Supervisors want clarification on agreement cost

By Rebecca Boysen
Herald Staff Writer

October 09, 2008 11:02 am

— CLINTON — Clinton County Attorney Mike Wolf advised the Board of Supervisors this week to seek clarification on the county’s newly approved financial agreement with adviser Springsted, Inc.
The board approved a resolution authorizing the agreement on Monday, which creates a joint venture between the county and the cities of Clinton, Camanche and Low Moor to develop an urban renewal plan, and tasks Springsted with developing an urban renewal plan for the proposed Lincolnway Railport.
Wolf questioned whether the stated cost of $3,500 includes all of the services the county is expecting, such as the Memorandum of Understanding, the creation of a TIF, and the additional meetings with Springsted’s advisers.
“I don’t want any hurt feelings from any unexpected costs,” Wolf stated. “Let’s make sure that you are both on the same page.”
Wolf told the board the capped price seems low for the amount of work that is involved, and stated he is concerned Springsted will bill the county at its hourly rate for any additional work above and beyond the urban renewal plan. He suggested the supervisors draft a letter immediately, asking that Springsted provide the county with a detailed letter outlining any additional costs that are not covered in the agreement.
Chairman Grant Wilke voiced his concerns over accruing any additional expenses, and asked Wolf what would constitute the “tie-breaker that pulls me out of this plan?”
Wilke added that he is apprehensive about making a commitment to the project because it has left a “bad taste” in his mouth and he “feels used” after the county contributed money to a failed road project some time ago.
“I learned a big lesson,” Wilke said. “I won’t pay for a study, but I’ll pay when a project is done.”
Supervisor Dennis Starling also expressed trepidation.
“A lack of clarification from partners has been a concern from day one,” Starling said.
Wolf advised that the board wait to hear back from Springsted before making any decisions.
“I think you bring it back to the board for discussion,” Wolf said. “We’ll cross those bridges at that time.”
In other business, the supervisors approved a contractual agreement with the Governor’s Traffic Safety Bureau to provide traffic enforcement on Clinton County roadways.
Per the agreement, the GTSB will reimburse the county for providing 385 hours of overtime for sheriff’s deputies, training related travel and educational expenses, a preliminary breath tester, and two in-squad video cameras, for a total reimbursement of $24,450.
Sheriff Rick Lincoln told the board that all 12 of the patrol division’s active squad cars currently have cameras installed, but many use video cassette recording and are becoming worn out.
He noted that the new cameras feature digital recording, and information can be uploaded rather than being stored on cumbersome VHS tapes.
Lincoln added that the new cameras are always on and begin capturing information 60 seconds prior to the lights being activated.