Minutes, March 20, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

MARCH 20, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 20^th day of March 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 Heitschmidt moved to approve the Agenda as printed. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of March 13, 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Roger Pearson, ECMC Administrator, reported the hospital/rural clinic had a profit of $85,818 for February and a year-to-date profit of $263,573. Mr. Pearson distributed information on the Strategic Planning Meeting follow-up meetings that outlined the new vision statement and "pillars" to support the statement. Information was shared on the progress of the hospital in the past five years. Commissioner Kueser will contact Paul Bahr about the possibility of wellness center memberships for county employees. Commissioner Kueser asked that sustainability of programs and services provided by the hospital be part of the new strategic planning.

Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:50 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Gaye Woods was included in the executive session. The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:00 a.m. No action was taken.

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, presented the one bid received on the dumpsters and trash service at the landfill. Mike Slechta was present for the bid opening. The one bid received was from Slechta Enterprises and Commissioner Kueser moved to accept the bid effective April 9, 2006 through April 8, 2007. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The bid included the service of two dumpsters at $57.50 each and to be serviced weekly. Large household items of furniture and etc. will be charged at separate rates. Mrs. Shute reported she had heard from ECF and they would not be able to build the truck bed as previously thought. She will check with other sources. Also, she has been in contact with Holm Motor in Abilene about the new truck but has not had a response as yet. The recycling trailers came back from Holyrood with burned trash in them so she has issued a warning to the city. They are now taking cell phones and batteries for recycling.

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, reported that due to the weather, the LEPC meeting for tonight has been cancelled.

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz presented a new job description for Detention Supervisor and a revision of the job description of Correction Officer/Jailer. Both will be sent to Austin Peters for ranking into our salary schedule. Sheriff Ploutz also discuss the power outage problem this past weekend and asked that the Commissioners to look at some of the stored items in the basement of the jail and make a decision if it can be thrown out.

Paramedic, Shelly Maze, invited the Commissioners to attend a potluck supper for Kevin Ludlum at 6:00 on March 30^th. Before leaving, Mr. Ludlum had asked that she and Rick Soukup work on a Homeland Security Grant and they would like to apply for a grant to purchase new defibrillators and make a training room in the EMS building. The defibrillators we presently have are over ten years old and the cost to replace the six would be approximately $112,000. The Commissioners agreed that a grant application for the stated purposes would be acceptable. Mrs. Maze also stated she would be interested in the EMS Director position and the Commissioners encouraged her to submit an application.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

There were no new business items.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 10:50 a.m. Commissioner Kueser and Heitschmidt viewed the basement of the jail.

 

__________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, March 13, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

MARCH 13,2006

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 13^th day of March 2006 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.

Members Present:

Lavel Heitschmidt, 1^st District Commissioner

Kermit Rush, 2^nd District Commissioner

Terry Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

 

1. Opening Business

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

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

 

Commissioner Heitschmidt moved to approve the Minutes of March 6^th with corrections,

Commissioner Kermit Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kermit Rush moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personal from 9:55 until 10:10 with Kevin Ludlum, Ambulance Director, Commissioner Lavel Heitschmidt seconded the motion. 3-0. The Board of County Commissioners returned to open session at 10:10 a.m. Commissioner Rush made a motion to accept the resignation of Kevin Ludlum , Ambulance Director effective March 31 with regret, Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Kevin Ludlum also presented a Field Intership Agreement between Barton County Community College and the Ellsworth County EMS. Kevin was given permission to sign the agreement.

Rich Nondorf, Road Supervisor discussed the 5 year bridge plan, with the possibility of shuffling the squence of the bridges and doing the one that needs the greatest attention. Rich Nondorf also presented bides for a new dump truck for the Road and Bridge Department. The Commissioners agreed to purchase the 2007 International truck for $73,371.00. Mr. Nondorf also discussed with the Board of County Commissioner solution for controlling weeds on the new lots next to the courthouse. No decision was made.

The Board of County Commissioners recessed the meeting at 11:00 a m.

The Board reconvened at 1:25 p.m., and asked to contact Gaye Woods and have her meet with the County Commissioners the following Monday.

Old Business:

There was no old business .

New Business

There is no new business.

 

Chairman Terry Kueser adjourned the meeting at 2:45 p.m.

 

 

Ona Crawford, Deputy County Clerk

Minutes, February 27, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

FEBRUARY 27, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 27^th day of February, 2006 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.

Members Present:

Lavel Heitschmidt, 1^st District Commissioner

Terry L. Kueser, 3^rd District Commissioner

1. OPENING BUSINESS:

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

Commissioner Heitschmidt moved to approve the Agenda with an addition. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Upon the request of the Commissioners, Kevin Ludlum, EMS Director, visited with them about a bill presented for payment of education. This brought up the present policy for payment and reimbursement of education for EMS employees. The Commissioners felt some of the practices we are now doing are not contained in the policy and they would like the reimbursement policy reviewed for possible changes. Mr. Ludlum was asked to come back with some suggestions on a policy that would encompass all the educational needs of the department.

Brent Goss & Michelle Brokes, Extension Service, visited with the Commissioners about the rental policy and charges for the new 4-H Barn. They were charged with responsibility of formulating a policy and bringing it back for approval.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

The Commissioners reviewed a 99-year lease agreement to be forwarded to the Richard Vopat for approval on the ground need to install a new bridge in Wilson Township. The Commissioners, upon Mr. Vopat’s approval, will execute the agreement.

The County Clerk visited with the Commissioners about the audit being conducted by the IRS and some implications of that audit.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the February payroll in the amount of $160,332.11. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to participate in the Ellsworth County Economic Development, Inc. signage project for the Highway 156 construction in the amount of $100. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the membership in The Amazing 100 Miles in the amount of $100. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2.0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the membership for the Wilson Chamber of Commerce for $50. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-0.

Commissioner Heitschmidt moved to approve Abatements 86 & 87 in the amount of $195.94. Motion carried 2-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

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

 

______________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, February 21, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

FEBRUARY 21, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 21^st 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 February 13, 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Roger Pearson, ECMC Administrator, passed out his "Dashboard Reports" for 12-31-05 and the monthly financial report for January showing a loss of $51,984 but a year-do-date profit of $177,755. Mr. Pearson asked for feedback from the strategic meeting the Commissioners attended last month. Some of the items the Commissioners felt should be addressed were cost of health care to patients, demand of service for the elderly and preventative care. Chairman Kueser asked if consideration had been given to the request for participation by county employees at the wellness center at the same cost as to the hospital employees. Mr. Pearson replied that he had given that information to Paul Bahr. As yet, Mr. Bahr has not contacted the county. Mr. Pearson discussed the first payment on the revenue bonds due in April and how that payment was to be made.

Rene and Edith Pennington and Curt and Joanie Glaser discussed the Welcome Home payment for the Lago family. Mr. & Mrs. Pennington felt they could not sign the promissory note as it was made out but would be willing to sign the soft loan agreement for the down payment assistance on the Lago property. The Commissioners agreed that would be sufficient and approved the agreement.

Upon the request of Sheriff Ploutz, Commissioner Rush moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:50 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 9:55 a.m. No action was taken. Sheriff Ploutz reported Joe Travenichek had resigned and he had moved Alisa Schneider from a part-time position to a full time jailer/corrections officer.

John Cyr, North Central Regional Planning Commission, stopped in to have some papers signed and visited with the Commissioner about legislative and county issues.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

The County Clerk questioned when the newly acquired space behind the courthouse was to be made into a parking lot and if not soon, did the property need to be sprayed for weeds or grass planted. The Commissioners will meet with Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, before any definitive action is taken.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Welcome Home soft loan agreement for the Frank Hass family in the amount of $3,000. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatements 59,61-74, and 76-85 in the amount of $5,380.90. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Added Taxes # 60 in the amount of $408.32. 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, February 13, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

FEBRUARY 13, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 13^th day of February 2006 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.

Members Present:

Kermit Rush, 1^st District Commissioner

Lavel Heitschmidt, 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 February 6, 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to amend the Minutes of January 30, 2006 with the following addition: "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 seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Ona Crawford, Deputy Clerk, discussed with the Commissioners the 911 addressing in Carneiro. Presently, everything is addressed off of Hwy 140 even down through what used to be the town of Carneiro. The residences need to be addressed off of 26^th Rd and McManus Ave that runs south through town and additional streets that run east and west. Virgil Beougher, who was helped establish the 911 addresses, conferred with Mrs. Crawford. Also, Mrs. Crawford has consulted with the Road & Bridge Supervisor and he agreed. Since the city is no longer incorporated, the cost of the signing of the area would be the county’s responsibility. The Commissioners agreed that the address changes should take place and that the affected residences be notified as well as the Post Office that services the area.

Jonathan Mitchell, Ellsworth County Administrator, indicated the city was looking at developing a master plan for the city which would include rezoning. He suggested that perhaps that all the cities in the county plus the county could go together for a countywide master plan. The cost of such a plan would be in the $60,000 range. He would be willing to contact the other cities about their participation and arrange for the meeting before any actual commitment is made. The Commissioners stated they would be willing to attend and felt that a Monday afternoon meeting would be best. Mr. Mitchell also asked the Commissioners if they would waive landfill fees for private homes demolished by the city. The Commissioners asked him to come back with what the plans would be and the cost of the program.

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, asked the Commissioners to sign right-of-way easement papers on the bridge south of Wilson. The Commissioners signed the papers. Mr. Nondorf reported John Hammond will be retiring the end of this month and he will be advertising for two employees. They have recently completed two bridges and have two more to do. He is still working on the specs for a new truck and excavator.

Kevin Ludlum, EMS Director, presented the 2005 financial report and run stats for the month of January. He also discussed the policy for sending ambulances out of the county for transfers. Presently, our policy is that no more than two ambulances will be out of the county at one time. The Commissioners supported Mr. Ludlum in his compliance with the policy.

Anita Hoffhines, Hoffhines Marketing, presented a Welcome Home application for approval. She is still getting five to six inquires a week by email but has not had many visits so far this year. The article scheduled to appear in the American Profile has been rescheduled to appear in April.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the promissory note for the Welcome Home down payment assistance for the Lago family. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Rush will attend the NCKCHOA meeting in Jewell County on March 23, 2006.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

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

 

____________________________________

Janet L. Andrews

Ellsworth County Clerk