Minutes, May 7, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MAY 7, 2007

MINUTES

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 7^th day of May 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 amended. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of April 30, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, discussed the letter received from the Osborne County Commissioners proposing a pilot program for a regional E-Waste Collection site for televisions, video cassette recorders, stereos, radio, cell phones, electric games and more. The program will place a trailer at our collection site and when full, it will be replace with another trailer. Osborne County is applying for a grant that would fund the project for two years and if the county were interested in the project, they would like a letter stating our participation and support. Mrs. Shute felt the project was a good one and would like to participate for the two year granted program and then would look at any cost associated thereafter. The Commissioners agreed to participate and requested a letter be sent indicating their participation and support. Mrs. Shute reported she had received two letters from KDHE about the recent inspection made at the landfill and has corrected the items noted and sent back letters stating the corrections and her plan for continued compliance.

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, has toured the county and the recent rains and flooding has played havoc on the roads and bridges. Many of the bridges are washed out as well as many county and township roads. He would like permission to access $50,000 from the Special Road & Machinery Fund to help defray the cost of materials to repair the damage. The Commissioners agreed those funds could be used. Also, the townships have the same problems and he discussed the possibility of getting help from FEMA. The Commissioners felt the first step would be to declare a state of disaster with the State Emergency Management Department and go from there. Mr. Nondorf will contact the townships today to make sure that any work they are doing on the roads and bridges are documented by pictures, descriptions and especially any cost involved in the repair. That way, if our declaration were added to the Greensburg federal declaration, FEMA funds would be forthcoming.

Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation with the County Attorney, Joe Shepack, from 9:45 a.m. until 10:10 a.m. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:10 a.m. No action was taken.

Geneva Schneider was sworn in as the new Ellsworth County Treasurer.

Brent Goss, Extension Service, met with the Commissioner regarding drainage at the 4-H Barn. They requested that drain extension be put on the east side of the barn to get the water flow from the roof away from the building. Mr. Goss will check into it. He reported they had recently purchased 30 stock panels through donated funds. The Commissioners asked if they were going to continue some fund-raising projects to help maintain the facilities. Mr. Goss responded that the committed needed to meet and discuss that subject.

Kelley Rathbun asked the Commissioners to enforce the speed signs on Ave T that is being used as a detour road during the Highway 156 construction although it is not a designated detour route. The Commissioners responded that they had contacted the Sheriff's office and they were going to step up the patrol on that road. He also asked that a 24-inch tube be put in the old bridge to help move the water.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

After consultation with the County Attorney, the Commissioners felt there would be no problem with Tradewind Energy using the frontage road per the resolution. Also, the county has a road agreement with them for repair of any damage.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatement 2006-83 in the amount of $290.82. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the April accounts payable in the amount of $272,281.20. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 07R05, A Proclamation Declaring At State of Local Disaster Emergency For Ellsworth County, Kansas. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 11:49 a.m.

 

_________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk