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 o’clock a.m. on February 26, 2008, in the County Courtroom (108) of the Otoe County Courthouse.  The meeting will be open to the public.  An agenda for each 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                                          FEBRUARY 26, 2008

        

        

 

         8:30 a.m. -- Open Meeting; call roll; accept agenda; accept minutes from  

                                previous meetings; audit and sign payroll claims and regular claim

 

         8:45 a.m. – Public Hearing: Humm Subdivision located in the SW ¼ of the NW ¼ S11-T8-R9 as requested

                                    by Gerald and Claretta Royal

 

         8:55 a.m. – Gregg Goebel, EMA: Discussion and/or action RE: Outstanding bills for communication equip

      

         9:00 a.m.  – Public Hearing: To hear objections or recommendations to the proposed 1 & 6 Year

                                    Road Plan for 2008-2013

 

Glen Steffensmeier, Highway Supt: Discussion and/or action regarding road and bridge matters

a)      Discussion and/or action: Purchasing road signs

b)      Discussion and/or action: Heating for Otoe Road Shop

c)      Discussion: Define spending limits for road/bridge personnel

d)      Miscellaneous

 

         10:00 a.m. – Jim Johnston and John Palmtag: Recommendation to appoint a seventh member to the Otoe

                                    County Visitors Committee

 

         11:15 a.m. – Ron Hurt, Security Equipment Inc: Discussion and/or action RE: Purchase of heat detectors

                                    for jail facility

         

         

                            

        Other business matters to address when time allows:

                    Therese Trombino, Deputy Co Assessor: Tax list corrections

                    Jackie Smith, Co Treasurer: Discussion and/or action RE: Pledged Security(s);

                                    Resolution to institute tax foreclosure

                    Discussion and/or action RE: Sale of County owned property located in the NW Section Corner

                                    22-T8-R11; 1 acre more or less

                    Discussion and/or action to consider resignation of Zoe Thummel as Otoe County Commissioner

                    Marv Pesek, GA Administrator: Discussion General Assistance Applications/Cases (Executive Session)

                    Miscellaneous Correspondence and other matters that may come before the Board

.                                                                                                                                              

 

 

Janene Bennett

                                                                                                                                                Otoe County Clerk

 

The County Board reserves the right to go into executive session when and 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.        

 

 

February 26, 2008

 

The Otoe County Board of Commissioners convened in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on February 26, 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. Advance notice of this meeting was published in the Nebraska City News Press and Syracuse Journal Democrat, announced on the local radio station KNCY and posted in at least three public places. This meeting was open to the Public, and 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, Dale Haverty. Answering present at roll call were Commissioner Haverty and Commissioner Schroder. Commissioner Thummel was absent.

 

Chairman Haverty 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. He asked that all attendees turn off their cell phones or set them to vibrate while present in the meeting room.

 

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

 

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

 

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

 

A public hearing was held for the purpose of hearing support or objections to the establishment of Humm Subdivision located in the SW ¼ of the NW ¼ of S11-T8-R9. Gerald Royal, joint owner with his wife Claretta, was available to answer questions. There being no objections, Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Haverty to authorize Chairman Haverty to sign the plat map for Humm Subdivision, a 2.26 acre tract located in the SW ¼ of the NW ¼ of S11-T8-R9 as presented by Gerald Royal. Voting – Commissioners Schroder, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried.

 

Therese Trombino, Deputy County Assessor, presented the following list of tax corrections. 1)  William and Constance Cronican – deduct $79.48 – Greenbelt applied to 2007 value. 2) Lamar Advertising – deduct $1244.86 for tax year 2005, $1213.64 for tax year 2006, $1184.34 for tax year 2007 - Outdoor sign taxed twice (on real estate and as personal property). 3) Lamar Outdoor Advertising - deduct $47.76 for tax year 2005, $46.56 for tax year 2006 and $45.44 for tax year 2007 – property reported on personal property return; removed from real estate tax roll. 4) Oneok North System - deduct $55.50 for tax year 2005, $117.28 for tax year 2006, $114.40 for tax year 2007 – centrally assessed property. 5) Henry & Dorothy Hughson – deduct $371.80 for tax year 2005, $398.80 for tax year 2006, $420.30 for tax year 2007 – House was removed in 2002. 6) Richard & Mary Hoback – deduct $197.82 for tax year 2002, $192.70 for tax year 2003, $208.54 for tax year 2004, $208.00 for tax year 2005, $202.78 for tax year 2006 – After two parcels were combined, the old parcel number should have been deleted; double taxation. 7) City of Syracuse – deduct $124.44 – property should have become exempted when acquired in 2006.   Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Haverty to approve the tax list corrections as presented. Voting – Commissioners Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.

 

Jackie Smith, County Treasurer, requested the release of a pledged security with Commercial State Bank, Nebraska City, in the amount of $200,000. Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Haverty to adopt Resolution 2008-7 approving said transaction. Voting – Commissioners Schroder, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried.

 

Ms. Smith then explained that the County is holding Certificates of Tax Sale for several parcels of real estate wherein 3 years have elapsed since their issuance and the right of redemption by the owners has expired. Therefore, she is requesting the Board to institute action to foreclose the lien on these Certificates of Tax Sale. Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Haverty to adopt Resolution 2008-8, directing the County Attorney to institute foreclosure on the twelve Certificates of Tax Sale attached to the Resolution. Voting – Commissioners Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.

 

Marv Pesek, General Assistance Administrator, had no cases or applications to discuss at this time.

 

Gregg Goebel, Emergency Management Director, reported that he has four outstanding bills for communication equipment that have not been paid because the federal grant money has not been received. Goebel explained that the Homeland Security Grant is set up as a reimbursable grant; the County must submit copies of the invoices to FEMA, then request a draw down before money is sent. Goebel asked that the bills be paid from the Inheritance Tax Fund. When the grant money is received, it will be deposited in the Inheritance Tax Fund as repayment. Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Haverty to approve payment of the two claims for communication equipment from the Inheritance Tax Fund with the understanding that the Inheritance Tax Fund will be reimbursed as soon as the grant money is received. Voting – Commissioners Schroder, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried.

 

Glen Steffensmeier, County Highway Superintendent, and Lynn Denniston, Bridge Foreman, came before the Board to discuss road and bridge matters.

 

Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Haverty to open a public hearing for the purpose of hearing objections or recommendations for the adoption of the County’s One & Six Year Road Plan 2008-2013. Voting – Commissioners Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.

 

County Highway Superintendent, Glen Steffensmeier, gave a brief overview of the proposed plan. There were 76 road and bridge projects listed on the one year plan with 25 projects listed on the six year plan.  Steffensmeier said that many federal aid bridge projects have been approved by the NDOR and are at the point where the County is authorized to acquire right-of-way. However, the County cannot proceed with federal aid projects until the Soft Match account accumulates sufficient credit. Steffensmeier said he received a letter from the Lancaster County Commissioners advising him that Lancaster County did not list the opening of a 1 mile section on S 190th St between Roads F and G as a project in their One & Six Year Road Plan. Commissioner Schroder said according to the Official Road Book, it appears the road was platted, but never opened. However, he has found old bridge pilings that indicate there was a road there at one time.

 

Steve Shallenberger was in attendance at the hearing. He was concerned that Bridge #C66053230 which was closed recently has created a four mile detour. He questioned if there was a time frame as to how soon the bridge would be replaced and if there was a possibility that a low water crossing or shoo fly could be constructed until the bridge was reopened. Steffensmeier said the bridge was closed indefinitely at the recommendation of an engineer. The peers showed fatigue, creating unsafe conditions for heavy vehicles or equipment. Shallenberger said it is a well traveled road, noting that it is part of the mail route and school bus route. Steffensmeier replied this bridge and 14 other bridges have been turned in for federal aid and are listed in the County’s One & Six Year Road Plan. If this bridge replacement is designated as a priority project, it could be turned into the NDOR Bridge Division for bid letting this fall. Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Haverty to close the public hearing. Voting – Commissioners Schroder, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried. There being no additions, deletions or objections, Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Haverty to adopt the Otoe County 2008 thru 2013 One & Six Year Road Plan as presented. Voting – Commissioners Schroder, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried. The Plan must be submitted to the State Department of Roads by March 1st.

 

Steffensmeier said he spoke with Scott Nelson, Director of the Nemaha NRD, who thought that constructing a road dam structure on Road B between Road 12 and 14 would be a viable project. Steffensmeier said he now needs to visit with adjacent landowners.

 

NDOR recommends the installation of a minimum of grade three high intensity signs; no more engineer grade signs. They deteriorate too fast and don’t have good reflection. Steffensmeier said he instructed the crew to place low intensity signs on low volume roads until the inventory is depleted and has been using high intensity signs on the more traveled roads. He asked the foremen to make a list of needed road signs. With over 500 signs listed, he estimated the cost of purchase to be approximately $18,000. Commissioner Schroder questioned why one foreman submitted a list of needed signs only while the other foreman rounded up numbers to allow for stock inventory. Commissioner Schroder asked that the list be revised to show “needed” signs only and submit it at the next meeting.

 

There was a brief discussion about what type of heating is needed at the newly constructed shed in Otoe. Commissioner Haverty said the building is a garage, not a shop and felt minimal heat was needed. Originally, $20,000 was allowed to construct the building and the County has already spent over $27,000. Foreman Kuenning said it would be nice if the building was warm enough to melt the snow when the grader is parked there overnight. Commissioner Haverty said it is not feasible to heat the whole building; only the restroom area needs to be heated to protect the plumbing.

 

Steffensmeier asked for a clarification of spending limits for road employees. He was told that foremen could spend up to $500 and other road crew members could spend up to $100 without pre-approval. Commissioner Haverty told Steffensmeier that he was responsible for the road budget and thought Steffensmeier should set the limits.  The Foremen said at one time it was set up that the highway superintendent had a limit of $1500; the foremen a limit of $500; and crew members $250, but the County Board can change these limits as they see fit. Steffensmeier noted the County Board Handbook only addresses the bidding process for purchases over $5000. Commissioner Haverty suggested that Steffensmeier discuss the matter with his foremen; then make a recommendation of spending limits to the Board at the next meeting.

 

Commissioner Schroder said the County owns one acre of land near Syracuse that once was deeded to the Otoe County Weed Board. Adjacent lots in the Dean Kraft Subdivision have been sold and now someone has requested to purchase the County’s parcel. County Attorney, Dave Partsch, said if the County wants to consider selling the property, a public hearing must be advertised to hear support or objection to its sale; said ad must be published for two consecutive weeks. If it is determined the land will be offered for sale, the Board will have to decide whether to sell the property by public auction or sealed bids. Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schroder to advertise and conduct a public hearing to consider sale of county owned property located NW Corner of S22-T8-R11. Voting- Commissioners Schroder, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried. Subsequently, Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schroder to set the public hearing at 9:00 a.m. on March 11, 2008, and to hold it in the Otoe County Court Room. Voting – Commissioners Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried

 

John Palmtag, Chairman of the Otoe County Visitors Committee, and Jim Johnston, Director, came before the Board to make a recommendation for filling the position of a seventh member to the Otoe County Visitors Committee. Mr. Palmtag introduced Carolyn Gigstad as the most favorable applicant. As a citizen of Syracuse, she said she is interested in promoting tourism activities and bringing people to western Otoe County. She has experience in advertising, coordinating and marketing local events, and organizing political campaigns. She is involved in many community organizations and holds a degree in art educations. Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Haverty to appoint Carolyn Gigstad as a member of the Otoe County Visitors Committee. Voting - Commissioners Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.

 

At 10:12 a.m. Chairman Haverty altered the agenda to take the appointment with Ron Hurt who arrived early.  Mr. Hurt, representing Security Equipment Inc, explained that the fire marshal changed regulations since his original proposal for updating the fire alarm system in the jail facility. Therefore, he was submitting an additional service order to include installation of 6 more heat & smoke detectors, 1 duct heat detector, a manual pull and two horns and strobes lights. Commissioner Haverty said the Board approved $15,500 worth of improvements in December. He asked Mr. Hurt for a copy of the correspondence from the fire marshal that specified these additional items. Mr. Hurt gave Commissioner Haverty a copy of the Code Review. Commissioner Haverty said he would like to visit with Bruce Neemann, the Fire Marshal, before approving any more expenses on this project.

 

Miscellaneous correspondence included a letter from the National Association of Counties Financial Services Center. They are seeking information to identify counties with existing or historic environmental liabilities that require cleanup. Commissioner Haverty said he would check out the survey on the NACo website.

 

At 10:18 a.m. Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Haverty to go into executive session to discuss personnel issues with the Highway Superintendent and County Attorney, Dave Partsch. Voting – Commissioners Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.

 

At 10:27 a.m. Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Haverty to go back into regular session. Voting – Commissioners Schroder, aye; Haverty, aye.  Motion carried. No action was taken while in executive session.

 

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 Haverty to adjourn the meeting, until the next one, which will be on March 11, 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 26th day of February 2008.

 

 

 

Janene Bennett

Otoe County Clerk