VINTON – The Benton County Board of Supervisors voted 2-1 to be the fiscal agent for a Herring Hotel Project, but not without the supervisor chairman being accused by the county attorney of breaking the law, in regards to a phone call the chairman had with a local official.

At the meeting in Vinton on July 23, Philip Borleske of Benton Historical Preservation Commission introduced the commission to the supervisors.

Borleske asked the supervisors to support the Herring Hotel Foundation in their Belle Plaine project. Borleske said they are working to have architects make recommendations on how to rehabilitate the building.

They are hoping for a $10,000 to $12,000 grant, divided between the state and local money. He asked the county to be the “banker” for the project, as the Herring group applies for the grant.

Borleske said they also help to work with other groups to get money through state grants, which can only come through the board of supervisors.

David Thompson, Benton County Attorney, said the grants can make a world of difference in historical preservation.

The Herring group would like a bed and breakfast style of facility, with themed suites based on Belle Plaine’s history. They are also looking at a health and wellness center. There are also plans for handicapped accessible apartments, according to Kristine Pope of the Herring group.

She added they are in litigation with the City of Belle Plaine..

The supervisors are the only “CLG” (Certified Local Government) in Benton County, Thompson said. He added the building has a cool history. Four presidents have stayed there, as well as Mark Twain, who was a friend with Will Herring, according to Herring group members.

They want this to be a community project.

A petition was filed in April to have the Herring Hotel Foundation abate a public nuisance due to safety concerns. The county unanimously voted the file the petition in March. A court date was set for July 26.

In the middle

Richard Primmer, supervisor chairman, applauded the group bringing forth the project, but he said his personal opinion is they are trying to put the county between a group and the city. He was not comfortable with being in the middle. Primmer wants to see what happens with the litigation before the county gets involved.

Thompson said he did not see it as the county getting in between the city and the project. The group is not asking for county funds. If the hotel is brought back, it could be a boon for economic development, Thompson said. Thompson said he saw the litigation being the city wanting to see something get done. He added the county is the only place that the group can get the grant.

Borleske said they want the study to continue to see the viability of the project.

Supervisor Gary Bierschenk said he’d like the project to move forward, but is now an eyesore. He said it could be an asset for the city.

The litigation hearing was planned for Friday, July 26, in Vinton.

Primmer stressed he is pro development and that this is a great project. He has problems getting in the middle, that close to a court date.

Records request

Thompson said he has a problem with fairness of someone calling in to give opposition to a project that a lot of people have worked on. It is an open meeting and if they want to be against it, they need to step forward and put their name to voice.

Thompson wanted to know the name of the person who talked with Primmer in opposition to this. Thompson countered he was making a public records request. Primmer said it was a private conversation.

“You don’t get to have that,” Thompson told Primmer. “Who did you talk to?”

“I’m not telling you, David,” Primmer replied.

“You’re not going to tell me?” Thompson asked. As a public records request, he said Primmer had 20 days to give the name, or risk further repercussions under the law.

Thompson stressed, “You don’t get to have private conversations and then come in and use that – ‘I talked to someone’ — and then go on and on and on and blather on, quite frankly in this record… and then say ‘I’m not going to tell you who I talked to.’”

“That stinks to the high heaven, Rick,” Thompson told Primmer. “Quite frankly, shame on you!”

“Shame on me David,” Primmer answered.

“For violating the law,” Thompson continued, “in broad daylight, in front of witnesses. Wow! That is something else.”

“Yup,” Primmer observed.

Primmer stressed the board has someone in favor of it. All he has to do is make the motion and get a second for it.

“I’m talking about fairness and following the law,” Thompson said.

“You know, I’m OK with it, David,” Primmer said.

“You’re OK with breaking the law?” Thompson asked.

“I’m not breaking the law,” Primmer said.

“You are breaking the law,” Thompson countered.

“According to you.” Primmer answered.

Thompson said all in the room are governed by the law. “You don’t to get to have a secret meeting and then come in and talk about it.”

Primmer said there was no secret meeting. Thompson said Primmer can’t have a secret conversation and then protect the identity of the person.

“I’m embarrassed right now on behalf of Benton County, quite frankly,” Thompson stressed. “It’s been a long time since I’ve had a supervisor say something like that … Quite frankly, you ought to be ashamed of yourself sir.”

“Well, I guess I’m not,” Primmer said.

“Obviously,” Thompson observed.

Primmer asked for a motion. Bierschenk asked how litigation will affect this. Herring officials said they will continue on the project. They want to work with their civil government, but disagree with the city’s position.

Bierschenk made a motion to approve using Benton County as the certified local government in the application for the grant. Supervisor Tracy Seeman said he’s not against it, because it’s not going to cost the county any money. But he also agreed with Primmer about being in the middle. He seconded the motion. It was approved, with Primmer opposed. Primmer stressed he was not opposed to the project, but to the timing of it.