NOTICE OF MEETING
NOTICE
IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Otoe County Board of Commissioners will meet in
regular session at 8:30 a.m. on April 28, 2009 in the
AGENDA ___________________________________APRIL 28,
2009
8:30 a.m. -- Open Meeting; call roll;
Open Meetings Act posted; Accept agenda; accept minutes
from previous meeting; audit and sign payroll claims; Audit
and sign regular claims
8:45 a.m. – Dave Schmitz, Zoning
Administrator:
1)
Public Hearing to
hear support or objections to issuing a Conditional Use Permit to Michael Murman
to allow wine tastings, wine festival and food event at Glacial
Till Winery located in N ½ NE ¼ 19-8-9
2) Public Hearing for approval of J & A Roberts Subd located in the E ½
SE ¼ 34-9-11
9:15 a.m. – Representatives from Ameritas, Smith-Hayes and Edward Jones to give presentations
and/or
quotes
for setting up highway allocation bonds
Discussion and/or action to accept and
approve quote for setting up highway allocation bonds
10: 15
a.m. – Discussion
and/or action regarding various road and bridge matters as listed below:
1)
Discussion and/or action RE: Under ground tanks and fueling system
2)
Discussion and/or action RE: Demolition of Douglas and Burr Road Shops
3)
Discussion and/or action RE: Any pending road projects
4)
Miscellaneous road and bridge matters
10:45 a.m. – Jeff Porter, Manager of
Arbor Links: Discussion and/or action RE: Request to asphalt portion of
Steam
11:00 a.m. – Discussion and/or action
RE: Application being made by Susan K Porter to be manager of Arbor
Links Golf
Course (Board recommendation required by Nebraska Liquor Control Commission)
Other business matters to address when time
allows:
Steve Lade: Discussion and/or action RE:
Report from April 22nd Safety Committee meeting
Discussion and/or action RE: Allocation
for
Discussion and/or action RE: Interlocal
agreement with
Discussion and/or action to set up a
Revenue Fund within the county budget to receive keno lottery proceeds
Miscellaneous Correspondence and other
matters that may come before the Board
Janene Bennett
Otoe
The
Individuals requiring physical or sensory accommodations,
including interpreter service, Braille, large print or recorded materials,
please contact Janene Bennett,
April 28, 2009
The Otoe County Board of Commissioners convened in regular session at
8:30 a.m. on April 28, 2009 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 Chairman of the Board, Timothy
Nelsen. Answering present at roll call were Commissioner Nelsen, Commissioner
Lade, Commissioner Crook, Commissioner Kreifels and Commissioner Freshman.
Chairman Nelsen 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 Lade made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kreifels to
accept the agenda as posted. There being no further discussion, Chairman Nelsen
called for a vote. Voting aye were Commissioners Nelsen, Lade, Crook, Kreifels
and Freshman. Nay – none. Motion carried.
Commissioner Kreifels made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Freshman
to accept the minutes from the previous meeting and not have them read as each
member was furnished with a copy of same. There being no further discussion,
Chairman Nelsen called for a vote. Voting aye were Commissioners Lade, Crook,
Kreifels, Freshman and Nelsen. Nay – none. Motion
carried.
Commissioner Freshman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lade to
audit and sign payroll claims. There being no further discussion, Chairman
Nelsen called for a vote. Voting aye were Commissioners Crook, Kreifels, Freshman, Nelsen and Lade. Nay – none. Motion carried.
Having reviewed the regular claims in advance of this meeting,
Commissioner Kreifels made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lade to approve
payment of the regular claims with the exception of one for conservation work
that was pulled for further review. There being no further discussion, Chairman
Nelsen called for a vote. Voting aye
were Commissioners Kreifels, Freshman, Lade and Crook;
Commissioner Nelsen approved payment of all claims except those claims
submitted by the Public Defender’s Office to which he abstained. Nay – none.
Motion carried.
Commissioner Lade gave a report of topics discussed at the April 22,
2009, Safety Committee Meeting. They are continuing to make revisions to the
Safety Manual as well as introducing new items that could be included. There
was some discussion of accidents that have occurred in recent months, including
one that involved an outdated lowboy trailer. Commissioner Freshman was
authorized to gather information for the purchase of a new or used trailer. A
Safety Meeting was held on April 17, 2009, for all road employees. On May 8,
2009, the Safety Committee is sponsoring a safety meeting for courthouse
employees. They are asking that at least one representative from each office
attend.
The
Commissioner Crook said the Hazardous Waste Collection Project was a
huge success and thanked the County for allowing 5 Rivers RC & D to use the
Nebraska City Road Shop as the collection site.
Dave Schmitz, Zoning Administrator, said a public hearing was held
during the Planning Commission’s meeting on April 16, 2009, regarding a request
by Michael Murman to approve issuance of a
Conditional Use Permit for Glacial Till Vineyard and Winery. It is located in
the N ½ of the NE ¼ S19-T8-R9. Schmitz said the Planning Commission approved issuance
of the permit but with restrictions – Wine tasting for small groups (4-8
people) shall not exceed 24 people in one day and the facility must be closed
by 10:00 p.m.; A wine festival, which includes food and music, may be held no
more than 3 times a year for groups of 50 – 75 people and the facility must be closed
by 10:00 p.m. Schmitz said a few local residents expressed concerns about the
dust from increased traffic and noise from the music. Chairman Nelsen opened
today’s hearing for public comment. Joe Anderson, who lives across the road
from the vineyard, requested that the County place gravel on that portion of
road to alleviate the dust; otherwise he had no objections. John Murman, speaking on behalf of the vineyard, said the
vineyard & winery is a family business. He presented the Board with a letter
written by his father who was unable to attend today’s meeting due to a pre-planned
business trip. Chairman Nelsen accepted the letter and noted it would become
part of the record. It stated that the winery allows several grape farmers in
Chairman Nelsen opened a public hearing to hear support or objections to
the establishment of J & A Roberts
Subdivision located in the E ½ SE ¼ 34-9-11 as requested by James and Angie
Roberts. Schmitz said the couple needed to subdivide a small acreage that
included their existing home for refinancing purposes. He said the machine shed
will remain with the 76 acre farm, but he included a dedicated easement to the shed
that could be used as another entrance if it was ever needed. There being no
further comments, Chairman Nelsen closed the public hearing. Commissioner Lade
made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kreifels to authorize Chairman Nelsen
to sign the plat map for J & A Roberts Subdivision
as requested by James and Angie Roberts. There being no further discussion,
Chairman Nelsen called for a vote. Voting aye were Commissioners Nelsen, Lade,
Crook, Kreifels and Freshman. Nay – none. Motion
carried.
Schmitz said he has been gathering information from several counties in
For many years the County and City of Nebraska City have had an interlocal agreement whereby the City reimburses the County
for providing dispatcher services when City Hall is not open. Since the
agreement has not been reviewed since 2000, Commissioner Nelsen made a motion,
seconded by Commissioner Kreifels to not renew the 2000 agreement and to
appoint Commissioner Freshman and Commissioner Nelsen to renegotiate a new
agreement with Nebraska City Officials. There
being no further discussion, Chairman Nelsen called for a vote. Voting aye were
Commissioners Lade, Crook, Kreifels, Freshman and
Nelsen. Nay – none. Motion carried.
The
At 9:05 a.m. Chairman Nelsen called for a short recess. At 9:15 the
meeting resumed with all members present.
Representatives from three financial institutions prepared and presented
quotes for setting up Highway Allocation bonds for the County. Chairman Nelsen
noted the money would be used to finance several road and bridge projects; said
bonds would be repaid by pledging a portion of highway allocation revenue. Each
vendor was given a 20 minute limitation.
Jay Spearman and Marc Munford, representing Ameritas
Investment Corp, began their presentation by reviewing their credentials for
coordinating and marketing bonds for county government. They prepared a 15 Year
and 10 Year Amortization Schedule. For a $2,500,000 15 year bond, the net
proceeds would be $2,468,750; issuance fees $31,250; average annual debt service
$218,236; average interest rate 3.61%; total pay out of principal &
interest $3,273,535. For a 10 year bond, the average debt service would be
$292,026 with a 2.95% average interest rate; total pay out $2,920,257. There is
no penalty for early payoff. They would try to market the bonds locally. Spearman
noted that Will Wittler, an
Andy Snyder, with Smith Hayes Financial Services, said his office is based
in
Eric Conrad, Financial Advisor for Edward Jones, said his office is
located in
Presentations were completed at 9:50 a.m. Chairman Nelsen opened the
subject for discussion. Nelsen said he was considering a 15 year bond, but hopes
to pay it off early by making additional payments. By law, the bond can be paid
off after 5 years. Commissioner Lade said that he has visited with many
constituents about the matter; all comments have been positive – they are happy
to get the roads and bridges repaired/opened. With interest rates still being low,
now is the time to move forward. Board members agreed they would like to take
more time to review the individual proposals. Action to accept one of the
proposals will be made at the May 12, 2009, meeting.
At 10:05 a.m. Chairman Nelsen called for a 10 minute recess. At 10:15 a.m.
the meeting resumed with all members being noted as present.
Commissioner Freshman reported that he met with Supt Steffensmeier and a
contractor at the Nebraska City Road Shop to evaluate the fueling situation. The
contractor said he could place two 2000 gallon fuel tanks on the existing
cement slab and utilize the same pump, but raise it up and add an electric card
reader. Fire code requires a chain link fence around the tanks. His estimate
was approximately $48,000 and included two 2000 gallon tanks, fencing,
electrical wiring, and electric card system. He thought the underground tanks
could be removed at a later date. Chairman Nelsen felt the county road crew
could install the chain link fence to save money. Since the estimate is over
$20,000 the County is required to comply with the formal bidding process.
Chairman Nelsen made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Freshman to direct the
County Attorney, with the assistance of the Highway Superintendent, to draw up specs
to include the purchase of two 2000 gallon fuel tanks and adding an electrical
card system to the existing pumps at the Nebraska City and Syracuse shops; the
specs will not include removal of the underground tanks or construction of a
chain link fence. There being no further discussion, Chairman Nelsen called for
a vote. Voting aye were Commissioners Nelsen, Lade, Crook, Kreifels and Freshman. Nay – none. Motion carried. Two vendors previously
submitted quotes for the removal of two underground fuel tanks (one 550 gallon
and one 1500 gallon) located at the Nebraska City Road Shop. The Board agreed
to proceed with their removal; therefore, Commissioner Freshman made a motion,
seconded by Commissioner Crook to accept the bid submitted by Heimes Corp to remove both underground tanks for the quoted
amount of $6,800 which includes backfilling holes with onsite dirt. There being
no further discussion, Chairman Nelsen called for a vote. Voting aye were
Commissioners Lade, Crook, Kreifels, Freshman and
Nelsen. Nay – none. Motion carried.
There was some discussion involving the demolition of the Douglas and
Burr Road Shops; then replacing them with one shop that could be shared.
Because there is asbestos in the Burr Shop, Commissioner Lade said the
demolition will require special treatment to handle and dispose of hazardous
material. He said he has been looking for sites to build a new shop. One
possibility would be to construct a shop between Douglas and Burr, but the
County would have to purchase land for a building site. Another option would be
to build a new shop in
Pending projects: Commissioner Lade compiled a priority list of 22 Soft
Match Projects being considered for construction this year. Bridges numbered
04705P, 22645, 02615 and 23515 are already in the works, but he asked the other
Board members if they wanted to make any changes to the priority order for the remaining
18. Steffensmeier added that 3 other Soft Match projects were let for bid last
week and 15 others have been surveyed. Steffensmeier was instructed to give the
list to Mark Mainelli so that he can continue with the
engineering for these projects.
Chairman Nelsen announced that he and Commissioner Lade had their first
meeting with Local 251 Union representatives to begin the negotiating process
for adopting a new Union Contract for the Road Department. The
Jeff Porter, Manager of Arbor Links Golf Course, came before the Board
to request some type of dust control on
The
Commissioner Lade said there is a lot of work lined up for the road
crews and questioned how to advertise for the next projects. Should the County
bid materials and labor separately? Supervisor Denniston
said the crews are now working on the 2007 FEMA projects; they don’t have time
to work on the Soft Match projects. Chairman Nelsen suggested getting “by the
hour” bids from local contractors for various jobs; then when the county crew
is too busy the contractors can be called as needed.
Chairman Nelsen said the road worker who usually mowed around the shop
area and along roadsides was injured. He suggested hiring someone on a
temporary basis to do the mowing and all agreed.
The road secretary’s hours will be reduced from 40 to 24 hours per week
effective May 4, 2009. She will work at the Nebraska City Road Shop on Mondays,
Wednesdays and Thursdays 7:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. She won’t accumulate sick or
vacation time, but won’t lose what she has already earned. Commissioners agreed with this action.
The Board agreed to give the motor grader operator in the Unadilla area
permission to report to the Syracuse Shop every morning; then drive a county pickup
from
Discussion was held about the three week advanced grading maps. Denniston advised
that it was almost impossible to keep up with this schedule for blading roads. All agreed to no longer require scheduling
maps; just maps indicating when and where grading has been completed.
The Case grader warranty has expired. It is losing oil and has an
electrical problem; it has become very expensive to maintain. Denniston said it was assigned to the construction crew to
do finish work; it doesn’t have enough power to handle heavy work. Commissioner
Lade thought it should be replaced while it had some trade-in value. Chairman
Nelsen said he would price the cost of a new grader and check into lease
purchasing as an option.
There being no further business to come before the Board at this time,
and since all items on the agenda have been disposed of, Chairman Nelsen
declared this meeting adjourned at 11:30 a.m. The next regular meeting will be
held on May 12, 2009.
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 28th
day of April 2009.
Janene Bennett
Otoe