NOTICE OF MEETING

Otoe County Courthouse

Nebraska City NE  68410

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Otoe County Board of Equalization will convene at 8:15 a.m. and the Otoe County Board of Commissioners will meet in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on September 23, 2008, in the County Courtroom (108) of the Otoe County Courthouse.  The meetings 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 for the Board of Equalization – September 23, 2008

         8:15 a.m.  – Convene as the Board of Equalization – Roll call; accept agenda

                           Therese Trombino, Deputy County Assessor – Discussion and/or action RE: Tax list corrections

                                                            Discussion and/or action RE: Application for tax exemption

 

 

 

Agenda for the regular meeting of the Otoe County Board of Commissioners – September 23, 2008

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

                                previous meeting; audit and sign payroll claims and regular claims

        

         8:45 a.m. – Jim Gress and Nick Schimmel – Otoe County Sheriff Dept:

                Discussion and/or action RE: Quotes to remodel jail facility kitchen in order to comply with jail standards

        

         9:00 a.m.  – Glen Steffensmeier, Highway Supt: Discussion and/or action regarding road and bridge matters

a)      Update of FEMA report

b)      Discussion and/or action to approve Annual Road Report for FY08

c)      Discussion and/or action to approve Inventory Statements from Road Dept

d)      Discussion and/or action RE: Placing barricades on county roads

e)      Miscellaneous

        

        10:00 a.m. – Rena Pugh, SENCA Director: Quarterly report of activities

 

        10:15 a.m. – Steve Zimmers, Extension Educator: Quarterly report of activities

       

        10:30 a.m. – Patrick Dalseth, Midwest Wind Energy: Informal presentation on a prospective wind farm located

                              in Southwest Otoe County

                               

      Other business matters to address when time allows:

                               Discussion and/or action to set a date for first meeting in November

                               Presentation of plaque to Emergency Management Director, Gregg Goebel

                              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.   

 

 

September 23, 2008

 

The Otoe County Board of Commissioners convened in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on September 23, 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, posted in the County Clerk’s Office and on the County website. 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, Commissioner Kreifels and Commissioner Schroder.

 

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 Kreifels to accept the agenda as posted. There being no discussion, Chairman Haverty called for a vote by roll call. Voting -- Commissioners Haverty, aye; Kreifels, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.

 

Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kreifels to accept the minutes from the previous meeting as mailed to them as each member was furnished with a copy of same. There being no discussion, Chairman Haverty called for a vote by roll call. Voting – Commissioners Kreifels, aye; Schroder, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried.  

 

Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kreifels to audit and sign payroll claims and regular claims unless otherwise noted. There being no discussion, Chairman Haverty called for a vote by roll call. Voting - Commissioners Schroder, aye; Haverty aye; Kreifels, aye. Motion carried.

 

Nick Shimmel, Jail Administrator, came before the Board to review three quotes he obtained from vendors to remodel the jail kitchen facilities. According to recent reports by Jail Standards, the kitchen cabinets and countertops should be replaced. The janitor has refastened the cabinet doors many times and the countertop is cracked, creating unsanitary working conditions. Shimmel said all three vendors took measurements and made drawings. They were asked to furnish commercial grade cabinets and labor to install them. Those submitting quotes are listed below:

Jacobsen Woodworking, Nebraska City - $19,700 including a new sink and faucets

Lawrence Brown Construction, Nebraska City - $18,216 not including sink and faucets

Merritt’s Quality Cabinets, Nebraska City - $17,790 including a new sink and faucets

Brent Jacobson was present, but made no comments. Deputy Shimmel recommended accepting the quote from the low bidder, Merritt’s Quality Cabinets. Commissioner Schroder made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kreifels to award the bid to Merritt’s Quality Cabinets for the purchase and installation of new cabinets, sink, faucets and countertops in the jail facility kitchen for the quoted amount of $17,790. There being no further discussion, Chairman Haverty called for a vote by roll call. Voting – Commissioners Kreifels, aye; Schroder, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried.

 

Chairman Haverty noted that the first regular meeting in November falls on November 11th which is recognized as Veterans Day. He said he would be out of town on November 11th and 12th and therefore suggested conducting the regular meeting on Monday November 10th. The County Clerk said that it has been past practice to conduct meetings on the preceding Monday when the Tuesday meeting date falls on a holiday. All agreed the first regular meeting in November will be held Monday, November 10th.

 

Other correspondence:

Commissioner Haverty said he received an invitation from NPPD to attend an informational meeting regarding a license extension for Cooper Nuclear Station for another 20 years. This meeting is being held in an effort to educate the public about the plant’s operation and why extending the license will be economically beneficial to its customers. The meeting will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. on October 2, 2008 at NPPD’s Emergency Offsite Response Facility located at 902 Central Ave, Auburn. Commissioner Haverty said he plans to attend. Commissioner Schroder said he received an invitation to visit with Martin-Marietta personnel on the same day, so he will be attending the Martin Marietta Open House instead.

 

Glen Steffensmeier, County Highway Superintendent, Rich Kuenning and Wally Pohlman, Road Foremen and Lynn Dennison, Bridge Foreman came before the Board to discuss road and bridge matters.

 

Regarding the FEMA update, Steffensmeier said there should be one more day of onsite inspections; then he will go to Lincoln to work with the field agent to finalize reports. So far, there are 122 projects on the list with the possibility of another 15 or so. He said he received a FEMA analysis for replacing two bridges; however, he felt the cost estimates were too low. He said he has 60 days to respond, so he will be contacting Mark Mainelli Engineering to prepare new cost estimates. He will then make a counter recommendation to FEMA.

 

Steffensmeier said he still is not ready to adopt the Annual Road Report for FY08. He said Alene prepared the report, but he hasn’t had time to check everything out yet. Since the report is not due to the NDOR until October 31, 2008, he would like more time for reviewing it.

 

In regards to the inventory statements, Steffensmeier said the inventories are complete, but he wants to reorganize the statements before submitting them for approval.

 

According to the secretary hired to enter data and compile information for FEMA, over 63 loads of rock have been verified as being used on FEMA projects. Steffensmeier said he has 60 rock tickets that have no description of where the rock was placed. He said it is very important that the truck drivers note this information on the tickets to determine how much rock is going to FEMA projects. The County will get reimbursed only if there is documented proof that rock was placed at a FEMA project site. Commissioner Kreifels suggested matching the dates on the rock tickets to the dates on the employees’ time sheets; then determine by the job description and rock hauling map where the rock was placed. Commissioner Haverty told Steffensmeier that he needs to stress the importance of this information to the truck drivers, foremen and secretary. With three people checking the tickets, there is no reason why a rock ticket should be submitted to the FEMA secretary without a notation.

 

Steffensmeier reported that someone entered his office last week and removed the back up drive to his computer. In an earlier incident, someone kicked in a filing cabinet that was locked. He hired a handy man to install a lock on his office door to prevent this from happening again. He didn’t know what time of day the theft took place, but there were no signs of forced entry into the building. A few weeks ago, someone entered the County Shop in Palmyra. He discovered that a record keeping book and sign book were missing. He later found the sign book in a trash container. A neighbor told him that he saw a parked vehicle near the shop. Since then he has had the locks re-keyed. All of these incidents have been reported to the Sheriff’s Office.

 

Steffensmeier provided a list indicating the locations where 18 culverts have been installed since April 29, 2008. Most of them were to replace washed out tubes categorized as FEMA projects. 

 

According to a letter received from the NDOR Bridge Division, bridges numbered 12105, 1515 and 21460 should remain closed as a result of the critical finding reports. Steffensmeier said Bridge #21460 was closed two years ago and Bridge #1515 was closed this spring due to flooding. Bridge #12105 was closed over the winter, but the Bridge Crew repaired it this spring and the bridge was reopened. Now the NDOR says “Before a bridge can be re-opened, they must receive a satisfactory rating in a follow up inspection and a satisfactory load rating analysis”. Therefore, he will have to re-close the bridge until a certified engineer and bridge inspector examines it and determines the bridge to be safe for re-opening. Steffensmeier said the NDOR used to have a team that the County could call upon to inspect a bridge before reopening it at no cost to County. Now, the County must pay an engineer to have this done.

 

Steffensmeier showed Board members several pictures that he had taken depicting washouts and dangerous areas that were not marked with a flag, barricade or any type of warning device. On one of the roads, he found flags in a motor grader windrow. When he visited a job site last week on S 63rd Road, he found that the county road workers had not put up barricades to warn motorists that the road was under construction. He was concerned that the County is being set up for liability issues and possible lawsuits. Commissioner Haverty asked Foreman Pohlman what instructions are given to the grader operators if they see a washout. Pohlman said the operators carry flags with them. They are to place a flag in the bad area; then report it to the office where it is logged. If the operator blades out a flag, he is to replace it when he is finished with the road. Commissioner Haverty stressed the importance of public safety as well as protecting the County from liability lawsuits.

 

Discussion continued as to why bad conditions on the roads are being flagged but not being fixed. Opinions varied on how to handle the situation. Commissioner Schroder said if there is a problem with discipline, these incidents should be documented on an individual basis; then written reprimands should be placed in the employee’s file in accordance with procedures outlined in the Union contract.

 

Steffensmeier said he talked with personnel from the Board of Classifications and Standards regarding Road 71 north of OPPD. He was told that a public road may be gated, but it cannot be padlocked. A determination still needs to be made if this is a public road or if it was vacated at one time. It is not listed as a public road on the State’s road map.

 

Regarding the vacation of Plum Road between Roads Q & R - Steffensmeier said he is still waiting for a reply from utility companies before he can complete his report and make a recommendation to the Board. John Crook, one of the landowners who requested that the road be vacated, said OPPD and the Rural Water District have easements; their lines are not even near the road. Steffensmeier said he needs written confirmation to make sure no utility has any interest in that road. When he checked with Diggers Hotline, the Rural Water District and Level 3 Communications were listed. Commissioner Haverty said he will get a letter from the Rural Water District. He directed Steffensmeier to contact Level 3 and remind them that he needs a written reply confirming that they have no interest in the road.

 

Rena Pugh, SENCA Director, appeared before the Board to give a quarterly report, including an update of the changes being made to the SENCA program. She said they are working more toward case management whereby families are being interviewed and provided with life skills education before SENCA volunteers financial assistance. They are looking into starting a “Rent Wise Program” that will encourage landlords and tenants to work together. St. Mary’s Hospital was the leader in collecting enough school supplies for 10 children this year. SENCA was awarded $10,000 from United Way which was split between Otoe and Nemaha counties. They will be kicking off the annual drive for Christmas donations soon. Ms. Pugh said she has already begun handing out applications to families in need. She anticipates more applicants this year due to the slumped economy.

 

Ms. Pugh introduced Susan Philips as the new Development Director for SENCA. Ms. Philips invited Board members to attend the Poverty Simulation Tour in Otoe County which will be held at the Bethel Church in Nebraska City on November 12, 2008. She said their goal is to educate the community on poverty awareness; then inform participants on ways to better help those in need and making them economically self sufficient. They would like at least 70-90 participants. The session will begin at 12:30 p.m. and end with a closing conversation at 3:00 p.m.

 

Steve Zimmers, Extension Educator, gave a quarterly report. He said they had a very successful summer working with a wide variety of ages of kids. 48 youth from the six southeast counties in Nebraska visited Washington D. C. this summer. There are over 350 4-H members and 195 leaders in Otoe County. In November, 4-H members who have turned in completed record books will be recognized at an awards ceremony. He noted that 4-H is an educational program. The numbers may be down, but they still have good hard working members. Kids are busy with school, sports, and other activities so they don’t enter as many exhibits at the fair as they did in the past.

 

Patrick Dalseth, with Midwest Wind Energy in Chicago, appeared before the Board to give an informal presentation of a proposed wind farm located north and east of the Village of Douglas.  This proposed development is in response to an RFP sent to his company by OPPD who is seeking 2000 mega watts of power by 2010. The bids are due October 10, 2008, but won’t be awarded until next spring.

 

Mr. Dalseth said Midwest Wind Energy is the leading developer of wind power projects in the Midwest. They are a subsidiary of Edison Mission Energy which is the 5th largest owner of wind power in the U.S. With assets of over $7.3 billion there is no need for outside financing. Midwest Wind Energy has set up wind farms in Iowa, New Mexico, Minnesota, Texas, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Utah and Wyoming. They are in the process of developing 12 more wind farms in Illinois, Wisconsin and in Holt, Knox and Boone Counties of Nebraska. As the developer, his company determines the best location for setting up a wind farm; works with landowners to lease their property and writes up agreements contracting the energy with OPPD. Midwest and Edison will create the Burr Ridge Wind Farm. Upon completion, the landowners will be given the opportunity to invest in the project in accordance with LB629. They are proposing to produce 80 mega watts (MW) of wind power that will supply 24,000 residences. They chose this location because of its wind resource potential, its proximity to an OPPD transmission line, and its environmental compatibility. Nebraska is rated 6th in the nation for wind energy potential.

 

In comparison to the wind farm project in Knox County, Mr. Dalseth said they anticipate producing 80 MW of wind power by constructing approximately 40 wind towers at a total project cost of $160,000,000. Local investment is equivalent to $24,000,000 achieved by using local contractors to provide services and purchase materials. The wind towers will be taxed as personal property amounting to $6,500,000 in five years. There will be 6-8 full-time maintenance positions created with each employee earning an annual salary of $80,000 to $100,000. Regarding the method and route for bringing in the wind towers, Midwest will work with County Officials when designing a route. They will pay for upgrades to a road to bring in the towers as well as pay for repairs after the towers are delivered. They will also build access roads to each tower. Dalseth said there is a minimum of 1500 feet between towers and they try to maintain at least a 1300 foot set back from any structure.

 

County Zoning Administrator, David Schmitz, said he is working with consultant, Orval Stahr, and soliciting information from other counties on how the county zoning regulations should be amended to address the construction and proper placement of wind towers. He plans to discuss this issue at the next Planning Commission meeting.

 

In anticipation of today’s presentation, Chairman Haverty composed a letter of support for the wind energy development project being considered. It referred to the positive impact this large scale project could provide to Otoe County including increased valuation and job opportunities.   Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schroder to sign and submit this letter of support to Mr.Dalseth so that he may include it with his bid proposal to OPPD. There being no further discussion, Chairman Haverty called for a vote by roll call. Voting -- Commissioners Haverty, aye; Kreifels, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.

 

Pat Haverty, Executive Director for RCEDC, said they were excited that this company is looking at Otoe County to establish a wind farm. RCEDC plans to give Mr. Dalseth a letter of support as well.

 

Commissioner Haverty said Mr. Goebel was not available for receiving his award presentation this morning. It will take place at a later date.

 

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 Haverty declared this meeting adjourned at 11:10 a.m. The next regular meeting will be held October 14, 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 23rd day of September, 2008.

 

Janene Bennett

Otoe County Clerk