NOTICE OF MEETING

 

Otoe County Courthouse

Nebraska City NE  68410

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Regular meeting of the Otoe County Commissioners of Otoe County, Nebraska, will be held at 8:30 A.M. on January 8, 2008, in the County Courtroom (108) of the Otoe County Courthouse.  The meeting will be open to the public.  An agenda for such meeting is kept continuously current, and is available for public inspection at the office of the County Clerk at the Courthouse, but the agenda may be modified at such meetings to include items of an emergency nature only.

 

AGENDA OF THE NEXT MEETING                                                                   JANUARY 8, 2008

 

              8:30 a.m.  Open Meeting, Call roll, Accept agenda, Accept minutes from previous meeting

                       

              8:30 a.m.   Reorganization Meeting: Elect Chairman of the Board, Make Board

                                 Appointments, Appoint Legal Newspaper, Designate Bank Depositories

 

              8:45 a.m.   Regular Meeting: Audit and sign payroll claims and regular claims

 

              9:00 a.m.   Discussion and/or action of Road and Bridge matters

1.      Discussion and/or action RE: 1 & 6 Yr Plan Review

2.      Discussion and/or action RE: Repairs to Truck #12

3.      Miscellaneous

          

            10:00 a.m. Jacki Schmitz, PUFF: Discussion and/or action RE: Juvenile Justice Grant

 

            10:15 a.m. Pat Haverty, RCEDC: Quarterly Report

 

10:30 a.m. Jim Gress, Sheriff: Request permission to advertise for the purchase of 2 new patrol vehicles

 

10:45 a.m.  Discussion and/or action RE: Rescinded appointment of Mary Coleman to serve as a member of the Otoe County Visitors Committee; Discussion and/or action RE: Acceptance of revised by-laws for the Otoe County Visitors Committee

                         

Other Business to address as time allows:

Therese Trombino, Dep Co Assessor: Discussion and/or action RE: Tax list corrections;

      Discussion and/or action RE: Contract renewal with Ron Elliott to provide appraisal services

                        Marv Pesek, GA Administrator: Discussion and/or action RE: General Assistance Apps/Cases

                        Correspondence and/or other matters that may come before the Board             

                                                                       

 

                                                                                                                        Janene Bennett                                                                                                                                                           Otoe County Clerk

Immediately upon adjournment from regular session, the Otoe County Commissioners will convene as the Board of Equalization. (See separate Agenda)

 

The County Board reserves the right to go into executive session if they deem it necessary.

 

Individuals requiring physical or sensory accommodations, including interpreter service, Braille, large print or recorded materials, please contact Janene Bennett, County Clerk, Otoe County Courthouse, P O Box 249, Nebraska City, NE 68410, (402) 873-9505), no later than 12:00 noon the day before the meeting.

 

 

 

January 8, 2008

 

The Otoe County Board of Commissioners convened in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on January 8, 2008 to audit and sign payroll claims and regular claims and to take care of such other matters as are on the agenda for this meeting.  This meeting was open to the Public. The agenda was kept current and is on file for public inspection at the office of the Otoe County Clerk during regular business hours.

 

The meeting was called to order by the Chairman of the Board, Joy W Schroder. Answering present at roll call were Commissioner Schroder, Commissioner Thummel and Commissioner Haverty. None absent.

 

Chairman Schroder informed the public in attendance that a current copy of the Open Meetings Act is posted on the south wall of the Courtroom.  Additional copies are available upon request.

 

Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to accept the agenda as posted. Voting -- Commissioners Schroder, aye; Thummel, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried.

 

Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to accept the minutes from the previous meeting as mailed to them as each member was furnished with a copy of same. Voting – Commissioners Thummel, aye; Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.  

 

The meeting was turned over to the County Clerk for the election of a new Chairman of the Board for year 2008. The Clerk called for nominations from the floor. Commissioner Schroder nominated Commissioner Haverty as Chairman of the Board. There being no other nominations, Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to cease nominations and to cast a unanimous ballot for Dale Haverty to be Chairman of the Board for the year 2008. Voting -- Commissioners Haverty, abstain; Thummel, aye; Schroder, aye.  Motion carried.

 

The following miscellaneous board appointments were made for the year 2008:

 

SENDD (Southeast Nebraska Development District): Commissioner Schroder will serve as Otoe County representative with Commissioner Thummel named as alternate.

RCEDD (River Country Economic Development District): Commissioner Schroder will serve as Otoe County representative with Commissioner Thummel named as alternate.

SENCA (Southeast Nebraska Community Action): Commissioner Thummel will serve as Otoe County representative with Commissioner Haverty named as alternate.

RCEDC (River Country Economic Development Corporation): Commissioner Haverty will serve as Otoe County representative with Commissioner Thummel named as alternate.

REGION V: Commissioner Schroder will serve as Otoe County representative with Commissioner Haverty named as alternate.

RC & D (Five Rivers Resource Conservation & Development): Alfred O Gigstad was appointed as Otoe County representative with Commissioner Haverty named as alternate.

 

Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to appoint the Nebraska City News Press as the legal newspaper for Otoe County for year 2008. Voting – Commissioners Haverty, aye; Thummel, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.

 

Commissioner Thummel made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schroder to appoint the following banks as depositories for Otoe County in 2008: Farmers Bank & Trust, Arbor Bank, American National Bank, Commercial State Bank, and Heartland Community Bank, all of Nebraska City; First National Bank of Syracuse; Countryside Bank of Unadilla; and Farmers & Merchants Bank of Palmyra. Voting – Commissioners Thummel, aye; Schroder, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried.

 

Commissioner Thummel made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schroder to audit and sign payroll claims and regular claims unless otherwise noted. Voting – Commissioners, Schroder aye; Haverty, aye; Thummel, aye.  Motion carried.

 

Marv Pesek, General Assistance Administrator, reported that he had no general assistance cases or applications for discussion at this time.

 

Therese Trombino, Deputy County Assessor, presented the following list of tax corrections: 1) James & Shirley Wright – deduct $1232.92 – Homestead exemption was omitted due to computer error. 2) Norma Jean Hudson – deduct $26.74 - taxpayer deceased in 2003; grain bin on another parcel; 3) Renewal Resources Corporation – deduct $465.66 - removed portable office in 1994 and failed to notify assessor’s office; corrected taxes from 1995 onward.  Commissioner Thummel made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schroder to approve the tax list corrections as presented. Voting – Commissioners Thummel, aye; Schroder, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried. Ms. Trombino noted that Ron Elliott has not returned a signed contract to renew his services as the County Appraiser, so she will present it for approval at the next meeting.

 

Glen Steffensmeier, County Highway Superintendent, Wally Pohlman and Rich Kuenning, Road Foremen and Lynn Denniston, Bridge Foreman, came before the Board to discuss road and bridge matters.

 

Steffensmeier said last year’s Road Plan still has a number of road projects that have not been completed, so he would like to make those his priority projects in 2008. He asked Board Members if there were any problem areas that they wanted to add to the list.  Commissioner Schroder said he would like to have the 1 mile stretch of roadway on S 190th St between Roads F and G opened. OPPD has installed 3 power poles where a road should be, but agreed to move the poles if the road were ever opened. According to the old road book, the road was platted but never opened or used. To make it a local road, it will require several drainage structures and graded to state standards. Steffensmeier said he would need the cooperation of Lancaster County since it is the boundary line between Lancaster and Otoe counties. Commissioner Schroder also mentioned that the west end of Road B between Roads 14 and 16 needs the ditches cleaned out and graded to standard. Steffensmeier said the reason that some of the previously submitted federal aid projects have not been done is because the County does not have enough soft match money built up. He will continue to work on the 1 & 6 Year Road Plan. A public hearing to approve the Plan must be held by the end of February.

 

Steffensmeier distributed an itemized list of costs to repair Truck #12, a 1990 Mack Dump Truck. Nebraska Truck and Equipment estimated a cost over $7,000. In order to make it a good running truck, the brakes and steering need to be adjusted and/or repaired. It is unsafe to drive as it now sets. The truck isn’t used daily; only when needed. It is a good truck for short hauls or tight areas where a Semi can’t go. Foreman Kuenning said the transmission was rebuilt a few years ago. Steffensmeier said most of the money allocated for repairs has already been spent and there is six months to go before a new budget begins. Commissioner Schroder suggested getting the truck fixed, but have the road crew make whatever repairs they are capable of doing. The County can’t afford to buy new truck at this time.

 

Steffensmeier reported that the bridge deck has been poured on the Palmyra SE Bridge project located on N 14th Rd between Roads G and H. He is working with the consultant to get a change order that will include a drain tile with three outlet pipes. The original design did not include sufficient drainage for the amount of water running under the bridge.

 

On Wednesday, all road crew members will be required to take a 2 hour class on maintaining brakes. They will learn how to trouble shoot braking problems, how to adjust brakes and repair them. Those completing the class will receive a certificate.

 

Jacki Schmitz, who is contracted to write grants for the County, said it is time to renew the Nebraska Crime Commission Grant Application that is used to fund the Juvenile Diversion Program in Otoe County. In 2004 and 2005, $36,000 was awarded to the County. In 2006, the amount decreased to $27,000; then $18,000 in 2007. This year, the County can only apply for $9,000, which means that the County will have to subsidize the program if it wishes to continue it. For the past several years, the County has received a County Aid grant in the amount of $13,913 from the State that has also been applied to this program. By combining these two sources of revenue, the County will still need to contribute another $30,000. Ms. Schmitz said the program has an 83% success rate meaning that 83% of the juveniles who participate in the program have not re-offended. It is cheaper to divert juveniles than to commit them to a detention center. Last year the County paid $50,241.50 to detention centers and another $6025.91 for court appointed attorney fees. Dave Partsch, County Attorney and prosecutor, commended the program. He felt that money spent to keep kids from becoming repeated offenders is well worth it. Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to authorize Chairman Haverty to sign the application for the Juvenile Diversion Grant, thereby committing the County’s financial support to continue the program.  Voting – Commissioners Haverty, aye; Thummel, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.

 

Pat Haverty, Executive Director for RCEDC, came before the Board to give his quarterly report of ongoing projects. The Inventors, Investors & Entrepreneurs Club is moving forward and will be meeting January 22nd at the Kimmel Research Center. The conceptual land use plan for the Red Fox Run area has been completed.  The Board of Directors will meet later this month to review the plan. Diversified Foods and Seasonings has hired over 50 employees and received a $10,000 local job training grant to assist with the orientation and training of new employees. RCEDC will host the Nebraska Economic Development Association Conference April 30th through May 2nd. Mr. Haverty was recently elected to the NEDA Board of Directors. The local BECA group continues to offer training courses for current and prospective business owners. One of the most popular classes has been Ebay for Business. 

 

Jim Gress, County Sheriff, appeared before the Board to request permission to advertise for the purchase of two new patrol vehicles. He will be replacing a 2004 Durango and a 2003 Ford Crown Vic; both vehicles will have over 120,000 miles on them by the time new vehicles are ordered and delivered. In his original budget he requested $75,000 to purchase three vehicles. However, before the budget was adopted, the County agreed to take over law enforcement duties for the City of Syracuse, which increased the need for an additional vehicle. Since Syracuse is paying $13,333 monthly to the County for its services, the fourth vehicle will be purchased out of the money received from Syracuse. Last month, two patrol vehicles were delivered to the Sheriff’s Office and paid out of the Inheritance Tax Fund at a cost of $50,106. He estimated the trade-in value for the Durango and Crown Vic should be $8,000 to $9,000. Therefore, he should only need $16,000 to $17,000 from Inheritance Tax. Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to grant Sheriff Gress permission to advertise for the purchase of two more patrol vehicles. Voting – Commissioners Thummel, aye; Schroder, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried. Gress noted that in order to keep the fleet rotating, he needs to purchase at least 3 vehicles every year.

 

Don Mroczek, Insurance Agent with Platinum Services Inc, from Columbus came before the Board to give a short presentation regarding the benefits his company has to offer with regards to Cancer, Heart Attack and Stroke coverage. He said he has clients in 34 counties and 58 schools in Nebraska in addition to many other private businesses. This is not a health insurance plan, but a supplement to cover incidental expenses incurred while receiving treatment for one of these diseases. The plan is 100% voluntary; it will be each employee’s decision as to whether he/she is interested in participating. There is no cost to the County; there will be no payroll deductions. Individuals pay their premium directly to the Insurance Company. If no claim is made in a 15 year period, the individual will receive 100% of premiums he has paid in - tax free. Mr. Mroczek asked the Board permission to set up a time and place where he could make a 10 minute presentation to the county employees. Commissioner Thummel made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schroder to allow Mr. Mroczek to make a presentation to Otoe County employees. Voting – Commissioners Schroder, aye; Haverty, aye; Thummel, aye. Motion carried. Mr. Mroczek was asked to work with the County Clerk to set up a date, time and place for his presentation.

 

Chairman Haverty said the reason that Mary Coleman’s appointment to the Otoe County Visitors Committee is being rescinded is because she was appointed in error. After reviewing state statute, no more than three members serving on a seven member committee can be associated with the hotel industry. Ms Coleman is the owner operator of a Bread and Breakfast in Syracuse and there are already three members from the hotel industry on the Visitors Committee.  He wanted to reiterate the fact that the retraction is in no way being made due to her lack of ability or qualifications. Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to rescind the appointment of Mary Coleman to the Otoe County Visitors Committee. Voting – Commissioners Haverty, aye; Thummel, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.

 

Dave Partsch, County Attorney, reviewed the amended bylaws of the Otoe County Visitors Committee that were adopted last fall by 2/3 vote of the Committee, increasing membership from five to seven. He said he found that the by-laws referred to “lodging” industry rather than “hotel” industry and there is no definition for “lodging industry” in statutes. Also, in accordance with 81-1255, it states that “at least two but not more than three members shall be in the hotel industry”; however, the bylaws uses the wording “Committee shall consist of seven members, three of which shall be from the lodging industry”. It doesn’t clarify there could be a minimum of two members. Partsch said these differences were minor. If the Board wants any wording changed, they would have to send it back to the Visitors Committee for revision.  He also said by-laws are only guidelines; state statute would supersede if the wording was challenged. He did not recommend that the by-laws be revised just to clarify verbiage. Commissioner Thummel made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schroder to accept the by-laws as written and adopted by the Otoe County Visitors Committee.  Voting – Commissioners Thummel, aye; Schroder, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried.

 

Jim Myers, Weed Superintendent for Otoe County, presented the Board with the Annual Weed Control Plan that must be submitted to the Nebraska Dept of Agriculture Bureau of Plant Industry by January 31st of any given year. He said he has geared up the roadside spraying program to include the control of all noxious weeds, not just Leafy Spurge which was the targeted weed the last couple of years. Otherwise, the plan is the same as last year. He noted that he found a small infestation of Sericea outside of Burr and one in Palmyra which he has treated. Leafy Spurge is basically gone. As for the budget report, more money was spent for the purchase of chemicals due to his increased efforts of the roadside spraying program. Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to authorize Chairman Haverty to sign the weed report, approving its submission to the Dept of Agriculture. Voting – Commissioners Schroder, aye; Haverty, aye; Thummel, aye. Motion carried.

 

There being no further business to come before the Board at this time, and since all items on the agenda have been disposed of, Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner  Thummel to adjourn the meeting, until the next one, which will be on January 22, 2008.  

 

I, Janene Bennett, County Clerk of Otoe County, do hereby certify that the above minutes were taken by me, and are true and correct to the best of my knowledge, and I therefore set my hand and affix the county seal this 8th day of January 2008.

 

 

 

Janene Bennett

Otoe County Clerk