Board of Supervisors Minutes
August 2019

August 7, 2019:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Wednesday, August 7, 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, Nick Johnson, Conrad Hall and Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today.  

Supervisor Sheldon stated there is a meeting August 8th at 9:30 a.m. regarding Levee 601. Assistant Engineer Kromminga, stated they are working to repair damaged roads. 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 nothing has changed south of Highway 2.  Crecelius also stated Homeland Security has removed most of the pumps in Hamburg.  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. 

Assistant County Attorney Loontjer discussed the first draft of the proposed RFP for debris removal. Loontjer will work with the Secondary Roads Department to develop zones within the County to break the job in to smaller areas for the bidding process. The DOT has started debris removal in Percival.  

Motion made by Hickey to approve letter of request for proposal to provide archaeological services associated with the Iowa Watershed Approach Project of the IEDA, as assisted through the CDBD National Disaster Resilience Program.  This will be funded within the East and West Nishnabotna Watershed to comprise various watershed structures within Mills and Fremont Counties.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion made by Hickey to approve Termination Agreement between William Blackburn Consulting, Ltd. and Fremont County.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion by Sheldon to approve the following resolutions regarding full time and part time employees at the golf course.  Motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2019-48

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Fremont County Board of Supervisors this 7th day of August 2019, that Kris Henneman, shall be appointed as Golf Course Superintendent, with a starting salary of $38,000 as requested by Fremont County Conservation Board. The effective date of employment shall be August 5th, 2019.

Motion to approve made by Sheldon.

Approved this 7th day of August, 2019.
 

RESOLUTION NO. 2019-49

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Fremont County Board of Supervisors this 7th day of August 2019, that Janice Shanno, 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 August 12th, 2019.

Motion to approve made by Sheldon.

Approved this 7th day of August, 2019.
 

Assistant Engineer Kromminga met with the board to sign the following:

Motion by Hickey to sign the revised resolution for the Fremont County’s Secondary Road Department Five Year Road Program. Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion by Sheldon to sign contract with Gus Construction on Project # L-7-5-2-73-36, for culvert on 250th St  East of Thurman. Motion carried unanimously.   

Motion by Sheldon to sign work in Right-of-Way Permit for Windstream Iowa Communications-North, LLC to place copper line across 160th St to 3027 160th St.  Motion carried unanimously. 

The Board discussed the CAFO & construction permit process.  Work in right of way Permits are to be applied for at the Secondary Roads Department.  Graham asked to be notified when original and annual updated manure management plans are filed in the Auditor’s Office.  Complaints of spills need to be referred to the DNR. 

Claims were approved for August 9, 2019. 

At 9:49 a.m., there being no further business, Sheldon made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. 

ATTEST:

Fremont County Assistant Auditor                                                                                Terry Graham, Chairman

August 14, 2019:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Wednesday, August 14, 2019, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Graham and Sheldon present. Let the records show that 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 Assistant County Attorney Tyler Loontjer, Engineer Dan Davis, EMC Mike Crecelius, Jim Brumbaugh, and Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today. 

Jim Brumbaugh stopped in to visit with the board regarding Bluff Road South of Highway 2. He stated there was a hole near the entrance of Wa-Shaw-Tee Road and in another area where a ditch was cleaned out some time ago. He believes that the road should be maintained now while it is a smaller area. There is a hole full of loose chunks that are now spilling into the road. He is concerned that there could be a vehicle accident. He said it needs to be cut out and fixed properly. It is a nice road and should be kept up for the taxpayers. Engineer Davis stated that he plans to have them fix this when they come to do baseline road, so they can do it at the same time. He will put signage out for the rough road for the time being. 

Supervisor Sheldon stated that Phase 2 of the L-575 is ready to go per Sandy Graybill. There is a meeting at 10:00 a.m. at the road department with USACE to discuss repairs on Monday. He will go sign the contract on there. There are no other updates on rehabilitation assistance & non-structural alternatives to rehabilitation of flood control projects. There will be continued updates each week.  

There was a brief update on debris removal progress and road repairs from Supervisor Sheldon and Engineer Davis. EMC Crecelius would like the board to call a special meeting to discuss the buyout program. The deadline for this is August 23rd. There will be a special meeting Monday, August 19th at 9:00 a.m. in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom to discuss this.  

EMC Mike Crecelius met with the board regarding the evacuation order release and reentry plan. 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. 

Motion by Graham to table the debris removal for homes as the county attorney prepares the information. Motion carried unanimously. 

Engineer Dan Davis met with the board for 3 signings.

Motion by Sheldon to sign work in right-of-way permit for Dudley Alexander/Alexander & Lindsey LLC to clean ditch and install an entrance with a tube under the road for a hog barn. Engineer Davis has talked to Whiteheads about installing a cross tube in conjunction with the road department so there is proper drainage. Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion by Sheldon to sign work in right-of-way permit for Tom Lorimor to clean ditch for drainage on 307th Avenue in Section 30, Township 70, Range 41. Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion by Sheldon to allow Chairman Graham to sign the resolution to revise Fremont County 2020 5-Year Road Program.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion by Sheldon to allow Chairman Graham to sign GAX fund request for payment under CDBG for the Iowa Watershed Approach Project. Motion carried unanimously. 

Claims were approved for August 16, 2019. 

At 9:57 a.m., there being no further business, Sheldon made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. 

ATTEST: 

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                Terry Graham, Chairman

August 19, 2019:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in special session on Monday, August 19, 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, Donna Goodman, Jerry Martin, Kirt Manion with the Hamburg Reporter, Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today, and Assistant County Attorney Tyler Loontjer by phone for part of the meeting.  

Donna Goodman and Jerry Martin spoke with the board regarding their properties and possible options of the buyout program and how that would affect them.

EMC Crecelius met with the Board regarding the August 23 deadline for the buyout program.  Crecelius has 26 homeowners that have requested to be on the demolition/buyout list.  Crecelius briefly discussed the difference of the two projects.  The financial responsibility for both projects would be FEMA 75%, State of Iowa 10% and Fremont County 15%.  Crecelius stated there are three possible options for funding the County’s 15%.  The homeowner could choose to absorb the 15%, there is possible but not guaranteed HUD and flood funding or the County could be responsible for the entire 15%.  If a property is approved for the buyout program, it would be removed from the County tax roll, become property of FEM and maintained by the County with restricted use.   

Motion by Graham to consider buyouts on an individual basis.  Motion carried unanimously. 

At 10:07 a.m., there being no further business, Sheldon made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. 

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                Terry Graham, Chairman

August 20, 2019:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, August 20, 2019, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Graham, Hickey, and Sheldon present. The board changed this meeting date as two members will be at the ISAC Fall Conference in Des Moines the remainder of the week. 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, and Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today. 

Supervisor Graham stated that the meeting yesterday with USACE had some good information. They are working on a contract for 25-year repairs on L575. There are issues with right-of-entry and easements. They are working on finding materials now. Project managers with USACE will meet with levee sponsors every two weeks for updates. There will be continued updates on rehabilitation assistance & non-structural alternatives to rehabilitation of flood control projects each week.  

EMC Mike Crecelius met with the board regarding the evacuation order release and reentry plan. They briefly discussed opening some roads to local traffic for mail delivery. Crecelius will talk to the Postmaster about their policies on delivery. 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. 

EMC Crecelius briefly spoke to the board regarding the buyout program and that FEMA only covers the primary domicile.  

Motion by Graham to table the debris removal for homes as the county attorney prepares the information. Motion carried unanimously. 

At 9:25 a.m., EMC Crecelius left the meeting to go speak to the Postmaster. 

Engineer Dan Davis met with the board for a signing. Motion by Hickey to allow Chairman Graham to sign contract for emergency design services with HGM Associates for project at J-64 and 310th Street from the Missouri River levee to I-29. Motion carried unanimously. 

At 9:36 a.m., EMC Crecelius came back to the meeting to inform the board that he spoke to the Postmaster and if the signs say “road closed to through traffic or local traffic only” the mail carriers can go around the signs per United States Postal Service. 

Claims were approved for August 23, 2019. 

At 9:38 a.m., there being no further business, Hickey made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously. 

ATTEST: 

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                Terry Graham, Chairman

August 28, 2019:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Wednesday, August 28, 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, Weed Commissioner Howard Nelson, Assistant Engineer Robbie Kromminga, Steve Meyer, Jared Moyer, John Moyer, Assistant County Attorney Tyler Loontjer, Greg Connell with SCIA and Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today. 

Weed Commissioner Howard Nelson spoke with the Board regarding weed control on prevented planted fields in the County.  Nelson stated the FSA Office is working with farmers on this issue.  Nelson will inform the Board if any issues arise from weeds not native to the area brought in by the flood. 

Jared Moyer spoke with the Board about necessary terrace repairs on the County farm ground.  Motion by Hickey to begin the bidding process for the repairs.  Motion carried unanimously.   

Moyer also requested the Board consider changing the due date for bidding of the County Farm Lease.  Moyer stated a November 1^st bid due date would be more practical for planning purposes.  Under the current process, bids are due in February.  Motion by Hickey to change the bid due date to November 1^st.  Motion carried unanimously.

EMC Mike Crecelius met with the board regarding the evacuation order release and reentry plan. Crecelius stated much of the County is still under water and inaccessible.  Crecelius briefly discussed the September 23^rd FEMA deadline as extensions will need to be applied for in areas that are still under flood water.  Crecelius suggested leaving the evacuation order in place.   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. 

Motion by Graham to table the debris removal for homes as the county attorney prepares the information. Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion made by Hickey to approve the Class C Beer, Class B Native Wine, and Sunday Sales Liquor License for Sidney Foods. Motion carried unanimously 

Motion made by Sheldon to approve the Class B Native Wine/Sunday Sales Liquor License for Southern Loess Hills Welcome Center. Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion by Sheldon to approve resolution to appoint part time employee at the golf course.  Motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2019-50

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Fremont County Board of Supervisors this 28th day of August 2019, that Shane Pitts shall be appointed as golf course part-time seasonal help, as requested by Fremont County Conservation Board.  The effective date of employment shall be August 29th, 2019.

Motion to approve made by Sheldon.

Approved this 28th day of August, 2019.
 

Motion by Hickey to approve the following tax abatement resolution for the City of Sidney. Motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2019-51

RESOLUTION ABATING TAXES ON LAND OWNED BY CITY OF SIDNEY

WHEREAS, the City of Sidney now owns certain property in Fremont County, Iowa, Parcel No. 280280101020000, described as: 400’ X 560’ Tract SE NW, Fremont County, Iowa, and Parcel No. 280280602030000, described as: .40AC Tract SW NE, Fremont County, Iowa according to the recorded plat thereof.

WHEREAS, the property is now owned by the City of Sidney and therefore should not be on the tax rolls according to Section 427.1(2), Code of Iowa,

IT IS HEREBY RESOLVED that the above described property shall be listed as exempt on the tax list of the Fremont County Auditor.  Further, all current and delinquent real property taxes are abated under Iowa Code Section 445.63.

BE IT FURTHER resolved that the Auditor and Treasurer shall enter such change orders required to abate these taxes.

Dated this 28th day of August, 2019. 

Motion to approve made by Hickey.
 

Greg Connell spoke with the Board regarding a possible investor in the Sapp Bros. area interested in making a 2.5 million dollar improvement with the assistance of an Urban Renewal Plan.   Motion by Sheldon to sign a Letter of Engagement with Ahlers & Cooney RE: Economic Development Agreement and Urban Renewal Plan.  Motion carried unanimously. 

Assistant Engineer Robbie Kromminga met with the board for a signing. Motion made by Sheldon to allow Chairman Hickey to sign IDOT payment voucher with HGM Associates for Engineering & Design costs for bridge replacement over Fisher Creek on Manti Rd.  Motion Carried Unanimously. 

Claims were approved for August 30, 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

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