Minutes, September 25, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 25, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 25^th day of September 2006 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 Kueser called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Agenda as printed. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of September 18, 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Rick Kempke, City Plumbing, reported that the concrete that will be under the new furnace is all broken up and needs to be replaced. The Commissioners approved removing a portion of the concrete floor and replacing it.

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, discussed the landfill waiver given to cities for special projects. Wilson City brought material from a house they were tearing down which had many items that are not allowed in a construction-demolition landfill. Also, they did not have a waiver form signed by the Commissioners showing the fee would be waived. After much discussion, they did come over and remove the unacceptable item. Mrs. Shute asked that when giving the waivers, the Commissioners see that the cities are aware of the forms required and ask them to call her to see what exactly can go into the landfill. The Commissioners agreed that more communication was needed for the program to function properly. Last week, the person cleaning out the old grocery store called about a baler they would be willing to sell for $500. Mrs. Shute checked with Mr. Rush and the County Clerk and bought it. Also, she had an inquiry from the Ellsworth Fire Department about the 1,000-gallon tank on the old International truck. Since it is no longer used, the Commissioners donated the tank to the Ellsworth Fire Department. The International truck will be put in the next Road & Bridge auction.

Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, reported he had hired Teresa Ball as the new correction officer/jailer.

At 11:00 a.m., Chairman Kueser opened a public discussion on county zoning. Attending the meeting was Albert W. Oller, 1^st Commissioner District candidate from Holyrood, and Jonathan Mitchell, Ellsworth City Administrator. Mr. Oller raised the question about the need of zoning for the county and the cost of doing it and maintaining the system. The Commissioners brought those attending up to date on the firm they were considering using, the projected costs and some of the considerations for land use. The City of Ellsworth is very interested in basing their zoning on the county’s plan and using one zoning board. If other cities are interested, they could also use the county’s plan as a base and be included by representation on the one board. To better inform Ellsworth County citizens, it was decided to contact Mr. Foster and arrange for a public meeting to discuss zoning before any concrete decision is made. It was suggested that it be an evening meeting and held at the Performing Arts Center at the high school.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

The Commissioners discussed the Wellness Center Usage Agreement sent by the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Before any contract is signed, the Commissioners want to visit with Mr. Pearson to make sure the usage can be billed on a monthly basis.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve a three-year audit contract, 2006, 2007 and 2008, with Bartlett, Settle & Edgerle. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 11:50 a.m.

 

 

____________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk