Minutes, October 30, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

OCTOBER 30, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 30^th 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 Rush moved to approve the Minutes of October 23, 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, informed the Commissioners the new spray truck had a small problem, but it has been repaired. America Recycling Day is November 16^th and they are planning an open house from 10:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. and will have refreshments and some prizes to give out. When questioned about finding a replacement for the tractor, Mrs. Shute replied she had talked with Dale Houston at the Road & Bridge Department and he will accompany her when they are able to find a used tractor. Right now, they have not located anything.

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, reported the new dump truck has been received and the two older ones are going to be put up for sale by sealed bid. The new excavator is working well and he would like the Commissioners to come up and look at it. Presently, they are mowing for the townships and striping the roads.

Brent Goss, Extension Service, reported the 4-H Barn account has a deficit balance, and according to the County Clerk is not acceptable by statute. He has and is stilling going over all the invoices that have been paid to make sure nothing has been overpaid. Commissioner Kueser moved to redirect some of the bills from the October, 2006 accounts payable for the 4-H Barn to the General Fund. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. When additional donations are received, they can be used to reimburse the General Fund. Mr. Goss discussed Ellsworth City's conversation with him to improve the entrance to the barn. They plan to work on the roads into the area and would be willing to spread some rock at that time if the county would pay for the material or furnish it. Mr. Goss thought the cost would not exceed $300, but he will get back to the Commissioners with a more definitive estimate.

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, presented two bids for the replacement of the heating system at the EMS building. There were also bids to repair the furnace, however, with the age of the system and the cost comparison of repair to new, the Commissioner felt it was best to go to a new system. Commissioner Rush moved to accept B&B Plumbing's bid of $8,413 to replace the heating system at the EMS building. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Mrs. Maze discussed a problem facing all emergency services with the new legislation allowing concealed weapons and how it affects them when responding to a call. There is not always a law enforcement officer available on a call and what would they do with a gun if one were on the person they were picking up. The Commissioners asked Mrs. Maze to discuss the issue with her peer organizations and develop the necessary protocols.

Upon the request of Carl Miller, Appraiser, Commissioner Rush moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:32 a.m. until 10:55 a.m.

Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. County Clerk, Jan Andrews, was included in the executive session. The Commissioner returned to open session at 10:55 a.m. No action was taken.

Upon the request of Sheriff, Tracy Ploutz, Commissioner Rush moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 11:02 a.m. until 11:20 a.m. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:20 a.m. No action was taken. Sheriff Ploutz reported at the recent Kansas Association of Sheriff's meeting he was elected Second Vice-President making him President in two years.

Joe Shepack, County Attorney, visited the Commissioners about the Union Pacific Assignment & Assumption Agreement that needed to be approved. Mr. Shepack advised the Commissioners not to sign the agreement and will forward a letter to Union Pacific regarding that decision. The Commissioners discussed the new Sanitary Code for Ellsworth County drafted by Mr. Shepack and Commissioner Kueser moved to send it to the KDHE Review Board for approval. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

The Commissioners approved the advertising for the zoning meeting. Also, it was suggested that it be sent to all township officers as well as city governing bodies.

Commissioner Kueser moved to appoint Drs. Slomka, Kepka, Whitmer and PA, McGowan, as Ellsworth County District Coroners. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the HIPPA Business Agreement between Ellsworth County and Foulston Siefkin LLP, Attorney-Assist for KCAMP. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 12:10 p.m.

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk