June 19, 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 June 19, 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 June 19, 2007 at 9:00 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 Miller to approve the minutes of June 12, 2007.

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

 

Moved by Koci and seconded by Minchow to deny GA Case #1375 due to applicant being over income guidelines.

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

 

During public discussion time, Monty Klintworth spoke to the Board about the Comprehensive Plan.  He pointed out several mistakes that he believes is still in the current plan that is to be considered later in the meeting.

 

Russ Daehling, Seward County Highway Superintendent informed the Board that the new safety manual is almost ready.

 

Commissioner Reports:

Commissioner Miller reported he had worked on a road problem in his district.

 

Commissioner Stuhr reported that he had received phone calls on concerns with the proposed Comprehensive Plan and regulations and also on the NPPD planned transmission line route.

 

Commissioner Minchow reported that the sidewalk issue around the courthouse has not been repaired, and requested a reminder be made to the City to repair it.  Commissioner Ruzicka will visit with the City of Seward on it.

 

Commissioner Koci stated she attended an Extension Office meeting.

 

Commissioner Ruzicka stated that he had received some complaints about a benefits statement that were shown to each employee recently.

 

Moved by Stuhr and seconded by Miller to open the fuel bids at 9:29 a.m.

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

 

No fuel bids were received.

 

Pat Coldiron, a representative from the Chamber requested that a Spruce tree be planted on the courthouse yard.  Usually, at Christmas time, the Chamber places a “cut” tree on the courthouse square and they have requested using another alternative.  Chairman Ruzicka stated that he was worried about the security of the courthouse if it grew too big.  Other Commissioners stated they had no problem with it.  They requested a drawing of where it would be placed which Coldiron will supply and report back.

 

Russ Daehling, Seward County Highway Supt. led discussion on the agenda item involving the Northeast Bypass project.   Those present was Senator Greg Adams, representatives from Senator Fortenberry’s Office, the City of Seward and the State Dept. of Roads.  Dan Berlowitz, Seward City Administrator stated how traffic flow would be handled during the construction project on the widening of Highway 15 through Seward.  Truck traffic during this time through Seward would be diverted onto a bypass, which is east and north of Seward.  Having other entities present to discuss the funding part of this bypass and to discuss options was at issue.  There were previous problems when a bridge on Highway 34 east of Seward was replaced.  During that project, 700-1000 vehicles were going through a residential area.  Rich Ruby, a State Dept. of Road representative said funding is always the problem.  He stated that the State could possibly help but one of the issues is, at this time, they do not know which phase of the project will be started first.  He stated that later in the summer there would be meetings on the issue.  Daehling stated the importance of the bypass with new economic development in the Seward area.  Commissioner Minchow suggested the City and County representatives make a preliminary plan for constructing the Northeast Bypass and submit it to the State for their consideration.

 

Commissioner Minchow is absent at 10:05 a.m.

 

No action on the fuel option was taken.

 

Randy and Tara Cipriano were present to discuss the Nebraska Public Power District – electric transmission reliability project.  He stated that he is worried about a new transmission line that NPPD is planning to install. 

 

Daehling was present to give his recommendation on awarding the gravel bids. 

 

Moved by Stuhr and seconded by Koci to accept the recommendation of the Highway Superintendent for awarding the gravel bids and authorized the Chairman to sign the necessary contracts.

BIDDERS

Central Sand & Gravel

Johnson Sand & Gravel

Overland Sand & Gravel

PIT PRICE

           7.55

           7.40

 

DELIVERED  A

 

         15.48

 

B

 

         14.50

 

C

 

         13.90

 

D

 

         13.29

 

E

 

         14.19

 

F

 

         15.50

 

G

 

         15.35

 

H

 

         16.70

 

I

 

         17.67

 

J

 

         16.50

 

K

 

         16.68

 

L

 

 

         15.18

M

 

 

         14.63

N

 

 

         16.17

O

 

         17.63

  

P

 

         18.98

 

PIT LOCATION

 Bellwood Whitetail

 Shelby

 

UTICA

  

         14.00

 

P. DALE-Grover

         15.35

 

 

GARLAND

 

         14.50

 

B. CROSSING

  

         14.50

 

M. BASE

  

         14.50

 

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

 

Discussion was held on the Comprehensive and Zoning Plan and that Commissioner Minchow was not able to be present.  Commissioner Stuhr felt that the issue has taken so long and he feels that the Board needs to address it, even if all members can’t be present.  It was decided that the issue would be put on the agenda next week.

 

Moved by Stuhr and seconded by Miller to approve the right of way request from Windstream between Sections 13 and 14 of Township 10 North, Range 4 East of the 6th p.m.

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

 

Moved by Stuhr and seconded by Miller to approve the right of way request from Geis Electric between Section 13, Township 10 North, Range 1 and Section 18, Township 10 North, Range 2 all East of the 6th p.m.

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

 

Moved by Koci and seconded by Stuhr to accept the County Clerk fee report for May 2007 in the amount of $30,069.25

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

 

Moved by Stuhr and seconded by Koci to adopt Resolution #2565 in regard to adding money to the County Commissioner’s budget.

RESOLUTION #2565 OF THE SEWARD COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 

WHEREAS, the budget of the Seward County Board of Commissioners was set at $ 97,300.00 for the 2006-2007 fiscal year,

 

WHEREAS, necessary expenditures of said office are going to result in the expending over that amount, and

 

WHEREAS, an emergency exists requiring that said budget be re-opened to provide for an expansion of said budget as provided by law, and

 

WHEREAS, said additional funds to be applied to said budget must be appropriated from a line item currently existing in the General Fund Budget of Seward County, Nebraska;

 

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED: that the budget of the Seward County Board of Commissioners is increased in the amount of $ 600.00 for the 2006-2007 fiscal year resulting in an amended budget of $97,900.00.

 

AND FURTHERMORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the sum of $ 600.00 which has been added to the budget of the Seward County Commissioners for the 2006-2007 fiscal year shall be appropriated from the County General Fund.

 

Dated this 19th day of June, 2007.

Motion by: Stuhr

Seconded by: Koci                                              Absent: Minchow

Voting Aye: Scott Stuhr, Mary Koci, Darrell E. Miller,

Joseph J. Ruzicka

Attest: Sherry Schweitzer, Seward County Clerk

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

 

The Board of Commissioners recessed at 10:40 a.m.

The Board of Commissioners reconvened at 11:00 a.m.

 

Chairman Ruzicka asked that the Storage/Office Space be delayed until next week due to Commissioner Minchow not being present.  Monique Ruby wondered if the CASA Office is still being considered to move into the recently vacated 2nd floor office.  She asked questions of the board concerning who will make the final decision and will the whole Board decide and when will this happen.  Commissioner Miller stated that he would like to see a proposed floor plan so that a more organized move can happen than that of the Road Dept./Zoning/Veterans. 

 

 

 

 

 

The Commissioners then discussed the Appointed Officials and Exempt Employees Salary Graph. 

 

Moved by Ruzicka and seconded by Miller to approve the following salaries for the Appointed Officials and Exempt Employees except those of the Aging Services Director, Extension Associate and Maintenance Supervisor.

Seward County Appointed Officials                                                               & Exempt Employees Salary Graph

 

 

 

 

 

 

Official

Range

06-07 Salary

 2007-2008 Salary

% Raise for this year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aging Services Director (FT)

$29,000 - 42,000

 

 

 

 

3/4 time for Seward Co

$22,500 - 31,500 

$21,500.00

See Motion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bldg.Insp/Zoning Admin.

$27,000 - 41,000

$28,500.00

$30,000.00

5.26%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CASA

$26,000-$42,000

 

 

 

 

present is 20 hrs/week

$13,000 - $21,000

$14,518.00

$15,200.00

4.70%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E911 Director

$33,000 - 45,000

$38,250.00

$41,500.00

8.50%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Economic Dev Director

$45,000-$65,000

$54,000.00

$55,500.00

2.78%

 

started May 1,2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emer.Man/Weed Supt.

$25,000 - 38,000

$39,750.00

$41,500.00

4.40%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Extension Associate

$25,500 - 41,500

$31,886.00

See Motion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Highway Superintendent**

$36,000 - 51,000

$49,100.00

$51,000.00

3.87%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Maintenance Supervisor

$25,000 - 37,000

$31,000.00

See Motion

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pre-Trial Diversion Dir.

$26,000 - 42,000

$28,500.00

$30,000.00

5.26%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Road Foremen

$28,500-41,000

$35,176.00

$37,000.00

5.19%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Veteran's Serv Officer

$27,000 - 48,000

$30,000.00

$32,500.00

8.33%

 

Affirmative vote: Ruzicka, Miller, Koci

Voting No:  Stuhr                                                                       Motion Carried.

 

Moved by Ruzicka and seconded by Koci to approve the Extension Associate salary as listed below.

Official

Range

06-07 Salary

 2007-2008 Salary

% Raise for this year