Minutes, September 18, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 18, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 18^th day of September 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 with an addition. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of September 5 and September 11, 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Roberta Waymaster and Robert Fitzgerald, representing the Technology Committee, reported they had added Tom Burtzloff and Debra Habiger to the committee. The County’s website continues to grow in the number of hits, but Mrs. Waymaster felt we should update the site to keep it fresh and add some services making it even more user friendly. She and Mr. Fitzgerald will contact the different department heads making them aware of the changes that could be done. Clarification of pay for committee members doing work for different departments on their off-hours was requested. The Commissioners felt there should be a set fee for such work and that the individual department should pay that fee. The Committee will discuss the amount of the fee and get back to the Commissioners.

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, discussed a letter they recently received expressing concern that Mr. Bernard had missed two of the Regional Homeland Security meetings. Mr. Bernard, a part-time employee, would have to take twelve of his vacation days from his full-time job each year to attend the meetings as they are held in the afternoon. He has talked with Bill Salyers, the second in command, and he would be able to attend the meeting. Between the two of them, the county should be covered. A class for WEBEOC certification will be held on the 25^th of September at the ECF Training Center with Commissioner Kueser, Commissioner Rush, Jan Andrews, Ona Crawford and Geneva Schneider attending.

Carl Miller, Appraiser, presented his 2007 Maintenance Plan for their review. Also, he has received a report from the Kansas Department of Revenue showing that Ellsworth County was in compliance for 2006. Having received a letter from Mr. Foster on zoning proposals, the Commissioners discussed the information with Mr. Miller. Stafford County, in which Mr. Miller is also an Appraiser, has such a plan designed by Mr. Foster and it works very well. Mr. Miller would be in favor of such a zoning plan being implemented in Ellsworth County.

Commissioner Heitschmidt left the meeting at 10:55 a.m.

Pat Kinnaird and Clara McCoy, representing Central Kansas Mental Health, gave the Commissioners a quarterly update on the services utilized by Ellsworth County. In April through August of 2006, Ellsworth County had 46 new admissions. Mrs. Kinnaird emphasized the emergency services they offer as well as depression screenings.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Heitschmidt moved to appoint Terry Kueser as delegate and herself as alternate to the KAC Annual Conference. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 12:25 p.m.

 

 

___________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, September 11, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 11, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 11^th day of September 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.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, reported that Marland Kralik had completed his 90-day probation successfully and was entitle to an increase in wages. The Commissioners agreed that he could be moved to range 12,step d. In preparation on the KDHE recycling grant they are working on, Mrs. Shute asked if perhaps the City of Ellsworth could be willing to waive water and sewer fees and building permit for the building if the grant was allocated. Commissioner Rush will go to the city’s meeting and ask. The grant request will include a building, education and some plastic containers for glass which they would add to their list of acceptable items.

Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:18 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:00 a.m. No action was taken.

Anita Hoffhines, Hoffhines Marketing, Inc., gave the Commissioners and update on the Welcome Home Plan. Thirty-one of the thirty-five that have moved her through this plan remain in the area. Two houses are in the process of construction and one lot is reserved and has till November 30^th to commit. That will leave three lots on Kunkle. Holyrood and Wilson still have lots available. Kanopolis lots have been taken. The Commissioners discussed the budget for 2007 and asked that no funds be committed for Welcome Home downpayment assistance at this time. The long-range planning committee is still working on a solution to economic development in Ellsworth County and they want to hold all funding until that has been accomplished.

Shelly Maze, EMS Director, reported the generator was received and will be hooked up soon and the crack in the foundation is being repaired before the new carpet is installed. Deedra Stertz, EMT, will not be attending the Paramedic classes as she was not able to grant funding and for health reasons. They did receive the grant request for EMS education that would pay for the education of five students. Commissioner Rush moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:34 a.m. until 10:50 a.m. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Shelly Maze was included in the executive session. The Commissioner returned to open session at 10:50 a.m. After a successful 90-day probation, Commissioner Rush moved to raise Mrs. Maze salary to range 2, step d, effective September 12, 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

At 11:00 a.m., Chairman Kueser called to order the Hearing on the proposed grant application to the Kansas Department of Commerce for Post Rock Rural District. Doug McKinney, North Central Regional Planning Commission, and David Bailey, Post Rock Rural Water District, were in attendance. There was no public attendance. Mr. McKinney briefly went over the proposed grant application and requested action on several items. Commissioner Rush moved to approve Resolution 06R11, A Resolution Certifying Legal Authority To Apply For The 2007 Kansas Small Cities Community Development Block Grant Program From The Kansas Department of Commerce And Authorizing The Chairman Of The Board Of Commissioners To Sign And Submit Such An Application and Resolution 06R12

Minutes, September 5, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

SEPTEMBER 5, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 5^th day of September 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 to 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 August 28, 2006. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No on was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Joe Shepack, Ellsworth County Attorney, discussed with the Commissioner the meeting he had with John Sherman and Jonathan Mitchell on the county’s economic development funding. Mr. Shepack’s advice was to hold on to the funds allocated for economic development for 2007 until some concrete plan was developed. Mr. Shepack also stated that he felt only those entities that put up money should have voting power.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the August payroll in the amount of $161,477.69. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the August accounts payable in the amount of $320,795.45. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to appoint Julie Nienke as Treasurer of Lincoln Township. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to write a letter of support for the Ellsworth Correctional Facility’s "Paint Booth Project" grant application. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Amendment to Section G of "Personnel Policies & Guidelines", 2006 Edition. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to appoint Lavel Heitschmidt as Delegate and Kermit Rush as Alternate Delegate to the Annual KWORCC Meeting. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 12:20 p.m.

 

__________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, August 28, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

AUGUST 28, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 28^th of August 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 August 21, 2006. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, and Jerry Florian, EMT, met with the Commissioners to discuss building improvements. Mrs. Maze received three bids on carpet and recommended accepting the bid of the local dealer, Home Lumber, at a cost of $1639. Mrs. Maze and Mr. Florian discussed the need for a generator. Now if the electricity would go off the ambulance doors have to be opened manually and they are difficult to handle. They would need a 7,000-10,000 kilowatt generator and there are no local vendors. Therefore, Mr. Florian presented several generators available from other sources. After a brief discussion on the choices, the Commissioners authorized the purchase of a generator in the area of $2,599-$2,650 area to be taken from the County Building Fund and the carpet from Home Lumber to be taken from the EMS budget. The State Board of Pharmacy did an inspection last week and they were in compliance.

Joe Shepack, Ellsworth County Attorney, discussed a recent correspondence from Union Pacific regarding our purchase of right-of-way. Mr. Shepack will respond.

Ronda Kasiska, Health Supervisor, gave the Commissioners a copy of the Kansas Heat Exercise and noted the Health Department will be closed from 8:00 a.m. until 1:00 a.m., Thursday, August 31^st for the exercise.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to accept the resignation of Robert Nienke as Treasurer of Lincoln Township. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

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

 

__________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

 

Minutes, August 21, 2006

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

AUGUST 21, 2006

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 21^st day of August 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 August 14, 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 a loss of $167,984 for July. Utilization was down due partly to one physician being gone for almost a month. He announced that Dan Urban as been hired as Director of Financial Services. So far nine people have applied for the medical access card with one being approved. The amnesty program will end on August 30^th and that program, so far, has been very successful. The Board will decide if they want to extend the program. They are in the final stages on purchasing the digital radiology equipment and a new hot water system at a cost of $11,000 is being installed. The Commissioners discuss the membership for county employees to the wellness center at a reduced charge. Presently, hospital employees get that membership at no cost. Commissioner Kueser asked if they would be willing to give membership to county employees at 50% of regular cost instead of trading services as previously discussed. Mr. Pearson will get back to them. Commissioners asked if individuals other than hospital staff and visitors were allowed to eat in the cafeteria. Mr. Pearson answered "yes" and Commissioner Rush expressed his opinion that he felt it was in competition with retail food businesses and, due to the loss cost of the meals, the hospital was subsidizing meals for the general public. He asked that it be curtailed. Mr. Pearson will take his request to the Board of Directors.

 

Justin Madar and Jon Halbgewachs, Kirkham, Michael & Associates, went through the 2006 Biannual Bridge Inspection. Although there are several bridges with a high deficiency rating, Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, has been proactive in seeing that these bridges are replaced. There are a couple of bridges that need to be re-posted as the signs have disappeared and Mr. Nondorf is aware of them. Mr. Madar and Mr. Halbgewachs also went over the three bridges that will be replaced with the State’s 80/20 program in 2008.

Ronda Kasiska, Health Supervisor, brought the Commissioners up-to-date on the Point of Dispensing exercise at the High School at 9:00 a.m. on August 31^st.

Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session for client attorney privilege from 10:51 a.m. until 11:02 a.m. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. County Attorney, Joe Shepack, was included. Motion carried 3-0.

Brent Goss, Extension Service, discussed the renting of the 4-H barn and in particular the concession stand. The Commissioners emphasized their desire to have the concession stand operated by local 4-H groups or Saddle Club members as money making project rather than renting to individuals or groups that rent the barn. Mr. Goss will discuss that with the groups involved and get back to them. Mr. Goss reported that it appears so far that about $73,000 had been donated for the completion of the new barn. The remained of the funding has come from the sale of the old barn and the temporary note issued by the County. He checked the barn after the first rain and found that it was leaking in spots, but it was taken care of immediately when reported.

The Commissioners recessed for lunch at 12:00 Noon. At 1:00 p.m. Chairman Kueser called the meeting back to order. Becky Bailey and her husband, John Bailey, asked for a post-termination hearing in executive session. Commissioner Heitschmidt moved to go into executive to discuss non-elected personnel from 1:00 p.m. until 1:25 p.m. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. County Attorney, Joe Shepack, was included in the executive session. The Commissioner returned to open session at 1:25 p.m. No action was taken.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

The County Clerk discussed a property in Holyrood, Kansas that the county had retained after the tax foreclosure sale and the 2005 taxes are delinquent. Since current taxes cannot be accepted until the delinquent ones are paid, we cannot pay the 2005 taxes. The property has been offered to the adjacent owners, but they have not responded. She had check with Mr. Nondorf at the Road & Bridge Department, and he would be willing to tear the house down this fall or winter and then perhaps we could get rid of the property as a vacant lot. The Commissioners agreed that would be appropriate.

 

4. NEW BUSINESS:

The Commissioners decided to stay with KCAMP and KWORCC Multi-line Pool for the county’s liability and Workman’s Comp insurance.

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, will represent the county at the Court Security Emergency Preparedness Project Meeting on September 5, 2006.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Resolution 06R10, A Resolution Rescinding The Burn Ban Imposed By The Ellsworth County Commissioners In Resolution 06R09. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatement 2005-139 in the amount of $10,662.04. Commissioner Heitschmidt seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve a letter of support for the North Central-Flint Hills Area on Agency’s Kansas Accessibility Modification Program grant application. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 1:30 p.m.

 

 

_________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk