NOTICE OF MEETING
NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Regular meeting of the Otoe County Commissioners of
AGENDA OF THE NEXT MEETING MARCH
27, 2007
8:30 a.m. -- Open Meeting; call roll;
accept agenda; accept minutes from
previous meetings; audit
and sign payroll claims and regular claims
8:45 a.m. –Public Hearings / Zoning
Matters:
1) Preliminary Plat for
Westfield Estates Subdivision located in part of N ½ SW ¼ 10-8-12
(Mike Eckert, Civil Design Group)
2) E Griepenstroh
Subd located in SW ¼ SE ¼ 3-8-13 (Mary Dexter,
Derrick/Gretchen Griepenstroh)
3) Baker Schoolhouse Subd located in NW /14 NW ¼ 16-8-13 (Reese Farms)
9:00
a.m. -- Discussion and/or action regarding other road and bridge matters
a)
Discussion and/or action RE:
Tires for equipment
b)
Discussion and/or action RE:
Bridge - Scour critical plan of
action for NDOR
c)
Discussion and/or action RE:
County shops
d)
Discussion and/or action RE: Ad
for hiring bridge employee in April
e)
Discussion and/or action RE:
Safety committee – Board appointment
f)
Discussion and/or action RE:
Miscellaneous
g)
10:00 a.m. – Open Bids: Lawn Care
Service for Courthouse and DHHS
10:15 a.m. – Patrick Damm,
OPPD: Discussion and/or action RE: Power Line Easement
10:30 a.m. – Jan Reed, Register of
Deeds: Discussion and/or action RE: Arbor Day as a
10:45 a.m. – Gregg Goebel, EMA: Safety Committee
Report
Discussion
and/or action RE: Proposal for “Spotters Plan”
Discussion
and/or action RE: Emergency Management Performance Grant
Discussion
and/or action RE: Severe Weather Awareness Week – Tornado Drill April 4th
11:00 a.m. – Extension Office Monthly Report
1:00 p.m. – Conduct interviews for
position of Zoning Administrator
Other business matters to address when time allows:
Marv Pesek – Discussion and/or action RE: GA applications and
cases
Andrea Walters, Assessor:
Tax list correction(s)
Miscellaneous Correspondence and other
matters that may come before the Board
.
Janene Bennett
Otoe
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,
MARCH 27, 2007
The Otoe County Board of Commissioners convened in regular session at
8:30 a.m. on March 27, 2007 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, 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 Joy W Schroder. Answering present at roll call were Commissioner Schroder, Commissioner Thummel
and Commissioner Haverty.
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 and not have them read. Voting –
Commissioners Thummel, aye; Haverty,
aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.
Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded
by Commissioner Thummel to audit and sign payroll
claims and regular claims as presented, unless otherwise noted. Voting –
Commissioners Haverty, aye; Schroder,
aye; Thummel, aye. Motion carried.
Chairman Schroder informed the pubic 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 while present in the meeting room.
Interim Zoning Administrator, Dave Schmitz, said three public hearings
had been scheduled to consider at the Planning Commission meeting last
Thursday; however one was tabled. He explained that Mike Eckert, representing
the Civil Design Group, had appeared before the Planning Commission and asked
for a deferral of his request for a preliminary plat hearing involving
Westfield Estates Subdivision, a 53.38 acre tract located in part of the N ½ SW
¼ 10-8-12. Eckert informed the Commission that there has been a delay in
getting the plat finalized due to issues with the Rural Water District. He was
told there is only one water hook-up available, so the developer is re-evaluating
the plan and may have to downsize the number of buildable
lots. Commissioner Haverty said he is going to meet
with the Rural Water Board in an effort to convince its members that they
should provide more water lines. It’s not a matter of water shortage; it’s a
matter of getting the water distributed. Schmitz noted this is an area that has
a lot to offer for multiple housing. Commissioner Haverty
made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to
table the public hearing to consider approval of a plat for Westfield Estates
Subdivision until action is taken by the County Planning Commission. Voting --
Commissioners Schroder, aye; Thummel,
aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried.
Regarding E. Griepenstroh Subdivision located
in the SW ¼ SE ¼ 3-8-13: This is an existing farmstead of 3.04 acres with an
address of
Baker Schoolhouse Subdivision located in the NW ¼ NW ¼ 16-8-13: The old
schoolhouse has been vacant for years, but now someone is interested in
purchasing it. Scott Harpster, a real estate broker,
said his client plans to add on to the existing structure and create a single
family ranch style home. The school was hooked into the rural water system
several years ago, but was disconnected after the school closed. Harpster said he has talked with five of the seven Rural
Water Board members who agreed they would take action to approve a “re-hookup”
at their next meeting. The subdivision was approved at the March 16th
Planning Commission meeting contingent upon documentation stating water will be
accessible. Commissioner Haverty made a motion,
seconded by Commissioner Thummel to authorize
Chairman Schroder to sign the plat map for Baker
Schoolhouse Subdivision located in the NW ¼ NW ¼ S16-T8-R13 as requested by
Reese Farms Company, Joy Reese President. Voting – Commissioners Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye; Thummel, aye. Motion carried.
Highway Superintendent, Glen Steffensmeier and
Road and Bridge Foremen Wally Pohlman, Rich Kuenning and Lynn Denniston came
before the Board to discuss road and bridge matters.
Steffensmeier said he advertised for quotes to purchase
new motor grader tires. He was not satisfied with the prices received, so he is
soliciting additional quotes. Bridgestone tires run between $800 and $970 each;
price includes delivery, but the men must mount them. Lincoln Graham Tire
charges $350 to recap a tire. Pohlman said when they
had some tires recapped several years ago, they had trouble with the sidewalls
splitting; they also created a bounce driving down the road as the speed was
increased. The Board suggested purchasing 4 recaps and to purchase the other new
tires from the vendor with the best deal.
The NDOR sent a letter to the County requesting a scour evaluation of 96
designated bridges. The piers of these bridges show water marks above the
normal flow and need to be checked for damage and deterioration. Steffensmeier said he must submit pictures and a POA (Plan
of Action) by August 1st, determining how he intends to monitor
and/or repair these bridges.
Steffensmeier said he plans to meet with the manager of
Midwest Farmers Co-op on Thursday morning to discuss the possibility of the
County purchasing some property from the Co-op that is located in the
Steffensmeier said he would like to start advertising for
a bridge employee during the month of April. By the time he interviews applicants
in May and offers the job to someone, it could be June or July before the new
hire would begin working. Chairman Schroder denied
his request and asked that he wait until the new budget year before
advertising. Bridge Foreman Denniston said he will continue
to do the work with three men; he just can’t get as much done as he would like.
If a critical situation arises, he can borrow manpower from the other two road
crews.
Steffensmeier said the Safety Committee needs a
Commissioner to serve as one of its members. Commissioner Haverty
volunteered with Commissioner Thummel agreeing to be an
alternate.
Steffensmeier received an extension for the Corp Permit
on Bridge Project BRO-7066(32) and he is now able to acquire right-of-way for Bridge
#22210 on Road K between Roads 32 & 34.
Bridge #14130 north of B-40 is in very poor condition. The 30’ span
bridge was built with undersized beams that are widely spaced. It currently
carries an 8 ton rating, but expects the NDOR will lower it after the bridge
report is reviewed. He doesn’t feel it is safe for more than a 3 ton rating and
it definitely needs some attention.
Steffensmeier spoke with Gary Prey from the NDOR regarding
driveway access to old Hwy 2 from a new development located east of the
Nutcracker. Mr. Prey said NDOR will accept whatever conditions the County
negotiates with the developer, but the NDOR must have these plans in their
files before they will allow the access to be moved since it is in a controlled
access area.
Steffensmeier asked the Board if they had a plan for
equipment replacement. Commissioner Haverty said the
County has already spent a lot of money to make extensive repairs to one of the
motor graders. Commissioner Schroder said they
usually try to purchase at least one new grader every year. The purchase price
for a new grader is approximately $200,000 or $150,000 for a used one. Steffensmeier said the County needs to look at purchasing a
new pup trailer and dump box & hoist for the truck driven by Carl Dalton.
The old one is so worn that it would cost almost as much to fix it up as it
would to buy a new one. Steffensmeier was instructed
to put some specs together with options – one with a pup trailer (new or used)
and one for a complete unit – dump truck and trailer (new or used).
At last check, Engineer Dale Smith is working on design changes for the
Other business matters were addressed at this time.
Andrea Walters, County Assessor presented the following tax list
corrections: 1) Peter & Nancy Lutz – add $802.64 to parcel #004913000 and
deduct $1072.42 from parcel #00405800 - homestead exemption was placed on
rental property rather than their residence. 2) Steven & Donna Walters – deduct
$493.78 – to correct a clerical error; a garage was listed on two parcels and
being taxed twice. Commissioner Haverty made a
motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to accept the
tax list corrections as presented. Voting -- Commissioners Schroder,
aye; Thummel, aye; Haverty,
aye. Motion carried.
At 9:47 a.m. Commissioner Thummel made a
motion, seconded by Commissioner Haverty to go into
executive session to discuss general assistance cases with Marv
Pesek, the Otoe County GA Administrator. Voting –
Commissioners Thummel, aye; Haverty,
aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried. In accordance
with HIPAA regulations, any protected health information must not be disclosed
in open session.
At 9:51 a.m. Commissioner Haverty made a
motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to come out
of executive session and return to regular session. Voting – Commissioners Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye; Thummel, aye. Motion carried. No action was taken while in
executive session.
As advertised, the following bids were opened at 10:00 a.m. regarding lawn
care service at the Courthouse and Department of Health and Human Services. Courthouse
lawn: Lind Lawn Care,
Patrick Damme, representing OPPD, provided an
aerial map depicting the boundary lines of a proposed easement that the County
must agree upon before OPPD can install the new power line along road
right-of-way. He also had a copy of the easement document. As proposed, the
easement would be 17’ wide and run between the frontage road and Highway 2.
There would be one pole installed within the area owned by the County, but it
will actually be located on state ROW. The easement is mostly for wire swing;
OPPD will also need to have access to work on the pole and lines if necessary. The
overhead wire will be at least 35’ above ground. Damme
said the line crew will start to install the new line just outside of Unadilla
next week and travel eastward. Commissioner Schroder felt
some of the wording in the easement document was not well defined - such as “ingress
or egress from county property within reason”. Commissioner Haverty
suggested increasing the size of the easement; then restricting OPPD to
activities within the boundary lines of the easement. Damme
said an appraiser valued the land at $8500 per acre. This proposed easement
encompassed .36 acres resulting in a value of $3060; plus each owner is being
offered an additional $1000 for voluntary signing. The total amount being
offered to
Jan Reed, Register of Deeds, came before the Board because she feels
there has been a lack of communication within the building regarding the Arbor
Day Holiday. She said a survey was done last year, but she was not aware at the
time that the courts would have to be closed even though the Courthouse itself
would be open. She was concerned that if abstracters came in to do research,
they would not be able to visit the courts - putting her in an awkward
position. She said she feels the personnel policy should have been amended to
reflect the change that Arbor Day would no longer be observed by all of the offices
in the courthouse. She also said no one has changed the signs on the entrance
doors which indicate that the building will be closed. She said she doesn’t
have time to read the minutes from the Board meetings, but feels she must start
attending the meetings to keep informed. Janis Riege,
Clerk of District Court, asked that the Board give notice of changes right away
that affect them. She said she is very busy and doesn’t have time to attend
meetings and read the minutes. She noted that the last day of April is on a
Monday this year and it won’t land on a Friday until 2010. Jackie Smith, County
Treasurer, said as she recalls, notification was made; she went to all the
offices to let them know the outcome the same day the motion was made to keep
the courthouse open. She said she spent a lot of time taking the surveys and
getting information on how it would affect everyone, including contact with the
court administrator. If the Board thinks they want to consider reversing the
decision, they need to take some time in getting all the facts. Ms. Reed said
she polled people on the second floor and no one remembered being contacted. Ms.
Reed said she has no problem with serving the public, but taxpayers know when
taxes are due and it’s the same time every year; they already have enough choices.
Ms Riege said only 7 times within the next 20 years
will the last day of April land on a Friday. Commissioner Haverty
said they are going to abide by the motion made last July and the County will
run an advertisement listing which offices will be closed and which ones will
be open.
As the Safety Committee Chairman, Gregg Goebel gave the following Safety
Committee Report: 22 men from the road department have signed up for CPR classes.
They will try to schedule them on a rain day. A safety harness has been ordered
for the janitor. New cigarette stations will be installed outside entrance doors
of the courthouse for people to use when putting out a cigarette before
entering the building. The Committee recommends that “No Concealed Weapons”
signs be posted on the entrance doors. Commissioner Haverty
said he sees no need for the signs; it is already written in statute. Goebel
has asked each road shop to write and post a plan of action in case of a storm.
He is in the process of making identification cards for each county employee that
will include their picture on the keyless entry pass card.
As Emergency Management Director, Goebel presented an Otoe County Severe
Weather Plan outlining each department’s responsibility to alert vital persons
and organizations within the County in the event of severe weather. Each agency is in control of its own
personnel, but as the Emergency Management Director, it is his responsibility
to assist the Sheriff in maintaining a unified command during a severe weather
event.
Goebel announced that April 2 through April 6 is Severe Weather Awareness
Week. A mock tornado drill is scheduled between 10:00 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. on
April 4th. He has sent fliers to each county official, asking them to
discuss a plan of action with their office employees. Due to the renovation
being done, he doesn’t expect the employees to go to the basement as they would
in a real situation.
Finally, Goebel noted that he has completed and will be submitting an
application for an FY 2007 Emergency Management Performance Grant (EMPG) in the
amount of $32,900. He said the County usually receives about half of the
request. Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded
by Commissioner Thummel to approve the grant
application as submitted and to authorize Mr. Goebel to submit it to the
Nebraska Emergency Management Agency. Voting – Commissioners Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye; Thummel, aye. Motion carried.
Steve Zimmers, Extension Educator, gave his
monthly report. Four people from
Chairman Schroder announced that Board members
would be visiting the jail facility over the noon hour to fulfill the
requirement of State Statute 47-109. They will be served the same lunch that is
being served to the inmates. At 11:38 p.m. Chairman Schroder
called for a recess until 1:00 p.m. at which time they will begin the interviewing
process for the position of Zoning Administrator.
At 12:58 p.m. Chairman Schroder reconvened the
Board in regular session. Answering present at roll call were Commissioner Schroder, Commissioner Thummel
and Commissioner Haverty.
At 12:59 p.m. Commissioner Haverty made a
motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to go into
executive session to conduct interviews with the final three candidates who
applied for the position of Zoning Administrator. Voting -- Commissioners Schroder, aye; Thummel, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried.
At this time, the
At 2:37 p.m. the
Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded
by Commissioner Thummel to contract with Schmitz Land
Surveying Inc to perform the services of the Otoe County Zoning Administrator
and to have a business contract drawn up by the
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 Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to declare this meeting adjourned, until the next
one, which will be on April 10, 2007.
I, Janene Bennett, County Clerk for 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
my seal this 27th day of March 2007.
Janene Bennett
Otoe