Webster County Board of Commissioners October 6th 2020

 WEBSTER COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS The Webster County Board of Commissioners met at 8:30am on Tuesday, October 6th, 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, voted by zoom), Keith Buschow (District Four) and Gary Ratzlaff (District Five). 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 September 15th meeting. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance (by zoom), Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Vance, to pay claims and payroll. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance (by zoom), Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining. None. Motion carried. At 8:35am, Paul Stoner met with the Board. The Board purchased a 2001 pickup with 152,000 miles for $7,500.00. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr to approve the purchase. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance (by zoom), Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent, or abstaining: None. Motion carried. Paul also presented to the Board Resolution 39-2020 and an Agreement with Dept of Transportation and the State of Nebraska for Project No. STP-281-1(118), Control No. 42815, Agreement No. XL42815, Project Name: US-281 Red Cloud North & Cowles Spur S-91B. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr to approve these documents. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance (by zoom), Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. Resolution 39-2020 was signed. Paul presented Resolution 40-2020 for signing County Annual Certification of Program Compliance Form 2020 to be signed. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Ratzlaff to sign this Annual Certification. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance (by zoom), Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. Kyle Larson, from Cat/Nebraska Machinery Company met with the Board on the Excavator the Board had approved at previous meeting but wanted to do a trial basis of performance. Paul informed the Board he approved of the machine and felt it was a good investment. Since this had already been voted on at previous meeting, the purchase was finalized. Cost was $227,980.00. Mr. Larson also presented to the Board information to review for a new motor grader purchase done by the new Government Lease Program. The Board decided to do a bid letting on November 3rd, 2020. At 9:25am, Janice Hartman met with the Board questioning ownership on vans used by the Webster County Transportation. Several topics were discussed also pertaining to meals and use of the van by other towns owned by Midland Area Agency on Aging. The Elm Street Center wants to try to serve meals once a month with a free will donation and possibly will do a Thanksgiving dinner for fund raising. These meals will be on a drive-through basis. At 9:35am, the Board held their reevaluation meeting with Noxious Weed Superintendent, Brian Pedersen. Board felt everything was going smoothly and asked Brian if he needed any equipment or anything to help him. Brian told the Board he may want some updating done at a later time but at the present time felt everything was fine and things could wait another year. At 9:50am, Chief Deputy Sheriff, Ron Sunday met with the Board along with Alyssa Sanders from the State of Nebraska to discuss forming and Nuckolls/Webster County LEPC which is really required to do but hasn’t been done in quite some time. This is a hazardous materials safety program that deals with a chemical emergency. The Committee needs a representative from the Webster County Board. Motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Karr to appoint Dan Shipman. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance (by zoom) and Karr. Abstaining: Shipman. Motion carried. Ron also informed the Board he submitted three months of salaries, benefits, etc. from the Sheriff’s Department to the Covid Grant Committee and Webster County will be receiving a check for approximately $80,000.00. These were for the months of March, April and May. At 10:10am, Treasurer Janet Knehans and Clerk Liz Petsch reported to the Board on the SBPC that had been discussed at the previous meeting. Knehans spoke to other County Treasurers and no one has signed up for this option. Knehans felt she would rather wait and do more research with other Treasurers before committing to this method of handling Pledged Securities. Treasurer Knehans also reported to the Board that 95% of the RE taxes have been paid. She submitted a Report of Remaining unpaid taxes. Treasurer Knehans submitted Resolution 41-2020 for Letter of Credit for $2,500,000.00 with an expiration date of 12/3/20 for approval. Motion was made by Shipman, seconded by Karr to approve. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance (by zoom), Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried Payroll was discussed but decision was made to keep things the same for right now. At 10:20am, the Board reviewed a Gun Supplement plan in conjunction with the Legal Shield plan that was offered to the employees earlier. At 10:30am, motion was made by Buschow, seconded by Ratzlaff to sign an Interlocal Agreement for Maintenance of East Cass Street in Blue Hill to be signed. The Board approved and Chairman Buschow signed the Agreement. At 10:45am, motion was made by Karr, seconded by Vance to sign the Certificate of Cost Allocation Plan submitted to the Board from WJE Consulting, LLC. This pertains to Clerk of District Court. At 11:05am, the Board discussed the County Attorney’s Resignation submitted by Attorney Sara Bockstadter. Motion was made by Karr, seconded by Vance to accept her resignation effective October 6, 2020. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance (by zoom), Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent, or abstaining: None. Motion carried. County Attorney’s resignation was accepted. District Court Judge Stephen Illingworth submitted a motion to have an acting county attorney appointed to address the court calendar until the Board makes a formal appointment. He appointed Attorney Henry Schenker as interim acting County Attorney under his statutory authority. This interim is only until the Board appoints a County Attorney after publishing in the paper for applicants for the position. Other people in the community voiced their opinions on this matter to the Board. Clerk Petsch presented Outstanding Checks Imprest Account Report, the Sheriff’s Quarterly Fee Report, and Clerk of District Court Fee Report for the Board to review. At 11:45am, motion was made by Karr, seconded by Vance to go into Board of Equalization for Levies presented by Deputy Assessor Tami Scheuneman. After review, motion was made by Ratzlaff, seconded by Shipman to approve this report. Voting in favor: Buschow, Ratzlaff, Vance (by zoom), Karr and Shipman. Voting no, absent or abstaining: None. Motion carried. There will be a public hearing on November 3rd, 2020 in order to amend the budget to reflect changes found in reviewing a bond issue not submitted. Motion was made buy Ratzlaff, seconded by Karr to go out of Board of Equalization. All members voted in favor. Motion carried. At 11:50am, the Board discussed the wood floors in the Extension Office that needs repaired. The Board has contacted Carmichael Construction and they have agreed to the work at a later time. The Board and several employees discussed the Covid situation and quarantining if things got worse again. GENERAL FUND: Adams County Clerk (Probation)-$1151.48; Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$436.60; Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$116.26; Blue Hill Leader (Publish)-$31.50; Bockstadter & Glen Law, LLC (Contract)-$1805.00; Sara Bockstadter (Expense)- $89.15; Katie Bolte (Expense)-$115.77; Ron Brumbaugh (Contract)-$1766.67; Busch Construction (Mowing)-$90.00; Business World Prod/Hastings (Supply)-$192.67; CEI Security (Repairs)-$91.00; DAS State Accounting/Central Finance (Fees)-$448.00; Dugan Printing & Promotions, LLC (Supply)-$253.68; S.S. (Fica)-$488.06; Eakes Office Solutions (Supply)-$1653.62; Election Systems & Software (Ballots)-$848.96; First National Bank Omaha (Supply)-$866.97; Glenwood (Phone)-$295.00; Great Plains Communications (Phones)- $1214.49; Hastings Tribune (Subscription)-$155.00; Holiday Inn Kearney (Lodging)-$269.85; Hometown Leasing (Lease)-$129.00; IAAO (Dues)-$220.00; Elizabeth Janning (Expense)-$209.38; Jared’s Auto Expert (Repairs)-$461.27; Kenny’s Lumber & Home Center (Repairs)-$24.57; LEAF (Lease)-$424.45; Meyer Laboratory, Inc (Supply)-$112.70; Mips Inc (Supply)-$75.00; NE Law Enforcement Training Center (Expense)-$80.00; Nebraska.gov (Supply)-$100.00; Sydney O’Daniel (Expense)-$194.88; Alexa Pedersen (Expense)- $99.53; U.S. Postmaster (Rent)-$92.00; Pro Printing & Graphics (Supply)-$97.50; Protex Central (Supply)-$73.70; Quadient Finance USA, Inc (Postage)-$2000.00; Gary Ratzlaff (Expense)-$129.54; Red Cloud Chief (Publish)-$301.23; City of Red Cloud (Utility)- $3026.12; Sam’s Club (Supply)-$206.32; Troy Schmitz (Expense)-$100.00; Skalka & Baack Law Firm (Counsel)-$825.00; South Central Pub Power Dist (Utility)-$25.28; Theobald Law Office (Counsel)-$1423.50; University of Nebraska-Lincoln (Supply)-$60.00; Ken VanWey (Repairs/Mowing)-$920.00; Village Pharmacy (Supply)-$184.68; Webster Co Clerk District Crt (Fees)-$173.00; Webster Co Crt (Crt Costs)-$17.00; Webster Co Hospital Clinic (Fees)-$71.25; Webster County Imprest Account (Misc)-$30.69; Williams Exterminating, Inc (Pest Control)-$88.00. ROAD/BRIDGE FUND: ACE/Eaton Metals (Culverts)-$883.13; Ameritas Life Insurance Corp (Retire)-$310.17; Auto Glass Experts LLC (Repairs)-$175.00; Barton Pipe & Rod (Repairs)-$476.00; Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$73.34; Bladen Sand & Gravel, Inc (Gravel)-$43,624.65; Blessing Construction (Concrete)-$24,475.60; City of Blue Hill (Utility)-$83.82; Computer Hardware-Hastings (Repairs)-$100.00; Country Corner (Fuel)-$255.02; S.S. (Fica)-$347.90; Eakes Office Solutions (Lease)- $84.86; Fastenal (Supply)-$340.27; First National Bank Omaha (Supply)-$231.12; Freedom Leasing, LLC (Truck)-$7500.00; Glenwood Telecommunications (Phones)-$161.44; Great Plains Communications (Phone)-$49.76; Hometown Market (Supply)-$10.18; Kully Pipe & Steel Supply (Repairs)-$996.75; LRNRD Rural Water Project (Water)-$22.21; Matheson Tri-Gas, Inc - $326.45; NAPA Auto Parts (Repairs)-$277.47; Newman Signs, Inc (Signs)-$3012.55; Nebraska Machinery Company (Repairs)-$1553.94; Olson Enterprises LLC (Fuel)-$5262.28; Power Plan, Dept. 77871 (Supply)-$53.43; R&M Disposal LLC (Utility)-$53.50; Red Cloud Chief (Publish)-$7.70; South Central Pub Power Dist (Utility)-$136.01; Webster County Hospital (Testing)-$42.00; Windstream (Phone)-$75.61. VISITOR PROMOTION FUND: Webster County Ag Association (Adv)-$2500.00. SELF-INSURED DENTAL FUND: Sean M Daly, D.D.S. (Dental)- $571.60; Minden Dental Clinic (Dental)-$541.40; Robert G Money, D.D.S. (Dental)-$249.60; Webster County Dental Clinic (Dental)- $438.80. AMBULANCE FUND: Black Hills Energy (Utility)-$33.47; S.S. (Fica)-$131.94; Great Plains Communications (Phone)-$49.03; OPTUM360 (Supply)-$43.95; Petsch Billing (Contract)-$400.00. Total Wages - $12,787.28. Being no further business, Chairman Buschow adjourned the meeting at 12:35pm. The next regular meeting will be held on Tuesday, October 20th 2020 at 8:30am. A current agenda and complete minutes are on file in the County Clerk’s Office and at www.co.webster.ne.us. Dated this 6th day of October, 2020 Webster County Board of Commissioners ATTEST: Louise Petsch Webster County Clerk