Minutes, August 22, 2005

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

AUGUST 22, 2005

The Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 22^nd day of August 2005 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.

Members Present:

Lavel Heitschmidt, 1^st District Commissioner

Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioners

Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioners

1. OPENING BUSINESS:

Chairman Rush called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Agenda as presented.

Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of August 15, 2005.

Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz, reported he would be purchasing a car from the Kansas Highway Patrol. He will have a purchase order for approval next week. Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session from 9:15 a.m. until 9:30 a.m. to discuss non-elected personnel. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 9:30 a.m. No action was taken.

Anita Hoffhines, Hoffhines Marketing, brought the Commissioner up to date on the old hospital building. The Letter of Understanding was not returned with earnest money by the deadline of August 22, 2005. Therefore, the next option was to list the hospital on eBay through Mid West eServices, Inc. Currently we have an exclusive right to sell contract with Land Home Title that expires September 1, 2005. Commissioner Heitschmidt moved to list the former hospital building for $100,000 on eBay and Loop-Net through Mid West eServices for six months at a cost of $875 effective September 2, 2005. Also, the price of $100,000 is negotiable upon consultation with the Ellsworth County Commissioners. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Mrs. Hoffhines, after receiving the Commissioner’s proposal of services for the Welcome Home 2006, presented a counter-proposal. Her proposal outlined a letter of agreement that will pay her a flat fee of $11,550 in 12 monthly installments. For that fee, the letter of agreement outlines the scope of her services for the Welcome Home Program and can be altered from either side with a 30-day notice. Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the letter of agreement with Hoffhines Marketing for the 2006 Welcome Home Plan of $11,550 to be paid on a monthly basis. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Commissioner Rush asked Mrs. Hoffhines, as Executive Director of ECED, Inc, if there was a conflict of interest with her and her husband becoming the owners of the building where ECED, Inc. has an office. Mrs. Hoffhines assured them there was not a conflict of interest and the amount of rent did not changed when taking over the building.

Rick Nondorf, Ellsworth County Road & Bridge Supervisor, had Commissioner sign a contract for the engineering on the Wagner bridge in Carneiro Township.

Jesse Magana and Annette White asked for a letter of support from the county to secure an attraction development grant for Rancho Milagro. The Commissioners asked the County Clerk to draft such a letter. Mrs. White asked for a letter of support to pursue a consultation and planning grant for as yet an unknown project or projects. The Commissioners felt they could only issue such a support letter when a specific plan was in place.

The Commissioners discussed with Joe Shepack, County Attorney, an oil lease with personal property taxes in arrears. Mr. Shepack will do a title search and discuss whether or not the Commissioners wish to pursue the matter.

The County Clerk reported that from the material taken to the landfill from the former hospital, only 3 containers are considered hazardous waste. The others can be disposed of in a normal manner.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Refunding Warrant #64 for $1,408.48 and Abatement #63 for $846.84. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 05R09, A Resolution Expressing The Property Taxation Policy Of The Ellsworth County Commissioners With Respect To Financing The 2006 Annual Budget For Ellsworth County. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m.

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk