MINUTES OF THE INFORMAL MEETING OF THE JOHNSON COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS:
NOVEMBER 13, 1997
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chairperson Stutsman called the Johnson County Board of Supervisors to order in the Johnson County Administration Building at 5:00 p.m. Members present were: Joseph Bolkcom, Charles Duffy, Jonathan Jordahl, Stephen Lacina, and Sally Stutsman.
Stutsman: OK. I'd like to call to order the informal meeting of the Johnson County Board of Supervisors for November 13, 1997. Review of the formal minutes for November 6th. Are there any comments? If not, then we'll put those on for our formal meeting for approval.
Stutsman: Business from Bruce Ahrens, Senior Farm Manager of Farmer's National Company regarding Conservation Reserve Program at the County Farm. Come on up to the table, Bruce.
Ahrens: The CRP of... I've done all the paperwork for the CRP. But in talking with the FSA office here in Iowa City, it appears that the State of Iowa, as we've talked about before, is one entity for a $50,000 limit and it appears that they are at their maximum. Again, in order to even get into this $50,000 pool, it was a bid, there was a lottery process. That if our original bid had been accepted by the USDA, then we went into the State of Iowa pool where literally names are drawn out of a hat to go up to this $50,000 limit. So apparently, they're at the $50,000 limit from their original lottery drawings or whatever. Because we're competing with other cities, with other counties, by my work competing with other counties, but cities are involved, and the DNR is involved as well. So they have property that's in the Conservation Reserve Program that they have purchased or has been given to them again, all rolls into one entity. So it appears that they are at their $50,000 limit and so what would happen, the worst case scenario is that we were to bid the Johnson County Farm into the CRP, it is accepted by the USDA. It's accepted into the lottery, they are at the $50,000 limit, we have to comply with all the stipulations that we agreed to and we may not get any money until a very limited percentage, or even no money until year 10 of the 10 year contract. But in the meantime we've had to purchase seedlings or done whatever it taken to comply. So really we're at a lose, lose situation as we speak. There's not much we can do other than work with the farm as it was before, without the Conservation Reserve Program. The benefit has been that we've improved water quality during the last 10 years, but we're almost back to where we were 10 years ago.
Bolkcom: Yes, it sounds like it.
Ahrens: And that's not all bad, because we're in a position to re-rent the row crop acres, and/or work with harvesting switch grass seed. There's different options that we can work with, but the deadline is tomorrow so that's the reason we're meeting tonight, is to discuss this to make sure, or to do what you would like me to do. As far as getting in touch with USDA office tomorrow. So my recommendation is not to do anything and work with the programs, or cash rental arrangements and/or maybe a bio mass type information or harvesting of seeds, but that's where we're at as we speak.
Lacina: So will you do a feasibility study for us and list those options and give us some input back as far as what would be our impact?
Ahrens: Sure.
Lacina: I think to save you time as far as doing all the paperwork and going forward, you've given us some good options.
Ahrens: OK, so...
Stutsman: But you still have to get back to USDA tomorrow?
Ahrens: No, there's nothing, we don't have to do anything...
Stutsman: All right.
Ahrens: If we do not submit an offer.
Stutsman: OK. Only if we wanted to submit an offer, then we could.
Ahrens: That's correct, that's reason. Tonight was important as to re-iterate that to me, that we don't want to do that and let tomorrow's offices close and then go from there.
Stutsman: OK, that's...
Jordahl: If these, excuse me...
Stutsman: Go ahead.
Jordahl: Have you spoken with Russ Bennett, the Roadside Vegetation Manager about this plan?
Ahrens: No I haven't, because that was, this would be completely wide open from here on out so...
Jordahl: Yes.
Ahrens: No, but I'll get in touch with Russ. I'm sure he'll be excited, actually.
Jordahl: Yes. I would encourage you to explore...
Ahrens: Sure.
Jordahl: Not only harvesting, but planting.
Ahrens: Right.
Jordahl: It seems it might later be harvested and it would be a real interesting opportunity.
Ahrens: Uh-huh, yes.
Stutsman: That sounds good if you could bring back that feasibility study like Steve said. Then we can go from there.
Bolkcom: Why was the money so limited? I mean $50,000 just does not seem like very much money. There must be thousands and thousands of acres coming out of this program.
Ahrens: Yes. Well they bid some back in and again the State has, like it's we're competing with DNR with other cities, with other counties. But everybody is after the same $50,000 entity.
Bolkcom: It's hardly, I don't have any acres, if you were to give an average per acre, something it's not...
Ahrens: Per county, right.
Bolkcom: Yes, it's pretty small.
Ahrens: Yes. Again we... when the farm was originally bid in, there was no such thing as a State of Iowa being one entity. It's somewhere during the last 10 years that somebody's re-written, or re-read the rules. I don't know which one it was, but, and declared each State as an entity. So again it's unfortunate because the CRP for the Johnson County Farm has been excellent and had the opportunity to be an excellent program for the next 10 years for us as well, but...
Bolkcom: Yes.
Ahrens: I guess we're fortunate we had the last 10 years and let it go at that so.
Bolkcom: OK.
Ahrens: I'll do that though, that's no problem at all.
Stutsman: OK well good. Any other questions?
Bolkcom: Just a comment. It would be nice to maintain some of the, and I'm sure Bruce is going to suggest some of this to us when he comes back or I hope he is, that we maintain some of the qualities that this program has given us in the last 10 years. With the environmental enhancements.
Ahrens: Right, well we've got some rich top soil we can farm with limited soil erosion and still maintain water quality. I guess I would hate to see us do much with the switch grass because switch grass really is a difficult species to really get established. Again, the wildlife habitat provides near the interstate corridor there is very good... So no, that would be my goal to maintain as much as we can. Again working the fine line between income and maintenance of vegetation and habitat.
Bolkcom: Sounds great.
Ahrens: So, OK? Thank you very much.
Bolkcom: Thanks.
Stutsman: Thank you.
Lacina: Thanks, Bruce.
DISCUSSION: CITY OF OXFORD VOLUNTARY ANNEXATION
Stutsman: Business from the Board of Supervisors, letter from Stephen N. Greenleaf from Lynch, Greenleaf, and Michael, regarding resolution of the City of Oxford assenting to voluntary annexation of property owned by Robert B. Casper and Margaret E. Casper. Carol did you, we have the letter in our packet.
Administrative Assistant Carol Peters: I put this on the agenda to make sure everybody's (inaudible).
Stutsman: We don't take any action on this, it's just something that we're aware of that they're planning this voluntary annexation.
Lacina: Probably the big thing would be if there's a road agreement on the existing property that the engineer would review, but other than that, I mean we have no power.
Stutsman: Uh-huh.
Lacina: So, and I'm sure that Mike has taken a look at this.
Stutsman: How many acres is it? Does it... I don't know. It doesn't say anywhere.
Lacina: In their legal notification. Maybe not, maybe they just gave a legal description.
Stutsman: Yes, they just gave the legal description. OK. So are there any other questions or comments? OK.
DISCUSSION: BOARD OF SUPERVISORS REPRESENTATIVE NEEDED TO ATTEND UNITED WAY JOINT FUNDING HEARINGS
Stutsman: Discussion regarding representative from Johnson County to the United Way Joint Funding Hearings. Those funding hearings are held every year and they're between Johnson County, Iowa City, and United Way. The human services agencies that receive funding from any of those entities are part of the joint funding process. In the past, we've always had a representative from the Board of Supervisors attend those meetings that Johnson County funds, those agencies that Johnson County funds. I didn't, I guess we need to have at least 2 people there. Everybody's welcome to attend the funding hearings. They are open to the public. They're held on Wednesdays this year at a different location, at Lepic-Kroeger Realty office. They've been held at the Department of Human Services in the past. The first round of hearings is this Wednesday, November 19th. It goes December 3rd, December 10th, and that's all the hearings that involves agencies that Johnson County funds.
Duffy: Usually have the Chair do that, Sally.
Stutsman: I have gone to them in the past and I certainly would be more than happy to attend those hearings. I don't know if anybody else is interested.
Jordahl: Well, since I'm on the Board of Social Welfare and have recently been indicated will be chairing the MH/MR/DD/BI Planning Council, and it's my first year on the Board, I'd like to sit in just to expand my knowledge of these programs, not that I...
Duffy: It's really interesting.
Jordahl: I think it would be a good education for me.
Duffy: Yes.
Stutsman: Then part of that responsibility Jonathan is working at the end of those hearings to make some recommendations to the Board as far what our funding will be to those individual agencies.
Jordahl: Uh-huh. I trust you'll be there?
Stutsman: Right, I think it always helps to have one person that's kind of gone through the process before. Are there any other Board members that are...
Lacina: Well and you'll meet with Linda Severson too.
Stutsman: Uh-huh, right.
Lacina: So that sounds good. So Jonathan and Sally will represent us, right?
Stutsman: OK. That's good.
Jordahl: What about ISAC on Wednesday, the 19th? Are we going to be able to participate in...
Stutsman: No, that will be the problem then.
Lacina: Well which agencies though?
Stutsman: Lutheran, MECCA, Elderly Services, and Neighborhood Centers are...
Jordahl: Do they tape these?
Stutsman: No, they don't tape them.
Lacina: You'll have evaluation sheets which are very good though and Sally having gone through this before can kind of...
Stutsman: And we can sit and visit with Linda Severson, Human Services Coordinator for Johnson County Council of Governments. She can kind of bring us up to date on what the presentation was about and specific funding requests.
Bolkcom: I have historically attended as well and plan to attend as many of the meetings if possible.
Lacina: Well and I'm sure we'll all hit some if we can.
Stutsman: OK, so Jonathan and I will take the lead on that and anybody else is welcome to come, to attend. Any reports from the Board of Supervisors? Charlie, do you have any report?
REPORT (DUFFY): ATTENDED VETERANS DAY BANQUET
Duffy: I went to the Veteran's Banquet on Tuesday. That was Veteran's Day out at the Highlander. It's an annual banquet. Very well attended. In fact, the place was just packed. The ceremony was just great. I'm glad I went to it and I've been, I don't think I've missed one of these in quite a while. If it wasn't for the veterans, we wouldn't be sitting here tonight. I think it's just great and some of them still can fit in their suits? The Colonels and...
Stutsman: So people came in uniform.
Duffy: ...way back to the 2nd World War. A very good program and very worthwhile going to.
Stutsman: Steve, do you have a report?
REPORT (LACINA): LAWSUIT FILED AGAINST JOHNSON COUNTY
Lacina: Just that we're being sued again. I think this is the 4th one pertaining to zoning matters. Pat at some point we'd like you to give us a rough idea of what the legal costs are, the equivalent costs are. Perhaps at the end of the calendar year, because I'd just like a rough idea of how much time this is taking away from your office. That's all I have.
Stutsman: Jonathan?
REPORT (JORDAHL): ATTENDED BOARD OF SOCIAL WELFARE MEETING
Jordahl: Well, most of what my report would consist of is a preparation for this evening's meeting. I did attend the meeting of the Board of Social Welfare Monday night in which we discussed both the direction of the Board and as it's been a matter of discussion., trying to achieve a balance of finding out what the needs of the Department of Human Services are for a citizen input, trying to establish the Board of Social Welfare on a very positive footing. So getting both citizen input and input from staff, achieve striking that balance. We look at budget questions for the upcoming budget year. I think I'm just going to leave off with that because we've got a lot on our plate tonight.
Stutsman: Joe, any report?
Bolkcom: A couple of things. Yes, the Board's Communications Sub-Committee met last Friday and is working on... which charges to try and do more to enhance how we share information with the public. We have organized a draft copy of an information sheet for when people come to this building or the Courthouse, they'd be able to get this sheet. On one side of it we'll have all of the various offices and kind of a very brief summary of what services and phone numbers. On the reverse side, it will have information, a map essentially showing the dozen or so locations where we provide services. We'll be circulating that for comments from department heads. We hope to have that done in the next few weeks. Also would like to thank the members of the Recorder's Study Committee. They met again last night and made some recommendations or recommended, they're going to be writing that up, but they spent a lot of time studying the questions and it was good to see their report. Appreciate their efforts. Tomorrow we'll be spending all day at the Heritage Area Agency on Aging to review services provided through Heritage funding to seniors in Johnson County. All the service providers that receive Heritage funding will be there to report on what they are doing and what unmet needs exist so we'll be doing that.
Lacina: Want to commend you on the flyer idea because with the diverse locations we've got with Health Department, Roads, DHS, Courthouse, the Administration Building, I think anything we can do to make it more understandable for the public is really a very good idea. Good job.
Bolkcom: It was a... The committee is actually made up of our department heads and Jonathan and I are serving on it, but the ideas that we're working on are basically from kind of the grassroots of our employees. They're working to make them happen.
REPORT (STUTSMAN): THANKS TO RECORDER STUDY COMMITTEE
Stutsman: Great, good. I too would like to publicly thank the people that served on the Recorder Study Committee. It never ceases to amaze me the commitment and the time that these volunteers are willing to give. But, I think it's been a very good experience for them, too. When I listen to their comments last night, any number of them said that they learned a lot. They didn't always have a real clear picture of what the Recorder's Office did. They learned a lot. So I look forward to their written report and their final comments. Anything else from the Board of Supervisors? Discussion from the public?
?: Hi.
Jordahl: Hi.
Stutsman: Hello, how are you? Glad to have you with us.
?: I agree with her.
Stutsman: Oh, OK.
Bolkcom: Good to get some early agreement established.
Stutsman: Yes, right.
?: It may not happen again.
Stutsman: Well we will recess for a short time until 5:30 and we will begin the public hearing.
Lacina: Carol's got something.
Peters: Do you want to go to the (inaudible)?
Stutsman: Oh, do you want to just go right to the formal meeting?
Peters: You, yes, into the formal.
Stutsman: OK. Good idea.
Stutsman: Page 11.
Bolkcom: It's supposed to start at 5:30?
White: Actually I don't think you can. Formal meeting doesn't begin until 5:30.
Stutsman: Nice try, Carol.
Peters: I tried.
Bolkcom: Careful Carol.
Stutsman: OK, we are recessed then.,
Recessed at 5:17 p.m.; reconvened at 10:50 p.m.
Stutsman: Any inquiries and reports from the public? Inquiries and reports from members of the Board of Supervisors? Report from the County Attorney? Other?
Bolkcom: I have one other thing. We're meeting Tuesday next week Andy.
Videographer Andy Small: Carol just told me.
Bolkcom: Very good.
Small: Actually isn't it the next 2 weeks?
Bolkcom: Yes. Note the schedule change. Good job Carol.
Stutsman: Yes, she is good.
Duffy: One thing, I think our Chairperson did a good job tonight.
Lacina: A lot of (inaudible).
Bolkcom: Yes she did.
Bolkcom: What a night.
Stutsman: I can't do it without a lot of good support from my fellow Board members. Thank you. That takes care of it. We're adjourned.
Adjourned at 10:52 p.m.
Attest: Tom Slockett, Auditor
By Casie Parkins, Recording Secretary