Minutes, April 2, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

APRIL 2, 2007

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 2^nd day of April 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.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, discussed the remodeling of the jail. At the present time he has one estimate but is getting another one. He and Penny VonLehe attend a monetary meeting on the E911 grant last week. The transmission has gone out on one of the patrol vehicles and he might be able to switch it out with the one from the vehicle that he selling. Sheriff Ploutz reported he was having trouble with vehicles not adhering to the designated detour routes set up for the Highway 156 construction. They are using township roads instead and causing road damage and traffic problems. Commissioner Kueser discussed the township roads being used for "mudding" after the recent rains. It, too, is causing considerable damage to the roads. Saline County has a resolution regarding "mudding" but he did not know if it was effective or enforceable.

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, presented recycling reports for 2006 showing they recycled 60.69 tons. Mrs. Shute requested that Noxious Weed be allowed to increase their change drawer from $20 to $50. Mr. Shepack will draw up a resolution to that effect. KDHE inspected the landfill last week and found that trash from the filled pit was showing through and it might have to be covered. There was also a discussion regarding the fees being charged at the landfill and how much income would be lost if we did not charge private individuals.

Jonathan Mitchell, Ellsworth County Administrator, presented a proposal that included grants they will be receiving for the airport. The match for these grants for the city would be $51,000 and they would like to use some of the money the county levies for airport improvements. The Commissioners authorized payment of invoices for that intent up to $30,000.

Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss possible litigation from 10:12 a.m. until 10:30 a.m. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. County Attorney, Joe Shepack, and Jan Andrews, County Clerk, were included in the executive session. The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:30 a.m. Commissioner Kueser moved to return to executive session to discuss possible litigation from 10:30 a.m. until 10:45 a.m. with Mr. Shepack and Mrs. Andrews included. The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:45 a.m. Commissioner Kueser moved to sign a Letter of Engagement with Bartlett, Settle & Edgerle. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Amy Boxberger, Central Kansas Community Corrections, explained amendments to their 3-year comprehensive plan to be submitted to the State. These amendments include the Gateway to Recovery plan plus other intervention classes. Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the 3-Year Comprehensive Plan Amendment for Fiscal Years 2008 and 2009. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Robert Koch, Mayor of Holyrood, discussed further with the Commissioners the renovation of the Holyrood Lake and asked the county to help with the project through removal of silt from the lake. They are applying for grants to help fund the project and it would help to show the county's involvement plus the City could use labor and machines used in removing the silt as an in-kind payment. The Commissioner will talk with Mr. Nondorf next week and get back to him as soon as possible.

The Commissioner recessed until 1:30 p.m. At 1:30 p.m. Chairman Rush called the meeting to order.

Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 1:30 p.m. until 2:00 p.m. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Susan Roudybush was included in the executive session. The Commissioner returned to open session at 2:00 p.m. No action was taken.

Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 2:08 p.m. until 2:40 p.m. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Geneva Schneider was included in the executive session. The Commissioners returned to open session at 2:40 p.m. No action was taken.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to appoint Clint Rogers and Tina Davis for a four-member term to the Ellsworth County Medical Center Board of Directors effective July 1, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatements 78 & 80 in the amount of $87.92. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.


Commissioner Kueser moved to approve March payroll in the amount of $157,185.11. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve March account payables for $150,333.95. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 3:00 p.m.

 

_____________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews

Ellsworth County Clerk