The Cherokee County Board of Supervisors met in regular session on Tuesday, April 11, 2023 with Rick Mongan, Bryan Petersen, Duane Mummert, Cheryl Ellis and Dave Skou present. Erin Rydgren, Chronicle Times, represented the press. Gary Lundquist, Verdell Johnson, Laura Jones, Sarah Tracy, Kelly Puhrmann, Hannah Pigott, Kari Lundy, Kenny Schlenger, Justin Pritts, Derek Scott, Dale Arends, Myron Pingel, Chris White, Darrell Downs, Ron Wetherell, Steve Roe and Stu Hogg were also in attendance. Unless otherwise indicated, all votes were offered as follows: Ayes – Ellis, Skou, Petersen, Mummert, Mongan; Nayes – none; Abstentions – one.
Chairman Mongan called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m. and led the Pledge of Allegiance.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to approve the agenda. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Mummert to approve the minutes of the previous meeting. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Skou to approve the claims for payment as presented. Motion carried. A complete listing is available for review in the County Auditor’s office and online.

Claims Approved April 11, 2023:
AgState
Fuel&TIF 39,443.29
Alliant Energy
Serv 1,014.58
Alpha Wireless Communications
Serv 199.02
Benson Construction
Serv 1,100.00
Blaine’s Culligan
Supp 47.25
Bomgaars
Supp 28.11
Buena Vista County Sheriff
Fees 33.00
L&L Builders Co.
Serv 302,842.96
Calhoun Burns Associates, Inc
Serv 1,231.10
Campbell Supply Co
Parts 1,399.00
Champion Electric, Inc
Serv 91.29
Cherokee Aviation Authority
Approp 45,893.00
Cherokee County Engineer
Fuel 2,654.60
Cherokee County Sheriff
Fees 100.50
Cherokee County Solid Waste
Alloc 22,688.33
Cherokee Fire Department
Serv 107.50
Cherokee State Bank
Flex/Self Fund 10,277.78
Cherokee Regional Medical CTR
Contract 13,402.40
Cherokee Rural Water
Serv 165.08
Cherokee Chronicle Times
Publ 1,349.36
City of Cleghorn
TJ Pmt 124.94
City of Larrabee
TJ Pmt 153.76
City of Marcus
Serv 29.45
City of Meriden
Serv 25.00
City of Quimby
Serv&TJ 1,009.76
City of Washta
TJ Pmt 2,076.16
CML Telephone Coop
Serv 2,607.94
Country Tire & Service, Inc.
Serv 395.52
Crittenton Center
Shelter 373.20
Discover
Supp 270.88
Ebert’s
Supp 1,904.80
Engineering Design Associates
Serv 2,776.25
Elan Financial Services
Supp 476.28
Evertek, Inc.
Serv 400.00
Fareway
Groceries 15.97
Feld Equipment Company
Supp 103.00
FORCE America Distributing,LLC
Parts 971.20
Foundation Analytical Lab
Serv 36.25
Graves Construction Co., Inc
Construction 76,528.21
GreatAmerica Financial Svcs
Serv 55.00
Ida County Sheriff
Fees 69.05
Iowa County Attorneys Assoc
Dues 424.00
Iowa Department of Revenue
Sales Tax 85.50
Iowa Division of Labor
Inspect 175.00
Iowa State University
Training 150.00
Iowa Workforce Development
Unemployment 5,281.06
ISACA
Dues 250.00
Jacks Uniforms & Equipment
Clothing 903.49
Janitor’s Closet, Ltd
Supp 210.59
Julius Cleaners
Serv 37.00
Lawson Products Inc
Parts 6.04
Loughlin Law Firm
Fees 75.00
Marco
Serv 303.15
Marcus News
Publ 1,321.01
Martin Marietta Materials
Supp 1,872.48
Marx Leasing
Serv 150.00
Mid American Energy
Serv 1,666.52
Mid-American Benefits, Inc.
Caf Admin Fees 75.00
Midwest Wheel Companies
Parts 181.44
Missouri Machine & Plow LLC
Parts 1,310.62
Modern Heating & Cooling, Inc
Serv 209.80
Motor Parts Sales
Parts 228.29
Mud On Main
Supp 675.00
Nobles County Sheriff
Fees 75.00
NW Iowa Yes Center
Shelter 952.75
OBrien County Sheriff’s Office
Fees 151.50
One Office Solution
Supp 1,587.41
Pictometry International Corp.
Serv 29,130.00
Pilot Rock Sign Shop
Supp 190.00
Record Management Systems Inc
Serv 106.47
Sanitary Services Inc
Ser 265.50
SEAT Treasurer
Fees 50.00
State Steel of Spencer
Supp 2,721.69
Stop Stick Ltd
Supp 60.00
The Storm Lake Times
Publ 1,028.69
Truck Center Companies
Parts 331.09
Verizon Wireless
Serv 1,921.60
Visual Edge
Serv 27.35
Elizabeth R Warnke
Reimburse 77.52
Western Iowa Tech
Fee 575.00
Timothy R Wyc
Reimb 34.00
Ziegler Inc
Supp 1,549.50
Grand Total $590,896.83

There were no comments from the public.
Derek Scott, County Sheriff, presented a revenue report and wage authorizations for consideration.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Mummert to accept the Sheriff’s $34,190.76 March 31, 2023 Quarterly Revenue Report as presented with $20,452.92 retained by the county. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Mummert to approve an amended step wage authorization from $26.55 to $28.74 per hour for Barb Staver, Civil Deputy, which includes a $1.10 cost of living increase effective July 1, 2023. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Mummert to approve an amended step wage authorization from $21.21 to $23.10 per hour for Carrie Hill, Full-Time Jailer, which includes a $1.10 cost of living increase effective July 1, 2023. Motion carried.
Sam Boothby, County Recorder, presented a revenue report for consideration.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to approve the County Recorder’s $86,484.11 March 31, 2023 Quarterly Revenue Report with $28,298.45 retained by the county. Motion carried.
Chairman Mongan read a summary of the RAGBRAI Ordinance as published with full copies of the ordinance available to those in attendance.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Petersen to approve the first reading of Ordinance #2023-01 Sale of Food and Other Merchandise During RAGBRAI. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert,-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to waive the second and third readings of Ordinance #2023-01 Sale of Food and Other Merchandise During RAGBRAI. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried.
Motion by Petersen, seconded by Skou to adopt Ordinance #2023-01 Sale of Food and Other Merchandise During RAGBRAI. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried and ordinance adopted.
There were no right of way permits to consider.
Sarah Tracy, County Engineer, presented wage authorizations for consideration.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to approve a $25.59 per hour wage authorization for Eric Carlson, Operator, effective April 24, 2023. Motion carried.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Petersen to approve a $20.00 per hour wage authorization for Wyatt Kraft, Temporary Seasonal Labor, effective April 17, 2023. Motion carried with Mongan abstaining.
Tracy reported on current construction projects including a culvert project in Amherst Township and rehabilitation of the Cherokee 18 bridge east of Cherokee City limits which is expected to be closed for six weeks. Contractors have been hired to complete seasonal projects including chip sealing approximately five miles of gravel roads; crack fill and sealing on C60 and a stretch of C16; and spraying pavement markings on the southern half of the county.
Chairman Mongan opened a conversation amongst Little Sioux Corn Processors (LSCP) board members, county supervisors and county engineering staff.
Sarah Tracy, County Engineer, provided copies of a letter signed by Steve Roe, Little Sioux Corn Processors CEO, which requested answers from Cherokee County directly related to completion of the F Avenue paving project. Tracy provided answers to all seven questions in the letter and emphasized that the county will produce a roadway per the contract, however, it cannot be completed by the original contract date of June 30, 2023. Dale Arends, LSCP, agreed that litigation caused delays making completion in 2023 impossible and suggested that the board of supervisors and county engineer put this project first which may cause delays to other county projects. Tracy stated that as county engineer, she is concerned about bridges and roads for the whole county and plans to complete the county’s regular construction plan along with the F Avenue Project. Darrell Downs, LSCP, added that it has been obvious that this project has been put on the back burner. Tracy reported that Beck Engineering was contracted in June 2022 to prepare a redesign of the road project and all steps in the construction process are based on the final designs. Final designs and engineering cost estimates are expected from Beck Engineering in May of 2023. Ron Wetherell, LSCP, added that their board would like to receive regular updates on progress of the project. Myron Pingel, LSCP, commented that LSCP is not going away and the county is not going away so a little more communication would be beneficial. Pingel stated that LSCP brings a lot of tax dollars into the county and has some projects coming in the future where they will need the county’s help. Tracy reassured those in attendance that the county will build this road and handle it through the Iowa DOT bid letting process similar to all other construction projects with the apparent lowest bidder being responsible for replacing the bridge and installing driveway culverts as part of the whole construction project. Chairman Mongan thanked the Little Sioux Corn Processors board members for attending the county board meeting and stated that discussions will be placed on future agendas to keep the lines of communication open between both parties.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to appoint Deputy Jacqueline Stephens, as Medical Examiner’s Office Program Administrator effective April 11, 2023. Motion carried.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Mummert to approve a 28E Agreement between Cherokee County, City of Aurelia and City of Marcus for the purpose of maintaining the availability of Medical Examiner Investigators to complete Medicolegal Death Investigations to serve their community and to designate the County Medical Examiner, Medical Examiner’s Office program Administrator and the Cities’ Police Chief as the Administrators of the Agreement for purposes of Iowa Code Chapter 28E. Roll call vote: Ellis-aye, Skou-aye, Petersen-aye, Mummert-aye, Mongan-aye. Motion carried and 28E Agreement adopted.
Motion by Skou, seconded by Ellis to authorize the chairman to sign a certification of the 2021/2022 Cost Allocation Plan which provides reimbursement for expenses incurred by Cherokee County for DHS office space. Motion carried.
There were no cost proposals from L & L Builders to consider.
Motion by Ellis, seconded by Mummert to begin a summer meeting schedule on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month with additional meetings as needed. Motion carried.
The supervisors provided committee reports and reviewed meeting schedules.
There being no further business, Chairman Mongan called for a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Motion by Mummert, seconded by Skou to adjourn the meeting at 10:06 a.m.
All board agendas and minutes are available online at www.cherokeecountyiowa.com
Attest: Kris Glienke, County Auditor
Rick Mongan, Chairman
Published in the Marcus News on May 4, 2023