                        Meredith Oakes Peterson, reissue       100.00

                        Gary Rasmussen, reissue                     41.61

                        Ron Bryer, reissue                               59.06

                        State Treasurer, unclaimed property   51.00

                        Adam Ward, reissue check                 30.00

                        Ute Wojtalewicz, reissue check          15.00

                        Jack and Jill, reissue check                  53.26

                        Shade Tree Repair, reissue check        370.54

 

 

Tax Corrections

Motion is made by Watson and second by Sack to convene into Board of Equalization at 10:07 am. Treasurer Connie Nickel and Assessor Neal Dethlefs met with the Board to present the corrections. The corrections are as follows:

 

            Burt Paulsen, error in acres for 2005                          255.20

            Dennis & Don Lukasiewicz – 2004                            1355.14

            Dennis & Don Lukasiewicz -  2005                1089.74

            Troy Lukasiewicz – 2004                                            388.40

            Troy Lukasiewicz- 2005                                             312.86

            David & Donita Anderson – mobile home                 73.64

            Gerald & Janette Blake                                   151.12

            Mick & Loretta McDowell                                         57.90

            Albert Nielsen                                                             281.92

 

Motion was made by Watson and second by Sack to approve the corrections 1 through 9 as presented by the Assessor. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Assessor Dethlefs also had the changes to the county abstract for the Board. Motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Watson to approve the changes as presented. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

Motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Seifert to come out of Board of Equalization at 10:25 am. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

Courthouse Grounds

Commissioner Watson stated he had spoken with Annie Reams and she will continue to take care of the courthouse lawn if the Board approved. Motion was made by Watson and second by Sack to have Reams Lawn Care continue with mowing and fertilizing. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

Minutes

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

 

Heating Supplier

Motion was made by Seifert and second by Rasmussen to go with ACE for the Choice Gas Supplier for the Courthouse and county buildings. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

Zoning Fees

Planning and Zoning Administrator Franz Trumler met with the Board to discuss the zoning fees for the county. Also present is Ron Vonderohe. Franz had contacted several surrounding counties regarding their fees. He is asking the Board to eliminate the additional 50 cents on the permit fee.

Motion was made by Seifert and second by Watson to change the permit fee to a flat $10.00 effective this date. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

Also discussed were the subdivision fees. Motion was made by Seifert and second by Sack that the charge for a preliminary study will be $100 plus $5 per lot, and the final study will be $5 per lot. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

Economic Development

Ron Vonderohe met with the Board regarding the budget for the economic development office. He also discussed several items with the Board. No action was taken.

 

Mail

The Board reviewed the mail which consisted of a survey from the NACO office regarding the dates for the county convention and a letter from the Loup Basin RC&D regarding a resolution for the NCIP award and an insurance check from NIRMA for roof damage.

 

Motion was made by Seifert and second by Rasmussen to approve the resolution from the Loup Basin RC&D as it does promote the area and the counties. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

NIRMA Check

Commissioner Sack had met with the companies regarding the courthouse roof previously and in doing so, it was found that there is hail damage. They had the NIRMA insurance adjuster come and survey the damage. We received a check from them for $8320 which will pay for the entire repair.

 

Firearms Policy

Chairman Bader had asked that this be placed on the agenda. The County Attorney will draw up something to go into the personnel policy to reflect that no firearms will be allowed in any county buildings. This does not include any law enforcement.

 

Backhoe

Frank Robison, representing John Deere and Tim Renz representing Caterpillar met with the Board at their request to discuss the purchase of a backhoe. They both presented information to the Board and will get some prices. No action was taken.

 

Road Discussion

Commissioner Rasmussen stated he had been contacted by Dan Smydra regarding a survey. He will get in touch with County Surveyor Tim Aitken.

 

There being no further business to come before the Board, motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Seifert to adjourn the meeting at 12:05 pm. Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried. The next regular meeting of the Board will be May 11, 2006.

 

Dated this 27th day of April 2006.

                                                                        Philip G. Bader, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

Marge Palmberg

Howard County Clerk