Minutes, June 22, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

JUNE 22, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 22^nd day of June 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 June 8 and June 15, 2009.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Phyllis Dolezal, President of the Ellsworth County Historical Society, and board members, Janice Essick and Norma Hokr, presented their budget request for the Society for 2010.  They requested $30,000, the same as last year.  The Commissioners complimented them on the number of volunteer hours donated to keep the museum running and restoring the buildings.

 

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, met with the Commissioners to discuss the salary schedule presented last week that would allow the EMS personnel to be paid for sleep time.  The Commissioners were not ready to make a decision as they wanted to do more checking on the figures given and if those figures work out, there would probably be a salary freeze for the EMS department for 2010.  However, they did feel that a service of our size should set the number of Paramedic required to run the service.  Mrs. Maze recommended three Paramedics slots and the rest of the service would be EMT's.  Presently, we have four trained Paramedics so the remaining one would have to be moved to the EMT position on the salary schedule.

 

Judge Mike Keeley, John Isern, Sabrina Chism and Peggy Svaty, representing the 20^th Judicial Court, presented their 2010 budget request of $80,000.  This is a decrease of $1,000 from 2009.  Judge Keeley explained that with the State's financial difficulties the state judicial clerical staff will be furloughed one week per month starting in January 2010.  To help remedy the Judicial Branch budget crisis, Chief Justice Davis is seeking Federal Recovery Act-Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grand funding.  In order for the fund to be used locally, the County Commissioners must voluntarily sign a waiver certifying that they agree that funding the project at the state level is in the best interests of the units of local government. 

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

There were no new business items.

 

5.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

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

 

 

_________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes June 15, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

JUNE 15, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 15^th day of June 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 as printed.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Brent Goss, Troy Soukup, Jamie Rathbun and Dan Johnson, representing the Extension Service, requested $105,500 for their 2010 budget.  This was an increase of $2,016 or approximately 2%.  Mr. Goss brought up the subject of regional extension districts and they discussed the pros and cons of combining counties into different districts.

 

The Ellsworth County Soil Conservation District, represented by Pam Hays, Glenn Walker, Brad Kratzer, Bernard Habiger and Phil Chegwidden, did not ask for an increase for their 2010 budget.  This year they received $29,000 and they feel that will be sufficient for next year.

 

Janet Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk, presented her 2010 Clerk and Election budgets.  The Clerk's budget was $99,136 and increase of $1,200 or 1.2% and the Election budget was $51,530 and increase of $1,280 or 2.5% from the 2008 budget.  The comparison is made to the 2008 budget as that is the last year for both a primary and general election and 2010 will have the same elections.

 

Upon the request of County Attorney, Joe Shepack, Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss pending litigation and attorney client privilege from 10:45 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.  Commissioner Rush seconded the motion. Motion carried 3-0.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:00 a.m.  No action was taken.  Commissioner Kueser moved to go into executive session to discuss non-elected personnel from 11:01 a.m. until 11:11 a.m.   Commissioner Rush seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.  Joe Shepack and Jan Andrews were included in the executive session.  The Commissioners returned to open session at 11:11 a.m.  No action was taken.

 

Michelle Maze, EMS Director, and Rick Soukup, Paramedic, showed the Commissioners the new cardiac monitor that was received and purchased through a grant funded by the State Board of EMS.  Mrs. Maze presented financial report through May, 2009 showing the receipts thus far for 2009 totals $147,456.12.  A pie chart showing how the receipts were generated was also presented.  An Ellsworth County EMS Shift Proposal was presented showing the cost of eliminating the seven hour sleep time and paying for the whole 24 hour shift.  In that proposal the personnel agreed to lower their per hour time but would received the same total wages for the year.  The Commissioners will take the proposal under consideration in the next couple of weeks as Mrs. Maze would like to implement the new system with the July pay period.  The open house on June 6^th went well with approximately 300 attending.

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

There were no old business items.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

There were no new business items.

 

5.                  OTHER BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to propose to the ECMC Board of Directors funding of $4 million for their building projects with a General Obligation bond and sales tax election to be held in August 2010.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

6.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 11:57 a.m.

 

 

_________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

 

 

 

 

Minutes, June 8, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

JUNE 8, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 8th day of June 2009 at the Ellsworth County Courthouse. 

 

                                                            Members Present:

                                                            Albert W. Oller, 1^st 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 as printed.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of June 1, 2009.  Commissioner Oller seconded the motion.  Motion carried 2-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Pat Murray, Clara McCoy and Shelia Srna, representing Central Kansas Mental Health, presented their budget request for 2010.  They asked for $19,998, an increase of $582 or 3%.

 

The following citizens representing the various senior programs in the county appeared to present their budget requests for 2010:  Sylvia O'Neill, Ginny Boots, Dave Koralek, Edith Pennington, Dorothy Thomas, Juanita Boley, Eleanor Hunter, Wray Ann Miller, Ron Etchison, Merv Harms, Darrell Thrasher and Gloria Thrasher.  The total requests from all the organizations totaled $124,632 an increase of $57,468 or 85%.  Individually, ECCA asked for an increase of $1,515, 7.4%, Ellsworth Senior Center an increase of $56,215, 275%, Wilson Senior Center $209 increase, 1.3%  and Holyrood remaining the same.  Much discussion followed in regards to the large increase requested by the Ellsworth Senior Center.  Mr. Koralek spoke to their needs and used the meals served as criteria for increasing their portion of the levy.

 

Rick Nondorf, Road & Bridge Supervisor, asked the Commissioners to select an engineering firm for the inspection of the low road project.  There were five firms to choose from.  The Commissioners selected Kirkham, Michael & Associates.  The Black Wolf Bridge is done and the 1995 Chevy pickup has been put up for sale by sealed bid.

 

Carl Miller, Appraiser, presented five more Neighborhood Revitalization applications for approval.  The Commissioners approved the five applications bringing the total number of 19 applicants that qualified.  Mr. Miller presented his budget for 2010 of $115,400 a decrease of $395.  The Commissioners discussed the requested abatement on a pipeline from American Energies.  Mr. Miller had no problems with the abatement and in talking with the County Clerk, paperwork has been sent to American Energies to start the process.

 

Carolee Miner, Shelia Nelson-Stout and Pat Wallerius, representing OCCK, Inc. presented their budget request for 2010.  No increase in funds was requested for 2010.  As an organization, they stated they were going to try and operate within the available resources and try to take advantage of other forms of revenue that might be available to non-profit organizations. 

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

The Commissioners discussed the $7 million funding request for the various hospital projects.  No decision was made.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

There were no new business items.

 

5.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 12:20 p.m.

 

 

_____________________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk  
 

 

Minutes, June 1, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

JUNE 1, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 1^st day of June 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 as printed.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve the Minutes of May 16, 2009.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Jo Funk, Sanitarian with the Salina-Saline County Health Department, visited with the Commissioners on the status of the LEFF state funded program.  The state is cutting the program by 29%.  The funding was established in 1990 and has never been increased.  Therefore, the Salina-Saline Health Department has been subsidizing the program especially these past few years.  They feel they can no longer do that, so they are asking the counties that are in the LEFF program to contribute for the services provided.  The analysis showed that Ellsworth County services were subsided in 2008 by $11,593. Mrs. Funk recommended that some of the fees be increased.  They went over a list of fees and agreed which ones could be increased.  Commissioner Rush moved to allocate $5,000 for LEFF services for 2009 and budget $10,000 in 2010.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Chairman Oller called the meeting to order for the hearing on a road closure in Wilson Township. Landowners, Frank Princ, Gretchen Schwarz and John O'Neill, were in attendance.  With no opposition to the closure, Commissioner Kueser moved to adopt the Certificate of Opinion and Order for Road Closure for the following road in Wilson Township:

                       

A road running north and south as between Sections 31 and 32 in Township 14 South and Range 10 West of The 6^th P.M., with the portion of the road to be vacated being that portion of the road commencing at the Southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 31, Township 14 South, and Range 10 West of the 6^th P.M. and then running north approximately 1,340 feet to the Smoky Hill River.

The Commissioners requested that Roger Pearson, ECMC Administrator, attend the meeting to answer some questions they had regarding the $7,000,000 request from the Board for expansion of the hospital.  A discussion was held with no funding decision being made at this time.  They will try to have the funding decision made by the hospital board's June 17^th meeting and present it at that time.

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

The hospital projects were discussed with Mr. Pearson in the appointment portion of the Agenda.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Kueser moved to approve Resolution 09R04, A Resolution of the Commissioners of the County of Ellsworth Stating It Is The Authority's Commitment To Approve And Adopt The Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan Including All State And FEMA Requirements In Compliance With FEMA Standards and Guidelines.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the May payroll in the amount of $170,971.99.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve the May account payables and prewritten warrants in the amount of $215,123.22.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

5.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 12:30 p.m.

 

 

___________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk

 

Minutes, May 26, 2009

ELLSWORTH COUNTY COMMISSIONER MEETING

 

MINUTES

 

MAY 26, 2009

 

The Board of Ellsworth County Commissioners convened this 26^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 Rush moved to approve the Minutes of May 18, 2009.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

No one was present for the Public Forum.

 

2.                  APPOINTMENTS:

 

Linda Denning, Owner of the Ellsworth County Independent Reporter, advised the Commissioners that she would be filing an open records violations on the county with the County Attorney.  Also, she is asking that it be sent directly to the Attorney General as Mr. Shepack was representing the Appraiser, Carl Miller, on the alleged violation.  She wanted to let the Commissioners know before she filed it and that there would be reference to it in this edition of the paper.  Mrs. Denning called later in the morning saying she was delaying the filing for a couple of weeks due to the tragic death of Mr. Miller's son.

 

Roger Pearson, ECMC Administrator, presented the financial reports for April showing a profit of $66,442 for the month and a year to date loss of $653,048.  At the last Board Meeting, the Board passed a motion requesting the Commissioners to fund the hospital construction projects in the amount of $7,000,000.  A brief discussion was held on the financial aspects of the projects with no decision on the funding being made at this time.  The new administrator should be on board sometime after the first of June.

 

Teresa Shute, Noxious Weed-Landfill Supervisor, reported that she had hired Rick Harper for summer help.

 

3.                  OLD BUSINESS:

 

The Commissioners approved the proposed ad for the Ellsworth County Guide being printed by the Ellsworth County Independent Reporter.

 

4.                  NEW BUSINESS:

 

Commissioner Rush moved to approve Abatement #164 in the amount of $419.06.  Commissioner Kueser seconded the motion.  Motion carried 3-0.

 

5.                  ADJOURNMENT:

 

Chairman Oller adjourned the meeting at 11:30 a.m.

 

 

____________________________________________

Janet L. Andrews, Ellsworth County Clerk