Minutes, October 2, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

OCTOBER 2, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 2^nd day of October 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 Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of September 25, 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Roberta Waymaster, Technology Committee, reported that the Committee had met and had decided $17.50 per hour was a fair wage for tech services. Commissioner Rush moved to establish a fee of $17.50 per hour for technical assistance provided by the technology committee for work done during off-hours. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, asked the Commissioners to sign the agreements with the State of Kansas on the engineering on the Vopat Bridge. He is still in the market for a salt truck and will try to get one from the State Surplus Program. If he finds one, he will put a hold on it immediately. He will have a cost estimate on returning the seven-mile road the road below the dam back to gravel. That estimate will also have a comparison of the maintenance on the roads. Mr. Nondorf’s truck has about 130,000 miles on it so he will be looking to replace it this year. The Commissioners were invited to come out and see the new excavator.

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, reported the carpet had been laid in two rooms and tomorrow they will finish the job. They did a little remodeling by taking out a couple of desks and installing countertops making a workstation for the EMTs to use to file their paper work. The foundation has been repaired and she is contacting the high school about some shrubs to plant around the foundation. The November date for delivery of the new ambulance is still viable. Upon the request of Mrs. Maze, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:45 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioner returned to open session at 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Rush moved upon a successful evaluation to moved Shawna Haase to range 11, step c on the salary schedule effective September 28, 2006. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

John Murray, Barbara Kice, and Rick Stitt, representing Liberty Technologies, Inc., met with the Commissioners to discuss the possible acquisition of the Century Bldg. The County purchased the building for future use by the Ellsworth County Medical Center. Mr. Murray reported that the ECMC Administrator had set a non-negotiable sale price of $1.2 million for the building, which they feel is extreme considering the price the county paid for the building. Mr. Murray presented several options for satisfying the revenue bonds used for the purchase of the building. However, the Commissioners did not feel they were viable options. The Commissioner explained that this was an ECMC Board decision and they should get an appointment with them and present their proposal to them.

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, asked if there was a possibility of bidding on a 1992 ambulance in Hesston for use as a mobile emergency command center. He though it might be able to be purchased for $5,000 to $6,000. The Commissioners stated a new ambulance will be purchased in 2008 and they suggested that perhaps instead of trading it in, they could keep it for emergency management use. Before we do anything on the Hesston ambulance, the Commissioners will check with EMS Director to see what ambulance is schedule for trade-in in 2008 and if it could be used for that purpose.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser reported he was unable to contact Mr. Bahr at the ECMC about the wellness center contract. The issue was tabled until next week.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the September payroll in the amount of $156,813.04. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the September accounts payable in the amount of $138,194.94. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 12:05 a.m.

 

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk