Minutes - 1/28/2025

JANUARY 28, 2025, FIFTH MEETING OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS 

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, January 28, 2025, at 2:30 p.m.  Board members present were Ung, Carper, Nelson, Dietrich (by phone), 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. 

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to go into closed session per Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c).  Carried 4-0 on roll-call vote.

Supervisor Carper entered the meeting at 2:55pm. 

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to go out of closed session per Iowa Code Section 21.5(1)(c).  Carried 5-0 on roll-call vote.

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 Nelson to approve the agenda for January 28, 2025, with an amendment to change item 10.6.b. from “E911” to “Woodbury County Communications Center”. Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

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

To approve minutes of the January 21, 2025 meeting.  Copy filed.

To approve minutes of the January 17, 2025 meeting.  Copy filed.
        
To approve the claims totaling $905,740.69.  Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a revised Resolution #13,827 establishing a County Compensation Board.  

RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING A COUNTY COMPENSATION BOARD
RESOLUTION #13,828

A resolution by Woodbury County to establish a County Compensation Board as authorized by Iowa Code Section 331.905

WHEREAS, pursuant to Iowa Code Section 331.905, as amended in 2024 by Senate File 2442, the county Board of Supervisors may vote to establish a county compensation board;

WHEREAS, pursuant to this same code section, when the Board of Supervisors establishes a County Compensation Board, the compensation board shall be comprised of six members who are residents of the county. Two members shall be appointed by the Board of Supervisors, one member each by the County Auditor Recorder, County Attorney, County Treasurer, and the County Sheriff. The members of the County Compensation Board shall not be officers or employees of the state or a political subdivision of the state and shall serve staggered terms;

WHEREAS, lots were drawn to determine the duration of initial staggered terms for members of the county compensation board;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, Woodbury County hereby establishes a County Compensation Board for the county; 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, Woodbury County directs each of the elected officials to submit their respective appointments to the Board of Supervisors by__February 4________, 2025;

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Auditor, Sheriff and one Board representative shall serve an initial term of four years, and the Attorney, Treasurer and one Board representative shall serve an initial term of two years in synch with the elected officials’ term. 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, this resolution shall apply retroactively to July 1, 2024.

HEREBY RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors for Woodbury County on this 28st day of January, 2025.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

To approve the separation of Nathan Farley, Equipment Operator, Secondary Roads Dept., effective 01-22-2025.  Separation.; and the appointment of Drew Bockenstedt, % Deputy, County Attorney Dept., effective 02-17-2025, $149,955.60/year.  Per County Attorney.  Appointed 85% Deputy.  Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign the Authorization to initiate the hiring process for Equipment Operator, Secondary Roads Dept.  CWA Roads:  $27.04/hour.  Copy filed.

To approve the requests of Randy Uhl to remain on county health insurance and Mary Feiler to remain on county health and dental insurance.  Copy filed.

To approve the Woodbury County’s property insurance with ICAP.  Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution setting the public hearing and sale date for parcel #894721355016, 410 18th St.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #13,829
NOTICE OF PROPERTY SALE

WHEREAS Woodbury County, Iowa was the owner under a tax deed of a certain parcel of real estate described as:

East 54 Feet Lot One (1), East 54 Feet North One (1) Foot, Lot Two (2) Block Seven (7) of Rose Hill Addition, City of Sioux City, Woodbury County, Iowa 
(410 18th Street)

NOW THEREFORE, 
 
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County, Iowa as follows:

1.   That a public hearing on the aforesaid proposal shall be held on
The 11th Day of February, 2025 at 4:35 o’clock p.m. in the basement of the   
Woodbury County Courthouse. 
      
2.   That said Board proposes to sell the said parcel of real estate at a
public auction to be held on the 11th Day of February, 2025, immediately
following the closing of the public hearing.
      
3.  That said Board proposes to sell the said real estate to the highest
bidder at or above a total minimum bid of $1.00 plus recording fees. 

4.  That this resolution, preceded by the caption "Notice of Property Sale"
and except for this subparagraph 4 be published as notice of the
aforesaid proposal, hearing and sale. 
 
Dated this 28th Day of January, 2025.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

To approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a Resolution setting the public hearing and sale date for parcel #894726105001, 2910 13th St.

WOODBURY COUNTY, IOWA
RESOLUTION #13,830
NOTICE OF PROPERTY SALE

WHEREAS Woodbury County, Iowa was the owner under a tax deed of a certain parcel of real estate described as:

Lots Seven (7) through Twelve (12), both inclusive, in Block Nine (9) of Booge and Taylor’s Addition to Sioux City in the County of Woodbury and State of Iowa 
(2910 13th Street)

NOW THEREFORE, 
 
BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Woodbury County, Iowa as follows:

1.   That a public hearing on the aforesaid proposal shall be held on
The 11th Day of February, 2025 at 4:37 o’clock p.m. in the basement of the   
Woodbury County Courthouse. 
      
2.   That said Board proposes to sell the said parcel of real estate at a
public auction to be held on the 11th Day of February, 2025, immediately
following the closing of the public hearing.

3.  That said Board proposes to sell the said real estate to the highest
bidder at or above a total minimum bid of $426.00 plus recording fees. 
      
4.  That this resolution, preceded by the caption "Notice of Property Sale"
and except for this subparagraph 4 be published as notice of the
aforesaid proposal, hearing and sale. 

Dated this 28th Day of January, 2025.
WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Copy filed.

To approve the underground utility permit for MidAmerican Energy Company.  Copy filed.

Carried 5-0.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to approve $145,636 of Opioid Remediation Settlement for the creation of a Public Health Date Analyst position.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to receive a letter of support. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to approve the final voucher for project #ER-C097(138)—58-97 with Iowa Civil Contracting.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Proposed capital improvement request information was presented by Auditor Skaff. Copy filed.

Proposed capital improvement request information was presented by Building Services Director Kenny Schmitz. Copy filed.

Proposed capital improvement request information was presented by Conservation Director Dan Heissel.
    
Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to receive supplemental information from Director Heissel. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Proposed capital improvement request information was presented by District Health Director Kevin Grieme. Copy filed.

Proposed capital improvement request information was presented by Emergency Services Director Drew Baier. Copy filed.

Proposed capital improvement request information was presented by Human Resources Director Melissa Thomas. Copy filed.

Proposed capital improvement request information was presented by Secondary Roads Director Laura Sievers. Copy filed.

Proposed capital improvement request information was presented by Chief Deputy Tony Wingert and Captain Todd Peterson. Copy filed.

Proposed capital improvement request information was presented by Treasurer Tina Bertrand. Copy filed.

Proposed capital improvement request information was presented by WCICC Network Manager Doug Bock. Copy filed.

Proposed staffing improvement request was presented by Planning/Zoning Coordinator Dan Priestley. Copy filed.

Proposed staffing improvement request was presented by Sheriff Chad Sheehan.  Copy filed.

Proposed staffing improvement request was presented by Treasurer Tina Bertrand. Copy filed.

Proposed staffing improvement request was presented by Emergency Services Director Drew Baier. Copy filed.

Proposed staffing improvement request was presented by Veteran Affairs Director Loni Kuhlmann. Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to receive a letter of support from Director Kuhlmann. Carried 5-0. Copy filed. 

Proposed staffing improvement request was presented by WCICC Communication Center Wendi Hess. Copy filed.

Motion by Ung second by Nelson to receive the Recorder budget with a $800 increase in revenue.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to receive the Recorders Management budget as submitted.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to receive the Auditor budget as submitted.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to receive the Elections Administration budget as submitted.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Carper to receive the Election City/School budget as submitted.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to receive the Election City Primary budget as submitted.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Ung to receive the Election General Primary budget as submitted.  Carried 5-0.  Copy filed.

Reports on committee meetings were heard.

Treasurer Bertrand commented on the transparency of the CIP presentations.

Board Concerns were heard.

The Board adjourned the regular meeting until February 4, 2025.

Meeting sign in sheet.  Copy filed.