BANNER COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS PROCEEDINGS
The Banner County Board of Commissioners met in regular session in the Courtroom of the Banner County Courthouse on May 19, 2015. This is in accordance with the adjournment of the May 5, 2015 meeting and notice published in the Scottsbluff Star Herald and posting notices in Harrisburg, NE at the Post Office, the Banner County School, the clerk’s office, and on the front window of the Banner County Courthouse. Proof of publication is on file in the office of the County Clerk and is made a part of the proceedings by reference.
The agenda for the meeting was kept current and was available during the regular business hours at the office of the County Clerk. A copy was emailed to each board member on May 14, 2015. The agenda was not amended less than 24 hours prior to the meeting.
The chairman called the meeting to order at the hour of 8:46 a.m. with the pledge of allegiance to the flag. Present on roll call were: Chairman Robert J Gifford; Vice Chairman John-Robert Faden; Member Robert Post; Sharon Sandberg, Assessor; Carl Gilbert, Surveyor; Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent; Monty Stoddard, Treasurer; Pete Lapaseotes; Rick Willis; Wendell Domina; Jake Knaub; Annette Knaub; Misty Stauffer; Charity May; Wilma Post; Ryan Murphy, and Lori Hostetler, Clerk. Also present at various times: Chris Olsen; Lacy Krakow; Conrad Morris; Lana Sides; Curtis Grubbs; John Jones, and Scott Ansley.
The chairman stated that the open meetings law is posted on the wall of the Commissioners’ room wall and that paper copies are also available.
The agenda was examined and Faden moved to approve. Second by Post. Roll call vote: Gifford, yes; Post, yes; Faden, yes.
The minutes of the previous meeting had been supplied to each board member. Post moved to approve the minutes for May 5, 2015 and that the actions therein be ratified: Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Faden, yes; Gifford, yes.
CORRESPONDENCE
Letter from Tim Newman, Emergency Manager regarding NIMS training.
CLAIMS
The following claims were audited, and Post moved that the claims be approved, and warrants ordered drawn on the respective funds. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Faden, yes; Gifford, yes.
GENERAL FUND
Ballew Covalt Hazen PC, LLO, misc - 50.00; C-Weed Management LLC, contracted services - 5,816.66; Centurylink, phone - 510.05; Culligan, water - 27.50; Douglas,Kelly,Ostdiek & Ossian, ct appt counsel - 67.50; Fairfield Inn & Suites, lodging - 83.00; High West Energy, lights - 396.00; Home Depot Credit Services, bldg repair - 151.10; Madelung Law Office, ct appt counsel - 127.50; MCI, phone - 54.01; MIPS Inc, data – processing; 1,288.66; Kathy Natale, lodging - 38.69; Neopost Usa Inc, postage - 125.84; Panhandle Coop Association, fuel - 225.40; William C Peters, ct appt counsel - 168.00; Star-Herald, publishing - 1,322.48; USDA, Aphis, Wildlife Services, wildlife control - 1,932.22; Verizon Wireless, phone - 127.88
ROAD FUND
B & C Steel Corporation, steel - 44.41; Centurylink, phone - 158.07; Contractors Materials, Inc., shop supplies - 42.00; Heilbrun's, repair parts - 73.22; High West Energy,
Lights - 200.00; Ideal Linen Supply, shop supplies - 22.12; Kimball Auto Parts, LLC, shop supplies - 388.70; MCI, phone - 3.21; NMC Exchange LLC, repair parts - 705.67; Panhandle Coop Association, lf fuel & diesel - 15,199.83; Verizon Wireless, phone - 58.94; Westco,
Misc - 137.37; Western Nebraska Observer, printing & pub - 28.00; Wyrulec Co, lights - 27.29
PRESERVATION & MODERNIZATION
MIPS Inc, misc - 66.60
ITEMS OF BUSINESS BEFORE THE BOARD
Item #1 – Pete Lapaseotes – Discussion about locating a beef processing plant in the county – Pete Lapaseotes outlined the details of a proposed beef processing plant that would be located in western Nebraska. The plant would employ 550 people and would process 1500 head of cattle daily. The beef would be processed for South Korea, and investors are exploring possible locations for the plant. Questions and comments were received from those in attendance.
Item #2 – Rick Willis – Washington update from Congressman Adrian Smith’s office – 9:15 – Rick Willis with Congressman Adrian Smith’s office presented a Washington update. He discussed trade related legislation and said that the congressman has reintroduced two bills for critical care access hospitals in an effort to make rural healthcare more accessible to people in the 3rd district. He also discussed several other issues the congressman is currently addressing.
Item #3 – Conrad Morris – Discussion on possibility of the closure of Clausen Street – Conrad Morris explained why he would like to have Clausen Street closed, and some discussion followed.
Item #4 - Review and action on contract with C- Weed Management LLC for weed superintendent position – The contract was reviewed. The commissioners indicated that they did not believe the county should pay for the continuing education expenses. Cris Burks agreed to the removal of that portion of the contract. After discussion, Gifford made a motion to accept the contract with the following changes: “This agreement is entered into this 19th day of May, 2015” and the last two sentences on page 2, item 2 are deleted. Second by Post. Roll call vote: Gifford, yes; Post, yes; Faden, yes.
Item #5 - Review and action on agreement with Harold “Pete” Peterson as Budget Making Authority for Banner County for Fiscal Year 2015-2016 – After review, Post made a motion to accept the agreement with Harold “Pete” Peterson as Budget Making Authority for Banner County for Fiscal Year 2015-2016. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Faden, yes; Gifford, yes.
Item #6 - Approval of agreement with Traffic Safety Plus for county diversion program – Faden made a motion to approve the agreement with Traffic Safety Plus for the county diversion program. Second by Post. Roll call vote; Faden, yes; Gifford, yes; Post, yes.
Item #7 - Appoint and confirm grievance board members – The item was tabled.
COUNTY SURVEYOR
Carl Gilbert, Surveyor reported that he has received a request to perform his first official Banner County survey. He presented a map detailing all of the corners that he has surveyed since taking office and discussed the possibility of having a fund which could be used to purchase survey equipment or supplies.
COUNTY TREASURER REPORT
Monty Stoddard, Treasurer reported that the auditor with FALCO will be coming to perform the county audit soon.
COUNTY CLERK REPORT
Lori Hostetler, Clerk presented the clerk and the clerk of the district court fee reports. She reported that she had received the NACo prescription cards and had published the information on the county’s website, as well as a link to the VA Home Loan site.
HIGHWAY SUPERINTENDENT REPORT
Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent reported that he had ordered the road signs for the east side of the county. He presented information and the cost of a packer and discussed the possibility of purchasing a trailer to haul the skid steer. After discussion, the commissioners agreed to the purchase of a packer. Tom indicated that he needed to discuss a personnel issue.
Post made a motion to go into executive session to discuss a personnel issue in order to prevent needless injury to the reputation of an individual. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Faden, yes.
Executive session called at 10:44 a.m. Present for executive session: Chairman Robert J Gifford; Vice Chairman John-Robert Faden; Member Robert Post, and Tom Neal, Highway Superintendent.
Post made a motion to come out of executive session which was called in order to prevent needless injury to the reputation of an individual. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Faden, yes; Gifford, yes; Post, yes.
No action was taken.
11:06 a.m. – Regular meeting was resumed.
No other reports.
Post made a motion to adjourn the meeting of the Banner County Board of Commissioners at 11:10 a.m. Second by Faden. Roll call vote: Post, yes; Gifford, yes; Faden, yes. The next meeting will be held in regular session on June 2, 2015 or at the call of the clerk. A full agenda of the matters to be considered at such date and time is kept continually current and is available for public inspection during normal business hours at the office of the Banner County Clerk in the Courthouse in Harrisburg.
BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
BANNER COUNTY, NEBRASKA
