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 o’clock a.m. on December 26, 2007, in the County Courtroom (108) of the Otoe County Courthouse.  The meeting 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 OF THE NEXT MEETING                                          DECEMBER 26, 2007

         

        

 

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

                                previous meetings; audit and sign payroll claims and regular claim

                

         8:45 a.m. – Gregg Goebel, EMA: Discussion and/or action RE: Resolution to approve Emergency Response

Plan for Nuclear Power Plant Incidents; Region One Coordination & Communications Memorandum of Understanding; Discussion and/or action RE: NRD Hazardous Mitigation Plan

 

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

a)      Bob Webb & Mark Mainelli: Discussion and/or action RE: Palmyra SE Bridge Project

b)      Discussion and/or action to equip a second sanding truck

c)      Discussion and/or action RE: Illegal dumping along roadsides

d)      Discussion and/or action to replace or repair power washer at NC Shop

e)      Discussion and/or action to install oil bulk systems at the two main shops

f)        Miscellaneous

                

       10:00 a.m. – Ron Hurt, Security Equipment: Discussion and/or action RE: Proposal to upgrade the fire

                                    system in the jail facility

                       

       10:15 a.m. – Joe Miller, Insurance Agent: Discussion and/or action RE: Annual Workers Compensation Report

 

       10:30 a.m. – Steve Zimmers, Extension Educator: Quarterly report; Discussion and/or action RE: Extension

                                     Board nominations for 2008

 

      

                      

        Other business matters to address when time allows:

Therese Trombino, Deputy Co Assessor: Tax list corrections

                    Jackie Smith, Co Treasurer: Discussion and/or action RE: Tax Refunds and Pledged Securities

                    Marv Pesek, GA Administrator: Discussion General Assistance Applications/Cases (Executive Session)

                    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.       

 

 

 

  DECEMBER 26, 2007

 

The Otoe County Board of Commissioners convened in regular session at 8:30 a.m. on December 26, 2007 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 and posted in three public places.  This meeting was open to the Public; 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 Thummel and Commissioner Haverty. None absent.

 

Commissioner Thummel made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Haverty to accept the agenda as posted. Voting -- Commissioners Schroder, aye; Thummel, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried.

 

Commissioner Thummel made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Haverty to accept the minutes from the previous meeting as mailed to them and not have them read. Voting – Commissioners Thummel, aye; Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.

 

Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to audit and sign payroll claims and regular claims as presented with the exception of two claims submitted by the Otoe County Visitors Committee in the total amount of $2066.67. Voting – Commissioners Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye; Thummel, aye. Motion carried.

 

Chairman Schroder informed the pubic 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 while present in the meeting room.

 

Gregg Goebel, Emergency Management Director, came before the Board to discuss several issues. He revised the Emergency Response Plan for the Nuclear Power Plant by incorporating the provisions that were adopted for the National Incident Management System (NIMS). A signed resolution is needed to make the revision official.  Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to approve the adoption of Resolution 2007-42 that updates the provisions for the Emergency Response Plan for a Nuclear Power Plant to coincide with the National Incident Management System. Voting -- Commissioners Schroder, aye; Thummel, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried.

 

Goebel then presented a Memorandum of Understanding that would join together the 14 counties in the Region One Coordination & Communications Group into one regional unit in order for the counties to apply for Homeland Security funding. Their goal is to provide numerous planning, exercise and training (PET) activities and interoperable communications within the 14 southeast counties. The chances for receiving funding would increase due to this unified effort. Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to approve the Region One Coordination & Communications Memorandum of Understanding as presented by Mr. Goebel. Voting – Commissioners Thummel, aye; Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.

 

Goebel said he attended a meeting earlier this month sponsored by the Lower Platte South NRD. LPSNRD has secured grant funding from FEMA to be used to establish a multi-jurisdictional Hazard Mitigation Plan. This plan would identify the vulnerability of a jurisdiction to various natural hazards, such as flooding, drought, wildfires, earthquakes, winter storms, etc and assess the potential losses associated with each hazard. If the Plan is approved by FEMA, participants will be eligible to receive grant funding to cover project costs. Project examples include drainage evaluations, storm shelters, educational activities, etc. He will attend another meeting on January 17th. If all goes well, the Plan could be approved as soon as February.

 

Other business matters were addressed.

 

Therese Trombino, presented the following tax list corrections for approval: 1) Clay & Dona Sluka Smith – deduct $586.12 for tax years 2005 & 2006 – site acres corrected; 2) Tony & LaVern Aksamit – add $1288.24 – Homestead exemption disallowed by State; 3) Kenneth & Linda Genthe – deduct $2517.00 – Homestead application received after tax statement was printed; 4) Scott & Kimberly Niday – add $1597.86 – Homestead application received after tax statement; 5) Michael & Janis Riege – deduct $5.68 personal property tax – not in business in 2007; 6) Otoe County Development Services – deduct $150.80 – prior correction omitted penalty; 7) City of Nebraska City – deduct $1201.84 – House bought by City for street project; 8) Girl Scouts Homestead Council – deduct $245.68 – personal property exempted for Girl Scouts; 9) Village of Unadilla – deduct $461.00 – Property bought for Village exempted use; 10) Windstream – deduct $20.24 – personal property located in Richardson Co.; 11) Gary & Ellen Kuenning – add $225.10 for tax years 2005, 2006, 2007 – Greenbelt recapture; 12) N C Center for Children – deduct $3404.20 – Exempted property; 13) Schram Enterprises Inc – deduct $521.82 – Legislative change of land classification; 14) Gregory Teten – deduct 1216.30 – Improvements on incorrect parcel; 15) Harry & Dianne Wieckhorst – deduct $9.35 – Improvements on incorrect parcel; split done after tax statement printed; 16) Harry & Dianne Wieckhorst – add $2151.28 – Split done after tax statement printed; 17) Maynard & Malanie Geschke – deduct $1115.34 – State corrected homestead exemption from 0 to 55%; 18) Metro Leasing Co. – add $198.92 – Clerical error; 19) Alfred & Roberta Gigstad – deduct $66.22 – clerical error; 20) Edward Clayton – add $295.02 – Homestead application disapproved. Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to approve the tax list corrections as presented. Voting – Commissioners Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye; Thummel, aye. Motion carried.

 

Jackie Smith, County Treasurer, requested the following changes in pledged securities: Release a pledged security with Farmers Bank of Nebraska City in the amount of $200,000; release a pledged security with Arbor Bank of Nebraska City in the amount of $600,000. Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to approve said transactions. Voting -- Commissioners Schroder, aye; Thummel, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried.

 

Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to approve a tax refund to Janene Heyen in the total amount of $48.90 due to a correction on outbuildings for tax years 2006 and 2007. Voting – Commissioners Thummel, aye; Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.

 

Glen Steffensmeier, County Highway Superintendent, came before the Board to discuss road and bridge matters. He said that Bob Webb (Contractor) and Mark Mainelli (Inspection Engineer) will not attend today’s meeting as planned.  Steffensmeier said the Palmyra SE Bridge Project is running behind schedule. As he observed progress on the project during its construction, he noted that the construction workers were not being as productive as they could have been. He advised Mr. Webb that he saw workers quitting early when the weather was good. Steffensmeier also attributed the delay to several change orders and bad weather. He said he preferred to work with the contractor and not penalize him. He felt the County is still getting a good deal; the work that has been done is good quality.

 

Steffensmeier would like to convert another one of the County’s trucks into a sanding truck. He obtained quotes from five vendors for the purchase of a new sanding unit ranging from $3,059 to $4,579; a flatbed would cost an additional $1100. So it would cost approximately $5,500 to equip a county-owned truck with a sander. He suggested purchasing a new truck chassis in the spring which would cost $22,000 to $25,000. Commissioner Schroder agreed the County needs two sanding trucks. Commissioner Haverty commented that no money was allocated in the road budget for another truck, so a new one would have to be expended from the Inheritance Tax Fund. He cautioned that the Inheritance Tax Fund is our reserve and the County needs to be careful on how the money is spent. Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to approve the purchase of a sander and flatbed that will be installed on a 1999 truck; furthermore, a motion was made to grant Steffensmeier permission to advertise for bids for the purchase of a heavier pickup this spring for use next summer. Voting – Commissioners Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye; Thummel, aye. Motion carried.

 

There was a brief discussion regarding the County’s willingness to haul rock for the Villages free of charge, yet the Villages continue to charge utility fees for services provided to the County road shops that are located within their corporate limits. Board members felt the entities should help each other by exchanging services. 

 

The County Clerk was notified that the Department of Environmental Quality received a complaint on November 27, 2007, alleging that the Otoe County Roads Dept disposed of demolition debris along a county roadside. DEQ investigated the situation and found no hazardous materials; therefore no violation was filed. (Commissioner Schroder said the complainant was a county road employee.) While in the area, DEQ did notice a large amount of household waste dumped in a drainage ditch. DEQ suggested that the County clean up the illegal dump site and apply for an “Illegal Dump Site Cleanup Grant” which would entitle the County to be reimbursed for its expenses. Steffensmeier said he found trash under every bridge that he inspected this year. Illegal dumping is becoming a growing problem. He said the County needs to designate a site for proper disposal of treated bridge planks. These planks cannot be burned or stored near streams. Salvaged planks may be sold as surplus.

 

Steffensmeier said the coil in the power washer at the Nebraska City Road Shop needs replaced. He questioned whether he should continue to spend money repairing the old washer or would the Board consider purchasing a new one. All agreed he should obtain bids for purchasing a replacement power washer.

 

The road department has a bulk oil system at the Syracuse Shop. Commissioner Schroder said it came with the building when the County purchased it several years ago. Stern Oil has proposed installing new systems in the two main shops. Each system would include three tanks – one for hydraulic oil, one for engine oil and one for drive train oil. The County would not spend any money upfront; for every gallon purchased from the oil company, 50 cents would be applied to the purchase of the system and 7 cents would go to the oil company. Typically, it takes about 5 years to pay for itself. The system is valued at $7200. Steffensmeier said bulk oil is about $1.00 per gallon cheaper. Commissioner Haverty thought this would be a good way for tracking oil changes in addition to saving money. Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to install a bulk oil system in the Syracuse and Nebraska City shops. Voting -- Commissioners Schroder, aye; Thummel, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried.

 

Steffensmeier said the road crew has done the best job they can in handling the ice situation. They have chipped the ice with grader blades and applied sand and salt at several intersections. However, as the ice thaws and refreezes, slick areas are recreated. People need to drive slowly and with caution.

 

According to Mike Holland, Chief Deputy Sheriff, upgrades were added to the fire panel in the jail facility as part of the renovation project. However, the panel is located behind the dispatching console and needs to be made accessible according to the fire marshal. He introduced Ron Hurt, a sales representative for Security Equipment Inc, who was the only vendor to provide a bid for upgrading fire protection services. He recommended the installation of a proprietary system which includes the replacement of heat/smoke detectors, strobe alert notification devices, manual pulls, etc in addition to moving the panel and bringing it up to code. Since the County previously purchased its door magnetic lock and camera security systems from his company, the same software for access control of these security systems can be used for the fire system as well. Commissioner Haverty said replacement of the control panel and pull alarm can be paid out of the emergency grant fund. The other items should be paid out of the building maintenance fund. He asked Mr. Hurt to separate the cost into two invoices – one for each fund. Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to approve purchase of an updated proprietary fire protection system from SEI for the proposed amount of $15,466; said system to be installed in the jail facility. Voting – Commissioners Thummel, aye; Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried.

 

Joe Miller, the County’s General Liability/Property Insurance Agent, appeared before the Board to explain the contents of a workers compensation worksheet. According to the County’s experience rating, the County’s workers compensation insurance premium will increase by 38% due to the number and dollar amount of insurance claims filed in the past four years. Nearly 30 claims were filed since 2003. However, Miller said only one claim has been filed since April of 2007. On December 18th, Miller facilitated a safety meeting with members of the road department in an effort to reduce chances for injuries. Topics discussed included use of personnel safety equipment such as safety vests, safety toed shoes, hard hats, goggles, etc; use of seat belts in motor vehicles as well as heavy equipment; monitoring barricades and using cones and signage for road closings and/or construction work. He believes conducting safety clinics and encouraging safety awareness will decrease injuries and lower claim experience.

 

On another matter, Mr. Miller presented the Board with a list of buildings covered by the County’s property insurance. He noted that buildings should be valued to at least 90% of replacement cost. Therefore, the insurance company is recommending an increase of the valuation on most of the buildings. He asked Board members to review the valuation report and decide whether to accept the recommendations for increased valuations.

 

Steve Zimmers, Extension Educator, gave his quarterly report. He will be offering pesticide training to producers in Otoe and Cass counties beginning in February. There are over 340 applicators who need to be recertified. Last week, he met with state senators to discuss ideas for extension programs that would benefit constituents. Qualified 4-H members will take a 10-day trip to Washington DC and surrounding area in 2008. In Otoe County, 45% of eligible youth are active in 4-H. This includes ages 9 – 19.

 

Zimmers submitted the following names for nomination as members to the Extension Board for 2008: Carol Crook – District I (3 year term); Sue Bottcher – District II (3 year term); Charlotte Wood – District III (3 year term); Cheryl Hobbie – 4-H Council President (1 year term); Jan Malloy – FCE President (1 year term). Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to approve the above names submitted for nomination and to appoint them to the Extension Board with terms to begin January 2008. Voting – Commissioners Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye; Thummel, aye. Motion carried.

 

At 10:37 a.m. Commissioner Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Thummel to go into executive session to discuss general assistance applications/cases with the GA Administrator, Marv Pesek. Voting -- Commissioners Schroder, aye; Thummel, aye; Haverty, aye. Motion carried.

 

At 10:47 a.m. Commissioner Thummel made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Haverty to go back into regular session. Voting – Commissioners Thummel, aye; Haverty, aye; Schroder, aye. Motion carried. No action was taken while in executive session.

 

Miscellaneous correspondence was read and will be kept on file in the County Clerk’s Office.

 

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 Haverty made a motion, seconded by Commissioner Schroder to declare this meeting adjourned, until the next one, which will be on January 8, 2008. Voting – Commissioners Thummel, aye; Haverty, 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 26th day of December 2007.

 

 

 

Janene Bennett

Otoe County Clerk