Minutes, January 22, 2008

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

JANUARY 22, 2008

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 22^nd day of January 2008 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 Kueser called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Agenda. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of January 14, 2008. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

No one was present for the Public Forum.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, presented the year-end stats showing an income of $243,177.10 and 786 runs. The Commissioner discussed the ambulance units and when the next replacement would be needed. Mrs. Maze felt that Unit 111 would need to be replaced in 2009. The new EMT class have started and she has thirteen participants. The Commissioner gave approval to purchase two lateral file cabinets at $899 each.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve abatements 117,118,120, and 121 in the amount of $315.99 and added tax 119 for $19.44. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve a $50 donation to the Quivira Heights High School, Ellsworth High School and Wilson High School for their After Prom activities to be taken from the Special Alcohol Fund. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

The request for yearly funding from Ellsworth County Open Class Fair was tabled until more information was available.

5. OTHER BUSINESS:

Commissioner moved to approve a Civil Rights/Fair Housing Policy complaint procedure for Ellsworth County. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

The Commissioner discussed a policy for honoring Ellsworth County citizens who turn 100 years old. The Clerk will work on a policy and how it can be administered.

Commissioner Rush moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 9:55 a.m. until 12:00 Noon. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. County Clerk, Jan Andrews, was included in some of the executive session. The Commissioners returned to open session at 12:00 Noon. No action was taken.

6. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 12:15 p.m.

 

______________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, January 14, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

JANUARY 14, 2008

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 14^th day of January 2008 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. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of January 7, 2008. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Steve Donley, Garfield Township Trustee, was present and expressed his concerns about "non-taxpayers" using Garfield Township roads excessively causing deterioration of the roads. Also, they have made repeated calls to Smoky Hill Wind Farms about the roads but their calls have not been returned.

2. ELECTION OF OFFICERS & APPOINTMENTS:

Commissioner Rush moved to appoint Terry Kueser as Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners for the year 2008. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to appoint Albert Oller as Vice-Chairman of the Board of County Commissioners for the year 2008. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to make the following appointments for 2008: Health Supervisor, Ronda Kasiska; Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, Teresa Shute; Road & Bridge Supervisor, Richard Nondorf; Purchasing Officer, Janet Andrews; Health Officer, Dr. Ronald Whitmer; County Coroners, Dr. Ronald Whitmer, Dr. Dennis Kepka, Dr. Jerzy Smolka; Special Deputy Coroner, Shawn McGowan, PA; Workman Compensation Physicians, Dr. Whitmer, Dr. Kepka, Dr. Smolka, Shawn McGowan, PA; EMS Director, Michelle Maze; EMS Medical Advisor, Dr. Dennis Kepka; EMS Liaison, Shawn McGowan, PA; Emergency Management Director, Kenny Bernard; Official Newspaper, Ellsworth County Independent Reporter. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

3. APPOINTMENTS:

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, reported on the E-Waste meeting she attended. A Solomon Valley E-Waste Coalition is being formed to handle the project and Mrs. Shute had a draft of the interlocal cooperative agreement for the County Attorney to approve. There is a proposed annual $500 dues and a cost, by weight, of the items being brought into the landfill. Since Rice County applied for an E-Waste grant, the Commissioners asked that she check with them to see if we might join their coalition, as it is closer. The next meeting of the Solomon Valley Coalition is February 6. The repairs to the Noxious Weed building have been made and she is still checking on estimates for the metal building.

Todd Regazio, Enel, Michael Herseth, Mortenson Construction, and Matt Gilhousen, Tradewind Energy met with the Commissioners to discuss Phase II of the windfarm. Mr. Gilhousen reviewed Phase I of the project, which is almost completed. There are 41 wind turbines and 34 are completed and schedule to go on line later today. They are ready now to start Phase II that will include 99 turbines of which 25-30 turbines will be located in Ellsworth County. The road agreement for Phase I has been assigned over to Phase II and the escrow agreement will either rollover to Phase II or be replaced with a Letter of Credit. The Phase II payment to the county will be $200,000 for the first year and $150,000 for the next nine years. However, Phase I payment for 2007 and 2008 will be paid in 2008 and possibly the first year Phase II payment. An informational meeting with the fire, EMS and law enforcement will be scheduled and sometime after that a mock run will be held to ensure the safety of the project and critique their response. Information was exchanged for billing and other services that might be required from Smoky Hill Windfarm, LLC.

Carl Miller, Appraiser, reported they had fifteen Payments Under Protest filed so far on the 2007 tax year.

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, presented a contract with Kirkham Michael & Associates for Engineering Service between Ellsworth County & Kirkham Michael Associates, Inc. to review all drainage structure under 12^th road and 15^th road north of I-70 and recommend improvements to those structures based off of axle loads provided by Tradewind Energy, LLC. Tradewind Energy, LLC will provide 100% of the labor and funding for structure improvements. Commissioner Rush moved to approve the aforementioned contract with Kirkham, Michael & Associates. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

4. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

5. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Rush moved to approve 2007 abatements 115-116 in the amount of $369.66. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve early payment of ad valorem taxes to the Services for the Elderly in the amount of $32,126. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

6. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Kueser adjourned the meeting at 12:30 p.m. The next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 22^nd as Monday is a holiday.

 

________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, January 7, 2008

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

JANUARY 7, 2008

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 7^th day of January 2008 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. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of December 31, 2007. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Sheriff Tracy Ploutz reported he had signed a contract with Allied Information Solutions for digital orthoimagery for the E-911 wireless system. With this technology, you will be able to almost pinpoint where a cellular phone call originates. The cost of the contract was $61,576 and will be paid from the E-911 grant funds the county has received. Phase I and Phase II are now completed and the county is in compliance with the legislative requirements.

Brent Goss, Extension Services, explained now that Michelle Brokes has finished her services with the department, they will start looking for a replacement. He explained the procedures and timeline necessary to fill the position. With that in mind, the earliest they could offer a position would be April 1, 2008.

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, has hired Heather Powell as a full-time EMT starting February 4, 2008. She will take over the billing responsibilities as Shawna Haase is going on shift and completing her Paramedic classes. All five the EMT's that were in the EMT-I classed passed their tests and are now certified. Mrs. Maze has a class schedule in Wilson starting this month.

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, present his evaluations and recommendations. Kirkham, Michael & Associates have contracted for some engineering work with Smoky Hill Wind Farm, LLC for work on bridges in the county that they plan to travel over with heavy equipment and need some reinforcement. Mr. Nondorf has no problems with the plans but wanted to make sure the county was not billed for the services. It was decided that Mr. Nondorf would talk with Matt Gilhousen of Smoky Hill Wind Farms and see how they wanted to handle the payment.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the 2008 premium for KWORCC insurance for $58,955. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the 2008 premium for KCAMP insurance in the amount of $75,166. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Ellsworth/Kanopolis Chamber of Commerce 2008 dues in the amount of $200. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Kansas Association of Counties 2008 dues in the amount of $1,606.45. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatement #112 for $233. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

5. OTHER BUSINESS:

The Commissioner held a worksession at 8:00 a.m. until 9:00 a.m. to do evaluations for appointed personnel. They recessed for lunch at 11:50 a.m. and returned at 12:30 p.m. They continued their worksession on evaluations. The County Clerk was instructed to talk with Matt Gilhousen and arrange a meeting to discuss Phase II of the windfarm project.

 

6. ADJOURNMENT:

Chairman Rush adjourned the meeting at 11:50 a.m. but returned to continue their worksession on evaluations until approximately 2:30 p.m.

 

 

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

Minutes, December 31, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

DECEMBER 31, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 31^st 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. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of December 17, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Roger Pearson, ECMC Administrator, presented the first request for payment on the remodeling of the hospital in the amount of $12,804. Upon the recommendation of the ECMC Board of Directors, Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the payment request of $12,804 from C.V. Cale, Inc. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Mr. Pearson explained in detail how the entrances and other aspects of the hospital were being modified to facilitate the construction. The financial report showed a year-to-date loss so far this year of $240,928. There are two trial projects for the telecommunication grant, tele-health and education.

Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, gave his yearly report on the Special Law Enforcement Fund showing a balance of $867.39. When questioned, Sheriff Ploutz answered that he had not purchased the flashlights with the nets and will not unless he can get more information on them. Jerry Slaight, Deputy, will start work today and go to the academy as soon as a slot opens and dispatcher, Darla Odle, started today.

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, presented a list of write-offs for approval. Commissioner Kueser moved to approve EMS write-offs in the amount of $8,535.34. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0. Mrs. Maze asked if they wanted to raise the charge for standby that is now $40. The Commissioners agreed to leave it at the present rate.

Ronda Kasiska, Health Supervisor, presented grant applications for signature.

Kenny Bernard, Emergency Management Director, updated the Commissioners on the recent ice and snow storms and the county's response. Shelters were established in three areas and one of the emergency management's generators was used for the shelter in Wilson. FEMA will be here Friday at 9:00 a.m. to visit with government entities and Post Rock Rural Water District.


3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve 2007 Abatements in the amount of $5,237.08 and Adds in the amount of $432.92. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Resolution 07R14, A Resolution Transferring From The General Fund To The Equipment Reserve Fund. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Oller moved to approve the December payroll in the amount of $196,373.26. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Oller moved to approve the December accounts payable in the amount of $260,936.98. Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve a letter of support for the Ellsworth County Council on Aging Transportation Grant. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the renewal of Cereal Malt Beverage Licenses for Kanopolis Tower Harbor Marina and Cliff's Service. Commissioner Rush 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

Minutes, December 17, 2007

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSION MEETING

MINUTES

DECEMBER 17, 2007

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 17^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 amended. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of December 10, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Raymond Thomas was present and questioned the Sheriff's budget, expenditures and number of employees. Tasha Svaty, Ellsworth High School student, monitored the meeting for a government class.

2. APPOINTMENTS:

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, discussed the icy and snow-packed road conditions and how they were handling the situation. There are two bridge projects coming up, one east of Kanopolis and one out by Black Wolf. The Commissioners need to choose an inspection-engineering firm from the four applicants for these projects. They applicants are rated on criteria established by the State of Kansas. In regards to the question raised about wages that will be paid to workers who worked on December 11, 2007, it was decided later in the meeting, that all employees would be paid regular wages for that day. Two of the salt trucks are in the shop. Mr. Nondorf and Mrs. Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, discussed with the Commissioner putting up a metal building that would house the recycling trailers and Road & Bridge machinery. An estimate in the amount of $45,000 was received from Trib Buildings that would meet their needs. Mr. Nondorf & Mrs. Shute asked if some of the funding for the building could come from the county building fund and the remainder from their individual budgets. The Commissioners felt the idea had merit and asked that they get at least two other bids before any decision is made.

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, reported the tractor was at Robl's for repair and the Landfill is still without power. A small propane heater is being used to heat the building. C&B Trucking has a recycling center in Lincoln and have expressed an interest in buying Ellsworth County's recyclables. Presently, they are taken to Great Bend and the county does not receive any payment for them. Upon the recommendation of Mrs. Shute, the Commissioners decided to try sending the recyclables to C&B Trucking in Lincoln beginning the first of year or the next time the bins are full and ready to go.

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, presented a list of write-offs for approval. The Commissioners tabled their decision until further information is given. Commissioner Kueser moved to terminate the contract between Deedra Stertz and the County for Paramedic training without any obligation on her part. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Joe Shepack, County Attorney, visited with the Commissioners about updating the county handbook and the Commissioner expressed their desire to have a policy immediately on handling weather emergencies and compensation.

3. OLD BUSINESS:

There were no old business items.

4. NEW BUSINESS:

The approval of the Permit Agreement for Use of Public Right-Of-Ways was tabled until requested information is received.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve payment of the Kansas League of Municipalities 2008 Annual Dues in the amount of $478.65. Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve an amendment to the 2007 Audit Agreement with Bartlett, Settle & Edgerle. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 07R10, A Proclamation Declaring A State of Local Emergency for Ellsworth County, Kansas as of December 11, 2007. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 07R11, A Resolution Exempting Ellsworth County, Kansas From Generally Accepted Accounting Principles As Promulgated by FASB, Resolution 07R12, A Resolution Transferring From The Road & Bridge Fund to the Special Machinery Fund, and Resolution 07R13, A Resolution Transferring From The Health Fund To The Health Capital Outlay Fund. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Abatements 41-62 in the amount of $42,989.08 and Added Taxes in the amount of $460.06. Commissioner Oller seconded the motion. Motion carried 30.

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the request from the City of Ellsworth to utilize $30,000 of county funds budgeted for airport improvements. 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