This is a synopsis of the Saline County Board of Commissioners’ August 18th, 2020, regular meeting proceedings. A complete set of the proceedings is on file in the Board of Commissioners’ Journal, is of public record in the Saline County Clerk’s office and at our website: www.co.saline.ne.us SALINE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS The regular meeting of the Saline County Board of Commissioners was called to order at 9:30 a.m. on Tuesday, August 18th, 2020, by Chairperson, Marvin A. Kohout. Present were Kohout, Russ Karpisek, Philip S. Hardenburger, Stephanie A. Krivohlavek, Janet J. Henning Commissioners, County Clerk Anita Bartels, Administrative Assistant Tim McDermott, and Saline County Attorney Tad Eickman. Notice of said meeting was posted in the County Clerk’s Office, on the Saline County Website, and published in all three county newspapers prior to the meeting, in compliance with State Statutes. Let the record show that all proceedings are electronically recorded. Kohout advised those present of the open meetings law posted at the back of the room. The Board: Approved the agenda as presented; Approved the minutes of the August 4th, 2020, regular meeting; Under Citizens Forum, Gary Veprovsky voiced concerned regarding the lights on the wind turbines. Veprovsky stated currently there is a little red light on the turbines and questioned why the lights would need to be changed to a flashing white light. Veprovsky also requested all Commissioner meetings be available with a live audio and visual feed. Krivohlavek replied she has requested the live feeds be made available in the past and this topic is on today’s agenda for discussion. Chuck McKay addressed the Board questioning whether the 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. working hours were in the road agreement for concrete trucks. He stated on August 8th, the concrete trucks started running at 4:00 a.m. and were done by 2:00 p.m. The Board confirmed the working hours have been addressed with the concrete plant. McKay brought up several issues regarding the wind towers. He felt safety issues were being avoided by the Planning and Zoning Committee. He inquired if the Board had received a safety manual from the manufacturer of the wind towers. McKay presented 2 pages from a Nordex website regarding danger zones around wind towers. He is looking to change any future wind tower placements for consideration of danger zones. McKay asked the Board to request the Planning and Zoning Committee allow citizens to be present, allowing both sides of the story to be heard. Board members stated the Planning and Zoning is its own entity, having no jurisdiction over their meetings. McKay requested the Board to get a safety manual from Zesta, the manufacturer of the wind towers being erected in Saline County. Jeff Koll also expressed concerns with the wind turbine lighting and specifically regarding aircraft activation. Koll stated the turbines should be 45 decibels or lower. He also requested going forward, permits involving wind turbines not be transferable. Koll expressed interest in filling the open seat on the Planning & Zoning Committee. He stated concerns which need to be addressed are the set back zones of turbines so a turbine does not encroach in a trespass zone and make manufacturing specs a part of the conditional use permit for safety and liability reasons. Anita Stougard, Youth Diversion Coordinator gave a program update and the need for an agreement with Family Services Lincoln for a mental health therapist at Crete Middle School and High School. The agreement will need to be approved by the Board. Gary Veprovsky addressed the Board to discuss Accountability Concerns. Veprovsky stated the lack of accountability erodes public respect. Examples he gave which caused him to question accountability were the courthouse addition/remodel, specifically the doors, air conditioning and the parking lot upgrade. Veprovsky believes someone other than the citizens should be paying for these types of issues. McDermott explained the issue with the doors was not an additional cost. The doors were a warranty replacement through the contractor. McDermott also explained many of the changes made during the remodel and renovation was a result of several different Fire Marshals doing the inspections. From one Fire Marshal to another, each would have their own assessment of what needed to be added or changed. Addressing the parking lot upgrade, this conversation began during renovation, but was not addressed until now. Veprovsky referred to the resolution passed at the last meeting regarding fences and obstructions in the County right of ways. He presented a photo to the Board of a rock pile that filled the ditch at 1500 & O Roads. He reported three months ago trees were cut down or trimmed and the debris was left on his property, making him unable to move cattle. He contacted Highway Superintendent Bruce Filipi, Filipi promptly addressed the issue. However, the contractor only moved the debris across the road to the neighbor’s property. Veprovsky commended Filipi for being accountable when addressing road issues. Veprovsky stated he telephoned Bartels to find out why Rick Nelson gave a report at the last Board meeting, not under Citizens Forum, but it was placed in the minutes under Citizens Forum. Bartels explained she placed it there, because Nelson was not on the agenda, but given the floor to speak as a courtesy by Kohout. No action was requested or taken by the Board. She placed it there simply following an outline of the minutes. Bartels intended nothing malicious or deceitful. Veprovsky brought up a previous issue Chuck McKay addressed with the Board, regarding Kohout voting on issues he may have a conflict of interest in. Krivohlavek stated this was addressed by the Nebraska Political Accountability and Disclosure Commission and resolved based on conflict of interest laws. Karpisek noted this issue went through proper channels at the State level and as such there are no repercussions at the County level. At 10:37 a.m. Kohout announced the Board would recess; At 10:45 a.m. Kohout announced the Board would reconvene; Discussion was held on the parking lot drainage issues. Wayne & Bobbi Crosby, owners of the property to the east of the parking lot were present. The suggestion is to replace the railroad ties with a second concrete curb near or on the property line, setting posts for a fence. Under correspondence received from Blue Valley Community Action August 18th Board of Directors agenda and minutes of their June 15, 2020, meeting, the August 2020 reports to the Board of Directors and their June-July 2020 news clippings; from the City of Crete the August 18th agendas for the City Council, Public Works Committee, Parks & Recreation Committee, Legislative and Economic Development Committee and Finance Committee. Under Report of Officials heard reports of attending a Safety Committee meeting, NIRMA webinar, Blue Valley Community Action meeting, Employee Assistance Program meeting, upcoming meetings with the Planning and Zoning Committee, NACO Board meeting with the Governor, Five Rivers RC & D meeting, and a NIRMA Board meeting. It is not expected to have a hazardous waste collection event this fall. The County’s current email provider is ending that service. All County email address with @saline.nacone.org will be assigned a new email address. Approved the July 2020 Clerk of the District Court Fees. Approved the July 2020 County Clerk fees. Approve the Annual Personal Property Inventories for elected and appointed officials. Commissioner Board meeting will soon be made available via Facebook and YouTube. Approved the Treasure’s Distress Warrant Report. Approved Resolution #2020-054 transferring $110,000 from the Inheritance Fund to the General Fund. Approved Resolution #2020-055 transferring $1,600 from the Inheritance Fund to the Bailiff Fund. Approved Resolution #2020-056 transferring $250 from the Inheritance Fund to the Employee Wellness Fund. Approved request to occupy County right of way at County Road 2100 and County Road J by Spectrum/Charter. The Board gave permission to begin paperwork in cooperation with the City of Crete to replace the bridge at Tuxedo Park. A $300,000 commitment of County soft match funds, with the City of Crete reimbursing $150,000 in cash to the County. Heard reports of replacing the wood bridge near County Road 2100 and County Road J with triple tubes. Roads is continuing to replace rusted out culverts. There have been major issues with the wind farm trucks. The wind farm is repairing damage and the County is issuing fines accordingly. Approved claims as presented. GENERAL FUND Payroll, Salaries, 112,966.95; Rebecca Anderson, Crt, 1,620.00; Anytime Plmbg & Htg, Bldg Maint, 194.00; Awards Unlimited, Off Spls, 152.56; Barnas, Med, 34.01; Anita Bartels, Reimb, 50.29; Berggren Architects, Bldg Imp, 1,643.83; Bessler Family Eye Care, Med, 330.00; Bob Barker, Spls, 158.32; Capital Business Sys, Equip Rntl, 127.00; City of Wilber, Util, 10,807.23; Crete Ace Hardware, Spls, 708.98; Crete Area Med Ctr, Med, 604.00; Crete Auto Supply, Spls, 53.53; Culligan Of Crete, Spls, 195.75; Eakes, Off Spls, 1,014.65; Farmers Coop, Vech Exp, 132.75; First Concord, Ins, 595.00; First Wireless, Spls, 647.50; Friend Comm Healthcare Sys, Med, 380.00; Lou Hajek, Reimb, 88.55; Jefferson Co Em Mgmt, Cntrct, 3,700.00; Sharon Jelinek, Reimb, 48.87; James Jirovec, Med, 284.00; Kalkwarf & Smith, Crt, 630.00; Matthew Kosmicki, Crt, 1,332.00; Julie Krull, Spls, 1,985.00; Lynn Peavey Co, Spls, 160.50; Leanne Manning, Reimb, 44.96; Tim McDermott, Reimb, 19.45; Microfilm Imaging Sys, Equip Rntl, 150.00; Midwest Card, Spls, 223.13; Mips, Cntrct, 2,339.16; Nathan Mueller, Reimb, 81.65; Cody Mulbery, Reimb, 100.00; Health & Human Svcs, Med, 183.00; State Fire Marshal Agncy, Insp, 144.00; Nebraska, Crt Csts, 4.00; Officenet, Off Spls, 1,211.14; Region V Sys, Cntrct, 4,066.00; Saline Co Atty, Med, 121.73; Saline Co Court, Crt Csts, 528.00; Saline Co Dist Court, Crt Csts, 177.00; Saline Co Sheriff, Crt Csts, 581.50; Sapp Bros, Fuel, 2,499.85; Secretary of State, Crt Csts, 20.00; Seward Co Ind, P&P, 804.09; Shredding Solutions, Off Spls, 191.70; Sid Dillon, Veh Maint, 153.19; State of NE, Data Proc, 147.60; Eric Stehlik, Reimb, 127.65; Anita Stougard, Reimb, 74.75; Summit, Spls, 7,702.11; Thomson Reuters, Srvc, 143.85; Timekeeping Sys, Off Equip, 807.06; Saline Co Ext., Reimb, 885.26; Becky Vales, Reimb, 101.20; Visa, Spls, 653.63; Visa, Off Spls, 21.25; Visa, Pstg, 55.00; Visa, Pstg, 10.65; Visa, Pstg, 24.03; Visa, Unif, 232.27; Visa, Off Equip, 70.34; Walker, Spls, 64.21; Windstream, Comm, 6,869.03; 41 Auto, Spls, 672.93 ROAD FUND Payroll, Salaries, 23,402.95; Ace Irrigation, Spls, 17,801.80; Akrs Equip, Equip Spls, 606.36; Beatrice Concrete, Gravel, 16,225.61; Beaver Hardware, Spls, 47.88; City of Friend, Util, 248.33; City of Wilber, Util, 65.92; Commercial Industrial Supply, Bldg Maint, 283.75; Crete Ace Hardware, Spls, 57.24; Crete Auto Supply, Equip Spls, 706.34; Crete Lumber, Equip, 188.13; DJ Welding, Spls, 28.90; Eric Riley Electric, Elec Spls, 355.50; Eugene Chrastil Farms, ROW, 1,060.00; Farmers Union Coop, Equip Spls, 1,557.58; Filtercare, Equip Spls, 24.55; Johnson Sand & Gravel, Gravel, 32,898.12; Matheson Tri-Gas, Spls, 282.21; Momar, Spls, 549.19; Murphy Tractor - Powerplan, Equip Spls, 1,795.98; Murphy Tractor & Equip, Equip Rntl, 7,235.90; Gary Niemeier, ROW, 2,376.40; NMC Exchange, Equip Spls, 5,752.71; Norris Public Power, Util, 221.29; O'Reilly Auto Parts, Equip Spls, 58.06; Officenet, Off Spls, 147.66; Pomp'S Tire Service, Equip Svc, 75.00; Praxair, Spls, 69.00; Precision Diesel, Spls, 72.90; RDO Truck Center, Equip Spls, 480.75; Rock On, Gravel, 2,477.59; Sack Lumber, Spls, 40.47; Sapp Bros, Fuel, 2,337.76; Rodney Skleba, ROW, 1,240.00; Speece-Lewis Eng, Eng Fees, 9,328.30; Truck Center, Equip Spls, 472.28; Village of Dorchester, Util, 94.23; Village of Swanton, Util, 64.74; Village of Tobias, Util, 56.80; Visa, Tax, 1,257.84; Walker, Unif, 49.33; Waste Connections, Svc, 217.26; Young's Welding, Spls, 1,165.06; 41 Auto, Spls, 9.99 HIGHWAY BRIDGE BUYBACK FUND Herbst Construction, Cntrct, 28,005.66 BAILIFF FUND Payroll, Salaries, 1,164.16 WELLNESS FUND Tim McDermott, Reimb, 48.30; Visa, Spls, 593.05 AGING SERVICES FUND Payroll, Salaries, 2,941.92; Samantha Cosaert, Pgrm, 100.00; Eakes, Off Spls, 15.99; Food Mesto, Pgrm, 780.00; Tia Kreshel, Pgrm, 435.00; Miller Mailing, Pstg, 207.46; Purfoods, Pgrm, 882.81; Visa, Pgrm, 1,964.52; Wilber Care Center, Pgrm, 1,044.37 DRUG COURT FUND Redwood Toxicology Lab, Med, 120.99; Verizon, Comm, 120.03 JUVENILE SERVICES GRANT FUND Anita Stougard, Pgrm, 1,020.00; Visa, Spls, 100.00 911 EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT FUND Windstream, Comm, 152.68 911 WIRELESS SERVICE FUND Windstream, Comm, 699.56 COMMISSARY FUND Barnas, Med, 429.67; Bob Barker Co, Spls, 620.06; Eakes, Off Spls, 227.84; Summit, Spls, 3,501.26; Visa, Spls, 85.92 ALL FUNDS First State Bank, Fed Tax, 15,015.23; NE Dept of Rev, State Tax, 6,665.81; First State Bank, Soc Sec, 29,036.32; Ameritas Life, Retire, 23,346.33; Delta Dental, Dental Ins, 2,166.13; VSP, Eye Ins, 486.37; AFLAC, Ins, 1,487.98; MassMutal, Def Comp, 2,228.00; Colonial Supp Ins, Ins, 233.81; Teamsters, Dues, 294.50; Madison Nat'l Life, Life Ins, 7.90; Madison Nat'l Life, Dis Ins, 9.40; First Concord, Café, 2,097.07; New York Life, Ins, 118.90; NE Child Support, Garnish, 197.08; AZ Child Support, Garnish, 86.06; Credit Mgmt Svcs, Garnish, 198.42 Held budget discussions with Brian Blobaum CPA and the elected and appointed officials. A Board consensus was to implement a 3% levy increase. Blobaum will take information presented during these discussions and prepare a final 2020-2021 Budget to present to the Board on September 1, 2020, and for the Public Budget Hearing on September 15, 2020. Approved the employee catastrophic leave request. There being no further business to come before the Board, the meeting was adjourned at 5:07 p.m. The next regular meeting will be on September 1st, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. in the Saline County Commissioners’ Room, Court House, Wilber NE. ATTEST: Anita K. Bartels, County Clerk Janet J. Henning Marvin A. Kohout, Chairperson Stephanie Krivohlavek Phil Hardenburger Russ Karpisek, Vice-Chairperson I, Anita K. Bartels, County Clerk in and for Saline County, do hereby certify that the minutes of the August 4th, 2020, meeting were presented and approved as presented. Anita K. Bartels, County Clerk Janet J. Henning Marvin A. Kohout, Chairperson Stephanie Krivohlavek Phil Hardenburger Russ Karpisek, Vice-Chairperson CR — August 26, 2020
