Minutes, December 10, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

DECEMBER 10, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 10^th of December 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 December 3, 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, reported on the E-Waste meeting she attended at Osborne. In order to collect and transport E-Waste from the different regions, it was decided to form a coalition and each county involved was asked to appoint representatives to the organization. The Commissioners appointed Teresa Shute and Tisha Wacker to represent Ellsworth County on the Solomon Valley E-Waste Coalition. There are many problems to be addressed with this grant problem and Mrs. Shute will keep the Commissioners informed.

Geneva Schneider, County Treasurer, visited with the Commissioners on the short-term investments for tax revenues. She was finally able to get 4.52% from the Citizens State Bank.

Joe Shepack, County Attorney, asked the Commissioners if they wanted to charge a fee for the requested permit for use of the county's right-of-ways from Smoky Hill Wind Project II, LLC. Since they have not had a chance to review it yet, they will do that and talk with the Road & Bridge Supervisor and schedule it on the Agenda for next week. In the meantime, Mr. Shepack will check out their legal descriptions to make sure they are county roads not township roads.

Barbara and Jerald Pickering, owners of the Dry Dock, asked the Commissioners for a special permit to keep their establishment open until 2:00 a.m. January 1, 2008. The Dry Dock, which sells cereal malt beverages on premise, has a mandatory closing at 12:00 Midnight. Commissioner Kueser moved to issue a special permit to the Dry Dock to remain open until 2:00 a.m. on January 1, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Rob Fillion, Director of Smoky Hill Development Corporation, asked the Commissioner to consider giving the organization some of the remaining money in the county's economic development budget. These funds could be used to help fund their many expenses and projects including the Professional Development program. Commissioner Rush moved to give $7,726 from the Economic Development budget to the Smoky Hill Development Corporation to use at their discretion. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Jo Funk with the Salina-Saline County Health Department, discussed the newly written Sanitary Code and will meet with Mr. Shepack after the New Year to get it organized and submitted through the proper channels. Mrs. Funk also presented the Commissioners with a beautiful array of homemade cookies and candies.

Upon the request of Michelle Maze, EMS Director, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 11:00 a.m. until 11:15 a.m. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:15 a.m. Commissioner Kueser moved to go back into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 11:15 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. County Attorney, Joe Shepack, was included in the executive session. The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:30 a.m. No action was taken.

Upon the request of EMS employee, Deedra Stertz, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 11:34 a.m. until 11:50 a.m. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:50 a.m. No action was taken.

Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session from 11:50 a.m. until 12:05 p.m. to discuss non-elected personnel. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. County Clerk, Jan Andrews, was included in the executive session. The Commissioner returned to open session at 12:05 p.m. Commissioner Kueser moved upon the recommendation of EMS Director, Michelle Maze, to terminate the employment of Deedra Stertz effective December 14, 2007 unless a pre-termination hearing is requested within three days by Mrs. Stertz. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 2-1.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

Commissioner Rush moved to appoint Lavel Heitschmidt to represent Ellsworth County on the Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve 2007 Abatements 34,35,36,37 & 38 in the amount of $110.10. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 12:20 p.m. There will be no Commissioner meeting the week of December 24, 2007.

 

_______________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, December 3, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

DECEMBER 3, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 3rd of December 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 November 26, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

 

Upon the request of Ronda Kasiska, Health Supervisor, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:03 a.m. until 9:13 a.m. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Joe Shepack, County Attorney, was included in the executive session. The Commissioners returned to open session at 9:13 a.m. No action was taken.

Joe Shepack, County Attorney, discussed a delinquent tax sale with the Commissioners and they instructed him to proceed as planned. Property delinquent for over three years will be included and he will screen the property carefully before putting it up for redemption.

Linda Denning, Ellsworth County Independent/Reporter, discussed a shared supplement with the Lincoln Sentinel-Republican paper on the wind farm located in both counties. The title of the supplement will be "Welcome The Wind Farm" and she asked if the Commissioner would like to buy an ad for the edition. The Commissioner discussed the ad after Mrs. Denning left and later in the session Commissioner Kueser moved to buy a ¼ page ad in the amount of $269.95. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, presented a contract authorizing the State to enter into a contract with Klaver Construction for construction of the Dlabal Bridge in the amount of $286,693.17. The contract was signed. The County's portion of the bridge will be $67,400. Mr. Nondorf asked to purchase a transmission-flushing machine at a cost of $3,700 and to purchase, if found, used pickups to replace some of the yard trucks. The Commissioners gave their approval. Commissioner Kueser asked that Mr. Nondorf keep the 4-H barn in mind when they had some free time as the concrete slabs need some more dirt put under them and there is some debris in the river bed that needs to be removed.

Dick Johnson, citizen from Holyrood, asked the Commissioners to consider a no smoking resolution for all public places in the county. Although the Commissioner agreed it might be a good idea, they do not have the authority over cities in the county and there are few public places in the unincorporated area. Mr. Johnson thanked the Commissioners for making the county offices "non smoking" areas and also complimented the Road & Bridge Department on the small bridges they have been replacing in the county.

Marvin Bush presented the Commissioner with a framed photograph of a truck with crewmembers from 1905-1914 bearing the logo of "Ellsworth County" on the side of the vehicle. He was not able to find out the exact date of the picture or model of truck but did narrow it down to 1905-1914. The Commissioners expressed their appreciation to Mr. Bush for the "early Christmas gift".

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

The appointment to the Juvenile Corrections Advisory Board was tabled until some contacts could be made.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the requested medical leave for Jeannette Hysom. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Oller moved to appoint Gene Linton to the North Central-Flint Hills Area Agency on Aging Board of Directors. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to submit Shawn McGowan, P.A. for appointment as Special Deputy Coroner for Ellsworth County. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the November payroll in the amount of $162,615.38. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the November accounts payable in the amount of $126,201.19. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve 2007 Abatements 22,25,26,27,28 and 29 in the amount of $103,311.68. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 11:35 p.m.

 

________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, November 26, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

NOVEMBER 26, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 26^th of November 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 a correction. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of November 13, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz reported that Larry Sawyer would be retiring December 31, 2007 completing 29 years of service. They will be holding a reception on December 31^st at 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Sheriff Ploutz would like to present him with a communication badge rather than a plaque and the Commissioners agreed would be more appropriate. At the Sheriff's conference, he saw a demonstration of a catch net and is going to purchase one. The net is located and deployed from a flashlight and after deployment, is no longer usable. However, refills for the flashlight can be purchased. The cost of the item is $500 with the refills being approximately $50 each. Jerry Slaight has been hired as a deputy effective January 2, 2008.

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, presented, for signature, contracts between the county and the State of Kansas for the construction engineering of the Dlabal Bridge. The Bridge was let on November 14^th for $286,000 which is lower than expected. Our share of that cost would be 20%. The Commissioners signed the contract.

Doug McKinney, North Central Regional Planning Commission, and David Bailey, Post Rock Rural Water District, presented a Materials & Labor Procurement Consideration and a Request for Release of Funds and Certification. Mr. McKinney discussed the Environment Assessment in which there were no comments of concern.

All of these documents will be submitted to the State.

Carl Miller, Appraiser, reported he had heard from the State Board of Tax Appeals and they had approved the exemption filed by the Evangelical Lutheran Good Samaritan Society for the years 2005, 2006 & 2007. Although the taxes for those years were not paid, the value of the property will come off of the tax rolls. The tax dollars lost for the three years would be approximately $100,000. Mr. Miller shared the revised Ellsworth County Neighborhood Revitalization Plan. This plan has lower percentages, a simplified plan, and lower number of years for rebates. Also, it includes a disaster plan that would protect the county in that instant. He and Rob Fillion, Smoky Hill Development, Inc. will be going to all cities and school boards to explain the plan and ask if they wish to be a participant. An estimate of $4,575 to update the office furniture in two of the appraiser's office was presented for approval. Commissioner Oller moved to authorize the expenditure of $4,575 to update two offices. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, and Shawn McGowan P.A., EMS Liaison for the Medical Director, requested an executive session. Commissioner Rush moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:27 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:45 a.m. No action was taken.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Rush moved to approve 2007 Abatements in the amount of $1,197.48. Commissioner Kueser 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