Minutes, January 9, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

JANUARY 9, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 9^th day of January 2006 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 Kueser called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Agenda with an addition. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of January 3, 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Mr. & Mrs. Scott Ward, Wilson, Ks presented information on some land they owned in Wilson Township that the acreage had been changed by the Appraiser’s office. Previously, the land was listed as 152.90 acres and this year was listed as 143.30 acres. They had talked with the Appraiser’s office and were told it was a correction line, however, the correction line did not extend through the township. The Commissioners will take up the issue with the Appraiser and someone will get back with them.

The Pride of the Prairie Youth Leadership Class met with the Commissioners and discussed their role in county government.

Kenny Bernard and Kevin Ludlum were scheduled to meet with the Commissioners, however, Mr. Ludlum was not able to attend. Mr. Bernard presented a Statement of Understanding Between the Ellsworth County Emergency Management and the North Central Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross. The main article covered in the agreement was the American Red Cross supplies that were to be placed in the Ellsworth County Emergency Management Trailer. The LEPC meetings will start again on January 23^rd at 7:00 p.m. in the Courthouse Meeting Room. The Storm Spotter Training will be February 16 at 7:00 p.m. at the Kanopolis Community Room. Mr. Bernard will be attending a NIMS certification class in February enabling him to instruct other county personnel.

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, asked the Commissioners to authorize him to sell the old dump truck and semi that have been replaced by sealed bids, hire two employees and to pay half of the cost of a new excavator from the Special Machinery Fund. The Commissioners authorized all of the requests. The Commissioners signed a contract with Kirkham, Michael & Associates to do the 2006 bridge inspections. Mr. Nondorf informed the Commissioners that Mr. Haun, a route operator, would be taking a pickup home so he can go directly to the route when needed.

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz reported he had a transmission go out of one of this cars this weekend and rather than repair it, he is going to send it to auction as it is. For a replacement he is looking into a Chevrolet truck to be purchased through the State Partners program at a cost of approximately $20,500. The Commissioners agreed with the purchase.

Upon the request of Joe Shepack, County Attorney, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation from 11:32 a.m. until 11:52 a.m. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioner returned to open session at 11:52 a.m. No action was taken.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

The Commissioners tabled the decision on a burn ban.

Commissioner Rush moved to give $50 to Ellsworth High School, Wilson High School and Quivira Heights High School for their After Prom activities. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the renewal of the cereal malt beverage license for the Ellsworth Municipal Golf Course. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Anita Hoffhines, Hoffhines Marketing, visited with the Commissioners about the down payment assistance for the Vallier family. The original request is for $2,250, however, one of the students will only be here for two years not the three years stated necessary in the Resolution 03R14. Mrs. Hoffhines stated that at least one had been paid in 2003 for a student who was not here for the three years and she felt this set a precedent. Therefore, the full payment should be made to this family and the resolution changed to accommodate this family and others applicants. The Commissioners did not want to change the resolution and even though an error had been made previously, we should try and stick to the resolution rather than to the exception. Commissioner Rush moved to approve the down payment assistance for the Vallier family in the amount of $1,500 and for the Goddard family in the amount of $2,250. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting 12:20 p.m. The next regularly scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, January 17, 2006 at 9:00 a.m. However, a Public Hearing will be held on Monday, January 16, 2006 (a holiday) at 10:00 a.m. for the tax exemption requested by Moly Manufacturing.

 

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk