MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
FEBRUARY 10, 2005
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chairperson Stutsman called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 6:06 p.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Mike Lehman, Terrence Neuzil, Sally Stutsman, and Rod Sullivan.
County Engineer Greg Parker recommended that the bids be rejected for Johnson County Project Number STP-S-C052(67)--5e-52, Fm-TSF-C052(73)--5b-52 (Grading and Paving of Sand Road SE Between 480th Street and Napoleon Lane). The Board agreed to put the item on a future formal agenda.
Recessed at 6:16 p.m.; reconvened at 6:25 p.m.
Howard R. Green Company Representative Doug Ripley said that the scope of the North Corridor Transportation Study was to look at the purpose of Newport and Prairie Du Chien Roads and make some design recommendations to the Board. He said that when considering changes they looked at a range of options from doing nothing to making the area a high speed highway corridor. Ripley explained that it all came down to two alternatives; maintain the existing roadway and put on a hard surface, or improve the road using current standards. He said that both alternatives will work, and accomplish goals set forth by the Board but they accomplish the goals in different ways. Maintaining the current road allows low impact on residents because the same right-of-ways would be kept, and would be less expensive initially, but it would not provide for pedestrian or alternate mode traffic. Ripley explained that improving the roads to current standards would provide long term growth opportunities with additional access to new areas and for alternative mode transportation. He said that although the shoulder of a road is not a bike path, it does provide for better access. He added that by expanding now there could be opportunity to make a better alternative modes trail along the area in the future.
Ripley said that the most beneficial goal is to provide the additional connection through the Corridor. He explained that this would help meet a lot of goals and helps the areas that are really constrained as well as the reservoir be opened up more. He said that one of the biggest obstacles is that there is wide disagreement among residents over what should be done to the area. Ripley said that it is their recommendation to improve Newport Road to current standards from Highway 1 to the south, provide the new connection between Newport and Prairie Du Chien, and improve Prairie Du Chien to Newport. He added that the area of Newport from Prairie Du Chien to the north would not necessarily need to be improved at this time. He said that if enough traffic develops later due to increased growth the road could be improved to a hard surface. Over the long term looking at a new corridor connecting Newport Road to Highway 1 is an option. Ripley explained that this process will be a long one and that they suggest that it be done in stages. He added that working with individual property owners will also be important as most are worried about how the project will affect them. Ripley pointed out that it would also be possible to make some design exceptions to accommodate certain areas. There would also be the option to improve the aesthetics of the improvements by planting native trees and vegetations along the corridor. He added that they recommend that a trail be put in outside of the proposed roadway within the new right-of-way.
Stutsman said that she is pleased with the final report. Lehman said that Secondary Roads will have to address the individual changes to property and answer land owners’ questions. R. Sullivan asked if H. R. Green would still be available to the County as the project progresses. Stutsman said that those services are not part of the contract. Howard R. Green Representative Jim Halverson said that although that is true, if questions were to arise they could call and discuss them. Stutsman said that the intent was for H. R. Green to present a study to the Board and then it is up to the Board to decide what should happen. She added that voting on the plan will be on the formal agenda next week. Neuzil said that the study does provide a comprehensive review of the transportation issues, but that he does not agree with the conclusion. He added that he has made that clear and that he is hopeful that the Board will look at the whole report and not just the conclusion. Stutsman said that last year the majority of the Board voted for phases of growth and development, and they have to back it up with infrastructure. By designating this area as a growth area, Stutsman said it is their responsibility to provide the infrastructure that growth will need. R. Sullivan asked for clarification of what exactly would be voted on in the formal meeting next week. Stutsman said that it will be a vote to accept the plan from H. R. Green. Lehman said that deciding how to act on it will come later on in the 5 Year Road Plan. Halverson said that ultimately staff will take direction from the kinds of recommendations that are cited in the report.
Executive Assistant Mike Sullivan asked that the Home and Community Based Services waiver slots for adults with mental retardation be increased from 180 to 185 effective July 1, 2005. R. Sullivan expressed concern that there wouldn’t be a slot for someone who needs it and the financial impact of that. R. Sullivan suggested increasing the slots by more than five. Lehman explained that Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Director Elaine Sweet is cautious when increasing waiver slots, but the slots can be increased every six months. Stutsman said that Sweet is cautious and in tune with what the need is for the next six months. The Board agreed to put the increase of waiver slots on a future formal agenda for approval.
The Board agreed to cancel meetings the week of March 13, 2005 due to Spring Break and ISAC.
The Board agreed to cancel meetings the week of July 24, 2005 due to the County Fair.
The Board agreed to hold the formal and informal meetings during the week of November 20, 2005 on November 22, 2005 due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
The Board designated the floating Christmas holiday on December 23, 2005.
The Board scheduled a joint meeting with the Johnson County Board of Health on March 29, 2005 at 4:00 p.m.
The Board scheduled a public meeting for the Five-Year Road Plan on February 24, 2005 at 5:30 p.m.
MINUTES RECEIVED: HAWKEYE AREA COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, INC. FOR DECEMBER, 2004
Minutes were received from the Hawkeye Area Community Action Program, Inc. for December 2004.
REPORTS AND INQUIRIES FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
Neuzil had a Listening Post in Shueyville.
Lehman attended the Chatham Oaks Board of Directors meeting.
R. Sullivan met with Joan Vanderberg with the Iowa City Community School District to discuss youth development and juvenile justice. R. Sullivan had a liaison meeting with Planning and Zoning Administrator Rick Dvorak, and he attended the Public Leadership Summit with the Linn County Board of Supervisors.
Harney met with Iowa City Area Development Director Joe Raso to discuss area development issues pertaining to the County. He attended Planning and Zoning site visits, a Lone Tree City Council Meeting to discuss issues pertaining to the National Guard Armory, the Chamber of Commerce Ag Committee meeting, and a fundraiser for the Sixth Judicial District Department of Corrections Youth Leadership Program.
Stutsman attended an Empowerment Board meeting, and a Decat Executive Committee meeting.
Adjourned at 7:30 p.m.
Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor
By Casie Kadlec, Recording Secretary