December 11, 2007

State of Nebraska)

County of Seward) ss.

 

A regular meeting of the Seward County Commissioners was convened in open and public session at 9:00 a.m. on December 11, 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 December 11, 2007 at 9:00 a.m.

Present:

Chairman:

Members:

County Clerk:

Joe Ruzicka

Darrell Miller, Scott Stuhr, Larry Dedic, 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 Miller to approve the minutes of December 4, 2007 and December 5, 2007.

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

 

During public/officials/boards item on the agenda, Gary Petersen, Seward County Emergency Manager reported on the Hazard Mitigation Meeting held the past week. 

 

Russ Daehling, Seward County Highway Superintendent reported there would be a Safety Committee meeting today.  He stated that hopefully, the new safety manual would soon be ready also.

 

Commissioner’s Reports:

Commissioner Miller reported he received concerns about storage from the Pre-Trial Diversion Office.

 

Commissioner Stuhr reported he attended the Hazard Mitigation Planning meeting and a Personnel Board meeting.  He also reported he received a letter from Aon Risk Services in regard to the Air Quality Reports sent to them concerning the 3rd floor.

 

Commissioner Dedic had no report.

 

Commissioner Koci had no report.

 

Chairman Ruzicka reported on the process for a possible courthouse closing for today.

 

Daehling brought information in regard to Public Transit and paperwork involved with funding.

 

Moved by Koci and seconded by Miller to authorize the Public Transit Coordinator to advertise for a public hearing for a project of financial assistance being sought for the purchase of a new bus.

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

 

Moved by Stuhr and seconded by Koci to authorize the Chairman to sign the agreement for Proj BRO-7080 (46) Staplehurst NW between Seward County and Seward County RPPD.

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

 

Moved by Stuhr and seconded by Miller to accept the Sheriff Fees and Mileage Report for September 2007 in the amount of $1,810.52 and $667.59 respectively.

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

 

Moved by Dedic and seconded by Koci to accept the Sheriff’s Fees and Mileage Report for October 2007 in the amount of $1,716.50 and $877.99 respectively.

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

 

Moved by Stuhr and seconded by Dedic to accept the Clerk of the District Court Fee Report for November 2007 in the amount of $1,849.66.

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

 

Moved by Koci and seconded by Stuhr to accept the County Clerk Fees Report for November 2007 in the amount of $22,858.25.

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

 

During the NPPD Transmission Line item on the agenda, Daehling reported to the Board that a representative of NPPD has asked permission to drill a hole into the road surface for soil testing.  Daehling said he felt this time of the year with the winter weather it would not be an ideal time. NPPD will bring the issue to the Board next week in the form of a permit.

 

It was suggested a letter be sent to NPPD from the Commissioners, giving them direction on the Board’s opinion in regard to the route that NPPD wants to use for a new transmission line.  A sample letter by Commissioner Dedic and also a Citizens Group was perused.

 

Moved by Dedic and seconded by Miller to open the bids for a new motor grader at 9:30 a.m. as published according to law.

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

 

Bids were received from:

Nebraska Machinery, Inc., Diesel Power Equipment Inc. and Midland Equipment.  The awarding of the bid will be held next week.

 

The Commissioners recessed at 9:38 a.m.

The Commissioners reconvened at 10:00 a.m.

 

The Commissioners discussed the 911 rural sign bids that were opened last week.  Daehling gave the Commissioners information on the option of the Road Department installing the rural residential signs.  Some of the bids received quoted installation and some did not.  He also said that if the Road Department installs the signs, it would take some employees away from other projects.  He said that he would estimate that it would take approximately 4 months for a crew to install all the posts and signs, depending on weather, etc.  Gary Petersen mentioned that maybe some part-time employees would be a good idea.  If a company that bid installation is chosen, Petersen said that there needs to be some clarification on details such as who would be responsible for calling diggers hotline, sorting out signs, etc.  Petersen suggested awarding the bid for the signs only and having the Road Department install the signs.

 

Moved by Stuhr and seconded by Koci to accept the Midwest Service and Sales bid for 2500 rural residential 6” signs with no borders for $37,552.

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

 

The Commissioners asked Petersen to contact the bidder about facts involving the installation, after having talked with the County Attorney on the matter.

 

The Commissioners then discussed the letter they would like to send to NPPD in regard to the placement of the newly proposed transmission line.

 

Moved by Dedic and seconded by Ruzicka to authorize the Chairman to sign a letter requesting that NPPD abandon their preferred route outlined in their proposal and find a route that is less burdensome to the residents of Seward County and the future development of Seward County.

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

 

Moved by Miller and seconded by Stuhr to go into Executive Session at 11:10 a.m. to discuss a General Assistance Case, it being necessary to protect the reputation of the individual(s).

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

 

The Chairman reiterated that the reason for the Executive Session is for a General Assistance Case, it being necessary to protect the reputation of the individual(s).

 

Moved by Miller and seconded by Dedic to go out of Executive Session at 11:13 a.m.

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

 

The Chairman stated again that the reason for the Executive Session was for General Assistance

 

The Board discussed the fact that since the State Offices will be closed on Christmas Eve, and our Personnel Policy states that we will close on the same days as the State, Seward County will be closed also.

 

Commissioner Stuhr led discussion on the E911 Interlocal Agreement.  Stuhr stated that some representatives of the 911 Board feel that the Interlocal should be changed and that the E911 Board should be its own taxing entity.  Timing issues with the E911 budget was mentioned.  Estimates for insurance and salaries of the 911 personnel always come in later than what the Interlocal states the budget needs to be submitted. 

 

Commissioner Miller led discussion on the Courthouse West Annex facility changes.  Commissioner Stuhr stated that some rumors have surfaced that the Extension Office would be moving to the new Courthouse West Annex.  The Commissioners stated that there has been no decision made concerning the Extension Office. 

 

Miller stated the utilities of the Courthouse West Annex are now our responsibility.  The Board decided that the present offices, Road Department, Veteran’s Services & Zoning will use their current budgets to pay for the utilities up to the amount they have budgeted.  After that, the utility expense will come out of the Miscellaneous General Budget.

 

Moved by Stuhr and seconded by Koci to appoint Kent Fickel to complete the term of Larry Dedic on the Board of Adjustment.

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

 

The Commissioners then discussed the Public Defender’s position and also the County Commissioners up for election in 2008.  County Attorney Wendy Elston gave information on current caseloads of the County Attorney and Public Defender’s Office.  The Commissioners will ask the current Public Defender to come in.

 

Known items on the agenda for December 18, 2007 are as follows:

  9:00 a.m.

Convene and announce Open Meetings Law

Pledge of Allegiance

Discuss/Action - Approve minutes of December 11, 2007

Discuss/Action - GA Case(s) 

 

  9:30 a.m.

Discuss/Action – Award Motor Grader bid

 

10:00 a.m.

Discuss/Action – Seward County Snow Policy

 

10:15 a.m.

Discuss/Action – Wells Fargo – Public Financing

 

10:30 a.m.

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

Discuss/Action – Approve minutes of Oct 30, 2007

Discuss/Action – Greenbelt Disqualification Protests

Discuss/Action – Decisions on above protests

Discuss/Action - Executive Session – Pending Litigation

 

 

Other Business Matters to Address When Time Allows

Discuss/Action – Public/Officials/Boards

Commissioners Reports

Discuss/Action – Award bid for installation of 911 signs

Right of Way Request(s):

Discuss/Action – E911 Interlocal Agreement

Discuss/Action – Set timeline for jail architect selection

Discuss/Action – County Comm. and Public Def Salary for 2009-2012 term

 

Known items on the agenda for December 21, 2007 are as follows:

  8:00 a.m.

Convene and announce Open Meetings Law

Pledge of Allegiance

Discuss/Action - Approve minutes of December 18, 2007

Discuss/Action - claims

Discuss/Action - GA Case(s) 

 

 

Other Business Matters to Address When Time Allows

Discuss/Action – Public/Officials/Boards

Commissioners Reports

Right of Way Request(s):

 

Moved by Dedic and seconded by Stuhr to adjourn at 11:52 a.m.

Affirmative vote: Dedic, Stuhr, Miller, Koci, Ruzicka                        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 18th day of December 2007.

         

________________________

Clerk

________________________

Chairman