MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
DECEMBER 10, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Assistant Planning and Zoning Administrator R.J. Moore: Presentation on Land Evaluation Site Assessment (LESA)....................................................................................................................................... 1
Human Resources Administrator Lora Shramek: Wellmark Change to the Coverage of Physicals Effective January 1, 2010....................................................................................................................................... 2
Executive Assistant Andy Johnson: Reports and Inquiries.......................................................... 2
Reports and Inquiries from the Board of Supervisors................................................................. 3
Chairperson Neuzil called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building at 5:57 p.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Terrence Neuzil, Janelle Rettig, Sally Stutsman, and Rod Sullivan.
Assistant Planning and Zoning Administrator R.J. Moore explained the LESA stands for Land Evaluation Site Assessment. He said that he uses several factors to determine LESA. He looks at the County sector, which shows where the land is at. He said that he looks to see if the land is in an identified growth area. He looks at the soil suitability rating, the environmental impact, and unique historical cultural features. He said that he is always looking at whether development will have a negative impact on agricultural users in the area and/or against the Amish. He also looks at infrastructure. Land on an unpaved road would take 20 points. A paved road would allow zero points. He said that he looks at whether central sewer is available. Since the County mostly uses private wastewater most people get a score of 8. If there is going to be a clustered subdivision that has a DNR permitted well and wastewater system he will look at that because those are public water systems. He has to look at the distance from a firehouse and the distance from a school. The further the distance, the more points are assigned.
Moore gave specific examples of LESA scores to the Board. He said that the North Corridor example received a score of 195. He said what that score says is that it is a residential area and the land would be suitable for development. The next example is located in the southern part of Washington Township, which is a rural area on a gravel road. He said that this score came out to be 240 points which is above the figure of 175 which says it is an ag area and not appropriate for rezoning. Moore said that there are many applications that are in transition, between the scores of 150-175 and the Board will have to look at other things to help make their decision.
Sullivan said that this probably got easier with GIS. Moore agreed and said GIS helps a lot. Neuzil said that this is very interesting to learn. He thanked Moore for the presentation. Moore said with Rettig just getting on the Board it was a good time to train the Board of LESA.
Sullivan asked if things that are zoned public are treated the same as ag, such as the MacBride Nature Area. Moore said that he would probably try to explain that a portion of the boundary is shared with public ground. Sullivan said it would be accounted for on a case by case basis. Moore agreed. The Board thanked Moore for the presentation.
Human Resources Administrator Lora Shramek said that at the end of the day on December 1, 2009, Johnson County's Wellmark Account Manager Lacie Litton notified Human Resources of an upcoming plan design change initiated by Wellmark. Johnson County provides coverage for a yearly health maintenance examination (i.e. preventative physical exam) as a preventative benefit. However, preventative exams performed solely for athletics, employment, insurance, licensing, school, or travel, are not routinely covered. In the past, school and sports physicals have been allowed as a preventative benefit if this was the member’s only routine physical in a benefit period.
Shramek explained that as of January 1, 2010, exams that fall under the diagnosis codes school and sports physicals will be excluded. Providers will need to perform a full health maintenance examination for the service to be eligible for reimbursement. Shramek stated that data has been pulled for 2009 services where claims for Sports and/or School physicals were submitted. In general, most providers do not submit claims coded as a Sports or School physical. However, based on 2009 data, Johnson County had 8 members for a total of $642.30 in paid claims submitted with these codes. Shramek said that the Board can decide if, as a self-funded group, they want to cover these types of physicals in addition to a preventative exam. Shramek recommended that the Board continue to cover Sports and School Physicals. The Board needs to respond by December 23, 2009 if Johnson County wants to cover Sports and School Physicals.
Rettig said that she thinks the Board should opt in to cover all physicals. Suttsman said that by opting in the Board isn't changing anything. Shramek agreed. The Board agreed to put the item on a future formal agenda for approval.
Executive Assistant Andy Johnson said that there are openings on the following Boards and Commissions: five openings on the Compensation Commission; two openings on the Trails Advisory Committee; two openings on the Historic Preservation Commission; one opening on the Integrated Roadside Vegetation Management Committee; two openings on the Juvenile Justice Youth Development Program; one opening on the Livable Communities for Successful Aging Policy Board; and one opening on the Targeted Case Management Advisory Board. Johnson said that these are currently being advertised and there is information on the County website.
Johnson said there is a budget work session on December 14, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. There is a Department Head Meeting on December 15, 2009 at 1:30 p.m. The Board, department heads, and elected officials will be meeting with Johnson County Legislators at 8:00 a.m. on December 16, 2009. There is a strategic planning meeting on December 16, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. He said that next week's formal and informal meetings are on December 17, 2009 at 9:00 a.m.
Stutsman attended a Rural Outreach Committee Meeting, a Communications Committee Meeting, a Local Foods Taskforce Meeting, and a Department of Human Services Council Conference Call.
Harney attended the Chamber of Commerce Pre-Season Business Meeting, the Communications Committee Meeting, a liaison meeting with Facilities Director David Kempf, the Elder Services Holiday Party, an Iowa City Area Development Meeting, and the Sheraton Visitors Bureau Annual Report Meeting. Harney said that the second Saturday in December is Wreaths Across America. Wreaths are placed in military cemetaries across the country.
Rettig reported that the Homeless Children's Trust Holiday Party was last week. She attended the Elder Services Holiday Party, the Animal Center's Holiday with the Hounds, the Bicyclists of Iowa City Annual Meeting, the Convention and Tourism Bureau Annual Report Party, and the League of Women's Voter's Legislative Forum. She said that all of these events demonstrate how busy the Community is. She said that she also attended a DNR Commission Meeting where they discussed a 20% cut for next Fiscal Year.
Sullivan thanked the Secondary Roads Department and their work due to the weather, and thanked the Ambulance Service and the Sheriff's Department. Sullivan said that for some time the local Department of Human Services has been asking for crisis child care and through Decat they will be able to possibly get something off the ground. He attended a Senior Center Review Committee meeting. Sullivan attended a meeting regarding funding for ECICOG. He said that Johnson County remains committed to intergovernmental cooperation. Sullivan reported that Beth Freeman is leaving the office of Senator Tom Harkin for a position with FEMA. Tom Larkin will be taking Beth Freeman's place.
Neuzil attended a Special Appraisal Committee meeting of the Iowa City City Assessor. Neuzil also attended a United Way Community Needs and Assessments Steering Community Meeting. Neuzil will be having a listening post on December 11, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. at Bragger's in Coralville. On December 18, 2009 Neuzil will be at the Mekong Restaurant for another listening post as well.
Adjourned at 6:39 p.m.
By Casie Parkins, Recording Secretary