MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
AUGUST 13, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Limestone Bluffs Resource Conservation and Development Scenic Byways Project Coordinator Linda Muller and Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development Scenic Byways Project Coordinator Peter Hoehnle: Proposal for Johnson County to Serve as Applicant for a State Historical Society of Iowa Certified Local Government Grant to Be Used to Develop an Application for Scenic Byway Designation for a Collection of Roads from Dubuque to Iowa City that Comprise the “Old Military Road” or “Dillon’s Furrow”............................................. 1
Sheriff's Major Steve Dolezal: Sheriff’s Contract for the Provision of Law Enforcement Services to the Town of Coralville 3
Social Services Coordinator Amy Correia: Amending State Decategorization Contract # DCAT 7-09-142 to Add $5,569 as Approved by the Johnson County Decategorization Board in Support of the African-American Advisory Committee’s “Save Our Children” Conference to be Held on September 10-11, 2009.................................................................................................................................................................. 3
Social Services Coordinator Amy Correia: Entering into a Contract with Linn County Community Services in Support of the Focus on Youth Fund, in the Amount of $39,181..................................................................................................................................................... 4
Social Services Coordinator Amy Correia: Entering into a Contract with the Iowa Department of Public Health to Support Substance Abuse Education and Prevention Programming in the Amount of $10,000, with MECCA as the Subcontractor........................................ 4
Reports and Inquiries from Executive Assistant Andy Johnson........................................................................................ 5
Appointments to the Johnson County Rural Advisory Committee................................................................................... 5
Chairperson Neuzil called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 7:59 p.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Terrence Neuzil, Sally Stutsman, and Rod Sullivan; absent: Larry Meyers.
Limestone Bluffs Resource Conservation and Development Scenic Byways Project Coordinator Linda Muller said the ultimate goal of the project has changed slightly. One possible goal is to develop an application for scenic byway designation. However, they would first like to do interpretive planning for the corridor from Iowa City to Dubuque, passing through Dubuque, Jones, Linn, and Johnson Counties, to determine whether there should be a scenic byway designation or some other corridor or regional designation. They are seeking grant funding from various sources and are requesting that Johnson County serve as the applicant for the Certified Local Government (CLG) grant. They are also requesting that Johnson County be the lead County. Stutsman asked if it would generally involve doing a feasibility study to determine if it is appropriate for the designated area. Muller said it would involve doing reconnaissance and surveying of the area and the historical resources available in those four counties. A recommendation would then be made regarding how to proceed with the interpretation and how to present it to visitors and local residents.
Neuzil said it appears a letter of support for a grant application was also sent in 2002. Muller said the previous application was to support the scenic byway nomination of that roadway. They still do not have the feedback regarding the reason their application was not accepted, but they believe one of the reasons was due to applying for both scenic and heritage options. When scenic byway designation is applied for, there are options to apply for scenic, heritage, or both.
Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development Scenic Byways Project Coordinator Peter Hoehnle said a heritage byway is named as such due to being a historic route. The Lincoln Heritage Byway, which was designated last year, runs from Clinton to Council Bluffs and is one of the original routes of the Lincoln Highway. Although there are some scenic qualities to that road, the primary consideration in designating that route was that it follows the way of the original Lincoln Highway. The project currently being discussed could result in the designation of the second heritage highway in the state of Iowa. It would follow the original route of the Old Military Road from Dubuque to Iowa City, which was famously marked with a plow by Lyman Dillon. It would connect Dubuque, Anamosa, Mount Vernon, and Iowa City. It is a very historic route and was one of the first government funded roadways in the nation. It links two very historic communities in Iowa that do not currently have a byway and helps to connect scenic byway routes. There are efforts in Iowa to connect the scenic byways to encourage people to travel the designated routes.
Harney asked if the marking is included. Hoehnle said yes. If it is designated as a heritage byway, it would be marked. The State is currently working on an entirely new signage program so it would have unique signage with its own logo. There have been previous attempts to encourage people to travel the Old Military Road, but it has never involved formal marking of the route. Hoehnle said they are looking to explore that option. Stutsman asked if obtaining heritage or scenic designations limits a county as far as growth, development, or zoning. Muller said no, it only provides the designation. The jurisdiction of the road remains the same. The application of zoning that discourages billboards is encouraged by The Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT) for roads that have been designated. There are no requirements, however. Harney clarified that nothing would restrict improvement of the roads. Muller agreed and said it is just a tool for tourism, economic development, and preservation, if that is what is important to the people of the nearby communities.
Sullivan asked if Muller knows the location of the route through Johnson County, because he is under the impression that it is mostly Highway 1. Muller replied they think it is mostly Highway 1 and Highway 151, but a consultant would be hired to determine the location of the original route if the grant application is approved. Hoehnle said it is to their advantage to be able to identify the original route as the application process progresses. Sullivan said there is a gravel road off of Highway 1 in Johnson County named Dillon’s Furrow, and he has never been sure if it is the one. Muller said she hopes they find out that it is the one. She added they are still in the process of obtaining approval from all of the county historic preservation commissions and letters of support from the other county boards of supervisors. Neuzil said Muller can work on this with Executive Assistant Andy Johnson. Harney asked if there would be any cost to the County to do the project. Muller and Hoehnle said yes. Stutsman asked if Johnson County would be the fiscal agent if it was approved. Muller said she believes so, but the work would be coordinated by Hoehnle and herself. Johnson clarified that there is a matching funds requirement, and they are looking for other grant funds. Muller said they anticipate all of the match for this grant would be in volunteer time, and they are also seeking additional grant funds.
Sheriff's Major Steve Dolezal said this involves the continuation of a contract with the City of Coralville for dispatching services. It is likely that this will be the last contract with the City of Coralville as they transfer into the Joint Emergency Communications Center (JECC). There was a 4% increase over the previous year’s contract. The amount went from $128,038 to $133,159. Neuzil asked if the City of Coralville has approved the contract. Dolezal responded that they have. Neuzil asked if the Board of Supervisors needs to take formal action to approve it and have the Chairperson sign it. Dolezal said that is correct. Sullivan asked about the effective dates of the contract. Dolezal said it runs from July 1 through the end of June. Sullivan clarified that it is anticipated that this would be the last contract. Dolezal said correct, and it will roll over on a month to month basis. There is a clause in the contract requiring that either entity give 30 days notice for termination of the contract. Harney said the opening of the JECC is anticipated to be July 1, 2010. Sullivan asked if they would be able to pro-rate a month with the City of Coralville if the opening of the JECC occurs a month late. Dolezal said yes. Neuzil said this issue would be included on a future formal agenda.
Social Services Coordinator Amy Correia said these were State Decategorization (Decat) dollars made available to Decat in early June at the last Decat Board Meeting. The Decat Board determined the specified amount of money would be provided for the Save our Children Conference. Johnson County has a contract with Decat for some training dollars. Because Johnson County Social Services is very involved in the planning of the conference, it made sense that Johnson County would be the contractor and would be reimbursed for the costs of the conference. Stutsman said she assumes there is no cost to register. Correia replied there is a small cost to register to help cover additional costs of the conference. Lunch and childcare will be provided for all conference participants. Neuzil asked if formal approval is needed. Correia said yes. Stutsman asked if there have been any registrations yet. Correia replied that she is not sure because they just sent that information out. There is information on the County website, and people can also call Johnson County Social Services to register by phone at 356-6090. Sullivan urged Correia to obtain local media coverage of the event. Correia said that is a great idea. They are planning to send out a press release and will also make some personal contacts. Stutsman asked who the conference is targeting. Correia said it is for community service providers, African-American potential foster parents, and foster parents who have fostered African-American children.
Correia said the Focus on Youth Fund began in February 2009 with a grant through Linn County Community Services for $12,500. The grant dollars are coming from the State and going through Linn County as part of East Central Iowa Children’s Mental Health Initiative Planning Group. There is an allowance of carryover of unexpended funds from FY09. In addition, Linn County has been advocating for the region for additional dollars for this year as the Planning Team is putting together an application to the Federal Government for a Systems of Care for Children’s Mental Health Grant. Along with the $52,000 in Decat dollars approved a couple of weeks ago, the fund will be in good shape for this year to continue to provide services for children and families. Neuzil said this contract will be placed on a future formal agenda.
Correia said the dollars are made available to counties through the Iowa Department of Public Health from the proceeds of Sunday alcohol sales. The maximum grant is $10,000. It is a contract the County has received for many years in the past. The County can either use the dollars themselves or contract with a non-profit entity. Although there is a match required, the County funds MECCA through the block grant process and more than exceeds that match. Stutsman asked if Correia gets reports regarding how MECCA uses the money. Correia replied that she will be getting them. Sullivan asked if it is based on how much the County has in Sunday alcohol sales. Correia said she does not think they look at each county. She thinks the statewide amount available this year is $400,000. Each county is available for up to $10,000, and there is a 3:1 match. Neuzil said this contract will be placed on a future formal agenda.
Correia mentioned the Children’s Initiative involving the Juvenile Justice Youth Development Board. The County has created a charitable giving fund with the Community Foundation for donations for the Children’s Initiative, which provides scholarships for children to attend recreational and cultural activities in the community. Children primarily targeted include those experiencing homelessness, those involved in juvenile court, and those in low-income families. She has heard that donations are coming into the fund. Johnson County Council of Governments (JCCOG) accepts the applications and payment comes through Johnson County Social Services. Funds are withdrawn from the Charitable Giving Fund as expenses are incurred.
Johnson stated that the next Department Head Meeting is scheduled for August 18, 2009 at 1:30 p.m., and the next Strategic Planning Meeting is scheduled for August 19, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. There is a Board Meeting scheduled for August 20, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
Johnson said there have been three resignations and two new applications to serve on the Johnson County Rural Advisory Committee. The new applicants are Beth Cawiezell and Jerry Hibbins. Neuzil said the issue will be put on a future formal agenda.
Adjourned at 8:21 p.m.
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Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor, By:
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