MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
FEBRUARY 26, 2004
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chairperson Neuzil called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 9:08 a.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Mike Lehman, Terrence Neuzil, Sally Stutsman, and Carol Thompson.
Assistant County Engineer Al Miller said the National Guard Sanitary Sewer Project came about as part of an agreement with the National Guard. He said that part of Johnson County’s responsibility is to hook up the new National Guard site on Melrose Avenue with sanitary sewer. Assistant County Engineer Rob Winstead said that this project is ready to go out for bid. He said that final plans have not deviated much from the preliminary design that was previously discussed with the Board. Winstead said that a desire of the Board was to have the ability to award a project that constructs sanitary sewer to the National Guard site only, with the ability to extend the sewer farther west for possible later hook up to Johnson County Secondary Roads. He said that Board will be able to decide how to proceed when the bids come in. Lehman said that when bids come back the Board will be able to decide whether or not to do the whole package. Winstead agreed and said that he hopes their final cost estimate gives the Board an idea of what to expect when they come back with the bid letting prices. Winstead said that the final cost estimates have stayed near the preliminary cost estimates. Harney asked if the sewer lines will be pushed under Melrose Avenue or if Melrose Avenue will be dug up. Winstead said the lines will be pushed underneath Melrose Avenue. He said that Melrose Avenue will stay open during construction, but lane closures may be required with alternating traffic, which would last less than a week. He said that the timeframe for the National Guard project only would be approximately one month, starting in mid May and ending in mid June. He said that if Secondary Roads was added to the sewer line, the project would still start in mid May and end in early August. The Board agreed to place the item setting March, 30, 2004 as the bid letting date for the National Guard Sanitary Sewer Project on their next formal agenda.
DISCUSSION: LINN COUNTY - JOHNSON COUNTY LEADERSHIP SUMMIT
Neuzil said that he received a phone call from Linn County Supervisors Lu Barron and Linda Langston regarding a leadership conference with the Linn County and Johnson County Board of Supervisors along with mayors of the towns within the 2 counties. Neuzil said that the discussion centered around Creative Economy that was presented by former Austin Texas Mayor Curt Watson. Neuzil said that one of the priorities of Creative Economy includes regionalism and how counties and cities can work together to bring about efficiencies, particularly with the State economy limiting local governments. Neuzil said that 2 meetings would be held with Linn County and the mayors starting in April, and asked if the Board would be interested in participating in these meetings. Stutsman asked what would be accomplished in these meetings. Neuzil said that the meetings would primarily deal with regionalism. He said that they could discuss purchasing powers and how counties and cities could purchase on a larger scale to reduce costs. Neuzil said that efficiencies could be created in other areas as well, such as education, health care, human services, cultural alliances, and diversity of economy.
Neuzil said that there is no interest in combining governments between Linn County and Johnson County. Neuzil said that the agendas for these meetings have not yet been set, and these meetings are being brought to each Board to find out if there is additional interest in pursuing these ideas. Stutsman said that staff should be included in the meetings. Neuzil agreed. Thompson asked if there is going to be a facilitator of the meetings. Neuzil said that Linn County Executive Assistant Mike Goldburg and Johnson County Executive Assistant Mike Sullivan would facilitate the process. Thompson said that it would be good to have a facilitator. She said that previous collaborations between different agencies within Johnson and Linn Counties have been successful. Harney said that a cooperative effort is out there. Lehman said that at the East Central Iowa Council of Governments there is some collaboration, but not at this level. He said that they previously funded a part-time joint purchasing position for paper, etc. Neuzil said he will communicate with Lu Barron and Linda Langston of the Linn County Board of Supervisors to proceed with setting up the meetings. Stutsman said that 2 Johnson County Supervisors should be present at the planning of these meetings, along with Sullivan. Thompson volunteered to assist with the planning of the meetings. Stutsman said that the Board received an email from State Representative David Jacoby, asking for feedback on House File 587, which is an initiative being brought forth by Cedar Rapids that would make it easier to combine city and county governments.
MINUTES RECEIVED: EAST CENTRAL IOWA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR JANUARY 29, 2004
Minutes were received from the East Central Iowa Council of Governments for January 29, 2004.
REPORTS AND INQUIRIES FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Thompson met with 2 Korean visitors. She also attended the MECCA Board of Directors meeting, a Johnson County Historical Society Lease meeting, a Jail Alternatives Subcommittee meeting, and a Trails Committee meeting.
Lehman attended the Johnson County Historical Society lease meeting, a meeting with MH/DD, SEATS, and the State of Iowa on MR Waiver, and the Farm Bureau meeting. Lehman received a call from a member of the public about a broken mailbox possibly damaged by Secondary Roads. He noted that that City Assessor and County Assessor Conference Boards will meet this week. He also noted the send off for the 168th Infantry.
Stutsman attended the Conservation Board meeting, Targeted Case Management Total Quality Improvement Subcommittee meeting, Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors meeting, and the Farm Bureau meeting. She noted that deeds can be certified electronically with the Recorder’s Office, and the Trails map is on the web.
Harney attended the ICAD Board of Directors meeting, the E911 Board meeting, the 6th Judicial District Board of Directors meeting, and the Chamber of Commerce trip to Washington D.C.
Neuzil attended the Chamber of Commerce trip to Washington D.C., the Chamber of Commerce trip visiting State government, and the Communications Committee meeting. Neuzil said that County Government Week starts April 21, 2004 at approximately 12:00 p.m.
REPORTS AND INQUIRIES FROM THE PUBLIC
Reverend Bob Welsh requested comment about the Budget Public Hearing. He said that the Budget Proposal Information is not yet on the Johnson County website. Neuzil stated that the Budget Public Hearing will be Monday, March 8, 2004 at 5:30 p.m. in the Board of Supervisors Board Room. Sullivan said that he will talk to Budget Coordinator Jeff Horne about the website.
Adjourned at 10:00 a.m.
Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor
By Kate Darnold, Recording Secretary