COUNTY BOARD PROCEEDINGS

The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30 am on Tuesday, November 3rd for a regular business meeting. The following Members were present for roll call: Jeff Ord, John Soucek, Roger Bohrer, Keith Buschow and Mary Delka. Motion was made by Delka, second by Soucek to approve the minutes of the October 20th, 2009 business meeting. All Members voted to approve the minutes. The Board reviewed the Best Management Practices Plan submitted by the Lower Republican NRD at the previous meeting. A supporting resolution offered by the NRD was introduced. Mike Delka from Bostwick Irrigation District was present for comments and offered an alternative draft motion in concerns for irrigation water usage. Commissioner Mary Delka expressed concerns about the Little Blue NRD being a part of this county. She introduced the board statement as offered by her husband. Further discussion was held. After review, motion was made by Bohrer, second by Buschow to adopt Resolution 39-2009: WHEREAS, The Board of Commissioners of Webster County has received, reviewed and considered the “Best Management Practices Plan” for compliance with the Republican River Compact made by the State of Nebraska with the States of Colorado and Kansas. WHEREAS, The LRNRD Plan for compliance with the Republican River Compact includes five basic steps essential to the process. BE IT RESOLVED, After due consideration and deliberation, the Webster County Board of Commissioners add their support to the “Best Management Practices Plan” for compliance with the Republican River Compact. Upon roll call vote, voting to adopt the resolution: Bohrer, Buschow, Soucek, Ord. Voting nay: Delka. Resolution 39-2009 was adopted. Brad Wulf, Director for Lower Republican was present for continued discussion on irrigation water issues. He presented more recent information gathered at the state level. Motion was made by Delka, second by Buschow, to approve of the following Board Statement: “The Webster County Board of Commissioners support programs and activities that promote and strengthen the economy of Webster County. The Commissioners also support and promote programs and activities that will yield a reliable water supply for all water users." All Members voted in favor of the motion. The Board discussed snow removal for the courthouse parking lot and driveway. Commissioner Delka had contacted 4 area contractors that might provide this service. Only one had submitted a written quote for this service. Motion was made by Delka, second by Bohrer to approve of the quote of $100 per hour by Elliott Construction of Red Cloud for snow removal on the Courthouse parking lot and driveway. All Members voted in favor of the motion. Clerk Knehans and the Board discussed the County’s IRS Section 125 Cafeteria Plan. Motion was made by Buschow, second by Soucek to continue the Webster County Cafeteria Plan for eligible county employees for the 2010 calendar year. All Members voted in favor of the motion. At 10:30 am, the Board held their pre-advertised public hearing on road closings. Linda Grummert, Highway Superintendent was present. Four citizens attended from the rural Guide Rock area. Three road closing sites were considered. Road No. 86, northwest of Inavale, had no opposition from landowners. Road No. 87 west of Guide Rock was then reviewed. Legal Notice had not been served upon one adjoining landowner. Protests on the closure of this road were heard. Road No. 88 north of Guide Rock was given consideration. The four citizens present were adjoining landowners or users of this road and they protested this closure and requested repair of the bridge that had been closed by the State in the section under consideration. All parties extensively discussed the last two roads for consideration. Upon consideration of one road closure, motion was made by Bohrer, second by Buschow to close, vacate and abandon Road No. 86 based on the determination that this one mile of road is not in public use, has no need for future public use and has no opposition to closure. All Members voted in favor of the motion. Motion was made by Bohrer, second by Buschow that Road No. 88 should not be closed or vacated and should remain open due to public opposition. All Members voted in favor of that motion. Road No. 87 was considered and any action on this matter would be tabled until a later date pending further review or a new hearing after formal notice to adjoining landowners. Linda Grummert, Highway Superintendent, met with the Board on designating a “Responsible Charge" with the Nebraska Department of Roads on five pending bridge projects. Motion was made by Buschow, second by Soucek to adopt Resolution 40-2009: BE IT RESOLVED, that Linda Grummert, Webster County Highway Superintendent, is hereby designated as Responsible Charge for all construction phases in accordance with the Project Program Agreement with the Nebr Dept of Roads Guidelines and with all federal, state and local laws, rules, regulations, policies on five federal-aid transportation projects. All Members voted to adopt Resolution 40-2009. Clerk Knehans and the Board discussed a pending hospital bond payment. The bond had been rewritten in March to pay off in 14 years instead of 15 years and at a lower interest rate. By using reserve cash in that fund, the county lowered the principal amount but the first payment would be for a larger amount. The Board had saved over $185,400 in future payments when the bond was re-written. Today’s payment would be $13,000 short in cash. Various options to pay the shortage were reviewed. The Board approved of financing this $13,000 in a two month loan from Peoples-Webster County Bank of Red Cloud and repaying this when the tax funds become available. Motion was made by Buschow, second by Bohrer to adopt Resolution 41-2009: BE IT RESOLVED, that Lonnie Knehans is authorized to borrow from Peoples-Webster County Bank the sum of $13,000.00 for payment to Union Bank & Trust Company for partial payment of Bond Series 2009. All Members voted to adopt the resolution. The following claims were approved for payment: Wages for 7 part-time employees and 9 EMTs- $4,868.75 GENERAL FUND Ameritas Life Ins retirmt $ 153.06 Nebr Admin Servic telecom $ 448.00 Automated Systems supply $ 479.00 Robert Beardslee maintnc $ 220.00 Bell’s Plumbing repair $ 181.25 Business World supply $ 36.34 Richard Calkins counsel $ 654.50 Cash-Wa Candy Co supply $ 154.65 Cash-Wa Distribg food $ 124.35 Catherland Auto supply $ 76.20 Dell Marketing toner $ 99.99 Social Security FICA $ 206.94 Eakes Office supply $ 39.95 Executive Copier maintnc $ 113.83 Galls supply $ 299.99 Great Plains Comm phone $ 44.60 IAAO Bank Lockbox dues $ 175.00 Myrtle Knehans service $ 25.00 Duane Lienemann expense $ 1,007.88 McDole Law Office phone $ 59.61 MIPS, Inc. service $ 1,118.09 NACO cobra fee $ 2,198.52 NACO register $ 960.00 Office Depot supply $ 104.78 R.C. Hardware supply $ 96.33 Red Cloud City utility $ 938.86 Reliable Office supply $ 39.90 Donna Rose expense $ 133.26 Seiler & Parker counsel $ 19.00 Simply Whatever contract $ 1,325.00 SourceGas utility $ 647.09 Amber Stoner mileage $ 52.80 US Postmaster postage $ 1,000.00 Web Co Sheriff petty cash $ 79.88 Web Co Court crt costs $ 28.00 Whelan & Scherr counsel $ 143.50 ROAD FUND Ameritas Life Ins retirmt $ 29.92 Bladen Sand/Gravel gravel $ 42,660.97 City of Blue Hill utility $ 84.73 Catherland Auto repair $ 564.72 Century Lumber supply $ 86.49 Dawn’s Upholstery repair $ 97.90 Social Security FICA $ 33.91 Farm Plan repair $ 802.01 Figgins Constructn armor coat $ 4,366.87 Glenwood Telephone phone $ 134.38 Linda Grummert expense $ 77.86 Guide Rock Village utility $ 41.63 LRNRD Rural Water water $ 23.74 Midwest Service signs $ 943.60 Nebraska Machinery repair $ 417.17 Nebr Salt/Grain misc $ 1,198.43 Orscheln’s repair $ 152.85 Quill Corp supply $ 79.59 R & K Service tires $ 13.50 R.C. Hardware repair $ 139.47 SourceGas utility $ 87.21 Ardell Talkington service $ 42.00 Universl Hydraulic repair $ 555.00 Windstream phone $ 56.92 Kary Winslow expense $ 57.50 COUNTY DENTAL FUND Dentistry dental $ 138.40 W.C. Dental Clnc dental $ 740.80 HOSPITAL BOND FUND Union Bank & Trust bond $ 192,950.74 NOXIOUS WEED FUND Ameritas Life Ins retirmt $ 52.20 Social Security FICA $ 59.16 NACO register $ 120.00 AMBULANCE FUND Social Security FICA $ 72.46 Paula Hammond expense $ 63.00 Linweld rental $ 76.75 Platte Valley Comm pager $ 404.00 SourceGas utility $ 84.58 Being no further business, Chairman Ord adjourned the meeting at 12:20 pm. The next regular business meeting will be held on Tuesday, November 17th, 2009. A current agenda and complete minutes are on file in the County Clerk’s Office. Dated this 3rd day of November, 2009.