Minutes, November 28, 2005

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

NOVEMBER 28, 2005

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 28^th of November, 2005 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.

Members Present:

Kermit Rush, 1^st District Commissioner

Lavel Heitschmidt, 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 November 7 and November 14, 2005 as corrected. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, asked for a signature for the Department of Justice Grant. Also, he asked permission to use the Meeting Room in the Courthouse as a shelter when roads are closed due to bad weather. Here they would have a kitchen and would be close to eating-places. Emergency Management personnel would be on the premises at all times. Commissioner Kueser moved to allow Emergency Management to use the Courthouse Meeting Room and facilities as shelter when necessary. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Roger Pearson, ECMC Administrator, reported that for the month of October the hospital and clinic had a net profit of $13,343 and a profit of $974 year-to-date. There was a lengthy discussion on the charity care the hospital is hoping to implement and what funding would have to be forthcoming from the county.

Keith Ryan asked the Commissioners to purchase the World War II Veteran’s calendar for each of the county offices. The money from the sale of the calendars goes to the Flint Hills Foundation. Commissioner Kueser moved to purchase ten of the calendars at $5 each with the check being made payable to the Flint Hills Foundation. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Janet Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk & Election Officer, presented purchase order 00058 for 10 ES&S AutoMark Voter Assist Terminals at a cost of $48,800 for their approval. This purchase was necessary to be complainant with the federal Help America Vote Act. The State will pay $40,000 of the purchase cost. Mrs. Andrews also asked to retain $5,000 from her 2005 Election budget to be spent in 2006 on the purchase of this equipment. Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Purchase Order 00058 for ten AutoMark Voter Assist Terminals and backup supplies in the amount of $48,800 and allow $5,000 to be held over from the 2005 Election budget to be expended in 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Mrs. Andrews requested to use $15,500 from the Capital Equipment Fund to purchase a M650 scanner from EE&S using the old AIS 150 Ballot counter as a trade-in. Commissioner Rush moved to allow the purchase of an EE&S M650 scanner in the amount of $15,500 to be purchased from the Capital Equipment Fund. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. A proposal for consolidation of polling places was presented to better utilize the new mandated voter equipment. There were no objections to the proposed consolidation.

Anita Hoffhines, Hoffhines Marketing, discussed a letter that was written by the County Attorney to Greg Marsh, purchaser of the "old hospital" about her representation on behalf of the county. Mrs. Hoffhines also presented an Addendum to the Letter of Agreement between Hoffhines Marketing and the County. The Addendum clarifies income received from consulting, writing, and speaking engagements on the Kansas free land program is not covered under the agreement she has with the county. Commissioner Kueser asked Mrs. Hoffhines to discuss with Ellsworth County Economic Development, Inc. a name change. Since that organization is not a county organization, it does appear to the general public that it is a county entity. Mrs. Hoffhines will take the request back to her Board of Directors. It was suggested that Mrs. Hoffhines report on a regular basis on the Welcome Home activities.

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, reported the Road & Bridge cut through the waterline when they digging the new pit. She suggested they move the waterline to avoid the same situation with the other platted pits are dug. She had two bids but only one bid for a one-inch line. The Commissioners authorize Mrs. Shute to get a bid from the other company on a one-inch line and to accept the lowest bid. Bids on a truck chassis to be used for a new spray truck were given to the Commissioners. One was for a diesel and the other regular gas. The decision on the purchase was tabled until next week. The Ellsworth Correctional Facility has agreed to build the truck bed.

Upon the request of County Attorney, Joe Shepack, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session for attorney-client privilege from 12:00 Noon until 12:10 p.m. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 12:10 p.m. No action was taken.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 05R17, A Resolution Authorizing The Execution And Delivery Of A General Warranty Deed Conveying The Old County Hospital To Equity Partners Funding, LLC). Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatements 2005, 9,10,12,14,15, & 16 in the amount of $672.03. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

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

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk