Minutes, October 31, 2005

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

OCTOBER 31, 2005

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 31^st day of October 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 October 24, 2005 as corrected.

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

2. APPPOINTMENTS:

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz reported he had given the Ellsworth Fire Department an old custom console that went with the transmitter that was agreed upon last week. He has added it to the agreement. Upon the request of Sheriff Ploutz, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session from 9:03 a.m. until 9:20 a.m. to discuss non-elected personnel. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 9:20 a.m. No action was taken. Sheriff Ploutz attended a Sheriffs’ Conference last week and saw some digital recorders for patrol cars that he is interested in purchasing. He will return with additional information before purchase. Commissioner Heitschmidt asked about the Taser training and the Sheriff responded that he has not and will not train on the equipment until the Ellsworth County Attorney approves a policy.

Jonathan Mitchell, Ellsworth City Administrator, asked the Commissioners for a letter of support for the city’s proposed grant application for a pedestrian and bicycle trail. It is an 80-20% grant through KDOT. The total cost of the project would be in the half-million range. If they get the grant, construction would begin in 2007. Commissioner Rush moved to give the City of Ellsworth a letter of support for the proposed project. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Anita Hoffhines, Ellsworth County Economic Development, Inc., asked about the two resolutions on nonmetropolitian enterprise regions they had on their Agenda for passage. It was explained that it was nothing new, just a renewal of the regional plan handled through North Central Regional Planning Commission.

Kevin Ludlum, EMS Director, asked permission to apply for a grant to help with the cost of a First Responder class that will be taught by Shelly Maze early in 2006. The Commissioners agreed that a grant would be good idea.

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, reported that Dr. Vopat had refused to sell the land necessary to construct the new bridge south of his house. Mr. Nondorf needs 7/8 of 1/10^th of an acre for construction and .527 of an acre for a temporary right-of-way easement during the construction period. Commissioner Kueser moved to initiate eminent domain proceedings for 7/8 of 1/10^th of an acrs for bridge construction and a temporary right-of-way easement of .527 of an acre in the NW ¼ of Section 28-14-10 and the NE ¼ of Section 29-14-10. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Mr. Nondorf reported he was looking at the state surplus for a truck and if he found one, he would have to move quickly and but a hold on it. He does have money in his budget to purchase one this year.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Heitschmidt moved to approve Abatement 2004-68 (2003 Refunding Warrant) for $284.36. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Heitschmidt moved to approve the October payroll in the amount of $144,971.89. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 05R15, A Resolution Reconfirming Support For The Qualifying Regional Strategic Plan Designating The County of Ellsworth As a Nonmetropolitan Business Region and Resolution 05R16, A Resolution Reconfirming That A Regional Economic Development Organization Has Been Established As Required By 74-50-11c (1) For The Purpose Of Qualifying The County Of Ellsworth As A Designated Nonmetropolitan Business Region. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners also asked that Appendix A, that will accompany these resolutions, be changed from Anita Hoffhines being the contact person to the Commissioners as the contact and the Economic Development section should be changed to "none".

5. OTHER BUSINESS:

The Commissioners reviewed a letter from the Barton County Administrator stating that after the first of the year, Central Kansas Community Corrections will be consolidated with the Juvenile Justice Authority. This action is being taken due to the lack of funding by the State of Kansas. Commissioner Kueser, Board Member of Central Kansas Community Corrections, discussed the resignation of their Director, Les Harmons, and the deep financial cuts the organization had received. Although he is not one hundred percent convinced this is the way to go, he felt the County should support the consolidation.

6. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 11:26 a.m.

 

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk