Board of Supervisors Minutes
November 2018

November 6, 2018:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, November 6, 2018, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Hickey and Graham present. Hendrickson was not present for this meeting. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. The agenda was approved as posted. Minutes of the previous board session were read and approved. 

Also present for this meeting was Engineer Dan Davis and Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today. 

The board discussed the possibility issuing bonds on behalf of the Fremont County Landfill. The board would like to see the figures from the landfill to show that they can support the bond payments before moving ahead. They would also like to see the cities to go ahead with getting the ordinances in place as additional assurance. Auditor Owen will let New Era Tax & Accounting know what the board would like to see.   

Jeff Shirley Safety Coordinator spoke to the board about our most recent report from IMWCA. He would like to see the safety committee look at incidents and review them. In the last few years, the safety and accountability has increased, the county has seen a $60,000 premium decrease, and a decrease in lost time claims. These are just a few of the trend improvements. Shirley would like the board to make his position official with a resolution at the suggestion of IMWCA. He is also proposing an $8,000 wage or stipend. The state auditor said that the wage that the board decided on could be paid from basically anywhere if it is budgeted. Motion by Hickey to table this item until next week for further consideration. Motion carried unanimously. 

Auditor Dee Owen presented the board with the new Family Farm Applications for 2018 from the assessor. Motion made by Graham to approve the applications. Motion carried unanimously. 

At 9:29 a.m., Graham made a motion to go into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 20.17(3). Vote: Hickey, aye; Graham, aye. Present were Chairman Randy Hickey, Vice Chairman Terry Graham, Auditor Dee Owen, Engineer Dan Davis, and Jack Reed of INCS.  At 9:30 a.m., the board went into closed session. At 10:18 a.m., Engineer Davis exited the meeting. At 10:30 a.m., motion was made by Hickey to go out of closed session. Vote: Hickey, aye; Graham, aye. 

The Recorder’s Monthly Report for October was approved. 

Claims were approved for November 9, 2018. 

At 10:33 a.m., there being no further business, Hickey made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.

ATTEST:  

November 8, 2018:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in special session on Thursday, November 8, 2018, in the Mills County Courthouse Boardroom with Hickey and Graham present. Let the records show Hendrickson was not present for this meeting. A quorum was declared.

Those present for the East/West Nishnabotna River CDBG meeting were as follows: Fremont County Supervisors Rand Hickey, Terry Graham, Rick Wilson from JEO Consulting, Alexis Fleener and Cara Morgan from Golden Hills RC&D, Mills County Attorney Naeda Elliott, Grant Anderson – MAPA, Nick Johnson – Mills County Attorney’s office. Rick Wilson presented the contract with JEO for the scope of the work. Naeda Elliott stated there were only a few changes made in the contract. Mills County will sign the West Nishnabotna River watershed project master service agreement with JEO consulting for design in the amount of $3,955,865. Motion by Mayberry seconded by Vinton to authorize the chair to sign the agreement.

Motion carried on a vote: Ayes: 3 Nays: 0

Motion by Graham seconded by Hickey of Fremont County to authorize Hickey to sign the East Nishnabotna River CDBG project with JEO Consulting.

Motion carried on a vote: Ayes: 2 Nays: 0

There being no further business to come before the Board, they adjourned.

/s/ Richard Crouch, Chair

ATTEST:

/s/ Carol Robertson, Auditor

November, 13, 2018:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, November 13, 2018, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Hickey and Graham present. Hendrickson was not present at the start of this meeting. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. The agenda was approved as posted. Minutes of the previous board session were read and approved. 

Also present for this meeting was Engineer Dan Davis, Safety Coordinator Jeff Shirley, Tom Shull, Casey Moyer, Lisa Irvin, Becca Castle, and Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today. 

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

At 9:04 a.m., Supervisor Hendrickson joined the meeting by telephone. 

Tom Shull, Casey Moyer, and Lisa Irvin with Fremont County Landfill met with the board regarding the possibility of issuing bonds for the landfill. Irvin presented a report with the options for issuing the bonds. The plan shows interest only payments until 2021/2022 which is when the 2014 Series will be paid off. This includes an expansion lasting for just under 10 years. At that time, they will be looking at another expansion. Irvin’s projections showed that the landfill should have no problem making the bond payments. Hendrickson pointed out that they will still be in debt when they have to start the next project. The board will consider this matter again after the landfill commission meets tonight. 

Becca Castle with Golden Hills RC & D met with the board regarding a resolution to adopt the RTCA Trails Maps & pursue their implementation. She previously met with the board on August 7^th regarding this matter. She presented maps of hard surface trails and soft surface trails throughout the county. The resolution is non-specific on purpose just to show that the county supports these trails and moving forward on the project. Engineer Davis question the signage and if there would be doubling up on signs on some routes like the Lewis & Clark today route. Castle didn’t believe there would be a need for duplicate signage on that route. Graham would like to see our local road department employees used to do some of the work on the trails. Davis stated that it could be done, but we may have trouble with how much land you can acquire for trails or improvements. Motion made by Graham to approve the resolution. Motion made by Graham to approve the resolution. Motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2018-61

RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE RTCA TRAILS MAPS AND PURSUE THEIR IMPLEMENTATION

WHEREAS, the Fremont County Board of Supervisors is interested in the economic development and quality of life in Fremont County; and

WHEREAS, the addition of recreational trails will help contribute to the economic development and quality of life by bringing in tourists and retaining and attracting residents; and

WHEREAS, the National Park Service and Golden Hills RC&D has convened widespread public input sessions within the county through the River, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program; and

WHEREAS, the maps produced from the RTCA planning process reflect the desires of Fremont County residents to have a more well-connected active transportation network;

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, that the Fremont County Board of Supervisors recognizes these maps as an element of their comprehensive plan and will support their implementation when future developments are being considered; and will support a Steering Committee’s development of a comprehensive written plan to accompany the maps.

Approved: November 13, 2018
 

The board considered the position of safety coordinator. Jeff Shirley who currently works at the roads department has been acting safety coordinator for quite some time. He requested compensation for this position in addition to his wage at the road department as he is performing extra duties. Graham suggested that for the remainder of the year Shirley be compensated $2,000 from County Betterment Funds. He stated at budget time the board will budget out of their department $4,000 for the safety coordinator position. Hendrickson questioned whether it needed to be offered to other employees. In checking prior to the meeting, Jack Reed with INCS said that it didn’t need to be offered as Shirley has been in that position for a couple of years at least. Motion by Graham to sign the resolution appointing Jeff Shirley Safety Coordinator. Motion carried unanimously. Motion by Graham to approve the $2,000 for the remainder of 2018/2019 and then $4,000 per year to be budgeted in the supervisor’s department for the safety position. Motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2018-62

BE IT HEREBY RESOLVED by the Fremont County Board of Supervisors this 13th day of November, 2018, that Jeff Shirley be appointed the Safety Coordinator for Fremont County, who will answer to the Fremont County Board of Supervisors for direction and advisement.

Motion to approve made by Graham, seconded by Hickey.
 

Motion by Graham to table item regarding county held tax certificates 2013-0309, 2014-0310, and 2014-0311 as Mike and Murl Dovel were not present for the meeting. Motion carried unanimously. 

The board discussed the 2018/2019 budget amendment. The amendment will include an adjustment to sanitarian salary. It also includes the school resource officer salary as previously discussed. Much of the amendment is for the ISICS Radio Project & bonds.  

Engineer Davis met with the board for several items. He discussed the request from the City of Randolph to make Depot Street a farm-to-market road. He is against having additions to the farm-to-market road system in Fremont County. Any additional farm-to-market roads would have to be approved by the farm-to-market board. Motion made by Graham that Depot Street is not to be classified as a farm-to-market road. Motion carried unanimously.  

Motion made by Graham to allow Chairman Hickey to sign agreement with HGM Associates for engineering & design services on bridge replacement on 250th Avenue, 1.2 miles south of J-24. Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion made by Graham to sign resolution to revise Fremont County 2019 5-Year Road Program. Motion carried unanimously. 

Claims were approved for November 16, 2018. 

At 10:11 a.m., there being no further business, Graham made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                Randy Hickey, Chairman 

November 14, 2018:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in special session on Wednesday, November 14, 2018, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom for the canvass of the 2018 General Election, with Hickey and Graham present. Let the records show Hendrickson was not present for this meeting. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. The agenda was approved as posted. 

At 9:00 a.m. the Board of Supervisors, concurring with the County Auditor, held the official canvass of votes cast in the November 6, 2018 General Election.  The Board declared the following elected on a county level:    

County Supervisors:  Randy Hickey and Dustin Sheldon; County Treasurer:  Alise Snyder; County Recorder:  Jennifer McAllister; County Attorney: Naeda Elliott. 

Township Trustees and Clerks:

Elected Soil and Water Conservation Commissioners: (2) Phil Wing & Carl Jardon 

Elected County Agricultural Extension Council: (4) Colleen Crom, Brian Langner, Kayla Walter, Tiffany Doyle, and Randy A. Owen.  

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

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                Randy Hickey, Chairman

November 20, 2018:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, November 20, 2018, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Hickey, Graham, and Hendrickson present. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Motion made by Hendrickson to amend the agenda to include a bill from Page County for Johnson Run Drainage District. The agenda was approved as amended. Minutes of the previous regular & special board sessions and the special session were read and approved. 

Also present for this meeting were Sandy Parmenter with Valley News Today, Engineer Dan Davis, Dustin Sheldon, & Casey Moyer.  

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

The Fremont County Landfill Commission met in special session on Monday, November 19, 2018, regarding the issuance of bonds. Casey Moyer stated that they voted at the meeting last night to bond with the interest only option for the bonds. Hendrickson stated that also at the meeting the commission approved an independent study regarding what direction the landfill should go. They will have their initial report by their next meeting in December. The final report would take a bit longer. Hendrickson doesn’t think the board should go ahead with the bonds until the study is done. Graham says the company they are paying now is the liaison for the landfill and the DNR. They are an independent entity. Moyer stated that they need to get the process started. He is running out of airspace. Hendrickson questioned if they could wait as winter is coming. Moyer stated that going ahead with bonds would ensure that the plans get drawn up and get the project underway. Motion by Graham to allow the landfill commission to move forward with bonding. Hickey, aye. Graham, aye. Hendrickson, nay. After much discussion, Hickey reiterated that the board voted to allow the landfill to go ahead with the bond process. 

Motion made by Hendrickson to table the resolution regarding a commercial hauler ordinance for the county. Motion carried unanimously. 

Engineer Dan Davis met with the board regarding a new patrol shed in Farragut. He stated he really needs to do all of them. There is one in Hamburg, Imogene, Randolph, Thurman, and Farragut. Davis said he would be willing to take it from his buildings and grounds budget. If we had county betterment, he would also appreciate that. Davis thought this could be towards the spring. Hickey made a motion to go ahead with the project. Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion made by Graham to approve the resolution to appoint a temporary special prosecutor for November 28th and 29th as the new County Attorney Naeda Elliott will be sworn in this week. She will need Attorney Brenna Bird to assist with two cases that Bird has already prepared. Motion carried unanimously.

RESOLUTION NO. 2018-63

WHEREAS, Brenna Bird was appointed Fremont County Attorney on November 8, 2016 to fill the vacancy created by the resignation of the previous county attorney;

WHEREAS, Naeda Elliott was elected to the position of Fremont County Attorney and plans to take the oath of office on November 21, 2018;

WHEREAS, in the interests of a smooth transition, a Special Prosecutor is required for previously scheduled hearings on both November 28 and 29, 2018;

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE FREMONT COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS that Brenna Bird is appointed Special Prosecutor pursuant to Iowa code Section 331.754 for the cases set on the docket for the Juvenile Court on November 28, 2018 and the cases set on the Magistrate Court docket on November 29, 2018 and with reasonable attorney fees and expenses as authorized by the District Court.

Dated this 20th day of November, 2018.

Motion by Graham and carried unanimously.
 

Motion by Hendrickson to approve a bill from RC Tree Service not to exceed $5,500 regarding Johnson Run Drainage District maintenance. Page County has already approved this expense. Motion carried unanimously. 

At 9:30 a.m., Hendrickson made the motion to go into closed session pursuant to Iowa Code 21.5(1)(c) in a matter where litigation is imminent. Vote: Hickey, aye; Graham, aye; Hendrickson, aye.  Present were Chairman Randy Hickey, Vice Chairman Terry Graham, Member Earl Hendrickson, Attorney Brenna Bird, IT Arnold Emberton, and Auditor Dee Owen were present. Madsen was present by phone.  At 9:30 a.m., the board went into closed session. At 9:31 a.m., the board called Kris Madsen of Stuart Tinley Law Firm on the telephone. At 9:50 a.m., Kris Madsen terminated the phone call. At 9:50 a.m., motion was made by Hendrickson to go out of closed session. Vote: Hickey, aye; Graham, aye; Hendrickson, aye. 

Claims were approved for November 23, 2018. 

At 9:51 a.m., there being no further business, Graham made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.

ATTEST:

November 27, 2018:

The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Hickey, Graham, and Hendrickson present. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. The agenda was approved as posted. Minutes of the previous regular board sessions were read and approved. 

Also present for this meeting were Sandy Parmenter with Valley News Today, Engineer Dan Davis, & Dustin Sheldon. 

Motion made by Hendrickson to approve and allow Chairman Hickey to sign the agreement with Shenandoah Chamber and Industry Association for economic development services. Motion carried unanimously. 

Motion made by Hendrickson to allow Chairman Hickey to sign the IDOT payment voucher with McClure Engineering Company for construction inspection administrative costs on Project #BRS-CO36(76) - - 60-36. Motion carried unanimously. 

Engineer Dan Davis spoke to the board about possible funds that the federal government may be providing for bridge projects. They would be bundling our funds with Page County if we receive them. This is a one-time funding project from the government. 

Claims were approved for November 30, 2018. 

At 9:10 a.m., there being no further business, Hendrickson made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.

ATTEST:

Fremont County Auditor                                                                                Randy Hickey, Chairman

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