HOWARD COUNTY COMMISSIONERS MINUTES

 

AUGUST 9, 2007

 

 

A meeting of the Howard County Board of Commissioners was convened in open an public session on the 9th day of August 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 1st day of August 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 8:30 a.m.  Roll Call:  Bill Sack, AYE; Lauren Scarborough, AYE; Rance Lierman, AYE;  Gary Rasmussen, AYE; Larry Seifert, AYE.    Also present are County Attorney Dave Schroeder and 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.

 

Chairman Seifert stated that before starting anything on the agenda he asked that we have a moment of silence for two long time county road employees that we have lost, Gary Lemburg and Kenny Wilson.  He stated they were excellent employees and they will be greatly missed and that our thoughts and prayers go out to their families.

 

Public Comment

Assessor Deloris Heminger was present to visit with the Board about their decision to eliminate the fourth position in her office.  The Board stated to her that the previous Assessor had asked for the fourth person to be hired to work on the GIS mapping system and since funds are not available to work on that project this year, the Board is eliminating that position.  She then asked to be present when they discussed the budget.

 

Road secretary Jackie Mayberry, Randy Faaborg, Larry Wojtalewicz and Wayne Reimers were present to visit with the Board regarding the Emergency Manager position.  Both the Board and the committee will keep each other informed about any activities.  Randy stated that we want to make certain that we are kept in compliance and continue with forward progress.

 

Road Discussion

Hwy Superintendent Jay Meyer, Sheriff Harold Schenck and County Attorney Dave Schroeder met with the Board regarding complaints from pivot water sprinkling the roads.  The Board wants to make sure that they are actively monitoring these.  The three mentioned above stated they have a policy they follow on pivot complaints.  Sheriff Schenck stated they have given out 16 citations and that none of the 16 have been reoccurrences.   A fine was issued for the violations.

 

Eddie Boltz met with the Board about a road on 2nd Avenue between Kimball and Jansen Roads.  Hwy Supt Jay Meyer was present as he had visited with Mr. Boltz to tell him that there is no county record which indicates this is a county road and the county was not responsible for this property.  It was explained to Mr. Boltz that in order to open a road all property owners have to be notified and a public hearing has to be held and the property owners on both sides have to provide the county with 33 feet of right of way to the center of the road.  Mr. Boltz would like the county to haul some rock and place it on the road.  Jay has some concerns about county liability.   More discussion followed but no action was taken.  It was decided that Jay and the County Attorney will work together to see what they can find out. 

 

Crime Commission Grant

Paperwork was received that requires the Chairman and Clerk to sign for Howard County to receive grant money from the State Crime Commission.  Motion was made by Sack and second by Rasmussen for the Chairman and Clerk to sign the grant paperwork the Clerk received from the State.  Roll Call: All Ayes.

 

Moody’s Beer Barrel Bar

Commissioner Scarborough had been contacted by John from the Beer Barrel Bar in St. Libory in regard to a special liquor permit for their Watermelon Days celebration.  Motion was made by Scarborough and second by Lierman to approve the permit.  Roll Call: All Ayes.

 

St. Paul Economic Development

Mike Feeken and Leslie Brown representing the St. Paul Economic Development met with the Board to discuss the BECA (Building Entrepreneurial Communities Act) Grant application.  They would like a commitment letter from the county regarding this.  There will be no monetary contribution from the county.

 

Commissioner Rasmussen left the meeting at 9:55 am.

 

Motion was made by Seifert and second by Lierman approving the BECA grant application.  Roll Call: 4 Ayes.  Rasmussen, Absent.  Motion carried.

 

Road Discussion

Hwy Supt Jay Meyer discussed with the Board his concerns on Liberty Road.  He stated he has not always been able to contact Island Land Handlers regarding his concerns with the way the Liberty Road project is proceeding.  After more discussion, motion was made by Seifert and second by Lierman that the County Attorney drafts a letter to Island Land Handlers stating that they are not living up to the language stated in their proposal in regard to the scarifying and compacting of the road.  The Board feels this project has taken too long and Island Land Handlers are not honoring their proposal.  Jay will get together with Dave regarding this.  Roll Call: 4 Ayes, 1 Absent.

 

Commissioner Rasmussen returned to the meeting at 10:18 am.

 

Planning and Zoning

Zoning Administrator Franz Trumler met with the Board and presented a list of zoning fees for applications that he would like to see in place.  Franz stated that the fees would just cover the cost associated with such permits.  After much discussion, motion was made by Seifert and second by Lierman to adopt the new fees as proposed and to attach a $15 publication fee to any applications the Board would have in front of them for approval.  Roll Call: All Ayes.

 

Budget

Suveyor Tim Aitken met with the Board at their request to go over the surveyor’s budget for this fiscal year.  Discussion was held on surveying projection work for this fiscal year.

 

Consent Agenda

The Board reviewed the claims that had been submitted.  Discussion was had on several of the claims.  Motion was made by Seifert and second by Scarborough to deny three claims that were submitted.   Roll Call: All Ayes.

 

Motion to approve the claims, reports and minutes made by Sack and second by Lierman.  Roll Call: All Ayes.  Commissioner Rasmussen abstained on the claim from Charlie’s Station as he is owner of the business.  The complete listing of claims will be at the end of the minutes.

 

There being no further business to come before the Board, motion was made by Seifert and second by Rasmussen to adjourn the meeting at 12:40 pm.  Roll Call: All Ayes.  The next regular meeting will be August 30th at 8:30 am.

 

Dated this 9th day of August 2007.

 

 

 

Larry Seifert, Chairman

 

ATTEST:

 

 

 

Marge Palmberg,

Howard County Clerk