Minutes - 7/18/2023

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at 4:30 p.m.  Board members present were Nelson (by phone), Taylor, and Ung, Radig, and Bittinger II.  Staff members present were Karen James, Board Administrative Assistant, Melissa Thomas, Human Resources Director, Dennis Butler, Finance and Budget Director, Joshua Widman, Assistant County Attorney, and Michelle Skaff, Deputy Auditor/Clerk to the Board.

The regular meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Moment of Silence.
    
Motion by Ung second by Taylor to approve the agenda for July 18, 2023.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.
        
Motion by Radig second by Ung to approve the following items by consent:

To approve minutes of the July 11, 2023 meeting.  Copy filed.
    
To approve the claims totaling $307,950.27.  Copy filed.

To approve the separation of Kurtus Palsma, Temporary Engineering Aide, Secondary Roads Dept., effective 07-21-23. End of Temporary Work.; the reclassification of Michael Murray, P/T Courthouse Safety & Security Officer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 07-24-23, $21.65/hour, 5.5%=$1.13/hour.  Per Wage Plan comparability with AFSCME Courthouse Contract, from Grade 3/Step 3 to Grade 3/Step 4.;the appointment of Carlos Juarez, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 07-24-23, $23.97/hour.  Job Vacancy Posted 2-6-23.  Entry Level Salary:  $23.97/hour.; the appointment of Israel Mireles, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 7-24-23, $23.97/hour.  Job Vacancy Posted 2-6-23.  Entry Level Salary:  $23.97/hour.; the appointment of Jackson Newton, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 07-24-23, $23.97/hour.  Job Vacancy Posted 2-6-23.  Entry Level Salary:  $23.97/hour.; the appointment of Jose Perez, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 07-24-23, $23.97/hour.  Job Vacancy Posted 2-6-23.  Entry Level Salary:  $23.97/hour.; and the appointment of Lacey Clark, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 07-25-23, $23.97/hour.  Job Vacancy Posted 2-6-23.  Entry Level Salary:  $23.97/hour.  Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign the Authorization to initiate the hiring process for Equipment Operator, Secondary Roads Dept. CWA:  $26.63/hour.  Copy filed.

To approve the amended contract with Nebraska Probation with the rate change from $156 per day to $200 per day.  Copy filed.

Carried 5-0.

Motion by Taylor second by Bittinger to receive for signatures Resolution and Energy Policy and Growth for Woodbury County as is. Motion by Radig second by Ung to amend the motion to remove the section that states “Cost-effective energy rather than those that purport to be cost-effective but instead heavily subsidized with reliance on federal and state government program, which in reality are taxpayer dollars that “pick winners and losers.” and add “Land of Woodbury County” to the last section. Carried 5-0. Motion to amend the original motion passes 5-0.
Amended motion as amended passes 5-0.
    
Trisha Rivers, Sioux City, Alan McGaffin, Sioux City, Bob Fritzmeier, Sioux City, Renee Weinberg, Sioux City, Sikowis Nobiss, Great Plains Action Society, Daniel Hair, Hornick, Monica GoodDawn, Sioux City, Tom Treharne, NexteraEnergy Resources, Steve Mrla, Lawton, Mahmud Fitil, 2109 Vinton St, Joann Sadler, Correctionville, Doyle Turner, Moville,  Elizabeth Widman, 220th St,  Kim Alexander, Smithland, Steve Corey, Salix, addressed the board regarding the resolution and energy policy for growth in Woodbury County.

RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA:
RESOLUTION #13,646

WHEREAS, Woodbury County has a renewed interest in seeing our county grow for the benefit of  
families, residents, and future generations. In short, we want to grow the right way as stewards of                      
the land entrusted to us from our forebearers and leave our county an even better place to work,  
live and raise a family for future generations; and 

WHEREAS, During the past five years, the county has been confronted by several energy ideas 
that often seem shortsighted, trading short-term gain for the long-term pain that could degrade
the land, safety, private property rights, quality of life, and the true economic growth; and

THEREFORE, Woodbury County supports:
-    Economical and dependable forms of energy that have helped historically build America such as coal and natural gas and urges technologies that improve environmental stewardship and are not dependent on weather which has proven to cause shortages when needed most.
-    Recognizing the long-term sustainability of coal-fired electricity and the jobs necessary to support it at Port Neal.
-    Mindfulness for landowners and families who reside on the land over and above the interests of out-of-state companies and absentee landowners whose projects may negatively affect the quality of life and future economic prosperity.
-    An absolute right for private property land rights with a rejection of the use of eminent domain to force landowners to place pipelines, turbines, solar panels, or any other energy commodity of their land against their will and consent.
-    A commitment to land use that does not take productive ground out of agricultural production at a time when young farmers and true economic development needs a place to grow.
-    Free-market capitalism and market-driven technologies that from a taxation standpoint do not rely on abatements, incentives, credits, and other advantages over and above other industries.
-    The safety of citizens and families not subjecting residents to harm.
-    Technologies that truly steward the environment but not from supposed “green energy” that comes from China, is not biodegradable, is not founded on research/science, and does not meet a “common sense” threshold.
-    Energy industries that steward agricultural land and do not degrade the soil in such ways as erosion, compaction, water quality, and wildlife ecosystems and preserve our most valuable natural resource-the land of Woodbury County- for future generations.

SO DATED this 18th day of July, 2023.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Information was presented by Kenny Schmitz about Woodbury County Justice Center – Building Services Facility.  Copy filed.

The board reported on committee meetings.

Trisha Rivers, Sioux City, addressed the board regarding the emergency guardianship process.  

Jeff Crull, 1569 Benton Ave, and Judy Navarrete, 1556 Benton Ave, addressed the board regarding increased road use on Benton Avenue.

Motion by Taylor second by Bittinger to receive document from Mr. Crull. Carried 5-0. Copy filed. 

Tom Treharne, NexteraEnergy Resources, addressed the board.

Board concerns were heard.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting until July 25, 2023.

Meeting sign in sheet.  Copy filed.