WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS TUESDAY FEBRUARY 18, 2020

 WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30am on Tuesday, February 18th, 2020 for a regular business meeting at the Courthouse in Red Cloud. The following Board Members were present for roll call: Dan Shipman (District One), Trevor Karr (District Two), TJ Vance (District Three), Keith Buschow (District Four) and Gary Ratzlaff (District Five). The Board stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Buschow gave notice of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act Laws. Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Vance to approve the minutes of the February 4th, 2020 meeting. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining. None. Motion carried. Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Karr to approve of paying claims and payroll. All members present voted in favor. Motion carried. GENERAL FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$6470.10; Anderson, Klein, Brewster & Brandt (Counsel)-$161.50; Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$88.67; Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Health/Life)-$17,705.93; Blue Hill Leader (Publish)-$571.25; Carmichael Construction, LLC (Payment)-$43,915.00; Central Community College (Fee)-$20.00; Central District NACO (Registrations)-$200.00; Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel)-$1827.98; CVSOAN (Training)-$60.00; DAS State Accounting/Central Finance (Fees)-$225.52; S.S. (Fica)- $7241.98; Eakes Office Solutions (Supply)-$185.45; First Concord Benefits Group (Fee)-$12.50; First Concord Benefits Group (Fees)- $198.00; Hastings Tribune (Advertise)-$140.00; Hometown Leasing (Payment)-$121.00; Hometown Market (Supply)_$169.44; J&A Auto Supply (Repairs)-$55.60; Jared’s Auto Expert (Repairs)-$972.26; Kenny’s Lumber & Home Center (Repairs)-$86.04; Sonja L Krueger (Expense)-$82.70; Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc (Life)-$34.34; Meyer Laboratory, Inc (Supplies)-$54.13; Midland Area Agency on Aging (Funding)-$1767.86; Mips (Fees)-$7615.03; Mips Inc (Support)-$2248.33; Nebraska Emergency Medicine (Medical)- $907.00; Nebraska Notary Association (Fee)-$156.18; Nebraska Tech & Telecom, Inc (Phone)-$51.20; Sam’s Club (Supply)-$229.98; Self-Insured Dental Fund (Premiums)-$2954.00; Skalka & Baack Law Firm (Counsel)-$370.50; Kelly Skrdlant (Fee)-$12.00; Theobald Law Office (Counsel)-$1016.25; Trailblazer RC & D (Funding)-$350.00; Turner Technology (Fees)-$210.00; Ken VanWey (Repairs)- $250.00; Verizon Wireless (Phones)-$240.06; Webster Co Clerk District Court (Fee)-$33.00; Webster County Court (Crt Costs)- $103.00. ROAD/BRIDGE FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$2587.04; B-3 Dirt LLC (Road Main)-$660.00; Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$143.00; Village of Bladen (Utility)-$56.57; Blue Cross/Blue Shield (Health/Life)-$9092.80; C&D Service Center (Repairs)- $3166.26; Cencon of Kansas Utility Contractors (Gravel)-$3988.11; Century Lumber Center (Repairs)-$195.23; Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel)-$3817.60; S.S. (Fica)-$2959.18; First Concord Benefits Group (Fee)-$10.00; Village of Guide Rock (Utility)- $84.30; Hometown Market (Supply)-$16.43; J&A Auto Supply (Repairs)-$547.38; Kenny’s Lumber & Home Center (Repairs)-$188.46; Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc (Life)-$6.15; Mips Inc (Support)-$108.98; Monica Montgomery (Expense)-$31.90; Nebraska Machinery Company (Repairs)-$3464.28; Olson Enterprises LLC (Fuel)-$4177.55; Jack Petsch (Fee)-$50.00; Self-Insured Dental Fund (Premiums)-$995.00. ROAD/BRIDGE CONST FUND: B-3 Dirt LLC (Road Main)-$300.00. MODERN RECORDS FUND: Eakes Office Solutions (Supply)-$267.73; Mips (Support)-$112.00. SELF-INSURED DENTAL FUND: Charles D Bauer, D.D.S. (Dental)-$57.60; Bush Family Dentistry (Dental)-$70.80; Island View Dental (Dental)-$892.80; Minden Dental Clinic (Dental)-$163.00; Webster County Dental Clinic (Dental)-$1270.80. NOXIOUS WEED FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$179.59; S.S. (Fica)-$238.31; Eakes Office Solutions (Supply)-$41.84; Madison National Life Ins Co, Inc (Life)-$2.05; Self-Insured Dental Fund (Premium)-$111.00. AMBULANCE FUND: Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$367.66; Cooperative Producers, Inc (Fuel)-$132.39; Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc (Rental)- $114.02. Total Wages $139,392.04. At 8:35am, Paul Stoner met with the Board. He reported Walnut Creek Project is done until the weather warms up so they can finish small matters. The Road is open and looks really good. The crews are working on a road near Cowles and continue to work on ditches and grading. Paul and the Board discussed various roads throughout the County needing some repairs. They also discussed new or used equipment that might be needed for the new fiscal year and budgeting for them. At 9:15am, Assessor Krueger met with the Board. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Vance to go into Board of Equalization. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. Tax Correction #202001 in the amount of $53.44 was presented for approval. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr to approve of this tax correction. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. The Tax Correction was approved. Assessor Krueger also went over the Permissive Tax Exempt Properties for 2020 she had given to the Board at the previous meeting. Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Shipman to approve of the list as presented. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr to go out of Board of Equalization. All members present voted in favor. Motion carried. At 9:30am, Michele Bever presented her Annual Report of the South Heartland District activities. She went over a list of programs available for the public. At 10:00am, Treasurer Knehans presented Resolution 9-2020 for a Letter of Credit for $3,000,000.00 to be signed by the Board. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Ratzlaff to approve of Resolution 9-2020. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. The Board and Treasurer Knehans also discussed looking into moving $100,000.00 into a CD depending on interest rates. All members present felt this was a good idea to check into. RESOLUTION NO. 9-2020 BE IT RESOLVED, by the Board of Commissioners of Webster County, Nebraska, that SOUTH CENTRAL STATE BANK be permitted to Pledge the following securities, held in escrow by the Webster County Treasurer (trustee) to secure deposits in the County in said bank, to wit: FHL BANK-TOPEKA IRREVOCABLE LETTER OF CREDIT #60742 AMOUNT: $3,000,000.00 EXPIRATION DATE: 06/16/2020 ADOPTED by the Webster County Board of Commissioners this 18 th day of February, 2020. At 10:30am, Abbey and Liz informed the Board they had a meeting with Jennifer Larabee from Assurity and Amber Conway on Benefit Solutions options for county employees. Abbey is checking into this in more detail and will present it to the Board before giving employees the option of doing this. These options are similar to AFLAC but might be a little cheaper in cost and provide even more options available. At 10:45am, Colleen Minnick met with the Board on concerns with Midland Area Agency on Aging, Elm Street Center, Webster County Senior Citizens Committee Inc, and the Webster County Board of Advisory. County Attorney Sara Bockstadter was also present. Attorney Bockstadter advised the Board they had no authority to solve this issue as the Elm Street Center is owned by Webster County Senior Citizens Committee, Inc. and not Webster County. These are private entities and a solution to the issues will have to be handled by them. Colleen thanked the Board for listening on this matter. At 11:30am, Dennis VanWey, Noxious Weed Supt met with the Board and they discussed the applicants they received for the position of Noxious Weed Supt. The Board and Dennis will interview them at 1:00pm this afternoon and make a decision as to who they will appoint. Keith reported the windows will be done this week. The Board has set March 4th, 2020 as the date for their silent auction here at the Courthouse on surplus equipment, etc the offices are not using anymore. This will be open to the public to put bids on. Keith told the Board members they will set everything up after their March 3rd, 2020 meeting. At 12:00 noon, the County Board recessed their meeting until 1:00pm when they will interview the Noxious Weed position applicants. At 1:00pm, the Board resumed their meeting on 3rd floor for interviews of applicants for the Noxious Weed position. Applicants were asked questions and after deliberation of all applicants, the Board appointed Brian Pedersen to the position. Being no further business, Chairman Buschow adjourned the meeting at 3:10pm. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 3rd, 2020 at 8:30am. A current agenda and complete minutes are on file at the County Clerk’s Office and at www.co.webster.ne.us. Dated this 18th day of February, 2020 Webster County Board of Commissioners Attest: Louise Petsch Webster County Clerk

WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

 The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30am on Tuesday, February 4th, 2020 for a regular business meeting at the Courthouse in Red Cloud. The following Board Members were present for roll call: Dan Shipman (District One), Trevor Karr (District Two), TJ Vance (District Three), Keith Buschow (District Four) and Gary Ratzlaff (District Five). The Board stood and recited the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Buschow gave notice of the Nebraska Open Meetings Act Laws. Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Vance to approve the minutes of the January 21st, 2020 meeting. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining. None. Motion carried. At 8:35am, Paul Stoner presented the Completed, Revised and Amended One & Six Year Plan for Keith to sign. Paul presented an estimate from Lance Harter for repair costs of the Bladen Road if we used concrete. No decision at this time on this project. The crews are doing a lot of ditch work and rock hauling throughout the County. Work is still being done on the HVAC System. Courthouse Windows are progressing and look very nice. Blinds will be hung in the future and finishing of woodwork trim will also be started at some time. Courthouse lights around the Courthouse and mowing of cemeteries were discussed also. At 9:15am, Treasurer Knehans presented to the Board the end of the month fund balances. She also presented the Delinquent Tax Sale List and her Semi Annual Statement Report. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr to approve of these reports. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining. None. Motion carried. Tax sales will be done Monday, March 2nd at 9:00am in the District Court Room on the third floor of the Courthouse. At 9:30am, Jim Farmer met with the Board on Trailblazer RC & D information. Two Grants have been approved from DEE (Dept of Environment and Energy). Several counties are involved in these grants. Mr. Farmer asked for some equipment to be provided and lots of volunteers to help with these recycling projects for Electronic Recycling Grant and Household Hazardous Waste Grant. Mr. Farmer also asked for their 2020 Sponsorship fee of $350.00 from the County as in previous years. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Ratzlaff to approve this fee. All members voted in favor of this motion. Motion carried. Clerk Petsch stated this claim will be done at our February 18th meeting. Dates for Electronic Recycling will be Wednesday, April 15, 2020 from 8:00am to 12:00pm in Blue Hill; Tire Recycling will be August 14, 2020 from 8:00am to 12:00pm in Guide Rock and Household Hazardous Waste will be Friday, May 8, 2020 from 8:00am to 10:00am in Blue Hill. At 9:45am, the Board approved of paying for a Basic Lab Draw that the Webster County Hospital Health Fair is offering on March 30 & 31 from 6:00am to 9:00am and on April 1 & 2 from 6:00am to 9:00am. Motion was made by Vance, seconded by Karr to offer this to the employees. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. At 9:55am, Commissioner Dan Shipman presented Resolution 8-2020 for the Board to look over and adopt. Attorney Bockstadter and several concerned public citizens were in attendance for this also. The Resolution is basically a statement being made in support of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution adopted in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, protecting the inalienable and individual right of the people to keep and bear arms. The group feels LB58 Red Flag Law is unconstitutional and wants to make a statement of opposition to this bill to send to our Senator of their concerns on this matter. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr to approve of Resolution 8-2020. Voting in favor. Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. RESOLUTION NO. 2020 - 8 BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CHAIRPERSON AND COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE COUNTY OF WEBSTER, NEBRSAKA, as follows: WHEREAS, the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution, adopted in 1791 as part of the Bill of Rights, protects the inalienable and individual right of the people to keep and bear arms; and WHEREAS, the Supreme Court in the District of Columbia v. Heller, 554 U.S. 570 (2008), decision affirmed an individual’s right to possess firearms, unconnected with service in a militia, for traditionally lawful purposes, such as selfdefense within the home; and, WHEREAS, the Supreme Court in McDonald v Chicago, 561 U.S. 742 (2010), affirmed that the right of an individual to “keep and bear arms,” as protected under the Second Amendment, is incorporated by the Due Process Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment against the states; and WHEREAS, the Supreme Court, in United States v Miller, 307 U.S. 174 (1939), opined that firearms that are part of ordinary military equipment, or with use that could contribute to the common defense are protected by the Second Amendment; and WHEREAS, Article I, Section I-1 of the Constitution of Nebraska provides that “All persons have certain inalienable rights; among these are life, liberty, the pursuit of happiness, and the right to keep and bear arms for security or defense of self, family, home, and others, and for lawful common defense, hunting, recreational use, and all other lawful purposes, and such rights shall not be denied or infringed by the state or any subdivision thereof. To secure these rights, and protection of property, governments are instituted among people, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed.”; and WHEREAS, Article I, Section I-7 of the Constitution of Nebraska provides that “The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects against unreasonable searches and seizures shall not be violated; and no warrant shall issue but upon probable cause, supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the person or thing to be seized.”; and WHEREAS, Article I, Section I-16 of the Constitution of Nebraska provides that “No bill of attainder, ex post facto law, or law impairing the obligation of contracts, or making any irrevocable grant of special privileges or immunities shall be passed.”; and WHEREAS, Article I, Section I-21 of the Constitution of Nebraska provides that “The property of no person shall be taken or damaged for public use without just compensation therefore.”; and WHEREAS, it is the desire of the County Board to declare its support of the Second Amendment to the United States Constitution and the Nebraska Constitution protecting citizens’ inalienable and individual right to keep and bear arms; and WHEREAS, the members of this Board took an oath to support and defend the United States Constitution, the Constitution of the State of Nebraska and the laws of the State of Nebraska, insofar as they are constitutional. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of County Commissioners of the County of Webster, Nebraska by the authority granted the Board by the laws of the State of Nebraska and people of Webster County, Nebraska, we hereby declare that we shall stand and defend the rights and liberties of all county citizens, which are guaranteed by the United States and Nebraska Constitutions. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this Board affirms its support for the duly elected Sheriff of Webster County, Nebraska in the exercise of his sound discretion and affirms its resolve to support decisions by our Sheriff to defend the Constitution of the United States and the Constitution of the State of Nebraska. DATED THIS 4TH DAY OF FEBRUARY, 2020. The District Court Fee report was presented to the Board. At 10:30am, motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Ratzlaff to go into Board of Equalization. All voted in favor. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Vance to sign the Application for Exemption of Webster County Transportation Vehicles turned over to Midland Area Agency on Aging. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance, Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. Chairman Buschow and Treasurer Knehans signed the application. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr to go out of Board of Equalization. All members voted in favor. The following claims and payroll were approved for payment by motion being made by Karr and seconded by Ratzlaff. All members present voted in favor. GENERAL FUND: Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$392.59; Axon Enterprise Inc (Supply)-$65.00; Blue Hill Leader (Subscription)- $31.50; Blue360 Media (Supply)-$76.75; Bockstadter & Glen Law, LLC (Contract)-$1705.00; Katie Bolte (Expense)-$69.33; Ron Brumbaugh (Contract)-$1766.67; Carmichael Construction, LLC (Repairs)-$2915.00; CASA of South Central Nebraska (Funding)- $3000.00; Central Nebr County Assessor Assn (Dues)-$20.00; DAS State Accounting/Central Finance (Fee)-$448.00; S.S. (Fica)- $444.90; Eakes Office Solutions (Supplies)-&290.92; First National Bank Omaha (Supply)-$1321.25; Great Plains Communications (Phones)-$1185.70; Great Plains Uniforms LLC (Supply)-$82.65; Hometown Leasing (Leasing)-$250.00; Elizabeth Janning (Expense)- $42.92; Jared’s Auto Expert (Repairs)-$131.99; Krieger Electric Company (Pmt)-$19,786.73; Leaf Capitol Funding, LLC (Postage)- $424.45; Mips (Service)-$19,454.31, Sydney O’Daniel (Expense)-$77.72; Katie Ord (Expense)-$90.71; Otoe County Sheriff’s Office (Fee)-$18.00; Alexa Pedersen (Expense)-$93.96; Louise Petsch (Expense)-$25.92; Gary Ratzlaff (Expense)-$42.25; Red Cloud Chief (Subscription)-$32.50; Red Cloud Golf Course (Expense)-$93.00; City of Red Cloud (Utility)-$1905.47; Secretary of State (Supply)- $10.00; Dan Shipman (Expense)-$157.67; Web Co Sheriff-Petty Cash Fund (Petty Cash)-$127.95; Webster County Sheriff’s Dept (Fees)-$79.95; Williams Exterminating, Inc (Pest Control)-$88.00; Woodward’s Disposal Service (Utility)-$20.00. ROAD/BRIDGE FUND: ACE/Eaton Metals (Culverts)-$206.27; Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$7.29; Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$233.94; City of Blue Hill (Utility)-$120.02; Cencon of Kansas Utility Contractors (Gravel)-$1578.37; Country Corner (Fuel)-$143.47; S.S. (Fica)-$8.27; First National Bank Omaha (Supply)-$1021.94; Glenwood Telecommunications (Phones)-$166.90; Great Plains Communications (Phone)-$49.12; LRNRD Rural Water Project (Water)-$22.21; NCK Quarries LLC (Gravel)-$750.03; Newman Signs, Inc (Signs)-$113.25; Nebraska Machinery Company (Repairs)-$675.91; Oak Creek Engineering, LLC (Fees)-$12,092.06; R&M Disposal LLC (Utility)- $12,092.06; Windstream (Phone)-$73.99. ROAD/BRIDGE CONST FUND: Oak Creek Engineering, LLC (Fees)-$443.00. SELF-INSURED DENTAL FUND: Sean M Daly, D.D.S. (Dental)-$2666.00; Webster County Dental Clinic (Dental)-$108.00. COUNTY MEDICA/RELIEF FUND: NE Health & Human Services System (Beatrice/Lincoln)-$186.00. NOXIOUS WEED FUND: Nebraska Weed Control Assn-Region (Dues)-$15.00. AMBULANCE FUND: S.S. (Fica)-$177.66; Great Plains Communications (Phone)-$48.52; Petsch Billing (Contract)- $350.00. Total Wages - $8,245.68. Being no further business, Chairman Buschow adjourned the meeting at 12:00pm. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, February 18th, 2020 at 8:30am. A current agenda and complete minutes are on file at the County Clerk’s Office and at www.co.webster.ne.us. Dated this 4th day of February, 2020 Webster County Board of Commissioners Attest: Louise Petsch Webster County Clerk