November 10, 2009

Seward County Board of Equalization

State of Nebraska)

County of Seward) ss.

 

A regular meeting of the Seward County Board of Equalization was convened in open and public session at 8:30 a.m. on November 10, 2009 in the Commissioner’s room at the Seward County Courthouse.  Notice of the meeting was posted on the Courthouse bulletin 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 Equalization has the right to modify the agenda to include items of an emergency nature only at such public meeting.

 

The Seward County Board of Equalization convened on November 10, 2009 at 8:30 a.m.

Present:

 

 

 

Chairman:

Members:

County Clerk:

County Assessor:

Deputy County Treasurer:

Larry Dedic

Scott Stuhr, Diana Garske, Mary Koci, Darrell Miller

Sherry Schweitzer

Marilyn Hladky

Susan Blomenberg

 

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 Miller and seconded by Koci to approve the minutes of October 27, 2009.

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

 

Moved by Stuhr and seconded by Garske to approve the motor vehicle exemption requests from Great Plains Community Church on a 1998 Chevrolet Suburban VIN # 1GNFK16RXWG329069 and from St. Vincent de Paul Catholic Church/School on a 2007 International Bus VIN # 4DRBUAAP37B348660.

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

 

Hladky reported on information that was discussed at her monthly Assessor’s meeting.

 

Known items on the agenda for November 24, 2009 are as follows:

  8:30 a.m.

Convene and announce Open Meetings Law

Pledge of Allegiance

Discuss/Action - Approve minutes of November 10, 2009

Discuss/Action- Assessor Information Update

         

Moved by Stuhr and seconded by Miller to adjourn at 8:55 a.m.

Affirmative vote: Stuhr, Miller, Koci, Garske, Dedic                         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 24th day of November 2009.

         

________________________

Clerk

________________________

Chairman

 

November 10, 2009

Seward County Board of Commissioners

State of Nebraska)

County of Seward) ss.

 

A regular meeting of the Seward County Board of Commissioners was convened in open and public session at 9:00 a.m. on November 10, 2009 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 November 10, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.

Present:

Chairman:

Members:

County Clerk:

Darrell Miller

Scott Stuhr, Diana Garske, 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 Koci and seconded by Dedic to approve the minutes of November 3, 2009.

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

 

During public/officials/boards reports, Jonathan Jank, Director of CASA informed the Commissioners of various events that CASA has promoted lately such as “Boo on The Square” and the “Pamper Me Boutique.”  He also explained other events that bring awareness to CASA.

 

Sherry Schweitzer informed the Board that the Census Bureau has requested the County designate a small work area so that Census workers can assist residents who have questions pertaining to the census questionnaire.

 

Dan Hansen, Seward County Zoning Administrator reported he would be out of the office next week.

 

Mike Koci reported a tree was planted to replace one that had been damaged in a storm and that another tree would also be planted soon.  He also reported that the clock on top of the courthouse was not working correctly and that he had called for repairs.

 

Russ Daehling, Seward County Highway Superintendent reported that our insurance carrier, NIRMA, had facilitated a safety workshop for the road crew this past week.  He also reported on bridge project developments, equipment problems, available funds for bridge safety from the NE Rural Safety Program, and that he is reviewing the snow storm policy.

 

Sheriff Joe Yocum reported that currently the jail is full and that there are some prisoners at other county facilities.  He also reported on employees in his office, possibly purchasing new video equipment, and police services in smaller villages.

 

Dan Hansen, Seward County Zoning Administrator presented a letter that he requested the Chairman to sign for the Nebraska Department of Environment Quality in regard to waiving the fees for inspecting properties by Hansen.

 

Moved by Stuhr and seconded by Koci to authorize the Chairman to sign the letter in regard to Title 124 “Certification for On-Site Professionals.”

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

 

Moved by Dedic and seconded by Stuhr to adopt Resolution #2751 in regard to Federal Aid Bridge Replacement Project # BRO-7080 (40) Beaver Crossing Southwest located between Sections 8 and 17 of Township 9 North, Range 1 East.

RESOLUTION
(DESIGNATING RC)

Seward County  

Resolution No.  2751

 

Whereas: Seward County has a full-time public employee on staff, or has obtained the services of a full-time public employee (an interlocal cooperation agreement, if applicable, is attached) who is fully qualified and has the time and interest in serving as a “Responsible Charge” (RC) for this project.  The designated RC will be in day-to-day responsible charge of all aspects of the project, from planning through post-construction activities, with the express purpose of doing all things necessary for the project to remain eligible for federal-aid transportation project funding; and

Whereas: the RC will ensure that, at a minimum, (1) the project receives independent and careful development, supervision and inspection, (2) the project is constructed in compliance with the plans and specifications, (3) all aspects of the project, from planning through construction activities, including all environmental commitments, remain eligible for federal funding, and (4) decisions made and actions taken for the project have adequate supporting documentation filed in an organized fashion.

For purposes of this resolution, the following definitions will apply:

Fully qualified means a person who has satisfactorily completed all applicable Nebraska Department of Roads (NDOR) training courses and who has met the other requirements necessary to be included on the NDOR list of qualified Local Public Agency (LPA) RCs.

Full-time public employee means a public employee who meets all the requirements and is afforded all the benefits of full-time employees as that phrase is applied to other employees of the employing public entity.  A person is not a full-time public employee if that person provides outside private consulting services, or is employed by any private entity, unless that person can prove to NDOR in advance, that employee’s non-public employment is in a field unrelated to any aspect of the project for which federal aid is sought.

Public employee means a person who is employed solely by a county, a municipality, a political subdivision; a Native American tribe; a school district; another entity that is either designated by statute as public or quasi-public; or an entity included on the list of entities determined by the NDOR, and approved by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), as fulfilling public or quasi-public functions.

Responsible charge means the public employee who is fully empowered by the LPA and has actual day-to-day working knowledge and responsibility for all decisions related to all aspects of the federal-aid project from planning through construction project activities, including all environmental commitments.  The RC is the day-to-day project manager, and the LPA’s point-of-contact for the project.  Responsible charge does not mean merely delegating the various tasks; it means active day-to-day involvement in identifying issues, investigating options, working directly with stakeholders, making decisions, and actively monitoring project construction.  It is understood that the RC may delegate or contract certain technical tasks associated with the project so long as the RC actively manages and represents the owner’s interests in the delegated technical tasks.

 

Be It Resolved: by the Board of Commissioners of Seward County that:

Russell L. Daehling, Seward County Highway Superintendent is hereby designated as Responsible Charge (RC) for pre-construction and construction phases, in accordance with the Project Program Agreement previously executed, the NDOR LPA Guidelines Manual for Federal-aid Projects, and all Federal, State and local laws, rules, regulations, policies and guidelines for the following Federal-aid transportation project:

NDOR Project Number BRO-7080 (40),

NDOR Control Number 12012,

Beaver Crossing Southwest.

Seward County assures and agrees that:

1)     It has authorized and fully empowered the RC to be in day-to-day responsible charge of the subject federal-aid project; this does not mean merely supervising, overseeing or delegating the various tasks, it means active day-to-day involvement in the project including identifying issues, investigating options, working directly with stakeholders, and decision-making.

2)     The RC is a full-time public employee.

3)     The RC is fully qualified and has successfully completed required training to serve as a RC.

4)     It will allow the RC to spend all time reasonably necessary to properly discharge all duties associated with the project, including ensuring that all aspects of the project, from planning through post-construction activities, remain eligible for federal-aid highway project funding.

5)     It will not assign other duties to the RC that would affect his or her ability to properly carry out the duties set out in this agreement.

6)     It will provide necessary office space, materials and administrative support for the RC.

7)     It will fully cooperate with, support and not unreasonably interfere with the day-to-day control of the RC concerning the acts necessary for making the project eligible for federal funding.

8)     It will take all necessary actions and make its best good faith efforts to comply and assist the RC in complying with all federal and state requirements and policies applicable to federal-aid transportation projects, including, but not limited to, all applicable requirements of 23 CFR 635.105.

9)     It will take all necessary actions and make its best good faith efforts to ensure that the RC’s work on the project would be deemed to meet the same standards that the Nebraska Department of Roads must meet under 23 CFR 635.105.

10)                        It will comply with the conflict-of-interest requirements of 23 CFR 1.33.

11)                        It will notify NDOR immediately in the event the designated RC(s) will no longer be assigned to the project.  A supplemental agreement designating a replacement RC may be required by NDOR.

12)                        It is ultimately responsible for complying with all federal and state requirements and policies applicable to federal-aid highway projects.  This includes meeting all post-construction environmental commitments.  The LPA understands that failure to meet any eligibility requirements for federal funding may result in the loss of all Federal funding for the project.  In the event that the acts or omissions of RC, the LPA or its agents or representatives result in a finding that a project is ineligible for Federal funding, the LPA will be required to repay NDOR some or all previously paid Federal funds and any costs or expenses NDOR has incurred for the project, including but not limited to, those costs for the RC.

 

Seward County understands that the following are the duties of the RC:

a)     Serve as the LPA’s contact for issues or inquiries for Federal-aid projects assigned by the LPA;

b)     Ensure that all applicable Federal, State and local laws, rules, regulations, policies and guidelines are followed during the development and construction of the project;

c)      Know and follow the NDOR LPA Guidelines Manual for Federal-aid Projects;

d)     Have active day-to-day involvement in identifying issues, investigating options, working directly with stakeholders, and decision-making;

e)     Ensure that the project plans and specifications are sealed, signed and dated by a professional engineer licensed in the State of Nebraska, and that estimates have been prepared and the construction has been observed by a professional engineer licensed in the State of Nebraska or a person under the direct supervision of a professional engineer licensed in the State of Nebraska (reference Neb. Rev. Stat. § 81-3445);

f)       Competently manage and coordinate the project day-to-day operations, including all project-related decisions, on behalf of the LPA, which includes the LPA’s governing body, staff and any extended staff dedicated to the project such as consulting engineers;

g)     Ensure that project documents are thoroughly checked, reviewed and have had quality control measures applied, prior to submitting to NDOR and/or FHWA;

h)     Monitor the progress and schedule of the project and be responsible for ensuring that the project is completed on time in accordance with established milestone dates;

i)       Properly serve as the owner’s representative, and to visit the project site during construction on a frequency commensurate with the magnitude and complexity of the project;

j)       Ensure that proper construction management processes have been developed and implemented for the project;

k)     Serve as a steward of the public funds, i.e. ensure that the public gets what it is paying for;

l)       Attend all required training including the annual workshop; and

m)  Fulfill continuing education requirements as specified in the NDOR LPA Guidelines Manual for Federal-aid Projects.

 

Adopted this 10th day of November 2009 at Nebraska.

The Board of Commissioners of Seward County.

Ayes: Larry J. Dedic, Scott Stuhr, Mary Koci, Diana L. Garske,

Darrell Miller Chairman, Board of Commissioners

Board Member Dedic moved the adoption of said resolution

Member Stuhr seconded the Motion Carried.

Roll Call: 5 yes, 0 no, 0 abstained, 0 absent

Resolution adopted, signed and billed as adopted

Attest: Sherry Schweitzer, Seward County Clerk

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

 

Moved by Stuhr and seconded by Koci to authorize the Chairman to sign the Road and Bridge Contracts Report to the Board of Public Roads Classifications and Standards.

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

 

Moved by Dedic and seconded by Stuhr to approve the right of way request from Roger Semler between Section 36, Township 9 North, Range 2 and Section 31, Township 9 North, Range 3, all East of the 6th p.m.

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

 

Yocum then discussed a railroad crossing that he believes needs looked into due to many accidents happening at that location.  The crossing is on Fletcher Road west of 252nd Road.  The Commissioners will collect documentation on the accidents and contact Burlington Northern on the issue.

 

The Commissioners recessed at 9:51 am.

The Commissioners reconvened at 10:07 am.

 

Moved by Koci and seconded by Stuhr to accept the Clerk of the District Court fee report for October, 2009 in the amount of $1,476.46.

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

 

Moved by Dedic and seconded by Stuhr to accept the County Clerk fee report for October 2009 in the amount of $31,468.29.

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

 

Commissioner’s reports:

Commissioner Stuhr reported he attended a Four Corners meetings the past week, attended a clean-up of the new Harvest Hall at the Seward County Fairgrounds, attended Region V meetings, responded to a call from a constituent involving a road sign, will attend a meeting involving a juvenile justice grant, and reported that our Weed Superintendent received a perfect score on a report from the State Department of Agriculture.

 

Commissioner Garske reported on a possible purchase of real estate for the CASA office and also on County Government Day held recently.

 

Commissioners Dedic reported he attended a CISDA meeting, will attend a Seward/Saline Solid Waste Committee meeting this evening and reported on a road abandonment process near Pleasant Dale.

 

Commissioner Koci reported she helped with County Government Day recently.

 

Commissioner Miller reported on a constituent request to purchase a county road sign.

 

Commissioner Garske gave information about possible changes to the Interlocal Agreement for Economic Development.  The organization of economic development for Seward County is being discussed and may be changed.

 

Moved by Koci and seconded by Dedic to go into Executive Session involving personnel at 10:33 a.m. as it is necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person.

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

 

The Chairman reiterated the Executive Session involved personnel, as it is necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person.

 

Moved by Garske and seconded by Koci to go out of Executive Session at 11:25 a.m.

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

 

The Chairman reiterated the Executive Session involved personnel, as it is necessary to prevent needless injury to the reputation of a person.

 

Known items on the agenda for November 17, 2009 are as follows:

  9:00 a.m.

Convene and announce Open Meetings Law

Pledge of Allegiance

Discuss/Action- Approve minutes of November 10, 2009

Other Business Matters to Address When Time Allows

Discuss/Action – Public/Officials/Boards

Commissioners Reports

Right of Way Request(s):

Discuss/Action- Executive Session-Personnel

 

 

 

Moved by Koci and seconded by Dedic to adjourn at 11:32 a.m.

Affirmative vote: Koci, Dedic, Garske, Stuhr, Miller                         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 17th day of November 2009.

         

________________________

Clerk

________________________

Chairman