MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:

JANUARY 26, 2006

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

County Engineer Greg Parker: Review and Approval of Bids Received for the Purchase of Two (2) Volvo Tandem Axle Dump Trucks; and Right-of-Way Acquisition for Intersection Improvements at the Intersection of Derby Avenue and Linn-Johnson Road in Johnson County for Project LFM-DB-LJ—7X-52.............................. 1

Senior Center Representative Jay Honohan: FY 2007 Budget Request....................................... 2

Discussion: Renewal of Agreement Between Johnson County and the Johnson County Agricultural Association for the Period July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007................................................................................... 4

Discussion: Appointment to the Compensation Board for a Term Ending June 30, 2009............... 4

Discussion: Appointments to the Johnson County Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Committees     4

James Gang Board of Directors Members Jen Haas and Spencer Griffin: Presentation of James Gang Activities in Johnson County and to Make a Funding Request for FY 2007.......................................................... 5

Planning and Zoning Administrator Rick Dvorak and Steve Greenleaf: City of Swisher Annexation........... 7

Minutes Received: East Central Iowa Council of Governments for November 29, 2005............... 9

Reports and Inquiries from the Board of Supervisors................................................................. 9

Inquiries and Reports from the Public..................................................................................... 10

Executive Session: Collective Bargaining Tentative Agreement with American Federation of State, Municipal and County Employees (AFSCME Local 183) Unit of Social Services MH/DD.................................... 11

Chairperson Lehman called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 9:12 a.m.  Members present were: Pat Harney, Mike Lehman, Terrence Neuzil, Sally Stutsman, and Rod Sullivan.

COUNTY ENGINEER GREG PARKER: REVIEW AND APPROVAL OF THE BIDS RECEIVED FOR THE PURCHASE OF TWO (2) VOLVO TANDEM AXLE DUMP TRUCKS; AND RIGHT-OF-WAY ACQUISITION FOR INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS AT THE INTERSECTION OF DERBY AVENUE AND LINN-JOHNSON ROAD IN JOHNSON COUNTY FOR PROJECT LFM-DB-LJ—7X-52

County Engineer Greg Parker said that they sent out six bids and received five back for the purchase of two Volvo tandem axle dump trucks.  The low bidder was Twin Bridges Truck City located out of Davenport.  They have been a low bidder over the last two years.  The per vehicle price was $42,000 and after a net difference of trades, the total purchase price of each was $74,655.  Lehman said that the trade in was a 1996 Freightliner and 1997 International.  He said that it seems they are basically trading for chassis and the department seems to keep costs down by transferring the control unit from one vehicle to another and doing retrofitting.  Parker agreed.  Lehman clarified that the one trade in is a single axle and the other a double, while the ones they are buying are both double.  Parker said that they are finding that the tandem axles suit their operation better than the single axles from a load standpoint.  Lehman said that it gives them the capacity to deal with the smaller situations and the larger ones and mount heavier equipment.  Parker agreed and said that it is a multifunctional piece of equipment, and as a dynamic department, that is what they are looking for.

Parker presented the Board with right-of-way acquisition contracts for intersection improvements at the intersection of Derby Avenue and Linn-Johnson Road in Johnson County for Project LFM-DB-LJ—7X-52 and said that Assistant County Engineer Al Miller handled the negotiation of the right-of-way for this.  This is for a project on the 5 Year Road Construction Program.  It is being brought forward to them because Linn County is upgrading Maple Grove Road, which is the extension of Derby at the County line.  To do this, they needed to realign the intersection because the road does not line up perfectly.  Parker explained that one of the problems that they had at the Northwest corner is a very large steel power poll.  The cost to remove it would be phenomenal.  So, it makes sense to shift the road to the right a little bit.  They are acquiring approximately 3/4 of an acre at $4,330.  Lehman said this highlights the need to keep up on what other counties are doing.  An update of one of their bordering roads has an impact on the traffic in Johnson County.  Parker agreed.  R. Sullivan wondered how they come up with the purchase price per acre.  Parker replied that they hire an appraisal company to evaluate the land based on a variety of things.  Lehman said it is based on the value of the land plus the impact on the operation; if the process leaves a remnant that a farmer may not be able to use sufficiently, that is also factored into it.  Stutsman said this came up to be $5,000 an acre.  Parker agreed.  Lehman said that the Board will put the contract on a future formal agenda for approval.

SENIOR CENTER REPRESENTATIVE JAY HONOHAN: FY 2007 BUDGET REQUEST

Senior Center Representative Jay Honohan said that the Senior Center has made a tentative budget that they will be presenting to the City Council on January 30, 2006.  That budget is requesting $75,000 from the Board of Supervisors, the same amount that the Board has given for the past two years.  He said that they recently formed the Iowa City Senior Center Fund, Inc. so that they could establish an endowment with the Community Foundation of Johnson County.  They have been very successful with that, with almost $500,000 in the Community Foundation, which represents almost 25% of the total in that foundation.  They have taken the earnings into two different funds.  One is an endowment fund that is strictly a growth fund.  This year, the foundation directors have authorized $5,000 to $6,000 from that fund to the operation of the Senior Center in 2007.  Additionally, out of the Charitable Giving Account that is part of the foundation, they have authorized capital improvements of $6,000 for fitness equipment and $9,800 for TV equipment and cable for the Senior Center.  They are trying to increase their capability to broadcast over the cable network.  This way, some of the smaller communities can get the programs.  In that same year, they have enhancements and improvement in the assembly room in terms of lighting and sound equipment.  They also have set aside from the Charitable Giving Account $50,000.

Honohan explained that Eleanor Hughes, a participant in the Senior Center, left $275,000 to the Senior Center and $275,000 to Elder Services for the dining program.  He said that they are meeting with Elder Services to form a committee to buy new furniture in the dining center to make the dining program more successful.  Right now, the assembly room has institutional chairs and tables, and they feel that they can enhance the dining program by getting away from that.  They used to have approximately 600 people who had membership fees, and now they are hovering around 1,000.  They were over 1,000 in November and are down to about 986 in January due to some losses and some snow birds.  Honohan said he would like to get a 28E agreement with the County on a 3-year basis and would be happy to visit with the Supervisors or a committee to work on that.

Stutsman asked what the Senior Center does with the $75,000 that the Board gives.  Honohan said it goes into the operating budget.  This year, they have several capital improvements.  The fire inspector is requiring them to do $20,000-$25,000 in capital improvements including a new sprinkler system and coat rack.  R. Sullivan asked what kind of services rural citizens receive from the center.  Honohan said that they can access any services just like anyone from Iowa City.  They have two kinds of programs: one where a person has to be a member and pay a fee; the other is free to anyone who wants to come in.  The dining program, Voices of Experience, the New Horizon Band, and others are included in this second group and are open to anyone at any time.  If a person wants to take a Spanish class, s/he has to pay a fee.  Stutsman asked if they are taking programs to smaller areas so people don't have to drive into Iowa City.  Honohan responded that they would like to do that but it is up to the instructor.  The Spanish teacher wants to have the class in the Center at all times because she lives in Ecumenical Towers.  They would like to expand outward though.

Honohan said that the dining program seems to be shifting away from in-house meals at the Center to delivery outside of the Center.  At a recent planning meeting they talked about the importance of enhancing this program.  Lehman thought it was good that they have some of their programs before or after meals.  Honohan said that the dining program is run by Heritage Program and Elder Services.  Stutsman asked if they contribute anything else to the program other than the space.  Honohan replied that in addition to space, they provide utilities and, on occasion, they have donated some money to get a better dessert or something for a special occasion.

Lehman said that there is some concern about going into some dues that might affect membership, but it seems that the fees haven't had the effect that was feared.  Honohan said that they keep advancing and have gone from 600 to 1,000 in the two and a half years that the membership fees have been in operation.  They keep a record of how many people come to the Center, and the hits have actually increased a great deal over the past two years.  He said that they have volunteer attorneys and insurance advisors.  R. Sullivan expressed concern that there be a way to get services to the people who are the most in need.  Honohan said that they have scholarship programs and approximately 11% of their participants are on scholarship of some kind.  R. Sullivan asked if that is a full membership.  Honohan said yes.  He mentioned that according to AARP, 28% of seniors are on social security alone.  Over 100 members of the Senior Center are on scholarship.

Neuzil said that a document had been provided in the past of the services that the Center provides for the Iowa City community as well as others.  He would also like Honohan to provide a breakdown of the participants by rural verses urban.  Honohan said he thinks they could supply that very quickly.  He said that since the City has not yet approved their budget, he doesn't know where the Senior Center budget is going.  Stutsman asked for more history as far as numbers of rural participants.  Honohan said that about 10-11% were rural members when the Center started and now it is 8 or 9%.  The Board thanked Honohan for the information.

DISCUSSION: RENEWAL OF AGREEMENT BETWEEN JOHNSON COUNTY AND THE JOHNSON COUNTY AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE PERIOD JULY 1, 2006 TO JUNE 30, 2007

Lehman presented the renewal of the agreement between Johnson County and Johnson County Agricultural Association for the period July 1, 2006 to June 30, 2007.  He explained that it is an agreement regarding the guidelines for spending the money.  Assistant County Attorney Janet Lyness said that she has not reviewed the agreement because it is an annual agreement renewal and has not been changed.  The Board agreed to place the agreement on a future formal agenda for approval.

DISCUSSION: APPOINTMENT TO THE COMPENSATION BOARD FOR A TERM ENDING JUNE 30, 2009

Lehman explained that Pat Vunderink is resigning from the Compensation Board and Hyman Joseph is willing to fill the vacancy for a term ending June 30, 2009.  The Board agreed to appoint Hyman Joseph at a future formal meeting.

DISCUSSION: APPOINTMENTS TO THE JOHNSON COUNTY MENTAL HEALTH/DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES COMMITTEES

Lehman said that the Board needs to appoint Supervisors to the following subcommittees of the Mental Health/Developmental Disabilities Planning Council: Executive, Advocacy, Finance, and Continuous Quality Improvement.  He explained that normally the Chair serves on the Executive Committee.  The Board agreed that they will appoint Harney and Stutsman to Finance, Neuzil to the Advocacy Committee, R. Sullivan on Continuous Quality Improvement, and Lehman to the Executive Committee.

JAMES GANG BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEMBERS JEN HAAS AND SPENCER GRIFFIN: PRESENTATION OF JAMES GANG ACTIVITIES IN JOHNSON COUNTY AND TO MAKE A FUNDING REQUEST FOR FY 2007

James Gang Board of Directors member Spencer Griffin explained that the James Gang is a non-profit organization who takes their name from William James, an American philosopher, who emphasized action.  They are a group of young Iowans.  James Gang Board of Directors member Jen Haas said that they have a number of projects going on.  The biggest one is the 10,000 Hours Show, which recruits volunteers and rewards them with a free concert in the spring.  This year, they have almost 1,400 volunteers signed up and would like to have their concert in April but they do not yet have their artist.  Last year, they had over 20,000 hours of volunteer service.  Griffin said that another project is a C-free wireless network launched this spring.  It is the single largest free public network in the state of Iowa.  It has been deemed by the Gazette to be the most ambitious free wireless project in the state of Iowa.  They will partner with the Cedar Rapids downtown district and will have free wireless internet in downtown Iowa City, Coralville, Cedar Rapids, and some of the parks.  Haas said that they also did the Imagine Iowa tour.  They went into Iowa high schools with Iowans for a Better Future to help young people identify with the term Iowan.  They also started Public Space One to show art for free, said Griffin.  They have put on the composing charity series, which is a way for people to come in and showcase local artists.  All of the money from those events goes to community groups like UAY and Table to Table, said Haas.

Griffin continued explaining that the James Gang hosted a music festival outside of Solon including only local music and local vendors.  Participants camped over night and came from all over Iowa.  Haas said they show movies outdoors on Saturday night.  This has become a part of the Summer of the Arts for the Iowa City community.  Griffin said that the first annual Earth Expo was held in September of 2005 to showcase and promote alternative energy and environmental solutions.  They partnered with the Environmental Project and UISG and Engineers for a Sustainable future.  Haas said that Iowa Visionaries is a month-long celebration of creative communities in Iowa.  Griffin said that their newest project is called the Coaster Project, which launched in August 2005.  They are still in the development and fundraising stage.  They are looking to bring together local artists, non-profits, and restaurants to create coasters to promote community organizations.  Haas said that not all of those are running currently but all have seen success.  Right now, Haas and Griffin explained, the bulk of the James Gang’s time is going into the 10,000 Hours Show because it is blowing up state wide and is coming to a head.

Haas mentioned that the James Gang has received a number of awards for their projects including the Governor's Award for Volunteerism in 2003.  Griffin mentioned that the 10,000 Hours Show received the President's Award on State Outreach and Public Engagement from President Skorton.  Haas said that three members of the James Gang have been awarded the Hancher/Finkbine medallion, which is the highest award the University of Iowa bestows on students.  Griffin said that nearly 20% of the Corridor Business Journal's 40 under 40 in 2005 were involved in the James Gang.  Haas said that two members of the Gang were named in the Press-Citizen's "10 to Watch" list.  Griffin said that they have been lucky enough to have praise from First Lady Vilsack, UI President Skorton, and author Richard Florida.  Haas said that most recently, they were awarded the Press-Citizen’s "Person of the Year" award.

Lehman asked about their Board of Directors structure and numbers.  Griffin said that they were founded in 2002 by about 7 or 8 people, and they held on to everyone for at least two years.  He said that he graduated in 2004 and was part of the founding board.  He left for a year and then came back in September to work on the James Gang.  He said this is common for people to leave for a little while when they graduate and the come back.  Right now, they have a board of 8 people and 3 staff members through Americorp who work exclusively on the 10,000 Hours Show.  The show has a staff of 137 people, all volunteer.  The Coaster project has 15 people working.  They have overall 240 volunteers who work directly with the Gang.  Haas said that they are primarily young people between 18-35.  Most people are students but not everyone is.  They just gained Americorp status for three paid positions to work on the 10,000 Hours Show.  These are the only paid staff, Haas said.  Everyone else works on a volunteer basis.  Neuzil asked if they could give information to the County's Budget Coordinator about the James Gang's budget and some of the volunteer projects that are going into Johnson County.  Griffin said that their budget has been very pragmatic.  They have done things on a shoestring budget.  He said that their endeavors have large budgets, but their operating budget is very slim on a board level.  They are hoping to expand that and grow.  Haas said that they are realizing that there are needs that they don't have covered like printing costs, legal services, accounting services, and office space fees.  She said that they are formally requesting $1,000 to help cover those costs.

R. Sullivan said that he was very recently at UAY and the Shelter House and both have plaques that say that the James Gang helps out here.  Haas said that they identify anyone who helps out on any of their endeavors as a James Ganger.  R. Sullivan asked if they have a sense of whether the places have seen an increase in volunteers due to the efforts of the James Gang.  Haas said yes.  She said that last night, they were in Des Moines to organize for the 10,000 Hours Show.  Haas was able to talk to a woman from the Special Olympics who said that the number of volunteers who she has been able to reach has increased incredibly because of the 10,000 Show.  At that show, they provide a service source, a comprehensive, web-based, database of non-profits in the community.  So, the non-profits can be matched up with volunteers.  She said that they have over 280 organizations signed up all across Iowa including Johnson County.  She said that there is a high volume of volunteers who come from Johnson County.

Stutsman said she would like to see their budget and wondered if they will be contacting other governmental agencies.  Haas said that she doesn’t believe that they have at this point.  Griffin said they are still formulating a lot of the development plan, so they haven't yet contacted other governmental agencies.  But, they are very excited to do so, he stated.  R. Sullivan suggested that they try to quantify anything they have done to increase volunteerism even though it is hard to put numbers to.  Griffin said that 33,000 volunteer hours went into the 10,000 Hours Show.  It rewards current volunteerism and recruits new ones.  Haas said that they do have those numbers because the volunteers fill out forms including information about if the volunteer would be volunteering regardless of the James Gang.  Stutsman asked how the agencies sign up.  Haas said that someone who works for a non-profit can come onto the website and sign up.  From there, the volunteers then sign up.  They have seen a great increase in registration of volunteers.  The non-profit can put into the calendar opportunities for volunteers.  The volunteer is emailed each week about those opportunities and can then contact the non-profit to work out the details.

Harney asked if anyone from their group has helped with the Special Olympics.  Haas said yes.  She herself is going as part of the 10,000 hours program.  Lehman said that the Board appreciates the Gang's interest and energy.  Haas said that it is great seeing so many young people step up when given the opportunity.  Lehman said that they talk about keeping young people in Iowa and this could be a way.  Lehman said that once the Board receives the requested information, they will discuss this under block grants during the budget review.

PLANNING AND ZONING ADMINISTRATOR RICK DVORAK AND Steve Greenleaf: CITY OF SWISHER ANNEXATION

Planning and Zoning Administrator Rick Dvorak said that when they received this application for the annexation by the City of Swisher, it looked as if there was a change from what was looked at last year, which was 160 acres from the City going north to the Linn/Johnson line.  He thought it would be good to have a representative come before the Board to share their reasons for why there was a change.  Greenleaf said the developers decided not to go with the big annexation that they had discussed last year.  Greenleaf said that the developers decided not to go with that large and ambitious annexation they were talking about.  They are now talking about 39 acres.  They are thinking of zoning that land as multifamily and single family residential.  This would adjoin Gable Avenue.  He said that they have a draft of a 28E agreement with the County which was necessitated by an earlier annexation in the east of town.  But, Gable Avenue is addressed in that agreement as well; it would be maintained by the County as gravel road.  Greenleaf noted that as far as he knows, the developer feels this is appropriate.  He said he doesn’t know the exact reason why the developer will go with the smaller acreage other than lower cost.  It does conform with the City’s ability.  He said that they are looking at upgrades to the waste-water treatment program.  The consultants are keeping an eye on that to make sure they don’t run afoul of DNR.  Dvorak added that this area is in the proposed growth area.  In getting copies of the minutes, which he really appreciates, he said there were some difference of opinion on types of development and the ability to provide services, and he thinks Steve is correct that that is why the developers went to a more realistic approach.  Dvorak said that there were some concerns about the previous annexation leading into this annexation, and they are becoming careful, which he respects.  He said that staff would support this application for annexation.

Lehman asked if there has been a preliminary plat to know how many accesses might be on Gable Avenue.  Greenleaf said that they have not received this yet.  He said he hasn’t even received a concept plan.  Lehman asked if a shared well is something that will be explored.  Greenleaf said that he would expect that to be explored because the new development on the east side of town does include a common water system.  The City made sure that the water system there would be compatible with any future water system if the City of Swisher were to go in that direction.  Stutsman asked how many homes there will be.  Greenleaf said he isn’t sure but the number is split pretty equally between singe-family and multi-family dwellings.  Stutsman said that she doesn’t have any issue with the annexation but does with the road.  Stutsman wondered why they want this road when she can guarantee that the first two houses that are built will be coming in and saying that they want that road upgraded.  Stutsman wondered why not turn it over to the City now.  Parker said that the 28E agreement is based on the fact that there is no development on the road right now.  He stated that it is a gravel road, and the City doesn’t have the equipment to take care of gravel roads.  When they come in and request additional development activities that might result in upgrading that road, then the County would re-evaluate the 28E agreement and update that.  Stutsman said that she knows they will have people in here saying that they want that road.  She said she doesn’t blame them.  She figured that just to save issues down the road, she would suggest making it clear that when the demands start coming in to update that road, that they go to Swisher.  Parker said that is absolutely a conversation that they will have.  It is the same thing that they are having on the east side of Swisher because that plan was to access that gravel road.

Harney said that it appears that they are annexing just to the center of the road.  Parker added that is what is required as part of the Code.  Harney continued that when they do that, and they don’t know how many accesses, then it isn’t clear who maintains it.  Harney indicated that he would just as soon see Swisher put some kind of a chip seal down or otherwise make the road dust-free.  Parker said that as the road sits right now, it is in agricultural land.  If the City changes the activity for that piece of property, then that would precipitate a conversation with Secondary Roads and the Board to make sure that they are covering activities as they see fit.  Harney said that should be agreed upon up front.  Stutsman said that it is too bad they can’t put a disclaimer on every lot sold saying to not come to the County to ask them to upgrade this road.  R. Sullivan said that the City of Swisher is maintaining Swisher View Drive, so they do some County roads.  Parker agreed.  He also noted that the agreement works out well as it sits right now.  The agreement also states that they can revisit the agreement any time.  Parker said as the use changes, then they need to reevaluate.  Greenleaf agreed.

Lehman asked if the 28E proposal is all the way to Linn/Johnson Road or just to the portion that is going to be annexed.  Parker said that annexation is coming after they have already reviewed the 28E agreement.  Parker said that the County would be maintaining the gravel road all the way to the county line.  Lehman said that in the past, the County has approved developments, and he wonders if there will be more traffic to the north.  Parker said this is the south route to the airport; it takes cars up to the east side of the airport.  Lehman said that he thinks they made a change in a stop sign up there.  Parker confirmed this.  Lehman said that it may have a financial impact to them but it will also open up individuals to the north to more dust and traffic.  R. Sullivan said that on a similar note, they have heard from County residents who live to the north and west and even to the south and west of Swisher that use 120th Street every day.  A lot of folks say that road is not in particularly good shape.  The problem is that if the County starts to fix it, they fix it right into Swisher, and then Swisher annexes it, leaving the County out all of the money, said R. Sullivan.  He said if the City doesn’t fix the road and the County doesn’t fix the road, then the residents are just out of luck, but it would be nice if there could be some kind of agreement to get that road fixed.  Parker said he doesn’t think that the annexation will stop at this section.  He imagines that they will go all the way to the County line.  R. Sullivan added that the traffic may go north but will certainly go to 120th.  Greenleaf said that he will report that back to the City Council  R. Sullivan said that for a long time, people in Swisher have had a hard time with the fact that City Park is north of 120th and most of the town is south of 120th.  Parker said that new Federal funding is allowing more dollars for things like sidewalks and such.  Dvorak said that if the Board has concerns, he will draft a letter for the Board to sign and send off.  If there are no major concerns with the annexation, he would just say that they discussed it, and this is all.  He said he likes the idea of looking at 120th to 965, especially since there is a new development of 140 cars on the south side.  Lehman said the City of Swisher has been very easy to work with on this.  Stutsman said that she appreciates that they came in with a smaller plan.

MINUTES RECEIVED: EAST CENTRAL IOWA COUNCIL OF GOVERNMENTS FOR NOVEMBER 29, 2005

Minutes were received from the East Central Iowa Council of Governments for November 29, 2005.

REPORTS AND INQUIRIES FROM THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS

Harney attended the 6th Judicial District Department of Corrections Board of Directors meeting, a Military Affairs meeting, the Coralville Chamber of Commerce meeting, a meeting regarding the Joint Communications Center, and the Jail Facilities subcommittee meeting.

Stutsman attended the Joint Service Club meeting, the Iowa State Association of Counties conference, the Assessors Conference Board meeting, a Public Leadership Summit, and a meeting with SEATS Director Tom Brase to discuss the Chamber of Commerce Washington D.C. trip.

Neuzil attended the Public Leadership Summit, a liaison meeting with Parker, and a jail subcommittee meeting.  Neuzil will be having a Listening Post on January 27, 2006 at the Senior Center from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Lehman attended the Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development Board meeting, and a Johnson County Safety Committee meeting.

INQUIRIES AND REPORTS FROM THE PUBLIC

League of Women Voter’s representative Pat Jensen said that when the Land Use Plan was developed, the League of Women Voter’s testified about comprehensive land use planning as was presented the other evening.  She said she will try to find their comments from that time and send them to the Board.  Jensen reminded the Board that the League started a study of County government in 1995 and came back in 1996 with a number of recommendations including greater professionalism.  After having been away from the Board for a while, Jensen congratulated Johnson County for the strides they have made in that area.

      June Braverman said that she would like to discuss allocation to the Senior Center.  She says that she speaks as a person with a thirty year successful track record in continuing education with many years with working directly with seniors and senior groups.  She also noted that she has a Ph.D. in Educational Administration and so has a good sense of how finances for that field of work.  She stated that there are 23,000 seniors in Johnson County.  They need to define the market in terms of what ages they are, where they live, what percentage are frail, poor, and/or rural, what demographics of this market should be considered when budgeting, what the is competition for the senior market in the area, do residents of Oak Knoll and other places partake in in-house activities or do they go to programs outside of the home, and do younger seniors already belong to health, social, and service clubs.  Braverman said that she thinks they do.  She said that they need to study if seniors already volunteer their churches, clubs, and schools, or do they need opportunities through the Senior Center?  Also, what the needs of the various age groups?  What is the competition in other public sectors or in the private sectors?  Braverman said this question is particularly crucial.  She said that the Senior College sponsored by the Gray Hawks requires no membership fee.  Their classes are all $30 and meet in a variety of places in the City.  Usually, there is parking, so the attendees don’t have to pay for parking.  She said that they have been hearing that many of the boomers and younger seniors will elect to continue working rather than retire.  She wondered if they have any grasp of that demographic in that area.  She said that she is also hearing that many of the existing senior population would return to the workforce part time if flex-time and opportunities were made available.  Braverman said that all of the funding considerations that all of their groups make have to be based on solid reasoning and data.

Braverman addressed some of the questions that the Board asked during Honohan’s presentation.  She said that the Board asked if dues have affected membership.  She pointed out that only 4% of the total senior population of seniors in Johnson County are members, and their operating budget is somewhere around $750,000.  A rough guess prior to the dues institution for numbers is 2,500 and now there are 933 to a thousand.  She said that some of those 2,500 may have been dead or dying as far as she knows, but they were on the roll and sent a copy of the post every month.  She said that 11% of people are on scholarship.  She said when she was at the Senior Center, they had teachers who did not charge.  So, there were no fees extended to people who need exercise or wanted to take art classes.  She also noted that people have to be a member to play cards at the Senior Center.  Braverman said that the Senior Center is a good venue but she thinks that AARP is doing more in May in outreach than the organized Senior Center has done in the last five years.  She said the Senior Center does not have service in its mission.  They provide facilities for services but not the services.  She said that she thinks the Board has a responsibility to make these services possible at a reasonable price for anyone who wants to avail themselves to them.

Recessed at 10:55 a.m.; reconvened at 11:10 a.m.

EXECUTIVE SESSION: COLLECTIVE BARGAINING TENTATIVE AGREEMENT WITH  AMERICAN FEDERATION OF STATE, MUNICIPAL AND COUNTY EMPLOYEES (AFSCME LOCAL 183) UNIT OF SOCIAL SERVICES MH/DD

Motion by Neuzil, second by Harney, to enter Executive Session at 11:10 a.m. to discuss collective bargaining strategy for the Social Services PPME under section 20.17(3), Code of Iowa: “negotiating sessions, strategy meetings of public employees… shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter 21 (Official Meetings Open to the Public).”  Roll call: aye: Harney, Stutsman, Lehman, Neuzil, Sullivan.

Motion by Stutsman, second by Sullivan, to leave Executive Session at 11:20 a.m.  Roll call: aye: Harney, Stutsman, Lehman, Neuzil, Sullivan.

Adjourned at 11:20 a.m.

Attest:  Tom Slockett, Auditor

By Casie Kadlec, Recording Secretary