Harrison County Supervisors Meeting August 28, 2025 Chairman Brian Rife called the meeting to order with members Tony Smith and Rebecca Wilkerson in attendance. The motion to approve the tentative agenda was made by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Paul Rhoten, John Rasmussen, Mari Jo Mentzer, Sarah Delanty, Jack Jones, Rashelle Wohlers County Engineer Engineer Rasmussen presented the Board with a grant that he would like to apply for that would cover the planning costs of a project south of Missouri valley on Loess Hills Trail to help with interstate detour traffic. This project would require a joint agreement with Pottawattamie County. The board agreed this was a great opportunity and encouraged John to move forward. Resolution 01-0825-SR to Approve Utility Permits. The Board reviewed the presented resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 01-0825-SR AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO APPROVE UTILITY PERMITS WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors of Harrison County, Iowa, is vested with the jurisdiction and control over the Secondary Road System within the County, pursuant to Chapters 306, 319, 320, 331, and other applicable sections of the Code of Iowa; and WHEREAS, the placement of utilities, including but not limited to telecommunications, electric, gas, water, and sewer lines, within the County's road rights-of-way requires a permit; and WHEREAS, the timely processing of utility permits is essential for efficient County operations and the needs of utility companies and residents; and WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors wishes to designate and empower the County Engineer to approve and execute utility permits on its behalf to streamline the administrative process. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Harrison County Iowa: That the Harrison County Engineer, is hereby designated and authorized to review, approve, and execute all utility permits issued by the County for the placement of utility facilities within the County's road rights-of-way. That all utility permits will be issued in accordance with the county's adopted policies and standards for utility accommodation. That this resolution shall take effect immediately upon its passage and approval. Motion to approve as presented by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Rife Aye. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Resolution 02-0825-SR to Authorize and Enter Agreements. The Board reviewed the presented resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 02-0825-SR A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO EXECUTE CONSULTING AGREEMENTS FOR ENGINEERING AND ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES WHEREAS, Iowa Code §309.17 requires each county to employ a County Engineer, whose duties include preparing plans, specifications, and estimates for the construction and maintenance of secondary roads, bridges, and related projects; and WHEREAS, Iowa Code §309.19 authorizes the County Engineer, with the approval of the Board of Supervisors, to employ such assistants and engage such technical services as may be necessary for the proper performance of engineering duties; and WHEREAS, Iowa Code §331.323(2)(b) grants the Board of Supervisors the authority to enter into contracts and to delegate ministerial duties to county officers as appropriate; and WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors finds that efficient administration of the Secondary Roads Department requires the County Engineer to have the authority to negotiate, approve, and execute professional services agreements with qualified consultants for both engineering and administrative services necessary to support the planning, design, funding, and delivery of secondary roads projects; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Board of Supervisors of Harrison County, Iowa, that: The County Engineer is hereby authorized to negotiate, approve, and execute consulting agreements for professional engineering, surveying, testing, environmental, administrative, project management, and related technical services necessary for the planning, design, financing, and construction of secondary roads projects. Such agreements shall be executed in accordance with applicable provisions of the Iowa Code, the Iowa Department of Transportation Local Systems Manual, and county procurement policies. The County Engineer shall report to the Board of Supervisors on executed consulting agreements as requested, and any contract exceeding $125,000 shall require Board approval. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that this resolution shall remain in effect until modified or rescinded by the Board of Supervisors. Motion to approve as presented by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Rife Aye. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Resolution 03-0825-SR to Make Temporary Road Closures. The Board reviewed the presented resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 03-0825-SR RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO CLOSE SECONDARY ROADS FOR CONSTRUCTION AND/OR MAINTENANCE. WHEREAS, Section 306.41 of the Code of Iowa, 2002, provides that “The agency having jurisdiction and control over any highway in the state, or the chief engineer of said agency when delegated by such agency, may temporarily close sections of a highway by formal resolution entered upon the minutes of such agency when reasonably necessary because of construction, reconstruction, maintenance, or natural disaster and shall cause to be erected ROAD CLOSED signs and partial or total barricades in the roadway at each end of the closed highway section and on the closed highway where that highway is intersected by other highways if such intersection remains open. Any numbered road closed over forty-eight hours shall have a designated detour route. The agency having jurisdiction over a section of highway closed in accordance with the provisions of this section, or the persons or contractors employed to carry out the construction, reconstruction, or maintenance of the closed section of highway, shall not be liable for any damages to any vehicle that enters the closed section of highway or the contents of such vehicle or for any injuries to any person that enters the closed section of highway, unless the damages are caused by gross negligence of the agency or contractor,” NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Harrison County Board of Supervisors in session this 28TH day of August, 2025, that the County Engineer or Road Foreman be authorized to close Harrison County Secondary roads as necessary with the actual dates of closure to be determined by the County Engineer or Road Foreman as follows: For Construction: Any project as described in the approved “Harrison County Secondary Road Construction Program and any approved supplements thereto.” For Emergency Closure of any road for maintenance purposes: Any route deemed necessary by the County Engineer or Road Foreman. Motion to approve as presented by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Rife Aye. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Resolution 04-0825-SR to Accept Construction Completion. The Board reviewed the presented resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 04-0825-SR RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO ADMINISTER AND MANAGE CONTRACTS FOR THE SECONDARY ROADS DEPARTMENT, CERTIFY COMPLETION PAPERS AND MAKE FINAL ACCEPTANCE OF CONTRACT WORK USING LOCAL, FARM TO MARKET, AND FEDERAL AID FUNDS. WHEREAS, it is necessary that the Harrison County Engineer be empowered by the Harrison County Board of Supervisors to execute the Certificate of Completion and make final acceptance of Farm-to-Market contract construction work as provided for in Section 310 of the Code of Iowa, 2002, as well as, Local and Federally funded contract construction work within the Secondary Road Department’s scope of operations, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Harrison County Board of Supervisors in session this 26TH day of August, 2025, that said County Engineer John A. Rasmussen, be hereby designated, authorized, and empowered on behalf of the Harrison County Board of Supervisors to administer and manage contracts for the Secondary Roads Department, execute the Certification of Completion of Work and Final Acceptance thereof in accordance with plans and specifications utilizing Local, Farm-to-Market and Federally funded construction projects for the Secondary Roads Department in Harrison County for the year 2025. Motion to approve as presented by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Wilkerson Aye. Smith Aye. Rife Aye. Resolution 05-0825-SR to Issue Truck Permits The Board reviewed the presented resolution. RESOLUTION NO. 05-0825-SR RESOLUTION TO AUTHORIZE THE COUNTY ENGINEER TO ISSUE AND SIGN SPECIAL PERMITS FOR THE MOVEMENT OF VEHICLES OF EXCESSIVE SIZE AND WEIGHT UPON HARRISON COUNTY SECONDARY ROADS. WHEREAS, the Board of Supervisors is empowered under authority of Section 321E.1 of the 2002 Code of Iowa to issue permits for the movement of machines, vehicles, or loads, or combinations thereof which exceed the maximum dimensions and/or weights specified in Sections 321.452 to 321.466 but within the limitations of Chapter 321E upon Secondary Roads under their jurisdiction, and WHEREAS, it is important that such permits be issued by persons familiar with the statutes and regulations relating to such permits and with the limitations of the County's roadways, road surfaces, and structures along the selected or designated routes, NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED by the Harrison County Board of Supervisors in session this 28TH day of August, 2025, that the Harrison County Engineer and the following named employees of the Secondary Roads Department be authorized to issue and sign special permits for the movement of vehicles of excessive size and weight upon Harrison County Secondary Roads in accordance with said Chapters 321E and 321 as amended: John Rasmussen, County Engineer Kathy Lunderguard, Administrative Assistant to the Engineer Arnold Smith, Technical Assistant to the Engineer Motion to approve as presented by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Pay Application #5 for Courthouse Entrance Project Discussion was held regarding the pay application in the amount of $60,100.80 for the Courthouse Entrance Project. Wilkerson commented that she was not comfortable with paying for the change order that was approved last week because the work was done prior to approval. Smith and Rife agreed they felt the work was necessary and would have approved the change request if it had been presented prior to the work being done also. Motion to approve the payment as presented by Rife, second by Smith. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Nay. Rife Aye. Bid Opening for County Owned Property in part of section 22-79-43. Two bids were submitted for the sale of county owned property in part of section 22-79-43. Bid from Steve Landon in the amount of $12,150 and bid from Warren Clausen in the amount of $500. Acceptance of bid for County owned Property in part of 22-79-43 Motion to accept the bid from Steve Landon in the amount of $12,150 by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Comment Rife gave an update on cutting the tree from the county property in Missouri Valley. He spoke with Kevin Cox and received an estimate of $500. Wilkerson gave comments on concerns that she has received regarding drainage statements. She also gave comments on the crisis response services that are available to the County. Commented on getting microphones and speakers for the boardroom to allow the public to hear better and for better recording. Mari Jo Mentzer gave comments on County consolidation and Iowa DOGE Task force. Jack Jones gave comments on getting road project updates from the County Engineer. Rashelle Wohlers gave comments on requesting quotes for updated safety features for the Courthouse. With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned on a motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. ATTEST: Megan Reffett, Auditor Brian Rife, Chairman NOTE: These minutes are as recorded by the Clerk to the Board of Supervisors and are subject to Board approval at the next regular meeting. HCTR 9-10-25
