MINUTES OF THE FORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
APRIL 30, 2009
Chairperson Neuzil called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 9:00 a.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Larry Meyers, Terrence Neuzil, Sally Stutsman, and Rod Sullivan.
Unless otherwise noted, all actions were taken unanimously.
PROCLAMATION 04-30-09-01
JOHNSON COUNTY, IOWA
OLDER AMERICANS MONTH PROCLAMATION
MAY 1-31, 2009
Whereas, older Americans are living longer and staying healthier and more active in life; and
Whereas, the first wave of the projected 78 million baby boom generation will soon turn 65, our Johnson County theme of "Living Today for a Better Tomorrow" for the 2009 Older Americans Month reflects the positive impact of our growing senior population on the economic, social and cultural vitality of our county and community; and
Whereas, older Americans through their legacy of patriotism, service and responsibility bring communities together and serve as role models for younger generations; and
Now, therefore, be it resolved that we, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors, do hereby proclaim May 1– 31, 2009 to be,
OLDER AMERICANS MONTH
in Johnson County and congratulate our seniors on their many contributions to the vitality of this community.
Motion by Harney, second by Sullivan, to approve Proclamation 04-30-09-01.
Motion by Sullivan, second by Meyers, to approve the claims on the Auditor’s Claim Register, as approved by a majority of the Supervisors.
Motion by Stutsman, second by Meyers, to approve the minutes of the formal meeting of April 23, 2009.
Motion by Harney, second by Stutsman, to approve the payroll authorizations submitted by department heads, as approved by a majority of the Supervisors.
Motion by Sullivan, second by Meyers, to accept the County Auditor’s Third Quarterly Report of Fees Collected for the quarter ending March, 2009, in the amount of $18,255.16, as submitted by County Auditor Tom Slockett.
Convened Public Hearing for an Ordinance adopting by reference and providing amendments to the 2008 National Electrical Code, including Annex H, at 9:05 a.m.
Senior Building Inspector Ruben Arsate told the Board to align with the State's 2008 Electrical Code, the County's ordinance is pretty much verbatim to the State's code. Neuzil asked Arsate what is drawing public attention to the ordinance. Arsate said it is the restriction of the Class B Journeyman license, even though the Building Inspectors Board of Appeals approved deregulating the Class B license. Arsate said electricians with a Class B license may have passed a test in another area and are therefore approved for work in Johnson County.
Meyers asked Arsate how many total members are on the Board of Appeals. Arsate said seven, and five voted to pass it. Sullivan asked if Iowa City and Coralville acted on this yet. Arsate said they have restricted the Class B license to say if the electrician has held a license within their jurisdiction, they will be allowed to work, but if they haven't held a license within their jurisdiction, they won't be allowed to work. Arsate said the code used to say "no person shall work as a journeyman electrician unless the person holds a journeyman's electrician license approved by Johnson County," where now it says "unless the person holds a license issued by the State of Iowa." He said this is more restrictive than before. Harney said Coralville, Iowa City, and North Liberty actually tested for their own licenses but the Class B was for a contractor who hadn't tested but had worked for years.
Harney asked Arsate his opinion on including a grandfather clause for Johnson County only, and not necessarily accept anyone statewide. Arsate said he does not have a problem with Class B in any form but he does not like to restrict people from working. Meyers said people are concerned about electricians who come from elsewhere holding a Class B license and they are grandfathered in with no guarantee they have met testing requirements that a Class A license requires. Meyers said with local workers, county residents have a reputation whereas someone from out of the area is not a known quantity. Meyers added that the restriction to obtaining a Class B license in Johnson County actually promotes supporting local businesses.
Stutsman asked who issues electrical licenses. Arsate said the State does but some jurisdictions are also issuing licenses. Stutsman asked if someone is issued an electrical license, does that mean it is issued statewide. Arsate said yes. Stutsman asked how anyone would know if the person is approved by Johnson County. Arsate said they apply for their permit and the Building Inspector's Office cross-checks them with the State database for licensing and registration. Stutsman asked how it is possible to restrict this to Johnson County. Sullivan said the County would have to get into the licensing business. Neuzil said that is what Iowa City and Coralville do. He said a person with a State license must also get one with the City.
Harney said the other issue is that Ag farmers are now required to get State inspections when making electrical changes and that is not covered locally by the County's inspection system. Harney asked why the County couldn't have an inspection team to do this and collect fees to support Johnson County.
Johnson County Building Inspector's Board of Appeals Vice Chair Michael Donohue spoke in favor of changing the ordinance to include restrictions on Class B licensing. Stutsman asked Donohue if some people will be grandfathered in. Donohue said the Board can decide that but that is what the City of Iowa City, North Liberty, and Coralville have done. Neuzil asked if all electricians have to go through the state licensing process. Donohue said some people have not passed written examinations but have been doing electrical work in small cities in Iowa and the State does not want to prevent them from working so they are issuing Class B licenses.
Neuzil asked Arsate whether such a restriction will place a strain on the workforce in Johnson County. Arsate said no. Neuzil asked if additional fees would be required to obtain a Class B license in Johnson County. Arsate said no, the State will issue the license. Harney asked Arsate if the Board of Appeals discussed the changes that would restrict who can work in Johnson County and if they supported adopting the ordinance as is without any changes. Arsate said the Board of Appeals approved the ordinance without any changes. Neuzil said the Board of Appeals voted 5-2 in favor of allowing just the State to issue licenses. Stutsman said she doesn't know why Johnson County should be any different from Iowa City, Coralville, Cedar Rapids, and surrounding communities. She said the County might attract workers who can't get jobs elsewhere.
Sullivan asked Arsate if the ordinance could include a statement saying "If the person has been licensed by North Liberty, Coralville, or Iowa City, the County will accept that."
Meyers said such a statement seems to simplify things and every jurisdiction would then operate from the same set of rules. Arsate said that Linn County is not restricting Class B licensing. Harney asked if they can send the ordinance back to the Board of Appeals for review. Assistant County Attorney Janet Lyness said the proposed change to the language for the Class B license should be submitted to the Board of Appeals.
Public Hearing closed at 9:19 a.m.
Motion by Stutsman, second by Sullivan, to set a public hearing for an FY09 Johnson County budget amendment for Thursday, May 21, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. and authorize the Auditor’s Office to publish the notice.
Motion by Stutsman, second by Meyers, to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign the Green House Gas Reduction Plan.
Motion by Sullivan, second by Meyers, to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign the termination of the lease with the Sutliff Bridge Authority for control of Sutliff Bridge.
Motion by Stutsman, second by Harney, to authorize the County to become an applicant for FEMA reimbursement for the Sutliff Bridge.
RESOLUTION 04-30-09-01
RESOLUTION STATING THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DESIGNATION OF FEDERAL STIMULUS DOLLARS
Whereas, the Johnson County Board of Supervisors has received $236,900 from the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant Program (EECBG) from the U.S. Department of Energy, and
Whereas, the EECBG Program provides federal grants to local governments, to increase energy efficiency usage while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions, and
Whereas, the EECBG was funded through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, and
Whereas, Johnson County is in the process of renovations to the County Administration Building, including the replacement of existing windows and the study to potentially replace the HVAC system into a geothermal system,
Now, Therefore, be it Resolved by the Board of Supervisors of Johnson County, Iowa: that the County will designate the dollars to be used toward the improvement of energy efficiency within the Johnson County Administration Building, 913 S. Dubuque Street in Iowa City, Iowa.
Motion by Sullivan, second by Harney, to approve Resolution 04-30-09-01.
Motion by Stutsman, second by Sullivan, to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign a letter of support of Varnum v. Brien. Roll call: aye: Stutsman, Neuzil, Sullivan, Meyers; nay: Harney.
Motion by Stutsman, second by Meyers, to approve and authorize the Chairperson to sign an Application for Fireworks Permit for Heather Messer/Midnight Rainbows, LLC, North English, for display at 2952 360th Street, SW, Oxford on June 21, 2009.
Adjourned to Informal meeting at 10:01 a.m.
/s/Terrence Neuzil, Chair, Board of Supervisors
Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor
By Nancy Tomkovicz, Recording Secretary
These minutes were sent for publication and formal approval on May 7, 2009.
Sent to the Board of Supervisors on Monday, May 4, 2009 at 3:00 p.m.