MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
JANUARY 7, 2010
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
County Engineer Greg Parker: 28E Agreement with Cedar County for Project # L-200904—73-16, Involving Replacement of the Existing Bridge with a Reinforced Concrete Box Culvert on the Cedar/Johnson County Line Road Located in Section 25, Township 79 North, Range 5 West................................................................... 1
Reports and Inquiries from Executive Assistant Andy Johnson.................................................. 2
Reports and Inquiries from the Board of Supervisors................................................................. 2
Executive Session: Human Resources Administrator Lora Shramek: Collective Bargaining Strategy for 2010-2011 2
Chairperson Stutsman called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Health and Human Services Building at 9:10 a.m. Members present were: Pat Harney, Terrence Neuzil, Janelle Rettig, Sally Stutsman, and Rod Sullivan.
County Engineer Greg Parker said the County has been working on the replacement of the existing bridge on the Cedar/Johnson County Line Road with Cedar County, and the project is on the Five Year Road Plan. It is a shared project, and the cost will be split evenly. The right-of-way on the Johnson County side has been acquired and approved by the Board. Parker said Assistant County Attorney Andy Chappell has reviewed the 28E agreement, and all of his recommendations have been accepted by the Cedar County Engineer. Although the project hasn’t been let, the estimated cost to Johnson County will be approximately $50,000. The total cost of replacing the bridge with a concrete box culvert will be approximately $100,000. Parker said the Cedar County Engineer is hopeful that the project can be let around the end of February 2010, upon the Board’s approval of the 28E agreement. The project would take place in the 2010 construction calendar year. Parker said the Secondary Roads Department recommends that the item be put on the Formal Board Meeting agenda for the Board’s consideration and approval next week.
In other business, Parker said if the winds increase to 35 miles per hour, as forecasted, snow removal equipment will probably be removed from gravel roads later today. Activities will be prioritized, as the Snow Policy states, to maintain the paved, routed sections. He said continuation of snow removal would continue on January 8, 2010.
Johnson said he is working with Information Technology and the Auditor’s Office to update the on-line meeting calendar and make it more user friendly. Although the change in programs involved additional features, it also involved limitations. It is difficult to schedule events in the future without an agenda, and they are often created only a few days in advance of a meeting. With the changes being made, clicking on a particular date will lead to a page explaining that the related agenda has not yet been posted. Instructions regarding how to obtain the agenda after it has been posted will also be available. Johnson said the changes should enable the posting of Board meetings through the end of the year.
Johnson said the Board has a joint meeting with Public Health scheduled for January 11, 2010 at 9:00 a.m. to review their new accreditation process. There is a Budget Work Session scheduled for January 12, 2010 at 8:30 a.m. Informal and Formal Board Meetings are scheduled for January 14, 2010 at 5:30 p.m.
Harney attended the Board’s Formal Organizational Meeting, the Coralville Chamber of Commerce Roundtable, the Iowa City Chamber of Commerce Roundtable, and a Criminal Justice Coordinating Committee Meeting. He also accompanied Assistant Planner Josh Busard on site visits for Planning and Zoning requests. Harney said long-time Lieutenant James Waldschmidt recently retired and his service is appreciated.
Neuzil serves on the Johnson County United Way Community Needs and Assets Assessment Steering Committee and information is being gathered to justify ways in which money is spent. Neuzil said Listening Posts are scheduled for January 8, 2010 at 7:30 a.m. at Bruegger’s in Coralville and January 13, 2010 at Bruegger’s on Riverside Drive in Iowa City.
Sullivan attended a forum at the Iowa City Area Group of the Sierra Club. He encouraged the public to contact the Board soon with any opinions regarding the budget because it will soon be finalized.
Rettig met with a Solon City Administrator regarding a water project in Solon and had liaison meetings with Social Services Coordinator Amy Correia and Mental Health/Disability Services Director Kris Artley. She attended an American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) meeting and legislative forum and the Iowa City Area Chamber of Commerce Roundtable.
Motion by Sullivan, second by Harney, to enter Executive Session at 9:25 a.m. to discuss collective bargaining strategy for 2010-2011 under section 20.17(3), Code of Iowa: “negotiating sessions, strategy meetings of public employees… shall be exempt from the provisions of chapter 21 (Official Meetings Open to the Public).” Roll call: aye: Harney, Neuzil, Stutsman, Sullivan, Rettig.
Motion by Sullivan, second by Harney, to leave Executive Session at 9:40 a.m. Roll call: aye: Harney, Neuzil, Stutsman, Sullivan, Rettig.
Adjourned at 9:40 a.m.
By Erin Heninger, Recording Secretary