HOWARD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MINUTES

 

JUNE 28, 2007

 

 

A meeting of the Howard County Board of Commissioners was convened in open and public session on the 28th day of June 25, 2007, in the Boardroom, Howard County Courthouse, St. Paul, Nebraska.

 

Notice of the meeting was given thereof by publication in the Phonograph-Herald on the 20th day of June 2007, 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 Seifert called the meeting to order at 7:30 a.m.  Roll Call:  Bill Sack, AYE; Lauren Scarborough, AYE; Rance Lierman, AYE;  Gary Rasmussen, ABSENT; Larry Seifert, AYE.    Also present is County Clerk Marge Palmberg.   Chairman Seifert also stated to those in attendance that a current copy of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act is available for review and indicated the location of such copy in the room where the meeting is being held.  This meeting was set up by  Hwy Supt

Jay Meyer with the county road employees and the Commissioners for some clarification of overtime work.

 

The Board had asked the road men to consider working 10 hour days as the last storm has really put stress on the county roads.  The Board thought that instead of hiring 2 more employees and paying salary plus benefits, it would be more beneficial for the county to pay overtime until the roads are taken care of.  Commissioner Scarborough related to the men that the roads are in need of much repair.  Jay had some comments to the Board regarding the overtime issue.  Motion was made by Scarborough and second by Sack that Jay could hire some part-time help.  Roll Call: 4 Ayes, Rasmussen Absent. 

 

Commissioner Rasmussen is present at 8:20 am.

 

Chairman Seifert asked that all officials and department heads be present for the meeting.  The following were present:

 

            Connie Nickel – Treasurer

            Deloris Heminger – Assessor

            Leona Swanson – Extension office

            Kathy Sweeney – Clerk Magistrate’s office

            Jerry Schenck – Sheriff’s office

            Jay Meyer – Road department

            Dan Fredrick – Weed department

            Harold Schenck – Sheriff’s office

 

Chairman Seifert discussed employee evaluations being done.   The Board has adopted two policies recommended by NACO and NIRMA.  One is a disciplinary form and the other is an employee evaluation for all county employees.  The employee evaluation is a record of how each employee is performing.  He also stated that the evaluation has a bearing on two things, wage increases and continued employment.  He also stated this earlier to the road employees. Assessor Deloris Heminger stated her office does these evaluations.  The Board also related that they have frozen the salaries for the clerical/secretary positions until July 2008 when they review the budget again.

 

District Courtroom Use

Suzan Decamp, representing the Area Community Theatre, met with the Board to request the use of the District Courtroom in October or November.  They have not decided but she wants to know in the event they decide to do this certain play.  Motion was made by Seifert and second by Rasmussen to approve the use of the courtroom.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

Budget

Terry Galloway, representing Almquist, Maltzahn,Galloway and Luth met at the request of the Board to go over some budget figures.  Much discussion followed with the Board.  No action was taken.  Terry will meet with the Board at their next meeting.

 

Road Discussion

The underground cable permit requested by Ron Woitaszski was presented.  Motion was made by Lierman and second by Seifert to approve this permit.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

Discussion was held regarding the fuel tank that is at Gary Lemburg’s place.  Motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Lierman that the county will remove the fuel tank and it will be placed at another location in the county.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

Resolution No 2007-11

County Attorney Dave Schroeder presented a resolution to appoint a Deputy County Attorney in the event there is a conflict or if Dave will be gone.  This resolution is with Hall County and we have used one previously.  Motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Sack to approve this resolution.  Roll Call: All Ayes.  Resolution No. 2007-11 is on file in the Clerk’s office.

 

Public Hearing – Earl Svoboda Subdivision

Motion was made by Sack and second by Scarborough to open the public hearing at 10:00 am for the final plat for the Earl Svoboda Subdivision.  Zoning Administrator Franz Trumler stated the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the subdivision 8-0.  Motion was made by Lierman and second by Rasmussen to close the public hearing.  Roll Call: All Ayes.  Motion carried.  Motion was then made by Sack and second by Scarborough to approve the Svoboda Subdivison.  Roll Call: All Ayes.  Motion carried.

 

Public Hearing – Thomas Blanchard Subdivision

Motion was made by Sack and second by Lierman to open the public hearing for the Thomas Blanchard Subdivision at 10:15 am.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.  Zoning Administrator Franz Trumler stated to the Board that the Planning and Zoning Commission approved the plat 7-0.  Chris Rhea, representing Viaero Wireless, met with the Board as they will be constructing a tower on the property.  After some discussion, motion was made by Sack and second by Scarborough to close the public hearing at 10:25 am.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.  Motion was then made by Rasmussen and second by Seifert to approve the subdivision.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

Public Hearing – Hochstetler’s Third Subdivision

Motion was made by Lierman and second Scarborough to open the public hearing at 10:30 am for the Hochstetler’s Subdivision.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.  Zoning Administrator Franz Trumler reported the finding of facts to the Board and stated the Planning and Zoning Commission approved this final plat 8-0.  County Attorney Dave Schroeder stated to the Board that there were several items that he felt needed to be changed and this was done.  Discussion was held on the covenants.  The subdivision will be called Hochstetler’s Third Subdivision, a replat of Lots 5 & 6.  Motion was made by Sack and second by Rasmussen to close the public hearing at 10:40 am.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.  After some discussion on the covenants, motion was made by Scarborough and second by Lierman to approve the final plat.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.  Chairman Seifert stated that the Board appreciated how they worked together to get done.  Citizen Jerry Legg asked to address the Board as he had several comments and suggestions that may be helpful to someone in the future when applying for a subdivision.

 

Budget Discussion

Motion was made by Rasmussen and second by Lierman that Terry Galloway be contracted to do the county budget.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

Consent Agenda

Motion was made by Lierman and second by Rasmussen to approve the consent agenda which consists of the minutes of the June 18th meeting and payroll claims in the amount of $156,816.18.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

                                                PAYROLL CLAIMS

 

                        General                                                64,669.72

                        Road Salary                                        33,638.98

                        Civil Defense Salary                                262.48

                        Weed Salary                                          2,443.42

                        Communications Salary                      11,273.74

                        Federal W/H                                         9,048.30

                        State Tax                                               3,320.12

                        Retirement                                          12,573.17

                        FICA/Medicare                                   17,142.88                                     

                        BCBS Ins                                            28,380.91

                        NE Child Support                                    144.00

                        Radisson Hotel                                        932.50

 

BCBS Insurance

Gary Streeks, representing Blue Cross Blue Shield, met with the Board to explain the rate changes.  He stated they had eliminated the $250 deductible which the county has always used.  He also went through some of the other changes.  The Board will make the decision what deductible they will use for the county and let BCBS know by July 15th.

 

Planning and Zoning

Zoning Administrator Franz Trumler met with the Board to discuss a citizen’s complaint he had received regarding Bunker Hill Feed lot.  Dallas Timmons was also present.  Discussion was held regarding this but no action was taken.

 

County Attorney Dave Schroeder left the meeting at 11:55 am.

 

Franz also discussed the odor footprint maps he had and wanted the Board to give him some direction on what they wanted him to do.  A motion was made by Scarborough and second by Seifert that Franz moves forward with the odor foot print maps and schedule some public hearings.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

Fund Transfer

The Board wanted it entered into the record that there was a fund transfer of $56,698 from Miscellaneous General to the Highway Supt account, Planning and Zoning account and the Elections account.

 

There being no further business to come before the Board, motion was made by Seifert and second by Rasmussen to adjourn the meeting at 12:15 pm.  Roll Call: All Ayes. Motion carried.

 

Dated this 28th day of June 2007.

 

Larry Seifert, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

 

Marge Palmberg

Howard County Clerk