Board of Supervisors Minutes
July 2019

July 2, 2019:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, July 2, 2019, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Graham, Hickey, and Sheldon present. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted. 

Also present for this meeting were Paul Trombino Chief Operating Officer with Governor Reynolds’ Office, EMC Mike Crecelius, Assistant Engineer Robbie Kromminga, John Travis, Cal Roulson, Becky Shull, Brian Jeremiah with FEMA, Jim Saufley, Pat Sheldon, Matt Dollison with Iowa DNR, Doug Weber, Dennis Harper, Katie Waters, John Benson, Aimee Bartlett, Sandi Winton, Representative Dave Sieck, County Attorney Naeda Elliott, Bill Blackburn, Steve Meyer, VA Ben Roberts, Weed Commissioner Howard Nelson, and Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today. 

There was a brief update on rehabilitation assistance & non-structural alternatives to rehabilitation of flood control projects. Pat Sheldon stated that the Hamburg breach is 85% complete. Assistant Engineer Kromminga advised that the road department is working diligently on the roads. EMC Crecelius stated he is being questioned about the timeline of debris removal. 

At 9:10 a.m., the meeting was moved to the courtroom due to many attendees. John Travis left the meeting. 

At 9:11 a.m., William Blackburn met with the board regarding a public nature center at Blackburn’s Green Hollow Center. Blackburn stated that in the original agreement the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation was to secure funding for any project to go forward. They have been unable to do so. He said the DNR is ready to talk in good faith and to make plans to use the southwest portion of the property as a satellite park to Waubonsie Park and the northwest would be used as a wildlife management area linked to their 300+ acres. Blackburn said he would donate the land to DNR. The county would need to maintain a road in the area. It would need to be Level A rock base on a Level B Road. Supervisor Hickey stated that the county did have to maintain a road through the area anyway. Supervisor Sheldon stated that he didn’t think it was feasible for the county to have a road in place by their festival in September due to issues with the flood. Blackburn urged the board to decide today whether to accept the amendment. Attorney Elliott expressed concerns about the county signing anything she hasn’t reviewed as there was verbiage in the amendment about the maintenance of the road. She stated that she felt there didn’t need to be an amendment to an agreement that was not enforceable. Blackburn stated that he wanted the board to abandon the original agreement and sign the amendment as soon as possible. Elliott stated that she would advise the board not to sign anything that she hasn’t reviewed. Hickey stated that this issue was for discussion only and they would wait until the county attorney reviewed the amendment before considering the matter. 

Chief Operating Officer Paul Trombino with Governor Kim Reynolds’ Office met with the board to discuss the levee system. He is part of the Governor’s Flood Recovery Advisory Board. He updated the board on their meetings. They have discussed the Ditch 6 Levee, the project at Highway 2, and many other issues. They have been meeting regularly and are at a point where they will bring in the USACE for the meetings. They discuss alternative funding for the projects such as the state revolving finance and block grants. Trombino expressed the need for communities and the county to work together to come up with solutions. Other topics were help for fixing roads, changes to locations of pumps, buyouts, DNR helping with designs, and drainage districts to name a few. 

At 10:32 a.m., motion by Graham to take a brief recess. Motion carried unanimously. 

At 10:40 a.m., motion by Graham to go back into session. Motion carried unanimously. 

EMC Mike Crecelius met with the board regarding the evacuation order release and reentry plan. Crecelius recommended leaving the order as it is now. Motion by Sheldon to leave the order as-is. Motion carried unanimously. The board will continue to discuss the evacuation order on a week-by-week basis. 

Motion by Hickey to hire the lone applicant, Nancy Henneman, to fill the General Assistance position. Motion carried unanimously. 

The board discussed the appointment of a new member to the conservation board. The position was posted in the courthouse and was later published by the conservation board. The deadline to apply that was published in the paper was July 8, 2019. After consulting with the county attorney motion by Hickey to table the appointment until the deadline that was published in the paper was past. Motion carried unanimously. 

VA Administrator Ben Roberts and VA Commissioners Cal Roulson and Jim Saufley met with the board regarding a credit card for Roberts. The board told them that they are looking at revamping the credit card policy and that it would be discussed at a later date with the department heads. The board and auditor suggested direct billing for hotels for the time being and reimbursement for meals.  

Weed Commissioner Howard Nelson left a pamphlet with the board regarding the 33rd Annual Roadside Conference in Pella, IA, that he was invited to. He wanted to show the board and let them know he would go if they wanted him to go.  

Assistant Engineer Robbie Kromminga met with the board for the signing of an agreement for design services with HGM for FHWA work on J-34 & L-31. Motion by Hickey to allow Chairman Graham to sign the agreement. Motion carried unanimously. 

In other business, the Recorder’s Monthly Report for June was approved. 

Claims were approved for July 5, 2019. 

At 11:07 a.m., there being no further business, Sheldon made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. 

ATTEST:

July 9, 2019:

At 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, a Department Head meeting was held in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom.  Present were Terry Graham, Dan Davis, Arnold Emberton, Brenda Mintle, Troy Housh, Naeda Elliott, Alise Snyder, Robin Shirley, Dee Owen, and Jack Reed.  Topics discussed: state auditor vs. private firm audit services, online tax sale, blackout plates, mowing, county attorney offices, IT topics, prosecution, working on reappraisal project, layers to GIS, building permits, new sidewalks and thresholds, new signage, upcoming, new VA Commissioners, reimbursements for roads, starting of road repairs, rock delivery, state jail inspector visit, and credit cards. VA Ben Roberts joined the meeting at 8:40 a.m. Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today joined the meeting at 8:45 a.m. EMC Mike Crecelius joined the meeting at 8:55 a.m. 

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, July 9, 2019, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Graham, Hickey, and Sheldon present. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:15 a.m. Minutes of the previous board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted. 

Also present for this meeting were County Attorney Naeda Elliott, Treasurer Alise Snyder, EMC Mike Crecelius, Matt Dollison and Matt Moles with Iowa DNR, Sherry Gilbert, Michael Fox, Sheriff Kevin Aistrope, Jack Reed with INCS, Buck Clark, Andrea Clark, Earl Hendrickson, and Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today. 

Jack Reed with INCS met with the board to update them on recent projects. He reminded the board of negotiations coming up in the fall. He also briefly discussed new job descriptions, information regarding worker’s compensation cases, new light duty form, and personnel issues. Mr. Reed advised the board that if they had any questions, he is always available. 

Bill Clark met with the board to file a formal complaint in writing against the conservation board and the conservation board director. The board stated they would take his complaint under advisement.  

Andrea Clark spoke about the compliments that they have received on the condition of the golf course grounds. They have not heard any complaints.  

Motion was made by Hickey to approve the Treasurer’s Semi-Annual Report.  Motion carried unanimously. 

There was a brief update on rehabilitation assistance & non-structural alternatives to rehabilitation of flood control projects. Sheldon stated that they are making progress on the Hamburg breach. There will be continued updates each week. 

EMC Mike Crecelius met with the board regarding the evacuation order release and reentry plan. Crecelius recommended leaving the order as it is now. The railroad has raised crossings at McPaul and Bartlett about 2 feet. Some roads still have water or are destroyed.  Sheldon expressed concern about the railroad closing roads from 200th Street to Bartlett. For some that is the only access to their homes. Crecelius said that would need to be a conversation with the railroad. Motion by Hickey to leave the order in place. Motion carried unanimously. The board will continue to discuss the evacuation order on a week-by-week basis. 

Conservation Board Member Mike Fox met with the board to request that green fees be waived for the golf course fundraiser. Fox discussed completed projects and upcoming projects. The board stated they would like to see a 1-year plan and a 5-year plan. Motion by Sheldon to waive the green fees for the fundraiser. Motion carried unanimously. 

The board considered the appointment of a conservation board member. There were two applications for the position. Sheldon asked HR Jack Reed to clarify how long an application is valid. He stated 45 days. Motion by Graham to appoint Matt Dollison to the conservation board. Motion carried unanimously. 

The board considered the appointment of a tourism board member. Motion made by Hickey to appoint Teresa Crecelius to the Fremont County Tourism Board. Motion carried unanimously.  

County Attorney Naeda Elliott met with the board regarding the termination of the 2017 Blackburn Green Hollow Center at Thurman, Iowa, Agreement. It is Elliott’s opinion that you cannot terminate an agreement and then ask the county to be bound by new terms. She believes there could be a joint termination. She has talked to the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation and they said there is no funding available and there are no grants actively being applied for. She stated that it is unreasonable to ask the county to fix this road and to make a guarantee to a private landowner in the state of crisis that Fremont County is in with the flood. Matt Dollison stated that the DNR has already approved the donation of the land. Elliott recommends that the board does not sign the termination or the amendment. Motion by Graham to let the agreement self-terminate. Motion carried unanimously. 

Novie White met with the board to discuss the fact that the county portion of Maple Street is down to a one-lane road and needs repair before the county fair. He asked that the county fix this before the fair. He was also concerned with the height of weeds by the maintenance area (old county shop). He would like to see those mowed before the fair. He also made a complaint about the burnt trailer house on the north edge of town that has been in that state of disrepair for months. The board took his concerns under advisement. He thanked the board for their dealings with the impound lot. He briefly discussed a wall around the lot.  

Claims were approved for July 12, 2019. 

At 10:24 a.m., there being no further business, Hickey made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. 

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                Terry Graham, Chairman

July 16, 2019:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, July 16, 2019, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Graham and Sheldon present. Hickey was not present for this meeting. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted. 

Also present for this meeting were Jake Miriovsky and Rick Wilson with JEO, EMC Mike Crecelius, Engineer Dan Davis, Brian Jeremiah with FEMA, Greg Connell with SCIA, Denny Hendrickson, Earl Hendrickson, Robert Hatridge, and Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today. 

There were no updates on rehabilitation assistance & non-structural alternatives to rehabilitation of flood control projects. There will be continued updates each week. 

EMC Mike Crecelius met with the board regarding the evacuation order release and reentry plan. Crecelius stated that the evacuation order is basically on paper only. He has had complaints about people sightseeing in the Percival area. He advised people in the Percival area to call the sheriff if they see them again. He stated that it is up to the board whether to leave the order in place or not. Motion by Graham to leave the order in place. Motion carried unanimously. The board will continue to discuss the evacuation order on a week-by-week basis. Crecelius presented the board with service agreements for debris removal. Crecelius said there are 69 people in Fremont and Mills Counties that have qualified for housing assistance. 

Jake Miriovsky with JEO met with the board regarding the signing of two task orders for the East/West Nishnabotna Watershed Project. He also gave a brief update on the project. They will soon start presenting the concepts and designs with the landowners. This will be a 90/10 cost share with the landowners. There are 30 projects on the lists, 15 ponds, terraces, water and sediment control basins, grass waterways, and more. They are looking forward to getting the landowner approval. Motion by Sheldon to approve Task Order 1.2 the extension of program management task through September of 2021 and Task Order 2.2 for the first phase of permitting services. Motion carried unanimously. These are paid for through the grant dollars received for the project. 

Motion made by Sheldon to approve renewal of Class C Beer Permit, Sunday Sales Liquor License for Pilot Travel Center #238. Motion carried unanimously. 

Denny Hendrickson met with the board to discuss the roads to the breaks in the levees. They are getting close to having the breach at Hamburg closed. Darin Hendrickson got the bid for the finish work on the project. Denny would like to see a road finished as soon as possible west of Hamburg on 310th Street to allow them to access the project. As of right now, they are driving 30 miles out of the way to get to the site. Engineer Davis stated that J-64 is a Federal Highway Route. He believes temporary repairs would be 100% covered. The permanent repair would be 80/20 cost share. Hendrickson knows the road is not ready for repair yet as the water is still on the road, just wanted to touch base with the board to keep this on the forefront. 

Motion by Graham to table the discussion on the FEMA buyout program. Motion carried unanimously. 

The board discussed bids for debris removal for homes in the county. Motion by Sheldon to table the debris removal to allow the county attorney to look at the agreements that Crecelius presented to the board at today’s meeting. Motion carried unanimously.  

Graham stated that he spoke to HR Jack Reed regarding a former employee’s complaint presented at the board meeting on July 9, 2019. Motion by Graham for transparency purposes to have INCS HR Representative Jack Reed do an investigation on the conservation board and the conservation director regarding the complaint from the former employee. Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion by Sheldon to approve the following resolution regarding part-time golf course employees. Motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2019-44

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Fremont County Board of Supervisors this 16th day of July 2019, that Lonnie Shanno, Mike Livingston, and Nathan Grove shall be appointed as golf course part-time seasonal help, as requested by Fremont County Conservation Board.  The rate of pay shall be $8.83 per hour. The effective date of employment shall be July 16th, 2019.

Motion to approve made by Sheldon.
 

Robert Hatridge stopped in to visit with the board. 

Claims were paid for July 19, 2019. 

At 9:45 a.m., there being no further business, Graham made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. 

ATTEST: 

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                Terry Graham, Chairman

July 23, 2019:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, July 23, 2019, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Graham and Hickey present. Sheldon was not present for this meeting. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted. 

Also present for this meeting were EMC Mike Crecelius, Engineer Dan Davis, Assistant County Attorney Tyler Loontjer, Brian Jeremiah with FEMA, Landfill Director Casey Moyer, Steve Meyer, and Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today.  

There will be a meeting with FEMA for drainage districts at the secondary roads building tomorrow at 10:00 a.m. There are no other updates on rehabilitation assistance & non-structural alternatives to rehabilitation of flood control projects. There will be continued updates each week. 

EMC Mike Crecelius met with the board regarding the evacuation order release and reentry plan. Crecelius stated that the evacuation order is basically on paper only. Assistant County Attorney Loontjer recommended leaving the order in place to protect the county. Motion by Graham to leave the order in place. Motion carried unanimously. The board will continue to discuss the evacuation order on a week-by-week basis.  

The board discussed the FEMA buyout program. EMC Crecelius has a list that he will provide the board of interested parties. 

EMC Mike Crecelius spoke to the board regarding the debris removal from homes in Bartlett, McPaul, and Percival. He spoke to the DOT and they will pick up debris after touring the areas. The board discussed putting the removal from rural areas out for bid. Loontjer stated that it can be taken to the landfill by the contractor or they could take it to the towns where DOT will pick up. Loontjer will prepare an RFP and it will be on next week’s agenda for action. 

Engineer Dan Davis met with the board for the signing of the following:

Motion by Hickey to sign the revised resolution for the Fremont County Secondary Road Department 5-year Road Program. This will include replacing the bridge on the Longinaker stretch. Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion by Hickey to sign a work in right-of-way permit for Atchison-Holt Electric Cooperative to put electric line at the edge of right-of-way on 400th Avenue 2068’ north from 260th Street. Graham, nay. Hickey, aye. Sheldon, absent. Motion failed. 

Motion by Hickey to sign Resolution to Accept Request for Qualifications for Design of Bridge on L-31 south of Bartlett. Motion carried unanimously.

Resolution No. 2019-45

RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT REQUEST FOR QUALIFICATIONS FOR BRIDGE DESIGN

WHEREAS, the Fremont County Secondary Roads Department made a Request for Qualifications to design a bridge to span Waubonsie Ditch on June 7th, 2019, and

WHEREAS, one (1) response was received for Bridge Design Replacement

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Fremont County that a contract for design be negotiated with HGM Associates, INC. of Council Bluffs, IA.

Motion to approve made by Hickey.

Approved this 23rd day of July, 2019.
 

Engineer Davis presented the board with a bid for Project #L-7-5-2-73-36 which is a 10’ x 10’ RCB culvert with a 10’ x 51’ flume and basin. The only bid received was from Gus Construction in the amount of $302,984.00. Davis will look the bid over and return for approval on another date. 

Motion made by Hickey to allow Chairman Graham to sign the GAX Form to draw from the CDBG Grant for the East and West Nishnabotna Watershed Project. Motion carried unanimously. 

Casey Moyer, Landfill Director, presented the renewal document for Financial Assurance for Closure/Post Closure Costs. Motion was made by Hickey to allow Chairman Graham to sign the document to approve the costs. Motion carried unanimously.  

The board discussed possibly changing the meeting date and time to allow the county attorney to have someone at every meeting. Mills and Fremont County both have their meetings on Tuesday mornings making it difficult to have someone present at both meetings. Motion by Hickey to move the meeting day and time to Wednesday mornings at 9:00 a.m. The first Wednesday meeting will be July 31st, 2019. Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion by Hickey to sign the following resolution approving an interim golf course superintendent. Motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2019-46

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Fremont County Board of Supervisors this 23rd day of July 2019, that Janice Shanno shall be appointed as golf course full-time Interim Course Superintendent, as requested by Fremont County Conservation Board.  The rate of pay shall be $20.65 per hour, $1,548.70 per pay period. The effective date of employment shall be July 15th, 2019.

Motion to approve made by Hickey.
 

In other business, the Sheriff’s office monthly report for June was approved. 

Claims were approved for July 26th, 2019. 

At 9:35 a.m., there being no further business, Hickey made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. 

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                Terry Graham, Chairman

July 31, 2019:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Wednesday, July 31, 2019, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Graham, Hickey, and Sheldon present. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted. 

Also present for this meeting were EMC Mike Crecelius, Assistant Engineer Robbie Kromminga, Assistant County Attorney Tyler Loontjer, Brian Jeremiah and Elisa Nigaglioni with FEMA, and Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today. 

Supervisor Hickey took FEMA as close as they could get to Scott Drainage District to show them that they cannot get to the district because it is still under water. They will have weekly meetings with FEMA for the drainage district. Supervisor Graham addressed gravel on roads for access to the levees. Wayne Clark with Benton-Washington Levee District may attend next week’s meeting about this issue. The board discussed current routes to the levees. Supervisor Sheldon stated there is a meeting on August 8th at 9:30 a.m. regarding Levee 601. There are no other updates on rehabilitation assistance & non-structural alternatives to rehabilitation of flood control projects. There will be continued updates each week.  

EMC Mike Crecelius met with the board regarding the evacuation order release and reentry plan. Crecelius stated that nothing has changed on the south end of the county. The water is gone, but the roads are also gone. Motion by Hickey to leave the order in place. Motion carried unanimously. The board will continue to discuss the evacuation order on a week-by-week basis. 

Assistant County Attorney Loontjer discussed the debris removal RFP that he is working on which is 47 pages of information and re. Loontjer suggested a point of contact for the project. The board agreed this should be someone at secondary roads.  This RFP will cover the unincorporated areas of Fremont County. The DOT will cover Bartlett, Percival, and McPaul. After much discussion, motion by Hickey to table the debris removal until next week. Motion carried unanimously. 

Assistant Engineer Kromminga met with the board regarding a resolution to accept a low bid and award a construction contract. Motion by Sheldon to approve the following resolution. Motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2019-47

RESOLUTION TO ACCEPT LOW BID AND AWARD CONSTRUCTION CONTRACT

WHEREAS, the Fremont County Secondary Roads Department held a letting for construction projects on July 23, 2019, and

WHEREAS, one (1) bid was received for L-7-5-2-73-36 for 10’x0 x 10’-0 RCB culvert with 10’x51’ Flume and basin,

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Fremont County that the contract be awarded to Gus Construction of Casey, IA, for the low bid of $302,984.00.  The cost of this project shall be paid from Local Funds.

Motion to approve made by Sheldon.

Approved this 31st day of July, 2019.
 

Claims were approved for August 2, 2019.

At 9:37 a.m., there being no further business, Hickey made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.

ATTEST:

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