August 7, 2007

State of Nebraska)

County of Seward) ss.

 

A regular meeting of the Seward County Commissioners was convened in open and public session at 8:30 a.m. on August 7, 2007 in the Commissioner’s room at the Seward County Courthouse.  Notice of the meeting was posted on the Courthouse bulleting board and on the Commissioner’s room door.  The agenda for all meetings is kept continually current and is available for public inspection at the County Clerk’s Office during normal business hours.  The agenda is held open until one business day prior to the meeting for appearance before the Board.  The Board of Commissioners has the right to modify the agenda to include items of an emergency nature only at such public meeting.

 

The Seward County Board of Commissioners convened on August 7, 2007 at 8:30 a.m.

Present:

Chairman:

Members:

County Clerk:

Joe Ruzicka

Darrell Miller, Scott Stuhr, Ron Minchow, Mary Koci

Sherry Schweitzer

 

The Chairman noted that the public meeting information is posted as required by law and available for public distribution if requested.

 

The Pledge of Allegiance was recited.

 

Moved by Stuhr and seconded by Minchow to approve the minutes of August 31, 2007.

Affirmative vote: Stuhr, Minchow, Miller, Koci, Ruzicka                             Motion Carried.

 

Those officials present for their monthly meeting with the Commissioners were Sherry Schweitzer, Kathy Ruzicka, Denise Janssen, Susan Blomenberg, Marilyn Hladky, Barb Liska, Jeff Baker, Mike Koci, Russ Daehling, Gary Petersen, and Dan Hejl.

 

Jeff Raul of Keystone Pipeline was present to update the Commissioners about the proposed pipeline to come through Seward County in the future.

 

Commissioner Reports:

Commissioner Miller had no report.

 

Commissioner Stuhr stated he attended a Personnel Board meeting the previous week. He also attended a meeting in Utica in regard to the drainage problem in the area.  He also attended a meeting in regard to air problems in the District Court along with NIRMA representatives.

 

Commissioner Minchow reported the custodian will start a deep cleaning process of the courthouse and will spread the process over the next 9 months.  He also commented, in light of the Minneapolis Bridge that collapsed, that bridges in Seward County are in good shape and that they are continually updated.   He also stated that he is resigning from the Board due to personal health issues.

 

Commissioner Koci had no report.

 

Commissioner Ruzicka had no report.

 

Moved by Minchow and seconded by Miller to authorize the Highway Superintendent to publish for a public hearing for the Seward County Public Transit fare raise.

Affirmative vote: Minchow, Miller, Koci, Stuhr, Ruzicka                             Motion Carried.

 

Commissioner Stuhr led discussion on the meeting he attended involving the drainage issue by Utica.  Russ Daehling, Seward County Highway Superintendent also spoke on the issue.  The attorneys for both the Village of Utica and the County will meet on the issue to help formulate an agreement that would include both entities using resources to help solve the problem.

 

Moved by Minchow and seconded by Koci to approve the right of way request from Terry Vaverka between Sections 17 and 20 of Township 9 North, Range 4 East of the 6th p.m.

Affirmative vote: Minchow, Koci, Stuhr, Miller, Ruzicka                             Motion Carried.

 

Marilyn Hladky, Seward County Assessor spoke to the Board about her policy for determining if a parcel qualifies as an agricultural or horticultural parcel.  She previously had disseminated the information to the Commissioners for their viewing.  She explained the different characteristics of how a piece of rural land can be valued, depending on its use, and also the process of disqualification of classification, etc.

 

Moved by Minchow and seconded by Stuhr to adopt the County Assessor’s policy for determining if a parcel qualifies as an agricultural parcel or horticultural parcel.

Affirmative vote: Minchow, Stuhr, Miller, Koci, Ruzicka                             Motion Carried.

 

Jeff Baker, Seward County Veteran’s Service Officer visited with the Board in regard to contracting for fuel prices for the Veteran’s Aid Fund and also the General Assistance Fund.

 

Moved by Minchow and seconded by Stuhr to authorize the County Clerk and Veteran’s Service Officer to contract for propane for both General Assistance and Veteran’s Aid at a prepaid rate of $1.519 for propane from Farmers Cooperative.

Affirmative vote: Minchow, Stuhr, Koci, Miller, Ruzicka                              Motion Carried.

 

Baker then submitted 3 names to the Commissioners for confirmation onto the Veteran’s Service Committee for Seward County.

 

Moved by Koci and seconded by Miller to re-appoint Harold Luebbe to the Seward County Veteran’s Service Committee.

Affirmative vote: Koci, Miller, Minchow, Stuhr, Ruzicka                              Motion Carried.

 

Baker also presented a short form plat for Dan Hansen, Seward County Zoning Administrator, who was ill.

 

Moved by Minchow and seconded by Koci to adopt Resolution #2574 in regard to the approval of the short form plat for Jimmy Swanson Addition in Section 14, Township 12 North, Range 2 East of the 6th p.m.

RESOLUTION NO 2574 OF THE SEWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

WHEREAS, Jim and Linda Swanson has applied for a Short form Plat Subdivision of property owned by them, and described as a tract in a part of the N 1/2 of the SW1/4 Section 14, Township 12N, Range 2E, Seward County, Nebraska, and

 

WHEREAS, The subdivision shall be called Jim Swanson Addition, and

 

WHEREAS, The Seward County Planning Commission held a meeting on July 23, 2007 to consider the Short form Plat, and

 

WHEREAS, the Planning Commission recommended approval of the Jim Swanson Addition Short form Plat with a vote of 6 For, 0 against, and 3 Absent and Not Voting, and

 

WHEREAS,

__X__ no one appeared to oppose the subdivision

_____ individuals appeared to oppose the subdivision

__X__ no one appeared to support the subdivision

_____ individuals appeared to support the subdivision

_____ individuals appeared without commitment, and

 

 THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Seward County Board of Commissioners do hereby approve___X___, Deny_______ the Jim Swanson Addition Short form Plat with Resolution NO: 2574.

Motion by: Minchow

Seconded by: Koci

Roll Call

Ayes: Ron Minchow, Scott Stuhr, Mary Koci, Darrell Miller,

Joseph J. Ruzicka, Chairman, Board of Commissioners

August 7, 2007

Attest: Sherry Schweitzer, Seward County Clerk

Affirmative vote: Minchow, Koci, Stuhr, Miller, Ruzicka                             Motion Carried.

 

During office/storage space issue, Commissioner Minchow suggested that since the CASA office is not usually occupied on Tuesdays, he would like to see the former Highway Superintendent’s Office used by CASA and keep the former Commissioner room for use by the County Clerk and others.  Chairman Ruzicka did not like the idea of having the Commissioner’s room open during the hours CASA is open.  Discussion about one stop titling was discussed.  Commissioner Miller asked about any plans on the subject.  County Clerk Sherry Schweitzer stated that both she and County Treasurer Bob Dahms had discussed it, and knew that it may be mandated in the future, but had not made any decision on it due to no complaints being received concerning the current process of licensing a vehicle.  An idea of using the former Commissioner Room for the Clerk and Treasurer was mentioned.  Dahms said that he did not like the idea of putting the real estate tax department and titles together in the same office.  Dahms also said that his real estate office was just remodeled.  He voiced concerns about changing the location after just spending tax money on updating it.  Stuhr said he liked the idea of putting the CASA Office in the former Highway Superintendent’s Office. Minchow said he did not want to see anything more permanent done since no final agreement has been made to work out the subject.

 

Barb Liska, Seward County E911 Board Director and member of the Seward County Personnel Board informed the Board that the Personnel Board had met and approved an item for the Commissioner’s consideration concerning blood donation during office hours.

 

Moved by Minchow and seconded by Stuhr to approve an added item of paid time off for blood donation to the personnel policy.

Affirmative vote: Minchow, Stuhr, Koci, Miller, Ruzicka                             Motion Carried.

 

Discussion was held on the proposed 911 budget and also salary of the director.  Commissioner Minchow stated that since the director is a county employee, the county would set the salary.  Notification to the 911 Board was made at the point and time the County Board set the appointed official’s salary.  He also stated that it has been done like this in the past with no objections from the E911 Board.  If the 911 Board has an issue now, they need to bring it up to Commissioner’s Miller and Stuhr who are the County’s representatives.  Commissioner Stuhr said the minutes of the 911 Board reflect that they approved a 4.59% increase of the budget, but the budget submitted to the Commissioners was over 6%.  The submission to the County Clerk and the E911 Board was different.  Discussion was held on the rights and obligations of the E911 Communications Board.  It was suggested the E911 Board meet to consider changes the County Board wanted to make and report back.

 

Moved by Koci and seconded by Stuhr to accept the Clerk of the District Court Fee Report for July 2007 in the amount of $3,137.15.

Affirmative vote: Koci, Stuhr, Miller, Minchow, Ruzicka                             Motion Carried.

 

The issues of vehicle logos/logbooks/policy were discussed.  Russ Daehling said that he has extra logos for all office vehicles to use and that they need to come to the road shop to obtain them.  Chairman Ruzicka also reported that he would like to have logbooks for all vehicles.  Daehling said that he has those also. 

 

Moved by Minchow and seconded by Stuhr to approve the Special Designated Liquor License for the Seward Country Club for an event at the Isaac Walton Cabin on September 8, 2007.

Affirmative vote: Minchow, Stuhr, Koci, Miller, Ruzicka                             Motion Carried.

 

The Commissioners recessed at 10:23 a.m.

The Commissioners reconvened at 10:30 a.m.

 

Chairman Ruzicka removed himself from the Board at 10:30 a.m.

 

Kathy Ruzicka, Seward County Aging Services Director spoke to the Board about the budget request for the office.  June Pedersen, Director of Lincoln Area Agency on Aging was also present to discuss the program in Lincoln/Lancaster County, which is facing a request to cut its budget by $750,000.  Seward County Aging Services is somewhat administered through the Lincoln/Lancaster County program.  She assured the Commissioners that any cuts that she has to make would not affect the Seward County program.

 

The Commissioners then discussed the budgets of the various offices and decided who would be asked to come back.

 

Commissioner Minchow then alerted the Board about the rainfall received the previous night since the fair is about to start.  Possible flooding is expected.

 

 

Known items on the agenda for May 22, 2007 are as follows:

  9:00 a.m.

Convene and announce Open Meetings Law

Pledge of Allegiance

Discuss/Action - Approve minutes of August 7, 2007

Discuss/Action - GA Case(s)

 

 9:30 a.m.

Discuss/Action – Board of Equalization - Convene & announce Open Meetings Law

Discuss/Action – Approve minutes of August 7, 2007

Discuss/Action – Hearings on Permissive Exemptions

Discuss/Action – Action on the above hearings

Discuss/Action – Auth Assessor to send out Co Brd Change of Value Notices

Discuss/Action – Vehicle Tax Exemption Req. from Seward/Saline Solid Waste Management

 

  9:45 a.m.

Discuss/Action – Fuel Option

 

  9:45 a.m.

Discuss/Action – Adoption of Quarantine & Isolation Regulation

 

 

Other Business Matters to Address When Time Allows

Discuss/Action – Public/Officials/Boards

Commissioners Reports

Right of Way Request(s):

Discuss/Action – RFP for Hall of Justice

Discuss/Action – 2007-2008 Budget discussion

Discuss/Action – Storage/Office Space

Discuss/Action – Vehicle Logos/Logbooks/policy

Discuss/Action – 1% Over Restricted Funds

Discuss/Action – Misc. District Allocations

Discuss/Action – Accept Resignation of Commissioner Ron Minchow

Moved by Minchow and seconded by Miller to adjourn at 11:45 a.m.

Affirmative vote: Minchow, Miller, Koci, Stuhr, Ruzicka

 

State of Nebraska)

County of Seward) ss.

 

I, Sherry Schweitzer, the undersigned County Clerk of Seward County, Nebraska do hereby certify the foregoing minutes are true and are part of the official records of this office.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal this 14th day of August 2007.

         

________________________

Clerk

________________________

Chairman

 

August 7, 2007

Seward County Board of Equalization

State of Nebraska)

County of Seward) ss.

 

The Seward County Board of Equalization convened on August 7, 2007 at 11:45 a.m.

Present:

 

 

 

Chairman:

Members:

County Clerk:

County Assessor:

Scott Stuhr

Darrell Miller, Ron Minchow, Mary Koci, Joe Ruzicka

Sherry Schweitzer

Marilyn Hladky

 

Moved by Minchow and seconded by Miller to approve the minutes of July 24, 2007.

Affirmative vote: Minchow, Miller, Koci, Ruzicka, Stuhr                             Motion Carried.

 

Moved by Minchow and seconded by Miller to approve the tax refund of $825.30 for tax years 2005 and 2006 for Marie Bader.

Affirmative vote: Minchow, Miller, Koci, Ruzicka, Stuhr                             Motion Carried.

 

Moved by Minchow and seconded by Miller to approve the Tax List Corrections 26-07RP & 27-07RP.

Affirmative vote: Minchow, Miller, Koci, Ruzicka, Stuhr                             Motion Carried.

 

Moved by Minchow and seconded by Koci to adjourn at 11:49 a.m. upon call of the Chair.

Affirmative vote: Minchow, Koci, Miller, Ruzicka, Stuhr                             Motion Carried.

 

State of Nebraska)

County of Seward) ss.

 

I, Sherry Schweitzer, the undersigned County Clerk of Seward County, Nebraska do hereby certify the foregoing minutes are true and are part of the official records of this office.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal this              day of                                                  2007.

         

________________________

Clerk

________________________

Chairman