Minutes, December 18, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

DECEMBER 18, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 18^th day of December 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 Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Heitschmidt moved to approve the Minutes of December 11, 2006. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner-elect, Albert Oller, was present.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz reported that the Special Law Enforcement Fund had a balance of $3,340.90, however, there will be several expenses coming out of that fund in December. He will review the fund with them again after the December accounts payables are posted.

Joe Shepack, County Attorney, met with the Commissioners to discuss the agreement presented by Tradewind Energy for construction of Phase I of the Smoky Hills Wind Farm, LLC. Also present during the meeting was Dr. Douglas Moeckel, USD 327 Superintendent, Steve Donley, Wayne Bohl and Laura Warta, Ellsworth County landowners. Mr. Shepack reported that presently there are three other counties that have wind farms, and he proposed that we get copies of their agreements and review them as to terms and "in lieu" tax payment. The agreement we have, per Mr. Shepack, does not include a decommissioning agreement nor a designated amount of "in lieu" payment for Phase II of the construction. Also, something more substantial is need in the agreement to repair any township or county infrastructure damaged. Bonding for that and the decommissioning might be something that would be acceptable. Dr. Moeckel addressed the school's concern on any money received and how it would be distributed. Mr. Bohl and Mr. Donley expressed their views on the company and benefits that the county would receive from having a wind farm. Chairman Kueser reminded all that the State of Kansas has exempted wind farms and it was up to the private landowners as to whether they wanted to lease their land. Also, they, the Commissioners, have no control on the establishment of a wind farm; but they do have a responsibility to protect the county to the best of their ability and negotiate a fair and reasonable contract for all taxing entities. Mr. Shepack will contact the other counties that have wind farms and will meet with the Commissioners after that information is received.

Richard Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, presented a list of employees hired in 2006 who have successfully completed their probation period and should be moved forward on the salary schedule. Commissioner Rush moved, as recommend by Mr. Nondorf, to move Bret Dunlap to 8c, Ernie Kasiska to 8c, Nick Nelson to 8b and Joe Ranker to 8b effective December 1, 2006. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The bids were opened on the 1997 Dodge truck and 1993 International dump truck. The high bids were $5,100 and $5,531 respectively and were accepted. Mr. Nondorf reported he was planning to upgrade some of the shop equipment and planned on purchasing an air plasma cutter for approximately $1,600. The Commissioner agreed to the purchase.

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, reported the cost of each new monitor discussed earlier with them was $16,977 and she felt she could not purchase six out of her 2007 budget and she did not get the grant intended to be used for that purpose. She can lease them for $355.64 each and after 60 months would own them. Therefore, she would like to lease/purchase two monitors and try to get the additional money through grants for lease purchase of the other four. The Commissioners asked that she make the monitors a priority for her department when considering or before making any other purchases for the department. Mrs. Maze presented a list of uncollectible charges for in the amount of $9,152.27. Commissioner Rush moved to approve the write-off of uncollectible ambulance bills for $9,152.27. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Mrs. Maze attended a Medicare meeting last week and reported Medicare is really cracking down on payment for use of ambulance service. In line with the spending of EMS memorial money, Mrs. Maze requested to use some of that money to pay for an on-line driving course for EMS personnel. They would have course work on-line and after the class work there would be an actual driving test. The Commissioners approved the funding from the memorial fund. Since Mr. Fitzgerald was unable to attend the meeting with Mrs. Maze and Mrs. Waymaster about the county website, the meeting was reschedule until after the first of the year.

Jo Funk, Sanitarian with the Salina-Saline County Health Department, gave the Commissioners an Environmental Activity Report by the LEPP Program for 2005.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

Commissioner Rush moved to rescind the appointment of Garnell Hanson to the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging Board of Directors and appoint Mervyn Harms to that position. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to terminate the supplemental life insurance for employees with Lafayette Life Insurance Company effective January 1, 2007. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Heitschmidt moved to approve the renewal of the cereal malt beverage license for Cliff's Service. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Heitschmidt moved to approve Abatements 2006, #6 & #9 in the amount of $235.74. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. OTHER BUSINESS:

Chairman Kueser recessed the meeting at 11:25 a.m. At 1:45 p.m. Chairman Kueser called the meeting back to order. Commissioner Rush moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 2:00 p.m. until 3:30 p.m. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. At different times during the executive session, Jan Andrews, County Clerk, and Carl Miller, Appraiser, were asked to join the executive session. The Commissioners returned to open session at 3:30 p.m. No action was taken.

6. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 3:45 p.m.

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk