Minutes, January 16, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

JANUARY 16, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 16^th day of January 2007 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse.

Members Present:

Albert W. Oller, 1^st District Commissioner

Kermit Rush, 2^nd 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 Kueser moved to approve the Agenda as printed. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of January 8, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

The following citizens were attendance during the meeting: Virgil Huseman, Wayne Bohl, Joan Bohl, Lester Pflughoeft, Paul Westerman, Steve Donley, Jim Warta, Raymond Thomas, Don Kihn and Gordon Homeier.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, handed out run stats for the December and year-end. This year they had 798 runs. The second new ambulance will be here sometime around the first of March and the one just replaced is ready for Kenny Bernard to take possession for an Emergency Management vehicle. Mrs. Maze discussed some of the transports for which Medicare will no longer reimburse.

Ronda Kasiska, Health Supervisor, reported she will be purchasing three new computers when she receives her pandemic funding. Upon the request of Mrs. Kasiska, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:30 a.m. to 10:40 a.m. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:40 a.m. Commissioner Kueser moved to advance Lenora Henderson to step 11,f on the salary schedule effective January 1, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

Chairman Rush acknowledged receipt of resolutions from Garfield and Sherman Townships with respect to industrial wind generating facility development. In that resolution the townships expressed a desire to meet with the Commissioners to express their views on the subject. Virgil Huseman, representing Garfield Township, asked if that meeting could be scheduled for the following week. The Commissioners agreed and the meeting will take place on Monday, January 22, 2007 at 1:30 p.m.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the renewal of the KWORCC and KCAMP insurance policies for 2007. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to appoint Sara Goss as a representative of Commissioner District #2 on the Smoky Hill Development Corporation. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Appointments for District #1 and #3 were tabled until next week.

5. OTHER BUSINESS:

The Commissioners received a letter from the State of Kansas informing them the county sponsored Post Rock Rural Water grant application would not be funded.

Paul Westerman, Garfield Township, expressed some of his views on the proposed windfarm. Mr. Westerman questioned the finances of the company constructing the windfarm but is not for or against it.

Gordon Homeier addressed the Commissioners on the proposed windfarm for Ellsworth County. Mr. Homeier had questions regarding the legality of the Sherman Township Trustee who no longer lives in the township and about the resolution given to the Commissioners. The Commissioners advised him to talk with the Sherman Township about his concerns and advised him of the meeting next week at 1:30 p.m.

Joe Shepack, County Attorney, reported to the Commissioners he had received an email from Tradewind Energy with site map showing the roads that would be used for the windfarm project. Mr. Shepack will check with the Road & Bridge Supervisor about the roads and bridges in the area and the liability amount that would be needed to repair if damaged.

6. ADJOURNMENT:

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

 

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Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk