Minutes - 2/19/2002

FEBRUARY 19, 2002THIRTY-SECOND MEETING OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, February 19, 2002 at 9:00 A.M. Board members present were Boykin, Clausen, Walish and Welte; Batcheller was absent. Staff members present were Karen James, Board Administrative Coordinator, Patrick F. Gill, Auditor/Clerk to the Board, and John Rusch, Board Legal Counsel.

The Claims were approved as presented. Copy filed.

Meeting called to order.

Motion by Boykin second by Welte to approve the Board minutes of February 12, 2002 as submitted. Carried 4-0.

The Board approved the reclassification of Pamela J. Westra, Motor Vehicle Clerk II, County Treasurer Dept., @$11.03/hr., effective 2-23-02. per AFSCME Court House Contract agreement, from Grade 4, Step 2 to Grade 4, Step 3. Copy filed.

Motion by Boykin second by Welte to approve the request of Ronald Brandt, Environmental Technician, Siouxland District Health Department retiree, to remain on the Woodbury County health insurance plan at his own expense. Carried 4-0. Copy filed.

Georgia Schieffer discussed General Relief Work Program with the Board.

Motion by Walish second by Welte to award the contract for maintenance culvert pipe to Northern Iowa Construction Products of Cedar Falls, per recommendation of the county engineer. Carried 4-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Welte second by Boykin to receive the quotes for concrete pavement replacement on Route K-64 and accept the quote of Ten Point Construction of Denison, IA, subject to the review and recommendation of the county engineer. Carried 4-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Welte second by Walish to approve and receive for signatures Resolution No. 9454 opposing Iowa Chamber Alliance proposal to change road use tax fund distribution formula. Carried 4-0.

Resolution No. 9454

RESOLUTION

Whereas the Iowa Chamber Alliance is promoting a proposal to change the Road Use Tax Fund Distribution Formula to increase the citys share from 20 to 25 percent, to increase the states share from 47.5 to 50 percent, and to decrease the countys share from 32.5 to 25 percent, and to change the basis for the division of the countys share from area and needs to population,

And Whereas we foresee that if this proposal is successful, it will result in dramatic changes to funding levels for County Secondary Road Departments, affecting the ability to provide maintenance and construction services on Secondary Roads,

And Whereas the County Secondary Road System is vitally important with respect to providing a transportation system that serves the needs of the agricultural industry, and provides safe travel routes for school buses, mail carriers, rural residents, and the traveling public,

And Whereas the continued upkeep of the rural roads is so very important that funding levels cannot be shifted away from them.

Be It Therefore Resolved that the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors oppose the Iowa Chamber Alliance proposal in the initial form that it has been presented.
Passed and Approved on this 19th day of February, 2002.

WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Copy filed.

There was a discussion of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers proposal on Draft Implementation Plan on the operation of the Missouri River main stem reservoir system and its effect on Woodbury County.

Chad Smith, Bill Beacom, Al Sturgeon, Skip Miesner and Kevin Knepper expressed their opinions of the Corps plan to the Board of Supervisors.

Motion by Welte second by Boykin to approve and authorize the Chairman to sign a resolution urging the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to reconsider its Draft Implementation Plan for the final biological opinion on the operation of the Missouri River main stem reservoir system and address identified problems. Carried 4-0.

RESOLUTION NO. 9455

RESOLUTION URGING THE UNITED STATES ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS TO RECONSIDER ITS DRAFT IMPLEMENTATION PLAN FOR THE FINAL BIOLOGICAL OPINION ON THE OPERATION OF THE MISSOURI RIVER MAIN STEM RESERVOIR SYSTEM AND ADDRESS IDENTIFIED PROBLEMS

WHEREAS, the United States Army Corps of Engineers has proposed to release higher than normal flows down the Missouri River in the spring and fall and release substantially lower flows in the summer; and

WHEREAS, the proposed changes will damage property, the economy and the recreational uses of the Missouri River in communities downstream from Gavins Point Dam in Yankton, South Dakota; and

WHEREAS, changes in Missouri River water levels could move nearby contaminants to Sioux Citys well fields and result in a loss of public drinking water supplies and create a danger to public health; and

WHEREAS, valuable farmland will be exposed to potential flooding, drainage problems and adverse groundwater conditions; and

WHEREAS, the elimination of navigation on the Missouri River would shift transportation to rail and trucks, resulting higher transportation costs and straining the ground transportation infrastructure; and

WHEREAS, reduced summer flows jeopardize electric power supply during peak usage months; and

WHEREAS, vaguely defined adaptive management plans could circumvent opportunities for public review and input regarding river management plans.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, by the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors, that the United States Corps of Engineers be urged to reconsider and address and solve the aforementioned problems before implementing the proposed changes in the Draft Implementation Plan

PASSED AND APPROVED: 19th day of February, 2002

WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Copy filed.

Woodbury County Sheriff Dave Amick presented to the Board the chief jail inspectors answer to the countys variance request. Copy filed.

The Board discussed change orders for Courthouse Restoration Phase IV.

Motion by Boykin second by Welte to authorize the Chairman to sign Courthouse Restoration Phase IV Change Orders #3, #4, #5 and #6. Carried 4-0. Copy filed.

The Board discussed the Woodbury County Compensation Board recommendations regarding the salaries of elected officials.

Motion by Boykin second by Walish to approve the Woodbury County Compensation Board FY 2002/2003 salary recommendations. Carried 4-0. Copy filed.

The Board discussed fiscal year 2003 budget.

Motion by Boykin second by Walish to approve the publication of fiscal year 2003 budget. Carried 3-1, Welte opposed. Copy filed.

The Chairman asked if there were any individual or group wishing to make a presentation of items not on the agenda or Supervisors concerns.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting until February 26, 2002.