NOTICE OF MEETINGS

Otoe County Courthouse

Nebraska City NE  68410

 

NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Otoe County Board of Commissioners will convene as the Board of Equalization at 8:25 a.m. on October 13, 2009. The Otoe County Board of Commissioners will convene in regular session at 8:30 A.M. on October 13, 2009. Both meetings will be held in the County Courtroom (108) of the Otoe County Courthouse at Nebraska City. An Agenda for such meetings is kept continuously current, and is available for public inspection at the office of the County Clerk at the Courthouse; however, the agenda may be modified at such meetings to include items of an emergency nature only.

 

AGENDA FOR THE BOARD OF EQUALIZATION MEETING

 

 8:25 a.m. – Open meeting, Roll Call, Open Meetings Act Posted, Accept Agenda, Accept Minutes from

                   previous meeting

    Discussion and/or action to set the tax levies for the political subdivisions within Otoe County

    Therese Gruber, County Assessor: Discussion and/or action RE: Tax List Correction(s)

       

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                                                            AGENDA OF THE REGULAR MEETING

 

 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

 8:35 a.m. – Sheriff Jim Gress: Discussion and/or action to request permission to advertise for bids for the

                      purchase of a new patrol vehicle

 8:40 a.m. – Safety Committee Report

 8:45 a.m. – Gregg Goebel- EM: Discussion and/or action RE: Sale of surplus radio equipment

 

 9:00 a.m. – Lynn Denniston, Lead Supervisor: Road and Bridge matters

                  1) Discussion and/or action RE: Appointment of Acting Highway Superintendent

                  2) Discussion and/or action RE: New duties and pay change for Lead Supervisor

                  3) Discussion and/or action RE: Resolutions to cancel Federal Aid Projects – BRO-7066(28)

                       located south of I-24; BRO-7066(41) located south of I-4; BRO-7066(42) located south of G-12

                  4) Discussion and/or action RE:  Resolutions to approve soft match submissions.

                  5) Discussion and/or action RE: Purchase of sand truck and/or back hoe

                  6) Discussion and/or action RE:  Winter call out procedures and overtime authorizations.

                  7) Discussion and/or action RE: Resolution to increase spending limit for lead supervisor

8) Discussion and/or action RE: FEMA Site Projects: Replacement of Bridge #C006611330 located south of Intersection G-12; Replacement of Bridge #C006602530 located South if Intersection I-24; Replacement of Bridge #C006601515 located South of Intersection Q-14; Replacement of Bridge # C006600515 located South of Intersection I-4; Construction of Box Culvert south of Intersect L-20

9) Discussion and/or action to appoint an Authorized Representative for FEMA Disasters numbered 1706 and 1770

10) Miscellaneous

 

Other business matters to address when time allows:

         Discussion and/or action to approve Inventory Statements filed by State Probation Office, Emergency

         Management and the Road Departments

         Discussion and/or action RE: Lease/purchase of color copier for courthouse

      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.        

 

October 13, 2009

 

The Otoe County Board of Commissioners convened in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on October 13, 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. Advance notice of this meeting was published in the Nebraska City News Press and Syracuse Journal Democrat, announced on KNCY Radio Station and posted in at least three public places. 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 Freshman 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 Crook 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 Lade made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Freshman 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 Crook to approve payment of the regular claims. 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.

 

Sheriff James Gress came before the Board to request permission to advertise for bids for the purchase two new patrol vehicles. He said he would like to replace a 2004 Chevy pickup which has over 160,000 miles and a 2006 Crown Vic with over 100,000 miles. He estimated two new pickups would cost about $20,000 each. Chairman Nelsen thought the County should keep the old pickup for the road crew to use and trade in the 2001 black Crown Vic and the 2006 Crown Vic. Commissioner Freshman suggested taking bids with and/or without trade-ins. Commissioner Freshman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kreifels to grant Sheriff Gress permission to advertise for bids for the purchase of two new pickups specifying an outright purchase price and trade-in allowances for the two Crown Vics. There being no further discussion, Chairman Nelsen called for a vote. Voting aye were Commissioners Freshman, Nelsen, Crook, Kreifels and Lade.  Nay – none. Motion carried.

 

The Otoe County Safety Committee met on October 7, 2009. Commissioner Lade reported they are still gathering information to construct tornado shelters at the road shops. The Committee will be taking a survey of county employees to see if they would be interested in taking a CPR and first aid class. It was suggested that a class be offered the first quarter of every year during the work day with the County paying the cost. Gregg Goebel, Emergency Management Director, said the County needs to have a plan in place if employees become infected with the H1N1 flu and what precautions can be taken to prevent the virus from spreading.

 

With the installation of the new communication system, Mr. Goebel said there are many radios and other pieces of communication equipment that the County owns but has no use for. He said he has an individual interested in purchasing the old system once used by the Burr Rescue Squad. County Attorney, Dave Partsch, said the County must first declare the property as surplus; if the property has a value of $2500 or more, it must be sold by competitive bidding. Commissioner Lade made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Freshman to declare all excess radio equipment as surplus. 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.

 

Other business matters were addressed.

 

Commissioner Lade made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Crook to approve the annual inventory statements as submitted by the Roads Department, Emergency Management and the Probation Office. 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.

 

Chairman Nelsen obtained a quote from Modern Methods for the purchase or lease of a color copier/printer/scanner that could be networked for use by all of the offices in the Courthouse. Commissioner Lade said he is getting another quote from Solution One, so the matter was tabled to a future meeting.

 

At 8:55 a.m. Chairman Nelsen called for a short recess. At 9:00 a.m. the meeting resumed with all members being duly noted as present.

 

Lead Supervisor, Lynn Denniston, and Foremen Wally Pohlman and Jonathan Brinkman came before the Board to discuss road and bridge matters.

 

1)     Chairman Nelsen announced that Glen Steffensmeier resigned from his position as the Highway Superintendent effective October 7, 2009, and accepted a position with the Nebraska Department of Roads. Therefore, he recommended appointing Mark Mainelli as the Acting Highway Superintendent. Commissioner Lade made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Freshman to appoint Mark Mainelli as Acting Highway Superintendent for Otoe County. 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.

2)     Lynn Denniston has been serving as the Lead Supervisor since January. Without a permanent highway superintendent, Chairman Nelsen said he will be assigned additional duties and more responsibilities for the day to day operations and recommended a $3000 annual pay increase effective October 1st. Commissioner Kreifels made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Freshman to approve the $3000 annual pay increase for Lynn Denniston, effective October 1, 2009. Commissioner Lade was concerned whether the pay increase would be reversed after a permanent highway superintendent was hired. Chairman Nelsen said Denniston’s responsibilities will not decrease nor will his pay when a new superintendent is hired. There being no further discussion, Chairman Nelsen called for a vote. Voting aye were Commissioners Kreifels, Freshman, Nelsen, Lade and Crook. Nay – none. Motion carried.

3)     Chairman Nelsen explained that bridge replacement projects that were eligible for federal aid but have now been declared FEMA projects must be withdrawn from the Federal Aid funding list. Therefore, he introduced Resolution 2009-61 requesting the cancellation of Federal Aid Project BRO-7066(42); Structure #C006611330 located south of G-12. Commissioner Kreifels made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lade to authorize the Chairman to sign Resolution 2009-61 cancelling Federal Aid Project BRO-7066(42); Structure #006611330. There being no further discussion, Chairman Nelsen called for a vote. Voting aye were Commissioners Freshman, Nelsen, Lade, Crook and Kreifels. Nay – none. Motion carried. Chairman Nelsen introduced Resolution 2009-62 requesting the cancellation of Federal Aid Project BRO-7066(28); Structure C006602530 located south if I-24. Commissioner Lade made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Crook to authorize the Chairman to sign Resolution 2009-62 cancelling Federal Aid Project BRO-7066(28); Structure C006602530. 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. Chairman Nelsen introduced Resolution 2009-63 requesting the cancellation of Federal Aid Project BRO-7066(41); Structure #C006600515 located South of I-4. Commissioner Crook made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lade to authorize the Chairman to sign Resolution 2009-63 cancelling Federal Aid Project BRO-7066(41); Structure #C006600515. 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.

4)     Mainelli Wagner submitted resolutions for five Soft Match projects authorizing the County Board Chair to sign a Certificate of Compliance for each, enabling the County to receive soft match credit. Chairman Nelsen introduced Resolution 2009-64 authorizing the Chairman to sign a Certificate of Compliance for Structure # C006623515 in order to receive soft match credit of $71,637.91. Commissioner Lade made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kreifels to adopt Resolution 2009-64 authorizing the Chairman to sign the Certificate of Compliance for Structure #C006623515. 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. Chairman Nelsen introduced Resolution 2009-65 authorizing the Chairman to sign the Certificate of Compliance for Structure #C006604515 in order to receive soft match credit in the amount of $14,943.42. Commissioner Lade made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kreifels to adopt Resolution 2009-65 authorizing the Chairman to sign the Certificate of Compliance for Structure #C006604515.There being no further discussion, Chairman Nelsen called for a vote. Voting aye were Commissioners Kreifels, Freshman, Nelsen, Lade and Crook. Nay – none. Motion carried. Chairman Nelsen introduced Resolution 2009-66 authorizing the Chairman to sign the Certificate of Compliance for Structure #C006600425 in order to receive soft match credit of $55,078.98. Commissioner Kreifels made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Lade to adopt Resolution 2009-66 authorizing the Chairman to sign the Certificate of Compliance for Structure #C006600425. There being no further discussion, Chairman Nelsen called for a vote. Voting aye were Commissioners Freshman, Nelsen, Lade, Crook and Kreifels. Nay – none. Motion carried. Chairman Nelsen introduced Resolution 2009-67 authorizing the Chairman to sign the Certificate of Compliance for Structure # C006604510 in order to receive credit of $37,681.52. Commissioner Lade made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kreifels to adopt Resolution 2009-67 authorizing the Chairman to sign the Certificate of Compliance for Structure #C006604510. 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. Chairman Nelsen introduced Resolution 2009-68 authorizing the Chairman to sign the Certificate of Compliance for Structure # C006622645 in order to receive soft match credit in the amount of $106,431.89. Commissioner Lade made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Crook to adopt Resolution 2009-68 authorizing the Chairman to sign the Certificate of Compliance for Structure #C006622645. 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. It was duly noted that Chairman Nelsen signed the Certificates of Compliance as authorized. He said the credit will be applied to future federal aid projects.

5)     There was some discussion regarding the purchase of a backhoe and/or sand truck. Pohlman said the old sand truck has been fixed and is currently running, but the backhoe in Syracuse is past is useful life. Commissioner Kreifels asked how often a new backhoe would be used this winter. It was noted that it can be used to remove snow in the winter in addition to its use during construction season. Commissioner Lade made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Freshman to solicit bids for the purchase of a new backhoe. 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. Foreman Pohlman said dump truck #37 is on its last leg. If the County would purchase a new dump truck with a blade and sander it could be used for snow removal in the winter and haul rock at all other times. Commissioner Freshman agreed that it would be more economical to purchase a truck that could be used for more than one purpose. It would replace the sander truck and dump truck. The old dump truck and sander truck should be sold or used as trade-ins. Commissioner Lade made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Crook to write specs and advertise for bids for the purchase of one new dump truck; the bids should include an outright purchase price with trade-in values for the old trucks listed separately. 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.

6)     There was some discussion on what procedures should be used when the road crew is called out to work emergency road repair or snow removal. Pohlman said that in the past, the foremen or highway superintendent would check the roads after a snowfall and determine whether the road workers should be called out based on the amount and type of snow. The foreman or highway superintendent would then call the Chairman to make the recommendation; the chairman made the final decision whether it was necessary to call workers out for snow removal. Commissioner Nelsen made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kreifels to accept the following policy for snow removal – the lead supervisor or foremen shall examine the roads after a snowfall; if it is determined that the roads should be sanded or cleared of snow they shall call the chair or vice-chair for permission to call out the road workers. In addition, if a commissioner determines that snow needs to be removed from roadways in his/her district, he/she may call out the road workers without further authorization of the entire board. There being no further discussion, Chairman Nelsen called for a vote. Voting aye were Commissioners Kreifels, Freshman, Nelsen, Lade and Crook. Nay – none. Motion carried.

7)     Chairman Nelsen introduced Resolution 2009-69 that would amend Resolution 2009-12 increasing the spending limit for the lead supervisor to $1000 without further authorization; however, in the absence of a highway superintendent the lead supervisor would have the same limit as the superintendent which is $5000. Commissioner Freshman made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kreifels to adopt Resolution 2009-69 authorizing the increased spending limit for the lead supervisor as stated above. There being no further discussion, Chairman Nelsen called for a vote. Voting aye were Commissioners Freshman, Nelsen, Lade, Crook and Kreifels. Nay – none. Motion carried.

8)     Jeff Wagner of Mainelli Wagner & Associates submitted proposals to provide plans and documents that are required to complete the replacement bridges for the following FEMA sites: OC-20C Structure #C006611330 located south of G-12; OC-21C Structure # C006602530 located south of I-24; OC-27C Structure #C006601515 south of Q-14; OC-27C Structure #C006600515 located south of I-4. By signing the documents, they will serve as a contract and notice to proceed. Commissioner Lade made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Crook to authorize Chairman Nelsen to sign the four proposals as outlined above, accepting its terms to provide engineering services for these four FEMA projects. 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.

9)     As the Highway Superintendent, Glen Steffensmeier had been appointed as the Authorized Representative for FEMA disasters. Since he is no longer a county employee, a new representative must be appointed. Commissioner Lade made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Freshman to appoint Chairman Nelsen as the Authorized Representative for the FEMA disasters numbered 1706 and 1770. 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.

 

Miscellaneous items:

Commissioner Crook made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Kreifels to approve an application for permit to occupy county right of way submitted by JEO Engineering on behalf of Consolidated Rural Water District #1 allowing the Rural Water District to cross over county right of way while installing a water main for Kimmel Orchard. 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.

 

Commissioner Freshman said the RCEDC (River Country Economic Development Corporation) will be renamed to NCAEDC (Nebraska City Area Economic Development Corporation) to better identify the area it serves.

 

Commissioner Freshman noted that he has received one estimate for painting and carpeting rooms in the jail facility. He is still waiting to receive a second quote.

 

Commissioner Crook announced that Mary Ann Holland, Cass County Extension Educator, will be offering a budget class for Otoe County Employees in light of the fact that the County will be converting to once a month payroll beginning in January 2010. It has been tentatively scheduled for Monday, November 9, 2009, 2:30 to 3:30 p.m.

 

Chairman Nelsen announced that board members will remain to review FEMA project reports with Jeff Wagner from the engineering firm of Mainelli Wagner and Associates. The public is invited to stay; however, no action will be taken.

 

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 9:45 a.m. The next regular meeting will be held on October 27, 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 13th day of October 2009.

 

 

 

Janene Bennett

Otoe County Clerk