Minutes - 1/7/2025

JANUARY 7, 2025, SECOND MEETING OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 4:30 p.m.  Board members present were Ung, Carper, Nelson, Dietrich, and Bittinger II. Staff members present were Joshua Widman, Assistant County Attorney, Karen James, Board Administrative Assistant, Melissa Thomas, Human Resources Director, and Michelle Skaff, 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 Bittinger second by Dietrich to approve the agenda for January 7, 2025. Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the following items by consent:

To approve minutes of the December 31, 2024, meeting.  Copy filed.

To approve minutes of the January 2, 2025, meeting.  Copy filed.

To approve the claims totaling $852,986.48.  Copy filed.

To receive the appointment of Randy Hunt, 2836 Eastland Ave, Salix, as Garretson Drainage District (Sub District #3) to fill the vacancy previously held by Lee Haveman, until the January 18, 2025 Drainage election.  Copy filed.

To approve the reclassification of Susan Ahlquist, Bookkeeper/Clerk III, County Treasurer Dept., effective 12-27-2024, $28.72/hour, 0%.  Per County Treasurer. Position Change in Accordance with 2020 Contract.; the separation of Hannah Kritzer, Intern - Temp, County Sheriff Dept., effective 12-31-24.  Resignation.; the transfer of Daniel Bittinger, Board Chairman, Board of Supervisors Dept., effective 01-02-2025, $49,965.32/year, 19%=$7,998.20/year.  Transfer from Board Member to Chairman.; the transfer of Mark Nelson, Board Vice Chair, Board of Supervisors Dept., effective 01-02-2025, $41,967.00/year, 0%.  Transfer from Board Member to Vice Chair.; the transfer of Matthew Ung, Board Member, Board of Supervisors Dept., effective 01-02-2025, $41,967.00/year, 19%=($7,988.20)/year.  Transfer from Chairman to Board Member.; the reclassification of Isaac Martindale, District Foreman, Secondary Roads Dept., effective 01-06-2025, $3,216.22/bi-weekly, 2%=$67.86/bi-weekly.  Per Wage Plan Matrix – 4 Year Increase. Anniversary Date: 1/8/2025..; the reclassification of James Grell, Equipment Operator – Sign Tech, Secondary Roads Dept., effective 01-06-2025, $29.28/hour, 1%=$0.30/hour.  Per CWA: From Step 3 to Step 4.  Anniversary Date 1/11/25.; the reclassification of Scott Griffith, Clerk II, County Treasurer Dept., effective 01-06-2025, $21.14/hour, 5%=$1.00/hr.  Per AFSCME: From Step 2 to Step 3.  Anniversary Date: 1/11/2025..; the reclassification of Trevor Brass, Assistant County Attorney, County Attorney Dept., effective 01-06-2025, $110,591.00/year, 4%=$3,989.00/year.  Per AFSCME: From Step 6 to Step 7.  Anniversary 1/15/2025.; and the separation of Adam Little, Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept., effective 01-30-2025.  Resignation.  Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign the Authorization to initiate the hiring process for Civilian Jailer, County Sheriff Dept.  AFSCME Civilian:  $24.57/hour.  Copy filed.

To approve the deauthorization of MV-Cashier: -1.0, County Treasurer Dept.  Copy filed.

To approve authorization of Bookkeeper/Clerk III in the Treasurer’s Office to facilitate a position name change.

To receive for signatures a Resolution thanking and commending Barbara Parker for her service to Woodbury County.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #13,820
A RESOLUTION THANKING AND COMMENDING
BARBARA PARKER
FRO HER SERVICE TO WOODBURY COUNTY

WHEREAS, Barbara Parker has capably served Woodbury County as a member of the Zoning Commission for ten years from 2015 to 2024; and

WHEREAS, the service given by Barbara Parker has been characterized as exemplary by her dedication to the best interests of the citizens of Woodbury County; and

WHEREAS, Barbara Parker has contributed to the betterment of the county by hearing and deciding on matters related to county zoning, including subdivisions, zoning ordinance map and text amendments, and conditional uses; and

WHEREAS, notable actions made by the Zoning Commission during Barbara Parker's tenure include the review and recommendation of numerous developments, public and private infrastructure improvements, and various county ordinances to improve the quality of life for residents and businesses throughout Woodbury County; and  

NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA that the undersigned members of the Board hereby thanks and commends Barbara Parker for her years of service to Woodbury County; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that it is the wish of all those signing below that the future hold only the best for this very deserving person, Barbara Parker.

BE IT SO RESOLVED this 7th day of January 2025.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution Construction Evaluation relation to construction permits for large animal confinement operations.

RESOLUTION #13,821
CONSTRUCTION EVALUATION RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Iowa Code section 459.304(3) sets out the procedure if a board of supervisors wishes to adopt a “construction evaluation resolution” relating to the construction of a confinement feeding operation structure; and

WHEREAS, only counties that have adopted a construction evaluation resolution can submit to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) an adopted recommendation to approve or disapprove a construction permit application regarding a proposed confinement feeding operation structure; and

WHEREAS, only counties that have adopted a construction evaluation resolution and submitted an adopted recommendation may contest the DNR’s decision regarding a specific application; and 

WHEREAS, by adopting a construction evaluation resolution the board of supervisors agrees to evaluate every construction permit application for a proposed confinement feeding operation structure received by the board of supervisors between February 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026 and submit an adopted recommendation regarding that application to the DNR; and 

WHEREAS, the board of supervisors must conduct an evaluation of every construction permit application using the master matrix created in Iowa Code section 459.305, but the board’s recommendation to the DNR may be based on the final score on the master matrix or may be based on reasons other than the final score on the master matrix;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS OF WOODBURY COUNTY that the Board of Supervisors hereby adopts this construction evaluation resolution pursuant to Iowa Code section 459.304(3).  

WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Carried 5-0.

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to receive for signatures a Resolution of proclamation for National Human Trafficking Prevention Month.  Carried 5-0.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #13,822
PROCLAMATION FOR NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH

WHEREAS,    the United States was founded upon the principle that all people are created with 
                         the inalienable right to freedom, and added the 13th amendment to the 
                         Constitution making slavery illegal; and
    
WHEREAS,    slavery within the United States today is most often found in the form of forced 
                         labor and sex trafficking, which weakens our social fabric, increases violence and 
                         organized crime, and debases our humanity; and
 
WHEREAS,    this problem is found even within our community; and
 
WHEREAS,    every business, community organization, faith community, family and individual 
                         can make a difference by choosing products that are not made by forced labor; by 
                         working to protect our young people from sexual exploitation; by addressing the 
                         problems of internet sex trafficking and pornography; and by becoming more aware 
                        of the problem and possible solutions.

 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors do hereby proclaim the month of January, 2025 as
 
“NATIONAL HUMAN TRAFFICKING PREVENTION MONTH”
in Woodbury County, Iowa and urge all citizens to become more familiar with 
the problem and to work towards solutions.

WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Nate Summers, UMB Bank, presented a financial and debt overview.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to receive report from Mr. Summers. Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Ung second by Carper to approve the Engagement Letter for UMB to serve as the county’s municipal advisor.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to approve the FY24 CIP project for sidewalk replacement at 1014 Nebraska St.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Carper to approve 3-year Term Elevator Contract with Kone dated November 26th, 2024.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to approve the Farm Lease Cash Rent with Kyle Schneckloth for 3 crop years from March 1, 2025 thru December 1, 2027.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to receive for signatures a Speed Limit on Elk Creek Road resolution.  Carried 5-0.

SPEED LIMIT RESOLUTION
ELK CREEK ROAD
RESOLUTION #13,823

WHEREAS:    The Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County is empowered under the authority of sections 321.255 and 321.285, subsection 4 of the Code of Iowa to determine upon the basis of an engineering and traffic investigation conducted by the County Engineer that the speed limit of any secondary road is greater than is reasonable and proper under the conditions existing, and may determine and declare a reasonable and proper speed limit, and

WHEREAS:    Such investigation has been requested and completed and the County Engineer has reached an opinion concerning the reasonable and proper speed for the road listed herein,

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, by the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors that the following speed limit be established, and appropriate signs erected at the locations described as follows:

1) Beginning at the intersection of Old Lakeport Road, then easterly 1200 feet, a speed limit of 35 miles per hour is established.

2) Beginning 1200 feet easterly of the intersection of Old Lakeport Road then southeast to the end of the pavement, a speed limit of 45 miles per hour is established. 

Speed limit shall be effective when appropriate signs giving notice of the speed limits are erected.

Passed and approved this 7th day of January 2025
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Ung to approve the appointment of Steve Corey to the Woodbury County Zoning Commission for a five-year term (2025 to 2029).  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to approve the appointment of Larry Fillipi to the Woodbury County Board of Adjustment for a five-year term (2025 to 2029).  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Reports on committee meetings were heard.

Steve Corey, 1757 290th St, spoke in support of the Lila Mae House and awareness of human trafficking.

Board Concerns were heard.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting until January 14, 2025.

Meeting sign in sheet.  Copy filed.