Minutes, February 20, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

FEBRUARY 20, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 20^th day of February 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 February 12, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz, reported he had created a strip search policy and sent it to KCAMP for review. After their review, he will submit it to the them for their approval. The amount for Contract One is $66,830 for software making the total cost of the wireless 911 projects $142,720. With the $125,000 grant, that would be $17,720 to be made up from other funding sources. Some can be taken from the Wireless 911 fund and the rest he will take out of his budget. Funds from the County Building fund will be necessary to remodel the dispatch area to accommodate all the equipment. The Commissioners asked that he get estimates for the remodeling project.

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, presented the stats requested by Mr. Pearson, ECMC Administrator, on EMS transfer from the hospital. The Commissioners and Mrs. Maze will meet with the ECMC Board of Directors on Wednesday evening to discuss this subject. Upon the request of Mrs. Maze, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:45 a.m. until 10:00 a.m. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:00 a.m. No action was taken.

Gary Wacker, Hi-Plaines Sand, discussed the letter he had received from Mr. Nondorf about traveling on the Rice Bridge with trucks that are overloaded. Mr. Wacker said he would comply with the request but other businesses in the county travel over the bridge overloaded and he wanted to know it they had been contacted. The Commissioner will check with Mr. Nondorf and see that they are notified. Mr. Wacker asked about the purchase of materials for roads being purchased out of county. Although no resolution could be found, he thought that one did exist at one time about the gradation of materials and if those in the county were of equal value, they should be purchased in county. He requested a list of specification of materials so he could bid on them. Also, Mr. Wacker suggested that the KDOT Link grant program be looked at for help in replacing large river bridges as that are aging.

Steve Donley and Wayne Bohl entered the meeting at 11:00 a.m. in an observer capacity.

Joe Shepack, County Attorney, presented Resolution 07R02 for the Commissioners' approval. After suggested changes, Commissioner Oller moved to approve Resolution 07R02, A Resolution Establishing A Setback Requirement For Structures Exceeding 100 Feet. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners gave Mr. Shepack a Road Agreement from TradeWind Energy for review and an opinion.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve a cereal malt beverage license for Tower Harbor Marina, Inc. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 12:10 p.m.

 

_________________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, February 12, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

FEBRUARY 12, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 12^th day of February 2007 at the Ellsworth County Clerk.

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 February 5, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Dave Koralek, President of the Ellsworth Senior Center, and eight of his board members had questions regarding the budgeting and distribution of the money for the Service for the Elderly. Mr. Koralek expressed concern that they had expenditure $10,000 over their budget last year and could possibily have the same situation this year. Discussion was held on the large amount of funds the Senior Center have invested and why it was not used instead of depending on tax dollars Mr. Koralek explained the money was for preservation of the building and would be used if the building needed repairs or improvements. Since the Senior Center and ECCA receives 60 % of the total budgeted funds, it was suggested they get together for the 2008 budget and see if changes could be made in the operation of the center to make it more cost efficient.

Carl Miller, Appraiser, reported he would be mailing out Change of Value notices on March 1, 2007. Also, he will put in the newspaper a Market Study Analysis For Ellsworth County for the Assessment Year 2007. Most soil classifications for ag land will be lower while residential property could be higher depending on the location of the property. Oil will be lower as the price per barrel is lower.

Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, informed the Commissioner he had signed a contract with Nine, Nine One, Inc and Contact One for the wireless Phase I & Phase II projects. The grant will only pay for 61% of the new recorder so the rest of the cost will have to be made up from the wireless 911 or regular 911 funds.

Leonard Haverkamp, representing the VFW, invited the Commissioners to their meeting on Sunday at 2:00 p.m. honoring the Citizen of the Year, Fireman of the Year and the Voice of America Scholarship winner.

Marvin Bush showed the Commissioners a picture of a county truck thought to be about 1902 and asked if they had any information on it.

The Commissioners had a telephone conversation with Rob Freeman, TradeWind Energy, Inc. about the proposed Road & Bridge Contract and Pilot Agreement. No action was taken.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

Although there were no old business items, the County Clerk reported that Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, had ask that she inform them that in order to increase the speed limit on county roads a traffic study has to be done. The Commissioners asked that Mr. Nondorf be contacted and asked to proceed with the traffic study on Hwy 140 from Ellsworth to Wilson and the County Line Road between Wilson and Holyrood.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatement 2006-48 in the amount of $4.52. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. OTHER BUSINESS:

Brent Goss, Extension Specialist, asked if the Commissioners would allow 4-H members to bring unloaded guns into the Courthouse after hours for a training class. Commissioner Kueser moved to allow the 4-H members to bring unloaded guns into the Courthouse after hours to participate in a training class under the supervision of adult leadership. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

6. ADJOURNMENT:

Commissioner Rush moved to adjourn the meeting at 11:50 a.m.

 

 

________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, January 29, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

JANUARY 29, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 29^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 with changes. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of January 22, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Steve Donley and Gordon Homeier were in attendance.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Roger Pearson, ECMC Administrator, presented the financials for the month of January showing a year-to-date loss of $551,632. However, they will file an interim report with Medicare and most of that loss will be recouped with additional payment from Medicare. The quarterly "dashboard" report and the new policy on concealed weapons were distributed and reviewed. Two proposals for connecting the Century Building and the medical center by fiber optic cable were presented. The Board has decided they would like to go with Wilson Telephone Company, Inc. with an estimate of $19,201.46 Since this money will come from the revenue bond proceeds, Mr. Pearson questioned the procedure that would be used to disburse the funds. In the past the bills were presented to the Commissioners after the Board had approved them and payment was made by the County. In doing this the medical center did have any financial records of the transactions for their auditing purposes. Mr. Pearson asked if perhaps the medical center board could approve the bills, bring them to the Commissioners for approval, the hospital pay the bills and then the county reimburse them. The Commissioners asked the County Clerk to check the bond transcript and the auditors to see how to handle payment of expenses. A discussion was held on how to best advertise the two board vacancies. It was decided that Mr. Pearson would advertise an informational meeting and invite those interested to attend. From those that attend and are truly interested, the Commissioners and ECMC Board of Directors will garner a list of appointees for consideration. A discussion on new Medicare Part B transportation fees and medical necessity, was tabled until more information was forthcoming.

Tammy Kruse, Lincoln Township Clerk, reported the Kansas Department of Transportation is giving the township $15,000 for its roads since the township is in the middle of the K-156 road construction project. She felt that money would not be enough and asked it the Commissioners could help her with other resources or how these resources could be better utilized. The Commissioner wi11 meet with the Road & Bridge upervisor, Mr. Nondorf, to see if he might have suggestions.

Pat Kinnaird, Community Relations Specialist with Central Kansas Mental Health and Clara McCoy, Ellsworth County Board Member, gave the Commissioners a quarterly update on the activities of the organization.

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, presented her Annual Noxious Weed Eradication Report for approval. Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the 2006 Annual Noxious Weed Eradication Report. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Also, since the mill levy for 2007 is below 1.500, the county is required to offer chemicals at a discount. Therefore, Commissioner Kueser moved to set the price for chemicals purchased through the county's Noxious Weed Department to 80/20. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Joe Shepack, County Attorney, sought approval for the purchase of a computer for his office from the drug prosecution fund. Commissioner Rush moved to allow Mr. Shepack to purchase a computer not to exceed $2,685 from the drug prosecution fund. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Mr. Shepack also discussed a letter he had sent to the district judges asking that the county be allowed to charge a court appointed attorney fee of $50 for misdemeanor cases. Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss attorney-client privileges from 11:00 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:30 a.m. No action was taken.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

At the request of Commissioner Oller, Commissioner Kueser moved to appoint Olin Svoboda as Commissioner District #1 representative to the Smoky Hill Development Corporation, Inc. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Commissioner Kueser's appointment was tabled until next week.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatements 2006, 37 & 38 in the amount of $588.02. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 07R02, A Resolution Urging The Federal And State Government To Retain Drivers' License Renewals At The Local Level. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

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

 

____________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk