MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
JANUARY 8, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Reports and Inquiries from Executive Assistant Mike Sullivan............................................. 1
Board of Supervisors: “Ready To Go” Infrastructure Projects for Possible State And Federal Funding 1
Reports and Inquiries from the Board of Supervisors........................................................... 2
Chairperson Neuzil called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 6:07 p.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Larry Meyers, Terrence Neuzil, Sally Stutsman, and Rod Sullivan.
Executive Assistant Mike Sullivan said he has no specific reports except for upcoming meetings. There is a Communications Committee meeting January 9, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. On January 12, 2009 there is a Budget Meeting at 9:00 a.m. involving MH/DS and Block Grants. A Key Issues meeting is scheduled for January 14, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.. On January 15, 2009 there is a Board meeting at 9:00 a.m.
County Engineer Greg Parker said there are many changes that are going to be made now that a new President is soon to be inaugurated. As part of the new administration there are many comments about the possibility of a stimulus package for infrastructure activities. There is limited information other than they are looking for fast track projects that may be credibly funded in the next 90 to 180 days. The list he has compiled for the Board's review includes a look at the Five Year Road Plan. It takes out a lot of the projects because when they fast track it they take out ones that have issues like the need for immediate need for purchase of equipment, environmental clearance issues, and archeological problems that require review and things they can get through a letting system quickly. He has eleven projects on the current Five Year Road Plan. Stutsman asked if the Cosgrove Bridge was the one that was taken down by the drunk driver. Parker said yes.
Neuzil said the items in the road plan are ones they have committed to as of March 6, 2008. Parker said some of the projects he considered would be doing local lettings and there might be a caveat with the funding source that they have to use the DOT to let the projects. If this is the case, the fastest project they can get through the DOT is six months and that is with a February 2009 submission. This would put them in winter construction because they couldn't get the contracts together and contractor working until 30 to 60 days at the earliest. Some other concerns about the stimulus package is legislators are looking for shelved projects that are waiting ready to go. If they have projects already funded under the Five Year Road Plan they could use the money elsewhere. He wonders if there will be enough engineers to get the designs completed and manage the projects because they are looking at a two year window to get things done. Another concern is the possibility prices will increase because there will not be the staff, manpower, and construction companies to meet the demand. Most likely to bid on the projects contractors will have to be on the DOT list.
Harney said he received a call from Shueyville City Council Member Tom Carver and they would like to improve 120th Street from Highway 965 into Shueyville. They are asking to be a participant in the stimulus package if they qualify; the City is willing to pay their portion over a period. He said they would like to apply for it but it comes under County jurisdiction. They do not know what the rules or guidelines are going to be but they would like to talk further with the Board about it. Parker said it is under the Code for the County to be responsible. It is currently not under the Five Year Road Program. The projects are on the list of projects to do are currently in the plan. A Five Year Road Plan review is coming up so if the Board felt it was a project they wanted to add they could consider it at that time. Stutsman said she thought the projects had to be ready to go and already designed. Parker said he communicated to the Shueyville mayor and engineer that there is no way the County staff could complete designs for the project so they would have to rely heavily on their own City engineer. Harney said if it wasn't in the stimulus package it could move into the Five Year Road Plan. R. Sullivan said the idea is to do more projects. Stutsman said she is wondering about the resources. Parker said this is the unknown and they will have more information in the next 30 to 45 days. The Board does not need to take immediate action because they have the Five Year Road Plan list.
Meyers said he sees the Oakdale Boulevard extension on the list and he wonders if it is ready to go. Parker said they are looking at a June 2009 letting. FY09A for 120th Street at Derby Avenue has to have right-of-way acquired but it has a spring letting. For the Oakdale extension they are waiting for environmental clearance. Lower Highway 6, Highway 965 widening and sub draining, Oakcrest Hill Road, and Black Diamond Road all have June lettings. The bridge replacement at Cosgrove, the one hit by the driver, is a local letting. The Johnson Cedar Bridge Road will be let in the spring which is a combined project with Cedar County. The 520th Street pavement rehabilitation is from Wapsi East to the County line with no issues so it could be put together quickly. If he hears anything further about the stimulus package he will inform the Board.
Harney attended a meeting with Parker to discuss road issues, a meeting with City of Shueyville representatives, and he attended the Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee meeting.
Stutsman attended a liaison meeting with M. Sullivan. She also attended a Finance Committee meeting.
R. Sullivan asked for patience as people move into the new Health and Human Services Building.
Meyers met with Facilities Director Dave Kempf at the new building. He attended a pair of forums sponsored by AARP and an event at Community Mental Health Center.
Neuzil said he has listening post on January 14, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. at Brueggers on Riverside Drive.
Adjourned at 6:29 p.m.
By Nancy Tomkovicz, Recording Secretary