~by Janice Harbaugh for GreeneCountyNewsOnline
The Greene County board of supervisors appointed five people to the Greene County redistricting commission at the regular meeting on May 10. Redistricting is usually necessary after the United States census results are tabulated every 10 years.
The redistricting commissioners adopt new boundaries for the county supervisor districts, if indicated by the census results.
The board appointed Christine Henning, Dale Hanaman, Mary Jane Fields, Guy Richardson, and Jenny Wessling to the redistricting commission.
“The commission is supposed to be neutral,” said chair John Muir. “Non-political. It’s all about the numbers (in the census.)”
“I can’t imagine there will be much change (in the supervisor district boundaries,)” said supervisor Mick Burkett.
According to deputy auditor Billie Jo Hoskins, the commission will get started in late summer and finish in January. “We’ll send it (any redistricting changes) along to the State for their approval,” she said.
County attorney Thomas Laehn presented a draft to the supervisors of the 28E agreement for the construction of the new Greene County Early Learning Center. He described it as “identical to the agreement for the career academy.”
The supervisors repeated their support for the county paying a total of $250,000 over five years toward the construction of the ELC.
Laehn stressed the supervisors’ support must be based on the project’s tie to economic development in the county. He also described legal protections for the county written into the 28E agreement if, for any reason, the ELC closes before 10 years in operation.
“If the building ceases to be used as an early childhood learning center, money must be returned to the county at a rate of $68.50 per day,” Laehn said. He explained this per diem rate would go into effect for each day of non-operation until the end of the 10-year agreement. It is based on $250,000 divided by 3,650 days of agreed-upon operation.
Laehn said the ELC’s attorney suggested a change in the agreement from the ELC providing an increased capacity of 60 percent more children than the old facility to the ELC providing a 50 percent increased capacity.
The supervisors agreed to that change in the agreement.
Laehn told the supervisors a reduction of the term from 10 years had also been requested by the ELC attorney.
“It will take years to show economic development (from the operation of the ELC,)” said supervisor Dawn Rudolph. Supervisors Mick Burkett, Tom Contner, and Pete Bardole agreed.
“We’re making a commitment for the long-term. We have a long-term plan for the community and the county,” Muir said.
The board agreed to retain the 10-year term minimum requirement for the ELC to be in operation.
Laehn said the first payment of $50,000 could be paid May 24 with the next four payments due on December 1 of each year. Money would come from LOSST funds (Local Option Sales and Services Tax.)
The county will be released from obligation (according to the 28E agreement) if LOSST dollars can’t be collected, Laehn said.
The final agreement will be placed on the board’s agenda for a future meeting.
The board unanimously approved the Mahanay Maestro nomination application form after deleting a specific term of service for future Maestros. Currently approved Mahanay Maestros are appointed for life.
Laehn credited music coordinator Peg Raney with writing the form.
“People can nominate anyone to become a maestro and people can self-nominate,” Laehn said. “The form can be submitted to the county auditor in person or by email.” The board of supervisors then votes on acceptance of the nominee.
Laehn said an applicant should have two years of piano instruction or its equivalent, take a tutorial on the operation of the bells, follow the written music policy, and use email to sign up for times to play.
Laehn also reported on progress in putting together a formal proposal with Diane Hinderaker of Boone County probation for a community service program in Greene County. The program would offer probation and community service as an alternative, if appropriate, to jail or prison.
“A preliminary budget would be $10,304 a year plus office space, a computer, and a phone,” Laehn said. “The community service coordinator would build off the relationship with (the current) Boone-Greene probation.”
Muir asked if the program could be housed at the new law enforcement center. According to Laehn, the office wouldn’t need to be at the courthouse.
Laehn said the community service coordinator salary would be paid by the county and the coordinator would report to the board of supervisors. The coordinator salary would be for about 10 hours per week.
On a different topic, Laehn asked about improvements to the magistrate courtroom, a project which is half-finished. Laehn said the court administration has money that could be used in the project.
“We need to get it finished, make it happen. We need judges to feel comfortable and safe,” Muir answered.
In other business, the board heard from Jefferson city administrator Mike Palmer about on-going projects. Palmer said the Jefferson public library will pursue an architectural study to determine needs. The study will cost $40,000.
He also described a parking lot project behind city hall to “take pressure off parking downtown.” The project will start with curbs and gutters.
He also reported “the Tea Garden group” is moving forward and the former Pizza Ranch has been sold.
Chuck Wenthold, environmental department, asked to be put on the agenda for the May 17 board meeting to introduce representatives of William-Risse National Grid Renewals of Minneapolis to the board and discuss a potential solar project south of Grand Junction.
The board unanimously approved a bid from Goodwin and Son Painting in the amount of $18,503.25 to do courthouse roof repairs as discussed at the board meeting on May 3.
The board unanimously approved two resolutions to transfer funds. The first was a repayment of $80,000 to the general fund from the bike trail fund involving payment for signage on the trail. The second was the transfer of a final deposit of interest in the capitol projects fund to the debt service fund. This will close the capitol projects fund which had been set up to fund construction of the regional career academy.
Muir read a proclamation making May 2021 Mental Health Awareness Month. Focus of the proclamation was on eliminating any stigma attached to mental health problems or to seeking help for mental health issues.
The board set a public hearing for a FY2021 budget amendment for May 24 at 9 am in the courthouse boardroom.
