MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
DECEMBER 22, 2009
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
Roadside Vegetation Manager/Weed Commissioner Chris Henze: 2009 Weed Commissioner’s Annual Report 1
Johnson County Ambulance Service Director Steve Spenler: 28E Agreement Between the City of Coralville, Iowa and Johnson County, Iowa to Provide Space for the Johnson County Ambulance Service at the Coralville Fire Station....................................................................................................................................... 2
Conservation Director Harry Graves: Proposal and Procedure to Sell and Remove a Modular Home Located at 3196 Half Moon Avenue NW, Tiffin, Iowa........................................................................................ 3
Reports and Inquiries from Executive Assistant Andy Johnson.................................................. 3
Reports and Inquiries from the Board of Supervisors................................................................. 3
Reports and Inquiries from the Public....................................................................................... 4
Vice Chairperson Stutsman called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building at 10:05 a.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Janelle Rettig, Sally Stutsman, and Rod Sullivan; absent: Terrence Neuzil.
Roadside Vegetation Manager/Weed Commissioner Chris Henze said he will also submit the annual Weed Commissioner's Report to the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Henze said this year's report is very similar to last year's. He said that one of their biggest efforts has been the creation of the Hawkeye Cooperative Weed Management Area which includes individuals from the Conservation Board, Linn and Iowa County, and Iowa Valley Resource Conservation and Development in a collaborative effort to manage invasive species across jurisdictional boundaries. Grant funding from the US Forest Service supports this work.
Sullivan asked Henze to comment on whether he has any concerns with defining noxious weeds and invasive species. Henze said the state noxious weed law won’t change, at least for a few years. The species on the state noxious weed list are approved for control, but not the invasive species. There are a lot of invasive species that need to be aggressively managed. Rettig asked for a listing of what is not on the list. Henze replied that the worst one is Oriental Bittersweet, then Autumn Olive, Honeysuckle species, and Garlic Mustard. If someone complains about these species, he can try to work up a management plan but there isn't a legal obligation to enforce destruction of these species on public or private property.
Harney said he noticed that about $25,000 was spent on weed control and he said he was pleased that a minimal amount went towards spraying. Harney asked what methods of weed control are used. Henze replied they use a combination of burning, mowing, planting, and also some chemical treatment. When spraying is necessary, every effort is made to target only the species that require herbicides. They try to use the least amount of chemical treatment. Sullivan said a gentleman in Iowa City has repeatedly contacted him with concerns about pesticides. Sullivan said Henze has been very professional in responding to the person's concerns.
Stutsman asked if this annual report could be made available on the website and Henze said he will look into this. She added that from a farmer's perspective, it is a real balancing act to keep the weeds under control with the minimal use of herbicides. She said Henze does a great job of meeting the needs of all the residents.
Rettig asked for an explanation of the prescribed burning in Johnson County. She said she read somewhere that there are 5,000 acres of roadside vegetation and wanted to know how many get prescribed burns per year. Henze said they are on a four to five year rotation unless there are special circumstances. Rettig asked, on average, how many are burned per year. Henze replied 20 to 30 acres on average. Rettig said Pampas Grass is growing in her yard and wondered if she should do something to control it. Henze said they discourage the use of non-native species. Pampas Grass can be very aggressive and crowd roadways and waterways. The state is proposing that Pampas Grass be on a prohibited list. Henze said he encourages other species such as Big Blue Stem or Indian Grass, or others that do not spread aggressively. The Board thanked Henze for his report.
Johnson County Ambulance Service Director Steve Spenler presented the 28E Agreement between Johnson County and the City of Coralville to house an ambulance at Fire Station #2 located on Holiday Court. Johnson County would move the ambulance from Fire Station #1 on 5th Street to the Holiday Court station sometime in January, 2010. Spenler said this move will help reduce response times by approximately three minutes for close to 1,000 calls received from North Coralville, North Liberty, Tiffin and Oxford. Response times to North Liberty are about 12 minutes, 90% of the time. This move will also provide a more comfortable, professional environment for the staff. Currently they are in a converted storage closet. Spenler asked for the Board's approval and said he thinks the City of Coralville will approve the agreement this week.
Harney said the cost of this move will be about $525 per month. Spenler said this is approximately $400 more than they are paying now. Harney asked if this is a long term arrangement and if Spenler still plans to maintain operation of ambulance services at the Secondary Roads site also. Spenler said the plan is to move a truck north of Interstate 80. In addition, he would like to house a fourth crew at the Secondary Roads location staffed accordingly: in the short term during peek times, and full time in the long term. He said Neumann Monson Architects are currently estimating costs to design an ambulance facility at that location. Harney clarified that an ambulance facility at the Secondary Roads location would not serve as a replacement to the ambulance housed at Fire Station #2. Spenler said correct. The Board agreed to put the agreement on a future formal agenda.
Conservation Director Harry Graves said he would like to schedule a hearing for January 7, 2010 for the resolution to remove a dwelling from the Al Barns property, 3196 Half Moon Avenue, Tiffin, which is property recently acquired by the Conservation Board. Graves said the dwelling is on the property the Conservation Board wanted to acquire and unfortunately, they acquired the building also. Stutsman said they will plan to set the public hearing for January 7, 2010. Executive Assistant Andy Johnson said the public hearing would be January 14, 2010, so the resolutions should be approved on January 7, 2010.
Johnson said County offices will be closed on December 24 and 25, 2009 for the Christmas holiday. The Department of Public Health will offer H1N1 vaccinations beginning on December 30, 2009, which are now available to the general public. The County website also lists other locations where the vaccine will be administered. Johnson said the Board has a Budget Meeting scheduled on December 30, 2009 at 1:00 p.m. and the regularly scheduled Formal and Informal Meetings on the December 31, 2009 at 9:00 a.m. County offices will be closed on January 1, 2010.
Harney attended the Coralville Economic Growth Presentation, liaisons meetings with SEATS Director Tom Brase, and with Human Resources Director Lora Shramek, and a Joint Emergency Communications Policy Board Meeting. Harney said Happy Christmas to everyone and that he hopes everyone has a safe weekend.
Rettig attended liaison meetings with Mental Health/Disability Services Director Kris Artley, and Shramek. She congratulated County staff and Elected Officials for the generosity shown over the last month including the online auction, Chow Hounds for Charity, the donation bucket, annual commitments to Iowa Shares and United Way, and Cassie's Mittens Tree. Rettig said Coralville City Council Member Henry Herwig's retirement event is tonight and she wishes him well. On December 30, 2009 the Chamber will hold its year ender at the Holiday Inn at 5:00 p.m. She said Happy Holidays to everyone.
Sullivan attended liaison meetings with Brase, Johnson, and Medical Examiner Administrator Mike Hensch. He participated in a Parking Committee Meeting. Sullivan said he wishes Herwig well as he moves into his retirement. Sullivan announced that Lieutenant James Waldschmidt is retiring after 30 years in County service and he wishes him well. He also mentioned that Iowa City Community School District Superintendent Lane Plugge is also moving on and he wishes him well also.
Stutsman wished everyone a happy and safe holiday.
League of Women Voters' Representative Jean Lakin said Happy Holidays to everyone.
Adjourned at 10:41 a.m.
By Nancy Tomkovicz, Recording Secretary