A meeting of the Board of Supervisors of Cuming County, in the State of Nebraska, was convened in open and public session at 9:00 a.m. on June 23, 2020, at West Point, Nebraska with all members present. Governor Pete Ricketts issued an executive order to permit state and local governmental boards, commissions, and other public bodies to meet by videoconference, teleconference, or other electronic means through June 30, 2020. One Supervisor participated electronically.
Notice of the meeting was given in advance thereof by publication on the County Web Site and in the Wisner News Chronicle, legal newspaper for Cuming County, two of the County’s designated methods for giving notice, a copy of the agenda being attached to these minutes. The agenda posted a statement asking citizens to contact the Clerk’s Office for access to the meeting. Notice of this meeting was given in advance to the members of the Board of Supervisors and a copy of their acknowledgment of receipt of notice and the agenda are attached to these minutes. Availability of the agenda was communicated in the advance notice and in the notice to the County Board of Supervisors of this meeting. The Chairman of the Board publicly stated to all in attendance that a current copy of the “Nebraska Open Meetings Act” was posted at the entrance to the meeting room and on the County’s Web Site. A pamphlet form of the act is available upon request. All proceedings hereafter shown were taken while the convened meeting was open to the attendance of the public.
The following correspondence was received; Extension Educators’ activity reports from May 16, 2020, to June 15, 2020 and an Economic & Demographic Trends document for Cuming County and the surrounding area prepared by Nebraska Public Power District. All correspondence is available for public inspection in the office of the County Clerk.
1. CONSENT AGENDA
⦁ Approve minutes of the last meeting.
⦁ Approve miscellaneous Treasurer’s Receipts – $484,072.47
⦁ Approve fee reports – Clerk $6,228.15; Clerk of District Court $248.23; Sheriff 555.01; Roads $1,593.89; Zoning $250.00.
A motion was made by Meister and seconded by Wiechman to approve the items listed on the consent agenda. Upon a roll call the vote resulted as follows; Ross, Holtz, Wiechman, Mutzenberger, Sill, Meister and Tichota yeas; nays none; motion carried.
2. CLAIM FOR REPAIRS
Claim #20060076 was submitted for tire replacement. Claimant believes that the material that was used in a culvert project caused damage to his tires. After discussion, a motion was made by Meister and seconded by Wiechman to deny claim #20060076 for $409.61. Upon a roll call the vote resulted as follows; Ross, Holtz, Wiechman, Mutzenberger, Sill, Meister and Tichota yeas; nays none; motion carried.
3. TOWNSHIP OFFICIALS BOND
Deborah Wiegert presented a township officials bond for Beemer Township Treasurer for $2000. After review, a motion was made by Sill and seconded by Tichota to approve the bond as presented. Upon a roll call the vote resulted as follows; Ross, Holtz, Wiechman, Mutzenberger, Sill, Meister and Tichota yeas; nays none; motion carried.
4. INTERFUND TRANSFERS
Due to the lack of budgeted expenditures in the Veteran’s Service Fund and the Emergency Manager Fund, a motion was made by Sill and seconded by Mutzenberger to transfer $10,000 of expenditures from the Miscellaneous General Fund into the Veteran’s Service Fund and $6,000 from the Miscellaneous General Fund into the Emergency Manager Fund. Upon a roll call the vote resulted as follows; Ross, Holtz, Wiechman, Mutzenberger, Sill, Meister and Tichota yeas; nays none; motion carried.
5. PUBLIC HEARING TO AMEND THE 2019-2020 FISCAL YEAR BUDGET
Chairman Tichota opened a public hearing to consider Resolution 20200603. Last year’s flooding caused a back log of road projects that couldn’t be completed because of the lack of construction contractors willing to accept the projects. As a result, projects were carried over into the 2019-2020 fiscal year which caused a lack of funds and a lack of budget authority in the Road Department. Also, the STOP Fund did not carry enough budget authority to cover the expenses for 2019-2020 fiscal year. After discussion, Supervisor Sill. With a second by Supervisor Mutzenberger, moved the passage of Resolution 20200603 to amend the 2019-2020 fiscal year budget. Upon a roll call the vote resulted as follows; Ross, Holtz, Wiechman, Mutzenberger, Sill, Meister and Tichota yeas; nays none; resolution adopted. (A complete copy of Resolution 20200603 may be found in Resolution Record #1 Page 743.)
6. GIS WORKSHOP CHANGE ORDER
Becky Lerch presented a change order in the Planning & Zoning Contract with GIS Workshop. The change order would allow the zoning administrator to track zoning permits electronically to make the information more accessible to the public. The cost would include a $600 set-up fee and an annual fee thereafter of $600 per year. A motion was made by Sill and seconded by Mutzenberger to allow the Chairman to sign the change order for project 0185-013. Upon a roll call the vote resulted as follows; Ross, Holtz, Wiechman, Mutzenberger, Sill, Meister and Tichota yeas; nays none; motion carried.
7. DINKLAGE GRANT FOR WEST POINT SWIMMING POOL
A Louis & Abby Faye Dinklage Grant was presented to the Board for approval for $35,000. The funds, if granted, would be used to offset the expenses for the West Point Swimming Pool for the summer months of 2020. The swimming pool will have additional expenses relating to COVID regulations required for a swimming pool. After discussion, a motion was made by Mutzenberger and seconded by Meister to forward the application to the Louis & Abby Faye Dinklage Foundation. Upon a roll call the vote resulted as follows; Ross, Holtz, Wiechman, Mutzenberger, Sill, Meister and Tichota yeas; nays none; motion carried.
8. RECESS AS A BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
A motion was made by Sill and seconded by Ross to recess as a Board of Supervisors and reconvene as a Board of Equalization. All members present voted yea in favor of said motion.
The Board of Equalization recessed to reconvene the following morning at 9:00 a.m.
June 24, 2020
The Board met pursuant to the previous day’s business all members present as a Board of Equalization. Two members attended electronically. At the completion of the Board of Equalization meeting, Chris Howser, Road Superintendent, was present to give a verbal report of the activities of the Road Department. No formal action was taken.
9. RESOLUTION 20200601
A resolution to request the Nebraska Department of Transportation to act on behalf of Cuming County to administer Federal funds for Project No. ER-20(9). After review, a motion was made by Sill and seconded by Mutzenberger to adopt resolution 20200601. Upon a roll call the vote resulted as follows; Ross, Holtz, Mutzenberger, Sill, Meister and Tichota yeas; nays none; Wiechman abstained; resolution adopted. (A complete copy of Resolution 20200601 may be found in Resolution Record #1 Page 741.)
10. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT REPORT
David Branch, Economic Development Director, gave a report of activities in his office. He completed the Give, Get, Grow Program and credited all who worked on the project. He also reported on housing projects in each community. The Director gave a verbal report on his plans for the future which includes searching out for additional funding sources other than tax dollars and local foundations. He also reported on his progress on informing ag producers and business owners on the COVID grants and loans available from State and Federal sources. No formal action was taken.
11. RESOLUTION 20200602
Jeff McGill, Emergency Manager, was present to give a verbal report of the activities of his office and to ask the Board to consider adopting Resolution 20200602 which would approve the updated LEOP Plan. A motion was made by Ross and seconded by Mutzenberger to adopt Resolution 20200602. Upon a roll call the vote resulted as follows; Ross, Holtz, Mutzenberger, Sill, Wiechman and Tichota yeas; nays none; Meister abstained; resolution adopted. (A complete copy of Resolution 20200602 may be found in Resolution Record #1 Page 742.)
12. APPOINT MEMBER TO THE VETERANS SERVICE BOARD
A motion was made by Sill and seconded by Tichota to approve the Veterans Board’s recommendation and reappoint Leslie Feyerherm to the Cuming County Veterans Board. All members present voted yea in favor of said motion.
13. REPORT FROM VETERANS SERVICE OFFICER
Jason Gatzemeyer, VSO, gave a verbal report to the Board on the activities of his office. He reported that he is currently working with over 600 veterans. He also discussed COVID reimbursements that he will be submitting in June and July. No formal action was taken.
14. TRUANCY OFFICER
The Crime Commission has a grant available that would provide funds to support a truancy officer position. A motion was made by Mutzenberger and seconded by Ross to hire a part-time truancy officer. Upon a roll call the vote resulted as follows; Ross, Holtz, Mutzenberger, Sill, Meister and Tichota yeas; nays none; Wiechman abstained; motion carried.
15. REAL ESTATE PURCHASE
At 10:40 am a motion was made by Sill and seconded by Holtz to go into executive session to discuss the purchase of real estate. All members present voted yea in favor of said motion. At 11:00 a.m. a motion was made by Sill and seconded by Ross to come out of executive session. All members present voted yea in favor of said motion. As a result of the executive session, a motion was made by Mutzenberger and seconded by Sill to move ahead with the purchase of real estate. All members present voted yea in favor of said motion.
16. WAGES
The personnel committee gave a recommendation to the Board to increase wages for employees under their supervision. After discussion, a motion was made by Sill and seconded by Mutzenberger to grant a cost of living raise of 75 cents for all employees under the Board’s supervision and incentive raises for the following; head dispatcher 78 cents per hr, individual dispatchers an average of $1.62 per/hr, the zoning administrator $1.69 per/hr, the custodian 85 cents per/hr, the diversion coordinator $1.70 per/hr, Veterans Service Office $1.21 per/hr the assistant to the Veterans Service Office/IT $3.25 per/hr. Upon a roll call the vote resulted as follows; Ross, Holtz, Mutzenberger, Sill, Meister, Wiechman and Tichota yeas; nays none; motion carried.
17. NATIONAL NACo CONVENTION
A motion was made by Sill and seconded by Holtz to designate Judy Mutzenberger to cast votes at the National NACo convention on behalf of the Cuming County Board of Supervisors. All present voted yea in favor of said motion.
18. TRANSFER OF FUNDS
A motion was made by Meister and seconded by Tichota to authorize the County Treasurer to transfer funds collected in the Wireless Service Fund into the E911 Fund for the 2019-2020 fiscal year. Upon a roll call the vote resulted as follows; Ross, Holtz, Mutzenberger, Sill, Meister, and Tichota yeas; nays none; Wiechman absent; motion carried.
19. CLAIMS
A motion was made by Holtz and seconded by Ross to approve the following claims: Total General Fund payroll and reimbursements $136,287.55, Total Road payroll and reimbursements $39,593.73, Natural Disaster payroll $1,286.25; Total Economic Development payroll and reimbursements $6,224.67, Total E911 payroll and reimbursements $16,220.16; Ameritas Life Ins 8901.62 co-share retirement, F&M Bank 9680.49 co-share soc sec, Lincoln Financial 2821.59 co-share supplemental ins, Antelope Co. Sheriff 640.00 inmate bd, Apothecary Shop 208.94 inmate meds, Appeara 40.78 supplies, Applied Connective Tech 380.00 professional serv, Auto Value 29.77 supplies, Black Hills Energy 493.74 utilities, Bomgaars 33.83 supplies, Daniel P Bracht 5617.83 reimb, David Brown 50.00 cell phone reimb, Canon Fin Serv 31.80 serv, Cardmember Serv 648.46 travel & supplies, Central Valley Ag 216.27 fuel, CenturyLink 1331.30 serv, City of West Point 10662.34 solid waste, City of Wisner 2593.76 solid waste, Clerk of Dist Ct 33.00 court costs, Clerk of the Supreme Ct 126.00 court costs, Cuming Co Insurance 18,714.21 employee ins costs, Crowdsourced Geofencing 600.00 software, Cuming Co Attorney 30.00 refund, Cuming Co Court 67.00 court costs, General Assistance 652.10 medical assistance, Imprest Account 39.23 fees, Cuming Co Sheriff 34.00 court costs, Dallas Civil Process 250.00 court costs, DAS Inservice 56.88 network expenses, Digital Dolphin Supplies 119.99 supplies, Thomas Donner 13025.75 ct apnt atny, Eakes Inc 444.75 supplies, Election workers 4522.70, Brian Fischer 25.00 reimb, Floor Maintenance 733.24 supplies, Jason Gatzemeyer 66.70 mileage, Grahm Tire Co 148.99 repairs, Graybeals Food 8.56 supplies, Greatamerica Financial 121.54 equip lease, Stacy Gross 126.92 notary expenses, Hannah Guenther 25.00 reimb, GIS Workshop 17120.00 licensing fee, HM Life Ins 20,497.14 insurance, Shawn Hagerty 75.00 autopsy costs, Larry Howard 29.60 reimb & travel, Becky Lerch 8.70 postage, Loffler 773.07 equip maintenance, Mary Jo Lueckenhoff 25.00 cell phone reimb, Madison Co. Sheriff 1500.00 prisoner bd, Marvin Planning 1150.00 serv, MEbulbs 33.62 supplies, Microfilm Imaging 59.00 microfilming, Midwest Diesel 210.96 repairs, MIPS 3174.42 IT support & supplies, Nebr Co Atny Asso 1240.00 reg fee, Melissa Nordboe 25.00 cell phone reimb, Northeast Instant Rain 76.99 ground care, NENED 900.00 dues, Oxide Design 350.00 website expenses, Pender Community Hospital 741.00 inmate care, Peterson Body & Paint 381.88 repairs, PetroMart 143.98 fuel, Physicians Lab 2050.00 autopsy costs, Petty Cash 25.50 postage, Quadient Inc 526.82 postage costs, Quality Printing 910.43 supplies, Region IV 2431.00 mental health serv, Lonnie Schultz 50.00 cell phone reimb, Skywave Wireless 99.00 serv, Smidt Garbage Serv 50.00 serv, St Francis Memorial 147.00 testing, STOP Fund 5781.00 transfer, Teeco 165.50 supplies, Thurston Co. Sheriff 8550.00 inmate bd, Tim’s Sinclair 84.55 fuel, USPS-POC 2000.00 postage meter, Verizon Wireless 325.23 serv, Village of Bancroft 393.38 solid waste, Village of Beemer 736.32 solid waste, Wanek Pharmacy 58.18 inmate meds. West Point Light & Water 2762.77 utilities, West Point True Value 216.87 supplies, Wisner News 1526.00 publ, Wisner True Value 13.81 supplies, Total General Fund $161,772.80; Ameritas Life Ins 2620.09 co-share retirement, F&M Bank 2742.07 co-share soc sec, Appeara 255.15 serv, Auto Value 10.36 repairs, Black Hills 440.02 utilities, Bomgaars 73.47 supplies, Bozweld 131.27 parts & labor, Central Valley Ag 602.10 fuel, CenturyLink 97.83 serv, Constellation New Energy 245.29 fuel, Conway’s Corner 113.12 fuel, Cooney Fertilizer 18062.17 box culvert, Cuming Co Public Power 315.88 utilities, Cushing Construction 31824.00 road repair, DDM Trucking 28933.32 rock, Farmers & Feeders 818.00 tires, Farmers Pride 1585.50 fuel, Great Plains Comm 166.48 serv, Lawson Products 200.55 supplies, Loffler 417.51 equip, Logan Contractors 238.04 parts, Logemann Auto 357.47 parts, Lyman Richey 10407.15 armor coat, Mainelli Wagner 23951.40 engineering, Midwest Service 3610.20 lumber & signs, NMC Exchange 761.91 repairs, Northeast Glass 380.00 repairs, Nutrien Ag 2240.35 chemicals, Pilger Concrete 13059.95 rock, Powerplan 1497.99 parts & supplies, Quality Printing 33.98 supplies, Russ Loberg Electric 318.81 labor, S&S Willers 15447.96 gravel, S&W Welding 31.00 tools, Sapp Bros 4271.25 fuel, Siebrandt Trucking 11046.70 gravel, Skywave Wireless 66.00 serv, Smidt’s Garbage 50.00 serv, Stalp Gravel 135034.09 gravel, Stan Ortmeier & Co. 7.99 supplies, Sunrise Excavating 34292.50 contract work, Tim’s Sinclair 561.00 fuel, Jeremy Uhing Trucking 4500.00 trucking, Verizon Wireless 284.76 serv, Village of Bancroft 80.04 utilities, West Point Light & Water 419.33 utilities, West Point News 183.40 publ, West Point Travel Plaza 692.24 fuel, West Point True Value 23.15 supplies, Wisner True Value 24.95 supplies, Total Road Fund $353,527.79; CCED 573.07 grant, Rebuilding Together 312.88 grant, Total Special Projects $885.95; Mainelli Wagner & Asso 11137.50 engineering, Total Sinking Fund $11,137.50; CCED 400.00 contract labor $400.00; MIPS 339.38 support, Total Reg of Deeds Fund $339.38; City of West Point 5781.00 reimb, Total STOP Fund 5781.00; Ameritas Life Inc. 41.10 co-share retirement, F&M Bank 164.39 co-share soc sec, Beemer Township 52709.53 disaster payments, Blaine Township 11508.70 disaster payment, Cuming Township 6620.20 disaster payment, Cuming Township 6620.20 disaster payment, Lincoln Township 4709.85 disaster payment, Logan Township 20891.49 disaster payment, Cardmember Service 738.35 equipment, Becky Lerch 45.00 reimb, Vicki Meiergerd 33.31 reimb, Renee Olson 46.07 reimb, One Office Solution 117.70 supplies, West Point True Value 302.59 repairs, Total Natural Disaster Fund $97,928.28; Ameritas Life Ins 415.68 co-share retirement, Cuming Co Insurance 1682.56 health ins, F&M Bank 471.10 co-share soc sec, Lincoln Financial 81.12 ancillary benefits, David Branch 102.90 reimbs, Cardmember Service 414.00 advertising & website expenses, CenturyLink 2.32 serv, Cuming Co Ag Society 175.00 adv, Natl Rural Economic Dev 250.00 dues, Karsten Schuetze 50.00 reimb, Total Economic Development Fund $3644.68; Ameritas Life Ins 1021.89 co-share retirement, F&M Bank 1121.36 co-share soc sec, CenturyLink 1062.37 serv, DAS Material 448.00 serv, Great Plains 50.00 serv, Skywave Wireless 69.00 serv, Sparklight 59.10 serv, Total E911 Fund $3831.72. Upon a roll call the vote resulted as follows; Meister, Holtz, Wiechman, Mutzenberger, Sill, Ross, and Tichota, yeas; nays none; motion carried. The Board agreed to adjourn and reconvene June 23 & 24, 2020, at 9:00 a.m. for their regular meeting. The agenda kept current in the office of the County Clerk and on the County Web Site (www.cumingco.com).
