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 July 11, 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
July 11, 2006
8:30
a.m. -- Open Meeting, Call roll, Accept agenda, Accept
minutes from previous
meeting, Audit and Sign payroll and regular
claims
8:45
a.m. – Sandy Morrissey, Director of the Region V
Prevention Center: Discussion and/or action RE: Meth
task force, substance abuse usage data, county coalitions
9:00
a.m. – Dave Schmitz, County Surveyor/Zoning
Administrator: Discussion and/or action RE:
Replat
of Beccard Subdivision; Vacation Plat of Jensen
Subdivision; Letter of resignation as
Zoning Administrator
9:15
a.m. -- Discussion and/or action RE: Road and Bridge
matters
Will go into executive session to discuss
personnel issues / wages and to review applications
For Highway
Superintendent
10:00
a.m. – Jerry Berggren, Architect: Discussion and/or
action RE:
Design
proposal for creating probation office space
10:30
a.m. – Pat Haverty, Executive
Director RCEDC: Quarterly Report; Discussion and/or action RE:
Resolution of Support to participate
in Nebraska’s
Economic Development
Certified
Community Program
10:45
a.m. – Renovation Committee: Recommendation for
purchasing directional/information signs to be placed within courthouse
Other business matters to address when time allows:
Jackie Smith,
Treasurer: Pledged Security(s);
Discussion
and/or action seeking permission to write tax sales on real estate and special
Assessments that are
delinquent; Discussion and/or action RE: Arbor Day closing
Discussion and/or action RE: Agreement with
Region V Systems for Emergency Protective Custody
Services
Discussion and/or action RE: Commissioners Deeds
for Land Reutilization Commission
Brandi Reimers,
Assessor: Tax list corrections
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
1:00
p.m. Convene as the Board of Equalization to hear
and/or act upon valuation protests
July 11, 2006
The Otoe County Board of Commissioners convened in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on July 11, 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. Motion carried.
Sandy Morrissey, Director of the Region V Prevention Center, came before
the Board to share information regarding county coalitions, the meth task force, and substance abuse usage data for Otoe County. She introduced Amy Reynoldson
and Derek Effle as
counselors for the Center. Recently, Region V met with the Nebraska State Board
of Education, the Nebraska School Activities Association and Nebraska Partners
in Prevention who drew up a joint resolution calling for the prevention of
underage drinking. The resolution stipulates that youth sponsored events should
be held in buildings that do not sell or serve alcohol while the activities are
occurring. She said adults need to send a clear message that all citizens of
every age need to respect the state laws on underage drinking. Each
Commissioner signed the resolution which will be sent to the Nebraska Call to
Action to Prevent Underage Drinking.
Ms. Morrissey has been in contact with the State Patrol who said they
cannot combat the meth problem alone; they need
community help through a public awareness campaign. She distributed a “Meth Watch Program” packet to each Board Member. It
contained brochures and worksheets filled with information on how to detect
warning signs of drug manufacturing or usage in your neighborhood. If detected,
it outlined procedures to take that will aid law enforcement in ridding the
neighborhood of a drug house. Much of the federal funding has already been
allocated so they will be contacting local businesses and organizations for
financial aid. Meth is now seen as a national crisis
and used just as much as heroin. Region V is encouraging more anti-drug
advertising. The Partnership for Drug Free America has contracted with Tom
Osborne to do some TV and radio spots. Ms. Morrissey noted that Otoe County already has a good coalition headed by Tim Regler who continues to promote prevention and
rehabilitation. Commissioner Schroder suggested that
the “Meth Watch Program” packets be distributed to all
small communities/villages throughout the County.
Dave Schmitz, Registered Surveyor, asked the Board to table any action
on the Replat of Beccard
Subdivision since he did not have the original mylar plat to sign. Commissioner Giittinger made a
motion, seconded by Commissioner Stratker to table
action on the Replat of Beccard
Subdivision. Voting – Commissioners Schroder, aye; Stratker, aye; Giittinger, aye. Motion carried.
Regarding the vacation of Jensen subdivision – Schmitz said the vacation
was approved at the previous meeting, however, the mylar plat was not available for signing. He presented
the original mylar plat for
the Chairman’s signature. He noted that he will officially file it in the
Register of Deeds Office.
On July 5th, Schmitz submitted a letter of resignation as the
Interim Zoning Administrator due to the Board’s action at the previous meeting
to discontinue paying Alene Hogue $40 a month since
she no longer attended the Planning Commission meetings. Ms. Hogue, who is the
secretary for the Road Department,
also helped Bob Fleming with zoning paperwork when he served a dual role as the
Highway Superintendent and Zoning Administrator. Commissioner Stratker said he talked with Ms. Hogue since the last
meeting and asked her if she would be willing to continue helping with zoning issues.
She told him that she felt the time spent on zoning matters should be paid out
of the Planning Commission fund and not the Road Fund. Schmitz said Ms. Hogue
quit as the recording secretary for the Planning Commission about two years
ago. At that time, a member of the Planning Commission was appointed to take
the minutes. However, when she is absent notes are taken, but no one is submitting
a copy of the minutes for filing. At
this time Ms. Hogue entered the meeting room. When asked if she would be
willing to again act as recording secretary for the Planning Commission, she said
she would consider attending the Planning Commission and Board of Adjustment
meetings, but would expect to be compensated. She felt the $40 a month she had
been receiving for the past two years was in compensation for preparing the paperwork
for zoning meetings as well as taking/making phone calls. She said she was not
crazy about driving at nights or in bad weather. Lorraine Haupt,
who is a member of the Planning Commission, said Ms. Hogue could ride with her
to the meetings. Jeff
Funke, County Attorney, said Ms. Hogue has been performing all of
these tasks since 1993 for $40 a month, which is very little compensation for
the amount of work being done. Her duties probably should be segregated – some
to be paid from the road budget and some from the planning budget in proportion
to the time spent for each department. Commissioner Schroder
said he had always thought the $40 was for transportation costs only. When
asked how much money she would want to attend the meetings, Ms. Hogue said they
should make her an offer. Chairman Schroder asked Mr.
Funke, Mr. Schmitz, and Commissioner Stratker to get
together to negotiate a salary for Ms. Hogue in compensation for the work she
performs with regards to zoning matters.
Mark Mainelli, Contracted Highway
Superintendent, reported that he met with the Nemaha NRD director to discuss
the erosion problem at the dam structure site south of Intersection J-60. He said
there were no drop pipes included in the original design. He is hoping that the
NRD will pay for the pipes and the county crew can install them. The director
said he will present this proposal to the NRD. Mainelli
should have a reply by the end of summer when their budget is finalized.
Mainelli noted that the process for selecting an
inspection engineer for Federal Aid bridge projects has changed. The County
will now have to go through an RFP process which creates additional paperwork
and advertising costs. He thought the specs used in the RFP for selecting a
design engineer may include a clause that would allow the county to use the same
engineer for inspections. He will keep the Board informed as he learns the new
process.
Regarding the asphalt coating of Kearney Hill Road southeast of Nebraska City – JEO Engineering is putting together a
right of way package for the eight affected property owners living on the
roadway.
Ed Damme reported that the driveway tube which
the road crew installed 2-3 years ago has a drainage problem. Water is washing
away his driveway making it too narrow for large machinery to enter. According
to Foreman Pohlman, the County replaced an 18” tube
with a 36” tube, but the tube is not in County road right of way. Mainelli said the County should get an easement if they want
to continue to maintain the tube; however, it is not the County’s
responsibility. The Board agreed they would repair the area one more time by
adding fill dirt and rip-rap; then Mr. Damme should
be notified that any further maintenance would be his responsibility. The Board
will ask the County
Attorney to compose a Memorandum of Understanding
for both parties to sign.
Mainelli reminded the Board that bridge inspections
need to be completed by December.
It is his opinion that the Bridge Foreman should be afforded additional
training for the inspections. Even if the new Highway Superintendent is
certified to do inspections, it would be a good idea to have Foreman Denniston trained to help him as a back up.
Commissioner Stratker questioned Foreman Kuenning about a repair bill from Nebraska Truck &
Equipment. Kuenning said over $6,000 was spent on
Truck #38. Dale Wurtele was asked to look at the
bill. He thought that some of the repairs/maintenance could have been done by
county employees to save money. About 2/3 of the bill was for labor. They charged
$79 per hour for labor.
At 10:10 a.m.
Commissioner Stratker made a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Giittinger to go into executive session to review applications of
those who applied for the position of Highway Superintendent with Mark Mainelli and County Attorney, Jeff Funke. Voting – Commissioners Schroder,
aye; Stratker, aye; Giittinger, aye. Motion carried. Zoe Thummel asked if there was a
way that the candidates running for County Commissioner could be allowed to sit in on the
interviews. Funke said he would have to research the new closed meeting
statutes before answering that question. Chairman Schroder
restated that the only subject matter that will be discussed in closed session
is the Highway Superintendent position.
At 10:25 a.m.
Commissioner Stratker made a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Giittinger to go back into regular session. Voting – Commissioners
Stratker, aye; Giittinger, aye; Schroder,
aye. Motion carried. No action was taken while in executive session.
Jerry Berggren, Architect, and Tom Nolan, Project Manager, came before
the Board to review estimates of what it would cost to remodel the basement into
space suitable for the Probation Day Reporting Center. Berggren said probation started with 486
sq ft; they currently have 900 sq ft; and the new proposal would provide 1452
sq ft. However, 325 sq ft of the 1452 sq ft would be considered a multi purpose
room and shared with various departments. The plan also includes improvements
to the Emergency Management office, increasing its space from 325 sq ft to 405
sq ft. He said the Drivers Examiners could use the multi purpose room as an
alternative to relocating them offsite. Berggren offered an option to the
storage problem; rather than renting offsite storage a compact storage system
could be installed in the old Drivers Examiners Room and old Probation Office.
However, it would cost almost $31,000 to remodel the area into storage rooms (that
doesn’t even include shelving and boxed units). He estimated it would cost
about $200,000 to resolve the probation/storage/expanded area problem,
including the proposed remodeling on second floor. Today, he is looking for
direction on how to proceed.
Jodi York, District Probation Officer, said the Day Reporting Center would be designed for 24 probationers;
there are currently 6 people enrolled. County Attorney Funke was concerned that the program may
grow so rapidly that the newly created space will be too small within a few
years. Ms. York said that if she had more than 24 enrollees at any one time,
she would have to create shifts to accommodate the needs of everyone.
Several other questions were raised. How much of the $200,000 amount
would be allocated for probation? Berggren guestimated 70%. Has
anyone contacted Cass County to see if they would share this cost since
some of the probationers participating in the Day Service Program will be from Cass County? Ms. York said she would be glad to attend
a Cass County Board meeting to explain how the Day Service works. County Attorney Funke suggested approaching the Cass County
Commissioners with some type of interlocal agreement
requesting Cass County to pay Otoe County a nominal fee for probation services. What is the Veterans Service Office going to
be used for if they are moved to the Family Center? Berggren thought it could possibly be used
as another probation office or become the Drivers Examiners Room. Berggren
reiterated the fact that the Space Study indicated the County was 8000 sq ft
short of space so there will always be a need for more space. Commissioner Stratker made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Giittinger
to approve the change order for renovating the old Commissioners Room and west
end of the second floor corridor into probation office space in the total
amount of $62,799. Voting – Commissioners Giittinger, aye; Schroder,
aye; Stratker, aye. Motion carried.
Pat Haverty, Executive Director for River Country Economic
Development Corp, gave his quarterly report.
During the past quarter, Arnie’s Bagelicious
announced its closing. Production ceased on June 29th; the facility
should be vacant by July 18th. A number of plant tours have been
conducted as they are trying to find a new occupant. Currently, he is working with
a company on a Public Service Commission grant to get wireless internet in
rural communities. A few weeks ago, surveys were included in the Nebraska City
Utility Bills seeking input from the public on how economic funding acquired through
LB840 should be spent. He is still compiling the results and plans to hold
public presentations. The issue will be on the General Election Ballot in
November. Referring to the April through June financial report, it indicated a
total income of $26,428.24 and expenditures of $23,016.52.
Mr. Haverty then requested the Board to sign a
Resolution pledging their support and cooperation for participation in the economic
development program in Nebraska
City. Commissioner Giittinger made a motion,
seconded by Commissioner Stratker to authorize
Chairman Schroder to sign Resolution 2006-29 in support
of Nebraska’s Economic Development Certified Community Program by Nebraska City. Voting – Commissioners Schroder,
aye; Stratker, aye; Giittinger, aye. Motion carried.
Janis Riege, speaking on behalf of the Renovation
Committee, said members met to choose a design for directional and information
signs to be placed throughout the courthouse. She said they decided to have the
old wooden directory case repainted for $200. The background will be black with
gold lettering, costing another $100. Black and gold signs will be hung in the
hallways to identify the various offices. A sign will be placed at each
entrance door notifying the public that there will be No Food or Drink, No
Smoking, and No Soliciting allowed in the courthouse. The total cost charged by
Adkins Signs for creating and installing the signs will be $900. Commissioner Stratker made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Giittinger
to approve the purchase of directional/information signs for the courthouse at
the quoted price of $900. Voting – Commissioners Stratker,
aye; Giittinger, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried. As
a side note, Ms. Riege said that the window coverings
should be delivered and installed by the end of the month.
Other business matters were addressed at this time.
Pledged Securities: The County Treasurer, Jackie Smith, requested the release of the
following pledged securities: one with American National in the amount of
$155,000 and one with Otoe County Bank in the amount of $1,500,000. Commissioner
Giittinger made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Stratker
to sign Resolutions 2006-30 and 2006-31 approving said transactions. Voting –
Commissioners Giittinger, aye; Schroder, aye; Stratker, aye. Motion carried.
Resolution: Ms. Smith then presented a resolution for Tax Sale
Certificates. Commissioner Giittinger made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Stratker to sign and adopt Resolution 2006-32 directing the
County Treasurer to issue Tax Sale Certificates in the name
of the County on those parcels that are one year delinquent in payment of real
estate taxes or special assessments. Voting - Commissioners Schroder,
aye; Stratker, aye; Giittinger, aye. Motion carried.
Arbor Day: Previously, Ms. Smith inquired about the possibility of
keeping the courthouse open on Arbor Day to accommodate taxpayers who want to
pay their property taxes before the delinquency deadline of May 1st.
After conducting a survey, the office holders agreed they would prefer a
floating holiday in lieu of the Arbor Day closing. However, District Court and
County Court will have to continue to close on Arbor Day since it is a
designated state holiday. Commissioner Giittinger made a motion, seconded by
Commissioner Stratker to keep the Courthouse open on
Arbor Day and to grant the affected employees a floating holiday subject to
pre-approval by the individual office holders. Voting – Commissioners Stratker, aye; Giittinger, aye; Schroder,
aye. Motion carried.
Agreement for Emergency Protective Custody Services: By entering into
said agreement, the County agrees to pay Region V Systems at the rate of $110
per day to assume the safekeeping, care and sustenance of acutely mentally ill
individuals who have been referred by the County’s lawful authority. The
duration of the agreement shall be from July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007. Commissioner Giittinger made a motion,
seconded by Commissioner Stratker to sign the
Agreement for Emergency Protective Custody Services with Region V Systems
accepting the terms as set forth above. Voting – Commissioners Giittinger, aye; Schroder, aye; Stratker, aye.
Motion carried.
Commissioners Deeds:
Commissioner Giittinger made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Stratker to authorize Chairman Schroder
to sign two separate Commissioner Deeds conveying the following property to the
Land Reutilization Commission: Lot 1, Blk 14, Village of Dunbar; and Lots 1 and 2 and South of South Table
Creek, Blk 37, Anderson’s 2nd Addition to Nebraska City. Voting – Commissioners Schroder,
aye; Stratker, aye; Giittinger, aye. Motion carried.
Brandi Reimers, County Assessor, did not have any tax list corrections to
present for approval.
Marv Pesek reported that he had no general
assistance cases or applications for discussion.
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
Giittinger made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Stratker
adjourn this meeting, until the next one, which will be held on July 25, 2006.
Voting – Commissioners Stratker, aye; Giittinger,
aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.
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 11th
day of July 2006.
Janene Bennett
Otoe County Clerk