Harrison County Supervisors Meeting May 2, 2025 Chairman Brian Rife called the meeting to order with members Tony Smith and Rebecca Wilkerson in attendance. Motion to approve the tentative agenda was made by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Attorney Sarah Delanty, Interim County Engineer John Rasmussen Interview with County Engineer Applicant 1 Applicant requested to enter closed session per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) Motion to enter closed session by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. The discussion continued in closed session. The board moved back to open session. Motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Motion to enter closed session by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. The discussion continued in closed session. The board moved back to open session. Motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Interview with County Engineer Applicant 2 Applicant requested to enter closed session per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) Motion to enter closed session by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. The discussion continued in closed session. The board moved back to open session. Motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Interview with County Engineer Applicant 3 Applicant requested to enter closed session per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) Motion to enter closed session by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. The discussion continued in closed session. The board moved back to open session. Motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried Interview with County Engineer Applicant 4 Applicant requested to enter closed session per Iowa Code 21.5(1)(i) Motion to enter closed session by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. The discussion continued in closed session. The board moved back to open session. Motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Discussion/Action on County Engineer Interviews and hiring Motion to offer the County Engineer position to Dave Sims with a 1-year contract and salary of $130,000 by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned on a motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. ATTEST: Megan Reffett, Auditor Brian Rife, Chairman May 8, 2025 Chairman Brian Rife called the meeting to order with members Tony Smith and Rebecca Wilkerson in attendance. Motion to approve the tentative agenda with the removal of Ciena Networks was made by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Motion to approve minutes from May 1st by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion to approve minutes from May 1st Missouri Valley Right of Way Public Involvement Meeting by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Smith Abstained. Rife Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Attendance: Auditor Megan Reffett, Michele Stirtz, Gary Nordby, Jack Jones, Paul Rhoten, Lacy Ardery, Jenelle Gorham Little Sioux Inter-County Drainage District Levy Resolution On unanimous approval, by a motion from Smith, second by Wilkerson, a 65% assessment was set for the Little Sioux Inter-County Drainage District. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Crane Inter-County Drainage District Levy Resolution On unanimous approval, by a motion from Wilkerson, second by Smith, a 236.18% assessment was set for the Little Sioux Inter-County Drainage District. Smith Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Rife Aye. Lawn Care Bids The Board reviewed the one sealed bid that was submitted for the lawn care and snow removal for the Harrison County Courthouse, Law Enforcement Center, and Home and Public Health. Motion to accept the bid from G & R Nifty Lawns in the amount of $14,100 by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Lucky Wife Wine Slushies Liquor License The board approved the liquor license for Lucky Wife Wine Slushies. Motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Calvary Falls Liquor License The board approved the liquor license for Calvary Falls. Motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. Motion carried. Secondary Roads Union Contract The board reviewed the presented Secondary Roads Union contract. Motion to approve by Wilkerson, second by Rife. Smith Abstained. Rife Aye. Wilkerson Aye. Pay Application #3 to Barry Larson & Son The board reviewed payment application #3 for the Courthouse Entrance project in the amount of $22,720.20. Motion to approve by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Discussion about night meetings for the Board of Supervisors Wilkerson stated she had talked to one other County that has started having one meeting at night per month and would like to start doing this in Harrison County. Smith and Rife commented they were not in support of it at this time as they have other board meetings at night and outside conflicts. Wilkerson mentioned that people have expressed to her that it would be better for the public to attend night meetings. Smith and Rife expressed concerns about having county employees come in after work hours. County Engineer contract The board reviewed the presented contract with a start date of June 2nd, 2025, and end date of July 2nd, 2026, at a salary of $130,000. Chairman Rife requested that the board approve the contract to begin no later than June 2nd. Board members requested time to discuss with the Engineer what the board expects and wants to see from the new Engineer. Motion to approve the contract to start no later than June 2nd for Dave Sims by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Utility permit for Windstream The board reviewed the permit for Windstream to bore under 305th Street to place drop to 4030 305th St. Motion by Smith, second by Wilkerson. Motion carried. Comments Wilkerson provided comments on departments having membership cards. Concerns about road maintainers over grading the roads. Updates on the well being drilled at Willow Lake. Comments on a hazardous waste disposal day in Missouri Valley. Rife provided updates on the County Roadside Park and the work being done by the Railroad. Smith provided comments on the EMA meeting and the 28E agreement that was presented from Shelby County that was not approved. Provided comments on the EMA coordinator position. Michele Stirtz had comments on the lawn care and snow removal bid process. Comments on how to provide a way for citizens to submit comments to the board. Laura Soetmelk provided comments on the Conservation Department purchasing a new mower. Comments on night meetings. Jack Jones provided comments on being grateful for the hiring of a new County Engineer. With business of the day completed, the Board adjourned on a motion by Wilkerson, second by Smith. 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 5-14-25
