Harrison County Supervisors Meeting January 16, 2025 Chairman Brian Rife called the meeting to order with member Tony Smith in attendance. Member Rebecca Wilkerson was in attendance via phone. Motion to approve the tentative agenda was made by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Previous minutes were approved on a motion by Smith, second by Rife. Motion Carried. Attendance: Taryn Wegner, Michelle Kersten, Sarah Delanty, Shelia Phillips, Thad Pothast, Brock Leaders, Paul J. Rhoten, Susan Bonham, Michele Stirtz, Deena Nelson, Laura Soetmelk, Steve Smith, Jack Jones, Aaron Hickman, and Judy Dick. Bank Reconciliation Treasurer Shelia Phillips presented the December bank reconciliations for Motor Vehicle and tax for the Board’s review. Depositories Treasurer Phillips presented the depositories for county funds. No changes were made to it from 2024. Investment Policy Treasurer Phillips presented the Investment Policy. No changes were made to it from 2024. Weed Commissioner Thad introduced Brock Leaders to the Board as the new Weed Commissioner for Harrison County. Leaders told the Board about his degree in Environmental Policy and Planning. Smith made a motion to appoint Leaders, seconded by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Grant Sponsor Thad Pothast presented information to the board about a grant they are receiving from the Southwest Iowa Community Foundation, to fund new handheld radios for Conservation. The Board was asked to be their fiscal sponsor for said grant. Smith made a motion to approve, seconded by Wilkerson. Motion carried. C & R Drainage District The Board met as Trustees for the C & R Drainage District. Michelle Kersten, Drainage Clerk, presented the Board with information and after discussion the following were approved: Approval of a contract with Midwest Mechanical Industrial Services LLC in the amount of $14,325.00 was unanimously approved on a motion by Tony Smith, seconded by Rebecca Wilkerson. Pay request #6 in the amount of $231,912.81 to Lieber Construction, Inc. was unanimously approved on a motion by Smith, seconded by Wilkerson. Harrison County Fair Board A representative did not show up, so it was decided to move this topic to next week’s agenda. Supervisor Rebecca Wilkerson ended the phone call, thus leaving the meeting at 9:13am. Comments Laura Soetmelk had concerns/questions about the new bypass in Missouri Valley. Michele Stirtz had concerns about people asking questions in the middle of the meeting instead of waiting for the Public Comment section. Engineer Department activities and project updates Struble had a presentation for the proposed Highway 30 Bypass in Missouri Valley and would like the Board to review the plans to make sure they don’t have any indifferences on the proposal. He discussed certain roads that have been patched but will need resurfacing/fixed in the summer, including Panora and 335th Street. They then discussed a large bump in the road West of Woodbine and thought the city should be in charge of paying for half of the repairs since it is within City limits. Sign plans for Easton Trail Resurfacing project Struble discussed signing the plans for the OttaSeal resurfacing Little Sioux to Pisgah project. Approve and sign Federal Block Grant application Struble described the road that this grant would cover. It will be a 5.7 mile stretch on Loess Hills Trail ending at Highway 127. The grant is requesting $700,000, which is 50% of the anticipated cost. Smith made a motion to approve, seconded by Rife. Review/Approve payout for retiree Dave Albers Struble presented a final payout for Dave Albers’ vacation and comp time in the amount of $9042.84. Smith made a motion to approve, seconded by Rife. With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned on a motion by Smith, second by Rife. Motion carried. ATTEST: Taryn Wegner, Deputy Auditor Brian Rife, Chairman January 23, 2025 Chairman Brian Rife called the meeting to order with members Tony Smith and Rebecca Wilkerson in attendance. Motion to approve the tentative agenda was made by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Previous minutes were approved on a motion by Smith, second by Rife. Motion Carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Paul J. Rhoten, Matt Pitt, Shelia Phillips, Lacey Ardery, Thad Pothast, Scott Nelson, Rashelle Wohlers, Susan Bonham, Stephanie Blackford, Danelle Myer, Aaron Hickman, Laura Soetmelk, Steve Smith, Judy Dick, Amber Nelson, Scott Ortiz, Trista McLaughlin, Renee King, Matt Gross, John Straight, Debbie Straight, Sarah Epperson, Matthew Soetmelk Zoning Public Hearing Chairman Rife opened the Zoning public hearings as advertised. Request for Brit Liljedahl to rezone 2 acres from A-1 to R-1. The property is described as part of the SW SW & SE SW section 11-78-45 Chairman Rife asked for comments, no comments were made. Smith made the motion to close zoning public hearing, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Smith made the motion to approve the zoning request from Brit Liljedahl as presented, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Master Matrix 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 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 HARRISON COUNTY that the Board of Supervisors hereby adopts this construction evaluation resolution pursuant to Iowa Code Section 459.304(3). Motion to approve made by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Handwritten Warrant The Board approved a handwritten warrant in the amount of $6,298.33 to US Bank. Motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Credit Card for Brock Leaders Director Thad Pothast presented the request for a credit card for the new County Weed Commissioner Brock Leaders. The board approved with a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Discussion on County Sales Tax Policy The board discussed the option of setting a sales tax policy. Members Wilkerson and Rife raised concerns about the amount of sales tax that is being paid on the credit card and claims process. The board agreed that working on a policy and giving notice to the departments would be beneficial. Discussion on Department Bank Reconciliation Chairman Rife discussed that it was brought to his attention that there are departments that have outside bank accounts that are not being presented to the board. He requested input on having those departments present their bank account reconciliations monthly similar to the Treasurer’s office. The board would like to see a policy on this. Harrison County Fair Board Trista McLaughlin presented the updates from the 2024 fair and the events that were held. She also updated the board on how the members are picked and how they can become members. She also requested funding in the amount of $24,500.00 which is the same amount for the past several years. The board took the request and will look at it during budget planning. Amendment to SWIPCO contract for Comprehensive Plan The board approved the amendment to the SWIPCO contract that was presented at the January 9th meeting. Motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Liquor License for Logan Missouri Valley Country Club All documents for the liquor license have been filed and the board approved the license with a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Board Appointments Board of Health – Lacey Ardery presented the board with the recommendation of Fran Hutson. She came to them highly recommended, and the department thinks she will be a great addition. Fran’s appointment was approved with a motion by Smtih, seconded by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Conservation –Conservation Director Thad Pothast presented the board with his recommendation. He said he had 5 applicants and interviewed all of them to discuss their interests and backgrounds. He felt that he had several good applicants and recommended them to all find ways to get involved with the conservation department. Pothast recommended Danelle Myer due to her strong background. Discussion was held on the opportunity to get new members and appoint someone other than Pothast’s recommendations. County Attorney Delanty recommended that the board follow the precedence that they set in the January 2nd meeting. Motion by Rife to appoint Myer, motion died due to lack of second. Matt Soetmelk was recommended by member Tony Smith. Motion by Smtih, second by Wilkerson. Director Pothast voiced his concerns with Smith’s recommendations. Smith Yay, Wilkerson Yay, Rife abstained motion carried. Board of Adjustments – Matt Pitt recommended the approval of Lynn Goodrich. Motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Planning and Zoning – Matt Pitt recommended Brit Liljedahl as the new member for the planning and zoning board. Motion by Smith, Seconded by Wilkerson. Smith Yay, Wilkerson abstained, Rife Yay. Motion carried. Engineer FM OttaSeal resurfacing on F20/Easton Trail Final plans, project development certificates, checklists, project estimates, and letting requests were sent to the IDOT. Federal Aid Projects We are still waiting for final federal reimbursement in the amount of $109,000 for the Jefferson #1 Bridge. Engineer Struble provided department updates Crews are working on blading roads and stockpiling rock. Engineer Struble announced that his final day with Harrison County will be February 21st. The board has requested to start the process of looking for a replacement and will discuss this further next week. Public Comment Walter Utman expressed concerns with the board’s decision to appoint Matt Soetmelk to the conservation board. Susan Bonham expressed concerns with other boards not having their long-standing members appointments questioned. IMWCA Presentation Bill Dickey from IMWCA discussed with the board about the current issues that the county faces regarding high work comp claims. He presented a proposal to help the county reduce claims and remain a member with IMWCA. The proposed policy includes creating a safety committee, monthly training, a return-to-work policy, incident reporting, and adopting a safety manual. Costs of the policy proposed versus finding a new provider were discussed. Jeff Brehmer advised that we are currently paying around $100,000 and if we switch carries it would most likely double. The cost of policy is up to the county and how they choose to implement. Consider Approval of IMWCA proposal The presented proposal was approved with a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned on a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Megan Reffett, Auditor Brian Rife, Chairman January 23, 2025 Chairman Brian Rife and members Rebecca Wilkerson and Tony Smith attended the monthly republican meeting at The Twisted Tail. A general discussion about County issues was held. No action was taken. ATTEST: Megan Reffett, Auditor Brian Rife, Chairman NOTE: These minutes are as recorded by the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors and are subject to Board approval at the next regular meeting. MVTN 1-29-25 TDR 1-30-25
