MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
MAY 8, 2008
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Reports and Inquiries from Executive Assistant Mike Sullivan................................................... 1
Board of Supervisors Letter from Swisher Mayor Scott Grabe: Request for Right of First Refusal for Property 1
Reports and Inquiries from the Board of Supervisors................................................................. 3
Chairperson Sullivan called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 6:40 p.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Larry Meyers, Terrence Neuzil, Sally Stutsman, and Rod Sullivan.
Administrative Assistant M. Sullivan said the Board will have a Key Issues Meeting on May 14, 2008 at 8:30 a.m.
R. Sullivan mentioned that Swisher has a very active committee that is looking into the possibility of building a new library. He noted that Swisher doesn’t have any real public facilities. R. Sullivan said that the committee hired an architect to find a preferred site for the library. He added that the preferred site is the County Maintenance Shed. R. Sullivan said that currently the shed is owned by Secondary Roads. County Engineer Greg Parker said that the shed is inadequate and they would like to move out; however, Parker noted that there is no plan for moving out at this time.
Neuzil said that in the past the shed was located on the outskirts of Swisher, but due to development it is now located close to the center of the city. Neuzil said that it is exciting that someone is interested in that location. He noted that he doesn’t have any problems working with Swisher. Neuzil said that it is hard to find a good location in the County because of high land costs. He said he knows that the Board worked with Parker to find a location off Amana Road. He noted that didn’t work. He said that he doesn’t have any problems moving forward.
Stutsman asked what is involved in the first right of refusal. Assistant County Attorney Andy Chappell explained that, if at some point in a five to 10 year period the County decided to sell the property, they would give Swisher the right to either purchase or refuse to purchase the property. Chappell said that he talked with Johnson County Attorney Janet Lyness and determined that the Board would need to go through a public hearing process before going ahead with the proposal. Chappell added that the Board would set a public hearing and then adopt the proposal by resolution. He said that the easiest way to do it in order to ensure the Board’s flexibility, would be to give Swisher the right for refusal without discussing the price. Chappell said that by doing this the Board would have the option to accept the price or not.
R. Sullivan pointed out that the County did something similar with the City of Tiffin. Stutsman disagreed and said she doesn’t think the Board has done anything similar before. Harney explained that the County did an appraisal on the property and Tiffin was willing to buy it at a set price. He noted that the sale has never been completed. Chappell said that he is working on tracking down an abstract for the property. He noted that he is collaborating with Tiffin City Attorney Steve Greenleaf on the issue. R. Sullivan asked who paid for the appraisal. Chappell said that there may have been two appraisals done.
R. Sullivan said he is in favor of giving Swisher a first shot at the property. He said that he would like to include a caveat that if the County sells the property Swisher would pay for the appraisal. Chappell responded there is no need to do that. Stutsman pointed out that the Board is only committing to give Tiffin the first shot at purchasing the property. Chappell explained that in five years the County can sell the property at any price and Swisher would get the first consideration in purchasing the land. Stutsman said the Board sets the selling price. R. Sullivan said the Board could negotiate at that time who pays for the appraisal.
Meyers said that the point of holding a public hearing is to give the public the possibility to give feedback about the plan. Chappell agreed and stated that giving the public the opportunity to present comments is a good idea. Stutsman said that the Board conducts public hearings whenever the County sells a piece of property. Chappell said that they would follow the same process for the Joint Communication Center lease.
R. Sullivan said he is interested in granting the first right of refusal to Swisher. Harney said it is premature to do anything because the Board does not have any plans for that site. Stutsman said that Swisher is obviously interested in the property. She explained that this is a way to assure that they have first option to purchase the property. R. Sullivan added that Swisher has a design that fits the property. Chappell said that he would work with M. Sullivan and will put the issue on the formal agenda when the paperwork is written up. Chappell said that there will be several resolutions. He explained that there will be a resolution for the proposal, a document presenting the actual proposal, and a resolution setting the public hearing.
Stutsman asked if there would be a public hearing for the first right of refusal. Chappell confirmed. Chappell explained that they would use a dollar or another minimalist cost. Stutsman asked why they need to use the dollar. Meyers replied that the dollar is paid for purchasing the right. Chappell explained that Swisher is looking to buy property rights. He added that people pay money to buy a property right. Chappell noted that the County needs to receive something for the consideration. He said that there is no need to charge Swisher for anything and that is why they would use a minimalist cost.
Neuzil attended an event of Building on our Progress Tour by Governor Chet Culver, the Law Day Event at the Courthouse, the Emergency Management Services (EMS) Awareness Safe Kids Day, and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee Meeting. He will have a Listening Post at the Nickelodeon in Coralville on May 9, 2008.
Meyers attended an Empowerment Board Meeting, the EMS Awareness Safe Kids Day, and a Liaison Meeting with Ambulance Director Steve Spenler. He attended a Chamber of Commerce Meeting, an AARP Meeting, the Law Day Event at the Courthouse, a MECCA Board Meeting, and worked on Green Initiatives Strategic Planning.
Harney attended the East Central Iowa Council of Governments (ECICOG) Board Of Directors Meeting, the ECICOG Region 10 Policy Committee Meeting, the Sixth Judicial District Coaches for Kids Fundraising Event, the Law Day Event, the EMS Awareness Safe Kids Day, and the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee Meeting.
Stutsman attended a Courthouse Security Meeting, the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) Walk, the Crisis Center Breakfast, the Abstractors’ District Meeting, a Liaison Meeting with Human Resources Administrator Lora Shramek, a Linn County Detention Meeting, and a Chamber Local Government Affairs Meeting. She noted that the Iowa State Association of Counties Scholarship Golf Tournament Fund Drive will begin soon.
R. Sullivan attended the NAMI Walk, the Crisis Center Breakfast, the Shelter House Lunch, the Mayor’s Youth Empowerment Program Fundraiser, and the Clean Air for Everyone (CAFE) Walk. He congratulated the City of Iowa City for hiring City Manager Michael Lombardo. R. Sullivan met with Chatham Oaks Officials, attended the Health and Human Services Building Construction Meeting, and appeared on the Dottie Ray Radio Show.
Adjourned at 7:17 p.m.
______________________________________________________________________
Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor
By:
On the _______ day of _____________________, 2008
By John Deeth, Recording Secretary
Sent to the Board of Supervisors on June 5, 2008 at 2:31 p.m.