COMMISSIONERS’ PROCEEDINGS
November 14, 2023
The Rooks County Board of Commissioners met with the following present: Chairman, John Ruder, and Member Tim Berland. Laura Montgomery, Clerk was present to record the minutes. Virgie Laska with Stockton Sentinel and Tonia Goetz with Plainville Times were present to write the report for the local newspapers. Ruder called the meeting to order and asked all to stand and recite the Pledge of Allegiance.
The agenda was accepted as presented.
Butch Post, EMD, was in to request being allowed to carry over more than 30 hours of comp time to be used between Christmas and New Year’s Day. This was approved by the commissioners.
The commissioners review October 31st minutes. Ruder made a motion to approve the minutes with corrections. Berland second the motion.
Ruder made a motion to appoint Melissa Reed to Township #6, Treasurer, to replace Madison Reed. Berland second the motion.
Berland weekly report: The road department has been working on chip sealing the streets in Damar but because the valve broke on the oil tank at the landfill, they are not finished.
Ruder weekly report: He had call about a road concern.
Berland made a motion to sign October 31st and November 13th minutes. Ruder second the motion.
Tim Colburn road weekly report: The road crew is hauling on AA Road and 10 Road.
The chip sealing project in Damar is not going well. The commissioners and Colburn discussed the problem with the oil tank at the landfill and the options to get the oil out of the tank. The valve on the oil tank is broken not allowing it to be open. The tank is full of oil and valve needs to replace when it is finally drained.
Ruder made a motion to sign the landfill check in the amount of $14,193.30. Berland second the motion.
Ruder made a motion to endorse the three checks from Pfeifer Recycling in the amounts of $10,493.50, $13,976.50 and $70.00 for baling and removal of metal and batteries. Berland second the motion.
Colburn presented October’s fee reports for the Road & Bridge Department and Sanitation.
Ruder made a motion to go into executive session from 9:49 am to 9:56 am to discuss non-elected personnel with the Ruder, Berland, Colburn and Jake Prockish. Upon returning to open session there was no further discussion.
The following persons were in to discuss the future of Red Bud Village and Estates and the County’s willingness to transfer title of the property and the County retaining interest.
Danielle Muir, County Attorney, Micheal Baxter Plainville City Attorney, Bastiaan Stoffelen and Steve Shields with Action Pact and Representing Rooks County Senior Services Board, Don Hoffman, Rusty Hrabe, and Leesa Hrabe.
Senior Services is needing someone to guarantee a note for $1.5 to $2 million dollars so they can get the loan from USDA and to help facilitate the process they are requesting the County transfer title.
Baxter said Plainville City can’t guarantee the note because they don’t have the cash basis to do so. There is no need for Plainville City to be involved if they can’t guarantee note. Ruder would like to see the City of Plainville involved as he feels it would be beneficial to Plainville.
Sheild said there are two issues that is currently blocking the process of moving forward and getting the USDA loan. 1. What are the rules for the county to transfer title. 2. To whom does it get transferred to. The business is now performing in the black but the Senior Services Board needs to know who the sponsor is going to be and to have the note guaranteed in the next 30 to 60 days.
Muir said everyone is in agreement that building a new facility is for the betterment of the community. It is making money now but will it be able to continue to do so in the future and will it continue to be a non-profit organization? The Board assured her it will continue as a non-profit and the feasibility study proves it will continue to make money.
Ruder asked if the county is ready to move forward to transferring the title of the property.
Muir said Statutes 19-211a and 19-211B allows the county to transfer title. There are steps required including publishing for three weeks, having a public hearing and passing a Resolution. Also, revisionary rights to the property will be required and the County will have to sign off on the mortgage.
The time frame to get everything completed and title transfer is December 26th.
The commissioners opened the sealed bids for the property in Palco City. There was only one bid received from the City of Palco. Ruder made a motion to accept the bid from Palco City in the amount of $10. Berland second the motion. Danielle Muir, County Attorney, will have a deed to transfer the property next week.
Ruder made a motion to review and sign weekly vouchers as follows. Berland second the motion.
WEEKLY VOUCHERS
FUND WARRANTS TOTAL
General 81690-81768 36,295.59
Road 81769-81788 15,846.38
Noxious Weed 81789-81794 74,118.10
Sheriff Equipment 81795 9,000.00
Health Department 81796-81811 16,015.01
Sanitation 81812-81814 288.21
Golf Course 81815-81820 2,074.06
RCED 81821-81822 154.41
GRAND TOTAL 153,791.76
With no further business to transact, Ruder made a motion to adjourn the meeting.
Adopted this 21st Day of November, 2023
ROOKS COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS
______________________________________
John Ruder, Chairman
______________________________________
Jake Prockish, Member
______________________________________
Tim Berland, Member
ATTEST:
__________________________________
Laura Montgomery, Certified County Clerk