Harrison County Supervisors Meeting June 3, 2025 The Board of Supervisors of Monona and Harrison Counties, Iowa, as Joint Trustees of the McNeill Inter-County Drainage District of Monona and Harrison Counties, Iowa, met on Tuesday, June 3, 2025, at 11:00 o’clock a.m. at the Onawa Public Library, Onawa, Monona County, Iowa. Supervisors present were: Vince Phillips and Tom Brouillette, Monona County; and Brian Rife, and Rebecca Wilkerson, Harrison County. Absent: Bo Fox, Chairman and Tony Smith. Others present: Peggy Rolph, Monona County Auditor; Amy Borchardt-Sick, Drainage Clerk; Caleb Rasmussen, Engineer, Luke Carpenter, Graduate Engineer with I & S Group, and Attorney Gary Taylor. Landowners and interested parties present were: James Alexander; Beverly Alexander; Scott Phipps; Rick Stanislav; Allen Carrier; Larry Hutchinson, David Zima, and Jason Stanislav. It was moved by Brouillette, seconded by Phillips to open the hearing. Vote on motion: Ayes: Brouillette, Phillips, Rife and Wilkerson. Nays: None. Motion carried. Supervisor Brouillette announced this is the time and place for hearing for the proposed improvement of the McNeill Main Inter-County Drainage District Phase II project. There were no written objections filed prior to the time of the hearing. Supervisor Brouillette asked if anyone else had a written objection to file before the hearing began. No additional objections were filed. Engineer Rasmussen stated the purpose of today’s public hearing is to discuss the proposed improvements for the McNeill Inter-County Drainage Ditch cleanout, Phase II, which consists of a new channel and pipe outlet on the east side of the Union Pacific Railroad just north of Blencoe. This new channel would bypass the RR. Phase I is complete from the Monona Harrison up to this first RR crossing. The idea of the two phases was to allow time to permit the project through the RR. As of date, we have made several attempts to communicate with the RR, we did reach out to Senator Feenstra, Sweeney, and Ernst for help communicating with the RR. We filed an official notice, per Iowa Code 468, with the RR to lower their two culverts. The notice was sent in late 2023, they had until 2024 to respond which they did not. The RR is adamant this is not a repair but an “improvement” and stated they will not lower the two culverts. Engineer Rasmussen discussed several options for repair that were all presented at the informational meeting held in December 2024 and let the landowners present know the conclusion of that meeting was to bypass the RR and construct a new channel on the East side of the RR. Plans were provided by ISG for the new proposed ditch. Rasmussen stated the district would still maintain the ditch west of the RR. When the new channel was designed, it was to avoid any wetland mitigation that is out there. Rassmussen said they would not do a design for any capacity above what is existing. That again is to avoid wetland mitigation. Engineer Rassmussen responded to additional questions presented. Landowners concerns were asking senators for additional help, expenses of the project and what that would do to the taxes, the trusses being removed and replaced with two culverts put in by Union Pacific without any knowledge of the McNeil DD, timeframe of the project, pumping, taking the RR to court for the lowering of the two culverts, reclassification, assessment, and more. Rasmussen stated if we did take the RR to court, the costs are assessed back to the successful party in the case. If the district was successful in court, the RR would pay the court costs. He feels we have sufficient documentation to present in court. The last case ISG was involved with taking Union Pacific to court settled in 2.5 years. One landowner suggested getting the news involved when the papers are served to the RR. Based on discussion, it was Rassmussen’s recommendation to not adopt the improvement bypass, direct ISG to proceed preparing plans and specifications for the repair cleanout, phase II and to prep documents to serve Union Pacific papers for lowering the pipe culverts under the two RR crossings. The remaining portion of the ditch in consideration and ongoing commitment with the RR and consideration of construction dewatering, the construction would start at the second RR crossing and continue north to Onawa. The outcome of the RR would determine if we proceed with the west loop or then proceed with the new bypass channel. Per Rasmussen, the ditch would line up if we still elected to do the bypass, and for that ¾ mile he anticipates that portion would take three months to complete if taking that route. They would level the spoils and Harrison County stated they would be interested if we had extra dirt that needed to be hauled off. Following lengthy discussion, it was moved by Phillips, seconded by Brouillette to close the hearing. Vote on motion: Ayes: Phillips, Brouillette, Rife and Wilkerson. Nays: None. Motion carried. It was moved by Phillips, seconded by Wilkerson to not adopt the improvement bypass, direct ISG to proceed with the plans and specifications of the repair cleanout of Phase II McNeill Inter-County Drainage Ditch, and to prep documents to serve Union Pacific RR notice for lowering the pipe culverts under the 2 RR crossing. Vote on motion: Ayes: Phillips, Brouillette, Rife and Wilkerson. Nays: None. Motion carried. The anticipated timeline for this repair for Phase II would be bid letting early Fall with construction beginning early Winter of 2025 and completion being next Spring. Rasmussen did note that they were directed to complete a reclassification of the district when this project started, they have not done that due to the proposed improvement, however now that that is not taking place, they will continue getting the reclassification completed. Motion to adjourn the Drainage meeting was made by Brouillette, seconded by Rife. Vote on motion: Ayes: Brouillette, Phillips, Rife and Wilkerson. Nays: None. 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 June 30, 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 moving Engineer to after cash count was made by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Motion to approve minutes from June 26th by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Treasurer Shelia Phillips, Dave Sims, Paul Rhoten Cash Count The Board counted cash in the Treasurer’s and Recorder’s office. Treasurer Cash, $1,000.00 Auto/DL, $300.00 Deposits in Transit, $33,091.81 MM, $14,967,602.40 Total, $15,001,994.21 Recorder Cash, $100.00 Deposit in Transit, $3,004.85 Accounts Receivable, $537.20 Total, $3,642.05 Harrison County Engineer Department Updates Engineer Sims gave updates on the year end budget, road conditions in River Sioux, and Woodland campground drainage issues. Vacation Time Payout for Randy Jones The Board reviewed the vacation payout for Jailer Randy Jones. Motion to approve payout in the amount of $2003.58 by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Vacation Time Payout Randy Muxfeldt The Board reviewed the vacation payout for Sheriff’s Office Administrator Randy Muxfeldt in the amount of $19257.00. Motion to approve by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Handwritten Warrant to Pitney Bowes The Board reviewed the handwritten warrant to Pitney Bowes for postage in the amount of $10,300. Motion to approve by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Handwritten Warrant to Iowa County Attorney Case Management The Board reviewed the handwritten warrant to Iowa County Attorney Case Management in the amount of $7,830. Motion to approve by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Handwritten Warrant to Iowa County Attorney Case Management The Board reviewed the handwritten warrant to Iowa County Attorney Case Management in the amount of $9,700 to be paid on July 1st. Motion to approve by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Handwritten Warrant to Lynn Mether The Board reviewed the handwritten warrant to Lynn Mether from the Flood and Erosion fund in the amount of $437.50. Motion to approve by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Handwritten Warrant to Carter Oliver The Board reviewed the handwritten warrant to Carter Oliver from the Flood and Erosion fund in the amount of $1,415.50. Motion to approve by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Handwritten Warrant to SWI Juvenile Emergency Services The Board reviewed the handwritten warrant to SWI Juvenile Emergency Services for services at Southwest Iowa Juvenile Detention Center in the amount of $40,400. Motion to pay in fiscal year 2026 by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Handwritten Warrant to Rebecca Wilkerson The Board reviewed the handwritten warrant to Rebecca Wilkerson for fiscal year 2025 mileage in the amount of $65.10. Motion to approve by Smith, second by Rife. Smith Aye. Rife Aye. Wilkerson Abstained. Motion carried. Interfund Transfer from SR Melody Oaks Road Assessment to Secondary Roads The Board reviewed the request to transfer special assessment money from the SR Melody Oaks Road Assessment fund to the Secondary Roads fund. Resolution died due to lack of a motion. Interfund Transfer from SR Ottawa Lane Road Assessment to Secondary Roads The Board reviewed the request to transfer special assessment money from the SR Ottawa Lane Road Assessment fund to the Secondary Roads fund. Resolution died due to lack of a motion. VPN Agreement with Control Services Auditor Megan Reffett requested approval for a VPN agreement with Control Services to allow them to troubleshoot the new HVAC system virtually. Motion to approve by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Comments Rebecca Wilkerson gave comments on the DARE golf tournament and the law enforcement appreciation supper. Smith provided updates on the meetings he will be attending this week. 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 7-9-25
