Minutes, May 18, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

MAY 18, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 18^th day of May 2009 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 Oller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

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

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of May 11, 2009.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, reported this is EMS week and she is putting a proclamation in the paper.  They will have an open house on June 6^th.  In response to the public forum in Holyrood, she has moved the oldest unit to Holyrood.  Wilson's ambulance was also switched in order to get better use and mileage from the vehicles.  The Commissioners discussed whether or not the switching of ambulances solves the problems since both services do not have adequate volunteers to staff the ambulances.  It was suggested that the services be given one year to see if they can solve the staffing problems and then revisit the policy of keeping ambulances rather than response vehicles in the communities.

 

Rob Fillion, Director of Smoky Hill Economic Development, Inc., and officials from American Energies Corporation of Wichita visited with the Commissioners about requesting a 10 year abatement of taxes on a 15 mile pipeline project the company plans to install in southern Ellsworth County.  Using a nitrogen rejection unit, the company has found a lightweight and relatively inexpensive way to process low BTU natural gas into market quality gas.   The Commissioners were receptive to the idea, but wanted to talk with the County Appraiser before a decision is made.

 

Dave Smith and Anita Hoffhines, representing Ellsworth County Crime Stoppers, asked the Commissioner for a donation to the organization.  Previously, the Commissioners had approved a $1,000 donation for information on the recent fires being set in Ellsworth County.  The community interest in obtaining such information and how best to use the money being offered to get that information led to the formation of the Crime Stoppers organization.  Commissioner Kueser moved to donated $1,000 to Ellsworth County Crime Stoppers.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the amended Landfill Waiver Policy.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 09R03, A Resolution Appointing An Appraiser for Ellsworth County Per K.S.A. 19-430.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

The County Clerk discussed a meeting she and the County Treasurer had with Manatron about the replacement of the iSeries 400 computer.  IBM will no longer support the unit with software or maintenance.  Manatron has suggested we purchase a used 515 model that should last for five years.  The State's Motor Vehicle Department plans to switch to a PC based system in five years and at that time we will have to reconsider our system.  The price of the new system with maintenance contracts, tapes, installation and new printers for the Treasurer's office is estimated at $28,589.  The Commissioners agreed to proceed with the proposal.

 

5.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 11:55 a.m.

 

 

 

__________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

 

Minutes, May 11, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

MAY 11, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 11^th day of May 2009 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 Oller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Agenda with an addition.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of May 4, 2009.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, reported they had finished the Haase and Tanton bridges and had started replacing one on the Rice  bridge road.  They have gotten their dump truck/snow plow from the state and it only looks like it will have to have about $1,200 worth of work done it.  In regards to the old truck, he does not want to sell it in the present condition.  The Commissioner reviewed the policy for surplus property and suggested if he wanted to ask the cities or schools if they would be interested, he could do that.  If one of the entities decides they want the truck, have the donation put on the Agenda for disposition according to policy.  Mr. Nondorf asked the Commissioners to sign some documents for the low road project.  Four bid estimates have been received on a ¾ ton pickup.  They are a Ford, $22,125, a Dodge, $22,273 and two Chevrolets for $22,072 and $22,507.  The Commissioners authorized Mr. Nondorf to look at all the options, especially the lower estimate ones, and make the best deal possible. Mr. Nondorf has learned that some oil might be available this summer for sealing.

 

At 10:00 a.m. Chairman Oller called to order the Hearing for a Road Closure in Columbia Township.  No one was present for the Hearing.  Commissioner Kueser moved to close, per the request of the Columbia Township Board, the following road in Columbia Township:

                       

Said road is a township road and lies between Section 6, in Township 14 South and Range 9 West of the 6^th P.M., Ellsworth County, Kansas and Section 31 in Township 13 South and Range 10 West of the 6^th P.M., Lincoln County, Kansas and proceeds east  one mile. 

 

Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  It is noted that Lincoln County will close their portion of the road today in conjunction with our closing.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 10:32 a.m. until 10:45 a.m.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0. County Appraiser, Carl Miller, and Janet Andrews, County Clerk, were included in the executive session.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 10:45 a.m.  No action was taken.  The Appraiser, Carl Miller, discussed and reviewed with the Commissioners the recent editorial in the Ellsworth County Independent Reporter criticizing his department for not giving them information that they had requested.  Also, he received a letter from their attorney about information.  The County Attorney, Joe Shepack, has answered the letter from the attorney outlining the statues for requesting information and the ability of private companies to sell the information.  As yet, he has not heard from the attorney or gotten a written request for the Ellsworth County Independent Reporter and no information has been sent out.  He has also had a request for information to be created in a format that is not available to us from the Flint Hills Organization, however, our software company, Manatron, wrote a program for it and made it available to all the counties that have their software.  He will be sending that information.
 

Rob Fillion, Director of Smoky Hill Economic Development, Inc. and Gerry Gebhardt, City of Kanopolis representative on the Smoky Hill Economic Development Inc. Board, met with the Commissioners and Mr. Miller to go over the Neighborhood Revitalization applications that had been received.  Fifteen applications have been received with thirteen qualifying and two being denied because their projects did not meet the criteria.  There are eleven that still could qualify, but they have not applied to date.  The deadline for filing the application is May 31, 2009.  The thirteen qualifying applications were reviewed in detail.  Commissioner Rush moved to approve the thirteen qualifying Neighborhood Revitalization applications for processing.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.   Commissioner Kueser moved to agree with the recommendation of Mr. Miller to deny two of the applications as they did not meet the qualifying criteria.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.   After the May 31^st deadline, Mr. Miller will meet with the Commissioners again to approve any additional applications.

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

The Commissioners discussed amending the Landfill Waiver policy adding that tires would not be included in the waiver.  The revised policy will be presented next week for approval.

 

5.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

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

 

 

____________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

Minutes, May 4, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

MAY 4, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 4^th day of May 2009 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 Oller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Agenda with a deletion.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of April 27, 2009.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Dustin Avery, Piper Jaffray & Co., walked the Commissioners through several scenarios for financing the additions the hospital has proposed.  Included was General Obligation bond with a sales tax, Public Building Commission with a sales tax added in 2010 at a general election or a special election to be held in 2009.  Mr. Avery also discussed extending the present one half cent tax we  through the life of the new issue.  In order to get more precise calculation, Mr. Avery felt that he needed a more definitive cost of the project.  The Commissioners will arrange a meeting with the ECMC Board to try and get the requested information and Mr. Avery will contact Kevin Cowan, Bond Counsel with Gilmore & Bell for legal clarification on the items discussed.

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatement #144 in the amount of $90.26.  Commissioners Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the April Payroll for $180,966.84.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve April Accounts Payable and Prewritten Warrants in the amount of $156,101.60.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

5.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 11:45 a.m.

 

 

_____________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

 

 

Minutes, April 27, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

APRIL 27, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 27^th day of April 2009 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 Oller called the meeting to order at 9:00 a.m.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Agenda with additions.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the Minutes of April 20, 2009.  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, updated the Commissioners on the permitting of all of the quarter section being used for the landfill site.  The State is going to permit the new site immediately and then finish the remaining land.  The new recycling building is ready to be used and she is in the process of getting bids for the electricity for the building.  With the growth of the recycling and summer spraying to be done, she would like to hire a part-time summer worker.  The Commissioners gave Mrs. Shute permission to advertise for a summer worker.

 

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, reported that the new leak detector and probes for the fuel tanks are working well.  The employees have finished their defensive driving class and have received certificates.  This not only helps with the County's insurance but the individuals' as well.  He has had one employee recently hired resign and one employee is updating his CDL license and two are getting their CDL license.  One of the trucks is in Salina with a transmission problem.  He has found a state truck to replace their 1985 dump truck-snow plow for $10,000.  He may have to replace the motor, but even with that it is a good buy.  The Commissioners authorized Mr. Nondorf to purchase the truck.

 

Tracy Ploutz, Sheriff, reported the air-conditioning in the dispatch area was in and working well.  Also, the training room downstairs is almost completed.

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

Upon the request of the County Attorney, Commissioner Kueser moved to hire an assistant prosecutor to handle one case due to a conflict of interest with the County Attorney.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve a Hearing as requested by Columbia Township to close a one-mile road between Section 6 Township 14 Range 9 in Ellsworth County and Section 31 Township 13 Range 10 in Lincoln County.  The hearing will be held on May 11 at 10:00 a.m. with Lincoln Township holding their hearing at the same time to close their portion of the road.  Commission Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve State ordered abatements 123-143 in the amount of $9,783.36.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

5.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 11:05 a.m.

 

 

 

_____________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk