Minutes, August 29, 2005

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

AUGUST 29, 2005

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 29^th day of August 2005 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.

Members Present:

Lavel Heitschmidt, 1^st District Commissioner

Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioner

Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

1. OPENING BUSINESS:

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

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Agenda as printed.

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

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of August 22, 2005 as presented.

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

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz had little to report. The Commissioners discussed the LEPC (Local Emergency Planning Committee) and when we would be having a meeting. Sheriff Ploutz replied that he only opened and closed the meetings and in the past ECF and the Emergency Management Director had arranged them. Since Kenny Bernard, EMD, has an appointment this morning, they will take it up with him.

Kevin Ludlum, EMS Director, presented a list of write-off for approval. Commissioner Kueser moved to approve ambulance write-offs in the amount of $8,730.17. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Mr. Ludlum had received a cost estimate from the Road & Bridge Dept. to resurface the parking in the amount of $1,500. The Commissioners agreed it should be done. The FCC license for the 155 frequency, according to Mr. Ludlum, was in error due to the fact that pagers have been added to the system by the EMD, Kenny Bernard. Mr. Ludlum explained that the EMS paid for the paging system and felt they should have some control over the frequency. He presented a copy of the license showing the frequency being licensed to the Emergency Medical Service. Upon checking, it was found that the licensee had been Ellsworth County until EMS personnel changed it on 04-28-05. During this discussion, the Sheriff remained and Mr. Bernard entered the meeting. Mr. Bernard explained that the paging systems he ordered would not interfere with the EMS capability of using the system as intended. The firemen have their own frequency that they use once the page is answered. The Commissioners instructed Mr. Ludlum to change the licensee for the 155 frequency back to the way it was before, with the licensee being Ellsworth County and the Courthouse address and contact point. Mr. Ludlum presented the advantages of having an education classroom built in the EMS building. Money had been allotted in this year’s budget and the 2006 budget for a total of $6,000. Commissioners explained they had put considerable money into the building already and other sites in county facilities were available for classes. Therefore, at this time, they would not approve the classroom addition.

While Mr. Bernard and Sheriff Ploutz were still in the meeting, the Commissioners discussed the LEPC meetings and Mr. Bernard will set one up. Also, a situation with the Wilson pagers being order through the emergency management grant was discussed. As it stands now, more pagers will be ordered in next year’s grant and the Sheriff will continue paying for the paging telephone line until that time.

Kenny Bernard, EMD Director, returned the information on the E-911 project and said due to the conflicts that had erupted over the past week, he felt he could not do the project. Most of the work that has to be done has to be done through the dispatch or communication system and he has no authority over that department or personnel. The Commissioners will see that the Sheriff gets the information for implementation.

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, asked the Commissioners to sign papers giving the state authority to award the contract and funding for the Wagner Bridge. The Commissions did so.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve August payroll for $145,958.64.

Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried.

5. OTHER BUSINESS:

Commissioner Heitschmidt moved to approve purchase order 00055 for $11,450 for a 2002 Crown Victoria for the Sheriff’s Department.

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

The Commissioners discussed the credit card proposition from First Bank for the EMS Department. No action was taken.

Commissioner Kueser moved to increase the mileage reimbursement rate to $.38 effective September 1, 2005. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Bob Malir, Wilson, complemented the persons responsible for the landscaping the front of the Courthouse. He felt it was a nice improvement. He also complemented the Road Department on the conditions of the roads.

6. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 12:25 p.m.

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk