Minutes, February 6, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

FEBRUARY 6, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 6^th day of February 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 January 30, 2006. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPPOINTMENTS:

Brent Goss and Michelle Brokes, Extension Service, gave the Commissioners an update on the new 4-H barn and other projects in progress. Due to the equipment they have been able to purchase with some of their grant money, they are in need of storage. Through the grant, they would be able to purchase a metal storage building for approximately $2,000 but would need a place to put it near the Courthouse. The Commissioners agreed that it could be placed on some of the land recently acquired behind the Courthouse and suggested they come back when they have decided where to put it to make sure it fits into the parking lot scheduled for that area.

The National Don Hanson, Board Member of Drovers Hall of Fame, informed the Commissioners that the organization was applying for a Heritage Trust Grant for $90,000 to stabilize the old insurance building where the Hall of Fame will be located. At the present time, they do have the matching funds required and would like to have a letter of support for the grant application. The Commissioners agreed they were in support of the organization and the grant application and would certainly write a letter of support. They also discussed the Great American Cattle Drive, a fundraiser for the organization. It appears now the event is scheduled for September 28, 29 and 30^th.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Rush moved to approve January accounts payable in the amount of $509,057.92 with the checks to First Bank in the amount of $2,250 and Thunder Bank in the amount $2,250 for Welcome Home Down Payment assistance being retained until proper documentation requested is received. Commissioner Kueser 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

Minutes, January 27, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

JANUARY 27, 2006

The Board of County Commissioners convened this 27^th day of January, 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 Kueser moved to approve the Agenda as printed. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Heitschmidt moved to approve the Minutes of January 23, 2006. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, provided the Commissioners a report showing that 60.98 tons was recycled last year. Cardboard and newspapers were the most recycled items by weight; however, there has been a good response from the community on all items. Also, Mrs. Shute presented her Annual Noxious Weed report for signature.

Janice Huseman, representing the FCE Council, asked the Commissioners to support the open class fair by a contribution. The budget this year is $525. When questioned if the Extension Council gave any monetary contribution, Mrs. Huseman answered they did not, however, they did share some judges with them. Commissioner Kueser moved to allocate $500 to the FCE Council for the open class fair this year. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Upon the request of Joe Shepack, County Attorney, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation from 10:05 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:30 a.m. No action was taken.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

The Commissioner received a deed to be signed for the old 4-H barn and they will sign it when they receive a check for the purchase. Mr. Shepack with contact Rolling Hill’s attorney so an exchange can be made.

The Commissioners discussed the proposal from Mr. Cross, the ING representative on the State of Kansas Deferred Compensation package. The Commissioners decided not to implement the program at this time.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

The approval of the Welcome Home down payment assistance for the Lago family was tabled until more paperwork is received. Also, in a discussion with Mrs. Hoffhines, the Commissioners made it clear that down payment assistance for the Welcome Home program will not be approved if additional parties are listed on the deed and sales agreement.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the January payroll in the amount of $148,775.86. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatements 53-57 in the amount of $1,348.88. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to appoint Commissioner Kermit Rush as our representative to the North Central Regional Planning Commission. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 11:45 a.m.

 

_____________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

Minutes, January 23, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

JANUARY 23, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 23^rd day of January, 2006 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.

Members Present:

Lavel Heitschmidt, 1^st District Commissioner

Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

1. OPEN BUSINESS:

Chairman Kueser called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Agenda as printed. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of January 16 and January 23, 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Carl Miller, Appraiser, met with the Commissioners about the controversy over a correction line made in Wilson Township that affected the acreage of Mr. & Mrs. Scott Ward’s property. Mr. & Mrs. Scott Ward were in attendance and Mr. Miller explained how he had used the survey of 1901 supplied by the adjacent owner to verify the change. However, Mr. Ward had a survey of 1890 that contradicted the one in 1901. Mr. Miller has asked the Register of Deeds for copies of deeds on both properties and will make a decision after all the information is forthcoming. The correction line may have been made in error and if so, can be corrected. Mr. Miller presented three estimates for a replacement copier. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Miller, Commissioner Kueser moved to allow the purchase of a Canon imageRUNNER C2620 copier at a cost of $8,740 with $4,500 to come from the Equipment Reserve Fund and the remaining cost from the Appraiser’s budget. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0. Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session with Mr. Miller to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:50 a.m. until 10:15 a.m. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0. Jan Andrews, County Clerk was included in the session. The Commissioner returned to open session at 10:15 a.m. Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the salary contract between Ellsworth County and Carl Miller, Appraiser, for 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

Kevin Ludlum, EMS Director, presented cost estimates for 4 Panasonic Toughbook laptops for use in the ambulances. Upon the recommendation of Mr. Ludlum, Commissioner Kueser moved to allow the purchase of 4 Panasonic CF-29 Toughbook laptop computers with a three-year no-fault warranty at a cost of $14,419. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0. The Commissioners agreed to allow the present volunteers to go a part-time status for a period of six months at the following salaries: First Responder $7 per hour, EMT $8 per hour, EMT-1 $8.50 per hour and Paramedic $9.50 per hour. The program will be revisited in July of 2006 to see how the change impacts the budget and if the intended goals are being achieved.

Steve Cross, ING Representative that handles the State of Kansas Deferred Compensation package, visited with the Commissioners about the program and asked that they make it available to the county employees. Chairman Kueser tabled any decision until Commissioner Rush returns.

Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, reported he had hired Alisa Schneider as a part-time jailer and dispatcher and is still looking for another part-time person. Also, he is still working on the wireless 911 and all that it entails. With the cost estimates he has been given, there is a strong possibility that the county may have to apply for a grant to complete Phase I and Phase II. The closed circuit TV system is in, however, the court’s security line between the Courthouse and the jail was cut and the cost to repair it was $1,200. He plans to split the cost and pay for $600 of the repair.

3. OLD BUSINESS ITEMS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS ITEMS:

There were no new business items.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

 

________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk