Board of Supervisors Minutes
September 2019
September 4, 2019:
The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Wednesday, September 4, 2019, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Graham, Hickey, and Sheldon present. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted.
Also present for this meeting were EMC Mike Crecelius, Engineer Dan Davis, and Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today.
Supervisor Sheldon stated that he went to a meeting on September 3rd. The USACE is getting ready to start projects on L-575 Levee. They would like the board to sign the contract as they are the only district that hasn’t signed it yet. They are signing on behalf of Hamburg Relevy. Sheldon stated that this is a generic agreement for the Corps to do the work. Hickey and Sheldon stated that this is for repairs on the Nishnabotna Federal Levee. This has nothing to do with Ditch #6 Levee. Supervisor Graham stated that he wants to sign the agreement with the stipulation that this is only to restore the Hamburg Relevy on the Nishnabotna to its’ original condition. Hickey stated this Phase 2 work will repair L-575 all the way north. Motion by Sheldon to allow Chairman Graham to sign the agreement with the USACE. Graham noted that he is signing this with the intent that this is to restore this levee to its’ original state and no other improvements. Motion carried unanimously. Sheldon stated that the Corps is planning to restore the Percival Breach A to a 25-year level. They are planning to restore the Hamburg Missouri River Breach to the full height. There are no additional updates on rehabilitation assistance & non-structural alternatives to rehabilitation of flood control projects. There will be continued updates each week.
EMC Mike Crecelius met with the board regarding the evacuation order release and reentry plan. EMC Crecelius stated that only five houses of the many that signed up for inspection filled out paperwork to have that done. Out of the five that were inspected, three were red tagged. Motion by Graham to leave the order in place. Motion carried unanimously. The board will continue to discuss the evacuation order on a week-by-week basis.
Motion by Sheldon to approve and post the debris removal request for proposal for the unincorporated areas of Fremont County. Motion carried unanimously.
Engineer Dan Davis met with the board for a signing. This is for the repair of the road L-31 and the bridge on that road. Motion by Hickey to allow Chairman Graham to sign the agreement with HGM Associates for engineering and surveying services for bridge replacement on County Road L-31 over Waubonsie Creek. Motion carried unanimously.
Engineer Davis also updated the board on the funding for CHBP Grant and other projects in the county that are slated for repair. They briefly discussed haul routes for the levee repairs and that the engineer needs to be advised of the routes.
Claims were approved for September 6, 2019.
In other business, the Recorder’s monthly report for August was approved.
At 9:46 a.m., there being no further business, Hickey made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Fremont County Auditor Terry Graham, Chairman
September 11, 2019:
The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Wednesday, September 11, 2019, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Graham, Hickey, and Sheldon present. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted.
Also present for this meeting were Assistant County Attorney Tyler Loontjer, EMC Mike Crecelius, Assistant Engineer Robbie Kromminga, Steve Meyer, Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today, and Maintenance Troy Housh.
Assistant Engineer Kromminga said they hope to have a letting for the J-64 project on September 17th. If there isn’t a letting on that date, it will be on the 24th. The board briefly discussed the $36 million that the NRCS has for wetlands easements. These would be permanent easements and there could be no development on them. The homeowner would maintain ownership. There are no other updates on rehabilitation assistance & non-structural alternatives to rehabilitation of flood control projects. There will be continued updates each week.
EMC Mike Crecelius met with the board regarding the evacuation order release and reentry plan. He stated they are still working on interstate access east of Hamburg. Motion by Hickey to leave the order in place. Motion carried unanimously. The board will continue to discuss the evacuation order on a week-by-week basis.
Assistant Engineer Robbie Kromminga met with the board for a signing. Motion by Hickey to allow Chairman Graham to sign a work in right-of-way permit for Southwest Regional Water District to install pipe for water service to 2474 400th Avenue. Motion carried unanimously.
Troy Housh, Maintenance, met with the board regarding a fire panel upgrade. Our current panel will be unusable as of May 2020. This is a required upgrade. The cost is $6338.00. Motion by Sheldon to approve the purchase of the new fire panel through Electronic Contracting Company. Motion carried unanimously.
Housh also presented the board the Lawn World contract renewal. Hickey moved to approve the Lawn World contract for the sprinkler system in the courtyard. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion was made by Hickey to approve the TIF reporting requirement to Department of Management. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion made by Hickey to approve the transfer of the Class C Liquor License for Wild’s Property Management to 2474 Bluff Road location. Motion carried unanimously.
Assistant Auditor Wendy Stenzel met with the board for the approval of new and disallowed homestead and military claims for 2020. Motion made by Hickey to approve the allowances and disallowances. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Hickey to allow Chairman Graham to sign two GAX fund requests for payment under CDBG for the Iowa Watershed Approach Project. Motion carried unanimously.
In other business, the Sheriff’s monthly report for August was approved.
The board briefly discussed that no bids were received for the RFP for debris removal. They will discuss and act on an extension for the proposal deadline at next week’s meeting on September 17th.
Claims were approved for September 13, 2019.
At 9:23 a.m., there being no further business, Sheldon made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Fremont County Auditor Terry Graham, Chairman
September 12, 2019:
The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in special session on Thursday, September 12, 2019, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Graham and Hickey present. Sheldon was not present for this meeting. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 3:01 p.m. Minutes of the previous board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted.
Motion by Hickey to sign title sheet for Project ER-CO36(82) - - 82 -36 for J-64. Motion carried unanimously.
At 3:17 p.m., there being no further business, Graham made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Fremont County Auditor Terry Graham, Chairman
September 18, 2019:
The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Wednesday, September 18, 2019, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Graham and Sheldon present. Hickey was not present for this meeting. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted.
Also present for this meeting were Assistant County Attorney Tyler Loontjer, EMC Mike Crecelius, Engineer Dan Davis, Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today, and Nicolette McCollough with the City of Thurman.
Engineer Davis said they have pulled the letting for the project on 310th west of I29 for safety reasons. Westin and the USACE will be using that road to haul materials for their repair. It will not be safe for workers to be out there when they are hauling. They will complete the repairs from I29 west to L40. The other portion that runs to the river will not be repaired by the county at this time. They briefly discussed concerns about routes for the school and haul routes. Supervisor Graham discussed the fact that the Flood Recovery Funds from the state have been spent out and hopes there will be more money allocated in the future for rural areas in the county. Engineer Davis stated that his department is out with FEMA today doing site inspections. Davis briefly discussed the magnitude of the repairs on J10. He is working to have this classified as an emergency project. Davis said they have had conference calls with the railroad, USACE, and the county to discuss bridge repair near the Newlon property. The railroad is to provide a bridge design. Any repair work here will be after the breaches are closed. Supervisor Graham asked EMC Crecelius for a list of properties for buyouts and demolition. EMC Crecelius spoke to the USACE this morning. They are confident that the repairs on breaches will hold; however, they will be keeping watch due to the rising waters. There was a discussion regarding the buyout program and the need for a special meeting to discuss the properties. The board will hold a special meeting on September 26th at 9:00 a.m. in the boardroom to discuss buyouts. There are no other updates on rehabilitation assistance & non-structural alternatives to rehabilitation of flood control projects. There will be continued updates each week.
EMC Mike Crecelius met with the board regarding the evacuation order release and reentry plan. He stated that in his conversation with the USACE, they discussed the fact that the outlet breaches are still open so there will be water in those areas. Motion by Sheldon to leave the order in place. Motion carried unanimously. The board will continue to discuss the evacuation order on a week-by-week basis.
Receiving no bids by the first deadline of September 10th, the board discussed extending the deadline for bids for the RFP for debris removal in the rural areas of the county. Motion by Sheldon to approve and post the debris removal request for proposal for the unincorporated areas of Fremont County with a new deadline of September 24th at 4:00 p.m. Motion carried unanimously.
The board briefly discussed the Pinky’s Glen property. Assistant County Attorney Loontjer is meeting with the family today to discuss the property. Supervisor Graham said that turning the land over to another entity would be detrimental to future development. Motion by Graham for Fremont County to retain possession and control of Pinky’s Glen. Motion carried unanimously.
Engineer Dan Davis met with the board for a work in right-of-way permit signing. Motion by Sheldon to allow Chairman Graham to sign permit with Atchison-Holt Electric Coop to place 1035’ of overhead electric line on 400th Avenue 2068’ north of 260th Street. Motion carried unanimously.
The board discussed county held tax certificate 2017-422. The City of Thurman is interested in purchasing the certificate. Motion made by Graham to approve the following assignment of certificate of purchase at tax sale resolution and resolution of assignment of certificate of tax sale purchase. Motion carried unanimously.
RESOLUTION APPROVING THE ASSIGNMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF PURCHASE AT TAX SALE TO THE FOLLOWING:
WHEREAS, The City of Thurman, Iowa, P.O. Box 149, Thurman, Iowa, 51654, is desirous of obtaining a certificate of tax sale purchase for $584.00 for the following:
Parcel Number 490490045000000, Tax Sale Certificate number 2017-422 – East 32' OF W 60' OF LTS 7 & 8 BLK G, in the Town of Thurman, Fremont County, Iowa, according to the recorded plat thereof.
WHEREAS, Fremont County is desirous of avoiding the expense of tax redemption procedure, and
WHEREAS, the transfer of said certificate of tax purchase to the City of Thurman, P.O. Box 149, Thurman, IA, 51654, is in the better interest of the County and is in the better interest of the City of Thurman, Thurman, Iowa, to eliminate any form of liability to Fremont County, now
THEREFORE, it is hereby resolved that the Chairman of the Board of Supervisors is authorized and directed to execute the assignment of certificates of tax purchases of this real estate upon receipt of payment.
IT IS SO RESOLVED,
this 18th day of September 2019.
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ATTEST: |
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/s/ Dee Owen, |
/s/ Terry Graham, Chairman |
aye |
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| Fremont County Auditor |
/s/ Dustin Sheldon |
aye |
ASSIGNMENT OF CERTIFICATE OF TAX SALE PURCHASE
Fremont County does hereby transfer the certificate of tax sale purchase regarding the described real estate to The City of Thurman, P.O. Box 149, Thurman, Iowa, 51654, as follows: East 32' OF W 60' OF LTS 7 & 8 BLK G, in the Town of Thurman, Fremont County, Iowa, according to the recorded plat thereof. The county shall endorse the tax sale certificate as necessary to complete this assignment upon receipt of payment of $584.00.
Dated this 18th day of September 2019.
ATTEST:
/s/Dee
Owen /s/ Terry Graham, Chairman
Fremont County Auditor
STATE OF IOWA, FREMONT COUNTY SS:
On this 18th day of
September, 2019, before me, the undersigned, a Notary Public in and for the
State of Iowa, personally appeared Terry Graham, to me personally known, who
being by me duly sworn, did say that he is a member of the Fremont County Board
of Supervisors and that said instrument was signed on behalf of the Fremont
County Board of Supervisors and hereby acknowledge the execution of the
foregoing instrument to be the voluntary act and deed of the Fremont County
Board of Supervisors, by it and by his voluntarily executed.
/s/ Kristi O’Neal
Notary Public in and for the State of Iowa
Claims were approved for September 20, 2019.
At 9:55 a.m., there being no further business, Sheldon made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Fremont County Auditor Terry Graham, Chairman
The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Wednesday, September 25, 2019, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Graham, Hickey, and Sheldon present. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. Minutes of the previous board session were read and approved. The agenda was approved as posted.
Also present for this meeting were Assistant County Attorney Tyler Loontjer, EMC Mike Crecelius, Clerk of Court Robin Shirley, Cara Morgan with Golden Hills R C & D, Jake Miriovsky with JEO, Trent Tiemeyer with SWIA Parking Lot Maintenance, Steve Meyer, Assistant Engineer Kevin Lewis, Susan Shepherd with Tabor Library, and Sandy Parmenter with the Valley News Today.
The USACE is taking A (Percival) & B (Hamburg) breaches up to full height & providing rock stockpile, they have plugged Waubonsie Creek breach, and are improving the crest between the B and D (outlet breach at Hamburg) breaches. There are no other updates on rehabilitation assistance & non-structural alternatives to rehabilitation of flood control projects. There will be continued updates each week.
EMC Mike Crecelius met with the board regarding the evacuation order release and reentry plan. He stated that water is reportedly over the some of the roads in the Hamburg area by the Missouri Line. They briefly discussed the releases at Gavin’s Point. Motion by Hickey to leave the order in place. Motion carried unanimously. The board will continue to discuss the evacuation order on a week-by-week basis.
There was one bid received for the debris removal. The bid was from Southwest Iowa Parking Lot Maintenance in the amount of $195,000.00 for 6 zones of debris removal in unincorporated areas of Fremont County. Motion by Sheldon to accept the bid from SWIA Parking Lot Maintenance for debris removal. Motion carried unanimously.
Motion by Hickey to change the meeting date from October 2nd to October 1st due to an ISAC Budget Meeting in Ames on their regular meeting date of October 2nd. Motion carried unanimously. The meeting will be at the regular time of 9:00 a.m.
Jake Miriovsky met with the board for the signing of a task order for the E-W Nishnabotna Watershed Project. They have presented the cost and designs to landowners. They are meeting with landowners today hoping for more to sign on. This task order is for survey design and bidding for landowners that have agreed already. These projects include bank stabilizations, grass waterways, ponds, and buffer strips, etc. Motion by Hickey to allow Chairman Graham to sign the task order 3.1 Part 1 in the amount of $37,000. Motion carried unanimously.
Assistant Engineer Kevin Lewis met with the board for the signing of a title sheet for Project #ER-CO36(82) - - 82-30 . Motion by Hickey to sign the title sheet. Motion carried unanimously.
Clerk of Court Robin Shirley met with the board regarding the appointment of a magistrate commissioner. One of the laypersons has resigned. Shirley recommended Jeff Phillips as a new commissioner representing the southern portion of the county. Motion by Sheldon to approve the appointment of Jeff Phillips as layperson member. Motion carried unanimously.
Alexsis Fleener with SWIPCO joined the meeting.
Susan Shepherd with the Tabor Library met with the board to request a contribution for the Enhance Iowa Grant. They have made great progress in their fund raising. They have raised $1,286,000 to date. They are still in need of $482,000. They need a contribution from the county in order to allow them to apply for this grant. Motion by Hickey to approve a $500 contribution from county betterment funds to the Tabor Library to allow them to apply for the Enhance Iowa Grant. Motion carried unanimously.
Alexsis Fleener with SWIPCO met with the board regarding the archaeological services RFP for the E-W Nishnabotna Watershed Project. Firms were asked for a per unit per acre price. Three firms submitted proposals and these bids were per site/survey. All the companies are qualified. The proposals were as follows: University of Iowa for $4,000 to $4,500, WSP Company for $3,857.78, & JEO subcontracting with Bear Creek Archeology for $2,250. MAPA and SWIPCO have reviewed the proposals and are recommending JEO with Bear Creek as they are the most cost effective. Motion by Hickey to accept the proposal from JEO for archaeological services. Motion carried unanimously.
Claims were approved for September 27th, 2019.
At 9:45 a.m., there being no further business, Hickey made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Fremont County Auditor Terry Graham, Chairman
September 26, 2019:
The Fremont County Board of Supervisors met in special session on Thursday, September 26, 2019, in the Fremont County Courthouse Boardroom, with Graham, Hickey, and Sheldon present. A quorum was declared, and the meeting officially called to order at 9:00 a.m. The agenda was approved as posted.
Also present for this meeting was Assistant County Attorney Tyler Loontjer, EMC Mike Crecelius, Sandy Parmenter with Valley News Today, and Kim Norven with the Des Moines Register.
The board initially discussed homes at 1040 205th Avenue, 2980 102nd Street, 3179 Main Street, and 3166 Washington Street.
Supervisor Sheldon stated his concerns with buyouts, no private land ownership, and tax stability in the county. Assistant County Attorney Loontjer stated that there are several options on how to approach this. The board can do general areas on the map and send letters. They could also cross reference those areas with the list of people that signed up with EMC Crecelius and narrow it down. They can send letters only to people that have signed up. The board felt that people had received enough notice through the newspapers, social media, and the Emergency Operations Center that every person in the affected area didn’t need individual letters as some were even starting to rebuild.
Attorney Loontjer would like each board member to come up with items for criteria for buyout consideration. The board can then use a checklist and meet with each homeowner individually. Prior to individual appointments the board would like to have an informational meeting with all the homeowners that signed up.
They discussed signing a contract with SWIPCO for the buyout and demolition programs. The board would like to see the buyout talks concluded by October 31st or November 1st.
At 9:53 a.m., there being no further business, Sheldon made a motion to adjourn. Motion carried unanimously.
ATTEST:
Fremont County Auditor Terry Graham, Chairman