Minutes - 7/22/2025

JULY 22, 2025, THIRTIETH MEETING OF THE WOODBURY COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS  

The Board of Supervisors met on Tuesday, July 22, 2025, at 4:30 p.m. Board members present were Carper, Ung, Nelson, Dietrich, and Bittinger II. Staff members present were Karen James, Board Administrative Assistant, Ryan Ericson, Budget and Finance Director, Joshua Widman, Assistant County Attorney, and Michelle Skaff, Auditor/Clerk to the Board.     

The regular meeting was called to order with the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag and a Moment of Silence.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the agenda for July 22, 2025. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the following items by consent:

To approve minutes of the July 15, 2025 meeting. Copy filed.
            
To approve the claims totaling $566,043.23. Copy filed.

To approve the appointment of Nevaeh Flanders, Custodian, Building Services Dept., effective 08-11-2025, $17.81/hour. Job Vacancy Posted on 06/18/25. Entry Level Salary: $17.81/hr.; and the appointment of Yesenia McKinley, Custodian, Building Services Dept., effective 08-11-2025, $17.81/hour. Job Vacancy Posted on 06/18/25. Entry Level Salary: $17.81/hr.  Copy filed.

To approve the property tax refund request of Closing Siouxland, parcel #884717408003, 4560 Badger Ct., in the amount of $3007.00. Copy filed.

To lift tax suspension for Tracee Smith, parcel #894735308011, 1009 S Cornelia St. Owner deceased. Copy filed.

Carried 5-0.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to approve the purchase of new office furniture and carpet for the Human Resources office funding source FY24 CIP. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

A public hearing was held at 4:40 p.m. to conduct first public hearing to amend the Zoning Ordinance to include nuclear energy facilities, nuclear waste storage, and related uses as allowed or conditional uses in specific zoning districts, such as the General Industrial Zoning District, while addressing prohibitions, public notification requirements, and necessary updates to definitions and ordinance structure, and related changes.

Motion by Nelson second by Ung to receive written public comment from Mr. Priestly. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Victoria Kitcheyan and Lorelei DeCora, Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, Rita Iverson, Sioux City, Bob Fritzmeier, Sioux City, Briana Kouman, Sierra Club, and Rosanne McNertney, Sioux City spoke against nuclear energy in Woodbury County. Doyle Turner, Moville, spoke in favor of the ordinance. Christopher Prosch inquired about the background of the ordinance. 

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to receive written comment from Ms. Kitcheyan. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Ung to close the public hearing. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Carper to approve the 1st Reading of the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

A public hearing was held at 4:45 p.m. to conduct first public hearing to amend the Zoning Ordinance to comply with Iowa Senate File 592, signed into law on May 1, 2025, which mandates allowing at least one accessory dwelling unit on lots with single-family residences and prohibits certain restrictive regulations, necessitating updates to sections like the Land use Summary Table, Lot Requirements, and Number of Residential Structures. 

Motion by Nelson second by Dietrich to close the public hearing. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Nelson to approve the 1st reading of the Zoning Ordinance Text Amendments. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Motion by Bittinger second by Dietrich to discuss and receive the Woodbury County s Certified Annual Financial Report for FY 2024. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Information and discussion regarding ATV ordinance was presented by Treasurer Bertrand. Copy filed.

Motion by Nelson second by Bittinger to approve and receive for signature the contract with State of Nebraska to house youth in the juvenile detention center. Carried 5-0. Copy filed.

Reports on committee meetings were heard.

Christopher Prosch, State Senate District 1 Candidate, addressed the board regarding his campaign.

Trever Brass, Sioux City, addressed the board in support of the nuclear energy research by the county. 

Board concerns were heard.    

The Board adjourned the regular meeting until July 29, 2025.

Meeting sign in sheet. Copy filed.