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 April 12, 2006,
in the County
Courtroom (108)
of the Otoe County Courthouse at Nebraska
City. 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
April 12, 2006
8:30
a.m. -- Open Meeting, Call roll, Accept agenda, Accept
minutes from previous
meeting, Audit and Sign payroll and regular
claims
9:00
a.m. -- Discussion and/or action RE: Road and Bridge
matters
1) Rick
Royal – Discussion and/or action RE: Policy for upgrading road to new residence
2) BRO-7066(35)
– Relocation of water line
3) Miscellaneous
9:55
a.m. – Open bid proposals for lawn care at the
Courthouse and DHHS
10:00
a.m. – Rose Garey –
Discussion and/or action RE: Funding for County
Museum
10:15
a.m. – Sarah Dean,
SENCA – Quarterly report
10:30
a.m. – Brandi Reimers,
Assessor – Discussion and/or action RE: Repairs to County
Pickup;
Tax list corrections
10:45
a.m. – Pat Haverty, RCEDC – Quarterly
report
11:00
a.m. – May go into executive session to discuss Union
negotiations and personnel issues
12:00
p.m. – CJ Johnson & Dave Merrill, Region V – Annual
report and budget request
12:15
p.m. – Jerry Berggren, Architect – Discussion and/or
action RE: Lightning protection and/or other
renovation issues
12:30
p.m. – Joe Miller, insurance agent – Discussion and/or
action RE: Policy renewal for liability insurance
12:45
p.m. -- Roy Schneider, Administrator for Duff Nursing
Home -- Discussion and/or action RE: Renovation plans for the nursing home
Other business matters to address when time allows:
Jackie Smith, Treasurer: Discussion
and/or action RE: Tax Refund(s);
Pledged
Security(s); Request for new office furniture
Discussion and/or action RE:
Commissioner Deeds
(LRC transactions)
Marv Pesek: Discussion and/or action RE: GA cases/applications
(exec session)
Miscellaneous
Correspondence and other matters that may come before the Board
Janene Bennett
Otoe
County
Clerk
April 12, 2006
The Otoe County Board of Commissioners convened in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on April 12, 2006 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 Stratker
and Commissioner Giittinger. None absent.
Commissioner Giittinger made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Stratker to accept the agenda as posted. Voting --
Commissioners Schroder, aye; Stratker,
aye; Giittinger, aye. Motion carried.
Commissioner Giittinger made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Stratker to accept the minutes from the previous meeting as
mailed to them and not have them read. Voting – Commissioners Stratker, aye; Giittinger, aye; Schroder,
aye. Motion carried.
Commissioner Giittinger made a motion, seconded by Commissioner
Schroeder to audit and sign payroll claims and regular claims unless otherwise
noted. Voting – Commissioners Giittinger, aye; Schroder,
aye; Commissioner Stratker, aye with exception to pay
Sam’s Club; Motion carried.
Commissioner Giittinger explained that the Land Reutilization Commission
has interested buyers who wish to purchase county property that had been acquired
through tax foreclosure. In order for the Commission to sell the properties,
the parcels must first be conveyed to the LRC. The objective is to get the
property back on the tax rolls. Therefore, Commissioner Giittinger made a
motion, seconded by Commissioner Stratker to
authorize Chairman Schroder to sign Commissioner Deeds conveying the following described real
estate to the Land Reutilization Commission: 1) The E 18’ of Lot 4, and all of Lots 7, 8, and 9, Block 8,
Anderson’s Addition to Nebraska City; 2)
Lots 2 and 3, Block 65, Greggsport Addition to
Nebraska City; 3) Lot 7, Block 67,
Kearney Addition to Nebraska City; 4)
Lots 1, 2 and 3, Block 68, Greggsport Addition to
Nebraska City; 5) Lots 10, 11 and
12, Block 71, Greggsport Addition to Nebraska City.
Voting – Commissioners Stratker, aye; Schroder, aye; Giittinger, aye. Motion carried.
Jackie Smith, County
Treasurer, requested the release of a pledged
security with American National Bank in the amount of $235,000.00 and replacing
it with a pledging of $325,000.00. Commissioner Giittinger made a motion,
seconded by Commissioner Stratker to adopt Resolution
2006-15 approving said transaction. Voting – Commissioner Schroder,
aye; Stratker, aye; Giittinger, aye. Motion carried.
Commissioner Giittinger made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Stratker to approve a tax refund to the Board of Public
Works (Nebraska City Utilities) in the aggregate amount of $971.20 after the
property was determined to be tax exempt by the Board of Equalization. Voting –
Commissioners Stratker, aye; Giittinger, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.
Ms. Smith then discussed her desire to replace some of the furniture in
the Treasurer’s Office when her room is renovated. Currently, cabling and
electrical wiring run across walkways in the office. The old desks are large
making the area crowded. She has been told that new cabling will be brought up
through the floor in the center of the room, so she would like to purchase
cubicle type work stations. This would create a safer workplace and a more
efficient work flow. She had contacted three vendors who offered designs and
cost estimates. Chairman Schroder suggested that she
check with other officials on first floor to see if they have any plans for
rearranging their offices as well. The County could probably save money if the furniture
was purchased in quantity.
Rick Royal came before the Board to discuss his plans to build a house
on N
18th Rd between Roads D and E. He said a
dam was built off of the road several years ago. At that time the road was rocked,
but has had little maintenance since then. The NDOR road map indicates that the
road is classified as an “unimproved road”, not a “minimum maintenance road.”
Interim Highway Superintendent, Mark Mainelli, said
the road would only need to be built up and re-rocked, but it wouldn’t require
a change in classification. The County adopted a policy by resolution in 1998
stating that a new resident is responsible to bring a minimum maintenance road
up to standard; thereafter, it would be maintained by the County. But this road
is “unimproved” not “minimum maintenance” and not addressed in the resolution. Mainelli said the County would need to amend the resolution
to address “unimproved” roads in the future, but for this situation, the County
just needs to grade and rock the road since it already has local road status.
However, he suggested installing a “rock ends” sign on the other side of Royal’s driveway. Royal said he has applied for a building
permit. The Board agreed to rock and maintain the road
up to his driveway.
Regarding Bridge Project BRO-7066(35) located on “S” Rd, east of Hwy 75:
The County received a bill from the Rural Water District who had to relocate
the water line. Mainelli said he will turn the bill
in to the State to include with other project costs. The trees have been
grubbed out and the contractor should have the old bridge removed by Friday. Mainelli questioned the design for drainage at the approaches
from both sides. He doesn’t feel there will be enough stabilization to prevent
washouts, but will check into it further.
Mainelli reported on the status of several other
projects. 1) Regarding the proposed construction of a bridge south of
Intersection G-14 - the issues with the railroad have been cleared and the
project should go out for bid next year. 2) Paving Kearney Hill Rd south of Nebraska City – the design is complete; County needs to
acquire right of way; funds were depleted when the Lewis & Clark road was
built, but should be built up again. 3) Soft Match Program – if the proper
procedures are followed when installing culverts, most of the expenses can be
turned in for soft match credit.
The three foremen were also present at the meeting. Foreman Pohlman requested permission to purchase tires for trucks;
Foreman Kuenning said he needs to restock his tube
inventory; and Foreman Denniston questioned whether he could approach the
contractor dismantling the bridge on S Rd and ask him for the scrap beams from
the old bridge.
At 9:45 a.m.
Commissioner Giittinger made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Stratker to go into executive session to discuss a personnel
issue with Mr. Mainelli. Voting – Commissioner
Giittinger, aye; Schroder, aye; Stratker,
aye. Motion carried.
At 10:00 a.m.
Commissioner Giittinger made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Stratker to go back into regular session. Voting – Commissioners
Schroder, aye; Stratker,
aye; Giittinger, aye. Motion carried. No action was taken while in executive
session.
As advertised, bids were opened and publicly read regarding lawn care
service for the Courthouse yard and the Department of Health & Human Services.
Vendor Courthouse lawn mowing Fertilizing DHHS mowing
Lind Lawn Care, Nebr City $85
per mowing $175 x 5 not specified
Anthony’s Lawn Care, Nebr City $70
per mowing $750 season $20 per mowing
The Board tabled the matter at this time. Commissioner Giittinger will
try to contact Lind Lawn Care for clarification on their mowing bid to
determine whether it included the yard at DHHS.
Rose Garey and Phyllis Witte from the Otoe County Museum came before the Board to ask for an increase
in their budget allotment for the next fiscal year. For the past 13 years, the
Museum has requested $4,900 per year to help defray operational expenses and
some repairs. With fixed costs continuing to rise, they are going to request
$5,500. The Board will take the request under advisement when planning the FY07
budget.
Sarah Dean introduced herself as the new Family Development Associate for SENCA (Southeast
Nebraska Community Action Council). She noted SENCA’s
main objective is to help low income people become more self sufficient. She
presented the 2005 annual report indicating the following statistics: They
provided housing assistance to 147 households; emergency assistance to 380
households and transportation assistance to 319 households. They are also
involved with services for the elderly including Meals on Wheels and providing
socialization and health service opportunities. Family services include Head
Start for young children, family counseling, and budget management classes.
Brandi Reimers, County Assessor, reviewed two requests for tax corrections.
An individual returned a personal property schedule noting that some equipment was
listed twice. Upon review of the two previous years returns, it was discovered
that the schedule has been filed incorrectly (same error) since 2003, but the
taxpayer didn’t notice the error until he filed the 2006 schedule. He is now requesting
a tax refund for tax years 2003 & 2004. The Board agreed there should be no
refund since it is the taxpayer’s responsibility to make sure the personal
property tax schedule is filled out correctly. She has already corrected the
2005 schedule. In another matter, a taxpayer recently notified the Assessor’s
Office that an outbuilding was removed from his property in 2002. He failed to
report its removal at that time, and just noticed that the building was still
listed on his property record. He is now requesting a refund for taxes paid in
2003 and 2004. According to a photo record in the Assessor’s Office, Ms. Reimers can verify that the building was gone in August 2004
when the photo was taken. But she has no verification for the previous year.
She asked the Board for guidance as to how they want her to handle this situation.
The Board directed her to prepare a tax list correction for the year 2005 only
unless the taxpayer can produce documentation that the building was gone prior
to August of 2004.
Ms. Reimers said the pickup used by her office
personnel had a new muffler system installed less than a year ago. Recently,
the tailpipe disconnected from the muffler. When she took the pickup to a
garage for repair, she was told the muffler was installed upside down. She felt
the pickup should be taken to the vendor who installed it incorrectly, but did
not feel comfortable in dealing with him. She requested the Board’s permission
to direct Rick Sedersten, the courthouse custodian, to take the pickup to the vendor and request
that it be repaired at no cost to the County.
Pat Haverty, Executive Director for RCEDC, gave his
monthly report. He noted that he recently met with the Syracuse Economic Development group to discuss developmental
issues in that area. He also had conducted a business expansion survey. The
results indicated that the most common requests for help were in computer
skills and personnel relation fields. The Nebraska City Utilities has agreed to
insert a survey with the utility bills mailing that will allow residents to
express their ideas on what they feel are the needs and concerns of our
community.
At 11:05 a.m.
Chairman Stratker called for a recess.
At 11:15 a .m.
Commissioner Giittinger made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Stratker to go into executive session to discuss personnel
issues with the County
Attorney, Jeff Funke.
Voting – Commissioners Stratker, aye; Giittinger,
aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.
At 11:48 a.m.
Commissioner Giittinger made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Stratker to go back into regular session Voting –
Commissioners Giittinger, aye; Schroder, aye; Stratker, aye. Motion carried. No action taken while in
executive session.
Assessor Reimers returned with one tax list
correction for Board approval. Commissioner Stratker,
made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Giittinger to approve a tax list
correction for Gary and Deborah
Pickering – deduct $32.76 from the 2005 tax roll – verified by appraisal
assistant on 8/4/04 that old shed was removed from property. Voting
– Commissioners Stratker, aye; Schroder,
aye; Giittinger, aye. Motion carried.
Dave Merrill, Executive Director of Region V Services, presented the
Board members with a copy of his written report for April. He noted his budget
request from Otoe County will be the same as the previous year.
Contributions received from the counties cover about 1% of expenses with the
majority coming from state and federal funding. Leon Schiermeyer,
who manages the Nebraska City Office, gave a report of local activities. They
continue to prepare meals for the inmates and sew tool bags for the military. He
has contracted with nursing homes for daycare of clients and is working with the
county school districts to provide transitional services for school-aged
people. It is their goal to provide training and support for the mentally
challenged so they can become interdependent with their community.
CJ Johnson, Regional Administrator for Region V Systems, said his job is
to provide overall management for the entity. Some of last year’s highlights
include implementing a rural response hotline and working with the State and
Bryan LGH to create a standard fee for EPC patients. His budget request for
FY07 for mental health costs will increase by $603 in comparison to this fiscal
year; the request for substance abuse costs will increase $106.
Jerry Berggren and Tom Nolan presented the following cost estimates and
change orders regarding the renovation project at the courthouse. Item 2: Request was made from Motorola
to add three 4” conduit over basement corridor ceiling
for data wiring- cost $4,781. Item 3:
Meet fire marshal requirements by adding a door at the bottom of the stairwell
in the basement and one at the top of the stairwell on 2nd floor -
cost $15,136. Berggren noted that the Fire Marshal will be in town tomorrow.
Commissioner Giittinger will meet with him to get a better explanation of his
determination. Item 3A: Installation
of the additional doors in the stairwell will required an extension of contract
and general conditions - cost $12,272. Nolan said it will take 6-8 weeks before
the materials could be delivered. Workers will have to come back to finish,
extending the contract date to July 5. Item
5: Relocate the wall that was constructed at the beginning of the project
so that it will be west of the Register of Deeds’ office door. This will create a new
space that can be used as a reception area when Room 202 becomes probation
offices. The contractor will be able to recycle the framework, drywall, door
& hardware - cost $3,731. Item 6:
Add wire mold for data and power in break room; remove antique light fixtures
and replace with new lights - cost $2,801. Item
7: Refurbish men’s and women’s restrooms on 2nd floor to include
new piping and lavatories - no price yet (has not had enough time to obtain
material cost.) Item 1: Lightning
protection – cost $19,640. Item 1A:
Installation of roof clips for lightning protection system – cost $3,116. For
the past several weeks, Berggren was trying to find someone from Motorola who
knew whether the new communication system would be equipped with its own
lightning protection. Since then he was informed that D & D Electric is contracted
to install the communication equipment that is being purchased from Motorola.
After talking with D & D, he is recommending to ground the electrode system
by connecting the antenna to courthouse pipes for an approximate cost of $5,000
instead of purchasing a new lightning protection system for $19,640.
Commissioner Giittinger made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Stratker to approve the cost for change orders of items 2,
3, 3A, 5, and 6 in the aggregate amount of $38,721.00 and to delete items 1 and
1A (complete lightning protection package for $19,640) and approve the
grounding system described above not to exceed $5,000. Voting – Commissioners Stratker,
aye; Giittinger, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.
At 12:58 p.m.
Commissioner Giittinger excused himself from the meeting due to a prior
appointment.
Janis Riege, representing the Courthouse Renovation
Committee, provided each Board Member with cost estimates from two vendors for
the purchase of window coverings. She will return to the next meeting to review
the quotes and express the Committee’s recommendation.
Scott Miller, insurance agent, reviewed the County’s renewal policy for
general liability insurance, including workman’s compensation. In comparison to
last year’s policy, the overall premium increased by nearly $4,000. This was
due to the number and amount of workman’s compensation claims. The proposed
premium for 2006-2007 is $191,369 effective April 17, 2006.
Roy Schneider, Administrator for Duff’s Nursing Home, presented the
Board with the final proposal being submitted by Olsson Associates for the
design and inspection of the Duff Renovation Project. The contract outlines the
architectural services that will be provided for a quoted fee of $29,200. As
requested at the previous meeting, the architect included a “per trip charge”
of $450 if he is called to make inspections in addition to the 3 construction
visits included in the overall bid. Contingent upon review and approval by the County Attorney, Commissioner Stratker
made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schroder to
authorize Chairman Schroder to sign the architectural
agreement with Olsson Associates regarding the renovation project at Duff’s
Nursing Home. Voting – Commissioners Schroder, aye; Stratker, aye. Motion carried.
A phone call was made to Lind Lawn Care clarifying that he would charge
$30 each time he mowed the yard at DHHS and $85 per mowing for the courthouse
lawn. Commissioner Stratker
made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schroder to
accept the proposal from Lind Lawn Care and award him the bid for servicing the
yards at the Courthouse and DHHS agreeing to the following rates - $85 per
mowing of Courthouse lawn; $30 per mowing of DHHS lawn; $875 for fertilization
of Courthouse lawn. Voting – Commissioners Stratker,
aye; Schroder, 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, Joy W Schroder, Chairman of the Board, declared this meeting
adjourned, until the next one, which will be on April 25, 2006.
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 12th
day of April 2006.
Janene Bennett
Otoe County Clerk