The Box Butte County Commissioner’s met at 8:00 a.m., March 21, 2005.  Roll call Charles Weston, Casper Brixius, Marvin Toedtli.  Charles Weston moved, seconded by Casper Brixius to accept the agenda as printed.  Ayes, Casper Brixius, Charles Weston, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.  The minutes were approved as written.

 

Charles Weston moved, seconded by Casper Brixius to sign Agreement 2005-03. Ayes, Casper Brixius, Charles Weston, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.  This is an agreement with the City of Alliance regarding peak control of the air conditioning system for the courthouse.

 

Casper Brixius moved, seconded by Charles Weston to sign monthly reports from the County Clerk and Clerk of District Court.  Ayes, Casper Brixius, Charles Weston, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.

 

Charles Weston reported on the Health Board, PADD, and Box Butte Development Corp. meetings he attended.  Casper Brixius reported on Health & Human Services and Panhandle Mental Health meetings.  Marvin Toedtli reported on the Region 23 Emergency Management meeting.

 

Mary Wernke and Kim Engel, Family Focus Coalition, spoke with the Board regarding  programs the Coalition supports.  Wernke explained that the Coalition is formed from different groups working with children and families to curb risky behaviors in young people.  The Coalition has received a $400,000.00 grant to implement a program targeting the 12-17 age group regarding the dangers of alcohol consumption.  This grant covers the panhandle and each county has a coordinator for the Coalition. Alliance and Hemingford Schools are including this program in their curriculums.  Wernke asked if the Board would consider a resolution in support of the Family Focus Coalition.  Wernke informed the Board that the Coalition would be a resource to contact regarding any problems with drinking and drugs.  Charles Weston moved, seconded by Casper Brixius to support, through a resolution, the programs of the Family Focus Coalition.  Ayes, Casper Brixius, Charles Weston, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.

 

Andy Amparan, BNSF Railway, along with Darin Boltin and Adam Miller spoke with the Board regarding the vacating of CR 57 south of Otoe Road to Highway 2.  Barbara Keegan stated that per state statute a petition must be filed with the County Clerk requesting the closure.  The petition has to be signed by at least 10 people who live within 10 miles of the proposed closure.  Once the petition has been filed and signatures verified, then the Board will set up a public hearing.

 

Casper Brixius moved, seconded by Charles Weston to go into executive session at 8:40 a.m. to discuss possible litigation.  Ayes, Charles Weston, Casper Brixius, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.  Casper Brixius moved, seconded by Charles Weston to resume regular session at 8:50 a.m.  Ayes, Charles Weston, Casper Brixius, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.  No action taken.

 

Deb Dopheide and Ann Pfieffer, Keep Alliance Beautiful, spoke with the Board regarding an electronic recycling program that is being held.  This program will recycle old computers, keyboards, & accessories.  The recycling will be held on March 31st from 2-6 p.m. at Kee’s Computer.

 

Charles Weston moved, seconded by Casper Brixius to go into Board of Equalization at 9:00 a.m. Ayes, Charles Weston, Casper Brixius, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.

 

Dan Guenther, Good Samaritan Village, Bonnie Traeggeser, Sandhills Samaritan and Wayne McLaughlin, Good Samaritan Towers appeared at a hearing regarding their exemption applications for the Sandhills Samaritan & The Towers.  After discussing various criteria with Guenther, Casper Brixius moved, seconded by Charles Weston, to approve the tax exemption for Sandhills Samaritan. Ayes, Charles Weston, Casper Brixius, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.

 

Casper Brixius moved, seconded by Charles Weston to deny the tax exemption for the Good Samaritan Towers, citing the fact that the Towers no longer has the assisted living or a full time nurse on duty thereby not meeting the required criteria.  Ayes, Charles Weston, Casper Brixius, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.

 

Casper Brixius moved, seconded by Charles Weston to allow the Chairman to sign the Correction Book. Ayes, Charles Weston, Casper Brixius, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.

 

Casper Brixius moved, seconded by Charles Weston to resume regular session at 9:25 a.m.  Ayes, Charles Weston, Casper Brixius, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.

 

Charles Weston moved, seconded by Casper Brixius to sign Agreement 2005-02, the grant agreement with Mobius Communication.  Ayes, Charles Weston, Casper Brixius, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.

 

Casper Brixius moved, seconded by Charles Weston to allow the Public Defender to purchase two computers for his office.  Ayes, Charles Weston, Casper Brixius, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.  Presently the Public Defender is using his personal office machines.

 

Al Heuton, Zoning Administrator, spoke with the Board regarding the Carhenge grant.  Friends of Carhenge requested a change in the local match, from $50,000.00 to $23,350.00 and from l ˝ employees to 1 employee.  The change in the local match was approved, but the County must have a public hearing to change the employee position.  The hearing will be held at the next meeting on April 5th.

 

Teresa Boness gave a monthly Visitor’s report.  Boness presented a copy of an ad that will be running in the Nebraska Life Magazine and a new “Journey” map of Western Nebraska.

 

Charles Weston moved, seconded by Casper Brixius to go into executive session at 9:50 a.m. to discuss personnel with the Sheriff. Ayes, Charles Weston, Casper Brixius, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.  Casper Brixius moved, seconded by Charles Weston to resume regular session at 10:15 a.m.  Ayes, Charles Weston, Casper Brixius, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried. No action taken.

 

Barbara Keegan gave a road & equipment report.  A petition has been received to vacate Hills and Woolrich Roads in the Alliance Industrial Park.  The Clerk will verify the signatures and then a public hearing will be set.

 

Charles Weston moved, seconded by Casper Brixius to sign Resolution 2005-15 transferring $3,000.00 to Noxious Weed.  Ayes, Charles Weston, Casper Brixius, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.

 

Casper Brixius moved, seconded by Charles Weston to sign Resolution 2005-16, transferring $2,550.00 to W.I.N.G.    Ayes, Charles Weston, Casper Brixius, Marvin Toedtli.  Nays none – motion carried.

 

Charles Weston moved, seconded by Casper Brixius to sign monthly claims & payroll.  Claims are as follows:  General $237,929.80; Road $90,329.79; Visitor’s $4,231.51; Unemployment Relief $761.65; State Institutions $255.00; W.I.N.G. $1,571.85; Inheritance Tax $3,392.04; County Building $375.90; Noxious Weed $3,488.42; E911 $1,326.78; Handiman Grant $1,111.98.

 

Meeting adjourned at ll:00 a.m.